OsLIC1基因参与水稻株型调控的功能研究

CCCH型锌指蛋白是进化上比较保守的一类锌指蛋白家族，其典型的氨基酸的基序为C-X7-8-C-X5-C-X3-H，其中X为任意氨基酸，这类锌指基序一般以重复的双拷贝形式存在。本论文克隆并鉴定了一个全新的、只含有一个CCCH型锌指基序的基因，利用反义RNA策略研究该基因功能，结果发现该基因的反义转基因植株表现出叶夹角增大的表型，因此我们将该基因命名为OsLIC1（Oryza sativa Lamina Increased Leaf Angle Control 1）。生物信息学分析发现该基因定位于水稻6号染色体近端粒的一端，位于BAC克隆AP004324中。OsLIC1与通常的CCCH型锌指蛋白含有多个重复的CCCH锌指基序不同，它只含有一个CCCH型锌指基序。除了CCCH锌指结构域以外，该蛋白在靠近C-端的位置还有一段丝氨酸（Ser）富集的区域，在此区域之前，还有一个在真核生物中相对保守的，以EELR为核心基序的结构域。采用基因枪将含OsLIC1-GFP融合构建的瞬时表达载体轰击入洋葱内表皮细胞，激光共聚焦显微镜观察发现OsLIC1-GFP可以定位到细胞核中。利用酵母转录激活系统发现以EELR为核心基序的结构域具有转录激活的功能。体外核酸结合活性分析显示OsLIC1蛋白可以结合双链DNA，这些结果证明OsLIC1是一个转录因子，这也是在植物中首次发现CCCH型锌指蛋白可以作为转录因子的方式调节基因的表达。 用玉米泛素启动子（Maize Ubiquitin promoter）驱动OsLIC1基因的反义表达载体转化水稻，获得的内源OsLIC1基因表达量下降的转基因植株表现出三个明显的表型：转基因植株的叶夹角增大;转基因的株高低于对照以及转基因植株的穗粒数减少。扫描电镜观察发现转基因植株叶夹角增大是由于近轴面细胞排列发生了改变以及维管束发育受阻引起的。转基因植株的Southern Blot和RT-PCR分析，结合Western Blot分析证明了转基因植株的表型与转基因事件之间的直接联系，并证明了转基因植株中内源OsLIC1在蛋白水平的确受到了抑制。采用RT-PCR技术、Promoter：：GUS和RNA in situ杂交三种方法相结合研究OsLIC1基因的表达模式，结果表明OsLIC1基因主要在叶颈、节以及分蘖原基中表达，这与转基因植株的表型相吻合，进一步证明了转基因植株的表型与基因功能之间的关系。Affymetrix 水稻全基因组芯片分析结果显示许多受油菜素内酯诱导表达的基因在转基因植株的叶颈材料中表达量上调，RT-PCR进一步验证了这一结果。由于在转基因植株中出现的叶夹角增大的表型和水稻油菜素内酯的作用相似，而基因芯片的结果又从分子水平提供了证据和线索。进一步采用RT-PCR和Promoter：：GUS相结合的方法研究OsLIC1基因对油菜素内酯的响应，结果发现OsLIC1基因可以被油菜素内酯诱导表达。而且，OsLIC1基因的反义转基因植株与野生型相比，表现出对油菜素内酯信号更敏感的响应。根据以上结果，推测OsLIC1可能是水稻油菜素内酯信号转导途径的负调控因子。水稻油菜素内酯合成和信号转导的突变体d2-1和d61-1具有直立的叶片的特征。用反义OsLIC1转基因植株以及野生型水稻与d2-1和d61-1突变体分别进行遗传杂交，结果发现在反义OsLIC1转基因植株与d2-1和d61-1突变体的杂交F1代中，都表现出叶夹角增大的表型。但是，在F2代中，在d2-1和d61-1纯合背景下，分别表现出叶夹角增大和叶片直立的表型，说明OsLIC1上位于d2-1，而d61-1则上位于OsLIC1。这一结果进一步证明了OsLIC1是通过参与水稻油菜素内酯信号调节而发挥对水稻叶夹角的调控作用。

转Rubisco 活化酶大型同工酶基因(rca)水稻的光合作用特性研究

Rubisco 是催化光合暗反应第一步反应的酶，是唯一能将CO2 转变成碳水化合物的酶，由它固定和最后转化成的碳水化合物提供了植物、动物和微生物的食物和能量。但是，Rubisco 催化该反应的效率十分低，使之成为光合作用的限速步骤。由于Rubisco 的合成和催化过程十分复杂，人们很难通过直接改造Rubisco 提高植物固定CO2 的能力。而Rubisco 活化酶能活化Rubisco，使植物在生理CO2 浓度下具有最大的CO2 同化速率，因此研究活化酶有重要意义。水稻活化酶有2 个同工酶，大型同工酶比小型同工酶C 端多37 个氨基酸，其中包括两个Cys 残基。这两个Cys 残基的存在使活化酶大型同工酶对ADP 的存在更加敏感，其活性在硫氧还蛋白的介导下能被基质中氧化还原状态的变化所调节。由于活化酶大型同工酶对调节Rubisco 的活性具有的这种特殊作用，在本研究中，将活化酶大型同工酶rca基因用正义和反义引入水稻基因组，获得了过量表达活化酶大型同工酶基因和反义抑制活化酶基因表达的转基因植株，对其光合作用进行了生理和生化分析。 本研究的主要结果如下： Rubisco 活化酶大型同工酶基因的克隆：从水稻镇恢249 中克隆了1525 bp 的活化酶大型同工酶cDNA 序列。经过测序，它与报道的粳稻品种活化酶大型同工酶cDNA 序列（rca）完全相同。 构建了4 个植物表达载体：3 个为过量表达rca的载体，分别是pCBUbirca，pCBSrca 和 pCBSUbirca ，其中rca分别在水稻中高效表达的玉米Ubiquitin 启动子、受光调控的Rubisco 小亚基基因启动子和由这两个启动子构成的双启动子控制下表达; 1 个在Ubiquitin 启动子控制的反义rca载体，即 pCBUbi-antirca。 获得了转化rca的水稻再生植株：用日本晴，台北309，武育梗7 号和籼稻品种培矮64S 水稻成熟种子诱导愈伤组织。用改良的农杆菌浸染法将rca基因转化这些愈伤组织，在潮霉素筛选压力下获得抗性愈伤组织，经过2 天的干燥处理后，转入到含山梨醇的高渗分化培养基上培养，能迅速获得大量的芽和转化体再生植株。 获得了转rca基因的水稻植株：抗性愈伤组织和再生水稻幼苗的叶片经GUS 染色呈蓝黑色。PCR 扩增转基因水稻基因组内的潮霉素基因和rca，大部分转基因水稻中含有841 bp 的潮霉素基因片段和1525 bp 长的rca cDNA 片段。251 粒T1 代转基因水稻种子中189粒呈现潮霉素抗性，抗性种子/非抗性种子的比率约为3：1，接近孟德尔分离规律。Southern杂交表明rca序列已整合到水稻基因组，一般含1－2个拷贝。Western 杂交显示Rubisco 活化酶含量在转pCBUbi －antirca 的水稻中和对照比，几乎看不出，被反义抑制;转pCBUbirca 的水稻与对照含量相差无几;转pCBSUbirca，pCBSrca 载体的水稻中活化酶的含量比对照有极显著的增加。 T1 代转rca水稻的光合作用发生显著变化：转pCBSrca 和pCBSUbirca 的水稻在饱和光强下的Rubisco 初始活性、羧化效率、光合速率都明显高于对照，但是表观量子效率、色素含量和Rubisco 总活性与对照相似。两者相比，前者比后者更高;转反义rca（pCBUbi-antirca）基因的水稻饱和光强下的光合速率、表观量子效率、羧化效率、Rubisco 初始活性明显降低，色素含量和Rubisco 总活性基本不变;转pCBUbirca 的水稻中，光合作用的各项参数与对照基本相似。 T1 代转rca水稻的叶绿素荧光明显改变：转pCBSrca 和pCBSUbirca 的水稻ΦPSII 的值明显高于对照，而且前者qP 的值明显高于对照。两者相比，前者的ΦPSII 和qP 的值比后者高;转反义rca的水稻ΦPSII，F′v/F′m，qP 值和对照比都明显降低，但qN 的值升高;转pCBUbirca 载体的水稻中，叶绿素荧光的各项参数与对照基本相似。 转rca基因的水稻生长发育的变化：转pCBUbirca 载体的水稻整个生长发育过程与对照相似;转化pCBSrca 和pCBSUbirca 载体的水稻和对照比，植株高大，生长发育速度加快，抽穗、开花和结籽的时间提前。两者本身相比，前者比后者明显;转反义rca（pCBUbi-antirca）基因的水稻生长发育延迟，植株矮小，种子败育。 由上可见，Rubisco 活化酶大型同工酶rca基因在Rubisco 小亚基基因启动子、Ubiquitin 基因启动子和Rubisco 小亚基基因启动子共同控制下正义转入水稻的转基因植物光合作用的参数最好，光合效率提高，植物表型最好，生长发育加快，提前开花结籽。这一研究可能为获得高光合效率和高产量的水稻奠定了基础。

谷子和甘蔗C4型磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶基因的克隆及其转基因水稻光合效率的提高

水稻是我国重要的粮食作物之一，它是一种典型的C3植物。与其它C3作物不一样的是，水稻的生长需要相对较高的温度和充足的阳光照射。然而高温和高光强的生长环境更加适合于C4植物的生长，更加有利于发挥C4植物高光合效率的特点。因此本论文希望将C4植物中固定CO2的酶磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶基因导入水稻，获得一种更加适合高温和高光强生活环境的“C4型”水稻，这对于提高水稻的产量，满足人口增长对粮食需求具有重大意义。 本论文从C4植物谷子和甘蔗中克隆了其C4型磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶cDNA基因，获得了具有自主知识产权的基因克隆，并将它们导入粳稻品种中花8号，进而对转基因材料的光合生理特性进行了研究。结果如下： 首次从谷子中得到了ppc基因两个cDNA克隆，分别命名为Mppc1和Mppc2。前者是一个C3型的ppc基因，它可能属于在根中特异表达的C3-2型ppc基因;后者是在绿色叶片中大量表达的C4型ppc基因。它们所编码的蛋白的氨基酸残基数分别为961和964，序列同源性为82.5%。C4型PEPC多出的3个氨基酸位于N末端。利用RACE的方法我们得到了谷子C4型ppc基因完整的cDNA序列，包括63bp的5'非编码区，2895bp的编码区和256bp的3'非编码区。 首次获得了甘蔗C4型ppc基因完整的cDNA序列的克隆，命名为Sppc。它包括95bp的5'非编码区、2886bp的编码区，和224bp的3'非编码区。 利用所克隆的基因，分别连上强组成型启动子Ubiquitin启动子和强光调控启动子Rubisco小亚基启动子后，再插入两个标记基因不同的表达载体pCB和pPCB的多克隆位点中，构建了八个含有外源ppc基因的植物表达载体pCB-Pubi-Mppc、pCB-Pubi-Sppc、pCB-PrbcS-Mppc、pCB-PrbcS-Sppc、pPCB-Pubi-Mppc、pPCB-Pubi-Sppc、pPCB-PrbcS-Mppc和pPCB-PrbcS-Sppc。再加上含有玉米完整的C4型ppc 核基因的载体pCB-ZMppc，共有9个载体。利用农杆菌介导法进行了水稻的转化，各个载体都获得了大量的转基因植株。对标记基因潮霉素磷酸转移酶基因hpt和磷酸甘露糖异构酶基因pmi以及导入的目的ppc基因的PCR扩增检测，结果显示绝大多数转基因植株都能扩增出目的片段，而未转化的植株则没有扩增产物。对部分转基因水稻的Southern和Western杂交以及RT-PCR分析都表明，无论从DNA水平、mRNA水平，还是从蛋白质水平上都证明外源ppc基因都成功地导入了水稻，并获得了正确的表达。 对各载体转基因植株PEPC活性大规模的测定表明，转入玉米完整C4型PEPC核基因（有内含子）的水稻表现出极大的表达效率，大多数转基因材料的PEPC活性为对照的10-20倍，其活性最高可达到对照的44倍。转入谷子和甘蔗PEPC基因cDNA的水稻，表达的效率很低，多数材料活性增加仅为对照的2-5倍，但也有极少数材料活性增加了10倍以上。用Rubisco小亚基启动子控制的ppc基因在水稻的表达活性要略高于Ubiquitin启动子控制的ppc基因。以上结果说明ppc基因的内含子在其转录或mRNA的稳定上起着重要作用。 对部分转基因材料气体交换特征的研究发现，随着转基因水稻PEPC活性的增加，净光合速率也有逐渐增加的趋势。其中PEPC活性最大的ZM24株系的三个单株净光合速率比对照增加了39.8%、13.7%和28.6%，而它们的PEPC活性比对照分别增加了21.2、21.9和23.6倍。 转PEPC水稻的净光合速率与气孔导度具有显著的相关性。这说明表达的外源ppc 基因产物PEPC参与了转基因水稻的气孔运动，使气孔开放程度增加。更有意义的是过表达PEPC的水稻具有更高的水分利用效率，这就增加了其耐旱能力。在光抑制条件下转基因水稻也具有更高的光合能力。这些特征表明转ppc基因的水稻比对照更加适合于水稻高温高光强和干旱的原生环境。

眼镜王蛇泛素融合蛋白基因和核糖体蛋白L30 基因的克隆及分析

从广西产眼镜王蛇( Ophiophagus hannah) 毒腺中抽提总RNA , 经mRNA 纯化后构建眼镜王蛇毒腺 cDNA 文库。从所构建的cDNA 文库中, 随机筛选200 个克隆测序, 得到两个在进化上高度保守的基因: 泛素融 合蛋白基因(GenBank 登录号为AF297036) 和核糖体蛋白L30 基因(GenBank 登录号是AF297033) 。前者cDNA 的开放阅读框为387 bp , 后者为348 bp 。前者编码128 个氨基酸残基组成的泛素融合蛋白前体; 后者编码115 个氨基酸残基组成的核糖体蛋白L30 前体。由cDNA 序列推导出的氨基酸序列分析表明, 泛素融合蛋白前体包 括N - 末端的泛素结构域(76 个氨基酸残基) 和C - 末端的核糖体蛋白L40 结构域(52 个氨基酸残基) 。该蛋 白为一高碱性蛋白, C 末端含有一个“锌指”模式结构。与16 个物种比较的结果表明, 眼镜王蛇与脊椎动物的 泛素融合蛋白氨基酸序列相似度较高, 具有高度的保守性。

U19/Eaf2 Binds to and Stabilizes von Hippel-Lindau Protein

Studies have firmly established a key regulatory role for the tumor suppressor pVHL in the regulation of the vascular system and normal spermatogenesis. Here, we report that knockout of the newly identified tumor suppressor U19/Eaf2 also caused vascular system abnormalities and aspermatogenesis, suggesting a potential link between U19/Eaf2 and pVHL. Coimmunoprecipitation and in vitro binding assays showed an association between U19/Eaf2 and pVHL, whereas deletion mutagenesis revealed the requirement of the NH2 terminus of U19/Eaf2 and both the alpha and beta domains of pVHL for this binding. U19/Eaf2 stabilizes pVHL, as shown by protein stability and pulse-chase studies. Testes and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) derived from U19/Eaf2 knockout mice expressed reduced levels of pVHL, indicating that full in vivo expression of pVHL indeed requires U19/Eaf2. As expected, U19/Eaf2 knockout MEF cells exhibited an increased level and activity of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1 alpha), a protein typically regulated via a pVHL-mediated degradation pathway. Furthermore, angiogenesis in a Matrigel plug assay was significantly increased in U19/Eaf2 knockout mice. The above observations argue that U19/Eaf2 can modulate HIF1 alpha and angiogenesis, possibly via direct binding and stabilization of pVHL. [Cancer Res 2009;69(6):2599-606]

Cloning and characterization of interferon stimulated genes Viperin and ISG15, and their promoters from snakehead Channa argus

By suppression subtractive hybridization, rapid amplification of cDNA ends and gene walking methods, interferon stimulated genes (ISGs), Viperin and ISG15, and their promoters have been cloned and characterized from snakehead Channa argus. The Viperin cDNA was found to be 1474 nt and contain an open reading frame (ORF) of 1059 nt that translates into a putative peptide of 352 amino acid (aa). The putative peptide of Viperin shows high identity to that in teleosts and mammals except for the N-terminal 70 aa. The ISG15 cDNA was found to be 758 nt and contain an ORF of 468 nt that translates into a putative peptide of 155 aa. The putative peptide of ISG15 is composed of two tandem repeats of ubiquitin-like (UBL) domains, and a canonical conjugation motif (LRGG) at C-terminal. Viperin and ISG15 promoter regions were characterized by the presence of interferon stimulating response elements (ISRE) and gamma-IFN activation sites (GAS). ISRE is a feature of IFN-induced gene promoter and partially overlaps interferon regulatory factor (IRF) 1 and IRF2 recognition sites. GAS is responsible for the gamma-IFN mediated transcription. One conserved site for NF-kappa B was found in the promoter region of Viperin. This is the first report of conservative binding motif for NF-kappa B in accordance with the consensus sequence (GGGRN-NYYCC) among teleost ISG promoters. Moreover, there were also TATA, CAAT and Sp1 transcription factor sites in Viperin and ISG15 promoters. In 5' untranslated region (UTR), snakehead ISG15 gene contains a single intron, which differs from Viperin gene. The transcripts of Vipeirn and ISG15 mRNA were mainly expressed in head kidney, posterior kidney, spleen and gill. The expression levels in liver were found to increase obviously in response to induction by IFN-inducer poly I : C.

Identification and characterization of two homologues of interferon-stimulated gene ISG15 in crucian carp

ISG15 is one of the most strongly induced genes upon viral infection, interferon (IFN) stimulation, and lipopolysaccharide, (LPS) stimulation, and only one copy has been found in mammals so far. Here two fish ISG15 genes, termed CaISG15-1 and CaISG15-2, have been cloned and sequenced from UV-inactivated GCHV (grass carp haemorrhagic virus)-infected and IFN-produced CAB cells (crucian carp Carassius auratus blastulae embryonic cells) by suppression subtractive hybridization. The full-length cDNA sequences of two crucian carp ISG15 encode a 155-amino-acid protein and a 161-amino-acid protein, both of which show 78.9% identity overall and possess the characteristic structures of mammalian ISG15 proteins including two tandem ubiquitin-like domains and the C-terminal canonical LRLRGG motif. In CAB cells treated with different stimuli including active virus, UV-inactivated GCHV and IFN containing supernatant (ICS), the expression of both CaISG15-1 and CaISG15-2 was up-regulated but displayed different kinetics. Poly I:C and LPS were also able to induce an increase in mRNA for both genes. In CAB cells responsive to active GCHV, UV-inactivated GCHV, CAB ICS, Poly 1:12 and LPS, CaISG15-1 was upregulated more significantly than CaISG15-2. These results suggest that there are two ISG15 homologues in crucian carp, both of which might play distinct roles in innate immunity against viral and bacterial infection. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. 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.

The integrative expression of GUS gene driven by FCP promoter in the seaweed Laminaria japonica (Phaeophyta)

In this study, the background activity of beta-glucuronidase (GUS) was analyzed histochemically and fluorometrically in the negative control of Laminaria japonica (Phaeophyta) thalli, showing low level of activity. GUS gene transformation without selectable gene in L. japonica was performed using four different promoters, i.e., Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter (CaMV35S) from cauliflower mosaic virus, ubiquitin promoter (UBI) from maize, adenine-methyl transfer enzyme gene promoter (AMT) from virus in green alga Chlorella, and fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding protein gene promoter (FCP) from diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. The GUS transient activity was determined fluorometrically after bombarding sliced parthenogenetic sporophytes explants, and it was found that the activity resulting from CaMV35S and FCP promoters (in 114.3 and 80.6 pmol MU min(-1) (mg protein)(-1), respectively) was higher than for the other two promoters. The female gametophytes were bombarded and regenerated parthenogenetic sporophytes. FCP was the only promoter that resulted in detectable GUS chimeric expression activity during histochemical staining and polymerase chain reaction. Results of Southern blot showed that GUS gene was integrated with the L. japonica genome.

Identification and analysis of a Sciaenops ocellatus ISG15 homologue that is involved in host immune defense against bacterial infection

ISG15 is an interferon-stimulated gene that encodes a ubiquitin-like protein. ISG15 homologues have been identified in a number of fish species, some of which are known to be regulated at expression level by virus infection and lipopolysacchande (LPS) treatment However, the relationship between ISG15 and live bacterial infection has not been investigated in piscine models. In this study, an ISG15 homologue, SoISG15, was identified from red drum Scraeriops ocellaws and analyzed at expression and functional levels The open reading frame ofSolSG15 is 477 base pairs (bp) and mtronless, with a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of 91 bp and a 3'-UTR of 415 bp The deduced amino acid sequence of S0ISG15 shares 60-67% overall identities with the ISG15 of several fish species. S0ISG15 possesses two conserved ubiquinn-like domains and the canonical ubiquitin conjugation motif, LRGG, at the C-terminus. Expressional analysis showed that constitutive expression of SolSG15 was highest in blood and lowest in kidney Experimental challenges with LPS and bacterial pathogens induced significant S0ISG15 expression in the kidney but not in the liver Similar differential induction was also observed at cellular level with primary hepatocytes and head kidney (HK) lymphocytes. Poly(' C), however, effected drastic induction of S0ISG15 expression in kidney and liver at both tissue and cellular levels. Immunoblot analysis showed that S0ISG15 was secreted by cultured HK lymphocytes into the extracellular milieu. Recombinant S0ISG15 expressed in and purified from Eschenclua colt was able to enhance the respiratory burst activity, acid phosphatase activity, and bactericidal activity of HK macrophages. Taken together, the results of this study indicated that SoISG 15 possesses apparent immunological property and is likely to be involved in host immune defense against bacterial infection. (C)2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.

Discovery of the genes in response to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection in Fenneropenaeus chinensis through cDNA microarray

We used microarray technology to study differentially expressed genes in white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)-infected shrimp. A total of 3136 cDNA targets, including 1578 unique genes from a cephalothorax cDNA library and 1536 cDNA clones from reverse and forward suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) libraries of Fenneropenaeus chinensis, plus 14 negative and 8 blank control clones, were spotted onto a 18 x 18 mm area of NH2-modified glass slides. Gene expression patterns in the cephalothorax of shrimp at 6 h after WSSV injection and moribund shrimp naturally infected by WSSV were analyzed. A total of 105 elements on the arrays showed a similar regulation pattern in artificially infected shrimp and naturally infected moribund shrimp; parts of the results were confirmed by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The up-regulated expression of immune-related genes, including heat shock proteins (HSP70 and HSP90), trehalose-phosphate synthase (TPS), ubiquitin C, and so forth, were observed when shrimp were challenged with WSSV. Genes including myosin LC2, ATP synthase A chain, and arginine kinase were found to be down-regulated after WSSV infection. The expression of housekeeping genes such as actin, elongation factor, and tubulin is not stable, and so these genes are not suitable as internal standards for semiquantitative RT-PCR when shrimp are challenged by WSSV. As a substitute, we found that triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) was an ideal candidate of interstandards in this situation.

Investigation of p75 neurotrophin receptor and the role of its post-translational modifications in tumour cell motility and invasiveness

The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) is a member of the tumour necrosis factor superfamily, which relies on the recruitment of cytosolic protein partners - including the TNF receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6) E3 ubiquitin ligase - to produce cellular responses such as apoptosis, survival, and inhibition of neurite outgrowth. Recently,p75NTR was also shown to undergo γ-secretase-mediated regulated intramembrane proteolysis, and the receptor ICD was found to migrate to the nucleus where it regulates gene transcription. Moreover, γ-secretase-mediated proteolysis was shown to be involved in glioblastoma cell migration and invasion. In this study we report that TRAF6-mediated K63-linked polyubiquitination at multiple or alternative lysine residues influences p75NTR-ICD stability in vitro. In addition, we found that TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination of p75NTR is not influenced by inhibition of dynamin. Moreover, we report beta-transducin repeats-containing protein (β-TrCP) as a novel E3- ligase that ubiquitinates p75NTR, which is independent of serine phosphorylation of the p75NTR destruction motif. In contrast to its influence on other substrates, co-expression of β-TrCP did not reduce p75NTR stability. We created U87-MG glioblastoma cell lines stably expressing wild type, γ-secretaseresistant and constitutively cleaved receptor, as well as the ICD-stabilized mutant K301R. Interestingly, only wild-type p75NTR induces increased glioblastoma cell migration, which could be reversed by application of γ-secretase inhibitor. Microarray and qRT-PCR analysis of mRNA transcripts in these cell lines yielded several promising genes that might be involved in glioblastoma cell migration and invasion, such as cadherin 11 and matrix metalloproteinase 12. Analysis of potential transcription factor binding sites revealed that transcription of these genes might be regulated by well known p75NTR signalling cascades such as NF-κB or JNK signalling, which are independent of γ-secretase-mediated cleavage of the receptor. In contrast, while p75NTR overexpression was confirmed in melanoma cell lines and a patient sample of melanoma metastasis to the brain, inhibition of γ-secretase did not influence melanoma cell migration. Collectively, this study provides several avenues to better understand the physiological importance of posttranslational modifications of p75NTR and the significance of the receptor in glioblastoma cell migration and invasion.

Characterization of the degradation of wild-type and mutant HFE proteins during stress signalling in the endoplasmic reticulum

HFE is a transmembrane protein that becomes N-glycosylated during transport to the cell membrane. It acts to regulate cellular iron uptake by interacting with the Type 1 transferrin receptor and interfering with its ability to bind iron-loaded transferrin. There is also evidence that HFE regulates systemic iron levels by binding to the Type II transferrin receptor although the mechanism by which this occurs is still not well understood. Mutations to HFE that disrupt this function, or physiological conditions that decrease HFE protein levels, are associated with increased iron uptake, and its accumulation in tissues and organs. This is exemplified by the point mutation that results in conversion of cysteine residue 282 to tyrosine (C282Y), and gives rise to the majority of HFE-related hemochromatoses. The C282Y mutation prevents the formation of a disulfide bridge and disrupts the interaction with its co-chaperone β2-microglobulin. The resulting misfolded protein is retained within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where it activates the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) and is subjected to proteasomal degradation. The absence of functional HFE at the cell surface leads to unregulated iron uptake and iron loading. While the E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in the degradation of HFE-C282Y has been identified, the mechanism by which it is targeted for degradation remains relatively obscure. The primary objective of this project was to further our understanding of how the iron regulatory HFE protein is targeted for degradation. Our studies suggest that the glycosylation status, and the active process of deglycosylation, are central to this process. We identified a number of additional factors that can contribute towards degradation and explored their regulation during ER stress conditions.

Mass spectrometry-based thermal shift assay for protein-ligand binding analysis.

Described here is a mass spectrometry-based screening assay for the detection of protein-ligand binding interactions in multicomponent protein mixtures. The assay utilizes an oxidation labeling protocol that involves using hydrogen peroxide to selectively oxidize methionine residues in proteins in order to probe the solvent accessibility of these residues as a function of temperature. The extent to which methionine residues in a protein are oxidized after specified reaction times at a range of temperatures is determined in a MALDI analysis of the intact proteins and/or an LC-MS analysis of tryptic peptide fragments generated after the oxidation reaction is quenched. Ultimately, the mass spectral data is used to construct thermal denaturation curves for the detected proteins. In this proof-of-principle work, the protocol is applied to a four-protein model mixture comprised of ubiquitin, ribonuclease A (RNaseA), cyclophilin A (CypA), and bovine carbonic anhydrase II (BCAII). The new protocol's ability to detect protein-ligand binding interactions by comparing thermal denaturation data obtained in the absence and in the presence of ligand is demonstrated using cyclosporin A (CsA) as a test ligand. The known binding interaction between CsA and CypA was detected using both the MALDI- and LC-MS-based readouts described here.

HDAC6 and Ubp-M BUZ domains recognize specific C-terminal sequences of proteins.

The BUZ/Znf-UBP domain is a protein module found in the cytoplasmic deacetylase HDAC6, E3 ubiquitin ligase BRAP2/IMP, and a subfamily of ubiquitin-specific proteases. Although several BUZ domains have been shown to bind ubiquitin with high affinity by recognizing its C-terminal sequence (RLRGG-COOH), it is currently unknown whether the interaction is sequence-specific or whether the BUZ domains are capable of binding to proteins other than ubiquitin. In this work, the BUZ domains of HDAC6 and Ubp-M were subjected to screening against a one-bead-one-compound (OBOC) peptide library that exhibited random peptide sequences with free C-termini. Sequence analysis of the selected binding peptides as well as alanine scanning studies revealed that the BUZ domains require a C-terminal Gly-Gly motif for binding. At the more N-terminal positions, the two BUZ domains have distinct sequence specificities, allowing them to bind to different peptides and/or proteins. A database search of the human proteome on the basis of the BUZ domain specificities identified 11 and 24 potential partner proteins for Ubp-M and HDAC6 BUZ domains, respectively. Peptides corresponding to the C-terminal sequences of four of the predicted binding partners (FBXO11, histone H4, PTOV1, and FAT10) were synthesized and tested for binding to the BUZ domains by fluorescence polarization. All four peptides bound to the HDAC6 BUZ domain with low micromolar K(D) values and less tightly to the Ubp-M BUZ domain. Finally, in vitro pull-down assays showed that the Ubp-M BUZ domain was capable of binding to the histone H3-histone H4 tetramer protein complex. Our results suggest that BUZ domains are sequence-specific protein-binding modules, with each BUZ domain potentially binding to a different subset of proteins.