scholarly journals Voltage-Dependent Anion Selective Channel 3: Unraveling Structural and Functional Features of the Least Known Porin Isoform

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Reina ◽  
Vanessa Checchetto
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Data ◽  
Intermembrane Space ◽  
High Sequence Similarity ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Selective Channel ◽  
Functional Features

Voltage-dependent anion-selective channels (VDAC) are pore-forming proteins located in the outer mitochondrial membrane. Three isoforms are encoded by separate genes in mammals (VDAC1-3). These proteins play a crucial role in the cell, forming the primary interface between mitochondrial and cellular metabolisms. Research on the role of VDACs in the cell is a rapidly growing field, but the function of VDAC3 remains elusive. The high-sequence similarity between isoforms suggests a similar pore-forming structure. Electrophysiological analyzes revealed that VDAC3 works as a channel; however, its gating and regulation remain debated. A comparison between VDAC3 and VDAC1-2 underlines the presence of a higher number of cysteines in both isoforms 2 and 3. Recent mass spectrometry data demonstrated that the redox state of VDAC3 cysteines is evolutionarily conserved. Accordingly, these residues were always detected as totally reduced or partially oxidized, thus susceptible to disulfide exchange. The deletion of selected cysteines significantly influences the function of the channel. Some cysteine mutants of VDAC3 exhibited distinct kinetic behavior, conductance values and voltage dependence, suggesting that channel activity can be modulated by cysteine reduction/oxidation. These properties point to VDAC3 as a possible marker of redox signaling in the mitochondrial intermembrane space. Here, we summarize our current knowledge about VDAC3 predicted structure, physiological role and regulation, and possible future directions in this research field.

scholarly journals Tuning the ion selectivity of two-pore channels

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 1009-1014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiangtao Guo ◽  
Weizhong Zeng ◽  
Youxing Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Ion Selectivity ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Monovalent Cations ◽  
Nonselective Cation Channel ◽  
High Sequence Similarity ◽  
Selective Channel ◽  
Tm Domain ◽  
Key Residues

Organellar two-pore channels (TPCs) contain two copies of aShaker-like six-transmembrane (6-TM) domain in each subunit and are ubiquitously expressed in plants and animals. Interestingly, plant and animal TPCs share high sequence similarity in the filter region, yet exhibit drastically different ion selectivity. Plant TPC1 functions as a nonselective cation channel on the vacuole membrane, whereas mammalian TPC channels have been shown to be endo/lysosomal Na+-selective or Ca2+-release channels. In this study, we performed systematic characterization of the ion selectivity of TPC1 fromArabidopsis thaliana(AtTPC1) and compared its selectivity with the selectivity of human TPC2 (HsTPC2). We demonstrate that AtTPC1 is selective for Ca2+over Na+, but nonselective among monovalent cations (Li+, Na+, and K+). Our results also confirm that HsTPC2 is a Na+-selective channel activated by phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate. Guided by our recent structure of AtTPC1, we converted AtTPC1 to a Na+-selective channel by mimicking the selectivity filter of HsTPC2 and identified key residues in the TPC filters that differentiate the selectivity between AtTPC1 and HsTPC2. Furthermore, the structure of the Na+-selective AtTPC1 mutant elucidates the structural basis for Na+selectivity in mammalian TPCs.

scholarly journals Identification of a d-Arabinose-5-Phosphate Isomerase in the Gram-Positive Clostridium tetani

2017 ◽  
Vol 199 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Cech ◽  
Katherine Markin ◽  
Ronald W. Woodard
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Positive Bacterium ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Clostridium Tetani ◽  
High Sequence Similarity ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sugar Phosphates

ABSTRACT d-Arabinose-5-phosphate (A5P) isomerases (APIs) catalyze the interconversion of d-ribulose-5-phosphate and d-arabinose-5-phosphate. Various Gram-negative bacteria, such as the uropathogenic Escherichia coli strain CFT073, contain multiple API paralogs (KdsD, GutQ, KpsF, and c3406) that have been assigned various cellular functions. The d-arabinose-5-phosphate formed by these enzymes seems to play important roles in the biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and group 2 K-antigen capsules, as well as in the regulation of the cellular d-glucitol uptake and uropathogenic infectivity/virulence. The genome of a Gram-positive pathogenic bacterium, Clostridium tetani, contains a gene encoding a putative API, C. tetani API (CtAPI), even though C. tetani lacks both LPS and capsid biosynthetic genes. To better understand the physiological role of d-arabinose-5-phosphate in this Gram-positive organism, recombinant CtAPI was purified and characterized. CtAPI displays biochemical characteristics similar to those of APIs from Gram-negative organisms and complements the API deficiency of an E. coli API knockout strain. Thus, CtAPI represents the first d-arabinose-5-phosphate isomerase to be identified and characterized from a Gram-positive bacterium. IMPORTANCE The genome of Clostridium tetani, a pathogenic Gram-positive bacterium and the causative agent of tetanus, contains a gene (the CtAPI gene) that shares high sequence similarity with those of genes encoding d-arabinose-5-phosphate isomerases. APIs play an important role within Gram-negative bacteria in d-arabinose-5-phosphate production for lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, capsule formation, and regulation of cellular d-glucitol uptake. The significance of our research is in identifying and characterizing CtAPI, the first Gram-positive API. Our findings show that CtAPI is specific to the interconversion of arabinose-5-phosphate and ribulose-5-phosphate while having no activity with the other sugars and sugar phosphates tested. We have speculated a regulatory role for this API in C. tetani, an organism that does not produce lipopolysaccharide.

scholarly journals The Biogenesis Process of VDAC – From Early Cytosolic Events to Its Final Membrane Integration

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anasuya Moitra ◽  
Doron Rapaport
Keyword(s):  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Mitochondrial Outer Membrane ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Selective Channel ◽  
Targeting Signal ◽  
Cytosolic Factors

Voltage dependent anion-selective channel (VDAC) is the most abundant protein in the mitochondrial outer membrane. It is a membrane embedded β-barrel protein composed of 19 mostly anti-parallel β-strands that form a hydrophilic pore. Similar to the vast majority of mitochondrial proteins, VDAC is encoded by nuclear DNA, and synthesized on cytosolic ribosomes. The protein is then targeted to the mitochondria while being maintained in an import competent conformation by specific cytosolic factors. Recent studies, using yeast cells as a model system, have unearthed the long searched for mitochondrial targeting signal for VDAC and the role of cytosolic chaperones and mitochondrial import machineries in its proper biogenesis. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge regarding the early cytosolic stages of the biogenesis of VDAC molecules, the specific targeting of VDAC to the mitochondrial surface, and the subsequent integration of VDAC into the mitochondrial outer membrane by the TOM and TOB/SAM complexes.

scholarly journals The access of metabolites into yeast mitochondria in the presence and absence of the voltage dependent anion selective channel (YVDAC1).

1999 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 991-1000 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Kmita ◽  
O Stobienia ◽  
J Michejda
Keyword(s):  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Transport System ◽  
Common Property ◽  
Intermembrane Space ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Bivalent Cations ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Selective Channel ◽  
System Functioning

Since yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants depleted of the voltage dependent anion selective channel (YVDAC1) are still able to grow on a non-fermentable carbon source, a functional transport system in the outer mitochondrial membrane must exist to support the access of metabolites into mitochondria. It was assumed that the properties of the system could be inferred from the differences in the results observed between wild type and mutant mitochondria since no crucial differences in this respect between the two types of mitoplasts were observed. YVDAC1-depleted mitochondria displayed a highly reduced permeability of the outer membrane, which was reflected in increased values of K0.5(NADH) for respiration and K0.5(ADP) for triggering phosphorylating state as well as in delayed action of carboxyatractylate (CATR) in inhibition of phosphorylating state. The parameters were chosen to express the accessibility of the applied species to the intermembrane space. The passage of the molecules through the outer membrane depleted of YVDAC1 could be partially improved in the presence of bivalent cations (Mg2+, Ca2+), as in their presence lower values of the calculated parameters were obtained. The restrictions imposed on the transport of molecules through the YVDAC1-depleted outer membrane resulted in a competition between them for the access to the intermembrane space as measured by changes in parameters observed for a given species in the presence of another one. The competition was stronger in the absence of Mg2+ and depended on charge and size of transported molecules, as the strongest competitor was CATR and the weakest one--NADH. Thus, it can be concluded that the transport system functioning in the absence of YVDAC1 is modulated by bivalent cations and charge as well as size of transported molecules. Since an increased level of respiration due to the dissipation of delta psi causes an increase of K0.5(NADH) in both wild type and YVDAC1-depleted mitochondria it is concluded that a common property of YVDAC1 and the system functioning in YVDAC1-depleted mitochondria seems to be the dependence of the capacity on the level of mitochondrial respiration.

scholarly journals Molecular analysis of two closely related mouse aldehyde dehydrogenase genes: identification of a role for Aldh1, but not Aldh-pb, in the biosynthesis of retinoic acid

1999 ◽  
Vol 339 (2) ◽  
pp. 387-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lily C. HSU ◽  
Wen-Chung CHANG ◽  
Ines HOFFMANN ◽  
Gregg DUESTER
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Acid Synthesis ◽  
Promoter Regions ◽  
High Sequence Similarity ◽  
Xenopus Embryos ◽  
High Amino Acid

Mammalian class I aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH1) has been implicated as a retinal dehydrogenase in the biosynthesis of retinoic acid, a modulator of gene expression and cell differentiation. As the first step towards studying the regulation of ALDH1 and its physiological role in the biosynthesis of retinoic acid, mouse ALDH1 cDNA and genomic clones have been characterized. During the cloning process, an additional closely related gene was also isolated and named Aldh-pb, owing to its high amino acid sequence identity (92%) with the rat phenobarbitol-inducible ALDH protein (ALDH-PB). Aldh1 spans about 45 kb in length, whereas Aldh-pb spans about 35 kb. Both genes are composed of 13 exons, and the positions of all the exon/intron boundaries are conserved with those of human ALDH1. The promoter regions of Aldh1 and Aldh-pb demonstrate high sequence similarity with those of human ALDH1 and rat ALDH-PB. Expression of Aldh1 and Aldh-pb is tissue-specific, with mRNAs for both genes being found in the liver, lung and testis, but not in the heart, spleen or muscle. Expression of Aldh-pb, but not Aldh1, was also detected at high levels in the kidney. Aldh1 and Aldh-pb encode proteins of 501 amino acids with 90% positional identity. To examine the relative roles of these two enzymes in retinoic acid synthesis in vivo, Xenopus embryos were injected with mRNAs encoding these enzymes to assay the effect on conversion of endogenous retinal into retinoic acid. Injection of ALDH1, but not ALDH-PB, mRNA stimulated retinoic acid synthesis in Xenopus embryos at the blastula stage. Thus our results indicate that Aldh1 can function in retinoic acid synthesis under physiological conditions, but that the closely related Aldh-pb does not share this property.

scholarly journals Modulation of the voltage-dependent anion-selective channel by cytoplasmic proteins from wild type and the channel depleted cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

2003 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Kmita ◽  
Małgorzata Budzińska ◽  
Olgierd Stobienia
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Mitochondrial Outer Membrane ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Intermembrane Space ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Cytoplasmic Proteins ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Selective Channel

It is well known that effective exchange of metabolites between mitochondria and the cytoplasm is essential for cell physiology. The key step of the exchange is transport across the mitochondrial outer membrane, which is supported by the voltage-dependent anion-selective channel (VDAC). Therefore, it is clear that the permeability of VDAC must be regulated to adjust its activity to the actual cell needs. VDAC-modulating activities, often referred to as the VDAC modulator, were identified in the intermembrane space of different organism mitochondria but the responsible protein(s) has not been identified as yet. Because the VDAC modulator was reported to act on VDAC of intact mitochondria when added to the cytoplasmic side it has been speculated that a similar modulating activity might be present in the cytoplasm. To check the speculation we used mitochondria of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as they constitute a perfect model to study VDAC modulation. The mitochondria contain only a single isoform of VDAC and it is possible to obtain viable mutants devoid of the channel (Deltapor1). Moreover, we have recently characterised a VDAC-modulating activity located in the intermembrane space of wild type and Deltapor1 S. cerevisiae mitochondria. Here, we report that the cytoplasm of wild type and Deltapor1 cells of S. cerevisiae contains a VDAC-modulating activity as measured in a reconstituted system and with intact mitochondria. Since quantitative differences were observed between the modulating fractions isolated from wild type and Deltapor1 cells when they were studied with intact wild type mitochondria as well as by protein electrophoresis it might be concluded that VDAC may influence the properties of the involved cytoplasmic proteins. Moreover, the VDAC-modulating activity in the cytoplasm differs distinctly from that reported for the mitochondrial intermembrane space. Nevertheless, both these activities may contribute efficiently to VDAC regulation. Thus, the identification of the proteins is very important.

scholarly journals Topological Analysis of the Aerobic Membrane-Bound Formate Dehydrogenase of Escherichia coli

1998 ◽  
Vol 180 (24) ◽  
pp. 6625-6634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Benoit ◽  
Hafid Abaibou ◽  
Marie-Andrée Mandrand-Berthelot
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Formate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Topological Analysis ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Respiratory Pathway ◽  
High Sequence Similarity ◽  
Entire Sequence ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Lactamase Gene

ABSTRACT Besides formate dehydrogenase N (FDH-N), which is involved in the major anaerobic respiratory pathway in the presence of nitrate,Escherichia coli synthesizes a second isoenzyme, called FDH-O, whose physiological role is to ensure rapid adaptation during a shift from aerobiosis to anaerobiosis. FDH-O is a membrane-bound enzyme complex composed of three subunits, α (FdoG), β (FdoH), and γ (FdoI), which exhibit high sequence similarity to the equivalent polypeptides of FDH-N. The topology of these three subunits has been studied by using blaM (β-lactamase) gene fusions. A collection of 47 different randomly generated Fdo-BlaM fusions, 4 site-specific fusions, and 3 sandwich fusions were isolated along the entire sequence of the three subunits. In contrast to previously reported predictions from sequence analysis, our data suggested that the αβ catalytic dimer is located in the cytoplasm, with a C-terminal anchor for β protruding into the periplasm. As expected, the γ subunit, which specifies cytochrome b, was shown to cross the cytoplasmic membrane four times, with the N and C termini exposed to the cytoplasm. Protease digestion studies of the35S-labelled FDH-O heterotrimer in spheroplasts add further support to this model. Consistently, prior studies regarding the bioenergetic function of formate dehydrogenase provided evidence for a mechanism in which formate is oxidized in the cytoplasm.

scholarly journals S-Methylmethionine Metabolism in Escherichia coli

1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (2) ◽  
pp. 662-665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Thanbichler ◽  
Bernhard Neuhierl ◽  
August Böck
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
High Sequence Similarity ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Amino Acid Permeases ◽  
Sequence Similarities ◽  
Homocysteine Methyltransferase

ABSTRACT Selenium-accumulating Astragalus spp. contain an enzyme which specifically transfers a methyl group fromS-methylmethionine to the selenol of selenocysteine, thus converting it to a nontoxic, since nonproteinogenic, amino acid. Analysis of the amino acid sequence of this enzyme revealed thatEscherichia coli possesses a protein (YagD) which shares high sequence similarity with the enzyme. The properties and physiological role of YagD were investigated. YagD is anS-methylmethionine: homocysteine methyltransferase which also accepts selenohomocysteine as a substrate. Mutants inyagD which also possess defects in metE andmetH are unable to utilize S-methylmethionine for growth, whereas a metE metH double mutant still grows on S-methylmethionine. Upstream of yagD and overlapping with its reading frame is a gene (ykfD) which, when inactivated, also blocks growth on methylmethionine in ametE metH genetic background. Since it displays sequence similarities with amino acid permeases it appears to be the transporter for S-methylmethionine. Methionine but notS-methylmethionine in the medium reduces the amount ofyagD protein. This and the existence of four MET box motifs upstream of yfkD indicate that the two genes are members of the methionine regulon. The physiological roles of the ykfDand yagD products appear to reside in the acquisition ofS-methylmethionine, which is an abundant plant product, and its utilization for methionine biosynthesis.

Aim for the Readers! Bromodomains As New Targets Against Chagas’ Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (36) ◽  
pp. 6544-6563
Author(s):  
Victoria Lucia Alonso ◽  
Luis Emilio Tavernelli ◽  
Alejandro Pezza ◽  
Pamela Cribb ◽  
Carla Ritagliati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Lysine Acetylation ◽  
Specific Manner ◽  
Lysine Residues ◽  
Antiparasitic Drugs

Bromodomains recognize and bind acetyl-lysine residues present in histone and non-histone proteins in a specific manner. In the last decade they have raised as attractive targets for drug discovery because the miss-regulation of human bromodomains was discovered to be involved in the development of a large spectrum of diseases. However, targeting eukaryotic pathogens bromodomains continues to be almost unexplored. We and others have reported the essentiality of diverse bromodomain- containing proteins in protozoa, offering a new opportunity for the development of antiparasitic drugs, especially for Trypansoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas’ disease. Mammalian bromodomains were classified in eight groups based on sequence similarity but parasitic bromodomains are very divergent proteins and are hard to assign them to any of these groups, suggesting that selective inhibitors can be obtained. In this review, we describe the importance of lysine acetylation and bromodomains in T. cruzi as well as the current knowledge on mammalian bromodomains. Also, we summarize the myriad of small-molecules under study to treat different pathologies and which of them have been tested in trypanosomatids and other protozoa. All the information available led us to propose that T. cruzi bromodomains should be considered as important potential targets and the search for smallmolecules to inhibit them should be empowered.

Noncoding RNAs in Medicinal Plants and Their Regulatory Roles in Bioactive Compound Production

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caili Li ◽  
Meizhen Wang ◽  
Xiaoxiao Qiu ◽  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Shanfa Lu
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Salvia Miltiorrhiza ◽  
Noncoding Rnas ◽  
Bioactive Compound ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Small Interfering Rnas ◽  
Regulatory Pathways ◽  
Regulatory Modules

Background: Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), play significant regulatory roles in plant development and secondary metabolism and are involved in plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses. They have been intensively studied in model systems and crops for approximately two decades and massive amount of information have been obtained. However, for medicinal plants, ncRNAs, particularly their regulatory roles in bioactive compound biosynthesis, are just emerging as a hot research field. Objective: This review aims to summarize current knowledge on herbal ncRNAs and their regulatory roles in bioactive compound production. Results and Conclusion: So far, scientists have identified thousands of miRNA candidates from over 50 medicinal plant species and 11794 lncRNAs from Salvia miltiorrhiza, Panax ginseng, and Digitalis purpurea. Among them, more than 30 miRNAs and five lncRNAs have been predicted to regulate bioactive compound production. The regulation may achieve through various regulatory modules and pathways, such as the miR397-LAC module, the miR12112-PPO module, the miR156-SPL module, the miR828-MYB module, the miR858-MYB module, and other siRNA and lncRNA regulatory pathways. Further functional analysis of herbal ncRNAs will provide useful information for quality and quantity improvement of medicinal plants.

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