scholarly journals The N Terminus of Rotavirus VP2 Is Necessary for Encapsidation of VP1 and VP3

1998 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Q.-Y. Zeng ◽  
Mary K. Estes ◽  
Annie Charpilienne ◽  
Jean Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Inner Core ◽  
Major Capsid Protein ◽  
Core Layer ◽  
Structural Protein ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Double Stranded Rna ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Far Western Blot

ABSTRACT The innermost core of rotavirus is composed of VP2, which forms a protein layer that surrounds the two minor proteins VP1 and VP3, and the genome of 11 segments of double-stranded RNA. This inner core layer surrounded by VP6, the major capsid protein, constitutes double-layered particles that are transcriptionally active. Each gene encoding a structural protein of double-layered particles has been cloned into baculovirus recombinants and expressed in insect cells. Previously, we showed that coexpression of different combinations of the structural proteins of rotavirus double-layered particles results in the formation of virus-like particles (VLPs), and each VLP containing VP1, the presumed RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, possesses replicase activity as assayed in an in vitro template-dependent assay system (C. Q.-Y. Zeng, M. J. Wentz, J. Cohen, M. E. Estes, and R. F. Ramig, J. Virol. 70:2736–2742, 1996). This work reports construction and characterization of VLPs containing a truncated VP2 (VPΔ2, containing amino acids [aa] Met-93 to 880). Expression of VPΔ2 alone resulted in the formation of single-layered Δ2-VLPs. Coexpression of VPΔ2 with VP6 produced double-layered Δ2/6-VLPs. VLPs formed by coexpression of VPΔ2 and VP1 or VP3, or both VP1 and VP3, resulted in the formation of VLPs lacking both VP1 and VP3. The presence of VP6 with VPΔ2 did not result in encapsidation of VP1 and VP3. To determine the domain of VP2 required for binding VP1, far-Western blot analyses using a series of truncated VP2 constructs were performed to test their ability to bind VP1. These analyses showed that (i) full-length VP2 (aa 1 to 880) binds to VP1, (ii) any N-terminal truncation lacking aa 1 to 25 fails to bind VP1, and (iii) a C-terminal 296-aa truncated VP2 construct (aa 1 to 583) maintains the ability to bind VP1. These analyses indicate that the N terminus of rotavirus VP2 is necessary for the encapsidation of VP1 and VP3.

scholarly journals RNA Helicase A Regulates the Replication of RNA Viruses

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 361
Author(s):  
Rui-Zhu Shi ◽  
Yuan-Qing Pan ◽  
Li Xing
Keyword(s):  
Virus Replication ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Rna Helicase ◽  
Rna Helicase A ◽  
Double Stranded Rna ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
N Terminus

The RNA helicase A (RHA) is a member of DExH-box helicases and characterized by two double-stranded RNA binding domains at the N-terminus. RHA unwinds double-stranded RNA in vitro and is involved in RNA metabolisms in the cell. RHA is also hijacked by a variety of RNA viruses to facilitate virus replication. Herein, this review will provide an overview of the role of RHA in the replication of RNA viruses.

scholarly journals Thaumatin-Like Protein-1 Gene (Bx-tlp-1) Is Associated with the Pathogenicity of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (11) ◽  
pp. 1949-1956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanli Meng ◽  
Yongxia Li ◽  
Xuan Wang ◽  
Yuqian Feng ◽  
Zhenkai Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severity Index ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Bursaphelenchus Xylophilus ◽  
Xylem Cavitation ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Double Stranded Rna ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Pine Trees ◽  
The Relationship

The pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is a destructive species affecting pine trees worldwide; however, the underlying mechanism leading to pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, a B. xylophilus gene encoding thaumatin-like protein-1 (Bx-tlp-1) was silenced by RNA interference to clarify the relationship between the Bx-tlp-1 gene and pathogenicity. The in vitro knockdown of Bx-tlp-1 with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) decreased B. xylophilus reproduction and pathogenicity. Treatments with dsRNA targeting Bx-tlp-1 decreased expression by 90%, with the silencing effect maintained even in the F3 offspring. Pine trees inoculated with B. xylophilus treated with Bx-tlp-1 dsRNA decreased the symptom of wilting, and the disease severity index was 56.7 at 30 days after inoculation. Additionally, analyses of the cavitation of intact pine stem samples by X-ray microtomography revealed that the xylem cavitation area of pine trees inoculated with B. xylophilus treated with Bx-tlp-1 dsRNA was 0.46 mm2 at 30 days after inoculation. Results from this study indicated that the silencing of Bx-tlp-1 has effects on B. xylophilus fitness. The data presented here provide the foundation for future analyses of Bx-tlp-1 functions related to B. xylophilus pathogenicity.

scholarly journals Characterization of the tyramine-producing pathway in Sporolactobacillus sp. P3J

Microbiology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 157 (6) ◽  
pp. 1841-1849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Coton ◽  
María Fernández ◽  
Hein Trip ◽  
Victor Ladero ◽  
Niels L. Mulder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trna Synthetase ◽  
Cloning And Expression ◽  
Clear Correlation ◽  
Tyrosine Decarboxylase ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Polycistronic Mrna ◽  
Tyrosine Concentration ◽  
Putative Phage

A sporulated lactic acid bacterium (LAB) isolated from cider must was shown to harbour the tdc gene encoding tyrosine decarboxylase. The isolate belonged to the Sporolactobacillus genus and may correspond to a novel species. The ability of the tdc-positive strain, Sporolactobacillus sp. strain P3J, to produce tyramine in vitro was demonstrated by using HPLC. A 7535 bp nucleotide sequence harbouring the putative tdc gene was determined. Analysis of the obtained sequence showed that four tyramine production-associated genes [tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (tyrS), tyrosine decarboxylase (tdc), tyrosine permease (tyrP) and Na+/H+ antiporter (nhaC)] were present and were organized as already described in other tyramine-producing LAB. This operon was surrounded by genes showing the highest identities with mobile elements: a putative phage terminase and a putative transposase (downstream and upstream, respectively), suggesting that the tyramine-forming trait was acquired through horizontal gene transfer. Transcription analyses of the tdc gene cluster suggested that tyrS and nhaC are expressed as monocistronic genes while tdc would be part of a polycistronic mRNA together with tyrP. The presence of tyrosine in the culture medium induced the expression of all genes except for tyrS. A clear correlation was observed between initial tyrosine concentration and tyramine production combined with an increase in the final pH reached by the culture. Finally, cloning and expression of the tyrP gene in Lactococcus lactis demonstrated that its product catalyses the exchange of tyrosine and tyramine.

scholarly journals Functional Characterization of the Interaction of Ste50p with Ste11p MAPKKK inSaccharomyces cerevisiae

1999 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 2425-2440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cunle Wu ◽  
Ekkehard Leberer ◽  
David Y. Thomas ◽  
Malcolm Whiteway
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Hog Pathway ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Osmotic Stress Response ◽  
N Terminus

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ste11p protein kinase is a homologue of mammalian MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase kinase kinases (MAPKKKs or MEKKs) as well as theSchizosaccharomyces pombe Byr2p kinase. Ste11p functions in several signaling pathways, including those for mating pheromone response and osmotic stress response. The Ste11p kinase has an N-terminal domain that interacts with other signaling molecules to regulate Ste11p function and direct its activity in these pathways. One of the Ste11p regulators is Ste50p, and Ste11p and Ste50p associate through their respective N-terminal domains. This interaction relieves a negative activity of the Ste11p N terminus, and removal of this negative function is required for Ste11p function in the high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway. The Ste50p/Ste11p interaction is also important (but not essential) for Ste11p function in the mating pathway; in this pathway binding of the Ste11p N terminus with both Ste50p and Ste5p is required, with the Ste5p association playing the major role in Ste11p function. In vitro, Ste50p disrupts an association between the catalytic C terminus and the regulatory N terminus of Ste11p. In addition, Ste50p appears to modulate Ste11p autophosphorylation and is itself a substrate of the Ste11p kinase. Therefore, both in vivo and in vitro data support a role for Ste50p in the regulation of Ste11p activity.

scholarly journals Characterization of the Exoglucanase-Encoding Gene PaEXG2 and Study of Its Role in the Biocontrol Activity of Pichia anomala Strain K

2003 ◽  
Vol 93 (9) ◽  
pp. 1145-1152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy Grevesse ◽  
Philippe Lepoivre ◽  
Mohamed Haïssam Jijakli
Keyword(s):  
Marker Gene ◽  
Glycosylation Site ◽  
Pichia Anomala ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Biocontrol Activity ◽  
Monophosphate Decarboxylase ◽  
Uracil Auxotroph

The PaEXG2 gene, encoding an exo-β-1,3-glucanase, was isolated from the biocontrol agent Pichia anomala strain K. PaEXG2 has the capacity for coding an acidic protein of 427 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 45.7 kDa, a calculated pI of 4.7, and one potential N-glycosylation site. PaEXG2 was disrupted by the insertion of the URA3 marker gene, encoding orotidine monophosphate decarboxylase in strain KU1, a uracil auxotroph derived from strain K. Strain KU1 showed inferior biocontrol activity and colonization of wounds on apples, compared to the prototrophic strain. Antagonism and colonization were recovered after the restoration of prototrophy by transformation with the URA3 gene. Integrative transformation was shown to be mostly ectopic in strain K descendants (only 4% of integration by homologous recombination). PaEXG2 disruption abolished all detectable extracellular exo-β-1,3-glucanase activity in vitro and in situ but did not affect biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea on wounded apples.

scholarly journals Release of Nonstop Ribosomes Is Essential

mBio ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather A. Feaga ◽  
Patrick H. Viollier ◽  
Kenneth C. Keiler
Keyword(s):  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Caulobacter Crescentus ◽  
Stop Codon ◽  
Selective Advantage ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bacterial Phyla ◽  
Almost All

ABSTRACTBacterial ribosomes frequently translate to the 3′ end of an mRNA without terminating at a stop codon. Almost all bacteria use the transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA)-basedtrans-translation pathway to release these “nonstop” ribosomes and maintain protein synthesis capacity.trans-translation is essential in some species, but in others, such asCaulobacter crescentus,trans-translation can be inactivated. To determine whytrans-translation is dispensable inC. crescentus, a Tn-seq screen was used to identify genes that specifically alter growth in cells lackingssrA, the gene encoding tmRNA. One of these genes,CC1214, was essential in ΔssrAcells. Purified CC1214 protein could release nonstop ribosomesin vitro. CC1214 is a homolog of theEscherichia coliArfB protein, and using the CC1214 sequence, ArfB homologs were identified in the majority of bacterial phyla. Most species in whichssrAhas been deleted contain an ArfB homolog, suggesting that release of nonstop ribosomes may be essential in most or all bacteria.IMPORTANCEGenes that are conserved across large phylogenetic distances are expected to confer a selective advantage. The genes required fortrans-translation,ssrAandsmpB, have been found in >99% of sequenced bacterial genomes, suggesting that they are broadly important. However, these genes can be deleted in some species without loss of viability. The identification and characterization ofC. crescentusArfB reveals whytrans-translation is not essential inC. crescentusand suggests that many other bacteria are likely to use ArfB to survive whentrans-translation is compromised.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of the Bacillus thuringiensis phaZ Gene, Encoding New Intracellular Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate Depolymerase

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (21) ◽  
pp. 7592-7599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Ling Tseng ◽  
Hui-Ju Chen ◽  
Gwo-Chyuan Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Thuringiensis ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Significant Similarity ◽  
Phb Depolymerase ◽  
New Type ◽  
Identification And Characterization

ABSTRACTA gene that codes for a novel intracellular poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) depolymerase has now been identified in the genome ofBacillus thuringiensissubsp.israelensisATCC 35646. This gene, previously annotated as a hypothetical 3-oxoadipate enol-lactonase (PcaD) gene and now designatedphaZ, encodes a protein that shows no significant similarity with any known PHB depolymerase. Purified His-tagged PhaZ could efficiently degrade trypsin-activated native PHB granules as well as artificial amorphous PHB granules and release 3-hydroxybutyrate monomer as a hydrolytic product, but it could not hydrolyze denatured semicrystalline PHB. In contrast, purified His-tagged PcaD ofPseudomonas putidawas unable to degrade trypsin-activated native PHB granules and artificial amorphous PHB granules. TheB. thuringiensisPhaZ was inactive againstp-nitrophenylpalmitate, tributyrin, and triolein. Sonication supernatants of the wild-typeB. thuringiensiscells exhibited a PHB-hydrolyzing activity in vitro, whereas those prepared from aphaZmutant lost this activity. ThephaZmutant showed a higher PHB content than the wild type at late stationary phase of growth in a nutrient-rich medium, indicating that this PhaZ can function as a PHB depolymerase in vivo. PhaZ contains a lipase box-like sequence (G-W-S102-M-G) but lacks a signal peptide. A purified His-tagged S102A variant had lost the PHB-hydrolyzing activity. Taken together, these results indicate thatB. thuringiensisharbors a new type of intracellular PHB depolymerase.

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