Adenylate Cyclase-associated Protein Research Articles

Brain gene expression profiles of Cln1 and Cln5 deficient mice unravels common molecular pathways underlying neuronal degeneration in NCL diseases

BackgroundThe neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) are a group of children's inherited neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by blindness, early dementia and pronounced cortical atrophy. The similar pathological and clinical profiles of the different forms of NCL suggest that common disease mechanisms may be involved. To explore the NCL-associated disease pathology and molecular pathways, we have previously produced targeted knock-out mice for Cln1 and Cln5. Both mouse-models replicate the NCL phenotype and neuropathology; the Cln1-/- model presents with early onset, severe neurodegenerative disease, whereas the Cln5-/- model produces a milder disease with a later onset.ResultsHere we have performed quantitative gene expression profiling of the cortex from 1 and 4 month old Cln1-/- and Cln5-/- mice. Combined microarray datasets from both mouse models exposed a common affected pathway: genes regulating neuronal growth cone stabilization display similar aberrations in both models. We analyzed locus specific gene expression and showed regional clustering of Cln1 and three major genes of this pathway, further supporting a close functional relationship between the corresponding gene products; adenylate cyclase-associated protein 1 (Cap1), protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type F (Ptprf) and protein tyrosine phosphatase 4a2 (Ptp4a2). The evidence from the gene expression data, indicating changes in the growth cone assembly, was substantiated by the immunofluorescence staining patterns of Cln1-/- and Cln5-/- cortical neurons. These primary neurons displayed abnormalities in cytoskeleton-associated proteins actin and β-tubulin as well as abnormal intracellular distribution of growth cone associated proteins GAP-43, synapsin and Rab3.ConclusionOur data provide the first evidence for a common molecular pathogenesis behind neuronal degeneration in INCL and vLINCL. Since CLN1 and CLN5 code for proteins with distinct functional roles these data may have implications for other forms of NCLs as well.

Genome-Wide Transcriptional Profiling of the Cyclic AMP-Dependent Signaling Pathway during Morphogenic Transitions of Candida albicans

Candida albicans is an opportunistic human fungal pathogen that causes systemic candidiasis as well as superficial mucosal candidiasis. In response to the host environment, C. albicans transitions between yeast and hyphal forms. In particular, hyphal growth is important in facilitating adhesion and invasion of host tissues, concomitant with the expression of various hypha-specific virulence factors. In previous work, we showed that the cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in morphogenic transitions and virulence of C. albicans by studying genes encoding adenylate cyclase-associated protein (CAP1) and high-affinity phosphodiesterase (PDE2) (Y. S. Bahn, J. Staab, and P. Sundstrom, Mol. Microbiol. 50:391-409, 2003; and Y. S. Bahn and P. Sundstrom, J. Bacteriol. 183:3211-3223, 2001). However, little is known about the downstream targets of the cAMP signaling pathway that are responsible for morphological transitions and the expression of virulence factors. Here, microarrays were probed with RNA from strains with hypoactive (cap1/cap1 null mutant), hyperactive (pde2/pde2 null mutant), and wild-type cAMP signaling pathways to provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of virulence that are regulated by cAMP and that are related to the morphogenesis of C. albicans. Genes controlling metabolic specialization, cell wall structure, ergosterol/lipid biosynthesis, and stress responses were modulated by cAMP during hypha formation. Phenotypic traits predicted to be regulated by cAMP from the profiling results correlated with the relative strengths of the mutants when tested for resistance to azoles and subjected to heat shock stress and oxidative/nitrosative stress. The results from this study provide important insights into the role of the cAMP signaling pathway not only in morphogenic transitions of C. albicans but also for adaptation to stress and for survival during host infections.

Subchronic Exposure to TCDD, PeCDF, PCB126, and PCB153: Effect on Hepatic Gene Expression

We employed DNA microarray to identify unique hepatic gene expression patterns associated with subchronic exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and other halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs). Female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed for 13 weeks to toxicologically equivalent doses of four different HAHs based on the toxic equivalency factor of each chemical: TCDD (100 ng/kg/day), 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF; 200 ng/kg/day), 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126; 1,000 ng/kg/day), or 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB153; 1,000 μg/kg/day). Global gene expression profiles for each exposure, which account for 8,799 gene probe sets contained on Affymetrix RGU34A GeneChips, were compared by principal components analysis. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands TCDD, PeCDF, and PCB126 produced very similar global gene expression profiles that were unique from the nonAhR ligand PCB153, underscoring the extensive impact of AhR activation and/or the resulting hepatic injury on global gene expression in female rat liver. Many genes were co-expressed during the 13-week TCDD, PeCDF, or PCB126 exposures, including classical AhR-regulated genes and some genes not previously characterized as being AhR regulated, such as carcinoembryonic-cell adhesion molecule 4 (C-CAM4) and adenylate cyclase-associated protein 2 (CAP2). Real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction confirmed the increased expression of these genes in TCDD-, PeCDF-, and PCB126-exposed rats as well as the up- or down-regulation of several other novel dioxin-responsive genes. In summary, DNA microarray successfully identified dioxin-responsive genes expressed after exposure to AhR ligands (TCDD, PeCDF, PCB126) but not after exposure to the non-AhR ligand PCB153. Together, these findings may help to elucidate some of the fundamental features of dioxin toxicity and may further clarify the biologic role of the AhR signaling pathway.

Mutational Analysis of Yeast Profilin

We have mutated two regions within the yeast profilin gene in an effort to functionally dissect the roles of actin and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) binding in profilin function. A series of truncations was carried out at the C terminus of profilin, a region that has been implicated in actin binding. Removal of the last three amino acids nearly eliminated the ability of profilin to bind polyproline in vitro but had no dramatic in vivo effects. Thus, the extreme C terminus is implicated in polyproline binding, but the physiological relevance of this interaction is called into question. More extensive truncation, of up to eight amino acids, had in vivo effects of increasing severity and resulted in changes in conformation and expression level of the mutant profilins. However, the ability of these mutants to bind actin in vitro was not eliminated, suggesting that this region cannot be solely responsible for actin binding. We also mutagenized a region of profilin that we hypothesized might be involved in PIP2 binding. Alteration of basic amino acids in this region produced mutant profilins that functioned well in vivo. Many of these mutants, however, were unable to suppress the loss of adenylate cyclase-associated protein (Cap/Srv2p [A. Vojtek, B. Haarer, J. Field, J. Gerst, T. D. Pollard, S. S. Brown, and M. Wigler, Cell 66:497-505, 1991]), indicating that a defect could be demonstrated in vivo. In vitro assays demonstrated that the inability to suppress loss of Cap/Srv2p correlated with a defect in the interaction with actin, independently of whether PIP2 binding was reduced. Since our earlier studies of Acanthamoeba profilins suggested the importance of PIP2 binding for suppression, we conclude that both activities are implicated and that an interplay between PIP2 binding and actin binding may be important for profilin function.

Mutational analysis of yeast profilin.

We have mutated two regions within the yeast profilin gene in an effort to functionally dissect the roles of actin and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) binding in profilin function. A series of truncations was carried out at the C terminus of profilin, a region that has been implicated in actin binding. Removal of the last three amino acids nearly eliminated the ability of profilin to bind polyproline in vitro but had no dramatic in vivo effects. Thus, the extreme C terminus is implicated in polyproline binding, but the physiological relevance of this interaction is called into question. More extensive truncation, of up to eight amino acids, had in vivo effects of increasing severity and resulted in changes in conformation and expression level of the mutant profilins. However, the ability of these mutants to bind actin in vitro was not eliminated, suggesting that this region cannot be solely responsible for actin binding. We also mutagenized a region of profilin that we hypothesized might be involved in PIP2 binding. Alteration of basic amino acids in this region produced mutant profilins that functioned well in vivo. Many of these mutants, however, were unable to suppress the loss of adenylate cyclase-associated protein (Cap/Srv2p [A. Vojtek, B. Haarer, J. Field, J. Gerst, T. D. Pollard, S. S. Brown, and M. Wigler, Cell 66:497-505, 1991]), indicating that a defect could be demonstrated in vivo. In vitro assays demonstrated that the inability to suppress loss of Cap/Srv2p correlated with a defect in the interaction with actin, independently of whether PIP2 binding was reduced. Since our earlier studies of Acanthamoeba profilins suggested the importance of PIP2 binding for suppression, we conclude that both activities are implicated and that an interplay between PIP2 binding and actin binding may be important for profilin function.

ASP-56, a new actin sequestering protein from pig platelets with homology to CAP, an adenylate cyclase-associated protein from yeast

A new 56 kDa actin-binding protein (ASP-56) was isolated from pig platelet lysate. In falling ball viscosimetry it caused a reduction in viscosity that could be attributed to a decrease in the concentration of polymeric actin. Fluorescence measurements with NBD-labelled actin showed reduction of polymeric actin, too. These results could be explained by sequestering of actin in a non-polymerizable 1:1 ASP-56/actin complex. Sequencing of about 20 tryptic peptides of ASP-56 and comparison with known sequences revealed about 60% homology to the adenylate cyclase-associated protein (CAP) from yeast.

Discordant secretion of calcitonin and chromogranin in the human medullary thyroid carcinoma cell line.

A cell fine of human medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, abundantly producing calcitonin (Ct) and related hormones, has proved remarkably useful as an endocrine tumor model for the study of the secretion mechanism. This cell line (TT cell) was used in studies to elucidate the dynamics of the release of Ct and chromogranin (Cg) to culture medium. The studies evaluated the intracellular concentration of Ct and Cg and the concentration changes elicited by the protein kinase C activator, phorbol ester (TPA); the adenylate cyclase-associated protein kinase A activator, forskolin; and the calcium ionophore, A23187. In addition, immunogold labeling of Ct and Cg was carried out to investigate the ultrastructural changes resulting from the stimulations. All these secretagogues effected the release of Ct and Cg into the medium in a dose-dependent manner, and the rate of the increase in the Ct secretion was consistently and markedly higher than that of Cg in more than certain dosages of the secretagogues. Most cells contained secretory granules immunolabeled for both Ct and Cg, and a considerable decrease was noted in the poststimulation count of the granules containing both substances, with the cells retaining more Cg than Ct. The discordance may be explained by different secretory pathways of the two proteins or different rates of synthesis.

Carsdiovascular responses to milrinone in pertussis toxin-pretreated pithed rats

The modulating effects of pertussis toxin on angiotensin II and B-HT 920-evoked hemodynamic changes were compared with those of milrinone to evaluate the possible role of guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (G proteins) in the mechanism of action of milrinone. Both milrinone and pertussis toxin shifted the blood pressure dose-response curves of B-HT 920 to the right, but the responses to angiotensin II were decreased after milrinone pretreatment only. The increase in cardiac frequency evoked by milrinone and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) was not sensitive to pertussis toxin. In contrast, the decrease in systolic blood pressure elicited by milrinone could be prevented by pertussis toxin pretreatment, suggesting the involvement of a regulatory protein. Milrinone and IBMX did not influence the effects of arecoline on blood pressure or heart rate in either normal or pertussis toxin-pretreated rats. It is concluded that milrinone may affect a G protein, but not the adenylate cyclase-associated inhibitory protein, G i-

SRV2, a gene required for RAS activation of adenylate cyclase in yeast

We have identified a gene, SRV2, mutations of which alleviate stress sensitivity in strains carrying an activated RAS gene. Epistasis analysis suggests that the gene affects accumulation of cAMP in the cell. Direct assays of cAMP accumulation indicate that mutations of the gene diminish the rate of in vivo production of cAMP following stimulation by an activated RAS allele. Null mutations of srv2 result in lethality, which cannot be suppressed by mutational activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The sequence of the gene indicates that it encodes an adenylate cyclase-associated protein. These results demonstrate that SRV2 protein is required for RAS-activated adenylate cyclase activity, but that it participates in other essential cellular functions as well.

Human Serum Antibody Responses to Bordetella pertussis Infection and Pertussis Vaccination

We used an immunoblotting technique to compare the serum antibody responses to pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), a 69-kilodalton (kDa) adenylate cyclase-associated protein (69 KD protein), and Bordetella pertussis outer membrane proteins (OMPs) following either B. pertussis infection or immunization with whole-cell pertussis vaccine. Infection and vaccination induced nearly equally intense antibody responses to PT and to FHA, but vaccination induced stronger antibody responses to the 69 KD protein and to many OMPs. The importance of serum antibody responses to the 69 KD protein and to B. pertussis OMPs other than PT and FHA in conferring immunity to pertussis after vaccination is unknown. Serum antibody responses to PT following either infection or vaccination were almost exclusively to the 28-kDa enzymatic subunit (S1) and only rarely and weakly to the lesser molecular weight binding subunits (S2-S5).

ADP-ribosylation of membrane proteins catalyzed by cholera toxin: basis of the activation of adenylate cyclase.

In the presence of ATP and a cytosolic factor, cholera toxin fragment A1 catalyzes the transfer of ADP-ribose from NAD to a number of soluble and membrane-bound proteins of the pigeon erythrocyte. Evidence is presented that suggests that the most readily modified membrane protein (Mr 42,000) is the adenylate cyclase-associated GTP-binding protein. Its modification by toxin is stimulated by guanine nucleotides. Adenylate cyclase activity increases in parallel with the addition of ADP-ribose to this protein and decreases in parallel with the subsequent reversal of ADP-ribosylation by toxin and nicotinamide. The protein is only accessible to toxin A subunits if the erythrocytes are lysed. When adenylate cyclase activity reaches a maximum, the number of ADP-ribose residues bound to this protein (about 1500 per cell) is similar to the reported number of beta-adrenergic receptors.