A Green Fluorescent Protein Reporter Genetic Screen That Identifies Modifiers of Hox Gene Function in the Drosophila Embryo

Genetics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 162 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir Merabet ◽  
Francoise Catala ◽  
Jacques Pradel ◽  
Yacine Graba
Keyword(s):  
Gene Function ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Hox Genes ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Genetic Screen ◽  
Drosophila Embryo ◽  
Hox Gene ◽  
Gfp Fluorescence ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Abstract Hox genes encode evolutionarily conserved transcription factors that play fundamental roles in the organization of the animal body plan. Molecular studies emphasize that unidentified genes contribute to the control of Hox activity. In this study, we describe a genetic screen designed to identify functions required for the control of the wingless (wg) and empty spiracles (ems) target genes by the Hox Abdominal-A and Abdominal-B proteins. A collection of chromosomal deficiencies were screened for their ability to modify GFP fluorescence patterns driven by Hox response elements (HREs) from wg and ems. We found 15 deficiencies that modify the activity of the ems HRE and 18 that modify the activity of the wg HRE. Many deficiencies cause ectopic activity of the HREs, suggesting that spatial restriction of transcriptional activity is an important level in the control of Hox gene function. Further analysis identified eight loci involved in the homeotic regulation of wg or ems. A majority of these modifier genes correspond to previously characterized genes, although not for their roles in the regulation of Hox targets. Five of them encode products acting in or in connection with signal transduction pathways, which suggests an extensive use of signaling in the control of Hox gene function.

scholarly journals Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) fluorescence after polyelectrolyte caging

2006 ◽  
Vol 14 (21) ◽  
pp. 9815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Diaspro ◽  
Silke Krol ◽  
Barbara Campanini ◽  
Fabio Cannone ◽  
Giuseppe Chirico
Keyword(s):  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Gfp Fluorescence ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Alix (AIP1) is a vasopressin receptor (V2R)-interacting protein that increases lysosomal degradation of the V2R

2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (5) ◽  
pp. F1303-F1313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianhua Yi ◽  
Richard Bouley ◽  
Herbert Y. Lin ◽  
Shaliha Bechoua ◽  
Tian-xiao Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Human Kidney ◽  
Lysosomal Degradation ◽  
Interacting Protein ◽  
Parathyroid Hormone Receptor ◽  
Gfp Fluorescence ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
Regulatory Event

The vasopressin type 2 receptor (V2R) is a G protein-coupled receptor that plays a central role in renal water reabsorption. Termination of ligand (vasopressin) stimulation is an important physiological regulatory event, but few proteins that interact with the V2R during downregulation after vasopressin (VP) binding have been identified. Using yeast two-hybrid screening of a human kidney cDNA library, we show that a 100-kDa protein called ALG-2-interacting protein X (Alix) interacts with the last 29 amino acids of the V2R COOH terminus. This was confirmed by pull-down assays using a GST-V2R-COOH-tail fusion protein. Alix was immunolocalized in principal cells of the kidney, which also express the V2R. The function of the Alix-V2R interaction was studied by transfecting Alix into LLC-PK1 epithelial cells expressing V2R-green fluorescent protein (GFP). Under basal conditions, V2R-GFP localized mainly at the plasma membrane. On VP treatment, V2R-GFP was internalized into perinuclear vesicles in the nontransfected cells. In contrast, V2R-GFP fluorescence was virtually undetectable 2 h after exposure to VP in cells that coexpressed Alix. Western blotting using an anti-GFP antibody showed marked degradation of the V2R after 2 h in the presence of VP and Alix, a time point at which little or no degradation was detected in the absence of Alix. In contrast, little or no degradation of the parathyroid hormone receptor was detectable in the presence or absence of Alix and/or the PTH ligand. The VP-induced disappearance of V2R-GFP was abolished by chloroquine, a lysosomal degradation inhibitor, but not by MG132, a proteosome inhibitor. These data suggest that Alix increases the rate of lysosomal degradation of V2R and may play an important regulatory role in the VP response by modulating V2R downregulation.

A class act: conservation of homeodomain protein functions

Development ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 1994 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 61-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Robert Manak ◽  
Matthew P. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Gene Function ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Hox Genes ◽  
Homeobox Gene ◽  
Homeodomain Protein ◽  
Animal Development ◽  
Protein Functions ◽  
Unified View ◽  
Protein Classes ◽  
And Function

Dramatic successes in identifying vertebrate homeobox genes closely related to their insect relatives have led to the recognition of classes within the homeodomain superfamily. To what extent are the homeodomain protein classes dedicated to specific functions during development? Although information on vertebrate gene functions is limited, existing evidence from mice and nematodes clearly supports conservation of function for the Hox genes. Less compelling, but still remarkable, is the conservation of other homeobox gene classes and of regulators of homeotic gene expression and function. It is too soon to say whether the cases of conservation are unique and exceptional, or the beginning of a profoundly unified view of gene regulation in animal development. In any case, new questions are raised by the data: how can the differences between mammals and insects be compatible with conservation of homeobox gene function? Did the evolution of animal form involve a proliferation of new homeodomain proteins, new modes of regulation of existing gene types, or new relationships with target genes, or is evolutionary change largely the province of other classes of genes? In this review, we summarize what is known about conservation of homeobox gene function.

scholarly journals The miR-26b-5p/KPNA2 Axis Is an Important Regulator of Burkitt Lymphoma Cell Growth

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1464
Author(s):  
Fubiao Niu ◽  
Marta Kazimierska ◽  
Ilja M. Nolte ◽  
Miente Martijn Terpstra ◽  
Debora de Jong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Growth ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Burkitt Lymphoma ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Argonaute 2 ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Competition Assays

The expression of several microRNAs (miRNAs) is known to be changed in Burkitt lymphoma (BL), compared to its normal counterparts. Although for some miRNAs, a role in BL was demonstrated, for most of them, their function is unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify miRNAs that control BL cell growth. Two BL cell lines were infected with lentiviral pools containing either 58 miRNA inhibitors or 44 miRNA overexpression constructs. Eighteen constructs showed significant changes in abundance over time, indicating that they affected BL growth. The screening results were validated by individual green fluorescent protein (GFP) growth competition assays for fifteen of the eighteen constructs. For functional follow-up studies, we focused on miR-26b-5p, whose overexpression inhibited BL cell growth. Argonaute 2 RNA immunoprecipitation (Ago2-IP) in two BL cell lines revealed 47 potential target genes of miR-26b-5p. Overlapping the list of putative targets with genes showing a growth repression phenotype in a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screen, revealed eight genes. The top-5 candidates included EZH2, COPS2, KPNA2, MRPL15, and NOL12. EZH2 is a known target of miR-26b-5p, with oncogenic properties in BL. The relevance of the latter four targets was confirmed using sgRNAs targeting these genes in individual GFP growth competition assays. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed binding of miR-26b-5p to the predicted target site for KPNA2, but not to the other genes. In summary, we identified 18 miRNAs that affected BL cell growth in a loss- or gain-of-function screening. A tumor suppressor role was confirmed for miR-26b-5p, and this effect could at least in part be attributed to KPNA2, a known regulator of OCT4, c-jun, and MYC.

scholarly journals Intervention of Bro1 in pH-Responsive Rim20 Localization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 532-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob H. Boysen ◽  
Shoba Subramanian ◽  
Aaron P. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Target Genes ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Endosomal Trafficking ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Pathway Activation ◽  
Alkaline Conditions ◽  
Acidic Conditions ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT Yeast cells contain two Bro1 domain proteins: Bro1, which is required for endosomal trafficking, and Rim20, which is required for the response to the external pH via the Rim101 pathway. Rim20 associates with endosomal structures under alkaline growth conditions, when it promotes activation of Rim101 through proteolytic cleavage. We report here that the pH-dependent localization of Rim20 is contingent on the amount of Bro1 in the cell. Cells that lack Bro1 have increased endosomal Rim20-green fluorescent protein (GFP) under acidic conditions; cells that overexpress Bro1 have reduced endosomal Rim20-GFP under acidic or alkaline conditions. The novel endosomal association of Rim20-GFP in the absence of Bro1 requires ESCRT components including Vps27 but not specific Rim101 pathway components such as Dfg16. Vps27 influences the localization of Bro1 but is not required for RIM101 pathway activation in wild-type cells, thus suggesting that Rim20 enters the Bro1 localization pathway when a vacancy exists. Despite altered localization of Rim20, the lack of Bro1 does not bypass the need for signaling protein Dfg16 to activate Rim101, as evidenced by the expression levels of the Rim101 target genes RIM8 and SMP1. Therefore, endosomal association of Rim20 is not sufficient to promote Rim101 activation.

scholarly journals Green Fluorescent Protein as a Novel Indicator of Antimicrobial Susceptibility in Aureobasidium pullulans

2001 ◽  
Vol 67 (12) ◽  
pp. 5614-5620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy S. Webb ◽  
Sarah R. Barratt ◽  
Hristo Sabev ◽  
Marianne Nixon ◽  
Ian M. Eastwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Cell Viability ◽  
Aureobasidium Pullulans ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Antimicrobial Compounds ◽  
Viable Cells ◽  
Gfp Fluorescence ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT Presently there is no method available that allows noninvasive and real-time monitoring of fungal susceptibility to antimicrobial compounds. The green fluorescent protein (GFP) of the jellyfishAequoria victoria was tested as a potential reporter molecule for this purpose. Aureobasidium pullulans was transformed to express cytosolic GFP using the vector pTEFEGFP (A. J. Vanden Wymelenberg, D. Cullen, R. N. Spear, B. Schoenike, and J. H. Andrews, BioTechniques 23:686–690, 1997). The transformed strain Ap1 gfp showed bright fluorescence that was amenable to quantification using fluorescence spectrophotometry. Fluorescence levels in Ap1 gfp blastospore suspensions were directly proportional to the number of viable cells determined by CFU plate counts (r 2 > 0.99). The relationship between cell viability and GFP fluorescence was investigated by adding a range of concentrations of each of the biocides sodium hypochlorite and 2-n-octylisothiozolin-3-one (OIT) to suspensions of Ap1gfp blastospores (pH 5 buffer). These biocides each caused a rapid (<25-min) loss of fluorescence of greater than 90% when used at concentrations of 150 μg of available chlorine ml−1 and 500 μg ml−1, respectively. Further, loss of GFP fluorescence from A. pullulanscells was highly correlated with a decrease in the number of viable cells (r 2 > 0.92). Losses of GFP fluorescence and cell viability were highly dependent on external pH; maximum losses of fluorescence and viability occurred at pH 4, while reduction of GFP fluorescence was absent at pH 8.0 and was associated with a lower reduction in viability. When A. pullulanswas attached to the surface of plasticized poly(vinylchloride) containing 500 ppm of OIT, fluorescence decreased more slowly than in cell suspensions, with >95% loss of fluorescence after 27 h. This technique should have broad applications in testing the susceptibility of A. pullulans and other fungal species to antimicrobial compounds.

scholarly journals Munc18c Function Is Required for Insulin-Stimulated Plasma Membrane Fusion of GLUT4 and Insulin-Responsive Amino Peptidase Storage Vesicles

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 379-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie C. Thurmond ◽  
Makoto Kanzaki ◽  
Ahmir H. Khan ◽  
Jeffrey E. Pessin
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Intact Cell ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Peptide Fragments ◽  
Storage Vesicles ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Syntaxin 4 ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT To examine the functional role of the interaction between Munc18c and syntaxin 4 in the regulation of GLUT4 translocation in 3T3L1 adipocytes, we assessed the effects of introducing three different peptide fragments (20 to 24 amino acids) of Munc18c from evolutionarily conserved regions of the Sec1 protein family predicted to be solvent exposed. One peptide, termed 18c/pep3, inhibited the binding of full-length Munc18c to syntaxin 4, whereas expression of the other two peptides had no effect. In parallel, microinjection of 18c/pep3 but not a control peptide inhibited the insulin-stimulated translocation of endogenous GLUT4 and insulin-responsive amino peptidase (IRAP) to the plasma membrane. In addition, expression of 18c/pep3 prevented the insulin-stimulated fusion of endogenous and enhanced green fluorescent protein epitope-tagged GLUT4- and IRAP-containing vesicles into the plasma membrane, as assessed by intact cell immunofluorescence. However, unlike the pattern of inhibition seen with full-length Munc18c expression, cells expressing 18c/pep3 displayed discrete clusters of GLUT4 abd IRAP storage vesicles at the cell surface which were not contiguous with the plasma membrane. Together, these data suggest that the interaction between Munc18c and syntaxin 4 is required for the integration of GLUT4 and IRAP storage vesicles into the plasma membrane but is not necessary for the insulin-stimulated trafficking to and association with the cell surface.

scholarly journals Alteration of intracellular histamine H2 receptor cycling precedes antagonist-induced upregulation

2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (5) ◽  
pp. G880-G889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Osawa ◽  
Masayoshi Kajimura ◽  
Seiji Yamamoto ◽  
Mutsuhiro Ikuma ◽  
Chihiro Mochizuki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Inverse Agonist ◽  
Recycling Endosome ◽  
Histamine H2 Receptor ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Hek 293 Cells ◽  
293 Cells ◽  
Gfp Fluorescence ◽  
Term Administration ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Long-term administration of a histamine H2 receptor (H2R) antagonist (inverse agonist) induces upregulation of H2R in parietal cells, which may be relevant to the rebound hypersecretion of gastric acid that occurs after withdrawal of treatment. The mechanisms underlying this effect are unknown. We hypothesized that the H2R upregulation could be related to receptor trafficking and used H2R-green fluorescent protein (H2R-GFP) to test the hypothesis. Human H2R-GFP was generated and functionally expressed in HEK-293 cells. Binding of the H2R antagonist [3H]tiotidine was performed to quantify H2R expression, and H2R-GFP was imaged in living cells by confocal and evanescent wave microscopy. The binding affinity of [3H]tiotidine was not significantly different between H2R-GFP- and wild-type H2R-expressing HEK-293 cells, both of which had constitutive activity of adenylate cyclase. Visualization of H2R-GFP revealed that the agonist-induced H2R internalization and the antagonist-induced recycling of the internalized H2R from the recycling endosome within 2 h. Long exposure to the antagonist increased GFP fluorescence in the plasma membrane and also induced upregulation of H2R-GFP estimated by the binding assay, whereas long exposure to the agonist enhanced degradative trafficking of H2R-GFP. We examined whether the upregulation reflected an increase in receptor synthesis. Treatment with antagonist did not augment H2R mRNA, and subsequent inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide had no effect on H2R upregulation. These findings suggested that upon exposure to an antagonist (inverse agonist), the equilibrium between receptor endocytosis and recycling is altered before H2R upregulation, probably via suppressing H2R degradation.

scholarly journals ARID1B is a Dosage-sensitive Regulator of Polycomb Repressive Complex Distribution and HOX Gene Regulation in Patient-derived Neural Progenitors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald Crabtree ◽  
Esther Son ◽  
Andrey Krokhotin ◽  
Sai Gourisankar ◽  
Chiung-Ying Chang
Keyword(s):  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Hox Genes ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Histone H2a ◽  
Hox Gene ◽  
Neural Lineage ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Sequencing Studies ◽  
A Subunit ◽  
Activity Dependent

Abstract Recent unbiased exome and whole-genome sequencing studies have identified ARID1B (originally BAF250b) as the most frequently mutated gene in human de novo neurodevelopmental disorders and a high confidence autism gene. ARID1B is a subunit of the multimeric SWI/SNF or Brg/Brahma-Associated Factor (BAF) ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complex. Studies of Arid1b+/- mice as well as other BAF subunit mutants have found defects in neural progenitor proliferation and activity-dependent neuronal dendritogenesis; however, to date, the molecular impact of ARID1B mutations on the human neural lineage has not been investigated. Remarkably, ARID1B is required for expression of HOX genes, including anterior HOX genes necessary for brain development. Despite the high homology with ARID1A and the fact that ARID1A is expressed at about 3-fold higher levels, it is unable to compensate for heterozygous loss of ARID1B. These changes in gene expression were paralleled by dosage-sensitive altered deposition of histone H3 lysine-27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and histone H2A lysine-119 ubiquitination (H2AK119ub) indicating that an evolutionarily conserved pathway of HOX gene regulation underlies the neurodevelopmental defects accompanying ARID1B haploinsufficiency. Using FIRE-Cas9, we show that the unmutated ARID1B allele can be activated to near normal and potentially therapeutic levels.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document