scholarly journals Isoprenylcysteine Carboxy Methylation Is Essential for Development in Dictyostelium discoideum

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 4106-4118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Chen ◽  
Kyle J. McQuade ◽  
Xiao-Juan Guan ◽  
Peter A. Thomason ◽  
Michael S. Wert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Intercellular Signaling ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Protein Subunit ◽  
Encoding Gene ◽  
Carboxy Terminal ◽  
Mutant Cells ◽  
Do So

Members of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases and the heterotrimeric G protein γ subunit are methylated on their carboxy-terminal cysteine residues by isoprenylcysteine methyltransferase. In Dictyostelium discoideum, small GTPase methylation occurs seconds after stimulation of starving cells by cAMP and returns quickly to basal levels, suggesting an important role in cAMP-dependent signaling. Deleting the isoprenylcysteine methyltransferase-encoding gene causes dramatic defects. Starving mutant cells do not propagate cAMP waves in a sustained manner, and they do not aggregate. Motility is rescued when cells are pulsed with exogenous cAMP, or coplated with wild-type cells, but the rescued cells exhibit altered polarity. cAMP-pulsed methyltransferase-deficient cells that have aggregated fail to differentiate, but mutant cells plated in a wild-type background are able to do so. Localization of and signaling by RasG is altered in the mutant. Localization of the heterotrimeric Gγ protein subunit was normal, but signaling was altered in mutant cells. These data indicate that isoprenylcysteine methylation is required for intercellular signaling and development in Dictyostelium.

scholarly journals Co-ordinated Ras and Rac activity shapes macropinocytic cups and enables phagocytosis of geometrically diverse bacteria

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine M. Buckley ◽  
Henderikus Pots ◽  
Aurelie Gueho ◽  
Ben A. Phillips ◽  
Bernd Gilsbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Extracellular Material ◽  
Multidomain Protein ◽  
Complex Shapes ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Phagocytic Cups ◽  
Interior Domain ◽  
Professional Phagocyte

AbstractEngulfment of extracellular material by phagocytosis or macropinocytosis depends on the ability of cells to generate specialised cup shaped protrusions. To effectively capture and internalise their targets, these cups are organised into a ring or ruffle of actin-driven protrusion encircling a non-protrusive interior domain. These functional domains depend on the combined activities of multiple Ras and Rho family small GTPases, but how their activities are integrated and differentially regulated over space and time is unknown. Here, we show that the amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum coordinates Ras and Rac activity using the multidomain protein RGBARG (RCC1, RhoGEF, BAR and RasGAP-containing protein). We find RGBARG uses a tripartite mechanism of Ras, Rac and phospholipid interactions to localise at the protruding edge and interface with the interior of both macropinocytic and phagocytic cups. There, RGBARG shapes the protrusion by driving Rac activation at the rim whilst suppressing expansion of the active Ras interior domain. Consequently, cells lacking RGBARG form enlarged, flat interior domains unable to generate large macropinosomes. During phagocytosis, we find that disruption of RGBARG causes a geometry-specific defect in engulfing rod-shaped bacteria and ellipsoidal beads. This demonstrates the importance of co-ordinating small GTPase activities during engulfment of more complex shapes and thus the full physiological range of microbes, and how this is achieved in a model professional phagocyte.

scholarly journals Clathrin heavy chain functions in sorting and secretion of lysosomal enzymes in Dictyostelium discoideum.

1994 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Ruscetti ◽  
J A Cardelli ◽  
M L Niswonger ◽  
T J O'Halloran
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Heavy Chain ◽  
Lysosomal Enzyme ◽  
Lysosomal Enzymes ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Chain Gene ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Clathrin Heavy Chain ◽  
Mutant Cells

The clathrin heavy chain is a major component of clathrin-coated vesicles that function in selective membrane traffic in eukaryotic cells. We disrupted the clathrin heavy chain gene (chcA) in Dictyostelium discoideum to generate a stable clathrin heavy chain-deficient cell line. Measurement of pinocytosis in the clathrin-minus mutant revealed a four-to five-fold deficiency in the internalization of fluid-phase markers. Once internalized, these markers recycled to the cell surface of mutant cells at wild-type rates. We also explored the involvement of clathrin heavy chain in the trafficking of lysosomal enzymes. Pulse chase analysis revealed that clathrin-minus cells processed most alpha-mannosidase to mature forms, however, approximately 20-25% of the precursor molecules remained uncleaved, were missorted, and were rapidly secreted by the constitutive secretory pathway. The remaining intracellular alpha-mannosidase was successfully targeted to mature lysosomes. Standard secretion assays showed that the rate of secretion of alpha-mannosidase was significantly less in clathrin-minus cells compared to control cells in growth medium. Interestingly, the secretion rates of another lysosomal enzyme, acid phosphatase, were similar in clathrin-minus and wild-type cells. Like wild-type cells, clathrin-minus mutants responded to starvation conditions with increased lysosomal enzyme secretion. Our study of the mutant cells provide in vivo evidence for roles for the clathrin heavy chain in (a) the internalization of fluid from the plasma membrane; (b) sorting of hydrolase precursors from the constitutive secretory pathway to the lysosomal pathway; and (c) secretion of mature hydrolases from lysosomes to the extracellular space.

scholarly journals Small GTPase RhoG Is a Key Regulator for Neurite Outgrowth in PC12 Cells

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (19) ◽  
pp. 7378-7387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hironori Katoh ◽  
Hidekazu Yasui ◽  
Yoshiaki Yamaguchi ◽  
Junko Aoki ◽  
Hirotada Fujita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurite Outgrowth ◽  
Pc12 Cells ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Constitutively Active

ABSTRACT The Rho family of small GTPases has been implicated in cytoskeletal reorganization and subsequent morphological changes in various cell types. Among them, Rac and Cdc42 have been shown to be involved in neurite outgrowth in neuronal cells. In this study, we examined the role of RhoG, another member of Rho family GTPases, in nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Expression of wild-type RhoG in PC12 cells induced neurite outgrowth in the absence of NGF, and the morphology of wild-type RhoG-expressing cells was similar to that of NGF-differentiated cells. Constitutively active RhoG-transfected cells extended short neurites but developed large lamellipodial or filopodial structures at the tips of neurites. RhoG-induced neurite outgrowth was inhibited by coexpression with dominant-negative Rac1 or Cdc42. In addition, expression of constitutively active RhoG elevated endogenous Rac1 and Cdc42 activities. We also found that the NGF-induced neurite outgrowth was enhanced by expression of wild-type RhoG whereas expression of dominant-negative RhoG suppressed the neurite outgrowth. Furthermore, constitutively active Ras-induced neurite outgrowth was also suppressed by dominant-negative RhoG. Taken together, these results suggest that RhoG is a key regulator in NGF-induced neurite outgrowth, acting downstream of Ras and upstream of Rac1 and Cdc42 in PC12 cells.

scholarly journals Translational control of discoidin lectin expression in drsA suppressor mutants of Dictyostelium discoideum.

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 3171-3179 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Alexander ◽  
S Leone ◽  
E Ostermeyer
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Translational Control ◽  
Suppressive Effect ◽  
Developmental Expression ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Rna Analysis ◽  
Type Pattern ◽  
Bona Fide ◽  
Lectin Protein ◽  
Mutant Cells

Genetic analysis in Dictyostelium discoideum has identified regulatory genes which control the developmental expression of the discoidin lectin multigene family. Among these, the drsA mutation is a dominant second-site suppressor of another mutation, disB, which has the discoidinless phenotype. We now demonstrate a novel mechanism by which the drsA allele exerts its suppressive effect on the disB mutation. Interestingly, drsA does not merely bypass the disB mutation and restore the wild-type pattern of lectin expression. Rather, drsA mutant cells have high levels of discoidin lectin synthesis during growth but do not express lectins during aggregation. In contrast, wild-type cells only express lectin protein during the aggregation period of development. Phenocopies of the drsA mutation show a pattern of discoidin expression similar to that seen in the bona fide mutant. These data suggest that there may be a mechanism of negative feedback, resulting from the high levels of discoidin lectin made during growth, which inhibits further discoidin lectin expression during development. Northern (RNA) analysis of developing drsA mutant cells shows that these cells contain high levels of discoidin mRNA, although no discoidin lectin protein is being translated from these messages. Therefore, expression of the discoidin gene family can be controlled at the level of translation as well as transcription.

Translational control of discoidin lectin expression in drsA suppressor mutants of Dictyostelium discoideum

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 3171-3179
Author(s):  
S Alexander ◽  
S Leone ◽  
E Ostermeyer
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Translational Control ◽  
Suppressive Effect ◽  
Developmental Expression ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Rna Analysis ◽  
Type Pattern ◽  
Bona Fide ◽  
Lectin Protein ◽  
Mutant Cells

Genetic analysis in Dictyostelium discoideum has identified regulatory genes which control the developmental expression of the discoidin lectin multigene family. Among these, the drsA mutation is a dominant second-site suppressor of another mutation, disB, which has the discoidinless phenotype. We now demonstrate a novel mechanism by which the drsA allele exerts its suppressive effect on the disB mutation. Interestingly, drsA does not merely bypass the disB mutation and restore the wild-type pattern of lectin expression. Rather, drsA mutant cells have high levels of discoidin lectin synthesis during growth but do not express lectins during aggregation. In contrast, wild-type cells only express lectin protein during the aggregation period of development. Phenocopies of the drsA mutation show a pattern of discoidin expression similar to that seen in the bona fide mutant. These data suggest that there may be a mechanism of negative feedback, resulting from the high levels of discoidin lectin made during growth, which inhibits further discoidin lectin expression during development. Northern (RNA) analysis of developing drsA mutant cells shows that these cells contain high levels of discoidin mRNA, although no discoidin lectin protein is being translated from these messages. Therefore, expression of the discoidin gene family can be controlled at the level of translation as well as transcription.

scholarly journals Constitutively Active Protein Kinase A Disrupts Motility and Chemotaxis in Dictyostelium discoideum

2003 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Paul J. Heid ◽  
Deborah Wessels ◽  
Karla J. Daniels ◽  
Tien Pham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Protein Kinase A ◽  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Regulatory Subunit ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Normal Velocity ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Mutant Cells ◽  
Kinase A ◽  
Constitutively Active

ABSTRACT The deletion of the gene for the regulatory subunit of protein kinase A (PKA) results in constitutively active PKA in the pkaR mutant. To investigate the role of PKA in the basic motile behavior and chemotaxis of Dictyostelium discoideum, pkaR mutant cells were subjected to computer-assisted two- and three-dimensional motion analysis. pkaR mutant cells crawled at only half the speed of wild-type cells in buffer, chemotaxed in spatial gradients of cyclic AMP (cAMP) but with reduced efficiency, were incapable of suppressing lateral pseudopods in the front of temporal waves of cAMP, a requirement for natural chemotaxis, did not exhibit the normal velocity surge in response to the front of a wave, and were incapable of chemotaxing toward an aggregation center in natural waves generated by wild-type cells that made up the majority of cells in mixed cultures. Many of the behavioral defects appeared to be the result of the constitutively ovoid shape of the pkaR mutant cells, which forced the dominant pseudopod off the substratum and to the top of the cell body. The behavioral abnormalities that pkaR mutant cells shared with regA mutant cells are discussed by considering the pathway ERK2 —| RegA —| [cAMP] → PKA, which emanates from the front of a wave. The results demonstrate that cells must suppress PKA activity in order to elongate along a substratum, suppress lateral-pseudopod formation, and crawl and chemotax efficiently. The results also implicate PKA activation in dismantling cell polarity at the peak and in the back of a natural cAMP wave.

scholarly journals Non-chemotactic Dictyostelium discoideum mutants with altered cGMP signal transduction.

1993 ◽  
Vol 123 (6) ◽  
pp. 1453-1462 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Kuwayama ◽  
S Ishida ◽  
P J Van Haastert
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Guanylyl Cyclase ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Dose Dependency ◽  
Common Pathway ◽  
Surface Receptors ◽  
Complementation Groups ◽  
Mutant Cells ◽  
Guanylyl Cyclase Activity

Folic acid and cAMP are chemoattractants in Dictyostelium discoideum, which bind to different surface receptors. The signal is transduced from the receptors via different G proteins into a common pathway which includes guanylyl cyclase and acto-myosin. To investigate this common pathway, ten mutants which do not react chemotactically to both cAMP and folic acid were isolated with a simple new chemotactic assay. Genetic analysis shows that one of these mutants (KI-10) was dominant; the other nine mutants were recessive, and comprise nine complementation groups. In wild-type cells, the chemoattractants activate adenylyl cyclase, phospholipase C, and guanylyl cyclase in a transient manner. In mutant cells the formation of cAMP and IP3 were generally normal, whereas the cGMP response was altered in most of the ten mutants. Particularly, mutant KI-8 has strongly reduced basal guanylyl cyclase activity; the enzyme is present in mutant KI-10, but can not be activated by cAMP or folic acid. The cGMP response of five other mutants is altered in either magnitude, dose dependency, or kinetics. These observations suggest that the second messenger cGMP plays a key role in chemotaxis in Dictyostelium.

scholarly journals Spatial and temporal expression of the Dictyostelium discoideum G alpha protein subunit G alpha 2: expression of a dominant negative protein inhibits proper prestalk to stalk differentiation.

1994 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Carrel ◽  
S Dharmawardhane ◽  
A M Clark ◽  
J A Powell-Coffman ◽  
R A Firtel
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Protein Subunit ◽  
Multicellular Development ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Downstream Effectors ◽  
Camp Receptor

Previous results have shown that the G alpha protein subunit G alpha 2 is required for aggregation in Dictyostelium discoideum and is essential for coupling cell-surface cAMP receptors to downstream effectors in vivo during this stage of development. G alpha 2 expresses at least four distinct transcripts that are differentially regulated during development; two of the transcripts are expressed exclusively in the multicellular stages and their expression is restricted to prestalk cells. We partially dissected the G alpha 2 promoter and identified a component that is expressed exclusively during the multicellular stages using luciferase gene fusions. When this promoter region is coupled to lacZ, beta-gal expression is restricted to the multicellular stages and localized in prestalk cells with a pattern similar to that of the ecmA prestalk-specific promoter. We show that expression in wild-type cells of the G alpha 2 mutant protein [G alpha 2(G206T)] during the early stages of development blocks aggregation and cAMP-mediated activation of adenylyl cyclase and guanylyl cyclase, suggesting it functions as a dominant negatively active G alpha subunit. When this mutant G alpha protein is expressed from the ecmA prestalk-specific promoter, abnormal stalk differentiation during culmination is observed. Expression of the mutant G alpha 2 from the SP60 prespore promoter or wild-type G alpha 2 from either the ecmA or the SP60 promoter results in no detectable phenotype. The results suggest that G alpha 2 plays an essential role during the culmination stage in prestalk cells and may mediate cAMP receptor activation of these processes during multicellular development.

scholarly journals Unconventional Secretion of AcbA in Dictyostelium discoideum through a Vesicular Intermediate

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1009-1017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Cabral ◽  
Christophe Anjard ◽  
Vivek Malhotra ◽  
William F. Loomis ◽  
Adam Kuspa
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sensitive Factor ◽  
Late Step ◽  
Unconventional Secretion ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Acyl Coenzyme A ◽  
Mutant Cells

ABSTRACT The acyl coenzyme A (CoA) binding protein AcbA is secreted unconventionally and processed into spore differentiation factor 2 (SDF-2), a peptide that coordinates sporulation in Dictyostelium discoideum. We report that AcbA is localized in vesicles that accumulate in the cortex of prespore cells just prior to sporulation. These vesicles are not observed after cells are stimulated to release AcbA but remain visible after stimulation in cells lacking the Golgi reassembly stacking protein (GRASP). Acyl-CoA binding is required for the inclusion of AcbA in these vesicles, and the secretion of AcbA requires N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF). About 1% of the total cellular AcbA can be purified within membrane-bound vesicles. The yield of vesicles decreases dramatically when purified from wild-type cells that were stimulated to release AcbA, whereas the yield from GRASP mutant cells was only modestly altered by stimulation. We suggest that these AcbA-containing vesicles are secretion intermediates and that GRASP functions at a late step leading to the docking/fusion of these vesicles at the cell surface.

Cytoskeletons from a mutant of Dictyostelium discoideum with flattened cells

1986 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-82
Author(s):  
M. Claviez ◽  
M. Brink ◽  
G. Gerisch
Keyword(s):  
Cyclic Amp ◽  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Cell Shape ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Aggregation Pattern ◽  
Mutant Cells ◽  
Moving Front ◽  
Microtubular System

Development of a mutant of Dictyostelium discoideum, HG403, is described whose cells spread strongly on a substratum. Although the mutant cells were less clearly polarized into the front and rear ends, and usually less extensively elongated than wild-type cells, their aggregation pattern was only slightly less regular. Cells of the mutant responded well to cyclic AMP by chemotaxis, although their capability of stabilizing cell shape and maintaining dominance of a single moving front appeared to be reduced. Mutant HG403 proved to be ideal for the preparation of cytoskeletons in which the organization of the microtubular system, the network of filaments between them, the dense texture of the microfilament network at the periphery of the cells, as well as the bundling of microfilaments in spike-like extensions, could be observed.

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