scholarly journals Genetic Dissection of the Sporulation Protein SpoIIE and Its Role in Asymmetric Division in Bacillus subtilis

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (10) ◽  
pp. 3511-3520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Carniol ◽  
Sigal Ben-Yehuda ◽  
Nicole King ◽  
Richard Losick
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Asymmetric Division ◽  
Dual Function ◽  
Genetic Dissection ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Phosphatase Domain ◽  
Polar Cell ◽  
Membrane Spanning ◽  
Polar Division

ABSTRACT SpoIIE is a dual-function protein in Bacillus subtilis that contributes to the switch from medial to polar cell division during sporulation and is responsible for activating the cell-specific transcription factor σF. SpoIIE consists of an N-terminal domain with 10 membrane-spanning segments (region I), a C-terminal phosphatase domain (region III), and a central domain (region II) of uncertain function. To investigate the role of SpoIIE in polar division, we took advantage of a system for efficiently producing polar septa during growth in a SpoIIE-dependent manner using cells engineered to produce the sporulation protein in response to an inducer. The results show that regions II and III play a critical role in polar septum formation and that specific amino acid substitutions in those regions affect the abilities of SpoIIE both to promote polar division and to localize to the division machinery. Additionally, we show that neither the phosphatase function of SpoIIE nor the N-terminal, membrane-spanning region is needed for the switch to asymmetric division.

scholarly journals Novel spoIIE Mutation That Causes Uncompartmentalized σF Activation in Bacillus subtilis

2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (5) ◽  
pp. 1590-1598 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Hilbert ◽  
Patrick J. Piggot
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Mother Cell ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Asymmetric Division ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Specific Transcription Factor ◽  
Fold Reduction ◽  
Optimal Efficiency

ABSTRACT During sporulation, Bacillus subtilis undergoes an asymmetric division that results in two cells with different fates, the larger mother cell and the smaller forespore. The protein phosphatase SpoIIE, which is required for activation of the forespore-specific transcription factor σF, is also required for optimal efficiency and timing of asymmetric division. We performed a genetic screen for spoIIE mutants that were impaired in sporulation but not σF activity and isolated a strain with the mutation spoIIEV697A. The mutant exhibited a 10- to 40-fold reduction in sporulation and a sixfold reduction in asymmetric division compared to the parent. Transcription of the σF-dependent spoIIQ promoter was increased more than 10-fold and was no longer confined to the forespore. The excessive σF activity persisted even when asymmetric division was prevented. Disruption of spoIIGB did not restore asymmetric division to the spoIIEV697A mutant, indicating that the deficiency is not a consequence of predivisional activation of the mother cell-specific transcription factor σE. Deletion of the gene encoding σF (spoIIAC) restored asymmetric division; however, a mutation that dramatically reduced the number of promoters responsive to σF, spoIIAC561 (spoIIACV233 M), failed to do so. This result suggests that the block is due to expression of one of the small subset of σF-dependent genes expressed in this background or to unregulated interaction of σF with some other factor. Our results indicate that regulation of SpoIIE plays a critical role in coupling asymmetric division to σF activation in order to ensure proper spatial and temporal expression of forespore-specific genes.

scholarly journals Coupling of Asymmetric Division to Polar Placement of Replication Origin Regions in Bacillus subtilis

2001 ◽  
Vol 183 (13) ◽  
pp. 4052-4060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter L. Graumann ◽  
Richard Losick
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Replication Origin ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Asymmetric Division ◽  
Cell Compartments ◽  
Z Ring ◽  
Origin Region ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Polar Division ◽  
Structural Maintenance Of Chromosomes

ABSTRACT Entry into sporulation in Bacillus subtilis is characterized by the formation of a polar septum, which asymmetrically divides the developing cell into forespore (the smaller cell) and mother cell compartments, and by migration of replication origin regions to extreme opposite poles of the cell. Here we show that polar septation is closely correlated with movement of replication origins to the extreme poles of the cell. Replication origin regions were visualized by the use of a cassette of tandem copies oflacO that had been inserted in the chromosome near the origin of replication and decorated with green fluorescent protein-LacI. The results showed that extreme polar placement of replication origin regions is not under sporulation control and occurred in stationary phase under conditions under which entry into sporulation was prevented. On the other hand, the formation of a polar septum, which is under sporulation control, was almost invariably associated with the presence of a replication origin region in the forespore. Moreover, cells in which the polar placement of origin regions was perturbed by deletion of the gene (smc) for the structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) protein were impaired in polar division. A small proportion (≈1%) of the mutant cells were able to undergo asymmetric division, but the forespore compartment of these exceptional cells was generally observed to contain a replication origin region. Immunofluorescence microscopy experiments indicated that the block in polar division caused by the absence of SMC occurred at or prior to the step of bipolar Z-ring formation by the cell division protein FtsZ. A model is discussed in which polar division is under the dual control of sporulation and an event associated with the placement of a replication origin at the cell pole.

The Natural Flavonoid Naringenin Inhibits the Cell Growth of WilmsTumorinChildren by Suppressing TLR4/NF-κB Signaling

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongtao Li ◽  
Peng Chen ◽  
Lei Chen ◽  
Xinning Wang
Keyword(s):  
Cell Growth ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Wilms Tumor ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Luciferase Assay ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Tlr4 Expression ◽  
Protein Levels

Background: Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is usually activated in Wilms tumor (WT) cells and plays a critical role in WT development. Objective: The study purpose was to screen a NF-κB inhibitor from natural product library and explore its effects on WT development. Methods: Luciferase assay was employed to assess the effects of natural chemical son NF-κB activity. CCK-8 assay was conducted to assess cell growth in response to naringenin. WT xenograft model was established to analyze the effect of naringenin in vivo. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were performed to examine the mRNA and protein levels of relative genes, respectively. Results: Naringenin displayed significant inhibitory effect on NF-κB activation in SK-NEP-1 cells. In SK-NEP-1 and G-401 cells, naringenin inhibited p65 phosphorylation. Moreover, naringenin suppressed TNF-α-induced p65 phosphorylation in WT cells. Naringenin inhibited TLR4 expression at both mRNA and protein levels in WT cells. CCK-8 staining showed that naringenin inhibited cell growth of the two above WT cells in dose-and time-dependent manner, whereas Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) over expression partially reversed the above phenomena. Besides, naringenin suppressed WT tumor growth in dose-and time-dependent manner in vivo. Western blot found that naringenin inhibited TLR4 expression and p65 phosphorylation in WT xenograft tumors. Conclusion: Naringenin inhibits WT development viasuppressing TLR4/NF-κB signaling

scholarly journals Arginine Decarboxylase Is Essential for Pneumococcal Stress Responses

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 286
Author(s):  
Mary Frances Nakamya ◽  
Moses B. Ayoola ◽  
Leslie A. Shack ◽  
Mirghani Mohamed ◽  
Edwin Swiatlo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Acid Stress ◽  
Arginine Decarboxylase ◽  
Arginine Deiminase ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Opportunistic Human Pathogen ◽  
Thiol Peroxidase ◽  
The Impact

Polyamines such as putrescine, cadaverine, and spermidine are small cationic molecules that play significant roles in cellular processes, including bacterial stress responses and host–pathogen interactions. Streptococcus pneumoniae is an opportunistic human pathogen, which causes several diseases that account for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. As it transits through different host niches, S. pneumoniae is exposed to and must adapt to different types of stress in the host microenvironment. We earlier reported that S. pneumoniae TIGR4, which harbors an isogenic deletion of an arginine decarboxylase (ΔspeA), an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of agmatine in the polyamine synthesis pathway, has a reduced capsule. Here, we report the impact of arginine decarboxylase deletion on pneumococcal stress responses. Our results show that ΔspeA is more susceptible to oxidative, nitrosative, and acid stress compared to the wild-type strain. Gene expression analysis by qRT-PCR indicates that thiol peroxidase, a scavenger of reactive oxygen species and aguA from the arginine deiminase system, could be important for peroxide stress responses in a polyamine-dependent manner. Our results also show that speA is essential for endogenous hydrogen peroxide and glutathione production in S. pneumoniae. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the critical role of arginine decarboxylase in pneumococcal stress responses that could impact adaptation and survival in the host.

scholarly journals Moonlighting in Bacillus subtilis: The Small Proteins SR1P and SR7P Regulate the Moonlighting Activity of Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase A (GapA) and Enolase in RNA Degradation

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1046
Author(s):  
Inam Ul Haq ◽  
Sabine Brantl
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Antisense Rna ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Degradation ◽  
Metabolic Enzyme ◽  
Dual Function ◽  
Small Proteins ◽  
Moonlighting Proteins ◽  
Rnase Y

Moonlighting proteins are proteins with more than one function. During the past 25 years, they have been found to be rather widespread in bacteria. In Bacillus subtilis, moonlighting has been disclosed to occur via DNA, protein or RNA binding or protein phosphorylation. In addition, two metabolic enzymes, enolase and phosphofructokinase, were localized in the degradosome-like network (DLN) where they were thought to be scaffolding components. The DLN comprises the major endoribonuclease RNase Y, 3′-5′ exoribonuclease PnpA, endo/5′-3′ exoribonucleases J1/J2 and helicase CshA. We have ascertained that the metabolic enzyme GapA is an additional component of the DLN. In addition, we identified two small proteins that bind scaffolding components of the degradosome: SR1P encoded by the dual-function sRNA SR1 binds GapA, promotes the GapA-RNase J1 interaction and increases the RNase J1 activity. SR7P encoded by the dual-function antisense RNA SR7 binds to enolase thereby enhancing the enzymatic activity of enolase bound RNase Y. We discuss the role of small proteins in modulating the activity of two moonlighting proteins.

scholarly journals Colorectal Cancer Apoptosis Induced by Dietary δ-Valerobetaine Involves PINK1/Parkin Dependent-Mitophagy and SIRT3

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 8117
Author(s):  
Nunzia D’Onofrio ◽  
Elisa Martino ◽  
Luigi Mele ◽  
Antonino Colloca ◽  
Martina Maione ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Colon Cancer Cells ◽  
Protein Levels

Understanding the mechanisms of colorectal cancer progression is crucial in the setting of strategies for its prevention. δ-Valerobetaine (δVB) is an emerging dietary metabolite showing cytotoxic activity in colon cancer cells via autophagy and apoptosis. Here, we aimed to deepen current knowledge on the mechanism of δVB-induced colon cancer cell death by investigating the apoptotic cascade in colorectal adenocarcinoma SW480 and SW620 cells and evaluating the molecular players of mitochondrial dysfunction. Results indicated that δVB reduced cell viability in a time-dependent manner, reaching IC50 after 72 h of incubation with δVB 1.5 mM, and caused a G2/M cell cycle arrest with upregulation of cyclin A and cyclin B protein levels. The increased apoptotic cell rate occurred via caspase-3 activation with a concomitant loss in mitochondrial membrane potential and SIRT3 downregulation. Functional studies indicated that δVB activated mitochondrial apoptosis through PINK1/Parkin pathways, as upregulation of PINK1, Parkin, and LC3B protein levels was observed (p < 0.0001). Together, these findings support a critical role of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy in mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis induced by δVB in SW480 and SW620 colon cancer cells.

scholarly journals The δ subunit and NTPase HelD institute a two-pronged mechanism for RNA polymerase recycling

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao-Hong Pei ◽  
Tarek Hilal ◽  
Zhuo A. Chen ◽  
Yong-Heng Huang ◽  
Yuan Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Nucleic Acids ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Slow Growth ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Main Channel ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Secondary Channel

AbstractCellular RNA polymerases (RNAPs) can become trapped on DNA or RNA, threatening genome stability and limiting free enzyme pools, but how RNAP recycling into active states is achieved remains elusive. In Bacillus subtilis, the RNAP δ subunit and NTPase HelD have been implicated in RNAP recycling. We structurally analyzed Bacillus subtilis RNAP-δ-HelD complexes. HelD has two long arms: a Gre cleavage factor-like coiled-coil inserts deep into the RNAP secondary channel, dismantling the active site and displacing RNA, while a unique helical protrusion inserts into the main channel, prying the β and β′ subunits apart and, aided by δ, dislodging DNA. RNAP is recycled when, after releasing trapped nucleic acids, HelD dissociates from the enzyme in an ATP-dependent manner. HelD abundance during slow growth and a dimeric (RNAP-δ-HelD)2 structure that resembles hibernating eukaryotic RNAP I suggest that HelD might also modulate active enzyme pools in response to cellular cues.

scholarly journals Genetic Analysis of Factors Affecting Susceptibility of Bacillus subtilis to Daptomycin

2009 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 1598-1609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Barbara Hachmann ◽  
Esther R. Angert ◽  
John D. Helmann
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Cell Envelope ◽  
Transcriptional Profiling ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Membrane Composition ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Anionic Phospholipids ◽  
Cyclic Lipopeptide

ABSTRACT Daptomycin is the first of a new class of cyclic lipopeptide antibiotics used against multidrug-resistant, gram-positive pathogens. The proposed mechanism of action involves disruption of the functional integrity of the bacterial membrane in a Ca2+-dependent manner. We have used transcriptional profiling to demonstrate that treatment of Bacillus subtilis with daptomycin strongly induces the lia operon including the autoregulatory LiaRS two-component system (homologous to Staphylococcus aureus VraSR). The lia operon protects against daptomycin, and deletion of liaH, encoding a phage-shock protein A (PspA)-like protein, leads to threefold increased susceptibility. Since daptomycin interacts with the membrane, we tested mutants with altered membrane composition for effects on susceptibility. Deletion mutations of mprF (lacking lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol) or des (lipid desaturase) increased daptomycin susceptibility, whereas overexpression of MprF decreased susceptibility. Conversely, depletion of the cell for the anionic lipid phosphatidylglycerol led to increased resistance. Fluorescently labeled daptomycin localized to the septa and in a helical pattern around the cell envelope and was delocalized upon the depletion of phosphatidylglycerol. Together, these results indicate that the daptomycin-Ca2+ complex interacts preferentially with regions enriched in anionic phospholipids and leads to membrane stresses that can be ameliorated by PspA family proteins.

scholarly journals The binding of NCAM to FGFR1 induces a specific cellular response mediated by receptor trafficking

2009 ◽  
Vol 187 (7) ◽  
pp. 1101-1116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Francavilla ◽  
Paola Cattaneo ◽  
Vladimir Berezin ◽  
Elisabeth Bock ◽  
Diletta Ami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Fgf Receptor ◽  
Neural Cell Adhesion ◽  
Sustained Activation

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) associates with fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor-1 (FGFR1). However, the biological significance of this interaction remains largely elusive. In this study, we show that NCAM induces a specific, FGFR1-mediated cellular response that is remarkably different from that elicited by FGF-2. In contrast to FGF-induced degradation of endocytic FGFR1, NCAM promotes the stabilization of the receptor, which is recycled to the cell surface in a Rab11- and Src-dependent manner. In turn, FGFR1 recycling is required for NCAM-induced sustained activation of various effectors. Furthermore, NCAM, but not FGF-2, promotes cell migration, and this response depends on FGFR1 recycling and sustained Src activation. Our results implicate NCAM as a nonconventional ligand for FGFR1 that exerts a peculiar control on the intracellular trafficking of the receptor, resulting in a specific cellular response. Besides introducing a further level of complexity in the regulation of FGFR1 function, our findings highlight the link of FGFR recycling with sustained signaling and cell migration and the critical role of these events in dictating the cellular response evoked by receptor activation.

scholarly journals Metal-dependent SpoIIE oligomerization stabilizes FtsZ during asymmetric division in Bacillus subtilis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. e0174713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Król ◽  
Anabela de Sousa Borges ◽  
Malgorzata Kopacz ◽  
Dirk-Jan Scheffers
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Asymmetric Division
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