A Red Fluorescent Protein-Based Probe for Detection of Intracellular Reactive Sulfane Sulfur

Reactive sulfane sulfur, including persulfide and polysulfide, is a type of regular cellular component, playing an antioxidant role. Its function may be organelle-dependent; however, the shortage of probes for detecting organellar reactive sulfane sulfur has hindered further investigation. Herein, we reported a red fluorescent protein (mCherry)-based probe for specifically detecting intracellular reactive sulfane sulfur. By mutating two amino acid residues of mCherry (A150 and S151) to cysteine residues, we constructed a mCherry mutant, which reacted with reactive sulfane sulfur to form an intramolecular –Sn– bond (n ≥ 3). The bond largely decreased the intensity of 610 nm emission (excitation at 587 nm) and slightly increased the intensity of 466 nm emission (excitation at 406 nm). The 466/610 nm emission ratio was used to indicate the relative abundance of reactive sulfane sulfur. We then expressed this mutant in the cytoplasm and mitochondria of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The 466/610 nm emission ratio revealed that mitochondria had a higher level of reactive sulfane sulfur than cytoplasm. Thus, the mCherry mutant can be used as a specific probe for detecting reactive sulfane sulfur in vivo.

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Role of Integrase in Reverse Transcription of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Retrotransposon Ty1

Eukaryotic Cell ◽

10.1128/ec.4.6.1057-1065.2005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 4 (6) ◽

pp. 1057-1065 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

M. Wilhelm ◽

F.-X. Wilhelm

Keyword(s):

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽

Amino Acid ◽

Specific Activity ◽

Rnase H ◽

Amino Acid Residues ◽

Acidic Amino Acid ◽

Acidic Domain ◽

Basic Region

ABSTRACT Reverse transcriptase (RT) with its associated RNase H (RH) domain and integrase (IN) are key enzymes encoded by retroviruses and retrotransposons. Several studies have implied a functional role of the interaction between IN and RT during the replication of retroviral and retrotransposon genomes. In this study, IN deletion mutants were used to investigate the role of IN on the RT activity of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae retrotransposon Ty1. We have identified two domains of Ty1 integrase which have effects on RT activity in vivo. The deletion of a domain spanning amino acid residues 233 to 520 of IN increases the exogenous specific activity of RT up to 20-fold, whereas the removal of a region rich in acidic amino acid residues between residues 521 and 607 decreases its activity. The last result complements our observation that an active recombinant RT protein can be obtained if a small acidic tail mimicking the acidic domain of IN is fused to the RT-RH domain. We suggest that interaction between these acidic amino acid residues of IN and a basic region of RT could be critical for the correct folding of RT and for the formation of an active conformation of the enzyme.

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Identification of the amino acid residues responsible for the reversible photoconversion of the monomeric red fluorescent protein TagRFP

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry ◽

10.1134/s1068162010020068 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 179-184

Author(s):

L. Zhang ◽

N. G. Gurskaya ◽

Y. E. Kopantseva ◽

N. N. Mudrik ◽

L. L. Vagner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Amino Acid Residues ◽

Red Fluorescent Protein

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Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rhodanese RDL2 Uses the Arg Residue of the Active-Site Loop for Thiosulfate Decomposition

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10101525 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1525

Author(s):

Qingda Wang ◽

Huanjie Li ◽

Yongzhen Xia ◽

Luying Xun ◽

Huaiwei Liu

Keyword(s):

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽

Amino Acid ◽

Active Site ◽

In Vitro Assays ◽

Amino Acid Residues ◽

Sulfane Sulfur ◽

Sulfur Transfer ◽

Sulfur Containing ◽

Positively Charged

Persulfide, polysulfide and thiosulfate are examples of sulfane sulfur containing chemicals that play multiple functions in biological systems. Rhodaneses are widely present in all three kingdoms of life, which catalyze sulfur transfer among these sulfane sulfur-containing chemicals. The mechanism of how rhodaneses function is not well understood. Saccharomyces cerevisiae rhodanese 2 (RDL2) is involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and cell cycle control. Herein, we report a 2.47 Å resolution structure of RDL2 co-crystallized with thiosulfate (PDB entry: 6K6R). The presence of an extra sulfur atom Sδ, forming a persulfide bond with the Sγ atom of Cys106, was observed. Distinct from the persulfide groups in GlpE (PDB entry:1GMX) and rhobov (PDB entry:1BOI), the persulfide group of RDL2 is located in a peanut-like pocket of the neutral electrostatic field and is far away from positively charged amino acid residues of its active-site loop, suggesting no interaction between them. This finding suggests that the positively charged amino acid residues are not involved in the stabilization of the persulfide group. Activity assays indicate that the Arg111 of the active-site loop is critical for the sulfane sulfur transfer. In vitro assays indicate that Arg propels the thiosulfate decomposition. Thus, we propose that Arg can offer a hydrogen bond-rich, acidic-like microenvironment in RDL2 in which thiosulfate decomposes to release sulfane sulfur. Thr of the active-site loop of rhodaneses has the same functions as Arg. Our proposal may explain the catalyzing mechanism of rhodaneses.

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Autoregulator Protein PhaR for Biosynthesis of Polyhydroxybutyrate [P(3HB)] Possibly Has Two Separate Domains That Bind to the Target DNA and P(3HB): Functional Mapping of Amino Acid Residues Responsible for DNA Binding

Journal of Bacteriology ◽

10.1128/jb.01550-06 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 189 (3) ◽

pp. 1118-1127 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Miwa Yamada ◽

Koichi Yamashita ◽

Akiko Wakuda ◽

Kazuyoshi Ichimura ◽

Akira Maehara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Dna Binding ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Paracoccus Denitrificans ◽

Regulatory Protein ◽

Amino Acid Residues ◽

Surface Plasmon Resonance Analysis ◽

Target Dna ◽

Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT PhaR from Paracoccus denitrificans functions as a repressor or autoregulator of the expression of genes encoding phasin protein (PhaP) and PhaR itself, both of which are components of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) granules (A. Maehara, S. Taguchi, T. Nishiyama, T. Yamane, and Y. Doi, J. Bacteriol. 184:3992-4002, 2002). PhaR is a unique regulatory protein in that it also has the ability to bind tightly to an effector molecule, PHA polyester. In this study, by using a quartz crystal microbalance, we obtained direct evidence that PhaR binds to the target DNA and poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] [P(3HB)], one of the PHAs, at the same time. To identify the PhaR amino acid residues responsible for DNA binding, deletion and PCR-mediated random point mutation experiments were carried out with the gene encoding the PhaR protein. PhaR point mutants with decreased DNA-binding abilities were efficiently screened by an in vivo monitoring assay system coupled with gene expression of green fluorescent protein in Escherichia coli. DNA-binding abilities of the wild-type and mutants of recombinant PhaR expressed in E. coli were evaluated using a gel shift assay and a surface plasmon resonance analysis. These experiments revealed that basic amino acids and a tyrosine in the N-terminal region, which is highly conserved among PhaR homologs, are responsible for DNA binding. However, most of the mutants with decreased DNA-binding abilities were unaffected in their ability to bind P(3HB), strongly suggesting that PhaR has two separate domains capable of binding to the target DNA and P(3HB).

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Fluorescent proteins for in vivo imaging, where's the biliverdin?

Biochemical Society Transactions ◽

10.1042/bst20200444 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (6) ◽

pp. 2657-2667

Author(s):

Felipe Montecinos-Franjola ◽

John Y. Lin ◽

Erik A. Rodriguez

Keyword(s):

Hydrogen Peroxide ◽

In Vivo Imaging ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Fluorescent Proteins ◽

Fluorescent Imaging ◽

Infrared Light ◽

Red Fluorescent Protein ◽

Color Palette

Noninvasive fluorescent imaging requires far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins for deeper imaging. Near-infrared light penetrates biological tissue with blood vessels due to low absorbance, scattering, and reflection of light and has a greater signal-to-noise due to less autofluorescence. Far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins absorb light >600 nm to expand the color palette for imaging multiple biosensors and noninvasive in vivo imaging. The ideal fluorescent proteins are bright, photobleach minimally, express well in the desired cells, do not oligomerize, and generate or incorporate exogenous fluorophores efficiently. Coral-derived red fluorescent proteins require oxygen for fluorophore formation and release two hydrogen peroxide molecules. New fluorescent proteins based on phytochrome and phycobiliproteins use biliverdin IXα as fluorophores, do not require oxygen for maturation to image anaerobic organisms and tumor core, and do not generate hydrogen peroxide. The small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein (smURFP) was evolved from a cyanobacterial phycobiliprotein to covalently attach biliverdin as an exogenous fluorophore. The small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein is biophysically as bright as the enhanced green fluorescent protein, is exceptionally photostable, used for biosensor development, and visible in living mice. Novel applications of smURFP include in vitro protein diagnostics with attomolar (10−18 M) sensitivity, encapsulation in viral particles, and fluorescent protein nanoparticles. However, the availability of biliverdin limits the fluorescence of biliverdin-attaching fluorescent proteins; hence, extra biliverdin is needed to enhance brightness. New methods for improved biliverdin bioavailability are necessary to develop improved bright far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins for noninvasive imaging in vivo.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Amino acid residues involved in ligand preference of the Snf3 transporter-like sensor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.2663959.2328058 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Carlos Gancedo

Keyword(s):

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽

Amino Acid ◽

Amino Acid Residues

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Oxytocin analogues with non-coded amino acid residues in position 8: [8-Neopentylglycine]oxytocin and [8-cycloleucine]oxytocin

Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications ◽

10.1135/cccc19872317 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 52 (9) ◽

pp. 2317-2325 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jan Hlaváček ◽

Jan Pospíšek ◽

Jiřina Slaninová ◽

Walter Y. Chan ◽

Victor J. Hruby

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Solid Phase Synthesis ◽

Solid Phase ◽

The Other ◽

Amino Acid Residues ◽

Phase Synthesis ◽

Other Hand ◽

Fragment Condensation

[8-Neopentylglycine]oxytocin (II) and [8-cycloleucine]oxytocin (III) were prepared by a combination of solid-phase synthesis and fragment condensation. Both analogues exhibited decreased uterotonic potency in vitro, each being about 15-30% that of oxytocin. Analogue II also displayed similarly decreased uterotonic potency in vivo and galactogogic potency. On the other hand, analogue III exhibited almost the same potency as oxytocin in the uterotonic assay in vivo and in the galactogogic assay.

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Synthesis of Fragments of the Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) and Analysis of Their Residual Biological Activities

Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications ◽

10.1135/cccc19951229 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 60 (7) ◽

pp. 1229-1235 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ivana Zoulíková ◽

Ivan Svoboda ◽

Jiří Velek ◽

Václav Kašička ◽

Jiřina Slaninová ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Residual Activity ◽

Detailed Examination ◽

Amino Acid Residues ◽

Linear Peptide ◽

Zone Electrophoresis ◽

Capillary Zone

The vasoactive intestinal (poly)peptide (VIP) is a linear peptide containing 28 amino acid residues, whose primary structure indicates a low metabolic stability. The following VIP fragments, as potential metabolites, and their analogues were prepared by synthesis on a solid: [His(Dnp)1]VIP(1-10), VIP(11-14), [D-Arg12]VIP(11-14), [Lys(Pac)15,21,Arg20]VIP(15-22), and VIP(23-28). After purification, the peptides were characterized by amino acid analysis, mass spectrometry, RP HPLC, and capillary zone electrophoresis. In some tests, detailed examination of the biological activity of the substances in vivo and in vitro gave evidence of a low, residual activity of some fragments, viz. a depressoric activity in vivo for [His(Dnp)1]VIP(1-10) and a stimulating activity for the release of α-amylase in vitro and in vivo for [Lys(Pac)15,21,Arg20]VIP(15-22) and VIP(23-28).

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Functional expression, quantification and cellular localization of the Hxt2 hexose transporter of Saccharomyces cerevisiae tagged with the green fluorescent protein

Biochemical Journal ◽

10.1042/bj3390299 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 339 (2) ◽

pp. 299-307 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Arthur L. KRUCKEBERG ◽

Ling YE ◽

Jan A. BERDEN ◽

Karel van DAM

Keyword(s):

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽

Plasma Membrane ◽

Green Fluorescent Protein ◽

Glucose Transport ◽

Cellular Localization ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Hexose Transporter ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Green Fluorescent

The Hxt2 glucose transport protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was genetically fused at its C-terminus with the green fluorescent protein (GFP). The Hxt2-GFP fusion protein is a functional hexose transporter: it restored growth on glucose to a strain bearing null mutations in the hexose transporter genes GAL2 and HXT1 to HXT7. Furthermore, its glucose transport activity in this null strain was not markedly different from that of the wild-type Hxt2 protein. We calculated from the fluorescence level and transport kinetics that induced cells had 1.4×105 Hxt2-GFP molecules per cell, and that the catalytic-centre activity of the Hxt2-GFP molecule in vivo is 53 s-1 at 30 °C. Expression of Hxt2-GFP was induced by growth at low concentrations of glucose. Under inducing conditions the Hxt2-GFP fluorescence was localized to the plasma membrane. In a strain impaired in the fusion of secretory vesicles with the plasma membrane, the fluorescence accumulated in the cytoplasm. When induced cells were treated with high concentrations of glucose, the fluorescence was redistributed to the vacuole within 4 h. When endocytosis was genetically blocked, the fluorescence remained in the plasma membrane after treatment with high concentrations of glucose.

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Cell surface anchorage and ligand-binding domains of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell adhesion protein alpha-agglutinin, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily.

Molecular and Cellular Biology ◽

10.1128/mcb.13.4.2554 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 2554-2563 ◽

Cited By ~ 82

Author(s):

D Wojciechowicz ◽

C F Lu ◽

J Kurjan ◽

P N Lipke

Keyword(s):

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽

Cell Adhesion ◽

Amino Acid ◽

Cell Surface ◽

Consensus Sequence ◽

Binding Domain ◽

Immunoglobulin Superfamily ◽

Cell Contact ◽

Amino Acid Residues ◽

Adhesion Proteins

alpha-Agglutinin is a cell adhesion glycoprotein expressed on the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha cells. Binding of alpha-agglutinin to its ligand a-agglutinin, expressed by a cells, mediates cell-cell contact during mating. Analysis of truncations of the 650-amino-acid alpha-agglutinin structural gene AG alpha 1 delineated functional domains of alpha-agglutinin. Removal of the C-terminal hydrophobic sequence allowed efficient secretion of the protein and loss of cell surface attachment. This cell surface anchorage domain was necessary for linkage to a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol anchor. A construct expressing the N-terminal 350 amino acid residues retained full a-agglutinin-binding activity, localizing the binding domain to the N-terminal portion of alpha-agglutinin. A 278-residue N-terminal peptide was inactive; therefore, the binding domain includes residues between 278 and 350. The segment of alpha-agglutinin between amino acid residues 217 and 308 showed significant structural and sequence similarity to a consensus sequence for immunoglobulin superfamily variable-type domains. The similarity of the alpha-agglutinin-binding domain to mammalian cell adhesion proteins suggests that this structure is a highly conserved feature of adhesion proteins in diverse eukaryotes.

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