scholarly journals Phosphorylation of centromeric histone H3 variant regulates chromosome segregation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 2034-2044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Boeckmann ◽  
Yoshimitsu Takahashi ◽  
Wei-Chun Au ◽  
Prashant K. Mishra ◽  
John S. Choy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Histone H3 Variant

The centromeric histone H3 variant (CenH3) is essential for chromosome segregation in eukaryotes. We identify posttranslational modifications of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CenH3, Cse4. Functional characterization of cse4 phosphorylation mutants shows growth and chromosome segregation defects when combined with kinetochore mutants okp1 and ame1. Using a phosphoserine-specific antibody, we show that the association of phosphorylated Cse4 with centromeres increases in response to defective microtubule attachment or reduced cohesion. We determine that evolutionarily conserved Ipl1/Aurora B contributes to phosphorylation of Cse4, as levels of phosphorylated Cse4 are reduced at centromeres in ipl1 strains in vivo, and in vitro assays show phosphorylation of Cse4 by Ipl1. Consistent with these results, we observe that a phosphomimetic cse4-4SD mutant suppresses the temperature-sensitive growth of ipl1-2 and Ipl1 substrate mutants dam1 spc34 and ndc80, which are defective for chromosome biorientation. Furthermore, cell biology approaches using a green fluorescent protein–labeled chromosome show that cse4-4SD suppresses chromosome segregation defects in dam1 spc34 strains. On the basis of these results, we propose that phosphorylation of Cse4 destabilizes defective kinetochores to promote biorientation and ensure faithful chromosome segregation. Taken together, our results provide a detailed analysis, in vivo and in vitro, of Cse4 phosphorylation and its role in promoting faithful chromosome segregation.

scholarly journals The ATAD2/ANCCA homolog Yta7 cooperates with Scm3HJURP to deposit Cse4CENP-A at the centromere in yeast

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (10) ◽  
pp. 5386-5393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Shahnejat-Bushehri ◽  
Ann E. Ehrenhofer-Murray
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Nucleosome Assembly ◽  
Direct Role ◽  
Kinetochore Assembly ◽  
Histone H3 Variant ◽  
Assembly Factor

The AAA+ ATPase and bromodomain factor ATAD2/ANCCA is overexpressed in many types of cancer, but how it contributes to tumorigenesis is not understood. Here, we report that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae homolog Yta7ATAD2 is a deposition factor for the centromeric histone H3 variant Cse4CENP-A at the centromere in yeast. Yta7ATAD2 regulates the levels of centromeric Cse4CENP-A in that yta7∆ causes reduced Cse4CENP-A deposition, whereas YTA7 overexpression causes increased Cse4CENP-A deposition. Yta7ATAD2 coimmunoprecipitates with Cse4CENP-A and is associated with the centromere, arguing for a direct role of Yta7ATAD2 in Cse4CENP-A deposition. Furthermore, increasing centromeric Cse4CENP-A levels by YTA7 overexpression requires the activity of Scm3HJURP, the centromeric nucleosome assembly factor. Importantly, Yta7ATAD2 interacts in vivo with Scm3HJURP, indicating that Yta7ATAD2 is a cochaperone for Scm3HJURP. The absence of Yta7 causes defects in growth and chromosome segregation with mutations in components of the inner kinetochore (CTF19/CCAN, Mif2CENP-C, Cbf1). Since Yta7ATAD2 is an AAA+ ATPase and potential hexameric unfoldase, our results suggest that it may unfold the Cse4CENP-A histone and hand it over to Scm3HJURP for subsequent deposition in the centromeric nucleosome. Furthermore, our findings suggest that ATAD2 overexpression may enhance malignant transformation in humans by misregulating centromeric CENP-A levels, thus leading to defects in kinetochore assembly and chromosome segregation.

scholarly journals Functional Characterization of the mazEF Toxin-Antitoxin System in the Pathogenic Bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1107
Author(s):  
Wonho Choi ◽  
Yoshihiro Yamaguchi ◽  
Ji-Young Park ◽  
Sang-Hyun Park ◽  
Hyeok-Won Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agrobacterium Tumefaciens ◽  
Physiological Function ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Cell Growth Inhibition ◽  
The Right

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a pathogen of various plants which transfers its own DNA (T-DNA) to the host plants. It is used for producing genetically modified plants with this ability. To control T-DNA transfer to the right place, toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems of A. tumefaciens were used to control the target site of transfer without any unintentional targeting. Here, we describe a toxin-antitoxin system, Atu0939 (mazE-at) and Atu0940 (mazF-at), in the chromosome of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The toxin in the TA system has 33.3% identity and 45.5% similarity with MazF in Escherichia coli. The expression of MazF-at caused cell growth inhibition, while cells with MazF-at co-expressed with MazE-at grew normally. In vivo and in vitro assays revealed that MazF-at inhibited protein synthesis by decreasing the cellular mRNA stability. Moreover, the catalytic residue of MazF-at was determined to be the 24th glutamic acid using site-directed mutagenesis. From the results, we concluded that MazF-at is a type II toxin-antitoxin system and a ribosome-independent endoribonuclease. Here, we characterized a TA system in A. tumefaciens whose understanding might help to find its physiological function and to develop further applications.

scholarly journals Overexpressed Pituitary Tumor-Transforming Gene Causes Aneuploidy in Live Human Cells

Endocrinology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 144 (11) ◽  
pp. 4991-4998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Run Yu ◽  
Wenge Lu ◽  
Jiandong Chen ◽  
Chris J. McCabe ◽  
Shlomo Melmed
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Pituitary Tumor ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Pituitary Tumor Transforming Gene ◽  
Transforming Gene

Abstract The mammalian securin, pituitary tumor-transforming gene (PTTG), is overexpressed in several tumors and transforms cells in vitro and in vivo. To test the hypothesis that PTTG overexpression causes aneuploidy, enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged PTTG (PTTG-EGFP) was expressed in human H1299 cancer cells (with undetectable endogenous PTTG expression) and mitosis of individual live cells observed. Untransfected cells and cells expressing EGFP alone exhibited appropriate mitosis. PTTG-EGFP markedly prolonged prophase and metaphase, indicating that PTTG blocks progression of mitosis to anaphase. In cells that underwent apparently normal mitosis (35 of 65 cells), PTTG-EGFP was degraded about 1 min before anaphase onset. Cells that failed to degrade PTTG-EGFP exhibited asymmetrical cytokinesis without chromosome segregation (18 of 65 cells) or chromosome decondensation without cytokinesis (9 of 65 cells), resulting in appearance of a macronucleus. Fifty-one of 55 cells expressing a nondegradable mutant PTTG exhibited asymmetrical cytokinesis without chromosome segregation, and some (4 of 55) decondensed chromosomes, both resulting in macronuclear formation. During this abnormal cytokinesis, all chromosomes and spindles and both centrosomes moved to one daughter cell, suggesting potential chaos in the subsequent mitosis. In conclusion, failure of PTTG degradation or enhanced PTTG accumulation, as a consequence of overexpression, inhibits mitosis progression and chromosome segregation but does not directly affect cytokinesis, resulting in aneuploidy. These results demonstrate that PTTG induces aneuploidy in single, live, human cancer cells.

scholarly journals Engineered Fragments of the PSMA-Specific 5D3 Antibody and Their Functional Characterization

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (18) ◽  
pp. 6672
Author(s):  
Zora Novakova ◽  
Nikola Belousova ◽  
Catherine A. Foss ◽  
Barbora Havlinova ◽  
Marketa Gresova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Experimental Therapy ◽  
Single Chain ◽  
Single Chain Fv ◽  
Murine Xenograft Model ◽  
Single Target

Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) is an established biomarker for the imaging and experimental therapy of prostate cancer (PCa), as it is strongly upregulated in high-grade primary, androgen-independent, and metastatic lesions. Here, we report on the development and functional characterization of recombinant single-chain Fv (scFv) and Fab fragments derived from the 5D3 PSMA-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb). These fragments were engineered, heterologously expressed in insect S2 cells, and purified to homogeneity with yields up to 20 mg/L. In vitro assays including ELISA, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, revealed that the fragments retain the nanomolar affinity and single target specificity of the parent 5D3 antibody. Importantly, using a murine xenograft model of PCa, we verified the suitability of fluorescently labeled fragments for in vivo imaging of PSMA-positive tumors and compared their pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution to the parent mAb. Collectively, our data provide an experimental basis for the further development of 5D3 recombinant fragments for future clinical use.

scholarly journals Functional Characterization of the Fission Yeast Phosphatidylserine Synthase Gene, pps1, Reveals Novel Cellular Functions for Phosphatidylserine

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 2092-2101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Matsuo ◽  
Edward Fisher ◽  
Jana Patton-Vogt ◽  
Stevan Marcus
Keyword(s):  
Stationary Phase ◽  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Cell Morphology ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Phosphatidylserine Synthase

ABSTRACT To investigate the contributions of phosphatidylserine to the growth and morphogenesis of the rod-shaped fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, we have characterized the single gene in this organism, pps1, encoding a predicted phosphatidylserine synthase. S. pombe pps1Δ mutants grow slowly in rich medium and are inviable in synthetic minimal medium. They do not produce detectable phosphatidylserine in vivo and possess negligible in vitro phosphatidylserine synthase activity, indicating that pps1 encodes the major phosphatidylserine synthase activity in S. pombe. Supplementation of growth medium with ethanolamine partially suppresses the growth-defective phenotype of pps1Δ cells, reflecting the likely importance of phosphatidylserine as a precursor for phosphatidylethanolamine in S. pombe. In medium lacking ethanolamine, pps1Δ mutants exhibit striking cell morphology, cytokinesis, actin cytoskeleton, and cell wall remodeling and integrity defects. Overexpression of pps1 likewise leads to defects in cell morphology and cytokinesis, thus implicating phosphatidylserine as a dosage-dependent regulator of these processes. During log-phase growth, green fluorescent protein-Pps1p fusion proteins are concentrated at the cell and nuclear peripheries as well as presumptive endoplasmic reticulum membranes, while in stationary-phase cells, they are redistributed to unusual cytoplasmic structures of unknown origin. Moreover, stationary-phase pps1Δ cultures retain very poor viability relative to wild-type S. pombe cells, even in medium containing ethanolamine, demonstrating a role for phosphatidylserine in the physiological adaptations required for stationary-phase survival. Our findings reveal novel cellular functions for phosphatidylserine and emphasize the usefulness of S. pombe as a model organism for elucidating potentially conserved biological and molecular functions of this phospholipid.

scholarly journals Mutational and in vitro protein-binding studies on centromere DNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 4522-4534 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Ng ◽  
J Carbon
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Protein Binding ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Binding Studies ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Sequence Element ◽  
Sequence Elements ◽  
Mobility Shift Assay

Centromeres on chromosomes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contain approximately 140 base pairs (bp) of DNA. The functional centromere (CEN) region contains three important sequence elements (I, PuTCACPuTG; II, 78 to 86 bp of high-AT DNA; and III, a conserved 25-bp sequence with internal bilateral symmetry). Various point mutations or deletions in the element III region have a profound effect on CEN function in vivo, indicating that this DNA region is a key protein-binding site. This has been confirmed by the use of two in vitro assays to detect binding of yeast proteins to DNA fragments containing wild-type or mutationally altered CEN3 sequences. An exonuclease III protection assay was used to demonstrate specific binding of proteins to the element III region of CEN3. In addition, a gel DNA fragment mobility shift assay was used to characterize the binding reaction parameters. Sequence element III mutations that inactivate CEN function in vivo also prevent binding of proteins in the in vitro assays. The mobility shift assay indicates that double-stranded DNAs containing sequence element III efficiently bind proteins in the absence of sequence elements I and II, although the latter sequences are essential for optimal CEN function in vivo.

scholarly journals Identification of overlapping DNA-binding and centromere-targeting domains in the human kinetochore protein CENP-C.

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 3576-3586 ◽  
Author(s):  
C H Yang ◽  
J Tomkiel ◽  
H Saitoh ◽  
D H Johnson ◽  
W C Earnshaw
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Centromeric Heterochromatin ◽  
Structural Protein ◽  
Chromosomal Site

The kinetochore in eukaryotes serves as the chromosomal site of attachment for microtubules of the mitotic spindle and directs the movements necessary for proper chromosome segregation. In mammalian cells, the kinetochore is a highly differentiated trilaminar structure situated at the surface of the centromeric heterochromatin. CENP-C is a basic, DNA-binding protein that localizes to the inner kinetochore plate, the region that abuts the heterochromatin. Microinjection experiments using antibodies specific for CENP-C have demonstrated that this protein is required for the assembly and/or stability of the kinetochore as well as for a timely transition through mitosis. From these observations, it has been suggested that CENP-C is a structural protein that is involved in the organization or the kinetochore. In this report, we wished to identify and map the functional domains of CENP-C. Analysis of CENP-C truncation mutants expressed in vivo demonstrated that CENP-C possesses an autonomous centromere-targeting domain situated at the central region of the CENP-C polypeptide. Similarly, in vitro assays revealed that a region of CENP-C with the ability to bind DNA is also located at the center of the CENP-C molecule, where it overlaps the centromere-targeting domain.

scholarly journals SUMO proteases SENP3 and SENP5 spatiotemporally regulate the kinase activity of Aurora A

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Yu ◽  
Qiaoyu Lin ◽  
Chao Huang ◽  
Boyan Zhang ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Kinase Activity ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Aurora A ◽  
Sumo Proteases ◽  
Spatiotemporal Control ◽  
Early Mitosis

Precise chromosome segregation is mediated by a well-assembled mitotic spindle, which requires balance of the kinase activity of Aurora A (AurA). However, how this kinase activity is regulated remains largely unclear. Here, using in vivo and in vitro assays, we report that conjugation of SUMO2 with AurA at K258 in early mitosis promotes the kinase activity of AurA and facilitates the binding with its activator, Bora. Knockdown of the SUMO proteases SENP3 and SENP5 disrupted the deSUMOylation of AurA, leading to an increased kinase activity and abnormalities in spindle assembly and chromosomes segregation which could be rescued by suppressing the kinase activity of AurA. Collectively, these results demonstrate that SENP3 and SENP5 deSUMOylate AurA to render a spatiotemporal control on its kinase activity in mitosis.

Mutational and in vitro protein-binding studies on centromere DNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 4522-4534
Author(s):  
R Ng ◽  
J Carbon
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Protein Binding ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Binding Studies ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Sequence Element ◽  
Sequence Elements ◽  
Mobility Shift Assay

Centromeres on chromosomes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contain approximately 140 base pairs (bp) of DNA. The functional centromere (CEN) region contains three important sequence elements (I, PuTCACPuTG; II, 78 to 86 bp of high-AT DNA; and III, a conserved 25-bp sequence with internal bilateral symmetry). Various point mutations or deletions in the element III region have a profound effect on CEN function in vivo, indicating that this DNA region is a key protein-binding site. This has been confirmed by the use of two in vitro assays to detect binding of yeast proteins to DNA fragments containing wild-type or mutationally altered CEN3 sequences. An exonuclease III protection assay was used to demonstrate specific binding of proteins to the element III region of CEN3. In addition, a gel DNA fragment mobility shift assay was used to characterize the binding reaction parameters. Sequence element III mutations that inactivate CEN function in vivo also prevent binding of proteins in the in vitro assays. The mobility shift assay indicates that double-stranded DNAs containing sequence element III efficiently bind proteins in the absence of sequence elements I and II, although the latter sequences are essential for optimal CEN function in vivo.

scholarly journals SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase (STUbL) Slx5 regulates proteolysis of centromeric histone H3 variant Cse4 and prevents its mislocalization to euchromatin

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 1500-1510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kentaro Ohkuni ◽  
Yoshimitsu Takahashi ◽  
Alyona Fulp ◽  
Josh Lawrimore ◽  
Wei-Chun Au ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ubiquitin Ligase ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
E3 Ligases ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
Histone H3 Variant ◽  
Maintain Genome Stability

Centromeric histone H3, CENP-ACse4, is essential for faithful chromosome segregation. Stringent regulation of cellular levels of CENP-ACse4 restricts its localization to centromeres. Mislocalization of CENP-ACse4 is associated with aneuploidy in yeast and flies and tumorigenesis in human cells; thus defining pathways that regulate CENP-A levels is critical for understanding how mislocalization of CENP-A contributes to aneuploidy in human cancers. Previous work in budding yeast shows that ubiquitination of overexpressed Cse4 by Psh1, an E3 ligase, partially contributes to proteolysis of Cse4. Here we provide the first evidence that Cse4 is sumoylated by E3 ligases Siz1 and Siz2 in vivo and in vitro. Ubiquitination of Cse4 by the small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO)-targeted ubiquitin ligase (STUbL) Slx5 plays a critical role in proteolysis of Cse4 and prevents mislocalization of Cse4 to euchromatin under normal physiological conditions. Accumulation of sumoylated Cse4 species and increased stability of Cse4 in slx5∆ strains suggest that sumoylation precedes ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of Cse4. Slx5-mediated Cse4 proteolysis is independent of Psh1, since slx5∆ psh1∆ strains exhibit higher levels of Cse4 stability and mislocalization than either slx5∆ or psh1∆ strains. Our results demonstrate a role for Slx5 in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of Cse4 to prevent its mislocalization and maintain genome stability.

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