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Identification of highly conserved amino-terminal segments of dTAFII230 and yTAFII145 that are functionally interchangeable for inhibiting TBP-DNA interactions in vitro and in promoting yeast cell growth in vivo.

TFIID is a multiprotein complex composed of TBP and several TAFIIs. Small amino-terminal segments (TAF N-terminal domain (TAND)) of Drosophila TAFII230 (dTAFII230) and yeast TAFII145 (yTAFII145) bind strongly to TBP and inhibit TBP-DNA interactions. yTAFII145 TAND (yTAND) was divided into two subdomains, yTANDI10-37 and yTANDII46-71, that function cooperatively. Here, we identify dTANDII within the amino terminus of dTAFII230 at 118-143 amino acids in addition to dTANDI18-77, reported previously. dTANDII exhibits pronounced sequence similarity to yTANDII, and the two were shown to be functionally equivalent in binding to TBP and inhibiting TBP-DNA interactions in vitro. Alanine scanning mutation analysis demonstrated that Phe-57 (yTANDII) and Tyr-129 (dTANDII) are critically required for the interaction with TBP. Yeast strains containing mutant yTAFII145 lacking yTANDI or yTANDII showed a temperature-sensitive growth phenotype. The conserved core of dTANDII could substitute for the yTANDII core, and Phe-57 or Tyr-129 described above was critically required for the function of this segment in promoting normal cell growth at 37 degreesC. In these respects, the impact of yTANDII mutations on cell growth paralleled their effects on TBP binding in vitro, strongly suggesting that the yTAFII145-TBP interaction and its negative effects on TFIID binding to core promoters are physiologically important.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The STAR/GSG family protein rSLM-2 regulates the selection of alternative splice sites.

We identified the rat Sam68-like mammalian protein (rSLM-2), a member of the STAR (signal transduction and activation of RNA) protein family as a novel splicing regulatory protein. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, coimmunoprecipitations, and pull-down assays, we demonstrate that rSLM-2 interacts with various proteins involved in the regulation of alternative splicing, among them the serine/arginine-rich protein SRp30c, the splicing-associated factor YT521-B and the scaffold attachment factor B. rSLM-2 can influence the splicing pattern of the CD44v5, human transformer-2beta and tau minigenes in cotransfection experiments. This effect can be reversed by rSLM-2-interacting proteins. Employing rSLM-2 deletion variants, gel mobility shift assays, and linker scan mutations of the CD44 minigene, we show that the rSLM-2-dependent inclusion of exon v5 of the CD44 pre-mRNA is dependent on a short purine-rich sequence. Because the related protein of rSLM-2, Sam68, is believed to play a role as an adapter protein during signal transduction, we postulate that rSLM-2 is a link between signal transduction pathways and pre-mRNA processing.

Alternative Splicing↗

Identification of the gamma subunit-interacting residues on photoreceptor cGMP phosphodiesterase, PDE6alpha '.

Photoreceptor cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE6) is the effector enzyme in the G protein-mediated visual transduction cascade. In the dark, the activity of PDE6 is shut off by the inhibitory gamma subunit (Pgamma). Chimeric proteins between cone PDE6alpha' and cGMP-binding and cGMP-specific PDE (PDE5) have been constructed and expressed in Sf9 cells to study the mechanism of inhibition of PDE6 catalytic activity by Pgamma. Substitution of the segment PDE5-(773-820) by the corresponding PDE6alpha'-(737-784) sequence in the wild-type PDE5 or in a PDE5/PDE6alpha' chimera containing the catalytic domain of PDE5 results in chimeric enzymes capable of inhibitory interaction with Pgamma. The catalytic properties of the chimeric PDEs remained similar to those of PDE5. Ala-scanning mutational analysis of the Pgamma-binding region, PDE6alpha'-(750-760), revealed PDE6alpha' residues essential for the interaction. The M758A mutation markedly impaired and the Q752A mutation moderately impaired the inhibition of chimeric PDE by Pgamma. The analysis of the catalytic properties of mutant PDEs and a model of the PDE6 catalytic domain suggest that residues Met(758) and Gln(752) directly bind Pgamma. A model of the PDE6 catalytic site shows that PDE6alpha'-(750-760) forms a loop at the entrance to the cGMP-binding pocket. Binding of Pgamma to Met(758) would effectively block access of cGMP to the catalytic cavity, providing a structural basis for the mechanism of PDE6 inhibition.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Characterization of the Ikappa B-kinase NEMO binding domain.

Proinflammatory activation of NF-kappaB requires an upstream kinase complex (IkappaB-kinase; IKK) composed of two catalytic subunits (IKKalpha and IKKbeta) and a noncatalytic regulatory component named NEMO (NF-kappaB essential modulator). NEMO interacts with a COOH-terminal sequence within both IKKs termed the NEMO-binding domain (NBD), and a cell-permeable NBD peptide blocks NEMO/IKKbeta interactions and inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced NF-kappaB. We report here that a peptide encompassing the NBD not only blocked association of both IKKs with NEMO but also disrupted preformed NEMO/IKK complexes in vitro. Furthermore, peptide blocking and alanine-scanning mutation studies revealed differences between the NBDs of IKKalpha and IKKbeta, and mutational analysis of the IKKbeta NBD identified the physical properties required at each position to maintain association with NEMO. Finally, we demonstrate that loss of NEMO-binding by IKKbeta through deletion of the NBD renders it catalytically active and that potential phosphorylation within the IKKbeta NBD may serve as a signal to down-regulate IKK activity. Our findings therefore provide critical insight into the physical properties of the NBD that will be valuable for the design of drugs aimed at disrupting the IKK complex and also reveal potential regulatory mechanisms controlling the function of the IKK complex.

Animals↗

Kinetic interaction analysis of human interleukin 5 receptor alpha mutants reveals a unique binding topology and charge distribution for cytokine recognition.

Human interleukin 5 receptor alpha (IL5Ralpha) comprises three fibronectin type III domains (D1, D2, and D3) in the extracellular region. Previous results have indicated that residues in the D1D2 domains are crucial for high affinity interaction with human interleukin 5 (IL5). Yet, it is the D2D3 domains that have sequence homology with the classic cytokine recognition motif that is generally assumed to be the minimum cytokine-recognizing unit. In the present study, we used kinetic interaction analysis of alanine-scanning mutational variants of IL5Ralpha to define the residues involved in IL5 recognition. Soluble forms of IL5Ralpha variants were expressed in S2 cells, selectively captured via their C-terminal V5 tag by anti-V5 tag antibody immobilized onto the sensor chip and examined for IL5 interaction by using a sandwich surface plasmon resonance biosensor method. Marked effects on the interaction kinetics were observed not only in D1 (Asp(55), Asp(56), and Glu(58)) and D2 (Lys(186) and Arg(188)) domains, but also in the D3 (Arg(297)) domain. Modeling of the tertiary structure of IL5Ralpha indicated that these binding residues fell into two clusters. The first cluster consists of D1 domain residues that form a negatively charged patch, whereas the second cluster consists of residues that form a positively charged patch at the interface of D2 and D3 domains. These results suggest that the IL5 x IL5Ralpha system adopts a unique binding topology, in which the cytokine is recognized by a D2D3 tandem domain combined with a D1 domain, to form an extended cytokine recognition interface.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular basis of the interaction between the flagellar export proteins FliI and FliH from Helicobacter pylori.

Bacterial flagellar protein export requires an ATPase, FliI, and presumptive inhibitor, FliH. We have explored the molecular basis for FliI/FliH interaction in the human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. By using bioinformatic and biochemical analyses, we showed that residues 1-18 of FliI very likely form an amphipathic alpha-helix upon interaction with FliH, and that residues 21-91 of FliI resemble the N-terminal oligomerization domain of the F1-ATPase catalytic subunits. A truncated FliI-(2-91) protein was shown to be folded, although the N-terminal 18 residues were likely unstructured. Deletion and scanning mutagenesis showed that residues 1-18 of FliI were essential for the FliI/FliH interaction. Scanning mutation of amino acids in the N-terminal 10 residues of FliI indicated that a cluster of hydrophobic residues in this segment was critical for the interaction with FliH. The interaction between FliI and FliH has similarities to the interaction between the N-terminal alpha-helix of the F1-ATPase alpha-subunit and the globular domain of the F1-ATPase delta-subunit, respectively. This similarity suggests that FliH may function as a molecular stator.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Characterization of elements mediating regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene transcription by protein kinase A and insulin. Identification of a distinct complex formed in cells that mediate insulin inhibition.

The in vivo pattern of induction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene transcription by cAMP and its inhibition by insulin is reproduced in H4IIe cells and is mediated by a bipartite cAMP/insulin response unit (C/IRU) consisting of a cAMP response element (-95/-87) and an upstream enhancer, AC (-271/-225). Studies in HepG2 cells showed that binding of AP-1 and CAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) to AC is required for induction by cAMP, but insulin did not inhibit cAMP-induced PEPCK expression in HepG2 cells. Binding of H4IIe nuclear proteins to an AC element probe was inhibited by antibodies or a consensus site for C/EBP, but not AP-1. Transfection with dominant negative bZIP factors, which prevent endogenous factors from binding to DNA, showed that elimination of cAMP regulatory element-binding protein CREB or C/EBP activity blocked induction by protein kinase A (PKA), whereas elimination of AP-1 activity had no effect. In addition, promoters with multiple CREB sites, or a single CREB site and multiple C/EBP sites, mediated PKA induction, but this was inhibited to no greater extent than basal activity was by insulin. These results indicate that an AC factor other than C/EBP must mediate insulin inhibition. An A-site probe (-265/-247) or a probe across the middle of the AC element (-256/-237) competed for complexes formed by factors other than AP-1 or C/EBP. However, analysis of competitor oligonucleotides and antibodies for candidate factors failed to identify other factors. Scanning mutations throughout the AC element interfered with induction but allowed us to define five overlapping sites for regulatory factors in AC and to design probes binding just one or two factors. Comparison of the protein-DNA complexes formed on these smaller probes revealed that a specific complex present in rat liver and H4IIe cell nuclear extracts differed from those formed by HepG2 cell nuclear extracts. Our results suggest that multiple factors binding the AC element of the C/IRU interact with each other and CREB to regulate PEPCK induction by cAMP and inhibition by insulin and that the unique factor expressed in H4IIe cells is a candidate for involvement in insulin regulation of PKA-induced PEPCK gene transcription.

Animals↗

Characterization of an interleukin 4 (IL-4) responsive region in the immunoglobulin heavy chain germline epsilon promoter: regulation by NF-IL-4, a C/EBP family member and NF-kappa B/p50.

A large body of data indicate that antibody class switching is directed by cytokines by inducing or repressing transcription from unrearranged, or germline, CH genes. Interleukin 4 (IL-4) induces transcription of the germline C epsilon genes in activated B cells and subsequently, cells in this population will undergo switch recombination to immunoglobulin E. Furthermore, the data suggest that transcription of germline C epsilon genes is required for class switching. In this paper we define DNA elements required for induction of transcription of the germline C epsilon genes by IL-4. To do this, segments of DNA from the 5' flank of the initiation sites for germline epsilon RNA were ligated to a luciferase reporter gene and transfected into two mouse B cell lines, one of which can be induced to switch to IgE. By analysis of a series of 5' deletion constructs and linker-scanning mutations, we demonstrate that a 46-bp segment (residing at -126/-79 relative to the first RNA initiation site) contains an IL-4 responsive region. By electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we find that this segment binds three transcription factors: the recently described NF-IL4, one or more members of the C/EBP family of transcription factors, and NF-kappa B/p50. Mutation of any of the binding sites for these three factors abolishes or reduces IL-4 inducibility of the epsilon promoter. A 27-bp segment within this IL-4 response region containing binding sites for NF-IL4 and a C/EBP factor is sufficient to transfer IL-4 inducibility to a minimal c-fos promoter.

Animals↗

Structural requirements regulate endoproteolytic release of the L-selectin (CD62L) adhesion receptor from the cell surface of leukocytes.

L-selectin mediates leukocyte rolling on vascular endothelium at sites of inflammation and lymphocyte migration to peripheral lymph nodes. L-selectin is rapidly shed from the cell surface after leukocyte activation by a proteolytic mechanism that cleaves the receptor in a membrane proximal extracellular region. This process may allow rapid leukocyte detachment from the endothelial surface before entry into tissues. In this study, the structural requirements for regulation of human L-selectin endoproteolytic release were examined through analysis of chimeric selectin molecules and mutant L-selectin receptors. The use of chimeric selectins and a cytoplasmic tail truncation mutant demonstrated that the extracellular membrane-proximal 15-amino acid region of L-selectin is required for endoproteolytic release. The introduction of alanine-scanning mutations within this membrane-proximal region did not prevent endoproteolytic release, indicating that a specific amino acid motif was not an absolute requirement for cleavage. Furthermore, alterations within the putative primary cleavage site (K283-S284) resulted in either constitutive endoproteolytic release of the receptor or inhibition of cell activation-induced shedding to variable extents. The length of the membrane-proximal region was also critical since truncations of this region completely abolished endoproteolytic release. Thus, release of L-selectin is likely to be regulated by the generation of an appropriate tertiary conformation within the membrane-proximal region of the receptor which allows recognition by a membrane-bound endoprotease with relaxed sequence specificity that cleaves the receptor at a specific distance from the plasma membrane. These observations suggest a generalized protein-processing pathway involved in the endoproteolytic release of specific transmembrane proteins which harbor widely differing primary sequences at or neighboring their cleavage sites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Alanine-scanning mutagenesis of Aspergillus gamma-tubulin yields diverse and novel phenotypes.

We have created 41 clustered charged-to-alanine scanning mutations of the mipA, gamma-tubulin, gene of Aspergillus nidulans and have created strains carrying these mutations by two-step gene replacement and by a new procedure, heterokaryon gene replacement. Most mutant alleles confer a wild-type phenotype, but others are lethal or conditionally lethal. The conditionally lethal alleles exhibit a variety of phenotypes under restrictive conditions. Most have robust but highly abnormal mitotic spindles and some have abnormal cytoplasmic microtubule arrays. Two alleles appear to have reduced amounts of gamma-tubulin at the spindle pole bodies and nucleation of spindle microtubule assembly may be partially inhibited. One allele inhibits germ tube formation. The cold sensitivity of two alleles is strongly suppressed by the antimicrotubule agents benomyl and nocodazole and a third allele is essentially dependent on these compounds for growth. Together our data indicate that gamma-tubulin probably carries out functions essential to mitosis and organization of cytoplasmic microtubules in addition to its well-documented role in microtubule nucleation. We have also placed our mutations on a model of the structure of gamma-tubulin and these data give a good initial indication of the functionally important regions of the molecule.

Alanine↗

Structural and functional studies of MinD ATPase: implications for the molecular recognition of the bacterial cell division apparatus.

Proper placement of the bacterial cell division site requires the site-specific inactivation of other potential division sites. In Escherichia coli, selection of the correct mid-cell site is mediated by the MinC, MinD and MinE proteins. To clarify the functional role of the bacterial cell division inhibitor MinD, which is a membrane-associated ATPase that works as an activator of MinC, we determined the crystal structure of a Pyrococcus furiosus MinD homologue complexed with a substrate analogue, AMPPCP, and with the product ADP at resolutions of 2.7 and 2.0 A, respectively. The structure reveals general similarities to the nitrogenase iron protein, the H-Ras p21 and the RecA-like ATPase domain. Alanine scanning mutational analyses of E.coli MinD were also performed in vivo. The results suggest that the residues around the ATP-binding site are required for the direct interaction with MinC, and that ATP binding and hydrolysis play a role as a molecular switch to control the mechanisms of MinCDE-dependent bacterial cell division.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Structure/function analysis of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Trf4/Pol sigma DNA polymerase.

The Trf4p/Pol sigma DNA polymerase (formerly Trf4p/Pol kappa) couples DNA replication to the establishment of sister chromatid cohesion. The polymerase is encoded by two redundant homologs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, TRF4 and TRF5, that together define a fourth essential nuclear DNA polymerase in yeast and probably in all eukaryotes. Here we present a thorough genetic analysis of the founding member of this novel family of DNA polymerases, TRF4. Analyses of mutants carrying 1 of 34 "surface-targeted" alanine scanning mutations in TRF4 have identified those regions required for Pol sigma's essential function, for its role in DNA double-strand break repair, and for its association with chromosomes. The data strongly support the importance of the regions of predicted structural similarity with the Pol beta superfamily as critical for Trf4p/Pol sigma's essential and repair functions. Surprisingly, five lethal mutations lie outside all polymerase homology in a C-terminal region. The protein possesses Mg2+-dependent 3' to 5' exonuclease activity. Cell cycle analysis reveals that Trf4p/Pol sigma associates with chromosomes in G1, S, and G2 phases, but that association is abolished coincident with dissolution of cohesion at the metaphase-to-anaphase transition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cell-type specificity of regulatory elements identified by linker scanning mutagenesis in the promoter of the chicken lysozyme gene.

The chicken lysozyme gene is constitutively expressed in macrophages, in oviduct cells its expression is controlled by steroid hormones, and in fibroblasts the gene is not expressed. A fusion gene consisting of promoter sequences of the lysozyme gene from -208 to +15 in front of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) coding region was more than 50 times less active in non-expressing cells as compared to expressing cells. In order to identify the element(s) responsible for this cell-type specificity 31 different linker scanning mutations were generated within this promoter fragment and analyzed by transient transfections in the three types of chicken cells mentioned above. Three mutation sensitive regions located around position -25, -100 and between -158 and -208 were detected in each cell type, however, several LS mutations displayed clear cell-type specific differences in their phenotypic effects. Interestingly, a few LS mutations led to an increase in promoter activity in fibroblasts suggesting that the corresponding wildtype sequences represent binding sites for negatively acting transcription factors.

Animals↗

Functional analysis of cis-acting DNA elements required for expression of the SL RNA gene in the parasitic protozoan Leishmania amazonensis.

DNA sequences, that control expression of the spliced leader (SL) RNA gene in the parasitic protozoan Leishmania amazonensis, were mapped by block substitution mutagenesis. In the absence of a functional in vitro system for transcription, no promoter elements have yet been identified in this organism. We therefore developed an alternative in vivo approach, in which the SL RNA gene was tagged and then subjected to a series of linker scanning mutations. Each tagged and mutated SL RNA construct was introduced into parasite cells via the pX transfection vector, and was examined for expression of the tagged SL RNA followed by characterization of its transcriptional start site. The replacement of a critical DNA element was expected to prevent expression of the tagged SL RNA. We found that the putative SL RNA promoter is complex and includes two elements: one is located upstream to the coding region, between positions -30 to -70; and the other is located between -10 to +10, and includes transcribed sequences. In addition to the functional relationship between the SL RNA and vertebrate U snRNAs, we found structural similarities in their regulatory elements, which may possibly indicate a common evolutionary ancestry for these molecules.

Animals↗

The presence of both negative and positive elements in the 5'-flanking sequence of the rat Na,K-ATPase alpha 3 subunit gene are required for brain expression in transgenic mice.

The Na,K-ATPase is an integral plasma membrane protein consisting of alpha and beta subunits, each of which has discrete isoforms expressed in a tissue-specific manner. Of the three functional alpha isoform genes, the one encoding the alpha 3 isoform is the most tissue-restricted in its expression, being found primarily in the brain. To identify regions of the alpha 3 isoform gene that are involved in directing expression in the brain, a 1.6 kb 5'-flanking sequence was attached to a reporter gene, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT). The alpha 3-CAT chimeric gene construct was microinjected into fertilized mouse eggs, and transgenic mice were produced. Analysis of adult transgenic mice from different lines revealed that the transgene is expressed primarily in the brain. To further delineate regions that are needed for conferring expression in this tissue, systematic deletions of the 5'-flanking sequence of the alpha 3-CAT fusion constructs were made and analyzed, again using transgenic mice. The results from these analyses indicate that DNA sequences required for mediating brain-specific expression of the alpha 3 isoform gene are present within 210 bp upstream of the transcription initiation site. alpha 3-CAT promoter constructs containing scanning mutations in this region were also assayed in transgenic mice. These studies have identified both a functional neural-restrictive silencer element as well as a positively acting cis element.

Animals↗

Association between diastolic blood pressure and variants of the endothelin-1 and endothelin-2 genes.

The genes for endothelin (ET) and their receptors are candidates for essential hypertension. Those for ET-1, ET-2 and the ET(A) receptor were selected for mutation scanning, and associated studies comparing untreated hypertensive patients and matched controls. A number of silent polymorphisms were found, resulting from a single nucleotide insertion or a single nucleotide substitution. There were no significant differences in the frequency of any one of these between the two groups. However, for ET-1 and ET-2 there were significant differences in the quantitative measurements of blood pressure and the number of variant alleles. The variants which we have found are likely to be in linkage disequilibrium with so far undiscovered variants in the regulatory regions of the genes.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Dosa: A method to covalently barcode proteins for high throughput biochemistry.

Deep mutational scanning couples a protein's activity to DNA sequencing for high throughput assessment of the effects of all single amino acid substitutions, but it largely uses indirect assays, like growth, as proxy for protein activity. Here, we covalently link variant proteins in vivo to an RNA barcode by fusing them to E. coli tRNA (m5U54) methyltransferase TrmA (E358Q), which forms a covalent bond with a tRNA stem-loop. Following cell lysis, variant proteins are separated in vitro according to their biochemical properties and identified by their barcodes. We use this method, Dosa, to analyze a large pool of FLAG epitope variants for binding to an anti-FLAG antibody, to profile the cleavage preferences of variants of enteropeptidase and human rhinovirus 3C protease, and to measure the solubility of several hundred Aβ(1-42) variants. This method should be amenable to numerous biochemical assays with proteins produced in E. coli or mammalian cells.

Protein display↗

Characterization of a gene encoding a DNA binding protein with specificity for a light-responsive element.

The sequence element of box II (GTGTGGTTAATATG) is a regulatory component of a light-responsive element present within the upstream region of pea rbcS-3A. The nuclear protein GT-1 was defined previously as a DNA binding activity that interacts with box II. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of cDNA sequences that encode a DNA binding protein with specificity for this element. The recombinant protein, tobacco GT-1a, shows similar sequence requirements for DNA binding to nuclear GT-1, as assayed by its ability to interact with previously defined 2-bp scanning mutations of box II, and is shown to be immunologically related to nuclear GT-1. The predicted structure of the 43-kD protein derived from the cDNA sequence suggests the presence of a novel helix-helix-turn-helix (HHTH) motif. Comparison between the predicted protein sequence encoded by the tobacco GT-1a cDNA and that of another GT binding protein, rice GT-2, reveals strong amino acid conservation over the HHTH region; this motif appears to be involved in the interaction between the recombinant protein and box II. Genomic DNA gel blot analysis indicated the presence of a small gene family of related sequences within the tobacco nuclear genome. RNA gel blot analysis of tobacco mRNA using the isolated cDNA as a probe showed that transcripts are present in several tissues, including both light-grown and dark-adapted leaves.

Amino Acid Sequence↗