scholarly journals Functional Characterization of Dma1 and Dma2, the Budding Yeast Homologues of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Dma1 and Human Chfr

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 3796-3810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Fraschini ◽  
Denis Bilotta ◽  
Giovanna Lucchini ◽  
Simonetta Piatti
Keyword(s):  
Schizosaccharomyces Pombe ◽  
Budding Yeast ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Mitotic Exit ◽  
Spindle Positioning ◽  
Septin Ring ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Spindle Position

Proper transmission of genetic information requires correct assembly and positioning of the mitotic spindle, responsible for driving each set of sister chromatids to the two daughter cells, followed by cytokinesis. In case of altered spindle orientation, the spindle position checkpoint inhibits Tem1-dependent activation of the mitotic exit network (MEN), thus delaying mitotic exit and cytokinesis until errors are corrected. We report a functional analysis of two previously uncharacterized budding yeast proteins, Dma1 and Dma2, 58% identical to each other and homologous to human Chfr and Schizosaccharomyces pombe Dma1, both of which have been previously implicated in mitotic checkpoints. We show that Dma1 and Dma2 are involved in proper spindle positioning, likely regulating septin ring deposition at the bud neck. DMA2 overexpression causes defects in septin ring disassembly at the end of mitosis and in cytokinesis. The latter defects can be rescued by either eliminating the spindle position checkpoint protein Bub2 or overproducing its target, Tem1, both leading to MEN hyperactivation. In addition, dma1Δ dma2Δ cells fail to activate the spindle position checkpoint in response to the lack of dynein, whereas ectopic expression of DMA2 prevents unscheduled mitotic exit of spindle checkpoint mutants treated with microtubule-depolymerizing drugs. Although their primary functions remain to be defined, our data suggest that Dma1 and Dma2 might be required to ensure timely MEN activation in telophase.

scholarly journals Disappearance of the budding yeast Bub2–Bfa1 complex from the mother-bound spindle pole contributes to mitotic exit

2006 ◽  
Vol 172 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Fraschini ◽  
Claudio D'Ambrosio ◽  
Marianna Venturetti ◽  
Giovanna Lucchini ◽  
Simonetta Piatti
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Budding Yeast ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Mitotic Exit ◽  
Gtpase Activating Protein ◽  
Septin Ring ◽  
Anaphase Onset ◽  
Spindle Pole Bodies ◽  
Bud Neck ◽  
Spindle Position

Budding yeast spindle position checkpoint is engaged by misoriented spindles and prevents mitotic exit by inhibiting the G protein Tem1 through the GTPase-activating protein (GAP) Bub2/Bfa1. Bub2 and Bfa1 are found on both duplicated spindle pole bodies until anaphase onset, when they disappear from the mother-bound spindle pole under unperturbed conditions. In contrast, when spindles are misoriented they remain symmetrically localized at both SPBs. Thus, symmetric localization of Bub2/Bfa1 might lead to inhibition of Tem1, which is also present at SPBs. Consistent with this hypothesis, we show that a Bub2 version symmetrically localized on both SPBs throughout the cell cycle prevents mitotic exit in mutant backgrounds that partially impair it. This effect is Bfa1 dependent and can be suppressed by high Tem1 levels. Bub2 removal from the mother-bound SPB requires its GAP activity, which in contrast appears to be dispensable for Tem1 inhibition. Moreover, it correlates with the passage of one spindle pole through the bud neck because it needs septin ring formation and bud neck kinases.

scholarly journals Molecular Characterization of the Interaction of Borrelia parkeri and Borrelia turicatae with Human Complement Regulators

2010 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 2199-2208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Schott ◽  
Sonja Grosskinsky ◽  
Christiane Brenner ◽  
Peter Kraiczy ◽  
Reinhard Wallich
Keyword(s):  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Factor H ◽  
Human Complement ◽  
Related Protein ◽  
Relapsing Fever ◽  
Extracellular Matrix Components ◽  
Complement Regulators

ABSTRACT In North America, tick-borne relapsing fever is caused by the species Borrelia hermsii, B. parkeri, and B. turicatae, which are transmitted to humans through the bite of the respective infected tick vectors. Here we describe the identification and functional characterization of a surface lipoprotein of B. parkeri, designated BpcA, that binds the human complement regulators factor H and factor H-related protein 1 and, simultaneously, the host protease plasminogen. In contrast, the homologous B. turicatae protein failed to bind human factor H and factor H-related protein 1 but retained its plasminogen binding capacity. Factor H bound to BpcA maintains its regulatory capacity to control C3b deposition and C3 convertase activity. Ectopic expression of BpcA in a serum-sensitive B. burgdorferi strain protects transformed cells from complement-mediated killing. Furthermore, bound plasminogen/plasmin endows B. parkeri and B. turicatae with the potential to degrade extracellular matrix components. These findings expand our understanding of the putative recent evolutionary separation of Borrelia parkeri and Borrelia turicatae, provide evidence that B. parkeri differs from B. turicatae in its ability to resist complement attack, and may help in understanding the pathological processes underlying tick-borne relapsing fever.

scholarly journals Functional Characterization of BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT 1 in Panax Ginseng (PgBZR1) and Brassinosteroid Response during Storage Root Formation

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 9666
Author(s):  
Hyeona Hwang ◽  
Hwa-Yong Lee ◽  
Hojin Ryu ◽  
Hyunwoo Cho
Keyword(s):  
Panax Ginseng ◽  
Glycogen Synthase ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Secondary Growth ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Floral Organ ◽  
Membrane Receptors ◽  
Storage Root ◽  
Functional Conservation

Brassinosteroids (BRs) play crucial roles in the physiology and development of plants. In the model plant Arabidopsis, BR signaling is initiated at the level of membrane receptors, BRASSINOSTEROIDS INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) and BRI1-ASSOCIATED RECEPTOR KINASE 1 (BAK1) complex, thus activating the transcription factors (TFs) BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT 1/BRI1-EMS-SUPPRESSOR 1 (BZR1/BES1) to coordinate BR responsive genes. BRASSINOSTEROIDS INSENSITIVE 2 (BIN2), glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) like-kinase, negatively regulates BZR1/BES1 transcriptional activity through phosphorylation-dependent cytosolic retention and shuttling. However, it is still unknown whether this mechanism is conserved in Panax ginseng C. A. Mayer, a member of the Araliaceae family, which is a shade-tolerant perennial root crop. Despite its pharmacological and agricultural importance, the role of BR signaling in the development of P. ginseng and characterization of BR signaling components are still elusive. In this study, by utilizing the Arabidopsisbri1 mutant, we found that ectopic expression of the gain of function form of PgBZR1 (Pgbzr1-1D) restores BR deficiency. In detail, ectopic expression of Pgbzr1-1D rescues dwarfism, defects of floral organ development, and hypocotyl elongation of bri1-5, implying the functional conservation of PgBZR1 in P. ginseng. Interestingly, brassinolide (BL) and BRs biosynthesis inhibitor treatment in two-year-old P. ginseng storage root interferes with and promotes, respectively, secondary growth in terms of xylem formation. Altogether, our results provide new insight into the functional conservation and potential diversification of BR signaling and response in P. ginseng.

scholarly journals Ectopic expression and functional characterization of type III polyketide synthase mutants from Emblica officinalis Gaertn

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 2077-2090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Girija Aiswarya ◽  
Vijayanathan Mallika ◽  
Luis A. J. Mur ◽  
Eppurathu Vasudevan Soniya
Keyword(s):  
Polyketide Synthase ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Emblica Officinalis ◽  
Type Iii Polyketide Synthase ◽  
Type Iii

scholarly journals Asymmetry of the Budding Yeast Tem1 GTPase at Spindle Poles Is Required for Spindle Positioning But Not for Mitotic Exit

PLoS Genetics ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e1004938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Scarfone ◽  
Marianna Venturetti ◽  
Manuel Hotz ◽  
Jette Lengefeld ◽  
Yves Barral ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Budding Yeast ◽  
Mitotic Exit ◽  
Spindle Positioning ◽  
Spindle Poles

The mother-bud neck as a signaling platform for the coordination between spindle position and cytokinesis in budding yeast

2011 ◽  
Vol 392 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 805-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Merlini ◽  
Simonetta Piatti
Keyword(s):  
Genome Stability ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Budding Yeast ◽  
Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽  
Spindle Positioning ◽  
Bud Neck ◽  
Mother And Daughter ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Division Axis ◽  
Spindle Position

Abstract During asymmetric cell division, spindle positioning is critical for ensuring the unequal inheritance of polarity factors. In budding yeast, the mother-bud neck determines the cleavage plane and a correct nuclear division between mother and daughter cell requires orientation of the mitotic spindle along the mother-bud axis. A surveillance device called the spindle position/orientation checkpoint (SPOC) oversees this process and delays mitotic exit and cytokinesis until the spindle is properly oriented along the division axis, thus ensuring genome stability. Cytoskeletal proteins called septins form a ring at the bud neck that is essential for cytokinesis. Furthermore, septins and septin-associated proteins are implicated in spindle positioning and SPOC. In this review, we discuss the emerging connections between septins and the SPOC and the role of the mother-bud neck as a signaling platform to couple proper chromosome segregation to cytokinesis.

scholarly journals BFA1 has multiple positive roles in directing late mitotic events in S. cerevisiae

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Whalen ◽  
C Sniffen ◽  
S Gartland ◽  
M Vannini ◽  
A Seshan
Keyword(s):  
Budding Yeast ◽  
Spindle Pole Body ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Mitotic Exit ◽  
Genome Integrity ◽  
Mitotic Exit Network ◽  
M Phase ◽  
Regulation Of Cell Cycle ◽  
Spindle Position

ABSTRACTThe proper regulation of cell cycle transitions is paramount to the maintenance of cellular genome integrity. In budding yeast, the mitotic exit network (MEN) is a Ras-like signaling cascade that effects the transition from M phase to G1 during the cell division cycle in budding yeast. MEN activation is tightly regulated. It occurs during anaphase and is coupled to mitotic spindle position by the spindle position checkpoint (SPoC). Bfa1 is a key component of the SPoC and functions as part of a two-component GAP complex along with Bub2. The GAP activity of Bfa1-Bub2 keeps the MEN GTPase Tem1 inactive in cells with mispositioned spindles, thereby preventing inappropriate mitotic exit and preserving genome integrity. Interestingly, a GAP-independent role for Bfa1 in mitotic exit regulation has been previously identified. However the nature of this Bub2-independent role and its biological significance are not understood. Here we show that Bfa1 also activates the MEN by promoting the localization of Tem1 primarily to the daughter spindle pole body (dSPB). We demonstrate that the overexpression of BFA1 is lethal due to defects in Tem1 localization, which is required for its activity. In addition, our studies demonstrate a Tem1-independent role for Bfa1 in promoting proper cytokinesis. Cells lacking TEM1, in which the essential mitotic exit function is bypassed, exhibit cytokinesis defects. These defects are suppressed by the overexpression of BFA1. We conclude that Bfa1 functions to both inhibit and activate late mitotic events.

scholarly journals A Novel Hyperactive Nud1 Mitotic Exit Network Scaffold Causes Spindle Position Checkpoint Bypass in Budding Yeast

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Michael Vannini ◽  
Victoria R. Mingione ◽  
Ashleigh Meyer ◽  
Courtney Sniffen ◽  
Jenna Whalen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Budding Yeast ◽  
Signal Transduction Pathway ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Mitotic Exit ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Spindle Pole Bodies ◽  
Mitotic Exit Network ◽  
Cell Cycle Transition ◽  
Spindle Position

Mitotic exit is a critical cell cycle transition that requires the careful coordination of nuclear positioning and cyclin B destruction in budding yeast for the maintenance of genome integrity. The mitotic exit network (MEN) is a Ras-like signal transduction pathway that promotes this process during anaphase. A crucial step in MEN activation occurs when the Dbf2-Mob1 protein kinase complex associates with the Nud1 scaffold protein at the yeast spindle pole bodies (SPBs; centrosome equivalents) and thereby becomes activated. This requires prior priming phosphorylation of Nud1 by Cdc15 at SPBs. Cdc15 activation, in turn, requires both the Tem1 GTPase and the Polo kinase Cdc5, but how Cdc15 associates with SPBs is not well understood. We have identified a hyperactive allele of NUD1, nud1-A308T, that recruits Cdc15 to SPBs in all stages of the cell cycle in a CDC5-independent manner. This allele leads to early recruitment of Dbf2-Mob1 during metaphase and requires known Cdc15 phospho-sites on Nud1. The presence of nud1-A308T leads to loss of coupling between nuclear position and mitotic exit in cells with mispositioned spindles. Our findings highlight the importance of scaffold regulation in signaling pathways to prevent improper activation.

Anterior neurectoderm is progressively induced during gastrulation: the role of the Xenopus homeobox gene orthodenticle

Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (4) ◽  
pp. 993-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.L. Blitz ◽  
K.W. Cho
Keyword(s):  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Homeobox Gene ◽  
Neural Induction ◽  
Cement Gland ◽  
Spemann's Organizer ◽  
Vertical Contact

In order to study the regional specification of neural tissue we isolated Xotx2, a Xenopus homolog of the Drosophila orthodenticle gene. Xotx2 is initially expressed in Spemann's organizer and its expression is absent in the ectoderm of early gastrulae. As gastrulation proceeds, Xotx2 expression is induced in the overlying ectoderm and this domain of expression moves anteriorly in register with underlying anterior mesoderm throughout the remainder of gastrulation. The expression pattern of Xotx2 suggests that a wave of Xotx2 expression (marking anterior neurectoderm) travels through the ectoderm of the gastrula with the movement of underlying anterior (prechordal plate) mesoderm. This expression of Xotx2 is reminiscent of the Eyal-Giladi model for neural induction. According to this model, anterior neural-inducing signals emanating from underlying anterior mesoderm transiently induce anterior neural tissues after vertical contact with the overlying ectoderm. Further patterning is achieved when the ectoderm receives caudalizing signals as it comes in contact with more posterior mesoderm during subsequent gastrulation movements. Functional characterization of the Xotx2 protein has revealed its involvement in differentiation of the anterior-most tissue, the cement gland. Ectopic expression of Xotx2 in embryos induces extra cement glands in the skin as well as inducing a cement gland marker (XAG1) in isolated animal cap ectoderm. Microinjection of RNA encoding the organizer-specific homeo-domain protein goosecoid into the ventral marginal zone results in induction of the Xotx2 gene. This result, taken in combination with the indistinguishable expression patterns of Xotx2 and goosecoid in the anterior mesoderm suggests that Xotx2 is a target of goosecoid regulation.

scholarly journals Different Levels of Bfa1/Bub2 GAP Activity Are Required to Prevent Mitotic Exit of Budding Yeast Depending on the Type of Perturbations

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 4328-4340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junwon Kim ◽  
Selma Sun Jang ◽  
Kiwon Song
Keyword(s):  
Budding Yeast ◽  
Mitotic Exit ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange Factor ◽  
Surveillance Mechanism ◽  
Spindle Position ◽  
First Time ◽  
Different Levels

In budding yeast, Tem1 is a key regulator of mitotic exit. Bfa1/Bub2 stimulates Tem1 GTPase activity as a GTPase-activating protein (GAP). Lte1 possesses a guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) domain likely for Tem1. However, recent observations showed that cells may control mitotic exit without either Lte1 or Bfa1/Bub2 GAP activity, obscuring how Tem1 is regulated. Here, we assayed BFA1 mutants with varying GAP activities for Tem1, showing for the first time that Bfa1/Bub2 GAP activity inhibits Tem1 in vivo. A decrease in GAP activity allowed cells to bypass mitotic exit defects. Interestingly, different levels of GAP activity were required to prevent mitotic exit depending on the type of perturbation. Although essential, more Bfa1/Bub2 GAP activity was needed for spindle damage than for DNA damage to fully activate the checkpoint. Conversely, Bfa1/Bub2 GAP activity was insufficient to delay mitotic exit in cells with misoriented spindles. Instead, decreased interaction of Bfa1 with Kin4 was observed in BFA1 mutant cells with a defective spindle position checkpoint. These findings demonstrate that there is a GAP-independent surveillance mechanism of Bfa1/Bub2, which, together with the GTP/GDP switch of Tem1, may be required for the genomic stability of cells with misaligned spindles.

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