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The Drosophila gamma-tubulin small complex subunit Dgrip84 is required for structural and functional integrity of the spindle apparatus.

Gamma-tubulin, a protein critical for microtubule assembly, functions within multiprotein complexes. However, little is known about the respective role of gamma-tubulin partners in metazoans. For the first time in a multicellular organism, we have investigated the function of Dgrip84, the Drosophila orthologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gamma-tubulin-associated protein Spc97p. Mutant analysis shows that Dgrip84 is essential for viability. Its depletion promotes a moderate increase in the mitotic index, correlated with the appearance of monopolar or unpolarized spindles, impairment of centrosome maturation, and increase of polyploid nuclei. This in vivo study is strengthened by an RNA interference approach in cultured S2 cells. Electron microscopy analysis suggests that monopolar spindles might result from a failure of centrosome separation and an unusual microtubule assembly pathway via centriolar triplets. Moreover, we point to an involvement of Dgrip84 in the spindle checkpoint regulation and in the maintenance of interphase microtubule dynamics. Dgrip84 also seems essential for male meiosis, ensuring spindle bipolarity and correct completion of cytokinesis. These data sustain that Dgrip84 is required in some aspects of microtubule dynamics and organization both in interphase and mitosis. The nature of a minimal gamma-tubulin complex necessary for proper microtubule organization in the metazoans is discussed.

Animals↗

Kinetics of photosynthetic electron transfer in artificial vesicles reconstituted with purified complexes from Rhodobacter capsulatus. II. Direct electron transfer between the reaction center and the bc1 complex and role of cytochrome c2.

1. The cyclic photosynthetic chain of Rhodobacter capsulatus has been reconstituted incorporating into phospholipid liposomes containing ubiquinone-10 two multiprotein complexes: the reaction center and the ubiquinol-cytochrome-c2 reductase (or bc1 complex). 2. In the presence of cytochrome c2 added externally, at concentrations in the range 10-10(4) nM, a flash-induced cyclic electron transfer can be observed. In the presence of antimycin, an inhibitor of the quinone-reducing site of the bc1 complex, the reduction of cytochrome b561 is a consequence of the donation of electrons to the photo-oxidized reaction center. At low ionic strength (10 mM KCl) and at concentrations of cytochrome c2 lower than 1 microM, the rate of this reaction is limited by the concentration of cytochrome c2. At higher concentrations the reduction rate of cytochrome b561 is controlled by the concentration of quinol in the membrane, and, therefore, is increased when the ubiquinone pool is progressively reduced. At saturating concentrations of cytochrome c2 and optimal redox poise, the half-time for cytochrome b561 reduction is about 3 ms. 3. At high ionic stength (200 mM KCl), tenfold higher concentrations of cytochrome c2 are required for promoting equivalent rates of cytochrome-b561 reduction. If the absolute values of these rates are compared with those of the cytochrome-c2-reaction-center electron transfer, it can be concluded that the reaction of oxidized cytochrome c2 with the bc1 complex is rate-limiting and involves electrstatic interactions. 4. A significant rate of intercomplex electron transfer can be observed also in the absence of cytochrome c2; in this case the electron donor to the recation center is the cytochrome c1 of the oxidoreductase complex. The oxidation of cytochrome c1 triggers a normal electron transfer within the bc1 complex. The intercomplex reaction follows second-order kinetics and is slowed at high ionic strength, suggesting a collisional interaction facilitated by electrostatic attraction. From the second-order rate constant of this process, a minimal bidimensional diffusion coefficient for the complexes in the membrane equal to 3 X 10(-11) cm2 s-1 can be evaluated.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Kinetic unfolding mechanism of the inducible nitric oxide synthase oxygenase domain determined by time-resolved electrospray mass spectrometry.

The inducible nitric oxide synthase core oxygen domain (iNOS(COD)) is a homodimeric protein complex of ca. 100 kDa. In this work, the subunit disassembly and unfolding of the protein following a pH jump from 7.5 to 2.8 were monitored by on-line rapid mixing in conjunction with electrospray (ESI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Various protein species become populated during the denaturation process. These can be distinguished by their ligand binding behavior, and by the different charge states that they produce during ESI. Detailed intensity-time profiles were obtained for all of these species, and the kinetics were subjected to a global analysis which allows a model of the denaturation process to be developed. The data are described well by three relaxation times (tau(1) = 0.36 s, tau(2) = 0.62 s, and tau(3) = 3.3 s), each of which has a characteristic amplitude spectrum. The initial step of the reaction is the disruption of the iNOS(COD) dimer, to generate heme-bound monomeric species in various degrees of unfolding. This first step is accompanied by the loss of two tetrahydrobiopterin cofactors. Subsequent heme loss generates monomeric apoproteins exhibiting various degrees of unfolding. In addition, the formation of proteins that are bound to two heme groups is observed. A subpopulation of holo monomers undergoes substantial unfolding while retaining contact with the heme cofactor. Together with previous studies, the results of this work suggest that the occurrence of complex reaction mechanisms involving several short-lived intermediates is a common feature for the denaturation of large multiprotein complexes.

Animals↗

Physical interaction between pRb and cdk9/cyclinT2 complex.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (cdk9) is a multifunctional kinase with roles in different cellular pathways such as transcriptional elongation, differentiation and apoptosis. Cdk9/cyclin T differs functionally from other cdk/cyclin complexes that regulate cell cycle progression, but maintains structural affinity with those complexes. In addition, previous reports have demonstrated that the cdk9 complex is able to phosphorylate p56/pRb in vitro. In this report we show in vitro and in vivo interaction between cdk9/cyclinT2 and the protein product of the retinoblastoma gene (pRb) in human cell lines. The interaction involves the region composed of residues 129-195 of cdk9, cyclinT2 (1-642 aa) and the C-terminal domain of pRb (835-928 aa). We located the minimal region of cdk9 phosphorylation on the C-terminus of pRb, by identifying the residues between 793 and 834. This region contains at least three proline-directed serines (sp), S795, S807 and S811, which have been reported to be phosphorylated in vivo and which could be targeted by the cdk9 complex. These data suggest that, in logarithmically growing cells, cdk9/cyclin T2 and pRb are located in a nuclear multiprotein complex probably involved in transduction of cellular signals to the basal transcription machinery and that one of these signals could be the cdk9 phosphorylation of pRb.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Caenorhabditis elegans mediator complexes are required for developmental-specific transcriptional activation.

Mediator proteins are required for transcriptional regulation of most genes in yeast. Mammalian Mediator homologs also function as transcriptional coactivators in vitro; however, their physiological role in gene-specific transcription is not yet known. To determine the role of Mediator proteins in the development of complex organisms, we purified putative Mediator complexes from Caenorhabditis elegans and analyzed their phenotypes in vivo. C. elegans Mediator homologs were assembled into two multiprotein complexes. RNA interference assays showed that the CeMed6, CeMed7, and CeMed10/CeNut2 gene products are required for the expression of developmentally regulated genes, but are dispensable for expression of the ubiquitously expressed genes tested in this study. Therefore, the gene-specific function of Mediator as an integrator of transcriptional regulatory signals is evolutionarily conserved and is essential for C. elegans development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An insight into the assembly and organization of photosystem I complex in the thylakoid membranes of the thermophilic cyanobacterium, Mastigocladus laminosus.

The present study characterizes the assembly and organization of Photosystem I (PSI) complex, and its individual subunits into the thylakoid membranes of the thermophilic cyanobacterium, Mastigocladus laminosus. PSI is a multiprotein complex that contains peripheral as well as integral subunits. Hence, it serves as a suitable model system for understanding the formation and organization of membrane protein complexes. In the present study, two peripheral cytosol facing subunits of PSI, namely, PsaD and PsaE were overexpressed in E. coli and used for assembly studies. The gene encoding PsaK, an integral membrane spanning subunit of PSI, was cloned and the deduced amino acid sequence revealed PsaK to have two transmembrane alpha-helices. The characterization of the in vitro assembly of the peripheral subunits, PsaD and PsaE, as well as of the integral subunit, PsaK, was performed by incubating each subunit with thylakoids isolated from Mastigocladus laminosus. All three subunits studied were found to assemble into the thylakoids in a spontaneous mechanism, showing no requirement for cytosolic factors or NTP's (nucleotide 5'-triphosphate). Nevertheless, further characterization of the assembly of PsaK revealed its membrane integration to be most efficient at 55 degrees C. The associations and protein-protein interactions between different subunits within the assembled PSI complex were directly quantified by measurements performed using the BIACORE technology. The preliminary results indicated the existence of specific interaction between PsaD and PsaE, and revealed a very high binding affinity between PsaD and the PSI electron acceptor ferridoxin (Kd = 5.8 x 10(-11) M). PsaE has exhibited a much lower binding affinity for ferridoxin (Kd = 3.1 x 10(-5) M), thereby supporting the possibility of PsaE being one of the subunits responsible for the dissociation of ferridoxin from the PSI complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A protein complex mediating mRNA degradation in Escherichia coli.

mRNA degradation in Escherichia coli is mediated by a combination of exo- and endoribonucleases. We present evidence for a multiprotein complex which includes at least two enzymes that play important roles in mRNA degradation: the exoribonuclease polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase) and the endoribonuclease RNase E. An activity which impedes the processive activity of PNPase at stem-loop structures also appears to be associated with the complex. This complex is estimated to have a molecular mass of about 500 kDa and includes several additional polypeptides whose functions are unknown. The identification of a complex which includes several activities associated with mRNA degradation has implications for the mechanisms and co-ordinated control of mRNA degradation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PML mediates the interferon-induced antiviral state against a complex retrovirus via its association with the viral transactivator.

The promyelocytic leukaemia (PML) protein localizes in the nucleus both in the nucleoplasm and in matrix-associated multiprotein complexes known as nuclear bodies (NBs). The number and the intensity of PML NBs increase in response to interferon (IFN). Overexpression of PML affects the replication of vesicular stomatitis virus and influenza virus. However, PML has a less powerful antiviral activity against these viruses than the IFN mediator MxA. Here, we show that overexpression of PML, but not that of Mx1 or MxA, leads to a drastic decrease of a complex retrovirus, the human foamy virus (HFV), gene expression. PML represses HFV transcription by complexing the HFV transactivator, Tas, preventing its direct binding to viral DNA. This physical interaction requires the N-terminal region of Tas and the RING finger of PML, but does not necessitate PML localization in NBs. Finally, we show that IFN treatment inhibits HFV replication in wild-type but not in PML-/- cells. These findings point to a role for PML in transcriptional repression and suggest that PML could play a key role in mediating an IFN-induced antiviral state against a complex retrovirus.

Animals↗

SMN, the spinal muscular atrophy protein, forms a pre-import snRNP complex with snurportin1 and importin beta.

The survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein is mutated in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). SMN is part of a multiprotein complex required for biogenesis of the Sm class of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). Following assembly of the Sm core domain, snRNPs are transported to the nucleus via importin beta. Sm snRNPs contain a nuclear localization signal (NLS) consisting of a 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine (TMG) cap and the Sm core. Snurportin1 (SPN) is the adaptor protein that recognizes both the TMG cap and importin beta. Here, we report that a mutant SPN construct lacking the importin beta binding domain (IBB), but containing an intact TMG cap-binding domain, localizes primarily to the nucleus, whereas full-length SPN localizes to the cytoplasm. The nuclear localization of the mutant SPN was not a result of passive diffusion through the nuclear pores. Importantly, we found that SPN interacts with SMN, Gemin3, Sm snRNPs and importin beta. In the presence of ribonucleases, the interactions with SMN and Sm proteins were abolished, indicating that snRNAs mediate this interplay. Cell fractionation studies showed that SPN binds preferentially to cytoplasmic SMN complexes. Notably, we found that SMN directly interacts with importin beta in a GST-pulldown assay, suggesting that the SMN complex might represent the Sm core NLS receptor predicted by previous studies. Therefore, we conclude that, following Sm protein assembly, the SMN complex persists until the final stages of cytoplasmic snRNP maturation and may provide somatic cell RNPs with an alternative NLS.

Carrier Proteins↗

The Xenopus origin recognition complex is essential for DNA replication and MCM binding to chromatin.

BACKGROUND: The origin recognition complex (ORC) and the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) protein complex were initially discovered in yeast and shown to be essential for DNA replication. Homologues of ORC and MCM proteins exist in higher eukaryotes, including Xenopus. The Xenopus MCM proteins and the Xenopus homologues of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Orc 1p and Orc2p (XOrc1 and XOrc2) have recently been shown to be essential for DNA replication. Here, we describe the different but interdependent functions of the ORC and MCM complexes in DNA replication in Xenopus egg extracts. RESULTS: The XOrc1 and XOrc2 proteins are present in the same multiprotein complex in Xenopus egg extracts. Immunodepletion of ORC inhibits DNA replication of Xenopus sperm nuclei. Mixing MCM-depleted and ORC-depleted extracts restores replication capacity. ORC does not co-localize with sites of DNA replication during elongation. However, at initiation the two staining patterns overlap. In contrast to MCMs, which are displaced from chromatin during S phase, XOrc1 and XOrc2 are nuclear chromatin-bound proteins throughout interphase and move to the cytoplasm in mitosis. Permeable HeLa G1- and G2-phase nuclei can replicate in ORC-depleted extract, consistent with the presence of chromatin-bound ORC in both pre-replicative and post-replicative nuclei. Interestingly, the binding of ORC to chromatin does not require the presence of MCMs; however, the binding of MCM proteins to chromatin is dependent on the presence of ORC. CONCLUSIONS: The Xenopus ORC and the MCM protein complex perform essential, non-redundant functions in DNA replication. Xenopus ORC is bound to chromatin throughout interphase but, in contrast to S. cerevisiae ORC, it appears to be, at least partly, displaced from chromatin during mitosis. The binding of MCM proteins requires the presence of ORC. Thus, the assembly of replication-competent chromatin involves the sequential binding of ORC and MCMs to DNA.

Animals↗

Two RNA polymerase complexes from vesicular stomatitis virus-infected cells that carry out transcription and replication of genome RNA.

By immunoaffinity column chromatography, we have purified two RNA polymerase complexes, the transcriptase and replicase, from vesicular stomatitis virus-infected baby hamster kidney cells. The transcriptase is a multiprotein complex, containing the virus-encoded RNA polymerase L and P proteins, and two cellular proteins, translation elongation factor-1alpha and heat-shock protein 60. In addition, the complex contains a submolar amount of cellular mRNA cap guanylyltransferase. The replicase, on the other hand, is a complex containing the viral proteins, L, P, and the nucleocapsid (N), but lacking elongation factor-1alpha, heat-shock protein 60, and guanylyltransferase. The transcriptase complex synthesizes capped mRNAs and initiates transcription at the first gene (N) start site, whereas the replicase complex initiates RNA synthesis at the precise 3' end of the genome RNA and synthesizes encapsidated replication products in the presence of the N-P complex. We propose that two RNA polymerase complexes that differ in their content of virally and host-encoded proteins are separately responsible for transcription and replication of vesicular stomatitis virus genome RNA.

Animals↗

Analysis of homeodomain function by structure-based design of a transcription factor.

The homeodomain is a 60-amino acid module which mediates critical protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions for a large family of regulatory proteins. We have used structure-based design to analyze the ability of the Oct-1 homeodomain to nucleate an enhancer complex. The Oct-1 protein regulates herpes simplex virus (HSV) gene expression by participating in the formation of a multiprotein complex (C1 complex) which regulates alpha (immediate early) genes. We recently described the design of ZFHD1, a chimeric transcription factor containing zinc fingers 1 and 2 of Zif268, a four-residue linker, and the Oct-1 homeodomain. In the presence of alpha-transinduction factor and C1 factor, ZFHD1 efficiently nucleates formation of the C1 complex in vitro and specifically activates gene expression in vivo. The sequence specificity of ZFHD1 recruits C1 complex formation to an enhancer element which is not efficiently recognized by Oct-1. ZFHD1 function depends on the recognition of the Oct-1 homeodomain surface. These results prove that the Oct-1 homeodomain mediates all the protein-protein interactions that are required to efficiently recruit alpha-transinduction factor and C1 factor into a C1 complex. The structure-based design of transcription factors should provide valuable tools for dissecting the interactions of DNA-bound domains in other regulatory circuits.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Metastable macromolecular complexes containing high mobility group nucleosome-binding chromosomal proteins in HeLa nuclei.

High mobility group nucleosome-binding (HMGN) proteins belong to a family of nuclear proteins that bind to nucleosomes and enhance transcription from chromatin templates by altering the structure of the chromatin fiber. The intranuclear organization of these proteins is dynamic and related to the metabolic state of the cell. Here we report that approximately 50% of the HMGN proteins are organized into macromolecular complexes in a fashion that is similar to that of other nuclear activities that modify the structure of the chromatin fiber. We identify several distinct HMGN-containing complexes that are relatively unstable and find that the inclusion of HMGN in the complexes varies according to the metabolic state of the cell. The nucleosome binding ability of HMGN in the complex is stronger than that of the free HMGN. We suggest that the inclusion of HMGN proteins into metastable multiprotein complexes serves to target the HMGN proteins to specific sites in chromatin and enhances their interaction with nucleosomes.

Amanitins↗

ETO-2 associates with SCL in erythroid cells and megakaryocytes and provides repressor functions in erythropoiesis.

Lineage specification and cellular maturation require coordinated regulation of gene expression programs. In large part, this is dependent on the activator and repressor functions of protein complexes associated with tissue-specific transcriptional regulators. In this study, we have used a proteomic approach to characterize multiprotein complexes containing the key hematopoietic regulator SCL in erythroid and megakaryocytic cell lines. One of the novel SCL-interacting proteins identified in both cell types is the transcriptional corepressor ETO-2. Interaction between endogenous proteins was confirmed in primary cells. We then showed that SCL complexes are shared but also significantly differ in the two cell types. Importantly, SCL/ETO-2 interacts with another corepressor, Gfi-1b, in red cells but not megakaryocytes. The SCL/ETO-2/Gfi-1b association is lost during erythroid differentiation of primary fetal liver cells. Genetic studies of erythroid cells show that ETO-2 exerts a repressor effect on SCL target genes. We suggest that, through its association with SCL, ETO-2 represses gene expression in the early stages of erythroid differentiation and that alleviation/modulation of the repressive state is then required for expression of genes necessary for terminal erythroid maturation to proceed.

Animals↗

BRICK1/HSPC300 functions with SCAR and the ARP2/3 complex to regulate epidermal cell shape in Arabidopsis.

The Arp2/3 complex, a highly conserved nucleator of F-actin polymerization, is essential for a variety of eukaryotic cellular processes, including epidermal cell morphogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. Efficient nucleation of actin filaments by the Arp2/3 complex requires the presence of an activator such as a member of the Scar/WAVE family. In mammalian cells, a multiprotein complex consisting of WAVE, PIR121/Sra-1, Nap1, Abi-2 and HSPC300 mediates responsiveness of WAVE to upstream regulators such as Rac. Essential roles in WAVE complex assembly or function have been demonstrated for PIR121/Sra-1, Nap1 and Abi-2, but the significance of HSPC300 in this complex is unclear. Plant homologs of all mammalian WAVE complex components have been identified, including HSPC300, the mammalian homolog of maize BRICK1 (BRK1). We show that, like mutations disrupting the Arabidopsis homologs of PIR121/Sra-1, Nap1 and Scar/WAVE, mutations in the Arabidopsis BRK1 gene result in trichome and pavement cell morphology defects (and associated alterations in the F-actin cytoskeleton of expanding cells) similar to those caused by mutations disrupting the ARP2/3 complex itself. Analysis of double mutants provides genetic evidence that BRK1 functions in a pathway with the ARP2/3 complex. BRK1 is required for accumulation of SCAR1 protein in vivo, potentially explaining the apparently essential role of BRK1 in ARP2/3 complex function.

Actin-Related Protein 2-3 Complex↗

Binding of the human E2F transcription factor to the retinoblastoma protein but not to cyclin A is abolished in HPV-16-immortalized cells.

The adenovirus E1A, SV40 large T and papillomavirus E7 proteins immortalize primary cells by virtue of their ability to bind the retinoblastoma gene product (pRB) and other cellular proteins, including cyclin A and the prRB-related protein, p107. It has been demonstrated that these viral oncogene products will prevent the inhibition of positive growth regulators by pRB, one of them being the E2F transcription factor. Here we show that the interactions of pRB and cyclin A with E2F are present also in normal keratinocytes and in primary human fibroblasts. In human keratinocytes immortalized by human papillomavirus 16 (HPV-16), expressing high levels of HPV-16 E7 protein, complexes between E2F and pRB are disrupted. In this cell line, as well as in HeLa cells which express HPV-18 E7, complexes containing E2F and cyclin A are maintained, indicating that this interaction is not sensitive to the viral oncoprotein and that cyclin A can associate with E2F independently of pRB. In vitro binding experiments suggest that the E7 gene product is able to preferentially abolish the interaction of pRB with E2F, leaving the cyclin A complexes intact. Our findings suggest that E7-dependent immortalization of human cells is associated with modifications of E2F multiprotein complexes.

Base Sequence↗

Polycystic kidney disease: new understanding in the pathogenesis.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a disease of the nephron, characterized by the formation of multiple renal tubular cysts, leading to endstage renal failure. The most common form is autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD) and is caused by mutations in the PKD1 gene in 85% of cases or in PKD2 in 10-15%. Rarer forms include autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD) and nephronophthisis with high mortality and morbidity in children. Recent advances suggest that the PKD1-encoded protein, polycystin-1, is a renal epithelial cell membrane mechanoreceptor, sensing morphogenetic cues in the extracellular environment at the basal surface in focal adhesion complexes; at the lateral surface in cell adherens junctions; and in the lumen at the apical primary cilium. Activation via multiprotein complex formation, intracellular signal transduction cascades and regulation of fetal gene transcription leads to appropriate renal tubule epithelial cell division and differentiation in normal kidneys, but is disrupted in PKD resulting in cyst formation.

Animals↗

DExD/H-box proteins and their partners: helping RNA helicases unwind.

Members of the DExD/H-box family of RNA helicases are involved in many processes and complexes within the cell. While individual DExD/H helicase family members have been studied extensively, the mechanisms through which helicases affect multiprotein complexes are just beginning to be investigated. Because RNA helicases are both highly conserved and numerous in the cell, study of RNA helicase recruitment and modulation by cofactors is necessary for understanding the mechanisms of helicase action in vivo. This review will focus on cofactor-mediated regulation of helicase target specificity and activity.

Amino Acid Motifs↗