scholarly journals The extracellular matrix of Volvox carteri: molecular structure of the cellular compartment.

1989 ◽  
Vol 109 (6) ◽  
pp. 3493-3501 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Ertl ◽  
R Mengele ◽  
S Wenzl ◽  
J Engel ◽  
M Sumper

The extracellular matrix (ECM) of Volvox contains insoluble fibrous layers that surround individual cells at a distance to form contiguous cellular compartments. Using immunological techniques, we identified a sulfated surface glycoprotein (SSG 185) as the monomeric precursor of this substructure within the ECM. The primary structure of the SSG 185 poly-peptide chain has been derived from cDNA and genomic DNA. A central domain of the protein, 80 amino acid residues long, consists almost exclusively of hydroxyproline residues. The chemical structure of the highly sulfated polysaccharide covalently attached to SSG 185 has been determined by permethylation analysis. As revealed by EM, SSG 185 is a rod-shaped molecule with a 21-nm-long polysaccharide strand protruding from its central region. The chemical nature of the cross-links between SSG 185 monomers is discussed.

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 2928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winfried Roseboom ◽  
Madhvi Nazir ◽  
Nils Meiresonne ◽  
Tamimount Mohammadi ◽  
Jolanda Verheul ◽  
...  

Cell division in bacteria is initiated by the polymerization of FtsZ at midcell in a ring-like structure called the Z-ring. ZapA and other proteins assist Z-ring formation and ZapA binds ZapB, which senses the presence of the nucleoids. The FtsZ–ZapA binding interface was analyzed by chemical cross-linking mass spectrometry (CXMS) under in vitro FtsZ-polymerizing conditions in the presence of GTP. Amino acids residue K42 from ZapA was cross-linked to amino acid residues K51 and K66 from FtsZ, close to the interphase between FtsZ molecules in protofilaments. Five different cross-links confirmed the tetrameric structure of ZapA. A number of FtsZ cross-links suggests that its C-terminal domain of 55 residues, thought to be largely disordered, has a limited freedom to move in space. Site-directed mutagenesis of ZapA reveals an interaction site in the globular head of the protein close to K42. Using the information on the cross-links and the mutants that lost the ability to interact with FtsZ, a model of the FtsZ protofilament–ZapA tetramer complex was obtained by information-driven docking with the HADDOCK2.2 webserver.


2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvain D. Vallet ◽  
Sylvie Ricard-Blum

Abstract The lysyl oxidase family comprises five members in mammals, lysyl oxidase (LOX) and four lysyl oxidase like proteins (LOXL1-4). They are copper amine oxidases with a highly conserved catalytic domain, a lysine tyrosylquinone cofactor, and a conserved copper-binding site. They catalyze the first step of the covalent cross-linking of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins collagens and elastin, which contribute to ECM stiffness and mechanical properties. The role of LOX and LOXL2 in fibrosis, tumorigenesis, and metastasis, including changes in their expression level and their regulation of cell signaling pathways, have been extensively reviewed, and both enzymes have been identified as therapeutic targets. We review here the molecular features and three-dimensional structure/models of LOX and LOXLs, their role in ECM cross-linking, and the regulation of their cross-linking activity by ECM proteins, proteoglycans, and by inhibitors. We also make an overview of the major ECM cross-links, because they are the ultimate molecular readouts of LOX/LOXL activity in tissues. The recent 3D model of LOX, which recapitulates its known structural and biochemical features, will be useful to decipher the molecular mechanisms of LOX interaction with its various substrates, and to design substrate-specific inhibitors, which are potential antifibrotic and antitumor drugs.


1985 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 2559-2566 ◽  
Author(s):  
W N Grant ◽  
D L Welker ◽  
K L Williams

Polymorphisms of a major developmentally regulated prespore-specific protein (PsA) in Dictyostelium discoideum slugs are described. These polymorphisms allowed discrimination between PsA (found on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix) and a similar extracellular but nonpolymorphic protein, ShA. The two proteins were also distinguished by their differing reactivities with a range of monoclonal antibodies and by their sensitivity to release from the sheath with cellulase. The results are discussed in terms of the molecular and genetic relationships between the cell surface and the extracellular matrix during development.


2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (47) ◽  
pp. 13384-13389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gad Armony ◽  
Etai Jacob ◽  
Toot Moran ◽  
Yishai Levin ◽  
Tevie Mehlman ◽  
...  

Laminin, an ∼800-kDa heterotrimeric protein, is a major functional component of the extracellular matrix, contributing to tissue development and maintenance. The unique architecture of laminin is not currently amenable to determination at high resolution, as its flexible and narrow segments complicate both crystallization and single-particle reconstruction by electron microscopy. Therefore, we used cross-linking and MS, evaluated using computational methods, to address key questions regarding laminin quaternary structure. This approach was particularly well suited to the ∼750-Å coiled coil that mediates trimer assembly, and our results support revision of the subunit order typically presented in laminin schematics. Furthermore, information on the subunit register in the coiled coil and cross-links to downstream domains provide insights into the self-assembly required for interaction with other extracellular matrix and cell surface proteins.


Author(s):  
Kyoko Yoshida ◽  
Claire Reeves ◽  
MiJung Kim ◽  
Jan Kitajewski ◽  
Joy Vink ◽  
...  

The cervix plays an important role in pregnancy as a mechanical barrier to prevent preterm birth (PTB). The material strength of the cervix can be attributed to its extracellular matrix (ECM), a network of cross-linked collagens (types I and III) embedded within a viscous matrix of glycosaminoglycans (GAG). GAGs are negatively charged polysaccharides that provide a fixed charge density (FCD) within the tissue to maintain hydration. Throughout gestation, the ECM of the cervix undergoes a remodeling process characterized by three stages: gradual softening in early pregnancy, a rapid increase in tissue distensibility termed ripening in late pregnancy, and repair at post partum 1. As the cervix softens and ripens, mature collagen cross-links break down while GAG content increases 2,3. Previous research has shown that these changes in collagen and GAGs correlate to a mechanically softer cervix at term 4.


2020 ◽  
Vol 159 ◽  
pp. 966-975 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luís Eduardo C. Costa ◽  
Tarcisio Vieira Brito ◽  
Renan O. Silva Damasceno ◽  
Willer M. Sousa ◽  
Francisco Clark N. Barros ◽  
...  

1992 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 2055-2062 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Ertl ◽  
A. Hallmann ◽  
S. Wenzl ◽  
M. Sumper

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 2157-2162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koichi Ishida

ABSTRACT The C-terminal domain of pherophorin II is homologous to the sexual pheromone of Volvox carteri and is released from other domains during sexual induction. Green fluorescent protein fused to the C terminus of pherophorin II was located at the extracellular matrix directly surrounding the gonidium, the final target of the sexual-induction signal.


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