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Molecular identification of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase as a substrate of a specific constitutively active Arabidopsis CDPK expressed in maize protoplasts.

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) is a key enzyme in pathogen defence, stress response and secondary metabolism and is subject to post-translational phosphorylation. In order to address the significance of this phenomenon it is necessary to identify the protein kinase (PK) responsible and place it in its regulatory circuit. Using protoplast transient expression of Arabidopsis kinase genes coupled to immunocomplex kinase assay, it has been possible to screen for specific PAL kinase. We show here that AtCPK1 (calcium dependent PK), but not other closely related PKs could phosphorylate both a recombinant PAL protein and a peptide (SRVAKTRTLTTA) that is a site phosphorylated in vivo. Identification of the specific CDPK as a PAL kinase now opens up the possibility of exploring the calcium link in biotic stress signalling, salicylate and phytoalexin production as well as the significance of PAL phosphorylation. The protoplast transient expression system is a potentially powerful method to determine and screen for plant gene functions utilising genomic and proteomic data.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Rationale for oncological surgery in multimodal cancer treatments].

The permanent dissemination of circulating cancer cells from infiltrative cancers renders the notion of localized cancer obsolete. This raises the question of the role of treatments such as surgery which are localized in time and space. Moreover, it is now proven that surgery increases the number of circulating cancers cells and produces transient immunodepression which promotes cancer cell implantation. In addition, the healing process stimulates growth factors, which also act on tumor growth. In spite of these deleterious effects, oncological surgery remains an important tool in the anti-cancer armamentarium. Optimal cytoreductive surgery facilitates the effect of adjuvant treatments by eliminating the vascular sanctuaries present in the center of any large tumor and by its effect as a striking-force very localized in time and space. Oncological surgery must evolve as an integrative part of our improving understanding of tumor biology, taking into account recent developments in functional imaging, genomics and proteomics. Modalities and timing must be reconsidered for oncological surgery to play its proper role as one of the many components contributing to multimodal cancer treatments. New modalities will undoubtedly be necessary with the development of future technologies.

Animals↗

Database of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid proteins.

Bronchoalveolar lavage during fiberoptic bronchoscopy is extensively used for investigating cellular and biochemical alterations of the epithelial lining fluid in various lung disorders. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) offers the possibility to simultaneously display and analyze proteins contained in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). We present the current status of 2-DE of BALF samples with an updated listing of the proteins already identified and of their level and/or posttranslational alterations in lung disorders. Alternatives to 2-DE of BALF samples and future prospects of proteomics to unravel lung functions and pathologies are discussed.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗

Tagging-via-substrate strategy for probing O-GlcNAc modified proteins.

Identification of proteins bearing a specific post-translational modification would imply functions of the modification. Proteomic analysis of post-translationally modified proteins is usually challenging due to high complexity and wide dynamic range, as well as unavailability of efficient methods to enrich the proteins of interest. Here, we report a strategy for the detection, isolation, and profiling of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modified proteins, which involves three steps: metabolic labeling of cells with an unnatural GlcNAc analogue, peracetylated azido-GlcNAc; chemoselective conjugation of azido-GlcNAc modified proteins via the Staudinger ligation, which is specific between phosphine and azide, using a biotinylated phosphine capture reagent; and detection and affinity purification of the resulting conjugated O-GlcNAc modified proteins. Since the approach relies on a tag (azide) in the substrate, we designated it the tagging-via-substrate (TAS) strategy. A similar strategy was used previously for protein farnesylation, phosphorylation, and sumoylation. Using this approach, we were able to specifically label and subsequently detect azido-GlcNAc modified proteins from the cytosolic lysates of HeLa, 3T3, COS-1, and S2 cell lines, suggesting the azido-substrate could be tolerated by the enzymatic systems among these cells from diverse biological species. We isolated azido-GlcNAc modified proteins from the cytosolic extract of S2 cells and identified 10 previously reported and 41 putative O-GlcNAc modified proteins, by nano-HPLC-MS/MS. Our study demonstrates that the TAS approach is a useful tool for the detection and proteomic analysis of O-GlcNAc modified proteins.

Acetylglucosamine↗

Array of informatics: Applications in modern research.

The advent of microarray technology in the past decade has greatly enhanced gene expression studies and allowed for the acquisition of a vast amount of information simultaneously. Microarrays have been used in numerous scientific fields to identify new genes, to determine the transcriptional activity of cells, and to discover downstream targets of different loci. Recently, DNA microarrays have also been utilized in disease studies to determine outcomes at many levels including diagnosis, prognosis, and drug therapy. The promise of protein microarrays is to allow us to study the molecular interactions of protein, lipids, small molecules, and carbohydrates. They can be exploited to analyze a single protein pair interaction, to address changes in multiple protein levels as a response to treatment (i.e., drug or radiation), or in a pathological condition. Tissue microarrays allow the analysis of numerous tumor samples simultaneously. Finally, live cell-based microarrays provide an opportunity to study the function of the entire proteome en masse within living cells. However, these exciting new areas still have to overcome many inherent problems. In this review, we discuss novel microarray-based approaches that are in development and that have potential in applications for medicine, biotechnology, and basic research.

Animals↗

Hsp42 is the general small heat shock protein in the cytosol of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Small heat shock proteins (sHsps) are ubiquitous molecular chaperones that prevent the unspecific aggregation of proteins. So far, Hsp26 was the only unambiguously identified member of the sHsp family in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show here that the sHsp system in the cytosol of S. cerevisiae consists of two proteins, Hsp26 and Hsp42. Hsp42 forms large dynamic oligomers with a barrel-like structure. In contrast to Hsp26, which functions predominantly at heat shock temperatures, Hsp42 is active as a chaperone under all conditions tested in vivo and in vitro. Under heat shock conditions, both Hsp42 and Hsp26 suppress the aggregation of one-third of the cytosolic proteins. This subset is about 90% overlapping for Hsp42 and Hsp26. The sHsp substrates belong to different biochemical pathways. This indicates a general protective function of sHsps for proteome stability in S. cerevisiae. Consistent with this observation, sHsp knockout strains show phenotypical defects. Taken together, our results define Hsp42 as an important player for protein homeostasis at physiological and under stress conditions.

Cytosol↗

Proteomics: techniques and applications in cancer research.

Proteomics can be defined as functional analysis of the full set of proteins by high-throughput technologies in a given system. The workflow of proteomics is a multi-step process comprising sample preparation, separation, quantification and identification of proteins. Due to the high complexity of different protein species and the wide dynamic range of protein amount within a cell system it is necessary to apply appropriate analysis methods. One approach is to separate proteins first by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) according to charge and molecular weight. Proteins are then fragmented and analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Identification of proteins can be achieved by comparing the mass/charge-ratios of these peptides to respective databases. Proteome analysis with respect to the identification of disease-associated patterns of molecules in different tissues is in the early stages, because standardisation of these techniques often remains to be established. However, proteome analyses is a promising tool to obtain holistic insights into the physiological status of a cell or cellular system. Compared to RNA-based studies some advantages are obvious: (1) post-translational modifications, e. g. phosphorylation, contributing to the activity status can be detected at the protein level only, (2) RNA-levels do not necessarily coincide with protein levels for a particular gene, (3) feedback-mechanisms within regulatory pathways can control protein activity without measurable changes in mRNA content.

Algorithms↗

Mutually dependent secretion of proteins required for mycobacterial virulence.

The ESX-1 locus is a region critical for full virulence in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which encodes two secreted proteins as well as other genes involved in their secretion. The mechanism of secretion of the two proteins, ESAT-6 and CFP-10, and their function remain unknown. Using proteomic methods to search for additional proteins secreted by the ESX-1 locus, we discovered that a protein encoded by a chromosomally unlinked gene, espA, is also secreted by strains that contain the ESX-1 locus but not by strains with ESX-1 deletions. Mutations in individual ESX-1 genes, including those that encode ESAT-6 and CFP-10, were found to block EspA secretion. Surprisingly, mutants that lack espA reciprocally failed to secrete ESAT-6 and CFP-10 and were as attenuated as ESX-1 mutants in virulence assays. The results indicate that secretion of these proteins, which are each critical for virulence of pathogenic mycobacteria, is mutually dependent. The results further suggest that discerning the nature of the interaction and the structure of macromolecular complexes will provide insights into both an alternative mechanism of protein secretion and mycobacterial virulence.

Animals↗

The dual nature of human extracellular superoxide dismutase: one sequence and two structures.

Human extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) is a scavenger of superoxide anions in the extracellular space. The amino acid sequence is homologous to the intracellular counterpart, Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), apart from N- and C-terminal extensions. Cu/Zn-SOD is a homodimer containing four cysteine residues within each subunit, and EC-SOD is a tetramer composed of two disulfide-bonded dimers in which each subunit contains six cysteines. The amino acid sequences of all EC-SOD subunits are identical. It is known that Cys-219 is involved in an interchain disulfide. To account for the remaining five cysteine residues we purified human EC-SOD and determined the disulfide bridge pattern. The results show that human EC-SOD exists in two forms, each with a unique disulfide bridge pattern. One form (active EC-SOD) is enzymatically active and contains a disulfide bridge pattern similar to Cu/Zn-SOD. The other form (inactive EC-SOD) has a different disulfide bridge pattern and is enzymatically inactive. The EC-SOD polypeptide chain apparently folds in two different ways, most likely resulting in different three-dimensional structures. Our study shows that one gene may produce proteins with different disulfide bridge arrangements and, thus, by definition, different primary structures. This observation adds another dimension to the functional annotation of the proteome.

Aorta↗

Involvement of Hu and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K in neuronal differentiation through p21 mRNA post-transcriptional regulation.

The Hu family is a group of neuronal RNA-binding proteins required for neuronal differentiation in the developing nervous system. Previously, Hu proteins have been shown to enhance the stabilization and/or translation of target mRNAs, such as p21 (CIP1), by binding to AU-rich elements in untranslated regions (UTRs). In this study, we show that Hu induces p21 expression, cell cycle arrest, and neuronal differentiation in mouse neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells. p21 expression is also up-regulated during Me2SO-induced differentiation in N1E-115 cells and is controlled by post-transcriptional mechanisms through its 3'-UTR. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of Hu functions, we used a proteomics strategy to isolate Hu-interacting proteins and identified heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) K. hnRNP K also specifically binds to CU-rich sequences in p21 mRNA 3'-UTR and represses its translation in both nonneuronal and neuronal cells. Further, using RNA interference experiments, we show that the Hu-p21 pathway contributes to the regulation of neurite outgrowth and proliferation in N1E-115 cells, and this pathway is antagonized by hnRNP K. Our results suggest a model in which the mutually antagonistic action of two RNA-binding proteins, Hu and hnRNP K, control the timing of the switch from proliferation to neuronal differentiation through the post-transcriptional regulation of p21 mRNA.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

A quest for human and mouse embryonic stem cell-specific proteins.

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are of immense interest as they can proliferate indefinitely in vitro and give rise to any adult cell type, serving as a potentially unlimited source for tissue replacement in regenerative medicine. Extensive analyses of numerous human and mouse ESC lines have shown generic similarities and differences at both the transcriptional and functional level. However, comprehensive proteome analyses are missing or are restricted to mouse ESCs. Here we have used an extensive proteomic approach to search for ESC-specific proteins by analyzing the differential protein expression profiles of human and mouse ESCs and their differentiated derivatives. The data sets comprise 1,775 non-redundant proteins identified in human ESCs, 1,532 in differentiated human ESCs, 1,871 in mouse ESCs, and 1,552 in differentiated mouse ESCs with a false positive rate of <0.2%. Comparison of the data sets distinguished 191 proteins exclusively identified in both human and mouse ESCs but not in their differentiated derivatives. Besides well known ESC benchmarks, this subset included many uncharacterized proteins, some of which may be novel ESC-specific markers. To complement the mass spectrometric approach, differential expression of a selection of these proteins was confirmed by Western blotting, immunofluorescence confocal microscopy, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Additionally two other independently isolated and cultured human ESC lines as well as their differentiated derivatives were monitored for differential expression of selected proteins. Some of these proteins were identified exclusively in ESCs of all three human lines and may thus serve as generic ESC markers. Our wide scale proteomic approach enabled us to screen thousands of proteins rapidly and select putative ESC-associated proteins for further analysis. Validation by three independent conventional protein analysis techniques shows that our methodology is robust, provides an excellent tool to characterize ESCs at the protein level, and may disclose novel ESC-specific benchmarks.

Animals↗

'Harvester': a fast meta search engine of human protein resources.

SUMMARY: We have developed a Web-based tool named 'Harvester' that bulk-collects bioinformatic data on human proteins from various databases and prediction servers. The information on every single protein is assembled on a single HTML page as a combination of database screen-shots and plain text. A full text meta search engine, similar to Google trade mark, allows screening of the whole genome proteome for current protein functions and predictions in a few seconds. With Harvester it is now possible to compare and check the quality of different database entries and prediction algorithms on a single page. A feedback forum allows users to comment on Harvester and to report database inconsistencies. AVAILABILITY: The service is freely available to the academic community at http://harvester.embl.de.

Database Management Systems↗

Molecular evolution of rickettsia surface antigens: evidence of positive selection.

The Rickettsia genus is a group of obligate intracellular parasitic alpha-proteobacteria that includes human pathogens responsible for the typhus disease and various types of spotted fevers. rOmpA and rOmpB are two members of the "surface cell antigen" (Sca) autotransporter (AT) protein family that may play key roles in the adhesion of the Rickettsia cells to the host tissue. These molecules are likely determinants for the pathogenicity of the Rickettsia and represent good candidates for vaccine development. We identified the 17 members of this family of outer-membrane proteins in nine fully sequenced Rickettsia genomes. The typical architecture of the Sca proteins is composed of an N-terminal signal peptide and a C-terminal AT domain that promote the export of the central passenger domain to the outside of the bacteria. A characteristic of this family is the frequent degradation of the genes, which results in different subsets of the sca genes being expressed among Rickettsia species. Here, we present a detailed analysis of their phylogenetic relationships and evolution. We provide strong evidence that rOmpA and rOmpB as well as three other members of the Sca protein family--Sca1, Sca2, and Sca4--have evolved under positive selection. The exclusive distribution of the predicted positively selected sites within the passenger domains of these proteins argues that these regions are involved in the interaction with the host and may be locked in "arms race" coevolutionary conflicts.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Decoding the Functional Interactome of Non-Model Organisms with PHILHARMONIC.

Despite the widespread availability of genome sequencing pipelines, many genes remain part of the genome's "dark matter," where existing inference tools cannot even begin to guess the biological function of their proteins from sequence alone. This challenge is especially pronounced in organisms that are highly evolutionarily distant from well-studied models, where homology-based methods break down. Here, we describe PHILHARMONIC, a computational method that combines deep learning-based de novo protein interaction network inference with robust unsupervised spectral clustering and remote homology to illuminate functional organization in any non-model organism. From only a sequenced proteome, we show PHILHARMONIC predicts protein functions, functional communities, and higher-order network structure with high accuracy. We validate its performance using experimental gene expression and pathway data in D. melanogaster, and we demonstrate its broad utility by analyzing temperature sensing and stress response pathways in the reef-building coral P. damicornis and its algal symbiont C. goreaui. PHILHARMONIC provides a general-purpose engine for functional discovery and biological hypothesis generation in non-model organisms, enabling systems-level insights across the full diversity of life.

Journal Article↗

Miscibility gap in the microbial fitness landscape.

It is shown from molecular statistical considerations that a demixing instability exists in the moment space of a microbial protein expression profile. Although avoidance of demixing is generally requisite for biological function, a comparison with proteomic and genomic data suggests that many microbes lie close to the onset of this instability. Over evolutionary time scales, straying too close or into the immiscible domain may be associated with intracellular compartmentalization.

Bacterial Physiological Phenomena↗

A novel member of the split betaalphabeta fold: Solution structure of the hypothetical protein YML108W from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

As part of the Northeast Structural Genomics Consortium pilot project focused on small eukaryotic proteins and protein domains, we have determined the NMR structure of the protein encoded by ORF YML108W from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. YML108W belongs to one of the numerous structural proteomics targets whose biological function is unknown. Moreover, this protein does not have sequence similarity to any other protein. The NMR structure of YML108W consists of a four-stranded beta-sheet with strand order 2143 and two alpha-helices, with an overall topology of betabetaalphabetabetaalpha. Strand beta1 runs parallel to beta4, and beta2:beta1 and beta4:beta3 pairs are arranged in an antiparallel fashion. Although this fold belongs to the split betaalphabeta family, it appears to be unique among this family; it is a novel arrangement of secondary structure, thereby expanding the universe of protein folds.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular↗

Antiviral drug discovery strategy using combinatorial libraries of structurally constrained peptides.

We have developed a new strategy for antiviral peptide discovery by using lyssaviruses (rabies virus and rabies-related viruses) as models. Based on the mimicry of natural bioactive peptides, two genetically encoded combinatorial peptide libraries composed of intrinsically constrained peptides (coactamers) were designed. Proteomic knowledge concerning the functional network of interactions in the lyssavirus transcription-replication complex highlights the phosphoprotein (P) as a prime target for inhibitors of viral replication. We present an integrated, sequential drug discovery process for selection of peptides with antiviral activity directed against the P. Our approach combines (i). an exhaustive two-hybrid selection of peptides binding two phylogenetically divergent lyssavirus P's, (ii). a functional analysis of protein interaction inhibition in a viral reverse genetic assay, coupled with a physical analysis of viral nucleoprotein-P complex by protein chip mass spectrometry, and (iii). an assay for inhibition of lyssavirus infection in mammalian cells. The validity of this strategy was demonstrated by the identification of four peptides exhibiting an efficient antiviral activity. Our work highlights the importance of P as a target in anti-rabies virus drug discovery. Furthermore, the screening strategy and the coactamer libraries presented in this report could be considered, respectively, a general target validation strategy and a potential source of biologically active peptides which could also help to design pharmacologically active peptide-mimicking molecules. The strategy described here is easily applicable to other pathogens.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Age and immunity.

Longitudinal studies are defining progressive alterations to the immune system associated with increased mortality in the very elderly. Many of these changes are exacerbated by or even caused by chronic T cell stimulation by persistent antigen, particularly from Cytomegalovirus. The composition of T cell subsets, their functional integrity and representation in the repertoire are all markedly influenced by age and by CMV. How these findings relate to epidemiological, functional, genetic, genomic and proteomic studies of human T cell immunosenescence was the subject of intense debate at an international conference held just before Christmas 2005 in the Black Forest.

Journal Article↗