PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Soldati

Publications and source records attributed to T Soldati.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The intracompartmental sorting of myosin alkali light chain isoproteins reflects the sequence of developmental expression as determined by double epitope-tagging competition.

In order to compare within the same cell the various degrees of specificity of myosin alkali light chain (MLC) isoproteins sorting to sarcomeres, a competition assay was established using double epitope tagging. Various combinations of two different MLC isoform cDNAs tagged with either a vesicular stomatitis virus VSV-G (VSV) or a medium T (mT) protein epitope were co-expressed in cultured cardiomyocytes from adult and neonatal rat ventricles. Expressed isoproteins were detected by means of anti-VSV and anti-mT antibodies and their sorting patterns were analyzed by confocal microscopy. The sorting specificity of MLC isoforms to sarcomeric sites was shown to increase in the order MLC3nm, to ML1sa, to MLC1sb, to MLC1f and MLC3f following the sequence of developmental expression. Expressed fast skeletal muscle isoforms (MLC1f and MLC3f) were always localized at the A-bands of myofibrils, while nonmuscle type (MLC3nm) was distributed throughout the cytoplasm. The slow skeletal muscle type (MLC1sa) showed a weak sarcomeric pattern if it was co-expressed with MLC3nm, but it was distributed throughout the cytoplasm when expressed in combination with MLC1f, MLC3f or the slow skeletal/ventricular muscle isoform (MLC1sb). The MLC1sb was localized at the A-bands when it was co-expressed with MLC3nm or MLC1sa, while it was also distributed to the cytoplasm if co-expressed with MLC1f or MLC3f. Further, expression of chimeric cDNAs revealed that the N-terminal lobe of each isoprotein is responsible for the isoform-specific sorting pattern.

Animals↗

Rab7 and Rab9 are recruited onto late endosomes by biochemically distinguishable processes.

Rab GTPases are localized to the surfaces of distinct membrane-bound organelles and function in transport vesicle docking and/or fusion. Prenylated Rab9, bound to GDP dissociation inhibitor-alpha, can be recruited selectively onto a membrane fraction enriched in late endosomes; this process is accompanied by nucleotide exchange. We used this system to address whether each Rab uses a distinct machinery to associate with its cognate organelle. Purified, prenylated Rab1B, Rab7, and Rab9 proteins were each reconstituted as stoichiometric complexes with purified GDP dissociation inhibitor-alpha, and their recruitment onto endosome- or ER-enriched membrane fractions was quantified. The two late endosomal proteins, Rab9 and Rab7, were each recruited onto endosome membranes with approximate apparent Km values of 9 and 22 nM, respectively. However, while control Rab9.GDP dissociation inhibitor-alpha complexes inhibited the initial rate of myc-tagged Rab9 recruitment with an apparent Ki of approximately 9 nM, Rab7 complexes inhibited this process much less effectively (apparent Ki approximately 112 nM). Similarly, complexes of the endoplasmic reticulum-localized Rab1B protein were even less potent than Rab7 complexes (apparent Ki approximately 405 nm). Rab9 complexes inhibited Rab7 recruitment with the same low efficacy as Rab7 complexes inhibited Rab9 recruitment. These experiments distinguish, biochemically, the recruitment of different Rab proteins onto a single class of organelle. Since Rab7 and Rab9 are both localized at least in large part, to late endosomes, this suggests that a single organelle may bear multiple Rab recruitment machines.

Animals↗

Dominant negative effect of cytoplasmic actin isoproteins on cardiomyocyte cytoarchitecture and function.

The intracompartmental sorting and functional consequences of ectopic expression of the six vertebrate actin isoforms was investigated in different types of cultured cells. In transfected fibroblasts all isoactin species associated with the endogenous microfilament cytoskeleton, even though cytoplasmic actins also showed partial localization to peripheral submembranous sites. Functional and structural studies were performed in neonatal and adult rat cardiomyocytes. All the muscle isoactin constructs sorted preferentially to sarcomeric sites and, to a lesser extent, also to stress-fiber-like structures. The expression of muscle actins did not interfere with cell contractility, and did not disturb the localization of endogenous sarcomeric proteins. In sharp contrast, ectopic expression of the two cytoplasmic actin isoforms resulted in rapid cessation of cellular contractions and induced severe morphological alterations characterized by an exceptional outgrowth of filopodia and cell flattening. Quantitative analysis in neonatal cardiomyocytes indicated that the levels of accumulation of the different isoactins are very similar and cannot be responsible for the observed isoproteins-specific effects. Structural analysis revealed a remodeling of the cytoarchitecture including a specific alteration of sarcomeric organization; proteins constituting the sarcomeric thin filaments relocated to nonmyofibrillar sites while thick filaments and titin remained unaffected. Experiments with chimeric proteins strongly suggest that isoform specific residues in the carboxy-terminal portion of the cytoplasmic actins are responsible for the dominant negative effects on function and morphology.

Actins↗

Rab-GDI presents functional Rab9 to the intracellular transport machinery and contributes selectivity to Rab9 membrane recruitment.

Rab proteins occur in the cytosol bound to Rab-GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI). We demonstrate here that cytosolic complexes of Rab9 bound to GDI represent a functional pool of Rab9 protein that can be utilized for transport from late endosomes to the trans Golgi network in vitro. Immunodepletion of GDI and Rab proteins bound to GDI led to the loss of cytosol activity; readdition of pure Rab9-GDI complexes fully restored cytosol activity. Delipidated serum albumin could solubilize prenylated Rab9 protein, but unlike Rab9-GDI complexes, Rab9-serum albumin complexes led to indiscriminate membrane association of Rab9 protein. Rab9 delivered to membranes by serum albumin was functional, but GDI increased the efficiency of Rab9 utilization, presumably because it suppressed Rab9 protein mistargeting. Finally, GDI inhibited transport of proteins from late endosomes to the trans Golgi network, likely because of its capacity to inhibit the membrane recruitment of cytosolic Rab9. These experiments show that GDI contributes to the selectivity of Rab9 membrane recruitment and presents functional Rab9 to the endosome-trans Golgi network transport machinery.

Animals↗

Membrane targeting of the small GTPase Rab9 is accompanied by nucleotide exchange.

The Rab GTPases are key regulators of vesicular transport. A fraction of Rab proteins is present in the cytosol, bound with GDP, complexed to a protein termed GDI. Rab9 is localized primarily to late endosomes, where it aids the transport of mannose 6-phosphate receptors to the trans-Golgi network. It has been proposed that Rab proteins are delivered to specific membranes by GDI, and that this process is accompanied by the exchange of bound GDP for GTP. In addition, Rab localization requires carboxy-terminal prenylation and specific structural determinants. Here we describe the reconstitution of the selective targeting of prenylated Rab9 protein onto late endosome membranes and show that this process is accompanied by endosome-triggered nucleotide exchange.

Animals↗

Lysosome biogenesis requires Rab9 function and receptor recycling from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network.

Newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes bind to mannose 6-phosphate receptors (MPRs) in the TGN, and are carried to prelysosomes, where they are released. MPRs then return to the TGN for another round of transport. Rab9 is a ras-like GTPase which facilitates MPR recycling to the TGN in vitro. We show here that a dominant negative form of rab9, rab9 S21N, strongly inhibited MPR recycling in living cells. The block was specific in that the rates of biosynthetic protein transport, fluid phase endocytosis and receptor-mediated endocytosis were unchanged. Expression of rab9 S21N was accompanied by a decrease in the efficiency of lysosomal enzyme sorting. Cells compensated for the presence of the mutant protein by inducing the synthesis of both soluble and membrane-associated lysosomal enzymes, and by internalizing lysosomal enzymes that were secreted by default. These data show that MPRs are limiting in the secretory pathway of cells expressing rab9 S21N and document the importance of MPR recycling and the rab9 GTPase for efficient lysosomal enzyme delivery.

Animals↗

Rab9 functions in transport between late endosomes and the trans Golgi network.

Rab proteins represent a large family of ras-like GTPases that regulate distinct vesicular transport events at the level of membrane targeting and/or fusion. We report here the primary sequence, subcellular localization and functional activity of a new member of the rab protein family, rab9. The majority of rab9 appears to be located on the surface of late endosomes. Rab9, purified from Escherichia coli strains expressing this protein, could be prenylated in vitro in the presence of cytosolic proteins and geranylgeranyl diphosphate. In vitro-prenylated rab9 protein, but not C-terminally truncated rab9, stimulated the transport of mannose 6-phosphate receptors from late endosomes to the trans Golgi network in a cell-free system that reconstitutes this transport step. Rab7, a related rab protein that is also localized to late endosomes, was inactive in the in vitro transport assay, despite its efficient prenylation and capacity to bind and hydrolyze GTP. These results strongly suggest that rab9 functions in the transport of mannose 6-phosphate receptors between late endosomes and the trans Golgi network. Moreover, our results confirm the observation that a given organelle may bear multiple rab proteins with different biological functions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Rab GDI: a solubilizing and recycling factor for rab9 protein.

Rab proteins are thought to function in the processes by which transport vesicles identify and/or fuse with their respective target membranes. The bulk of these proteins are membrane associated, but a measurable fraction can be found in the cytosol. The cytosolic forms of rab3A, rab11, and Sec4 occur as equimolar complexes with a class of proteins termed "GDIs," or "GDP dissociation inhibitors." We show here that the cytosolic form of rab9, a protein required for transport between late endosomes and the trans Golgi network, also occurs as a complex with a GDI-like protein, with an apparent mass of approximately 80 kD. Complex formation could be reconstituted in vitro using recombinant rab9 protein, cytosol, ATP, and geranylgeranyl diphosphate, and was shown to require an intact rab9 carboxy terminus, as well as rab9 geranylgeranylation. Monoprenylation was sufficient for complex formation because a mutant rab9 protein bearing the carboxy terminal sequence, CLLL, was prenylated in vitro by geranylgeranyl transferase I and was efficiently incorporated into 80-kD complexes. Purified, prenylated rab9 could also assemble into 80-kD complexes by addition of purified, rab3A GDI. Finally, rab3A-GDI had the capacity to solubilize rab9GDP, but not rab9GTP, from cytoplasmic membranes. These findings support the proposal that GDI proteins serve to recycle rab proteins from their target membranes after completion of a rab protein-mediated, catalytic cycle. Thus GDI proteins have the potential to regulate the availability of specific intracellular transport factors.

Animals↗

[Endoscopic and intraoperative ultrasonography in staging of stomach neoplasms].

In Japan a better prognosis of gastric cancer has been achieved by early diagnosis and wide, careful lymphectomy. This is not true in western countries. Thus the Authors believe that rational surgical strategy and the careful use of advanced diagnostic tools would produce a better outcome. The Authors report the new diagnostic methods that they adopt in every case of gastric neoplasm: endoscopic ultrasonography, which also proved useful in submucosal tumors, like lymphomas; parenteral nutrition, immune status assessment for a possible use of immune response modulators, single-dose antimicrobial prophylaxis, antithrombotic prophylaxis, autologous blood storage, in order to reduce transfusion-linked risks. Surgical strategy is also reported, which includes wide resection with adequate margins, R2 lymphectomy and intraoperative assessment of disease extension by ultrasonography.

Gastroscopy↗

Molecular analysis of protein sorting during biogenesis of muscle cytoarchitecture.

Isolated, rod-shaped adult rat cardiomyocytes (ARC) were kept in long-term cell cultures and the changes of the cardiomyocyte structure were investigated by confocal microscopy. The cells round up and make contact with the substrate by very flat, foot-like structures. After prolonged culture the amorphous cells regenerate a cardiomyocyte-like cytoarchitecture and myofibrils reemerge. In the perinuclear region myofibrils form continuously while in other cells discontinuous myofibrillogenesis was observed, where short sarcomeric segments occur all over the cytoplasmic space. During the regeneration of myofibrils certain proteins like a smooth muscle actin sort to non sarcomeric region, while myomesin or heart C-protein localize on myofibrils with high specificity. This culture system combined with method of epitope-tagging of contractile proteins are ideally suited to monitor the intracellular localization sites of exogenously introduced constructs to different cytoskeletal, since ARC exhibit at the same time stress fiber-like filaments (SFLF) and nascent myofibrils. The molecular properties of the different members of the myosin light chain isoprotein family were investigated by transfection experiments using epitope-tagged myosin light chain (MLC) cDNA. The sorting of the different types of MLC was shown to be isoprotein specific and with chimeric constructs it was shown that the isoprotein-specific incorporation into myofibrils was dependent on the presence of the middle domain of MLC-1f/3f. These MLC isoproteins can be arranged into a sequence of increasing affinity to myofibrils. A hierarchical order of myofibrillar assembly is postulated based on the association affinity. Similar experiments with constructs containing alpha-cardiac, alpha-smooth muscle and gamma-cytoplasmic actins have shown that expression of epitope-tagged actins in ARC result in different epitope staining patterns. While the alpha-cardiac actin showed a marked preference for sarcomeres, the alpha-smooth muscle isoproteins had an intermediate specificity and could either be preferentially incorporated into stress fiber-like filaments (SFLF) and in some cells to a lesser extent into myofibrils as well. Most striking results were obtained with gamma-cytoplasmic actin carrying a 5 or 11-mer epitope. This actin gave rise to large cells, induced the formation of filopodia filled with the transfected actin and depletion of the transfected actin from the perinuclear myofibrillar region.

Actins↗