Changes in phosphoprotein pattern in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

A variety of evidence suggests that protein phosphorylation (pp) may be important in cell-cycle control. Phosphorylated proteins from S. pombe have been examined for phosphorylation changes under several conditions: known triggers of the division control (low nitrogen, low phosphate), cell size mutants (WEE1 and CDC2 alleles) and cell cycle mutants (CDC2, CDC10, CDC17, CDC25 alleles). Three major phosphorylated proteins (pp38, pp45 and pp54) showed the greatest response to nutritional shifts. The changes in the phosphorylated states of these proteins correlated with growth rate. Some phosphorylations (e.g. pp53) occurred transiently following a stimulus to cell division suggesting a possible involvement with the division mechanism. An allele-specific alteration of charge was noted for pp45 suggesting that this protein is the product of the CDC2 gene. The wee1-6 phosphoprotein pattern is similar to wild-type indicating that this mutant cell line accurately senses its nutritional environment and that the mutation likely affects the transfer of this information to the division control. Cells blocked by various temperature-sensitive cell cycle mutants did not show an alteration of phosphoprotein pattern.     

Identification of a 31 kDa protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae whose phosphorylation is controlled negatively by the CDC25 gene product

Phosphoprotein patterns in two mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, cdc25-20(ts) and cdc25-20(ts) bcy1, were analysed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Comparison with the phosphoprotein patterns of the mutants cyr1-2(ts) and bcy1, analysed in a previous study, demonstrated not only that the CDC25 gene product is a positive element in the regulation of adenylyl cyclase activity, as suggested by recent studies, but that it is also a negative element in the phosphorylation of a 31 kDa protein (p31c and p31d), a protein whose phosphorylation is correlated with cell cycle arrest, and dephosphorylation with cell cycle initiation, respectively. Moreover, the phosphorylation phenotype of p31c and p31d suggests that the activity of the CDC25 protein is subject to feedback regulation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase, and that the CDC25 protein is a key element in an ammonium (NH+4) signal-response system.     

Anti-Cdc25 antibodies inhibit guanyl nucleotide-dependent adenylyl cyclase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and cross-react with a 150-kilodalton mammalian protein.

The CDC25 gene product of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been shown to be a positive regulator of the Ras protein. The high degree of homology between yeast RAS and the mammalian proto-oncogene ras suggests a possible resemblance between the mammalian regulator of Ras and the regulator of the yeast Ras (Cdc25). On the basis of this assumption, we have raised antibodies against the conserved C-terminal domain of the Cdc25 protein in order to identify its mammalian homologs. Anti-Cdc25 antibodies raised against a beta-galactosidase-Cdc25 fusion protein were purified by immunoaffinity chromatography and were shown by immunoblotting to specifically recognize the Cdc25 portion of the antigen and a truncated Cdc25 protein, also expressed in bacteria. These antibodies were shown both by immunoblotting and by immunoprecipitation to recognize the CDC25 gene product in wild-type strains and in strains overexpressing Cdc25. The anti-Cdc25 antibodies potently inhibited the guanyl nucleotide-dependent and, approximately 3-fold less potently, the Mn(2+)-dependent adenylyl cyclase activity in S. cerevisiae. The anti-Cdc25 antibodies do not inhibit cyclase activity in a strain harboring RAS2Val-19 and lacking the CDC25 gene product. These results support the view that Cdc25, Ras2, and Cdc35/Cyr1 proteins are associated in a complex. Using these antibodies, we were able to define the conditions to completely solubilize the Cdc25 protein. The results suggest that the Cdc25 protein is tightly associated with the membrane but is not an intrinsic membrane protein, since only EDTA at pH 12 can solubilize the protein. The anti-Cdc25 antibodies strongly cross-reacted with the C-terminal domain of the Cdc25 yeast homolog, Sdc25. Most interestingly, these antibodies also cross-reacted with mammalian proteins of approximately 150 kDa from various tissues of several species of animals. These interactions were specifically blocked by the beta-galactosidase-Cdc25 fusion protein.     

Hyperphosphorylation of the rotavirus NSP5 protein is independent of serine 67, [corrected] NSP2, or [corrected] the intrinsic insolubility of NSP5 is regulated by cellular phosphatases

The NSP5 protein is required for viroplasm formation during rotavirus infection and is hyperphosphorylated into 32- to 35-kDa isoforms. Earlier studies reported that NSP5 is not hyperphosphorylated without NSP2 coexpression or deleting the NSP5 N terminus and that serine 67 is essential for NSP5 hyperphosphorylation. In this report, we show that full-length NSP5 is hyperphosphorylated in the absence of NSP2 or serine 67 and demonstrate that hyperphosphorylated NSP5 is predominantly present in previously unrecognized cellular fractions that are insoluble in 0.2% sodium dodecyl sulfate. The last 68 residues of NSP5 are sufficient to direct green fluorescent protein into insoluble fractions and cause green fluorescent protein localization into viroplasm-like structures; however, NSP5 insolubility was intrinsic and did not require NSP5 hyperphosphorylation. When we mutated serine 67 to alanine we found that the NSP5 mutant was both hyperphosphorylated and insoluble, identical to unmodified NSP5, and as a result serine 67 is not required for NSP5 phosphorylation. Interestingly, treating cells with the phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A permitted the accumulation of soluble hyperphosphorylated NSP5 isoforms. This suggests that soluble NSP5 is constitutively dephosphorylated by cellular phosphatases and demonstrates that hyperphosphorylation does not direct NSP5 insolubility. Collectively these findings indicate that NSP5 hyperphosphorylation and insolubility are completely independent parameters and that analyzing insoluble NSP5 is essential for studies assessing NSP5 phosphorylation. Our results also demonstrate the involvement of cellular phosphatases in regulating NSP5 phosphorylation and indicate that in the absence of other rotavirus proteins, domains on soluble and insoluble NSP5 recruit cellular kinases and phosphatases that coordinate NSP5 hyperphosphorylation.     

The yeast TEM1 gene, which encodes a GTP-binding protein, is involved in termination of M phase.

LTE1 belongs to the CDC25 family that encodes a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for GTP-binding proteins of the ras family. Previously we have shown that LTE1 is essential for termination of M phase at low temperatures. We have identified TEM1 as a gene that, when present on a multicopy plasmid, suppresses the cold-sensitive phenotype of lte1. Sequence analysis of TEM1 and GTP-binding analysis of the gene product revealed that TEM1 encodes a novel low-molecular-weight GTP-binding protein. The defect of TEM1 was lethal, and the tem1-defective cells were arrested at telophase with high H1-kinase activity under restrictive conditions, indicating that TEM1 is required to exit from M phase. The defect of TEM1 was suppressed by a high dose of CDC15, which encodes a protein kinase homologous to mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases. The genetic interaction among LTE1, TEM1, and CDC15 indicates that they cooperatively play an essential role for termination of M phase.     

Differential actions of p60c-Src and Lck kinases on the Ras regulators p120-GAP and GDP/GTP exchange factor CDC25Mm.

It is known that the human Ras GTPase activating protein (GAP) p120-GAP can be phosphorylated by different members of the Src kinase family and recently phosphorylation of the GDP/GTP exchange factor (GEF) CDC25Mm/GRF1 by proteins of the Src kinase family has been revealed in vivo [Kiyono, M., Kaziro, Y. & Satoh, T. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 5441-5446]. As it still remains unclear how these phosphorylations can influence the Ras pathway we have analyzed the ability of p60c-Src and Lck to phosphorylate these two Ras regulators and have compared the activity of the phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms. Both kinases were found to phosphorylate full-length or truncated forms of GAP and GEF. The use of the catalytic domain of p60c-Src showed that its SH3/SH2 domains are not required for the interaction and the phosphorylation of both regulators. Remarkably, the phosphorylations by the two kinases were accompanied by different functional effects. The phosphorylation of p120-GAP by p60c-Src inhibited its ability to stimulate the Ha-Ras-GTPase activity, whereas phosphorylation by Lck did not display any effect. A different picture became evident with CDC25Mm; phosphorylation by Lck increased its capacity to stimulate the GDP/GTP exchange on Ha-Ras, whereas its phosphorylation by p60c-Src was ineffective. Our results suggest that phosphorylation by p60c-Src and Lck is a selective process that can modulate the activity of p120-GAP and CDC25Mm towards Ras proteins.     

CDC7 protein kinase activity is required for mitosis and meiosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Summary The product of the CDC7 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has multiple cellular functions, being needed for the initiation of DNA synthesis during mitosis as well as for synaptonemal complex formation and commitment to recombination during meiosis. The CDC7 protein has protein kinase activity and contains the conserved residues characteristic of the protein kinase catalytic domain. To determine which of the cellular functions of CDC7 require this protein kinase activity, we have mutated some of the conserved residues within the CDC7 catalytic domain and have examined the ability of the mutant proteins to support mitosis and meiosis. The results indicate that the protein kinase activity of the CDC7 gene product is essential for its function in both mitosis and meiosis and that this activity is potentially regulated by phosphorylation of the CDC7 protein.     

Comparison of Thermosensitive Alleles of the Cdc25 Gene Involved in the Camp Metabolism of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

The CDC25 gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an essential component of the RAS-adenylate cyclase pathway. Genetic and biochemical evidence has led to the proposal that the gene product may act upstream of RAS, possibly as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor. We report here the cloning, sequencing and characterization of four mutations in the CDC25 gene. All four are missense mutations which reside within the carboxy-terminal quarter of the single open reading frame found within the gene. Three of the four are missense mutations in the same amino acid codon. A search of protein data bases reveals that the carboxy terminus of the putative CDC25 gene product is similar to that of LTE1, a gene required for growth at low temperature and SCD25, a suppressor of cdc25. Taken together these data indicate that the carboxy terminus of CDC25 plays a critical role in the function of the CDC25 gene product and that other proteins, such as LTE1 or SCD25, may have related activities.     

A novel CDC25A/DYRK2 regulatory switch modulates cell cycle and survival

The cell division cycle 25A (CDC25A) phosphatase is a key regulator of cell cycle progression that acts on the phosphorylation status of Cyclin–Cyclin-dependent kinase complexes, with an emergent role in the DNA damage response and cell survival control. The regulation of CDC25A activity and its protein level is essential to control the cell cycle and maintain genomic integrity. Here we describe a novel ubiquitin/proteasome-mediated pathway negatively regulating CDC25A stability, dependent on its phosphorylation by the serine/threonine kinase DYRK2. DYRK2 phosphorylates CDC25A on at least 7 residues, resulting in its degradation independent of the known CDC25A E3 ubiquitin ligases. CDC25A in turn is able to control the phosphorylation of DYRK2 at several residues outside from its activation loop, thus affecting DYRK2 localization and activity. An inverse correlation between DYRK2 and CDC25A protein amounts was observed during cell cycle progression and in response to DNA damage, with CDC25A accumulation responding to the manipulation of DYRK2 levels or activity in either physiological scenario. Functional data show that the pro-survival activity of CDC25A and the pro-apoptotic activity of DYRK2 could be partly explained by the mutual regulation between both proteins. Moreover, DYRK2 modulation of CDC25A expression and/or activity contributes to the DYRK2 role in cell cycle regulation. Altogether, we provide evidence suggesting that DYRK2 and CDC25A mutually control their activity and stability by a feedback regulatory loop, with a relevant effect on the genotoxic stress pathway, apoptosis, and cell cycle regulation.Subject terms: Proteins, Cell biology, Proteomics     

A cDNA homologue of Schizosaccharomyces pombe cdc5(+) from the mushroom Lentinula edodes: characterization of the cDNA and its expressed product

A cDNA homologue of Schizosaccharomyces pombe cdc5(+) was isolated from the basidiomycete mushroom Lentinula edodes and it was named Le.cdc5 cDNA. The deduced Le.CDC5 (842 amino acid residues) possessed N-terminal amino acid sequence highly homologous to those of S. pombe cdc5(+) gene product (Sp.cdc5p) and Sp.cdc5p-related proteins (SPCDC5RPs). The N-terminal 185 amino acid peptide of Le.CDC5 (Le.CDC5(1-185) peptide) produced in Escherichia coli was subjected to random binding-site selection analysis, revealing that Le.CDC5(1-185) peptide binds to a 7-bp sequence with the consensus sequence of 5'GCAATGT3' (complementary; 5'ACATTGC3'). Genomic binding-site (GBS) cloning by using Le.CDC5(1-185) peptide resulted in an isolation of the DNA fragment that contained three sets of 7-bp consensus-like sequence and TATA box. The Le.CDC5 protein contained two putative phosphorylation sites of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A kinase) in its C-terminus. There exists a possible leucine zipper between the two phosphorylation sites. The Le.CDC5 fragment containing the two phosphorylation sites was actually phosphorylated by commercially available A kinase. Yeast two-hybrid analysis suggested the homodimerization of Le.CDC5 protein probably through the leucine zipper. Northern blot analysis showed that Le.cdc5 gene is most actively transcribed in primordia and small immature fruiting bodies of L. edodes, implying that Le.cdc5 may play a role in the beginning and early stage of fruiting-body formation.     

Analysis of Rotavirus Nonstructural Protein NSP5 Phosphorylation

The rotavirus nonstructural phosphoprotein NSP5 is encoded by a gene in RNA segment 11. Immunofluorescence analysis of fixed cells showed that NSP5 polypeptides remained confined to viroplasms even at a late stage when provirions migrated from these structures. When NSP5 was expressed in COS-7 cells in the absence of other viral proteins, it was uniformly distributed in the cytoplasm. Under these conditions, the 26-kDa polypeptide predominated. In the presence of the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, the highly phosphorylated 28- and 32- to 35-kDa polypeptides were formed. Also, the fully phosphorylated protein had a homogeneous cytoplasmic distribution in transfected cells. In rotavirus SA11-infected cells, NSP5 synthesis was detectable at 2 h postinfection. However, the newly formed 26-kDa NSP5 was not converted to the 28- to 35-kDa forms until approximately 2 h later. Also, the protein kinase activity of isolated NSP5 was not detectable until the 28- and 30- to 35-kDa NSP5 forms had been formed. NSP5 immunoprecipitated from extracts of transfected COS-7 cells was active in autophosphorylation in vitro, demonstrating that other viral proteins were not required for this function. Treatment of NSP5-expressing cells with staurosporine, a broad-range protein kinase inhibitor, had only a limited negative effect on the phosphorylation of the viral polypeptide. Staurosporine did not inhibit autophosphorylation of NSP5 in vitro. Together, the data support the idea that NSP5 has an autophosphorylation activity that is positively regulated by addition of phosphate residues at some positions.     

Functional cloning of BUD5, a CDC25-related gene from S. cerevisiae that can suppress a dominant-negative RAS2 mutant

By searching for genes that behave like CDC25 of S. cerevisiae in their ability to counteract a dominant-negative RAS2 mutant in a wild-type RAS-dependent manner, we have isolated a CDC25-like homolog, BUD5. BUD5 is tightly linked to the MAT locus. Although overexpressed BUD5 cannot substitute for CDC25 function, we present evidence that its gene product can bind to the guanine nucleotide binding-deficient RAS2val19ala22 gene product and thereby counteract its dominant-negative effect. We propose that BUD5 is a member of a family of CDC25-related genes that encode activators of RAS and RAS-like proteins.     

A caspase-dependent cleavage of CDC25A generates an active fragment activating cyclin-dependent kinase 2 during apoptosis

The cellular level of the CDC25A phosphatase is tightly regulated during both the normal and genotoxic-perturbed cell cycle. Here, we describe a caspase-dependent cleavage of this protein at residue D223 in non-genotoxic apoptotic conditions. This specific proteolysis generates a catalytically active C-terminal fragment that localizes to the nuclear compartment. Accumulation of this active CDC25A fragment leads to reduced inhibitory phosphorylation of the CDC25A substrate cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) on Tyr15. Moreover, CDK2 was found stably associated with this fragment, as well as with an ectopically expressed CDC25A224-525 truncation mutant that mimicks the cleavage product. Ectopic expression of this mutant induced CDK2 Tyr15 dephosphorylation, whereas its catalytically inactive version did not. Finally, this 224-525 mutant initiated apoptosis when transfected into HeLa cells, whereas its catalytic inactive form did not. Altogether, this study demonstrates for the first time that caspase-dependent cleavage of CDC25A is a central step linking CDK2 activation with non-genotoxic apoptotic induction.     

NSP1 defines a novel family of adaptor proteins linking integrin and tyrosine kinase receptors to the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase signaling pathway

As part of a program to further understand the mechanism by which extracellular signals are coordinated and cell-specific outcomes are generated, we have cloned a novel class of related adaptor molecules (NSP1, NSP2, and NSP3) and have characterized in more detail one of the members, NSP1. NSP1 has an Shc-related SH2 domain and a putative proline/serine-rich SH3 interaction domain. Treatment of cells with epidermal growth factor or insulin leads to NSP1 phosphorylation and increased association with a hypophosphorylated adaptor protein, p130(Cas). In contrast, cell contact with fibronectin results in Cas phosphorylation and a transient dissociation of NSP1 from p130(Cas). Increased expression of NSP1 in 293 cells induces activation of JNK1, but not of ERK2. Consistent with this observation, NSP1 increases the activity of an AP-1-containing promoter. Thus, we have described a novel family of adaptor proteins, one of which may be involved in the process by which receptor tyrosine kinase and integrin receptors control the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase pathway.     

Nuclear localization of CDC25B1 and serine 146 integrity are required for induction of mitosis

CDC25B phosphatases are essential regulators that control cyclin-dependent kinases activities at the entry into mitosis. In this study, we demonstrate that serine 146 is required for two crucial features of CDC25B1. It is essential for CDC25B1 to function as a mitotic inducer and to prevent CDC25B1 export from the nucleus. We also show that serine 146 is phosphorylated in vitro by CDK1-cyclin B. However, phosphorylation of CDC25B does not stimulate its phosphatase activity, and mutation of serine 146 had no effect on its catalytic activity. Serine 146 phosphorylation is proposed to be a key event in the regulation of the CDC25B function in the initiation of mammalian mitosis.     

Influence of guanine nucleotides on complex formation between Ras and CDC25 proteins.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC25 gene and closely homologous genes in other eukaryotes encode guanine nucleotide exchange factors for Ras proteins. We have determined the minimal region of the budding yeast CDC25 gene capable of activity in vivo. The region required for full biological activity is approximately 450 residues and contains two segments homologous to other proteins: one found in both Ras-specific exchange factors and the more distant Bud5 and Lte1 proteins, and a smaller segment of 48 amino acids found only in the Ras-specific exchange factors. When expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein, this region of CDC25 was found to be a potent catalyst of GDP-GTP exchange on yeast Ras2 as well as human p21H-ras but inactive in promoting exchange on the Ras-related proteins Ypt1 and Rsr1. The CDC25 fusion protein catalyzed replacement of GDP-bound to Ras2 with GTP (activation) more efficiently than that of the reverse reaction of replacement of GTP for GDP (deactivation), consistent with prior genetic analysis of CDC25 which indicated a positive role in the activation of Ras. To more directly study the physical interaction of CDC25 and Ras proteins, we developed a protein-protein binding assay. We determined that CDC25 binds tightly to Ras2 protein only in the absence of guanine nucleotides. This higher affinity of CDC25 for the nucleotide-free form than for either the GDP- or GTP-bound form suggests that CDC25 catalyzes exchange of guanine nucleotides bound to Ras proteins by stabilization of the transitory nucleotide-free state.     

Molecular cloning and expression of a G25K cDNA, the human homolog of the yeast cell cycle gene CDC42.

G25K is a low-molecular-mass GTP-binding protein with a broad distribution in mammalian tissues. A cDNA clone was isolated by using oligonucleotides corresponding to the partial amino acid sequence of purified human G25K. The cDNA encodes an 191-amino-acid polypeptide containing GTP-binding consensus sequences and a putative farnesylation site at the C terminus. The sequence exhibits 50 and 70% identities to the mammalian rho and rac proteins, respectively, and an 80% identity to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC42 gene product. Insect Sf9 cells infected with recombinant baculovirus vectors expressing the G25K cDNA produced a 25-kDa protein that bound GTP and was recognized by antibodies specifically reactive to G25K. G25K appears to be the human homolog of the CDC42 gene product, since expression of the G25K cDNA in S. cerevisiae suppressed both cdc42-1 and cdc24-4 temperature-sensitive lethal mutations.     

Overexpression of the CDC25 gene, an upstream element of the RAS/adenylyl cyclase pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, allows immunological identification and characterization of its gene product

The product of the START gene CDC25, an upstream element of the RAS/adenylyl cyclase pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was identified using specific antibodies raised against a chimeric beta-galactosidase/CDC25 protein. The CDC25 protein is poorly expressed and can be detected only when the CDC25 gene is overexpressed under the control of the galactose-inducible GAL1-10 strong promoter elements. It has a molecular weight of 180,000, is not glycosylated and is strongly associated with the particulate fraction. After deletion of residues 1255-1550 the protein is found in the soluble fraction.     

Rotavirus NSP4 induces a novel vesicular compartment regulated by calcium and associated with viroplasms

Rotavirus is a major cause of infantile viral gastroenteritis. Rotavirus nonstructural protein 4 (NSP4) has pleiotropic properties and functions in viral morphogenesis as well as pathogenesis. Recent reports show that the inhibition of NSP4 expression by small interfering RNAs leads to alteration of the production and distribution of other viral proteins and mRNA synthesis, suggesting that NSP4 also affects virus replication by unknown mechanisms. This report describes studies aimed at correlating the localization of intracellular NSP4 in cells with its functions. To be able to follow the localization of NSP4, we fused the C terminus of full-length NSP4 with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and expressed this fusion protein inducibly in a HEK 293-based cell line to avoid possible cytotoxicity. NSP4-EGFP was initially localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as documented by Endo H-sensitive glycosylation and colocalization with ER marker proteins. Only a small fraction of NSP4-EGFP colocalized with the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) marker ERGIC-53. NSP4-EGFP did not enter the Golgi apparatus, in agreement with the Endo H sensitivity and a previous report that secretion of an NSP4 cleavage product generated in rotavirus-infected cells is not inhibited by brefeldin A. A significant population of expressed NSP4-EGFP was distributed in novel vesicular structures throughout the cytoplasm, not colocalizing with ER, ERGIC, Golgi, endosomal, or lysosomal markers, thus diverging from known biosynthetic pathways. The appearance of vesicular NSP4-EGFP was dependent on intracellular calcium levels, and vesicular NSP4-EGFP colocalized with the autophagosomal marker LC3. In rotavirus-infected cells, NSP4 colocalized with LC3 in cap-like structures associated with viroplasms, the site of nascent viral RNA replication, suggesting a possible new mechanism for the involvement of NSP4 in virus replication.