scholarly journals Coronavirus Particle Assembly: Primary Structure Requirements of the Membrane Protein

1998 ◽  
Vol 72 (8) ◽  
pp. 6838-6850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cornelis A. M. de Haan ◽  
Lili Kuo ◽  
Paul S. Masters ◽  
Harry Vennema ◽  
Peter J. M. Rottier

ABSTRACT Coronavirus-like particles morphologically similar to normal virions are assembled when genes encoding the viral membrane proteins M and E are coexpressed in eukaryotic cells. Using this envelope assembly assay, we have studied the primary sequence requirements for particle formation of the mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) M protein, the major protein of the coronavirion membrane. Our results show that each of the different domains of the protein is important. Mutations (deletions, insertions, point mutations) in the luminal domain, the transmembrane domains, the amphiphilic domain, or the carboxy-terminal domain had effects on the assembly of M into enveloped particles. Strikingly, the extreme carboxy-terminal residue is crucial. Deletion of this single residue abolished particle assembly almost completely; most substitutions were strongly inhibitory. Site-directed mutations in the carboxy terminus of M were also incorporated into the MHV genome by targeted recombination. The results supported a critical role for this domain of M in viral assembly, although the M carboxy terminus was more tolerant of alteration in the complete virion than in virus-like particles, likely because of the stabilization of virions by additional intermolecular interactions. Interestingly, glycosylation of M appeared not essential for assembly. Mutations in the luminal domain that abolished the normal O glycosylation of the protein or created an N-glycosylated form had no effect. Mutant M proteins unable to form virus-like particles were found to inhibit the budding of assembly-competent M in a concentration-dependent manner. However, assembly-competent M was able to rescue assembly-incompetent M when the latter was present in low amounts. These observations support the existence of interactions between M molecules that are thought to be the driving force in coronavirus envelope assembly.

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 5212-5224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Mach ◽  
Karolina Osinski ◽  
Barbara Kropff ◽  
Ursula Schloetzer-Schrehardt ◽  
Magdalena Krzyzaniak ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Glycoproteins M and N (gM and gN, respectively) are among the few proteins that are conserved across the herpesvirus family. The function of the complex is largely unknown. Whereas deletion from most alphaherpesviruses has marginal effects on the replication of the respective viruses, both proteins are essential for replication of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). We have constructed a series of mutants in gN to study the function of this protein. gN of HCMV is a type I glycoprotein containing a short carboxy-terminal domain of 14 amino acids, including two cysteine residues directly adjacent to the predicted transmembrane anchor at positions 125 and 126. Deletion of the entire carboxy-terminal domain as well as substitution with the corresponding region from alpha herpesviruses or mutations of both cysteine residues resulted in a replication-incompetent virus. Recombinant viruses containing point mutations of either cysteine residue could be generated. These viruses were profoundly defective for replication. Complex formation of the mutant gNs with gM and transport of the complex to the viral assembly compartment appeared unaltered compared to the wild type. However, in infected cells, large numbers of capsids accumulated in the cytoplasm that failed to acquire an envelope. Transiently expressed gN was shown to be modified by palmitic acid at both cysteine residues. In summary, our data suggest that the carboxy-terminal domain of gN plays a critical role in secondary envelopment of HCMV and that palmitoylation of gN appears to be essential for function in secondary envelopment of HCMV and virus replication.


Genome ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 752-762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Sameny ◽  
John Locke

Transposable elements are found in the genomes of all eukaryotes and play a critical role in altering gene expression and genome organization. In Drosophila melanogaster, transposable P elements are responsible for the phenomenon of hybrid dysgenesis. KP elements, a deletion-derivative of the complete P element, can suppress this mutagenic effect. KP elements can also silence the expression of certain other P-element-mediated transgenes in a process called P-element-dependent silencing (PDS), which is thought to involve the recruitment of heterochromatin proteins. To explore the mechanism of this silencing, we have mobilized KP elements to create a series of strains that contain single, well-defined KP insertions that show PDS. To understand the quantitative role of KP elements in PDS, these single inserts were combined in a series of crosses to obtain genotypes with zero, one, or two KP elements, from which we could examine the effect of KP gene dose. The extent of PDS in these genotypes was shown to be dose dependent in a logarithmic rather than linear fashion. A logarithmic dose dependency is consistent with the KP products interacting with heterochromatic proteins in a concentration-dependent manner such that two molecules are needed to induce gene silencing.


Author(s):  
Pranav Gupta ◽  
Radhika V. Kumar ◽  
Chul-Hoon Kwon ◽  
Zhe-Sheng Chen

Background: DNA topoisomerases are a class of enzymes that play a critical role in fundamental biological processes of replication, transcription, recombination, repair and chromatin remodeling. Amsacrine (m-AMSA), the best-known compound of 9-anilinoacridines series was one of the first DNA-intercalating agents to be considered as a Topoisomerase II inhibitor. Objective: A series of sulfur containing 9-anilinoacridines related to amsacrine were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity. Methods: Cell viability was assessed by the MTT assay. The topoisomerase II inhibitory assay was performed using the Human topoisomerase II Assay kit and flow cytometry was used to evaluate the effects on cell cycle of K562 cells. Molecular docking was performed using Schrödinger Maestro program. Results: Compound 36 was found to be the most cytotoxic of the sulfide series against SW620, K562, and MCF-7. The limited SAR suggested the importance of the methansulfonamidoacetamide side chain functionality, the lipophilicity and relative metabolic stability of 36 in contributing to the cytotoxicity. Topoisomerase II α inhibitory activity appeared to be involved in the cytotoxicity of 36 through inhibition of decatenation of kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) in a concentration dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis further showed the Topo II inhibition through accumulation of K562 cells in G2/M phase of cell cycle. Docking of 36 into the Topo II α-DNA complex suggested that it may be an allosteric inhibitor of Topo II α. Conclusion: Compound 36 exhibits anticancer activity by inhibiting topoisomerase II and it could further be evaluated in in vivo models.


2010 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Meier ◽  
Neslihan N. Tavraz ◽  
Katharina L. Dürr ◽  
Thomas Friedrich

The Na+/K+-ATPase mediates electrogenic transport by exporting three Na+ ions in exchange for two K+ ions across the cell membrane per adenosine triphosphate molecule. The location of two Rb+ ions in the crystal structures of the Na+/K+-ATPase has defined two “common” cation binding sites, I and II, which accommodate Na+ or K+ ions during transport. The configuration of site III is still unknown, but the crystal structure has suggested a critical role of the carboxy-terminal KETYY motif for the formation of this “unique” Na+ binding site. Our two-electrode voltage clamp experiments on Xenopus oocytes show that deletion of two tyrosines at the carboxy terminus of the human Na+/K+-ATPase α2 subunit decreases the affinity for extracellular and intracellular Na+, in agreement with previous biochemical studies. Apparently, the ΔYY deletion changes Na+ affinity at site III but leaves the common sites unaffected, whereas the more extensive ΔKETYY deletion affects the unique site and the common sites as well. In the absence of extracellular K+, the ΔYY construct mediated ouabain-sensitive, hyperpolarization-activated inward currents, which were Na+ dependent and increased with acidification. Furthermore, the voltage dependence of rate constants from transient currents under Na+/Na+ exchange conditions was reversed, and the amounts of charge transported upon voltage pulses from a certain holding potential to hyperpolarizing potentials and back were unequal. These findings are incompatible with a reversible and exclusively extracellular Na+ release/binding mechanism. In analogy to the mechanism proposed for the H+ leak currents of the wild-type Na+/K+-ATPase, we suggest that the ΔYY deletion lowers the energy barrier for the intracellular Na+ occlusion reaction, thus destabilizing the Na+-occluded state and enabling inward leak currents. The leakage currents are prevented by aromatic amino acids at the carboxy terminus. Thus, the carboxy terminus of the Na+/K+-ATPase α subunit represents a structural and functional relay between Na+ binding site III and the intracellular cation occlusion gate.


1990 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 777-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
J B McCarthy ◽  
A P Skubitz ◽  
Z Qi ◽  
X Y Yi ◽  
D J Mickelson ◽  
...  

Cell adhesion to extracellular matrix components such as fibronectin has a complex basis, involving multiple determinants on the molecule that react with discrete cell surface macromolecules. Our previous results have demonstrated that normal and transformed cells adhere and spread on a 33-kD heparin binding fragment that originates from the carboxy-terminal end of particular isoforms (A-chains) of human fibronectin. This fragment promotes melanoma adhesion and spreading in an arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl-serine (RGDS) independent manner, suggesting that cell adhesion to this region of fibronectin is independent of the typical RGD/integrin-mediated binding. Two synthetic peptides from this region of fibronectin were recently identified that bound [3H]heparin in a solid-phase assay and promoted the adhesion and spreading of melanoma cells (McCarthy, J. B., M. K. Chelberg, D. J. Mickelson, and L. T. Furcht. 1988. Biochemistry. 27:1380-1388). The current studies further define the cell adhesion and heparin binding properties of one of these synthetic peptides. This peptide, termed peptide I, has the sequence YEKPGSP-PREVVPRPRPGV and represents residues 1906-1924 of human plasma fibronectin. In addition to promoting RGD-independent melanoma adhesion and spreading in a concentration-dependent manner, this peptide significantly inhibited cell adhesion to the 33-kD fragment or intact fibronectin. Polyclonal antibodies generated against peptide I also significantly inhibited cell adhesion to the peptide, to the 33-kD fragment, but had minimal effect on melanoma adhesion to fibronectin. Anti-peptide I antibodies also partially inhibited [3H]heparin binding to fibronectin, suggesting that peptide I represents a major heparin binding domain on the intact molecule. The cell adhesion activity of another peptide from the 33-kD fragment, termed CS1 (Humphries, M. J., A. Komoriya, S. K. Akiyama, K. Olden, and K. M. Yamada. 1987. J. Biol. Chem., 262:6886-6892) was contrasted with peptide I. Whereas both peptides promoted RGD-independent cell adhesion, peptide CS1 failed to bind heparin, and exogenous peptide CS1 failed to inhibit peptide I-mediated cell adhesion. The results demonstrate a role for distinct heparin-dependent and -independent cell adhesion determinants on the 33-kD fragment, neither of which are related to the RGD-dependent integrin interaction with fibronectin.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 145-145
Author(s):  
Hanan Abdel-Monem ◽  
Swapan Kumar Dasgupta ◽  
Anhquyen Le ◽  
Anthony Prakasam ◽  
Perumal Thiagarajan

Abstract Abstract 145 The physiological function of β2-glycoprotein I is unclear and several studies suggest a role in the clearance of anionic phospholipid containing membranes. Anionic phospholipid containing liposomes are cleared rapidly from the circulation by the reticuloendothelial cells. In rats, uptake of liposomes by Kupffer cells requires that the liposomes bind to plasma proteins. In mice, the clearance of liposomes from the circulation is related to their ability to interact with plasma proteins. β2-glycoprotein I was identified as a major protein associated with rapid clearance of liposomes and pretreating the mice with antiβ2- glycoprotein I antibodies was found to significantly increase the half-life of the liposome. In vitro, β2-glycoprotein I was also shown to promote the phagocytosis of phosphatidylserine containing liposomes and apoptotic tumor cells. In conditions associated with increased microvesicles generation such as disseminated intravascular coagulation, plasma levels of β;2-glycoprotein I was reduced presumably due to its consumption. Antibodies to β2 glycoprotein I are frequently seen in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and at times, in otherwise normal individuals. A subset of these antibodies prevents the assembly of the prothrombinase and the tenase complexes on phospholipid membrane, leading to the lupus anticoagulant effect. The presence of these antibodies is clinically very significant, as individuals harboring these antibodies are at risk for thromboembolic manifestations. We studied the role of β-glycoprotein I in the clearance of procoagulant platelet microvesicles and the effect of the auto antibodies in the phagocytosis of platelet microvesicles. We labeled β2-glycoprotein I with BODIPY (4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene)-hydrazide and β2-glycoprotein I incorporated 1.8 mole of BODIPY /mole. Labeling of β2-glycoprotein I with BODIPY did not change the binding efficacy of β2-glycoprotein I to cardiolipin as determined by Elisa assay. Binding of BODIPY-β2-glycoprotein I to platelet microvesicles was analyzed by flow cytometry. BODIPY- β2-glycoprotein I bound to phosphatidylserine-expressing platelet microvesicles in a concentration-dependent manner. Binding was inhibited by 50 fold molar excess of unlabeled β2-glycoprotein I, annexin A5 and the phosphatidylserine-binding C1C2 fragment of lactadherin. β2-glycoprotein I also promoted the phagocytosis of platelet microvesicles by THP-1 derived macrophages in vitro at physiological plasma concentrations with a half maximal effect at ∼10 ug/ml. β2-glycoprotein I-mediated phagocytosis was inhibited by annexin V and the C1C2 fragment of lactadherin. Furthermore, immunoaffinity purified β2-glycoprotein I-dependent antiphospholipid antibodies from 5 patients inhibited the phagocytosis in a concentration dependent manner. These studies suggest β2-glycoprotein I binding to phosphatidylserine-expressing procoagulant platelet microvesicles promotes their clearance by macrophages and autoantibodies to β2-glycoprotein I inhibit the process. The predictive value of antiβ-2 glycoprotein I for thrombosis is highly variable but the correlation is stronger in patients with lupus. In lupus, there is impaired clearance of procoagulant apoptotic cells. β2-glycoprotein I may have a significant role in their clearance and antibodies to β2-glycoprotein I may causally related to the thrombosis in these patients by inhibiting the clearance. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Genetics ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 124 (4) ◽  
pp. 797-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Petitjean ◽  
F Hilger ◽  
K Tatchell

Abstract The CDC25 gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an essential component of the RAS-adenylate cyclase pathway. Genetic and biochemical evidence has led to the proposal that the gene product may act upstream of RAS, possibly as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor. We report here the cloning, sequencing and characterization of four mutations in the CDC25 gene. All four are missense mutations which reside within the carboxy-terminal quarter of the single open reading frame found within the gene. Three of the four are missense mutations in the same amino acid codon. A search of protein data bases reveals that the carboxy terminus of the putative CDC25 gene product is similar to that of LTE1, a gene required for growth at low temperature and SCD25, a suppressor of cdc25. Taken together these data indicate that the carboxy terminus of CDC25 plays a critical role in the function of the CDC25 gene product and that other proteins, such as LTE1 or SCD25, may have related activities.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nusrat Sharmeen ◽  
Chris Law ◽  
Cunle Wu

Polarization or directional growth is a major morphological change that occurs in yeast cells during pheromone response to mate with the opposite partner. In the pheromone signaling pathway, the adaptor Ste50 is required to bind MAP3K Ste11 for proper polarization; cells lacking Ste50 are impaired in polarization. Direct involvement of Ste50 in the polarization process has not been explored systematically. Here, we used single-cell fluorescent time-lapse microscopy to characterize Ste50 involvement in the establishment of cell polarity. We found early localization of Ste50 patches on the cell cortex that mark the point of shmoo initiation, these polarity sites move, and patches remain associated with the growing shmoo tip in a pheromone concentration-dependent manner until shmoo maturation. By quantitative analysis we show that polarization corelates with the rising levels of Ste50 enabling rapid individual cell responses to pheromone that corresponds to a critical level of Ste50 at the initial G1 phase. Suggesting Ste50 to be a pheromone responsive gene. We exploited the quantitative differences in the pattern of Ste50 expression to corelate with the cell-cell phenotypic heterogeneity showing Ste50 involvement in the cellular differentiation choices. Taken together, these findings present spatiotemporal localization of Ste50 during yeast polarization, suggesting that Ste50 is a component of the polarisome, and plays a critical role in regulating the polarized growth of shmoo during pheromone response.


2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (1) ◽  
pp. H169-H181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harjot K. Saini ◽  
Naranjan S. Dhalla

Although inhibition of the sarcolemmal (SL) Na+-K+-ATPase is known to cause an increase in the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) by stimulating the SL Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX), the involvement of other SL sites in inducing this increase in [Ca2+]i is not fully understood. Isolated rat cardiomyocytes were treated with or without different agents that modify Ca2+ movements by affecting various SL sites and were then exposed to ouabain. Ouabain was observed to increase the basal levels of both [Ca2+]i and intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) as well as to augment the KCl-induced increases in both [Ca2+]i and [Na+]i in a concentration-dependent manner. The ouabain-induced changes in [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i were attenuated by treatment with inhibitors of SL Na+/H+ exchanger and SL Na+ channels. Both the ouabain-induced increase in basal [Ca2+]i and augmentation of the KCl response were markedly decreased when cardiomyocytes were exposed to 0–10 mM Na+. Inhibitors of SL NCX depressed but decreasing extracellular Na+ from 105–35 mM augmented the ouabain-induced increase in basal [Ca2+]i and the KCl response. Not only was the increase in [Ca2+]i by ouabain dependent on the extracellular Ca2+ concentration, but it was also attenuated by inhibitors of SL L-type Ca2+ channels and store-operated Ca2+ channels (SOC). Unlike the SL L-type Ca2+-channel blocker, the blockers of SL Na+ channel and SL SOC, when used in combination with SL NCX inhibitor, showed additive effects in reducing the ouabain-induced increase in basal [Ca2+]i. These results support the view that in addition to SL NCX, SL L-type Ca2+ channels and SL SOC may be involved in raising [Ca2+]i on inhibition of the SL Na+-K+-ATPase by ouabain. Furthermore, both SL Na+/H+ exchanger and Na+ channels play a critical role in the ouabain-induced Ca2+ increase in cardiomyocytes.


2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 1559-1569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick J. Lupardus ◽  
Karlene A. Cimprich

The DNA damage checkpoint pathways sense and respond to DNA damage to ensure genomic stability. The ATR kinase is a central regulator of one such pathway and phosphorylates a number of proteins that have roles in cell cycle progression and DNA repair. Using the Xenopus egg extract system, we have investigated regulation of the Rad1/Hus1/Rad9 complex. We show here that phosphorylation of Rad1 and Hus1 occurs in an ATR- and TopBP1-dependent manner on T5 of Rad1 and S219 and T223 of Hus1. Mutation of these sites has no effect on the phosphorylation of Chk1 by ATR. Interestingly, phosphorylation of Rad1 is independent of Claspin and the Rad9 carboxy terminus, both of which are required for Chk1 phosphorylation. These data suggest that an active ATR signaling complex exists in the absence of the carboxy terminus of Rad9 and that this carboxy-terminal domain may be a specific requirement for Chk1 phosphorylation and not necessary for all ATR-mediated signaling events. Thus, Rad1 phosphorylation provides an alternate and early readout for the study of ATR activation.


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