scholarly journals The Cruciality of Single Amino Acid Replacement for the Spectral Tuning of Biliverdin-Binding Cyanobacteriochromes

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 6278
Author(s):  
Keiji Fushimi ◽  
Hiroki Hoshino ◽  
Naeko Shinozaki-Narikawa ◽  
Yuto Kuwasaki ◽  
Keita Miyake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Blue Shift ◽  
Amino Acid Replacement ◽  
Red Shift ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Small Unit

Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs), which are known as linear tetrapyrrole-binding photoreceptors, to date can only be detected from cyanobacteria. They can perceive light only in a small unit, which is categorized into various lineages in correlation with their spectral and structural characteristics. Recently, we have succeeded in identifying specific molecules, which can incorporate mammalian intrinsic biliverdin (BV), from the expanded red/green (XRG) CBCR lineage and in converting BV-rejective molecules into BV-acceptable ones with the elucidation of the structural basis. Among the BV-acceptable molecules, AM1_1870g3_BV4 shows a spectral red-shift in comparison with other molecules, while NpF2164g5_BV4 does not show photoconversion but stably shows a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence. In this study, we found that AM1_1870g3_BV4 had a specific Tyr residue near the d-ring of the chromophore, while others had a highly conserved Leu residue. The replacement of this Tyr residue with Leu in AM1_1870g3_BV4 resulted in a blue-shift of absorption peak. In contrast, reverse replacement in NpF2164g5_BV4 resulted in a red-shift of absorption and fluorescence peaks, which applies to fluorescence bio-imaging in mammalian cells. Notably, the same Tyr/Leu-dependent color-tuning is also observed for the CBCRs belonging to the other lineage, which indicates common molecular mechanisms.

Visible Blue Light Therapy: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (40) ◽  
pp. 5564-5577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z.C. Félix Garza ◽  
M. Born ◽  
P.A.J. Hilbers ◽  
N.A.W. van Riel ◽  
J. Liebmann
Keyword(s):  
Blue Light ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Light Therapy ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Therapeutic Applications ◽  
Cellular Effects ◽  
Inflammatory Skin ◽  
Skin Conditions

Background: Visible light is absorbed by photoacceptors in pigmented and non-pigmented mammalian cells, activating signaling cascades and downstream mechanisms that lead to the modulation of cellular processes. Most studies have investigated the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic applications of UV and the red to near infrared regions of the visible spectrum. Considerably less effort has been dedicated to the blue, UV-free part of the spectrum. Objective: In this review, we discuss the current advances in the understanding of the molecular photoacceptors, signaling mechanisms, and corresponding therapeutic opportunities of blue light photoreception in non-visual mammalian cells in the context of inflammatory skin conditions. Methods: The literature was scanned for peer-reviewed articles focusing on the molecular mechanisms, cellular effects, and therapeutic applications of blue light. Results: At a molecular level, blue light is absorbed by flavins, porphyrins, nitrosated proteins, and opsins; inducing the generation of ROS, nitric oxide release, and the activation of G protein coupled signaling. Limited and contrasting results have been reported on the cellular effects of blue light induced signaling. Some investigations describe a regulation of proliferation and differentiation or a modulation of inflammatory parameters; others show growth inhibition and apoptosis. Regardless of the elusive underlying mechanism, clinical studies show that blue light is beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions. Conclusion: To strengthen the use of blue light for therapeutic purposes, further in depth studies are clearly needed with regard to its underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms, and their translation into clinical applications.

Mechanisms activating latent functions of PIP aquaporin water channels via the interaction between PIP1 and PIP2 proteins

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mineo Shibasaka ◽  
Tomoaki Horie ◽  
Maki Katsuhara
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Water Transport ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Water Channel ◽  
Amino Acid Replacement ◽  
Middle Part ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocytes ◽  
Transport Activity ◽  
Membrane Type

Abstract Plant plasma-membrane type PIP aquaporins are classified into two groups, PIP1s and PIP2s. In this study, we focused on HvPIP1; 2, a PIP1 in barley (Hordeum vulgare), to dissect the molecular mechanisms that evoke HvPIP1-mediated water transport. No HvPIP1; 2 protein was localized to the plasma membrane when expressed alone in Xenopus laevis oocytes. In contrast, a chimeric HvPIP1; 2 protein (HvPIP1; 2_24NC), in which the N- and C-terminal regions were replaced with the corresponding regions from HvPIP2; 4, was found to localize to the plasma membrane of oocytes. However, HvPIP1; 2_24NC showed no water transport activity in swelling assays. These results suggested that the terminal regions of PIP2 proteins direct PIP proteins to the plasma-membrane, but the re-localization of PIP1 proteins was not sufficient to PIP1s functionality as water channel in a membrane. A single amino acid replacement of threonine by methionine in HvPIP2; 4 (HvPIP2; 4T229M) abolished water transport activity. Co-expression of HvPIP1; 2_24NC either with HvPIP2; 4_12NC or HvPIP2; 4TM_12NC, in which the N- and C-terminal regions were replaced with the corresponding regions of HvPIP1; 2, increased the water transport activity in oocytes. These data provided evidence that the HvPIP1; 2 molecule has own water transport activity and an interaction with the middle part of the HvPIP2; 4 protein (except for the N- and C- termini) is required for HvPIP1; 2 functionality as water channel. This molecular mechanism could be applied to other PIP1s and PIP2s in addition to the known mechanism that the terminal regions of some PIP2s lead some PIP1s to the plasma membrane.

Dissection of the molecular mechanisms of protein targeting to the peroxisome using immunofluorescence and immunocryoelectron microscopies

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 44-45
Author(s):  
G-A. Keller ◽  
S. J. Gould ◽  
S. Subramani ◽  
S. Krisans
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Protein Targeting ◽  
Firefly Luciferase ◽  
Peroxisomal Enzyme ◽  
Transfected Cells ◽  
Peroxisomal Targeting ◽  
Targeting Signal ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
Peroxisomal Targeting Signal

Subcellular compartments within eukaryotic cells must each be supplied with unique sets of proteins that must be directed to, and translocated across one or more membranes of the target organelles. This transport is mediated by cis- acting targeting signals present within the imported proteins. The following is a chronological account of a series of experiments designed and carried out in an effort to understand how proteins are targeted to the peroxisomal compartment.-We demonstrated by immunocryoelectron microscopy that the enzyme luciferase is a peroxisomal enzyme in the firefly lantern. -We expressed the cDNA encoding firefly luciferase in mammalian cells and demonstrated by immunofluorescence that the enzyme was transported into the peroxisomes of the transfected cells. -Using deletions, linker insertions, and gene fusion to identify regions of luciferase involved in its transport to the peroxisomes, we demonstrated that luciferase contains a peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS) within its COOH-terminal twelve amino acid.

A Possible Modulation Mechanism of Intramolecular and Intermolecular Interactions for NCAM Polysialylation and Cell Migration

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (25) ◽  
pp. 2271-2282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Lu ◽  
Xue-Hui Liu ◽  
Si-Ming Liao ◽  
Zhi-Long Lu ◽  
Dong Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Intermolecular Interactions ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Intramolecular Interaction ◽  
Polysialic Acid ◽  
Tumor Cell Migration ◽  
Neural Cell Adhesion ◽  
Polybasic Domains ◽  
Novel Model

Polysialic acid (polySia) is a novel glycan that posttranslationally modifies neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAMs) in mammalian cells. Up-regulation of polySia-NCAM expression or NCAM polysialylation is associated with tumor cell migration and progression in many metastatic cancers and neurocognition. It has been known that two highly homologous mammalian polysialyltransferases (polySTs), ST8Sia II (STX) and ST8Sia IV (PST), can catalyze polysialylation of NCAM, and two polybasic domains, polybasic region (PBR) and polysialyltransferase domain (PSTD) in polySTs play key roles in affecting polyST activity or NCAM polysialylation. However, the molecular mechanisms of NCAM polysialylation and cell migration are still not entirely clear. In this minireview, the recent research results about the intermolecular interactions between the PBR and NCAM, the PSTD and cytidine monophosphate-sialic acid (CMP-Sia), the PSTD and polySia, and as well as the intramolecular interaction between the PBR and the PSTD within the polyST, are summarized. Based on these cooperative interactions, we have built a novel model of NCAM polysialylation and cell migration mechanisms, which may be helpful to design and develop new polysialyltransferase inhibitors.

scholarly journals Structural Basis for the C-Terminal Domain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Ribosome Maturation Factor RimM to Bind Ribosomal Protein S19

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 597
Author(s):  
Haoran Zhang ◽  
Qiuxiang Zhou ◽  
Chenyun Guo ◽  
Liubin Feng ◽  
Huilin Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Ribosomal Protein ◽  
Solution Structure ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Ribosomal Subunit ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Hydrophobic Core ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Ribosomal Protein S19

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is a serious threat to public health, calling for the development of new anti-TB drugs. Chaperon protein RimM, involved in the assembly of ribosomal protein S19 into 30S ribosomal subunit during ribosome maturation, is a potential drug target for TB treatment. The C-terminal domain (CTD) of RimM is primarily responsible for binding S19. However, both the CTD structure of RimM from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtbRimMCTD) and the molecular mechanisms underlying MtbRimMCTD binding S19 remain elusive. Here, we report the solution structure, dynamics features of MtbRimMCTD, and its interaction with S19. MtbRimMCTD has a rigid hydrophobic core comprised of a relatively conservative six-strand β-barrel, tailed with a short α-helix and interspersed with flexible loops. Using several biophysical techniques including surface plasmon resonance (SPR) affinity assays, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) assays, and molecular docking, we established a structural model of the MtbRimMCTD–S19 complex and indicated that the β4-β5 loop and two nonconserved key residues (D105 and H129) significantly contributed to the unique pattern of MtbRimMCTD binding S19, which might be implicated in a form of orthogonality for species-dependent RimM–S19 interaction. Our study provides the structural basis for MtbRimMCTD binding S19 and is beneficial to the further exploration of MtbRimM as a potential target for the development of new anti-TB drugs.

scholarly journals Structural basis for proficient oxidized ribonucleotide insertion in double strand break repair

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joonas A. Jamsen ◽  
Akira Sassa ◽  
Lalith Perera ◽  
David D. Shock ◽  
William A. Beard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Strand Break ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Nucleotide Pools ◽  
Nucleotide Insertion ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining

AbstractReactive oxygen species (ROS) oxidize cellular nucleotide pools and cause double strand breaks (DSBs). Non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) attaches broken chromosomal ends together in mammalian cells. Ribonucleotide insertion by DNA polymerase (pol) μ prepares breaks for end-joining and this is required for successful NHEJ in vivo. We previously showed that pol μ lacks discrimination against oxidized dGTP (8-oxo-dGTP), that can lead to mutagenesis, cancer, aging and human disease. Here we reveal the structural basis for proficient oxidized ribonucleotide (8-oxo-rGTP) incorporation during DSB repair by pol μ. Time-lapse crystallography snapshots of structural intermediates during nucleotide insertion along with computational simulations reveal substrate, metal and side chain dynamics, that allow oxidized ribonucleotides to escape polymerase discrimination checkpoints. Abundant nucleotide pools, combined with inefficient sanitization and repair, implicate pol μ mediated oxidized ribonucleotide insertion as an emerging source of widespread persistent mutagenesis and genomic instability.

scholarly journals A novel humanized Frizzled-7-targeting antibody enhances antitumor effects of Bevacizumab against triple-negative breast cancer via blocking Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Xie ◽  
Huijie Zhao ◽  
Fengxian Wang ◽  
Yiyun Wang ◽  
Yuan He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Triple Negative Breast Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
Vasculogenic Mimicry ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Antitumor Effects ◽  
Mouse Xenograft Model

Abstract Background Anti-angiogenic therapy has been widely applied to the clinical treatment of malignant tumors. However, the efficacy of such treatments has been called into question, especially in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Bevacizumab, the first anti-angiogenic agent approved by FDA, actually increases invasive and metastatic properties of TNBC cells, resulting from the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in response to hypoxia. As a critical receptor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, Frizzled-7 (Fzd7) is aberrantly expressed in TNBC, indicating Fzd7 a potential target for developing drugs to be combined with anti-angiogenic agents. Methods Hybridoma technique and antibody humanization technique were utilized to generate a Fzd7-targeting antibody (SHH002-hu1). Biolayer interferometry (BLI) assay and near infrared (NIR) imaging were conducted to detect the affinity and targeting ability of SHH002-hu1. Next, whether SHH002-hu1 could suppress the invasion and migration of TNBC cells induced by Bevacizumab were validated, and the underlying molecular mechanisms were elucidated by luciferase reporter and western blot assays. The nude-mice transplanted TNBC models were established to assess the anti-TNBC activities of SHH002-hu1 when combined with Bevacizumab. Then, the effects on putative TNBC stem-like cells and Wnt/β-catenin signaling were evaluated by immunofluorescence (IF). Further, the tumor-initiating and self-renew capacity of TNBC cells were studied by secondary nude mouse xenograft model and sphere formation assay. In addition, the effects of SHH002-hu1 on the adaptation of TNBC cells to hypoxia were evaluated by the detection of vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) transcriptional activity. Results The novel humanized antibody targeting Fzd7 (SHH002-hu1) exhibited extremely high affinity with Fzd7, and specifically targeted to Fzd7+ cells and tumor tissues. SHH002-hu1 repressed invasion, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal cell transformation (EMT) of TNBC cells induced by Bevacizumab through abating Wnt/β-catenin signaling. SHH002-hu1 significantly enhanced the capacity of Bevacizumab to inhibit the growth of TNBC via reducing the subpopulation of putative TNBC stem-like cells, further attenuating Bevacizumab-enhanced tumor-initiating and self-renew capacity of TNBC cells. Moreover, SHH002-hu1 effectively restrained the adaptation of TNBC cells to hypoxia via disrupting Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Conclusion SHH002-hu1 significantly enhances the anti-TNBC capacity of Bevacizumab, and shows the potential of preventing TNBC recurrence, suggesting SHH002-hu1 a good candidate for the synergistic therapy together with Bevacizumab.

scholarly journals The Saccharomyces cerevisiae RAD6 Group Is Composed of an Error-Prone and Two Error-Free Postreplication Repair Pathways

Genetics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 155 (4) ◽  
pp. 1633-1641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Xiao ◽  
Barbara L Chow ◽  
Stacey Broomfield ◽  
Michelle Hanna
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Signal Transducer ◽  
Repair Pathway ◽  
Polyubiquitin Chain ◽  
Postreplication Repair ◽  
Translesion Dna Synthesis ◽  
Radiation Repair ◽  
Repair Pathways ◽  
High Degree

Abstract The RAD6 postreplication repair and mutagenesis pathway is the only major radiation repair pathway yet to be extensively characterized. It has been previously speculated that the RAD6 pathway consists of two parallel subpathways, one error free and another error prone (mutagenic). Here we show that the RAD6 group genes can be exclusively divided into three rather than two independent subpathways represented by the RAD5, POL30, and REV3 genes; the REV3 pathway is largely mutagenic, whereas the RAD5 and the POL30 pathways are deemed error free. Mutants carrying characteristic mutations in each of the three subpathways are phenotypically indistinguishable from a single mutant such as rad18, which is defective in the entire RAD6 postreplication repair/tolerance pathway. Furthermore, the rad18 mutation is epistatic to all single or combined mutations in any of the above three subpathways. Our data also suggest that MMS2 and UBC13 play a key role in coordinating the response of the error-free subpathways; Mms2 and Ubc13 form a complex required for a novel polyubiquitin chain assembly, which probably serves as a signal transducer to promote both RAD5 and POL30 error-free postreplication repair pathways. The model established by this study will facilitate further research into the molecular mechanisms of postreplication repair and translesion DNA synthesis. In view of the high degree of sequence conservation of the RAD6 pathway genes among all eukaryotes, the model presented in this study may also apply to mammalian cells and predicts links to human diseases.

scholarly journals Structural basis for activation of trimeric Gi proteins by multiple growth factor receptors via GIV/Girdin

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (22) ◽  
pp. 3654-3671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changsheng Lin ◽  
Jason Ear ◽  
Krishna Midde ◽  
Inmaculada Lopez-Sanchez ◽  
Nicolas Aznar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
G Proteins ◽  
Protein Interaction ◽  
Cross Talk ◽  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Growth Factor Receptors ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction

A long-standing issue in the field of signal transduction is to understand the cross-talk between receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and heterotrimeric G proteins, two major and distinct signaling hubs that control eukaryotic cell behavior. Although stimulation of many RTKs leads to activation of trimeric G proteins, the molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon remain elusive. We discovered a unifying mechanism that allows GIV/Girdin, a bona fide metastasis-related protein and a guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Gαi, to serve as a direct platform for multiple RTKs to activate Gαi proteins. Using a combination of homology modeling, protein–protein interaction, and kinase assays, we demonstrate that a stretch of ∼110 amino acids within GIV C-terminus displays structural plasticity that allows folding into a SH2-like domain in the presence of phosphotyrosine ligands. Using protein–protein interaction assays, we demonstrated that both SH2 and GEF domains of GIV are required for the formation of a ligand-activated ternary complex between GIV, Gαi, and growth factor receptors and for activation of Gαi after growth factor stimulation. Expression of a SH2-deficient GIV mutant (Arg 1745→Leu) that cannot bind RTKs impaired all previously demonstrated functions of GIV—Akt enhancement, actin remodeling, and cell migration. The mechanistic and structural insights gained here shed light on the long-standing questions surrounding RTK/G protein cross-talk, set a novel paradigm, and characterize a unique pharmacological target for uncoupling GIV-dependent signaling downstream of multiple oncogenic RTKs.

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