scholarly journals An Acidic Cluster of Human Cytomegalovirus UL99 Tegument Protein Is Required for Trafficking and Function

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 1488-1502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R. Jones ◽  
Shi-Wu Lee
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Human Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Cytoplasmic Vacuole ◽  
Viral Growth ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Tegument Proteins ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACT The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) virion is comprised of a linear double-stranded DNA genome, proteinaceous capsid and tegument, and a lipid envelope containing virus-encoded glycoproteins. Of these components, the tegument is the least well defined in terms of both protein content and function. Several of the major tegument proteins are phosphoproteins (pp), including pp150, pp71, pp65, and pp28. pp28, encoded by the UL99 open reading frame (ORF), traffics to vacuole-like cytoplasmic structures and was shown recently to be essential for envelopment. To elucidate the UL99 amino acid sequences necessary for its trafficking and function in the HCMV replication cycle, two types of viral mutants were analyzed. Using a series of recombinant viruses expressing various UL99-green fluorescent protein fusions, we demonstrate that myristoylation at glycine 2 and an acidic cluster (AC; amino acids 44 to 57) are required for the punctate perinuclear and cytoplasmic (vacuole-like) localization observed for wild-type pp28. A second approach involving the generation of several UL99 deletion mutants indicated that at least the C-terminal two-thirds of this ORF is nonessential for viral growth. Furthermore, the data suggest that an N-terminal region of UL99 containing the AC is required for viral growth. Regarding virion incorporation or UL99-encoded proteins, we provide evidence that suggests that a hypophosphorylated form of pp28 is incorporated, myristoylation is required, and sequences within the first 57 amino acids are sufficient.

Targeting motifs and functional parameters governing the assembly of connexins into gap junctions

2000 ◽  
Vol 349 (1) ◽  
pp. 281-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia E. M. MARTIN ◽  
James STEGGLES ◽  
Claire WILSON ◽  
Shoeb AHMAD ◽  
W. Howard EVANS
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Gap Junction ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Lucifer Yellow ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Green Fluorescent

To study the assembly of gap junctions, connexin-green-fluorescent-protein (Cx-GFP) chimeras were expressed in COS-7 and HeLa cells. Cx26- and Cx32-GFP were targeted to gap junctions where they formed functional channels that transferred Lucifer Yellow. A series of Cx32-GFP chimeras, truncated from the C-terminal cytoplasmic tail, were studied to identify amino acid sequences governing targeting from intracellular assembly sites to the gap junction. Extensive truncation of Cx32 resulted in failure to integrate into membranes. Truncation of Cx32 to residue 207, corresponding to removal of most of the 78 amino acids on the cytoplasmic C-terminal tail, led to arrest in the endoplasmic reticulum and incomplete oligomerization. However, truncation to amino acid 219 did not impair Cx oligomerization and connexon hemichannels were targeted to the plasma membrane. It was concluded that a crucial gap-junction targeting sequence resides between amino acid residues 207 and 219 on the cytoplasmic C-terminal tail of Cx32. Studies of a Cx32E208K mutation identified this as one of the key amino acids dictating targeting to the gap junction, although oligomerization of this site-specific mutation into hexameric hemichannels was relatively unimpaired. The studies show that expression of these Cx-GFP constructs in mammalian cells allowed an analysis of amino acid residues involved in gap-junction assembly.

scholarly journals Molecular cloning and characterization of CIDE-3, a novel member of the cell-death-inducing DNA-fragmentation-factor (DFF45)-like effector family

2003 ◽  
Vol 370 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang LIANG ◽  
Mujun ZHAO ◽  
Zhenhua XU ◽  
Kazunari K. YOKOYAMA ◽  
Tsaiping LI
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Small Intestine ◽  
Dna Fragmentation ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Green Fluorescent

DNA fragmentation is one of the critical steps in apoptosis, which is induced by DNA fragmentation factor (DFF). DFF is composed of two subunits, a 40kDa caspase-activated nuclease (DFF40) and a 45kDa inhibitor (DFF45). Recently a novel family of cell-death-inducing DFF45-like effectors (CIDEs) has been identified. Among CIDEs, two from human (CIDE-A and CIDE-B) and three from mouse (CIDE-A, CIDE-B and FSP27) have been reported. In this study human CIDE-3, a novel member of CIDEs, was identified upon sequence analysis of a previously unidentified cDNA that encoded a protein of 238 amino acids. It was shown to be a human homologue of mouse FSP27, and shared homology with the CIDE-N and CIDE-C domains of CIDEs. Apoptosis-inducing activity was clearly shown by DNA-fragmentation assay of the nuclear DNA of CIDE-3 transfected 293T cells. The expression pattern of CIDE-3 was different from that of CIDE-B. As shown by Northern-blot analysis, CIDE-3 was expressed mainly in human small intestine, heart, colon and stomach, while CIDE-B showed strong expression in liver and small intestine and at a lower level in colon, kidney and spleen. Green-fluorescent-protein-tagged CIDE-3 was revealed in some cytosolic corpuscles. Alternative splicing of the CIDE-3 gene was also identified by reverse transcription PCR, revealing that two transcripts, CIDE-3 and CIDE-3α, were present in HepG2 and A375 cells. CIDE-3 comprised a full-length open reading frame with 238 amino acids; in CIDE-3α exon 3 was deleted and it encoded a protein of 164 amino acids. Interestingly the CIDE-3α isoform still kept the apoptosis-inducing activity and showed the same pattern of subcellular localization as CIDE-3. Consistent with its chromosome localization at 3p25, a region associated with high frequency loss of heterozygosity in many tumours, CIDE-3 may play an important role in prevention of tumorigenesis.

scholarly journals Purification, Characterization, and Gene Analysis of a Chitosanase (ChoA) from Matsuebacter chitosanotabidus3001

1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (21) ◽  
pp. 6642-6649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Kweon Park ◽  
Kumiko Shimono ◽  
Nobuhisa Ochiai ◽  
Kazutaka Shigeru ◽  
Masako Kurita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Genomic Library ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Glycol Chitosan ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Acid Protein ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Potential Inhibitors

ABSTRACT The extracellular chitosanase (34,000 M r) produced by a novel gram-negative bacterium Matsuebacter chitosanotabidus 3001 was purified. The optimal pH of this chitosanase was 4.0, and the optimal temperature was between 30 and 40°C. The purified chitosanase was most active on 90% deacetylated colloidal chitosan and glycol chitosan, both of which were hydrolyzed in an endosplitting manner, but this did not hydrolyze chitin, cellulose, or their derivatives. Among potential inhibitors, the purified chitosanase was only inhibited by Ag+. Internal amino acid sequences of the purified chitosanase were obtained. A PCR fragment corresponding to one of these amino acid sequences was then used to screen a genomic library for the entire choA gene encoding chitosanase. Sequencing of the choA gene revealed an open reading frame encoding a 391-amino-acid protein. The N-terminal amino acid sequence had an excretion signal, but the sequence did not show any significant homology to other proteins, including known chitosanases. The 80-amino-acid excretion signal of ChoA fused to green fluorescent protein was functional in Escherichia coli. Taken together, these results suggest that we have identified a novel, previously unreported chitosanase.

scholarly journals Yeast Mitochondrial Initiator tRNA Is Methylated at Guanosine 37 by the Trm5-encoded tRNA (Guanine-N1-)-methyltransferase

2007 ◽  
Vol 282 (38) ◽  
pp. 27744-27753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changkeun Lee ◽  
Gisela Kramer ◽  
David E. Graham ◽  
Dean R. Appling
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Subcellular Fractionation ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein Synthesis ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Initiator Trna ◽  
Chromatography Analysis ◽  
Green Fluorescent

The TRM5 gene encodes a tRNA (guanine-N1-)-methyltransferase (Trm5p) that methylates guanosine at position 37 (m1G37) in cytoplasmic tRNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we show that Trm5p is also responsible for m1G37 methylation of mitochondrial tRNAs. The TRM5 open reading frame encodes 499 amino acids containing four potential initiator codons within the first 48 codons. Full-length Trm5p, purified as a fusion protein with maltose-binding protein, exhibited robust methyltransferase activity with tRNA isolated from a Δtrm5 mutant strain, as well as with a synthetic mitochondrial initiator tRNA (tRNAMetf). Primer extension demonstrated that the site of methylation was guanosine 37 in both mitochondrial tRNAMetf and tRNAPhe. High pressure liquid chromatography analysis showed the methylated product to be m1G. Subcellular fractionation and immunoblotting of a strain expressing a green fluorescent protein-tagged version of the TRM5 gene revealed that the enzyme was localized to both cytoplasm and mitochondria. The slightly larger mitochondrial form was protected from protease digestion, indicating a matrix localization. Analysis of N-terminal truncation mutants revealed that a Trm5p active in the cytoplasm could be obtained with a construct lacking amino acids 1–33 (Δ1–33), whereas production of a Trm5p active in the mitochondria required these first 33 amino acids. Yeast expressing the Δ1–33 construct exhibited a significantly lower rate of oxygen consumption, indicating that efficiency or accuracy of mitochondrial protein synthesis is decreased in cells lacking m1G37 methylation of mitochondrial tRNAs. These data suggest that this tRNA modification plays an important role in reading frame maintenance in mitochondrial protein synthesis.

scholarly journals Novel Inner Membrane Retention Signals in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lipoproteins

2008 ◽  
Vol 190 (18) ◽  
pp. 6119-6125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn Lewenza ◽  
Musa M. Mhlanga ◽  
Anthony P. Pugsley
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Optical Sectioning ◽  
Inner Membrane ◽  
Outer Membrane Lipoprotein ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACT The ultimate membrane localization and function of most of the 185 predicted Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 lipoproteins remain unknown. We constructed a fluorescent lipoprotein, CSFPOmlA-ChFP, by fusing the signal peptide and the first four amino acids of the P. aeruginosa outer membrane lipoprotein OmlA to the monomeric red fluorescent protein mCherry (ChFP). When cells were plasmolyzed with 0.5 M NaCl, the inner membrane separated from the outer membrane and formed plasmolysis bays. This permits the direct observation of fluorescence in either the outer or inner membrane. CSFPOmlA-ChFP was shown to localize in the outer membrane by fluorescence microscopy and immunoblotting analysis of inner and outer membrane fractions. The site-directed substitution of the amino acids at positions +2, +3, and +4 in CSFPOmlA-ChFP was performed to test the effects on lipoprotein localization of a series of amino acid sequences selected from a panel of predicted lipoproteins. We confirmed Asp+2 and Lys+3 Ser+4 function as inner membrane retention signals and identified four novel inner membrane retention signals: CK+2 V+3 E+4, CG+2 G+3 G+4, CG+2 D+3 D+4, and CQ+2 G+3 S+4. These inner membrane retention signals are found in 5% of the 185 predicted P. aeruginosa lipoproteins. Full-length chimeras of predicted lipoproteins PA4370 and PA3262 fused to mCherry were shown to reside in the inner membrane and showed a nonuniform or patchy distribution in the membrane. The optical sectioning of cells producing PA4370CGDD-ChFP and PA3262CDSQ-ChFP by confocal microscopy improved the resolution and indicated a helix-like localization pattern in the inner membrane. The method described here permits the in situ visualization of lipoprotein localization and should work equally well for other membrane-associated proteins.

scholarly journals The Essential Human Cytomegalovirus Proteins pUL77 and pUL93 Are Structural Components Necessary for Viral Genome Encapsidation

2016 ◽  
Vol 90 (13) ◽  
pp. 5860-5875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Maria Borst ◽  
Rudolf Bauerfeind ◽  
Anne Binz ◽  
Thomas Min Stephan ◽  
Sebastian Neuber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Viral Genome ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Unit Length ◽  
Start Codon ◽  
Nuclear Targeting ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Genome Encapsidation ◽  
Insight Into

ABSTRACTSeveral essential viral proteins are proposed to participate in genome encapsidation of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), among them pUL77 and pUL93, which remain largely uncharacterized. To gain insight into their properties, we generated an HCMV mutant expressing a pUL77-monomeric enhanced green fluorescent protein (mGFP) fusion protein and a pUL93-specific antibody. Immunoblotting demonstrated that both proteins are incorporated into capsids and virions. Conversely to data suggesting internal translation initiation sites within the UL93 open reading frame (ORF), we provide evidence that pUL93 synthesis commences at the first start codon. In infected cells, pUL77-mGFP was found in nuclear replication compartments and dot-like structures, colocalizing with capsid proteins. Immunogold labeling of nuclear capsids revealed that pUL77 is present on A, B, and C capsids. Pulldown of pUL77-mGFP revealed copurification of pUL93, indicating interaction between these proteins, which still occurred when capsid formation was prevented. Correct subnuclear distribution of pUL77-mGFP required pUL93 as well as the major capsid protein (and thus probably the presence of capsids), but not the tegument protein pp150 or the encapsidation protein pUL52, demonstrating that pUL77 nuclear targeting occurs independently of the formation of DNA-filled capsids. When pUL77 or pUL93 was missing, generation of unit-length genomes was not observed, and only empty B capsids were produced. Taken together, these results show that pUL77 and pUL93 are capsid constituents needed for HCMV genome encapsidation. Therefore, the task of pUL77 seems to differ from that of its alphaherpesvirus orthologue pUL25, which exerts its function subsequent to genome cleavage-packaging.IMPORTANCEThe essential HCMV proteins pUL77 and pUL93 were suggested to be involved in viral genome cleavage-packaging but are poorly characterized both biochemically and functionally. By producing a monoclonal antibody against pUL93 and generating an HCMV mutant in which pUL77 is fused to a fluorescent protein, we show that pUL77 and pUL93 are capsid constituents, with pUL77 being similarly abundant on all capsid types. Each protein is required for genome encapsidation, as the absence of either pUL77 or pUL93 results in a genome packaging defect with the formation of empty capsids only. This distinguishes pUL77 from its alphaherpesvirus orthologue pUL25, which is enriched on DNA-filled capsids and exerts its function after the viral DNA is packaged. Our data for the first time describe an HCMV mutant with a fluorescent capsid and provide insight into the roles of pUL77 and pUL93, thus contributing to a better understanding of the HCMV encapsidation network.

scholarly journals Cellular Targets of Functional and Dysfunctional Mutants of Tobacco Mosaic Virus Movement Protein Fused to Green Fluorescent Protein

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (23) ◽  
pp. 11339-11346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitaly Boyko ◽  
Jessica van der Laak ◽  
Jacqueline Ferralli ◽  
Elena Suslova ◽  
Myoung-Ok Kwon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Tobacco Mosaic Virus ◽  
Inclusion Bodies ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Movement Protein ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Intercellular Transport ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT Intercellular transport of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) RNA involves the accumulation of virus-encoded movement protein (MP) in plasmodesmata (Pd), in endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived inclusion bodies, and on microtubules. The functional significance of these interactions in viral RNA (vRNA) movement was tested in planta and in protoplasts with TMV derivatives expressing N- and C-terminal deletion mutants of MP fused to the green fluorescent protein. Deletion of 55 amino acids from the C terminus of MP did not interfere with the vRNA transport function of MP:GFP but abolished its accumulation in inclusion bodies, indicating that accumulation of MP at these ER-derived sites is not a requirement for function in vRNA intercellular movement. Deletion of 66 amino acids from the C terminus of MP inactivated the protein, and viral infection occurred only upon complementation in plants transgenic for MP. The functional deficiency of the mutant protein correlated with its inability to associate with microtubules and, independently, with its absence from Pd at the leading edge of infection. Inactivation of MP by N-terminal deletions was correlated with the inability of the protein to target Pd throughout the infection site, whereas its associations with microtubules and inclusion bodies were unaffected. The observations support a role of MP-interacting microtubules in TMV RNA movement and indicate that MP targets microtubules and Pd by independent mechanisms. Moreover, accumulation of MP in Pd late in infection is insufficient to support viral movement, confirming that intercellular transport of vRNA relies on the presence of MP in Pd at the leading edge of infection.

Sequence and expression of the dCMP deaminase gene (DCD1) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 1711-1721
Author(s):  
E M McIntosh ◽  
R H Haynes
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Open Reading Frame ◽  
Northern Analysis ◽  
Hindiii Site ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Hindiii Restriction Site ◽  
Cycle Dependent

The dCMP deaminase gene (DCD1) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been isolated by screening a Sau3A clone bank for complementation of the dUMP auxotrophy exhibited by dcd1 dmp1 haploids. Plasmid pDC3, containing a 7-kilobase (kb) Sau3A insert, restores dCMP deaminase activity to dcd1 mutants and leads to an average 17.5-fold overproduction of the enzyme in wild-type cells. The complementing activity of the plasmid was localized to a 4.2-kb PvuII restriction fragment within the Sau3A insert. Subcloning experiments demonstrated that a single HindIII restriction site within this fragment lies within the DCD1 gene. Subsequent DNA sequence analysis revealed a 936-nucleotide open reading frame encompassing this HindIII site. Disruption of the open reading frame by integrative transformation led to a loss of enzyme activity and confirmed that this region constitutes the dCMP deaminase gene. Northern analysis indicated that the DCD1 mRNA is a 1.15-kb poly(A)+ transcript. The 5' end of the transcript was mapped by primer extension and appears to exhibit heterogeneous termini. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of the T2 bacteriophage dCMP deaminase with that deduced for the yeast enzyme revealed a limited degree of homology which extends over the entire length of the phage polypeptide (188 amino acids) but is confined to the carboxy-terminal half of the yeast protein (312 amino acids). A potential dTTP-binding site in the yeast and phage enzymes was identified by comparison of homologous regions with the amino acid sequences of a variety of other dTTP-binding enzymes. Despite the role of dCMP deaminase in dTTP biosynthesis, Northern analysis revealed that the DCD1 gene is not subject to the same cell cycle-dependent pattern of transcription recently found for the yeast thymidylate synthetase gene (TMP1).

scholarly journals Sec1p Binds to SNARE Complexes and Concentrates at Sites of Secretion

1999 ◽  
Vol 146 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chavela M. Carr ◽  
Eric Grote ◽  
Mary Munson ◽  
Frederick M. Hughson ◽  
Peter J. Novick
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Snare Complex ◽  
The Other ◽  
Complex Assembly ◽  
Vesicle Docking ◽  
Neuronal Protein ◽  
The Core ◽  
Target Membrane ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
And Function

Proteins of the Sec1 family have been shown to interact with target-membrane t-SNAREs that are homologous to the neuronal protein syntaxin. We demonstrate that yeast Sec1p coprecipitates not only the syntaxin homologue Ssop, but also the other two exocytic SNAREs (Sec9p and Sncp) in amounts and in proportions characteristic of SNARE complexes in yeast lysates. The interaction between Sec1p and Ssop is limited by the abundance of SNARE complexes present in sec mutants that are defective in either SNARE complex assembly or disassembly. Furthermore, the localization of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Sec1p coincides with sites of vesicle docking and fusion where SNARE complexes are believed to assemble and function. The proposal that SNARE complexes act as receptors for Sec1p is supported by the mislocalization of GFP-Sec1p in a mutant defective for SNARE complex assembly and by the robust localization of GFP-Sec1p in a mutant that fails to disassemble SNARE complexes. The results presented here place yeast Sec1p at the core of the exocytic fusion machinery, bound to SNARE complexes and localized to sites of secretion.

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