scholarly journals Different fusion tags affect the activity of ubiquitin overexpression on spastin protein stability

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianyu Zou ◽  
Zhenbin Cai ◽  
Zhi Liang ◽  
Yaozhong Liang ◽  
Guowei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Stability ◽  
Neurite Outgrowth ◽  
Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Spastic Paraplegia ◽  
Promoting Effect ◽  
Microtubule Severing ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Spastin is one of the proteins which lead to hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), whose dysfunction towards microtubule severing and membrane transporting is critically important. The present study is to elucidate the mechanisms of the protein stability regulation of spastin. The ubiquitin encoding plasmids are transfected into COS-7 cells with different fusion tags including Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), mCherry and Flag. The expression level of spastin was detected, microtubule severing activity and neurite outgrowth were quantified. The data showed that ubiquitin overexpression significantly induced the decreased expression of spastin, suppressed the activity of microtubule severing in COS-7 cells and inhibited the promoting effect on neurite outgrowth in cultured hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, when modulating the overexpression experiments of ubiquitin, it was found that relatively small tag like Flag, but not large tags such as GFP or mCherry fused with ubiquitin, retained the activity on spastin stability. The present study investigated the effects of small/large tags addition to ubiquitin and the novel mechanisms of post-transcriptional modifications of spastin on regulating neurite outgrowth, in the attempt to experimentally elucidate the mechanisms that control the level or stability of spastin in hereditary spastic paraplegia.

scholarly journals Truncating mutations of SPAST associated with hereditary spastic paraplegia indicate greater accumulation and toxicity of the M1 isoform of spastin

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (13) ◽  
pp. 1728-1737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna M. Solowska ◽  
Anand N. Rao ◽  
Peter W. Baas
Keyword(s):  
Neurite Outgrowth ◽  
Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia ◽  
Pathogenic Mutation ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Start Codon ◽  
Spastic Paraplegia ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Microtubule Severing ◽  
Corticospinal Tracts ◽  
Over Time

The SPAST gene, which produces two isoforms (M1 and M87) of the microtubule-severing protein spastin, is the chief gene mutated in hereditary spastic paraplegia. Haploinsufficiency is a popular explanation for the disease, in part because most of the >200 pathogenic mutations of the gene are truncating and expected to produce only vanishingly small amounts of shortened proteins. Here we studied two such mutations, N184X and S245X, and our results suggest another possibility. We found that the truncated M1 proteins can accumulate to notably higher levels than their truncated M87 or wild-type counterparts. Reminiscent of our earlier studies on a pathogenic mutation that generates full-length M1 and M87 proteins, truncated M1 was notably more detrimental to neurite outgrowth than truncated M87, and this was true for both N184X and S245X. The greater toxicity and tendency to accumulate suggest that, over time, truncated M1 could damage the corticospinal tracts of human patients. Curiously, the N184X mutation triggers the reinitiation of translation at a third start codon in SPAST, resulting in synthesis of a novel M187 spastin isoform that is able to sever microtubules. Thus microtubule severing may not be as reduced as previously assumed in the case of that mutation.

WZsGreen/+: a new green fluorescent protein knock-in mouse model for the study of KIT-expressing cells in gut and cerebellum

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 412-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mira Wouters ◽  
Karine Smans ◽  
Jean-Marie Vanderwinden
Keyword(s):  
Small Intestine ◽  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Molecular Layer ◽  
Transgenic Animals ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Green Fluorescent

In the small intestine, interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) surrounding the myenteric plexus generate the pacemaking slow waves that are essential for an efficient intestinal transit. The underlying molecular mechanisms of the slow wave are poorly known. KIT is currently the sole practical marker for ICC. Attempts to purify living ICC have so far largely failed, due to the loss of the KIT epitope during enzymatic dissociation. Aiming to identify and isolate living ICC, we designed a knock-in strategy to express a fluorescent tag in KIT-expressing cells by inserting the sequence of the novel green fluorescent protein ZsGreen into the first exon of the c-Kit gene, creating a null allele called WZsGreen. In the gastrointestinal tract of heterozygous WZsGreen/+ mice, tiny ZsGreen fluorescent dots were observed in all KIT-expressing ICC populations, with exception of ICC at the deep muscular plexus in small intestine. During development of the gastrointestinal tract, ZsGreen expression followed KIT expression in a spatiotemporal way. Stellate and basket KIT-expressing cells in the molecular layer of the cerebellum also exhibited ZsGreen dots, whereas no ZsGreen was detected in skin, testis, and bone marrow. ZsGreen dot-containing intestinal cells could be isolated from jejunum and maintained alive in culture for at least 3 days. ZsGreen is a suitable alternative to EGFP in transgenic animals. The novel WZsGreen/+ model reported here appears to be a promising tool for live studies of KIT-expressing cells in the gastrointestinal tract and cerebellum and for the further analysis of pacemaker mechanisms.

A global survey of CRM1-dependent nuclear export sequences in the human deubiquitinase family

2011 ◽  
Vol 441 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iraia García-Santisteban ◽  
Sonia Bañuelos ◽  
Jose A. Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Export ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Yellow Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Sequence Motifs ◽  
Leptomycin B ◽  
Specific Amino Acid ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Nuclear Export Receptor

The mechanisms that regulate the nucleocytoplasmic localization of human deubiquitinases remain largely unknown. The nuclear export receptor CRM1 binds to specific amino acid motifs termed NESs (nuclear export sequences). By using in silico prediction and experimental validation of candidate sequences, we identified 32 active NESs and 78 inactive NES-like motifs in human deubiquitinases. These results allowed us to evaluate the performance of three programs widely used for NES prediction, and to add novel information to the recently redefined NES consensus. The novel NESs identified in the present study reveal a subset of 22 deubiquitinases bearing motifs that might mediate their binding to CRM1. We tested the effect of the CRM1 inhibitor LMB (leptomycin B) on the localization of YFP (yellow fluorescent protein)- or GFP (green fluorescent protein)-tagged versions of six NES-bearing deubiquitinases [USP (ubiquitin-specific peptidase) 1, USP3, USP7, USP21, CYLD (cylindromatosis) and OTUD7B (OTU-domain-containing 7B)]. YFP–USP21 and, to a lesser extent, GFP–OTUD7B relocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in the presence of LMB, revealing their nucleocytoplasmic shuttling capability. Two sequence motifs in USP21 had been identified during our survey as active NESs in the export assay. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we show that one of these motifs mediates USP21 nuclear export, whereas the second motif is not functional in the context of full-length USP21.

scholarly journals Motility Characteristics of Human KIF1A Mutants in Hippocampal Neurons in Relation to Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

2020 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 431a
Author(s):  
Shiori Matsumoto ◽  
Kyoko Chiba ◽  
Shinsuke Niwa ◽  
Kumiko Hayashi
Keyword(s):  
Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Spastic Paraplegia

NRSF Causes cAMP-Sensitive Suppression of Sodium Current in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

2002 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 409-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Nadeau ◽  
H. A. Lester
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Sodium Current ◽  
Striking Similarity ◽  
Secondary Effects ◽  
Functional Effect ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Altered Sensitivity ◽  
Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

The neuron restrictive silencer factor (NRSF/REST) has been shown to bind to the promoters of many neuron-specific genes and is able to suppress transcription of Na+channels in PC12 cells, although its functional effect in terminally differentiated neurons is unknown. We constructed lentiviral vectors to express NRSF as a bicistronic message with green fluorescent protein (GFP) and followed infected hippocampal neurons in culture over a period of 1–2 wk. NRSF-expressing neurons showed a time-dependent suppression of Na+channel function as measured by whole cell electrophysiology. Suppression was reversed or prevented by the addition of membrane-permeable cAMP analogues and enhanced by cAMP antagonists but not affected by increasing protein expression with a viral enhancer. Secondary effects, including altered sensitivity to glutamate and GABA and reduced outward K+currents, were duplicated by culturing GFP-infected control neurons in TTX. The striking similarity of the phenotypes makes NRSF potentially useful as a genetic “silencer” and also suggests avenues of further exploration that may elucidate the transcription factor's in vivo role in neuronal plasticity.

ROMK1 (Kir1.1) Causes Apoptosis and Chronic Silencing of Hippocampal Neurons

2000 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 1062-1075 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Nadeau ◽  
S. McKinney ◽  
D. J. Anderson ◽  
H. A. Lester
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Input Resistance ◽  
Firing Frequency ◽  
Compensatory Mechanisms ◽  
Spike Shape ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Potential Threshold

Lentiviral vectors were constructed to express the weakly rectifying kidney K+ channel ROMK1 (Kir1.1), either fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or as a bicistronic message (ROMK1-CITE-EGFP). The channel was stably expressed in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Infected cells were maintained for 2–4 wk without decrease in expression level or evidence of viral toxicity, although 15.4 mM external KCl was required to prevent apoptosis of neurons expressing functional ROMK1. No other trophic agents tested could prevent cell death, which was probably caused by K+loss. This cell death did not occur in glia, which were able to support ROMK1 expression indefinitely. Functional ROMK1, quantified as the nonnative inward current at −144 mV in 5.4 mM external K+blockable by 500 μM Ba2+, ranged from 1 to 40 pA/pF. Infected neurons exhibited a Ba2+-induced depolarization of 7 ± 2 mV relative to matched EGFP-infected controls, as well as a 30% decrease in input resistance and a shift in action potential threshold of 2.6 ± 0.5 mV. This led to a shift in the relation between injected current and firing frequency, without changes in spike shape, size, or timing. This shift, which quantifies silencing as a function of ROMK1 expression, was predicted from Hodgkin-Huxley models. No cellular compensatory mechanisms in response to expression of ROMK1 were identified, making ROMK1 potentially useful for transgenic studies of silencing and neurodegeneration, although its lethality in normal K+ has implications for the use of K+ channels in gene therapy.

scholarly journals Axonal Membrane Proteins Are Transported in Distinct Carriers: A Two-Color Video Microscopy Study in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1213-1224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Kaether ◽  
Paul Skehel ◽  
Carlos G. Dotti
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Yellow Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Microscopy Study ◽  
Video Microscopy ◽  
Axonal Membrane ◽  
Color Video ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Living Neurons

Neurons transport newly synthesized membrane proteins along axons by microtubule-mediated fast axonal transport. Membrane proteins destined for different axonal subdomains are thought to be transported in different transport carriers. To analyze this differential transport in living neurons, we tagged the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and synaptophysin (p38) with green fluorescent protein (GFP) variants. The resulting fusion proteins, APP-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), p38-enhanced GFP, and p38-enhanced cyan fluorescent protein, were expressed in hippocampal neurons, and the cells were imaged by video microscopy. APP-YFP was transported in elongated tubules that moved extremely fast (on average 4.5 μm/s) and over long distances. In contrast, p38-enhanced GFP-transporting structures were more vesicular and moved four times slower (0.9 μm/s) and over shorter distances only. Two-color video microscopy showed that the two proteins were sorted to different carriers that moved with different characteristics along axons of doubly transfected neurons. Antisense treatment using oligonucleotides against the kinesin heavy chain slowed down the long, continuous movement of APP-YFP tubules and increased frequency of directional changes. These results demonstrate for the first time directly the sorting and transport of two axonal membrane proteins into different carriers. Moreover, the extremely fast-moving tubules represent a previously unidentified type of axonal carrier.

scholarly journals Rescue of a pathogenic mutant human glucagon receptor by pharmacological chaperones

2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Run Yu ◽  
Chun-Rong Chen ◽  
Xiaohong Liu ◽  
János T Kodra
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Receptor Interaction ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Camp Production ◽  
Cell Hyperplasia ◽  
Glucagon Receptor ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Pharmacological Chaperones ◽  
Green Fluorescent

We have previously demonstrated that a homozygous inactivating P86S mutation of the glucagon receptor (GCGR) causes a novel human disease of hyperglucagonemia, pancreatic α-cell hyperplasia, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (Mahvash disease). The mechanisms for the decreased activity of the P86S mutant (P86S) are abnormal receptor localization to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and defective interaction with glucagon. To search for targeted therapies for Mahvash disease, we examined whether P86S can be trafficked to the plasma membrane by pharmacological chaperones and whether novel glucagon analogs restore effective receptor interaction. We used enhanced green fluorescent protein-tagged P86S stably expressed in HEK 293 cells to allow fluorescence imaging and western blotting and molecular modeling to design novel glucagon analogs in which alanine 19 was replaced with serine or asparagine. Incubation at 27 °C largely restored normal plasma membrane localization and normal processing of P86S but osmotic chaperones had no effects. The ER stressors thapsigargin and curcumin partially rescued P86S. The lipophilic GCGR antagonist L-168,049 also partially rescued P86S, so did Cpd 13 and 15 to a smaller degree. The rescued P86S led to more glucagon-stimulated cAMP production and was internalized by glucagon. Compared with the native glucagon, the novel glucagon analogs failed to stimulate more cAMP production by P86S. We conclude that the mutant GCGR is partially rescued by several pharmacological chaperones and our data provide proof-of-principle evidence that Mahvash disease can be potentially treated with pharmacological chaperones. The novel glucagon analogs, however, failed to interact with P86S more effectively.

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