scholarly journals Novel Flavivirus Attenuation Markers Identified in the Envelope Protein of Alfuy Virus

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Daniel Westlake ◽  
Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann ◽  
Natalie A. Prow ◽  
Roy A. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Envelope Protein ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Prototype Strain ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Structural Modelling ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus ◽  
Sequence Comparisons ◽  
Low Passage ◽  
Positively Charged

Alfuy (ALFV) is an attenuated flavivirus related to the Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV). We previously identified markers of attenuation in the envelope (E) protein of the prototype strain (ALFV3929), including the hinge region (E273–277) and lack of glycosylation at E154-156. To further determine the mechanisms of attenuation we assessed ALFV3929 binding to glycosaminoglycans (GAG), a known mechanism of flaviviruses attenuation. Indeed, ALFV3929 exhibited reduced binding to GAG-rich cells in the presence of heparin; however, low-passage ALFV isolates were relatively unaffected. Sequence comparisons between ALFV strains and structural modelling incriminated a positively-charged residue (K327) in ALFV3929 as a GAG-binding motif. Substitution of this residue to the corresponding uncharged residue in MVEV (L), using a previously described chimeric virus containing the prM & E genes of ALFV3929 in the backbone of MVEV (MVEV/ALFV-prME), confirmed a role for K327 in enhanced GAG binding. When the wild type residues at E327, E273–277 and E154–156 of ALFV3929 were replaced with the corresponding residues from virulent MVEV, it revealed each motif contributed to attenuation of ALFV3929, with the E327/E273–277 combination most dominant. These data demonstrate that attenuation of ALFV3929 is multifactorial and provide new insights for the rational design of attenuated flavivirus vaccines.

scholarly journals A Rubisco-binding protein is required for normal pyrenoid number and starch sheath morphology inChlamydomonas reinhardtii

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (37) ◽  
pp. 18445-18454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan K. Itakura ◽  
Kher Xing Chan ◽  
Nicky Atkinson ◽  
Leif Pallesen ◽  
Lianyong Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Starch Granules ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Bisphosphate Carboxylase ◽  
Biophysical Mechanism ◽  
Mechanism Function ◽  
And Function

A phase-separated, liquid-like organelle called the pyrenoid mediates CO2fixation in the chloroplasts of nearly all eukaryotic algae. While most algae have 1 pyrenoid per chloroplast, here we describe a mutant in the model algaChlamydomonasthat has on average 10 pyrenoids per chloroplast. Characterization of the mutant leads us to propose a model where multiple pyrenoids are favored by an increase in the surface area of the starch sheath that surrounds and binds to the liquid-like pyrenoid matrix. We find that the mutant’s phenotypes are due to disruption of a gene, which we call StArch Granules Abnormal 1 (SAGA1) because starch sheath granules, or plates, in mutants lacking SAGA1 are more elongated and thinner than those of wild type. SAGA1 contains a starch binding motif, suggesting that it may directly regulate starch sheath morphology. SAGA1 localizes to multiple puncta and streaks in the pyrenoid and physically interacts with the small and large subunits of the carbon-fixing enzyme Rubisco (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase), a major component of the liquid-like pyrenoid matrix. Our findings suggest a biophysical mechanism by which starch sheath morphology affects pyrenoid number and CO2-concentrating mechanism function, advancing our understanding of the structure and function of this biogeochemically important organelle. More broadly, we propose that the number of phase-separated organelles can be regulated by imposing constraints on their surface area.

scholarly journals A BAFF-R mutation associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma alters TRAF recruitment and reveals new insights into BAFF-R signaling

2010 ◽  
Vol 207 (12) ◽  
pp. 2569-2579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne M. Hildebrand ◽  
Zhenghua Luo ◽  
Michelle K. Manske ◽  
Tammy Price-Troska ◽  
Steven C. Ziesmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cell ◽  
Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽  
Novel Mutation ◽  
B Cell Development ◽  
Signaling Cascades ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Immunoglobulin Production ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Non Hodgkin Lymphoma

The cytokine B cell activating factor (BAFF) and its receptor, BAFF receptor (BAFF-R), modulate signaling cascades critical for B cell development and survival. We identified a novel mutation in TNFRSF13C, the gene encoding human BAFF-R, that is present in both tumor and germline tissue from a subset of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This mutation encodes a His159Tyr substitution in the cytoplasmic tail of BAFF-R adjacent to the TRAF3 binding motif. Signaling through this mutant BAFF-R results in increased NF-κB1 and NF-κB2 activity and increased immunoglobulin production compared with the wild-type (WT) BAFF-R. This correlates with increased TRAF2, TRAF3, and TRAF6 recruitment to His159Tyr BAFF-R. In addition, we document a requirement for TRAF6 in WT BAFF-R signaling. Together, these data identify a novel lymphoma-associated mutation in human BAFF-R that results in NF-κB activation and reveals TRAF6 as a necessary component of normal BAFF-R signaling.

scholarly journals Increase in Zucchini yellow mosaic virus Symptom Severity in Tolerant Zucchini Cultivars Is Related to a Point Mutation in P3 Protein and Is Associated with a Loss of Relative Fitness on Susceptible Plants

2003 ◽  
Vol 93 (12) ◽  
pp. 1478-1484 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Desbiez ◽  
A. Gal-On ◽  
M. Girard ◽  
C. Wipf-Scheibel ◽  
H. Lecoq
Keyword(s):  
Mosaic Virus ◽  
Point Mutation ◽  
Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus ◽  
Genetic Load ◽  
Yellow Mosaic Virus ◽  
Relative Fitness ◽  
Interspecific Crosses ◽  
Mixed Infections ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Sequence Comparisons

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV, Potyvirus) is a very damaging cucurbit virus worldwide. Interspecific crosses with resistant Cucurbita moschata have led to the release of “resistant” zucchini squash (C. pepo) F1 hybrids. However, although the resistance is almost complete in C. moschata, the commercial C. pepo hybrids are only tolerant. ZYMV evolution toward increased aggressiveness on tolerant hybrids was observed in the field and was obtained experimentally. Sequence comparisons and recombination experiments revealed that a point mutation in the P3 protein of ZYMV was enough to induce tolerance breaking. Competition experiments were performed between quasi-isogenic wild-type, and aggressive variants of ZYMV distinguished by monoclonal antibodies. The aggressive mutants were more fit than wild-type strains in mixed infections of tolerant zucchini, but they presented a drastic fitness loss in mixed infections of susceptible zucchini or melon. Thus, the ability to induce severe symptoms in tolerant zucchini is related to a genetic load in susceptible zucchini, but also on other susceptible hosts. This represents the first quantitative study of the fitness cost associated with tolerance breaking for a plant virus. Thus, although easily broken, the tolerance might prove durable in some conditions if the aggressive variants are counterselected in susceptible crops.

scholarly journals The Synechococcus Strain PCC 7942glnN Product (Glutamine Synthetase III) Helps Recovery from Prolonged Nitrogen Chlorosis

2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (19) ◽  
pp. 5615-5619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörg Sauer ◽  
Ulrike Dirmeier ◽  
Karl Forchhammer
Keyword(s):  
Glutamine Synthetase ◽  
Transcriptional Start Site ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cloning And Sequencing ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Synechococcus Strain ◽  
Pcc 7942

ABSTRACT We report the cloning and sequencing of the glnN gene encoding a class III glutamine synthetase from the cyanobacteriumSynechococcus strain PCC 7942. Mapping of the transcriptional start site revealed a DNA sequence in the promoter region that resembles an imperfect NtcA binding motif. Expression ofglnN is impaired in NtcA- and PII-deficient mutants. The only parameter which was negatively affected in theglnN mutant compared to the wild type was the recovery rate of prolonged nitrogen-starved cells with low concentrations of combined nitrogen.

Mutation of a single amino acid converts the human water channel aquaporin 5 into an anion channel

2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (6) ◽  
pp. C663-C672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Qin ◽  
Walter F. Boron
Keyword(s):  
Water Channel ◽  
Anion Channel ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Aquaporin 5 ◽  
Anion Conductance ◽  
Electrode Voltage ◽  
Microelectrode Measurements ◽  
Positively Charged

Aquaporin 6 (AQP6) is unique among mammalian AQPs in being an anion channel with negligible water permeability. However, the point mutation Asn60Gly converts AQP6 from an anion channel into a water channel. In the present study of human AQP5, we mutated Leu51 (corresponding to residue 61 in AQP6), the side chain of which faces the central pore. We evaluated function in Xenopus oocytes by two-electrode voltage clamp, video measurements of osmotic H2O permeability ( Pf), microelectrode measurements of surface pH (pHS) to assess CO2 permeability, and surface biotinylation. We found that AQP5-L51R does not exhibit the H2O or CO2 permeability of the wild-type protein but instead has a novel p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate (pCMBS)-sensitive current. The double mutant AQP5-L51R/C182S renders the conductance insensitive to pCMBS, demonstrating that the current is intrinsic to AQP5. AQP5-L51R has the anion permeability sequence I− > NO3− ≅ NO2− > Br− > Cl− > HCO3− > gluconate. Of the other L51 mutants, L51T (polar uncharged) and L51V (nonpolar) retain H2O and CO2 permeability and do not exhibit anion conductance. L51D and L51E (negatively charged) have no H2O or CO2 permeability. L51K (positively charged) has an intermediate H2O and CO2 permeability and anion conductance. L51H is unusual in having a relatively low CO2 permeability and anion conductance, but a moderate Pf. Thus, positively charged mutations of L51 can convert AQP5 from a H2O/CO2 channel into an anion channel. However, the paradoxical effect of L51H is consistent with the hypothesis that CO2, in part, takes a pathway different from H2O through AQP5.

Abstract 336: A 14-3-3 Mode-1 Binding Motif Promotes Gap Junction Internalization During Acute Cardiac Ischemia

2013 ◽  
Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James W Smyth ◽  
Jose M Sanchez ◽  
Samy Lamouille ◽  
Ting-Ting Hong ◽  
Jacob M Vogan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junction ◽  
Protein Trafficking ◽  
Connexin 43 ◽  
Electrical Coupling ◽  
Acute Ischemia ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Gap Junction Coupling ◽  
Junction Coupling ◽  
Cell Cell

During each heartbeat, robust cell-cell electrical coupling via connexin 43 (Cx43) gap junctions allows billions of individual cardiomyocytes to contract in synchrony. Cx43 turns over rapidly, and altered Cx43 trafficking during disease contributes to the arrhythmias of sudden cardiac death. The overall phosphorylation status of the Cx43 protein is known to regulate gap junction coupling, but the role of many residue specific phosphorylation events remains unknown. One such residue, Ser373, forms a mode-1 14-3-3 binding motif upon phosphorylation. Given that 14-3-3 proteins are known to regulate protein trafficking, we hypothesized a role for Cx43 Ser373 phosphorylation in regulation of Cx43 gap junction coupling. Using Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts we find robust phosphorylation of Cx43 at Ser373 and Ser368 after 30 min of no-flow ischemia. In human cell lines, a S373A mutation ablated Cx43/14-3-3 complexing and 35 S pulse-chase revealed Cx43 S373A also experiences a longer half-life than wild-type Cx43. Previous reports have implicated phosphorylation of Cx43 Ser368 in PKC mediated Cx43 internalization. We find that upon activation of PKC, the Cx43 S373A mutant undergoes lower and more transient levels of phosphorylation at Ser368 than wild-type Cx43. Consistent with these data, siRNA-mediated ablation of 14-3-3 expression results in enlargement of gap junction plaque formation at cell-cell borders. In conclusion, we propose that phosphorylation of Cx43 Ser373 results in 14-3-3 binding which promotes and maintains phosphorylation of Cx43 Ser368 and the subsequent internalization of gap junction channels. These results identify for the first time a specific role for 14-3-3 proteins in regulation of Cx43 internalization during acute ischemia and contribute to the development of therapies aimed at preserving or enhancing gap junction coupling in the heart.

scholarly journals Rational design of new NO and redox sensitivity into connexin26 hemichannels

Open Biology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 140208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Meigh ◽  
Daniel Cook ◽  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Nicholas Dale
Keyword(s):  
Redox Potential ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Salt Bridge ◽  
Disulfide Bridge ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
No Donors ◽  
Bridge Formation ◽  
Redox Sensitivity ◽  
Intracellular Redox

CO 2 directly opens hemichannels of connexin26 (Cx26) by carbamylating K125, thereby allowing salt bridge formation with R104 of the neighbouring subunit in the connexin hexamer. The formation of the inter-subunit carbamate bridges within the hexameric hemichannel traps it in the open state. Here, we use insights derived from this model to test whether the range of agonists capable of opening Cx26 can be extended by promoting the formation of analogous inter-subunit bridges via different mechanisms. The mutation K125C gives potential for nitrosylation on Cys125 and formation of an SNO bridge to R104 of the neighbouring subunit. Unlike wild-type Cx26 hemichannels, which are insensitive to NO and NO 2 − , hemichannels comprising Cx26 K125C can be opened by NO 2 − and NO donors. However, NO 2 − was unable to modulate the doubly mutated (K125C, R104A) hemichannels, indicating that an inter-subunit bridge between C125 and R104 is required for the opening action of NO 2 − . In a further test, we introduced two mutations into Cx26, K125C and R104C, to allow disulfide bridge formation across the inter-subunit boundary. These doubly mutated hemichannels open in response to changes in intracellular redox potential.

scholarly journals The YXXL Sequences of a Transmembrane Protein of Bovine Leukemia Virus Are Required for Viral Entry and Incorporation of Viral Envelope Protein into Virions

1999 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 1293-1301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazunori Inabe ◽  
Masako Nishizawa ◽  
Shigeru Tajima ◽  
Kazuyoshi Ikuta ◽  
Yoko Aida
Keyword(s):  
Viral Entry ◽  
Envelope Protein ◽  
Bovine Leukemia Virus ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Transient Transfection ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Tyrosine Residue ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Viral Envelope Protein

ABSTRACT The cytoplasmic domain of an envelope transmembrane glycoprotein (gp30) of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) has two overlapping copies of the (YXXL)2 motif. The N-terminal motif has been implicated in in vitro signal transduction pathways from the external to the intracellular compartment and is also involved in infection and maintenance of high viral loads in sheep that have been experimentally infected with BLV. To determine the role of YXXL sequences in the replication of BLV in vitro, we changed the tyrosine or leucine residues of the N-terminal motif in an infectious molecular clone of BLV, pBLV-IF, to alanine to produce mutated proviruses designated Y487A, L490A, Y498A, L501A, and Y487/498A. Transient transfection of African green monkey kidney COS-1 cells with proviral DNAs that encoded wild-type and mutant sequences revealed that all of the mutated proviral DNAs synthesized mature envelope proteins and released virus particles into the growth medium. However, serial passages of fetal lamb kidney (FLK) cells, which are sensitive to infection with BLV, after transient transfection revealed that mutation of a second tyrosine residue in the N-terminal motif completely prevented the propagation of the virus. Similarly, Y498A and Y487/498A mutant BLV that was produced by the stably transfected COS-1 cells exhibited significantly reduced levels of cell-free virion-mediated transmission. Analysis of the protein compositions of mutant viruses demonstrated that lower levels of envelope protein were incorporated by two of the mutant virions than by wild-type and other mutant virions. Furthermore, a mutation of a second tyrosine residue decreased the specific binding of BLV particles to FLK cells and the capacity for viral penetration. Our data indicate that the YXXL sequences play critical roles in both viral entry and the incorporation of viral envelope protein into the virion during the life cycle of BLV.

scholarly journals Structure and inhibition of Cryptococcus neoformans sterylglucosidase to develop antifungal agents

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nivea Pereira de Sa ◽  
Adam Taouil ◽  
Jinwoo Kim ◽  
Timothy Clement ◽  
Reece M. Hoffmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Growth Defect ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Secondary Infections ◽  
Heavy Burden

AbstractPathogenic fungi exhibit a heavy burden on medical care and new therapies are needed. Here, we develop the fungal specific enzyme sterylglucosidase 1 (Sgl1) as a therapeutic target. Sgl1 converts the immunomodulatory glycolipid ergosterol 3β-D-glucoside to ergosterol and glucose. Previously, we found that genetic deletion of Sgl1 in the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) results in ergosterol 3β-D-glucoside accumulation, renders Cn non-pathogenic, and immunizes mice against secondary infections by wild-type Cn, even in condition of CD4+ T cell deficiency. Here, we disclose two distinct chemical classes that inhibit Sgl1 function in vitro and in Cn cells. Pharmacological inhibition of Sgl1 phenocopies a growth defect of the Cn Δsgl1 mutant and prevents dissemination of wild-type Cn to the brain in a mouse model of infection. Crystal structures of Sgl1 alone and with inhibitors explain Sgl1’s substrate specificity and enable the rational design of antifungal agents targeting Sgl1.

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