scholarly journals Exploring the Structure and Function of the Mycobacterial KatG Protein Using trans-Dominant Mutants

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 188-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph A. DeVito ◽  
Sheldon Morris

ABSTRACT In order to probe the structure and function of the mycobacterial catalase-peroxidase enzyme (KatG), we employed a genetic approach using dominant-negative analysis of katG merodiploids. Transformation of Mycobacterium bovis BCG with various katG point mutants (expressed from low-copy-number plasmids) resulted in reductions in peroxidase and catalase activities as measured in cell extracts. These reductions in enzymatic activity usually correlated with increased resistance to the antituberculosis drug isoniazid (INH). However, for the N138S trans-dominant mutant, the catalase-peroxidase activity was significantly decreased while the sensitivity to INH was retained. trans-dominance required katG expression from multicopy plasmids and could not be demonstrated with katG mutants integrated elsewhere on the wild-type M. bovis BCG chromosome. Reversal of the mutant phenotype through plasmid exchange suggested the catalase-peroxidase deficiency occurred at the protein level and that INH resistance was not due to a second site mutation(s). Electrophoretic analysis of KatG proteins from the trans-dominant mutants showed a reduction in KatG dimers compared to WT and formation of heterodimers with reduced activity. The mutants responsible for these defects cluster around proposed active site residues: N138S, T275P, S315T, and D381G. In an attempt to identify mutants that might delimit the region(s) of KatG involved in subunit interactions, C-terminal truncations were constructed (with and without the D381G dominant-negative mutation). None of the C-terminal deletions were able to complement a ΔkatG strain, nor could they cause a dominant-negative effect on the WT. Taken together, these results suggest an intricate association between the amino- and carboxy-terminal regions of KatG and may be consistent with a domain-swapping mechanism for KatG dimer formation.

Genetics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 165 (3) ◽  
pp. 1083-1093
Author(s):  
Jeong-Ah Seo ◽  
Yajun Guan ◽  
Jae-Hyuk Yu

Abstract Asexual sporulation (conidiation) in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans requires the early developmental activator fluG. Loss of fluG results in the blockage of both conidiation and production of the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin (ST). To investigate molecular mechanisms of fluG-dependent developmental activation, 40 suppressors of fluG (SFGs) that conidiate without fluG have been isolated and characterized. Genetic analyses showed that an individual suppression is caused by a single second-site mutation, and that all sfg mutations but one are recessive. Pairwise meiotic crosses grouped mutations to four loci, 31 of them to sfgA, 6 of them to sfgB, and 1 each to sfgC and sfgD, respectively. The only dominant mutation, sfgA38, also mapped to the sfgA locus, suggesting a dominant negative mutation. Thirteen sfgA and 1 sfgC mutants elaborated conidiophores in liquid submerged culture, indicating that loss of either of these gene functions not only bypasses fluG function but also results in hyperactive conidiation. While sfg mutants show varying levels of restored conidiation, all recovered the ability to produce ST at near wild-type levels. The fact that at least four loci are defined by recessive sfg mutations indicates that multiple genes negatively regulate conidiation downstream of fluG and that the activity of fluG is required to remove such repressive effects.


2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-133
Author(s):  
Sumito Dateki ◽  
Kitaro Kosaka ◽  
Kosei Hasegawa ◽  
Hiroyuki Tanaka ◽  
Noriyuki Azuma ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Context Although recent studies have suggested a positive role of OTX2 in pituitary as well as ocular development and function, detailed pituitary phenotypes in OTX2 mutations and OTX2 target genes for pituitary function other than HESX1 and POU1F1 remain to be determined. Objective We aimed to examine such unresolved issues. Subjects We studied 94 Japanese patients with various ocular or pituitary abnormalities. Results We identified heterozygous p.K74fsX103 in case 1, p.A72fsX86 in case 2, p.G188X in two unrelated cases (3 and 4), and a 2,860,561-bp microdeletion involving OTX2 in case 5. Clinical studies revealed isolated GH deficiency in cases 1 and 5; combined pituitary hormone deficiency in case 3; abnormal pituitary structures in cases 1, 3, and 5; and apparently normal pituitary function in cases 2 and 4, together with ocular anomalies in cases 1-5. The wild-type Orthodenticle homeobox 2 (OTX2) protein transactivated the GNRH1 promoter as well as the HESX1, POU1F1, and IRBP (interstitial retinoid-binding protein) promoters, whereas the p.K74fsX103-OTX2 and p.A72fsX86-OTX2 proteins had no transactivation functions and the p.G188X-OTX2 protein had reduced (∼50%) transactivation functions for the four promoters, with no dominant-negative effect. cDNA screening identified positive OTX2 expression in the hypothalamus. Conclusions The results imply that OTX2 mutations are associated with variable pituitary phenotype, with no genotype-phenotype correlations, and that OTX2 can transactivate GNRH1 as well as HESX1 and POU1F1.


2011 ◽  
Vol 211 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
L A Santiago ◽  
D A Santiago ◽  
L C Faustino ◽  
A Cordeiro ◽  
P C Lisboa ◽  
...  

Mice bearing the genomic mutation Δ337T on the thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ) gene present the classical signs of resistance to thyroid hormone (TH), with high serum TH and TSH. This mutant TR is unable to bind TH, remains constitutively bound to co-repressors, and has a dominant negative effect on normal TRs. In this study, we show that homozygous (TRβΔ337T) mice for this mutation have reduced body weight, length, and body fat content, despite augmented relative food intake and relative increase in serum leptin. TRβΔ337T mice exhibited normal glycemia and were more tolerant to an i.p. glucose load accompanied by reduced insulin secretion. Higher insulin sensitivity was observed after single insulin injection, when the TRβΔ337T mice developed a profound hypoglycemia. Impaired hepatic glucose production was confirmed by the reduction in glucose generation after pyruvate administration. In addition, hepatic glycogen content was lower in homozygous TRβΔ337T mice than in wild type. Collectively, the data suggest that TRβΔ337T mice have deficient hepatic glucose production, by reduced gluconeogenesis and lower glycogen deposits. Analysis of liver gluconeogenic gene expression showed a reduction in the mRNA of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, a rate-limiting enzyme, and of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α, a key transcriptional factor essential to gluconeogenesis. Reduction in both gene expressions is consistent with resistance to TH action via TRβ, reproducing a hypothyroid phenotype. In conclusion, mice carrying the Δ337T-dominant negative mutation on the TRβ are leaner, exhibit impaired hepatic glucose production, and are more sensitive to hypoglycemic effects of insulin.


2010 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 756-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumito Dateki ◽  
Kitaro Kosaka ◽  
Kosei Hasegawa ◽  
Hiroyuki Tanaka ◽  
Noriyuki Azuma ◽  
...  

Abstract Context: Although recent studies have suggested a positive role of OTX2 in pituitary as well as ocular development and function, detailed pituitary phenotypes in OTX2 mutations and OTX2 target genes for pituitary function other than HESX1 and POU1F1 remain to be determined. Objective: We aimed to examine such unresolved issues. Subjects: We studied 94 Japanese patients with various ocular or pituitary abnormalities. Results: We identified heterozygous p.K74fsX103 in case 1, p.A72fsX86 in case 2, p.G188X in two unrelated cases (3 and 4), and a 2,860,561-bp microdeletion involving OTX2 in case 5. Clinical studies revealed isolated GH deficiency in cases 1 and 5; combined pituitary hormone deficiency in case 3; abnormal pituitary structures in cases 1, 3, and 5; and apparently normal pituitary function in cases 2 and 4, together with ocular anomalies in cases 1–5. The wild-type Orthodenticle homeobox 2 (OTX2) protein transactivated the GNRH1 promoter as well as the HESX1, POU1F1, and IRBP (interstitial retinoid-binding protein) promoters, whereas the p.K74fsX103-OTX2 and p.A72fsX86-OTX2 proteins had no transactivation functions and the p.G188X-OTX2 protein had reduced (∼50%) transactivation functions for the four promoters, with no dominant-negative effect. cDNA screening identified positive OTX2 expression in the hypothalamus. Conclusions: The results imply that OTX2 mutations are associated with variable pituitary phenotype, with no genotype-phenotype correlations, and that OTX2 can transactivate GNRH1 as well as HESX1 and POU1F1.


2001 ◽  
Vol 114 (16) ◽  
pp. 3035-3045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Harris ◽  
Kunito Yoshida ◽  
James Cardelli ◽  
John Bush

Screening of a cDNA library revealed the existence of a Dictyostelium cDNA encoding a protein 80% identical at the amino acid level to mammalian Rab11. Subcellular fractionation and immunofluorescence studies revealed that DdRab11 was exclusively associated with the ATPase proton pump-rich contractile vacuole membrane system, consisting of a reticular network and bladder-like vacuoles. Video microscopy of cells expressing GFP-DdRab11 revealed that this Rab was associated with contractile vacuolar bladders undergoing formation, fusion and expulsion of water. The association of DdRab11 with contractile vacuole membranes was disrupted when cells were exposed to either hypo-osmotic conditions or an inhibitor of the ATPase proton pump. Cells that overexpressed a dominant negative form of DdRab11 were analyzed biochemically and microscopically to measure changes in the structure and function of the contractile vacuole system. Compared with wild-type cells, the dominant negative DdRab11-expressing cells contained a more extensive contractile vacuole network and abnormally enlarged contractile vacuole bladders, most likely the result of defects in membrane trafficking. In addition, the mutant cells enlarged, detached from surfaces and contained large vacuoles when exposed to water, suggesting a functional defect in osmotic regulation. No changes were observed in mutant cells in the rate of fluid phase internalization or release, suggesting the DdRab11-mediated membrane trafficking defects were not general in nature. Surprisingly, the rate of phagocytosis was increased in the dominant negative DdRab11-expressing cells when compared with control cells. Our results are consistent with a role for DdRab11 in regulating membrane traffic to maintain the normal morphology and function of the contractile vacuole.


2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 412-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenyu Liu ◽  
Felipe H. Santiago-Tirado ◽  
Anthony Bretscher

Formins are conserved proteins that assemble unbranched actin filaments in a regulated, localized manner. Budding yeast's two formins, Bni1p and Bnr1p, assemble actin cables necessary for polarized cell growth and organelle segregation. Here we define four regions in Bni1p that contribute to its localization to the bud and at the bud neck. The first (residues 1–333) requires dimerization for its localization and encompasses the Rho-binding domain. The second (residues 334–821) covers the Diaphanous inhibitory–dimerization–coiled coil domains, and the third is the Spa2p-binding domain. The fourth region encompasses the formin homology 1–formin homology 2–COOH region of the protein. These four regions can each localize to the bud cortex and bud neck at the right stage of the cell cycle independent of both F-actin and endogenous Bni1p. The first three regions contribute cumulatively to the proper localization of Bni1p, as revealed by the effects of progressive loss of these regions on the actin cytoskeleton and fidelity of spindle orientation. The fourth region contributes to the localization of Bni1p in tiny budded cells. Expression of mislocalized Bni1p constructs has a dominant-negative effect on both growth and nuclear segregation due to mislocalized actin assembly. These results define an unexpected complexity in the mechanism of formin localization and function.


2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (29) ◽  
pp. E4151-E4160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selom K. Doamekpor ◽  
Joong-Won Lee ◽  
Nathaniel L. Hepowit ◽  
Cheng Wu ◽  
Clement Charenton ◽  
...  

The Ltn1 E3 ligase (listerin in mammals) has emerged as a paradigm for understanding ribosome-associated ubiquitylation. Ltn1 binds to 60S ribosomal subunits to ubiquitylate nascent polypeptides that become stalled during synthesis; among Ltn1’s substrates are aberrant products of mRNA lacking stop codons [nonstop translation products (NSPs)]. Here, we report the reconstitution of NSP ubiquitylation in Neurospora crassa cell extracts. Upon translation in vitro, ribosome-stalled NSPs were ubiquitylated in an Ltn1-dependent manner, while still ribosome-associated. Furthermore, we provide biochemical evidence that the conserved N-terminal domain (NTD) plays a significant role in the binding of Ltn1 to 60S ribosomal subunits and that NTD mutations causing defective 60S binding also lead to defective NSP ubiquitylation, without affecting Ltn1’s intrinsic E3 ligase activity. Finally, we report the crystal structure of the Ltn1 NTD at 2.4-Å resolution. The structure, combined with additional mutational studies, provides insight to NTD’s role in binding stalled 60S subunits. Our findings show that Neurospora extracts can be used as a tool to dissect mechanisms underlying ribosome-associated protein quality control and are consistent with a model in which Ltn1 uses 60S subunits as adapters, at least in part via its NTD, to target stalled NSPs for ubiquitylation.


Endocrinology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 151 (6) ◽  
pp. 2650-2658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vibor Petkovic ◽  
Michela Godi ◽  
Didier Lochmatter ◽  
Andrée Eblé ◽  
Christa E. Flück ◽  
...  

An autosomal dominant form of isolated GH deficiency (IGHD II) can result from heterozygous splice site mutations that weaken recognition of exon 3 leading to aberrant splicing of GH-1 transcripts and production of a dominant-negative 17.5-kDa GH isoform. Previous studies suggested that the extent of missplicing varies with different mutations and the level of GH expression and/or secretion. To study this, wt-hGH and/or different hGH-splice site mutants (GH-IVS+2, GH-IVS+6, GH-ISE+28) were transfected in rat pituitary cells expressing human GHRH receptor (GC-GHRHR). Upon GHRH stimulation, GC-GHRHR cells coexpressing wt-hGH and each of the mutants displayed reduced hGH secretion and intracellular GH content when compared with cells expressing only wt-hGH, confirming the dominant-negative effect of 17.5-kDa isoform on the secretion of 22-kDa GH. Furthermore, increased amount of 17.5-kDa isoform produced after GHRH stimulation in cells expressing GH-splice site mutants reduced production of endogenous rat GH, which was not observed after GHRH-induced increase in wt-hGH. In conclusion, our results support the hypothesis that after GHRH stimulation, the severity of IGHD II depends on the position of splice site mutation leading to the production of increasing amounts of 17.5-kDa protein, which reduces the storage and secretion of wt-GH in the most severely affected cases. Due to the absence of GH and IGF-I-negative feedback in IGHD II, a chronic up-regulation of GHRH would lead to an increased stimulatory drive to somatotrophs to produce more 17.5-kDa GH from the severest mutant alleles, thereby accelerating autodestruction of somatotrophs in a vicious cycle.


2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Flynn ◽  
H Whittington ◽  
V Goffin ◽  
J Uney ◽  
M Norman

An effective mechanism for interfering with prolactin signalling would provide a powerful tool for clarifying the importance of prolactin in breast cancer, as well as for investigating functions of prolactin in other tissues. Based on our previous identification of a dominant-negative mutation in the growth hormone receptor that causes familial short stature, we investigated the potential for using a similar truncated mutant of the prolactin receptor (PRLR1-242). Like the mutant growth hormone receptor, PRLR1-242 exerts an exceptionally powerful dominant-negative effect. A probable explanation for the strong dominant-negative activity of this class of mutation is that, lacking internalisation motifs, the truncated mutants accumulate at the cell surface and form non-functional heterodimers with wild-type receptors. In accordance with evidence for heterodimer formation between the two receptors, PRLR1-242 also blocks signalling by the growth hormone receptor. When expressed from an adenoviral vector, PRLR1-242 inhibits activation of STAT5 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5) by prolactin in T47-D breast cancer cells, and blocks the ability of prolactin to induce proliferation in these cells. Thus PRLR1-242 provides an effective means of blocking the responsiveness of target tissues to human prolactin.


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