scholarly journals Candida albicans Cyclin Clb4 Carries S-Phase Cyclin Activity

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1311-1319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayala Ofir ◽  
Daniel Kornitzer
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Eukaryotic Cell ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Pathogenic Yeast ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are key regulators of eukaryotic cell cycle progression. The cyclin subunit activates the CDK and also imparts to the complex, at least in some cases, substrate specificity. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, an organism in which the roles of individual cyclins are best studied, contains nine cyclins (three G1 cyclins and six B-type cyclins) capable of activating the main cell cycle CDK, Cdc28. Analysis of the genome of the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans revealed only two sequences corresponding to B-type cyclins, C. albicans Clb2 (CaClb2) and CaClb4. Notably, no homolog of the S. cerevisiae S-phase-specific cyclins, Clb5/Clb6, could be detected. Here, we performed an in vitro analysis of the activity of CaClb2 and CaClb4 and of three G1 cyclins, as well as an analysis of the phenotype of S. cerevisiae cells expressing CaClb2 or CaClb4 instead of Clb5. Remarkably, replacement of CLB5 by CaCLB4 caused rapid diploidization of S. cerevisiae. In addition, both in vivo and in vitro analyses indicate that, in spite of the higher sequence similarity of CaClb2 to Clb5/Clb6, CaClb4 is the functional homolog of Clb5/Clb6. The activity of a CaClb2/CaClb4 cyclin hybrid suggests that the cyclin box domain of CaClb4 carries the functional specificity of the protein. These results have implications for our understanding of the evolution of specificity of the cell cycle cyclins.

p21WAF1 is dynamically associated with JNK in human T-lymphocytes during cell cycle progression

1998 ◽  
Vol 111 (15) ◽  
pp. 2247-2255
Author(s):  
R. Patel ◽  
B. Bartosch ◽  
J.L. Blank
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Human T Lymphocytes ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Jnk Activation

We have examined the regulation of the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) subfamily of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in response to inhibition of DNA replication during the cell cycle of human T-lymphocytes. In this study, we demonstrate that JNK is rapidly activated following release of T-lymphocytes from G1/S-phase arrest and that this activation precedes resumption of DNA synthesis upon S-phase progression. We also show that activation of JNK correlates with dissociation of the cyclin-dependent protein kinase (CDK) inhibitor, p21WAF1, from JNK1. Since JNK1 isolated from T-lymphocytes by immunoprecipitation can be inhibited by recombinant p21WAF1 in vitro, these data suggest that JNK activation may be regulated in part by its dissociation from p21WAF1. The observation of a dynamic, physical association of native JNK1 and p21WAF1 in vivo has not previously been described and suggests a novel mechanism for JNK-mediated regulation of the cell cycle of human T-lymphocytes.

scholarly journals SCAPER, a novel cyclin A–interacting protein that regulates cell cycle progression

2007 ◽  
Vol 178 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Y. Tsang ◽  
Leyu Wang ◽  
Zhihong Chen ◽  
Irma Sánchez ◽  
Brian David Dynlacht
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Cyclin A ◽  
Eukaryotic Cell ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Interacting Protein ◽  
M Phase

Cyclin A/Cdk2 plays an important role during S and G2/M phases of the eukaryotic cell cycle, but the mechanisms by which it regulates cell cycle events are not fully understood. We have biochemically purified and identified SCAPER, a novel protein that specifically interacts with cyclin A/Cdk2 in vivo. Its expression is cell cycle independent, and it associates with cyclin A/Cdk2 at multiple phases of the cell cycle. SCAPER localizes primarily to the endoplasmic reticulum. Ectopic expression of SCAPER sequesters cyclin A from the nucleus and results specifically in an accumulation of cells in M phase of the cell cycle. RNAi-mediated depletion of SCAPER decreases the cytoplasmic pool of cyclin A and delays the G1/S phase transition upon cell cycle re-entry from quiescence. We propose that SCAPER represents a novel cyclin A/Cdk2 regulatory protein that transiently maintains this kinase in the cytoplasm. SCAPER could play a role in distinguishing S phase– from M phase–specific functions of cyclin A/Cdk2.

scholarly journals Cdc34 C-terminal tail phosphorylation regulates Skp1/cullin/F-box (SCF)-mediated ubiquitination and cell cycle progression

2007 ◽  
Vol 405 (3) ◽  
pp. 569-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Sadowski ◽  
Amanda Mawson ◽  
Rohan Baker ◽  
Boris Sarcevic
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Catalytic Activity ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Phosphorylation Sites ◽  
Tail Domain ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Cycle Progression

The ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Cdc34 (cell division cycle 34) plays an essential role in promoting the G1–S-phase transition of the eukaryotic cell cycle and is phosphorylated in vivo. In the present study, we investigated if phosphorylation regulates Cdc34 function. We mapped the in vivo phosphorylation sites on budding yeast Cdc34 (yCdc34; Ser207 and Ser216) and human Cdc34 (hCdc34 Ser203, Ser222 and Ser231) to serine residues in the acidic tail domain, a region that is critical for Cdc34's cell cycle function. CK2 (protein kinase CK2) phosphorylates both yCdc34 and hCdc34 on these sites in vitro. CK2-mediated phosphorylation increased yCdc34 ubiquitination activity towards the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sic1 in vitro, when assayed in the presence of its cognate SCFCdc4 E3 ligase [where SCF is Skp1 (S-phase kinase-associated protein 1)/cullin/F-box]. Similarly, mutation of the yCdc34 phosphorylation sites to alanine, aspartate or glutamate residues altered Cdc34–SCFCdc4-mediated Sic1 ubiquitination activity. Similar results were obtained when yCdc34's ubiquitination activity was assayed in the absence of SCFCdc4, indicating that phosphorylation regulates the intrinsic catalytic activity of Cdc34. To evaluate the in vivo consequences of altered Cdc34 activity, wild-type yCdc34 and the phosphosite mutants were introduced into an S. cerevisiae cdc34 deletion strain and, following synchronization in G1-phase, progression through the cell cycle was monitored. Consistent with the increased ubiquitination activity in vitro, cells expressing the phosphosite mutants with higher catalytic activity exhibited accelerated cell cycle progression and Sic1 degradation. These studies demonstrate that CK2-mediated phosphorylation of Cdc34 on the acidic tail domain stimulates Cdc34–SCFCdc4 ubiquitination activity and cell cycle progression.

scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii AP2XII-2 Contributes to Proper Progression through S-Phase of the Cell Cycle

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Srivastava ◽  
Michael W. White ◽  
William J. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Transcriptional Repressor ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Cyst Formation ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Tissue Cyst ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that causes lifelong chronic infection that can reactivate in immunocompromised individuals. Upon infection, the replicative stage (tachyzoite) converts into a latent tissue cyst stage (bradyzoite). Like other apicomplexans, T. gondii possesses an extensive lineage of proteins called ApiAP2s that contain DNA-binding domains first characterized in plants. The function of most ApiAP2s is unknown. We previously found that AP2IX-4 is a cell cycle-regulated ApiAP2 expressed only in dividing parasites as a putative transcriptional repressor. In this study, we purified proteins interacting with AP2IX-4, finding it to be a component of the recently characterized microrchidia (MORC) transcriptional repressor complex. We further analyzed AP2XII-2, another cell cycle-regulated factor that associates with AP2IX-4. We monitored parallel expression of AP2IX-4 and AP2XII-2 proteins in tachyzoites, detecting peak expression during S/M phase. Unlike AP2IX-4, which is dispensable in tachyzoites, loss of AP2XII-2 resulted in a slowed tachyzoite growth due to a delay in S-phase progression. We also found that AP2XII-2 depletion increased the frequency of bradyzoite differentiation in vitro. These results suggest that multiple AP2 factors collaborate to ensure proper cell cycle progression and tissue cyst formation in T. gondii. IMPORTANCE Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite that persists in its host by converting into a latent cyst stage. This work describes a new transcriptional factor called AP2XII-2 that plays a role in properly maintaining the growth rate of replicating parasites, which contributes to signals required for development into its dormant stage. Without AP2XII-2, Toxoplasma parasites experience a delay in their cell cycle that increases the frequency of latent cyst formation. In addition, we found that AP2XII-2 operates in a multisubunit complex with other AP2 factors and chromatin remodeling machinery that represses gene expression. These findings add to our understanding of how Toxoplasma parasites balance replication and dormancy, revealing novel points of potential therapeutic intervention to disrupt this clinically relevant process.

scholarly journals Drosophila Cdk8, a kinase partner of cyclin C that interacts with the large subunit of RNA polymerase II.

1996 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 505-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Leclerc ◽  
J P Tassan ◽  
P H O'Farrell ◽  
E A Nigg ◽  
P Léopold
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Large Subunit ◽  
Eukaryotic Cell ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Cyclin C

A number of cyclins have been described, most of which act together with their catalytic partners, the cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), to regulate events in the eukaryotic cell cycle. Cyclin C was originally identified by a genetic screen for human and Drosophila cDNAs that complement a triple knock-out of the CLN genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Unlike other cyclins identified in this complementation screen, there has been no evidence that cyclin C has a cell-cycle role in the cognate organism. Here we report that cyclin C is a nuclear protein present in a multiprotein complex. It interacts both in vitro and in vivo with Cdk8, a novel protein-kinase of the Cdk family, structurally related to the yeast Srb10 kinase. We also show that Cdk8 can interact in vivo with the large subunit of RNA polymerase II and that a kinase activity that phosphorylates the RNA polymerase II large subunit is present in Cdk8 immunoprecipitates. Based on these observations and sequence similarity to the kinase/cyclin pair Srb10/Srb11 in S. cerevisiae, we suggest that cyclin C and Cdk8 control RNA polymerase II function.

scholarly journals Activation of the Bur1-Bur2 Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Complex by Cak1

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (19) ◽  
pp. 6750-6758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheng Yao ◽  
Gregory Prelich
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Eukaryotic Cell ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Cycle Progression ◽  
Carboxy Terminal

ABSTRACT Cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) were originally identified as regulators of eukaryotic cell cycle progression, but several Cdks were subsequently shown to perform important roles as transcriptional regulators. While the mechanisms regulating the Cdks involved in cell cycle progression are well documented, much less is known regarding how the Cdks that are involved in transcription are regulated. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Bur1 and Bur2 comprise a Cdk complex that is involved in transcriptional regulation, presumably mediated by its phosphorylation of the carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II. To investigate the regulation of Bur1 in vivo, we searched for high-copy-number suppressors of a bur1 temperature-sensitive mutation, identifying a single gene, CAK1. Cak1 is known to activate two other Cdks in yeast by phosphorylating a threonine within their conserved T-loop domains. Bur1 also has the conserved threonine within its T loop and is therefore a potential direct target of Cak1. Additional tests establish a direct functional interaction between Cak1 and the Bur1-Bur2 Cdk complex: Bur1 is phosphorylated in vivo, both the conserved Bur1 T-loop threonine and Cak1 are required for phosphorylation and Bur1 function in vivo, and recombinant Cak1 stimulates CTD kinase activity of the purified Bur1-Bur2 complex in vitro. Thus, both genetic and biochemical evidence demonstrate that Cak1 is a physiological regulator of the Bur1 kinase.

scholarly journals Coordinate action of distinct sequence elements localizes checkpoint kinase Hsl1 to the septin collar at the bud neck inSaccharomyces cerevisiae

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (14) ◽  
pp. 2213-2233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory C. Finnigan ◽  
Sarah M. Sterling ◽  
Angela Duvalyan ◽  
Elizabeth N. Liao ◽  
Aspram Sargsyan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Eukaryotic Cell ◽  
Molecular Determinants ◽  
Bud Neck ◽  
Sequence Elements ◽  
Distinct Sequence ◽  
Necessary And Sufficient

Passage through the eukaryotic cell cycle requires processes that are tightly regulated both spatially and temporally. Surveillance mechanisms (checkpoints) exert quality control and impose order on the timing and organization of downstream events by impeding cell cycle progression until the necessary components are available and undamaged and have acted in the proper sequence. In budding yeast, a checkpoint exists that does not allow timely execution of the G2/M transition unless and until a collar of septin filaments has properly assembled at the bud neck, which is the site where subsequent cytokinesis will occur. An essential component of this checkpoint is the large (1518-residue) protein kinase Hsl1, which localizes to the bud neck only if the septin collar has been correctly formed. Hsl1 reportedly interacts with particular septins; however, the precise molecular determinants in Hsl1 responsible for its recruitment to this cellular location during G2 have not been elucidated. We performed a comprehensive mutational dissection and accompanying image analysis to identify the sequence elements within Hsl1 responsible for its localization to the septins at the bud neck. Unexpectedly, we found that this targeting is multipartite. A segment of the central region of Hsl1 (residues 611–950), composed of two tandem, semiredundant but distinct septin-associating elements, is necessary and sufficient for binding to septin filaments both in vitro and in vivo. However, in addition to 611–950, efficient localization of Hsl1 to the septin collar in the cell obligatorily requires generalized targeting to the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane, a function normally provided by the C-terminal phosphatidylserine-binding KA1 domain (residues 1379–1518) in Hsl1 but that can be replaced by other, heterologous phosphatidylserine-binding sequences.

scholarly journals The Novel Arylamidine T-2307 MaintainsIn VitroandIn VivoActivity against Echinocandin-Resistant Candida albicans

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 1341-1343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan P. Wiederhold ◽  
Laura K. Najvar ◽  
Annette W. Fothergill ◽  
Rosie Bocanegra ◽  
Marcos Olivo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Invasive Candidiasis ◽  
Placebo Control ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fungal Burden ◽  
Potential Use

ABSTRACTWe evaluated thein vitroandin vivoactivities of the investigational arylamidine T-2307 against echinocandin-resistantCandida albicans. T-2307 demonstrated potentin vitroactivity, and daily subcutaneous doses between 0.75 and 6 mg/kg of body weight significantly improved survival and reduced fungal burden compared to placebo control and caspofungin (10 mg/kg/day) in mice with invasive candidiasis caused by an echinocandin-resistant strain. Thus, T-2307 may have potential use in the treatment of echinocandin-resistantC. albicansinfections.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation Inhibits Candida albicans Virulence Factors and ReducesIn VivoPathogenicity

2012 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 445-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilka Tiemy Kato ◽  
Renato Araujo Prates ◽  
Caetano Padial Sabino ◽  
Beth Burgwyn Fuchs ◽  
George P. Tegos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Tube Formation ◽  
Photodynamic Inactivation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Daughter Cells

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to evaluate whetherCandida albicansexhibits altered pathogenicity characteristics following sublethal antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (APDI) and if such alterations are maintained in the daughter cells.C. albicanswas exposed to sublethal APDI by using methylene blue (MB) as a photosensitizer (0.05 mM) combined with a GaAlAs diode laser (λ 660 nm, 75 mW/cm2, 9 to 27 J/cm2).In vitro, we evaluated APDI effects onC. albicansgrowth, germ tube formation, sensitivity to oxidative and osmotic stress, cell wall integrity, and fluconazole susceptibility.In vivo, we evaluatedC. albicanspathogenicity with a mouse model of systemic infection. Animal survival was evaluated daily. Sublethal MB-mediated APDI reduced the growth rate and the ability ofC. albicansto form germ tubes compared to untreated cells (P< 0.05). Survival of mice systemically infected withC. albicanspretreated with APDI was significantly increased compared to mice infected with untreated yeast (P< 0.05). APDI increasedC. albicanssensitivity to sodium dodecyl sulfate, caffeine, and hydrogen peroxide. The MIC for fluconazole forC. albicanswas also reduced following sublethal MB-mediated APDI. However, none of those pathogenic parameters was altered in daughter cells ofC. albicanssubmitted to APDI. These data suggest that APDI may inhibit virulence factors and reducein vivopathogenicity ofC. albicans. The absence of alterations in daughter cells indicates that APDI effects are transitory. The MIC reduction for fluconazole following APDI suggests that this antifungal could be combined with APDI to treatC. albicansinfections.

scholarly journals In VivoEfficacy of Anuran Trypsin Inhibitory Peptides against Staphylococcal Skin Infection and the Impact of Peptide Cyclization

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 2113-2121 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Malik ◽  
O. N. Silva ◽  
I. C. M. Fensterseifer ◽  
L. Y. Chan ◽  
R. J. Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Cyclic Peptide ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Inhibitory Activities ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus aureusis a virulent pathogen that is responsible for a wide range of superficial and invasive infections. Its resistance to existing antimicrobial drugs is a global problem, and the development of novel antimicrobial agents is crucial. Antimicrobial peptides from natural resources offer potential as new treatments against staphylococcal infections. In the current study, we have examined the antimicrobial properties of peptides isolated from anuran skin secretions and cyclized synthetic analogues of these peptides. The structures of the peptides were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, revealing high structural and sequence similarity with each other and with sunflower trypsin inhibitor 1 (SFTI-1). SFTI-1 is an ultrastable cyclic peptide isolated from sunflower seeds that has subnanomolar trypsin inhibitory activity, and this scaffold offers pharmaceutically relevant characteristics. The five anuran peptides were nonhemolytic and noncytotoxic and had trypsin inhibitory activities similar to that of SFTI-1. They demonstrated weakin vitroinhibitory activities againstS. aureus, but several had strong antibacterial activities againstS. aureusin anin vivomurine wound infection model. pYR, an immunomodulatory peptide fromRana sevosa, was the most potent, with complete bacterial clearance at 3 mg · kg−1. Cyclization of the peptides improved their stability but was associated with a concomitant decrease in antimicrobial activity. In summary, these anuran peptides are promising as novel therapeutic agents for treating infections from a clinically resistant pathogen.

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