scholarly journals Normal Telomere Length Maintenance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Requires Nuclear Import of the Ever Shorter Telomeres 1 (Est1) Protein via the Importin Alpha Pathway

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1036-1050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlene Hawkins ◽  
Katherine L. Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Telomere Length ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Repetitive Sequences ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Sv40 Large T Antigen ◽  
Importin Α

ABSTRACT The Est1 (ever shorter telomeres 1) protein is an essential component of yeast telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein complex that restores the repetitive sequences at chromosome ends (telomeres) that would otherwise be lost during DNA replication. Previous work has shown that the telomerase RNA component ( TLC1 ) transits through the cytoplasm during telomerase biogenesis, but mechanisms of protein import have not been addressed. Here we identify three nuclear localization sequences (NLSs) in Est1p. Mutation of the most N-terminal NLS in the context of full-length Est1p reduces Est1p nuclear localization and causes telomere shortening—phenotypes that are rescued by fusion with the NLS from the simian virus 40 (SV40) large-T antigen. In contrast to that of the TLC1 RNA, Est1p nuclear import is facilitated by Srp1p, the yeast homolog of importin α. The reduction in telomere length observed at the semipermissive temperature in a srp1 mutant strain is rescued by increased Est1p expression, consistent with a defect in Est1p nuclear import. These studies suggest that at least two nuclear import pathways are required to achieve normal telomere length homeostasis in yeast.

scholarly journals Role of flanking sequences and phosphorylation in the recognition of the simian-virus-40 large T-antigen nuclear localization sequences by importin-α

2003 ◽  
Vol 375 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos R. M. FONTES ◽  
Trazel TEH ◽  
Gabor TOTH ◽  
Anna JOHN ◽  
Imre PAVO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Large T Antigen ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
Importin Α ◽  
Flanking Sequences

The nuclear import of simian-virus-40 large T-antigen (tumour antigen) is enhanced via phosphorylation by the protein kinase CK2 at Ser112 in the vicinity of the NLS (nuclear localization sequence). To determine the structural basis of the effect of the sequences flanking the basic cluster KKKRK, and the effect of phosphorylation on the recognition of the NLS by the nuclear import factor importin-α (Impα), we co-crystallized non-autoinhibited Impα with peptides corresponding to the phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated forms of the NLS, and determined the crystal structures of the complexes. The structures show that the amino acids N-terminally flanking the basic cluster make specific contacts with the receptor that are distinct from the interactions between bipartite NLSs and Impα. We confirm the important role of flanking sequences using binding assays. Unexpectedly, the regions of the peptides containing the phosphorylation site do not make specific contacts with the receptor. Binding assays confirm that phosphorylation does not increase the affinity of the T-antigen NLS to Impα. We conclude that the sequences flanking the basic clusters in NLSs play a crucial role in nuclear import by modulating the recognition of the NLS by Impα, whereas phosphorylation of the T-antigen enhances nuclear import by a mechanism that does not involve a direct interaction of the phosphorylated residue with Impα.

Novel properties of the protein kinase CK2-site-regulated nuclear- localization sequence of the interferon-induced nuclear factor IFI 16

2000 ◽  
Vol 353 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyndall J. BRIGGS ◽  
Ricky W. JOHNSTONE ◽  
Rachel M. ELLIOT ◽  
Chong-Yun XIAO ◽  
Michelle DAWSON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Protein Kinase Ck2 ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
Nuclear Localization Sequence ◽  
Localization Sequence ◽  
Kinase Ck2

Members of the interferon-induced class of nuclear factors possess a putative CcN motif, comparable with that within proteins such as the simian virus 40 large tumour antigen (T-ag), which confers phosphorylation-mediated regulation of nuclear-localization sequence (NLS)-dependent nuclear import. Here we examine the functionality of the interferon-induced factor 16 (IFI 16) CcN motif, demonstrating its ability to target a heterologous protein to the nucleus, and to be phosphorylated specifically by the CcN-motif-phosphorylating protein kinase CK2 (CK2). The IFI 16 NLS, however, has novel properties, conferring ATP-dependent nuclear import completely independent of cytosolic factors, as well as binding to nuclear components. The IFI 16 NLS is not recognized with high affinity by the NLS-binding importin heterodimer, and transport mediated by it is insensitive to non-hydrolysable GTP analogues. The IFI 16 NLS thus mediates nuclear import through a pathway completely distinct from that of conventional NLSs, such as that of T-ag, but intriguingly resembling that of the NLS of the HIV-1 transactivator protein Tat. Since the IFI 16 CK2 site enhances nuclear import through facilitating binding to nuclear components, this represents a novel mechanism by which the site regulates nuclear-protein import, and constitutes a difference between the IFI 16 and Tat NLSs that may be of importance in the immune response.

scholarly journals Evidence for an inhibitory feedback loop regulating simian virus 40 large T-antigen fusion protein nuclear transport

1996 ◽  
Vol 315 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrich SEYDEL ◽  
David A. JANS
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Feedback Loop ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Nuclear Protein ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Nuclear Accumulation ◽  
Large T Antigen ◽  
Inhibitory Feedback

Nuclear protein import is central to eukaryotic cell function. It is dependent on ATP, temperature and cytosolic factors, and requires specific targeting sequences called nuclear localization signals (NLSs). Nuclear import kinetics was studied in vitro using digitonin-permeabilized cells of the HTC rat hepatoma cell line and a fluorescently labelled β-galactosidase fusion protein carrying amino acids 111–135 of the simian virus 40 large T-antigen (T-ag), including the NLS. Nuclear accumulation was rapid, reaching steady-state after about 80 min at 37 °C (t1/2 at about 17 min). Surprisingly, maximal nuclear concentration was found to be directly proportional to the concentration of the cytosolic extract and of cytoplasmic T-ag protein. Neither preincubation of cells for 1 h at 37 °C before the addition of T-ag protein nor the addition of fresh transport medium after 1 h and continuation of the incubation for another hour affected the maximal nuclear concentration. If cells were allowed to accumulate T-ag protein for 1 h before the addition of fresh transport medium containing different concentrations of T-ag protein and incubated for a further hour, the maximal nuclear concentration did not change unless the concentration of T-ag protein in the second transport mixture exceeded that in the first, in which case the nuclear concentration increased. Nuclear import of T-ag thus appeared (i) to be strictly unidirectional over 2 h at 37 °C and (ii) to be regulated by an inhibitory feedback loop, whereby the cytosolic concentration of protein appears to determine directly the precise end point of nuclear accumulation. This study represents the first characterization of this previously undescribed mechanism of regulation of nuclear protein import.

scholarly journals RanBP3 Contains an Unusual Nuclear Localization Signal That Is Imported Preferentially by Importin-α3

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 8400-8411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Welch ◽  
Jacqueline Franke ◽  
Matthias Köhler ◽  
Ian G. Macara
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Consensus Sequence ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signals ◽  
Importin Α

ABSTRACT The full range of sequences that constitute nuclear localization signals (NLSs) remains to be established. Even though the sequence of the classical NLS contains polybasic residues that are recognized by importin-α, this import receptor can also bind cargo that contains no recognizable signal, such as STAT1. The situation is further complicated by the existence of six mammalian importin-α family members. We report the identification of an unusual type of NLS in human Ran binding protein 3 (RanBP3) that binds preferentially to importin-α3. RanBP3 contains a variant Ran binding domain most similar to that found in the yeast protein Yrb2p. Anti-RanBP3 immunofluorescence is predominantly nuclear. Microinjection of glutathione S-transferase–green fluorescent protein–RanBP3 fusions demonstrated that a region at the N terminus is essential and sufficient for nuclear localization. Deletion analysis further mapped the signal sequence to residues 40 to 57. This signal resembles the NLSs of c-Myc and Pho4p. However, several residues essential for import via the c-Myc NLS are unnecessary in the RanBP3 NLS. RanBP3 NLS-mediated import was blocked by competitive inhibitors of importin-α or importin-β or by the absence of importin-α. Binding assays using recombinant importin-α1, -α3, -α4, -α5, and -α7 revealed a preferential interaction of the RanBP3 NLS with importin-α3 and -α4, in contrast to the simian virus 40 T-antigen NLS, which interacted to similar extents with all of the isoforms. Nuclear import of the RanBP3 NLS was most efficient in the presence of importin-α3. These results demonstrate that members of the importin-α family possess distinct preferences for certain NLS sequences and that the NLS consensus sequence is broader than was hitherto suspected.

scholarly journals Importin β Can Mediate the Nuclear Import of an Arginine-Rich Nuclear Localization Signal in the Absence of Importin α

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 1218-1225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Palmeri ◽  
Michael H. Malim
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Classical Pathway ◽  
Permeabilized Cell ◽  
Cell Leukemia Virus Type ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signals ◽  
Human T Cell ◽  
Importin Α

ABSTRACTThe import of proteins into the nucleus is dependent oncis-acting targeting sequences, nuclear localization signals (NLSs), and members of the nuclear transport receptor (importin-β-like) superfamily. The most extensively characterized import pathway, often termed the classical pathway, is utilized by many basic-type (lysine-rich) NLSs and requires an additional component, importin α, to serve as a bridge between the NLS and the import receptor importin β. More recently, it has become clear that a variety of proteins enter the nucleus via alternative import receptors and that their NLSs bind directly to those receptors. By using the digitonin-permeabilized cell system for protein import in vitro, we have defined the import pathway for the Rex protein of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1. Interestingly, the arginine-rich NLS of Rex uses importin β for import but does so by a mechanism that is importin α independent. Based on the ability of the Rex NLS to inhibit the import of the lysine-rich NLS of T antigen and of both NLSs to be inhibited by the domain of importin α that binds importin β (the IBB domain), we infer that the Rex NLS interacts with importin β directly. In addition, and in keeping with other receptor-mediated nuclear import pathways, Rex import is dependent on the integrity of the Ran GTPase cycle. Based on these results, we suggest that importin β can mediate the nuclear import of arginine-rich NLSs directly, or lysine-rich NLSs through the action of importin α.

scholarly journals Activation of the Tumor-Specific Death Effector Apoptin and Its Kinase by an N-Terminal Determinant of Simian Virus 40 Large T Antigen

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (18) ◽  
pp. 9965-9976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying-Hui Zhang ◽  
Klaas Kooistra ◽  
Alexandra Pietersen ◽  
Jennifer L. Rohn ◽  
Mathieu H. M. Noteborn
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Chicken Anemia Virus ◽  
Nuclear Accumulation ◽  
Large T Antigen ◽  
Sv40 Large T Antigen ◽  
Normal Cells ◽  
J Domain

ABSTRACT Apoptin, a viral death protein derived from chicken anemia virus, displays a number of tumor-specific behaviors. In particular, apoptin is phosphorylated, translocates to the nucleus, and induces apoptosis specifically in tumor or transformed cells, whereas it is nonphosphorylated and remains primarily inactive in the cytoplasm of nontransformed normal cells. Here, we show that in normal cells apoptin can also be activated by the transient transforming signals conferred by ectopically expressed simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen (LT), which rapidly induces apoptin's phosphorylation, nuclear accumulation, and the ability to induce apoptosis. Further analyses with mutants of LT showed that the minimum domain capable of inducing all three of apoptin's tumor-specific properties resided in the N-terminal J domain, a sequence which is largely shared by SV40 small t antigen (st). Interestingly, the J domain in st, which lacks its own nuclear localization signal (NLS), required nuclear localization to activate apoptin. These results reveal the existence of a cellular pathway shared by conditions of transient transformation and the stable cancerous or precancerous state, and they support a model whereby a transient transforming signal confers on apoptin both the upstream activity of phosphorylation and the downstream activity of nuclear accumulation and apoptosis induction. Such a pathway may reflect a general lesion contributing to human cancers.

Recombinant retroviruses encoding simian virus 40 large T antigen and polyomavirus large and middle T antigens

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1204-1217
Author(s):  
P S Jat ◽  
C L Cepko ◽  
R C Mulligan ◽  
P A Sharp
Keyword(s):  
Cell Lines ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Vector System ◽  
Large T Antigen ◽  
T Antigens ◽  
Sv40 Large T Antigen ◽  
Polyomavirus Middle T Antigen ◽  
Middle T Antigen

We used a murine retrovirus shuttle vector system to construct recombinants capable of constitutively expressing the simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen and the polyomavirus large and middle T antigens as well as resistance to G418. Subsequently, these recombinants were used to generate cell lines that produced defective helper-free retroviruses carrying each of the viral oncogenes. These recombinant retroviruses were used to analyze the role of the viral genes in transformation of rat F111 cells. Expression of the polyomavirus middle T antigen alone resulted in cell lines that were highly tumorigenic, whereas expression of the polyomavirus large T resulted in cell lines that were highly tumorigenic, whereas expression of the polyomavirus large T resulted in cell lines that were unaltered by the criteria of morphology, anchorage-independent growth, and tumorigenicity. More surprisingly, SV40 large T-expressing cell lines were not tumorigenic despite the fact that they contained elevated levels of cellular p53 and had a high plating efficiency in soft agar. These results suggest that the SV40 large T antigen is not an acute transforming gene like the polyomavirus middle T antigen but is similar to the establishment genes such as myc and adenovirus EIa.

scholarly journals T Antigens of Simian Virus 40: Molecular Chaperones for Viral Replication and Tumorigenesis

2002 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher S. Sullivan ◽  
James M. Pipas
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Viral Replication ◽  
Molecular Chaperones ◽  
Tumor Antigens ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Large T Antigen ◽  
T Antigens ◽  
Sv40 Large T Antigen

SUMMARY Simian virus 40 (SV40) is a small DNA tumor virus that has been extensively characterized due to its relatively simple genetic organization and the ease with which its genome is manipulated. The large and small tumor antigens (T antigens) are the major regulatory proteins encoded by SV40. Large T antigen is responsible for both viral and cellular transcriptional regulation, virion assembly, viral DNA replication, and alteration of the cell cycle. Deciphering how a single protein can perform such numerous and diverse functions has remained elusive. Recently it was established that the SV40 T antigens, including large T antigen, are molecular chaperones, each with a functioning DnaJ domain. The molecular chaperones were originally identified as bacterial genes essential for bacteriophage growth and have since been shown to be conserved in eukaryotes, participating in an array of both viral and cellular processes. This review discusses the mechanisms of DnaJ/Hsc70 interactions and how they are used by T antigen to control viral replication and tumorigenesis. The use of the DnaJ/Hsc70 system by SV40 and other viruses suggests an important role for these molecular chaperones in the regulation of the mammalian cell cycle and sheds light on the enigmatic SV40 T antigen—a most amazing molecule.

scholarly journals Quantitative Analysis of the Binding of Simian Virus 40 Large T Antigen to DNA

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (17) ◽  
pp. 9162-9174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amélie Fradet-Turcotte ◽  
Caroline Vincent ◽  
Simon Joubert ◽  
Peter A. Bullock ◽  
Jacques Archambault
Keyword(s):  
Specific Binding ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Sequence Specificity ◽  
Large T Antigen ◽  
Sv40 Large T Antigen ◽  
Viral Origin ◽  
Single Stranded Dna ◽  
Terminal Domain

ABSTRACT SV40 large T antigen (T-ag) is a multifunctional protein that successively binds to 5′-GAGGC-3′ sequences in the viral origin of replication, melts the origin, unwinds DNA ahead of the replication fork, and interacts with host DNA replication factors to promote replication of the simian virus 40 genome. The transition of T-ag from a sequence-specific binding protein to a nonspecific helicase involves its assembly into a double hexamer whose formation is likely dictated by the propensity of T-ag to oligomerize and its relative affinities for the origin as well as for nonspecific double- and single-stranded DNA. In this study, we used a sensitive assay based on fluorescence anisotropy to measure the affinities of wild-type and mutant forms of the T-ag origin-binding domain (OBD), and of a larger fragment containing the N-terminal domain (N260), for different DNA substrates. We report that the N-terminal domain does not contribute to binding affinity but reduces the propensity of the OBD to self-associate. We found that the OBD binds with different affinities to its four sites in the origin and determined a consensus binding site by systematic mutagenesis of the 5′-GAGGC-3′ sequence and of the residue downstream of it, which also contributes to affinity. Interestingly, the OBD also binds to single-stranded DNA with an ∼10-fold higher affinity than to nonspecific duplex DNA and in a mutually exclusive manner. Finally, we provide evidence that the sequence specificity of full-length T-ag is lower than that of the OBD. These results provide a quantitative basis onto which to anchor our understanding of the interaction of T-ag with the origin and its assembly into a double hexamer.

scholarly journals Multiple DNA Damage Signaling and Repair Pathways Deregulated by Simian Virus 40 Large T Antigen

2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (16) ◽  
pp. 8007-8020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergei Boichuk ◽  
Liang Hu ◽  
Jennifer Hein ◽  
Ole V. Gjoerup
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Homologous Recombination ◽  
Viral Replication ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Productive Infection ◽  
Large T Antigen ◽  
Sv40 Large T Antigen ◽  
Viral Origin

ABSTRACT We demonstrated previously that expression of simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen (LT), without a viral origin, is sufficient to induce the hallmarks of a cellular DNA damage response (DDR), such as focal accumulation of γ-H2AX and 53BP1, via Bub1 binding. Here we expand our characterization of LT effects on the DDR. Using comet assays, we demonstrate that LT induces overt DNA damage. The Fanconi anemia pathway, associated with replication stress, becomes activated, since FancD2 accumulates in foci, and monoubiquitinated FancD2 is detected on chromatin. LT also induces a distinct set of foci of the homologous recombination repair protein Rad51 that are colocalized with Nbs1 and PML. The FancD2 and Rad51 foci require neither Bub1 nor retinoblastoma protein binding. Strikingly, wild-type LT is localized on chromatin at, or near, the Rad51/PML foci, but the LT mutant in Bub1 binding is not localized there. SV40 infection was previously shown to trigger ATM activation, which facilitates viral replication. We demonstrate that productive infection also triggers ATR-dependent Chk1 activation and that Rad51 and FancD2 colocalize with LT in viral replication centers. Using small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown, we demonstrate that Rad51 and, to a lesser extent, FancD2 are required for efficient viral replication in vivo, suggesting that homologous recombination is important for high-level extrachromosomal replication. Taken together, the interplay of LT with the DDR is more complex than anticipated, with individual domains of LT being connected to different subcomponents of the DDR and repair machinery.

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