scholarly journals Molecular cloning and subcellular distribution of the novel PDE4B4 cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase isoform

2003 ◽  
Vol 370 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm SHEPHERD ◽  
Theresa McSORLEY ◽  
Aileen E. OLSEN ◽  
Lee Ann JOHNSTON ◽  
Neil C. THOMSON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Distribution ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Subcellular Fractionation ◽  
Pde4 Inhibitor ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Rnase Protection ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Camp Levels

We have isolated cDNAs encoding PDE4B4, a new cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE4) isoform with novel properties. The amino acid sequence of PDE4B4 demonstrates that it is encoded by the PDE4B gene, but that it differs from the previously isolated PDE4B1, PDE4B2 and PDE4B3 isoforms by the presence of a novel N-terminal region of 17 amino acids. PDE4B4 contains both of the upstream conserved region 1 (UCR1) and UCR2 regulatory units that are characteristic of ‘long’ PDE4 isoforms. RNase protection demonstrated that PDE4B4 mRNA is expressed preferentially in liver, skeletal muscle and various regions of the brain, which differs from the pattern of tissue distribution of the other known PDE4B long forms, PDE4B1 and PDE4B3. Expression of PDE4B4 cDNA in COS7 cells produced a protein of 85kDa under denaturing conditions. Subcellular fractionation of recombinant, COS7-cell expressed PDE4B4 showed that the protein was localized within the cytosol, which was confirmed by confocal microscopic analysis of living COS7 cells transfected with a green fluorescent protein—PDE4B4 chimaera. PDE4B4 exhibited a Km for cAMP of 5.4μM and a Vmax, relative to that of the long PDE4B1 isoform, of 2.1. PDE4B4 was inhibited by the prototypical PDE4 inhibitor rolipram {4-[3-(cyclopentoxyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-pyrrolidinone} with an IC50 of 83nM. Treatment of COS7 cells with forskolin, to elevate cAMP levels, produced activation of PDE4B4, which was associated with the phosphorylation of PDE4B4 on Ser-56 within UCR1. The unique tissue distribution and intracellular targeting of PDE4B4 suggests that this isoform may have a distinct functional role in regulating cAMP levels in specific cell types.

scholarly journals Compartmentalized cyanophycin metabolism in the diazotrophic filaments of a heterocyst-forming cyanobacterium

2014 ◽  
Vol 111 (10) ◽  
pp. 3823-3828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mireia Burnat ◽  
Antonia Herrero ◽  
Enrique Flores
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Oxygenic Photosynthesis ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Protein Fusion ◽  
Vegetative Cells ◽  
Polar Granules ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Multicellular Organisms ◽  
Cyanophycin Synthetase

Heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria are multicellular organisms in which growth requires the activity of two metabolically interdependent cell types, the vegetative cells that perform oxygenic photosynthesis and the dinitrogen-fixing heterocysts. Vegetative cells provide the heterocysts with reduced carbon, and heterocysts provide the vegetative cells with fixed nitrogen. Heterocysts conspicuously accumulate polar granules made of cyanophycin [multi-L-arginyl-poly (L-aspartic acid)], which is synthesized by cyanophycin synthetase and degraded by the concerted action of cyanophycinase (that releases β-aspartyl-arginine) and isoaspartyl dipeptidase (that produces aspartate and arginine). Cyanophycin synthetase and cyanophycinase are present at high levels in the heterocysts. Here we created a deletion mutant of geneall3922encoding isoaspartyl dipeptidase in the model heterocyst-forming cyanobacteriumAnabaenasp. strain PCC 7120. The mutant accumulated cyanophycin and β-aspartyl-arginine, and was impaired specifically in diazotrophic growth. Analysis of anAnabaenastrain bearing an All3922-GFP (green fluorescent protein) fusion and determination of the enzyme activity in specific cell types showed that isoaspartyl dipeptidase is present at significantly lower levels in heterocysts than in vegetative cells. Consistently, isolated heterocysts released substantial amounts of β-aspartyl-arginine. These observations imply that β-aspartyl-arginine produced from cyanophycin in the heterocysts is transferred intercellularly to be hydrolyzed, producing aspartate and arginine in the vegetative cells. Our results showing compartmentalized metabolism of cyanophycin identify the nitrogen-rich molecule β-aspartyl-arginine as a nitrogen vehicle in the unique multicellular system represented by the heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria.

scholarly journals Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting Using the D-Root Device and Optimization for Scarce and/or Non-Accessible Root Cell Populations

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary-Paz González-García ◽  
Estéfano Bustillo-Avendaño ◽  
Alvaro Sanchez-Corrionero ◽  
Juan C. del Pozo ◽  
Miguel A. Moreno-Risueno
Keyword(s):  
Cell Sorting ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting ◽  
Stressful Environment ◽  
Minimum Number ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) is a technique used to isolate specific cell populations based on characteristics detected by flow cytometry. FACS has been broadly used in transcriptomic analyses of individual cell types during development or under different environmental conditions. Different protoplast extraction protocols are available for plant roots; however, they were designed for accessible cell populations, which normally were grown in the presence of light, a non-natural and stressful environment for roots. Here, we report a protocol using FACS to isolate root protoplasts from Arabidopsis green fluorescent protein (GFP)-marked lines using the minimum number of enzymes necessary for an optimal yield, and with the root system grown in darkness in the D-Root device. This device mimics natural conditions as the shoot grows in the presence of light while the roots grow in darkness. In addition, we optimized this protocol for specific patterns of scarce cell types inside more differentiated tissues using the mCherry fluorescent protein. We provide detailed experimental protocols for effective protoplasting, subsequent purification through FACS, and RNA extraction. Using this RNA, we generated cDNA and sequencing libraries, proving that our methods can be used for genome-wide transcriptomic analyses of any cell-type from roots grown in darkness.

scholarly journals Dynamin-related Protein Drp1 Is Required for Mitochondrial Division in Mammalian Cells

2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2245-2256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Smirnova ◽  
Lorena Griparic ◽  
Dixie-Lee Shurland ◽  
Alexander M. van der Bliek
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Subcellular Fractionation ◽  
Related Protein ◽  
Direct Role ◽  
Mitochondrial Division ◽  
Transfected Cells ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Time Lapse Photography

Mutations in the human dynamin-related protein Drp1 cause mitochondria to form perinuclear clusters. We show here that these mitochondrial clusters consist of highly interconnected mitochondrial tubules. The increased connectivity between mitochondria indicates that the balance between mitochondrial division and fusion is shifted toward fusion. Such a shift is consistent with a block in mitochondrial division. Immunofluorescence and subcellular fractionation show that endogenous Drp1 is localized to mitochondria, which is also consistent with a role in mitochondrial division. A direct role in mitochondrial division is suggested by time-lapse photography of transfected cells, in which green fluorescent protein fused to Drp1 is concentrated in spots that mark actual mitochondrial division events. We find that purified human Drp1 can self-assemble into multimeric ring-like structures with dimensions similar to those of dynamin multimers. The structural and functional similarities between dynamin and Drp1 suggest that Drp1 wraps around the constriction points of dividing mitochondria, analogous to dynamin collars at the necks of budding vesicles. We conclude that Drp1 contributes to mitochondrial division in mammalian cells.

scholarly journals Myofibroblast Development Is Characterized by Specific Cell-Cell Adherens Junctions

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 4310-4320 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Hinz ◽  
P. Pittet ◽  
J. Smith-Clerc ◽  
C. Chaponnier ◽  
J.-J. Meister
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Contractile Activity ◽  
Adherens Junctions ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Flow Chamber ◽  
Dermal Fibroblasts ◽  
Mechanical Resistance ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Collagen Gels ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Myofibroblasts of wound granulation tissue, in contrast to dermal fibroblasts, join stress fibers at sites of cadherin-type intercellular adherens junctions (AJs). However, the function of myofibroblast AJs, their molecular composition, and the mechanisms of their formation are largely unknown. We demonstrate that fibroblasts change cadherin expression from N-cadherin in early wounds to OB-cadherin in contractile wounds, populated with α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive myofibroblasts. A similar shift occurs during myofibroblast differentiation in culture and seems to be responsible for the homotypic segregation of α-SMA-positive and -negative fibroblasts in suspension. AJs of plated myofibroblasts are reinforced by α-SMA–mediated contractile activity, resulting in high mechanical resistance as demonstrated by subjecting cell pairs to hydrodynamic forces in a flow chamber. A peptide that inhibits α-SMA–mediated contractile force causes the reorganization of large stripe-like AJs to belt-like contacts as shown for enhanced green fluorescent protein-α–catenin-transfected cells and is associated with a reduced mechanical resistance. Anti-OB-cadherin but not anti-N-cadherin peptides reduce the contraction of myofibroblast-populated collagen gels, suggesting that AJs are instrumental for myofibroblast contractile activity.

scholarly journals Rice black-streaked dwarf virus P10 suppresses protein kinase C in insect vector through changing the subcellular localization of LsRACK1

2019 ◽  
Vol 374 (1767) ◽  
pp. 20180315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Lu ◽  
Qi Wang ◽  
Deqing Huang ◽  
Qiufang Xu ◽  
Xueping Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase C ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Subcellular Localization ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Brown Planthopper ◽  
Subcellular Fractionation ◽  
Dwarf Virus ◽  
Insect Vector ◽  
Kinase C ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) was known to be transmitted by the small brown planthopper (SBPH) in a persistent, circulative and propagative manner in nature. Here, we show that RBSDV major outer capsid protein (also known as P10) suppresses the protein kinase C (PKC) activity of SBPH through interacting with the receptor for activated protein kinase C 1 (LsRACK1). The N terminal of P10 (amino acids (aa) 1–270) and C terminal of LsRACK1 (aa 268–315) were mapped as crucial for the interaction. Confocal microscopy and subcellular fractionation showed that RBSDV P10 fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein formed vesicular structures associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes in Spodoptera frugiperda nine cells. Our results also indicated that RBSDV P10 retargeted the initial subcellular localization of LsRACK1 from cytoplasm and cell membrane to ER and affected the function of LsRACKs to activate PKC. Inhibition of RACK1 by double stranded RNA-induced gene silencing significantly promoted the replication of RBSDV in SBPH. In addition, the PKC pathway participates in the antivirus innate immune response of SBPH. This study highlights that RACK1 negatively regulates the accumulation of RBSDV in SBPH through activating the PKC signalling pathway, and RBSDV P10 changes the subcellular localization of LsRACK1 and affects its function to activate PKC. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Biotic signalling sheds light on smart pest management’.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial localization of Dictyostelium discoideum dUTPase mediated by its N-terminus

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine P. Chia ◽  
Noriko Inoguchi ◽  
Kyle C. Varon ◽  
Bradley M. Bartholomai ◽  
Hideaki Moriyama
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Subcellular Fractionation ◽  
Unicellular Eukaryote ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Conserved Motifs ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Key Enzyme ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Abstract Objective The nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of Dictyostelium discoideum, a unicellular eukaryote, have relatively high A+T-contents of 77.5% and 72.65%, respectively. To begin to investigate how the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway fulfills the demand for dTTP, we determined the catalytic properties and structure of the key enzyme deoxyuridine triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase (dUTPase) that hydrolyzes dUTP to dUMP, the precursor of dTTP. Results The annotated genome of D. discoideum identifies a gene encoding a polypeptide containing the five conserved motifs of homotrimeric dUTPases. Recombinant proteins, comprised of either full-length or core polypeptides with all conserved motifs but lacking residues 1-37 of the N-terminus, were active dUTPases. Crystallographic analyses of the core enzyme indicated that the C-termini, normally flexible, were constrained by interactions with the shortened N-termini that arose from the loss of residues 1-37. This allowed greater access of dUTP to active sites, resulting in enhanced catalytic parameters. A tagged protein comprised of the N-terminal forty amino acids of dUTPase fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) was expressed in D. discoideum cells. Supporting a prediction of mitochondrial targeting information within the N-terminus, localization and subcellular fractionation studies showed GFP to be in mitochondria. N-terminal sequencing of immunoprecipitated GFP revealed the loss of the dUTPase sequence upon import into the organelle.

scholarly journals Baculovirus Infection of Nondividing Mammalian Cells: Mechanisms of Entry and Nuclear Transport of Capsids

2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 961-970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nico-Dirk van Loo ◽  
Elisabetta Fortunati ◽  
Erich Ehlert ◽  
Martijn Rabelink ◽  
Frank Grosveld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Nuclear Transport ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Fusion Event ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Cytoplasmic Transport ◽  
Baculovirus Infection

ABSTRACT We have studied the infection pathway of Autographa californica multinuclear polyhedrosis virus (baculovirus) in mammalian cells. By titration with a baculovirus containing a green fluorescent protein cassette, we found that several, but not all, mammalian cell types can be infected efficiently. In contrast to previous suggestions, our data show that the asialoglycoprotein receptor is not required for efficient infection. We demonstrate for the first time that this baculovirus can infect nondividing mammalian cells, which implies that the baculovirus is able to transport its genome across the nuclear membrane of mammalian cells. Our data further show that the virus enters via endocytosis, followed by an acid-induced fusion event, which releases the nucleocapsid into the cytoplasm. Cytochalasin D strongly reduces the infection efficiency but not the delivery of nucleocapsids to the cytoplasm, suggesting involvement of actin filaments in cytoplasmic transport of the capsids. Electron microscopic analysis shows the cigar-shaped nucleocapsids located at nuclear pores of nondividing cells. Under these conditions, we observed the viral genome, major capsid protein, and electron-dense capsids inside the nucleus. This suggests that the nucleocapsid is transported through the nuclear pore. This mode of transport seems different from viruses with large spherical capsids, such as herpes simplex virus and adenovirus, which are disassembled before nuclear transport of the genome. The implications for the application of baculovirus or its capsid proteins in gene therapy are discussed.

scholarly journals Transcribing paramyxovirus RNA polymerase engages the template at its 3′ extremity

2006 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 665-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Cordey ◽  
Laurent Roux
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Sendai Virus ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Mrna Transcription ◽  
Gfp Expression ◽  
Rnase Protection ◽  
Virus Rna ◽  
Green Fluorescent

For the non-segmented, negative-stranded RNA viruses, the mechanism controlling transcription or replication is still a matter of debate. To gain information about this mechanism and about the nature of the RNA polymerase involved, the length of an intervening sequence separating the 3′ end of Sendai virus minigenomes and a downstream transcription-initiation signal was increased progressively. It was found that transcription, as measured by green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression, decreased progressively in proportion to the increase in length of the intervening sequence. GFP expression correlated well with the levels of GFP mRNA in the cells, as measured by quantitative primer extension and by RNase protection. Thus, mRNA transcription was inversely proportional to the length of the inserted sequence. These data are evidence that the RNA polymerase initiating transcription at the downstream transcription signal somehow sees the distance separating this signal and the template 3′ extremity. Implication of this observation for the nature of the Sendai virus RNA polymerase and for the mechanism by which it synthesizes mRNAs or replication products is presented.

scholarly journals Temporal cAMP Signaling Selectivity by Natural and Synthetic MC4R Agonists

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 1619-1633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent M. Molden ◽  
Kimberly A. Cooney ◽  
Kirk West ◽  
Lex H. T. Van Der Ploeg ◽  
Giulia Baldini
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Resonance Energy Transfer ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Camp Signaling ◽  
Intracellular Camp ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Melanocortin 4 Receptor ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Camp Induction ◽  
Agouti Related Protein

Abstract The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is a G protein-coupled receptor expressed in the brain, where it controls energy balance through pathways including α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-dependent signaling. We have reported that the MC4R can exist in an active conformation that signals constitutively by increasing cAMP levels in the absence of receptor desensitization. We asked whether synthetic MC4R agonists differ in their ability to increase intracellular cAMP over time in Neuro2A cells expressing endogenous MC4R and exogenous, epitope-tagged hemagglutinin-MC4R-green fluorescent protein. By analyzing intracellular cAMP in a temporally resolved Förster resonance energy transfer assay, we show that withdrawal of α-MSH leads to a quick reversal of cAMP induction. By contrast, the synthetic agonist melanotan II (MTII) induces a cAMP signal that persists for at least 1 hour after removal of MTII from the medium and cannot be antagonized by agouti related protein. Similarly, in mHypoE-42 immortalized hypothalamic neurons, MTII, but not α-MSH, induced persistent AMP kinase signal, which occurs downstream of increased cAMP. By using a fluorescence recovery after photobleaching assay, it appears that the receptor exposed to MTII continues to signal after being internalized. Similar to MTII, the synthetic MC4R agonists, THIQ and BIM-22511, but not LY2112688, induced prolonged cAMP signaling after agonist withdrawal. However, agonist-exposed MC4R desensitized to the same extent, regardless of the ligand used and regardless of differences in receptor intracellular retention kinetics. In conclusion, α-MSH and LY2112688, when compared with MTII, THIQ, and BIM-22511, vary in the duration of the acute cAMP response, showing distinct temporal signaling selectivity, possibly linked to specific cell compartments from which cAMP signals may originate.

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