scholarly journals Yeast Sup35 prion structure: two types, four parts, many variants

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander A. Dergalev ◽  
Alexander I. Alexandrov ◽  
Roman I. Ivannikov ◽  
Michael D. Ter-Avanesyan ◽  
Vitaly V. Kushnirov

AbstractThe yeast [PSI+] prion, formed by the Sup35 (eRF3) protein, can exist as multiple structural variants exhibiting phenotypic variation in the strength of nonsense suppression and mitotic stability. Structure of [PSI+] and its variation is only partly characterized. Here, we mapped the Sup35 proteinase K-resistant amyloid cores of 26 [PSI+] prions of different origin, isolated from yeast cells. In all cases the Sup35 amino acid residues 2-32 were fully resistant and the region up to residue 72 was partially resistant. Proteinase K-resistant structures were also found within regions 73-124, 125-153 and 154-221, but their presence differed between [PSI+] isolates. The [PSI+] phenotype depended mainly, if not solely, on the structure in region 2-72. Structures in region 73-221 were in some cases mitotically unstable and heterogenous. Two distinct digestion patterns were observed for the 2-72 fragment, which correlated with the “strong” and “weak” [PSI+] nonsense-suppressor phenotypes. All [PSI+] with a weak pattern were eliminated by multicopy HSP104 gene and were not toxic when combined with multicopy SUP35. [PSI+] with a strong pattern showed opposite properties, being resistant to multicopy HSP104 and lethal in the presence of multicopy SUP35. Thus, our data suggest existence of two distinct and reliably distinguishable structural classes of [PSI+] rather than a continuum of prions with gradually altering phenotype.ImportancePrions and amyloids are relatively novel and incompletely characterized structures. To understand them better, we mapped amyloid cores of 26 isolates of the Sup35 yeast prion using proteinase K digestion and mass spectrometry. We found that these cores are composed of up to four proteinase K-resistant elements spanning almost the whole length of Sup35 region inessential for viability. However, only the N-terminal element was present in all structures. There are many variants of the Sup35 prion, and these are usually roughly combined into two groups, “strong” and “weak”, based on the strength of their nonsense-suppressor phenotype. However, it was not clear whether such groups could be distinguished by any reliable qualitative criteria. Our data indicate that these groups do exist and can be reliably distinguished based on the N-terminal element digestion pattern and the effects of the multicopy SUP35 and HSP104 genes on these prion variants.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 2633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Dergalev ◽  
Alexander Alexandrov ◽  
Roman Ivannikov ◽  
Michael Ter-Avanesyan ◽  
Vitaly Kushnirov

The yeast [PSI+] prion, formed by the Sup35 (eRF3) protein, has multiple structural variants differing in the strength of nonsense suppressor phenotype. Structure of [PSI+] and its variation are characterized poorly. Here, we mapped Sup35 amyloid cores of 26 [PSI+] ex vivo prions of different origin using proteinase K digestion and mass spectrometric identification of resistant peptides. In all [PSI+] variants the Sup35 amino acid residues 2–32 were fully resistant and the region up to residue 72 was partially resistant. Proteinase K-resistant structures were also found within regions 73–124, 125–153, and 154–221, but their presence differed between [PSI+] isolates. Two distinct digestion patterns were observed for region 2–72, which always correlated with the “strong” and “weak” [PSI+] nonsense suppressor phenotypes. Also, all [PSI+] with a weak pattern were eliminated by multicopy HSP104 gene and were not toxic when combined with multicopy SUP35. [PSI+] with a strong pattern showed opposite properties, being resistant to multicopy HSP104 and lethal with multicopy SUP35. Thus, Sup35 prion cores can be composed of up to four elements. [PSI+] variants can be divided into two classes reliably distinguishable basing on structure of the first element and the described assays.



2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 435-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Aksenova ◽  
Iván Muñoz ◽  
Kirill Volkov ◽  
Joaquín Ariño ◽  
Ludmila Mironova


1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-91
Author(s):  
S Miyazawa ◽  
T Osumi ◽  
T Hashimoto ◽  
K Ohno ◽  
S Miura ◽  
...  

To identify the topogenic signal of peroxisomal acyl-coenzyme A oxidase (AOX) of rat liver, we carried out in vitro import experiments with mutant polypeptides of the enzyme. Full-length AOX and polypeptides that were truncated at the N-terminal region were efficiently imported into peroxisomes, as determined by resistance to externally added proteinase K. Polypeptides carrying internal deletions in the C-terminal region exhibited much lower import activities. Polypeptides that were truncated or mutated at the extreme C terminus were totally import negative. When the five amino acid residues at the extreme C terminus were attached to some of the import-negative polypeptides, the import activities were rescued. Moreover, the C-terminal 199 and 70 amino acid residues of AOX directed fusion proteins with two bacterial enzymes to peroxisomes. These results are interpreted to mean that the peroxisome targeting signal of AOX residues at the C terminus and the five or fewer residues at the extreme terminus have an obligatory function in targeting. The C-terminal internal region also has an important role for efficient import, possibly through a conformational effect.



1985 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 816-822
Author(s):  
H J Himmelfarb ◽  
E Maicas ◽  
J D Friesen

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SUP45+ gene has been isolated from a genomic clone library by genetic complementation of paromomycin sensitivity, which is a property of a mutant strain carrying the sup45-2 allele. This plasmid complements all phenotypes associated with the sup45-2 mutation, including nonsense suppression, temperature sensitivity, osmotic sensitivity, and paromomycin sensitivity. Genetic mapping with a URA3+-marked derivative of the complementing plasmid that was integrated into the chromosome by homologous recombination demonstrated that the complementing fragment contained the SUP45+ gene and not an unlinked suppressor. The SUP45+ gene is present as a single copy in the haploid genome and is essential for viability. In vitro translation of the hybrid-selected SUP45+ transcript yielded a protein of Mr = 54,000, which is larger than any known ribosomal protein. RNA blot hybridization analysis showed that the steady-state level of the SUP45+ transcript is less than 10% of that for ribosomal protein L3 or rp59 transcripts. When yeast cells are subjected to a mild heat shock, the synthesis rate of the SUP45+ transcript was transiently reduced, approximately in parallel with ribosomal protein transcripts. Our data suggest that the SUP45+ gene does not encode a ribosomal protein. We speculate that it codes for a translation-related function whose precise nature is not yet known.



2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (S2) ◽  
pp. 664-665
Author(s):  
Anthony S. Kowal ◽  
Thomas Scheibel ◽  
Susan L. Lindquist

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, [PST] acts as an epigenetic modifier of translation termination efficiency. [PSI+] can be passed through generations of yeast cells via changes in protein conformation rather than changes in DNA or RNA, and has thus been referred to as a yeast prion. The [PSI+] determinant is the Sup35 protein. Sup35 can exist in two states - soluble and insoluble. Soluble Sup35 functions in translation termination, but when insoluble, stop codons are read through, resulting in incorrect protein products.Sup35 is composed of three distinct domains, N, M, and C. The N region is rich in glutamine and asparagine and is required for the [PST] phenotype to exist. M is a highly charged domain, and no specific function has been assigned to it. C is essential in yeast, as it is responsible for translation termination. The insoluble form of Sup35 has characteristics reminiscent of other prion proteins - in vitro it binds to the dye Congo Red and it exhibits apple green birefringence in polarized light.



2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 635-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang-Nim Park ◽  
Xiaohong Zhao ◽  
Yang-In Yim ◽  
Horia Todor ◽  
Robyn Ellerbrock ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The [ PSI + ] yeast prion is formed when Sup35 misfolds into amyloid aggregates. [ PSI + ], like other yeast prions, is dependent on the molecular chaperone Hsp104, which severs the prion seeds so that they pass on as the yeast cells divide. Surprisingly, however, overexpression of Hsp104 also cures [ PSI + ]. Several models have been proposed to explain this effect: inhibition of severing, asymmetric segregation of the seeds between mother and daughter cells, and dissolution of the prion seeds. First, we found that neither the kinetics of curing nor the heterogeneity in the distribution of the green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled Sup35 foci in partially cured yeast cells is compatible with Hsp104 overexpression curing [ PSI + ] by inhibiting severing. Second, we ruled out the asymmetric segregation model by showing that the extent of curing was essentially the same in mother and daughter cells and that the fluorescent foci did not distribute asymmetrically, but rather, there was marked loss of foci in both mother and daughter cells. These results suggest that Hsp104 overexpression cures [ PSI + ] by dissolution of the prion seeds in a two-step process. First, trimming of the prion seeds by Hsp104 reduces their size, and second, their amyloid core is eliminated, most likely by proteolysis.



2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (9) ◽  
pp. 2536-2543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel A. L. Lassy ◽  
Charles G. Miller

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium peptidase E (PepE) is an N-terminal Asp-specific dipeptidase. PepE is not inhibited by any of the classical peptidase inhibitors, and its amino acid sequence does not place it in any of the known peptidase structural classes. A comparison of the amino acid sequence of PepE with a number of related sequences has allowed us to define the amino acid residues that are strongly conserved in this family. To ensure the validity of this comparison, we have expressed one of the most distantly related relatives (Xenopus) in Escherichia coli and have shown that it is indeed an Asp-specific dipeptidase with properties very similar to those of serovar Typhimurium PepE. The sequence comparison suggests that PepE is a serine hydrolase. We have used site-directed mutagenesis to change all of the conserved Ser, His, and Asp residues and have found that Ser120, His157, and Asp135 are all required for activity. Conversion of Ser120 to Cys leads to severely reduced (104-fold) but still detectable activity, and this activity but not that of the parent is inhibited by thiol reagents; these results confirm that this residue is likely to be the catalytic nucleophile. These results suggest that PepE is the prototype of a new family of serine peptidases. The phylogenetic distribution of the family is unusual, since representatives are found in eubacteria, an insect (Drosophila), and a vertebrate (Xenopus) but not in the Archaea or in any of the other eukaryotes for which genome sequences are available.



1989 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Connolly ◽  
P Collins ◽  
R Gilmore

We have used proteinase K as a probe to detect cytoplasmically and luminally exposed segments of nascent polypeptides undergoing transport across mammalian microsomal membranes. A series of translocation intermediates consisting of discrete-sized nascent chains was prepared by including microsomal membranes in cell-free translations of mRNAs lacking termination codons. The truncated mRNAs were derived from preprolactin and the G protein of vesicular stomatitis virus and encoded nascent chains ranging between 64 and 200 amino acid residues long. Partially translocated nascent chains of 100 amino acid residues or less were insensitive to protease digestion from the external surface of the membrane while longer nascent chains were susceptible to digestion by externally added protease. We conclude that the increased protease sensitivity of larger nascent chains is due to the exposure of a segment of the nascent polypeptide on the cytoplasmic face of the membrane. In contrast, low molecular weight nascent chains were remarkably resistant to protease digestion even after detergent solubilization of the membrane. The protease resistant behaviour of detergent solubilized nascent chains could be abolished by release of the polypeptide from the ribosome or by the addition of protein denaturants. We propose that the protease resistance of partially translocated nascent chains can be ascribed to components of the translocation apparatus that remain bound to the nascent chain after detergent solubilization of the membrane.



1995 ◽  
Vol 308 (2) ◽  
pp. 607-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Kuźnicki ◽  
T L Wang ◽  
B M Martin ◽  
L Winsky ◽  
D M Jacobowitz

Calretinin is an EF-hand Ca(2+)-binding protein expressed predominantly in some neurons. We have found that the tryptic digestion pattern of rat recombinant calretinin depends on Ca2+ concentration as determined by SDS/PAGE, amino-acid-sequence analysis and electrospray-ionization MS. Ca(2+)-saturated calretinin was cleaved between amino acids 60 and 61 to yield two fragments, which accumulated during cleavage. Small amounts of the larger fragment (amino acid residues 61-271) were further cleaved from the C-terminal end. Ca(2+)-free calretinin was also cleaved between residues 60 and 61; however, under the latter conditions the fragment 61-271 was further cleaved from the N-terminal end. Native rat calretinin was cleaved by trypsin in a similar Ca(2+)-dependent fashion. All identified fragments of recombinant calretinin bound 45Ca2+ on nitrocellulose filters, although to a different extent. The 61-271 fragment was released by EGTA from an octyl-agarose column in a manner similar to intact calretinin, while fragment 61-233 was not eluted by EGTA. These observations show that there are trypsin cleavage sites in calretinin that are available regardless of Ca2+ binding, other sites that are completely protected against trypsin on Ca(2+)-binding and sites which become partially available on Ca(2+)-binding. Together these data show that calretinin changes its conformation on Ca2+ binding and identify the regions which are exposed in apo and Ca(2+)-bound form.



2001 ◽  
Vol 354 (3) ◽  
pp. 655-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung-Wuk JANG ◽  
Suzanne ELSASSER ◽  
Judith L. CAMPBELL ◽  
Jiyoung KIM

The Cdc6 protein (Cdc6p) has essential roles in regulating initiation of DNA replication. Cdc6p is recruited to origins of replication by the origin recognition complex (ORC) late in mitosis; Cdc6p in turn recruits minichromosome maintenance (Mcm) proteins to form the pre-replicative complex. Cdc6p is thought to interact with one or more Mcm proteins but this point has not yet been demonstrated. In the present study we observed that Cdc6p interacted significantly only with Mcm2p out of six Mcm proteins in yeast two-hybrid cells. Our results indicate that the interaction of Cdc6p with Mcm2p is specific, although we cannot exclude the possibility that the interaction might not be direct. In attempts to identify domains of Cdc6p important for interaction with Mcm2p, we tested interactions of various deleted versions of Cdc6p with Mcm2p and also with Cdc4p, which was previously known to interact with Cdc6p. The portion of Cdc6p from amino acid residues 51 to 394 was able to interact with Mcm2p. During the course of the studies we also discovered a previously undetected Cdc4p interaction domain between residues 51 and 394. Interestingly, when all six putative Cdc28 phosphorylation sites in Cdc6p were changed to alanine, a 6–7-fold increase in binding to Mcm2p was observed. This result suggests that unphosphorylated Cdc6p has higher affinity than phosphorylated Cdc6p for Mcm2p; this might partly explain the previous observation that Cdc6p failed to load Mcm proteins on replication origins during S phase when the cyclin-dependent protein kinase was active, thus helping to prevent the reinitiation of activated replicons.



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