Mycobacterium bovis BCG promotes tumor cell survival from tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced apoptosis

Background: Increased incidence of lung cancer among pulmonary tuberculosis patients suggests mycobacteria-induced tumorigenic response in the host. The alveolar epithelial cells, candidate cells that form lung adenocarcinoma, constitute a niche for mycobacterial replication and infection. We thus explored the possible mechanism of M. bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-assisted tumorigenicity in type II epithelial cells, human lung adenocarcinoma A549 and other cancer cells. Methods: Cancer cell lines originating from lung, colon, bladder, liver, breast, skin and cervix were treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in presence or absence of BCG infection. p53, COP1 and sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling markers were determined by immunoblotting and luciferase assays, and quantitative real time PCR was done for p53-responsive pro-apoptotic genes and SHH signaling markers. MTT assays and Annexin V staining were utilized to study apoptosis. Gain-and loss-of-function approaches were used to investigate the role for SHH and COP1 signaling during apoptosis. A549 xenografted mice were used to validate the contribution of BCG during TNF-alpha treatment. Results: Here, we show that BCG inhibits TNF-alpha-mediated apoptosis in A549 cells via downregulation of p53 expression. Substantiating this observation, BCG rescued A549 xenografts from TNF-alpha-mediated tumor clearance in nude mice. Furthermore, activation of SHH signaling by BCG induced the expression of an E3 ubiquitin ligase, COP1. SHH-driven COP1 targeted p53, thereby facilitating downregulation of p53-responsive pro-apoptotic genes and inhibition of apoptosis. Similar effects of BCG could be shown for HCT116, T24, MNT-1, HepG2 and HELA cells but not for HCT116 p53(-/-) and MDA-MB-231 cells. Conclusion: Our results not only highlight possible explanations for the coexistence of pulmonary tuberculosis and lung cancer but also address probable reasons for failure of BCG immunotherapy of cancers.

Bioengineering of AAV2 Capsid at Specific Serine, Threonine, or Lysine Residues Improves Its Transduction Efficiency in Vitro and in Vivo

We hypothesized that the AAV2 vector is targeted for destruction in the cytoplasm by the host cellular kinase/ubiquitination/proteasomal machinery and that modification of their targets on AAV2 capsid may improve its transduction efficiency. In vitro analysis with pharmacological inhibitors of cellular serine/threonine kinases (protein kinase A, protein kinase C, casein kinase II) showed an increase (20-90%) on AAV2-mediated gene expression. The three-dimensional structure of AAV2 capsid was then analyzed to predict the sites of ubiquitination and phosphorylation. Three phosphodegrons, which are the phosphorylation sites recognized as degradation signals by ubiquitin ligases, were identified. Mutation targets comprising eight serine (S) or seven threonine (T) or nine lysine (K) residues were selected in and around phosphodegrons on the basis of their solvent accessibility, overlap with the receptor binding regions, overlap with interaction interfaces of capsid proteins, and their evolutionary conservation across AAV serotypes. AAV2-EGFP vectors with the wild-type (WT) capsid or mutant capsids (15 S/T -> alanine A] or 9 K -> arginine R] single mutant or 2 double K -> R mutants) were then evaluated in vitro. The transduction efficiencies of 11 S/T -> A and 7 K -> R vectors were significantly higher (similar to 63-90%) than the AAV2-WT vectors (similar to 30-40%). Further, hepatic gene transfer of these mutant vectors in vivo resulted in higher vector copy numbers (up to 4.9-fold) and transgene expression (up to 14-fold) than observed from the AAV2-WT vector. One of the mutant vectors, S489A, generated similar to 8-fold fewer antibodies that could be cross-neutralized by AAV2-WT. This study thus demonstrates the feasibility of the use of these novel AAV2 capsid mutant vectors in hepatic gene therapy.

An ultrastable conjugate of silver nanoparticles and protein formed through weak interactions

In recent years, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted significant attention owing to their unique physicochemical, optical, conductive and antimicrobial properties. One of the properties of AgNPs which is crucial for all applications is their stability. In the present study we unravel a mechanism through which silver nanoparticles are rendered ultrastable in an aqueous solution in complex with the protein ubiquitin (Ubq). This involves a dynamic and reversible association and dissociation of ubiquitin from the surface of AgNP. The exchange occurs at a rate much greater than 25 s(-1) implying a residence time of <40 ms for the protein. The AgNP-Ubq complex remains stable for months due to steric stabilization over a wide pH range compared to unconjugated AgNPs. NMR studies reveal that the protein molecules bind reversibly to AgNP with an approximate dissociation constant of 55 mu M and undergo fast exchange. At pH > 4 the positively charged surface of the protein comes in contact with the citrate capped AgNP surface. Further, NMR relaxation-based experiments suggest that in addition to the dynamic exchange, a conformational rearrangement of the protein takes place upon binding to AgNP. The ultrastability of the AgNP-Ubq complex was found to be useful for its anti-microbial activity, which allowed the recycling of this complex multiple times without the loss of stability. Altogether, the study provides new insights into the mechanism of protein-silver nanoparticle interactions and opens up new avenues for its application in a wide range of systems.

Role of Monoubiquitylation on the Control of IκBα Degradation and NF-κB Activity

9 p.

Two Nuclear Localization Signals in USP1 Mediate Nuclear Import of the USP1/UAF1 Complex

9 p. : il.

USP1 deubiquitinase: cellular functions, regulatory mechanisms and emerging potential as target in cancer therapy

12 p.

Analysis of SUMOylated proteins using SUMO-traps

6 p. [+ 7 p. Supplementary Information]

Proteomic analysis of the Cdc48/Ubx network identifies a role for Ubx2 in the regulation of lipid biosynthesis

Cdc48/p97 is an essential, highly abundant hexameric member of the AAA (ATPase associated with various cellular activities) family. It has been linked to a variety of processes throughout the cell but it is best known for its role in the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. In this system it is believed that Cdc48 behaves as a segregase, transducing the chemical energy of ATP hydrolysis into mechanical force to separate ubiquitin-conjugated proteins from their tightly-bound partners.

Current models posit that Cdc48 is linked to its substrates through a variety of adaptor proteins, including a family of seven proteins (13 in humans) that contain a Cdc48-binding UBX domain. As such, due to the complexity of the network of adaptor proteins for which it serves as the hub, Cdc48/p97 has the potential to exert a profound influence on the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. However, the number of known substrates of Cdc48/p97 remains relatively small, and smaller still is the number of substrates that have been linked to a specific UBX domain protein. As such, the goal of this dissertation research has been to discover new substrates and better understand the functions of the Cdc48 network. With this objective in mind, we established a proteomic screen to assemble a catalog of candidate substrate/targets of the Ubx adaptor system.

Here we describe the implementation and optimization of a cutting-edge quantitative mass spectrometry method to measure relative changes in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteome. Utilizing this technology, and in order to better understand the breadth of function of Cdc48 and its adaptors, we then performed a global screen to identify accumulating ubiquitin conjugates in cdc48-3 and ubxΔ mutants. In this screen different ubx mutants exhibited reproducible patterns of conjugate accumulation that differed greatly from each other, pointing to various unexpected functional specializations of the individual Ubx proteins.

As validation of our mass spectrometry findings, we then examined in detail the endoplasmic-reticulum bound transcription factor Spt23, which we identified as a putative Ubx2 substrate. In these studies ubx2Δ cells were deficient in processing of Spt23 to its active p90 form, and in localizing p90 to the nucleus. Additionally, consistent with reduced processing of Spt23, ubx2Δ cells demonstrated a defect in expression of their target gene OLE1, a fatty acid desaturase. Overall, this work demonstrates the power of proteomics as a tool to identify new targets of various pathways and reveals Ubx2 as a key regulator lipid membrane biosynthesis.

Negative regulation of transcription factors by Srb10 cyclin-dependent kinase

The ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway plays an important role in a broad array of cellular processes, inducting cell cycle control and transcription. Biochemical analysis of the ubiquitination of Sic1, the B-type cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor in budding yeast helped to define a ubiquitin ligase complex named SCF^cdc4 (for Skp1, Cdc53/cullin, F-box protein). We found that besides Sic1, the CDK inhibitor Far1 and the replication initiation protein Cdc6 are also substrates of SCF^cdc4 in vitro. A common feature in the ubiquitination of the cell cycle SCF^cdc4 substrates is that they must be phosphorylated by the major cell cycle CDK, Cdc28. Gcn4, a transcription activator involved in the general control of amino acid biosynthesis, is rapidly degraded in an SCF^cdc4-dependent manner in vivo. We have focused on this substrate to investigate the generality of the SCF^cdc4 pathway. Through biochemical fractionations, we found that the Srb10 CDK phosphorylates Gcn4 and thereby marks it for recognition by SCF^cdc4 ubiquitin ligase. Srb10 is a physiological regulator of Gcn4 stability because both phosphorylation and turnover of Gcn4 are diminished in srb10 mutants. Furthermore, we found that at least two different CDKs, Pho85 and Srb10, conspire to promote the rapid degradation of Gcn4 in vivo. The multistress response transcriptional regulator Msn2 is also a substrate for Srb10 and is hyperphosphorylated in an Srb10-dependent manner upon heat stress-induced translocation into the nucleus. Whereas Msn2 is cytoplasmic in resting wild type cells, its nuclear exclusion is partially compromised in srb10 mutant cells. Srb10 has been shown to repress a subset of genes in vivo, and has been proposed to inhibit transcription via phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II. Our results suggest a general theme that Srb10 represses the transcription of specific genes by directly antagonizing the transcriptional activators.

Signal transduction, regulation, and developmental logic of EGFR signalling in C. elegans

RTKs-mediated signaling systems and the pathways with which they interact (e.g., those initiated by G protein-mediated signaling) involve a highly cooperative network that sense a large number of cellular inputs and then integrate, amplify, and process this information to orchestrate an appropriate set of cellular responses. The responses include virtually all aspects of cell function, from the most fundamental (proliferation, differentiation) to the most specialized (movement, metabolism, chemosensation). The basic tenets of RTK signaling system seem rather well established. Yet, new pathways and even new molecular players continue to be discovered. Although we believe that many of the essential modules of RTK signaling system are rather well understood, we have relatively little knowledge of the extent of interaction among these modules and their overall quantitative importance.

My research has encompassed the study of both positive and negative signaling by RTKs in C. elegans. I identified the C. elegans S0S-1 gene and showed that it is necessary for multiple RAS-mediated developmental signals. In addition, I demonstrated that there is a SOS-1-independent signaling during RAS-mediated vulval differentiation. By assessing signal outputs from various triple mutants, I have concluded that this SOS-1-independent signaling is not mediated by PTP-2/SHP-2 or the removal of inhibition by GAP-1/ RasGAP and it is not under regulation by SLI-1/Cb1. I speculate that there is either another exchange factor for RASor an as yet unidentified signaling pathway operating during RAS-mediated vulval induction in C. elegans.

In an attempt to uncover the molecular mechanisms of negative regulation of EGFR signaling by SLI-1/Cb1, I and two other colleagues codiscovered that RING finger domain of SLI-1 is partially dispensable for activity. This structure-function analysis shows that there is an ubiquitin protein ligase-independent activity for SLI-1 in regulating EGFR signaling. Further, we identified an inhibitory tyrosine of LET-23/ EGFR requiring sli-1(+)for its effects: removal of this tyrosine closely mimics loss of sli-1 but not loss of other negative regulator function.

By comparative analysis of two RTK pathways with similar signaling mechanisms, I have found that clr-1, a previously identified negative regulator of egl-15 mediated FGFR signaling, is also involved in let-23 EGFR signaling. The success of this approach promises a similar reciprocal test and could potentially extend to the study of other signaling pathways with similar signaling logic.

Finally, by correlating the developmental expression of lin-3 EGF to let-23 EGFR signaling activity, I demonstrated the existence of reciprocal EGF signaling in coordinating the morphogenesis of epithelia. This developmental logic of EGF signaling could provide a basis to understand a universal mechanism for organogenesis.

水稻富含甘氨酸蛋白在细胞中的定位及其基因调控元件的转基因分析

水稻Angrp-1基因编码富含甘氨酸蛋白质。氨基酸序列分析表明该蛋白在氨基端可能存在一个信号肽序列，其后为富含甘氨酸序列。亲水性指数显示AnGRP-1蛋白包含两个区域。第一个区域由氨基端的1到27氨基酸残基组成。为强疏水性区。该肽段的氨基端为带正电荷号肽特征。与水稻Osgrp-1和菜豆grp1.8基因编码的信号肽进行同源性比较，发现这三种信号肽具有alafLvLLNIg同源序列。AnGRP-1蛋白的第二区域由第28到183氨基酸残基组成。该区域富含甘氨酸，具轻度亲水性，并且含有15个Gly-Tyr-Gly基序，这些基序中的酷西安酸残基之间相互作用，有可能形成分子间或分子内的连接。 利用水稻原生质体瞬间表达系统，比较Angrp-1基因启动子283bp和－1020bp片段，以及Ubiquitin启动子、Actin启动子和35S启动子的活性。结果表明，在水稻原生质体瞬间表达中，Angrp-1基因的两个启动子片段活性较低，接近本底。三个对照的组成型启动子中，以Ubiquitin启动子的活性最强，Actin启动子次之， 35S启动子最弱。根据以上结果推测水稻Angrp-1基因的表达可能具有组织或发育特异异表达和特性。 为研究Angrp-1基因的稳定表达与调控特性，将Angrp-1基因的启动子缺失片段1020bp、941bp、568bp和182bp分别与GUS基因融合，得到pGRP6-121、pGRP7-121、pGRP8-121和pGRP9-121等4个克隆，进行烟草转化，获得转基因植株。GUS活性测定表明在－1020到－568之间，随缺失增多，启动子活性下降。当缺失至－182时，182bp的启动子片段活性高于568bp片段。因此，Angrp-1基因5'端－1020到－568之间存在正调控序列，在－568至－182之间存在负调控序列。对pGRP6-121的烟草转基因植株进行GUS组织染色和活性测发现，GUS基因在维管组织优先表达。在根、茎、叶三种器官中，叶和茎的表达量最高。营养生长期的表达量高于生殖生长期。用2283bp和1020bp的启动子片段分别与GUS基因融合，转化水稻，转化体的GUS组织学染色表明Gus基因具有维管束优先表达特性。因此，Angrp-1基因的表达具有较明显的组织、器官和发育特异性。 水稻AnGRP-1蛋白的免疫组织定位分析表明，Angrp-1基因产物主要定位于水稻的维管组织。利用免疫金方法对AnGRP-1蛋白进行超微结构定位，发现金颗粒主要分布于水稻细胞的细胞壁中。因此，可基本确定AnGRP-1蛋白为细胞壁蛋白。在细胞内的内质网和高尔基体上面或附近也有金颗粒的分布，表明至少有部分AnGRP-1蛋白经过内质网－高尔基体－质膜途径，最终达到细胞壁。 为研究Angrp-1基因编码的信号肽功能，将其信号肽与GUS的氨基端融合，分别置于35S启动子和Angrp-1基因1020bp启动子片段控制之下，得到克隆p35s-SP-GUS-121和pGRP6-SP-GUS-121，分别以pBI121和pGRP6-121作对照，进行烟草基因转化。转化体的GUS活性分析表明，在35S启动子控制下，加与不加信号肽对GUS活性影响不大。但是，在Angrp-1基因的1020bp启动子片段作用下，信号肽与GUS融合后的转化体中其本不表现GUS活性。利用免疫金方法进行的超微结构定位表明，在p35S-SP-GUS-121和pGRP6-SP-GUS-121转化的烟草植株中，均可在细胞壁中检测室GUS产物的存在，因此AnGRP-1的信号肽能引导GUS从细胞质分泌细胞壁中。 以Angrp-1基因5'端的－568到＋1作探针，发现Angrp-1基因以在水稻窄叶青和京系17两个亲本中存在多态性，并进一步将Angrp-1基因定位于水稻第10号染色体上。

两个固氮相关的植物基因对烟草和水稻的转化及其表达

豆科植物凝集素基因和血红蛋白基因在对根瘤菌的识别作用和类菌体在低氧分压下的共生固氮中起重要作用。本文的目的是试图将这两个基因转移到非豆料植物烟草和水稻，使其能识别根瘤菌，探讨非豆科植物的共生和联合固氮的可能性。 构建了含有豌豆凝集素（P－Lec）基因、Parasponia andersonii血红蛋白基因、gus基因及植物选择标记潮霉素磷酸转移酶基因（hpt）的两个植物表达载体pCBHL和pCBHUL;同时，还构建了含有P－Lec基因、gus基因及植物选择标记PPT乙酰转移酶基因（bar）的植物表达载体pBBUL。在pCBHL中，CaMV35S启动子调控P－Lec基因的表达，而在pCBHUL和pBBUL中，该基因由玉米Ubiquitin 1启动子调控。 用农杆菌法将pCBHL导入烟草，得到53株再生植株，PCR检测表明转化频率为88％。用基因枪法分别将pCBHUL和pBBUL导入水稻幼胚或幼胚诱导的愈伤组织。转pCBHUL的材料共得到40株再生植株，经分子检测有18株分转基因植株，转化频率为0.9%。转pBBUL的幼胚愈伤组织经PPT筛选，只得到能分化出小芽的抗性愈伤组织。 PCR检测、Southern杂交表明P-Lec基因和Paraspoina血红蛋白基因都已经整合到转基因烟草及水稻的基因组中，转基因水稻植株中两个外源目的基因的拷贝数较高。Western杂交分析转基因植物中P-Lec基因的表达情况，结果表明该基因在转基因的烟草和水稻叶片中得到正确地表达。同时，GUS组织化学染色表明转基因烟草的嫩茎和幼根，转基因水稻的嫩叶和幼根中都有gus基因的表达。转基因烟草中外源基因的表达频率高于转基因水稻。T1代转基因烟草幼根的蛋白原位免疫杂交显示P-Lec正确定位于正在生长的幼根根毛的顶端，与对照豌豆中的P-Lec基因表达部位相一致。关于Parasponia血红蛋白基因，以前本实验室对转基因烟草和水稻的研究表明有转录水平的表达，国外实验室证实转基因烟草中有转译表达。 上述结果有可能为进一步研究转基因非豆科植物与根瘤菌的相互作用奠定一定的基础。

高赖氨酸蛋白基因的克隆及其转基因水稻植株的获得

水稻、玉米、小麦和大麦等许多主要禾本科作物的第一限制性氨基酸是赖氨酸。本文将一个来源于四棱豆的高赖氨酸蛋白基因导入水稻，以研究通过转基因改善蛋白质的可能，获得有经济价值和社会意义的转基因作物。 构建了含有高赖氨酸蛋白基因（Lys）、gus基因及植物选择标记潮霉素磷酸转移酶基因（hpt）的植物表达载体pBRLys;在pBRLys中，该高赖氨酸蛋白基因由目前已知最强的单子叶植物启动子玉米Ubiquitin 1启动子调控。用基因枪轰击法将pBRLys导入水稻幼胚或幼胚诱导的愈伤组织。共得到36株潮霉素抗性再生植株，经分子检测有22株为转基因植株。 实验中对影响水稻转化、再生和移栽一些条件进行了研究。从潮霉素筛选浓度、愈伤组织干燥处理、光照对分化的影响、多效唑的影响和移栽环境等做了一些简化和改善。 PCR检测、PCR-Southern杂交和Southern杂交表明潮霉素基因和Lys基因已经整合到转基因水稻的基因组中，外源基因在转基因水稻基因组中以1个拷贝以上的形式存在。同时，GUS组织化学染色表明转基因水稻植株的叶、茎和根中都有gus基因的表达。 初步对5株转基因植株进行赖氨酸含量测定，结果表明：与非转化对照相比，有两棵植株赖氨酸含量提高，分别增加6.0%和12.4%。对更多抗性转化植株的分子检测、GUS分析和赖氨酸含量测定正在进行之中。

植物络合素合酶基因的功能分析及其应用

植物络合素（phytochelatins，PCs）是含有γ-Glu-Cys重复结构的小分子多肽，其结构通式为：（γ-Glu-Cys）n-Gly（n=2-11）。植物络合素（PCs）由植物络合素合酶（PCS）催化谷胱甘肽（GSH）聚合而成，能够络合重金属离子而具有解毒功能，这是植物解毒重金属胁迫的重要机制之一。本文克隆了来源于重金属抗性植物绊根草（Cynodon dactylon cv Goldensun）的植物络合素合酶基因，通过基因工程手段使其在烟草中过量表达，得到了一些有望用于植物修复（phytoremediation）的工程植株。同时，在水稻（Oryza sativa）种子中利用RNAi技术抑制植物络合素合酶基因的表达，以降低重金属离子在人类最重要的粮食作物水稻的籽粒中的积累。 1. 通过RACE（Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends）方法从抗性植物绊根草中克隆了植物络合素合酶基因CdPCS1，其1515 bp的读码框编码一个含505个氨基酸的蛋白质，蛋白质序列分析表明它具有植物络合素合酶的结构特征，同时还具有磷酸化位点和亮氨酸拉链结构。 2. CdPCS1基因可以互补对铜和镉离子敏感的酵母突变株ABDE-1（cup1Δ）中缺失的金属硫蛋白基因CUP1的功能，也可以互补对砷离子敏感的酵母突变体FD236-6A（acr-3Δ）中的离子外排载体基因ARC3的缺失。 3. 将CdPCS1转入烟草，共获得过表达CdPCS1的烟草44个株系，其中融合GFP的株系16个。对T0代的转基因植株的PCs含量以及重金属抗性和吸收能力进行了分析，其中抗性实验表明，在300μmol/L 的Cd2+离子胁迫11天之后，野生型植株的叶片出现斑点状坏死，而两个转基因烟草株系S6和K49的植株没有出现受伤害症状。在100μmol/L的CdSO4处理一周后，转基因植株中的PCs含量比对照有不同程度的提高，最多提高了2.88倍。当用300μmol/L Cd2+处理9天再用600μmol/L Cd2+处理2天后，Cd的积累量比野生型植株增加了2倍多;用50μmol/L As3+处理7天再用100μmol/L As3+处理2天后，转基因植株对As的积累量最多增加了3倍多。说明转入绊根草PC合酶基因的烟草增加了植物络合素的合成，并由此增加了对镉离子的抗性以及对镉离子和砷离子的积累。 4. 对转基因烟草中的CdPCS1进行了亚细胞定位研究。在激光共聚焦显微镜和荧光显微镜下分别用转基因烟草叶片组织和叶肉细胞原生质体观察融合GFP的CdPCS1，结果表明融合蛋白定位于细胞核中。 5. .利用RNAi技术抑制水稻种子中植物络合素合酶基因的表达，共获得39个转基因株系。其中35个株系为种子特异性ZMM1启动子驱动OsPCS1基因的RNAi，其余4个株系由组成型的Ubiquitin启动子驱动。RT-PCR的分析结果表明：一个由ZMM1启动子驱动的RNAi转基因水稻株系的种子中，OsPCS1的mRNA水平比对照中的下降了一半。

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。