N-terminal Epitope Tag Research Articles

Cell‐type specific analysis of translating RNAs in developing flowers reveals new levels of control

Determining both the expression levels of mRNA and the regulation of its translation is important in understanding specialized cell functions. In this study, we describe both the expression profiles of cells within spatiotemporal domains of the Arabidopsis thaliana flower and the post-transcriptional regulation of these mRNAs, at nucleotide resolution. We express a tagged ribosomal protein under the promoters of three master regulators of flower development. By precipitating tagged polysomes, we isolated cell type-specific mRNAs that are probably translating, and quantified those mRNAs through deep sequencing. Cell type comparisons identified known cell-specific transcripts and uncovered many new ones, from which we inferred cell type-specific hormone responses, promoter motifs and coexpressed cognate binding factor candidates, and splicing isoforms. By comparing translating mRNAs with steady-state overall transcripts, we found evidence for widespread post-transcriptional regulation at both the intron splicing and translational stages. Sequence analyses identified structural features associated with each step. Finally, we identified a new class of noncoding RNAs associated with polysomes. Findings from our profiling lead to new hypotheses in the understanding of flower development.

Regulation of TRPC1 and TRPC4 Cation Channels Requires an α1-Syntrophin-dependent Complex in Skeletal Mouse Myotubes

The dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) is essential for skeletal muscle, and the lack of dystrophin in Duchenne muscular dystrophy results in a reduction of DAPC components such as syntrophins and in fiber necrosis. By anchoring various molecules, the syntrophins may confer a role in cell signaling to the DAPC. Calcium disorders and abnormally elevated cation influx in dystrophic muscle cells have suggested that the DAPC regulates some sarcolemmal cationic channels. We demonstrated previously that mini-dystrophin and alpha1-syntrophin restore normal cation entry in dystrophin-deficient myotubes and that sarcolemmal TRPC1 channels associate with dystrophin and the bound PDZ domain of alpha1-syntrophin. This study shows that small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing of alpha1-syntrophin dysregulated cation influx in myotubes. Moreover, deletion of the PDZ-containing domain prevented restoration of normal cation entry by alpha1-syntrophin transfection in dystrophin-deficient myotubes. TRPC1 and TRPC4 channels are expressed at the sarcolemma of muscle cells; forced expression or siRNA silencing showed that cation influx regulated by alpha1-syntrophin is supported by TRPC1 and TRPC4. A molecular association was found between TRPC1 and TRPC4 channels and the alpha1-syntrophin-dystrophin complex. TRPC1 and TRPC4 channels may form sarcolemmal channels anchored to the DAPC, and alpha1-syntrophin is necessary to maintain the normal regulation of TRPC-supported cation entry in skeletal muscle. Cation channels with DAPC form a signaling complex that modulates cation entry and may be crucial for normal calcium homeostasis in skeletal muscles.

Cre-lox univector acceptor vectors for functional screening in protoplasts: analysis of Arabidopsis donor cDNAs encoding ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE1-like protein phosphatases.

The 14,200 available full length Arabidopsis thaliana cDNAs in the universal plasmid system (UPS) donor vector pUNI51 should be applied broadly and efficiently to leverage a "functional map-space" of homologous plant genes. We have engineered Cre-lox UPS host acceptor vectors (pCR701- 705) with N-terminal epitope tags in frame with the loxH site and downstream from the maize Ubiquitin promoter for use in transient protoplast expression assays and particle bombardment transformation of monocots. As an example of the utility of these vectors, we recombined them with several Arabidopsis cDNAs encoding Ser/Thr protein phosphatase type 2C (PP2Cs) known from genetic studies or predicted by hierarchical clustering meta-analysis to be involved in ABA and stress responses. Our functional results in Zea mays mesophyll protoplasts on ABA-inducible expression effects on the Late Embryogenesis Abundant promoter ProEm:GUS reporter were consistent with predictions and resulted in identification of novel activities of some PP2Cs. Deployment of these vectors can facilitate functional genomics and proteomics and identification of novel gene activities.

Addition of an N-terminal epitope tag significantly increases the activity of plant fatty acid desaturases expressed in yeast cells

Saccharomyces cerevisiae shows great potential for development of bioreactor systems geared toward the production of high-value lipids such as polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, the yields of which are largely dependent on the activity of ectopically expressed enzymes. Here, we show that the addition of an N-terminal epitope tag sequence (either Myc or hemagglutinin) to oleate desaturase (FAD2) or omega-3 linoleate desaturase (FAD3) enzymes from plants, which catalyze consecutive reactions in the production of long chain omega-3 fatty acids, significantly increases their activity up to fourfold when expressed in yeast cells. Quantitative protein blotting using an antibody specific for native FAD2 revealed that the steady-state amount of the epitope-tagged FAD2 protein was also approximately fourfold higher than that of its untagged counterpart, demonstrating a direct relationship between the epitope tag-induced increase in enzyme amount and fatty acid product formation. Protein half-life and RNA blotting experiments indicated that the half-lives and mRNA content of the tagged and untagged FAD2 proteins were essentially the same, suggesting that the epitope tags increased protein abundance by improving translational efficiency. Taken together, these results indicate that the addition of an epitope tag sequence to a plant fatty acid desaturase (FAD) not only provides a useful means for protein immunodetection using highly specific, commercially available antibodies, but that it also significantly increases FAD activity and the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids in yeast cells.

A DNA Polymerase-α·Primase Cofactor with Homology to Replication Protein A-32 Regulates DNA Replication in Mammalian Cells

alpha-Accessory factor (AAF) stimulates the activity of DNA polymerase-alpha.primase, the only enzyme known to initiate DNA replication in eukaryotic cells ( Goulian, M., Heard, C. J., and Grimm, S. L. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 13221-13230 ). We purified the AAF heterodimer composed of 44- and 132-kDa subunits from cultured cells and identified full-length cDNA clones using amino acid sequences from internal peptides. AAF-132 demonstrated no homologies to known proteins; AAF-44, however, is evolutionarily related to the 32-kDa subunit of replication protein A (RPA-32) and contains an oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding (OB) fold domain similar to the OB fold domains of RPA involved in single-stranded DNA binding. Epitope-tagged versions of AAF-44 and -132 formed a complex in intact cells, and purified recombinant AAF-44 bound to single-stranded DNA and stimulated DNA primase activity only in the presence of AAF-132. Mutations in conserved residues within the OB fold of AAF-44 reduced DNA binding activity of the AAF-44.AAF-132 complex. Immunofluorescence staining of AAF-44 and AAF-132 in S phase-enriched HeLa cells demonstrated punctate nuclear staining, and AAF co-localized with proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a marker for replication foci containing DNA polymerase-alpha.primase and RPA. Small interfering RNA-mediated depletion of AAF-44 in tumor cell lines inhibited [methyl-(3)H]thymidine uptake into DNA but did not affect cell viability. We conclude that AAF shares structural and functional similarities with RPA-32 and regulates DNA replication, consistent with its ability to increase polymerase-alpha.primase template affinity and stimulate both DNA primase and polymerase-alpha activities in vitro.

Disease-causing Mutation in GPR54 Reveals the Importance of the Second Intracellular Loop for Class A G-protein-coupled Receptor Function

The G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) GPR54 is essential for the development and maintenance of reproductive function in mammals. A point mutation (L148S) in the second intracellular loop (IL2) of GPR54 causes idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, a disorder characterized by delayed puberty and infertility. Here, we characterize the molecular mechanism by which the L148S mutation causes disease and address the role of IL2 in Class A GPCR function. Biochemical, immunocytochemical, and pharmacological analysis demonstrates that the mutation does not affect the expression, ligand binding properties, or protein interaction network of GPR54. In contrast, diverse GPR54 functional responses are markedly inhibited by the L148S mutation. Importantly, the leucine residue at this position is highly conserved among class A GPCRs. Indeed, mutating the corresponding leucine of the alpha(1A)-AR recapitulates the effects observed with L148S GPR54, suggesting the critical importance of this hydrophobic IL2 residue for Class A GPCR functional coupling. Interestingly, co-immunoprecipitation studies indicate that L148S does not hinder the association of Galpha subunits with GPR54. However, fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis strongly suggests that L148S impairs the ligand-induced catalytic activation of Galpha. Combining our data with a predictive Class A GPCR/Galpha model suggests that IL2 domains contain a conserved hydrophobic motif that, upon agonist stimulation, might stabilize the switch II region of Galpha. Such an interaction could promote opening of switch II of Galpha to facilitate GDP-GTP exchange and coupling to downstream signaling responses. Importantly, mutations that disrupt this key hydrophobic interface can manifest as human disease.

A PCR‐based strategy to generate yeast strains expressing endogenous levels of amino‐terminal epitope‐tagged proteins

An epitope tag introduced to a gene of interest (GOI) greatly increases the ease of studying cellular proteins. Rapid PCR-based strategies for epitope tagging a protein's C-terminus at its native gene locus are widely used in yeast. C-terminal epitope tagging is not suitable for all proteins, however. Epitope tags fused to the C-terminus can interfere with function of some proteins or can even be removed by C-terminal protein processing. To overcome such problems, proteins can be tagged with epitopes at their amino-termini, but generating yeast strains expressing N-terminal epitope tagged genes under control of the endogenous promoter at the native locus is comparatively more difficult. Strategies to introduce N-terminal epitope tags have been reported previously but often introduce additional sequences other than the epitope tag into the genome. Furthermore, N-terminal tagging of essential genes by current methods requires formation of diploid strains followed by tetrad dissection or expression of an additional copy of the GOI from a plasmid. The strategies described here provide a quick, facile means of epitope tagging the N-terminus of both essential and nonessential genes in a two-step PCR-based procedure. The procedure has the significant advantage of leaving tagged genes under the control of their endogenous promoters, and no additional sequences other than the epitope tag encoding nucleotides are inserted into the genome.

Osteopenia in transgenic mice with osteoblast-targeted expression of the inducible cAMP early repressor

ICER is a member of the CREM family of basic leucine zipper transcription factors that acts as a dominant negative regulator of gene transcription. Four different isoforms of ICER (I, Iγ, II and IIγ) are transcribed from the P2 promoter of the Crem gene. We previously found that each of the ICER isoforms is induced by parathyroid hormone in osteoblasts. The goal of the present study was to assess the function of ICER in bone by overexpressing ICER in osteoblasts of transgenic mice. ICER I and ICER II cDNAs, each containing an N-terminal FLAG epitope tag, were cloned downstream of a fragment containing 3.6 kb of the rat Col1a1 promoter and most of the rat Col1a1 first intron to produce pOBCol3.6-ICER I and pOBCol3.6-ICER II transgenes, respectively. Multiple lines of mice were generated bearing the ICER I and ICER II transgenes. At 8 weeks of age, ICER I and ICER II transgenic mice had lower body weights and decreased bone mineral density of femurs and vertebrae. Further studies were done with ICER I transgenic mice, which had greatly reduced trabecular bone volume and a markedly decreased bone formation rate in femurs. Osteoblast differentiation and osteocalcin expression were reduced in ex vivo bone marrow cultures from ICER I transgenic mice. ICER I antagonized the activity of ATF4 at its consensus DNA binding site in the osteocalcin promoter in vitro. Thus, transgenic mice with osteoblast-targeted overexpression of ICER exhibited osteopenia caused primarily by reduced bone formation. We speculate that ICER regulates the activity and/or expression of ATF/CREB factors required for normal bone formation.

Vaccinia Virus A56/K2 Fusion Regulatory Protein Interacts with the A16 and G9 Subunits of the Entry Fusion Complex

Deletion of the A56R or K2L gene of vaccinia virus (VACV) results in the spontaneous fusion of infected cells to form large multinucleated syncytia. A56 and K2 polypeptides bind to one another (A56/K2) and together are required for interaction with the VACV entry fusion complex (EFC); this association has been proposed to prevent the fusion of infected cells. At least eight viral polypeptides comprise the EFC, but no information has been available regarding their interactions either with each other or with A56/K2. Utilizing a panel of recombinant VACVs designed to repress expression of individual EFC subunits, we demonstrated that A56/K2 interacted with two polypeptides: A16 and G9. Both A16 and G9 were required for the efficient binding of each to A56/K2, suggesting that the two polypeptides interact with each other within the EFC. Such an interaction was established by the copurification of A16 and G9 from infected cells under conditions in which a stable EFC complex failed to assemble and from detergent-treated lysates of uninfected cells that coexpressed A16 and G9. A recombinant VACV that expressed G9 modified with an N-terminal epitope tag induced the formation of syncytia, suggesting partial interference with the functional interaction of A56/K2 with the EFC during infection. These data suggest that A16 and G9 are physically associated within the EFC and that their interaction with A56/K2 suppresses spontaneous syncytium formation and possibly "fuse-back" superinfection of cells.

Characterization of Cullin-box Sequences That Direct Recruitment of Cul2-Rbx1 and Cul5-Rbx2 Modules to Elongin BC-based Ubiquitin Ligases

The Elongin BC-box protein family includes the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor and suppressor of cytokine signaling proteins, which are substrate recognition subunits of structurally related classes of E3 ubiquitin ligases composed of Elongin C-Elongin B-Cullin 2-Rbx1 (Cul2 ubiquitin ligases) or of Elongin C-Elongin B-Cullin 5-Rbx2 (Cul5 ubiquitin ligases). The Elongin BC complex acts as an adaptor that links a substrate recognition subunit to heterodimers of either Cullin 2 (Cul2) and RING finger protein Rbx1 or Cullin 5 (Cul5) and Rbx2. It has been shown ( Kamura, T., Maenaka, K., Kotoshiba, S., Matsumoto, M., Kohda, D., Conaway, R. C., Conaway, J. W., and Nakayama, K. I. (2004) Genes Dev. 18, 3055-3065 ) that interaction of BC-box proteins with their cognate Cul-Rbx module is determined by specific regions, called Cul2- or Cul5-boxes, located immediately downstream of their BC-boxes. Here, we investigate further the mechanisms governing assembly of BC-box proteins with their specific Cul-Rbx modules. Through purification and characterization of a larger collection of BC-box proteins that serve as substrate recognition subunits of Cul2 and Cul5 ubiquitin ligases and through structure-function studies, we define Cul2- and Cul5-boxes in greater detail. Although it previously appeared that there was little sequence similarity between Cul5- and Cul2-box motifs, analyses of newly identified BC-box proteins reveal that residues conserved in the Cul2-box represent a subset of those conserved in the Cul5-box. The sequence motif LPPhiP, which is conserved in most Cul5-boxes and has been suggested to specify assembly of Cul5 ligases, is compatible with Cul2 interaction. Finally, the spacing between BC- and Cullin-boxes is much more flexible than has been appreciated and can vary from as few as 3 and as many as approximately 80 amino acids. Taken together, our findings shed new light on the mechanisms by which BC-box proteins direct recruitment of Cullin-Rbx modules during reconstitution of ubiquitin ligases.

The Endoplasmic Reticulum Exit of Glutamate Transporter Is Regulated by the Inducible Mammalian Yip6b/GTRAP3-18 Protein

GTRAP3-18 interacts with and reduces the activity of the neuronal specific Na(+)/K(+) glutamate transporter, EAAC1 both in vitro and in vivo. GTRAP3-18 and the related isoform, JM4, are distant relatives of the Rab GTPase-interacting factor PRA1, and share a topology of four transmembrane domains and cytosolic termini. GTRAP3-18 and JM4 are resident endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins. The physiological role of GTRAP3-18 is poorly understood. We demonstrate for the first time that GTRAP3-18 is a regulator of ER protein trafficking. Expression of GTRAP3-18 delays the ER exit of EAAC1, as well as other members of the excitatory amino acid transporter family. GTRAP3-18 uses hydrophobic domain interactions in the ER membrane to self-associate and cytoplasmic interactions at the C terminus to regulate trafficking. The features of GTRAP3-18 activity are consistent with recent phylogenic sequence analyses suggesting GTRAP3-18 and JM4 be reclassified as mammalian isoforms of the yeast protein family Yip, Yip6b, and Yip6a, respectively.

Different Mechanisms Regulate Lysophosphatidic Acid (LPA)-dependent Versus Phorbol Ester-dependent Internalization of the LPA1 Receptor

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) stimulates cells by activation of five G-protein-coupled receptors, termed LPA 1-5. The LPA 1 receptor is the most widely expressed and is a major regulator of cell migration. In this study, we show that phorbol ester (PMA)-induced internalization of the LPA(1) receptor requires clathrin AP-2 complexes, protein kinase C, and a distal dileucine motif (amino acids 352 and 353) in the cytoplasmic tail but not beta-arrestin. Agonist-dependent internalization of LPA 1, however, requires a cluster of serine residues (amino acids 341-347) located proximal to the dileucine motif, beta-arrestin, and to a lesser extent clathrin AP-2. The serine cluster of LPA 1 is required for beta-arrestin2-GFP translocation to the plasma membrane and signal desensitization. In contrast, the dileucine motif (IL) is required for both basal and PMA-induced internalization. Evidence for the beta-arrestin independence of PMA-induced internalization of LPA 1 comes from the observations that beta-arrestin2-GFP is not recruited to the plasma membrane upon PMA treatment and that LPA 1 is readily internalized in beta-arrestin1/2 knock-out mouse embryonic fibroblasts. These results indicate that distinct molecular mechanisms regulate agonist-dependent and PMA-dependent internalization of the LPA 1 receptor.

HFE Modulates Transferrin Receptor 2 Levels in Hepatoma Cells via Interactions That Differ from Transferrin Receptor 1-HFE Interactions

Mutations in the transmembrane glycoproteins transferrin receptor 2 (TfR2) and HFE are associated with hereditary hemochromatosis. Interactions between HFE and transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) have been mapped to the alpha1- and alpha2-helices in HFE and to the helical domain of TfR1. Recently, TfR2 was also reported to interact with HFE in transfected mammalian cells. To test whether similar HFE residues are important for both TfR1 and TfR2 binding, a mutant form of HFE (W81AHFE) that has an approximately 5,000-fold lower affinity for TfR1 than HFE was employed. As expected, W81AHFE does not interact with TfR1. However, we found that the same mutation in HFE does not affect the TfR2/HFE interaction. This finding indicates that the TfR2/HFE and TfR1/HFE interactions are distinct. We further observed that, unlike TfR1/HFE, Tf does not compete with HFE for binding to TfR2 and that binding is independent of pH (pH 6-7.5). TfR2-TfR1 and HFE-HLA-B7 chimeras were generated to map the domains of the TfR2/HFE interaction. TfR1 and HLA-B7 were chosen because of their similar overall structures with TfR2 and HFE, respectively. We mapped the interacting domains to the putative stalk and protease-like domains of TfR2 located between residues 104 and 250 and to the alpha3 domain of HFE, both of which differ from the TfR1/HFE interacting domains. Furthermore, we found that HFE increases TfR2 levels in hepatic cells independent of holo-Tf.

A Novel Role of Brg1 in the Regulation of SRF/MRTFA-dependent Smooth Muscle-specific Gene Expression

Serum response factor (SRF) is a key regulator of smooth muscle differentiation, proliferation, and migration. Myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTFA) is a co-activator of SRF that can induce expression of SRF-dependent, smooth muscle-specific genes and actin/Rho-dependent genes, but not MAPK-regulated growth response genes. How MRTFA and SRF discriminate between these sets of target genes is still unclear. We hypothesized that SWI/SNF ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes, containing Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1) or Brahma (Brm), may play a role in this process. Results from Western blotting and qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that dominant negative Brg1 blocked the ability of MRTFA to induce expression of smooth muscle-specific genes, but not actin/Rho-dependent early response genes, in fibroblasts. In addition, dominant negative Brg1 attenuated expression of smooth muscle-specific genes in primary cultures of smooth muscle cells. MRTFA overexpression did not induce expression of smooth muscle-specific genes in SW13 cells, which lack endogenous Brg1 or Brm. Reintroduction of Brg1 or Brm into SW13 cells restored their responsiveness to MRTFA. Immunoprecipitation assays revealed that Brg1, SRF, and MRTFA form a complex in vivo, and Brg1 directly binds MRTFA, but not SRF, in vitro. Results from chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that dominant negative Brg1 significantly attenuated the ability of MRTFA to increase SRF binding to the promoters of smooth muscle-specific genes, but not early response genes. Together these data suggest that Brg1/Brm containing SWI/SNF complexes play a critical role in regulating expression of SRF/MRTFA-dependent smooth muscle-specific genes but not SRF/MRTFA-dependent early response genes.

Two Yeast PUF Proteins Negatively Regulate a Single mRNA

mRNA stability and translation are regulated by protein repressors that bind 3'-untranslated regions. PUF proteins provide a paradigm for these regulatory molecules: like other repressors, they inhibit translation, enhance mRNA decay, and promote poly(A) removal. Here we show that a single mRNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, encoding the HO endonuclease, is regulated by two distinct PUF proteins, Puf4p and Mpt5p. These proteins bind to adjacent sites and can co-occupy the mRNA. Both proteins are required for full repression and deadenylation in vivo; their removal dramatically stabilizes the mRNA. The two proteins act through overlapping but non-identical mechanisms: repression by Puf4p is dependent on deadenylation, whereas repression by Mpt5p can occur through additional mechanisms. Combinatorial action of the two regulatory proteins may allow responses to specific environmental cues and be common in 3'-untranslated region-mediated control.

PUF Protein-mediated Deadenylation Is Catalyzed by Ccr4p

PUF proteins control gene expression by binding to the 3'-untranslated regions of specific mRNAs and triggering mRNA decay or translational repression. Here we focus on the mechanism of PUF-mediated regulation. The yeast PUF protein, Mpt5p, regulates HO mRNA and stimulates removal of its poly(A) tail (i.e. deadenylation). Mpt5p repression in vivo is dependent on POP2, a component of the cytoplasmic Ccr4p-Pop2p-Not complex that deadenylates mRNAs. In this study, we elucidate the individual roles of the Ccr4p and Pop2p deadenylases in Mpt5p-regulated deadenylation. Both in vivo and in vitro, Pop2p and Ccr4p proteins are required for Mpt5p-regulated deadenylation of HO. However, the requirements for the two proteins differ dramatically: the enzymatic activity of Ccr4p is essential, whereas that of Pop2p is dispensable. We conclude that Pop2p is a bridge through which the PUF protein recruits the Ccr4p enzyme to the target mRNA, thereby stimulating deadenylation. Our data suggest that PUF proteins may enhance mRNA degradation and repress expression by both deadenylation-dependent and -independent mechanisms, using the same Pop2p bridge to recruit a multifunctional Pop2p complex to the mRNA.

Functional Comparison of Red Cell KCl Cotransporter Isoforms, KCC1, KCC3, and KCC4.

The KCl cotransporter mediates volume reduction in normal (AA) reticulocytes, and its abnormal regulation in sickle (SS) reticulocytes contributes to cellular dehydration that facilitates Hb S sickling. mRNA for three KCC genes - KCC1, KCC3, and KCC4 - as well as a splicing isoform, KCC1ex1b, is present in reticulocytes (Exp. Hem. 2005; 33:624). Western blotting has demonstrated KCC1 in human RBC membranes (Su et al, AJPhysiol. 1999; 277:C899) and KCC3 in sheep (Lauf et al, CompBiochemPhysiol 2001; 130:499); KCC4 protein was found in hRBC membranes by proteomic analysis (Pasini et al, Blood 2006; 108:791). We confirm here the presence of KCC3 protein in hRBC via western blotting using an antibody to an exon 3 epitope distal to known N-terminal splicing sites. We sought to characterize and compare human KCC isoforms expressed in human cells (HEK 293) and assess their similarity to KCC activity in RBC. cDNAs for human KCC1, KCC1ex1b, KCC3a, and KCC4, with N-terminal c-myc epitope tags were expressed in HEK 293 cells. Stable cell lines were selected by growth in neomycin, and expression monitored by quantitative PCR analysis of the expressed construct and other endogenous isoforms and by western blotting (anti-myc) of plasma membranes. KCC activity was measured as N-ethylmaleimide(NEM)-stimulated, Cl-dependent Rb uptake in cells grown to 75–90 % confluency. Cells were incubated at 37°C in isotonic saline media with various concentrations of Rb (Na replacement), plus 0.1 mM ouabain and 0.01 mM bumetanide. At 2 and 4 min cells were washed with iced Rb-free media, then lysed and assayed for Rb by flame emission, normalized to sample protein. Flux rates were calculated from Rb uptake at 2 and 4 min. The flux rate in Cl-free sulfamate media was subtracted from that in Cl-media to yield the Cl-dependent flux rate. Wild-type HEK cells showed no increase in Cl-dependent Rb influx when exposed to 1 mM NEM, but Cl-dependent, NEM-stimulated Rb uptake was apparent in cells expressing KCC isoforms. All isoforms were stimulated by hypotonic conditions (75 mOsm), but relative to NEM-stimulated activity, KCC3 was most responsive. Kinetic characteristics of Cl-dependent, NEM-stimulated Rb influx in HEK cell expressing human KCC1, KCC3a, and KCC4 isoforms isoforms are given below, compared to RBC KCC fluxes. A splice variant, KCC1ex1b, coding for a protein with a truncated N-terminus, exhibited 48 ± 7% of the activity of the full-length KCC1 isoform, but did not alter transport activity of coexpressed KCC3a. Thus, KCC isoforms expressed in HEK cells share some, but not all, characteristics with RBC KCC fluxes. The isoform kinetics also differ from those previously published in xenopus oocyte expression systems, suggesting that the membrane milieu in which KCC proteins are expressed may influence their functional characteristics. Likewise, KCC activity in RBC may represent an average of several transporters operating in parallel. The truncated KCC1ex1b isoform, expressed at higher levels in normal than in sickle reticulocytes, has lower activity than KCC1. KCC3 and KCC4 exhibit more robust transport activity than KCC1 and may mediate a substantial part of KCC activity in RBC.KCC Kinetic CharacteristicsVMax (μmol/mgprot./min)Km (ext. Rb, mM)Anion SelectivityhKCC128.9 ± 5.616.7 ± 5.4Cl > Br > I > SCNhKCC3a107 ± 4511.0 ± 7.1Cl = Br > I > SCNhKCC4206 ± 1615.6 ± 8.2Cl > Br >> I = SCNRBCNA12 - 20Cl = Br >> I = SCN

Prolyl-tRNAPro in the A-site of SecM-arrested Ribosomes Inhibits the Recruitment of Transfer-messenger RNA

Translational pausing can lead to cleavage of the A-site codon and facilitate recruitment of the transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA) (SsrA) quality control system to distressed ribosomes. We asked whether aminoacyl-tRNA binding site (A-site) mRNA cleavage occurs during regulatory translational pausing using the Escherichia coli SecM-mediated ribosome arrest as a model. We find that SecM ribosome arrest does not elicit efficient A-site cleavage, but instead allows degradation of downstream mRNA to the 3'-edge of the arrested ribosome. Characterization of SecM-arrested ribosomes shows the nascent peptide is covalently linked via glycine 165 to tRNA(3Gly) in the peptidyl-tRNA binding site, and prolyl-tRNA(2Pro) is bound to the A-site. Although A-site-cleaved mRNAs were not detected, tmRNA-mediated ssrA tagging after SecM glycine 165 was observed. This tmRNA activity results from sequestration of prolyl-tRNA(2Pro) on overexpressed SecM-arrested ribosomes, which produces a second population of stalled ribosomes with unoccupied A-sites. Indeed, compensatory overexpression of tRNA(2Pro) readily inhibits ssrA tagging after glycine 165, but has no effect on the duration of SecM ribosome arrest. We conclude that, under physiological conditions, the architecture of SecM-arrested ribosomes allows regulated translational pausing without interference from A-site cleavage or tmRNA activities. Moreover, it seems likely that A-site mRNA cleavage is generally avoided or inhibited during regulated ribosome pauses.

Human Homologs of Ubc6p Ubiquitin-conjugating Enzyme and Phosphorylation of HsUbc6e in Response to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Ubc6p is a tail-anchored protein that is localized to the cytoplasmic face of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane and has been implicated in the degradation of many misfolded membrane proteins in yeast. We have undertaken characterization studies of two human homologs, hsUbc6 and hsUbc6e. Both possess tail-anchored protein motifs, display high conservation in their catalytic domains, and are functional ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes as determined by in vitro thiol-ester assay. Both also display induction by the unfolded protein response, a feature of many ER-associated degradation (ERAD) components. Post-translational modification involving phosphorylation of hsUbc6e was observed to be ER-stress-related and dependent on signaling of the PRK-like ER kinase (PERK). The phosphorylation site was mapped to Ser-184, which resides within the uncharacterized region linking the highly conserved catalytic core and the C-terminal transmembrane domain. Phosphorylation of hsUbc6e also did not alter stability, subcellular localization, or interaction with a partner ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligase. Assays of hsUbc6e(S184D) and hsUbc6e(S184E), which mimic the phosphorylated state, suggest that phosphorylation may reduce capacity for forming ubiquitin-enzyme thiol-esters. The occurrence of two distinct Ubc6p homologs in vertebrates, including one with phosphorylation modification in response to ER stress, emphasizes diversity in function between these Ub-conjugating enzymes during ERAD processes.

Expression and cellular localization of human hyaluronidase-2 in articular chondrocytes and cultured cell lines

There is debate whether hyaluronan (HA) can be enzymatically degraded within the extracellular matrix of cartilage and other tissues or whether its catabolism occurs strictly within the lysosomal compartment of chondrocytes and other cell types. Previous studies have suggested that one of the lysosomal hyaluronidases (hyaluronidase-2) can be expressed as a functionally-active glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-linked protein at the surface of mammalian cells. If this form of hyaluronidase expression occurs in chondrocytes, this could represent a possible mechanism for extracellular HA cleavage. Thus, which hyaluronidases are expressed and where was the objective of this study. mRNA for hyaluronidases was quantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzymatic activity by HA zymograms. Recombinant forms of hyaluronidase-2 were generated and expressed in model cell lines. A peptide-specific polyclonal antiserum was prepared to localize endogenous human hyaluronidase-2 in human articular chondrocytes. Hyaluronidase-2 is the principal mRNA transcript expressed by primary human articular chondrocytes as well as various model cell lines. Recombinant hyaluronidase-2, containing N-terminal or C-terminal epitope tags, was strictly localized intracellularly and not released by treatment with a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase. Endogenous hyaluronidase-2 expressed by human chondrocytes as well as HeLa cells could only be detected following detergent permeabilization of the plasma membranes. These data suggest that on chondrocytes and other cell types examined, hyaluronidase-2 is not present or functional at the external plasma membrane. Thus, local turnover of HA is dependent on receptor-mediated endocytosis and delivery to low pH intracellular organelles for its complete degradation.