scholarly journals Chromosome organization by a conserved condensin-ParB system in the actinobacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kati Böhm ◽  
Giacomo Giacomelli ◽  
Andreas Schmidt ◽  
Axel Imhof ◽  
Romain Koszul ◽  
...  

AbstractHigher-order chromosome folding and segregation is tightly regulated in all domains of life. In bacteria, details on nucleoid organization regulatory mechanisms and function remains poorly characterized, especially in non-model species. Here, we investigate the role of DNA partitioning protein ParB and condensin complexes, two key players in bacterial chromosome structuring, in the actinobacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum. Chromosome conformation capture reveals SMC-mediated long-range interactions around ten centromere-like parS sites clustered at the replication origin (oriC). At least one oriC-proximal parS site is necessary for a reliable chromosome segregation. Using a combination of chromatin immunoprecipitation and photoactivated single molecule localization microscopy evidences the formation of distinct ParB-nucleoprotein subclusters in dependence of parS numbers. We further identified and functionally characterized two condensin paralogs. Whereas SMC/ScpAB complexes are loaded via ParB at parS sites mediating chromosomal inter-arm contacts like in Bacillus subtilis, the MukBEF-like SMC complex MksBEFG does not contribute to chromosomal DNA-folding. Rather, the MksBEFG complex is involved in plasmid maintenance and interacts with the polar oriC-tethering factor DivIVA. These data complement current models of ParB-SMC/ScpAB crosstalk, while showing that some condensin complexes evolved functions uncoupled from chromosome folding.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaap van Krugten ◽  
Noémie Danné ◽  
Erwin J.G. Peterman

AbstractSensing and reacting to the environment is essential for survival and procreation of most organisms. Caenorhabditis elegans senses soluble chemicals with transmembrane proteins (TPs) in the cilia of its chemosensory neurons. Development, maintenance and function of these cilia relies on intraflagellar transport (IFT), in which motor proteins transport cargo, including sensory TPs, back and forth along the ciliary axoneme. Here we use live fluorescence imaging to show that IFT machinery and the sensory TP OCR-2 reversibly redistribute along the cilium after exposure to repellant chemicals. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we performed single-molecule tracking experiments and found that OCR-2 distribution depends on an intricate interplay between IFT-driven transport, normal diffusion and subdiffusion that depends on the specific location in the cilium. These insights in the role of IFT on the dynamics of cellular signal transduction contribute to a deeper understanding of the regulation of sensory TPs and chemosensing.


Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smita Mohanty ◽  
Bharat P Chaudhary ◽  
David Zoetewey

Asparagine-linked glycosylation, also known as N-linked glycosylation is an essential and highly conserved post-translational protein modification that occurs in all three domains of life. This modification is essential for specific molecular recognition, protein folding, sorting in the endoplasmic reticulum, cell–cell communication, and stability. Defects in N-linked glycosylation results in a class of inherited diseases known as congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG). N-linked glycosylation occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen by a membrane associated enzyme complex called the oligosaccharyltransferase (OST). In the central step of this reaction, an oligosaccharide group is transferred from a lipid-linked dolichol pyrophosphate donor to the acceptor substrate, the side chain of a specific asparagine residue of a newly synthesized protein. The prokaryotic OST enzyme consists of a single polypeptide chain, also known as single subunit OST or ssOST. In contrast, the eukaryotic OST is a complex of multiple non-identical subunits. In this review, we will discuss the biochemical and structural characterization of the prokaryotic, yeast, and mammalian OST enzymes. This review explains the most recent high-resolution structures of OST determined thus far and the mechanistic implication of N-linked glycosylation throughout all domains of life. It has been shown that the ssOST enzyme, AglB protein of the archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus, and the PglB protein of the bacterium Campylobactor lari are structurally and functionally similar to the catalytic Stt3 subunit of the eukaryotic OST enzyme complex. Yeast OST enzyme complex contains a single Stt3 subunit, whereas the human OST complex is formed with either STT3A or STT3B, two paralogues of Stt3. Both human OST complexes, OST-A (with STT3A) and OST-B (containing STT3B), are involved in the N-linked glycosylation of proteins in the ER. The cryo-EM structures of both human OST-A and OST-B complexes were reported recently. An acceptor peptide and a donor substrate (dolichylphosphate) were observed to be bound to the OST-B complex whereas only dolichylphosphate was bound to the OST-A complex suggesting disparate affinities of two OST complexes for the acceptor substrates. However, we still lack an understanding of the independent role of each eukaryotic OST subunit in N-linked glycosylation or in the stabilization of the enzyme complex. Discerning the role of each subunit through structure and function studies will potentially reveal the mechanistic details of N-linked glycosylation in higher organisms. Thus, getting an insight into the requirement of multiple non-identical subunits in the N-linked glycosylation process in eukaryotes poses an important future goal.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edvardas Golovinas ◽  
Danielis Rutkauskas ◽  
Elena Manakova ◽  
Marija Jankunec ◽  
Arunas Silanskas ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackgroundArgonaute (Ago) proteins are found in all three domains of life. The best characterized group is eukaryotic Argonautes (eAgos), which are the core of RNA interference. The best understood prokaryotic Ago (pAgo) proteins are full-length pAgos. They are monomeric proteins, all composed of four major structural/functional domains (N, PAZ, MID and PIWI) and thereby closely resemble eAgos. It is believed that full-length pAgos function as prokaryotic antiviral systems, with the PIWI domain performing cleavage of invading nucleic acids. However, the majority of identified pAgos are shorter and catalytically inactive (encode just MID and inactive PIWI domains), thus their action mechanism and function remain unknown.ResultsIn this work we focus on AfAgo, a short pAgo protein encoded by an archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus. We find that in all previously solved AfAgo structures, its two monomers form substantial dimerization interfaces involving the C-terminal β-sheets. Led by this finding, we have employed various biochemical and biophysical assays, including single-molecule FRET, SAXS and AFM, to test the possible dimerization of AfAgo. SAXS results confirm that WT AfAgo, but not the dimerization surface mutant AfAgoΔ, forms a homodimer both in the apo-form and when bound to a nucleic acid. Single molecule FRET and AFM studies demonstrate that the dimeric WT AfAgo binds two ends of a linear DNA fragment, forming a relatively stable DNA loop.ConclusionOur results show that contrary to other characterized Ago proteins, AfAgo is a stable homodimer in solution, which is capable of simultaneous interaction with two DNA molecules. This finding broadens the range of currently known Argonaute-nucleic acid interaction mechanisms.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6284
Author(s):  
Morgana K. Kellogg ◽  
Sarah C. Miller ◽  
Elena B. Tikhonova ◽  
Andrey L. Karamyshev

Signal recognition particle (SRP) is an RNA and protein complex that exists in all domains of life. It consists of one protein and one noncoding RNA in some bacteria. It is more complex in eukaryotes and consists of six proteins and one noncoding RNA in mammals. In the eukaryotic cytoplasm, SRP co-translationally targets proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum and prevents misfolding and aggregation of the secretory proteins in the cytoplasm. It was demonstrated recently that SRP also possesses an earlier unknown function, the protection of mRNAs of secretory proteins from degradation. In this review, we analyze the progress in studies of SRPs from different organisms, SRP biogenesis, its structure, and function in protein targeting and mRNA protection.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah H. Vermij ◽  
Jean-Sébastien Rougier ◽  
Esperanza Agulló-Pascual ◽  
Eli Rothenberg ◽  
Mario Delmar ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTMutations in the gene encoding the sodium channel Nav1.5 cause various cardiac arrhythmias. This variety may arise from different determinants of Nav1.5 expression between cardiomyocyte domains. At the lateral membrane and T-tubules, Nav1.5 localization and function remain insufficiently characterized. We used novel single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) and modeling to define nanoscale features of Nav1.5 localization and distribution at the lateral membrane, groove, and T-tubules in wild-type, dystrophin-deficient (mdx) mice, and mice expressing C-terminally truncated Nav1.5 (ΔSIV). We show that Nav1.5 organizes as distinct clusters in the groove and T-tubules which density and distribution partially depend on SIV and dystrophin. We found that overall reduction in Nav1.5 expression in mdx and ΔSIV cells results in a non-uniform redistribution with Nav1.5 being specifically reduced at the groove of ΔSIV and increased in T-tubules of mdx cardiomyocytes. Nav1.5 mutations may therefore site-specifically affect Nav1.5 localization and distribution depending on site-specific interacting proteins.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edvardas Golovinas ◽  
Danielis Rutkauskas ◽  
Elena Manakova ◽  
Marija Jankunec ◽  
Arunas Silanskas ◽  
...  

Abstract Argonaute (Ago) proteins are found in all three domains of life. The best characterized group is eukaryotic Argonautes (eAgos), which are the core of RNA interference. The best understood prokaryotic Ago (pAgo) proteins are full-length pAgos. They are composed of four major structural/functional domains (N, PAZ, MID and PIWI) and thereby closely resemble eAgos. It was demonstrated that full-length pAgos function as prokaryotic antiviral systems, with the PIWI domain performing cleavage of invading nucleic acids. However, the majority of identified pAgos are shorter and catalytically inactive (encode just MID and inactive PIWI domains), thus their action mechanism and function remain unknown. In this work we focus on AfAgo, a short pAgo protein encoded by an archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus. We find that in all previously solved AfAgo structures, its two monomers form substantial dimerization interfaces involving the C-terminal β-sheets. Led by this finding, we have employed various biochemical and biophysical assays, including SEC-MALS, SAXS, single-molecule FRET and AFM, to show that AfAgo is indeed a homodimer in solution, which is capable of simultaneous interaction with two DNA molecules. This finding underscores the diversity of prokaryotic Agos and broadens the range of currently known Argonaute-nucleic acid interaction mechanisms.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary J. Whitfield ◽  
Patrick T. Dolan ◽  
Mark Kunitomi ◽  
Michel Tassetto ◽  
Matthew G. Seetin ◽  
...  

AbstractThe Aedes aegypti mosquito is a major vector for arboviruses including dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus. Combating the spread of these viruses requires a more complete understanding of the mosquito immune system. Recent studies have implicated genomic endogenous viral elements (EVEs) derived from non-retroviral RNA viruses in insect immunity. Because these elements are inserted into repetitive regions of the mosquito genome, their large-scale structure and organization with respect to other genomic elements has been difficult to resolve with short-read sequencing. To better define the origin, diversity and biological role of EVEs, we employed single-molecule, real-time sequencing technology to generate a high quality, long-read assembly of the Ae. aegypti-derived Aag2 cell line genome. We leverage the quality and contiguity of this assembly to characterize the diversity and genomic context of EVEs in the genome of this important model system. We find that EVEs in the Aag2 genome are acquired through recombination by LTR retrotransposons, and organize into larger loci (>50kbp) characterized by high LTR density. These EVE containing loci are associated with increased transcription factor binding sight density and increased production of anti-genomic piRNAs. We also detected piRNA processing corresponding to on-going viral infection. This global view of EVEs and piRNA responses demonstrates the ubiquity and diversity of these heritable elements that define small-RNA mediated antiviral immunity in mosquitoes.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Nir ◽  
Irene Farabella ◽  
Cynthia Pérez Estrada ◽  
Carl G. Ebeling ◽  
Brian J. Beliveau ◽  
...  

AbstractChromosome structure is thought to be crucial for proper functioning of the nucleus. Here, we present a method for visualizing chromosomal DNA at super-resolution and then integrating Hi-C data to produce three-dimensional models of chromosome organization. We begin by applying Oligopaint probes and the single-molecule localization microscopy methods of OligoSTORM and OligoDNA-PAINT to image 8 megabases of human chromosome 19, discovering that chromosomal regions contributing to compartments can form distinct structures. Intriguingly, our data also suggest that homologous maternal and paternal regions may be differentially organized. Finally, we integrate imaging data with Hi-C and restraint-based modeling using a method called integrative modeling of genomic regions (IMGR) to increase the genomic resolution of our traces to 10 kb.One Sentence SummarySuper-resolution genome tracing, contact maps, and integrative modeling enable 10 kb resolution glimpses of chromosome folding.


2021 ◽  
Vol 220 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mattia Marenda ◽  
Elena Lazarova ◽  
Sebastian van de Linde ◽  
Nick Gilbert ◽  
Davide Michieletto

Understanding biological function requires the identification and characterization of complex patterns of molecules. Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) can quantitatively measure molecular components and interactions at resolutions far beyond the diffraction limit, but this information is only useful if these patterns can be quantified and interpreted. We provide a new approach for the analysis of SMLM data that develops the concept of structures and super-structures formed by interconnected elements, such as smaller protein clusters. Using a formal framework and a parameter-free algorithm, (super-)structures formed from smaller components are found to be abundant in classes of nuclear proteins, such as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (hnRNPs), but are absent from ceramides located in the plasma membrane. We suggest that mesoscopic structures formed by interconnected protein clusters are common within the nucleus and have an important role in the organization and function of the genome. Our algorithm, SuperStructure, can be used to analyze and explore complex SMLM data and extract functionally relevant information.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edvardas Golovinas ◽  
Danielis Rutkauskas ◽  
Elena Manakova ◽  
Marija Jankunec ◽  
Arunas Silanskas ◽  
...  

AbstractArgonaute (Ago) proteins are found in all three domains of life. The best-characterized group is eukaryotic Argonautes (eAgos), which are the core of RNA interference. The best understood prokaryotic Ago (pAgo) proteins are full-length pAgos. They are composed of four major structural/functional domains (N, PAZ, MID, and PIWI) and thereby closely resemble eAgos. It was demonstrated that full-length pAgos function as prokaryotic antiviral systems, with the PIWI domain performing cleavage of invading nucleic acids. However, the majority of identified pAgos are shorter and catalytically inactive (encode just MID and inactive PIWI domains), thus their action mechanism and function remain unknown. In this work we focus on AfAgo, a short pAgo protein encoded by an archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus. We find that in all previously solved AfAgo structures, its two monomers form substantial dimerization interfaces involving the C-terminal β-sheets. Led by this finding, we have employed various biochemical and biophysical assays, including SEC-MALS, SAXS, single-molecule FRET, and AFM, to show that AfAgo is indeed a homodimer in solution, which is capable of simultaneous interaction with two DNA molecules. This finding underscores the diversity of prokaryotic Agos and broadens the range of currently known Argonaute-nucleic acid interaction mechanisms.


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