scholarly journals Visualization and functional dissection of coaxial paired SpoIIIE channels across the sporulation septum

eLife ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Yen Shin ◽  
Javier Lopez-Garrido ◽  
Sang-Hyuk Lee ◽  
Cesar Diaz-Celis ◽  
Tinya Fleming ◽  
...  

SpoIIIE is a membrane-anchored DNA translocase that localizes to the septal midpoint to mediate chromosome translocation and membrane fission during Bacillus subtilis sporulation. Here we use cell-specific protein degradation and quantitative photoactivated localization microscopy in strains with a thick sporulation septum to investigate the architecture and function of the SpoIIIE DNA translocation complex in vivo. We were able to visualize SpoIIIE complexes with approximately equal numbers of molecules in the mother cell and the forespore. Cell-specific protein degradation showed that only the mother cell complex is required to translocate DNA into the forespore, whereas degradation in either cell reverses membrane fission. Our data suggest that SpoIIIE assembles a coaxially paired channel for each chromosome arm comprised of one hexamer in each cell to maintain membrane fission during DNA translocation. We show that SpoIIIE can operate, in principle, as a bi-directional motor that exports DNA.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ane Landajuela ◽  
Martha Braun ◽  
Alejandro Martinez-Calvo ◽  
Christopher D. A. Rodrigues ◽  
Thierry Doan ◽  
...  

Bacteria require membrane fission for cell division and endospore formation. FisB catalyzes membrane fission during sporulation, but the molecular basis is unclear as it cannot remodel membranes by itself. Sporulation initiates with an asymmetric division that generates a large mother cell and a smaller forespore that contains only 1/4 of its complete genome. As the mother cell membranes engulf the forespore, a DNA translocase pumps the rest of the chromosome into the small forespore compartment, inflating it due to increased turgor. When the engulfing membranes undergo fission, the forespore is released into the mother cell cytoplasm. Here we show that forespore inflation and FisB accumulation are both required for efficient membrane fission. We suggest that high membrane tension in the engulfment membrane caused by forespore inflation drives FisB-catalyzed membrane fission. Collectively our data indicate that DNA-translocation has a previously unappreciated second function in energizing FisB-mediated membrane fission under energy-limited conditions.


1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 5214-5225 ◽  
Author(s):  
A D Catling ◽  
H J Schaeffer ◽  
C W Reuter ◽  
G R Reddy ◽  
M J Weber

Mammalian MEK1 and MEK2 contain a proline-rich (PR) sequence that is absent both from the yeast homologs Ste7 and Byr1 and from a recently cloned activator of the JNK/stress-activated protein kinases, SEK1/MKK4. Since this PR sequence occurs in MEKs that are regulated by Raf family enzymes but is missing from MEKs and SEKs activated independently of Raf, we sought to investigate the role of this sequence in MEK1 and MEK2 regulation and function. Deletion of the PR sequence from MEK1 blocked the ability of MEK1 to associate with members of the Raf family and markedly attenuated activation of the protein in vivo following growth factor stimulation. In addition, this sequence was necessary for efficient activation of MEK1 in vitro by B-Raf but dispensable for activation by a novel MEK1 activator which we have previously detected in fractionated fibroblast extracts. Furthermore, we found that a phosphorylation site within the PR sequence of MEK1 was required for sustained MEK1 activity in response to serum stimulation of quiescent fibroblasts. Consistent with this observation, we observed that MEK2, which lacks a phosphorylation site at the corresponding position, was activated only transiently following serum stimulation. Finally, we found that deletion of the PR sequence from a constitutively activated MEK1 mutant rendered the protein nontransforming in Rat1 fibroblasts. These observations indicate a critical role for the PR sequence in directing specific protein-protein interactions important for the activation, inactivation, and downstream functioning of the MEKs.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Alessandra Vigano ◽  
Clara-Maria Ell ◽  
Manuela MM Kustermann ◽  
Gustavo Aguilar ◽  
Shinya Matsuda ◽  
...  

AbstractCellular development and specialized cellular functions are regulated processes which rely on highly dynamic molecular interactions among proteins, distributed in all cell compartments. Analysis of these interactions and their mechanisms of action has been one of the main topics in cellular and developmental research over the last fifty years. Studying and understanding the functions of proteins of interest (POIs) has been mostly achieved by their alteration at the genetic level and the analysis of the phenotypic changes generated by these alterations. Although genetic and reverse genetic technologies contributed to the vast majority of information and knowledge we have gathered so far, targeting specific interactions of POIs in a time- and space-controlled manner or analyzing the role of POIs in dynamic cellular processes such as cell migration or cell division would require more direct approaches. The recent development of specific protein binders, which can be expressed and function intracellularly, together with several improvements in synthetic biology techniques, have contributed to the creation of a new toolbox for direct protein manipulations. We selected a number of short tag epitopes for which protein binders from different scaffolds have been developed and tested whether these tags can be bound by the corresponding protein binders in living cells when they are inserted in a single copy in a POI. We indeed find that in all cases, a single copy of a short tag allows protein binding and manipulation. Using Drosophila, we also find that single short tags can be recognized and allow degradation and relocalization of POIs in vivo.


Development ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 148 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Alessandra Vigano ◽  
Clara-Maria Ell ◽  
Manuela M. M. Kustermann ◽  
Gustavo Aguilar ◽  
Shinya Matsuda ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Cellular development and function rely on highly dynamic molecular interactions among proteins distributed in all cell compartments. Analysis of these interactions has been one of the main topics in cellular and developmental research, and has been mostly achieved by the manipulation of proteins of interest (POIs) at the genetic level. Although genetic strategies have significantly contributed to our current understanding, targeting specific interactions of POIs in a time- and space-controlled manner or analysing the role of POIs in dynamic cellular processes, such as cell migration or cell division, would benefit from more-direct approaches. The recent development of specific protein binders, which can be expressed and function intracellularly, along with advancement in synthetic biology, have contributed to the creation of a new toolbox for direct protein manipulations. Here, we have selected a number of short-tag epitopes for which protein binders from different scaffolds have been generated and showed that single copies of these tags allowed efficient POI binding and manipulation in living cells. Using Drosophila, we also find that single short tags can be used for POI manipulation in vivo.


2014 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 226a
Author(s):  
Jae Yen Shin ◽  
Cesar Diaz ◽  
Javier Lopez ◽  
Joerg Schnitzbauer ◽  
Kit Pogliano ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
KM Suen ◽  
F Braukmann ◽  
R Butler ◽  
D Bensaddek ◽  
A Akay ◽  
...  

SummaryMembraneless organelles are platforms for many aspects of RNA biology including small non-coding RNA (ncRNA) mediated gene silencing. How small ncRNAs utilise phase separated environments for their function is unclear. To address this question, we investigated how the PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway engages with the membraneless organelle P granule inCaenorhabditis elegans. Proteomic analysis of the PIWI protein PRG-1 revealed an interaction with the constitutive P granule protein DEPS-1. Furthermore we identified a novel motif on DEPS-1, PBS, which interacts directly with the Piwi domain of PRG-1. This protein complex forms intertwining ultrastructures to build elongated condensatesin vivo. These sub-organelle ultrastructures depend on the Piwi-interacting motif of DEPS-1 and mediate piRNA function. Additionally, we identify a novel interactor of DEPS-1, EDG-1, which is required for DEPS-1 condensates to form correctly. We show that DEPS-1 is not required for piRNA biogenesis but piRNA function:deps-1mutants fail to produce the secondary endo-siRNAs required for the silencing of piRNA targets. Our study reveals how specific protein-protein interactions drive the spatial organisation and function of small RNA pathways within membraneless organelles.


Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 809
Author(s):  
Jay Lubow ◽  
Kathleen L. Collins

HIV infects several cell types in the body, including CD4+ T cells and macrophages. Here we review the role of macrophages in HIV infection and describe complex interactions between viral proteins and host defenses in these cells. Macrophages exist in many forms throughout the body, where they play numerous roles in healthy and diseased states. They express pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) that bind viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens, making them both a key player in innate immunity and a potential target of infection by pathogens, including HIV. Among these PRRs is mannose receptor, a macrophage-specific protein that binds oligosaccharides, restricts HIV replication, and is downregulated by the HIV accessory protein Vpr. Vpr significantly enhances infection in vivo, but the mechanism by which this occurs is controversial. It is well established that Vpr alters the expression of numerous host proteins by using its co-factor DCAF1, a component of the DCAF1–DDB1–CUL4 ubiquitin ligase complex. The host proteins targeted by Vpr and their role in viral replication are described in detail. We also discuss the structure and function of the viral protein Env, which is stabilized by Vpr in macrophages. Overall, this literature review provides an updated understanding of the contributions of macrophages and Vpr to HIV pathogenesis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 474 (7) ◽  
pp. 1127-1147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Collins ◽  
Hannah Wang ◽  
John J. Caldwell ◽  
Raj Chopra

Manipulation of the ubiquitin–proteasome system to achieve targeted degradation of proteins within cells using chemical tools and drugs has the potential to transform pharmacological and therapeutic approaches in cancer and other diseases. An increased understanding of the molecular mechanism of thalidomide and its analogues following their clinical use has unlocked small-molecule modulation of the substrate specificity of the E3 ligase cereblon (CRBN), which in turn has resulted in the advancement of new immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) into the clinic. The degradation of multiple context-specific proteins by these pleiotropic small molecules provides a means to uncover new cell biology and to generate future drug molecules against currently undruggable targets. In parallel, the development of larger bifunctional molecules that bring together highly specific protein targets in complexes with CRBN, von Hippel–Lindau, or other E3 ligases to promote ubiquitin-dependent degradation has progressed to generate selective chemical compounds with potent effects in cells and in vivo models, providing valuable tools for biological target validation and with future potential for therapeutic use. In this review, we survey recent breakthroughs achieved in these two complementary methods and the discovery of new modes of direct and indirect engagement of target proteins with the proteasome. We discuss the experimental characterisation that validates the use of molecules that promote protein degradation as chemical tools, the preclinical and clinical examples disclosed to date, and the future prospects for this exciting area of chemical biology.


2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (3) ◽  
pp. 879-886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasant K. Chary ◽  
Patrick J. Piggot

ABSTRACT The differentiation of vegetative cells of Bacillus subtilis into spores involves asymmetric cell division, which precedes complete chromosome partitioning. The DNA translocase SpoIIIE is required to translocate the origin distal 70% of the chromosome from the larger mother cell into the smaller prespore, the two cells that result from the division. We have tested the effect of altering the time and location of SpoIIIE synthesis on spore formation. We have expressed the spoIIIE homologue from Sporosarcina ureae in B. subtilis under the control of different promoters. Expression from either a weak mother cell-specific (σE) promoter or a weak prespore-specific (σF) promoter partly complemented the sporulation defect of a spoIIIE36 mutant; however, expression from a strong prespore-specific (σF) promoter did not. DNA translocation from the mother cell to the prespore was assayed using spoIIQ-lacZ inserted at thrC; transcription of spoIIQ occurs only in the prespore. Translocation of thrC::spoIIQ-lacZ into the prespore occurred efficiently when spoIIIE Su was expressed from the weak σE- or σF-controlled promoters but not when it was expressed from the strong σF-controlled promoter. It is speculated that the mechanism directing SpoIIIE insertion into the septum in the correct orientation may accommodate slow postseptational, prespore-specific SpoIIIE synthesis but may be swamped by strong prespore-specific synthesis.


1998 ◽  
Vol 142 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Yuan ◽  
Jeanette Pelttari ◽  
Eva Brundell ◽  
Birgitta Björkroth ◽  
Jian Zhao ◽  
...  

The synaptonemal complex protein SCP3 is part of the lateral element of the synaptonemal complex, a meiosis-specific protein structure essential for synapsis of homologous chromosomes. We have investigated the fiber-forming properties of SCP3 to elucidate its role in the synaptonemal complex. By synthesis of SCP3 in cultured somatic cells, it has been shown that SCP3 can self-assemble into thick fibers and that this process requires the COOH-terminal coiled coil domain of SCP3, as well as the NH2-terminal nonhelical domain. We have further analyzed the thick SCP3 fibers by transmission electron microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy. We found that the fibers display a transversal striation with a periodicity of ∼20 nm and consist of a large number of closely associated, thin fibers, 5–10 nm in diameter. These features suggest that the SCP3 fibers are structurally related to intermediate filaments. It is known that in some species the lateral elements of the synaptonemal complex show a highly ordered striated structure resembling that of the SCP3 fibers. We propose that SCP3 fibers constitute the core of the lateral elements of the synaptonemal complex and function as a molecular framework to which other proteins attach, regulating DNA binding to the chromatid axis, sister chromatid cohesion, synapsis, and recombination.


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