RNF220, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets Sin3B for ubiquitination

Modification of proteins by ubiquitination plays important roles in various cellular processes. During this process, the target specificity is determined by ubiquitin ligases. Here we identify RNF220 (RING finger protein 220) as a novel ubiquitin ligase for Sin3B. As a conserved RING protein, RNF220 can bind E2 and mediate auto-ubiquitination of itself. Through a yeast two-hybrid screen, we isolated Sin3B as one of its targets, which is a scaffold protein of the Sin3/HDAC (histone deacetylase) corepressor complex. RNF220 specifically interacts with Sin3B both in vitro and in vivo. Sin3B can be regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Co-expression of RNF220 promotes the ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of Sin3B. Taken together, these results reveal a new mechanism for regulating the Sin3/HDAC complex. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Zebraflsh z-otu, a novel Otu and Tudor domain-containing gene, is expressed in early stages of oogenesis and embryogenesis

Several studies have suggested that Otu domain had de-ubiquitinating activity and Tudor domain was important for the formation of germ cells. Here, we reported a novel zebrafish ovary-specific gene containing Otu and Tudor domain, z-otu, which was expressed at stages I-III oocytes and embryonic stages from zygotes to early blastula during embryonic cells maintained their totipotency. Therefore, z-otu might link the ubiquitin signaling pathway to early oogenesis and maintaining the totipotency of embryonic cell. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

小麦SKP1同源基因TSK1的克隆和功能分析

SKP1 (S-phase kinase-associated-protein 1) 家族蛋白是普遍存在于真核生物中的一类小分子量蛋白质，其主要的生物学功能在于参与SCF复合体的形成，从而调控生物体内泛素介导的蛋白质降解，并参与多方面的生物发育过程。SKP1蛋白能够同时和Cullin蛋白以及F-box蛋白结合，形成SCF复合体的核心部分。因此，SKP1正常功能的维持对于SCF复合体功能的实现至关重要。研究显示，植物中尤其是以拟南芥为代表模式植物中已经发现了21个SKP1基因成员，并发现其中的ASK1参与了多个SCF复合体的形成并调控着包括植物雄性减数分裂、生长素、赤霉素、茉莉酸和乙烯等生理和发育进程。但是来自高等植物尤其是小麦和水稻中的SKP1基因还鲜有报道，其功能还不为所知;此外，SKP1基因与ABA的关系还没有任何报道。 　　本文利用筛选小麦减数分裂期小花的cDNA文库结合RT-PCR的方法从小麦中分离到了一个SKP1同源基因，并命名为TSK1 (Triticum aestivum SKP1-Like 1)。序列比较结果显示TSK1与多个植物来源的SKP1基因有较高的同源性，对其推测的编码蛋白序列的分析发现TSK1与包括拟南芥来源的ASK1/ASK2等蛋白的羧基端存在非常高的保守性。 　　在对TSK1表达模式的研究中，本文发现TSK1主要是集中在小麦花序和幼根中表达。利用多种激素对小麦幼苗处理之后，发现TSK1的表达受ABA的抑制，但是当小麦中ABA合成受抑的情况下，TSK1的表达会有所增加，说明TSK1的表达受ABA的调控。RNA原位杂交显示TSK1基因在花顶端分生组织、花药以及幼根等分生较旺盛的组织中有较强的表达，暗示该基因可能参与了与细胞分裂相关的过程。 　　为了研究TSK1可能具有的功能，本文首先在ask1-1突变体背景上超表达TSK1，发现能够部分恢复ask1-1突变体雄性不育的表型，说明TSK1和ASK1在植物减数分裂过程中存在某种保守性。 　　在野生型拟南芥中超表达TSK1造成了拟南芥多个方面的变化，包括萌发和开花推迟，气孔开度减小等。进一步的观察发现，转基因植株的萌发和营养生长都呈现出对ABA的超敏感，后续证据证实这种ABA的超敏感性并不是由于转基因拟南芥中ABA合成途径的改变所造成的，而极有可能是影响了ABA的信号传导过程。RT-PCR的结果显示，转基因植株中多个ABA相关的已知基因表达量的发生了变化。 　　为了提供植物中SKP1家族成员参与调节植物ABA信号传导途径证据，本文对拟南芥ASK1/ask1 ASK12/ask2的杂合双突变体自交后代进行了研究。结果显示，ask1/ask1纯合突变体和ask1/ask1 ASK2/ask2植株表现出对ABA的弱敏感性。该结果从另一个侧面印证了TSK1超表达植株对ABA超敏感表型。 　　此外，TSK1超表达拟南芥也表现出生长素相关表型，也印证了该基因可能与ASK1类似，参与到生长素介导的根发育过程。 　　综上所述，本文认为TSK1参与了植物激素介导的植物发育过程，而且极有可能是形成了目前未知的某种SCF复合体。最重要的是，本文的结果为SCF复合体参与调节植物ABA信号传导途径提供了生理及遗传层面的证据。 　　 　　

Winter Temperature and UV Are Tightly Linked to Genetic Changes in the p53 Tumor Suppressor Pathway in Eastern Asia

The tumor suppressor p53 is a master sensor of stress. Two human-specific polymorphisms, p53 codon 72 and MDM2 SNP309, influence the activities of p53. There is a tight association between cold winter temperature and p53 Arg72 and between low UV intensity

Origin and evolution of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes from Guillardia theta nucleomorph to hominoid

The origin of eukaryotic ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s) can be traced back to the Guillardia theta nucleomorph about 2500 million years ago (Mya). E2s are largely vertically inherited over eukaryotic evolution [Lespinet, O., Wolf, Y.I., Koonin, E.V.,

A de novo originated gene depresses budding yeast mating pathway and is repressed by the protein encoded by its antisense strand

Recent transcription profiling studies have revealed an unexpectedly large proportion of antisense transcripts in eukaryotic genomes. These antisense genes seem to regulate gene expression by interacting with sense genes. Previous studies have focused on the non-coding antisense genes, but the possible regulatory role of the antisense protein is poorly understood. In this study, we found that a protein encoded by the antisense gene ADF1 acts as a transcription suppressor, regulating the expression of sense gene MDF1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Based on the evolutionary, genetic, cytological and biochemical evidence, we show that the protein-coding sense gene MDF1 most likely originated de novo from a previously non-coding sequence and can significantly suppress the mating efficiency of baker's yeast in rich medium by binding MAT alpha 2 and thus promote vegetative growth. These results shed new light on several important issues, including a new sense-antisense interaction mechanism, the de novo origination of a functional gene, and the regulation of yeast mating pathway.