Enhanced Carbohydrate Metabolism and Salinity Tolerance of Tobacco Plants Overexpressing a Vacuolar H+-ATPase Subunit B2 (DoVHAb2) Gene from Yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.)

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 504-513
Author(s):  
Ying Shao ◽  
Yanfang Zhang ◽  
Shuchun Guo ◽  
Lingmin Zhao ◽  
Xiaohua Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salinity Tolerance ◽  
Starch Content ◽  
Nacl Stress ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Starch Metabolism ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Tobacco Plants ◽  
Atpase Subunit ◽  
Functional Studies

ATP synthase plays a vital role in plant growth and stress tolerance, functional studies of DoVHAb2 in yam tuber starch metabolism and salinity tolerance have so far not been reported. Full-length cloning and analysis of DoVHAb2 were conducted to ascertain its function. The gDNAs were cloned and analyzed. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was probed in yam tuber developmental stage and different organs of DoVHAb2. Transient expression vector was constructed and injected into tobacco leaves to observe the subcellular localization of genes. Overexpressed fusion vector of gene was constructed and transformed into tobacco by Agrobacterium-mediated method to identify the function of DoVHAb2 gene. In the results, the full-length of DoVHAb2 was 1926 bp, encoding 488 amino acids, and it was divided into 14 exons and 15 introns, its highest expression was found in tubers than in stems and leaves in yam, the yam DoVHAb2 protein was localized to cytoplasm. The starch content, ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase, starch synthase and ATPase activity were significantly higher in transgenic tobacco plants than in the wild-type. The transgenic plants also had higher leaf differentiation rate, soluble protein content, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities, and lower malondialdehyde content than the wild type under NaCl stress. In conclusion, the results indicated that overexpression of DoVHAb2 enhanced starch metabolism and conferred salinity tolerance.

scholarly journals HIV-1 Envelope and MPER antibody structures in lipid assemblies

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimmo Rantalainen ◽  
Zachary T. Berndsen ◽  
Aleksandar Antanasijevic ◽  
Torben Schiffner ◽  
Xi Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Structural Studies ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Antibody Complex ◽  
Modular Platform ◽  
Lipid Assemblies ◽  
Hiv 1

SummaryStructural and functional studies of HIV Env as a transmembrane protein have long been complicated by challenges associated with inherent flexibility of the molecule and the membrane-embedded hydrophobic regions. Thus, most structural studies have utilized soluble forms where the regions C-terminal to the ectodomain are deleted. Here, we present approaches for incorporating full-length, wild-type HIV-1 Env, as well as C-terminally truncated and stabilized versions, into lipid assemblies, providing a modular platform for Env structural studies by single particle electron microscopy. We reconstituted a full-length Env clone into a nanodisc with MSP1D1 scaffold, complexed it with an MPER targeting antibody 10E8, and structurally defined the full quaternary epitope of 10E8 consisting of lipid, MPER and ectodomain contacts. By aligning this and other Env-MPER antibody complex reconstructions with the lipid bilayer, we observe evidence of Env tilting as part of the neutralization mechanism for MPER-targeting antibodies. We also adapted the platform toward vaccine design purposes by introducing stabilizing mutations that allow purification of unliganded Env with peptidisc scaffold.

scholarly journals The H+-pyrophosphatase IbVP1 regulates carbon flux to influence the starch metabolism and yield of sweet potato

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Weijuan Fan ◽  
Yandi Zhang ◽  
Yinliang Wu ◽  
Wenzhi Zhou ◽  
Jun Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sweet Potato ◽  
Starch Content ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Phloem Loading ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Starch Metabolism ◽  
Fibrous Root ◽  
Storage Roots ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Starch Production

AbstractStorage roots of sweet potato are important sink organs for photoassimilates and energy, and carbohydrate metabolism in storage roots affects yield and starch production. Our previous study showed that sweet potato H+-pyrophosphatase (IbVP1) plays a vital role in mitigating iron deficiency and positively controls fibrous root growth. However, its roles in regulating starch production in storage roots have not been investigated. In this study, we found that IbVP1 overexpression in sweet potato improved the photosynthesis ability of and sucrose content in source leaves and increased both the starch content in and total yield of sink tissues. Using 13C-labeled sucrose feeding, we determined that IbVP1 overexpression promotes phloem loading and sucrose long-distance transport and enhances Pi-use efficiency. In sweet potato plants overexpressing IbVP1, the expression levels of starch biosynthesis pathway genes, especially AGPase and GBSSI, were upregulated, leading to changes in the structure, composition, and physicochemical properties of stored starch. Our study shows that the IbVP1 gene plays an important role in regulating starch metabolism in sweet potato. Application of the VP1 gene in genetic engineering of sweet potato cultivars may allow the improvement of starch production and yield under stress or nutrient-limited conditions.

scholarly journals NTRC and Thioredoxin f Overexpression Differentially Induces Starch Accumulation in Tobacco Leaves

Plants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 543 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Ancín ◽  
Luis Larraya ◽  
Alicia Fernández-San Millán ◽  
Jon Veramendi ◽  
Tessa Burch-Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Starch Content ◽  
Starch Synthesis ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Starch Accumulation ◽  
Starch Metabolism ◽  
Reductive Activation ◽  
Amylolytic Enzyme ◽  
Tobacco Plants ◽  
Tobacco Leaves ◽  
The Impact

Thioredoxin (Trx) f and NADPH-dependent Trx reductase C (NTRC) have both been proposed as major redox regulators of starch metabolism in chloroplasts. However, little is known regarding the specific role of each protein in this complex mechanism. To shed light on this point, tobacco plants that were genetically engineered to overexpress the NTRC protein from the chloroplast genome were obtained and compared to previously generated Trx f-overexpressing transplastomic plants. Likewise, we investigated the impact of NTRC and Trx f deficiency on starch metabolism by generating Nicotiana benthamiana plants that were silenced for each gene. Our results demonstrated that NTRC overexpression induced enhanced starch accumulation in tobacco leaves, as occurred with Trx f. However, only Trx f silencing leads to a significant decrease in the leaf starch content. Quantitative analysis of enzyme activities related to starch synthesis and degradation were determined in all of the genotypes. Zymographic analyses were additionally performed to compare the amylolytic enzyme profiles of both transplastomic tobacco plants. Our findings indicated that NTRC overexpression promotes the accumulation of transitory leaf starch as a consequence of a diminished starch turnover during the dark period, which seems to be related to a significant reductive activation of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and/or a deactivation of a putative debranching enzyme. On the other hand, increased starch content in Trx f-overexpressing plants was connected to an increase in the capacity of soluble starch synthases during the light period. Taken together, these results suggest that NTRC and the ferredoxin/Trx system play distinct roles in starch turnover.

scholarly journals Identification of Full-Length Wild-Type and Mutant Huntingtin Interacting Proteins by Crosslinking Immunoprecipitation in Mice Brain Cortex

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Karen A. Sap ◽  
Arzu Tugce Guler ◽  
Aleksandra Bury ◽  
Dick Dekkers ◽  
Jeroen A.A. Demmers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Huntington's Disease ◽  
Huntington’S Disease ◽  
Brain Cortex ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Interacting Proteins ◽  
Mutant Huntingtin ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Mutant Huntingtin Protein ◽  
Mice Brain

Background: Huntington’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG expansion in the huntingtin gene, resulting in a polyglutamine expansion in the ubiquitously expressed mutant huntingtin protein. Objective: Here we set out to identify proteins interacting with the full-length wild-type and mutant huntingtin protein in the mice cortex brain region to understand affected biological processes in Huntington’s disease pathology. Methods: Full-length huntingtin with 20 and 140 polyQ repeats were formaldehyde-crosslinked and isolated via their N-terminal Flag-tag from 2-month-old mice brain cortex. Interacting proteins were identified and quantified by label-free liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results: We identified 30 interactors specific for wild-type huntingtin, 14 interactors specific for mutant huntingtin and 14 shared interactors that interacted with both wild-type and mutant huntingtin, including known interactors such as F8a1/Hap40. Syt1, Ykt6, and Snap47, involved in vesicle transport and exocytosis, were among the proteins that interacted specifically with wild-type huntingtin. Various other proteins involved in energy metabolism and mitochondria were also found to associate predominantly with wild-type huntingtin, whereas mutant huntingtin interacted with proteins involved in translation including Mapk3, Eif3h and Eef1a2. Conclusion: Here we identified both shared and specific interactors of wild-type and mutant huntingtin, which are involved in different biological processes including exocytosis, vesicle transport, translation and metabolism. These findings contribute to the understanding of the roles that wild-type and mutant huntingtin play in a variety of cellular processes both in healthy conditions and Huntington’s disease pathology.

Streblus asper Lour. exerts MAPK and SKN-1 mediated anti-aging, anti-photoaging activities and imparts neuroprotection by ameliorating Aβ in Caenorhabditis elegans

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Mani Iyer Prasanth ◽  
James Michael Brimson ◽  
Dicson Sheeja Malar ◽  
Anchalee Prasansuklab ◽  
Tewin Tencomnao
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Stress Resistance ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Transgenic Strain ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Streblus Asper

BACKGROUND: Streblus asper Lour., has been reported to have anti-aging and neuroprotective efficacies in vitro. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the anti-aging, anti-photoaging and neuroprotective efficacies of S. asper in Caenorhabditis elegans. METHODS: C. elegans (wild type and gene specific mutants) were treated with S. asper extract and analyzed for lifespan and other health benefits through physiological assays, fluorescence microscopy, qPCR and Western blot. RESULTS: The plant extract was found to increase the lifespan, reduce the accumulation of lipofuscin and modulate the expression of candidate genes. It could extend the lifespan of both daf-16 and daf-2 mutants whereas the pmk-1 mutant showed no effect. The activation of skn-1 was observed in skn-1::GFP transgenic strain and in qPCR expression. Further, the extract can extend the lifespan of UV-A exposed nematodes along with reducing ROS levels. Additionally, the extract also extends lifespan and reduces paralysis in Aβ transgenic strain, apart from reducing Aβ expression. CONCLUSIONS: S. asper was able to extend the lifespan and healthspan of C. elegans which was independent of DAF-16 pathway but dependent on SKN-1 and MAPK which could play a vital role in eliciting the anti-aging, anti-photoaging and neuroprotective effects, as the extract could impart oxidative stress resistance and neuroprotection.

scholarly journals The RelA hydrolase domain acts as a molecular switch for (p)ppGpp synthesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anurag Kumar Sinha ◽  
Kristoffer Skovbo Winther
Keyword(s):  
Active Sites ◽  
Molecular Switch ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Synthetase Activity ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Loop Region ◽  
A Site ◽  
Trna Binding

AbstractBacteria synthesize guanosine tetra- and penta phosphate (commonly referred to as (p)ppGpp) in response to environmental stresses. (p)ppGpp reprograms cell physiology and is essential for stress survival, virulence and antibiotic tolerance. Proteins of the RSH superfamily (RelA/SpoT Homologues) are ubiquitously distributed and hydrolyze or synthesize (p)ppGpp. Structural studies have suggested that the shift between hydrolysis and synthesis is governed by conformational antagonism between the two active sites in RSHs. RelA proteins of γ-proteobacteria exclusively synthesize (p)ppGpp and encode an inactive pseudo-hydrolase domain. Escherichia coli RelA synthesizes (p)ppGpp in response to amino acid starvation with cognate uncharged tRNA at the ribosomal A-site, however, mechanistic details to the regulation of the enzymatic activity remain elusive. Here, we show a role of the enzymatically inactive hydrolase domain in modulating the activity of the synthetase domain of RelA. Using mutagenesis screening and functional studies, we identify a loop region (residues 114–130) in the hydrolase domain, which controls the synthetase activity. We show that a synthetase-inactive loop mutant of RelA is not affected for tRNA binding, but binds the ribosome less efficiently than wild type RelA. Our data support the model that the hydrolase domain acts as a molecular switch to regulate the synthetase activity.

scholarly journals Rootstocks Overexpressing StNPR1 and StDREB1 Improve Osmotic Stress Tolerance of Wild-Type Scion in Transgrafted Tobacco Plants

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 8398
Author(s):  
Yasmine S. Hezema ◽  
Mukund R. Shukla ◽  
Alok Goel ◽  
Murali M. Ayyanath ◽  
Sherif M. Sherif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Osmotic Stress ◽  
Transgenic Tobacco ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Graft Union ◽  
Tobacco Plants ◽  
Osmotic Stress Tolerance ◽  
And Function ◽  
Gene Expression Levels

In grafted plants, the movement of long-distance signals from rootstocks can modulate the development and function of the scion. To understand the mechanisms by which tolerant rootstocks improve scion responses to osmotic stress (OS) conditions, mRNA transport of osmotic responsive genes (ORGs) was evaluated in a tomato/potato heterograft system. In this system, Solanum tuberosum was used as a rootstock and Solanum lycopersicum as a scion. We detected changes in the gene expression levels of 13 out of the 21 ORGs tested in the osmotically stressed plants; of these, only NPR1 transcripts were transported across the graft union under both normal and OS conditions. Importantly, OS increased the abundance of StNPR1 transcripts in the tomato scion. To examine mRNA mobility in transgrafted plants, StNPR1 and StDREB1 genes representing the mobile and non-mobile transcripts, respectively, were overexpressed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). The evaluation of transgenic tobacco plants indicated that overexpression of these genes enhanced the growth and improved the physiological status of transgenic plants growing under OS conditions induced by NaCl, mannitol and polyethylene glycol (PEG). We also found that transgenic tobacco rootstocks increased the OS tolerance of the WT-scion. Indeed, WT scions on transgenic rootstocks had higher ORGs transcript levels than their counterparts on non-transgenic rootstocks. However, neither StNPR1 nor StDREB1 transcripts were transported from the transgenic rootstock to the wild-type (WT) tobacco scion, suggesting that other long-distance signals downstream these transgenes could have moved across the graft union leading to OS tolerance. Overall, our results signify the importance of StNPR1 and StDREB1 as two anticipated candidates for the development of stress-resilient crops through transgrafting technology.

scholarly journals Overexpression of the pitaya phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase gene (HpPEAMT) enhanced simulated drought stress in tobacco

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ai-Hua Wang ◽  
Lan Yang ◽  
Xin-Zhuan Yao ◽  
Xiao-Peng Wen
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Transgenic Plants ◽  
Drought Tolerance ◽  
Transgenic Tobacco ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Amino Acid Sequence Similarity ◽  
Transgenic Tobacco Plants ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Tobacco Plants

AbstractPhosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEAMTase) catalyzes the methylation of phosphoethanolamine to produce phosphocholine and plays an important role in the abiotic stress response. Although the PEAMT genes has been isolated from many species other than pitaya, its role in the drought stress response has not yet been fully elucidated. In the present study, we isolated a 1485 bp cDNA fragment of HpPEAMT from pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus). Phylogenetic analysis showed that, during its evolution, HpPEAMT has shown a high degree of amino acid sequence similarity with the orthologous genes in Chenopodiaceae species. To further investigate the function of HpPEAMT, we generated transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing HpPEAMT, and the transgenic plants accumulated significantly more glycine betaine (GB) than did the wild type (WT). Drought tolerance trials indicated that, compared with those of the wild-type (WT) plants, the roots of the transgenic plants showed higher drought tolerance ability and exhibited improved drought tolerance. Further analysis revealed that overexpression of HpPEAM in Nicotiana tabacum resulted in upregulation of transcript levels of GB biosynthesis-related genes (NiBADH, NiCMO and NiSDC) in the leaves. Furthermore, compared with the wild-type plants, the transgenic tobacco plants displayed a significantly lower malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and higher activities of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) antioxidant enzymes under drought stress. Taken together, our results suggested that HpPEAMT enhanced the drought tolerance of transgenic tobacco.

scholarly journals Expression and Functional Assessment of an Alternatively Spliced Extracellular Ca2+-Sensing Receptor in Growth Plate Chondrocytes

Endocrinology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 146 (12) ◽  
pp. 5294-5303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Rodriguez ◽  
Chialing Tu ◽  
Zhiqiang Cheng ◽  
Tsui-Hua Chen ◽  
Daniel Bikle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Growth Plate ◽  
Inositol Phosphate ◽  
Intact Cell ◽  
Chinese Hamster ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Growth Plate Chondrocytes ◽  
Matrix Gene ◽  
Alternatively Spliced

The extracellular Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaR) plays an essential role in mineral homeostasis. Studies to generate CaR-knockout (CaR−/−) mice indicate that insertion of a neomycin cassette into exon 5 of the mouse CaR gene blocks the expression of full-length CaRs. This strategy, however, allows for the expression of alternatively spliced CaRs missing exon 5 [Exon5(−)CaRs]. These experiments addressed whether growth plate chondrocytes (GPCs) from CaR−/− mice express Exon5(−)CaRs and whether these receptors activate signaling. RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry confirmed the expression of Exon5(−)CaR in growth plates from CaR−/− mice. In Chinese hamster ovary or human embryonic kidney-293 cells, recombinant human Exon5(−)CaRs failed to activate phospholipase C likely due to their inability to reach the cell surface as assessed by intact-cell ELISA and immunocytochemistry. Human Exon5(−)CaRs, however, trafficked normally to the cell surface when overexpressed in wild-type or CaR−/− GPCs. Immunocytochemistry of growth plate sections and cultured GPCs from CaR−/− mice showed easily detectable cell-membrane expression of endogenous CaRs (presumably Exon5(−)CaRs), suggesting that trafficking of this receptor form to the membrane can occur in GPCs. In GPCs from CaR−/− mice, high extracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]e) increased inositol phosphate production with a potency comparable with that of wild-type GPCs. Raising [Ca2+]e also promoted the differentiation of CaR−/− GPCs as indicated by changes in proteoglycan accumulation, mineral deposition, and matrix gene expression. Taken together, our data support the idea that expression of Exon5(−)CaRs may compensate for the loss of full-length CaRs and be responsible for sensing changes in [Ca2+]e in GPCs in CaR−/− mice.

scholarly journals Altered V-ATPase expression in renal intercalated cells isolated from B1 subunit-deficient mice by fluorescence-activated cell sorting

2013 ◽  
Vol 304 (5) ◽  
pp. F522-F532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Vedovelli ◽  
John T. Rothermel ◽  
Karin E. Finberg ◽  
Carsten A. Wagner ◽  
Anie Azroyan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Sorting ◽  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Egfp Expression ◽  
Intercalated Cells ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Atpase Subunit ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Baseline Conditions ◽  
Deficient Mice

Unlike human patients with mutations in the 56-kDa B1 subunit isoform of the vacuolar proton-pumping ATPase (V-ATPase), B1-deficient mice (Atp6v1b1−/−) do not develop metabolic acidosis under baseline conditions. This is due to the insertion of V-ATPases containing the alternative B2 subunit isoform into the apical membrane of renal medullary collecting duct intercalated cells (ICs). We previously reported that quantitative Western blots (WBs) from whole kidneys showed similar B2 protein levels in Atp6v1b1−/− and wild-type mice (Păunescu TG, Russo LM, Da Silva N, Kovacikova J, Mohebbi N, Van Hoek AN, McKee M, Wagner CA, Breton S, Brown D. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 293: F1915–F1926, 2007). However, WBs from renal medulla (including outer and inner medulla) membrane and cytosol fractions reveal a decrease in the levels of the ubiquitous V-ATPase E1 subunit. To compare V-ATPase expression specifically in ICs from wild-type and Atp6v1b1−/− mice, we crossed mice in which EGFP expression is driven by the B1 subunit promoter (EGFP-B1+/+ mice) with Atp6v1b1−/− mice to generate novel EGFP-B1−/− mice. We isolated pure IC populations by fluorescence-assisted cell sorting from EGFP-B1+/+ and EGFP-B1−/− mice to compare their V-ATPase subunit protein levels. We report that V-ATPase A, E1, and H subunits are all significantly downregulated in EGFP-B1−/− mice, while the B2 protein level is considerably increased in these animals. We conclude that under baseline conditions B2 upregulation compensates for the lack of B1 and is sufficient to maintain basal acid-base homeostasis, even when other V-ATPase subunits are downregulated.

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