The secretory vesicle in living Paramecium is acidic

1989 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.R. Busch ◽  
B.H. Satir

In Paramecium, secretory proteins are packaged within membrane-bounded vesicles in a condensed form. This form expands when the proteins are released. We have now determined that a proton gradient is present in the secretory vesicles of living Paramecium. Acridine Orange, used as an in vivo indicator of acidic compartments, stained the secretory vesicles in both wild-type and mutant cells. Addition of the two agents that dissipate proton gradients (protonophores), namely, 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), eliminated this staining. Washed cells re-established their intravesicular acidity. Effects of sodium azide on vesicular acidity suggest that proton transport in these vesicles involves an ATP-dependent mechanism.

1978 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Marceau-Day ◽  
D. F Day ◽  
J. M. Ingram

An alkaline phosphatase mutant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibiting both regulatory and catalytic changes was isolated. Under repression conditions (i.e. high inorganic phosphate (Pi)) the mutant culture produced an alkaline phosphatase (APase) displaying significant activity against both β-glycerol phosphate (βGP) and p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP), while the wild type displayed no activity directed towards these substrates under the same conditions. In vivo, the mutant enzyme's ratio of specific activities was 45:1 in favour of βGP versus pNPP, whereas this ratio was reversed to 1:9 βGP versus pNPP for the same enzyme isolated from mutant cells. In addition, the kinetic parameters and stability requirements for the mutant-derived enzyme was altered in comparison with those of the wild type. A study of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) preparations from both the mutant and wild type indicated the mutant to be deficient in the core region of its LPS. The authors propose that the modifications in the catalytic activity of the mutant enzyme, demonstrated in vivo, are due to a change in the enzyme's microenvironment.


2002 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. 906-914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Schreiner ◽  
Martina R. Mohrs ◽  
Rosemarie Blau-Wasser ◽  
Alfred von Krempelhuber ◽  
Michael Steinert ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Comitin is an F-actin binding and membrane-associated protein from Dictyostelium discoideum, which is present on Golgi and vesicle membranes and changes its localization in response to agents affecting the cytoskeleton. To investigate its in vivo functions we have generated knockout mutants by gene replacement. Based on comitin's in vitro functions we examined properties related to vesicular transport and microfilament function. Whereas cell growth, pinocytosis, secretion, chemotaxis, motility, and development were unaltered, comitin-lacking cells were impaired in the early steps of phagocytosis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae particles and of Escherichia coli, whereas uptake of latex beads was unaffected. Furthermore, the lack of comitin positively affected survival of pathogenic bacteria. Mutant cells also showed an altered response to hyperosmotic shock in comparison to the wild type. The redistribution of comitin during hyperosmotic shock in wild-type cells and its presence on early phagosomes suggest a direct involvement of comitin in these processes.


1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6805-6815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Solsbacher ◽  
Patrick Maurer ◽  
F. Ralf Bischoff ◽  
Gabriel Schlenstedt

ABSTRACT Proteins bearing a nuclear localization signal (NLS) are targeted to the nucleus by the heterodimeric transporter importin. Importin α binds to the NLS and to importin β, which carries it through the nuclear pore complex (NPC). Importin disassembles in the nucleus, evidently by binding of RanGTP to importin β. The importin subunits are exported separately. We investigated the role of Cse1p, theSaccharomyces cerevisiae homologue of human CAS, in nuclear export of Srp1p (yeast importin α). Cse1p is located predominantly in the nucleus but also is present in the cytoplasm and at the NPC. We analyzed the in vivo localization of the importin subunits fused to the green fluorescent protein in wild-type and cse1-1 mutant cells. Srp1p but not importin β accumulated in nuclei ofcse1-1 mutants, which are defective in NLS import but not defective in NLS-independent import pathways. Purified Cse1p binds with high affinity to Srp1p only in the presence of RanGTP. The complex is dissociated by the cytoplasmic RanGTP-binding protein Yrb1p. Combined with the in vivo results, this suggests that a complex containing Srp1p, Cse1p, and RanGTP is exported from the nucleus and is subsequently disassembled in the cytoplasm by Yrb1p. The formation of the trimeric Srp1p-Cse1p-RanGTP complex is inhibited by NLS peptides, indicating that only NLS-free Srp1p will be exported to the cytoplasm.


1994 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Ruscetti ◽  
J A Cardelli ◽  
M L Niswonger ◽  
T J O'Halloran

The clathrin heavy chain is a major component of clathrin-coated vesicles that function in selective membrane traffic in eukaryotic cells. We disrupted the clathrin heavy chain gene (chcA) in Dictyostelium discoideum to generate a stable clathrin heavy chain-deficient cell line. Measurement of pinocytosis in the clathrin-minus mutant revealed a four-to five-fold deficiency in the internalization of fluid-phase markers. Once internalized, these markers recycled to the cell surface of mutant cells at wild-type rates. We also explored the involvement of clathrin heavy chain in the trafficking of lysosomal enzymes. Pulse chase analysis revealed that clathrin-minus cells processed most alpha-mannosidase to mature forms, however, approximately 20-25% of the precursor molecules remained uncleaved, were missorted, and were rapidly secreted by the constitutive secretory pathway. The remaining intracellular alpha-mannosidase was successfully targeted to mature lysosomes. Standard secretion assays showed that the rate of secretion of alpha-mannosidase was significantly less in clathrin-minus cells compared to control cells in growth medium. Interestingly, the secretion rates of another lysosomal enzyme, acid phosphatase, were similar in clathrin-minus and wild-type cells. Like wild-type cells, clathrin-minus mutants responded to starvation conditions with increased lysosomal enzyme secretion. Our study of the mutant cells provide in vivo evidence for roles for the clathrin heavy chain in (a) the internalization of fluid from the plasma membrane; (b) sorting of hydrolase precursors from the constitutive secretory pathway to the lysosomal pathway; and (c) secretion of mature hydrolases from lysosomes to the extracellular space.


1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5771-5779 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Cale Lennon ◽  
Megan Wind ◽  
Laura Saunders ◽  
M. Benjamin Hock ◽  
Daniel Reines

ABSTRACT Elongation factor SII interacts with RNA polymerase II and enables it to transcribe through arrest sites in vitro. The set of genes dependent upon SII function in vivo and the effects on RNA levels of mutations in different components of the elongation machinery are poorly understood. Using yeast lacking SII and bearing a conditional allele of RPB2, the gene encoding the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, we describe a genetic interaction between SII and RPB2. An SII gene disruption or therpb2-10 mutation, which yields an arrest-prone enzyme in vitro, confers sensitivity to 6-azauracil (6AU), a drug that depresses cellular nucleoside triphosphates. Cells with both mutations had reduced levels of total poly(A)+ RNA and specific mRNAs and displayed a synergistic level of drug hypersensitivity. In cells in which the SII gene was inactivated, rpb2-10 became dominant, as if template-associated mutant RNA polymerase II hindered the ability of wild-type polymerase to transcribe. Interestingly, while 6AU depressed RNA levels in both wild-type and mutant cells, wild-type cells reestablished normal RNA levels, whereas double-mutant cells could not. This work shows the importance of an optimally functioning elongation machinery for in vivo RNA synthesis and identifies an initial set of candidate genes with which SII-dependent transcription can be studied.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tra–My Duong–Nu ◽  
Kwangjoon Jeong ◽  
Soo Young Kim ◽  
Wenzhi Tan ◽  
Sao Puth ◽  
...  

AbstractThe tad operons encode the machinery required for adhesive Flp (fimbrial low-molecular-weight protein) pili biogenesis.Vibrio vulnificus, an opportunistic pathogen, harbors three distincttadloci. Among them, onlytad1locus was highly upregulated inin vivogrowing bacteria compared toin vitroculture condition. To understand the pathogenic roles of the threetadloci during infection, we constructed single, double and triple tad loci deletion mutants. Interestingly, only theΔtad123triple mutant cells exhibited significantly decreased lethality in mice. Ultrastructural observations revealed short, thin filamentous projections disappeared on theΔtad123mutant cells. Since the pilin was paradoxically non-immunogenic, a V5 tag was fused to Flp to visualize the pilin protein by using immunogold EM and immunofluorescence microscopy. TheΔtad123mutant cells showed attenuated host cell adhesion, delayed RtxA1 exotoxin secretion and subsequently impaired translocation across the intestinal epithelium compared to wild type, which could be partially complemented with each wild type operon. TheΔtad123mutant was susceptible to complement-mediated bacteriolysis, predominantly via the alternative pathway, suggesting stealth hiding role of the Tad pili. Taken together, all threetadloci cooperate to confer successful invasion ofV. vulnificusinto deeper tissue and evasion from host defense mechanisms, ultimately resulting in septicemia.Author SummaryTo understand the roles of the three Tad operons in the pathogenesis ofV. vulnificusinfection, we constructed mutant strain with single, double and triple Tad loci deletions. Employing a variety of mouse infection models coupled with molecular genetic analyses, we demonstrate here that all three Tad operons are required forV. vulnificuspathogenicity as the cryptic pili contribute to host cell and tissue invasion, survival in the blood, and resistance to complement activation.


1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 158-167
Author(s):  
E Yeh ◽  
J Carbon ◽  
K Bloom

We used DNA fragments from the centromere regions of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) chromosomes III and XI to examine the transcriptional activity within this chromosomal domain. DNA transcripts were found 200 to 300 base pairs from the 250-base-pair centromere core and lie within an ordered chromatin array. No transcripts were detected from the functional centromere region. We examined the cellular function of one of these tightly centromere-linked transcripts. (CEN11)L, by disrupting the coding sequences in vivo and analyzing the phenotype of the mutant yeast cell. Diploids heterozygous for the (CEN11)L disruption sporulated at wild-type levels, and the absence of the (CEN11)L gene product had no effect on the viability or mitotic growth of haploid cells. Diploids homozygous for the (CEN11)L disruption were unable to sporulate when induced by the appropriate nutritional cues. The mutant cells were competent for intragenic recombination and appeared to be blocked at the mononucleate stage. The temporal ordering of (CEN11)L function with respect to the sporulation mutant spo13 suggests that the (CEN11)L gene product may be required at both the first and second meiotic cell divisions. This new sporulation gene has been termed SPO15.


1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 1191-1199
Author(s):  
M Bernstein ◽  
F Kepes ◽  
R Schekman

When incubated at a restrictive temperature, Saccharomyces cerevisiae sec59 mutant cells accumulate inactive and incompletely glycosylated forms of secretory proteins. Three different secretory polypeptides (invertase, pro-alpha-factor, and pro-carboxypeptidase Y) accumulated within a membrane-bounded organelle, presumably the endoplasmic reticulum, and resisted proteolytic degradation unless the membrane was permeabilized with detergent. Molecular cloning and DNA sequence analysis of the SEC59 gene predicted an extremely hydrophobic protein product of 59 kilodaltons. This prediction was confirmed by reconstitution of the sec59 defect in vitro. The alpha-factor precursor, which was translated in a soluble fraction from wild-type cells, was translocated into, but inefficiently glycosylated within, membranes from sec59 mutant cells. Residual glycosylation activity of membranes of sec59 cells was thermolabile compared with the activity of wild-type membranes. Partial restoration of glycosylation was obtained in reactions that were supplemented with mannose or GDP-mannose, but not those supplemented with other sugar nucleotides. These results were consistent with a role for the Sec59 protein in the transfer of mannose to dolichol-linked oligosaccharide.


1995 ◽  
Vol 108 (5) ◽  
pp. 2065-2076 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Doring ◽  
F. Veretout ◽  
R. Albrecht ◽  
B. Muhlbauer ◽  
C. Schlatterer ◽  
...  

Dictyostelium discoideum cells harbor two annexin VII isoforms of 47 and 51 kDa which are present throughout development. In immunofluorescence and cell fractionation studies annexin VII was found in the cytoplasm and on the plasma membrane. In gene disruption mutants lacking both annexin VII isoforms growth, pinocytosis, phagocytosis, chemotaxis and motility were not significantly impaired under routine laboratory conditions, and the cells were able to complete the developmental cycle on bacterial plates. On non-nutrient agar plates development was delayed by three to four hours and a significant number of aggregates was no longer able to form fruiting bodies. Exocytosis as determined by measuring extracellular cAMP phosphodiesterase, alpha-fucosidase and alpha-mannosidase activity was unaltered, the total amounts of these enzymes were however lower in the mutant than in the wild type. The mutant cells were markedly impaired when they were exposed to low Ca2+ concentrations by adding EGTA to the nutrient medium. Under these conditions growth, motility and chemotaxis were severely affected. The Ca2+ concentrations were similar in mutant and wild-type cells both under normal and Ca2+ limiting conditions; however, the distribution was altered under low Ca2+ conditions in SYN-cells. The data suggest that annexin VII is not required for membrane fusion events but rather contributes to proper Ca2+ homeostasis in the cell.


2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (11) ◽  
pp. 3259-3265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elke Krüger ◽  
Elke Witt ◽  
Steffen Ohlmeier ◽  
Renate Hanschke ◽  
Michael Hecker

ABSTRACT The presence of the heat stress response-related ATPases ClpC and ClpX or the peptidase ClpP in the cell is crucial for tolerance of many forms of stress in Bacillus subtilis. Assays for detection of defects in protein degradation suggest that ClpC, ClpP, and ClpX participate directly in overall proteolysis of misfolded proteins. Turnover rates for abnormal puromycyl peptides are significantly decreased in clpC, clpP, and clpXmutant cells. Electron-dense aggregates, most likely due to the accumulation of misfolded proteins, were noticed in studies of ultrathin cryosections in clpC and clpP mutant cells even under nonstress conditions. In contrast, in the wild type orclpX mutants such aggregates could only be observed after heat shock. This phenomenon supports the assumption thatclpC and clpP mutants are deficient in the ability to solubilize or degrade damaged and aggregated proteins, the accumulation of which is toxic for the cell. By using immunogold labeling with antibodies raised against ClpC, ClpP, and ClpX, the Clp proteins were localized in these aggregates, showing that the Clp proteins act at this level in vivo.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document