scholarly journals Functional characterisation of tetanus and botulinum neurotoxins binding domains

1999 ◽  
Vol 112 (16) ◽  
pp. 2715-2724 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Lalli ◽  
J. Herreros ◽  
S.L. Osborne ◽  
C. Montecucco ◽  
O. Rossetto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intracellular Transport ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Heavy Chains ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Functional Characterisation ◽  
Clostridial Neurotoxins ◽  
Botulinum Neurotoxins ◽  
Carboxy Terminal ◽  
Recombinant Fragments

Tetanus and botulinum neurotoxins constitute a family of bacterial protein toxins responsible for two deadly syndromes in humans (tetanus and botulism, respectively). They bind with high affinity to neurons wherein they cause a complete inhibition of evoked neurotransmitter release. Here we report on the cloning, expression and use of the recombinant fragments of the heavy chains of tetanus neurotoxin and botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A, B and E as tools to study the neurospecific binding of the holotoxins. We found that the recombinant 50 kDa carboxy-terminal domains of tetanus and botulinum neurotoxins alone are responsible for the specific binding and internalisation into spinal cord cells in culture. Moreover, we provide evidence that the recombinant fragments block the internalization of the parental holotoxins in a dose-dependent manner, as determined by following the neurotoxin-dependent cleavage of their targets VAMP/synaptobrevin and SNAP-25. In addition, the recombinant binding fragments cause a significant delay in the paralysis induced by the corresponding holotoxin on the mouse phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation. Taken together, these results show that the carboxy-terminal domain of tetanus and botulinum neurotoxins is necessary and sufficient for the binding and internalisation of these proteins in neurons and open the possibility to use them as tools for the functional characterisation of the intracellular transport of clostridial neurotoxins.

Effect of the Hirudin Carboxy-Terminal Peptide 54-65 on the Interaction of Thrombin with Platelets

1991 ◽  
Vol 66 (03) ◽  
pp. 300-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martine Jandrot-Perrus ◽  
Marie-Geneviève Huisse ◽  
John L Krstenansky ◽  
Annie Bezeaud ◽  
Marie-Claude Guillin
Keyword(s):  
Cleavage Site ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Terminal Region ◽  
Platelet Membrane ◽  
Platelet Glycoprotein ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Peptide Hydrolysis ◽  
Glycoprotein Ib ◽  
Carboxy Terminal Region ◽  
Carboxy Terminal

SummaryThe carboxy-terminal region of hirudin (residues 54-65) has previously been shown to inhibit thrombin clotting activity without binding to the catalytic site of the enzyme. In the present study, the effect of hirudin 54-65 on thrombin interaction with specified platelet proteins has been investigated. Hirudin 54-65 was found to inhibit thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Substitution of either Phe56, Glu57, Ile59, Pro60 or Leu64 showed that these residues were critical for inhibition of thrombin-induced platelet activation whereas sulfation of Tyr63 increased the inhibitory potency of the peptide. Hydrolysis of glycoprotein V, a platelet membrane substrate for thrombin, was only partially inhibited by hirudin 54-65. Although hirudin 54-65 did not decrease the amount of thrombin bound to platelets during cross-linking experiments, it was found to inhibit the specific binding of thrombin to platelet glycoprotein Ib. Since the carboxy-terminal region of hirudin has previously been reported to bind near the trypsin-catalyzed β cleavage site, we have analyzed the consequences of a to β-thrombin conversion on both thrombin-hirudin 54-65 interaction and thrombin activity toward platelets. The β cleavage induced a decrease in the affinity of thrombin for both glycoprotein Ib and hirudin 54-65. Altogether, our results indicate that thrombin recognition sites for hirudin 54-65 and platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib share common structures located near the β cleavage site at Arg 73 on the thrombin B chain.

scholarly journals Engineering of Bio-Adhesive Ligand Containing Recombinant RGD and PHSRN Fibronectin Cell-Binding Domains in Fusion with a Colored Multi Affinity Tag: Simple Approach for Fragment Study from Expression to Adsorption

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7362
Author(s):  
Amina Ben Abla ◽  
Guilhem Boeuf ◽  
Ahmed Elmarjou ◽  
Cyrine Dridi ◽  
Florence Poirier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Specific Binding ◽  
Cellular Adhesion ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Adhesion Assay ◽  
Cell Binding ◽  
Affinity Tag ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Rational Development ◽  
Fibronectin Type Iii ◽  
Arginine Glycine Aspartic Acid

Engineering of biomimetic motives have emerged as promising approaches to improving cells’ binding properties of biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this study, a bio-adhesive ligand including cell-binding domains of human fibronectin (FN) was engineered using recombinant protein technology, a major extracellular matrix (ECM) protein that interacts with a variety of integrins cell-surface’s receptors and other ECM proteins through specific binding domains. 9th and 10th fibronectin type III repeat containing Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic acid (RGD) and Pro-His-Ser-Arg-Asn (PHSRN) synergic site (FNIII9-10) were expressed in fusion with a Colored Multi Affinity Tag (CMAT) to develop a simplified production and characterization process. A recombinant fragment was produced in the bacterial system using E. coli with high yield purified protein by double affinity chromatography. Bio-adhesive surfaces were developed by passive coating of produced fragment onto non adhesive surfaces model. The recombinant fusion protein (CMAT-FNIII9/10) demonstrated an accurate monitoring capability during expression purification and adsorption assay. Finally, biological activity of recombinant FNIII9/10 was validated by cellular adhesion assay. Binding to α5β1 integrins were successfully validated using a produced fragment as a ligand. These results are robust supports to the rational development of bioactivation strategies for biomedical and biotechnological applications.

The adrenal paraneurone: tubulin organization

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 502-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. F. Bader ◽  
F. Bernier-Valentin ◽  
B. Rousset ◽  
D. Aunis
Keyword(s):  
Cell Body ◽  
Intracellular Transport ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Immunofluorescent Staining ◽  
Chromaffin Granules ◽  
Two Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Granule Membrane

When chromaffin cells from the bovine adrenal medulla are maintained in culture, they develop neuritelike processes which end with growth-cone-like structures. Chromaffin granules were found to migrate from the cell body to the neurite endings. Thus, the intracellular transport of secretory granules, existing in vivo, seems to occur in an exaggerated way in the cultured cells. These cells offer an excellent model for studying the mechanism of transport, particularly the role of microtubules. By immunofluorescent staining, we observed that tubulin antibodies decorate a complex network visible along the neurites. Colchicine treatment induced the disappearance of this network followed by a return of granules in the cell body and a retraction of neurites. To test the presence of tubulin in the chromaffin granule membrane, we used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and a radioimmunoassay. Our results indicate that tubulin is not a significant component of chromaffin granules. However, binding experiments show that granule membranes are able to bind tubulin through high affinity binding sites. These results show that microtubules appear involved in neurite formation and probably in granule transport. Tubulin is not an integral constituent of the granule membrane, but is present as a result of a reversible specific binding. This insertion of tubulin into the membrane might represent a step in the association between microtubules and secretory granules.

Identification of two independent nucleosome-binding domains in the transcriptional co-activator SPBP

2012 ◽  
Vol 442 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sagar Darvekar ◽  
Sylvia Sagen Johnsen ◽  
Agnete Bratsberg Eriksen ◽  
Terje Johansen ◽  
Eva Sjøttem
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Chromatin Binding ◽  
Binding Region ◽  
Interaction Domain ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Element Binding Protein ◽  
Inducible Protein ◽  
Responsive Element ◽  
Nucleosome Binding

Transcriptional regulation requires co-ordinated action of transcription factors, co-activator complexes and general transcription factors to access specific loci in the dense chromatin structure. In the present study we demonstrate that the transcriptional co-regulator SPBP [stromelysin-1 PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor)-responsive element binding protein] contains two independent chromatin-binding domains, the SPBP-(1551–1666) region and the C-terminal extended PHD [ePHD/ADD (extended plant homeodomain/ATRX-DNMT3-DNMT3L)] domain. The region 1551–1666 is a novel core nucleosome-interaction domain located adjacent to the AT-hook motif in the DNA-binding domain. This novel nucleosome-binding region is critically important for proper localization of SPBP in the cell nucleus. The ePHD/ADD domain associates with nucleosomes in a histone tail-dependent manner, and has significant impact on the dynamic interaction between SPBP and chromatin. Furthermore, SPBP and its homologue RAI1 (retinoic-acid-inducible protein 1), are strongly enriched on chromatin in interphase HeLa cells, and both proteins display low nuclear mobility. RAI1 contains a region with homology to the novel nucleosome-binding region SPBP-(1551–1666) and an ePHD/ADD domain with ability to bind nucleosomes. These results indicate that the transcriptional co-regulator SPBP and its homologue RAI1 implicated in Smith–Magenis syndrome and Potocki–Lupski syndrome both belong to the expanding family of chromatin-binding proteins containing several domains involved in specific chromatin interactions.

scholarly journals Immunoglobulin-binding domains: Protein L from Peptostreptococcus magnus

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 716-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.G. Housden ◽  
S. Harrison ◽  
S.E. Roberts ◽  
J.A. Beckingham ◽  
M. Graille ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Cell Wall Protein ◽  
Protein G ◽  
Protein L ◽  
Heavy Chains ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Peptostreptococcus Magnus ◽  
Immunoglobulin Binding

Protein L is a multidomain cell-wall protein isolated from Peptostreptococcus magnus. It belongs to a group of proteins that contain repeated domains that are able to bind to Igs without stimulating an immune response, the most characterized of this group being Protein A (Staphylococcus aureus) and Protein G (Streptococcus). Both of these proteins bind predominantly to the interface of CH2-CH3 heavy chains, while Protein L binds exclusively to the VL domain of the κ-chain. The function of these proteins in vivo is not clear but it is thought that they enable the bacteria to evade the host's immune system. Two binding sites for κ-chain on a single Ig-binding domain from Protein L have recently been reported and we give evidence that one site has a 25–55-fold higher affinity for κ-chain than the second site.

Nuclear binding of purified retinoblastoma gene product is determined by cell cycle-regulated phosphorylation

1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 435-443
Author(s):  
D J Templeton
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Gene Product ◽  
Recombinant Vaccinia Virus ◽  
Suppressor Gene ◽  
Nuclear Binding ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Specificity Of Binding ◽  
Retinoblastoma Tumor ◽  
Carboxy Terminal

The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene product (pRb) is a nuclear protein subject to cell cycle-regulated hyperphosphorylation. I constructed a recombinant vaccinia virus vector that expresses both the underphosphorylated and hyperphosphorylated forms of pRb and purified the recombinant protein by using immunoaffinity chromatography directed toward a synthetic carboxy-terminal epitope. To investigate the hypothesis that hyperphosphorylation of pRb is a means of controlling its growth-regulating activity, I tested purified pRb for the ability to be reincorporated into pRb-deficient nuclei in vitro. The underphosphorylated form of pRb efficiently reassociated with nuclei, but the hyperphosphorylated form remained soluble in this assay. Nuclear binding of pRb was enhanced by phosphatase treatment and reduced by phosphorylation of pRb effected by using a preparation of the cell cycle-regulatory kinase p34cdc2. Mutant-encoded proteins with altered E1A-binding domains failed to bind to nuclei. Pretreatment of target nuclei with nucleases and high-salt extraction did not alter the specificity of binding for underphosphorylated pRb. These observations demonstrate that hyperphosphorylation of pRb can regulate its interaction with nuclei, supporting the hypothesis that hyperphosphorylation controls the growth-regulatory activities of pRb. Further, at least one target of pRb binding appears to be an integral component of the nuclear envelope.

Mutant analysis suggests that cyclic GMP mediates the cyclic AMP-induced Ca2+ uptake in Dictyostelium

1991 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-191
Author(s):  
S. Menz ◽  
J. Bumann ◽  
E. Jaworski ◽  
D. Malchow
Keyword(s):  
Cyclic Amp ◽  
Mutant Strain ◽  
Cyclic Gmp ◽  
Parental Strain ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Heavy Chains ◽  
Signal Relay ◽  
Sensitive Electrode ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Cyclic Amp Synthesis

Previous work has shown that streamer F (stmF) mutants of Dictyostelium discoideum exhibit prolonged chemotactic elongation in aggregation fields. The mutants carry an altered structural gene for cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase resulting in low activities of this enzyme. Chemotactic stimulation by cyclic AMP causes a rapid transient increase in the cyclic GMP concentration followed by association of myosin heavy chains with the cytoskeleton. Both events persist several times longer in stmF mutants than in the parental strain, indicating that the change in association of myosin with the cytoskeleton is transmitted directly or indirectly by cyclic GMP. We measured the cyclic AMP-induced Ca2+ uptake with a Ca(2+)-sensitive electrode and found that Ca2+ uptake was prolonged in stmF mutants but not in the parental strain. The G alpha 2 mutant strain HC33 (fgdA), devoid of InsP3 release and receptor/guanylate cyclase coupling, lacked Ca2+ uptake. However, the latter response and cyclic GMP formation were normal in the signal-relay mutant strain agip 53 where cyclic AMP-stimulated cyclic AMP synthesis is absent. LiCl, which inhibits InsP3 formation in Dictyostelium, blocked Ca2+ uptake in a dose-dependent manner. The data indicate that the receptor-mediated Ca2+ uptake depends on the InsP3 pathway and is regulated by cyclic GMP. The rate of Ca2+ uptake was correlated in time with the association of myosin with the cytoskeleton, suggesting that Ca2+ uptake is involved in the motility response of the cells.

Ligand modulates the conversion of DNA-bound vitamin D3 receptor (VDR) homodimers into VDR-retinoid X receptor heterodimers

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 3329-3338
Author(s):  
B Cheskis ◽  
L P Freedman
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Vitamin D3 ◽  
Hormone Receptors ◽  
Steroid Receptors ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
D3 Receptor ◽  
Vitamin D3 Receptor ◽  
Binding Domains

Protein dimerization facilitates cooperative, high-affinity interactions with DNA. Nuclear hormone receptors, for example, bind either as homodimers or as heterodimers with retinoid X receptors (RXR) to half-site repeats that are stabilized by protein-protein interactions mediated by residues within both the DNA- and ligand-binding domains. In vivo, ligand binding among the subfamily of steroid receptors unmasks the nuclear localization and DNA-binding domains from a complex with auxiliary factors such as the heat shock proteins. However, the role of ligand is less clear among nuclear receptors, since they are constitutively localized to the nucleus and are presumably associated with DNA in the absence of ligand. In this study, we have begun to explore the role of the ligand in vitamin D3 receptor (VDR) function by examining its effect on receptor homodimer and heterodimer formation. Our results demonstrate that VDR is a monomer in solution; VDR binding to a specific DNA element leads to the formation of a homodimeric complex through a monomeric intermediate. We find that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, the ligand for VDR, decreases the amount of the DNA-bound VDR homodimer complex. It does so by significantly decreasing the rate of conversion of DNA-bound monomer to homodimer and at the same time enhancing the dissociation of the dimeric complex. This effectively stabilizes the bound monomeric species, which in turn serves to favor the formation of a VDR-RXR heterodimer. The ligand for RXR, 9-cis retinoic acid, has the opposite effect of destabilizing the heterodimeric-DNA complex. These results may explain how a nuclear receptor can bind DNA constitutively but still act to regulate transcription in a fully hormone-dependent manner.

scholarly journals Prospects and Pitfalls of Pregnancy-Associated Malaria Vaccination Based on the Natural Immune Response to Plasmodium falciparum VAR2CSA-Expressing Parasites

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth G. Kane ◽  
Andrew W. Taylor-Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Chondroitin Sulphate ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Insufficient Information ◽  
Infant Deaths ◽  
Cytokine Balance ◽  
Current Vaccine

Pregnancy-associated malaria, a manifestation of severe malaria, is the cause of up to 200,000 infant deaths a year, through the effects of placental insufficiency leading to growth restriction and preterm delivery. Development of a vaccine is one strategy for control. Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells accumulate in the placenta through specific binding of pregnancy-associated parasite variants that express the VAR2CSA antigen to chondroitin sulphate A on the surface of syncytiotrophoblast cells. Parasite accumulation, accompanied by an inflammatory infiltrate, disrupts the cytokine balance of pregnancy with the potential to cause placental damage and compromise foetal growth. Multigravid women develop immunity towards VAR2CSA-expressing parasites in a gravidity-dependent manner which prevents unfavourable pregnancy outcomes. Although current vaccine design, targeting VAR2CSA antigens, has succeeded in inducing antibodies artificially, this candidate may not provide protection during the first trimester and may only protect those women living in areas endemic for malaria. It is concluded that while insufficient information about placental-parasite interactions is presently available to produce an effective vaccine, incremental progress is being made towards achieving this goal.

scholarly journals Norepinephrine exocytosis stimulated by α–latrotoxin requires both external and stored Ca 2+ and is mediated by latrophilin, G proteins and phospholipase C

1999 ◽  
Vol 354 (1381) ◽  
pp. 379-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Atiqur Rahman ◽  
Anthony C. Ashton ◽  
Frédéric A. Meunier ◽  
Bazbek A. Davletov ◽  
J. Oliver Dolly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phospholipase C ◽  
G Protein ◽  
G Proteins ◽  
Fluorescent Dyes ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Clostridial Neurotoxins ◽  
Dependent Component ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Botulinum Neurotoxins ◽  
Vesicular Exocytosis

α–latrotoxin (LTX) stimulates massive release of neurotransmitters by binding to a heptahelical transmembrane protein, latrophilin. Our experiments demonstrate that latrophilin is a G–protein–coupled receptor that specifically associates with heterotrimeric G proteins. The latrophilin–G protein complex is very stable in the presence of GDP but dissociates when incubated with GTP, suggesting a functional interaction. As revealed by immunostaining, latrophilin interacts with Gα q/11 and Gα o but not with Gα s , Gα i or Gα z , indicating that this receptor may couple to several G proteins but it is not promiscuous. The mechanisms underlying LTX–evoked norepinephrine secretion from rat brain nerve terminals were also studied. In the presence of extracellular Ca 2+ , LTX triggers vesicular exocytosis because botulinum neurotoxins E, C1 or tetanus toxin inhibit the Ca 2+ –dependent component of the toxin–evoked release. Based on (i) the known involvement of Gα q in the regulation of inositol–1,4,5–triphosphate generation and (ii) the requirement of Ca 2+ in LTX action, we tested the effect of inhibitors of Ca 2+ mobilization on the toxin–evoked norepinephrine release. It was found that aminosteroid U73122, which inhibits the coupling of G proteins to phospholipase C, blocks the Ca 2+ –dependent toxin's action. Thapsigargin, which depletes intracellular Ca 2+ stores, also potently decreases the effect of LTX in the presence of extracellular Ca 2+ . On the other hand, clostridial neurotoxins or drugs interfering with Ca 2+ metabolism do not inhibit the Ca 2+ –independent component of LTX–stimulated release. In the absence of Ca 2+ , the toxin induces in the presynaptic membrane non–selective pores permeable to small fluorescent dyes; these pores may allow efflux of neurotransmitters from the cytoplasm. Our results suggest that LTX stimulates norepinephrine exocytosis only in the presence of external Ca 2+ provided intracellular Ca 2+ stores are unperturbed and that latrophilin, G proteins and phospholipase C may mediate the mobilization of stored Ca 2+ , which then triggers secretion.

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