scholarly journals An Atypical Phr Peptide Regulates the Developmental Switch Protein RapH

2011 ◽  
Vol 193 (22) ◽  
pp. 6197-6206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Mirouze ◽  
Vijay Parashar ◽  
Melinda D. Baker ◽  
David A. Dubnau ◽  
Matthew B. Neiditch
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Genetic Element ◽  
Developmental Pathways ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Signaling Systems ◽  
The Family ◽  
Developmental Switch

Under conditions of nutrient limitation and high population density, the bacterium Bacillus subtilis can initiate a variety of developmental pathways. The signaling systems regulating B. subtilis differentiation are tightly controlled by switch proteins called Raps, named after the founding members of the family, which were shown to be r esponse regulator a spartate p hosphatases. A phr gene encoding a secreted pentapeptide that regulates the activity of its associated Rap protein was previously identified downstream of 8 of the chromosomally encoded rap genes. We identify and validate here the sequence of an atypical Phr peptide, PhrH, by in vivo and in vitro analyses. Using a luciferase reporter bioassay combined with in vitro experiments, we found that PhrH is a hexapeptide (TDRNTT), in contrast to the other characterized Phr pentapeptides. We also determined that phrH expression is driven by a promoter lying within rapH . Unlike the previously identified dedicated σ H -driven phr promoters, it appears that phrH expression most likely requires σ A . Furthermore, we show that PhrH can antagonize both of the known activities of RapH: the dephosphorylation of Spo0F and the sequestration of ComA, thus promoting the development of spores and the competent state. Finally, we propose that PhrH is the prototype of a newly identified class of Phr signaling molecules consisting of six amino acids. This class likely includes PhrI, which regulates RapI and the expression, excision, and transfer of the mobile genetic element ICE Bs 1.

scholarly journals CodY Deletion EnhancesIn VivoVirulence of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Clone USA300

2012 ◽  
Vol 80 (7) ◽  
pp. 2382-2389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Montgomery ◽  
Susan Boyle-Vavra ◽  
Agnès Roux ◽  
Kazumi Ebine ◽  
Abraham L. Sonenshein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Regulators ◽  
Alpha Hemolysin

ABSTRACTTheStaphylococcus aureusglobal regulator CodY responds to nutrient availability by controlling the expression of target genes.In vitro, CodY represses the transcription of virulence genes, but it is not known if CodY also represses virulencein vivo. The dominant community-associated methicillin-resistantS. aureus(CA-MRSA) clone, USA300, is hypervirulent and has increased transcription of global regulators and virulence genes; these features are reminiscent of a strain defective in CodY. Sequence analysis revealed, however, that thecodYgenes of USA300 and other sequencedS. aureusisolates are not significantly different from thecodYgenes in strains known to have active CodY.codYwas expressed in USA300, as well as in other pulsotypes assessed. Deletion ofcodYfrom a USA300 clinical isolate resulted in modestly increased expression of the global regulatorsagrandsaeRS, as well as the gene encoding the toxin alpha-hemolysin (hla). A substantial increase (>30-fold) in expression of thelukF-PVgene, encoding part of the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), was observed in thecodYmutant. All of these expression differences were reversed by complementation with a functionalcodYgene. Moreover, purified CodY protein bound upstream of thelukSF-PVoperon, indicating that CodY directly represses expression oflukSF-PV. Deletion ofcodYincreased the virulence of USA300 in necrotizing pneumonia and skin infection. Interestingly, deletion oflukSF-PVfrom thecodYmutant did not attenuate virulence, indicating that the hypervirulence of thecodYmutant was not explained by overexpression of PVL. These results demonstrate that CodY is active in USA300 and that CodY-mediated repression restrains the virulence of USA300.

scholarly journals Strain-Specific Regulatory Role of Eukaryote-Like Serine/Threonine Phosphatase in Pneumococcal Adherence

2012 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 1361-1372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shivangi Agarwal ◽  
Shivani Agarwal ◽  
Preeti Pancholi ◽  
Vijay Pancholi
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knockout Mutants ◽  
Catalytically Active

ABSTRACTStreptococcus pneumoniaeexploits a battery of virulence factors to colonize the host. Although the eukaryote-like Ser/Thr kinase ofS. pneumoniae(StkP) has been implicated in physiology and virulence, the role of its cotranscribing phosphatase (PhpP) has remained elusive. The construction of nonpolar markerlessphpPknockout mutants (ΔphpP) in two pathogenic strains, D39 (type 2) and 6A-EF3114 (type 6A), indicated that PhpP is not indispensable for pneumococcal survival. Further, PhpP also participates in the regulation of cell wall biosynthesis/division, adherence, and biofilm formation in a strain-specific manner. Additionally, we provide hitherto-unknownin vitroandin vivoevidence of a physiologically relevant biochemical link between the StkP/PhpP-mediated cognate regulation and the two-component regulatory system TCS06 (RR06/HK06) that regulates the expression of the gene encoding an important pneumococcal surface adhesin, CbpA, which was found to be significantly upregulated in ΔphpPmutants. In particular, StkP (threonine)-phosphorylated RR06 bound to thecbpApromoter with high efficiency even in the absence of the HK06-responsive and catalytically active aspartate 51 residue. Together, our findings unravel the significant contributions of PhpP in pneumococcal physiology and adherence.

scholarly journals Phosphorylation Regulates the Endocytic Function of the Yeast Dynamin-Related Protein Vps1

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 742-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iwona I. Smaczynska-de Rooij ◽  
Christopher J. Marklew ◽  
Ellen G. Allwood ◽  
Sarah E. Palmer ◽  
Wesley I. Booth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Trafficking ◽  
Posttranslational Modification ◽  
Live Cell Imaging ◽  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Related Protein ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Family ◽  
Phosphorylation Event

The family of dynamin proteins is known to function in many eukaryotic membrane fusion and fission events. The yeast dynamin-related protein Vps1 functions at several stages of membrane trafficking, including Golgi apparatus to endosome and vacuole, peroxisomal fission, and endocytic scission. We have previously shown that in its endocytic role, Vps1 functions with the amphiphysin heterodimer Rvs161/Rvs167 to facilitate scission and release of vesicles. Phosphoproteome studies ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaehave identified a phosphorylation site in Vps1 at serine 599. In this study, we confirmed this phosphorylation event, and we reveal that, like Rvs167, Vps1 can be phosphorylated by the yeast cyclin-associated kinase Pho85in vivoandin vitro. The importance of this posttranslational modification was revealed when mutagenesis of S599 to a phosphomimetic or nonphosphorylatable form caused defects in endocytosis but not in other functions associated with Vps1. Mutation to nonphosphorylatable valine inhibited the Rvs167 interaction, while both S599V and S599D caused defects in vesicle scission, as shown by both live-cell imaging and electron microscopy of endocytic invaginations. Our data support a model in which phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of Vps1 promote distinct interactions and highlight the importance of such regulatory events in facilitating sequential progression of the endocytic process.

scholarly journals Comparative Analysis of the Capacity of the Candida Species To Elicit Vaginal Immunopathology

2018 ◽  
Vol 86 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hubertine M. E. Willems ◽  
David J. Lowes ◽  
Katherine S. Barker ◽  
Glen E. Palmer ◽  
Brian M. Peters
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Mucosal Damage ◽  
Neutrophil Recruitment ◽  
Cytokine Signaling ◽  
Vaginal Mucosa ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Fungal Virulence ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans is the major etiological agent of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Despite this fact, other non-albicans Candida (NAC) species have frequently been reported, as well. Despite their presence in the vaginal environment, little is known about their capacities to elicit immune responses classically associated with C. albicans-mediated immunopathology, including neutrophil recruitment and proinflammatory cytokine signaling. Therefore, using a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches, we undertook a comparative analysis to determine whether a representative panel of NAC species could colonize, induce immunopathological markers, or cause damage at the vaginal mucosa. Using a murine model of VVC, C. albicans was found to induce robust immunopathology (neutrophils and interleukin 1β [IL-1β]) and elicit mucosal damage. However, all the NAC species tested (including C. dubliniensis, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei, C. glabrata, and C. auris) induced significantly less damage and neutrophil recruitment than C. albicans, despite achieving similar early colonization levels. These results largely correlated with a notable lack of ability by the NAC species (including C. dubliniensis and C. tropicalis) to form hyphae both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, both C. dubliniensis and C. tropicalis induced significantly less expression of the ECE1 gene encoding candidalysin, a key fungal virulence determinant driving VVC immunopathology. In order to determine the relative capacities of these species to elicit inflammasome-dependent IL-1β release, both wild-type and NLRP3−/− THP-1 cells were challenged in vitro. While most species tested elicited only modest amounts of IL-1β, challenge with C. albicans led to significantly elevated levels that were largely NLRP3 dependent. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that although NAC species are increasingly reported as causative agents of VVC, C. albicans appears to be exceedingly vaginopathogenic, exhibiting robust immunopathology, hypha formation, and candidalysin expression. Thus, this study provides mechanistic insight into why C. albicans is overwhelmingly the major pathogen reported during VVC.

scholarly journals The Serine Protease Autotransporter Pic Modulates Citrobacter rodentium Pathogenesis and Its Innate Recognition by the Host

2015 ◽  
Vol 83 (7) ◽  
pp. 2636-2650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirandeep Bhullar ◽  
Maryam Zarepour ◽  
Hongbing Yu ◽  
Hong Yang ◽  
Matthew Croxen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serine Protease ◽  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Citrobacter Rodentium ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Family ◽  
Toll Like Receptor 2 ◽  
Severe Colitis

Bacterial pathogens produce a number of autotransporters that possess diverse functions. These include the family of serine protease autotransporters ofEnterobacteriaceae(SPATEs) produced by enteric pathogens such asShigella flexneriand enteroaggregativeEscherichia coli. Of these SPATEs, one termed “protein involved in colonization,” or Pic, has been shown to possess mucinase activityin vitro, but to date, its role inin vivoenteric pathogenesis is unknown. Testing apicnull (ΔpicC) mutant inCitrobacter rodentium, a natural mouse pathogen, found that theC. rodentiumΔpicCstrain was impaired in its ability to degrade mucinin vitrocompared to the wild type. Upon infection of mice, the ΔpicCmutant exhibited a hypervirulent phenotype with dramatically heavier pathogen burdens found in intestinal crypts. ΔpicCmutant-infected mice suffered greater barrier disruption and more severe colitis and weight loss, necessitating their euthanization between 10 and 14 days postinfection. Notably, the virulence of the ΔpicCmutant was normalized when thepicCgene was restored; however, a PicC point mutant causing loss of mucinase activity did not replicate the ΔpicCphenotype. Exploring other aspects of PicC function, the ΔpicCmutant was found to aggregate to higher levelsin vivothan wild-typeC. rodentium. Moreover, unlike the wild type, theC. rodentiumΔpicCmutant had a red, dry, and rough (RDAR) morphologyin vitroand showed increased activation of the innate receptor Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). Interestingly, theC. rodentiumΔpicCmutant caused a degree of pathology similar to that of wild-typeC. rodentiumwhen infecting TLR2-deficient mice, showing that despite its mucinase activity, PicC's major rolein vivomay be to limitC. rodentium's stimulation of the host's innate immune system.

scholarly journals Functional Analysis of Bacillus subtilis Genes Involved in the Biosynthesis of 4-Thiouridine in tRNA

2012 ◽  
Vol 194 (18) ◽  
pp. 4933-4940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren J. Rajakovich ◽  
John Tomlinson ◽  
Patricia C. Dos Santos
Keyword(s):  
Functional Analysis ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Cysteine Desulfurase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sulfur Transfer ◽  
Essential Enzyme ◽  
Sulfur Trafficking

ABSTRACTThiI has been identified as an essential enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of thiamine and the tRNA thionucleoside modification, 4-thiouridine. InEscherichia coliandSalmonella enterica, ThiI acts as a sulfurtransferase, receiving the sulfur donated from the cysteine desulfurase IscS and transferring it to the target molecule or additional sulfur carrier proteins. However, inBacillus subtilisand most species from theFirmicutesphylum, ThiI lacks the rhodanese domain that contains the site responsible for the sulfurtransferase activity. The lack of the gene encoding for a canonical IscS cysteine desulfurase and the presence of a short sequence of ThiI in these bacteria pointed to mechanistic differences involving sulfur trafficking reactions in both biosynthetic pathways. Here, we have carried out functional analysis ofB. subtilisthiIand the adjacent gene,nifZ, encoding for a cysteine desulfurase. Gene inactivation experiments inB. subtilisindicate the requirement of ThiI and NifZ for the biosynthesis of 4-thiouridine, but not thiamine.In vitrosynthesis of 4-thiouridine by ThiI and NifZ, along with labeling experiments, suggests the occurrence of an alternate transient site for sulfur transfer, thus obviating the need for a rhodanese domain.In vivocomplementation studies inE. coliIscS- or ThiI-deficient strains provide further support for specific interactions between NifZ and ThiI. These results are compatible with the proposal thatB. subtilisNifZ and ThiI utilize mechanistically distinct and mutually specific sulfur transfer reactions.

scholarly journals Nucleotides Critical for the Interaction of the Streptococcus pyogenes Mga Virulence Regulator with Mga-Regulated Promoter Sequences

2012 ◽  
Vol 194 (18) ◽  
pp. 4904-4919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara L. Hause ◽  
Kevin S. McIver
Keyword(s):  
Binding Site ◽  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Promoter Sequences ◽  
Mobility Shift Assay

ABSTRACTThe Mga regulator ofStreptococcus pyogenesdirectly activates the transcription of a core regulon that encodes virulence factors such as M protein (emm), C5a peptidase (scpA), and streptococcal inhibitor of complement (sic) by directly binding to a 45-bp binding site as determined by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and DNase I protection. However, by comparing the nucleotide sequences of all established Mga binding sites, we found that they exhibit only 13.4% identity with no discernible symmetry. To determine the core nucleotides involved in functional Mga-DNA interactions, the M1T1 Pemm1binding site was altered and screened for nucleotides important for DNA bindingin vitroand for transcriptional activation using a plasmid-based luciferase reporterin vivo. Following this analysis, 34 nucleotides within the Pemm1binding site that had an effect on Mga binding, Mga-dependent transcriptional activation, or both were identified. Of these critical nucleotides, guanines and cytosines within the major groove were disproportionately identified clustered at the 5′ and 3′ ends of the binding site and with runs of nonessential adenines between the critical nucleotides. On the basis of these results, a Pemm1minimal binding site of 35 bp bound Mga at a level comparable to the level of binding of the larger 45-bp site. Comparison of Pemmwith directed mutagenesis performed in the M1T1 Mga-regulated PscpAand Psicpromoters, as well as methylation interference analysis of PscpA, establish that Mga binds to DNA in a promoter-specific manner.

scholarly journals Poly(ADP-Ribosyl)ation of hnRNP A1 Protein Controls Translational Repression in Drosophila

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (19) ◽  
pp. 2476-2486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingbiao Ji ◽  
Alexei V. Tulin
Keyword(s):  
Germ Line ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Control Element ◽  
Hnrnp A1 ◽  
Translation Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Translational Repressor ◽  
Mrna Targets

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) regulates the posttranscriptional fate of RNA during development.DrosophilahnRNP A1, Hrp38, is required for germ line stem cell maintenance and oocyte localization. The mRNA targets regulated by Hrp38 are mostly unknown. We identified 428 Hrp38-associated gene transcripts in the fly ovary, including mRNA of the translational repressor Nanos. We found that Hrp38 binds to the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of Nanos mRNA, which contains a translation control element. We have demonstrated that translation of the luciferase reporter bearing the Nanos 3′ UTR is enhanced by dsRNA-mediated Hrp38 knockdown as well as by mutating potential Hrp38-binding sites. Our data show that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation inhibits Hrp38 binding to the Nanos 3′ UTR, increasing the translationin vivoandin vitro.hrp38andPargnull mutants showed an increased ectopic Nanos translation early in the embryo. We conclude that Hrp38 represses Nanos translation, whereas its poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation relieves the repression effect, allowing restricted Nanos expression in the posterior germ plasm during oogenesis and early embryogenesis.

The Development of Homologous (Canine/Anti-Canine) Antibodies in Dogs with Haemophilia A (Factor VIII Deficiency): A Ten-Year Longitudinal Study

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (01) ◽  
pp. 021-024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn Tinlin ◽  
Sandra Webster ◽  
Alan R Giles
Keyword(s):  
Factor Viii ◽  
Canine Model ◽  
Significant Inhibition ◽  
Human Condition ◽  
Haemophilia A ◽  
Variable Expression ◽  
The Family ◽  
Over Time

SummaryThe development of inhibitors to factor VIII in patients with haemophilia A remains as a serious complication of replacement therapy. An apparently analogous condition has been described in a canine model of haemophilia A (Giles et al., Blood 1984; 63:451). These animals and their relatives have now been followed for 10 years. The observation that the propensity for inhibitor development was not related to the ancestral factor VIII gene has been confirmed by the demonstration of vertical transmission through three generations of the segment of the family related to a normal (non-carrier) female that was introduced for breeding purposes. Haemophilic animals unrelated to this animal have not developed functionally significant factor VIII inhibitors despite intensive factor VIII replacement. Two animals have shown occasional laboratory evidence of factor VIII inhibition but this has not been translated into clinical significant inhibition in vivo as assessed by clinical response and F.VIII recovery and survival characteristics. Substantial heterogeneity of inhibitor expression both in vitro and in vivo has been observed between animals and in individual animals over time. Spontaneous loss of inhibitors has been observed without any therapies designed to induce tolerance, etc., being instituted. There is also phenotypic evidence of polyclonality of the immune response with variable expression over time in a given animal. These observations may have relevance to the human condition both in determining the pathogenetic factors involved in this condition and in highlighting the heterogeneity of its expression which suggests the need for caution in the interpretation of the outcome of interventions designed to modulate inhibitor activity.

scholarly journals In vitro and in vivo assessment of the protective effect of sufentanil in acute lung injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 030006052098635
Author(s):  
Qi Gao ◽  
Ningqing Chang ◽  
Donglian Liu
Keyword(s):  
Acute Lung Injury ◽  
Lung Injury ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Hmgb1 Protein

Objectives To investigate the mechanisms underlying the protective effect of sufentanil against acute lung injury (ALI). Material and Methods Rats were administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by endotracheal instillation to establish a model of ALI. LPS was used to stimulate BEAS-2B cells. The targets and promoter activities of IκB were assessed using a luciferase reporter assay. Apoptosis of BEAS-2B cells was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling. Results Sufentanil treatment markedly reduced pathological changes in lung tissue, pulmonary edema and secretion of inflammatory factors associated with ALI in vivo and in vitro. In addition, sufentanil suppressed apoptosis induced by LPS and activated NF-κB both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, upregulation of high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) protein levels and downregulation of miR-129-5p levels were observed in vivo and in vitro following sufentanil treatment. miR-129-5p targeted the 3ʹ untranslated region and its inhibition decreased promoter activities of IκB-α. miR-129-5p inhibition significantly weakened the protective effect of sufentanil on LPS-treated BEAS-2B cells. Conclusion Sufentanil regulated the miR-129-5p/HMGB1 axis to enhance IκB-α expression, suggesting that sufentanil represents a candidate drug for ALI protection and providing avenues for clinical treatment.

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