CSF-1 and TPA stimulate independent pathways leading to lysosomal degradation or regulated intramembrane proteolysis of the CSF-1 receptor

The CSF-1 receptor is a protein-tyrosine kinase that has been shown to undergo regulated intramembrane proteolysis, or RIPping. Here, we have compared receptor downregulation and RIPping in response to CSF-1 and TPA. Our studies show that CSF-1 is a relatively poor inducer of RIPping and that CSF-1-induced receptor downregulation is largely independent of RIPping. TPA is a strong inducer of RIPping and TPA-induced receptor downregulation is mediated by RIPping. We further found that RIPping is dependent on TACE or a TACE-like protease, that CSF-1 and TPA use independent pathways to initiate RIPping, and that the intracellular domain is targeted for degradation through ubiquitination.     

Broad spectrum identification of SUMO substrates in melanoma cells

Like phosphorylation, protein sumoylation likely represents a dynamic PTM to alter protein function in support of cell regulatory systems. The broad-spectrum impact of transient or chronic engagement of signal transduction cascades on protein sumoylation has not been explored. Here, we find that epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation evokes a rapid alteration in small ubiquitin modifier (SUMO) target selection, while oncogene expression alters steady-state SUMO-protein profiles. A proteomic SUMO target analysis in melanoma cells identified proteins involved in cellular signaling, growth control, and neural differentiation.     

通过优化表达元件及培养基组分提高地衣芽胞杆菌中碱性丝氨酸蛋白酶产量

【背景】碱性丝氨酸蛋白酶(Subtilisin)是一种具有广泛用途的工业酶制剂。【目的】旨在通过优化启动子、信号肽及培养基组分来提高地衣芽胞杆菌中碱性丝氨酸蛋白酶产量。【方法】以地衣芽胞杆菌BL10为出发菌株,构建了含有4种不同类型启动子(PbacA、P43、PaprE和PsrfA)及4种不同类型信号肽(SPVpr、SPSacB、SPSacC和SPAprE)的碱性丝氨酸蛋白酶表达菌株,并在获得高产菌株的基础上进行培养基优化。【结果】4种启动子的表达水平为PbacAPaprEP43PsrfA,4种信号肽的分泌效率为SPAprESPSacCSPSacBSPVpr。其中,菌株BL10/pPbacA-aprE产生最高的碱性丝氨酸蛋白酶酶活(275.21 U/mL),相比于出发菌株BL10/pHY-aprE (167.98 U/mL)提高了64%。随后,通过对发酵培养基成分进行优化并结合正交优化,获得了一种高产碱性丝氨酸蛋白酶的培养基(g/L):玉米淀粉40.0,豆粕50.0,(NH4)2SO4 4.0,K2HPO4 3.0,CaCO3 1.0。最后,碱性丝氨酸蛋白酶酶活提高到747.37 U/mL,是初始酶活的4.45倍。【结论】为工业化高产碱性丝氨酸蛋白酶提供了一种有效策略。     

活性污泥微生物胞外多聚物生物合成途径与菌胶团形成的调控机制

活性污泥法是借助活性污泥微生物菌胶团形成来实现泥水重力分离和部分污泥回用,辅以曝气供氧,在曝气池中高密度的微生物细胞可将溶解性有机污染物迅速降解、转化后为己所用,外排的剩余污泥带走大量有机质和氮磷,水质得以净化。活性污泥微生物所合成的胶质状胞外多聚物(Extracellular polymeric substances,EPS)是污泥菌胶团形成必不可少的"黏合剂",吸水性极高,这也造成剩余污泥难以处置和利用。我们初步总结了活性污泥微生物宏基因组研究概况,利用分子遗传学和基因组学手段,对活性污泥优势种动胶菌(Zoogloea)和其他菌胶团形成菌的EPS生物合成途径和菌胶团形成与调控机制加以研究,鉴定出一个约40 kb的胞外多糖生物合成大型基因簇和一个由7个基因组成的小型基因簇,该基因簇中除胞外多糖合成相关基因外,还编码组氨酸激酶Prs K和反应调节蛋白Prs R双组分系统,可激活RpoNσ因子共同调控一类称之为PEP-CTERM的新型胞外蛋白质的表达,参与菌胶团的形成。PEP-CTERM富含天冬酰胺(缩写为Asn或者N)残基,可能与胞外多糖通过N-连锁的糖基化形成复合物,包裹微生物细胞群体来介导菌胶团的形成。类似的PEP-CTERM基因和胞外多糖合成基因簇在许多重要的活性污泥细菌如聚磷菌和全程氨氧化菌中存在,说明这些细菌也是菌胶团形成菌,可通过污泥沉淀和回用在活性污泥中得以富集。这些研究结果可供活性污泥膨胀控制、污泥减量和剩余污泥资源和能源回收利用参考。     

Signal sequence recognition and protein targeting

Intracellular traffic is often controlled not by highways, but by handshakes and partner introductions within a cellular network. Recently determined structures suggest how signal sequences are recognized and how the GTP affinities of the signal recognition particle and its receptor are coupled to the targeting of ribosomes to translocational membrane pores. The structure of signal peptidase suggests how it releases functional proteins.     

The structure, organization, activation and plasticity of the erythropoietin receptor

Dimerization of the erythropoietin receptor has long been accepted as the singular step in its mechanism of activation. Recent studies have revealed a regulator process for activation that is dependent on the actual configuration of the receptor-ligand dimer assembly. This aspect of the receptor subunit assembly appears to extend to the unliganded receptor, which can dimerize on the cell surface and diminish any spontaneous background signaling in the absence of ligand. This self-recognition, as well as the multiple ligand binding capabilities of the receptor binding site, is consistent with an emerging theme of plasticity in protein-protein and ligand-receptor interactions.