scholarly journals Actin-dependent intranuclear repositioning of an active gene locus in vivo

2007 ◽  
Vol 179 (6) ◽  
pp. 1095-1103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslav Dundr ◽  
Jason K. Ospina ◽  
Myong-Hee Sung ◽  
Sam John ◽  
Madhvi Upender ◽  
...  

Although bulk chromatin is thought to have limited mobility within the interphase eukaryotic nucleus, directed long-distance chromosome movements are not unknown. Cajal bodies (CBs) are nuclear suborganelles that nonrandomly associate with small nuclear RNA (snRNA) and histone gene loci in human cells during interphase. However, the mechanism responsible for this association is uncertain. In this study, we present an experimental system to probe the dynamic interplay of CBs with a U2 snRNA target gene locus during transcriptional activation in living cells. Simultaneous four-dimensional tracking of CBs and U2 genes reveals that target loci are recruited toward relatively stably positioned CBs by long-range chromosomal motion. In the presence of a dominant-negative mutant of β-actin, the repositioning of activated U2 genes is markedly inhibited. This supports a model in which nuclear actin is required for these rapid, long-range chromosomal movements.

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 1842-1850 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Baier-Bitterlich ◽  
F Uberall ◽  
B Bauer ◽  
F Fresser ◽  
H Wachter ◽  
...  

T-lymphocyte stimulation requires activation of several protein kinases, including the major phorbol ester receptor protein kinase C (PKC), ultimately leading to induction of lymphokines, such as interleukin-2 (IL-2). The revelant PKC isoforms which are involved in the activation cascades of nuclear transcription factors involved in IL-2 production have not yet been clearly defined. We have examined the potential role of two representative PKC isoforms in the induction of the IL-2 gene, i.e., PKC-alpha and PKC-theta, the latter being expressed predominantly in hematopoietic cell lines, particularly T cells. Similar to that of PKC-alpha, PKC-theta overexpression in murine EL4 thymoma cells caused a significant increase in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced transcriptional activation of full-length IL-2-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) and NF-AT-CAT but not of NF-IL2A-CAT or NF-kappaB promoter-CAT reporter gene constructs. Importantly, the critical AP-1 enhancer element was differentially modulated by these two distinct PKC isoenzymes, since only PKC-theta but not PKC-alpha overexpression resulted in an approximately 2.8-fold increase in AP-1-collagenase promoter CAT expression in comparison with the vector control. Deletion of the AP-1 enhancer site in the collagenase promoter rendered it unresponsive to PKC-theta. Expression of a constitutively active mutant PKC-theta A148E (but not PKC-alpha A25E) was sufficient to induce activation of AP-1 transcription factor complex in the absence of PMA stimulation. Conversely, a catalytically inactive PKC-theta K409R (but not PKC-alpha K368R) mutant abrogated endogenous PMA-mediated activation of AP-1 transcriptional complex. Dominant negative mutant Ha-RasS17N completely inhibited the PKC-O A148E-induced signal, PKC-O. Expression of a constitutively active mutant PKC-O A148E (but not PKC-alpha A25E) was sufficient to induce activation of AP-1 transcription factor complex in the absence of PMA stimulation. Conversely, a catalytically inactive PKC-O K409R (but not PKC-alpha K368R) mutant abrogated endogenous PMA-mediated activation of AP-1 transcriptional complex. Dominant negative mutant Ha-enRasS17N completely inhibited in the PKC-O A148E-induced signal, identifying PKC-theta as a specific constituent upstream of or parallel to Ras in the signaling cascade leading to AP transcriptional activation.


2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 1140-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dae-Won Kim ◽  
Brent H. Cochran

ABSTRACT We have previously shown that TFII-I enhances transcriptional activation of the c-fos promoter through interactions with upstream elements in a signal-dependent manner. Here we demonstrate that activated Ras and RhoA synergize with TFII-I for c-fospromoter activation, whereas dominant-negative Ras and RhoA inhibit these effects of TFII-I. The Mek1 inhibitor, PD98059 abrogates the enhancement of the c-fos promoter by TFII-I, indicating that TFII-I function is dependent on an active mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. Analysis of the TFII-I protein sequence revealed that TFII-I contains a consensus MAP kinase interaction domain (D box). Consistent with this, we have found that TFII-I forms an in vivo complex with extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK). Point mutations within the consensus MAP kinase binding motif of TFII-I inhibit its ability to bind ERK and its ability to enhance the c-fos promoter. Therefore, the D box of TFII-I is required for its activity on the c-fos promoter. Moreover, the interaction between TFII-I and ERK can be regulated. Serum stimulation enhances complex formation between TFII-I and ERK, and dominant-negative Ras abrogates this interaction. In addition, TFII-I can be phosphorylated in vitro by ERK and mutation of consensus MAP kinase substrate sites at serines 627 and 633 impairs the phosphorylation of TFII-I by ERK and its activity on the c-fos promoter. These results suggest that ERK regulates the activity of TFII-I by direct phosphorylation.


2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1571-1582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shrikesh Sachdev ◽  
Sriparna Bagchi ◽  
Donna D. Zhang ◽  
Angela C. Mings ◽  
Mark Hannink

ABSTRACT The inhibitor of kappa B alpha (IκBα) protein is able to shuttle between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. We have utilized a combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches to provide mechanistic insight into nucleocytoplasmic shuttling by IκBα. IκBα contains multiple functional domains that contribute to shuttling of IκBα between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Nuclear import of IκBα is mediated by the central ankyrin repeat domain. Similar to previously described nuclear import pathways, nuclear import of IκBα is temperature and ATP dependent and is blocked by a dominant-negative mutant of importin β. However, in contrast to classical nuclear import pathways, nuclear import of IκBα is independent of soluble cytosolic factors and is not blocked by the dominant-negative RanQ69L protein. Nuclear export of IκBα is mediated by an N-terminal nuclear export sequence. Nuclear export of IκBα requires the CRM1 nuclear export receptor and is blocked by the dominant-negative RanQ69L protein. Our results are consistent with a model in which nuclear import of IκBα is mediated through direct interactions with components of the nuclear pore complex, while nuclear export of IκBα is mediated via a CRM1-dependent pathway.


Development ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 122 (10) ◽  
pp. 3173-3183 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.L. Kroll ◽  
E. Amaya

We have developed a simple approach for large-scale transgenesis in Xenopus laevis embryos and have used this method to identify in vivo requirements for FGF signaling during gastrulation. Plasmids are introduced into decondensed sperm nuclei in vitro using restriction enzyme-mediated integration (REMI). Transplantation of these nuclei into unfertilized eggs yields hundreds of normal, diploid embryos per day which develop to advanced stages and express integrated plasmids nonmosaically. Transgenic expression of a dominant negative mutant of the FGF receptor (XFD) after the mid-blastula stage uncouples mesoderm induction, which is normal, from maintenance of mesodermal markers, which is lost during gastrulation. By contrast, embryos expressing XFD contain well-patterned nervous systems despite a putative role for FGF in neural induction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (1) ◽  
pp. C215-C224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joaquin M. Muriel ◽  
Andrea O’Neill ◽  
Jaclyn P. Kerr ◽  
Emily Kleinhans-Welte ◽  
Richard M. Lovering ◽  
...  

Intermediate filaments (IFs) contribute to force transmission, cellular integrity, and signaling in skeletal muscle. We previously identified keratin 19 (Krt19) as a muscle IF protein. We now report the presence of a second type I muscle keratin, Krt18. Krt18 mRNA levels are about half those for Krt19 and only 1:1,000th those for desmin; the protein was nevertheless detectable in immunoblots. Muscle function, measured by maximal isometric force in vivo, was moderately compromised in Krt18-knockout ( Krt18-KO) or dominant-negative mutant mice ( Krt18 DN), but structure was unaltered. Exogenous Krt18, introduced by electroporation, was localized in a reticulum around the contractile apparatus in wild-type muscle and to a lesser extent in muscle lacking Krt19 or desmin or both proteins. Exogenous Krt19, which was either reticular or aggregated in controls, became reticular more frequently in Krt19-null than in Krt18-null, desmin-null, or double-null muscles. Desmin was assembled into the reticulum normally in all genotypes. Notably, all three IF proteins appeared in overlapping reticular structures. We assessed the effect of Krt18 on susceptibility to injury in vivo by electroporating siRNA into tibialis anterior (TA) muscles of control and Krt19-KO mice and testing 2 wk later. Results showed a 33% strength deficit (reduction in maximal torque after injury) compared with siRNA-treated controls. Conversely, electroporation of siRNA to Krt19 into Krt18-null TA yielded a strength deficit of 18% after injury compared with controls. Our results suggest that Krt18 plays a complementary role to Krt19 in skeletal muscle in both assembling keratin-based filaments and transducing contractile force.


2008 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 3127-3138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Truscott ◽  
Ryoko Harada ◽  
Charles Vadnais ◽  
François Robert ◽  
Alain Nepveu

ABSTRACT The transcription factor p110 CUX1 was shown to stimulate cell proliferation by accelerating entry into S phase. As p110 CUX1 can function as a transcriptional repressor or activator depending on promoter context, we investigated its mechanism of transcriptional activation using the DNA polymerase α gene promoter as a model system. Linker-scanning analysis revealed that a low-affinity E2F binding site is required for transcriptional activation. Moreover, coexpression with a dominant-negative mutant of DP-1 suggested that endogenous E2F factors are indeed needed for p110-mediated activation. Tandem affinity purification, coimmunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and reporter assays indicated that p110 CUX1 can engage in weak protein-protein interactions with E2F1 and E2F2, stimulate their recruitment to the DNA polymerase α gene promoter, and cooperate with these factors in transcriptional activation. On the other hand, in vitro assays suggested that the interaction between CUX1 and E2F1 either is not direct or is regulated by posttranslational modifications. Genome-wide location analysis revealed that targets common to p110 CUX1 and E2F1 included many genes involved in cell cycle, DNA replication, and DNA repair. Comparison of the degree of enrichment for various E2F factors suggested that binding of p110 CUX1 to a promoter will favor the specific recruitment of E2F1, and to a lesser extent E2F2, over E2F3 and E2F4. Reporter assays on a subset of common targets confirmed that p110 CUX1 and E2F1 cooperate in their transcriptional activation. Overall, our results show that p110 CUX1 and E2F1 cooperate in the regulation of many cell cycle genes.


2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (15) ◽  
pp. 6861-6870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Costa-Mattioli ◽  
Yuri Svitkin ◽  
Nahum Sonenberg

ABSTRACT Translation of poliovirus and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNAs is initiated by recruitment of 40S ribosomes to an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) in the mRNA 5′ untranslated region. Translation initiation of these RNAs is stimulated by noncanonical initiation factors called IRES trans-activating factors (ITAFs). The La autoantigen is such an ITAF, but functional evidence for the role of La in poliovirus and HCV translation in vivo is lacking. Here, by two methods using small interfering RNA and a dominant-negative mutant of La, we demonstrate that depletion of La causes a dramatic reduction in poliovirus IRES function in vivo. We also show that 40S ribosomal subunit binding to HCV and poliovirus IRESs in vitro is inhibited by a dominant-negative form of La. These results provide strong evidence for a function of the La autoantigen in IRES-dependent translation and define the step of translation which is stimulated by La.


2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3521-3531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa M. Faraldo ◽  
Marie-Ange Deugnier ◽  
Sylvie Tlouzeau ◽  
Jean Paul Thiery ◽  
Marina A. Glukhova

To study the mechanism of β1-integrin function in vivo, we have generated transgenic mouse expressing a dominant negative mutant of β1-integrin under the control of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) promoter (MMTV-β1-cyto). Mammary glands from MMTV-β1-cyto transgenic females present significant growth defects during pregnancy and lactation and impaired differentiation of secretory epithelial cells at the onset of lactation. We report herein that perturbation of β1-integrin function in involuting mammary gland induced precocious dedifferentiation of the secretory epithelium, as shown by the premature decrease in β-casein and whey acidic protein mRNA levels, accompanied by inactivation of STAT5, a transcription factor essential for mammary gland development and up-regulation of nuclear factor-κB, a negative regulator of STAT5 signaling. This is the first study demonstrating in vivo that cell–extracellular matrix interactions involving β1-integrins play an important role in the control of milk gene transcription and in the maintenance of the mammary epithelial cell differentiated state.


2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (13) ◽  
pp. 7193-7201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Zhang ◽  
Sherry Thurig ◽  
Maria Tsirigotis ◽  
Paul K. Y. Wong ◽  
Kenneth R. Reuhl ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT ts1 is a temperature-sensitive mutant of Moloney murine leukemia virus that induces a rapid spongiform encephalopathy in mice infected as newborns. The pathological features include the formation of ubiquitinated inclusions resembling Lewy bodies. To determine how perturbation of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway might affect ts1-mediated neurodegeneration, the virus was introduced into transgenic mice in which the assembly of ubiquitin chains was compromised by the expression of dominant-negative mutant ubiquitin. The onset of symptoms was greatly delayed in a transgenic mouse line expressing K48R mutant ubiquitin; no such delay was observed in mice expressing a wild-type ubiquitin transgene or K63R mutant ubiquitin. The extended latency was found to correlate with a delayed increase in viral titers. Pathological findings in K48R transgenic mice at 60 days were found to be similar to those in the other strains at 30 days, suggesting that while delayed, the neurodegenerative process in K48R mice was otherwise similar. These data demonstrate the sensitivity of retroviral replication to the partial disruption of ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis in vivo, a finding that may have therapeutic potential.


2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (4) ◽  
pp. H1712-H1720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuehua Li ◽  
Tuanzhu Ha ◽  
Xiang Gao ◽  
Jim Kelley ◽  
David L. Williams ◽  
...  

In the present study, we examined whether NF-κB activation is required for cardiac hypertrophy in vivo. Cardiac hypertrophy in rats was induced by aortic banding for 1, 3, and 5 days and 1–6 wk, and age-matched sham-operated rats served as controls. In a separate group of rats, an IκB-α dominant negative mutant (IκB-αM), a superrepressor of NF-κB activation, or pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC), an antioxidant that can inhibit NF-κB activation, was administered to aortic-banded rats for 3 wk. The heart weight-to-body weight ratio was significantly increased at 5 days after aortic banding, peaked at 4 wk, and remained elevated at 6 wk compared with age-matched sham controls. Atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide mRNA expressions were significantly increased after 1 wk of aortic banding, reached a maximum between 2 and 3 wk, and remained increased at 6 wk compared with age-matched sham controls. NF-κB activity was significantly increased at 1 day, reached a peak at 3 wk, and remained elevated at 6 wk, and IKK-β activity was significantly increased at 1 day, peaked at 5 days, and then decreased but remained elevated at 6 wk after aortic banding compared with age-matched sham controls. Inhibiting NF-κB activation in vivo by cardiac transfection of IκB-αM or by PDTC treatment significantly attenuated the development of cardiac hypertrophy in vivo with a concomitant decrease in NF-κB activity. Our results suggest that NF-κB activation is required for the development of cardiac hypertrophy in vivo and that NF-κB could be an important target for inhibiting the development of cardiac hypertrophy in vivo.


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