scholarly journals The Toxoplasma Vacuolar H+-ATPase regulates intracellular pH, and impacts the maturation of essential secretory proteins

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J Stasic ◽  
Nathan M Chasen ◽  
Eric J Dykes ◽  
Stephen A Vella ◽  
Beejan Asady ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cells ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Cellular Physiology ◽  
Ionic Stress ◽  
Atpase Subunits ◽  
Acidic Vesicles ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Microneme Proteins

Vacuolar-proton ATPases (V-H+-ATPases) are conserved complexes that couple the hydrolysis of ATP to the pumping of protons across membranes. V-H+-ATPases are known to play diverse roles in cellular physiology. We studied the Toxoplasma gondii V-H+-ATPase complex and discovered a novel dual role of the pump in protecting parasites against ionic stress and in the maturation of secretory proteins in endosomal-like compartments. Toxoplasma V-H+-ATPase subunits localize to the plasma membrane and to acidic vesicles and characterization of conditional mutants of the a1 subunit highlighted the functionality of the complex at both locations. Microneme and rhoptry proteins are required for invasion and modulation of host cells and they traffic via endosome-like compartments in which proteolytic maturation occurs. We show that the V-H+-ATPase supports the maturation of rhoptry and microneme proteins, and their maturases, during their traffic to their corresponding organelles. This work underscores a novel role for V-H+-ATPases in regulating virulence pathways.

scholarly journals GTPase-Activating Proteins for Cdc42

2002 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 469-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory R. Smith ◽  
Scott A. Givan ◽  
Paul Cullen ◽  
George F. Sprague
Keyword(s):  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Invasive Growth ◽  
Gtpase Activating Proteins ◽  
Morphological Defects ◽  
P21 Activated Kinase ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Pak Kinase

ABSTRACT The Rho-type GTPase, Cdc42, has been implicated in a variety of functions in the yeast life cycle, including septin organization for cytokinesis, pheromone response, and haploid invasive growth. A group of proteins called GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) catalyze the hydrolysis of GTP to GDP, thereby inactivating Cdc42. At the time this study began, there was one known GAP, Bem3, and one putative GAP, Rga1, for Cdc42. We identified another putative GAP for Cdc42 and named it Rga2 (Rho GTPase-activating protein 2). We confirmed by genetic and biochemical criteria that Rga1, Rga2, and Bem3 act as GAPs for Cdc42. A detailed characterization of Rga1, Rga2, and Bem3 suggested that they regulate different subsets of Cdc42 function. In particular, deletion of the individual GAPs conferred different phenotypes. For example, deletion of RGA1, but not RGA2 or BEM3, caused hyperinvasive growth. Furthermore, overproduction or loss of Rga1 and Rga2, but not Bem3, affected the two-hybrid interaction of Cdc42 with Ste20, a p21-activated kinase (PAK) kinase required for haploid invasive growth. These results suggest Rga1, and possibly Rga2, facilitate the interaction of Cdc42 with Ste20 to mediate signaling in the haploid invasive growth pathway. Deletion of BEM3 resulted in cells with severe morphological defects not observed in rga1Δ or rga2Δ strains. These data suggest that Bem3 and, to a lesser extent, Rga1 and Rga2 facilitate the role of Cdc42 in septin organization. Thus, it appears that the GAPs play a role in modulating specific aspects of Cdc42 function. Alternatively, the different phenotypes could reflect quantitative rather than qualitative differences in GAP activity in the mutant strains.

scholarly journals Differential Requirements for VirB1 and VirB2 during Brucella abortus Infection

2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (9) ◽  
pp. 5143-5149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas B. den Hartigh ◽  
Yao-Hui Sun ◽  
David Sondervan ◽  
Niki Heuvelmans ◽  
Marjolein O. Reinders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Brucella Abortus ◽  
Persistent Infection ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Intracellular Replication ◽  
Bacterial Surface ◽  
Type Iv

ABSTRACT The Brucella abortus virB operon, encoding a type IV secretion system (T4SS), is required for intracellular replication and persistent infection in the mouse model. The products of the first two genes of the virB operon, virB1 and virB2, are predicted to be localized at the bacterial surface, where they could potentially interact with host cells. Studies to date have focused on characterization of transposon mutations in these genes, which are expected to exert polar effects on downstream genes in the operon. In order to determine whether VirB1 and VirB2 are required for the function of the T4SS apparatus, we constructed and characterized nonpolar deletion mutations of virB1 and virB2. Both mutants were shown to be nonpolar, as demonstrated by their ability to express the downstream gene virB5 during stationary phase of growth in vitro. Both VirB1 and VirB2 were essential for intracellular replication in J774 macrophages. The nonpolar virB2 mutant was unable to cause persistent infection in the mouse model, demonstrating the essential role of VirB2 in the function of the T4SS apparatus during infection. In contrast, the nonpolar virB1 mutant persisted at wild-type levels, showing that the function of VirB1 is dispensable in the mouse model of persistent infection.

scholarly journals Revisiting the role of Toxoplasma gondii ERK7 in the maintenance and stability of the apical complex

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Soldati-Favre ◽  
Nicolas Dos Santos Pacheco ◽  
Nicolò Tosetti ◽  
Aarti Krishnan ◽  
Romuald Haase
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Comparative Proteomics ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Proteomics Analysis ◽  
Polar Ring ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
Apical Complex ◽  
Microneme Proteins

Toxoplasma gondii ERK7 is known to contribute to the integrity of the apical complex and to be involved only in the final step of the conoid biogenesis. In the absence of ERK7, mature parasites lose their conoid complex and are unable to glide, invade or egress from host cells. In contrast to a previous report, we show here that depletion of ERK7 phenocopies the depletion of the apical cap proteins AC9 or AC10. The absence of ERK7 leads to the loss of the apical polar ring, the disorganization of the basket of subpellicular microtubules and an impairment in micronemes secretion. Ultra-expansion microscopy (U-ExM) coupled to NHS-Ester staining on intracellular parasites offers an unprecedented level of resolution and highlights the disorganization of the rhoptries as well as the dilated plasma membrane at the apical pole in the absence of ERK7. Comparative proteomics analysis of wild-type and ERK7 or AC9 depleted parasites led to the disappearance of known, predicted, as well as putative novel components of the apical complex. In contrast, the absence of ERK7 led to an accumulation of microneme proteins, resulting from the defect in exocytosis of the organelles.

scholarly journals Genetic Characterization of a Cell Envelope-Associated Proteinase from Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32

1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (15) ◽  
pp. 4592-4597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A. Pederson ◽  
Gerald J. Mileski ◽  
Bart C. Weimer ◽  
James L. Steele
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Deletion Mutant ◽  
Cell Envelope ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Lactobacillus Helveticus ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Hydrolysis Of

ABSTRACT A cell envelope-associated proteinase gene (prtH) was identified in Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32. TheprtH gene encodes a protein of 1,849 amino acids and with a predicted molecular mass of 204 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of the prtH product has significant identity (45%) to that of the lactococcal PrtP proteinases. Southern blot analysis indicates thatprtH is not broadly distributed within L. helveticus. A prtH deletion mutant of CNRZ32 was constructed to evaluate the physiological role of PrtH. PrtH is not required for rapid growth or fast acid production in milk by CNRZ32. Cell surface proteinase activity and specificity were determined by hydrolysis of αs1-casein fragment 1-23 by whole cells. A comparison of CNRZ32 and its prtH deletion mutant indicates that CNRZ32 has at least two cell surface proteinases that differ in substrate specificity.

Characterization of the oligopeptides of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese soluble in 120 g trichloroacetic acid/1

1994 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Addeo ◽  
Lina Chianese ◽  
Raffaele Sacchi ◽  
Salvatore Spagna Musso ◽  
Pasquale Ferranti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fast Atom Bombardment ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Reversed Phase ◽  
Exchange Chromatography ◽  
Protein Nitrogen ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Parmigiano Reggiano

SummaryThe non-protein nitrogen (NPN) of samples of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese ripened for 6 and 15 months was fractionated by ion-exchange chromatography on a Cu2+-Chelex column to separate oligopeptides from free amino acids. Peptide components were isolated by reversed-phase HPLC and identified by fast atom bombardment–mass spectrometry (FAB–MS). Only the NPN fraction of 6 month old cheese samples contained enough peptides to be further characterized. On the basis of FAB–MS spectral results, 39 oligopeptides were identified, the main components being phosphopeptides. Two sets of both intact and partly dephosphorylated peptides, accounting for a total of 19 phosphopeptides, were formed by the hydrolysis of β–casein and belonged to regions 1–20 and 6–28 of β–casein. The formation and potential role of these peptides in cheese is discussed.

scholarly journals Minireview: The Adipocyte—At the Crossroads of Energy Homeostasis, Inflammation, and Atherosclerosis

Endocrinology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 144 (9) ◽  
pp. 3765-3773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Rajala ◽  
Philipp E. Scherer
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Pharmacological Characterization ◽  
Endocrine Organ ◽  
Insulin Resistant ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Caloric Excess

Abstract Adipose tissue evolved to efficiently store energy for times of caloric restriction. The large caloric excess common in many Western diets has negated the need for this thrifty function, leaving adipose tissue ill-equipped to handle this increased load. An excess of adipose tissue increases risk for a number of conditions including coronary artery disease, hypertension, dyslipidemias, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer. Indeed, the ability of the adipocyte to function properly when engorged with lipid can lead to lipid accumulation in other tissues, reducing their ability to function and respond normally. The role of adipose tissue as an endocrine organ capable of secreting a number of adipose tissue-specific or enriched hormones, known as adipokines, is gaining appreciation. The normal balance of these adipose tissue secretory proteins is perturbed in obesity. Paradoxically, the lack of normal adipose tissue, as seen in cases of lipodystrophy and lipoatrophy, is also associated with pathologic sequelae similar to what is seen with obesity. The pathologic findings associated with lack of adipose tissue, largely due to inability to properly store lipids, may also be due to a lack of adipokines. In this review, we highlight the role of adipose tissue as an endocrine organ focusing on some of the recent advances in the identification and pharmacological characterization of adipokines as well as their regulation in the context of obesity and insulin-resistant states.

Genetic characterization of enzymes involved in the priming steps of oxytetracycline biosynthesis in Streptomyces rimosus

Microbiology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 157 (8) ◽  
pp. 2401-2409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Wang ◽  
Xue Gao ◽  
Yit-Heng Chooi ◽  
Zixin Deng ◽  
Yi Tang
Keyword(s):  
Homology Modelling ◽  
Streptomyces Rimosus ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Aromatic Polyketides ◽  
Starter Unit ◽  
Priming Process ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Bacterial Type

Tetracyclines are clinically important aromatic polyketides whose biosynthesis is catalysed by bacterial type II polyketide synthases (PKSs). Tetracyclines are biosynthesized starting with an amide-containing malonamate starter unit and the resulting C-2 carboxyamide is critical for the antibiotic activities. In this work, we genetically verified that an amidotransferase, OxyD, and a thiolase, OxyP, are involved in the biosynthesis and incorporation of the starter unit. First, two mutations, R248T and D268N, were found to be present in OxyD* encoded in Streptomyces rimosus ATCC 13224, a strain that produces the acetate-primed 2-acetyl-2-decarboxyamido-oxytetracycline (ADOTC) instead of the malonamate-primed oxytetracycline (OTC). Homology modelling suggested that in particular D268N may inactivate OxyD. Complementation of S. rimosus ATCC 13224 with wild-type OxyD restored OTC biosynthesis, thereby confirming the essential role of OxyD in the synthesis of the amide starter unit. Second, using a series of knockout and complementation approaches, we demonstrated that OxyP is most likely involved in maintaining fidelity of the amide-priming process via hydrolysis of the competing acetate priming starter units. While the inactivation of OxyP does not eliminate OTC biosynthesis, the ratio of acetate-primed ADOTC to malonamate-primed OTC is significantly increased. This suggests that OxyP plays an ancillary role in OTC biosynthesis and is important for minimizing the levels of ADOTC, a shunt product that has much weaker antibiotic activities than OTC.

scholarly journals Structure and activity of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae dUTP pyrophosphatase DUT1, an essential housekeeping enzyme

2011 ◽  
Vol 437 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anatoli Tchigvintsev ◽  
Alexander U. Singer ◽  
Robert Flick ◽  
Pierre Petit ◽  
Greg Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Saturation Curve ◽  
Significant Activity ◽  
Active Site Residues ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Hydrolysis Of

Genomes of all free-living organisms encode the enzyme dUTPase (dUTP pyrophosphatase), which plays a key role in preventing uracil incorporation into DNA. In the present paper, we describe the biochemical and structural characterization of DUT1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae dUTPase). The hydrolysis of dUTP by DUT1 was strictly dependent on a bivalent metal cation with significant activity observed in the presence of Mg2+, Co2+, Mn2+, Ni2+ or Zn2+. In addition, DUT1 showed a significant activity against another potentially mutagenic nucleotide: dITP. With both substrates, DUT1 demonstrated a sigmoidal saturation curve, suggesting a positive co-operativity between the subunits. The crystal structure of DUT1 was solved at 2 Å resolution (1 Å=0.1 nm) in an apo state and in complex with the non-hydrolysable substrate α,β-imido dUTP or dUMP product. Alanine-replacement mutagenesis of the active-site residues revealed seven residues important for activity including the conserved triad Asp87/Arg137/Asp85. The Y88A mutant protein was equally active against both dUTP and UTP, indicating that this conserved tyrosine residue is responsible for discrimination against ribonucleotides. The structure of DUT1 and site-directed mutagenesis support a role of the conserved Phe142 in the interaction with the uracil base. Our work provides further insight into the molecular mechanisms of substrate selectivity and catalysis of dUTPases.

Characterization of the role of physicochemical factors on the hydrolysis of dipyrone

2004 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hakan Ergün ◽  
Daniel A.C Frattarelli ◽  
Jacob V Aranda
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Factors ◽  
Hydrolysis Of

scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii Toxolysin 4 contributes to efficient parasite egress from host cells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
My-Hang Huynh ◽  
Marijo Roiko ◽  
Angelica Gomes ◽  
Ellyn N. Schinke ◽  
Aric J. Schultz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lytic Cycle ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Mechanistic Studies ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasites ◽  
Essential Step ◽  
Parasite Egress ◽  
Microneme Protein ◽  
Precise Role

Egress from host cells is an essential step in the lytic cycle of T. gondii and other apicomplexan parasites; however, only a few parasite secretory proteins are known to affect this process. The putative metalloproteinase Toxolysin 4 (TLN4) was previously shown to be an extensively processed microneme protein, but further characterization was impeded by the inability to genetically ablate TLN4. Herein we show that TLN4 has the structural properties of an M16 family metalloproteinase, that it possesses proteolytic activity on a model substrate, and that genetic disruption of TLN4 reduces the efficiency of egress from host cells. Complementation of the knockout strain with the TLN4 coding sequence significantly restored egress competency, affirming that the phenotype of the Δtln4 parasite was due to the absence of TLN4. This work identifies TLN4 as the first metalloproteinase and the second microneme protein to function in T. gondii egress. The study also lays a foundation for future mechanistic studies defining the precise role of TLN4 in parasite exit from host cells.

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