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Incorporation and modification of exogenous phosphatidylcholines by mycoplasmas.

The uptake and modification of exogenous phosphatidylcholine (PC) by several Mycoplasma and Spiroplasma species was investigated. While in most Mycoplasma species and in all Spiroplasma species tested the PC appears to be incorporated unchanged from the growth medium, the PC of M. gallisepticum, M. pulmonis, and M. pneumoniae was disaturated PC, apparently formed by modification of 1-saturated-2-unsaturated PC from the growth medium. The modification of the exogenous PC by M. gallisepticum was inhibited by chloramphenicol under conditions that did not affect de novo synthesis of phosphatidylglycerol. A low activity of an endogenous phospholipase A was detected in native M. gallisepticum membranes. The activity was markedly stimulated by treating the membranes with low concentrations of the nonionic detergents. The PC modification was affected by the fatty acid composition of the exogenous PC species. Diunsaturated, 1-saturated-2-unsaturated, and 1-unsaturated-2-saturated PCs were modified to various extents, whereas the disaturated dipalmitoyl PC (DPPC) was not. Both modified and unmodified PCs were incorporated by the cells, but the unmodified DPPC was incorporated at a lower rate and to a lesser extent. The possibility that the incorporation of DPPC into M. gallisepticum cells is associated with the formation of intracytoplasmic membranes is discussed.

Chloramphenicol↗

Posttranscriptional modification of tRNA in thermophilic archaea (Archaebacteria).

Nucleoside modification has been studied in unfractionated tRNA from 11 thermophilic archaea (archaebacteria), including phylogenetically diverse representatives of thermophilic methanogens and sulfur-metabolizing hyperthermophiles which grow optimally in the temperature range of 56 (Thermoplasma acidophilum) to 105 degrees C (Pyrodictium occultum), and for comparison from the most thermophilic bacterium (eubacterium) known, Thermotoga maritima (80 degrees C). Nine nucleosides are found to be unique to the archaea, six of which are structurally novel in being modified both in the base and by methylation in ribose and occur primarily in tRNA from the extreme thermophiles in the Crenarchaeota of the archaeal phylogenetic tree. 2-Thiothymine occurs in tRNA from Thermococcus sp., and constitutes the only known occurrence of the thymine moiety in archaeal RNA, in contrast to its near-ubiquitous presence in tRNA from bacteria and eukarya. A total of 33 modified nucleosides are rigorously characterized in archaeal tRNA in the present study, demonstrating that the structural range of posttranscriptional modifications in archaeal tRNA is more extensive than previously known. From a phylogenetic standpoint, certain tRNA modifications occur in the archaea which are otherwise unique to either the bacterial or eukaryal domain, although the overall patterns of modification are more typical of eukaryotes than bacteria.

Adenosine↗

Cellular responses to postsegregational killing by restriction-modification genes.

Plasmids that carry one of several type II restriction modification gene complexes are known to show increased stability. The underlying mechanism was proposed to be the lethal attack by restriction enzyme at chromosomal recognition sites in cells that had lost the restriction modification gene complex. In order to examine bacterial responses to this postsegregational cell killing, we analyzed the cellular processes following loss of the EcoRI restriction modification gene complex carried by a temperature-sensitive plasmid in an Escherichia coli strain that is wild type with respect to DNA repair. A shift to the nonpermissive temperature blocked plasmid replication, reduced the increase in viable cell counts and resulted in loss of cell viability. Many cells formed long filaments, some of which were multinucleated and others anucleated. In a mutant defective in RecBCD exonuclease/recombinase, these cell death symptoms were more severe and cleaved chromosomes accumulated. Growth inhibition was also more severe in recA, ruvAB, ruvC, recG, and recN mutants. The cells induced the SOS response in a RecBC-dependent manner. These observations strongly suggest that bacterial cells die as a result of chromosome cleavage after loss of a restriction modification gene complex and that the bacterial RecBCD/RecA machinery helps the cells to survive, at least to some extent, by repairing the cleaved chromosomes. These and previous results have led us to hypothesize that the RecBCD/Chi/RecA system serves to destroy restricted "nonself" DNA and repair restricted "self" DNA.

Chromosomes, Bacterial↗

The PmrA-regulated pmrC gene mediates phosphoethanolamine modification of lipid A and polymyxin resistance in Salmonella enterica.

The PmrA/PmrB regulatory system of Salmonella enterica controls the modification of lipid A with aminoarabinose and phosphoethanolamine. The aminoarabinose modification is required for resistance to the antibiotic polymyxin B, as mutations of the PmrA-activated pbg operon or ugd gene result in strains that lack aminoarabinose in their lipid A molecules and are more susceptible to polymyxin B. Additional PmrA-regulated genes appear to participate in polymyxin B resistance, as pbgP and ugd mutants are not as sensitive to polymyxin B as a pmrA mutant. Moreover, the role that the phosphoethanolamine modification of lipid A plays in the resistance to polymyxin B has remained unknown. Here we address both of these questions by establishing that the PmrA-activated pmrC gene encodes an inner membrane protein that is required for the incorporation of phosphoethanolamine into lipid A and for polymyxin B resistance. The PmrC protein consists of an N-terminal region with five transmembrane domains followed by a large periplasmic region harboring the putative enzymatic domain. A pbgP pmrC double mutant resembled a pmrA mutant both in its lipid A profile and in its susceptibility to polymyxin B, indicating that the PmrA-dependent modification of lipid A with aminoarabinose and phosphoethanolamine is responsible for PmrA-regulated polymyxin B resistance.

Bacterial Proteins↗

GENETIC CONTROL OF RESTRICTION AND MODIFICATION IN ESCHERICHIA COLI.

Boyer, Herbert (Yale University, New Haven, Conn.). Genetic control of restriction and modification in Escherichia coli. J. Bacteriol. 88:1652-1660. 1964.-Bacterial crosses with K-12 strains of Escherichia coli as Hfr donors (Hfr Hayes, Hfr Cavalli, and Hfr P4X-6) and B/r strains of E. coli as F(-) recipients were found to differ from crosses between K-12 Hfr donors and K-12 F(-) recipients in two ways: (i) recombinants (leu, pro, lac, and gal) did not appear at discrete time intervals but did appear simultaneously 30 min after matings were initiated, and (ii) the linkage of unselected markers to selected markers was reduced. Integration of a genetic region linked to the threonine locus of K-12 into the B/r genome resulted in a hybrid which no longer gave anomalous results in conjugation experiments. A similar region of the B strain was introduced into the K-12 strain, which then behaved as a typical B F(-) recipient. These observations are interpreted as the manifestation of host-controlled modification and restriction on the E. coli chromosome. This was verified by experiments on the restriction and modification of the bacteriophage lambda, F-lac, F-gal, and sex-factor, F(1). It was found that the genetic region that controlled the mating responses of the K-12 and B/r strains also controlled the modification and restriction properties of these two strains. The genes responsible for the restricting and modifying properties of the K-12 and B strains of E. coli were found to be allelic, linked to each other, and linked to the threonine locus.

Amino Acids↗

Genetics of host-controlled restriction and modification of deoxyribonucleic acid in Escherichia coli.

Lederberg, Seymour (Brown University, Providence, R.I.). Genetics of host-controlled restriction and modification of deoxyribonucleic acid in Escherichia coli. J. Bacteriol. 91:1029-1036. 1966.-The locus for the host specific restriction and modification of deoxyribonucleic acid in Escherichia coli has been mapped by matings between mutants for these characters in strains K-12, C600, and B. Linkage analysis and kinetics of marker transfer indicate that a single or closely linked multiple chromosomal site located about 4 min counterclockwise to leucine is responsible for these activities. Secondary factors which affect the quantitative level of restriction also were detected. Wild-type recombinants were isolated in crosses between rm(-) (restriction or modification, or both) mutants. The expression in zygotes of the restrictionless character of a rm(-) donor is masked by a separate, physiological impairment of restriction, which results from mating and is independent of the modification state of the donor. The relevance of the restriction character to mating incompatibilities in these and other bacterial strains is considered.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Attempted reduction of Abbott MS-2 false-susceptible errors for cefotaxime-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa by medium modification.

Thirty-five modifications of Abbott MS-2 growth medium were evaluated in an attempt to reduce the high frequency of false-susceptible errors produced by the MS-2 system when testing resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa against cefotaxime. A hypotonic modification with 0.1% KNO3 reduced the errors from 41 to 20% for 23 resistant isolates. All hypertonic modifications proved unsatisfactory. No modification reduced false-susceptible errors to acceptable clinical levels.

Cefotaxime↗

Intracellular forms of simian virus 40 nucleoprotein complexes. III. Study of histone modifications.

The modification patterns of histones present in various forms of intracellular simian virus 40 nucleoprotein complexes were analyzed by acetic acid-urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results showed that different viral nucleoprotein complexes contain different histone patterns. Simian virus 40 chromatin, which contains the activities for the synthesis of viral RNA and DNA, exhibits a histone modification pattern similar to that of the host chromatin. However, virion assembly intermediates and mature virions contain highly modified histones. Pulse-chase experiments with [3H]lysine showed that the newly incorporated histones in the virion assembly intermediates were already highly modified. The majority of in vivo acetylation activity of histones occurred on the 70S simian virus 40 chromatin as analyzed by pulse-labeling with [3H]acetate. These results and our previous analysis of the virion assembly pathway suggest that three stages are involved in the packaging of simian virus 40 chromatin into the mature virion: (i) modification of histones, (ii) accumulation of capsid protein around the chromatin with highly modified histones, and (iii) organization of capsid proteins into salt-resistant shells. The role of histone modification in virion assembly is discussed.

Acetylation↗

Multiple modifications allow high-titer production of retroviral vectors carrying heterologous regulatory elements.

Tumor-specific expression of therapeutic genes is a prerequisite in many approaches to retrovirus-mediated cancer gene therapy. However, tissue specificity is often associated with a reduction in viral titer. To overcome this problem, we constructed a series of murine leukemia virus (MLV)-based retroviral promoter conversion (ProCon) vectors carrying either the simian virus 40 poly(A) signal trimer (3pA) inserted in the 3' long terminal repeat (LTR) of these vectors or the human cytomegalovirus enhancer region (CMVe) inserted 5' and 3' of the retroviral LTRs. Furthermore, an extended AT stretch/attachment site (AT/att) of wild-type MLV was introduced into the vector. In the vector-producing cells, insertion of the CMVe and/or the 3pA resulted in a three- to fourfold-enhanced marker gene expression compared to the parental vector, whereas insertion of the AT/att gave a slight decrease in expression. The combination of all three modifications had no additional effects. In contrast, however, neomycin selection of infected cells revealed only a slight increase in virus titer with vectors carrying the 3pA modification; the titer was increased by 1 with vectors containing the extended AT/att, although the viral DNA copy numbers in infected cells were similar with both types of vectors. Thus, insufficient integration rather than insufficient reverse transcription and/or production of virus RNA is the major cause for the low titer obtained with the ProCon vectors. The combination of all three modifications resulted in a 2- to 3-log increase in the virus titer. These modifications result in expression targeted ProCon vectors with titers similar to those of nonmodified MLV-based vectors.

Animals↗

Posttranslational modification of alpha-dystroglycan, the cellular receptor for arenaviruses, by the glycosyltransferase LARGE is critical for virus binding.

The receptor for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), the human pathogenic Lassa fever virus (LFV), and clade C New World arenaviruses is alpha-dystroglycan (alpha-DG), a cell surface receptor for proteins of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Specific posttranslational modification of alpha-DG by the glycosyltransferase LARGE is critical for its function as an ECM receptor. In the present study, we show that LARGE-dependent modification is also crucial for alpha-DG's function as a cellular receptor for arenaviruses. Virus binding involves the mucin-type domain of alpha-DG and depends on modification by LARGE. A crucial role of the LARGE-dependent glycosylation of alpha-DG for virus binding is found for several isolates of LCMV, LFV, and the arenaviruses Mobala and Oliveros. Since the posttranslational modification by LARGE is crucial for alpha-DG recognition by both arenaviruses and the host-derived ligand laminin, it also influences competition between virus and laminin for alpha-DG. Hence, LARGE-dependent glycosylation of alpha-DG has important implications for the virus-host cell interaction and the pathogenesis of LFV in humans.

Animals↗

Regulation of a double-stranded RNA modification activity in human cells.

A double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-specific modification activity from Xenopus oocytes and human cells dsRNA modifier) converts adenosine residues present in dsRNA to inosines. The function of the dsRNA modifier is unknown, although it has been suggested that it may be part of the cellular antiviral response. We investigated the relationship between the activity of the dsRNA modifier, viral infection, and the antiviral response in human cells induced by poly(rI)-poly(rC) [poly(I.C)] treatment. We found, unexpectedly, that treatment of HeLa cells with poly(I.C) or other dsRNA molecules resulted in the dramatic inhibition of the dsRNA modifier. Mixing experiments, reconstruction experiments, and pretreatment of extracts with RNases indicated that inhibition of the dsRNA modifier did not result from the continued presence of a soluble inhibitor such as dsRNA) in the in vitro modification reactions. Treatment of cells with cyclohexamide or dactinomycin simultaneously with the poly(I.C) demonstrated that in vivo inhibition of the dsRNA modifier did not require new transcription or translation. The dsRNA modification activity was also substantially inhibited in cells infected with poliovirus and was slightly inhibited in cells infected with adenovirus. The inhibition of the dsRNA modifier during the antiviral state is thus not consistent with an antiviral function, and instead suggests another cellular function for dsRNA modification.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Specific isoprenoid modification is required for function of normal, but not oncogenic, Ras protein.

While the Ras C-terminal CAAX sequence signals modification by a 15-carbon farnesyl isoprenoid, the majority of isoprenylated proteins in mammalian cells are modified instead by a 20-carbon geranylgeranyl moiety. To determine the structural and functional basis for modification of proteins by a specific isoprenoid group, we have generated chimeric Ras proteins containing C-terminal CAAX sequences (CVLL and CAIL) from geranylgeranyl-modified proteins and a chimeric Krev-1 protein containing the H-Ras C-terminal CAAX sequence (CVLS). Our results demonstrate that both oncogenic Ras transforming activity and Krev-1 antagonism of Ras transforming activity can be promoted by either farnesyl or geranylgeranyl modification. Similarly, geranylgeranyl-modified normal Ras [Ras(WT)CVLL], when overexpressed, exhibited the same level of transforming activity as the authentic farnesyl-modified normal Ras protein. Therefore, farnesyl and geranylgeranyl moieties are functionally interchangeable for these biological activities. In contrast, expression of moderate levels of geranylgeranyl-modified normal Ras inhibited the growth of untransformed NIH 3T3 cells. This growth inhibition was overcome by coexpression of the mutant protein with oncogenic Ras or Raf, but not with oncogenic Src or normal Ras. The similar growth-inhibiting activities of Ras(WT)CVLL and the previously described Ras(17N) dominant inhibitory mutant suggest that geranylgeranyl-modified normal Ras may exert its growth-inhibiting action by perturbing endogenous Ras function. These results suggest that normal Ras function may specifically require protein modification by a farnesyl, but not a geranylgeranyl, isoprenoid.

3T3 Cells↗

Sequential histone modifications at Hoxd4 regulatory regions distinguish anterior from posterior embryonic compartments.

Hox genes are differentially expressed along the embryonic anteroposterior axis. We used chromatin immunoprecipitation to detect chromatin changes at the Hoxd4 locus during neurogenesis in P19 cells and embryonic day 8.0 (E8.0) and E10.5 mouse embryos. During Hoxd4 induction in both systems, we observed that histone modifications typical of transcriptionally active chromatin occurred first at the 3' neural enhancer and then at the promoter. Moreover, the sequential distribution of histone modifications between E8.0 and E10.5 was consistent with a spreading of open chromatin, starting with the enhancer, followed by successively more 5' intervening sequences, and culminating at the promoter. Neither RNA polymerase II (Pol II) nor CBP associated with the inactive gene. During Hoxd4 induction, CBP and RNA Pol II were recruited first to the enhancer and then to the promoter. Whereas the CBP association was transient, RNA Pol II remained associated with both regulatory regions. Histone modification and transcription factor recruitment occurred in posterior, Hox-expressing embryonic tissues, but never in anterior tissues, where such genes are inactive. Together, our observations demonstrate that the direction of histone modifications at Hoxd4 mirrors colinear gene activation across Hox clusters and that the establishment of anterior and posterior compartments is accompanied by the imposition of distinct chromatin states.

Animals↗

Functional analysis of the roles of posttranslational modifications at the p53 C terminus in regulating p53 stability and activity.

Posttranslational modification of the tumor suppressor p53 plays important roles in regulating its stability and activity. Six lysine residues at the p53 C terminus can be posttranslationally modified by various mechanisms, including acetylation, ubiquitination, neddylation, methylation, and sumoylation. Previous cell line transfection studies show that ubiquitination of these lysine residues is required for ubiquitin-dependent degradation of p53. In addition, biochemical and cell line studies suggested that p53 acetylation at the C terminus might stabilize p53 and activate its transcriptional activities. To investigate the physiological functional outcome of these C-terminal modifications in regulating p53 stability and activity, we introduced missense mutations (lysine to arginine) at the six lysine residues (K6R) into the endogenous p53 gene in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. The K6R mutation prevents all posttranslational modifications at these sites but conserves the structure of p53. In contrast to conclusions of previous studies, analysis of p53 stability in K6R ES cells, mouse embryonic fibroblasts, and thymocytes showed normal p53 stabilization in K6R cells both before and after DNA damage, indicating that ubiquitination of these lysine residues is not required for efficient p53 degradation. However, p53-dependent gene expression was impaired in K6R ES cells and thymocytes in a promoter-specific manner after DNA damage, indicating that the net outcome of the posttranslational modifications at the C terminus is to activate p53 transcriptional activities after DNA damage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

SUMO modification of human XRCC4 regulates its localization and function in DNA double-strand break repair.

The nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway is responsible for rejoining the majority of double-strand breaks in mammalian cells, including the programmed breaks introduced by V(D)J recombination. The regulation of the enzymatic activities associated with this recombination pathway is still largely unknown. Here we report that human XRCC4 (for X-ray cross-complementation group 4), a protein essential for NHEJ, is subject to posttranslational protein modification. The modifier peptide, SUMO, can be added to XRCC4 both in vitro and in vivo. The site of modification is mapped to lysine 210 by using specific mutagenesis. A protein mutated such that it cannot be SUMOylated remains localized in the cytoplasm rather than accumulating in the nucleus. Cells expressing only the mutated protein are radiation sensitive and fail to complete V(D)J recombination. Genetic fusion of the SUMO sequence to the C terminus of the mutant restores nuclear localization and radiation resistance. The modification may serve a regulatory role. Our finding fits with an emerging literature associating SUMO modification with the control of the repair and recombination associated with DNA breaks.

Cell Nucleus↗

The cell surface of Propionibacterium acnes: effect of specific chemical modifications on the ability of vaccines to produce splenomegaly in mice.

The surface of Propionibacterium acnes, VPI 0009, was studied using microelectrophoresis following chemical treatments intended to modify specific charged groups. The effect of specific modifications on ability of cells to induce splenomegaly, an indicator of stimulation of the reticuloendothelial system, was also determined. There was little difference between pH mobility curves of P. acnes VPI 0009 and other strains of propionibacteria which were not able to stimulate the reticuloendothelial system. Amino and carboxyl groups were found to be the sole ionizable groups at the cell surface and modification of these groups caused a substantial decrease in the ability of cells to stimulate the reticuloendothelial system. No phosphate groups were detected. Evidence for two types of amino groups was found: one type was present on protein moieties and their modification did not affect ability to stimulate the reticuloendothelial system, whereas modification of the other type, which was present on carbohydrate moieties, caused a loss of ability to stimulate the reticuloendothelial system. Mild oxidation with sodium metaperiodate caused abolition of reticuloendothelial system stimulation, but had no effect on surface charged groups, indicating it was acting on the unsubstituted linkages of sugar residues. Treatments with strong acids caused abolition of ability to stimulate the reticuloendothelial system and this was accompanied by release of polysaccharide material.

Animals↗

Effect of diethyl pyrocarbonate modification on spectral and steady-state kinetic properties of bovine heart cytochrome oxidase.

The histidine-specific reagent diethyl pyrocarbonate has been used to chemically modify bovine heart cytochrome oxidase. Thirty-two of sixty-seven histidine residues of cytochrome oxidase are accessible to modification by diethyl pyrocarbonate. Effects on the Soret and alpha bands of the heme spectrum indicate disturbance in the environment of one or both of the heme groups. However, diethyl pyrocarbonate modification does not alter the 830-nm absorbance band, suggesting that the environment of CuA is unchanged. Maximal modification of cytochrome oxidase by diethyl pyrocarbonate results in loss of 85-90% of the steay-state electron transfer activity, which can be reversed by hydroxylamine treatment. However, modification of the first 20 histidines does not alter either activity or the heme spectrum, but only when 32 residues have been modified are the activity and heme spectral changes complete. The steady-state kinetic profile of fully modified oxidase is monophasic; the phase corresponding to tight cytochrome c binding and low turnover is retained, whereas the high turnover phase is abolished. Proteoliposomes incorporated with modified oxidase have a 65% lower respiratory control ratio and 40% lower proton pumping stoichiometry than liposomes containing unmodified oxidase. These results are discussed in terms of a redox-linked proton pumping model for energy coupling via cytochrome oxidase.

Animals↗

High glucose and insulin promote O-GlcNAc modification of proteins, including alpha-tubulin.

Increased flux through the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway has been implicated in the development of glucose-induced insulin resistance and may promote the modification of certain proteins with O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc). L6 myotubes (a model of skeletal muscle) were incubated for 18 h in 5 or 25 mM glucose with or without 10 nM insulin. As assessed by immunoblotting with an O-GlcNAc-specific antibody, high glucose and/or insulin enhanced O-GlcNAcylation of numerous proteins, including the transcription factor Sp1, a known substrate for this modification. To identify novel proteins that may be O-GlcNAc modified in a glucose concentration/insulin-responsive manner, total cell membranes were separated by one- or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Selected O-GlcNAcylated proteins were identified by mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. MS sequencing of tryptic peptides identified member(s) of the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) family and rat alpha-tubulin. Immunoprecipitation/immunoblot studies demonstrated several HSP70 isoforms and/or posttranslational modifications, some with selectively enhanced O-GlcNAcylation following exposure to high glucose plus insulin. In conclusion, in L6 myotubes, Sp1, membrane-associated HSP70, and alpha-tubulin are O-GlcNAcylated; the modification is markedly enhanced by sustained increased glucose flux.

Acetylglucosamine↗