scholarly journals Genetic and Biochemical Characterization of the Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-co-3-Hydroxyvalerate) Synthase in Haloferax mediterranei

2008 ◽  
Vol 190 (12) ◽  
pp. 4173-4180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiuhe Lu ◽  
Jing Han ◽  
Ligang Zhou ◽  
Jian Zhou ◽  
Hua Xiang

ABSTRACT The haloarchaeon Haloferax mediterranei has shown promise for the economical production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), a desirable bioplastic. However, little is known at present about the genes involved in PHBV synthesis in the domain Archaea. In this study, we cloned the gene cluster (phaEC Hme) encoding a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase in H. mediterranei CGMCC 1.2087 via thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR. Western blotting revealed that the phaE Hme and phaC Hme genes were constitutively expressed, and both the PhaEHme and PhaCHme proteins were strongly bound to the PHBV granules. Interestingly, CGMCC 1.2087 could synthesize PHBV in either nutrient-limited medium (supplemented with 1% starch) or nutrient-rich medium, up to 24 or 18% (wt/wt) in shaking flasks. Knockout of the phaEC Hme genes in CGMCC 1.2087 led to a complete loss of PHBV synthesis, and only complementation with the phaEC Hme genes together (but not either one alone) could restore to this mutant the capability for PHBV accumulation. The known haloarchaeal PhaC subunits are much longer at their C termini than their bacterial counterparts, and the C-terminal extension of PhaCHme was proven to be indispensable for its function in vivo. Moreover, the mixture of purified PhaEHme/PhaCHme (1:1) showed significant activity of PHA synthase in vitro. Taken together, our results indicated that a novel member of the class III PHA synthases, composed of PhaCHme and PhaEHme, accounted for the PHBV synthesis in H. mediterranei.

2001 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 1421-1429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Boletta ◽  
Feng Qian ◽  
Luiz F. Onuchic ◽  
Alessandra Bragonzi ◽  
Marina Cortese ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 90 (7) ◽  
pp. 1748-1756 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Gopinath ◽  
M. S. Shaila

Rinderpest virus (RPV) large (L) protein is an integral part of the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex of the virus that is responsible for transcription and replication of the genome. Previously, we have shown that recombinant L protein coexpressed along with P protein (as the L–P complex) catalyses the synthesis of all viral mRNAs in vitro and the abundance of mRNAs follows a gradient of polarity, similar to the occurrence in vivo. In the present work, we demonstrate that the viral mRNAs synthesized in vitro by the recombinant L or purified RNP are capped and methylated at the N7 guanine position. RNP from the purified virions, as well as recombinant L protein, shows RNA triphosphatase (RTPase) and guanylyl transferase (GT) activities. L protein present in the RNP complex catalyses the removal of γ-phosphate from triphosphate-ended 25 nt RNA generated in vitro representing the viral N-terminal mRNA 5′ sequence. The L protein forms a covalent enzyme–guanylate intermediate with the GMP moiety of GTP, whose formation is inhibited by the addition of pyrophosphate; thus, it exhibits characteristics of cellular GTs. The covalent bond between the enzyme and nucleotide is acid labile and alkali stable, indicating the presence of phosphoamide linkage. The C-terminal region (aa 1717–2183) of RPV L protein alone exhibits the first step of GT activity needed to form a covalent complex with GMP, though it lacks the ability to transfer GMP to substrate RNA. Here, we describe the biochemical characterization of the newly found RTPase/GT activity of L protein.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 2110-2122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gentzon Hall ◽  
Brandon M. Lane ◽  
Kamal Khan ◽  
Igor Pediaditakis ◽  
Jianqiu Xiao ◽  
...  

BackgroundWe previously reported that mutations in the anillin (ANLN) gene cause familial forms of FSGS. ANLN is an F-actin binding protein that modulates podocyte cell motility and interacts with the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway through the slit diaphragm adaptor protein CD2-associated protein (CD2AP). However, it is unclear how the ANLN mutations cause the FSGS phenotype. We hypothesized that the R431C mutation exerts its pathogenic effects by uncoupling ANLN from CD2AP.MethodsWe conducted in vivo complementation assays in zebrafish to determine the effect of the previously identified missense ANLN variants, ANLNR431C and ANLNG618C during development. We also performed in vitro functional assays using human podocyte cell lines stably expressing wild-type ANLN (ANLNWT) or ANLNR431C.ResultsExperiments in anln-deficient zebrafish embryos showed a loss-of-function effect for each ANLN variant. In human podocyte lines, expression of ANLNR431C increased cell migration, proliferation, and apoptosis. Biochemical characterization of ANLNR431C-expressing podocytes revealed hyperactivation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K/Rac1 signaling axis and activation of mTOR-driven endoplasmic reticulum stress in ANLNR431C-expressing podocytes. Inhibition of mTOR, GSK-3β, Rac1, or calcineurin ameliorated the effects of ANLNR431C. Additionally, inhibition of the calcineurin/NFAT pathway reduced the expression of endogenous ANLN and mTOR.ConclusionsThe ANLNR431C mutation causes multiple derangements in podocyte function through hyperactivation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K/Rac1 signaling. Our findings suggest that the benefits of calcineurin inhibition in FSGS may be due, in part, to the suppression of ANLN and mTOR. Moreover, these studies illustrate that rational therapeutic targets for familial FSGS can be identified through biochemical characterization of dysregulated podocyte phenotypes.


2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Lendenmann ◽  
J. Grogan ◽  
F.G. Oppenheim

The acquired enamel pellicle is an organic film covering the surfaces of teeth. When this film was first discovered, it was thought to be of embryologic origin. Only in the middle of this century did it become clear that it was acquired after tooth eruption. Initially, the small amounts of material that could be obtained have virtually limited the investigation of pellicle proteins to amino acid analysis. Nevertheless, this technique revealed that the pellicle is mainly proteinaceous and is formed by selective adsorption of salivary proteins on tooth enamel. Later, immunologic techniques allowed for the identification of many salivary and fewer non-salivary proteins as constituents of pellicle. However, to this date, isolation and direct biochemical characterization of in vivo pellicle protein have not been possible, because only a few micrograms can be obtained from a single donor. Therefore, the composition and structure of the acquired enamel pellicle are still essentially unknown. Information on the functions of pellicle has been obtained mainly from in vitro experiments carried out with saliva-coated hydroxyapatite and enamel discs. It was found that pellicle protects enamel by reducing demineralization upon acid challenge. Improved pellicle harvesting procedures and analysis by state-of-the-art proteomics with mass spectroscopy approaches promise to make major inroads into the characterization of enamel pellicle.


2007 ◽  
Vol 73 (19) ◽  
pp. 6058-6065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Han ◽  
Qiuhe Lu ◽  
Ligang Zhou ◽  
Jian Zhou ◽  
Hua Xiang

ABSTRACT Although many haloarchaea produce biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), the genes involved in PHA synthesis in the domain of Archaea have not yet been experimentally investigated yet. In this study, we revealed that Haloarcula marismortui was able to accumulate poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) up to 21% of cellular dry weight when cultured in a minimal medium with excessive glucose and identified the phaE Hm and phaC Hm genes, probably encoding two subunits of a class III PHA synthase. These two genes were adjacent and directed by a single promoter located 26 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site and were constitutively expressed under both nutrient-rich and -limited conditions. Interestingly, PhaCHm was revealed to be strongly bound with the PHB granules, but PhaEHm seemed not to be. Introduction of either the phaE Hm or phaC Hm gene into Haloarcula hispanica, which harbors highly homologous phaEC Hh genes, could enhance the PHB synthesis in the recombinant strains, while coexpression of the both genes always generated the highest PHB yield. Significantly, knockout of the phaEC Hh genes in H. hispanica led to a complete loss of the PHA synthase activity. Complementation with phaEC Hm genes, but not a single one, restored the capability of PHB accumulation as well as the PHA synthase activity in this phaEC-deleted haloarchaeon. These results indicated that the phaEC genes are required for biosynthesis of PHB and might encode an active PHA synthase in the Haloarcula species.


2001 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Tissier ◽  
E. G. Frank ◽  
J. P. McDonald ◽  
A. Vaisman ◽  
A. R. Fernàndez deHenestrosa Henestrosa ◽  
...  

The human RAD30B gene has recently been shown to encode a novel DNA polymerase, DNA polymerase i (poli). The role of poli within the cell is presently unknown, and the only clues to its cellular function come from its biochemical characterization in vitro. The aim of this short review is, therefore, to summarize the known enzymic activities of poli and to speculate as to how these biochemical properties might relate to its in vivo function.


Ecotoxicology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. F. Howcroft ◽  
C. Gravato ◽  
M. J. B. Amorim ◽  
S. C. Novais ◽  
A. M. V. M. Soares ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 191 (11) ◽  
pp. 3534-3543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis López-Maury ◽  
Ana María Sánchez-Riego ◽  
José Carlos Reyes ◽  
Francisco J. Florencio

ABSTRACT Arsenic resistance in Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 is mediated by an operon of three genes in which arsC codes for an arsenate reductase with unique characteristics. Here we describe the identification of two additional and nearly identical genes coding for arsenate reductases in Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803, which we have designed arsI1 and arsI2, and the biochemical characterization of both ArsC (arsenate reductase) and ArsI. Functional analysis of single, double, and triple mutants shows that both ArsI enzymes are active arsenate reductases but that their roles in arsenate resistance are essential only in the absence of ArsC. Based on its biochemical properties, ArsC belongs to a family that, though related to thioredoxin-dependent arsenate reductases, uses the glutathione/glutaredoxin system for reduction, whereas ArsI belongs to the previously known glutaredoxin-dependent family. We have also analyzed the role in arsenate resistance of the three glutaredoxins present in Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 both in vitro and in vivo. Only the dithiolic glutaredoxins, GrxA (glutaredoxin A) and GrxB (glutaredoxin B), are able to donate electrons to both types of reductases in vitro, while GrxC (glutaredoxin C), a monothiolic glutaredoxin, is unable to donate electrons to either type. Analysis of glutaredoxin mutant strains revealed that only those lacking the grxA gene have impaired arsenic resistance.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document