Light-induced structural changes in a putative blue-light receptor with a novel FAD binding fold sensor of blue-light using FAD (BLUF); Slr1694 of synechocystis sp. PCC6803

The sensor of blue-light using FAD (BLUF) domain is the flavin-binding fold categorized to a new class of blue-light sensing domain found in AppA from Rhodobacter sphaeroides and PAC from Euglena gracilis, but little is known concerning the mechanism of blue-light perception. An open reading frame slr1694 in a cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 encodes a protein possessing the BLUF domain. Here, a full-length Slr1694 protein retaining FAD was expressed and purified and found to be present as an oligomeric form (trimer or tetramer). Using the purified Slr1694, spectroscopic properties of Slr1694 were characterized. Slr1694 was found to show the same red-shift of flavin absorption and quenching of flavin fluorescence by illumination as those of AppA. These changes reversed in the dark although the rate of dark state regeneration was much faster in Slr1694 than AppA, indicating that Slr1694 is a blue-light receptor based on BLUF with the similar photocycle to that of AppA. The dark decay in D(2)O was nearly four times slower than in H(2)O. Light-induced Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectroscopy was applied to examine the light-induced structure change of a chromophore and apo-protein with deuteration and universal (13)C and (15)N isotope labeling. The FTIR results indicate that light excitation induced distinct changes in the amide I modes of peptide backbone but relatively limited changes in flavin chromophore. Light excitation predominantly weakened the C(4)=O and C(2)=O bonding and strengthened the N1C10a and/or C4aN5 bonding, indicating formational changes of the isoalloxazine ring II and III of FAD but little formational change in the isoalloxazine ring I. The photocycle of the BLUF is unique in the sense that light excitation leads to the structural rearrangements of the protein moieties coupled with a minimum formational change of the chromophore.     

Comparison of the subunit compositions of the PSI-LHCI supercomplex and the LHCI in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Although the light-harvesting chlorophyll protein complex I (LHCI) of photosystem I (PSI) is intimately associated with the PSI core complex and forms the PSI-LHCI supercomplex, the LHCI is normally synthesized in PSI-deficient mutants. In this paper, we compared the subunit compositions of the PSI-LHCI supercomplex and the LHCI by immunoblot analysis and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry. The PSI-LHCI supercomplex and the LHCI were purified by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and (diethylamino)ethyl column chromatography from n-dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside-solubilized thylakoids of the wild-type and DeltapsaB mutant of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The PSI-LHCI supercomplex contained all of the nine Lhca polypeptides (Lhca1-9) that are detected in wild-type thylakoids. In contrast, the LHCI retained only six Lhca polypeptides, whereas Lhca3 and two minor polypeptides, Lhca2 and Lhca9, were lost during the purification procedure. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation showed that the purified LHCI retains an oligomeric structure with an apparent molecular mass of 300-400 kDa. We therefore concluded that Lhca2, Lhca3, and Lhca9 are not required for the stable oligomeric structure of the LHCI and that the association of these polypeptides in the LHCI is stabilized by the presence of the PSI core complex. Finally, we discuss the possible localization and function of Lhca polypeptides in the LHCI.     

Oxidation of the Mn cluster induces structural changes of NO3- functionally bound to the Cl- site in the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II

Cl(-) is an indispensable cofactor for photosynthetic O(2) evolution and is functionally replaced by NO(3)(-). Structural changes of an isotopically labeled NO(3)(-) ion, induced by the oxidation of the Mn cluster (S(1)-to-S(2)), were detected by FTIR spectroscopy. NO(3)(-)-substituted photosystem II core particles showed (14)N(16)O(3)(-)/(15)N(16)O(3)(-) and (14)N(16)O(3)(-)/(14)N(18)O(3)(-) isotopic bands in the S(2)/S(1) spectra with markedly high signal/noise ratio. These bands appeared only in the region from 1415 to 1284 cm(-1), indicating that the bands do not arise from a metal-bound NO(3)(-) but from an ionic NO(3)(-). The intensity of the bands exhibited a quantitatively proportional relationship with the O(2) activity. These results demonstrate that the NO(3)(-) functionally bound to the Cl(-) site couples to the Mn cluster structurally, but is not associated with the cluster as a direct ligand. Comparison of the bands for two isotopes ((15)N and (18)O) and their simulations enable us to assign each band to the S(1) and S(2) states. The results indicate that the NO(3)(-) ion bound to the Cl(-) site is highly asymmetric in S(1) but rather symmetric in S(2). Since NO(3)(-) functionally replaces Cl(-), most of the conclusions drawn from this study will be also applicable to Cl(-).     

Intracellular calcium measurements as a method in studies on activity of purinergic P2X receptor channels

Extracellular nucleotide-activated purinergic receptors (P2XRs) are a family of cation-permeable channels that conduct small cations, including Ca²⁺, leading to the depolarization of cells and subsequent stimulation of voltage-gated Ca²⁺ influx in excitable cells. Here, we studied the spatiotemporal characteristics of intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling and its dependence on current signaling in excitable mouse immortalized gonadotropin-releasing hormone-secreting cells (GT1) and nonexcitable human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293) cells expressing wild-type and chimeric P2XRs. In both cell types, P2XR generated depolarizing currents during the sustained ATP stimulation, which desensitized in order (from rapidly desensitizing to nondesensitizing): P2X₃R > P2X_2b + X₄R > P2X_2bR > P2X_2a + X₄R > P2X₄R > P2X_2aR > P2X₇R. HEK-293 cells were not suitable for studies on P2XR-mediated Ca²⁺ influx because of the coactivation of endogenously expressed Ca²⁺-mobilizing purinergic P2Y receptors. However, when expressed in GT1 cells, all wild-type and chimeric P2XRs responded to agonist binding with global Ca²⁺ signals, which desensitized in the same order as current signals but in a significantly slower manner. The global distribution of Ca²⁺ signals was present independently of the rate of current desensitization. The temporal characteristics of Ca²⁺ signals were not affected by voltage-gated Ca²⁺ influx and removal of extracellular sodium. Ca²⁺ signals reflected well the receptor-specific EC₅₀ values for ATP and the extracellular Zn²⁺ and pH sensitivities of P2XRs. These results indicate that intracellular Ca²⁺ measurements are useful for characterizing the pharmacological properties and messenger functions of P2XRs, as well as the kinetics of channel activity, when the host cells do not express other members of purinergic receptors. ATP-gated receptor channels; inward currents; intracellular calcium signals; desensitization-inactivation; voltage-gated calcium influx; localized and global calcium signals     

RSC Nucleosome-remodeling complex plays prominent roles in transcriptional regulation throughout budding yeast gametogenesis

RSC is a nucleosome-remodeling complex of Saccharomyces cerevisiae essential for growth that can alter histone-DNA interaction by using the energy of ATP hydrolysis. Nps1p/Sth1p is an ATPase subunit of RSC. A mutation in the conserved ATPase domain of Nps1p causes a sporulation defect with decreased expression of early meiotic genes, especially IME2. This defect is partially suppressed by the overexpression of either IME1 or IME2. A homozygous diploid of a novel temperature-sensitive nps1 mutation, nps1-13, harboring amino acid substitutions within the bromodomain, was unable to sporulate. Overexpression of IME, IME2, or both of these genes allowed the completion of meiosis I and meiosis II in nps1-13 but not the formation of mature asci. In nps1-13 carrying YEpIME1, the expression of a group of sporulation-specific genes, which express at the middle stages of sporulation and are required for spore-wall formation, notably diminished, and several late sporulation genes expressed at the early stages of sporulation. These results suggest that Nps1p/RSC plays important roles during the spore development process by controlling gene expression for initiating both meiosis and spore morphogenesis, and ensures proper expression timing of late meiotic genes.     

The light-harvesting complex of photosystem I in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: protein composition, gene structures and phylogenic implications

Light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding proteins (LHCI) associated with photosystem I (PSI) and the genes encoding these proteins have been characterized in the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, extending previous studies of the PSII-LHCII [Teramoto et al. (2001) Plant Cell Physiol. 42: 849]. In order to assign LHCI proteins in the thylakoid membranes, the PSI-LHCI supercomplex that retains all of the major LHCI proteins was purified. Seven distinct LHCI proteins were resolved from the purified supercomplex by a high-resolution SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and their N-terminal amino acid sequences were determined. One LHCI protein (band e) was newly found, although the other six LHCI proteins corresponded to those previously reported. Genomic clones encoding these seven LHCI proteins were newly isolated and the nucleotide sequences were determined. A comprehensive characterization of all members of Lhc gene family in this alga revealed that LHCI proteins are more highly diverged than LHCII, suggesting functional differentiation of the protein components in LHCI. Neighbor joining trees were constructed for LHC proteins from C. reinhardtii and those of Arabidopsis thaliana or Galdieria sulphuraria to assess evolutionary relationships. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that (1). green algal LHCI and LHCII proteins are more closely related to one another than to LHCI proteins in red algae, (2). green algae and higher plants possess seven common lineages of LHC proteins, and (3). Type I and III LHCI proteins are conserved between green algae and higher plants, while Type II and IV are not. These findings are discussed in the context of evolution of multiple diverse antenna complexes.     

Changes of low-frequency vibrational modes induced by universal 15N- and 13C-isotope labeling in S2/S1 FTIR difference spectrum of oxygen-evolving complex

The effects of universal (15)N- and (13)C-isotope labeling on the low- (650-350 cm(-1)) and mid-frequency (1800-1200 cm(-1)) S(2)/S(1) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectrum of the photosynthetic oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) were investigated in histidine-tagged photosystem (PS) II core particles from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. In the mid-frequency region, the amide II modes were predominantly affected by (15)N-labeling, whereas, in addition to the amide II, the amide I and carboxylate modes were markedly affected by (13)C-labeling. In the low-frequency region, by comparing a light-induced spectrum in the presence of ferricyanide as the electron acceptor, with the double difference S(2)/S(1) spectrum obtained by subtracting the Q(A)(-)/Q(A) from the S(2)Q(A)(-)/S(1)Q(A) spectrum, considerable numbers of bands found in the light-induced spectrum were assigned to the S(2)/S(1) vibrational modes in the unlabeled PS II core particles. Upon (13)C-labeling, changes were observed for most of the prominent bands in the S(2)/S(1) spectrum. Although (15)N-labeling also induced changes similar to those by (13)C-labeling, the bands at 616(-), 605(+), 561(+), 555(-), and 544(-) cm(-1) were scarcely affected by (15)N-labeling. These results indicated that most of the vibrational modes found in the low-frequency spectrum are derived from the coupling between the Mn-cluster and groups containing nitrogen and/or carbon atom(s) in a direct manner and/or through hydrogen bonding. Interestingly, an intensive band at 577(-) cm(-1) was not affected by (15)N- and (13)C-isotope labeling, indicating that this band arises from the mode that does not include either nitrogen or carbon atoms, such as the skeletal vibration of the Mn-cluster or stretching vibrational modes of the Mn-ligand.     

Hippocampal cytochrome P450s synthesize brain neurosteroids which are paracrine neuromodulators of synaptic signal transduction

Hippocampal pyramidal neurons and granule neurons of adult male rats are equipped with a complete machinery for the synthesis of pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, 17beta-estradiol and testosterone as well as their sulfate esters. These brain neurosteroids are synthesized by cytochrome P450s (P450scc, P45017alpha and P450arom) from endogenous cholesterol. Synthesis is acutely dependent on the Ca(2+) influx attendant upon neuron-neuron communication via N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Pregnenolone sulfate, estradiol and corticosterone rapidly modulate neuronal signal transduction and the induction of long-term potentiation via NMDA receptors and putative membrane steroid receptors. Brain neurosteroids are therefore promising neuromodulators that may either activate or inactivate neuron-neuron communication, thereby mediating learning and memory in the hippocampus.     

Nonlineal relationship between g=2 doublet and multiline signals in Ca(2+)-depleted Photosystem II

Illuminating of the Ca(2+)-depleted PS II in the S(2) state for a short period induced the doublet signal at g=2 with concomitant diminution of the multiline signal, both in the presence and absence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU). In the absence of DCMU, the doublet signal decayed (t(1/2) approximately 7 min) during subsequent dark incubation at 273 K and the multiline signal was regenerated to the original amplitude with the same kinetics of the doublet decay. In the presence of DCMU, the doublet signal decayed much faster (t(1/2) approximately 1 min) by charge recombination with Q(A)(-), while the time course of the multiline recovery was inherently identical with that observed in the absence of DCMU. A simple theoretical consideration indicates the direct conversion from the doublet-signal state to the multiline state with no intermediate state between them. Lengthy dark storage at 77 K led to disappearance of the DCMU-affected doublet signal and a Fe(2+)/Q(A)(-) electron spin resonance (ESR) signal, but no recovery of the multiline signal. Notably, the multiline signal was restored by subsequent dark incubation at 273 K. The charge recombination between Q(A)(-) and the doublet signal species led to a thermoluminescence band at 7 degrees C in a medium at pH 5.5. The peak position shifted to 17 degrees C at pH 7.0, presumably due to a pH-dependent change in the redox property of a donor-side radical species responsible for the doublet signal. Based on these results, redox events in the Ca(2+)-depleted PS II are discussed in contradistinction with the normal processes in oxygen-evolving PS II.     

Sugar sensing and α-amylase gene repression in rice embryos

We used a transient expression system to study the mechanism by which carbohydrates repress a rice (Oryza sativa L.) α-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) gene. Exogenously fed metabolizable carbohydrates are able to elicit repression of the α-amylase gene RAmy3D in the rice embryo, and our results indicate that repression is also triggered efficiently by endogenous carbohydrates. Glucose analogs that are taken up by plant cells but not phosphorylated by hexokinase are unable to repress the α-amylase gene studied, while 2-deoxyglucose, which is phosphorylable but not further metabolized, down-regulates RAmy3D promoter activity, indicating a role for hexokinase in the sugar-sensing mechanism triggering repression of the RAmy3D gene. We tested two different hexokinase inhibitors, mannoheptulose and glucosamine, but only the latter was able to relieve RAmy3D promoter activity from repression by endogenous carbohydrates. This correlates with the higher ability of glucosamine to inhibit the activity of rice hexokinases in vitro. The glucosamine-mediated relief of RAmy3D promoter activity from repression by endogenous carbohydrates does not correlate with a reduced rate of carbohydrate utilization. Received: 22 April 1997 / Accepted: 9 September 1997