Molecular determinants of Drosophila immunophilin FKBP39 nuclear localization

2018 ◽  
Vol 399 (5) ◽  
pp. 467-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Orłowski ◽  
Katarzyna Popławska ◽  
Joanna Pieprzyk ◽  
Aleksandra Szczygieł-Sommer ◽  
Anna Więch ◽  
...  

AbstractFK506-binding proteins (FKBPs) belong to a distinct class of immunophilins that interact with immunosuppressants. They use their peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) activity to catalyze thecis-transconversion of prolyl bonds in proteins during protein-folding events. FKBPs also act as a unique group of chaperones. TheDrosophila melanogasterpeptidyl-prolylcis-transisomerase FK506-binding protein of 39 kDa (FKBP39) is thought to act as a transcriptional modulator of gene expression in 20-hydroxyecdysone and juvenile hormone signal transduction. The aim of this study was to analyze the molecular determinants responsible for the subcellular distribution of an FKBP39-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) fusion construct (YFP-FKBP39). We found that YFP-FKBP39 was predominantly nucleolar. To identify the nuclear localization signal (NLS), a series of YFP-tagged FKBP39 deletion mutants were prepared and examinedin vivo. The identified NLS signal is located in a basic domain. Detailed mutagenesis studies revealed that residues K188 and K191 are crucial for the nuclear targeting of FKBP39 and its nucleoplasmin-like (NPL) domain contains the sequence that controls the nucleolar-specific translocation of the protein. These results show that FKBP39 possesses a specific NLS in close proximity to a putative helix-turn-helix (HTH) motif and FKBP39 may bind DNAin vivoandin vitro.

2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (2) ◽  
pp. H699-H707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Steward Pentz ◽  
Maria Luisa S. Sequeira Lopez ◽  
Magali Cordaillat ◽  
R. Ariel Gomez

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) regulates blood pressure and fluid-electrolyte homeostasis. A key step in the RAS cascade is the regulation of renin synthesis and release by the kidney. We and others have shown that a major mechanism to control renin availability is the regulation of the number of cells capable of making renin. The kidney possesses a pool of cells, mainly in its vasculature but also in the glomeruli, capable of switching from smooth muscle to endocrine renin-producing cells when homeostasis is threatened. The molecular mechanisms governing the ability of these cells to turn the renin phenotype on and off have been very difficult to study in vivo. We, therefore, developed an in vitro model in which cells of the renin lineage are labeled with cyan fluorescent protein and cells actively making renin mRNA are labeled with yellow fluorescent protein. The model allowed us to determine that it is possible to culture cells of the renin lineage for numerous passages and that the memory to express the renin gene is maintained in culture and can be reenacted by cAMP and chromatin remodeling (histone H4 acetylation) at the cAMP-responsive element in the renin gene.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Gallo ◽  
Ioannis Mougiakos ◽  
Mauricio Bianco ◽  
Miriam Carbonaro ◽  
Andrea Carpentieri ◽  
...  

Arsenic detoxification systems can be found in a wide range of organisms, from bacteria to man. In a previous study, we discovered an arsenic-responsive transcriptional regulator in the thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus HB27 (TtSmtB). Here, we characterize the arsenic resistance system of T. thermophilus in more detail. We employed TtSmtB-based pull-down assays with protein extracts from cultures treated with arsenate and arsenite to obtain an S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-dependent arsenite methyltransferase (TtArsM). In vivo and in vitro analyses were performed to shed light on this new component of the arsenic resistance network and its peculiar catalytic mechanism. Heterologous expression of TtarsM in Escherichia coli resulted in arsenite detoxification at mesophilic temperatures. Although TtArsM does not contain a canonical arsenite binding site, the purified protein does catalyse SAM-dependent arsenite methylation. In addition, in vitro analyses confirmed the unique interaction between TtArsM and TtSmtB. Next, a highly efficient ThermoCas9-based genome-editing tool was developed to delete the TtArsM-encoding gene on the T. thermophilus genome, and to confirm its involvement in the arsenite detoxification system. Finally, the TtarsX efflux pump gene in the T. thermophilus ΔTtarsM genome was substituted by a gene, encoding a stabilised yellow fluorescent protein (sYFP), to create a sensitive genome-based bioreporter system for the detection of arsenic ions.


Open Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 200010
Author(s):  
Navaneethan Palanisamy ◽  
Mehmet Ali Öztürk ◽  
Emir Bora Akmeriç ◽  
Barbara Di Ventura

The Escherichia coli Min system plays an important role in the proper placement of the septum ring at mid-cell during cell division. MinE forms a pole-to-pole spatial oscillator with the membrane-bound ATPase MinD, resulting in MinD concentration being the lowest at mid-cell. MinC, the direct inhibitor of the septum initiator protein FtsZ, forms a complex with MinD at the membrane, mirroring its polar gradients. Therefore, MinC-mediated FtsZ inhibition occurs away from mid-cell. Min oscillations are often studied in living cells by time-lapse microscopy using fluorescently labelled Min proteins. Here, we show that, despite permitting oscillations to occur in a range of protein concentrations, the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (eYFP) C-terminally fused to MinE impairs its function. Combining in vivo , in vitro and in silico approaches, we demonstrate that eYFP compromises the ability of MinE to displace MinC from MinD, to stimulate MinD ATPase activity and to directly bind to the membrane. Moreover, we reveal that MinE-eYFP is prone to aggregation. In silico analyses predict that other fluorescent proteins are also likely to compromise several functionalities of MinE, suggesting that the results presented here are not specific to eYFP.


1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Werner Barth ◽  
Ursula Stochaj

Facilitated transport of proteins into the nucleus requires nuclear localization sequences (NLSs) be present in the protein destined for the nucleus. The specific binding of NLSs by components of the nuclear transport apparatus is essential for these targeting reactions. We now report that the yeast nucleoporin Nsp1 binds specifically nuclear localization sequences in vitro. This nucleoporin recognizes several NLSs that are functional for nuclear targeting in vivo, including the NLS of SV40 T-antigen and of the yeast transcription factor Gal4. Nsp1 is organized into three domains, and we have located NLS binding sites to the N-terminal portion and the middle repetitive region of the protein. For the interaction between the NLS of SV40 T-antigen and Nsp1, we obtained association constants of 1.2 × 107 M−1 and 5 × 107 M−1. An association constant of 5 × 107 M−1 was determined for NLS binding to the repetitive domain of Nsp1. We analyzed binding of Nsp1 and its domains to a mutant version of the NLS derived from SV40 T-antigen, which poorly functions for nuclear targeting in vivo. The affinity for the mutant signal was about two orders of magnitude lower than for the wild-type NLS.Key words: Nsp1, nuclear pore complex, nucleoporin, nuclear localization sequence, protein targeting, yeast.


2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 907-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Straube ◽  
Gerd Hause ◽  
Gero Fink ◽  
Gero Steinberg

Conventional kinesin is a ubiquitous organelle transporter that moves cargo toward the plus-ends of microtubules. In addition, several in vitro studies indicated a role of conventional kinesin in cross-bridging and sliding microtubules, but in vivo evidence for such a role is missing. In this study, we show that conventional kinesin mediates microtubule-microtubule interactions in the model fungus Ustilago maydis. Live cell imaging and ultrastructural analysis of various mutants in Kin1 revealed that this kinesin-1 motor is required for efficient microtubule bundling and participates in microtubule bending in vivo. High levels of Kin1 led to increased microtubule bending, whereas a rigor-mutation in the motor head suppressed all microtubule motility and promoted strong microtubule bundling, indicating that kinesin can form cross-bridges between microtubules in living cells. This effect required a conserved region in the C terminus of Kin1, which was shown to bind microtubules in vitro. In addition, a fusion protein of yellow fluorescent protein and the Kin1tail localized to microtubule bundles, further supporting the idea that a conserved microtubule binding activity in the tail of conventional kinesins mediates microtubule-microtubule interactions in vivo.


2012 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 498-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhagat Singh ◽  
Qing-Gui Xu ◽  
Colin K. Franz ◽  
Rumi Zhang ◽  
Colin Dalton ◽  
...  

Object Regeneration of peripheral nerves is remarkably restrained across transection injuries, limiting recovery of function. Strategies to reverse this common and unfortunate outcome are limited. Remarkably, however, new evidence suggests that a brief extracellular electrical stimulation (ES), delivered at the time of injury, improves the regrowth of motor and sensory axons. Methods In this work, the authors explored and tested this ES paradigm, which was applied proximal to transected sciatic nerves in mice, and identified several novel and compelling impacts of the approach. Using thy-1 yellow fluorescent protein mice with fluorescent axons that allow serial in vivo tracking of regeneration, the morphological, electrophysiological, and behavioral indices of nerve regrowth were measured. Results The authors show that ES is associated with a 30%–50% improvement in several indices of regeneration: regrowth of axons and their partnered Schwann cells across transection sites, maturation of regenerated fibers in gaps spanning transection zones, and entry of axons into their muscle and cutaneous target zones. In parallel studies, the authors analyzed adult sensory neurons and their response to extracellular ES while plated on a novel microelectrode array construct designed to deliver the identical ES paradigm used in vivo. The ES accelerated neurite outgrowth, supporting the concept of a neuron-autonomous mechanism of action. Conclusions Taken together, these results support a robust role for brief ES following peripheral nerve injuries in promoting regeneration. Electrical stimulation has a wider repertoire of impact than previously recognized, and its impact in vitro supports the hypothesis that a neuron-specific reprogrammed injury response is recruited by the ES protocol.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Zhongwu Liu ◽  
Michael Chopp ◽  
Chao Li ◽  
Xinli Wang ◽  
...  

Background: Augmentation of axonal growth enhances improvement of neurological function after stroke. Our previous in vitro study demonstrated that miR-27a promotes axonal growth of embryonic neurons. The present in vivo study investigated whether exosomes carrying elevated miR-27a (27a-exos) enhance axonal growth and neurological outcome after stroke. Methods and Results: The 27a-exos were isolated from medium of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) transfected with lenti-miR-27 vector. In order to investigate axonal growth and underlying mechanisms, Emx1-Thy1-YFP mice with selective expression of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) in pyramidal neurons were subjected to the permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that compared with exosomes derived from empty-vector transfected MSCs (empty-exos), 27a-exos had 3.7 fold increased miR-27a. 27a-exos (3x10 11 particles) were injected intravenously into mice at 24h after MCAO. Compared with control mice, the empty-exos (n=7) significantly (p<0.05) reduced the foot-fault (5±0.1 vs 11±0.5 in control) and the times to remove adhesive paper (seconds, 47±3 vs 70±4). However, compared with empty-exos, 27a-exos (n=7) further significantly (p<0.05) reduced foot-fault (3.0±0.2) and times to remove the paper (38±1.7). Histopathological and in situ hybridization analysis showed that 27a-exos localized to neurons and significantly (p<0.05) increased miR-27a in Emx1-YFP+ neurons (4±0.7 vs 1 in empty-exos), and augmented (p<0.05) the density of YFP+/pNFH+ axons (7±2 vs 1 in empty-exos). Moreover, 27a-exos substantially decreased the levels of the inhibitory protein Sema6a in the YFP+ axons in peri-infarct areas. Conclusion: Our data suggest that tailored 27a-exos augment the therapeutic effect of exosomes on stroke recovery and that suppression of axonal inhibitory proteins such as Sema6a may contribute to the 27a-exo-enhanced axonal outgrowth to promote neurological recovery post stroke.


2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 230-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir A. Gushchin ◽  
Nina I. Lukhovitskaya ◽  
Dmitri E. Andreev ◽  
Kathryn M. Wright ◽  
Michael E. Taliansky ◽  
...  

ORF6 is a small gene that overlaps the movement and coat protein genes of subgroup 1a tobamoviruses. The ORF6 protein of tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) strain L (L-ORF6), interacts in vitro with eukaryotic elongation factor 1α, and mutation of the ORF6 gene of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) strain U1 (U1-ORF6) reduces the pathogenicity in vivo of TMV, whereas expression of this gene from two other viruses, tobacco rattle virus (TRV) and potato virus X (PVX), increases their pathogenicity. In this work, the in vivo properties of the L-ORF6 and U1-ORF6 proteins were compared to identify sequences that direct the proteins to different subcellular locations and also influence virus pathogenicity. Site-specific mutations in the ORF6 protein were made, hybrid ORF6 proteins were created in which the N-terminal and C-terminal parts were derived from the two proteins, and different subregions of the protein were examined, using expression either from a recombinant TRV vector or as a yellow fluorescent protein fusion from a binary plasmid in Agrobacterium tumefaciens. L-ORF6 caused mild necrotic symptoms in Nicotiana benthamiana when expressed from TRV, whereas U1-ORF6 caused severe symptoms including death of the plant apex. The difference in symptoms was associated with the C-terminal region of L-ORF6, which directed the protein to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), whereas U1-ORF6 was directed initially to the nucleolus and later to the mitochondria. Positively charged residues at the N terminus allowed nucleolar entry of both U1-ORF6 and L-ORF6, but hydrophobic residues at the C terminus of L-ORF6 directed this protein to the ER.


2013 ◽  
Vol 304 (8) ◽  
pp. L511-L518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shijing Fang ◽  
Anne L. Crews ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Joungjoa Park ◽  
Qi Yin ◽  
...  

Myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) protein has been recognized as a key regulatory molecule controlling mucin secretion by airway epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. We recently showed that two intracellular chaperones, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and cysteine string protein (CSP), associate with MARCKS in the secretory mechanism. To elucidate more fully MARCKS-HSP70 interactions in this process, studies were performed in well-differentiated normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells maintained in air-liquid interface culture utilizing specific pharmacological inhibition of HSP70 with pyrimidinone MAL3-101 and siRNA approaches. The results indicate that HSP70 interaction with MARCKS is enhanced after exposure of the cells to the protein kinase C activator/mucin secretagogue, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Pretreatment of NHBEs with MAL3-101 attenuated in a concentration-dependent manner PMA-stimulated mucin secretion and interactions among HSP70, MARCKS, and CSP. In additional studies, trafficking of MARCKS in living NHBE cells was investigated after transfecting cells with fluorescently tagged DNA constructs: MARCKS-yellow fluorescent protein, and/or HSP70-cyan fluorescent protein. Cells were treated with PMA 48 h posttransfection, and trafficking of the constructs was examined by confocal microscopy. MARCKS translocated rapidly from plasma membrane to cytoplasm, whereas HSP70 was observed in the cytoplasm and appeared to associate with MARCKS after PMA exposure. Pretreatment of cells with either MAL3-101 or HSP70 siRNA inhibited translocation of MARCKS. These results provide evidence of a role for HSP70 in mediating mucin secretion via interactions with MARCKS and that these interactions are critical for the cytoplasmic translocation of MARCKS upon its phosphorylation.


2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 1802-1815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideki Nakanishi ◽  
Pablo de los Santos ◽  
Aaron M. Neiman

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the developmentally regulated Soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) protein Spo20p mediates the fusion of vesicles with the prospore membrane, which is required for the formation of spores. Spo20p is subject to both positive and negative regulation by separate sequences in its aminoterminal domain. We report that the positive activity is conferred by a short, amphipathic helix that is sufficient to confer plasma membrane or prospore membrane localization to green fluorescent protein. In vitro, this helix binds to acidic phospholipids, and mutations that reduce or eliminate phospholipid binding in vitro inactivate Spo20p in vivo. Genetic manipulation of phospholipid pools indicates that the likely in vivo ligand of this domain is phosphatidic acid. The inhibitory activity is a nuclear targeting signal, which confers nuclear localization in vegetative cells and in cells entering meiosis. However, as cells initiate spore formation, fusions containing the inhibitory domain exit the nucleus and localize to the nascent prospore membrane. Thus, the SNARE Spo20p is both positively and negatively regulated by control of its intracellular localization.


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