scholarly journals Unique Posttranslational Modifications of Chitin-Binding Lectins of Entamoeba invadens Cyst Walls

2006 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 836-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina L. Van Dellen ◽  
Anirban Chatterjee ◽  
Daniel M. Ratner ◽  
Paula E. Magnelli ◽  
John F. Cipollo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttranslational Modifications ◽  
Cyst Wall ◽  
Low Complexity ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Major Protein ◽  
Chitin Binding Domain ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Entamoeba Invadens

ABSTRACT Entamoeba histolytica, which causes amebic dysentery and liver abscesses, is spread via chitin-walled cysts. The most abundant protein in the cyst wall of Entamoeba invadens, a model for amebic encystation, is a lectin called EiJacob1. EiJacob1 has five tandemly arrayed, six-Cys chitin-binding domains separated by low-complexity Ser- and Thr-rich spacers. E. histolytica also has numerous predicted Jessie lectins and chitinases, which contain a single, N-terminal eight-Cys chitin-binding domain. We hypothesized that E. invadens cyst walls are composed entirely of proteins with six-Cys or eight-Cys chitin-binding domains and that some of these proteins contain sugars. E. invadens genomic sequences predicted seven Jacob lectins, five Jessie lectins, and three chitinases. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed that mRNAs encoding Jacobs, Jessies, and chitinases are increased during E. invadens encystation, while mass spectrometry showed that the cyst wall is composed of an ∼30:70 mix of Jacob lectins (cross-linking proteins) and Jessie and chitinase lectins (possible enzymes). Three Jacob lectins were cleaved prior to Lys at conserved sites (e.g., TPSVDK) in the Ser- and Thr-rich spacers between chitin-binding domains. A model peptide was cleaved at the same site by papain and E. invadens Cys proteases, suggesting that the latter cleave Jacob lectins in vivo. Some Jacob lectins had O-phosphodiester-linked carbohydrates, which were one to seven hexoses long and had deoxysugars at reducing ends. We concluded that the major protein components of the E. invadens cyst wall all contain chitin-binding domains (chitinases, Jessie lectins, and Jacob lectins) and that the Jacob lectins are differentially modified by site-specific Cys proteases and O-phosphodiester-linked glycans.

scholarly journals MicroRNA-182-5p relieves murine allergic rhinitis via TLR4/NF-κB pathway

Open Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1202-1212
Author(s):  
Aichun Zhang ◽  
Yangzi Jin
Keyword(s):  
Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Lavage Fluid ◽  
Specific Ige ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Pathway Activation ◽  
Nasal Lavage Fluid

AbstractAllergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common chronic diseases. This study examined whether microRNA (miR)-182-5p plays a role in AR by regulating toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). First, data demonstrated that TLR4 was a target of miR-182-5p. Subsequently, AR mouse model was established to explore the role of miR-182-5p and TLR4 in AR in vivo. Initially, quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that miR-182-5p was downregulated, while TLR4 expression was upregulated in AR mice. Then we found that miR-182-5p mimic reduced the frequency of sneezing and nose rubbing of the AR mice. In addition, miR-182-5p mimic significantly increased ovalbumin (OVA)-specific IgE and leukotriene C4 expression levels in nasal lavage fluid (NLF) and serum of AR mice. miR-182-5p mimic decreased the number of inflammatory cells in NLF of AR mice. It also reduced the levels of inflammatory factors in the serum of AR mice, such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, while increasing the release of IFN-γ and IL-2. Finally, miR-182-5p mimic inhibited NF-κB signaling pathway activation in AR mice. However, all effects of miR-182-5p mimic on AR mice were reversed by TLR4-plasmid. In conclusion, miR-182-5p/TLR4 axis may represent a novel therapeutic target for AR.

scholarly journals Spanning the gap: unraveling RSC dynamics in vivo

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heinz Neumann ◽  
Bryan J. Wilkins
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Posttranslational Modifications ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Binding Mode ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Binding Interface ◽  
The Many ◽  
And Function

AbstractMultiple reports over the past 2 years have provided the first complete structural analyses for the essential yeast chromatin remodeler, RSC, providing elaborate molecular details for its engagement with the nucleosome. However, there still remain gaps in resolution, particularly within the many RSC subunits that harbor histone binding domains.Solving contacts at these interfaces is crucial because they are regulated by posttranslational modifications that control remodeler binding modes and function. Modifications are dynamic in nature often corresponding to transcriptional activation states and cell cycle stage, highlighting not only a need for enriched spatial resolution but also temporal understanding of remodeler engagement with the nucleosome. Our recent work sheds light on some of those gaps by exploring the binding interface between the RSC catalytic motor protein, Sth1, and the nucleosome, in the living nucleus. Using genetically encoded photo-activatable amino acids incorporated into histones of living yeast we are able to monitor the nucleosomal binding of RSC, emphasizing the regulatory roles of histone modifications in a spatiotemporal manner. We observe that RSC prefers to bind H2B SUMOylated nucleosomes in vivo and interacts with neighboring nucleosomes via H3K14ac. Additionally, we establish that RSC is constitutively bound to the nucleosome and is not ejected during mitotic chromatin compaction but alters its binding mode as it progresses through the cell cycle. Our data offer a renewed perspective on RSC mechanics under true physiological conditions.

scholarly journals Effects ofibeADeletion on Virulence and Biofilm Formation of Avian PathogenicEscherichia coli

2010 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 279-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaohui Wang ◽  
Chunling Niu ◽  
Zhenyu Shi ◽  
Yongjie Xia ◽  
Muhammad Yaqoob ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Chicken Embryo Fibroblast ◽  
Neonatal Meningitis ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Animal System ◽  
The Brain

ABSTRACTTheibeAgene is located on a genomic island, GimA, which is involved in the pathogenesis of neonatal meningitisEscherichia coli(NMEC) and avian pathogenicE. coli(APEC). The prevalence ofibeAin the APEC collection in China was investigated, and 20 of 467 strains (4.3%) were positive. In addition, analysis of the association of theE. colireference (ECOR) groups with positive strains revealed thatibeAwas linked to group B2. TheibeAgene in DE205B was analyzed and compared to those of APEC and NMEC, which indicated that the specificity ofibeAwas not consistent along pathotypes. The invasion of chicken embryo fibroblast DF-1 cells by APEC DE205B and RS218 was observed, which suggested that DF-1 cells could be a model to study the mechanism of APEC invasion. The inactivation ofibeAin APEC DE205B led to the reduced capacity to invade DF-1 cells, defective virulencein vivo, and decreased biofilm formation compared to the wild-type strain. In addition, strain AAEC189 expressingibeAexhibited enhanced invasion capacity and biofilm formation. The results of the quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis and animal system infection experiments indicated that the loss ofibeAdecreased the colonization and proliferation capacities of APEC in the brain during system infection.

scholarly journals Involvement of the C-Terminal Extension of the α Polypeptide and of the PucC Protein in LH2 Complex Biosynthesis in Rubrivivax gelatinosus

2004 ◽  
Vol 186 (10) ◽  
pp. 3143-3152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Soisig Steunou ◽  
Soufian Ouchane ◽  
Françoise Reiss-Husson ◽  
Chantal Astier
Keyword(s):  
Purple Bacteria ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Initiation Site ◽  
Northern Blotting ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Rubrivivax Gelatinosus

ABSTRACT The facultative phototrophic nonsulfur bacterium Rubrivivax gelatinosus exhibits several differences from other species of purple bacteria in the organization of its photosynthetic genes. In particular, the puc operon contains only the pucB and pucA genes encoding the β and α polypeptides of the light-harvesting 2 (LH2) complex. Downstream of the pucBA operon is the pucC gene in the opposite transcriptional orientation. The transcription of pucBA and pucC has been studied. No pucC transcript was detected either by Northern blotting or by reverse transcription-PCR analysis. The initiation site of pucBA transcription was determined by primer extension, and Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of two transcripts of 0.8 and 0.65 kb. The half-lives of both transcripts are longer in cells grown semiaerobically than in photosynthetically grown cells, and the small transcript is the less stable. It was reported that the α polypeptide, encoded by the pucA gene, presents a C-terminal extension which is not essential for LH2 function in vitro. The biological role of this alanine- and proline-rich C-terminal extension in vivo has been investigated. Two mutants with C-terminal deletions of 13 and 18 residues have been constructed. Both present the two pucBA transcripts, while their phenotypes are, respectively, LH2+ and LH2−, suggesting that a minimal length of the C-terminal extension is required for LH2 biogenesis. Another important factor involved in the LH2 biogenesis is the PucC protein. To gain insight into the function of this protein in R. gelatinosus, we constructed and characterized a PucC mutant. The mutant is devoid of LH2 complex under semiaerobiosis but still produces a small amount of these antennae under photosynthetic growth conditions. This conditional phenotype suggests the involvement of another factor in LH2 biogenesis.

scholarly journals In Vivo Selection of Reduced Susceptibility to Carbapenems in Acinetobacter baumannii Related to ISAba1-Mediated Overexpression of the Natural blaOXA-66 Oxacillinase Gene

2009 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 2657-2659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samy Figueiredo ◽  
Laurent Poirel ◽  
Jacques Croize ◽  
Christine Recule ◽  
Patrice Nordmann
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Resistance Pattern ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
In Vivo Selection ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Carbapenemase Gene ◽  
Selection Of

ABSTRACT Two clonally related Acinetobacter baumannii isolates, A1 and A2, were obtained from the same patient. Isolate A2, selected after an imipenem-containing treatment, showed reduced susceptibility to carbapenems. This resistance pattern was related to insertion of the ISAba1 element upstream of the naturally occurring bla OXA-66 carbapenemase gene as demonstrated by sequencing, reverse transcription-PCR analysis, and inactivation of the bla OXA-66 gene.

scholarly journals In Vivo Analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus Developmental Gene Expression Determined by Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR

2008 ◽  
Vol 76 (8) ◽  
pp. 3632-3639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrice N. Gravelat ◽  
Thomas Doedt ◽  
Lisa Y. Chiang ◽  
Hong Liu ◽  
Scott G. Filler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Invasive Infection ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr

ABSTRACT Very little is known about the developmental stages of Aspergillus fumigatus during invasive aspergillosis. We performed real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis on lung samples from mice with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis to determine the expression of A. fumigatus genes that are expressed at specific stages of development. In established infection, A. fumigatus exhibited mRNA expression of genes specific to developmentally competent hyphae, such as stuA. In contrast, mRNA of genes expressed by conidia and precompetent hyphae was not detected. Many genes required for mycotoxin synthesis, including aspHS, gliP, mitF, and metAP, are known to be expressed by developmentally competent hyphae in vitro. Interestingly, each of these genes was expressed at significantly higher levels during invasive infection than in vitro. The expression of gliP mRNA in vitro was found to be highly dependent on culture conditions. Furthermore, gliP expression was found to be dependent on the transcription factor StuA both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, developmentally competent hyphae predominate during established invasive infection, and many mycotoxin genes are expressed at high levels in vivo. These results highlight the importance of the evaluation of putative virulence factors expressed by competent hyphae and analysis of gene expression levels during invasive infection rather than in vitro alone.

scholarly journals Guiding biomolecular interactions in cells using de novo protein-protein interfaces

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail J Smith ◽  
Franziska Thomas ◽  
Deborah Shoemark ◽  
Derek N Woolfson ◽  
Nigel J Savery
Keyword(s):  
Rational Design ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Gene Activation ◽  
Low Complexity ◽  
Coiled Coils ◽  
Biomolecular Interactions ◽  
Biomolecular Systems ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
In Cells

An improved ability to direct and control biomolecular interactions in living cells would impact on synthetic biology. A key issue is the need to introduce interacting components that act orthogonally to endogenous proteomes and interactomes. Here we show that low-complexity, de novo designed protein-protein-interaction (PPI) domains can substitute for natural PPIs and guide engineered protein-DNA interactions in Escherichia coli. Specifically, we use de novo homo- and hetero-dimeric coiled coils to reconstitute a cytoplasmic split adenylate cyclase; to recruit RNA polymerase to a promoter and activate gene expression; and to oligomerize both natural and designed DNA-binding domains to repress transcription. Moreover, the stabilities of the heterodimeric coiled coils can be modulated by rational design and, thus, adjust the levels of gene activation and repression in vivo. These experiments demonstrate the possibilities for using designed proteins and interactions to control biomolecular systems such as enzyme cascades and circuits in cells.

scholarly journals The Pasteurella multocida nrfE Gene Is Upregulated during Infection and Is Essential for Nitrite Reduction but Not for Virulence

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (7) ◽  
pp. 2278-2285 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Boucher ◽  
Ben Adler ◽  
John D. Boyce
Keyword(s):  
Pasteurella Multocida ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Nitrite Reduction ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Anaerobic Conditions ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Genome Expression ◽  
Production Animals ◽  
Whole Genome Expression

ABSTRACT Pasteurella multocida is the causative agent of a range of diseases with economic importance in production animals. Many systems have been employed to identify virulence factors of P. multocida, including in vivo expression technology (IVET), signature-tagged mutagenesis, and whole-genome expression profiling. In a previous study in which IVET was used with P. multocida, nrfE was identified as a gene that is preferentially expressed in vivo. In Escherichia coli, nrfE is part of the formate-dependent nitrite reductase system involved in utilizing available nitrite as an electron accepter during growth under anaerobic conditions. In this study, we constructed an isogenic P. multocida strain that was unable to reduce nitrite under either aerobic or anaerobic conditions, thereby demonstrating that P. multocida nrfE is essential for nitrite reduction. However, the nrfE mutant was still virulent in mice. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis indicated that nrfE was regulated independently of nrfABCD by an independent promoter that is likely to be upregulated in vivo.

scholarly journals Desulfovibrio gigas Flavodiiron Protein Affords Protection against Nitrosative Stress In Vivo

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (8) ◽  
pp. 2745-2751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rute Rodrigues ◽  
João B. Vicente ◽  
Rute Félix ◽  
Solange Oliveira ◽  
Miguel Teixeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mutant Strain ◽  
Nitrosative Stress ◽  
Reductase Activity ◽  
Anaerobic Growth ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Desulfovibrio Gigas ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr

ABSTRACT Desulfovibrio gigas flavodiiron protein (FDP), rubredoxin:oxygen oxidoreductase (ROO), was proposed to be the terminal oxidase of a soluble electron transfer chain coupling NADH oxidation to oxygen reduction. However, several members from the FDP family, to which ROO belongs, revealed nitric oxide (NO) reductase activity. Therefore, the protection afforded by ROO against the cytotoxic effects of NO was here investigated. The NO and oxygen reductase activities of recombinant ROO in vitro were tested by amperometric methods, and the enzyme was shown to effectively reduce NO and O2. Functional complementation studies of an Escherichia coli mutant strain lacking the ROO homologue flavorubredoxin, an NO reductase, showed that ROO restores the anaerobic growth phenotype of cultures exposed to otherwise-toxic levels of exogenous NO. Additional studies in vivo using a D. gigas roo-deleted strain confirmed an increased sensitivity to NO of the mutant strain in comparison to the wild type. This effect is more pronounced when using the nitrosating agent S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), which effectively impairs the growth of the D. gigas Δroo strain. roo is constitutively expressed in D. gigas under all conditions tested. However, real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed a twofold induction of mRNA levels upon exposure to GSNO, suggesting regulation at the transcription level by NO. The newly proposed role of D. gigas ROO as an NO reductase combined with the O2 reductase activity reveals a versatility which appears to afford protection to D. gigas at the onset of both oxidative and nitrosative stresses.

scholarly journals Characterization of rrdA, a TetR Family Protein Gene Involved in the Regulation of Secondary Metabolism in Streptomyces coelicolor

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 2158-2165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xijun Ou ◽  
Bo Zhang ◽  
Lin Zhang ◽  
Guoping Zhao ◽  
Xiaoming Ding
Keyword(s):  
Streptomyces Coelicolor ◽  
Morphological Differentiation ◽  
Transcript Level ◽  
Biosynthetic Gene Cluster ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Family Protein ◽  
Severe Reduction ◽  
High Level

ABSTRACT Streptomyces not only exhibits complex morphological differentiation but also produces a plethora of secondary metabolites, particularly antibiotics. To improve our general understanding of the complex network of undecylprodigiosin (Red) biosynthesis regulation, we used an in vivo transposition system to identify novel regulators that influence Red production in Streptomyces coelicolor M145. Using this screening system, we obtained 25 Red-deficient mutants. Twenty-four of these mutants had a transposon inserted in the previously described Red biosynthetic gene cluster and produced different amounts of another secondary metabolite, actinorhodin (Act). One mutant was shown to have an insertion in a different region of the chromosome upstream of the previously uncharacterized gene rrdA (regulator of redD, sco1104), which encodes a putative TetR family transcription factor. Compared with wild-type strain M145, the rrdA null mutant exhibited increased Red production and decreased Act production. A high level of rrdA expression resulted in a severe reduction in Red production and Act overproduction. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed that RrdA negatively regulated Red production by controlling redD mRNA abundance, while no change was observed at the transcript level of the Act-specific activator gene, actII-orf4. The effects on Act biosynthesis might arise from competition for precursors that are common to both pathways.

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