scholarly journals The Role of Zinc in Gliotoxin Biosynthesis of Aspergillus fumigatus

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (24) ◽  
pp. 6192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyewon Seo ◽  
Suzie Kang ◽  
Yong-Sung Park ◽  
Cheol-Won Yun
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Microarray Analysis ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Upstream Region ◽  
Human Macrophage ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Binding Motifs ◽  
Host Defense System ◽  
Living Organisms

Zinc performs diverse physiological functions, and virtually all living organisms require zinc as an essential trace element. To identify the detailed function of zinc in fungal pathogenicity, we carried out cDNA microarray analysis using the model system of Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungal pathogen. From microarray analysis, we found that the genes involved in gliotoxin biosynthesis were upregulated when zinc was depleted, and the microarray data were confirmed by northern blot analysis. In particular, zinc deficiency upregulated the expression of GliZ, which encodes a Zn2-Cys6 binuclear transcription factor that regulates the expression of the genes required for gliotoxin biosynthesis. The production of gliotoxin was decreased in a manner inversely proportional to the zinc concentration, and the same result was investigated in the absence of ZafA, which is a zinc-dependent transcription activator. Interestingly, we found two conserved ZafA-binding motifs, 5′-CAAGGT-3′, in the upstream region of GliZ on the genome and discovered that deletion of the ZafA-binding motifs resulted in loss of ZafA-binding activity; gliotoxin production was decreased dramatically, as demonstrated with a GliZ deletion mutant. Furthermore, mutation of the ZafA-binding motifs resulted in an increase in the conidial killing activity of human macrophage and neutrophil cells, and virulence was decreased in a murine model. Finally, transcriptomic analysis revealed that the expression of ZafA and GliZ was upregulated during phagocytosis by macrophages. Taken together, these results suggest that zinc plays an important role in the pathogenicity of A. fumigatus by regulating gliotoxin production during the phagocytosis pathway to overcome the host defense system.

scholarly journals RANK receptor oligomerisation in the regulation of NFκB signalling

2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Das ◽  
I Sepahi ◽  
A Duthie ◽  
S Clark ◽  
J C Crockett
Keyword(s):  
Functional Study ◽  
Tumour Necrosis Factor Receptor ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Targeted Disruption ◽  
Binding Motifs ◽  
Receptor Activator ◽  
Formation Function ◽  
Prevention Of Osteoporosis ◽  
Necrosis Factor

The interaction of receptor activator of NFκB (RANK), a member of the tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily, with RANK ligand is crucial for the formation, function and survival of osteoclasts. The role of the cytoplasmic oligomerisation domain (pre-ligand assembly domain; PLAD or ‘IVVY’ motif) in the ligand-dependent activation of downstream NFκB signalling has not been studied previously. The discovery of truncating mutations ofTNFRSF11A(W434X and G280X that lack the PLAD) as the cause of rare cases of osteoclast-poor osteopetrosis offered the opportunity for functional study of this region. Recapitulating the W434X mutation by transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN)-mediated targeted disruption ofTnfrsf11awithin the region homologous to W434X in the mouse macrophage-like cell line RAW264.7 impaired formation of osteoclast-like cells. Using overexpression studies, we demonstrated that, in contrast to WT-RANK, the absence of the PLAD in G280X-RANK and W434X-RANK prevented ligand-independent but not ligand-dependent oligomerisation. Cells expressing W434X-RANK, in which only two of the three TRAF6-binding motifs are present, continued to exhibit ligand-dependent NFκB signalling. Hence, the absence of the PLAD did not prevent ligand-induced trimerisation and subsequent NFκB activation of RANK, demonstrating that therapeutic targeting of the PLAD in the prevention of osteoporosis may not be as effective as proposed previously.

scholarly journals Role of ATP-binding motifs on DNA-binding activity and biological function of Rhp51, a Rad51 homologue in fission yeast

2002 ◽  
Vol 364 (3) ◽  
pp. 869-874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Woo J. KIM ◽  
Hyojin LEE ◽  
Eon J. PARK ◽  
Seung H. HONG ◽  
Sang D. PARK
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
Atp Binding ◽  
Single Mutation ◽  
Binding Ability ◽  
Binding Motifs ◽  
Dna Binding Activity

Rhp51, a RecA and Rad51 homologue of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, plays a pivotal role in homologous recombination and recombinational repair. It has a set of the well-conserved type A and type B ATP-binding motifs, which are highly conserved in all RecA homologues. In a previous study [Kim, Lee, Park, Park and Park (2001) Nucleic Acids Res. 29, 1724–1732], we reported that a single mutation of the conserved lysine in A motif [Lys155→Ala (K155A)] destroyed the DNA repair ability of Rhp51 and that overexpression of this mutant protein conferred dominant negativity. In the present paper, we investigated DNA-binding properties of recombinant Rhp51 and its mutant proteins. Purified Rhp51 protein showed ATP-dependent double- and single-strand DNA-binding activities. To characterize the role of ATP-binding motifs, we generated Rhp51 K155A and Rhp51 Asp244→Gln (D244Q), which have a single amino acid substitution in A and B motifs respectively. Interestingly, K155A and D244Q mutations impaired ATP-dependent DNA binding in a different manner. K155A lost the DNA binding itself, whereas D244Q maintained the binding ability but lost the ATP dependency. However, despite the difference in DNA-binding ability, both mutations failed to rescue the methylmethane sulphonate and UV sensitivity of the rhp51Δ mutant. Together, these results suggested that not only the DNA binding but also the ATP dependence in DNA binding is required for proper in vivo functioning of Rhp51.

scholarly journals The Role of Zinc in Copper Homeostasis of Aspergillus fumigatus

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (20) ◽  
pp. 7665
Author(s):  
Suzie Kang ◽  
Hyewon Seo ◽  
Hee-Soo Moon ◽  
Joon-Ho Kwon ◽  
Yong-Sung Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metal Ion ◽  
Zinc Concentration ◽  
Copper Metabolism ◽  
Copper Homeostasis ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Upstream Region ◽  
Growth Defect ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Copper Supplementation ◽  
Living Organisms

Copper is an essential metal ion that performs many physiological functions in living organisms. Deletion of Afmac1, which is a copper-responsive transcriptional activator in A. fumigatus, results in a growth defect on aspergillus minimal medium (AMM). Interestingly, we found that zinc starvation suppressed the growth defect of the Δafmac1 strain on AMM. In addition, the growth defect of the Δafmac1 strain was recovered by copper supplementation or introduction of the CtrC gene into the Δafmac1 strain. However, chelation of copper by addition of BCS to AMM failed to recover the growth defect of the Δafmac1 strain. Through Northern blot analysis, we found that zinc starvation upregulated CtrC and CtrA2, which encode membrane copper transporters. Interestingly, we found that the conserved ZafA binding motif 5′-CAA(G)GGT-3′ was present in the upstream region of CtrC and CtrA2 and that mutation of the binding motif led to failure of ZafA binding to the upstream region of CtrC and upregulation of CtrC expression under zinc starvation. Furthermore, the binding activity of ZafA to the upstream region of CtrC was inversely proportional to the zinc concentration, and copper inhibited the binding of ZafA to the upstream region of CtrC under a low zinc concentration. Taken together, these results suggest that ZafA upregulates copper metabolism by binding to the ZafA binding motif in the CtrC promoter region under low zinc concentration, thus regulating copper homeostasis. Furthermore, we found that copper and zinc interact in cells to maintain metal homeostasis.

scholarly journals Rice protein-binding microarrays: a tool to detect cis-acting elements near promoter regions in rice

Planta ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 253 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joung Sug Kim ◽  
SongHwa Chae ◽  
Kyong Mi Jun ◽  
Gang-Seob Lee ◽  
Jong-Seong Jeon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Protein Binding ◽  
Gene Networks ◽  
Upstream Region ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Cis Elements ◽  
Promoter Regions ◽  
Entire Genome ◽  
Binding Motifs ◽  
Dna Binding Motifs

Abstract Main conclusion The present study showed that a rice (Oryza sativa)-specific protein-binding microarray (RPBM) can be applied to analyze DNA-binding motifs with a TF where binding is evaluated in extended natural promoter regions. The analysis may facilitate identifying TFs and their downstream genes and constructing gene networks through cis-elements. Abstract Transcription factors (TFs) regulate gene expression at the transcriptional level by binding a specific DNA sequence. Thus, predicting the DNA-binding motifs of TFs is one of the most important areas in the functional analysis of TFs in the postgenomic era. Although many methods have been developed to address this challenge, many TFs still have unknown DNA-binding motifs. In this study, we designed RPBM with 40-bp probes and 20-bp of overlap, yielding 49 probes spanning the 1-kb upstream region before the translation start site of each gene in the entire genome. To confirm the efficiency of RPBM technology, we selected two previously studied TFs, OsWOX13 and OsSMF1, and an uncharacterized TF, OsWRKY34. We identified the ATTGATTG and CCACGTCA DNA-binding sequences of OsWOX13 and OsSMF1, respectively. In total, 635 and 932 putative feature genes were identified for OsWOX13 and OsSMF1, respectively. We discovered the CGTTGACTTT DNA-binding sequence and 195 putative feature genes of OsWRKY34. RPBM could be applicable in the analysis of DNA-binding motifs for TFs where binding is evaluated in the promoter and 5′ upstream CDS regions. The analysis may facilitate identifying TFs and their downstream genes and constructing gene networks through cis-elements.

scholarly journals Spo0A Suppresses sin Locus Expression in Clostridioides difficile

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Babita Adhikari Dhungel ◽  
Revathi Govind
Keyword(s):  
Diarrheal Disease ◽  
Toxin Production ◽  
The United States ◽  
Upstream Region ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Master Regulator ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile

ABSTRACT Clostridioides difficile is the leading cause of nosocomial infection and is the causative agent of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The severity of the disease is directly associated with toxin production, and spores are responsible for the transmission and persistence of the organism. Previously, we characterized sin locus regulators SinR and SinR′ (we renamed it SinI), where SinR is the regulator of toxin production and sporulation. The SinI regulator acts as its antagonist. In Bacillus subtilis, Spo0A, the master regulator of sporulation, controls SinR by regulating the expression of its antagonist, sinI. However, the role of Spo0A in the expression of sinR and sinI in C. difficile had not yet been reported. In this study, we tested spo0A mutants in three different C. difficile strains, R20291, UK1, and JIR8094, to understand the role of Spo0A in sin locus expression. Western blot analysis revealed that spo0A mutants had increased SinR levels. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis of its expression further supported these data. By carrying out genetic and biochemical assays, we show that Spo0A can bind to the upstream region of this locus to regulates its expression. This study provides vital information that Spo0A regulates the sin locus, which controls critical pathogenic traits such as sporulation, toxin production, and motility in C. difficile. IMPORTANCE Clostridioides difficile is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrheal disease in the United States. During infection, C. difficile spores germinate, and the vegetative bacterial cells produce toxins that damage host tissue. In C. difficile, the sin locus is known to regulate both sporulation and toxin production. In this study, we show that Spo0A, the master regulator of sporulation, controls sin locus expression. Results from our study suggest that Spo0A directly regulates the expression of this locus by binding to its upstream DNA region. This observation adds new detail to the gene regulatory network that connects sporulation and toxin production in this pathogen.

scholarly journals Potential Role of Trace Elements (Al, Cu, Zn, and Se) in Multiple Sclerosis Physiopathology

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 163-177
Author(s):  
Mohammad Sadegh Hesamian ◽  
Nahid Eskandari
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Trace Elements ◽  
Plasma Cells ◽  
Peripheral Tolerance ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Tolerance Breakdown ◽  
Peripheral Immune Cells

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. The cause of MS is not known completely, and pathology is specified by involved demyelinated areas in the white and gray matter of the brain and spinal cord. Inflammation and peripheral tolerance breakdown due to Treg cell defects and/or effector cell resistance are present at all stages of the disease. Several invading peripheral immune cells are included in the process of the disease such as macrophages, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, B cells, and plasma cells. Trace elements are known as elements found in soil, plants, and living organisms in small quantities. Some of them (e.g., Al, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Se) are essential for the body’s functions like catalysts in enzyme systems, energy metabolism, etc. Al toxicity and Cu, Zn, and Se toxicity and deficiency can affect the immune system and following neuron inflammation and degeneration. These processes may result in MS pathology. Of course, factors such as lifestyle, environment, and industrialization can affect levels of trace elements in the human body.

scholarly journals Gastric Hyperplasia and Increased Proliferative Responses of Lymphocytes in Mice Lacking the COOH-terminal Ankyrin Domain of NF-κB2

1997 ◽  
Vol 186 (7) ◽  
pp. 999-1014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideaki Ishikawa ◽  
Daniel Carrasco ◽  
Estefania Claudio ◽  
Rolf-Peter Ryseck ◽  
Rodrigo Bravo
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Lymphocyte Proliferation ◽  
Cytokine Production ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Homozygous Deletion ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Activated T Cells ◽  
Physiological Relevance

The nfkb2 gene encodes the p100 precursor which produces the p52 protein after proteolytic cleavage of its COOH-terminal domain. Although the p52 product can act as an alternative subunit of NF-κB, the p100 precursor is believed to function as an inhibitor of Rel/NF-κB activity by cytoplasmic retention of Rel/NF-κB complexes, like other members of the IκB family. However, the physiological relevance of the p100 precursor as an IκB molecule has not been understood. To assess the role of the precursor in vivo, we generated, by gene targeting, mice lacking p100 but still containing a functional p52 protein. Mice with a homozygous deletion of the COOH-terminal ankyrin repeats of NF-κB2 (p100−/−) had marked gastric hyperplasia, resulting in early postnatal death. p100−/− animals also presented histopathological alterations of hematopoietic tissues, enlarged lymph nodes, increased lymphocyte proliferation in response to several stimuli, and enhanced cytokine production in activated T cells. Dramatic induction of nuclear κB–binding activity composed of p52-containing complexes was found in all tissues examined and also in stimulated lymphocytes. Thus, the p100 precursor is essential for the proper regulation of p52-containing Rel/NF-κB complexes in various cell types and its absence cannot be efficiently compensated for by other IκB proteins.

scholarly journals Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus ori-Lyt-Dependent DNA Replication: DualRole of Replication and Transcription Activator

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (24) ◽  
pp. 12171-12186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Wang ◽  
Qiyi Tang ◽  
Gerd G. Maul ◽  
Yan Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Binding Motifs ◽  
Viral Propagation ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Lytic Dna Replication

ABSTRACT Lytic replication of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is essential for viral propagation and pathogenicity. In Kaposi's sarcoma lesions, constant lytic replication plays a role in sustaining the population of latently infected cells that otherwise are quickly lost by segregation of latent viral episomes as spindle cells divide. Lytic DNA replication initiates from an origin (ori-Lyt) and requires trans-acting elements. Two functional ori-Lyts have been identified in the KSHV genome. Some cis-acting and trans-acting elements for ori-Lyt-dependent DNA replication have been found. Among these, K8 binding sites, a cluster of C/EBP binding motifs, and a replication and transcription activator (RTA) responsive element (RRE) are crucial cis-acting elements. Binding of K8 and RTA proteins to these motifs in ori-Lyt DNA was demonstrated to be absolutely essential for DNA replication. In the present study, functional roles of RTA in ori-Lyt-dependent DNA replication have been investigated. Two distinct functions of RTA were revealed. First, RTA activates an ori-Lyt promoter and initiates transcription across GC-rich tandem repeats. This RTA-mediated transcription is indispensable for DNA replication. Second, RTA is a component of the replication compartment, where RTA interacts with prereplication complexes composed of at least six core machinery proteins and K8. The prereplication complexes are recruited to ori-Lyt DNA through RTA, which interacts with the RRE, as well as K8, which binds to a cluster of C/EBP binding motifs with the aid of C/EBP α. The revelation of these two functions of RTA, together with its role in initiation of a transcriptional cascade that leads to transcription of all viral lytic genes, shows that RTA is a critical initiator and regulator of KSHV lytic DNA replication and viral propagation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document