scholarly journals Functional diversification of a basic helix–loop–helix protein due to alternative transcription during generation of amphidiploidy in tobacco plants

2007 ◽  
Vol 403 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yutaka Kodama ◽  
Hiroshi Sano

A plastid-resident basic helix–loop–helix protein, previously identified in Nicotiana tabacum and designated as NtWIN4 (N. tabacum wound-induced clone 4), has been converted from a nuclear transcription repressor into a plastid-resident regulatory factor through replacement of the DNA-binding domain with a plastid transit sequence during evolution. N. tabacum is a natural amphidiploid plant derived from Nicotiana tomentosiformis and Nicotiana sylvestris and immunoblot staining using anti-NtWIN4 antibodies identified two protein species, a 26 kDa form and a 17 kDa form, in N. sylvestris, whereas only the 17 kDa form was found in N. tabacum. The 26 kDa protein is produced when translation starts from the first AUG codon of the mRNA and is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus, whereas the 17 kDa protein is derived from a 24 kDa precursor protein, synthesized from the second AUG codon, and localizes only to plastids. Subsequent analyses revealed that the lengths of the mRNAs vary in the two plant species. One major form lacks the first AUG, while minor populations possess variable 5′-untranslated regions prior to the first AUG codon. Translation of the two types produces the 24 kDa and 26 kDa proteins respectively. In vitro translation assays indicated that initiation frequency from the first AUG codon is higher in mRNAs from N. sylvestris than from N. tabacum. In contrast, initiation from the second AUG codon was found to be equally efficient in mRNAs from both species. These results suggest that both mRNA populations and translation efficiency changed during the amphidiploidization responsible for generation of N. tabacum. This scheme could reflect a molecular mechanism of protein evolution in plants.

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4505-4512 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Q Zhao ◽  
Q Zhao ◽  
X Zhou ◽  
M G Mattei ◽  
B de Crombrugghe

We have identified a new basic helix-loop-helix (BHLH) DNA-binding protein, designated TFEC, which is closely related to TFE3 and TFEB. The basic domain of TFEC is identical to the basic DNA-binding domain of TFE3 and TFEB, whereas the helix-loop-helix motif of TFEC shows 88 and 85% identity with the same domains in TFE3 and TFEB, respectively. Like the other two proteins, TFEC contains a leucine zipper motif, which has a lower degree of sequence identity with homologous domains in TFE3 and TFEB than does the BHLH segment. Little sequence identity exists outside these motifs. Unlike the two other proteins, TFEC does not contain an acidic domain, which for TFE3 mediates the ability to activate transcription. Like the in vitro translation product of TFE3, the in vitro-translated TFEC binds to the mu E3 DNA sequence of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene enhancer. In addition, the product of cotranslation of TFEC RNA and TFE3 RNA forms a heteromeric protein-DNA complex with mu E3 DNA. In contrast to TFE3, TFEC is unable to transactivate a reporter gene linked to a promoter containing tandem copies of the immunoglobulin mu E3 enhancer motif. Cotransfection of TFEC DNA and TFE3 DNA strongly inhibits the transactivation caused by TFE3. TFEC RNA is found in many tissues of adult rats, but the relative concentrations of TFEC and TFE3 RNAs vary considerably in these different tissues. No TFEC RNA was detectable in several cell lines, including fibroblasts, myoblasts, chondrosarcoma cells, and myeloma cells, indicating that TFEC is not ubiquitously expressed.


1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4505-4512
Author(s):  
G Q Zhao ◽  
Q Zhao ◽  
X Zhou ◽  
M G Mattei ◽  
B de Crombrugghe

We have identified a new basic helix-loop-helix (BHLH) DNA-binding protein, designated TFEC, which is closely related to TFE3 and TFEB. The basic domain of TFEC is identical to the basic DNA-binding domain of TFE3 and TFEB, whereas the helix-loop-helix motif of TFEC shows 88 and 85% identity with the same domains in TFE3 and TFEB, respectively. Like the other two proteins, TFEC contains a leucine zipper motif, which has a lower degree of sequence identity with homologous domains in TFE3 and TFEB than does the BHLH segment. Little sequence identity exists outside these motifs. Unlike the two other proteins, TFEC does not contain an acidic domain, which for TFE3 mediates the ability to activate transcription. Like the in vitro translation product of TFE3, the in vitro-translated TFEC binds to the mu E3 DNA sequence of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene enhancer. In addition, the product of cotranslation of TFEC RNA and TFE3 RNA forms a heteromeric protein-DNA complex with mu E3 DNA. In contrast to TFE3, TFEC is unable to transactivate a reporter gene linked to a promoter containing tandem copies of the immunoglobulin mu E3 enhancer motif. Cotransfection of TFEC DNA and TFE3 DNA strongly inhibits the transactivation caused by TFE3. TFEC RNA is found in many tissues of adult rats, but the relative concentrations of TFEC and TFE3 RNAs vary considerably in these different tissues. No TFEC RNA was detectable in several cell lines, including fibroblasts, myoblasts, chondrosarcoma cells, and myeloma cells, indicating that TFEC is not ubiquitously expressed.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1795-1795
Author(s):  
Virginie Deleuze ◽  
Elias Chalhoub ◽  
Rawan El-Hajj ◽  
Christiane Dohet ◽  
Mikael Le Clech ◽  
...  

Abstract The basic helix-loop-helix protein TAL-1/SCL, essential for the formation of the hematopoietic system, is also required for vascular development and more particularly for embryonic angiogenesis. We previously reported that TAL-1 acts as a positive factor for post-natal angiogenesis by stimulating endothelial morphogenesis. To understand how TAL-1 modulates angiogenesis, we investigated the functional consequences of TAL-1 silencing, mediated by small-interfering RNAs, in human primary endothelial cells (ECs). We found that TAL-1 knockdown impaired in vitro EC tubulomorphogenesis (in 2-D on Matrigel or 3-D in collagen I gel), with the notable absence of cell-cell contacts, a prerequisite for morphogenesis initiation. This cellular deficiency was associated with a dramatic reduction in the vascular-endothelial (VE)-cadherin at intercellular junctions, the major component of endothelial adherens junctions. In contrast, PECAM (or CD31) was present at cell-cell junctions at the same levels as control cells. Importantly, silencing of two known TAL-1-partners in hematopoietic cells, E47 or LMO2, produce the same effects as TAL-1. Accordingly, silencing of TAL-1, as well as E47 and LMO2, provoked down-regulation of VE-cadherin at both the mRNA and protein levels. Transient transfection experiments in HUVECs showed that TAL-1 and E47 regulate the VE-cadherin promoter through a specialized E-box element. Finally, endogenous VE-cadherin transcription could be directly activated in non-endothelial HEK-293 cells that neither express TAL-1 or LMO2, by the sole concomitant ectopic expression of TAL-1, E47 and LMO2. Overall, our data demonstrate that a multiprotein complex containing at least TAL-1, LMO2 and E47 act upstream of the VE-cadherin gene. We are currently performing chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to investigate whether the TAL-1-containing complex binds in vivo the VE-cadherin promoter. This study identifies VE-cadherin as an upstream TAL-1-target gene in the endothelial lineage, and provides a first clue in TAL-1 function in the control of angiogenesis.


2015 ◽  
Vol 308 (1) ◽  
pp. L58-L75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Tsotakos ◽  
Patricia Silveyra ◽  
Zhenwu Lin ◽  
Neal Thomas ◽  
Mudit Vaid ◽  
...  

Surfactant protein A (SP-A), a molecule with roles in lung innate immunity and surfactant-related functions, is encoded by two genes in humans: SFTPA1 (SP-A1) and SFTPA2 (SP-A2). The mRNAs from these genes differ in their 5′-untranslated regions (5′-UTR) due to differential splicing. The 5′-UTR variant ACD′ is exclusively found in transcripts of SP-A1, but not in those of SP-A2. Its unique exon C contains two upstream AUG codons (uAUGs) that may affect SP-A1 translation efficiency. The first uAUG (u1) is in frame with the primary start codon (p), but the second one (u2) is not. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of uAUGs on SP-A1 expression. We employed RT-qPCR to determine the presence of exon C-containing SP-A1 transcripts in human RNA samples. We also used in vitro techniques including mutagenesis, reporter assays, and toeprinting analysis, as well as in silico analyses to determine the role of uAUGs. Exon C-containing mRNA is present in most human lung tissue samples and its expression can, under certain conditions, be regulated by factors such as dexamethasone or endotoxin. Mutating uAUGs resulted in increased luciferase activity. The mature protein size was not affected by the uAUGs, as shown by a combination of toeprint and in silico analysis for Kozak sequence, secondary structure, and signal peptide and in vitro translation in the presence of microsomes. In conclusion, alternative splicing may introduce uAUGs in SP-A1 transcripts, which in turn negatively affect SP-A1 translation, possibly affecting SP-A1/SP-A2 ratio, with potential for clinical implication.


2007 ◽  
Vol 283 (3) ◽  
pp. 1340-1349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mateen A. Khan ◽  
Hiroshi Miyoshi ◽  
Daniel R. Gallie ◽  
Dixie J. Goss

Potyvirus genome linked protein, VPg, interacts with translation initiation factors eIF4E and eIFiso4E, but its role in protein synthesis has not been elucidated. We show that addition of VPg to wheat germ extract leads to enhancement of uncapped viral mRNA translation and inhibition of capped viral mRNA translation. This provides a significant competitive advantage to the uncapped viral mRNA. To understand the molecular basis of these effects, we have characterized the interaction of VPg with eIF4F, eIFiso4F, and a structured RNA derived from tobacco etch virus (TEV RNA). When VPg formed a complex with eIF4F, the affinity for TEV RNA increased more than 4-fold compared with eIF4F alone (19.4 and 79.0 nm, respectively). The binding affinity of eIF4F to TEV RNA correlates with translation efficiency. VPg enhanced eIFiso4F binding to TEV RNA 1.6-fold (178 nm compared with 108 nm). Kinetic studies of eIF4F and eIFiso4F with VPg show ∼2.6-fold faster association for eIFiso4F·VPg as compared with eIF4F·VPg. The dissociation rate was ∼2.9-fold slower for eIFiso4F than eIF4F with VPg. These data demonstrate that eIFiso4F can kinetically compete with eIF4F for VPg binding. The quantitative data presented here suggest a model where eIF4F·VPg interaction enhances cap-independent translation by increasing the affinity of eIF4F for TEV RNA. This is the first evidence of direct participation of VPg in translation initiation.


1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 6900-6908 ◽  
Author(s):  
S R Sloan ◽  
C P Shen ◽  
R McCarrick-Walmsley ◽  
T Kadesch

The E2A gene encodes two basic helix-loop-helix proteins designated E12 and E47. Although these proteins are widely expressed, they are required only for the B-lymphocyte lineage where DNA binding is mediated distinctively by E47 homodimers. By studying the properties of deltaE47, an N-terminal truncation of E47, we provide evidence that phosphorylation may contribute to B-cell-specific DNA binding by E47. Two serines N terminal to the deltaE47 basic helix-loop-helix domain were found to be phosphorylated in a variety of cell types but were hypophosphorylated in B cells. Phosphorylating these serines in vitro inhibited DNA binding by deltaE47 homodimers but not by deltaE47-containing heterodimers, such as deltaE47:MyoD. These results argue that hypophosphorylation may be a prerequisite for activity of E47 homodimers in B cells, suggesting the use of an inductive (nonstochastic) step in early B-cell development.


Author(s):  
Biswajyoti Borah ◽  
Ajit Pratap Singh ◽  
Hamen Gogoi ◽  
Amlan Jyoti Phukan ◽  
Bikash Chandra Sarkhel

Transgenic food animal production is one of the potential and need oriented research to mitigate the food crises of the world. In vitro gene silenced animal cells and making use of these cells for transgenesis one of the suitable way to produce productive animals. Myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle growth, has the potential to increase the muscle mass upon its silencing. Four Hush 29-mer anti- myostatin (MSTN) shRNA constructs were checked for myostatin gene silencing in caprine foetal fibroblast cells and its subsequent effect on basic helix– loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors. These factors are necessary for the terminal differentiation, proliferation, and homeostasis of muscle development. Different shRNA constructs displayed 55.1 to 91.5% (p less than 0.01) of myostatin silencing in caprine foetal fibroblast cells and upregulation of myogenic gene. Upregulation of 7.97 to 111.67 % for MyoD, 77.0 % to 319.47 % for myogenin, 16.67 % to 138.0 % for Myf5 were observed . The Pearson correlation established a negative correlation between myostatin and genes under study. Result suggests that knockdown of MSTN a potential approach to improve caprine musculatures.


1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 3813-3822 ◽  
Author(s):  
S M Hollenberg ◽  
R Sternglanz ◽  
P F Cheng ◽  
H Weintraub

With modified two-hybrid technology, we have isolated a member of a new family of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors. Thing1 (Th1) was identified in a screen of a mouse embryo cDNA library as a partner for the Drosophila E protein daughterless. RNA in situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase-PCR demonstrate a stage- and tissue-specific distribution for the expression of Th1. Although tissue specific, the expression pattern of Th1 is fairly complex. During development, Th1 mRNA is widely expressed in extraembryonic tissues, portions of the heart, autonomic ganglia, the gut, and pharyngeal arches. At embryonic day 7.5 (E7.5), extraembryonic derivatives show robust Th1 expression. By E8.5, expression in the embryonic heart becomes detectable. During the next 2 days of development, the signal also includes gut and pharyngeal arches. Predominant expression at E13.5 is in neural crest derivatives, especially the autonomic nervous system and adrenal medulla. Expression of Th1 persists in the adult, in which it is localized to the smooth muscle cells of the gut. In vitro, Th1 protein recognizes a set of DNA sites that are more degenerate than has been determined for other bHLH factors, indicating a reduced binding specificity. Transient transfection of NIH 3T3 cells with GAL4-Th1 fusions reveals a repression activity mediated by the Th1 bHLH domain. In combination, these properties define Th1 as a new bHLH protein with a unique set of properties.


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