Localization Of Green Fluorescent Protein Research Articles

GreenCUT&RUN: Efficient Genomic Profiling of GFP-Tagged Transcription Factors and Chromatin Regulators.

Genome-wide mapping of transcription factors and chromatin regulators is important to distinguish their direct from indirect effects on gene transcription or chromatin function. Novel approaches for studying their genomic localization under native conditions, such us cleavage under target and release using nuclease (CUT&RUN), offer higher resolution and lower sequencing costs than classical chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, and require fewer cells but they still depend on the availability of high-quality antibodies. Here, we describe detailed and robust protocols for greenCUT&RUN, which is a generic CUT&RUN-based approach for mapping the genome-wide localization of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged factors in intact mammalian cells. The greenCUT&RUN method makes use of a micrococcal nuclease (MNase) coupled to a high affinity nanobody against GFP, which exploits the accessibility of multiple surfaces of the GFP tag, thus eliminating issues of antibody variability and availability. We also provide efficient protocols for the expression and purification of two different GFP nanobodies, which recognize non-overlapping GFP epitopes and can be combined for a further gain in sensitivity and accuracy. Compared to traditional CUT&RUN, genomic localization by greenCUT&RUN reduces handling time and experimental variability. GreenCUT&RUN is a versatile, robust, and universal procedure for surveying the genome-wide localization of GFP-tagged versions of proteins that drive key transcriptional programs and regulate chromatin function. © 2021 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: Standard greenCUT&RUN for GFP-tagged proteins in mammalian cells Alternate Protocol: High-Ca++ /low-salt greenCUT&RUN for GFP-tagged histone proteins in mammalian cells Support Protocol: Expression and purification of GFP nanobody-MNase fusion proteins for greenCUT&RUN.

A novel protocol to detect green fluorescent protein in unfixed, snap-frozen tissue

The green fluorescent protein (GFP) is a powerful reporter protein that allows labeling of specific proteins or entire cells. However, as GFP is a small soluble protein, it easily crosses membranes if cell integrity is disrupted, and GFP signal is lost or diffuse if the specimen is not fixed beforehand. While pre-fixation is often feasible for histological analyses, many molecular biology procedures and new imaging techniques, such as imaging mass spectrometry, require unfixed specimens. To be able to use GFP labeling in tissues prepared for such applications, we have tested various protocols to minimize the loss of GFP signal. Here we show that, in cryocut sections of snap-frozen brain tissue from two GFP reporter mouse lines, leaking of the GFP signal is prevented by omitting the commonly performed drying of the cryosections, and by direct post-fixation with 4% paraformaldehyde pre-warmed at 30–37 °C. Although the GFP staining does not reach the same quality as obtained with pre-fixed tissue, GFP localization within the cells that express it is preserved with this method. This protocol can thus be used to identify GFP positive cells on sections originating from unfixed, cryosectioned tissue.

The N-terminal and third transmembrane domain of PsCor413im1 are essential for targeting to chloroplast envelope membrane

Cold-regulated (COR) genes, located downstream of the C-repeat binding factors (CBFs) in cold signaling pathways, play a central role in plant response to cold stress. In our previous studies, a Cor413 chloroplast envelope membrane protein, PsCor413im1, was identified from the cold-tolerant plant Phlox subulata. Its overexpression enhanced cold tolerance and altered AtCor15 expression in Arabidopsis. In the present study, the function of PsCor413im1 was further investigated. Transmission electron microscope observation showed that the chloroplast envelope membrane of cold-treated transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings was more stable than that of cold-treated wild-type seedlings. Subcellular localization of green fluorescent protein as a marker revealed that the N-terminal and putative third transmembrane domain (TMD) of PsCor413im1 were essential for its targeting of the chloroplast envelope membrane. Furthermore, overexpression of PsCor413im1 fragments containing N-terminal and third TMD also altered the expression of AtCor15 genes in Arabidopsis. Overall, our results suggest that PsCor413im1 may stabilize the chloroplast envelope membrane under cold stress, and its N-terminal and third TMD are important for its targeting capability and function.

Optimization of Cas9 nuclear localization in a tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) cell line

CRISPR gene targeting studies in cell lines require reliable expression of Cas9 along with appropriate target‐specific guide RNAs. Effective CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing requires Cas9 localization in the nucleus. Previous attempts to implement CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in a tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) cell line (OmB cells) were unsuccessful. A possible contribution to these results could be inefficient nuclear localization of Cas9. Conventionally, the mammalian SV40 nuclear localization signal (SV40 NLS) is used to localize proteins to the nucleus. Our previous studies have shown that the SV40 promoter is poorly recognized in OmB cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that the SV40 NLS will also be poorly recognized in OmB cells. To test this hypothesis we fused the SV40 NLS to the C‐terminus of GFP (green fluorescent protein), transfected it into the tilapia OmB cell line, and determined the efficiency of nuclear GFP localization using fluorescence imaging (Leica Dmi8). Our imaging results show that the SV40 NLS moderately induced nuclear GFP localization. An incomplete but significant increase in nuclear GFP localization relative to the control (no NLS, just GFP) was observed using Leica image analysis software (LASX 2.0, Leica). Nevertheless, a large amount of GFP still remained in the cytosol when using SV40 NLS. Current work is comparing the efficiency of SV40 NLS mediated nuclear localization of GFP in fish cell lines to that mediated by an endogenous tilapia NLS. We have cloned an endogenous tilapia NLS and are currently testing whether this endogenous NLS improves nuclear localization of ectopic GFP in tilapia OmB cells. Optimization of nuclear localization of Cas9 will aid future gene editing studies in the OmB cell line and in cells from related fish species.Support or Funding InformationThis study was funded by a grant from NSF (IOS‐1656371).

The CDC42 effector protein MRCKβ autophosphorylates on Threonine 1108

ABSTRACT The CDC42 small GTPase is a major influence on actin-myosin cytoskeleton organization and dynamics, signalling via effector proteins including the Myotonic dystrophy related CDC42-binding protein kinases (MRCK) α and β. We previously identified Serine 1003 of MRCKα as a site of autophosphorylation, and showed that a phosphorylation-sensitive antibody raised against this site could be used as a surrogate indicator of kinase activity. In this study, a kinase-dead version of MRCKβ was established by mutation of the conserved Lysine 105 to Methionine (K105M), which was then used for mass spectrometry analysis to identify phosphorylation events that occurred in catalytically-competent MRCKβ but not in the kinase-dead form. A total of ten phosphorylations were identified on wild-type MRCKβ, of which the previously undescribed Threonine 1108 (Thr1108) was not found on kinase-dead MRCKβ K105M, consistent with this being due to autophosphorylation. Mutation of Thr1108 to non-phosphorylatable Alanine (T1108A) or phosphomimetic Glutamate (T1108E) did not affect the ability of MRCKβ to phosphorylate recombinant myosin light chain in vitro, or observably alter the subcellular localization of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged MRCKβ expressed in MDA MB 231 human breast cancer cells. Although phosphorylation of Thr1108 did not appear to contribute to MRCKβ function or regulation, the identification of this phosphorylation does make it possible to characterize whether this site could be used as a surrogate biomarker of kinase activity and inhibitor efficacy as we previously demonstrated for Ser 1003 in MRCKα.

Neer Award 2018: Platelet-derived growth factor receptor α co-expression typifies a subset of platelet-derived growth factor receptor β–positive progenitor cells that contribute to fatty degeneration and fibrosis of the murine rotator cuff

After massive tears, rotator cuff muscle often undergoes atrophy, fibrosis, and fatty degeneration. These changes can lead to high surgical failure rates and poor patient outcomes. The identity of the progenitor cells involved in these processes has not been fully elucidated. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) have previously been recognized as markers of cells involved in muscle fibroadipogenesis. We hypothesized that PDGFRα expression identifies a fibroadipogenic subset of PDGFRβ+ progenitor cells that contribute to fibroadipogenesis of the rotator cuff. We created massive rotator cuff tears in a transgenic strain of mice that allows PDGFRβ+ cells to be tracked via green fluorescent protein (GFP) fluorescence. We then harvested rotator cuff muscle tissues at multiple time points postoperatively and analyzed them for the presence and localization of GFP+ PDGFRβ+ PDGFRα+ cells. We cultured, induced, and treated these cells with the molecular inhibitor CWHM-12 to assess fibrosis inhibition. GFP+ PDGFRβ+ PDGFRα+ cells were present in rotator cuff muscle tissue and, after massive tears, localized to fibrotic and adipogenic tissues. The frequency of PDGFRβ+ PDGFRα+ cells increased at 5 days after massive cuff tears and decreased to basal levels within 2 weeks. PDGFRβ+ PDGFRα+ cells were highly adipogenic and significantly more fibrogenic than PDGFRβ+ PDGFRα- cells in vitro and localized to adipogenic and fibrotic tissues in vivo. Treatment with CWHM-12 significantly decreased fibrogenesis from PDGFRβ+ PDGFRα+ cells. PDGFRβ+ PDGFRα+ cells directly contribute to fibrosis and fatty degeneration after massive rotator cuff tears in the mouse model. In addition, CWHM-12 treatment inhibits fibrogenesis from PDGFRβ+ PDGFRα+ cells in vitro. Clinically, perioperative PDGFRβ+ PDGFRα+ cell inhibition may limit rotator cuff tissue degeneration and, ultimately, improve surgical outcomes for massive rotator cuff tears.

Compartmentalization of the Carbaryl Degradation Pathway: Molecular Characterization of Inducible Periplasmic Carbaryl Hydrolase from Pseudomonas spp.

Pseudomonas sp. strains C5pp and C7 degrade carbaryl as the sole carbon source. Carbaryl hydrolase (CH) catalyzes the hydrolysis of carbaryl to 1-naphthol and methylamine. Bioinformatic analysis of mcbA, encoding CH, in C5pp predicted it to have a transmembrane domain (Tmd) and a signal peptide (Sp). In these isolates, the activity of CH was found to be 4- to 6-fold higher in the periplasm than in the cytoplasm. The recombinant CH (rCH) showed 4-fold-higher activity in the periplasm of Escherichia coli The deletion of Tmd showed activity in the cytoplasmic fraction, while deletion of both Tmd and Sp (Tmd+Sp) resulted in expression of the inactive protein. Confocal microscopic analysis of E. coli expressing a (Tmd+Sp)-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein revealed the localization of GFP into the periplasm. Altogether, these results indicate that Tmd probably helps in anchoring of polypeptide to the inner membrane, while Sp assists folding and release of CH in the periplasm. The N-terminal sequence of the mature periplasmic CH confirms the absence of the Tmd+Sp region and confirms the signal peptidase cleavage site as Ala-Leu-Ala. CH purified from strains C5pp, C7, and rCHΔ(Tmd)a were found to be monomeric with molecular mass of ∼68 to 76 kDa and to catalyze hydrolysis of the ester bond with an apparent Km and Vmax in the range of 98 to 111 μM and 69 to 73 μmol · min-1 · mg-1, respectively. The presence of low-affinity CH in the periplasm and 1-naphthol-metabolizing enzymes in the cytoplasm of Pseudomonas spp. suggests the compartmentalization of the metabolic pathway as a strategy for efficient degradation of carbaryl at higher concentrations without cellular toxicity of 1-naphthol.IMPORTANCE Proteins in the periplasmic space of bacteria play an important role in various cellular processes, such as solute transport, nutrient binding, antibiotic resistance, substrate hydrolysis, and detoxification of xenobiotics. Carbaryl is one of the most widely used carbamate pesticides. Carbaryl hydrolase (CH), the first enzyme of the degradation pathway which converts carbaryl to 1-naphthol, was found to be localized in the periplasm of Pseudomonas spp. Predicted transmembrane domain and signal peptide sequences of Pseudomonas were found to be functional in Escherichia coli and to translocate CH and GFP into the periplasm. The localization of low-affinity CH into the periplasm indicates controlled formation of toxic and recalcitrant 1-naphthol, thus minimizing its accumulation and interaction with various cellular components and thereby reducing the cellular toxicity. This study highlights the significance of compartmentalization of metabolic pathway enzymes for efficient removal of toxic compounds.

Variable expression of GFP in different populations of peripheral cholinergic neurons of ChATBAC-eGFP transgenic mice.

Immunohistochemistry is used widely to identify cholinergic neurons, but this approach has some limitations. To address these problems, investigators developed transgenic mice that express enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) directed by the promoter for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the acetylcholine synthetic enzyme. Although, it was reported that these mice express GFP in all cholinergic neurons and non-neuronal cholinergic cells, we could not detect GFP in cardiac cholinergic nerves in preliminary experiments. Our goals for this study were to confirm our initial observation and perform a qualitative screen of other representative autonomic structures for the presences of GFP in cholinergic innervation of effector tissues. We evaluated GFP fluorescence of intact, unfixed tissues and the cellular localization of GFP and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), a specific cholinergic marker, in tissue sections and intestinal whole mounts. Our experiments identified two major tissues where cholinergic neurons and/or nerve fibers lacked GFP: 1) most cholinergic neurons of the intrinsic cardiac ganglia and all cholinergic nerve fibers in the heart and 2) most cholinergic nerve fibers innervating airway smooth muscle. Most cholinergic neurons in airway ganglia stained for GFP. Cholinergic systems in the bladder and intestines were fully delineated by GFP staining. GFP labeling of input to ganglia with long preganglionic projections (vagal) was sparse or weak, while that to ganglia with short preganglionic projections (spinal) was strong. Total absence of GFP might be due to splicing out of the GFP gene. Lack of GFP in nerve projections from GFP-positive cell bodies might reflect a transport deficiency.

Development of a bicistronic expression system in the branchiopod crustacean Daphnia magna.

The viral 2A peptides have recently been used for bicistronic expression in various organisms. In this system, a single mRNA that codes for two proteins flanking the 2A peptide can be translated simultaneously into each protein by ribosomal skipping at this peptide sequence. Here, we tested the function of the Thosea asigna insect virus 2A (T2A) peptide in the branchiopod crustacean Daphnia magna-an emerging model of evolutionary developmental biology. First, we used transgenic Daphnia that expresses a potential bicistronic RNA containing mCherry and histone H2B- green fluorescent protein (GFP) open reading frames upstream and downstream of the T2A sequence, respectively. Microscopic observation revealed difference of localization of the two proteins in the cell, homogenous distribution of mCherry and nuclear localization of H2B-GFP. Second, we changed localization of mCherry from cytoplasm to plasma membrane by attachment of a consensus myristoylation motif in the bicistronic reporter. RNA that codes for this new bicistronic reporter was injected into eggs. At gastrulation stage, we found spectrally distinct fluorescence with enough intensity and resolution to detect membrane localized mCherry and nuclear GFP. These results indicate that the T2A peptide functions in D. magna and T2A-mediated bicistronic expression would be a promising tool for evo-devo studies of this species.

Pretreatment With Rifampicin and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Dasatinib Potentiates the Inhibitory Effects Toward OATP1B1- and OATP1B3-Mediated Transport

Present studies determined the effects of pretreatment with rifampicin, an organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP) inhibitor, and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib on OATP1B1- and OATP1B3-mediated transport, and evaluated the OATP-mediated drug-drug interaction potential of dasatinib using the static R-value and dynamic physiologically based pharmacokinetic models. Rifampicin and dasatinib pretreatment significantly decreased OATP1B1- and OATP1B3-mediated transport. Rifampicin pretreatment also significantly decreased [3H]-pitavastatin and [3H]-CCK-8 accumulation in human sandwich-cultured hepatocytes. Present studies revealed that estrone-3-sulfate is a less-sensitive OATP1B1 substrate than estradiol-17β-glucuronide in assessing rifampicin pretreatment effects. Pretreatment with rifampicin and dasatinib reduced the inhibition constant (Ki) values against OATP1B1 by 3 and 2.1 fold and against OATP1B3 by 2.4 and 2.1 fold, respectively. The in vitro rifampicin Ki values after preincubation are comparable to the estimated in vivo Ki reported previously. Models predict that dasatinib has a low potential to cause OATP1B1- and OATP1B3-mediated drug-drug interactions. Time-lapse confocal microscopy demonstrated that rifampicin and dasatinib pretreatment did not affect plasma membrane localization of green-fluorescent protein–tagged OATP1B1 (GFP-OATP1B1) and GFP–OATP1B3 in human embryonic kidney 293 stable cell lines. In summary, we report novel findings that pretreatment with rifampicin and dasatinib potentiates the inhibitory effects toward OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 without affecting plasma membrane levels of the transporters.

Regulation of membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase activity and intracellular localization in clinical thoracic aortic aneurysms

ObjectiveMembrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is elevated during thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) development in mouse models, and plays an important role in the activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and the release of matrix- bound transforming growth factor-β. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that MT1-MMP is subject to protein kinase C (PKC)–mediated regulation, which alters intracellular trafficking and activity with TAAs. MethodsLevels of MMP-2, native and phosphorylated MT1-MMP, and PKC-δ were measured in aortic tissue from patients with small TAAs (<5 cm; n = 8) and large TAAs (>6.5 cm; n = 8), and compared with values measured in normal controls (n = 8). Cellular localization of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged MT1-MMP was assessed in aortic fibroblasts isolated from control and 4-week TAA mice. The effects of PKC-mediated phosphorylation on MT1-MMP cellular localization and function (active MMP-2 vs phospo-Smad2 abundance) were assessed after treatment with a PKC activator (phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate [PMA], 100 nM) with and without a PKC-δ–specific inhibitor (röttlerin, 3 μM). ResultsCompared with controls, MT1-MMP abundance was increased in aortas from both TAA groups. Active MMP-2 was increased only in the large TAA group. The abundances of phosphorylated MT1-MMP and activated PKC-δ were enhanced in the small TAA group compared with the large TAA group. MT1-MMP was localized on the plasma membrane in aortic fibroblasts from control mice and in endosomes from TAA mice. Treatment with PMA induced MT1-MMP-GFP internalization, enhanced phospho-Smad2, and reduced MMP-2 activation, whereas röttlerin pretreatment inhibited these effects. ConclusionsPhosphorylation of MT1-MMP mediates its activity through directing cellular localization, shifting its role from MMP-2 activation to intracellular signaling. Thus, targeted inhibition of MT1-MMP may have therapeutic relevance as an approach to attenuating TAA development.

Salt stress induces internalization of plasma membrane aquaporin into the vacuole in Arabidopsis thaliana

Salt stress is a major environmental stress for plants, causing hyperosmotic, ionic and drought-like stresses. Plasma membrane intrinsic protein 2;1 (PIP2;1), which forms a water channel that regulates water flux thorough the plasma membrane (PM), is constitutively trafficked between the PM and the trans-Golgi network (TGN) in Arabidopsis thaliana. Salt stress is known to relocalize PIP2;1 to intracellular compartments, probably to decrease the water permeability of the root. However, the destination of internalized PIP2;1 and the mechanism by which PIP2;1 is internalized remain unclear. Here, we examined the effects of salt stress and inhibitors of endocytosis on the intracellular localization of green fluorescent protein–fused PIP2;1 (GFP-PIP2;1) in Arabidopsis thaliana root epidermal cells. Salt stress decreased the fluorescence of GFP-PIP2;1 at the PM and increased it in the vacuolar lumen as shown by staining of the vacuolar membrane. The internalization of PIP2;1 was suppressed by an inhibitor of clathrin-mediated endocytosis and by inhibitors of two kinases that appear to have roles in salt stress, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase (PI4K). Inhibiting PI4K suppressed the salt-induced endocytosis of GFP-PIP2;1 at the PM, whereas inhibiting PI3K suppressed the trafficking of GFP-PIP2;1 after its internalization. These results suggest that salt stress induces the internalization of PIP2;1 from the PM to the vacuolar lumen, and that these processes are dependent on clathrin, PI3K and PI4K.

Overexpression of IrlVHA-c, A Vacuolar-Type H+-ATPase c Subunit Gene from Iris lactea, Enhances Salt Tolerance in Tobacco

Vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase), a multi-subunit endomembrane proton pump, plays an important role in plant growth and response to environmental stresses. In the present study, transgenic tobacco that overexpressed the V-ATPase c subunit gene from Iris lactea (IrlVHA-c) was used to determine the function of IrlVHA-c. Quantitative PCR analysis showed that IrlVHA-c expression was induced by salt stress in I. lactea roots and leaves. Subcellular localization of green fluorescent protein (GFP) as marker combined with FM4-64 staining showed that the IrlVHA-c-GFP was localized to the endosomal compartment in tobacco cells. Compared with the wild-type, the IrlVHA-c transgenic tobacco plants exhibited greater seed germination rates, root length, fresh weight, and higher relative water content (RWC) of leaves under salt stress. Furthermore, the IrlVHA-c transgenic tobacco leaves have lower stomatal densities and larger stomatal apertures than wild-type. Under salt stress, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the transgenic tobacco was significantly enhanced. Moreover, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the transgenic tobacco was significantly lower than that in wild-type plants under salt stress. Taken together, these results suggested that the IrlVHA-c plays an important role in salt tolerance in transgenic tobacco by influencing stomatal movement and physiological changes.

Puquitinib mesylate (XC-302) induces autophagy via inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in nasopharyngeal cancer cells.

There are numerous studies that demonstrate the anti-neoplastic activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors and the mechanisms of inducing autophagy in cancer cells. The new anticancer drug puquitinib mesylate (XC-302) is a molecular-targeted drug, which suppresses the activity of PI3K directly. However, it remains unclear whether XC-302 can develop an antitumor effect by inducing autophagy in naso-pharyngeal cancer cells. The MTT assay was used to study the anti-proliferative effects of XC-302. Subsequently, autophagy was determined by monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining, punctate localization of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-light chain 3 (LC3), LC3 protein blotting and electron microscopy. The expression levels of beclin 1, p62, protein kinase B (AKT), phospho (p)-AKT, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p-mTOR in XC-302-induced autophagy were detected. Autophagy inhibition was assayed by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing of beclin 1. XC-302 inhibited the viability of CNE-2 in a dose-dependent manner and the IC50 of 72 h was 5.2 µmol/l. After cells were exposed to XC-302 for 24 h, MDC-labeled autophagolysosomes were evident in CNE-2 cells by fluorescence microscope. Autophagosomes and autolysosomes were identified by transmission electron microscopy. Following transfection with GFP-LC3, XC-302 induced a significant accumulation of GFP-LC3, as monitored by a confocal microscope, which was reduced by 3-MA. XC-302 induced the formation of LC3-II, increased beclin 1 levels and decreased the expression of p62. Additionally, the expression levels of p-AKT and p-mTOR were reduced with the elevation of XC-302. Knockdown of beclin 1 with siRNA or co-treatment with 3-MA enhanced significantly the survival of CNE-2 and promoted the ability of clone formation. XC-302 also induced apoptosis in CNE-2, and when autophagy was inhibited by 3-MA, the apoptosis rate was decreased. The present data provides the evidence that XC-302 can induce autophagy in CNE-2, which promotes the program of cell death and inhibits the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, XC-302 also promoted apoptosis in CNE-2 cells, which could be reduced when autophagy was suppressed, meaning that autophagy may interact with apoptosis to induce cell death.

Efficient and dynamic nuclear localization of green fluorescent protein via RNA binding

Classical nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequences have been used for artificial localization of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the nucleus as a positioning marker or for measurement of the nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling rate in living cells. However, the detailed mechanism of nuclear retention of GFP-NLS remains unclear. Here, we show that a candidate mechanism for the strong nuclear retention of GFP-NLS is via the RNA-binding ability of the NLS sequence. GFP tagged with a classical NLS derived from Simian virus 40 (GFP-NLSSV40) localized not only in the nucleoplasm, but also to the nucleolus, the nuclear subdomain in which ribosome biogenesis takes place. GFP-NLSSV40 in the nucleolus was mobile, and intriguingly, the diffusion coefficient, which indicates the speed of diffusing molecules, was 1.5-fold slower than in the nucleoplasm. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) analysis showed that GFP-NLSSV40 formed oligomers via RNA binding, the estimated molecular weight of which was larger than the limit for passive nuclear export into the cytoplasm. These findings suggest that the nuclear localization of GFP-NLSSV40 likely results from oligomerization mediated via RNA binding. The analytical technique used here can be applied for elucidating the details of other nuclear localization mechanisms, including those of several types of nuclear proteins. In addition, GFP-NLSSV40 can be used as an excellent marker for studying both the nucleoplasm and nucleolus in living cells.

Hypoxia-induced localization of chemotaxis-related signaling proteins in Vibrio cholerae.

Vibrio cholerae has three sets of chemotaxis-related signaling proteins, of which only System II has been shown to be involved in chemotaxis. Here, we examined localization of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fused components of System I. The histidine kinase (CheA1) and the adaptor (CheW0) of System I localized to polar and lateral membrane regions with standing incubation (microaerobic conditions), but their localization was lost after shaking (aerobic conditions). A transmembrane receptor of System I also showed polar and lateral localization with standing incubation. By contrast, GFP-fused components of System II localized constitutively to the flagellated pole. Nitrogen gas, sodium azide or carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone induced localization of CheA1-GFP even with shaking incubation, suggesting that the localization is controlled in response to changes in energy metabolism. Fluorescently labeled tetracysteine-tagged CheA1 also showed azide-induced localization, arguing against artifactual effects of GFP fusions. These results suggest that System I components are assembled into the supramolecular signaling complex in response to reduced cellular energy states, raising the possibility that the System I complex plays a role in sensing and signaling under microaerobic environments, such as in the host intestine.

Mammalian cell culture as a model for studying the intracellular traffic of densovirus proteins

The intracellular localization of the fusion protein composed of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and one of the capsid proteins (namely VP1) of the German cockroach densovirus BgDV1 was investigated using the HeLa human cell culture. The intracellular localization of GFP was analyzed in a series of control experiments. Histochemical analysis with GFP antibodies showed that the fusion protein is localized exclusively inside the nucleus of cells because of the transitory expression of the corresponding vector constructions, whereas the GFP is located both in the nucleus and the cytoplasm. We can conclude that the signal of the nuclear localization of the capsid protein of the German cockroach densovirus is functionally active, not only within the cells of this insect but within the human cell culture as well. This observation extends the experimental possibilities for studying the genetic control of intracellular traffic of densovirus proteins.

Cellular dynamics during early barley pollen embryogenesis revealed by time-lapse imaging.

Plants display a remarkable capacity for cellular totipotency. An intriguing and useful example is that immature pollen cultured in vitro can pass through embryogenic development to form haploid or doubled haploid plants. However, a lack of understanding the initial mechanisms of pollen embryogenesis hampers the improvement and more effective and widespread employment of haploid technology in plant research and breeding. To investigate the cellular dynamics during the onset of pollen embryogenesis, we used time-lapse imaging along with transgenic barley expressing nuclear localized Green Fluorescent Protein. The results enabled us to identify nine distinct embryogenic and non-embryogenic types of pollen response to the culture conditions. Cell proliferation in embryogenic pollen normally started via a first symmetric mitosis (54.3% of pollen observed) and only rarely did so via asymmetric pollen mitosis I (4.3% of pollen observed). In the latter case, proliferation generally originated from the vegetative-like cell, albeit the division of the generative-like cell was observed in few types of pollen. Under the culture conditions used, fusion of cell nuclei was the only mechanism of genome duplication observed.

Subcellular localization of rice acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs) indicates that OsACBP6::GFP is targeted to the peroxisomes.

Acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs) show conservation at the acyl-CoA-binding (ACB) domain which facilitates binding to acyl-CoA esters. In Arabidopsis thaliana, six ACBPs participate in development and stress responses. Rice (Oryza sativa) also contains six genes encoding ACBPs. We investigated differences in subcellular localization between monocot rice and eudicot A. thaliana ACBPs. The subcellular localization of the six OsACBPs was achieved via transient expression of green fluorescence protein (GFP) fusions in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) epidermal cells, and stable transformation of A. thaliana. As plant ACBPs had not been reported in the peroxisomes, OsACBP6::GFP localization was confirmed by transient expression in rice sheath cells. The function of OsACBP6 was investigated by overexpressing 35S::OsACBP6 in the peroxisomal abc transporter1 (pxa1) mutant defective in peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation. As predicted, OsACBP1::GFP and OsACBP2::GFP were localized to the cytosol, and OsACBP4::GFP and OsACBP5::GFP to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, OsACBP3::GFP displayed subcellular multi-localization while OsACBP6::GFP was localized to the peroxisomes. 35S::OsACBP6-OE/pxa1 lines showed recovery in indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) peroxisomal β-oxidation, wound-induced VEGETATIVE STORAGE PROTEIN1 (VSP1) expression and jasmonic acid (JA) accumulation. These findings indicate a role for OsACBP6 in peroxisomal β-oxidation, and suggest that rice ACBPs are involved in lipid degradation in addition to lipid biosynthesis.

Identification and Characterization of an Arabidopsis Mutant with Altered Localization of NIP5;1, a Plasma Membrane Boric Acid Channel, Reveals the Requirement for d-Galactose in Endomembrane Organization

Endomembrane organization is important for various aspects of cell physiology, including membrane protein trafficking. To explore the molecular mechanisms regulating the trafficking of plasma membrane-localized proteins in plants, we screened for Arabidopsis mutants with defective localization of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-nodulin 26-like intrinsic protein (NIP)5;1. Fluorescence imaging-based screening led to the isolation of a mutant which accumulated abnormal intracellular aggregates labeled by GFP-NIP5;1. The aggregates appeared in epidermal cells in the root elongation zone and included the trans-Golgi network/early endosomes. Rough mapping and whole-genome sequencing identified the mutant as an allele of UDP-glucose 4-epimerase 4 (uge4)/root hair defective 1 (rhd1) /root epidermal bulgar 1 (reb 1), which was originally defined as a cell wall mutant. The responsible gene encodes UDP-glucose 4-epimerase 4 (UGE4), which functions in the biosynthesis of d-galactose, especially for the synthesis of the cell wall polysaccharide xyloglucan and arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs). The endomembrane aggregates in the mutants were absent in the presence of d-galactose, indicative of a requirement for a d-galactose-containing component in endomembrane organization. Genetic and pharmacological analyses suggested that the aggregates were not caused by the disruption of cell wall polysaccharides or the cytoskeleton. Overall, our results suggest that UGE4 activity in d-galactose synthesis is required for the structure of cell wall polysaccharides and endomembrane organization.