D1 Mutant Research Articles

Molecular Mapping of D₁, D₂ and ms5 Revealed Linkage between the Cotyledon Color Locus D₂ and the Male-Sterile Locus ms5 in Soybean.

In soybean, genic male sterility can be utilized as a tool to develop hybrid seed. Several male-sterile, female-fertile mutants have been identified in soybean. The male-sterile, female-fertile ms5 mutant was selected after fast neutron irradiation. Male-sterility due to ms5 was associated with the “stay-green” cotyledon color mutation. The cotyledon color trait in soybean is controlled by two loci, D1 and D2. Association between cotyledon color and male-sterility can be instrumental in early phenotypic selection of sterility for hybrid seed production. The use of such selection methods saves time, money, and space, as fewer seeds need to be planted and screened for sterility. The objectives of this study were to compare anther development between male-fertile and male-sterile plants, to investigate the possible linkages among the Ms5, D1 and D2 loci, and to determine if any of the d1 or d2 mutations can be applied in hybrid seed production. The cytological analysis during anther development displayed optically clear, disintegrating microspores and enlarged, engorged pollen in the male-sterile, female-fertile ms5ms5 plants, a common characteristic of male-sterile mutants. The D1 locus was mapped to molecular linkage group (MLG) D1a and was flanked by Satt408 and BARCSOYSSR_01_1622. The ms5 and D2 loci were mapped to MLG B1 with a genetic distance ~12.8 cM between them. These results suggest that use of the d2 mutant in the selection of male-sterile line may attenuate the cost hybrid seed production in soybean.

Mutations of Photosystem II D1 Protein That Empower Efficient Phenotypes of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under Extreme Environment in Space

Space missions have enabled testing how microorganisms, animals and plants respond to extra-terrestrial, complex and hazardous environment in space. Photosynthetic organisms are thought to be relatively more prone to microgravity, weak magnetic field and cosmic radiation because oxygenic photosynthesis is intimately associated with capture and conversion of light energy into chemical energy, a process that has adapted to relatively less complex and contained environment on Earth. To study the direct effect of the space environment on the fundamental process of photosynthesis, we sent into low Earth orbit space engineered and mutated strains of the unicellular green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which has been widely used as a model of photosynthetic organisms. The algal mutants contained specific amino acid substitutions in the functionally important regions of the pivotal Photosystem II (PSII) reaction centre D1 protein near the QB binding pocket and in the environment surrounding Tyr-161 (YZ) electron acceptor of the oxygen-evolving complex. Using real-time measurements of PSII photochemistry, here we show that during the space flight while the control strain and two D1 mutants (A250L and V160A) were inefficient in carrying out PSII activity, two other D1 mutants, I163N and A251C, performed efficient photosynthesis, and actively re-grew upon return to Earth. Mimicking the neutron irradiation component of cosmic rays on Earth yielded similar results. Experiments with I163N and A251C D1 mutants performed on ground showed that they are better able to modulate PSII excitation pressure and have higher capacity to reoxidize the QA − state of the primary electron acceptor. These results highlight the contribution of D1 conformation in relation to photosynthesis and oxygen production in space.

Abstract 1748: Cyclin D1 harboring T286I mutation promotes oncogenic activation in endometrial cancer.

Abstract Introduction. Cyclin D1 is an important regulator of cell cycle progression. Phosphorylation of cyclin D1 at Thr-286 by GSK3beta triggers nuclear export and its cytoplasmic proteolysis via the 26S proteasome. Cyclin D1 overexpression is a common event in various types of human cancers; however,mutations of CCND1 (encoding cyclin D1) have been only reported in endometrial cancer and esophageal cancer. We previously reported T286I mutations of CCND1 in 2 endometrial carcinomas (2.3%). The objective of this study was to identify the functions of T286I mutant of cyclin D1 in endometrial cancer. Materials and methods. T286I mutant cyclin D1 (CD1-T286I) plasmid was generated using wild-type cyclin D1 (CD1-WT) plasmid via site-directed mutagenesis technique. pcDNA3 empty plasmid was used as a control (CD1-Ct). Using these plasmids, the functions of mutant CD1-T286I were analyzed by luciferase assays, immunofluorescence, western blotting and colony formation assays in HEK293T (kidney) and HEC-50B (endometrial cancer) cells, both of which do not possess CCND1 mutations. Statistical analysis was performed by student-T test and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result. Immunofluorescence and western blotting showed predominant accumulation of exogenous CD1-T286I in nucleus, whereas expression of exogenous CD1-WT and endogenous cyclin D1 were observed diffusely in cytoplasm and nucleus. Luciferase assay revealed that pRB1 expression was partially decreased by introduction of CD1-WT and that the pRB1 expression was further decreased by introduction of CD1-T286I (p=0.002). In colony formation assays, introduction of CD1-T286I significantly increased the colony number, compared with CD1-WT (p=0.007) and CD1-Ct. Conclusion. Stabilization and accumulation of mutant cyclin D1 (T286I) in the nucleus might overcome regulation by pRb and induce cell proliferation in certain endometrial cancers. Phosphorylation-dependent nuclear export of cyclin D1 at Thr286 might be critical for prevention of aberrant cell proliferation in human cells. Citation Format: Yuji Ikeda, Katsutoshi Oda, Takahiro Koso, Aki Miyasaka, Tomoko Kashiyama, Osamu Hiraike-Wada, Daichi Maeda, Kei Kawana, Shunsuke Nakagawa, Osamu Tetsu, Yoshihiro Kikuchi, Tomoyuki Fujii, Tetsu Yano, Shiro Kozuma. Cyclin D1 harboring T286I mutation promotes oncogenic activation in endometrial cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1748. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1748

Cyclin D1 overexpression perturbs DNA replication and induces replication-associated DNA double-strand breaks in acquired radioresistant cells

Fractionated radiotherapy (RT) is widely used in cancer treatment, because it preserves normal tissues. However, repopulation of radioresistant tumors during fractionated RT limits the efficacy of RT. We recently demonstrated that a moderate level of long-term fractionated radiation confers acquired radioresistance to tumor cells, which is caused by DNA-PK/AKT/GSK3β-mediated cyclin D1 overexpression. The resulting cyclin D1 overexpression leads to forced progression of the cell cycle to S-phase, concomitant with induction of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying cyclin D1 overexpression-induced DSBs during DNA replication in acquired radioresistant cells. DNA fiber data demonstrated that replication forks progressed slowly in acquired radioresistant cells compared with corresponding parental cells in HepG2 and HeLa cell lines. Slowly progressing replication forks were also observed in HepG2 and HeLa cells that overexpressed a nondegradable cyclin D1 mutant. We also found that knockdown of Mus81endonuclease, which is responsible for resolving aberrant replication forks, suppressed DSB formation in acquired radioresistant cells. Consequently, Mus81 created DSBs to remove aberrant replication forks in response to replication perturbation triggered by cyclin D1 overexpression. After treating cells with a specific inhibitor for DNA-PK or ATM, apoptosis rates increased in acquired radioresistant cells but not in parental cells by inhibiting the DNA damage response to cyclin D1-mediated DSBs. This suggested that these inhibitors might eradicate acquired radioresistant cells and improve fractionated RT outcomes.

Fine-Mapping and Identification of a Candidate Gene Underlying thed2Dwarfing Phenotype in Pearl Millet,Cenchrus americanus(L.) Morrone

Pearl millet is one of the most important subsistence crops grown in India and sub-Saharan Africa. In many cereal crops, reduced height is a key trait for enhancing yield, and dwarf mutants have been extensively used in breeding to reduce yield loss due to lodging under intense management. In pearl millet, the recessive d2 dwarfing gene has been deployed widely in commercial germplasm grown in India, the United States, and Australia. Despite its importance, very little research has gone into determining the identity of the d2 gene. We used comparative information, genetic mapping in two F2 populations representing a total of some 1500 progeny, and haplotype analysis of three tall and three dwarf inbred lines to delineate the d2 region by two genetic markers that, in sorghum, define a region of 410 kb with 40 annotated genes. One of the sorghum genes annotated within this region is ABCB1, which encodes a P-glycoprotein involved in auxin transport. This gene had previously been shown to underlie the economically important dw3 dwarf mutation in sorghum. The cosegregation of ABCB1 with the d2 phenotype, its differential expression in the tall inbred ICMP 451 and the dwarf inbred Tift 23DB, and the similar phenotype of stacked lower internodes in the sorghum dw3 and pearl millet d2 mutants suggest that ABCB1 is a likely candidate for d2.

Rice CYP90D2 and CYP90D3 catalyze C-23 hydroxylation of brassinosteroids in vitro

Brassinosteroids are biosynthesized from campesterol via several cytochrome P450 (P450)-catalyzed oxidative reactions. We report the biochemical characterization of two brassinosteroid-biosynthetic P450s from rice: CYP90D2 and CYP90D3. A rice dwarf mutant, ebisu dwarf (d2), which contains a defective copy of CYP90D2, is known to be a brassinosteroid-deficient mutant, and CYP90D2 has been considered to act as a C-3 dehydrogenase. However, invitro biochemical assays using baculovirus/insect cell-produced proteins revealed that both CYP90D2 and CYP90D3 catalyze C-23 hydroxylation of various 22-hydroxylated brassinosteroids, but with markedly different catalytic efficiencies. Both enzymes preferentially convert (22S,24R)-22-hydroxyergost-4-en-3-one, (22S,24R)-22-hydroxy-5α-ergostan-3-one, and 3-epi-6-deoxocathasterone to the corresponding 23-hydroxylated products, but are less active in the conversion of (22S)-22-hydroxycampesterol and 6-deoxocathasterone, invitro. Consistently, the levels of 23-hydroxylated products of these intermediates, namely, 6-deoxoteasterone, 3-dehydro-6-deoxoteasterone, and 6-deoxotyphasterol were decreased in d2 mutants. These results indicate that CYP90D2 and CYP90D3 can act as brassinosteroid C-23 hydroxylases in rice.

The dopamine D1 but not D3 receptor plays a fundamental role in spatial working memory and BDNF expression in prefrontal cortex of mice

Although dopamine within the prefrontal cortex has been implicated in working memory, how different dopamine receptor subtypes contribute to this process need to be further characterized. Previous studies have suggest the importance of dopamine receptors signaling in regulating the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) function that is associated with synaptic plasticity underlying normal memory formation. Changes in BDNF expression through the dopamine receptors within the prefrontal cortex may accompany and mediate the spatial working memory. To test the possibility, dopamine D1 and D3 receptor mutant mice were tested in Morris water maze for spatial working memory. We found that trial-dependent, matching-to-sample, learning of the platform location, an index of short-term spatial working memory in mice, was significantly impaired in D1 receptor knockout mice compared to wild-type mice, and regular performance of D3 receptor mutants was observed in the similar working memory task. BDNF protein was significantly decreased in prefrontal cortex, though not in hippocampus, of the D1 receptor knockout mice, whereas no changes were found in both prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of D3 receptor knockout mice. These data suggest that dopamine D1 but not D3 receptors are critical for prefrontal cortex BDNF expression which may be related to spatial working memory processes.

Abstract 2052: Regulation of p16Ink4a - Rb pathway by Cyclin D1- Dmp1 interaction

Abstract Cyclin D1 is a crucial regulator in mammalian cell cycle that binds to and activates CDK4/6, which is an kinase that drives cells to enter S phase. It has an important oncogenic role in breast cancer because the CCND1 gene is amplified in ∼15% of cases and its protein expression is elevated in up to 50% of cases. Previous studies demonstrate that cyclin D1 overexpression can cause pRb hyper-phosphorylation and therefore induce cell hyperproliferation, which can result in the development of mammary adenocarcinoma. In addition, cyclin D1 is found to contribute to tumorigenesis by affecting the activity of transcriptional factors via physical interaction. One of the affected transcriptional factors is called Dmp1, which acts as a tumor suppressor when receiving oncogenic signals. It activates Arf by binding to its promoter region, therefore causing Arf, p53-dependent cell cycle arrest in normal cells. Our recent study in MMTV-neu mice showed that loss of Dmp1 significantly accelerates mammary carcinogenesis. Although both Dmp1 and cyclin D1 play vital roles in breast cancer prevention and development respectively, the biological functions and significance of Dmp1-cyclin D1 interaction remains to be explored. To identify the impact of their interaction on the activation of p16Ink4a/ p19Arf promoters induced by cyclin D1, MEFs were overexpressed cyclin D1 and we found the endogenous p16Ink4a and p19Arf transcripts were increased up to 7 fold. However, their transcription level was not affected in Dmp1-null MEFs. Moreover, cyclin D1 mutant α142-253 that cannot bind to Dmp1could not fully activate the p16Ink4a/p19Arf promoters, indicating the activation of p16Ink4a/p19Arf promoters by cyclin D1 is dependent on Dmp1, and loss of Dmp1-cyclin D1 interaction will attenuate this effect. To identify the potential regulation of p16Ink4a by Dmp1, we performed EMSA and luciferase reporter assay, and we found that Dmp1 activates the p16Ink4a promoter by directly binding to its promoter. Moreover, the p16Ink4a mRNA and protein level were increased upon Dmp1 overexpression. The above results suggest that Dmp1 is a physiological regulator of p16Ink4a. To explore the effect of Dmp1 on Cdk4 kinase activity, 293T cells were overexpressed cyclin D1 alone or together with Dmp1, and we found there was less cyclin D1 associated with CDK4 after CDK4 immunoprecipitation. As a consequence, pRb phosphorylation was decreased in CDK4 kinase assay. These results suggest that Dmp1 decreases CDK4 kinase activity by impairing cyclin D1-CDK4 interaction. Taken together, our data suggest that Dmp1 decreases pRb phosphorylation in two ways: one is to directly bind to and activate p16INK4a, and the other one is to block the CDK4 kinase activity by binding to cyclin D1. In addition, cyclin D1-Dmp1 interaction is indispensible in activation of p16Ink4a/p19Arf promoters induced by cyclin D1. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2052. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2052

New Alleles of Rice <i>ebisu dwarf</i> (<i>d</i>2) Mutant Show both Brassinosteroid-Deficient and -Insensitive Phenotypes

ebisu dwarf (d2) is a mutant caused by mutation in a rice brassinosteroid biosynthetic enzyme gene, CYP90D2/D2, thereby conferring a brassinosteroid-deficient dwarf phenotype. Three newly isolated d2 alleles derived from a Nipponbare mutant library (d2-3, d2-4, and d2-6) produced more severe dwarf phenotypes than the previously characterized null allele from a Taichung 65 mutant library, d2-1. Linkage analysis and a complementation test clearly indicated that the mutant phenotypes in d2-6 were caused by defects in CYP90D2/D2, and exogenous treatment with brassinolide, a bioactive brassinosteroid, rescued the dwarf phenotype of three Nipponbare-derived d2 mutants. However, the content of endogenous bioactive brassinosteroid, castasterone, and the expression of brassinosteroid-response genes indicated that partial suppression of the brassinosteroid response in addition to a brassinosteroid deficiency has occurred in the Nipponbare-derived d2 mutants. Based on these results, we discuss the possibility that wild-type Nipponbare has some defects in an unknown factor or factors related to the brassinosteroid response in rice.

Impaired nuclear export of tumor-derived c-terminal truncated cyclin D1 mutant in ESCC cancer

Cyclin D1 is a significant regulator of the G1- to S-phase transition and is often aberrant in human tumors of various origins. Although cancer-derived cyclin D1 mutants are potent oncogenes in vitro and in vivo, the mechanisms by which they contribute to neoplasia remaind to be elucidated. We previously identified a cyclin D1 mutation (Δ266-295) in esophageal cancer with deleted codons from 266 to 295 of wild-type cyclin D1, the critical COOH-terminal regulatory sequences necessary for cyclin D1 nuclear export. In the present study, this cancer-derived cyclin D1-Δ266-295 was shown to be a constitutively nuclear cyclin D1 protein with a significantly increased oncogenic potential. Moreover, the cancer-derived cyclin D1-Δ266-295 mutant was found to retain its ability to bind to and activate CDK4, which in turn phosphorylates and inactivates the pRb protein and promotes cell cycle progression. In comparison to wild-type cyclin D1a, D1-Δ266-295 exhibited enforced nuclear accumulation. In addition, the transient transfection and ectopic expression of this nuclear localized D1-Δ266-295 up-regulated endogenous Notch1 expression, indicating that the mutant retained its ability as a transcriptional regulator. Furthermore, data from the flow cytometry assay showed that D1-Δ266-295 fractionally increased >4N cell accumulation, and further analysis suggested the retriggering of DNA replication relevant to its inhibition of Cdt1 proteolysis. Therefore, the inappropriate nuclear localization of this cyclin D1 mutant may interfere with DNA replication in cultured cells, thereby contributing to genomic instability.

Structural Basis of Rnd1 Binding to Plexin Rho GTPase Binding Domains (RBDs)

Plexin receptors regulate cell adhesion, migration, and guidance. The Rho GTPase binding domain (RBD) of plexin-A1 and -B1 can bind GTPases, including Rnd1. By contrast, plexin-C1 and -D1 reportedly bind Rnd2 but associate with Rnd1 only weakly. The structural basis of this differential Rnd1 GTPase binding to plexin RBDs remains unclear. Here, we solved the structure of the plexin-A2 RBD in complex with Rnd1 and the structures of the plexin-C1 and plexin-D1 RBDs alone, also compared with the previously determined plexin-B1 RBD.Rnd1 complex structure. The plexin-A2 RBD·Rnd1 complex is a heterodimer, whereas plexin-B1 and -A2 RBDs homodimerize at high concentration in solution, consistent with a proposed model for plexin activation. Plexin-C1 and -D1 RBDs are monomeric, consistent with major residue changes in the homodimerization loop. In plexin-A2 and -B1, the RBD β3-β4 loop adjusts its conformation to allow Rnd1 binding, whereas minimal structural changes occur in Rnd1. The plexin-C1 and -D1 RBDs lack several key non-polar residues at the corresponding GTPase binding surface and do not significantly interact with Rnd1. Isothermal titration calorimetry measurements on plexin-C1 and -D1 mutants reveal that the introduction of non-polar residues in this loop generates affinity for Rnd1. Structure and sequence comparisons suggest a similar mode of Rnd1 binding to the RBDs, whereas mutagenesis suggests that the interface with the highly homologous Rnd2 GTPase is different in detail. Our results confirm, from a structural perspective, that Rnd1 does not play a role in the activation of plexin-C1 and -D1. Plexin functions appear to be regulated by subfamily-specific mechanisms, some of which involve different Rho family GTPases.

Engineered Single Human CD4 Domains as Potent HIV-1 Inhibitors and Components of Vaccine Immunogens

Soluble forms of the HIV-1 receptor CD4 (sCD4) have been extensively characterized for more than 2 decades as promising inhibitors and components of vaccine immunogens. However, they were mostly based on the first two CD4 domains (D1D2), and numerous attempts to develop functional, high-affinity, stable soluble one-domain sCD4 (D1) have not been successful because of the strong interactions between the two domains. We have hypothesized that combining the power of structure-based design with sequential panning of large D1 mutant libraries against different HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins (Envs) and screening for soluble mutants could not only help solve the fundamental stability problem of isolated D1, but may also allow improvement of D1 affinity while preserving its cross-reactivity. By using this strategy, we identified two stable monomeric D1 mutants, mD1.1 and mD1.2, which were significantly more soluble and bound Env gp120s more strongly (50-fold) than D1D2, neutralized a panel of HIV-1 primary isolates from different clades more potently than D1D2, induced conformational changes in gp120, and sensitized HIV-1 for neutralization by CD4-induced antibodies. mD1.1 and mD1.2 exhibited much lower binding to human blood cell lines than D1D2; moreover, they preserved a β-strand secondary structure and stability against thermally induced unfolding, trypsin digestion, and degradation by human serum. Because of their superior properties, mD1.1 and mD1.2 could be potentially useful as candidate therapeutics, components of vaccine immunogens, and research reagents for exploration of HIV-1 entry and immune responses. Our approach could be applied to other cases where soluble isolated protein domains are needed.

A new rice <I>dwarf1</I> mutant caused by a frame-shift mutation

A dwarf mutant C6PS, which has the similar phenotype as the recessive mutant Dwarf1 (d1), was produced from tissue-cultured plants of Zhonghua 11. In its progeny (T2), the ratio of tall to dwarf plants was in agreement with the expected segregation ratio (3:1) of a single Mendelian inheritance gene, which indicated that the variation of plant height is caused by a single gene. To locate the mutation, C6PS was crossed with Zhenshan 97 and Mudanjiang 8 for producing two F2 populations of F2 (CM) and F2 (CZ), respectively. The plant height in each F2 population also showed the same segregation pattern as that in T2 generation. SSR marker RM430 closely linked to Dwarf1 was preferentially used to genotype the F2 (CZ) population because C6PS showed the similar phenotype to d1 mutant. RM430 was significantly associated with plant height, which indicated that the mutant gene might be D1. Comparative sequencing of D1 between C6PS and Zhonghua 11 showed a 6 bp deletion occurred in the splice site of its ninth exon. The marker C6PS-D1L/R designed on the 6 bp deletion was co-segregated with plant height in T2 generation. The results indicated that C6PS was a new mutant of D1. This mutation led to a 26 bp deletion of the transcript and resulted in a frame-shift mutation and a premature stop codon in C6PS, which could not translate the functional Gα protein. C6PS was weakly sensitive to Brassinolide based on the leaf inclination angle test.

Gradually accumulating beneficial mutations to improve the thermostability of N-carbamoyl-d-amino acid amidohydrolase by step-wise evolution

To further enhance repeated batch reactions with immobilized N-carbamoyl-D-amino acid amidohydrolase (DCase), which can be used for the industrial production of D-amino acids, the stability of high soluble mutant DCase-M3 from Ralstonia pickettii CGMCC1596 was improved by step-wise evolution. In our previous report, six thermostability-related sites were identified by error-prone PCR. Based on the above result, an improved mutant B5 (Q12L/Q23L/H248Q/T262A/T263S) was obtained through two rounds of DNA shuffling, showing a 10°C increase in the T (50) (defined as the temperature at which heat treatment for 15 min reduced the initial activity by 50%) compared with the parental enzyme DCase-M3. Furthermore, several thermostability-related sites (Met(31), Asn(93), Gln(207), Asn(242), Glu(266), Thr(271), Ala(273)) on B5 were identified using amino acid consensus approach based on sequence alignment of homologous DCases. These sites were further investigated by iterative saturation mutagenesis (ISM), and a combinational mutant D1 (Q12L/Q23L/Q207E/N242G/H248Q/T262A/T263S/E266D/T271I/A273P) that enhanced the T(50) by about 16°C over DCase-M3 was obtained. Oxidative stability assay showed that the most heat-resisting mutant displayed only a slight increase in resistance to hydrogen peroxide. Comparative characterization showed that D1 not only maintained its characteristic high solubility but also shared similar k(cat) and K(m) values and optimum reaction pHs with the parental enzyme. The significantly improved mutants in the immobilized form are expected to be applied in the industrial production of D-p-hydroxyphenylglycine.

Conserved structure of the chloroplast-DNA encoded D1 protein is essential for effective photoprotection via non-photochemical thermal dissipation in higher plants

Naturally selected atrazine-resistant (AR) weeds possessing a Ser(264) --> Gly D1 protein encoded by a mutant psbA allele in the chloroplast-DNA have increased photosensitivity and lower fitness. The D1 mutant lines of S. nigrum revealed impaired regulation of photosystem II (PSII) activity as compared with the wild-type plants resulting in a less effective photochemical light utilization and in addition, a lower capacity of non-photochemical thermal dissipation (NPQ), one of the main photoprotective mechanisms in oxygenic photosynthetic organisms. In this work, comparative chlorophyll fluorescence analysis in attached leaves of wild-type and AR Solanum nigrum L. and in their reciprocal crosses has been used to establish how the lower NPQ is inherited. Both a 50% reduction in steady-state NPQ and a 60-70% reduction in the rapidly reversible, energy-dependent (qE) component of NPQ were common phenomena in the parent and hybrid lines of D1 mutant S. nigrum. The nuclear hybrid status of the F2 plant material was confirmed by morphological observations on fully developed leaves. No alteration was found in the nucleotide sequence and the deduced amino acid sequences of the nuclear psbS gene isolated from different biotypes of S. nigrum, and there were no differences in the expressions of both the PsbS and the D1 proteins. All things considered, co-inheritance of the lower photoprotective NPQ capacity and the Ser(264) --> Gly D1 protein mutation was clearly observed, suggesting that the evolutionarily conserved D1 structure must be indispensable for the efficient NPQ process in higher plants.

Cooperativity in the two-domain arginine kinase from the sea anemone Anthopleura japonicus. II. Evidence from site-directed mutagenesis studies

The arginine kinase (AK) from the sea anemone Anthopleura japonicus has an unusual two-domain structure (contiguous dimer; denoted by D1–D2). In a previous report, we suggested cooperativity in the contiguous dimer, which may be a result of domain–domain interactions, using MBP-fused enzymes. To further understand this observation, we inserted six-Lys residues into the linker region of the two-domain AK (D1–K6–D2 mutant) using His-tagged enzyme. The dissociation constants, K a and K ia, of the mutant were similar to those of the wild-type enzyme but the catalytic constant, k cat, was decreased to 28% that of the wild-type, indicating that some of the domain–domain interactions are lost due to the six-Lys insertion. Y68 plays a major role in arginine binding in the catalytic pocket in Limulus AK, and introduction of mutation at the Y68 position virtually abolishes catalytic activity. Thus, the constructed D1(Y68G)–D2 and D1–D2(Y68G) mutants mimic the D1(inactive)–D2(active) and D1(active)–D2(inactive) enzymes, respectively. The k cat values of both Y68 mutants were decreased to 13–18% that of the wild-type enzyme, which is much less than the 50% level of the two-domain enzyme. Thus, it is clear that substrate-binding to both domains is necessary for full expression of activity. In other words, substrate-binding appears to act as the trigger of the functional cooperativity in two-domain AK.

Characterization of molecular elements in activating deiodinases underlying distinct sensitivity to ubiquitination

Event Abstract Back to Event Characterization of molecular elements in activating deiodinases underlying distinct sensitivity to ubiquitination Egri Péter1*, Liposits Zsolt1, 2 and Gereben Balázs1 1 Institute of Experimental Medicine Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Endocrine Neurobiology, Hungary 2 Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Information Technology, Hungary Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in the development and function of the brain. Thyroxine is a prohormone that has to be converted to T3 in order to bind the thyroid hormone receptor. In the human brain type 2 deiodinase (D2), a tightly regulated selenoenzyme catalyzes thyroid hormone activation, a process representing the first step of thyroid hormone action. The complex regulation of D2 mediated T3 generation involves the substrate mediated ubiquitination of the D2 enzyme along the endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation pathway. In contrast, the other member of the deiodinase enzyme family, type 1 deiodinase (D1) is a plasma membrane located stable long-lived protein that is not ubiquitinated. The aim of our study was to dissect the molecular basis of D2 instability. We inserted specific elements of D2 into the corresponding position of FLAG-D1 and studied their potency to govern ubiquitination. Different combinations of D1 mutants were generated that contained either the two conserved D2 lysine residues (K237-es 244) known to be ubiquitinated in D2 or the D2 minimal ubiquitination loop or both. Using Sec62 fusion, the mutants were also redirected into the endoplasmic reticulum, where D2 is natively located. The mutants were transiently expressed in HEK293T cells. The lysine mutants retained catalytic activity confirming that no serious misfolding occurred. Western blot did not reveal high molecular weight ubiquitinated forms, independently of the presence of the loop, lysine residues or Sec62 fusion. In parallel, cycloheximide treatment demonstrated no destabilization of the mutant D1 protein. Our data indicated that the tested elements are necessary, but not sufficient to evoke D2 ubiquitination and suggest that a complex intrinsic feature of D2 protein is required for the regulation of D2 mediated T3 generation ion the brain. Conference: IBRO International Workshop 2010, Pécs, Hungary, 21 Jan - 23 Jan, 2010. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Homeostatic and neuroendocrine systems Citation: Péter E, Zsolt L and Balázs G (2010). Characterization of molecular elements in activating deiodinases underlying distinct sensitivity to ubiquitination. Front. Neurosci. Conference Abstract: IBRO International Workshop 2010. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2010.10.00084 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 22 Apr 2010; Published Online: 22 Apr 2010. * Correspondence: Egri Péter, Institute of Experimental Medicine Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Endocrine Neurobiology, Budapest, Hungary, peteregri0@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Egri Péter Liposits Zsolt Gereben Balázs Google Egri Péter Liposits Zsolt Gereben Balázs Google Scholar Egri Péter Liposits Zsolt Gereben Balázs PubMed Egri Péter Liposits Zsolt Gereben Balázs Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Function and Expression Pattern of the Subunit of the Heterotrimeric G Protein in Rice

The d1 mutant, which is deficient for the heterotrimeric G-protein alpha subunit (Galpha) gene of rice, shows dwarfism and sets small round seeds. To determine whether dwarfism in d1 is due to a reduction in cell number or to shortened cell length, the cell number of the leaf sheath, the internode, the root and the lemma was compared between Nipponbare, a wild-type rice and d1-5, a d1 allele derived from Nipponbare. Our results indicate that the cell number was reduced in all organs analyzed in d1-5. In addition, cell enlargement was found in roots and lemma of d1-5, although the organ length in d1-5 was shorter than that of wild-type rice. These results suggest that rice Galpha participates in cell proliferation in rice. Western blot analyses using anti-Galpha antibody and RT-PCR analyses indicate that Galpha is mostly expressed in the developing organs. Galpha promoter activity studies using the GUS reporter gene confirmed that the expression of Galpha was highest in developing organs. We conclude that rice Galpha participates in the regulation of cell number in a developmental stage-dependent manner.

Substitution of Serine for Proline in the Active Center of Type 2 Iodothyronine Deiodinase Substantially Alters Its in Vitro Biochemical Properties with Dithiothreitol But Not Its Function in Intact Cells

T(4) must be activated by its monodeiodination to T(3) by type 1 or 2 iodothyronine deiodinase (D1 and D2). Recent studies show that despite an approximately 2000-fold higher Michaelis constant (K(m); T(4)) for D1 than for D2 using dithiothreitol (DTT) as cofactor, D1 expressed in intact cells produces T(3) at free T(4) concentrations many orders of magnitude below its K(m). To understand the factors regulating D1 and D2 catalysis in vivo, we studied a mutant D2 with a proline at position 135 of the active center of D2 replaced with a serine, as found in D1. The P135S D2 enzyme has many D1-like properties, a K(m) (T(4)) in the micromolar range, ping-pong kinetics with DTT, and sensitivity to 6n-propylthiouracil (PTU) in vitro. Unexpectedly, when the P135S D2 was expressed in HEK-293 cells and exposed to 2-200 pm free T(4), the rate of T(4) to T(3) conversion was identical with D2 and conversion was insensitive to PTU. Using glutathione as a cofactor in vitro resulted in a marked decrease in the K(m) (T(4)) (as also occurs for D1), it showed sequential kinetics with T(4) and it was sensitive to PTU but was resistant when HEK-293 cytosol was used as a cofactor. Thus, the in vivo catalytic properties of the P135S D2 mutant are more accurately predicted from in vitro studies with weak reducing agents, such as glutathione or endogenous cofactors, than by those with DTT.

Heterotrimeric G Protein Signaling Is Required for Epidermal Cell Death in Rice

In rice (Oryza sativa) adventitious root primordia are formed at the nodes as part of normal development. Upon submergence of rice plants, adventitious roots emerge from the nodes preceded by death of epidermal cells above the root primordia. Cell death is induced by ethylene and mediated by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Pharmacological experiments indicated that epidermal cell death was dependent on signaling through G proteins. Treatment with GTP-gamma-S induced epidermal cell death, whereas GDP-beta-S partially inhibited ethylene-induced cell death. The dwarf1 (d1) mutant of rice has repressed expression of the Galpha subunit RGA1 of heterotrimeric G protein. In d1 plants, cell death in response to ethylene and H(2)O(2) was nearly completely abolished, indicating that signaling through Galpha is essential. Ethylene and H(2)O(2) were previously shown to alter gene expression in epidermal cells that undergo cell death. Transcriptional regulation was not generally affected in the d1 mutant, indicating that altered gene expression is not sufficient to trigger cell death in the absence of Galpha. Analysis of genes encoding proteins related to G protein signaling revealed that four small GTPase genes, two GTPase-activating protein genes, and one GDP dissociation inhibitor gene but not RGA1 were differentially expressed in epidermal cells above adventitious roots, indicating that Galpha activity is regulated posttranscriptionally.