scholarly journals Disruption of inositol biosynthesis through targeted mutagenesis in Dictyostelium discoideum: generation and characterization of inositol-auxotrophic mutants

2006 ◽  
Vol 397 (3) ◽  
pp. 509-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Fischbach ◽  
Stephan Adelt ◽  
Alexander Müller ◽  
Günter Vogel
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Inositol Phosphate ◽  
Targeted Mutagenesis ◽  
Inositol Polyphosphate ◽  
Fluid Medium ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Cellular Slime

myo-Inositol and its downstream metabolites participate in diverse physiological processes. Nevertheless, considering their variety, it is likely that additional roles are yet to be uncovered. Biosynthesis of myo-inositol takes place via an evolutionarily conserved metabolic pathway and is strictly dependent on inositol-3-phosphate synthase (EC 5.5.1.4). Genetic manipulation of this enzyme will disrupt the cellular inositol supply. Two methods, based on gene deletion and antisense strategy, were used to generate mutants of the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum. These mutants are inositol-auxotrophic and show phenotypic changes under inositol starvation. One remarkable attribute is their inability to live by phagocytosis of bacteria, which is the exclusive nutrient source in their natural environment. Cultivated on fluid medium, the mutants lose their viability when deprived of inositol for longer than 24 h. Here, we report a study of the alterations in the first 24 h in cellular inositol, inositol phosphate and phosphoinositide concentrations, whereby a rapidly accumulating phosphorylated compound was detected. After its identification as 2,3-BPG (2,3-bisphosphoglycerate), evidence could be found that the internal disturbances of inositol homoeostasis trigger the accumulation. In a first attempt to characterize this as a physiologically relevant response, the efficient in vitro inhibition of a D. discoideum inositol-polyphosphate 5-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.56) by 2,3-BPG is presented.

scholarly journals PER2 Mediates CREB-Dependent Light Induction of Per1

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Brenna ◽  
Jürgen A. Ripperger ◽  
Gabriella Saro ◽  
Dominique Glauser ◽  
Zhihong Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Histone Acetyltransferase ◽  
Regulatory Region ◽  
Light Signal ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
The One ◽  
The Individual ◽  
H3 Acetylation

Abstract Light affects many physiological processes in mammals such as entrainment of the circadian clock, regulation of mood, and relaxation of blood vessels. At the molecular level, a stimulus such as light initiates a cascade of kinases that phosphorylate CREB at various sites, including serine 133 (S133). This modification leads CREB to recruit the co-factor CRCT1 and the histone acetyltransferase CBP to stimulate the transcription of genes containing a CRE element in their promoters, such as Period 1 (Per1). However, the details of this pathway are poorly understood. Here we provide evidence that PER2 acts as a co-factor of CREB to facilitate the formation of a transactivation complex on the CRE element of the Per1 gene regulatory region in response to light. Using in vitro and in vivo approaches, we show that PER2 modulates the interaction between CREB and its co-regulator CRTC1 to support complex formation only after a light or forskolin stimulus. Furthermore, the absence of PER2 abolished the interaction between the histone acetyltransferase CBP and CREB. This process was accompanied by a reduction of histone H3 acetylation and decreased recruitment of RNA Pol II to the Per1 gene. Collectively, our data show that PER2 supports the stimulus-dependent induction of the Per1 gene via modulation of the CREB/CRTC1/CBP complex. Remarkably, our results indicate that the molecular mechanism that transduces the light signal to the clock is similar to the one in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa to induce frequency (Frq). This suggests an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of this process despite the divergent sequences of the individual components.

Induction by acid load of the maturation of prestalk cells in Dictyostelium discoideum

Development ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 669-681
Author(s):  
K. Inouye
Keyword(s):  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Cell Maturation ◽  
Stalk Cell ◽  
Body Construction ◽  
Acid Load ◽  
Cellular Slime ◽  
Plasma Membrane Proton Pump

During the process of fruiting body construction in the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum, prestalk cells become mature stalk cells in a well-controlled manner. To identify the natural inducer of stalk cell maturation, substances known to induce stalk cell differentiation under in vitro conditions, and some other related compounds, were examined for their effects in vivo on migrating slugs, the precursor structures of the fruiting bodies. Among these substances, addition of weak acids such as CO2, and addition followed by removal of weak bases such as NH3, strikingly induced the maturation of prestalk cells in situ in slugs. On the other hand, inhibitors of the plasma membrane proton pump did not efficiently induce the maturation of prestalk cells in intact slugs. Differentiation inducing factor (DIF), an endogenous inducer of prestalk differentiation, seemed to be an even poorer inducer of stalk cell maturation when applied to intact slugs. The activities of these substances in inducing stalk cell maturation showed a good correlation with their effects on the cytoplasmic pH (pHi) of prestalk cells; the larger the pHi drop, the stronger the induction of stalk cell maturation, suggesting a requirement for a pHi decrease for the maturation of prestalk cells. Based on these results, it was proposed that stalk cell differentiation, which is induced by DIF, is blocked halfway during normal development by (an) agent(s) that prevent(s) the decrease in pHi.

Synthesis of a ribosome-bound translatable poly(A)− mRNA during spore germination in Dictyostelium discoideum

1989 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 573-577
Author(s):  
S. Ramagopal
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Spore Germination ◽  
Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
In Vitro Translation ◽  
Cellular Slime Mold ◽  
Free System ◽  
Cellular Slime

A distinct poly(A)− RNA sedimenting around 10–12S was identified during spore germination in Dictyostelium discoideum. Activated spores were labeled with [3H]uracil and the poly(A)− RNA was purified from ribosomal particles for analysis. In the spore swelling stage, 40 to 50% of the newly synthesized poly(A)− RNA was 10–12S RNA. This fraction diminished to one-half or one-fourth depending on the labeling period at the stage of amoeba emergence. The 10–12S RNA was associated with both monosomes and polysomes in vivo. Translation in a wheat germ cell-free system and gel electrophoresis demonstrated that the 10–12S RNA coded for a number of polypeptides, some of which were also represented among the in vitro products of poly(A)+ RNA. However, there were seven unique polypeptides (37.5, 28.2, 27.5, 23, 17.7, 17, and 14.2 kilodaltons) encoded exclusively by 10–12S RNA.Key words: cellular slime mold, RNA synthesis, development, poly(A)− mRNA, in vitro translation.

Improvement of effectiveness in maize breeding

2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Pepó
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Selection ◽  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Tissue Cultures ◽  
Maize Breeding ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
Selection For

Plant regeneration via tissue culture is becoming increasingly more common in monocots such as maize (Zea mays L.). Pollen (gametophytic) selection for resistance to aflatoxin in maize can greatly facilitate recurrent selection and the screening of germplasm for resistance at much less cost and in a shorter time than field testing. In vivo and in vitro techniques have been integrated in maize breeding programmes to obtain desirable agronomic attributes, enhance the genes responsible for them and speed up the breeding process. The efficiency of anther and tissue cultures in maize and wheat has reached the stage where they can be used in breeding programmes to some extent and many new cultivars produced by genetic manipulation have now reached the market.

Molecular Basis of Iterative C–H Oxidation by TamI, a Multifunctional P450 Monooxygenase from the Tirandamycin Biosynthetic Pathway

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean A. Newmister ◽  
Kinshuk Raj Srivastava ◽  
Rosa V. Espinoza ◽  
Kersti Caddell Haatveit ◽  
Yogan Khatri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Hydrophobic Interactions ◽  
Cytochromes P450 ◽  
Targeted Mutagenesis ◽  
P450 Monooxygenase ◽  
Bond Functionalization ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Biocatalysis offers an expanding and powerful strategy to construct and diversify complex molecules by C-H bond functionalization. Due to their high selectivity, enzymes have become an essential tool for C-H bond functionalization and offer complementary reactivity to small-molecule catalysts. Hemoproteins, particularly cytochromes P450, have proven effective for selective oxidation of unactivated C-H bonds. Previously, we reported the in vitro characterization of an oxidative tailoring cascade in which TamI, a multifunctional P450 functions co-dependently with the TamL flavoprotein to catalyze regio- and stereoselective hydroxylations and epoxidation to yield tirandamycin A and tirandamycin B. TamI follows a defined order including 1) C10 hydroxylation, 2) C11/C12 epoxidation, and 3) C18 hydroxylation. Here we present a structural, biochemical, and computational investigation of TamI to understand the molecular basis of its substrate binding, diverse reactivity, and specific reaction sequence. The crystal structure of TamI in complex with tirandamycin C together with molecular dynamics simulations and targeted mutagenesis suggest that hydrophobic interactions with the polyene chain of its natural substrate are critical for molecular recognition. QM/MM calculations and molecular dynamics simulations of TamI with variant substrates provided detailed information on the molecular basis of sequential reactivity, and pattern of regio- and stereo-selectivity in catalyzing the three-step oxidative cascade.<br>

scholarly journals A high-throughput screening method for evolving a demethylase enzyme with improved and new functionalities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuru Wang ◽  
Christopher D Katanski ◽  
Christopher Watkins ◽  
Jessica N Pan ◽  
Qing Dai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput ◽  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Targeted Mutagenesis ◽  
Rna Repair ◽  
Dna And Rna ◽  
Modified Dna ◽  
Dna Substrates ◽  
Trna Sequencing

Abstract AlkB is a DNA/RNA repair enzyme that removes base alkylations such as N1-methyladenosine (m1A) or N3-methylcytosine (m3C) from DNA and RNA. The AlkB enzyme has been used as a critical tool to facilitate tRNA sequencing and identification of mRNA modifications. As a tool, AlkB mutants with better reactivity and new functionalities are highly desired; however, previous identification of such AlkB mutants was based on the classical approach of targeted mutagenesis. Here, we introduce a high-throughput screening method to evaluate libraries of AlkB variants for demethylation activity on RNA and DNA substrates. This method is based on a fluorogenic RNA aptamer with an internal modified RNA/DNA residue which can block reverse transcription or introduce mutations leading to loss of fluorescence inherent in the cDNA product. Demethylation by an AlkB variant eliminates the blockage or mutation thereby restores the fluorescence signals. We applied our screening method to sites D135 and R210 in the Escherichia coli AlkB protein and identified a variant with improved activity beyond a previously known hyperactive mutant toward N1-methylguanosine (m1G) in RNA. We also applied our method to O6-methylguanosine (O6mG) modified DNA substrates and identified candidate AlkB variants with demethylating activity. Our study provides a high-throughput screening method for in vitro evolution of any demethylase enzyme.

scholarly journals Effects of Substituents on Photophysical and CO-Photoreleasing Properties of 2,6-Substituted meso-Carboxy BODIPY Derivatives

Chemistry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 238-255
Author(s):  
Esther M. Sánchez-Carnerero ◽  
Marina Russo ◽  
Andreas Jakob ◽  
Lucie Muchová ◽  
Libor Vítek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Absorption Spectra ◽  
Wavelength Range ◽  
Toxic Effects ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
In Vitro Experiments ◽  
Vast Array ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Photochemical Properties

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an endogenously produced signaling molecule involved in the control of a vast array of physiological processes. One of the strategies to administer therapeutic amounts of CO is the precise spatial and temporal control over its release from photoactivatable CO-releasing molecules (photoCORMs). Here we present the synthesis and photophysical and photochemical properties of a small library of meso-carboxy BODIPY derivatives bearing different substituents at positions 2 and 6. We show that the nature of substituents has a major impact on both their photophysics and the efficiency of CO photorelease. CO was found to be efficiently released from π-extended 2,6-arylethynyl BODIPY derivatives possessing absorption spectra shifted to a more biologically desirable wavelength range. Selected photoCORMs were subjected to in vitro experiments that did not reveal any serious toxic effects, suggesting their potential for further biological research.

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