ULK2 Ser 1027 Phosphorylation by PKA Regulates Its Nuclear Localization Occurring through Karyopherin Beta 2 Recognition of a PY-NLS Motif

Uncoordinated 51-like kinase 2 (ULK2), a member of the serine/threonine kinase family, plays an essential role in the regulation of autophagy in mammalian cells. Given the role of autophagy in normal cellular homeostasis and in multiple diseases, improved mechanistic insight into this process may result in the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Here, we present evidence that ULK2 associates with karyopherin beta 2 (Kapβ2) for its transportation into the nucleus. We identify a potential PY-NLS motif (⁷⁷⁴gpgfgssppGaeaapslRyvPY⁷⁹⁵) in the S/P space domain of ULK2, which is similar to the consensus PY-NLS motif (R/K/H)X _2–5PY. Using a pull-down approach, we observe that ULK2 interacts physically with Kapβ2 both in vitro and in vivo. Confocal microscopy confirmed the co-localization of ULK2 and Kapβ2. Localization of ULK2 to the nuclear region was disrupted by mutations in the putative Kapβ2-binding motif (P794A). Furthermore, in transient transfection assays, the presence of the Kapβ2 binding site mutant (the cytoplasmic localization form) was associated with a substantial increase in autophagy activity (but a decrease in the in vitro serine-phosphorylation) compared with the wild type ULK2. Mutational analysis showed that the phosphorylation on the Ser1027 residue of ULK2 by Protein Kinase A (PKA) is the regulatory point for its functional dissociation from Atg13 and FIP 200, nuclear localization, and autophagy. Taken together, our observations indicate that Kapβ2 interacts with ULK2 through ULK2’s putative PY-NLS motif, and facilitates transport from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, depending on its Ser1027 residue phosphorylation by PKA, thereby reducing autophagic activity.     

Cyclins,cyclin-dependent kinases and differentiation

Cyclin-dependent kinases and their regulatory subunits, the cyclins, are known to regulate progression through the cell cycle. Yet these same proteins are often expressed in non-cycling, differentiated cells. This review surveys the available information about cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases in differentiated cells and explores the possibility that these proteins may have important functions that are independent of cell cycle regulation.     

Variations in Temperature Sensitivity (Q10) of CH4 Emission from a Subtropical Estuarine Marsh in Southeast China

Understanding the functional relationship between greenhouse gas fluxes and environmental variables is crucial for predicting the impacts of wetlands on future climate change in response to various perturbations. We examined the relationships between methane (CH₄) emission and temperature in two marsh stands dominated by the Phragmites australis and Cyperus malaccensis, respectively, in a subtropical estuarine wetland in southeast China based on three years of measurement data (2007–2009). We found that the Q₁₀ coefficient of CH₄ emission to soil temperature (Q_s10) from the two marsh stands varied slightly over the three years (P > 0.05), with a mean value of 3.38 ± 0.46 and 3.89 ± 0.41 for the P. australis and C. malaccensis stands, respectively. On the other hand, the three-year mean Q_a10 values (Q₁₀ coefficients of CH₄ emission to air temperature) were 3.39 ± 0.59 and 4.68 ± 1.10 for the P. australis and C. malaccensis stands, respectively, with a significantly higher Q_a10 value for the C. malaccensis stand in 2008 (P < 0.05). The seasonal variations of Q₁₀ (Q_s10 and Q_a10) differed among years, with generally higher values in the cold months than those in the warm months in 2007 and 2009. We found that the Q_s10 values of both stands were negatively correlated with soil conductivity, but did not obtain any conclusive results about the difference in Q₁₀ of CH₄ emission between the two tidal stages (before flooding and after ebbing). There were no significant differences in both Q_s10 and Q_a10 values of CH₄ emission between the P. australis stand and the C. malaccensis stands (P > 0.05). Our results show that the Q₁₀ values of CH₄ emission in this estuarine marsh are highly variable across space and time. Given that the overall CH₄ flux is governed by a suite of environmental factors, the Q₁₀ values derived from field measurements should only be considered as a semi-empirical parameter for simulating CH₄ emissions.     

Herbivory-induced signalling in plants: perception and action

Plants and herbivores have been interacting for millions of years. Over time, plants have evolved mechanisms to defend against herbivore attacks. Herbivore-challenged plants reconfigure their metabolism to produce compounds that are toxic, repellant or anti-digestive for the herbivores. Some compounds are volatile signals that attract the predators of herbivores. All these responses are tightly regulated by a signalling network triggered by the plant's perception machinery. Several compounds that specifically elicit herbivory-induced responses in plants have been isolated from herbivore oral secretions and oviposition fluids. Elicitor perception is rapidly followed by cell membrane depolarization, calcium influx and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation; plants also elevate the concentrations of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, and modulate phytohormone levels accordingly. In addition to these reactions in the herbivore-attacked regions of a leaf, defence responses are also mounted in unattacked parts of the attacked leaf and as well in unattacked leaves. In this review, we summarize recent progress in understanding how plants recognize herbivory, the involvement of several important signalling pathways that mediate the responses to herbivore attack and the signals that transduce local into systemic responses.     

Development and characterization of SSR markers in lychee (Litchi chinensis)

Sixteen microsatellite loci were isolated from lychee (Litchi chinensis), all of which exhibited polymorphism (two or three alleles per locus), with levels of heterozygosity ranging from 0.021 to 0.900. These loci can help assess the genetic structure of lychee.