Biomedical subjects

Alexis Maizel

Publications and source records attributed to Alexis Maizel.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

The floral regulator LEAFY evolves by substitutions in the DNA binding domain.

The plant-specific transcription factor LEAFY controls general aspects of the life cycle in a basal plant, the moss Physcomitrella patens. In contrast, LEAFY has more specialized functions in angiosperms, where it specifically induces floral fate during the reproductive phase. This raises the question of a concomitant change in the biochemical function of LEAFY during the evolution of land plants. We report that the DNA binding domain of LEAFY, although largely conserved, has diverged in activity. On the contrary, other, more rapidly evolving portions of the protein have few effects on LEAFY activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Plant and animal homeodomains use convergent mechanisms for intercellular transfer.

Homeoproteins are defined by the structure of their DNA-binding domain, the homeodomain. Intercellular transfer of homeoprotein was observed ex vivo between animal cells and in vivo in higher plants. In the latter case, transfer is through intercytoplasmic channels that connect plant cells, but these do not exist in animals. Here, we show that the homeodomain of KNOTTED1, a maize homeoprotein, is transferred between animal cells and that a mutation in the homeodomain blocking the intercellular transfer of KNOTTED1 in plants also inhibits the transfer of the KNOTTED1 homeodomain in animal cells. This mutation decreases nuclear addressing, and its effect on nuclear import and intercellular transfer is reverted by the addition of an ectopic nuclear localization signal. We propose that, despite evolutionary distance and the differences in multicellular organization, similar mechanisms are at work for intercellular transfer of homeoprotein in plants and animals. Furthermore, our results suggest that, at least in animals, homeodomain secretion requires passage through the nucleus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Temporally and spatially controlled induction of gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Temporally and spatially regulated induction of gene expression is an important tool of genetic analysis. In plants, several systems are available for spatially unregulated induction of gene expression, or for spatially regulated expression. Here, we describe a new system that provides both temporal and spatial control for transgene expression. It combines the advantages of its two constituent components: temporally regulated activity of the ethanol-dependent AlcR transcription factor, and tissue specificity of a plant promoter. As a proof of principle, transgenic lines were developed in which the promoter of the meristem identity gene LEAFY (LFY) provided flower-specific expression of the AlcR activator. Tissue-specific activity of AlcR was confirmed with a responder in which the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter was under the control of the alcA response element. As expected, reporter activity in a pattern typical for the LFY promoter was ethanol dependent. Next, we placed the LFY coding sequenced under control of the AlcA response element. In a strong lfy-12 background, this construct in combination with the LFY:AlcR driver provided complete, ethanol-dependent rescue of the lfy phenotype, including restoration of fertility. Apart from facilitating the investigation of temporal and spatial requirements of gene activity, this technology will permit new types of genetic modifier screens starting with mutations that otherwise confer lethality or sterility.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed2002

Engrailed homeoprotein secretion is a regulated process.

Chicken Engrailed 2 homeoprotein is transported between cells in culture. This intercellular transfer is based on unconventional secretion and internalisation mechanisms: Engrailed 2 has access to vesicles but lacks a signal sequence for secretion and is internalised by a non-endocytic process. We show that phosphorylation of a serine-rich domain within Engrailed 2 by the protein kinase CK2 specifically inhibits Engrailed 2 secretion. The availability of the serine-rich domain to CK2 is highly increased when it is displaced from its normal position to the C terminus of Engrailed 2, leading to a constitutive blockage of Engrailed 2 intercellular transfer. This indicates that intercellular transfer of Engrailed 2 is a highly regulated process.

Animals↗