scholarly journals Toxoplasmacontrols host cyclin E expression through the use of a novel MYR1-dependent effector protein, HCE1

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Panas ◽  
Adit Naor ◽  
Alicja M. Cygan ◽  
John C. Boothroyd
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Parasitophorous Vacuole ◽  
Cyclin E ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Growth Defect ◽  
Effector Protein ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
E2f Transcription Factor

AbstractToxoplasma gondiiis an obligate intracellular parasite that establishes a favorable environment in the host cells in which it replicates. We have previously reported that it uses MYR-dependent translocation of dense granule proteins to elicit a key set of host responses related to the cell cycle, specifically E2F transcription factor targets including cyclin E. We report here the identification of a novelToxoplasmaeffector protein that is exported from the parasitophorous vacuole in a MYR1-dependent manner and localizes to the host’s nucleus. Parasites lacking this inducer ofHostCyclinE(HCE1) are unable to modulate E2F transcription factor target genes and exhibit a substantial growth defect. Immunoprecipitation of HCE1 from infected host cells shows that HCE1 efficiently binds elements of the cyclin E regulatory complex, DP1 and its partners E2F3 and E2F4. Expression of HCE1 inNeospora caninum, or in uninfected HFFs, shows localization of the expressed protein to the host nuclei and strong cyclin E up-regulation. Thus, HCE1 is a novel effector protein that is necessary and sufficient to impact the E2F-axis of transcription resulting in co-opting of host functions toToxoplasma’sadvantage.

scholarly journals Toxoplasma Controls Host Cyclin E Expression through the Use of a Novel MYR1-Dependent Effector Protein, HCE1

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Panas ◽  
Adit Naor ◽  
Alicja M. Cygan ◽  
John C. Boothroyd
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Cyclin E ◽  
Human Cells ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Effector Protein ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
E2f Transcription Factor

ABSTRACT Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that establishes a favorable environment in the host cells in which it replicates. We have previously reported that it uses MYR-dependent translocation of dense granule proteins to elicit a key set of host responses related to the cell cycle, specifically, E2F transcription factor targets, including cyclin E. We report here the identification of a novel Toxoplasma effector protein that is exported from the parasitophorous vacuole in a MYR1-dependent manner and localizes to the host’s nucleus. Parasites lacking this inducer of host cyclin E (HCE1) are unable to modulate E2F transcription factor target genes and exhibit a substantial growth defect. Immunoprecipitation of HCE1 from infected host cells showed that HCE1 efficiently binds elements of the cyclin E regulatory complex, namely, DP1 and its partners E2F3 and E2F4. Expression of HCE1 in Neospora caninum, or in uninfected human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs), showed localization of the expressed protein to the host nuclei and strong cyclin E upregulation. Thus, HCE1 is a novel effector protein that is necessary and sufficient to impact the E2F axis of transcription, resulting in co-opting of host functions to the advantage of Toxoplasma. IMPORTANCE Like most Apicomplexan parasites, Toxoplasma gondii has the remarkable ability to invade and establish a replicative niche within another eukaryotic cell, in this case, any of a large number of cell types in almost any warm-blooded animals. Part of the process of establishing this niche is the export of effector proteins to co-opt host cell functions in favor of the parasite. Here we identify a novel effector protein, HCE1, that the parasites export into the nucleus of human cells, where it modulates the expression of multiple genes, including the gene encoding cyclin E, one of the most crucial proteins involved in controlling when and whether a human cell divides. We show that HCE1 works through binding to specific transcription factors, namely, E2F3, E2F4, and DP1, that normally carefully regulate these all-important pathways. This represents a new way in which these consummately efficient infectious agents co-opt the human cells that they so efficiently grow within.

scholarly journals New Insights into the Pleiotropic Drug Resistance Network from Genome-Wide Characterization of the YRR1 Transcription Factor Regulation System

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 2642-2649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Le Crom ◽  
Frédéric Devaux ◽  
Philippe Marc ◽  
Xiaoting Zhang ◽  
W. Scott Moye-Rowley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Regulation System ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Pleiotropic Drug Resistance ◽  
Genome Wide

ABSTRACT Yrr1p is a recently described Zn2Cys6 transcription factor involved in the pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) phenomenon. It is controlled in a Pdr1p-dependent manner and is autoregulated. We describe here a new genome-wide approach to characterization of the set of genes directly regulated by Yrr1p. We found that the time-course production of an artificial chimera protein containing the DNA-binding domain of Yrr1p activated the 15 genes that are also up-regulated by a gain-of-function mutant of Yrr1p. Gel mobility shift assays showed that the promoters of the genes AZR1, FLR1, SNG1, YLL056C, YLR346C, and YPL088W interacted with Yrr1p. The putative consensus Yrr1p binding site deduced from these experiments, (T/A)CCG(C/T)(G/T)(G/T)(A/T)(A/T), is strikingly similar to the PDR element binding site sequence recognized by Pdr1p and Pdr3p. The minor differences between these sequences are consistent with Yrr1p and Pdr1p and Pdr3p having different sets of target genes. According to these data, some target genes are directly regulated by Pdr1p and Pdr3p or by Yrr1p, whereas some genes are indirectly regulated by the activation of Yrr1p. Some genes, such as YOR1, SNQ2, and FLR1, are clearly directly controlled by both classes of transcription factor, suggesting an important role for the corresponding membrane proteins.

scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii Rhoptry Discharge Correlates with Activation of the Early Growth Response 2 Host Cell Transcription Factor

2008 ◽  
Vol 76 (10) ◽  
pp. 4703-4712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric D. Phelps ◽  
Kristin R. Sweeney ◽  
Ira J. Blader
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Early Growth ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasite ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Early Growth Response ◽  
Cell Extracts

ABSTRACT Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous apicomplexan parasite that can cause severe disease in fetuses and immune-compromised patients. Rhoptries, micronemes, and dense granules, which are secretory organelles unique to Toxoplasma and other apicomplexan parasites, play critical roles in parasite growth and virulence. To understand how these organelles modulate infected host cells, we sought to identify host cell transcription factors triggered by their release. Early growth response 2 (EGR2) is a host cell transcription factor that is rapidly upregulated and activated in Toxoplasma-infected cells but not in cells infected with the closely related apicomplexan parasite Neospora caninum. EGR2 upregulation occurred only when live parasites were in direct contact with the host cell and not from exposure to cell extracts that contain dense granule or micronemal proteins. When microneme-mediated attachment was blocked by pretreating parasites with a calcium chelator, EGR2 expression was significantly reduced. In contrast, when host cells were infected with parasites in the presence of cytochalasin D, which allows rhoptry secretion but prevents parasite invasion, EGR2 was activated. Finally, we demonstrate that Toxoplasma activation of host p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase is necessary but not sufficient for EGR2 activation. Collectively, these data indicate that EGR2 is specifically upregulated by a parasite-derived secreted factor that is most likely a resident rhoptry protein.

scholarly journals The TEA Transcription Factor Tec1 Confers Promoter-Specific Gene Regulation by Ste12-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 514-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Heise ◽  
Julia van der Felden ◽  
Sandra Kern ◽  
Mario Malcher ◽  
Stefan Brückner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Regulated Gene Expression

ABSTRACT In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the TEA transcription factor Tec1 is known to regulate target genes together with a second transcription factor, Ste12. Tec1-Ste12 complexes can activate transcription through Tec1 binding sites (TCSs), which can be further combined with Ste12 binding sites (PREs) for cooperative DNA binding. However, previous studies have hinted that Tec1 might regulate transcription also without Ste12. Here, we show that in vivo, physiological amounts of Tec1 are sufficient to stimulate TCS-mediated gene expression and transcription of the FLO11 gene in the absence of Ste12. In vitro, Tec1 is able to bind TCS elements with high affinity and specificity without Ste12. Furthermore, Tec1 contains a C-terminal transcriptional activation domain that confers Ste12-independent activation of TCS-regulated gene expression. On a genome-wide scale, we identified 302 Tec1 target genes that constitute two distinct classes. A first class of 254 genes is regulated by Tec1 in a Ste12-dependent manner and is enriched for genes that are bound by Tec1 and Ste12 in vivo. In contrast, a second class of 48 genes can be regulated by Tec1 independently of Ste12 and is enriched for genes that are bound by the stress transcription factors Yap6, Nrg1, Cin5, Skn7, Hsf1, and Msn4. Finally, we find that combinatorial control by Tec1-Ste12 complexes stabilizes Tec1 against degradation. Our study suggests that Tec1 is able to regulate TCS-mediated gene expression by Ste12-dependent and Ste12-independent mechanisms that enable promoter-specific transcriptional control.

scholarly journals Essential Dosage-Dependent Functions of the Transcription Factor Yin Yang 1 in Late Embryonic Development and Cell Cycle Progression

2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 3565-3581 ◽  
Author(s):  
El Bachir Affar ◽  
Frédérique Gay ◽  
Yujiang Shi ◽  
Huifei Liu ◽  
Maite Huarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Eukaryotic Cell ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Phenotypic Analysis ◽  
Yin Yang 1 ◽  
Yin Yang

ABSTRACT Constitutive ablation of the Yin Yang 1 (YY1) transcription factor in mice results in peri-implantation lethality. In this study, we used homologous recombination to generate knockout mice carrying yy1 alleles expressing various amounts of YY1. Phenotypic analysis of yy1 mutant embryos expressing ∼75%, ∼50%, and ∼25% of the normal complement of YY1 identified a dosage-dependent requirement for YY1 during late embryogenesis. Indeed, reduction of YY1 levels impairs embryonic growth and viability in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of the corresponding mouse embryonic fibroblast cells also revealed a tight correlation between YY1 dosage and cell proliferation, with a complete ablation of YY1 inducing cytokinesis failure and cell cycle arrest. Consistently, RNA interference-mediated inhibition of YY1 in HeLa cells prevents cytokinesis, causes proliferative arrest, and increases cellular sensitivity to various apoptotic agents. Genome-wide expression profiling identified a plethora of YY1 target genes that have been implicated in cell growth, proliferation, cytokinesis, apoptosis, development, and differentiation, suggesting that YY1 coordinates multiple essential biological processes through a complex transcriptional network. These data not only shed new light on the molecular basis for YY1 developmental roles and cellular functions, but also provide insight into the general mechanisms controlling eukaryotic cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation.

scholarly journals Biotinylation of the Neospora caninum parasitophorous vacuole reveals novel dense granule proteins

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Congshan Yang ◽  
Chenrong Wang ◽  
Jing Liu ◽  
Qun Liu
Keyword(s):  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Gene Knockout ◽  
Parasitophorous Vacuole ◽  
Dense Granule ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Spectrometric Analysis ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Dense Granules ◽  
Granule Proteins

Abstract Background Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular parasite that invades host cells and replicates within the parasitophorous vacuole (PV), which resists fusion with host cell lysosomal compartments. To modify the PV, the parasite secretes an array of proteins, including dense granule proteins (GRAs). The vital role of GRAs in the Neospora life cycle cannot be overestimated. Despite this important role, only a subset of these proteins have been identified, and most of their functions have not been elucidated. Our previous study demonstrated that NcGRA17 is specifically targeted to the delimiting membrane of the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM). In this study, we utilize proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) to identify novel components of the dense granules. Methods NcGRA17 was BirA* epitope-tagged in the Nc1 strain utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 system to create a fusion of NcGRA17 with the biotin ligase BirA*. The biotinylated proteins were affinity-purified for mass spectrometric analysis, and the candidate GRA proteins from BioID data set were identified by gene tagging. To verify the biological role of novel identified GRA proteins, we constructed the NcGRA23 and NcGRA11 (a–e) knockout strains using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and analyzed the phenotypes of these mutants. Results Using NcGRA17-BirA* fusion protein as bait, we have identified some known GRAs and verified localization of 11 novel GRA proteins by gene endogenous tagging or overexpression in the Nc1 strain. We proceeded to functionally characterize NcGRA23 and NcGRA11 (a–e) by gene knockout. The lack of NcGRA23 or NcGRA11 (a–e) did not affect the parasite propagation in vitro and virulence in vivo. Conclusions In summary, our findings reveal that BioID is effective in discovering novel constituents of N. caninum dense granules. The exact biological functions of the novel GRA proteins are yet unknown, but this could be explored in future studies. Graphical abstract

Abstract 267: Opposing Functions of Two Splice Variants of the Human Transcription Factor Grainyhead-like 3 in Endothelial Cells And in vivo

2013 ◽  
Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Altschmied ◽  
Nicole Büchner ◽  
Sascha Jakob ◽  
Sabrina Farrokh ◽  
Christine Goy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Splice Variants ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Active Transcription ◽  
Human Transcription Factor

Grainyhead-like 3 (GRHL3) is a member of the evolutionary conserved Grainyhead family of transcription factors. In humans, three isoforms are derived from differential first exon usage and alternative splicing, which differ only in their N-terminus. Isoform 2, the only variant also present in mouse, is required for endothelial cell (EC) migration and protects against apoptosis. The functions of the human specific isoforms 1 and 3, which are derived from an alternatively spliced pre-mRNA, have not yet been investigated, although all three isoforms are expressed in EC. Therefore, we have assessed their effects on EC migration and apoptosis. Overexpression of the two proteins had opposite effects on EC migration, with isoform 1 acting pro-migratory. This protein also protected EC against apoptosis in an eNOS-dependent manner, whereas isoform 3 had no effect. These opposing outcomes with respect to apoptosis EC were corroborated by isoform-specific knockdowns. With reporter assays using a GRHL3-specific luciferase reporter we demonstrated that both are active transcription factors. Microarray analyses revealed that they induce divergent target gene sets in EC. Two validated targets, Akt2 and Mxi1, which are upregulated by isoform1, are regulators of Akt1-, and thus eNOS-phosphorylation and apoptosis, which could explain the effects of this protein on these processes. In vivo, overexpression of isoform 3 in zebrafish embryos resulted in increased lethality and severe deformations, while isoform 1 had no deleterious effect. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that the splice variant derived isoforms 1 and 3 of the human transcription factor GRHL3 induce opposing effects in primary human endothelial cells and in a whole animal model, most likely through the induction of different target genes.

scholarly journals Molecular cloning and characterization ofNcROP2Fam-1, a member of the ROP2 family of rhoptry proteins inNeospora caninumthat is targeted by antibodies neutralizing host cell invasionin vitro

Parasitology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 140 (8) ◽  
pp. 1033-1050 ◽  
Author(s):  
FERIAL ALAEDDINE ◽  
ANDREW HEMPHILL ◽  
KARIM DEBACHE ◽  
CHRISTOPHE GUIONAUD
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Family Member ◽  
Vaccine Candidate ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Parasitophorous Vacuole ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
General Belief ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
Promising Vaccine Candidate

SUMMARYRecent publications demonstrated that a fragment of aNeospora caninumROP2 family member antigen represents a promising vaccine candidate. We here report on the cloning of the cDNA encoding this protein,N. caninumROP2 family member 1 (NcROP2Fam-1), its molecular characterization and localization. The protein possesses the hallmarks of ROP2 family members and is apparently devoid of catalytic activity. NcROP2Fam-1 is synthesized as a pre-pro-protein that is matured to 2 proteins of 49 and 55 kDa that localize to rhoptry bulbs. Upon invasion the protein is associated with the nascent parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM), evacuoles surrounding the host cell nucleus and, in some instances, the surface of intracellular parasites. Staining was also observed within the cyst wall of ‘cysts’ producedin vitro. Interestingly, NcROP2Fam-1 was also detected on the surface of extracellular parasites entering the host cells and antibodies directed against NcROP2Fam-1-specific peptides partially neutralized invasionin vitro. We conclude that, in spite of the general belief that ROP2 family proteins are intracellular antigens, NcROP2Fam-1 can also be considered as an extracellular antigen, a property that should be taken into account in further experiments employing ROP2 family proteins as vaccines.

scholarly journals Cellular targets for activation by the E2F1 transcription factor include DNA synthesis- and G1/S-regulatory genes.

1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 4215-4224 ◽  
Author(s):  
J DeGregori ◽  
T Kowalik ◽  
J R Nevins
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Recombinant Adenovirus ◽  
Cyclin E ◽  
Cyclin A ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Nuclear Antigen ◽  
G1 Arrest ◽  
E2f1 Transcription Factor

Although a number of transfection experiments have suggested potential targets for the action of the E2F1 transcription factor, as is the case for many transcriptional regulatory proteins, the actual targets in their normal chromosomal environment have not been demonstrated. We have made use of a recombinant adenovirus containing the E2F1 cDNA to infect quiescent cells and then measure the activation of endogenous cellular genes as a consequence of E2F1 production. We find that many of the genes encoding S-phase-acting proteins previously suspected to be E2F targets, including DNA polymerase alpha, thymidylate synthase, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and ribonucleotide reductase, are indeed induced by E2F1. Several other candidates, including the dihydrofolate reductase and thymidine kinase genes, were only minimally induced by E2F1. In addition to the S-phase genes, we also find that several genes believed to play regulatory roles in cell cycle progression, such as the cdc2, cyclin A, and B-myb genes, are also induced by E2F1. Moreover, the cyclin E gene is strongly induced by E2F1, thus defining an autoregulatory circuit since cyclin E-dependent kinase activity can stimulate E2F1 transcription, likely through the phosphorylation and inactivation of Rb and Rb family members. Finally, we also demonstrate that a G1 arrest brought about by gamma irradiation is overcome by the overexpression of E2F1 and that this coincides with the enhanced activation of key target genes, including the cyclin A and cyclin E genes.

scholarly journals Tolerance to Hypoxia Is Promoted by FOXO Regulation of the Innate Immunity Transcription Factor NF-κB/Relish in Drosophila

Genetics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 215 (4) ◽  
pp. 1013-1025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth C. Barretto ◽  
Danielle M. Polan ◽  
Amy N. Beevor-Potts ◽  
Byoungchun Lee ◽  
Savraj S. Grewal
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Hypoxia Tolerance ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Hypoxia Exposure ◽  
Forkhead Box ◽  
Pathological Conditions

Exposure of tissues and organs to low oxygen (hypoxia) occurs in both physiological and pathological conditions in animals. Under these conditions, organisms have to adapt their physiology to ensure proper functioning and survival. Here, we define a role for the transcription factor Forkhead Box-O (FOXO) as a mediator of hypoxia tolerance in Drosophila. We find that upon hypoxia exposure, FOXO transcriptional activity is rapidly induced in both larvae and adults. Moreover, we see that foxo mutant animals show misregulated glucose metabolism in low oxygen and subsequently exhibit reduced hypoxia survival. We identify the innate immune transcription factor, NF-κB/Relish, as a key FOXO target in the control of hypoxia tolerance. We find that expression of Relish and its target genes is increased in a FOXO-dependent manner in hypoxia, and that relish mutant animals show reduced survival in hypoxia. Together, these data indicate that FOXO is a hypoxia-inducible factor that mediates tolerance to low oxygen by inducing immune-like responses.

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