The highly divergent alpha- and beta-tubulins from Dictyostelium discoideum are encoded by single genes

1993 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 903-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Trivinos-Lagos ◽  
T. Ohmachi ◽  
C. Albrightson ◽  
R.G. Burns ◽  
H.L. Ennis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Blot Analysis ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Beta Tubulin ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Alpha Tubulin

As a step in the characterization of the microtubule system of Dictyostelium discoideum, we have isolated and sequenced full-length cDNA clones that encode the Dictyostelium alpha- and beta-tubulins, as well as the Dictyostelium alpha-tubulin gene. Southern blot analysis suggests that Dictyostelium is unusual in that its genome contains single alpha- and beta-tubulin genes, rather than the multi-gene family common in most eukaryotic organisms. The complete alpha-tubulin cDNA contains 1558 nucleotides, with an open reading frame, that encode a protein of 457 amino acids. The complete beta-tubulin cDNA contains 1572 nucleotides and encodes a protein of 456 amino acids. Analysis of the deduced protein sequences indicates that while there is a significant degree of sequence similarity between the Dictyostelium tubulins and other known tubulins, the Dictyostelium alpha-tubulin displays the greatest sequence divergence yet described. Single alpha- and beta-tubulin transcripts are detected by northern blot analysis during all stages of Dictyostelium development. The highest levels of message accumulate late in germinating spores and vegetative amoebae. Despite changes in alpha- and beta-tubulin mRNA levels, protein levels remain constant throughout development. We have expressed the carboxy-terminal two-thirds of the alpha- and beta-tubulins as trpE fusions in Escherichia coli and used this protein to produce polyclonal antisera specific for the Dictyostelium alpha- and beta-tubulins. These antisera recognize one alpha- and two beta-tubulin spots on western blots of 2-D gels and, by indirect immunofluorescence, both recognize the interphase and mitotic microtubule arrays in vegetative amoebae.

Sequence heterogeneity, multiplicity, and genomic organization of alpha- and beta-tubulin genes in sea urchins

1981 ◽  
Vol 1 (12) ◽  
pp. 1125-1137
Author(s):  
D Alexandraki ◽  
J V Ruderman
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Ribonucleic Acid ◽  
In Vitro Translation ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Beta Tubulin ◽  
Ribonucleic Acids ◽  
Alpha Tubulin ◽  
Messenger Ribonucleic Acid ◽  
Tubulin Genes ◽  
Terminal Amino

We analyzed the multiplicity, heterogeneity, and organization of the genes encoding the alpha and beta tubulins in the sea urchin Lytechinus pictus by using cloned complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) and genomic tubulin sequences. cDNA clones were constructed by using immature spermatogenic testis polyadenylic acid-containing ribonucleic acid as a template. alpha- and beta-tubulin clones were identified by hybrid selection and in vitro translation of the corresponding messenger ribonucleic acids, followed by immunoprecipitation and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of the translation products. The alpha cDNA clone contains a sequence that encodes the 48 C-terminal amino acids of alpha tubulin and 104 base pairs of the 3' nontranslated portion of the messenger ribonucleic acid. The beta cDNA insertion contains the coding sequence for the 100-C terminal amino acids of beta tubulin and 83 pairs of the 3' noncoding sequence. Hybrid selections performed at different criteria demonstrated the presence of several heterogeneous, closely related tubulin messenger ribonucleic acids, suggesting the existence of heterogeneous alpha- and beta-tubulin genes. Hybridization analyses indicated that there are at least 9 to 13 sequences for each of the two tubulin gene families per haploid genome. Hybridization of the cDNA probes to both total genomic DNA and cloned germline DNA fragments gave no evidence for close physical linkage of alpha-tubulin genes with beta-tubulin genes at the DNA level. In contrast, these experiments indicated that some genes within the same family are clustered.

scholarly journals Sequence heterogeneity, multiplicity, and genomic organization of alpha- and beta-tubulin genes in sea urchins.

1981 ◽  
Vol 1 (12) ◽  
pp. 1125-1137 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Alexandraki ◽  
J V Ruderman
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Ribonucleic Acid ◽  
In Vitro Translation ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Beta Tubulin ◽  
Ribonucleic Acids ◽  
Alpha Tubulin ◽  
Messenger Ribonucleic Acid ◽  
Tubulin Genes ◽  
Terminal Amino

We analyzed the multiplicity, heterogeneity, and organization of the genes encoding the alpha and beta tubulins in the sea urchin Lytechinus pictus by using cloned complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) and genomic tubulin sequences. cDNA clones were constructed by using immature spermatogenic testis polyadenylic acid-containing ribonucleic acid as a template. alpha- and beta-tubulin clones were identified by hybrid selection and in vitro translation of the corresponding messenger ribonucleic acids, followed by immunoprecipitation and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of the translation products. The alpha cDNA clone contains a sequence that encodes the 48 C-terminal amino acids of alpha tubulin and 104 base pairs of the 3' nontranslated portion of the messenger ribonucleic acid. The beta cDNA insertion contains the coding sequence for the 100-C terminal amino acids of beta tubulin and 83 pairs of the 3' noncoding sequence. Hybrid selections performed at different criteria demonstrated the presence of several heterogeneous, closely related tubulin messenger ribonucleic acids, suggesting the existence of heterogeneous alpha- and beta-tubulin genes. Hybridization analyses indicated that there are at least 9 to 13 sequences for each of the two tubulin gene families per haploid genome. Hybridization of the cDNA probes to both total genomic DNA and cloned germline DNA fragments gave no evidence for close physical linkage of alpha-tubulin genes with beta-tubulin genes at the DNA level. In contrast, these experiments indicated that some genes within the same family are clustered.

Expression of alpha- and beta-tubulin genes during dimorphic-phase transitions of Histoplasma capsulatum

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 2042-2049
Author(s):  
G S Harris ◽  
E J Keath ◽  
J Medoff
Keyword(s):  
Phase Transitions ◽  
Histoplasma Capsulatum ◽  
Blot Hybridization ◽  
Dot Blot ◽  
Dimorphic Fungus ◽  
Tubulin Gene ◽  
Beta Tubulin ◽  
Two Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Alpha Tubulin

Recent investigations have confirmed the presence of one alpha-tubulin gene (TUB1) and one beta-tubulin gene (TUB2) in the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. In the present study, Northern blot (RNA blot) analyses revealed multiple alpha-tubulin transcripts and a single beta-tubulin transcript in the yeast and mycelial phases of the high-virulence 217B strain and low-virulence Downs strain. S1 nuclease protection assays demonstrated one initiation start site and two major stop sites for the TUB1 transcripts, suggesting that variations in 3' processing generate the alpha-tubulin messages of 2.5 and 2.0 kilobases. Dot blot hybridization experiments indicated that tubulin gene expression is developmentally regulated during the dimorphic phase transitions. alpha- and beta-tubulin mRNAs increased six- to eightfold during the yeast-to-mycelium conversion and decreased two- to threefold during the reverse transition. These changes in tubulin mRNA content coincided with major morphological events associated with H. capsulatum development. Western blots (immunoblots) of H. capsulatum yeast-specific proteins resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis demonstrated a single alpha- and a single beta-tubulin isoform. Multiple tubulin polypeptides expressed in mycelia are probably products of posttranslational modifications.

Regulation of tubulin and actin mRNA production in rat brain: expression of a new beta-tubulin mRNA with development

1983 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
pp. 1333-1342
Author(s):  
J F Bond ◽  
S R Farmer
Keyword(s):  
Rat Brain ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
In Vitro Translation ◽  
Brain Maturation ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Beta Tubulin ◽  
Mrna Species ◽  
Tubulin Mrna ◽  
Actin Mrna

The expression of alpha-tubulin, beta-tubulin, and actin mRNA during rat brain development has been examined by using specific cDNA clones and in vitro translation techniques. During brain maturation (0 to 80 days postnatal), these mRNA species undergo a significant decrease in abundance. The kinetics of this decrease varies between the cerebrum and the cerebellum. These mRNAs are most abundant in both tissues during week 1 postnatal, each representing 10 to 15% of total mRNA activity. Both alpha- and beta-tubulin mRNA content decreases by 90 to 95% in the cerebrum after day 11 postnatal, and 70 to 80% decreases in the cerebellum after day 16. Actin sequences also decrease but to a lesser extent in both tissues (i.e., 50%). These decreases coincide with the major developmental morphological changes (i.e., neurite extension) occurring during this postnatal period. These studies have also identified the appearance of a new 2.5-kilobase beta-tubulin mRNA species, which is more predominant in the cerebellar cytoplasm. The appearance of this form occurs at a time when the major 1.8-kilobase beta-tubulin mRNA levels are declining. The possibility that the tubulin multigene family is phenotypically expressed and then this expression responds to the morphological state of the nerve cells is discussed.

scholarly journals An amino-terminal tetrapeptide specifies cotranslational degradation of beta-tubulin but not alpha-tubulin mRNAs.

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 4076-4086 ◽  
Author(s):  
C J Bachurski ◽  
N G Theodorakis ◽  
R M Coulson ◽  
D W Cleveland
Keyword(s):  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Mrna Degradation ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Beta Tubulin ◽  
Alpha Tubulin ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Tubulin Subunit ◽  
Tubulin Mrna

The steady-state level of alpha- and beta-tubulin synthesis is autoregulated by a posttranscriptional mechanism that selectively alters alpha- and beta-tubulin mRNA levels in response to changes in the unassembled tubulin subunit concentration. For beta-tubulin mRNAs, previous efforts have shown that this is the result of a selective mRNA degradation mechanism which involves cotranslational recognition of the nascent amino-terminal beta-tubulin tetrapeptide as it emerges from the ribosome. Site-directed mutagenesis is now used to determine that the minimal sequence requirement for conferring the full range of beta-tubulin autoregulation is the amino-terminal tetrapeptide MR(E/D)I. Although tubulin-dependent changes in alpha-tubulin mRNA levels are shown to result from changes in cytoplasmic mRNA stability, transfection of wild-type and mutated alpha-tubulin genes reveals that alpha- and beta-tubulin mRNA degradation is not mediated through a common pathway. Not only does the amino-terminal alpha-tubulin tetrapeptide MREC fail to confer regulated mRNA degradation, neither wild-type alpha-tubulin transgenes nor an alpha-tubulin gene mutated to encode an amino-terminal MREI yields mRNAs that are autoregulated. Further, although slowing ribosome transit accelerates the autoregulated degradation of endogenous alpha- and beta-tubulin mRNAs, degradation of alpha-tubulin transgene mRNAs is not enhanced, and in one case, the mRNA is actually stabilized. We conclude that, despite similarities, alpha- and beta-tubulin mRNA destabilization pathways utilize divergent determinants to link RNA instability to tubulin subunit concentrations.

scholarly journals The two alpha-tubulin genes of Chlamydomonas reinhardi code for slightly different proteins.

1985 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 2389-2398 ◽  
Author(s):  
C D Silflow ◽  
R L Chisholm ◽  
T W Conner ◽  
L P Ranum
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Beta Tubulin ◽  
Alpha Tubulin ◽  
Tubulin Genes ◽  
Total Complement ◽  
Cloned Gene ◽  
Net Charges

Full-length cDNA clones corresponding to the transcripts of the two alpha-tubulin genes in Chlamydomonas reinhardi were isolated. DNA sequence analysis of the cDNA clones and cloned gene fragments showed that each gene contains 1,356 base pairs of coding sequence, predicting alpha-tubulin products of 451 amino acids. Of the 27 nucleotide differences between the two genes, only two result in predicted amino acid differences between the two gene products. In the more divergent alpha 2 gene, a leucine replaces an arginine at amino acid 308, and a valine replaces a glycine at amino acid 366. The results predicted that two alpha-tubulin proteins with different net charges are produced as primary gene products. The predicted amino acid sequences are 86 and 70% homologous with alpha-tubulins from rat brain and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, respectively. Each gene had two intervening sequences, located at identical positions. Portions of an intervening sequence highly conserved between the two beta-tubulin genes are also found in the second intervening sequence of each of the alpha genes. These results, together with our earlier report of the beta-tubulin sequences in C. reinhardi, present a picture of the total complement of genetic information for tubulin in this organism.

scholarly journals A cDNA clone for human glucosamine-6-sulphatase reveals differences between arylsulphatases and non-arylsulphatases

1992 ◽  
Vol 288 (2) ◽  
pp. 539-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
D A Robertson ◽  
C Freeman ◽  
C P Morris ◽  
J J Hopwood
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Genetic Disorder ◽  
Heparan Sulphate ◽  
Leader Peptide ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Lysosomal Storage ◽  
Glycosylation Sites

Glucosamine-6-sulphatase is an exo-hydrolase required for the lysosomal degradation of heparan sulphate and keratan sulphate. Deficiency of glucosamine-6-sulphatase activity leads to the lysosomal storage of the glycosaminoglycan, heparan sulphate and the monosaccharide sulphate N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulphate and the autosomal recessive genetic disorder mucopolysaccharidosis type IIID. Glucosamine-6-sulphatase can be classified as a non-arylsulphatase since, relative to arylsulphatase B, it shows negligible activity toward 4-methylumbelliferyl sulphate. We have isolated human cDNA clones and derived amino acid sequence coding for the entire glucosamine-6-sulphatase protein. The predicted sequence has 552 amino acids with a leader peptide of 36 amino acids and contains 13 potential N-glycosylation sites, of which it is likely that 10 are used. Glucosamine-6-sulphatase shows strong sequence similarity to other sulphatases such as the family of arylsulphatases, although the degree of similarity is not as high as that between members of the arylsulphatase family. This pattern of inter- and intra-family similarity delineates regions and amino acid residues that may be critical for sulphatase function and substrate specificity.

Regulation of the gene encoding the p24 actin-binding protein in Dictyostelium discoideum

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 1047-1054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T. Greenwood ◽  
Adrian Tsang
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Early Development ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Protein Synthesis Inhibitor ◽  
Predicted Amino Acid Sequence ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Actin Binding Protein

We have isolated cDNA clones on the basis of sequence similarity to the gene encoding the cyclic cAMP-binding protein CABP1 of Dictyostelium discoideum. The predicted amino acid sequence of the cloned cDNAs shows that the homology to CABP1 is restricted to a region rich in proline, glycine, glutamine, and tyrosine. Sequence comparison indicates that the cloned cDNAs encode the actin-binding protein p24. We have examined by RNA blot hybridization the expression of the gene encoding p24. For cells developed in suspension, the levels of p24 mRNA increase rapidly during early development, reaching a peak at 3–4 h. Addition of high concentrations of exogenous cAMP during the first 4 h of development produced little or no effect on the accumulation of p24 mRNA. Treatment with cAMP during subsequent stages of development reduced the levels of p24 mRNA. We attempted to determine if the synthesis of new proteins during early development is a requirement for the reduction in p24 mRNA levels by treating the cells with protein synthesis inhibitor. Unexpectedly, the addition of the inhibitor cycloheximide resulted in an increase in the level of p24 mRNA. The roles of cycloheximide and cAMP on the expression of the p24 gene are discussed.Key words: Dictyostelium discoideum, actin-binding protein, gene regulation, cAMP, cycloheximide.

scholarly journals Regulation of tubulin and actin mRNA production in rat brain: expression of a new beta-tubulin mRNA with development.

1983 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
pp. 1333-1342 ◽  
Author(s):  
J F Bond ◽  
S R Farmer
Keyword(s):  
Rat Brain ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
In Vitro Translation ◽  
Brain Maturation ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Beta Tubulin ◽  
Mrna Species ◽  
Tubulin Mrna ◽  
Actin Mrna

The expression of alpha-tubulin, beta-tubulin, and actin mRNA during rat brain development has been examined by using specific cDNA clones and in vitro translation techniques. During brain maturation (0 to 80 days postnatal), these mRNA species undergo a significant decrease in abundance. The kinetics of this decrease varies between the cerebrum and the cerebellum. These mRNAs are most abundant in both tissues during week 1 postnatal, each representing 10 to 15% of total mRNA activity. Both alpha- and beta-tubulin mRNA content decreases by 90 to 95% in the cerebrum after day 11 postnatal, and 70 to 80% decreases in the cerebellum after day 16. Actin sequences also decrease but to a lesser extent in both tissues (i.e., 50%). These decreases coincide with the major developmental morphological changes (i.e., neurite extension) occurring during this postnatal period. These studies have also identified the appearance of a new 2.5-kilobase beta-tubulin mRNA species, which is more predominant in the cerebellar cytoplasm. The appearance of this form occurs at a time when the major 1.8-kilobase beta-tubulin mRNA levels are declining. The possibility that the tubulin multigene family is phenotypically expressed and then this expression responds to the morphological state of the nerve cells is discussed.

scholarly journals A Rab4-like GTPase in Dictyostelium discoideum colocalizes with V-H(+)-ATPases in reticular membranes of the contractile vacuole complex and in lysosomes

1994 ◽  
Vol 107 (10) ◽  
pp. 2801-2812 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Bush ◽  
K. Nolta ◽  
J. Rodriguez-Paris ◽  
N. Kaufmann ◽  
T. O'Halloran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Blot Analysis ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Amino Acid Level ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Contractile Vacuole ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Atpase Subunit ◽  
Cell Extracts ◽  
Gradient Fractionation

In the course of screening a cDNA library for ras-related Dictyostelium discoideum genes, we cloned a 0.7 kb cDNA (rabD) encoding a putative protein that was 70% identical at the amino acid level to human Rab4. Rab4 is a small M(r) GTPase, which belongs to the Ras superfamily and functions to regulate endocytosis in mammalian cells. Southern blot analysis indicated that the rabD cDNA was encoded by a single copy gene while Northern blot analysis revealed that the rabD gene was expressed at relatively constant levels during growth and differentiation. Affinity-purified antibodies were prepared against a RabD fusion protein expressed in bacteria; the antibodies recognized a single 23 kDa polypeptide on western blots of cell extracts. Density gradient fractionation revealed that the RabD antigen co-distributed primarily with buoyant membranes rich in vacuolar protons pumps (V-H(+)-ATPases) and, to a lesser extent, with lysosomes. This result was confirmed by examining cell lines expressing an epitope-tagged version of RabD. Magnetically purified early endocytic vesicles and post-lysosomal vacuoles reacted more weakly with anti-RabD antibodies than did lysosomes. Other organelles were negative for RabD. Double-label indirect immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that RabD and the 100 kDa V-H(+)-ATPase subunit colocalized in a fine reticular network throughout the cytoplasm. This network was reminiscent of spongiomes, the tubular elements of the contractile vacuole system. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed the presence of RabD in lysosome fractions and in the membranes rich in V-H(+)-ATPase. We conclude that a Rab4-like GTPase in D. discoideum is principally associated with the spongiomes of contractile vacuole complex.

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