Mutations at Phosphorylation Sites of XenopusMicrotubule-associated Protein 4 Affect Its Microtubule-binding Ability and Chromosome Movement during Mitosis

Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) bind to and stabilize microtubules (MTs) both in vitro and in vivo and are thought to regulate MT dynamics during the cell cycle. It is known that p220, a major MAP of Xenopus, is phosphorylated by p34cdc2 kinase as well as MAP kinase in mitotic cells, and that the phosphorylated p220 loses its MT-binding and -stabilizing abilities in vitro. We cloned a full-length cDNA encoding p220, which identified p220 as a Xenopus homologue of MAP4 (XMAP4). To examine the physiological relevance of XMAP4 phosphorylation in vivo, Xenopus A6 cells were transfected with cDNAs encoding wild-type or various XMAP4 mutants fused with a green fluorescent protein. Mutations of serine and threonine residues at p34cdc2 kinase-specific phosphorylation sites to alanine interfered with mitosis-associated reduction in MT affinity of XMAP4, and their overexpression affected chromosome movement during anaphase A. These findings indicated that phosphorylation of XMAP4 (probably by p34cdc2 kinase) is responsible for the decrease in its MT-binding and -stabilizing abilities during mitosis, which are important for chromosome movement during anaphase A.

Download Full-text

Alf1p, a CLIP-170 Domain-containing Protein, Is Functionally and Physically Associated with α-Tubulin

The Journal of Cell Biology ◽

10.1083/jcb.144.1.113 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 144 (1) ◽

pp. 113-124 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Becket Feierbach ◽

Eva Nogales ◽

Kenneth H. Downing ◽

Tim Stearns

Keyword(s):

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Null Alleles ◽

Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽

Cytoplasmic Face ◽

Associated Proteins ◽

Green Fluorescent ◽

Β Tubulin

Tubulin is a heterodimer of α- and β-tubulin polypeptides. Assembly of the tubulin heterodimer in vitro requires the CCT chaperonin complex, and a set of five proteins referred to as the tubulin cofactors (Tian, F., Y. Huang, H. Rommelaere, J. Vandekerckhove, C. Ampe, and N.J. Cowan. 1996. Cell. 86:287–296; Tian, G., S.A. Lewis, B. Feierbach, T. Stearns, H. Rommelaere, C. Ampe, and N.J. Cowan. 1997. J. Cell Biol. 138:821–832). We report the characterization of Alf1p, the yeast ortholog of mammalian cofactor B. Alf1p interacts with α-tubulin in both two-hybrid and immunoprecipitation assays. Alf1p and cofactor B contain a single CLIP-170 domain, which is found in several microtubule-associated proteins. Mutation of the CLIP-170 domain in Alf1p disrupts the interaction with α-tubulin. Mutations in α-tubulin that disrupt the interaction with Alf1p map to a domain on the cytoplasmic face of α-tubulin; this domain is distinct from the region of interaction between α-tubulin and β-tubulin. Alf1p-green fluorescent protein (GFP) is able to associate with microtubules in vivo, and this localization is abolished either by mutation of the CLIP-170 domain in Alf1p, or by mutation of the Alf1p-binding domain in α-tubulin. Analysis of double mutants constructed between null alleles of ALF1 and PAC2, which encodes the other yeast α-tubulin cofactor, suggests that Alf1p and Pac2p act in the same pathway leading to functional α-tubulin. The phenotype of overexpression of ALF1 suggests that Alf1p can act to sequester α-tubulin from interaction with β-tubulin, raising the possibility that it plays a regulatory role in the formation of the tubulin heterodimer.

Download Full-text

Effect of MicroRNA-20a on Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells

Cells Tissues Organs ◽

10.1159/000506304 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 208 (3-4) ◽

pp. 148-157

Author(s):

Tao Luo ◽

Xueqin Yang ◽

Yan Sun ◽

Xinqi Huang ◽

Ling Zou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Adipose Tissue ◽

Osteogenic Differentiation ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Mrna Level ◽

Human Adipose Tissue ◽

Associated Proteins ◽

Green Fluorescent

Osteogenic differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hASCs) is a complex process that is regulated by multiple factors, including microRNAs (miRNAs). The miRNA miR-20a was shown to promote bone formation from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. However, the role of miR-20a in osteogenic differentiation of hASCs remains unclear. In this study, we systematically evaluated the function of miR-20a in regulating hASC osteogenesis in vitro. hASCs were transduced with miR-20a-overexpressing and miR-20a-sponge lentiviral vectors, with green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a control. The results showed that miR-20a transcription was upregulated after hASC mineralization. Compared with the miR-20a-sponge, GFP, and hASC groups, the miR-20a-overexpressing group showed higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity on days 7 and 14. Moreover, the mRNA level of ALP increased significantly in the miR-20a-overexpressing group on day 14. Furthermore, the protein of the target gene PPARγ was decreased, and the osteogenic differentiation-associated proteins ALP, osteocalcin, and RUNX2 were upregulated. hASCs anchored to HA/β-TCP revealed a healthy polygonal morphology and developed cytoplasmic extensions. miR-20a promoted osteogenic differentiation of the cell scaffold. Taken together, these data confirm that miRNA-20a promotes the osteogenesis of hASCs in vitro, and its essential role in vivo needs further investigation.

Download Full-text

Rotavirus NSP5: Mapping Phosphorylation Sites and Kinase Activation and Viroplasm Localization Domains

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.76.7.3461-3470.2002 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 76 (7) ◽

pp. 3461-3470 ◽

Cited By ~ 63

Author(s):

Catherine Eichwald ◽

Fulvia Vascotto ◽

Elsa Fabbretti ◽

Oscar R. Burrone

Keyword(s):

Virus Infection ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Nonstructural Protein ◽

Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽

Phosphorylation Sites ◽

Kinase Activation ◽

Infected Cells ◽

Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT Rotavirus NSP5 is a nonstructural protein that localizes in cytoplasmic viroplasms of infected cells. NSP5 interacts with NSP2 and undergoes a complex posttranslational hyperphosphorylation, generating species with reduced polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis mobility. This process has been suggested to be due in part to autophosphorylation. We developed an in vitro phosphorylation assay using as a substrate an in vitro-translated NSP5 deletion mutant that was phosphorylated by extracts from MA104 cells transfected with NSP5 mutants but not by extracts from mock-transfected cells. The phosphorylated products obtained showed shifts in mobility similar to what occurs in vivo. From these and other experiments we concluded that NSP5 activates a cellular kinase(s) for its own phosphorylation. Three NSP5 regions were found to be essential for kinase(s) activation. Glutathione S-transferase-NSP5 mutants were produced in Escherichia coli and used to determine phosphoacceptor sites. These were mapped to four serines (Ser153, Ser155, Ser163, and Ser165) within an acidic region with homology to casein kinase II (CKII) phosphorylation sites. CKII was able to phosphorylate NSP5 in vitro. NSP5 and its mutants fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein were used in transfection experiments followed by virus infection and allowed the determination of the domains essential for viroplasm localization in the context of virus infection.

Download Full-text

Rapid dynamics of the microtubule binding of ensconsin in vivo

Journal of Cell Science ◽

10.1242/jcs.114.21.3885 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 114 (21) ◽

pp. 3885-3897 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

J. Chloë Bulinski ◽

David J. Odde ◽

Bonnie J. Howell ◽

Ted D. Salmon ◽

Clare M. Waterman-Storer

Keyword(s):

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Living Cells ◽

Microtubule Dynamics ◽

Full Length ◽

Half Time ◽

Microtubule Binding ◽

Associated Proteins ◽

Green Fluorescent

Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) are proteins that reversibly bind to and regulate microtubule dynamics and functions in vivo. We examined the dynamics of binding of a MAP called ensconsin (E-MAP-115) to microtubules in vivo. We used 5×GFP-EMTB, a construct in which the microtubule-binding domain of ensconsin (EMTB) is fused to five copies of green fluorescent protein (GFP), as a reporter molecule amenable to the use of fluorescent speckle microscopy. Fluorescent speckle microscopy (FSM) sequences and kymograph analyses showed rapid dynamics of speckles comprised of 5×GFP-EMTB in untreated cells. By contrast, in detergent-lysed cytoskeletons, speckles were not dynamic. Since detergent-lysed cytoskeletons differ from living cells in that they lack both ATP and dynamic microtubules, we used azide treatment to substantially reduce the level of ATP in living cells and we used Taxol to halt microtubule dynamics. Both treatments slowed the dynamics of 5×GFP-EMTB speckles observed by FSM. We also used fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) to quantify the half-time of binding and dissociation of the 5×GFP-EMTB chimera and to compare this half-time to that of the full-length MAP molecule. In untreated cells, the tg of either 5×GFP-EMTB or full-length GFP-ensconsin was similarly rapid (∼4 seconds), while in ATP-reduced and Taxol-treated cells, tg was increased to 210 seconds and 40 seconds, respectively. In detergent-extracted cells no recovery was seen. Consistent with the rapid dynamics of 5×GFP-EMTB measured with fluorescent speckle microscopy and FRAP, we estimated that the affinity of the MAP for microtubules is ∼40 μM in untreated living cells, compared with ∼1 μM in vitro. However, KD,app was not significantly changed in the presence of azide and was increased to 110 μM in the presence of Taxol. To test whether changes in the phosphorylation state of cellular proteins might be responsible for altering the dynamics of ensconsin binding, we used FSM to monitor staurosporine-treated cells. Staurosporine treatment substantially halted dynamics of 5×GFP-EMTB speckles along MTs. Our results show that ensconsin is highly dynamic in its association with microtubules, and its microtubule association can be altered by in vivo phosphorylation events.

Download Full-text

Stu2p binds tubulin and undergoes an open-to-closed conformational change

The Journal of Cell Biology ◽

10.1083/jcb.200511010 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 172 (7) ◽

pp. 1009-1022 ◽

Cited By ~ 87

Author(s):

Jawdat Al-Bassam ◽

Mark van Breugel ◽

Stephen C. Harrison ◽

Anthony Hyman

Keyword(s):

Conformational Change ◽

Conformational Transition ◽

Budding Yeast ◽

Microtubule Dynamics ◽

Open Structure ◽

Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽

Associated Proteins ◽

The Common

Stu2p from budding yeast belongs to the conserved Dis1/XMAP215 family of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). The common feature of proteins in this family is the presence of HEAT repeat–containing TOG domains near the NH2 terminus. We have investigated the functions of the two TOG domains of Stu2p in vivo and in vitro. Our data suggest that Stu2p regulates microtubule dynamics through two separate activities. First, Stu2p binds to a single free tubulin heterodimer through its first TOG domain. A large conformational transition in homodimeric Stu2p from an open structure to a closed one accompanies the capture of a single free tubulin heterodimer. Second, Stu2p has the capacity to associate directly with microtubule ends, at least in part, through its second TOG domain. These two properties lead to the stabilization of microtubules in vivo, perhaps by the loading of tubulin dimers at microtubule ends. We suggest that this mechanism of microtubule regulation is a conserved feature of the Dis1/XMAP215 family of MAPs.

Download Full-text

Development of a Fluorescent Tool for Studying Legionella bozemanae Intracellular Infection

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9020379 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 379

Author(s):

Breanne M. Head ◽

Christopher I. Graham ◽

Teassa MacMartin ◽

Yoav Keynan ◽

Ann Karen C. Brassinga

Keyword(s):

Growth Kinetics ◽

Legionella Pneumophila ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Acanthamoeba Castellanii ◽

Infection Model ◽

Intracellular Infection ◽

Green Fluorescent

Legionnaires’ disease incidence is on the rise, with the majority of cases attributed to the intracellular pathogen, Legionella pneumophila. Nominally a parasite of protozoa, L. pneumophila can also infect alveolar macrophages when bacteria-laden aerosols enter the lungs of immunocompromised individuals. L. pneumophila pathogenesis has been well characterized; however, little is known about the >25 different Legionella spp. that can cause disease in humans. Here, we report for the first time a study demonstrating the intracellular infection of an L. bozemanae clinical isolate using approaches previously established for L. pneumophila investigations. Specifically, we report on the modification and use of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing plasmid as a tool to monitor the L. bozemanae presence in the Acanthamoeba castellanii protozoan infection model. As comparative controls, L. pneumophila strains were also transformed with the GFP-expressing plasmid. In vitro and in vivo growth kinetics of the Legionella parental and GFP-expressing strains were conducted followed by confocal microscopy. Results suggest that the metabolic burden imposed by GFP expression did not impact cell viability, as growth kinetics were similar between the GFP-expressing Legionella spp. and their parental strains. This study demonstrates that the use of a GFP-expressing plasmid can serve as a viable approach for investigating Legionella non-pneumophila spp. in real time.

Download Full-text

Marliolide Derivative Induces Melanosome Degradation via Nrf2/p62-Mediated Autophagy

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22083995 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (8) ◽

pp. 3995

Author(s):

Cheong-Yong Yun ◽

Nahyun Choi ◽

Jae Un Lee ◽

Eun Jung Lee ◽

Ji Young Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Related Factor ◽

Melanin Pigmentation ◽

Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽

Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone ◽

Associated Proteins ◽

Autophagy Pathway ◽

Nrf2 Activator ◽

Promising Therapeutic Agent

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which is linked to autophagy regulation and melanogenesis regulation, is activated by marliolide. In this study, we investigated the effect of a marliolide derivative on melanosome degradation through the autophagy pathway. The effect of the marliolide derivative on melanosome degradation was investigated in α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-treated melanocytes, melanosome-incorporated keratinocyte, and ultraviolet (UV)B-exposed HRM-2 mice (melanin-possessing hairless mice). The marliolide derivative, 5-methyl-3-tetradecylidene-dihydro-furan-2-one (DMF02), decreased melanin pigmentation by melanosome degradation in α-MSH-treated melanocytes and melanosome-incorporated keratinocytes, evidenced by premelanosome protein (PMEL) expression, but did not affect melanogenesis-associated proteins. The UVB-induced hyperpigmentation in HRM-2 mice was also reduced by a topical application of DMF02. DMF02 activated Nrf2 and induced autophagy in vivo, evidenced by decreased PMEL in microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3)-II-expressed areas. DMF02 also induced melanosome degradation via autophagy in vitro, and DMF02-induced melanosome degradation was recovered by chloroquine (CQ), which is a lysosomal inhibitor. In addition, Nrf2 silencing by siRNA attenuated the DMF02-induced melanosome degradation via the suppression of p62. DMF02 induced melanosome degradation in melanocytes and keratinocytes by regulating autophagy via Nrf2-p62 activation. Therefore, Nrf2 activator could be a promising therapeutic agent for reducing hyperpigmentation.

Download Full-text

CRISPR/Cas9-based generation of a recombinant double-reporter pseudorabies virus and its characterization in vitro and in vivo

Veterinary Research ◽

10.1186/s13567-021-00964-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Peng-Fei Fu ◽

Xuan Cheng ◽

Bing-Qian Su ◽

Li-Fang Duan ◽

Cong-Rong Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pseudorabies Virus ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Antiviral Agents ◽

Firefly Luciferase ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Green Fluorescent ◽

Swine Herds

AbstractPseudorabies, caused by pseudorabies virus (PRV) variants, has broken out among commercial PRV vaccine-immunized swine herds and resulted in major economic losses to the pig industry in China since late 2011. However, the mechanism of virulence enhancement of variant PRV is currently unclear. Here, a recombinant PRV (rPRV HN1201-EGFP-Luc) with stable expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and firefly luciferase as a double reporter virus was constructed on the basis of the PRV variant HN1201 through CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology coupled with two sgRNAs. The biological characteristics of the recombinant virus and its lethality to mice were similar to those of the parental strain and displayed a stable viral titre and luciferase activity through 20 passages. Moreover, bioluminescence signals were detected in mice at 12 h after rPRV HN1201-EGFP-Luc infection. Using the double reporter PRV, we also found that 25-hydroxycholesterol had a significant inhibitory effect on PRV both in vivo and in vitro. These results suggested that the double reporter PRV based on PRV variant HN1201 should be an excellent tool for basic virology studies and evaluating antiviral agents.

Download Full-text

The Great Capacity on Promoting Melanogenesis of Three Compatible Components in Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22084073 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (8) ◽

pp. 4073

Author(s):

Yifan Lai ◽

Qingyuan Feng ◽

Rui Zhang ◽

Jing Shang ◽

Hui Zhong

Keyword(s):

Herbal Medicine ◽

Caffeic Acid ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine ◽

Expression Of Genes ◽

Proliferation And Differentiation ◽

Green Fluorescent ◽

Vernonia Anthelmintica

To investigate a possible methodology of exploiting herbal medicine and design polytherapy for the treatment of skin depigmentation disorder, we have made use of Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd., a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been proven to be effective in treating vitiligo. Here, we report that the extract of Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd. effectively enhances melanogenesis responses in B16F10. In its compound library, we found three ingredients (butin, caffeic acid and luteolin) also have the activity of promoting melanogenesis in vivo and in vitro. They can reduce the accumulation of ROS induced by hydrogen peroxide and inflammatory response induced by sublethal concentrations of copper sulfate in wild type and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled leukocytes zebrafish larvae. The overall objective of the present study aims to identify which compatibility proportions of the medicines may be more effective in promoting pigmentation. We utilized the D-optimal response surface methodology to optimize the ratio among three molecules. Combining three indicators of promoting melanogenesis, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities, we get the best effect of butin, caffeic acid and luteolin at the ratio (butin:caffeic acid:luteolin = 7.38:28.30:64.32) on zebrafish. Moreover, the effect of melanin content recovery in the best combination is stronger than that of the monomer, which suggests that the three compounds have a synergistic effect on inducing melanogenesis. After simply verifying the result, we performed in situ hybridization on whole-mount zebrafish embryos to further explore the effects of multi-drugs combination on the proliferation and differentiation of melanocytes and the expression of genes (tyr, mitfa, dct, kit) related to melanin synthesis. In conclusion, the above three compatible compounds can significantly enhance melanogenesis and improve depigmentation in vivo.

Download Full-text

Human Keratinocytes Adopt Neuronal Fates After In Utero Transplantation in the Developing Rat Brain

Cell Transplantation ◽

10.1177/0963689720978219 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 ◽

pp. 096368972097821

Author(s):

Andrea Tenorio-Mina ◽

Daniel Cortés ◽

Joel Esquivel-Estudillo ◽

Adolfo López-Ornelas ◽

Alejandro Cabrera-Wrooman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Green Fluorescent Protein ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Ectopic Expression ◽

Neural Induction ◽

Human Keratinocytes ◽

Differentiation Potential ◽

Neuronal Proteins ◽

Green Fluorescent

Human skin contains keratinocytes in the epidermis. Such cells share their ectodermal origin with the central nervous system (CNS). Recent studies have demonstrated that terminally differentiated somatic cells can adopt a pluripotent state, or can directly convert its phenotype to neurons, after ectopic expression of transcription factors. In this article we tested the hypothesis that human keratinocytes can adopt neural fates after culturing them in suspension with a neural medium. Initially, keratinocytes expressed Keratins and Vimentin. After neural induction, transcriptional upregulation of NESTIN, SOX2, VIMENTIN, SOX1, and MUSASHI1 was observed, concomitant with significant increases in NESTIN detected by immunostaining. However, in vitro differentiation did not yield the expression of neuronal or astrocytic markers. We tested the differentiation potential of control and neural-induced keratinocytes by grafting them in the developing CNS of rats, through ultrasound-guided injection. For this purpose, keratinocytes were transduced with lentivirus that contained the coding sequence of green fluorescent protein. Cell sorting was employed to select cells with high fluorescence. Unexpectedly, 4 days after grafting these cells in the ventricles, both control and neural-induced cells expressed green fluorescent protein together with the neuronal proteins βIII-Tubulin and Microtubule-Associated Protein 2. These results support the notion that in vivo environment provides appropriate signals to evaluate the neuronal differentiation potential of keratinocytes or other non-neural cell populations.

Download Full-text