Localization and function of calmodulin in live-cells of Aspergillus nidulans

2010 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 268-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaochun Chen ◽  
Yiju Song ◽  
Jinling Cao ◽  
Gang Wang ◽  
Hua Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
And Function

scholarly journals Impact of Membrane Lipids on UapA and AzgA Transporter Subcellular Localization and Activity in Aspergillus nidulans

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 514
Author(s):  
Mariangela Dionysopoulou ◽  
George Diallinas
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Subcellular Localization ◽  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Membrane Lipids ◽  
Membrane Lipid ◽  
Lipid Biosynthesis ◽  
Transport Kinetics ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
And Function

Recent biochemical and biophysical evidence have established that membrane lipids, namely phospholipids, sphingolipids and sterols, are critical for the function of eukaryotic plasma membrane transporters. Here, we study the effect of selected membrane lipid biosynthesis mutations and of the ergosterol-related antifungal itraconazole on the subcellular localization, stability and transport kinetics of two well-studied purine transporters, UapA and AzgA, in Aspergillus nidulans. We show that genetic reduction in biosynthesis of ergosterol, sphingolipids or phosphoinositides arrest A. nidulans growth after germling formation, but solely blocks in early steps of ergosterol (Erg11) or sphingolipid (BasA) synthesis have a negative effect on plasma membrane (PM) localization and stability of transporters before growth arrest. Surprisingly, the fraction of UapA or AzgA that reaches the PM in lipid biosynthesis mutants is shown to conserve normal apparent transport kinetics. We further show that turnover of UapA, which is the transporter mostly sensitive to membrane lipid content modification, occurs during its trafficking and by enhanced endocytosis, and is partly dependent on autophagy and Hect-type HulARsp5 ubiquitination. Our results point out that the role of specific membrane lipids on transporter biogenesis and function in vivo is complex, combinatorial and transporter-dependent.

Assembly and function of Chlamydomonas flagellar mastigonemes as probed with a monoclonal antibody

1996 ◽  
Vol 109 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Nakamura ◽  
G. Tanaka ◽  
T. Maeda ◽  
R. Kamiya ◽  
T. Matsunaga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Beat Frequency ◽  
Distal Portion ◽  
Distal Region ◽  
Ring Structure ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Swimming Velocity ◽  
Flagellar Beat ◽  
Original Length ◽  
And Function

Mastigonemes are hair-like projections on the flagella of various kinds of lower eukaryotes. We obtained a monoclonal antibody (mAb-MAST1) to mastigonemes of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and found that it reacts with a single flagellar glycoprotein of about 230 kDa. Interestingly, immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that mAb-MAST1 recognizes not only the flagellar mastigonemes but also a ring composed of 10 or more particles located in the anterior end of the cell body close to the flagellar bases. The ring structure may be the pool of the mastigoneme protein. When the flagella are amputated, they regenerate to their original length in 90–120 minutes. We found that mastigonemes appear on the new flagellar surface as early as 15 minutes after deflagellation, and that new mastigonemes are mostly assembled onto the distal region of the flagellar surface. Mastigonemes thus appear to be inserted into the membrane only in the distal region of the flagellum. Alternatively, mastigonemes may be inserted at the base and transported very rapidly to the distal portion where they are trapped. When live cells are treated with mAb-MAST1, mastigonemes disappear from the flagellar surface. In these mAb-MAST1 treated cells, the swimming velocity decreases to 70–80% of the normal value, although the flagellar beat frequency increases to approximately 110% of the control. These findings demonstrate vectorial transport of mastigonemes to their assembly sites, and show that mastigonemes function to increase flagellar propulsive force by increasing the effective surface of the flagellum.

scholarly journals The splicing-factor Prp40 affects dynein–dynactin function in Aspergillus nidulans

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (12) ◽  
pp. 1289-1301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongde Qiu ◽  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Xin Xiang
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Early Endosome ◽  
Splicing Factor ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Mutant Screen ◽  
And Function

We performed a genomewide mutant screen for genes affecting dynein-mediated early-endosome distribution in Aspergillus nidulans, and we unexpectedly identified Prp40A, a homologue of the yeast splicing factor Prp40. Prp40A and its higher eukaryotic homologues may represent new factors affecting the assembly and function of dynein-dynactin.

scholarly journals Intracellular RNA-tracking methods

Open Biology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 180104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Logan George ◽  
Fred E. Indig ◽  
Kotb Abdelmohsen ◽  
Myriam Gorospe
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Beacons ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Coat Proteins ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Chimeric Transcripts ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Dynamics And Function ◽  
And Function ◽  
Complementary Rnas

RNA tracking allows researchers to visualize RNA molecules in cells and tissues, providing important spatio-temporal information regarding RNA dynamics and function. Methods such as fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and molecular beacons rely on complementary oligonucleotides to label and view endogenous transcripts. Other methods create artificial chimeric transcripts coupled with bacteriophage-derived coat proteins (e.g. MS2, λN) to tag molecules in live cells. In other approaches, endogenous RNAs are recognized by complementary RNAs complexed with noncatalytic Cas proteins. Each technique has its own set of strengths and limitations that must be considered when planning an experiment. Here, we discuss the mechanisms, advantages, and weaknesses of in situ hybridization, molecular beacons, MS2 tagging and Cas-derived systems, as well as how RNA tracking can be employed to study various aspects of molecular biology.

scholarly journals Superresolution Imaging Captures Carbohydrate Utilization Dynamics in Human Gut Symbionts

mBio ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishanthi S. Karunatilaka ◽  
Elizabeth A. Cameron ◽  
Eric C. Martens ◽  
Nicole M. Koropatkin ◽  
Julie S. Biteen
Keyword(s):  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Outer Membrane Proteins ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Human Gut ◽  
Uptake Mechanism ◽  
Complex Assembly ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Superresolution Imaging ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACTGut microbes play a key role in human health and nutrition by catabolizing a wide variety of glycans via enzymatic activities that are not encoded in the human genome. The ability to recognize and process carbohydrates strongly influences the structure of the gut microbial community. While the effects of diet on the microbiota are well documented, little is known about the molecular processes driving metabolism. To provide mechanistic insight into carbohydrate catabolism in gut symbionts, we studied starch processing in real time in the modelBacteroides thetaiotaomicronstarch utilization system (Sus) by single-molecule fluorescence. Although previous studies have explored Sus protein structure and function, the transient interactions, assembly, and collaboration of these outer membrane proteins have not yet been elucidated in live cells. Our live-cell superresolution imaging reveals that the polymeric starch substrate dynamically recruits Sus proteins, serving as an external scaffold for bacterial membrane assembly of the Sus complex, which may promote efficient capturing and degradation of starch. Furthermore, by simultaneously localizing multiple Sus outer membrane proteins on theB. thetaiotaomicroncell surface, we have characterized the dynamics and stoichiometry of starch-induced Sus complex assembly on the molecular scale. Finally, based on Sus protein knockout strains, we have discerned the mechanism of starch-induced Sus complex assembly in live anaerobic cells with nanometer-scale resolution. Our insights into the starch-induced outer membrane protein assembly central to this conserved nutrient uptake mechanism pave the way for the development of dietary or pharmaceutical therapies to controlBacteroidetesin the intestinal tract to enhance human health and treat disease.IMPORTANCEIn this study, we used nanometer-scale superresolution imaging to reveal dynamic interactions between the proteins involved in starch processing by the prominent human gut symbiontBacteroides thetaiotaomicronin real time in live cells. These results represent the first working model of starch utilization system (Sus) complex assembly and function during glycan catabolism and are likely to describe aspects of how other Sus-like systems function in human gutBacteroidetes. Our results provide unique mechanistic insights into a glycan catabolism strategy that is prevalent within the human gut microbial community. Proper understanding of this conserved nutrient uptake mechanism is essential for the development of dietary or pharmaceutical therapies to control intestinal tract microbial populations, to enhance human health, and to treat disease.

scholarly journals CLIP-170 Homologue and NUDE Play Overlapping Roles in NUDF Localization in Aspergillus nidulans

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 2021-2034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir P. Efimov ◽  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Xin Xiang
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
Physical Interactions ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubules ◽  
Growth Promoting ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Hyphal Tip

Proteins in the cytoplasmic dynein pathway accumulate at the microtubule plus end, giving the appearance of comets when observed in live cells. The targeting mechanism for NUDF (LIS1/Pac1) of Aspergillus nidulans, a key component of the dynein pathway, has not been clear. Previous studies have demonstrated physical interactions of NUDF/LIS1/Pac1 with both NUDE/NUDEL/Ndl1 and CLIP-170/Bik1. Here, we have identified the A. nidulans CLIP-170 homologue, CLIPA. The clipA deletion did not cause an obvious nuclear distribution phenotype but affected cytoplasmic microtubules in an unexpected manner. Although more microtubules failed to undergo long-range growth toward the hyphal tip at 32°C, those that reached the hyphal tip were less likely to undergo catastrophe. Thus, in addition to acting as a growth-promoting factor, CLIPA also promotes microtubule dynamics. In the absence of CLIPA, green fluorescent protein-labeled cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain, p150Glued dynactin, and NUDF were all seen as plus-end comets at 32°C. However, under the same conditions, deletion of both clipA and nudE almost completely abolished NUDF comets, although nudE deletion itself did not cause a dramatic change in NUDF localization. Based on these results, we suggest that CLIPA and NUDE both recruit NUDF to the microtubule plus end. The plus-end localization of CLIPA itself seems to be regulated by different mechanisms under different physiological conditions. Although the KipA kinesin (Kip2/Tea2 homologue) did not affect plus-end localization of CLIPA at 32°C, it was required for enhancing plus-end accumulation of CLIPA at an elevated temperature (42°C).

scholarly journals Suppression of the bimC4 mitotic spindle defect by deletion of klpA, a gene encoding a KAR3-related kinesin-like protein in Aspergillus nidulans.

1993 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
M J O'Connell ◽  
P B Meluh ◽  
M D Rose ◽  
N R Morris
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Structural Similarity ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Expression Studies ◽  
Primary Amino ◽  
And Function ◽  
Spindle Function ◽  
The Relationship

To investigate the relationship between structure and function of kinesin-like proteins, we have identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) a new kinesin-like protein in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, which we have designated KLPA. DNA sequence analysis showed that the predicted KLPA protein contains a COOH terminal kinesin-like motor domain. Despite the structural similarity of KLPA to the KAR3 and NCD kinesin-like proteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Drosophila melanogaster, which also posses COOH-terminal kinesin-like motor domains, there are no significant sequence similarities between the nonmotor or tail portions of these proteins. Nevertheless, expression studies in S. cerevisiae showed that klpA can complement a null mutation in KAR3, indicating that primary amino acid sequence conservation between the tail domains of kinesin-like proteins is not necessarily required for conserved function. Chromosomal deletion of the klpA gene exerted no observable mutant phenotype, suggesting that in A. nidulans there are likely to be other proteins functionally redundant with KLPA. Interestingly, the temperature sensitive phenotype of a mutation in another gene, bimC, which encodes a kinesin-like protein involved in mitotic spindle function in A. nidulans, was suppressed by deletion of klpA. We hypothesize that the loss of KLPA function redresses unbalanced forces within the spindle caused by mutation in bimC, and that the KLPA and BIMC kinesin-like proteins may play opposing roles in spindle function.

scholarly journals Actin-binding Verprolin Is a Polarity Development Protein Required for the Morphogenesis and Function of the Yeast Actin Cytoskeleton

1997 ◽  
Vol 139 (7) ◽  
pp. 1821-1833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Vaduva ◽  
Nancy C. Martin ◽  
Anita K. Hopper
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Growth Defect ◽  
Protein Distribution ◽  
Cycle Dependent ◽  
And Function

Yeast verprolin, encoded by VRP1, is implicated in cell growth, cytoskeletal organization, endocytosis and mitochondrial protein distribution and function. We show that verprolin is also required for bipolar bud-site selection. Previously we reported that additional actin suppresses the temperature-dependent growth defect caused by a mutation in VRP1. Here we show that additional actin suppresses all known defects caused by vrp1-1 and conclude that the defects relate to an abnormal cytoskeleton. Using the two-hybrid system, we show that verprolin binds actin. An actin-binding domain maps to the LKKAET hexapeptide located in the first 70 amino acids. A similar hexapeptide in other acting-binding proteins was previously shown to be necessary for actin-binding activity. The entire 70– amino acid motif is conserved in novel higher eukaryotic proteins that we predict to be actin-binding, and also in the actin-binding proteins, WASP and N-WASP. Verprolin-GFP in live cells has a cell cycle-dependent distribution similar to the actin cortical cytoskeleton. In fixed cells hemagglutinin-tagged Vrp1p often co-localizes with actin in cortical patches. However, disassembly of the actin cytoskeleton using Latrunculin-A does not alter verprolin's location, indicating that verprolin establishes and maintains its location independent of the actin cytoskeleton. Verprolin is a new member of the actin-binding protein family that serves as a polarity development protein, perhaps by anchoring actin. We speculate that the effects of verprolin upon the actin cytoskeleton might influence mitochondrial protein sorting/function via mRNA distribution.

scholarly journals A new method for post-translationally labeling proteins in live cells for fluorescence imaging and tracking

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 771-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Hinrichsen ◽  
M Lenz ◽  
J M Edwards ◽  
O K Miller ◽  
S G J Mochrie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Covalent Bond ◽  
Subcellular Location ◽  
Turnover Time ◽  
Target Protein ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
General Applicability ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
And Function

AbstractWe present a novel method to fluorescently label proteins, post-translationally, within live Saccharomycescerevisiae. The premise underlying this work is that fluorescent protein (FP) tags are less disruptive to normal processing and function when they are attached post-translationally, because target proteins are allowed to fold properly and reach their final subcellular location before being labeled. We accomplish this post-translational labeling by expressing the target protein fused to a short peptide tag (SpyTag), which is then covalently labeled in situ by controlled expression of an open isopeptide domain (SpyoIPD, a more stable derivative of the SpyCatcher protein) fused to an FP. The formation of a covalent bond between SpyTag and SpyoIPD attaches the FP to the target protein. We demonstrate the general applicability of this strategy by labeling several yeast proteins. Importantly, we show that labeling the membrane protein Pma1 in this manner avoids the mislocalization and growth impairment that occur when Pma1 is genetically fused to an FP. We also demonstrate that this strategy enables a novel approach to spatiotemporal tracking in single cells and we develop a Bayesian analysis to determine the protein’s turnover time from such data.

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