scholarly journals Null Mutants of the Neurospora Actin-related Protein 1 Pointed-End Complex Show Distinct Phenotypes

2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2195-2206 ◽  
Author(s):  
In Hyung Lee ◽  
Santosh Kumar ◽  
Michael Plamann
Keyword(s):  
Atpase Activity ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Related Protein ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Distinct Phenotype ◽  
High Level ◽  
Pointed End

Dynactin is a multisubunit complex that regulates the activities of cytoplasmic dynein, a microtubule-associated motor. Actin-related protein 1 (Arp1) is the most abundant subunit of dynactin, and it forms a short filament to which additional subunits associate. An Arp1 filament pointed-end–binding subcomplex has been identified that consists of p62, p25, p27, and Arp11 subunits. The functional roles of these subunits have not been determined. Recently, we reported the cloning of an apparent homologue of mammalian Arp11 from the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. Here, we report that N. crassa ro-2 and ro-12 genes encode the respective p62 and p25 subunits of the pointed-end complex. Characterization of Δro-2, Δro-7, and Δro-12 mutants reveals that each has a distinct phenotype. All three mutants have reduced in vivo vesicle trafficking and have defects in vacuole distribution. We showed previously that in vivo dynactin function is required for high-level dynein ATPase activity, and we find that all three mutants have low dynein ATPase activity. Surprisingly, Δro-12 differs from Δro-2 and Δro-7 and other previously characterized dynein/dynactin mutants in that it has normal nuclear distribution. Each of the mutants shows a distinct dynein/dynactin localization pattern. All three mutants also show stronger dynein/dynactin-membrane interaction relative to wild type, suggesting that the Arp1 pointed-end complex may regulate interaction of dynactin with membranous cargoes.

Biochemical and genetic characterization of a yeast TFIID mutant that alters transcription in vivo and DNA binding in vitro

1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 2372-2382
Author(s):  
K M Arndt ◽  
S L Ricupero ◽  
D M Eisenmann ◽  
F Winston
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Direct Repeat ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Dna Binding Specificity ◽  
Selection For

A mutation in the gene that encodes Saccharomyces cerevisiae TFIID (SPT15), which was isolated in a selection for mutations that alter transcription in vivo, changes a single amino acid in a highly conserved region of the second direct repeat in TFIID. Among eight independent spt15 mutations, seven cause this same amino acid change, Leu-205 to Phe. The mutant TFIID protein (L205F) binds with greater affinity than that of wild-type TFIID to at least two nonconsensus TATA sites in vitro, showing that the mutant protein has altered DNA binding specificity. Site-directed mutations that change Leu-205 to five different amino acids cause five different phenotypes, demonstrating the importance of this amino acid in vivo. Virtually identical phenotypes were observed when the same amino acid changes were made at the analogous position, Leu-114, in the first repeat of TFIID. Analysis of these mutations and additional mutations in the most conserved regions of the repeats, in conjunction with our DNA binding results, suggests that these regions of the repeats play equivalent roles in TFIID function, possibly in TATA box recognition.

scholarly journals Functional characterization of a glycine 185-to-valine substitution in human P-glycoprotein by using a vaccinia-based transient expression system.

1996 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 1485-1498 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Ramachandra ◽  
S V Ambudkar ◽  
M M Gottesman ◽  
I Pastan ◽  
C A Hrycyna
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Atpase Activity ◽  
Cyclosporin A ◽  
Transient Expression ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Rhodamine 123 ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
P Glycoprotein ◽  
Transient Expression System

Human P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is a 170-kDa plasma membrane protein that confers multidrug resistance to otherwise sensitive cells. A mutation in Pgp, G185-->V, originally identified as a spontaneous mutation, was shown previously to alter the drug resistance profiles in cell lines that are stably transfected with the mutant MDR1 cDNA and selected with cytotoxic agents. To understand the mechanism by which the V185 mutation leads to an altered drug resistance profile, we used a transient expression system that eliminates the need for drug selection to attain high expression levels and allows for the rapid characterization of many aspects of Pgp function and biosynthesis. The mutant and wild-type proteins were expressed at similar levels after 24-48 h in human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells by infection with a recombinant vaccinia virus encoding T7 RNA polymerase and simultaneous transfection with a plasmid containing MDR1 cDNA controlled by the T7 promoter. For both mutant and wild-type proteins, photolabeling with [3H]azidopine and [125I]iodoarylazidoprazosin, drug-stimulated ATPase activity, efflux of rhodamine 123, and accumulation of radiolabeled vinblastine and colchicine were evaluated. In crude membrane preparations from HOS cells, a higher level of basal Pgp-ATPase activity was observed for the V185 variant than for the wild-type, suggesting partial uncoupling of drug-dependent ATP hydrolysis by the mutant. Several compounds, including verapamil, nicardipine, tetraphenylphosphonium, and prazosin, stimulated ATPase activities of both the wild-type and mutant similarly, whereas cyclosporin A inhibited the ATPase activity of the mutant more efficiently than that of the wild-type. This latter observation explains the enhanced potency of cyclosporin A as an inhibitor of the mutant Pgp. No differences were seen in verapamil-inhibited rhodamine 123 efflux, but the rate of accumulation was slower for colchicine and faster for vinblastine in cells expressing the mutant protein, as compared with those expressing wild-type Pgp. We conclude that the G185-->V mutation confers pleiotropic alterations on Pgp, including an altered basal ATPase activity and altered interaction with substrates and the inhibitor cyclosporin A.

scholarly journals The NADPH Oxidase Nox4 Controls Macrophage Polarization in an NFκB-Dependent Manner

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Helfinger ◽  
K. Palfi ◽  
A. Weigert ◽  
K. Schröder
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Macrophage Polarization ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Superoxide Anions ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Macrophage Population ◽  
The Family ◽  
High Level

The family of NADPH oxidases represents an important source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the cell. Nox4 is a special member of this family as it constitutively produces H2O2 and its loss promotes inflammation. A major cellular component of inflammation is the macrophage population, which can be divided into several subpopulations depending on their phenotype, with proinflammatory M(LPS+IFNγ) and wound-healing M(IL4+IL13) macrophages being extremes of the functional spectrum. Whether Nox4 is expressed in macrophages is discussed controversially. Here, we show that macrophages besides a high level of Nox2 indeed express Nox4. As Nox4 contributes to differentiation of many cells, we hypothesize that Nox4 plays a role in determining the polarization and the phenotype of macrophages. In bone marrow-derived monocytes, ex vivo treatment with LPS/IFNγ or IL4/IL13 results in polarization of the cells into M(LPS+IFNγ) or M(IL4+IL13) macrophages, respectively. In this ex vivo setting, Nox4 deficiency reduces M(IL4+IL13) polarization and forces M(LPS+IFNγ). Nox4-/- M(LPS+IFNγ)-polarized macrophages express more Nox2 and produce more superoxide anions than wild type M(LPS+IFNγ)-polarized macrophages. Mechanistically, Nox4 deficiency reduces STAT6 activation and promotes NFκB activity, with the latter being responsible for the higher level of Nox2 in Nox4-deficient M(LPS+IFNγ)-polarized macrophages. According to those findings, in vivo, in a murine inflammation-driven fibrosarcoma model, Nox4 deficiency forces the expression of proinflammatory genes and cytokines, accompanied by an increase in the number of proinflammatory Ly6C+ macrophages in the tumors. Collectively, the data obtained in this study suggest an anti-inflammatory role for Nox4 in macrophages. Nox4 deficiency results in less M(IL4+IL13) polarization and suppression of NFκB activity in monocytes.

scholarly journals Cloning and Random Mutagenesis of the Erwinia herbicola tyrR Gene for High-Level Expression of Tyrosine Phenol-Lyase

2000 ◽  
Vol 66 (11) ◽  
pp. 4764-4771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takane Katayama ◽  
Hideyuki Suzuki ◽  
Takashi Koyanagi ◽  
Hidehiko Kumagai
Keyword(s):  
Random Mutagenesis ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Reporter System ◽  
Erwinia Herbicola ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Repressive Effect ◽  
Tyrosine Phenol Lyase ◽  
High Level ◽  
Regulatory Properties

ABSTRACT Tyrosine phenol-lyase (Tpl), which can synthesize 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine from pyruvate, ammonia, and catechol, is a tyrosine-inducible enzyme. Previous studies demonstrated that thetpl promoter of Erwinia herbicola is activated by the TyrR protein of Escherichia coli. In an attempt to create a high-Tpl-expressing strain, we cloned the tyrRgene of E. herbicola and then randomly mutagenized it. Mutant TyrR proteins with enhanced ability to activate tplwere screened for by use of the lac reporter system inE. coli. The most increased transcription oftpl was observed for the strain with the mutanttyrR allele involving amino acid substitutions of alanine, cysteine, and glycine for valine-67, tyrosine-72, and glutamate-201, respectively. A tyrR-deficient derivative of E. herbicola was constructed and transformed with a plasmid carrying the mutant tyrR allele (V67A Y72C E201G substitutions). The resultant strain expressed Tpl without the addition of tyrosine to the medium and produced as much of it as was produced by the wild-type strain grown under tyrosine-induced conditions. The regulatory properties of the mutant TyrRV67A, TyrRY72C, TyrRE201G, and TyrRV67A Y72C E201G proteins were examined in vivo. Interestingly, as opposed to the wild-type TyrR protein, the mutant TyrRV67A protein had a repressive effect on the tyrP promoter in the presence of phenylalanine as the coeffector.

scholarly journals Interdependent Recruitment of SAGA and Srb Mediator by Transcriptional Activator Gcn4p

2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 3461-3474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongfang Qiu ◽  
Cuihua Hu ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Gwo Jiunn Hwang ◽  
Mark J. Swanson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
General Transcription Factors ◽  
Tata Element ◽  
High Level ◽  
Target Promoters ◽  
Activation Sequence

ABSTRACT Transcriptional activation by Gcn4p is enhanced by the coactivators SWI/SNF, SAGA, and Srb mediator, which stimulate recruitment of TATA binding protein (TBP) and polymerase II to target promoters. We show that wild-type recruitment of SAGA by Gcn4p is dependent on mediator but independent of SWI/SNF function at three different promoters. Recruitment of mediator is also independent of SWI/SNF but is enhanced by SAGA at a subset of Gcn4p target genes. Recruitment of all three coactivators to ARG1 is independent of the TATA element and preinitiation complex formation, whereas efficient recruitment of the general transcription factors requires the TATA box. We propose an activation pathway involving interdependent recruitment of SAGA and Srb mediator to the upstream activation sequence, enabling SWI/SNF recruitment and the binding of TBP and other general factors to the promoter. We also found that high-level recruitment of Tra1p and other SAGA subunits is independent of the Ada2p/Ada3p/Gcn5p histone acetyltransferase module but requires Spt3p in addition to subunits required for SAGA integrity. Thus, while Tra1p can bind directly to Gcn4p in vitro, it requires other SAGA subunits for efficient recruitment in vivo.

scholarly journals Characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi Sirtuins as Possible Drug Targets for Chagas Disease

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 4669-4679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilmar Silvio Moretti ◽  
Leonardo da Silva Augusto ◽  
Tatiana Mordente Clemente ◽  
Raysa Paes Pinto Antunes ◽  
Nobuko Yoshida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Damage Repair ◽  
Lysine Deacetylases

ABSTRACTAcetylation of lysine is a major posttranslational modification of proteins and is catalyzed by lysine acetyltransferases, while lysine deacetylases remove acetyl groups. Among the deacetylases, the sirtuins are NAD+-dependent enzymes, which modulate gene silencing, DNA damage repair, and several metabolic processes. As sirtuin-specific inhibitors have been proposed as drugs for inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells, in this study, we investigated the role of these inhibitors in the growth and differentiation ofTrypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease. We found that the use of salermide during parasite infection prevented growth and initial multiplication after mammalian cell invasion byT. cruziat concentrations that did not affect host cell viability. In addition,in vivoinfection was partially controlled upon administration of salermide. There are two sirtuins inT. cruzi, TcSir2rp1 and TcSir2rp3. By using specific antibodies and cell lines overexpressing the tagged versions of these enzymes, we found that TcSir2rp1 is localized in the cytosol and TcSir2rp3 in the mitochondrion. TcSir2rp1 overexpression acts to impair parasite growth and differentiation, whereas the wild-type version of TcSir2rp3 and not an enzyme mutated in the active site improves both. The effects observed with TcSir2rp3 were fully reverted by adding salermide, which inhibited TcSir2rp3 expressed inEscherichia coliwith a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) ± standard error of 1 ± 0.5 μM. We concluded that sirtuin inhibitors targeting TcSir2rp3 could be used in Chagas disease chemotherapy.

scholarly journals Characterization of Biofilm Formation and the Role of BCR1 in Clinical Isolates of Candida parapsilosis

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 438-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srisuda Pannanusorn ◽  
Bernardo Ramírez-Zavala ◽  
Heinrich Lünsdorf ◽  
Birgitta Agerberth ◽  
Joachim Morschhäuser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Candida Parapsilosis ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Initial Adhesion ◽  
High Level ◽  
Increased Susceptibility

ABSTRACT In Candida parapsilosis , biofilm formation is considered to be a major virulence factor. Previously, we determined the ability of 33 clinical isolates causing bloodstream infection to form biofilms and identified three distinct groups of biofilm-forming strains (negative, low, and high). Here, we establish two different biofilm structures among strains forming large amounts of biofilm in which strains with complex spider-like structures formed robust biofilms on different surface materials with increased resistance to fluconazole. Surprisingly, the transcription factor Bcr1, required for biofilm formation in Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis , has an essential role only in strains with low capacity for biofilm formation. Although BCR1 leads to the formation of more and longer pseudohyphae, it was not required for initial adhesion and formation of mature biofilms in strains with a high level of biofilm formation. Furthermore, an additional phenotype affected by BCR1 was the switch in colony morphology from rough to crepe, but only in strains forming high levels of biofilm. All bcr1 Δ/Δ mutants showed increased proteolytic activity and increased susceptibility to the antimicrobial peptides protamine and RP-1 compared to corresponding wild-type and complemented strains. Taken together, our results demonstrate that biofilm formation in clinical isolates of C. parapsilosis is both dependent and independent of BCR1 , but even in strains which showed a BCR1 -independent biofilm phenotype, BCR1 has alternative physiological functions.

scholarly journals Characterization of New Virulence Factors Involved in the Intracellular Growth and Survival of Burkholderia pseudomallei

2015 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 701-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeleine G. Moule ◽  
Natasha Spink ◽  
Sam Willcocks ◽  
Jiali Lim ◽  
José Afonso Guerra-Assunção ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Burkholderia Pseudomallei ◽  
Insertion Site ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
New Genes ◽  
Insertion Sites

Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, has complex and poorly understood extracellular and intracellular lifestyles. We used transposon-directed insertion site sequencing (TraDIS) to retrospectively analyze a transposon library that had previously been screened through a BALB/c mouse model to identify genes important for growth and survivalin vivo. This allowed us to identify the insertion sites and phenotypes of negatively selected mutants that were previously overlooked due to technical constraints. All 23 unique genes identified in the original screen were confirmed by TraDIS, and an additional 105 mutants with various degrees of attenuationin vivowere identified. Five of the newly identified genes were chosen for further characterization, and clean, unmarkedbpsl2248,tex,rpiR,bpsl1728, andbpss1528deletion mutants were constructed from the wild-type strain K96243. Each of these mutants was testedin vitroandin vivoto confirm their attenuated phenotypes and investigate the nature of the attenuation. Our results confirm that we have identified new genes important toin vivovirulence with roles in different stages ofB. pseudomalleipathogenesis, including extracellular and intracellular survival. Of particular interest, deletion of the transcription accessory protein Tex was shown to be highly attenuating, and thetexmutant was capable of providing protective immunity against challenge with wild-typeB. pseudomallei, suggesting that the genes identified in our TraDIS screen have the potential to be investigated as live vaccine candidates.

scholarly journals The retinoblastoma protein binds to a family of E2F transcription factors.

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 7813-7825 ◽  
Author(s):  
J A Lees ◽  
M Saito ◽  
M Vidal ◽  
M Valentine ◽  
T Look ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Retinoblastoma Protein ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Recognition Sites ◽  
Number Of Genes ◽  
Combined Action ◽  
E2f Transcription Factors

E2F is a transcription factor that helps regulate the expression of a number of genes that are important in cell proliferation. Recently, several laboratories have isolated a cDNA clone that encodes an E2F-like protein, known as E2F-1. Subsequent characterization of this protein showed that it had the properties of E2F, but it was difficult to account for all of the suggested E2F activities through the function of this one protein. Using low-stringency hybridization, we have isolated cDNA clones that encode two additional E2F-like proteins, called E2F-2 and E2F-3. The chromosomal locations of the genes for E2F-2 and E2F-3 were mapped to 1p36 and 6q22, respectfully, confirming their independence from E2F-1. However, the E2F-2 and E2F-3 proteins are closely related to E2F-1. Both E2F-2 and E2F-3 bound to wild-type but not mutant E2F recognition sites, and they bound specifically to the retinoblastoma protein in vivo. Finally, E2F-2 and E2F-3 were able to activate transcription of E2F-responsive genes in a manner that was dependent upon the presence of at least one functional E2F binding site. These observations suggest that the E2F activities described previously result from the combined action of a family of proteins.

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