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S Kushnir

Publications and source records attributed to S Kushnir.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

DNA-binding activity of LndI protein and temporal expression of the gene that upregulates landomycin E production in Streptomyces globisporus 1912.

The gene lndI is involved in the pathway-specific positive regulation of biosynthesis of the antitumour polyketide landomycin E in Streptomyces globisporus 1912. LndI was overexpressed in Escherichia coli as a protein C-terminally fused to the intein-chitin-binding-domain tag and purified in a one-step column procedure. Results of in vivo LndI titration, DNA gel mobility-shift assays and promoter-probing experiments indicate that LndI is an autoregulatory DNA-binding protein that binds to its own gene promoter and to the promoter of the structural gene lndE. Enhanced green fluorescent protein was used as a reporter to study the temporal and spatial pattern of lndI transcription. Expression of lndI started before cells entered mid-exponential phase and peak expression coincided with maximal accumulation of landomycin E and biomass. In solid-phase analysis, lndI expression was evident in substrate mycelia but was absent from aerial hyphae and spores.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed2001

N-terminal domains of plant poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases define their association with mitotic chromosomes.

Poly(ADP-ribos)ylation is a reversible protein modification that in higher plants is catalyzed by two structurally different poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases, App and Zap. In vivo imaging of green-fluorescent protein (GPF) fusions showed that both Zap and App were associated with chromatin through the cell cycle progression. The in vivo behaviour of the App-GFP protein fusions can be attributed to the activity of two NASA motifs that mediate protein-protein interactions and nucleic acid binding. Expression of Zap deletion variants revealed that both Zn fingers and helix-turn-helix domains contributed to the association with chromosomes, whereas the localization in the nucleoplasm was mostly determined by the Zn fingers. The results highlight novel properties of protein sequences found in plant poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases and suggest important functions for this class of nuclear enzymes in chromosome dynamics.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

A mutation of the mitochondrial ABC transporter Sta1 leads to dwarfism and chlorosis in the Arabidopsis mutant starik.

A mutation in the Arabidopsis gene STARIK leads to dwarfism and chlorosis of plants with an altered morphology of leaf and cell nuclei. We show that the STARIK gene encodes the mitochondrial ABC transporter Sta1 that belongs to a subfamily of Arabidopsis half-ABC transporters. The severity of the starik phenotype is suppressed by the ectopic expression of the STA2 homolog; thus, Sta1 function is partially redundant. Sta1 supports the maturation of cytosolic Fe/S protein in Deltaatm1 yeast, substituting for the ABC transporter Atm1p. Similar to Atm1p-deficient yeast, mitochondria of the starik mutant accumulated more nonheme, nonprotein iron than did wild-type organelles. We further show that plant mitochondria contain a putative l-cysteine desulfurase. Taken together, our results suggest that plant mitochondria possess an evolutionarily conserved Fe/S cluster biosynthesis pathway, which is linked to the intracellular iron homeostasis by the function of Atm1p-like ABC transporters.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed2001

Arabidopsis coactivator ALY-like proteins, DIP1 and DIP2, interact physically with the DNA-binding domain of the Zn-finger poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase.

Two novel homologous Arabidopsis proteins, DIP1 and DIP2, interact with the DNA-binding domain of plant poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in the yeast two-hybrid system and in vitro. Their homology to the transcriptional coactivator ALY suggests that plant PARP may play a role in the regulation of transcription.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗
PubMed2000

CEO1, a new protein from Arabidopsis thaliana, protects yeast against oxidative damage.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain WYT, deficient in the YAP1 transcription factor, was used in a molecular screen to identify genes from Arabidopsis thaliana that could overcome the oxidative stress-sensitive phenotype of these yeast cells. A cDNA named CEO1 increased the tolerance to oxidative damage caused by tert-butylhydroperoxide of both the Yap1(-) mutant and the wild-type yeast. Additionally, in Yap1(-) yeast, CEO1 also induced cross-tolerance to oxidative damage caused by hydrogen peroxide and diamide. CEO1 was assigned as being part of a small gene family that, until now, is exclusively restricted to plants. In Arabidopsis, CEO1 was produced in all organs, especially in roots and stems. By using the yeast two-hybrid system, proteins that specifically interact with CEO1 in yeast were identified, and putative DNA-binding proteins were consistently recovered.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

A novel NADPH:diamide oxidoreductase activity in arabidopsis thaliana P1 zeta-crystallin.

The zeta-crystallin (ZCr) gene P1 of Arabidopsis thaliana, known to confer tolerance toward the oxidizing drug 1,1'-azobis(N, N-dimethylformamide) (diamide) to yeast [Babiychuk, E., Kushnir, S., Belles-Boix, E., Van Montagu, M. & Inzé, D. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 26224], was expressed in Escherichia coli to characterize biochemical properties of the P1-zeta-crystallin (P1-ZCr). Recombinant P1-ZCr, a noncovalent dimer, showed NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase activity with specificity to quinones similar to that of guinea-pig ZCr. P1-ZCr also catalyzed the divalent reduction of diamide to 1,2-bis(N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl)hydrazine, with a kcat comparable with that for quinones. Two other azodicarbonyl compounds also served as substrates of P1-ZCr. Guinea-pig ZCr, however, did not catalyze the azodicarbonyl reduction. Hence, plant ZCr is distinct from mammalian ZCr, and can be referred to as NADPH:azodicarbonyl/quinone reductase. The quinone-reducing reaction was accompanied by radical chain reactions to produce superoxide radicals, while the azodicarbonyl-reducing reaction was not. Specificity to NADPH, as judged by kcat/Km, was > 1000-fold higher than that to NADH both for quinones and diamide. N-Ethylmaleimide and p-chloromercuribenzoic acid inhibited both quinone-reducing and diamide-reducing activities. Both NADPH and NADP+ suppressed the inhibition, but NADH did not, suggesting that sulfhydryl groups reside in the binding site for the phosphate group on the adenosine moiety of NADPH. The diamide-reducing activity of P1-ZCr accounts for the tolerance of P1-overexpressing yeast to diamide. Other possible physiological functions of P1-ZCr in plants are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Processing of a chimeric protein in chloroplasts is different in transgenic maize and tobacco plants.

Transgenic maize (Zea mays L.) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum Petit Havana SR1) plants have been generated, which overproduce a mitochondrial Nicotiana plumbaginifolia manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in chloroplasts. For this, the mature MnSOD-coding sequence was fused to a chloroplast transit peptide from a Pisum sativum ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco) gene and expression of the chimeric gene was driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter. The transgenic MnSOD gene product was correctly targeted to the chloroplasts both in maize and tobacco. However, despite the use of the CaMV 35S promoter, the MnSOD was predominantly localized in the chloroplasts of the bundle sheath cells of maize. Furthermore, the transit peptide was cleaved off at a different position in maize and tobacco.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Higher plants possess two structurally different poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases.

One of the immediate reactions of the mammalian cell to many environmental stresses is a massive synthesis of poly(ADP-ribose), catalyzed by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Most of the biological functions attributed to PARP are inferred from experimentation with mammalian cells. In plants, the biology of PARP may be more complicated and diverse than was previously thought. Two poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase homologues were found in plants, the classical Zn-finger-containing polymerase (ZAP) and the structurally non-classical PARP proteins (APP and NAP), which lack the characteristic N-terminal Zn-finger domain. By enzymatic and cytological experiments the recombinant APP protein was shown to be located in the nucleus and to possess DNA-dependent poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity in yeast. The nuclear localization was further confirmed by the analysis of transgenic tobacco plants that expressed a translational gene fusion between APP and the bacterial beta-glucuronidase. The app promoter was transcriptionally up-regulated in cells pre-determined to die because of deficiency in a DNA ligase I.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

The heat-shock element is a functional component of the Arabidopsis APX1 gene promoter.

Ascorbate peroxidases are important enzymes that detoxify hydrogen peroxide within the cytosol and chloroplasts of plant cells. To better understand their role in oxidative stress tolerance, the transcriptional regulation of the apx1 gene from Arabidopsis was studied. The apx1 gene was expressed in all tested organs of Arabidopsis; mRNA levels were low in roots, leaves, and stems and high in flowers. Steady-state mRNA levels in leaves or cell suspensions increased after treatment with methyl viologen, ethephon, high temperature, and illumination of etiolated seedlings. A putative heat-shock cis element found in the apx1 promoter was shown to be recognized by the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) heat-shock factor in vitro and to be responsible for the in vivo heat-shock induction of the gene. The heat-shock cis element also contributed partially to the induction of the gene by oxidative stress. By using in vivo dimethyl sulfate footprinting, we showed that proteins interacted with a G/C-rich element found in the apx1 promoter.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1997

Efficient gene tagging in Arabidopsis thaliana using a gene trap approach.

Large quantities of DNA sequence information about plant genes are rapidly accumulating in public databases, but to progress from DNA sequence to biological function a mutant allele for each of the genes ideally should be available. Here we describe a gene trap construct that allowed us to disrupt transcribed genes with a high efficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana. In the T-DNA vector used, the expression of a bacterial reporter gene coding for neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) depends on the in vivo generation of a translation fusion upon the T-DNA integration into the Arabidopsis genome. Analysis of 20 selected transgenic lines showed that 12 lines are T-DNA insertion mutants. The disrupted genes analyzed encoded ribosomal proteins (three lines), aspartate tRNA synthase, DNA ligase, basic-domain leucine zipper DNA binding protein, ATP-binding cassette transporter, and five proteins of unknown function. Four tagged genes were new for Arabidopsis. The results presented here suggest that gene trapping, using nptII as a reporter gene, can be as high as 80% and opens novel perspectives for systematic gene tagging in A. thaliana.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1996

Identification of an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA encoding a HSP70-related protein belonging to the HSP110/SSE1 subfamily.

Heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70)-related proteins are classified in two main subfamilies: the DnaK subfamily and the HSP110/SSE1 subfamily. We have characterized the first plant member of the HSP110/SSE1 subfamily, HSP91. At least two, tightly linked genes encoding HSP91 are present per haploid Arabidopsis genome. HSP91 is constitutively expressed in non-stressed Arabidopsis plants and is transiently induced by heat shock.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

A thiol protease and an anionic peroxidase are induced by lowering cytokinins during callus growth in Petunia.

We previously identified a group of proteins that increase early in Petunia hybrida calli subcultured on a low-cytokinin medium, unlike the calli subcultured on a high-cytokinin medium. The calli on the low-cytokinin medium do not regenerate (J.-P. Renaudin, C. Tournaire, B, Teyssendier de la Serve [1991] Physiol Plant 82: 48-56). Two of these proteins, P21 and P17, have been identified by peptide sequencing and cloned. P21 is highly homologous to a group of thiol proteases, including barely aleurain, rice oryzain gamma, Arabidopsis SAG2, and mammalian cathepsin H. P17 is highly homologous to a group of anionic peroxidases from potato and tomato. A study of their expression in two P. hybrida lines, PC6 and St40 which differ in their ability to regenerate, showed that the genes for P21 and P17 are differentially expressed depending on the type and the age of the organ, with the highest expression in senescing leaves and in aged calli. The data are in favor of these genes being associated with an early step of senescence, which may be due, in part, to a reduction in total cytokinin. The two Petunia lines are, thus, functionally different concerning the action of cytokinin in two developmental phenomena: in vitro organogenesis and senescence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Alterations in chlorophyll a/b binding proteins in Solanaceae cybrids.

In this study we have constructed a number of plants (cybrids), in which the nuclear genome of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia is combined with the plastome of Atropa belladonna, or the nuclear genome of N. tabacum with plastomes of Lycium barbarum, Scopolia carniolica, Physochlaine officinalis or Nolana paradoxa. Our biochemical and immunological analyses prove that in these cybrids the biogenesis of the chlorophyll a/b binding proteins (CAB) of the light harvesting complex II (LHCII) is altered. Besides normal sized CAB polypeptides of 27, 25.5 and 25 kDa, which become less abundant, the cybrids analyzed have additional polypeptides of 26, 24.5 and 24 kDa. Direct protein micro-sequencing showed that at least two truncated 26 kDa CAB polypeptides in plant cells containing a nucleus of N. plumbaginifolia and plastids of A. belladonna are encoded by the type 1 Lhcb genes. These polypeptides are 11-12 amino acids shorter at the N-terminus than the expected size. Based on the available data we conclude that the biogenesis of the LHCII in vivo may depend on plastome-encoded factor(s). These results suggest that plastome-encoded factors that cause specific protein degradation and/or abnormal processing might determine compartmental genetic incompatibility in plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Molecular characterization of a putative Arabidopsis thaliana copper transporter and its yeast homologue.

At the molecular level, little is known about the transport of copper across plant membranes. We have isolated an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA by complementation of a mutant (ctr1-3) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae defective in high affinity copper uptake. This cDNA codes for a highly hydrophobic protein (COPT1) of 169 amino acid residues and with three putative transmembrane domains. Most noteworthy, the first 44 residues display significant homology to the methionine- and histidine-rich copper binding domain of three bacterial copper binding proteins, among these a copper transporting ATPase. Mutant yeast cells expressing COPT1 exhibit nearly wild type behavior with regard to growth on a nonfermentable carbon source and resistance to copper and iron starvation. Expression of COPT1 is also associated with an increased sensitivity to copper toxicity. Additionally, COPT1 shows significant homology to an open reading frame of 189 amino acid residues on yeast chromosome VIII. This gene (CTR2) may encode an additional yeast metal transporter able to mediate the uptake of copper. A mutation in CTR2 displays a higher level of resistance to toxic copper concentrations. Overexpression of CTR2 provides increased resistance to copper starvation and is also associated with an increased sensitivity to copper toxicity. The amino acid sequence of CTR2, like Arabidopsis COPT1, contains three potential transmembrane domains. Taken together, the data suggest that a plant metal transporter, which is most likely involved in the transport of copper, has been identified.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Characterization of Arabidopsis thaliana cDNAs that render yeasts tolerant toward the thiol-oxidizing drug diamide.

Diamide oxidizes cellular thiols and induces oxidative stress. To isolate plant genes which may, when overexpressed, increase tolerance of plants toward oxidative damage, an in vivo diamide tolerance screening in yeasts was used. An Arabidopsis cDNA library in a yeast expression vector was used to transform a yeast strain with intact antioxidant defense. Cells from approximately 10(5) primary transformants were selected for resistance to diamide. Three Arabidopsis cDNAs which confer diamide tolerance were isolated. This drug tolerance was specific and no cross tolerance toward hydroperoxides was found. One cDNA (D3) encodes a polypeptide which has an amino-terminal J domain characteristic of a divergent family of DnaJ chaperones. Another (D18) encodes a putative dTDP-D-glucose 4,6-dehydratase. Surprisingly, the third cDNA (D22) encodes a plant homolog of gamma-glutamyltransferases. It would have been difficult to predict that the expression of those genes would lead to an improved survival under conditions of depletion of cellular thiols. Hence, we suggest that this cloning approach may be a useful contribution to the isolation of plant genes that can help to cope with oxidative stress.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Arabidopsis thaliana NADPH oxidoreductase homologs confer tolerance of yeasts toward the thiol-oxidizing drug diamide.

To isolate new plant genes involved in the defense against oxidative stress, an Arabidopsis cDNA library in a yeast expression vector was transformed into a yeast strain deficient in the YAP1 gene, which encodes a b-Zip transcription factor and regulates general stress response in yeasts. Cells from approximately 10(5) primary transformants were subjected to a tolerance screen toward the thiol-oxidizing drug diamide, which depletes the reduced glutathione in the cell. Four types of Arabidopsis cDNAs were isolated. Three of these cDNAs (P1, P2, and P4) belong to a plant zeta-crystallin family and P3 is an Arabidopsis homolog of isoflavonoid reductases. As such, all four isolated cDNAs are homologous to NADPH oxidoreductases. P1, P2, and P3 steady-state mRNAs accumulated rapidly in Arabidopsis plants under various oxidative stress conditions, such as treatment with paraquat, t-butylhydroperoxide, diamide, and menadione. The data suggested that proteins encoded by the isolated cDNAs play a distinct role in plant antioxidant defense and are possibly involved in NAD(P)/NAD(P)H homeostasis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Characterization of an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA homologue to animal poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase.

A full-length Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA (app) encoding a protein with high similarity (about 60%) to the catalytic domain of vertebrate poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP; EC 2.4.2.30) has been cloned. The N-terminal extension of the Arabidopsis protein shows similarities with domains of different nuclear and DNA binding proteins in agreement with nuclear localization and putative function of a plant PARP. APP is encoded by a single gene mapped at the top of chromosome 4 of the Arabidopsis genome and mRNA is abundant in cell suspension culture compared to its accumulation in whole plant.

Amino Acid Sequence↗