Biomedical subjects

E Martegani

Publications and source records attributed to E Martegani.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

A mouse CDC25-like product enhances the formation of the active GTP complex of human ras p21 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae RAS2 proteins.

GDP-dissociation stimulators (GDSs) are the key element for the regeneration of the active state of ras proteins, but despite intensive investigations, little is so far known about their functional and structural properties, particularly in mammals. A growing number of genes from various organisms have been postulated to encode GDSs on the basis of sequence similarity with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC25 gene, whose product acts as a GDS of RAS proteins. However, except for CDC25 and the related SDC25 C-domain, no biochemical evidence of ras GDS activity for these CDC25-like proteins has yet been available. We show that the product of a recently isolated mouse CDC25-like gene (CDC25Mm) can strongly enhance (more than 1000 times) the GDP release from both human c-Ha-ras p21 and yeast RAS2 in vitro. As a consequence, the CDC25Mm induces a rapid formation of the biologically active Ras.GTP complex. This GDS is much more active on the GDP than on the GTP complex and has a narrow substrate specificity, since it was found to be inactive on several ras-like proteins. The mouse GDS can efficiently substitute for yeast CDC25 in an in vitro adenylylcyclase assay on RAS2 cdc25 yeast membranes. Our results show that a cloned GDP to GTP exchange factor of mammalian ras belongs to the novel family of CDC25-like proteins.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed1992

Cloning by functional complementation of a mouse cDNA encoding a homologue of CDC25, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae RAS activator.

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae genetic and biochemical evidence indicates that the product of the CDC25 gene activates the RAS/adenylyl cyclase/protein kinase A pathway by acting as a guanine nucleotide protein. Here we report the isolation of a mouse brain cDNA homologous to CDC25. The mouse cDNA, called CDC25Mm, complements specifically point mutations and deletion/disruptions of the CDC25 gene. In addition, it restores the cAMP levels and CDC25-dependent glucose-induced cAMP signalling in a yeast strain bearing a disruption of the CDC25 gene. The CDC25Mm-encoded protein is 34% identical with the catalytic carboxy terminal part of the CDC25 protein and shares significant homology with other proteins belonging to the same family. The protein encoded by CDC25Mm, prepared as a glutathione S-transferase fusion in Escherichia coli cells, activates adenylyl cyclase in yeast membranes in a RAS2-dependent manner. Northern blot analysis of mouse brain poly(A)+ RNA reveals two major transcripts of approximately 1700 and 5200 nucleotides. Transcripts were found also in mouse heart and at a lower level in liver and spleen.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed1992

Enhanced expression of heterologous proteins by the use of a superinducible vector in budding yeast.

We report the effects of a strong overexpression of the GAL4 activator protein on the expression of UASGAL regulated genes, obtained by cloning the GAL4 gene and the GAL1-10 upstream activating sequence (UASGAL)-lacZ fusion in the same high copy number plasmid. Comparable amounts of active enzyme were obtained by host strains usually producing different levels of cloned proteins due to their different genetic background. The transformed cells constitutively produced low levels of beta-galactosidase (1-2% of total proteins) both in glucose and in raffinose minimal media. Nevertheless, expression was still inducible and a tenfold induction could be rapidly obtained by the addition of 0.5% (w/v) galactose to the culture, even when glucose was still present in the medium.

DNA-Binding Proteins↗

PubMed1992

Expression of high levels of human tissue plasminogen activator in yeast under the control of an inducible GAL promoter.

The human tissue plasminogen activator (h-tPA) cDNA was fused either with the leader sequence of the killer toxin of Kluyveromyces lactis or with the Saccharomyces diastaticus glucoamylase leader peptide and cloned in the yeast expression vector under the control of the inducible USAgal/CYC1 promoter. The recombinant tPA is produced in yeast as a single-chain glycosylated polypeptide of 66-72 kDa, which accumulates intracellularly associated with a membrane fraction. Using two-step fed-batch fermentation, a productivity up to 100 mg/l of active intracellular tPA was obtained.

Fermentation↗

PubMed1991

The promoter of Saccharomyces cerevisiae FBA1 gene contains a single positive upstream regulatory element.

The glycolytic enzyme fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase is encoded by the FBA1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Transcription of aldolase gene is not regulated by glucose and high levels of expression have been observed also during growth on nonfermentable carbon source. A FBA1::lacZ gene fusion was constructed and a deletion analysis demonstrated the presence of a unique cis-acting positive upstream element (UAS) required for high levels of FBA1 expression. This element is located between positions -550 and -440 upstream of the aldolase open reading frame and it contains sequences known to constitute the binding sites for the multifunctional proteins RAP1 and ABFI and two TTCC motifs.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1991

The overexpression of the 3' terminal region of the CDC25 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae causes growth inhibition and alteration of purine nucleotides pools.

The CDC25 gene is transcribed at a very low level in S. cerevisiae cells. We have studied the effects of an overexpression of this regulatory gene by cloning either the whole CDC25 open reading frame (pIND25-2 plasmid) or its 3' terminal portion (pIND25-1 plasmid) under the control of the inducible strong GAL promoter. The strain transformed with pIND25-2 produced high levels of CDC25 specific mRNA, induced by galactose. This strain does not show any apparent alteration of growth, both in glucose and in galactose. Instead the yeast cells transformed with pIND25-1, that overexpress the 3' terminal part of CDC25 gene, grow very slowly in galactose medium, while they grow normally in glucose medium. The nucleotides were extracted from transformed cells, separated by HPLC and quantitated. The ATP/ADP and GTP/GDP ratios were almost identical in control and in pIND25-2 transformed strains growing in glucose and in galactose, while the strain that overexpresses the 3' terminal portion of CDC25 gene showed a decrease of ATP/ADP ratio and a partial depletion of the GTP pool. The disruption of RAS genes was only partially able to 'cure' this phenotype. A ras2-ts1, ras1::URA3 strain, transformed with pIND25-1 plasmid, was able to grow in galactose at 36 degrees C. These results suggest that the carboxy-terminal domain of the CDC25 protein could stimulate an highly unregulated GTPase activity in yeast cells by interacting not only with RAS gene products but also with some other yeast G-proteins.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

PubMed1991

Posttranscriptional regulation of the expression of MET2 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The first step of the specific pathway for methionine biosynthesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is catalyzed by the enzyme L-homoserine-O-acetyltransferase (HSTase) (EC 2.3.1.31), encoded by the MET2 gene. In order to ascertain whether there is a posttranscriptional control on the MET2 gene expression, as suggested by previous results on the expression of the cloned gene, systems for high inducible expression of MET2 gene were constructed. In these constructs the MET2 gene was cloned in yeast expression vectors under the control of an inducible yeast GAL promoter element so that the MET2 was transcribed at very high levels under induced conditions. Measurements of the specific mRNA levels showed a strong stimulation of MET2 gene transcription in yeast transformants grown on galactose as carbon source, corresponding to 50-100-fold the repressed conditions, while only a 2-fold increase of the enzymatic activity was observed. In addition, no evidence of a strong induced polypeptide of appropriate size on two dimensional gel electrophoresis was obtained. To understand the functional role of the non-coding 5' region of MET2 mRNA, we performed either a partial and a complete deletion of the 5' leader sequence, but even with these constructs an elevated mRNA level was not associated to a marked increase of the HSTase activity. These data support the idea of a posttranscriptional regulation of MET2 gene expression and show that the untranslated region of the specific mRNA is not involved in this regulatory mechanism.

Acetyltransferases↗

PubMed1991

Heterologous gene expression in continuous cultures of budding yeast.

In a previous paper we have studied the expression of beta-galactosidase from Escherichia coli, driven from the inducible GAL1-10/CYC1 hybrid promoter, in batch cultures of budding Saccharomyces cerevisiae and have described operating conditions for maximal productivity. In this paper we show that the plasmid instability in continuous cultures can be overcome by utilizing appropriate selection markers and a high copy number vector. The maximal level of expression is influenced by the dilution rate. Moreover, enzyme accumulation appears to depend also upon the degree of oxygenation. A possible explanation of these modulations is discussed, taking into account the interactions of the UAS-GAL and TATA-CYC1 elements.

Escherichia coli↗

PubMed1991

Development of a pH-controlled fed-batch system for budding yeast.

In the manufacturing of baker's yeast by aerobic fed-batch systems, continuous assessment of the state of the process is necessary for regulating the flow rate (on/off) for growth medium addition. A new, simple method for the fed-batch yeast process has been developed. It is based on pH changes as a suitable parameter for regulating the feed of fresh concentrated medium in response to metabolic activities of the yeast population. Experimental results have shown that it enables the attaining of high cell density with both high productivity and high yields.

Acetates↗

PubMed1991

Efficient production of recombinant DNA proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by controlled high-cell-density fermentation.

High levels of expression of heterologous proteins (from 5 to 15% of total cell proteins) in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been obtained previously by the use of the inducible strong hybrid promoter UASGAL/CYC1, in batch as well in continuous cultures. However, in order to maximize the yield of heterologous proteins, a computer controlled fed-batch fermentation is essential. For this reason we have developed a fed-batch system based on a semiconductor gas detector that measures ethanol in the outflow gases. The optimal conditions are described for very high production (up to 1550 mg/liter), with both high productivity (up to 100-120 mg/liter/h) and high yield (up to 15 mg of protein/g of dry biomass), of heterologous protein driven by the UASGAL/CYC1 promoter in a completely computer controlled fed-batch fermentation of budding yeast. However, high production was dependent upon the addition of a large amount of galactose. The process was improved by developing a new, more easily inducible, vector system obtained by subcloning the GAL4 gene.

Biotechnology↗

PubMed1990

The glucose-induced polyphosphoinositides turnover in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is not dependent on the CDC25-RAS mediated signal transduction pathway.

Recently the polyphosphoinositides (PI) turnover has been related to the control of growth and cell cycle also in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the RAS2 and RAS1 gene products have been shown to be involved in the stimulation of PI turnover in G0/G1 arrested yeast cells. Here we show that addition of glucose to previously glucose-starved cells, stimulates, the PI turnover with fast kinetics also in yeast cells that were not arrested in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. In addition PI turnover is equally stimulated in temperature sensitive cdc25-1 and cdc25-5 strains at restrictive temperature, as well as in ras1, ras2-ts strain, suggesting that PI turnover stimulation is not dependent on the CDC25-RAS mediated signal transduction pathway.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

PubMed1990

Overexpression of the CDC25 gene, an upstream element of the RAS/adenylyl cyclase pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, allows immunological identification and characterization of its gene product.

The product of the START gene CDC25, an upstream element of the RAS/adenylyl cyclase pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was identified using specific antibodies raised against a chimeric beta-galactosidase/CDC25 protein. The CDC25 protein is poorly expressed and can be detected only when the CDC25 gene is overexpressed under the control of the galactose-inducible GAL1-10 strong promoter elements. It has a molecular weight of 180,000, is not glycosylated and is strongly associated with the particulate fraction. After deletion of residues 1255-1550 the protein is found in the soluble fraction.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed1989

Secretion of Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the signal sequence from the glucoamylase-encoding STA2 gene.

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a safe and widely used host for the production of recombinant DNA-derived proteins. We have used the signal sequence from the S. diastaticus STA2 gene, encoding glucoamylase II, to secrete Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase, encoded by the lacZ gene. In frame STA2/lacZ gene fusions have been constructed and expressed in S. cerevisiae under the control of either the STA2 or the galactose inducible GAL1-10 upstream promoters. Fairly high amounts of the enzyme (up to 76% of total activity, depending on the growth conditions) are secreted in the periplasmic space. Adding yeast extract and peptone to the growth medium results in a dramatic increase in both synthesis and secretion of beta-galactosidase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1989

Kinetics and regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of the platelet derived growth factor receptor.

Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) interaction with the cells induces rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of the PDGF receptor in a dose dependent manner. At 37 degrees C phosphorylation of the receptor is followed by its dephosphorylation and internalization. It is observed that the higher the ligand concentration, the more transient is the response, and the observed kinetics are explained by a simple kinetic model. At 4 degrees C the phosphorylated form of the receptor is more stable; however, if PDGF is dissociated from the cell surface-associated ligand-receptor complexes, the receptors are rapidly dephosphorylated, indicating that phosphatases specific for phosphotyrosine groups are very active within the cells. In fact, addition of orthovanadate stabilizes the phosphorylated form of the receptor and helps in recognizing possible physiological substrates of the PDGF receptor kinase. The expression of PDGF receptors on the cell surface has been investigated under different growth conditions: a positive correlation exists between the amount of PDGF receptors and the duplication times of exponentially growing cultures. Moreover, during exponential growth the PDGF receptors are scarcely expressed, and their number increases reaching a maximal value when the population enters the stationary phase.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Yeast 2 micron vectors replicate and undergo recombination in Torulaspora delbrueckii.

In order to develop a procedure for transformation of the industrial yeast Torulaspora delbrueckii, we have constructed a set of recombinant plasmids carrying Saccharomyces cerevisiae ARS and 2 microns origin of replication and kanamycin-G418 resistance gene of Tn903(601) as a selective marker. In this paper we show that S. cerevisiae ARS vectors can replicate autonomously and that vectors bearing the whole S. cerevisiae 2 microns sequence yield stable transformants. We also present evidence to show that 2 microns vectors undergo an FLP-mediated inter- and intramolecular recombination, which suggests that T. delbrueckii can support the amplification and partition mechanisms of these plasmids.

Blotting, Southern↗

PubMed1989

Cell size modulation by CDC25 and RAS2 genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A detailed kinetic analysis of the cell cycle of cdc25-1, RAS2Val-19, or cdc25-1/RAS2Val-19 mutants during exponential growth is presented. At the permissive temperature (24 degrees C), cdc25-1 cells show a longer G1/unbudded phase of the cell cycle and have a smaller critical cell size required for budding without changing the growth rate in comparison to an isogenic wild type. The RAS2Val-19 mutation efficiently suppresses the ts growth defect of the cdc25-1 mutant at 36 degrees C and the increase of G1 phase at 24 degrees C. Moreover, it causes a marked increase of the critical cell mass required to enter into a new cell division cycle compared with that of the wild type. Since the critical cell mass is physiologically modulated by nutritional conditions, we have also studied the behavior of these mutants in different media. The increase in cell size caused by the RAS2Val-19 mutation is evident in all tested growth conditions, while the effect of cdc25-1 is apparently more pronounced in rich culture media. CDC25 and RAS2 gene products have been showed to control cell growth by regulating the cyclic AMP metabolic pathway. Experimental evidence reported herein suggests that the modulation of the critical cell size by CDC25 and RAS2 may involve adenylate cyclase.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed1989

Identification of proteins cross-reactive to phosphotyrosine antibodies and of a tyrosine kinase activity in boar spermatozoa.

We used two different anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies to identify phosphotyrosine-containing proteins in a germ cell, the boar spermatozoon. Ejaculated spermatozoa presented three major polypeptides, of Mr 43,000, 40,000 and 36,000, respectively, that were immunorecognized on Western blots. These proteins were selectively enriched in the Triton X-100-soluble fraction and were released neither after an A23187-induced acrosome reaction nor after sperm homogenization. These findings suggest the presence of the three proteins in plasma membrane regions not involved in the acrosomal vesiculation. When epididymal boar spermatozoa were investigated, Western blot analysis of the detergent-soluble fractions from caput sperm did not reveal any detectable 43,000, 40,000 and 36,000 Mr proteins cross-reactive with phosphotyrosine antibodies, whereas the detergent-soluble fractions from cauda sperm yielded very strong immunoreactive signals. Labelling of freshly ejaculated spermatozoa with [32P]orthophosphate yielded a wide range of labelled phosphoproteins, but we failed to identify specific tyrosine phosphorylation under the experimental conditions employed. Tyrosine phosphorylation occurred when specific synthetic polymers of tyrosine, commonly used for studying tyrosine protein kinases, were assayed as substrates against both the Triton-soluble and Triton-insoluble sperm fractions. This is the first immunological and biochemical report on the presence of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins and protein kinase activities that phosphorylate tyrosine residues in a mammalian mature spermatozoon.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1987

Translational regulation of the expression of zein cloned in yeast under an inducible GAL promoter.

Yeast cells transformed by a plasmid containing a zein sequence fused to an hybrid yeast promoter GAL1-10/CYC1 accumulate, during a batch growth in galactose minimal medium, large amounts of zein only during a growth-limited phase that precede the entering into the stationary phase. We found that zein is fairly stable in yeast cells and the increased accumulation of zein polypeptide depends mainly upon a marked increase of its rate of synthesis. The increase of the rate of heterologous protein synthesis is not dependent on variation in the plasmid copy number and it is not related to the relative level of zein mRNA, indicating the existence of a postranscriptional regulation that modulates the translatability of this messenger RNA in function of the growth conditions. A possible explanation of this modulation is discussed in terms of a codon bias effect that slow-down the translation of heterologous mRNAs during the exponential phase of growth.

Autoradiography↗