scholarly journals Reconstitution and use of highly active human CDK1:Cyclin-B:CKS1 complexes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pim J. Huis in ’t Veld ◽  
Sabine Wohlgemuth ◽  
Carolin Koerner ◽  
Franziska Mueller ◽  
Petra Janning ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kinase Activity ◽  
Insect Cells ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Cyclin B ◽  
Cyclin Dependent Kinase ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Interaction Partners ◽  
Dividing Cells

AbstractAs dividing cells transition into mitosis, hundreds of proteins are phosphorylated by a complex of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) and Cyclin-B, often at multiple sites. CDK1:Cyclin-B phosphorylation patterns alter conformations, interaction partners, and enzymatic activities and need to be recapitulated in vitro for the structural and functional characterization of the mitotic protein machinery. This requires a pure and active recombinant kinase complex. The kinase activity of CDK1 critically depends on the phosphorylation of a Threonine residue in its activation loop by a CDK1 activating kinase (CAK). We developed protocols to activate CDK1:Cyclin-B either in vitro with purified CDK1 activating kinases (CAK) or in insect cells through CDK-CAK co-expression. To boost kinase processivity, we reconstituted a tripartite complex consisting of CDK1, Cyclin-B, and CKS1. In this work, we provide and compare detailed protocols to obtain and use highly active CDK1:Cyclin-B (CC) and CDK1:Cyclin-B:CKS1 (CCC).

scholarly journals Molecular and Functional Characterization of Pyrokinin-like Peptides in the Western Tarnished Plant Bug Lygus hesperus (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 914
Author(s):  
J. Joe Hull ◽  
Colin S. Brent ◽  
Man-Yeon Choi ◽  
Zsanett Mikó ◽  
József Fodor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insect Cells ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Lygus Hesperus ◽  
Tarnished Plant Bug ◽  
Cerebral Ganglia ◽  
Peptide Expression

The pyrokinin (PK) family of insect neuropeptides, characterized by C termini consisting of either WFGPRLamide (i.e., PK1) or FXPRLamide (i.e., PK2), are encoded on the capa and pk genes. Although implicated in diverse biological functions, characterization of PKs in hemipteran pests has been largely limited to genomic, transcriptomic, and/or peptidomic datasets. The Lygus hesperus (western tarnished plant bug) PK transcript encodes a prepropeptide predicted to yield three PK2 FXPRLamide-like peptides with C-terminal sequences characterized by FQPRSamide (LyghePKa), FAPRLamide (LyghePKb), and a non-amidated YSPRF. The transcript is expressed throughout L. hesperus development with greatest abundance in adult heads. PRXamide-like immunoreactivity, which recognizes both pk- and capa-derived peptides, is localized to cells in the cerebral ganglia, gnathal ganglia/suboesophageal ganglion, thoracic ganglia, and abdominal ganglia. Immunoreactivity in the abdominal ganglia is largely consistent with capa-derived peptide expression, whereas the atypical fourth pair of immunoreactive cells may reflect pk-based expression. In vitro activation of a PK receptor heterologously expressed in cultured insect cells was only observed in response to LyghePKb, while no effects were observed with LyghePKa. Similarly, in vivo pheromonotropic effects were only observed following LyghePKb injections. Comparison of PK2 prepropeptides from multiple hemipterans suggests mirid-specific diversification of the pk gene.

scholarly journals Functional identification of ygiP as a positive regulator of the ttdA-ttdB-ygjE operon

Microbiology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 152 (7) ◽  
pp. 2129-2135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taku Oshima ◽  
Francis Biville
Keyword(s):  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Anaerobic Growth ◽  
Functional Identification ◽  
New Members ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Inner Membrane Protein ◽  
Tartrate Dehydratase

Functional characterization of unknown genes is currently a major task in biology. The search for gene function involves a combination of various in silico, in vitro and in vivo approaches. Available knowledge from the study of more than 21 LysR-type regulators in Escherichia coli has facilitated the classification of new members of the family. From sequence similarities and its location on the E. coli chromosome, it is suggested that ygiP encodes a lysR regulator controlling the expression of a neighbouring operon; this operon encodes the two subunits of tartrate dehydratase (TtdA, TtdB) and YgiE, an integral inner-membrane protein possibly involved in tartrate uptake. Expression of tartrate dehydratase, which converts tartrate to oxaloacetate, is required for anaerobic growth on glycerol as carbon source in the presence of tartrate. Here, it has been demonstrated that disruption of ygiP, ttdA or ygjE abolishes tartrate-dependent anaerobic growth on glycerol. It has also been shown that tartrate-dependent induction of the ttdA-ttdB-ygjE operon requires a functional YgiP.

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 Functional characterization of human PFTK1 as a cyclin-dependent kinase

2007 ◽  
Vol 104 (22) ◽  
pp. 9248-9253 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Shu ◽  
S. Lv ◽  
Y. Qin ◽  
X. Ma ◽  
X. Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Cyclin Dependent Kinase

scholarly journals NFB-01. FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF ATRX LOSS IN NF1-ASSOCIATED GLIOMA AND MPNST

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii417-iii418
Author(s):  
Ming Yuan ◽  
Karlyne Reilly ◽  
Christine Pratilas ◽  
Christopher Heaphy ◽  
Fausto Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Cell Lines ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Tert Promoter ◽  
Aggressive Tumors ◽  
Sirna Knockdown ◽  
Nih 3T3 ◽  
Vitro Effect ◽  
Murine Glioma

Abstract To identify the biologic relevance of ATRX loss in NF1-associated gliomagenesis, we studied the effects of Atrx loss using four previously characterized Nf1+/-Trp53+/- murine glioma lines. Lines 130G#3 and 158D#8 (corresponding to grade IV and III gliomas, respectively) displayed preserved ATRX protein expression compared to NIH-3T3 cells. We studied the effects of Atrx knockdown in these two lines in the presence and absence of the TERT inhibitor, BIRBR1532. Using a telomere-specific FISH assay, we identified increased signal intensity after Atrx knockdown, only in the presence of the TERT inhibitor. These features are reminiscent of ALT, although there were no significant alterations in cell growth. Next, we studied the effect of ATRX loss in MPNST lines ST88-14, NF90-8, STS-26T. These cell lines all expressed ATRX and DAXX. However, STS-26T contained a TERT promoter mutation and ST88-14 had a known SNP in the TERT promoter, while NF90-8 had no alterations. ATRX siRNA knockdown showed no significant effects in cell proliferation or apoptosis. However, ATRX knockdown resulted in rare ultra-bright foci, indicative of ALT. Next, we studied the in vitro effect of the ATR inhibitor VE-821 in MPNST cell lines. Only NF90-8 (lacking TERT alterations) demonstrated a decrease in growth after ATRX knockdown and VE-821 treatment. However, ATRX knockdown alone did not affect sensitivity to carboplatin. Our findings further support a role for ATRX loss with subsequent ALT activation in a biologic subset of NF1-associated malignancies, thereby opening an opportunity for therapeutic targeting of these aggressive tumors using specific classes of drugs.

Functional Characterization of GABAA Receptor Ligands In Vitro

2004 ◽  
pp. 85-94
Author(s):  
Bjarke Ebert ◽  
Sally Anne Thompson ◽  
Signe Í. Stórustovu ◽  
Keith A. Wafford
Keyword(s):  
Gabaa Receptor ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Receptor Ligands

scholarly journals Biochemical and Functional Characterization of Anthocyanidin Reductase (ANR) from Mangifera indica L.

Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 2876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Tan ◽  
Mei Wang ◽  
Youfa Kang ◽  
Farrukh Azeem ◽  
Zhaoxi Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Assay ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Mangifera Indica ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Citrate Buffer ◽  
Anthocyanidin Reductase ◽  
High Amino Acid ◽  
Optimum Ph

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is abundant in proanthocyanidins (PAs) that are important for human health and plant response to abiotic stresses. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in PA biosynthesis still need to be elucidated. Anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) catalyzes a key step in PA biosynthesis. In this study, three ANR cDNAs (MiANR1-1,1-2,1-3) were isolated from mango, and expressed in Escherichia coli. In vitro enzyme assay showed MiANR proteins convert cyanidin to their corresponding flavan-3-ols, such as (−)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin. Despite high amino acid similarity, the recombinant ANR proteins exhibited differences in enzyme kinetics and cosubstrate preference. MiANR1-2 and MiANR1-3 have the same optimum pH of 4.0 in citrate buffer, while the optimum pH for MiANR1-1 is pH 3.0 in phosphate buffer. MiANR1-1 does not use either NADPH or NADH as co-substrate while MiANR1-2/1-3 use only NADPH as co-substrate. MiANR1-2 has the highest Km and Vmax for cyanidin, followed by MiANR1-3 and MiANR1-1. The overexpression of MiANRs in ban mutant reconstructed the biosynthetic pathway of PAs in the seed coat. These data demonstrate MiANRs can form the ANR pathway, leading to the formation of two types of isomeric flavan-3-ols and PAs in mango.

scholarly journals N-Acetylglucosamine-1-Phosphate Transferase, WecA, as a Validated Drug Target in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanislav Huszár ◽  
Vinayak Singh ◽  
Alica Polčicová ◽  
Peter Baráth ◽  
María Belén Barrio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Drug Target ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Drug Candidate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chemical Libraries ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
Encoding Gene

ABSTRACT The mycobacterial phosphoglycosyltransferase WecA, which initiates arabinogalactan biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has been proposed as a target of the caprazamycin derivative CPZEN-45, a preclinical drug candidate for the treatment of tuberculosis. In this report, we describe the functional characterization of mycobacterial WecA and confirm the essentiality of its encoding gene in M. tuberculosis by demonstrating that the transcriptional silencing of wecA is bactericidal in vitro and in macrophages. Silencing wecA also conferred hypersensitivity of M. tuberculosis to the drug tunicamycin, confirming its target selectivity for WecA in whole cells. Simple radiometric assays performed with mycobacterial membranes and commercially available substrates allowed chemical validation of other putative WecA inhibitors and resolved their selectivity toward WecA versus another attractive cell wall target, translocase I, which catalyzes the first membrane step in the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan. These assays and the mutant strain described herein will be useful for identifying potential antitubercular leads by screening chemical libraries for novel WecA inhibitors.

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