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Biomedical subjects

Paul Tempst

Publications and source records attributed to Paul Tempst.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Regulation of 2-oxoglutarate (alpha-ketoglutarate) dehydrogenase stability by the RING finger ubiquitin ligase Siah.

The 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (OGHDC) (also known as the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the mitochondrial Krebs cycle. Here we report that the RING finger ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligase Siah2 binds to and targets OGDHC-E2 for ubiquitination-dependent degradation. OGDHC-E2 expression and activity are elevated in Siah2(-/-) cells compared with Siah2(+)(/)(+) cells. Deletion of the mitochondrial targeting sequence of OGDHC-E2 results in its cytoplasmic localization and rapid proteasome-dependent degradation in Siah2(+)(/)(+) but not in Siah2(-/-) cells. Significantly, because of its overexpression or disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential, the release of OGDHC-E2 from mitochondria to the cytoplasm also results in its concomitant degradation. The role of the Siah family of ligases in the regulation of OGDHC-E2 stability is expected to take place under pathological conditions in which the levels of OGDHC-E2 are altered.

Animals↗

Role of histone H2A ubiquitination in Polycomb silencing.

Covalent modification of histones is important in regulating chromatin dynamics and transcription. One example of such modification is ubiquitination, which mainly occurs on histones H2A and H2B. Although recent studies have uncovered the enzymes involved in histone H2B ubiquitination and a 'cross-talk' between H2B ubiquitination and histone methylation, the responsible enzymes and the functions of H2A ubiquitination are unknown. Here we report the purification and functional characterization of an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that is specific for histone H2A. The complex, termed hPRC1L (human Polycomb repressive complex 1-like), is composed of several Polycomb-group proteins including Ring1, Ring2, Bmi1 and HPH2. hPRC1L monoubiquitinates nucleosomal histone H2A at lysine 119. Reducing the expression of Ring2 results in a dramatic decrease in the level of ubiquitinated H2A in HeLa cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated colocalization of dRing with ubiquitinated H2A at the PRE and promoter regions of the Drosophila Ubx gene in wing imaginal discs. Removal of dRing in SL2 tissue culture cells by RNA interference resulted in loss of H2A ubiquitination concomitant with derepression of Ubx. Thus, our studies identify the H2A ubiquitin ligase, and link H2A ubiquitination to Polycomb silencing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A prototype antibody microarray platform to monitor changes in protein tyrosine phosphorylation.

Reversible protein phosphorylation is a key regulatory process in all living cells. Deregulation of modification control mechanisms, especially in the case of tyrosine, may lead to malignant transformation and disease. Phosphotyrosine (p-Tyr) accounts for only 0.05% of the total cellular phospho-amino acid content, yet plays an unusually prominent role in eukaryotic signaling, development, and growth. Tracking temporal and positional p-Tyr changes across the cellular proteome, i.e. tyrosine phosphoproteomics, is therefore tremendously valuable. Here, we describe and evaluate a prototype antibody (Ab) microarray platform to monitor changes in protein Tyr phosphorylation. Availability permitting, a virtually unlimited number of Abs, each recognizing a specific cellular protein, may be arrayed on a chip, incubated with total cell or tissue extracts or with biological fluids, and then probed with a fluorescently labeled p-Tyr-specific monoclonal Ab, PY-KD1, specifically generated for this assay as part of the current study. The optimized protocol allowed detection of changes in the Tyr phosphorylation state of selected proteins using submicrogram to low nanogram of total protein extract, amounts that may conceivably be obtained from a thousand to a hundred thousand cells, or less, depending on the cell or tissue type. The assay platform was evaluated by assessing changes in a rationally selected subset of the Tyr phosphoproteome of Bcr-Abl-expressing cells treated with a specific inhibitor, Gleevec, and of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-treated HeLa cells. The results, ratiometric rather than strictly quantitative in nature, conformed with previous identifications of several Bcr-Abl and EGF receptor targets, and associated proteins, as detected by exhaustive mass spectrometric analyses. The Ab microarray method described here offers advantages of low sample and reagent consumption, scalability, detection multiplexing, and potential compatibility with microfluidic devices and automation. The system may hold particular promise for dissecting signaling pathways, molecular classification of tumors, and profiling of novel target-cancer drugs.

Animals↗

Histone deimination antagonizes arginine methylation.

Methylation of arginine residues within histone H3 has been linked to active transcription. This modification appears on the estrogen-regulated pS2 promoter when the CARM1 methyltransferase is recruited during transcriptional activation. Here we describe a process, deimination, that converts histone arginine to citrulline and antagonizes arginine methylation. We show that peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PADI4) specifically deiminates, arginine residues R2, R8, R17, and R26 in the H3 tail. Deimination by PADI4 prevents arginine methylation by CARM1. Dimethylation of arginines prevents deimination by PADI4 although monomethylation still allows deimination to take place. In vivo targeting experiments on an endogenous promoter demonstrate that PADI4 can repress hormone receptor-mediated gene induction. Consistent with a repressive role for PADI4, this enzyme is recruited to the pS2 promoter following hormone induction when the gene is transcriptionally downregulated. The recruitment of PADI4 coincides with deimination of the histone H3 N-terminal tail. These results define deimination as a novel mechanism for antagonizing the transcriptional induction mediated by arginine methylation.

Arginine↗

Rictor, a novel binding partner of mTOR, defines a rapamycin-insensitive and raptor-independent pathway that regulates the cytoskeleton.

The mammalian TOR (mTOR) pathway integrates nutrient- and growth factor-derived signals to regulate growth, the process whereby cells accumulate mass and increase in size. mTOR is a large protein kinase and the target of rapamycin, an immunosuppressant that also blocks vessel restenosis and has potential anticancer applications. mTOR interacts with the raptor and GbetaL proteins to form a complex that is the target of rapamycin. Here, we demonstrate that mTOR is also part of a distinct complex defined by the novel protein rictor (rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR). Rictor shares homology with the previously described pianissimo from D. discoidieum, STE20p from S. pombe, and AVO3p from S. cerevisiae. Interestingly, AVO3p is part of a rapamycin-insensitive TOR complex that does not contain the yeast homolog of raptor and signals to the actin cytoskeleton through PKC1. Consistent with this finding, the rictor-containing mTOR complex contains GbetaL but not raptor and it neither regulates the mTOR effector S6K1 nor is it bound by FKBP12-rapamycin. We find that the rictor-mTOR complex modulates the phosphorylation of Protein Kinase C alpha (PKCalpha) and the actin cytoskeleton, suggesting that this aspect of TOR signaling is conserved between yeast and mammals.

Actins↗

Cleavage and proteasome-mediated degradation of the basal transcription factor TFIIA.

The transcription factor TFIIA is encoded by two genes, TFIIAalphabeta and TFIIAgamma. In higher eukaryotes, the TFIIAalphabeta is translated as a precursor and undergoes proteolytic cleavage; the regulation and biological implications of the cleavage have remained elusive. We determined by Edman degradation that the TFIIAbeta subunit starts at Asp 278. We found that a cleavage recognition site (CRS), a string of amino acids QVDG at positions -6 to -3 from Asp 278, is essential for cleavage. Mutations in the CRS that prevent cleavage significantly prolong the half-life of TFIIA. Consistently, the cleaved TFIIA is a substrate for the ubiquitin pathway and proteasome-mediated degradation. We show that mutations in the putative phosphorylation sites of TFIIAbeta greatly affect degradation of the beta-subunit. We propose that cleavage and subsequent degradation fine-tune the amount of TFIIA in the cell and consequently the level of transcription.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Siah2 regulates stability of prolyl-hydroxylases, controls HIF1alpha abundance, and modulates physiological responses to hypoxia.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF1alpha) is a central regulator of the cellular response to hypoxia. Prolyl-hydroxylation of HIF1alpha by PHD enzymes is prerequisite for HIF1alpha degradation. Here, we demonstrate that the abundance of PHD1 and PHD3 are regulated via their targeting for proteasome-dependent degradation by the E3 ubiquitin ligases Siah1a/2, under hypoxia conditions. Siah2 null fibroblasts exhibit prolonged PHD3 half-life, resulting in lower levels of HIF1alpha expression during hypoxia. Significantly, hypoxia-induced HIF1alpha expression was completely inhibited in Siah1a/2 null cells, yet could be rescued upon inhibition of PHD3 by RNAi. Siah2 targeting of PHD3 for degradation increases upon exposure to even mild hypoxic conditions, which coincides with increased Siah2 transcription. Siah2 null mice subjected to hypoxia displayed an impaired hyperpneic respiratory response and reduced levels of hemoglobin. Thus, the control of PHD1/3 by Siah1a/2 constitutes another level of complexity in the regulation of HIF1alpha during hypoxia.

Animals↗

Cytosol-derived proteins are sufficient for Arp2/3 recruitment and ARF/coatomer-dependent actin polymerization on Golgi membranes.

The actin cytoskeleton has been implicated in protein trafficking at the Golgi apparatus and in Golgi orientation and morphology. Actin dynamics at the Golgi are regulated in part by recruiting Cdc42 or Rac to the membrane through a binding interaction with the coatomer-coated (COPI)-vesicle coat protein, coatomer. This leads to actin polymerization through the effector, N-WASP and the Arp2/3 complex. Here, we have used reconstitution of vesicle budding to test whether Arp2/3 is recruited to membranes during the formation of COPI vesicles. Our results revealed that ARF1 activation leads to greatly increased Arp3 levels on the membranes. Coatomer-bound Cdc42 and pre-existing F-actin are important for Arp2/3 binding. ARF1-dependent Arp2/3 recruitment and actin polymerization can be reconstituted on liposomal membranes, indicating that no membrane proteins are necessary. These results show that activated ARF1 can stimulate Arp2/3 recruitment to Golgi membranes through coatomer, Cdc42 or Rac, and N-WASP.

ADP-Ribosylation Factor 1↗

Mutual targeting of mediator and the TFIIH kinase Kin28.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kin28 is a member of the cyclin-dependent kinase family. Kin28 is a subunit of the basal transcription factor holo-TFIIH and its trimeric sub-complex TFIIK. Kin28 is the primary kinase that phosphorylates the RNA polymerase II (RNA pol II) C-terminal domain (CTD) within a transcription initiation complex. Mediator, a global transcriptional co-activator, dramatically enhances the phosphorylation of the CTD of RNA pol II by holo-TFIIH in vitro. Using purified proteins we have determined that the subunits of TFIIK are sufficient for Mediator to enhance Kin28 CTD kinase activity and that Mediator enhances phosphorylation of a glutathione S-transferase-CTD fusion protein, despite the absence of multiple Mediator and/or TFIIH interactions with polymerase. Mediator does not stimulate the activity of several other CTD kinases, suggesting that the specific enhancement of TFIIH kinase activity results in Kin28 being the primary CTD kinase at initiation. In addition, we have found that Kin28 phosphorylates Mediator subunit Med4 in an assay, including purified holo-TFIIH, and either Mediator or recombinant Med4 alone. Furthermore, Kin28 appears to be, at least in part, responsible for the phosphorylation of Med4 in vivo. We have identified Thr-237 as the site of phosphorylation of Med4 by Kin28 in vitro. The mutation of Thr-237 to Ala has no effect on the growth of a yeast strain under normal conditions but confirms that Thr-237 is also the site of Med4 phosphorylation in vivo.

Casein Kinases↗

Different EZH2-containing complexes target methylation of histone H1 or nucleosomal histone H3.

Human Enhancer of Zeste homolog (Ezh2) is a histone lysine methyltransferase (HKMT) associated with transcriptional repression. Ezh2 is present in several distinct complexes, one of which, PRC2, we characterized previously. Here we report an additional Ezh2 complex, PRC3. We show that the Ezh2 complexes exhibit differential targeting of specific histones for lysine methylation dependent upon the context of the histone substrates. This differential targeting is a function of the associated Eed protein within each complex. We found that Eed protein is present in four isoforms, which represent alternate translation start site usage from the same mRNA. These Eed isoforms selectively associate with distinct Ezh2-containing complexes with resultant differential targeting of their associated HKMT activity toward histone H3-K27 or histone H1-K26. Our data provide evidence for a novel mechanism regulating the substrate specificity of a chromatin-modifying enzyme through disparate translational products of a regulatory subunit.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PINdb: a database of nuclear protein complexes from human and yeast.

SUMMARY: Proteins Interacting in the Nucleus database (PINdb) is a database of protein complexes purified from the nucleus of human and yeast cells. It is compiled from the published literature and existing databases. Currently, PINdb contains mostly protein complexes that may be involved in gene transcription. To facilitate comparative analyses and identification of protein complexes, the compositional information is integrated with standardized gene nomenclature, annotation and protein sequences from public databases. The PINdb web interface provides a number of tools for (1) comparison of protein complexes, (2) search for a protein complex by its published name or by a partial list of its components and (3) browsing specific subsets or a functional classification of the complexes. Availablity: http://pin.mskcc.org

Abstracting and Indexing↗

Human Mob proteins regulate the NDR1 and NDR2 serine-threonine kinases.

Human NDR1 (nuclear Dbf2-related) is a widely expressed nuclear serine-threonine kinase that has been implicated in cell proliferation and/or tumor progression. Here we present molecular characterization of the human NDR2 serine-threonine kinase, which shares approximately 87% sequence identity with NDR1. NDR2 is expressed in most human tissues with the highest expression in the thymus. In contrast to NDR1, NDR2 is excluded from the nucleus and exhibits a punctate cytoplasmic distribution. The differential localization of NDR1 and NDR2 suggests that each kinase may serve distinct functions. Thus, to identify proteins that interact with NDR1 or NDR2, epitope-tagged kinases were immunoprecipitated from Jurkat T-cells. Two uncharacterized proteins that are homologous to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae kinase regulators Mob1 and Mob2 were identified. We demonstrate that NDR1 and NDR2 partially colocalize with human Mob2 in HeLa cells and confirm the NDR-Mob interactions in cell extracts. Interestingly, NDR1 and NDR2 form stable complexes with Mob2, and this association dramatically stimulates NDR1 and NDR2 catalytic activity. In summary, this work identifies a unique class of human kinase-activating subunits that may be functionally analagous to cyclins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A new role for Nogo as a regulator of vascular remodeling.

Although Nogo-A has been identified in the central nervous system as an inhibitor of axonal regeneration, the peripheral roles of Nogo isoforms remain virtually unknown. Here, using a proteomic analysis to identify proteins enriched in caveolae and/or lipid rafts (CEM/LR), we show that Nogo-B is highly expressed in cultured endothelial and smooth muscle cells, as well as in intact blood vessels. The N terminus of Nogo-B promotes the migration of endothelial cells but inhibits the migration of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells, processes necessary for vascular remodeling. Vascular injury in Nogo-A/B-deficient mice promotes exaggerated neointimal proliferation, and adenoviral-mediated gene transfer of Nogo-B rescues the abnormal vascular expansion in those knockout mice. Our discovery that Nogo-B is a regulator of vascular homeostasis and remodeling broadens the functional scope of this family of proteins.

Animals↗

Serum peptide profiling by magnetic particle-assisted, automated sample processing and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Human serum contains a complex array of proteolytically derived peptides (serum peptidome) that may provide a correlate of biological events occurring in the entire organism; for instance, as a diagnostic for solid tumors (Petricoin, E. F.; Ardekani, A. M.; Hitt, B. A.; Levine, P. J.; Fusaro, V. A.; Steinberg, S. M.; Mills, G. B.; Simone, C.; Fishman, D. A.; Kohn, E. C.; Liotta, L. Lancet 2002, 359, 572-577). Here, we describe a novel, automated technology platform for the simultaneous measurement of serum peptides that is simple, scalable, and generates highly reproducible patterns. Peptides are captured and concentrated using reversed-phase (RP) batch processing in a magnetic particle-based format, automated on a liquid handling robot, and followed by a MALDI TOF mass spectrometric readout. The protocol is based on a detailed investigation of serum handling, RP ligand and eluant selection, small-volume robotics design, an optimized spectral acquisition program, and consistent peak extraction plus binning across a study set. The improved sensitivity and resolution allowed detection of 400 polypeptides (0.8-15-kDa range) in a single droplet (approximately 50 microL) of serum, and almost 2000 unique peptides in larger sample sets, which can then be analyzed using common microarray data analysis software. A pilot study indicated that sera from brain tumor patients can be distinguished from controls based on a pattern of 274 peptide masses. This, in turn, served to create a learning algorithm that correctly predicted 96.4% of the samples as either normal or diseased.

Algorithms↗

Tandem bromodomains in the chromatin remodeler RSC recognize acetylated histone H3 Lys14.

The coordination of chromatin remodeling with chromatin modification is a central topic in gene regulation. The yeast chromatin remodeling complex RSC bears multiple bromodomains, motifs for acetyl-lysine and histone tail interaction. Here, we identify and characterize Rsc4 and show that it bears tandem essential bromodomains. Conditional rsc4 bromodomain mutations were isolated, and were lethal in combination with gcn5Delta, whereas combinations with esa1 grew well. Replacements involving Lys14 of histone H3 (the main target of Gcn5), but not other H3 or H4 lysine residues, also conferred severe growth defects to rsc4 mutant strains. Importantly, wild-type Rsc4 bound an H3 tail peptide acetylated at Lys14, whereas a bromodomain mutant derivative did not. Loss of particular histone deacetylases suppressed rsc4 bromodomain mutations, suggesting that Rsc4 promotes gene activation. Furthermore, rsc4 mutants displayed defects in the activation of genes involved in nicotinic acid biosynthesis, cell wall integrity, and other pathways. Taken together, Rsc4 bears essential tandem bromodomains that rely on H3 Lys14 acetylation to assist RSC complex for gene activation.

Acetylation↗

Suppression of mitochondrial respiration through recruitment of p160 myb binding protein to PGC-1alpha: modulation by p38 MAPK.

The transcriptional coactivator PPAR gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1alpha) is a key regulator of metabolic processes such as mitochondrial biogenesis and respiration in muscle and gluconeogenesis in liver. Reduced levels of PGC-1alpha in humans have been associated with type II diabetes. PGC-1alpha contains a negative regulatory domain that attenuates its transcriptional activity. This negative regulation is removed by phosphorylation of PGC-1alpha by p38 MAPK, an important kinase downstream of cytokine signaling in muscle and beta-adrenergic signaling in brown fat. We describe here the identification of p160 myb binding protein (p160MBP) as a repressor of PGC-1alpha. The binding and repression of PGC-1alpha by p160MBP is disrupted by p38 MAPK phosphorylation of PGC-1alpha. Adenoviral expression of p160MBP in myoblasts strongly reduces PGC-1alpha's ability to stimulate mitochondrial respiration and the expression of the genes of the electron transport system. This repression does not require removal of PGC-1alpha from chromatin, suggesting that p160MBP is or recruits a direct transcriptional suppressor. Overall, these data indicate that p160MBP is a powerful negative regulator of PGC-1alpha function and provide a molecular mechanism for the activation of PGC-1alpha by p38 MAPK. The discovery of p160MBP as a PGC-1alpha regulator has important implications for the understanding of energy balance and diabetes.

Animals↗

Delayed-late activation of a myeloid defensin minimal promoter by retinoids and inflammatory mediators.

Alpha-defensin-1 gene expression in promyelocytic HL-60 cells is ('delayed-late' > or =1-2 days) activated by retinoic acid (RA), lipopolysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and elevated levels of cAMP. Using stably integrated reporter constructs, we show that this activation is directed through a proximal and distal element within a minimal (-83/+82) def1 promoter, and is mediated by phosphorylation of the associated factors, PU.1 and D1BP, in an inducer-dependent manner. Whereas binding of PU.1 to the proximal element confers cell specificity and relays the effects of most inducers, the selectively enhancing capacity of the distal element for RA- and cAMP-dependent activation is uniquely correlated with D1BP-binding. We propose that D1BP and PU.1 are the end-points of separate pathways.

Antineoplastic Agents↗