scholarly journals Identification of a C-terminal cdc25 sequence required for promotion of germinal vesicle breakdown

2000 ◽  
Vol 347 (3) ◽  
pp. 653-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine A. POWERS ◽  
David P. THOMPSON ◽  
Peggy A. GARNER-HAMRICK ◽  
Wanxia HE ◽  
Anthony W. YEM ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Peptide Sequence ◽  
Glutathione S Transferase ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
C Terminus

Glutathione S-transferase (GST)-cdc25B(31-566) induced germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) when microinjected into Xenopus oocytes. Purified, N-terminally truncated forms of cdc25B did not induce GVBD, even though many had phosphatase activity and activated cdc2 in vitro. N-terminally truncated forms of cdc25B inhibited induction of GVBD by longer forms of the enzyme suggesting a direct interaction in vivo. cdc25B(356-556), but not cdc25B(364-529), inhibited GVBD induction by GST-cdc25B(31-566) suggesting that a region of cdc25B near to the C-terminus was responsible for the inhibition. To determine the region of peptide sequence that was inhibitory, cdc25B(356-556) was subjected to proteolysis with endoproteinase lys-C. Following a demonstration that the resulting peptide mixture inhibited GST-cdc25B-dependent GVBD, a series of peptides spanning amino acids at the C-terminus were synthesized. The peptide TRSWAGERSR inhibited GVBD induced by GST-cdc25B. An alanine scan of the peptide revealed residues critical for GVBD inhibition, and site-directed mutagenesis of the corresponding residues in GST-cdc25B(31-566) eliminated its ability to induce GVBD. These results demonstrate that a cdc25B C-terminal domain, involved in dominant-negative inhibition of GVBD-competent cdc25B, is required for induction of GVBD following microinjection into oocytes.

scholarly journals Host cell factors controlling vimentin organization in the Xenopus oocyte.

1992 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 855-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
J A Dent ◽  
R B Cary ◽  
J B Bachant ◽  
A Domingo ◽  
M W Klymkowsky
Keyword(s):  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Head Domain ◽  
M Phase ◽  
Filament Bundles ◽  
Keratin Filament ◽  
Vimentin Filaments

To study vimentin filament organization in vivo we injected Xenopus oocytes, which have no significant vimentin system of their own, with in vitro-synthesized RNAs encoding Xenopus vimentins. Exogenous vimentins were localized primarily to the cytoplasmic surface of the nucleus and to the subplasma membrane "cortex." In the cortex of the animal hemisphere, wild-type vimentin forms punctate structures and short filaments. In contrast, long anastomosing vimentin filaments are formed in the vegetal hemisphere cortex. This asymmetry in the organization of exogenous vimentin is similar to that of the endogenous keratin system (Klymkowsky, M. W., L. A. Maynell, and A. G. Polson. 1987. Development (Camb.). 100:543-557), which suggests that the same cellular factors are responsible for both. Before germinal vesicle breakdown, in the initial stage of oocyte maturation, large vimentin and keratin filament bundles appear in the animal hemisphere. As maturation proceeds, keratin filaments fragment into soluble oligomers (Klymkowsky, M. W., L. A. Maynell, and C. Nislow. 1991. J. Cell Biol. 114:787-797), while vimentin filaments remain intact and vimentin is hyperphosphorylated. To examine the role of MPF kinase in the M-phase reorganization of vimentin we deleted the conserved proline of vimentin's single MPF-kinase site; this mutation had no apparent effect on the prophase or M-phase behavior of vimentin. In contrast, deletion of amino acids 19-68 or 18-61 of the NH2-terminal "head" domain produced proteins that formed extended filaments in the animal hemisphere of the prophase oocyte. We suggest that the animal hemisphere cortex of the prophase oocyte contains a factor that actively suppresses the formation of extended vimentin filaments through a direct interaction with vimentin's head domain. During maturation this "suppressor of extended filaments" appears to be inactivated, leading to the formation of an extended vimentin filament system.

scholarly journals Molecular cloning of an amphibian insulin receptor substrate 1-like cDNA and involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in insulin-induced Xenopus oocyte maturation.

1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 3563-3570 ◽  
Author(s):  
X J Liu ◽  
A Sorisky ◽  
L Zhu ◽  
T Pawson
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Receptor ◽  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Xenopus Oocytes ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Insulin Receptor Substrate ◽  
Phosphorylation Sites ◽  
Glutathione S Transferase ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown

An insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1)-like cDNA was isolated from a Xenopus ovary cDNA library by low-stringency hybridization using rat IRS-1 cDNA as a probe. The deduced amino acid sequence encoded by this cDNA (termed XIRS-L) is 67% identical (77% similar) to that of rat IRS-1. Significantly, all the insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation sites identified in rat IRS-1, including those responsible for binding to the Src homology domains of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase, Syp and Grb2, are conserved in XIRS-L. Both mRNA and protein corresponding to the cloned XIRS-L can be detected in immature Xenopus oocytes. Recombinant XIRS-L protein produced in insect cells or a bacterial glutathione S-transferase fusion protein containing the putative PI 3-kinase binding site can be phosphorylated in vitro by purified insulin receptor kinase (IRK) domain, and the IRK-catalyzed phosphorylation renders both proteins capable of binding PI 3-kinase in Xenopus oocyte lysates. Another glutathione S-transferase fusion protein containing the C terminus of XIRS-L and including several putative tyrosine phosphorylation sites is also phosphorylated by IRK in vitro, but it failed to bind PI 3-kinase. Insulin stimulation of immature Xenopus oocytes activates PI 3-kinase in vivo [as indicated by an elevation of PI(3,4)P2 and PI(3,4,5)P3] as well as oocyte maturation (as indicated by germinal vesicle breakdown). Pretreatment of these oocytes with wortmannin inhibited insulin-induced activation of PI 3-kinase in vivo. The same treatment also abolished insulin-induced, but not progesterone-induced, germinal vesicle breakdown. These results (i) identify an IRS-1-like molecule in immature Xenopus oocytes, suggesting that the use of IRS-1-like Scr homology 2 domain-docking proteins in signal transduction is conserved in vertebrates, and (ii) strongly implicate PI 3-kinase as an essential effector of insulin-induced oocyte maturation.

scholarly journals Effects of gonadotrophin in vivo and 2-hydroxyoestradiol-17β in vitro on follicular steroid hormone profile associated with oocyte maturation in the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis

2006 ◽  
Vol 189 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Mishra ◽  
K P Joy
Keyword(s):  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Hplc Method ◽  
Heteropneustes Fossilis ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Steroid Profile ◽  
17 Hydroxyprogesterone ◽  
Envelope Layer

An HPLC method was used to tentatively identify progesterone (P4) and its metabolites (17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-P4) and 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20β-P)), corticosteroids (cortisol and corticosterone) and testosterone in ovary/follicular preparations of the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis associated with in vivo or in vitro oocyte maturation/ovulation. A single i.p. injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin (100 IU/fish, sampled at 0, 8 and 16 h) induced oocyte maturation and ovulation, which coincided with significant and progressive increases in 17,20β-P, and P4 and 17-P4, the precursors of the former. Both cortisol and corticosterone also increased significantly. Conversely, testosterone decreased significantly and progressively over time. Under in vitro conditions, incubation of post-vitellogenic (intact) follicles or follicular envelope (layer) with 2-hydroxyoestradiol (2-OHE2, 5 μM for 0, 6 and 24 h) elicited a sharp significant increase in 17,20β-P, the increase being higher in the follicular envelope incubate. P4 and 17-P4 also registered significant increases over the time with the peak values at 24 h. Cortisol and corticosterone increased significantly in the intact follicle, but not in the follicular envelope incubate. Testosterone decreased significantly in the intact follicle, but increased significantly (24 h) in the follicular envelope incubate. Coincident with these changes, the percentage of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) increased over the time in the intact follicle incubate (48.9% at 6 h and 79.8% at 24 h). Denuded oocytes on incubation with 2-OHE2 (5 μM) did not produce any significant change in the percentage of GVBD or in the steroid profile. While corticosterone and 17,20β-P were undetected, P4, 17-P4, cortisol and testosterone were detected in low amounts. The results show that the 2-OHE2-induced GVBD response seems to be mediated through the production of 17,20β-P and corticosteroids. It is suggested that hydroxyoestrogens seem to be a component in the gonadotrophin cascade of regulation of oocyte maturation/ovulation in the catfish.

Signaling by the Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor Involves Jak2-Dependent Phosphorylation of Gab2.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 2173-2173
Author(s):  
Lin Wang ◽  
Jia Xue ◽  
Seth J. Corey ◽  
Lisa J. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor ◽  
Colony Stimulating Factor ◽  
Erk Phosphorylation ◽  
Stimulating Factor

Abstract Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is the major cytokine involved in neutrophil production. G-CSF has pleiotropic effects on myeloid cells, initially stimulating proliferation but later promoting differentiation. The specific signaling pathways that mediate the diverse effects of G-CSF remain incompletely understood. Recently, the scaffolding molecule Grb2-associated binder protein 2 (Gab2) was shown to play an important role in G-CSF induced myeloid differentiation (Zhu et al. Blood 2004). Ligand stimulation of the G-CSF receptor results in the rapid phosphorylation of Gab2, but the identity of the responsible kinases and the molecular events dependent on Gab2 phosphorylation remain unclear. Because Janus kinases (Jaks) play a central role in G-CSF signaling, we investigated the involvement of Jaks in G-CSF-stimulated Gab2 phosphorylation using the hematologic DT40 cell line stably transduced with the human G-CSF receptor (DT40GR). Antisense Jak1 and Jak2 constructs expressed in DT40GR cells each produced a marked reduction in their target Jak protein, but only antisense Jak2 reduced G-CSF-stimulated Gab2 phosphorylation. To determine whether Gab2 phosphorylation required Jak2 kinase activity, dominant negative Jak2 mutants lacking catalytic activity were expressed in the DT40GR cells. Expression of dominant negative Jak2 inhibited Gab2 phosphorylation in response to G-CSF. Similarly, treatment with the Jak2-selective kinase inhibitor AG490 markedly reduced G-CSF-dependent Gab2 phosphorylation. Co-immunoprecipitation studies further demonstrated a G-CSF- and Gab2 phosphorylation-dependent association of Jak2 with Gab2 in vivo, which was detectable by 30 seconds after G-CSF stimulation. To determine whether Gab2 was a direct substrate of Jak2, we performed in vitro phosphorylation studies using Gab2-GST fusion protein substrates. Jak2 immunoprecipitated from G-CSF-stimulated cells, but not from control cells, phosphorylated the Gab2 fusion protein. To identify potential Jak2 tyrosine phosphorylation sites in Gab2, we used site-directed mutagenesis to produce three Gab2 tyrosine mutants. Tyrosines 409, 452, and 476 were each replaced by phenylalanine (Y409F, Y452F, and Y476F). The Y452F and Y476F mutations of Gab2 each inhibited G-CSF-stimulated Jak2-dependent phosphorylation of Gab2, both in stably-transfected DT40GR cells and in transiently-transfected 293 cells also transduced with the G-CSF receptor. In contrast, G-CSF-stimulated Gab2 phosphorylation appeared unaffected by the Y409F mutation. We also evaluated downstream events in G-CSF signaling in cells expressing these Gab2 tyrosine- mutants. Akt and Erk phosphorylation following G-CSF stimulation was inhibited by both the Y452F and Y476F Gab2 mutations, but was unaffected by the Y409F mutation. These results suggest that Jak2 may mediate G-CSF differentiation signals through Stat-independent mechanisms.

scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms of Pollen-Pistil Interactions in Interspecific Crossing Barriers in the Tomato Family

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoram Eyal ◽  
Sheila McCormick
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Germination ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Peptide Sequence ◽  
Peptide Ligand ◽  
Hybrid Breakdown ◽  
Degenerate Primers

During the evolutionary process of speciation in plants, naturally occurring barriers to reproduction have developed that affect the transfer of genes within and between related species. These barriers can occur at several different levels beginning with pollination-barriers and ending with hybrid-breakdown. The interaction between pollen and pistils presents one of the major barriers to intra- and inter-specific crosses and is the focus of this research project. Our long-term goal in this research proposal was defined to resolve questions on recognition and communication during pollen-pistil interactions in the extended tomato family. In this context, this work was initiated and planned to study the potential involvement of tomato pollen-specific receptor-like kinases (RLK's) in the interaction between pollen and pistils. By special permission from BARD the objectives of this research were extended to include studies on pollen-pistil interactions and pollination barriers in horticultural crops with an emphasis on citrus. Functional characterization of 2 pollen-specific RLK's from tomato was carried out. The data shows that both encode functional kinases that were active as recombinant proteins. One of the kinases was shown to accumulate mainly after pollen germination and to be phosphorylated in-vitro in pollen membranes as well as in-vivo. The presence of style extract resulted in dephosphorylation of the RLK, although no species specificity was observed. This data implies a role for at least one RLK in pollination events following pollen germination. However, a transgenic plant analysis of the RLK's comprising overexpression, dominant-negative and anti-sense constructs failed to provide answers on their role in pollination. While genetic effects on some of the plants were observed in both the Israeli and American labs, no clear functional answers were obtained. An alternative approach to addressing function was pursued by screening for an artificial ligand for the receptor domain using a peptide phage display library. An enriched peptide sequence was obtained and will be used to design a peptide-ligand to be tested for its effect o pollen germination and tube growth. Self-incompatibility (SI) in citrus was studied on 3 varieties of pummelo. SI was observed using fluorescence microscopy in each of the 3 varieties and compatibility relations between varieties was determined. An initial screen for an S-RNase SI mechanism yielded only a cDNA homologous to the group of S-like RNases, suggesting that SI results from an as yet unknown mechanism. 2D gel electrophoresis was applied to compare pollen and style profiles of different compatibility groups. A "polymorphic" protein band from style extracts was observed, isolated and micro-sequenced. Degenerate primers designed based on the peptide sequence date will be used to isolate the relevant genes i order to study their potential involvement in SI. A study on SI in the apple cultivar Top red was initiated. SI was found, as previously shown, to be complete thus requiring a compatible pollinator variety. A new S-RNase allele was discovered fro Top red styles and was found to be highly homologous to pear S-RNases, suggesting that evolution of these genes pre-dated speciation into apples and pears but not to other Rosaceae species. The new allele provides molecular-genetic tools to determine potential pollinators for the variety Top red as well as a tool to break-down SI in this important variety.

scholarly journals Activation of GPR116/ADGRF5 by its tethered agonist requires key amino acids in extracellular loop 2 of the transmembrane domain

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P Bridges ◽  
Caterina Safina ◽  
Bernard Picard ◽  
Kari Brown ◽  
Alyssa Filuta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Peptide Sequence ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Autocatalytic Cleavage ◽  
Knock Out Mice

The mechanistic details of the tethered agonist mode of activation for adhesion GPCRs has not been completely deciphered. We set out to investigate the physiologic importance of autocatalytic cleavage upstream of the agonistic peptide sequence, an event necessary for NTF displacement and subsequent receptor activation. To examine this hypothesis, we characterized tethered agonist-mediated activation of GPR116 in vitro and in vivo. A knock-in mouse expressing a non-cleavable GPR116 mutant phenocopies the pulmonary phenotype of GPR116 knock-out mice, demonstrating that tethered agonist-mediated receptor activation is indispensable for function in vivo. Using site-directed mutagenesis and species swapping approaches we identified key conserved amino acids for GPR116 activation in the tethered agonist sequence and in extracellular loops 2/3 (ECL2/3). We further highlight residues in transmembrane7 (TM7) that mediate stronger signaling in mouse versus human GPR116 and recapitulate these findings in a model supporting tethered agonist:ECL2 interactions for GPR116 activation.

scholarly journals A High-affinity Interaction with ADP-Actin Monomers Underlies the Mechanism and In Vivo Function of Srv2/cyclase-associated Protein

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 5158-5171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieta K. Mattila ◽  
Omar Quintero-Monzon ◽  
Jamie Kugler ◽  
James B. Moseley ◽  
Steven C. Almo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Monomer ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Actin Organization ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Actin Binding Domain ◽  
Affinity Interaction

Cyclase-associated protein (CAP), also called Srv2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a conserved actin monomer-binding protein that promotes cofilin-dependent actin turnover in vitro and in vivo. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying this function. Here, we show that S. cerevisiae CAP binds with strong preference to ADP-G-actin (Kd 0.02 μM) compared with ATP-G-actin (Kd 1.9 μM) and competes directly with cofilin for binding ADP-G-actin. Further, CAP blocks actin monomer addition specifically to barbed ends of filaments, in contrast to profilin, which blocks monomer addition to pointed ends of filaments. The actin-binding domain of CAP is more extensive than previously suggested and includes a recently solved β-sheet structure in the C-terminus of CAP and adjacent sequences. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we define evolutionarily conserved residues that mediate binding to ADP-G-actin and demonstrate that these activities are required for CAP function in vivo in directing actin organization and polarized cell growth. Together, our data suggest that in vivo CAP competes with cofilin for binding ADP-actin monomers, allows rapid nucleotide exchange to occur on actin, and then because of its 100-fold weaker binding affinity for ATP-actin compared with ADP-actin, allows other cellular factors such as profilin to take the handoff of ATP-actin and facilitate barbed end assembly.

scholarly journals Identification of a druggable protein-protein interaction site between mutant p53 and its stabilizing chaperone DNAJA1

2020 ◽  
pp. jbc.RA120.014749
Author(s):  
Xin Tong ◽  
Dandan Xu ◽  
Rama K. Mishra ◽  
Ryan D Jones ◽  
Leyu Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecule ◽  
Tp53 Gene ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Dominant Negative Effect ◽  
Mutant P53 ◽  
Missense Mutations ◽  
Oncogenic Function

The TP53 gene is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancers, and the majority of TP53 mutations are missense mutations. As a result, these mutant p53 (mutp53) either directly lose wild-type p53 (wtp53) tumor suppressor function or exhibit a dominant negative effect over wtp53. In addition, some mutp53 have acquired new oncogenic function (gain of function). Therefore, targeting mutp53 for its degradation, may serve as a promising strategy for cancer prevention and therapy. Based on our previous finding that farnesylated DNAJA1 is a crucial chaperone in maintaining mutp53 stabilization, and by using an in silico approach, we built 3-D homology models of human DNAJA1 and mutp53R175H proteins, identified the interacting pocket in the DNAJA1-mutp53R175H complex, and found one critical druggable small molecule binding  site in the DNAJA1 glycine/phenylalanine rich region. We confirmed that the interacting pocket in the DNAJA1-mutp53R175H complex was crucial for stabilizing mutp53R175H using a site-directed mutagenesis approach. We further screened a drug-like library to identify a promising small molecule hit (GY1-22) against the interacting pocket in DNAJA1-mutp53R175H complex. The GY1-22 compound displayed an effective activity against DNAJA1-mutp53R175H complex. Treatment with GY1-22 significantly reduced mutp53 protein levels, enhanced Waf1p21 expression, suppressed cyclin D1 expression, and inhibited mutp53-driven pancreatic cancer growth both in vitro and in vivo. Together, our results indicate that the interacting pocket in the DNAJA1-mutp53R175H complex is critical for mutp53’s stability and oncogenic function, and DNAJA1 is a robust therapeutic target for developing the efficient small molecule inhibitors against oncogenic mutp53.

scholarly journals Releasing prophase arrest in zebrafish oocyte: synergism between maturational steroid and Igf1

Reproduction ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 151 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debabrata Das ◽  
Soumojit Pal ◽  
Sudipta Maitra
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Akt Phosphorylation ◽  
Physiological Relevance ◽  
17Β Estradiol ◽  
Epidermal Growth ◽  
Membrane Progestin Receptor

Binding of 17β-estradiol (E2) to novel G-protein coupled receptor, Gper1, promotes intra-oocyte adenylyl cyclase activity and transactivates epidermal growth factor receptor to ensure prophase-I arrest. Although involvement of either membrane progestin receptor (mPR) or Igf system has been implicated in regulation of meiosis resumption, possibility of concurrent activation and potential synergism between 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP)- and Igf-mediated signalling cascades in alleviating E2 inhibition of oocyte maturation (OM) has not been investigated. Here using zebrafish (Danio rerio) defolliculated oocytes, we examined the effect of DHP and Igf1, either alone or in combination, in presence or absence of E2, on OM in vitro. While priming of denuded oocytes with E2 blocked spontaneous maturation, co-treatment with DHP (3 nM) and Igf1 (10 nM), but not alone, reversed E2 inhibition and promoted a robust increase in germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). Although stimulation with either Igf1 or DHP promoted Akt phosphorylation, pharmacological inhibition of PI3K/Akt signalling prevented Igf1-induced GVBD but delayed DHP action till 4–5 h of incubation. Moreover, high intra-oocyte cAMP attenuates both DHP and Igf1-mediated OM and co-stimulation with DHP and Igf1 could effectively reverse E2 action on PKA phosphorylation. Interestingly, data from in vivo studies reveal that heightened expression of igf1, igf3 transcripts in intact follicles corresponded well with elevated phosphorylation of Igf1r and Akt, mPRa immunoreactivity, PKA inhibition and accelerated GVBD response just prior to ovulation. This indicates potential synergism between maturational steroid and Igf1 which might have physiological relevance in overcoming E2 inhibition of meiosis resumption in zebrafish oocytes.

scholarly journals The PEST-like sequence of I kappa B alpha is responsible for inhibition of DNA binding but not for cytoplasmic retention of c-Rel or RelA homodimers.

1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 872-882 ◽  
Author(s):  
M K Ernst ◽  
L L Dunn ◽  
N R Rice
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Terminal Region ◽  
Nf Kappa B ◽  
I Kappa B Alpha ◽  
Functional Capabilities ◽  
C Terminus

In most cells, proteins belonging to the Rel/NF-kappa B family of transcription factors are held in inactive form in the cytoplasm by an inhibitor protein, I kappa B alpha. Stimulation of the cells leads to degradation of the inhibitor and transit of active DNA-binding Rel/NF-kappa B dimers to the nucleus. I kappa B alpha is also able to inhibit DNA binding by Rel/NF-kappa B dimers in vitro, suggesting that it may perform the same function in cells when the activating signal is no longer present. Structurally, the human I kappa B alpha molecule can be divided into three sections: a 70-amino-acid N terminus with no known function, a 205-residue midsection composed of six ankyrin-like repeats, and a very acidic 42-amino-acid C terminus that resembles a PEST sequence. In this study we examined how the structural elements of the I kappa B alpha protein correlate with its functional capabilities both in vitro and in vivo. Using a battery of I kappa B alpha mutants, we show that (i) a dimer binds a single I kappa B alpha molecule, (ii) the acidic C-terminal region of I kappa B alpha is not required for protein-protein binding and does not mask the nuclear localization signal of the dimer, (iii) the same C-terminal region is required for inhibition of DNA binding, and (iv) this inhibition may be accomplished by direct interaction between the PEST-like region and the DNA-binding region of one of the subunits of the dimer.

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