scholarly journals The CaaX motif is required for isoprenylation, carboxyl methylation, and nuclear membrane association of lamin B2.

1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
G T Kitten ◽  
E A Nigg

Recent evidence suggests that the conserved COOH-terminal CaaX motif of nuclear lamins may play a role in targeting newly synthesized proteins to the nuclear envelope. We have shown previously that in rabbit reticulocyte lysates the cysteine residue of the CaaX motif of chicken lamin B2 is necessary for incorporation of a derivative of mevalonic acid, the precursor of isoprenoids. Here we have analyzed the properties of normal and mutated forms of chicken lamin B2 stably expressed in mouse L cells. Mutation of the cysteine residue of the CaaX motif to alanine or introduction of a stop codon immediately after the cysteine residue was found to abolish both isoprenylation and carboxyl methylation of transfected lamin B2. Concomitantly, although nuclear import of the mutant lamin B2 proteins was preserved, their association with the inner nuclear membrane was severely impaired. From these results we conclude that the COOH-terminal CaaX motif is required for isoprenylation and carboxyl methylation of lamins in vivo, and that these modifications are important for association of B-type lamins with the nucleoplasmic surface of the inner nuclear membrane.

2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 3233-3246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmut Hofemeister ◽  
Klaus Weber ◽  
Reimer Stick

Targeting of nuclear lamins to the inner nuclear envelope membrane requires a nuclear localization signal and CaaX motif–dependent posttranslational modifications, including isoprenylation and carboxyl methylation. These modifications, although necessary for membrane targeting, are not sufficient to mediate stable association with membranes. We show that two variants of lamin B3 (i.e., B3a and B3b) exist in Xenopus oocytes. They are encoded by two alternatively spliced, developmentally regulated mRNAs. The two lamin variants differ greatly in their membrane association in meiotically matured eggs. The presence of an extra cysteine residue (as a potential palmitoylation site) and a basic cluster in conjunction with the CaaX motif function as secondary targeting signals responsible for the stable membrane association of lamin B3b in Xenopuseggs. Moreover, transfection experiments with Green Fluorescent Protein lamin tail chimeras and with a Green Fluorescent Protein N-Ras chimera show that these secondary motifs are sufficient to target proteins to the inner nuclear membrane and/or the plasma membrane. Implications for the intracellular trafficking of doubly lipidated proteins are discussed.


1990 ◽  
Vol 111 (6) ◽  
pp. 2225-2234 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Powell ◽  
B Burke

The movement between nuclei of an integral protein of the inner nuclear membrane has been studied in rat/mouse and rat/hamster heterokaryons. This protein, p55, was found to equilibrate between nuclei over a period of approximately 6 h in the absence of new protein synthesis. When rat/mouse heterokaryons were constructed using an undifferentiated murine embryonal carcinoma (P19), which lacks lamins A and C, no accumulation of p55 in the mouse cell nucleus was observed. However, P19 nuclei could be rendered competent to accumulate p55 by transfecting the parent cells with human lamin A before cell fusion, supporting the notion that p55 may interact with the nuclear lamina. Since p55 does not appear to be able to dissociate from the nuclear membrane, it is concluded that this exchange between nuclei does not occur in the aqueous phase and instead is probably membrane mediated. It is proposed that this protein may be free to move between the inner and outer nuclear membranes via the continuities at the nuclear pore complexes and that transfer between nuclei occurs via lateral diffusion through the peripheral ER, which appears to form a single continuous membrane system in these heterokaryons. One implication of these observations is that accumulation of at least some integral proteins in the inner nuclear membrane may be mediated by interactions with other nuclear components and may not require a single defined targeting sequence.


1993 ◽  
Vol 123 (6) ◽  
pp. 1491-1505 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Maison ◽  
H Horstmann ◽  
S D Georgatos

During mitosis, several types of intermediate-sized filaments (IFs) undergo an extensive remodelling in response to phosphorylation by cdc 2 and other protein kinases. However, unlike the nuclear lamins, the cytoplasmic IFs do not seem to follow a fixed disassembly stereotype and often retain their physical continuity without depolymerizing into soluble subunits. To investigate potential interactions between mitotically modified IFs and other cellular structures, we have examined prometaphase-arrested cells expressing the IF protein vimentin. We demonstrate here that vimentin filaments associate in situ and co-fractionate with a distinct population of mitotic vesicles. These vesicles carry on their surfaces nuclear lamin B, the inner nuclear membrane protein p58, and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-binding proteins. Consistent with a tight interaction between the IFs and the mitotic membranes, vimentin, nuclear lamin B, and a 180-kD WGA-binding protein are co-isolated when whole mitotic homogenates are incubated with anti-vimentin or anti-lamin B antibodies immobilized on magnetic beads. The vimentin-associated vesicles are essentially depleted of ER, Golgi and endosomal membrane proteins. The interaction of vimentin with lamin B-carrying membranes depends on phosphorylation and is weakened by dephosphorylation during nuclear reassembly in vitro. These observations reveal a novel interaction between IFs and cellular membranes and further suggest that the vimentin filaments may serve as a transient docking site for inner nuclear membrane vesicles during mitosis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (40) ◽  
pp. 10100-10105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Y. Chen ◽  
Paul Kim ◽  
Thomas A. Weston ◽  
Lovelyn Edillo ◽  
Yiping Tu ◽  
...  

The nuclear lamina, an intermediate filament meshwork lining the inner nuclear membrane, is formed by the nuclear lamins (lamins A, C, B1, and B2). Defects or deficiencies in individual nuclear lamin proteins have been reported to elicit nuclear blebs (protrusions or outpouchings of the nuclear envelope) and increase susceptibility for nuclear membrane ruptures. It is unclear, however, how a complete absence of nuclear lamins would affect nuclear envelope morphology and nuclear membrane integrity (i.e., whether nuclear membrane blebs or protrusions would occur and, if not, whether cells would be susceptible to nuclear membrane ruptures). To address these issues, we generated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) lacking all nuclear lamins. The nuclear lamin-deficient MEFs had irregular nuclear shapes but no nuclear blebs or protrusions. Despite a virtual absence of nuclear blebs, MEFs lacking nuclear lamins had frequent, prolonged, and occasionally nonhealing nuclear membrane ruptures. By transmission electron microscopy, the inner nuclear membrane in nuclear lamin-deficient MEFs have a “wavy” appearance, and there were discrete discontinuities in the inner and outer nuclear membranes. Nuclear membrane ruptures were accompanied by a large increase in DNA damage, as judged by γ-H2AX foci. Mechanical stress increased both nuclear membrane ruptures and DNA damage, whereas minimizing transmission of cytoskeletal forces to the nucleus had the opposite effects.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio M. Castaneda ◽  
Keisuke Shimada ◽  
Yuhkoh Satouh ◽  
Zhifeng Yu ◽  
Masahito Ikawa ◽  
...  

Infertility afflicts up to 15% of couples globally each year with men a contributing factor in half of these cases. Globozoospermia is a rare condition found in infertile men that is characterized by defective acrosome biogenesis leading to the production of round shaped sperm. Here, we report a novel gene, Fam209 (Family with sequence similarity 209), that is required for acrosome biogenesis in mouse sperm. FAM209 is a small transmembrane protein conserved among mammals. Loss of Fam209 result in fertility defects secondary to abnormalities in acrosome biogenesis during spermiogenesis reminiscent of globozoospermia. Proteomic analysis of the FAM209 proteome identified DPY19L2, a protein involved in the majority of globozoospermia cases. While mutations in human and mouse DPY19L2 have been shown to cause globozoospermia, no in vivo interacting partners of DPY19L2 have been identified until now. FAM209 colocalizes with DPY19L2 to the inner nuclear membrane to maintain the developing acrosome. This report identifies FAM209 as the first interacting partner of DPY19L2 and the second protein that is essential for acrosome biogenesis and that co-localizes with DPY19L2 to the inner nuclear membrane.


eLife ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumit Pawar ◽  
Rosemarie Ungricht ◽  
Peter Tiefenboeck ◽  
Jean-Christophe Leroux ◽  
Ulrike Kutay

Newly synthesized membrane proteins are targeted to the inner nuclear membrane (INM) by diffusion within the membrane system of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), translocation through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) and retention on nuclear partners. Using a visual in vitro assay we previously showed that efficient protein targeting to the INM depends on nucleotide hydrolysis. We now reveal that INM targeting is GTP-dependent. Exploiting in vitro reconstitution and in vivo analysis of INM targeting, we establish that Atlastins, membrane-bound GTPases of the ER, sustain the efficient targeting of proteins to the INM by their continued activity in preserving ER topology. When ER topology is altered, the long-range diffusional exchange of proteins in the ER network and targeting efficiency to the INM are diminished. Highlighting the general importance of proper ER topology, we show that Atlastins also influence NPC biogenesis and timely exit of secretory cargo from the ER.


Physiology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 309-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Muchir ◽  
Howard J. Worman

Mutations in nuclear lamins A and C, intermediate filament proteins of the nuclear envelope, cause diseases affecting various tissues and the aging process. We review what is known about nuclear lamin function and the different diseases caused by mutations in lamins A and C and associated inner nuclear membrane proteins.


1991 ◽  
Vol 114 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
S M Bailer ◽  
H M Eppenberger ◽  
G Griffiths ◽  
E A Nigg

Using a mAb (R-7), we have characterized a 54-kD protein of the chicken nuclear envelope. Based on its biochemical properties and subnuclear distribution p54 is likely to be an integral membrane component specific to the inner nuclear membrane. Fractionation experiments indicate that p54 interacts, directly or indirectly, with the nuclear lamina, and analysis of p54 in cultured cells suggests that this interaction is controlled by cell cycle-dependent posttranslational modification, most likely phosphorylation. Modification of p54 results in a slightly reduced electrophoretic mobility, and it converts the protein from a detergent-resistant to a detergent-extractable form. Detergent solubilization of p54 can be induced in vivo by treating isolated nuclei or nuclear envelopes with highly purified cdc2 kinase, one of the most prominent kinases active in mitotic cells. These results suggest that mitotic phosphorylation of p54 might contribute to control nuclear envelope dynamics during mitosis in vivo.


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