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Biomedical subjects

P M Kloetzel

Publications and source records attributed to P M Kloetzel.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Sequence information within proteasomal prosequences mediates efficient integration of beta-subunits into the 20 S proteasome complex.

The maturation of proteases is governed by prosequences. During the biogenesis of the highly oligomeric eukaryotic 20 S proteasome five different prosequence-containing subunits have to be integrated and processed either by autocatalysis or by neighbouring subunits. To analyse the functional impact of proteasomal prosequences during complex formation, the propeptide of the facultative subunit beta1i/LMP2 was truncated to nine amino acid residues or completely deleted. Additionally, the charged residues within the truncated beta1i/LMP2 version were replaced by neutral residues. While deletion did not affect subunit incorporation, the presence of charged residues within the truncated version of the LMP2 propeptide diminished incorporation efficiency, an effect that was restored upon replacement of the charged amino acids against neutral components. During immunoproteasome formation, incorporation and processing of inducible proteasome beta-subunits are cooperative processes. We demonstrate a linear correlation of the levels of beta2i/MECL1 and beta1i/LMP2 within 20 S proteasomes, suggesting a physical interaction to be the molecular basis for the biased incorporation of both subunits. In the absence of beta5i/LMP7, precursor complexes containing unprocessed beta1i/LMP2 accumulated. The contribution of beta5i/LMP7 on the cooperative formation of a homogeneous population of immunoproteasome is therefore most likely based on an acceleration of the beta1i/LMP2 and potentially of beta2i/MECL1 processing kinetics.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A second gene encoding the mouse proteasome activator PA28beta subunit is part of a LINE1 element and is driven by a LINE1 promoter.

The PMSE2 gene encodes the beta-subunit of the proteasome activator PA28 and, as shown by genomic Southern blot analysis, there probably exist four copies sharing sequence homology with PMSE2. Here, we report that in the mouse genome there exist two different chromosomal loci for PA28beta, both of which are transcribed and and which encode a functional PA28beta subunit. One of these represents the previously described PMSE2 gene possessing an intron-exon structure and a gamma interferon (IFNgamma)-inducible promoter. The second one, named PMSE2b, which we describe here, exhibits all the characteristics of an expressed retrotransposon. Our data show that the PA28beta retrotransposon is inserted into a transcriptional active LINE1 element and is driven by a LINE1 F-type monomer promoter as revealed by luciferase assays. The resulting PMSE2b mRNA encodes a protein which is indistinguishable from that encoded by the IFNgamma-inducible PMSE2 gene. Since PA28 plays an important role in major histocompatibility complex class I antigen presentation, the implications for the mouse immune system through a constitutively expressed PA28beta subunit and the biological relevance of this finding are discussed.

Animals↗

A theoretical approach towards the identification of cleavage-determining amino acid motifs of the 20 S proteasome.

Hitherto the mechanisms controlling the selective cleavage of peptide bonds by the 20 S proteasome have been poorly understood. The observation that peptide bond cleavage may eventually occur at the carboxyl site of either amino acid residue rules out a simple control of cleavage preferences by the P1 residue alone. Here, we follow the rationale that the presence of specific cleavage-determining amino acids motifs (CDAAMs) around the scissile peptide bond are required for the attainment of substrate conformations susceptible to cleavage. We present an exploratory search for these putative motifs based on empirical regression functions relating the cleavage probability for a given peptide bond to some selected side-chain properties of the flanking amino acid residues. Identification of the sequence locations of cleavage-determining residues relative to the scissile bond and of their optimal side-chain properties was carried out by fitting the cleavage probability to (binary) experimental observations on peptide bond cleavage gathered among a set of seven different peptide substrates with known patterns of proteolytic degradation products. In this analysis, all peptide bonds containing the same residue in the P1 position were assumed to be cleaved by the same active sites of the proteasome, and thus to be under control of the same CDAAMs. We arrived at a final set of ten different CDAAMs, accounting for the cleavage of one to five different groups of peptide bonds with an overall predictive correctness of 93 %. The CDAAM is composed of two to four "anchor" positions preferentially located between P5 and P5' around the scissile bond. This implies a length constraint for the usage of cleavage sites, which could considerably suppress the excision of shorter fragments and thus partially explain for the observed preponderance of medium-size cleavage products.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Autoantibodies in primary Sjögren's syndrome are directed against proteasomal subunits of the alpha and beta type.

OBJECTIVE: The proteasome subunit HC9 (alpha3) has recently been identified as a major target of the humoral autoimmune response in patients with autoimmune myositis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Since B cell hyperreactivity is a common feature of systemic autoimmune diseases, patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and other control groups were investigated to evaluate the significance of autoantibodies against the proteasome. METHODS: Analyses of autoantibodies directed against the 20S proteasome were performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunoblot, and 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Forty-three patients with primary SS, 47 patients with rheumatoid arthritis including 9 with secondary SS, 19 patients with gastrointestinal tumors, and 80 healthy controls were tested for antiproteasome antibodies. RESULTS: Antiproteasome antibodies were detected in 39% of patients (17 of 43) with primary SS. In contrast, only 1 of 47 patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed positive reactivity (P < 0.001). Serum samples from 19 tumor patients (P < 0.003) and 80 healthy controls (P < 0.001) were serologically negative. Moreover, immunoblotting and 2-dimensional analysis of the antiproteasome response revealed a polyspecific recognition pattern in 7 patients with primary SS. Different proteasomal subunits of the alpha and beta type, including subunits that carried the proteolytic active sites, were recognized by the patients' sera. CONCLUSION: The humoral antiproteasome response in primary SS, in contrast to its secondary form, is characterized by an extensive recognition pattern of several subunits, indicating a polyspecific B cell activation against the 20S proteasome. Moreover, proteolytically active beta-type subunits, which are important for the generation of major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted antigens, appear to be targets of the autoimmune response. The data indicate that the proteasome itself may stand on a cross point of pathways that links mechanisms of the immune defense with features of systemic autoimmunity.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗

GFP-labelling of 26S proteasomes in living yeast: insight into proteasomal functions at the nuclear envelope/rough ER.

26S proteasomes are multisubunit protease complexes that play the central role in the ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation pathway. The proteolytically active core is formed by the 20S proteasome. Regulatory subunits, principally the 19S cap complex, confer the specificity towards ubiquitinated substrates and an ATP-dependence on proteolysis. Green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged versions of either an alpha-subunit of the 20S core or an ATPase subunit of the 19S cap complex were functionally incorporated into the protease complex, thus allowing to monitor the subcellular distribution of 26S proteasomes in living yeast. Our localization studies suggest that proteasomal proteolysis mainly occurs at the nuclear envelope (NE)/rough ER. Implications of proteasomal functions at the NE/rough ER are discussed in the context of published work on ER degradation and with regard to possible targeting mechanisms.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

The base of the proteasome regulatory particle exhibits chaperone-like activity.

Protein substrates of the proteasome must apparently be unfolded and translocated through a narrow channel to gain access to the proteolytic active sites of the enzyme. Protein folding in vivo is mediated by molecular chaperones. Here, to test for chaperone activity of the proteasome, we assay the reactivation of denatured citrate synthase. Both human and yeast proteasomes stimulate the recovery of the native structure of citrate synthase. We map this chaperone-like activity to the base of the regulatory particle of the proteasome, that is, to the ATPase-containing assembly located at the substrate-entry ports of the channel. Denatured but not native citrate synthase is bound by the base complex. Ubiquitination of citrate synthase is not required for its binding or refolding by the base complex of the proteasome. These data suggest a model in which ubiquitin-protein conjugates are initially tethered to the proteasome by specific recognition of their ubiquitin chains; this step is followed by a nonspecific interaction between the base and the target protein, which promotes substrate unfolding and translocation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The role of the proteasome system and the proteasome activator PA28 complex in the cellular immune response.

The generation of antigenic peptides bound and presented to the immune system by MHC class I molecules predominantly depends on the function of the proteasome system. Stimulation of cells with interferon gamma induces the incorporation of three active site bearing beta-subunits into the 20S proteasome and the formation of the PA28 proteasome modulator complex. PA28 alters the cleavage properties of the proteasome and enhances MHC class I antigen presentation. Thus, by cytokine induced change of the proteasome system cells may alter the proteolytic properties of the 20S proteasome and may render an organism more flexible in its peptide generation capacity.

Cysteine Endopeptidases↗

Expression of Alzheimer's disease-associated presenilin-1 is controlled by proteolytic degradation and complex formation.

Numerous mutations causing early onset Alzheimer's disease have been identified in the presenilin (PS) genes, particularly the PS1 gene. Like the mutations identified within the beta-amyloid precursor protein gene, PS mutations cause the increased generation of a highly neurotoxic variant of amyloid beta-peptide. PS proteins are proteolytically processed to an N-terminal approximately 30-kDa (NTF) and a C-terminal approximately 20-kDa fragment (CTF20) that form a heterodimeric complex. We demonstrate that this complex is resistant to proteolytic degradation, whereas the full-length precursor is rapidly degraded. Degradation of the PS1 holoprotein is sensitive to inhibitors of the proteasome. Formation of a heterodimeric complex is required for the stability of both PS1 fragments, since fragments that do not co-immunoprecipitate with the PS complex are rapidly degraded by the proteasome. Mutant PS fragments not incorporated into the heterodimeric complex lose their pathological activity in abnormal amyloid beta-peptide generation even after inhibition of their proteolytic degradation. The PS1 heterodimeric complex can be attacked by proteinases of the caspase superfamily that generate an approximately 10-kDa proteolytic fragment (CTF10) from CTF20. CTF10 is rapidly degraded most likely by a calpain-like cysteine proteinase. From these data we conclude that PS1 metabolism is highly controlled by multiple proteolytic activities indicating that subtle changes in fragment generation/degradation might be important for Alzheimer's disease-associated pathology.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Subcellular distribution of proteasomes implicates a major location of protein degradation in the nuclear envelope-ER network in yeast.

26S proteasomes are the key enzyme complexes responsible for selective turnover of short-lived and misfolded proteins. Based on the assumption that they are dispersed over the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm in all eukaryotic cells, we wanted to determine the subcellular distribution of 26S proteasomes in living yeast cells. For this purpose, we generated yeast strains that express functional green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions of proteasomal subunits. An alpha subunit of the proteolytically active 20S core complex of the 26S proteasome, Pre6/YOL038w, as well as an ATPase-type subunit of the regulatory 19S cap complex, Cim5/YOL145w, were tagged with GFP. Both chimeras were shown to be incorporated completely into active 26S proteasomes. Microscopic analysis revealed that GFP-labelled 20S as well as 19S subunits are accumulated mainly in the nuclear envelope (NE)-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) network in yeast. These findings were supported by the co-localization and co-enrichment of 26S proteasomes with NE-ER marker proteins. A major location of proteasomal peptide cleavage activity was visualized in the NE-ER network, indicating that proteasomal degradation takes place mainly in this subcellular compartment in yeast.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

The sequence alteration associated with a mutational hotspot in p53 protects cells from lysis by cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for a flanking peptide epitope.

A high proportion of tumors arise due to mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor protein. A p53 hotspot mutation at amino acid position 273 from R to H, flanking a peptide epitope that spans residues 264-272, renders cells resistant to killing by human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*0201-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for this epitope. Acquisition of the R to H mutation at residue 273 of the human p53 protein promotes tumor growth in vivo by selective escape from recognition by p53.264-272 peptide-specific CTLs. Synthetic 27-mer p53 polypeptides covering the antigenic nonamer region 264-272 of p53 were used as proteasome substrates to investigate whether the R to H mutation at the P1' position of the COOH terminus of the epitope affects proteasome-mediated processing of the protein. Analysis of the generated products by tandem mass spectrometry and the kinetics of polypeptide processing in conjunction with CTL assays demonstrate that the R to H mutation alters proteasomal processing of the p53 protein by inhibiting proteolytic cleavage between residues 272 and 273. This prevents the release of the natural CTL epitope that spans flanking residues 264-272 as well as a putative precursor peptide. These results demonstrate that mutation of p53 not only leads to malignant transformation but may also, in some instances, affect immune surveillance and should be considered in the design of cancer vaccines.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inactivation of a defined active site in the mouse 20S proteasome complex enhances major histocompatibility complex class I antigen presentation of a murine cytomegalovirus protein.

Proteasomes generate peptides bound by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Avoiding proteasome inhibitors, which in most cases do not distinguish between individual active sites within the cell, we used a molecular genetic approach that allowed for the first time the in vivo analysis of defined proteasomal active sites with regard to their significance for antigen processing. Functional elimination of the delta/low molecular weight protein (LMP) 2 sites by substitution with a mutated inactive LMP2 T1A subunit results in reduced cell surface expression of the MHC class I H-2Ld and H-2Dd molecules. Surface levels of H-2Ld and H-2Dd molecules were restored by external loading with peptides. However, as a result of the active site mutation, MHC class I presentation of a 9-mer peptide derived from a protein of murine cytomegalovirus was enhanced about three- to fivefold. Our experiments provide evidence that the delta/LMP2 active site elimination limits the processing and presentation of several peptides, but may be, nonetheless, beneficial for the generation and presentation of others.

Animals↗

Evidence for a novel ATP-dependent protease from the rat liver mitochondrial intermembrane space: purification and characterisation.

An ATP-dependent protease in the intermembrane space of rat liver mitochondria, MISP I (mitochondrial intermembrane space protease), was partially purified and characterised. The protease complex has a molecular mass of 200 kDa and appears to be an oligomeric enzyme complex. The proteolytic activity of the enzyme can be stimulated up to 3-fold by Mg2+ATP. The Km for ATP is 200 microM. Nucleoside triphosphates, but not ADP, AMP, or nonhydrolysable ATP analogues, can substitute for ATP. The protease exhibits multicatalytic properties with chymotrypsin-like, peptidyl-glutamyl-hydrolysing, and trypsin-like activities. Of the latter the trypsin-like activity is not enhanced by ATP. In addition to the hydrolysis of fluorogenic peptide substrates the protease is able to degrade radiolabeled model proteins. The ATP-dependent mitochondrial protease was characterised as a cysteine protease sensitive to hemine. The cross reactivity of an anti-human-S4 antibody raised against an ATPase subunit of the PA700 complex with a component of MISP I indicated a structural relationship. Furthermore, ATP-agarose-binding assays revealed the connection of the peptide hydrolysing activity with an ATP binding domain. The data presented here and a comparison with known ATP-dependent mitochondrial proteases demonstrated that MISP I represents a novel ATP-dependent protease in the mitochondrial intermembrane space of rat liver.

ATP-Dependent Proteases↗

The subunits MECL-1 and LMP2 are mutually required for incorporation into the 20S proteasome.

Processing of antigens for presentation by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules requires the activity of the proteasome. The 20S proteasome complex is composed of 14 different subunits, 2 of which can be substituted by the interferon gamma (IFN-gamma)-inducible and MHC-encoded subunits LMP2 and LMP7 (low molecular mass poylpeptides 2 and 7). A third subunit, MECL-1, is inducible by IFN-gamma but is encoded outside the MHC. Here we show by cotransfection experiments that the incorporation of MECL-1 into the 20S proteasome is directly dependent on the expression of LMP2 but independent of LMP7. Conversely, the uptake of LMP2 is strongly enhanced by MECL-1 expression. The expression of MECL-1 caused a replacement of the homologous subunit Z in the 20S proteasome complex. LMP2 is required for MECL-1 incorporation at the level of proteasome precursor formation that guarantees the concerted incorporation of two IFN-gamma-inducible proteasome subunits encoded inside and outside the MHC. The obligatory coincorporation of MECL-1 and LMP2 is an important parameter for the interpretation of results obtained with LMP2-deficient cell lines and mice as well as for the design of experiments addressing the function of MECL-1 in antigen presentation.

Animals↗

Expression and subcellular localization of mouse 20S proteasome activator complex PA28.

We have cloned the mouse PA28 proteasome activator cDNAs. Northern blot demonstrates high PA28 mRNA levels in liver, kidney and lung. mRNA levels are low in thymus, spleen and brain. In contrast, PA28 protein levels vary little between these tissues. Immunocytological analysis and cell fractionation experiments demonstrate that both subunits are almost equally distributed between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Interestingly, PA28alpha spares nucleoli, while PA28beta is strongly enhanced in the nucleolus. This indicates for the first time that the PA28alpha and PA28beta subunits may serve nuclear functions which may be different from and independent of each other.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Maturation of mammalian 20 S proteasome: purification and characterization of 13 S and 16 S proteasome precursor complexes.

The maturation of the eukaryotic 20 S proteasome complex occurs via 13 S and 16 S precursor complexes in a multistep assembly pathway. These precursor complexes contain alpha-subunits as well as unprocessed beta-subunit proproteins. We have purified and characterized the different proteasome assembly intermediates and analysed their ability to support beta-subunit proprotein processing in vitro. Our data show that 13 S and 16 S proteasome precursor complexes differ not only in size but also in their protein content and behaviour during hydrophobic chromatography. By establishing conditions which allowed us to analyse beta-prosubunit maturation in vitro we demonstrate that the processing of the homologous proproteins of the beta-subunits LMP2 and delta essentially takes place in 16 S precursor complexes. No proprotein processing activity was observed in 13 S precursor complexes. Furthermore, proprotein processing in vitro can be inhibited with a proteasome specific inhibitor, but with different efficiency for LMP2 and delta. A peptide, which represents the sequence of the proprotein processing site HGTT, exhibited no inhibitory effect on the processing of either subunit. These data provide further evidence that proprotein processing occurs via an autocatalytic mechanism. Our experiments also demonstrate that the chaperone protein hsc73 is associated with 16 S but not with 13 S precursor complexes. In support of the specificity of this interaction incubation with ATP leads to the dissociation of hsc73 from 16 S complexes and to the formation of high molecular weight aggregates. Prosubunit processing in isolated 16 S complexes does not, however, result in the formation of proteolytically active 20 S proteasomes which may be due to the fact that not all beta-subunits can be efficiently processed in vitro. In contrast to previous assumptions subunit processing and formation of proteolytic activity do not coincide and final 20 S complex assembly seems to represent in part a separate event which requires additional factors or proteins which are not present or active in the purified 16 S precursor complexes.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Molecular cloning of the mouse proteasome subunits MC14 and MECL-1: reciprocally regulated tissue expression of interferon-gamma-modulated proteasome subunits.

The primary structures of the interferon-gamma-inducible mouse 20S proteasome subunit MECL-1 and its alternate homolog MC14 were determined. Northern analysis of mouse tissues revealed that MECL-1 mRNA predominantly occurred in thymus, lymph nodes, and spleen, whereas small amounts were detected in non-lymphoid tissues such as kidney, muscle, and testis. Unexpectedly, probing RNA blots with MC14 showed that tissues with high MECL-1 expression contained little MC14 and vice versa. A very similar reciprocal tissue expression was subsequently found for the homologous subunit pairs LMP2 and delta as well as LMP7 and MB1. The subunit protein composition of 20S proteasomes purified from liver, thymus, and lung reflected RNA expression. The impact of a regulated reciprocal tissue expression is discussed with respect to thymic selection and the induction of tolerance in potentially autoreactive T cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗