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Early B cell factor promotes B lymphopoiesis with reduced interleukin 7 responsiveness in the absence of E2A.

The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors encoded by the E2A gene function at the apex of a transcriptional hierarchy involving E2A, early B cell factor (EBF), and Pax5, which is essential for B lymphopoiesis. In committed B lineage progenitors, E2A proteins have also been shown to regulate many lineage-associated genes. Herein, we demonstrate that the block in B lymphopoiesis imposed by the absence of E2A can be overcome by expression of EBF, but not Pax5, indicating that EBF is the essential target of E2A required for development of B lineage progenitors. Our data demonstrate that EBF, in synergy with low levels of alternative E2A-related proteins (E proteins), is sufficient to promote expression of most B lineage genes. Remarkably, however, we find that E2A proteins are required for interleukin 7-dependent proliferation due, in part, to a role for E2A in optimal expression of N-myc. Therefore, high levels of E protein activity are essential for the activation of EBF and N-myc, whereas lower levels of E protein activity, in synergy with other B lineage transcription factors, are sufficient for expression of most B lineage genes.

Animals↗

Tissue-specific gene activation by MyoD: determination of specificity by cis-acting repression elements.

MyoD is a muscle-specific transcriptional activator; E12 is a B-cell activator. An IgH enhancer is activated almost 100-fold by E12 but not at all by Myo; an MCK enhancer is activated almost 1000-fold by MyoD and not at all by E12. MyoD and E12 are both basic helix-loop-helix proteins that bind to similar E-box sequences (CANNTG); the IgH enhancer contains the same E boxes as the MCK enhancer, yet each retains exclusive specificity for either E12 or MyoD, respectively. We show that the IgH enhancer contains a cis-acting negative element that is directed at MyoD, but not at E12. This repression requires the mu E5 E box within the IgH enhancer; however, the specificity for repression, as opposed to activation, is associated with 2 bp flanking each side of the mu E5 E box. The target for repression of MyoD in the IgH enhancer is the bHLH region of MyoD. Our results suggest that MyoD only activates myogenic genes because nonmuscle enhancers that contain E boxes also contain negative elements that prevent MyoD activity.

3T3 Cells↗

Characterization of UreG, identification of a UreD-UreF-UreG complex, and evidence suggesting that a nucleotide-binding site in UreG is required for in vivo metallocenter assembly of Klebsiella aerogenes urease.

In vivo urease metallocenter assembly in Klebsiella aerogenes requires the presence of several accessory proteins (UreD, UreF, and UreG) and is further facilitated by UreE. In this study, UreG was isolated and shown to be a monomer with an Mr of 21,814 +/- 20 based on gel filtration chromatography and mass spectrometric results. Although it contains a P-loop motif typically found in nucleotide-binding proteins, UreG did not bind or hydrolyze ATP or GTP, and it exhibited no affinity for ATP- and GTP-linked agarose resins. Site-directed mutagenesis of ureG allowed the substitution of Ala for Lys-20 or Thr-21 in the P-loop motif and resulted in the production of inactive urease in cells grown in the presence of nickel; hence, an intact P-loop may be essential for UreG to function in vivo. These mutant cells were unable to synthesize the UreD-UreF-UreG-urease apoprotein species that are thought to be the key urease activation complexes in the cell. An insoluble protein species containing UreD, UreF, and UreG (termed the DFG complex) was detected in cells carrying deletions in ureE and the urease structural genes. The DFG complex was solubilized in 0.5% Triton X-100 detergent, shown to bind to an ATP-linked agarose resin, and found to elute from the resin in the presence of Mg-ATP. In cells containing a UreG P-loop variant, the DFG complex was formed but did not bind to the nucleotide-linked resin. These results suggest that the UreG P-loop motif may be essential for nucleotide binding by the DFG complex and support the hypothesis that nucleotide hydrolysis is required for in vivo urease metallocenter assembly.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Hyperresponse to T-cell receptor signaling and apoptosis of Id1 transgenic thymocytes.

The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, E2A and HEB, play important roles in T-cell development at multiple checkpoints. Expression of their inhibitor, Id1, abolishes the function of both transcription factors in a dose-dependent manner. The Id1 transgenic thymus is characterized by an accumulation of CD4- CD8- CD44+ CD25- thymocytes, a dramatic reduction of CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes, and an abundance of apoptotic cells. Here we show that these apoptotic cells carry functional T-cell receptors (TCRs), suggesting that apoptosis occurs during T-cell maturation. In contrast, viable Id1 transgenic CD4 single positive T cells exhibit costimulation-independent proliferation upon treatment with anti-CD3 antibody, probably due to a hyperresponse to TCR signaling. Furthermore, Id1 expression causes apoptosis of CD4 and CD8 double- or single-positive thymocytes in HY- or AND-TCR transgenic mice under conditions that normally support positive selection. Collectively, these results suggest that E2A and HEB proteins are crucial for controlling the threshold for TCR signaling, and Id1 expression lowers the threshold, resulting in apoptosis of developing thymocytes.

Animals↗

CD20 mimicry by a mAb rituximab-specific linear peptide: a potential tool for active immunotherapy of autoimmune diseases.

An attractive, whether alternative or complementary, approach to passive immunotherapy (IT) with the anti-CD20 mAb rituximab for the treatment of autoimmune diseases is to stimulate the host to produce an anti-CD20 immune response by using peptides that mimic CD20 (mimotopes). The only mimotope reported to target CD20 antigen is a 43-mer polypeptide corresponding to the exposed domain of the molecule (from amino acid 142 to 184). Owing to its length, however, it failed to efficiently induce a CD20-specific response. A search has now been made for a smaller mimotope by biopanning a phage-display peptide library with rituximab. A total of 10 positive phage clones expressing six distinct sequences were isolated. Their alignment produced a motif that did not match any portion of the CD20 extracellular loop, whereas the motif bearing the 12-mer linear peptide Rp10-L specifically reacted with rituximab and inhibited its binding to CD20. Furthermore, in BALB/c mice Rp10-L-induced antibodies that reacted with the CD20(+) B lymphoid cell line Raji but not with the C20(-) T lymphoid cell line CEM. This peptide is currently being investigated to determine the effectiveness of CD20-based active IT for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Initial steps of myogenesis in somites are independent of influence from axial structures.

Formation of paraxial muscles in vertebrate embryos depends upon interactions between early somites and the neural tube and notochord. Removal of both axial structures results in a complete loss of epaxial myotomal muscle, whereas hypaxial and limb muscles develop normally. We report that chicken embryos, after surgical removal of the neural tube at the level of the unsegmented paraxial mesoderm, start to develop myotomal cells that express transcripts for the muscle-specific regulators MyoD and myogenin. These cells also make desmin, indicating that the initial steps of axial skeletal muscle formation can occur in the absence of the neural tube. However, a few days following the extirpation, the expression of MyoD and myogenin transcripts gradually disappears, and becomes almost undetectable after 4 days. From these observations we conclude that the neural tube is not required for the generation of the skeletal muscle cell lineage, but may support the survival or maitenance of further differentiation of the myotomal cell compartment. Notochord transplanted medially or laterally to the unsegmented paraxial mesoderm leads to a ventralization of axial structures but does not entirely prevent the early appearance of myoblasts expressing MyoD transcripts. However, the additional notochord inhibits subsequent development and maturation of myotomes. Taken together, our data suggest that neural tube promotes, and notochord inhibits, the process of myogenesis in axial muscles at a developmental step following the initial expression of myogenic bHLH regulators.

Animals↗

Secondary structure of the ETS domain places murine Ets-1 in the superfamily of winged helix-turn-helix DNA-binding proteins.

The members of the ets gene family of transcription factors are characterized by a conserved 85-residue DNA-binding region, termed the ETS domain, that lacks sequence homology to structurally characterized DNA-binding motifs. The secondary structure of the ETS domain of murine Ets-1 was determined on the basis of NMR chemical shifts, NOE and J-coupling constraints, amide hydrogen exchange, circular dichroism, and FT-IR spectroscopy. The ETS domain is composed of three alpha-helices (H) and four beta-strands (S) arranged in the order H1-S1-S2-H2-H3-S3-S4. The four-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet is the scaffold for a putative helix-turn-helix DNA recognition motif formed by helices 2 and 3. The 25 residues extending beyond the ETS domain to the native C-terminus of the truncated Ets-1 also contain a helical segment. On the basis of the similarity of this topology with that of catabolite activator protein (CAP), heat shock factor (HSF), and hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF-3 gamma), we propose that ets proteins are members of the superfamily of winged helix-turn-helix DNA-binding proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Serine-294 and threonine-295 in the exofacial loop domain between helices 7 and 8 of glucose transporters (GLUT) are involved in the conformational alterations during the transport process.

The role of a conserved polar motif (STS) in the exofacial loop between helices 7 and 8 of GLUT4 for transporter function was investigated by site-directed mutagenesis and expression of the constructs in COS-7 cells. Reconstituted glucose-transport activity, cytochalasin B binding and photolabelling with the exofacial label 2-N4-(1-azi-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)benzoyl-1, 3-bis-(d-mannosyloxy)-2-propylamine (ATB-BMPA) were assayed in membranes from transfected cells and corrected for immunoreactivity of expressed transporters. Replacement of Ser-294 with Ala or Thr suppressed transport activity and cytochalasin B binding. ATB-BMPA photolabelling was normal in S294A mutants, and even increased in S294T mutants. Replacement of Thr-295 with Ala suppressed transport activity and cytochalasin B binding, whereas ATB-BMPA photolabelling was normal; substitution of Ser failed to alter the investigated parameters. Similarly, exchanging Ser-296 for Ala generated a normally functioning protein. The data suggest that Ser-294 and Thr-295 are involved in the conformational change in GLUT during the transport process, and that their substitution may arrest the transporter in an outward-facing conformation.

Alanine↗

Differential stability of the mRNA secondary structures in the frameshift site of various HIV type 1 viruses.

For many retroviruses, one or more ribosomal frameshift events are required for translation of the Gag-Pol precursor protein, which is subsequently processed into the structural and enzymatic proteins found in mature virions. A specific nucleotide motif, the slippery sequence, as well as a downstream mRNA secondary structure are generally believed to have roles in the frameshift event. In HIV-1, a particular stem-loop mRNA secondary structure has been proposed for subtype B. On the basis of this model, HIV-1 subtypes A, E, and F were found in this study to share a similar stem-loop structure predicted to have a lower thermodynamic stability as compared with HIV-1 subtypes B, C, and D. The potential impact of this differential thermodynamic stability on HIV-1 replication remains to be determined.

Base Sequence↗

Two novel human and mouse DNA polymerases of the polX family.

We describe here two novel mouse and human DNA polymerases: one (pol lambda) has homology with DNA polymerase beta while the other one (pol mu) is closer to terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase. However both have DNA polymerase activity in vitro and share similar structural organization, including a BRCT domain, helix-loop-helix DNA-binding motifs and polymerase X domain. mRNA expression of pol lambda is highest in testis and fetal liver, while expression of pol mu is more lymphoid, with highest expression both in thymus and tonsillar B cells. An unusually large number of splice variants is observed for the pol mu gene, most of which affect the polymerase domain. Expression of mRNA of both polymerases is down-regulated upon treatment by DNA damaging agents (UV light, gamma-rays or H(2)O(2)). This suggests that their biological function may differ from DNA translesion synthesis, for which several DNA polymerase activities have been recently described. Possible functions are discussed.

Alternative Splicing↗

Structural insight of human DEAD-box protein rck/p54 into its substrate recognition with conformational changes.

Human rck/p54, a product of the gene cloned at the breakpoint of t(11; 14) (q23;q32) chromosomal translocation on 11q23 in B-cell lymphoma, is a member of the DEAD-box RNA helicase family. Here, the crystal structure of Nc-rck/p54, the N-terminal core domain of rck/p54, revealed that the P-loop in motif I formed a closed conformation, which was induced by Asn131, a residue unique to the RCK subfamily. It appears that ATP does not bind to the P-loop. The results of dynamic light scattering revealed to ATP-induced conformational change of rck/p54. It was demonstrated that free rck/p54 is a distended molecule in solution, and that the approach between N-terminal core and C-terminal domains for ATP binding would be essential when unwinding RNA. The results from helicase assay using electron micrograph, ATP hydrolytic and luciferase assay showed that c-myc IRES RNA, whose secondary structure regulates IRES-dependant translation, was unwound by rck/p54 and indicated that it is a good substrate for rck/p54. Over-expression of rck/p54 in HeLa cells caused growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest at G2/M with down-regulation of c-myc expression. These findings altogether suggest that rck/p54 may affect the IRES-dependent translation of c-myc even in the cells.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Phosphorylation and regulation of Akt/PKB by the rictor-mTOR complex.

Deregulation of Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) is implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer and diabetes. Akt/PKB activation requires the phosphorylation of Thr308 in the activation loop by the phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) and Ser473 within the carboxyl-terminal hydrophobic motif by an unknown kinase. We show that in Drosophila and human cells the target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase and its associated protein rictor are necessary for Ser473 phosphorylation and that a reduction in rictor or mammalian TOR (mTOR) expression inhibited an Akt/PKB effector. The rictor-mTOR complex directly phosphorylated Akt/PKB on Ser473 in vitro and facilitated Thr308 phosphorylation by PDK1. Rictor-mTOR may serve as a drug target in tumors that have lost the expression of PTEN, a tumor suppressor that opposes Akt/PKB activation.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

Structure, alternative splicing and chromosomal localization of the cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic gene.

The cystatin superfamily of cysteine protease inhibitors consists of three major families, including the stefins, cystatins and kininogens. However, the recent identification of several genes that possess sequence similarity with the cystatins but have different gene or protein structures indicates that several new cystatin families or subgroups of families might exist. We previously identified the cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic (Cres) gene, which is related to the family 2 cystatins but exhibits highly tissue-specific expression in the reproductive tract. In the studies presented here, an analysis of gene structure as well as chromosomal mapping studies suggest that the Cres gene might represent a new subgroup within the family 2 cystatins. Although the Cres gene possesses an additional exon encoding 5' untranslated sequences, its coding exons are similar in size to the three coding exons of the cystatin family 2 genes, and the Cres exon/intron splice junctions occur in identical locations as in the cystatin C gene. Furthermore, chromosomal mapping studies show that the Cres gene co-segregates with the cystatin C gene on mouse chromosome 2. Similar to the cystatin family 2 proteins, the Cres protein possesses the type A and B disulphide loops that are necessary for cystatin folding. Interestingly, Cres protein also possesses half of a type C disulphide loop. Although probably related to the cystatin genes, the Cres gene is distinct in that its promoter contains consensus motifs typical of regulated genes. Finally, reverse transcriptase-mediated PCR studies and the identification of new Cres cDNA clones indicate that the Cres mRNA is alternatively spliced, resulting in two Cres mRNAs that might be involved in the regulation of Cres function.

Alternative Splicing↗

The primary structure of human secretogranin II, a widespread tyrosine-sulfated secretory granule protein that exhibits low pH- and calcium-induced aggregation.

Secretogranin II (previously also called chromogranin C) is a tyrosine-sulfated secretory protein found in secretory granules in a wide variety of endocrine cells and neurons. Here, we have determined the primary structure of human secretogranin II from a full length cDNA clone and have investigated its properties, predicted from the sequence, by studying the behavior of purified secretogranin II under conditions characteristic of the milieu of secretory granules. Analysis of a 2.35-kilobase cDNA clone isolated from a human pituitary library and identified as secretogranin II by various criteria showed that human presecretogranin II is a 617-residue polypeptide containing an NH2-terminal located signal peptide. Secretogranin II lacks the disulfide-bonded loop structure near the NH2 terminus which is conserved in chromogranin A and chromogranin B (secretogranin I), two other widespread constituents of neuroendocrine secretory granules, but like the latter two proteins contains (i) an -E-N/S-L-X-A/D-X-D/E-X-E-L- motif and (ii) multiple potential dibasic cleavage sites for the generation of smaller, perhaps biologically active peptides. Another structural feature that secretogranin II shares with chromogranin A and chromogranin B (secretogranin I) is the abundance of acidic residues all along the polypeptide chain whose negative charge must somehow be neutralized to allow condensation and packaging of the protein into secretory granules. Experiments with purified secretogranin II showed that in the presence of 10 mM calcium at pH 5.2, conditions characteristic of the milieu of neuroendocrine secretory granules, this protein formed aggregates. Immunoglobulin G, a secretory protein that in vivo is not packaged into secretory granules, did not form aggregates under these in vitro conditions and was excluded from the secretogranin II aggregates. Very little aggregation of secretogranin II was observed in the absence of calcium at pH 5.2 or in the presence of calcium at neutral pH. In vivo, ammonium chloride, which is known to neutralize the pH of acidic intracellular compartments, inhibited the packaging of newly synthesized secretogranin II into secretory granules. Our results suggest that the low pH- and calcium-induced aggregation of secretogranin II may be important for the organization of the secretory granule matrix and raise the possibility that aggregation of secretogranin II may be involved in its sorting to secretory granules.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cytomegalovirus IE2 protein stimulates interleukin 1beta gene transcription via tethering to Spi-1/PU.1.

Potent induction of the gene coding for human prointerleukin 1beta (il1b) normally requires a far-upstream inducible enhancer in addition to a minimal promoter located between positions -131 and +12. The transcription factor Spi-1 (also called PU.1) is necessary for expression and binds to the minimal promoter, thus providing an essential transcription activation domain (TAD). In contrast, infection by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can strongly activate il1b via the expression of immediate early (IE) viral proteins and eliminates the requirement for the upstream enhancer. Spi-1 has been circumstantially implicated as a host factor in this process. We report here the molecular basis for the direct involvement of Spi-1 in HCMV activation of il1b. Transfection of Spi-1-deficient HeLa cells demonstrated both the requirement of Spi-1 for IE activity and the need for a shorter promoter (-59 to +12) than that required in the absence of IE proteins. Furthermore, in contrast to normal, enhancer-dependent il1b expression, which absolutely requires both the Spi-1 winged helix-turn-helix (wHTH) DNA-binding domain and the majority of the Spi-1 TAD, il1b expression in the presence of IE proteins does not require the Spi-1 TAD, which plays a synergistic role. In addition, we demonstrate that a single IE protein, IE2, is critical for the induction of il1b. Protein-protein interaction experiments revealed that the wing motif within the Spi-1 wHTH domain directly recruits IE2. In turn, IE2 physically associates with the Spi-1 wing and requires the integrity of at least one region of IE2. Functional analysis demonstrates that both this region and a carboxy-terminal acidic TAD are required for IE2 function. Therefore, we propose a protein-tethered transactivation mechanism in which the il1b promoter-bound Spi-1 wHTH tethers IE2, which provides a TAD, resulting in the transactivation of il1b.

Binding Sites↗

Three-dimensional structure of N5-carboxyaminoimidazole ribonucleotide synthetase: a member of the ATP grasp protein superfamily.

Escherichia coli PurK, a dimeric N5-carboxyaminoimidazole ribonucleotide (N5-CAIR) synthetase, catalyzes the conversion of 5-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide (AIR), ATP, and bicarbonate to N5-CAIR, ADP, and Pi. Crystallization of both a sulfate-liganded and the MgADP-liganded E. coli PurK has resulted in structures at 2.1 and 2.5 A resolution, respectively. PurK belongs to the ATP grasp superfamily of C-N ligase enzymes. Each subunit of PurK is composed of three domains (A, B, and C). The B domain contains a flexible, glycine-rich loop (B loop, T123-G130) that is disordered in the sulfate-PurK structure and becomes ordered in the MgADP-PurK structure. MgADP is wedged between the B and C domains, as with all members of the ATP grasp superfamily. Other enzymes in this superfamily contain a conserved Omega loop proposed to interact with the B loop, define the specificity of their nonnucleotide substrate, and protect the acyl phosphate intermediate formed from this substrate. PurK contains a minimal Omega loop without conserved residues. In the reaction catalyzed by PurK, carboxyphosphate is the putative acyl phosphate intermediate. The sulfate of the sulfate ion-liganded PurK interacts electrostatically with Arg 242 and the backbone amide group of Asn 245, components of the J loop of the C domain. This sulfate may reveal the location of the carboxyphosphate binding site. Conserved residues within the C-terminus of the C domain define a pocket that is proposed to bind AIR in collaboration with an N-terminal strand loop helix motif in the A domain (P loop, G8-L1). The P loop is proposed to bind the phosphate of AIR on the basis of similar binding sites observed in PurN and PurE and proposed in PurD and PurT, four other enzymes in the purine pathway.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Human immune associated nucleotide 1: a member of a new guanosine triphosphatase family expressed in resting T and B cells.

TAL-1 is a basic helix-loop-helix oncoprotein that is expressed in up to 30% of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias but not in the T lineage. We have cloned a complementary DNA, called Human Immune Associated Nucleotide 1 (hIAN1), whose messenger RNA (mRNA) level expression is inversely correlated to the TAL-1 mRNA level in human leukemic T-cell lines. The hIAN1 encodes a 38-kd protein that belongs to a novel family of proteins conserved from plants to humans and characterized by motifs related to, but highly divergent from, the consensus motifs found in guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins. Despite these divergent amino acids at positions involved in GTP/guanosine diphosphate (GDP) binding and guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activities, we found that hIAN1 specifically binds GDP (K(d) = 0.47 microM) and GTP (K(d) = 6 microM) and exhibits intrinsic GTPase activity. Among mature hematopoietic cells, hIAN1 is specifically expressed in resting T and B lymphocytes, and its expression level tremendously decreased at the protein but not the mRNA level during B- or T-lymphocyte activation, suggesting a specific role for this new type of GTPase during the immune response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗