Biomedical subjects

J Martín-Benito

Publications and source records attributed to J Martín-Benito.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

The 'sequential allosteric ring' mechanism in the eukaryotic chaperonin-assisted folding of actin and tubulin.

Folding to completion of actin and tubulin in the eukaryotic cytosol requires their interaction with cytosolic chaperonin CCT [chaperonin containing tailless complex polypeptide 1 (TCP-1)]. Three-dimensional reconstructions of nucleotide-free CCT complexed to either actin or tubulin show that CCT stabilizes both cytoskeletal proteins in open and quasi-folded conformations mediated through interactions that are both subunit specific and geometry dependent. Here we find that upon ATP binding, mimicked by the non-hydrolysable analog AMP-PNP (5'-adenylyl-imido-diphosphate), to both CCT-alpha-actin and CCT- beta-tubulin complexes, the chaperonin component undergoes concerted movements of the apical domains, resulting in the cavity being closed off by the helical protrusions of the eight apical domains. However, in contrast to the GroE system, generation of this closed state does not induce the release of the substrate into the chaperonin cavity, and both cytoskeletal proteins remain bound to the chaperonin apical domains. Docking of the AMP-PNP-CCT-bound conformations of alpha-actin and beta-tubulin to their respective native atomic structures suggests that both proteins have progressed towards their native states.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2001

Analysis of the interaction between the eukaryotic chaperonin CCT and its substrates actin and tubulin.

Two mechanisms have thus far been characterized for the assistance by chaperonins of the folding of other proteins. The first and best described is that of the prokaryotic chaperonin GroEL, which interacts with a large spectrum of proteins. GroEL uses a nonspecific mechanism by which any conformation of practically any unfolded polypeptide interacts with it through exposed, hydrophobic residues. ATP binding liberates the substrate in the GroEL cavity where it is given a chance to fold. A second mechanism has been described for the eukaryotic chaperonin CCT, which interacts mainly with the cytoskeletal proteins actin and tubulin. Cryoelectron microscopy and biochemical studies have revealed that both of these proteins interact with CCT in quasi-native, defined conformations. Here we have performed a detailed study of the docking of the actin and tubulin molecules extracted from their corresponding CCT:substrate complexes obtained from cryoelectron microscopy and image processing to localize certain regions in actin and tubulin that are involved in the interaction with CCT. These regions of actin and tubulin, which are not present in their prokaryotic counterparts FtsA and FtsZ, are involved in the polymerization of the two cytoskeletal proteins. These findings suggest coevolution of CCT with actin and tubulin in order to counteract the folding problems associated with the generation in these two cytoskeletal protein families of new domains involved in their polymerization.

Actins↗

PubMed2001

Three-dimensional reconstruction of a recombinant influenza virus ribonucleoprotein particle.

A three-dimensional structural model of an influenza virus ribonucleoprotein particle reconstituted in vivo from recombinant proteins and a model genomic vRNA has been generated by electron microscopy. It shows a circular shape and contains nine nucleoprotein monomers, two of which are connected with the polymerase complex. The nucleoprotein monomers show a curvature that may be responsible for the formation of helical structures in the full-size viral ribonucleoproteins. The monomers show distinct contact boundaries at the two sides of the particle, suggesting that the genomic RNA may be located in association with the nucleoprotein at the base of the ribonucleoprotein complex. Sections of the three-dimensional model show a trilobular morphology in the polymerase complex that is consistent with the presence of its three subunits.

Image Processing, Computer-Assisted↗

PubMed2000

Eukaryotic chaperonin CCT stabilizes actin and tubulin folding intermediates in open quasi-native conformations.

Three-dimensional reconstruction from cryoelectron micrographs of the eukaryotic cytosolic chaperonin CCT complexed to tubulin shows that CCT interacts with tubulin (both the alpha and beta isoforms) using five specific CCT subunits. The CCT-tubulin interaction has a different geometry to the CCT-actin interaction, and a mixture of shared and unique CCT subunits is used in binding the two substrates. Docking of the atomic structures of both actin and tubulin to their CCT-bound conformation suggests a common mode of chaperonin-substrate interaction. CCT stabilizes quasi-native structures in both proteins that are open through their domain-connecting hinge regions, suggesting a novel mechanism and function of CCT in assisted protein folding.

Actins↗

PubMed2000

Two-dimensional crystallization on lipid monolayers and three-dimensional structure of sticholysin II, a cytolysin from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus.

Sticholysin II (Stn II), a potent cytolytic protein isolated from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus, has been crystallized on lipid monolayers. With Fourier-based methods, a three-dimensional (3D) model of Stn II, up to a resolution of 15 A, has been determined. The two-sided plane group is p22(1)2, with dimensions a = 98 A, b = 196 A. The 3D model of Stn II displays a Y-shaped structure, slightly flattened, with a small curvature along its longest dimension (51 A). This protein, with a molecular mass of 19. 2 kDa, is one of the smallest structures reconstructed with this methodology. Two-dimensional (2D) crystals of Stn II on phosphatidylcholine monolayers present a unit cell with two tetrameric motifs, with the monomers in two different orientations: one with its longest dimension lying on the crystal plane and the other with this same axis leaning at an angle of approximately 60 degrees with the crystal plane.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Ultrastructural and functional analyses of recombinant influenza virus ribonucleoproteins suggest dimerization of nucleoprotein during virus amplification.

Influenza virus ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) were reconstituted in vivo from cloned cDNAs expressing the three polymerase subunits, the nucleoprotein (NP), and short template RNAs. The structure of purified RNPs was studied by electron microscopy and image processing. Circular and elliptic structures were obtained in which the NP and the polymerase complex could be defined. Comparison of the structure of RNPs of various lengths indicated that each NP monomer interacts with approximately 24 nucleotides. The analysis of the amplification of RNPs with different lengths showed that those with the highest replication efficiency contained an even number of NP monomers, suggesting that the NP is incorporated as dimers into newly synthesized RNPs.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Ultrastructure of the myofibrillar component in cod (Gadus morhua L.) and hake (Merluccius merluccius L.) stored at -20 degrees C as a function of time.

Transmission electron microscopy and image analysis techniques were used to study the ultrastructure of the myofibrillar component in cod and hake muscle stored at -20 degrees C for varying periods of time. Cod muscle showed a deformation of the hexagonal array of thick filaments with the storage time, reflected in an increase in the eccentricity value, a parameter defined to measure changes in the ratio of maximum to minimum hexagon diameter, and an increase in the cross-linkings between the filaments. Degradation of cod thick filaments leading to detachment was also visible upon prolonged storage. In hake muscle significant changes were not found in the arrangement and morphology of thick filaments during frozen storage, suggesting a high incidence of intrafilament aggregation. The ultrastructural differences in the array of thick filaments between species were accompanied by a difference in the textural measurements.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

[Changes in prostatic histological composition in subjects with prostatitis].

OBJECTIVES: To explore the links between the histological composition of the prostate and the symptoms related to the clinical BPH. MATERIAL & METHODS: The prostates of 34 patients with symptoms of BPH and 17 asymptomatic patients were biopsied. Using light microscopy, the ratio of stromal to glandular surfaces was calculated. The main dimensions of 5 epithelial cells randomly selected, were examined under electron microscopy in each case. The number and length of microvilli, and the number of secretory granules were determined. The results of symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects were compared by means of Student's t and Mann-Whitney's U tests. RESULTS: The mean ratio of stromal and glandular surfaces came to 4:1 and 6.5:1 in the symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.18). Although the average cellular surface of the symptomatic patients was inferior to that of the asymptomatic subjects (74 and 88 mu2. respectively), the differences did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.14). Similarly, the mean nuclear surface of the symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (19.5 and 20.8 mu2, respectively) did not differ (p = 0.48). No differences were detected in the number of secretory granules and microvilli, nor in the length of the microvilli. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of symptoms related to the clinical BPH is not due to differences in the composition of the prostate. No clear links seem to exist between the structural changes in the epithelial cells and the development of symptoms. Considering the proportions of epithelium and stroma, therapy focused in the prostatic stroma should yield the best results.

Aged↗