14-3-3 proteins,red light and photoperiodic flowering: A point of connection?

The 14-3-3 family of proteins is well known for participating in signal transduction by binding specifically phosphorylated proteins, thereby completing their kinase-induced transition in activity or localization. This interaction-based modulation of signal flux through metabolic pathways is a critical feature of many important eukaryotic signal transduction cascades. Only recently, however, have studies in Arabidopsis thaliana described that some of the most fundamental plant signal transduction pathways, including the photoperiodic flowering pathway, are functionally affected by 14-3-3s. There are pivotal points in the photoperiod pathway that are characterized by the accumulation, localization and stability of critical protein factors, all of which are strongly affected by light quality and photoperiod duration. These mechanisms (localization, phosphorylation, regulated proteolysis) are the same as those regulated by 14-3-3 proteins in other systems. Yet it is only recently that well characterized 14-3-3 genetic tools have become available in sufficient diversity to make it possible to truly tie 14-3-3 interactions to light signaling and flowering. This review presents an overview of photoperiodic flowering signaling and direct 14-3-3 participation in the process, coupled with a discussion of the overlapping and specific roles of 14-3-3s which present confounding issues in the functional dissection of this family of signaling proteins.Key words: isoform specificity, protein interaction, phosphorylation, signaling     

NMR spectroscopy of 14-3-3ζ reveals a flexible C-terminal extension: differentiation of the chaperone and phosphoserine-binding activities of 14-3-3ζ

Intracellular 14-3-3 proteins bind to many proteins, via a specific phosphoserine motif, regulating diverse cellular tasks including cell signalling and disease progression. The 14-3-3ζ isoform is a molecular chaperone, preventing the stress-induced aggregation of target proteins in a manner comparable with that of the unrelated sHsps (small heat-shock proteins). 1H-NMR spectroscopy revealed the presence of a flexible and unstructured C-terminal extension, 12 amino acids in length, which protrudes from the domain core of 14-3-3ζ and is similar in structure and length to the C-terminal extension of mammalian sHsps. The extension stabilizes 14-3-3ζ, but has no direct role in chaperone action. Lys(49) is an important functional residue within the ligand-binding groove of 14-3-3ζ with K49E 14-3-3ζ exhibiting markedly reduced binding to phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated ligands. The R18 peptide binds to the binding groove of 14-3-3ζ with high affinity and also reduces the interaction of 14-3-3ζ ligands. However, neither the K49E mutation nor the presence of the R18 peptide affected the chaperone activity of 14-3-3ζ, implying that the C-terminal extension and binding groove of 14-3-3ζ do not mediate interaction with target proteins during chaperone action. Other region(s) in 14-3-3ζ are most likely to be involved, i.e. the protein's chaperone and phosphoserine-binding activities are functionally and structurally separated.     

Heat-Melt of β-1, 3-d-Glucan Gel

Six new products of oxidation of indolyl-3-acetic add catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase were isolated, along with four known ones, 3-hydroxymethyloxindole (1), 3-methyleneoxindole (2), indolyl-3-aldehyde (4), and 3,3-diindolylmethane (10). Based on spectroscopic and chemical evidence, the new products were identified as 3-acetoxyindole (3), 3-(indol-3-ylmethyl)oxindole (6), 3-[(2-mdol-3-ylmethyl)indol-3-ylmethyl]oxindole (9), the 3-hydroxymethyl compounds of 6 and 9 (5 and 7), and 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)indolyl-3-acetic acid (8), respectively.     

Arachidonic Acid Binds 14-3-3ζ, Releases 14-3-3ζ from Phosphorylated BAD and Induces Aggregation of 14-3-3ζ

Polyunsaturated fatty acids, like arachidonic acid, can bind proteins and affect their function. The 14-3-3 proteins bind phosphorylated sites on a diverse array of client proteins and, in this way, are involved in many intracellular signaling pathways. In this study, we used a novel approach to discover that 14-3-3ζ is able to directly bind arachidonic acid. Furthermore, arachidonic acid, at physiological concentrations, reduced the binding of 14-3-3ζ to phosphorylated BAD, an interaction that is important in regulating apoptosis. In addition, high concentrations of arachidonic acid caused the polymerization of 14-3-3ζ, an event observed in neurodegenerative disorders. Taken together, these results indicate that arachidonic acid directly interacts with 14-3-3ζ and that this interaction may be important in both normal and pathological cellular events. If so, then factors that mediate the release, metabolism and reacylation of arachidonic acid into membranes represent key points of regulation.     

Oligomerizations of deoxyadenosine bis-phosphates and of their 3′-5′, 3′-3′, and 5′-5′ dimers: Effects of a pyrophosphate-linked,poly(t) analog

A pyrophosphate-linked polynucleotide analog based on thymidine 3,5 bis-phosphate (pTp) catalyzes the oligomerization of activated dimers of pdAp in the presence of MgCl₂. Although no catalysis of the oligomerization of the activated monomer (ImpdAplm) was observed in the presence of MgCl₂, there was a significant stimulation of oligomerization by the template in the presence of MnCl₂.     

Synthesis of the 2′-,3′-Didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy and 2′-,3′-Dideoxy Derivatives of 6-Azauridine and a New Route to 2′-,3′-Didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy-5-chlorouridine

Abstract

The 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl) and 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl) derivatives of 2′-,3′-O-thiocarbonyl-6-azauridine and 2′,3′-O-thiocarbonyl-5-chlorouridine were synthesized from the parent nucleosides by reaction with 4, 4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride and tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride, respectively, followed by treatment with 1,1′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole. Introduction of a 2′-,3′-double bond into the sugar ring by reaction of the 5′-protected 2′-,3′-O-thionocarbonates with 1, 3-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1, 3, 2-diazaphospholidiine was unsuccessful, but could be accomplished satisfactorily with trimethyl phosphite. Reactions were generally more successful with the 5′-silylated than with the 5′-tritylated nucleosides. Formation of 2′-,3′-O-thiocarbonyl derivatives proceeded in higher yield with 5′-protected 6-azauridines than with the corresponding 5-chlorouridines because of the propensity of the latter to form 2,2′-anhydro derivatives. In the reaction of 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-,3′-O-thiocarbonyl-6-azauridine with trimethyl phosphite, introduction of the double bond was accompanied by N³-methylation. However this side reaction was not a problem with 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-, 3′-O-thioarbonyl-5-chlorouridine. Treatment of 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-, 3′-didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy-6-azauridine with tetrabutylammonium fluoride followed by hydrogenation afforded 2′-,3′-dideoxy-6-azauridine. Deprotection of 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-, 3′-didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy-5-chlorouridine yielded 2′-,3′-didehydro-2′-,3′-dide-oxy-5-chlorouridine.     

Synthesis of β-1, 3-Glucan and β-1, 3 and β-1, 4-Mixed Glucan from UDP-α-d-Glucose

A particulate enzyme preparation from Phaseolus aureus (mung bean) seedlings catalyzed the synthesis of a water insoluble β-1,3-glucan from UDP-α-d-glucose (UDPG) at high concentrations (0.4~20 mm) and an alkaline insoluble β-1,3 and β-1,4-mixed glucan from UDPG at a low concentration (8.5 µm).

Furthermore, the two kinds of β-glucan synthetases which were investigated with two reaction systems at high and low concentrations of UDPG had different properties in optimal pH, stability of enzyme activity, and metallic ion requirement.     

Ordering the Cytochrome c–initiated Caspase Cascade: Hierarchical Activation of Caspases-2, -3, -6, -7, -8, and -10 in a Caspase-9–dependent Manner

Exit of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol has been implicated as an important step in apoptosis. In the cytosol, cytochrome c binds to the CED-4 homologue, Apaf-1, thereby triggering Apaf-1–mediated activation of caspase-9. Caspase-9 is thought to propagate the death signal by triggering other caspase activation events, the details of which remain obscure. Here, we report that six additional caspases (caspases-2, -3, -6, -7, -8, and -10) are processed in cell-free extracts in response to cytochrome c, and that three others (caspases-1, -4, and -5) failed to be activated under the same conditions. In vitro association assays confirmed that caspase-9 selectively bound to Apaf-1, whereas caspases-1, -2, -3, -6, -7, -8, and -10 did not. Depletion of caspase-9 from cell extracts abrogated cytochrome c–inducible activation of caspases-2, -3, -6, -7, -8, and -10, suggesting that caspase-9 is required for all of these downstream caspase activation events. Immunodepletion of caspases-3, -6, and -7 from cell extracts enabled us to order the sequence of caspase activation events downstream of caspase-9 and reveal the presence of a branched caspase cascade. Caspase-3 is required for the activation of four other caspases (-2, -6, -8, and -10) in this pathway and also participates in a feedback amplification loop involving caspase-9.     

1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-3β-bromoacetate, a potential cancer therapeutic agent: synthesis and molecular mechanism of action

Synthesis of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃-3β-bromoacetate (1,25(OH)₂D₃-3-BE), a potential anti-cancer agent is presented. We also report that mechanism of action of 1,25(OH)₂D₃-3-BE may involve reduction of its catabolism, as evidenced by the reduced and delayed expression of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃-24-hydroxylase (CYP24) gene in cellular assays.     

Characterization of caveolins from human knee joint cartilage: expression of caveolin-1, -2, and -3 in chondrocytes and association with integrin β1

Interactions between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and chondrocytes are of great importance for structure and function of cartilage. The present study was undertaken to answer the question whether caveolins take part in integrin-mediated cell–ECM interactions in the human cartilage. In samples of human knee joint cartilage, we detected the caveolin subtypes -1, -2, and -3 by immunohistochemical methods. Double-label experiments revealed a colocalization of caveolin with β1-integrin. Results of immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting assays show that β1-integrins associate with all three caveolin subtypes in human chondrocytes and indicate that they are part of the same complexes. Furthermore, immunoelectron microscopy shows the localization of β1-integrin in caveolae-like structures of the cell membrane. The data stimulate further investigations on the role of the caveolin–integrin complex for integrin-mediated signaling pathways in chondrocytes. Accepted: 17 December 1999     

Bioconversion of ginsenoside Rc into Rd by a novel α-l-arabinofuranosidase, Abf22-3 from Leuconostoc sp. 22-3: cloning, expression, and enzyme characterization

A novel α-l-arabinofuranosidase (Abf22-3) that could biotransform ginsenoside Rc into Rd was obtained from the ginsenoside converting Leuconostoc sp. strain 22-3, isolated from the Korean fermented food kimchi. The gene, termed abf22-3, consisting of 1,527 bp and encoding a protein with a predicted molecular mass of 58,486 Da was cloned into the pMAL-c2x (TEV) vector. A BLAST search using the Abf22-3’s amino acid sequence revealed significant homology to that of family 51 glycoside hydrolases. The over-expressed recombinant Abf22-3 in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) catalyzed the hydrolysis of the arabinofuranoside moiety attached to the C-20 position of ginsenoside Rc under optimal conditions of pH 6.0 and 30 °C. This result indicated that Abf22-3 selectively converts ginsenoside Rc into Rd, but did not catalyze the hydrolysis of glucopyranosyl groups from Rc or other ginsenosides such as Rb₁ and Rb₂. Over-expressed recombinant enzymes were purified by two steps with amylose-affinity and DEAE-cellulose chromatography and then characterized. The kinetic parameters for α-l-arabinofuranosidase showed apparent K_m and V_max values of 0.95 ± 0.02 μM and 1.2 ± 0.1 μmol min^?1 mg of protein^?1 against p-nitrophenyl-α-l-arabinofuranoside, respectively. Using a purified MBP–Abf22-3 (10 μg/ml), 0.1 % of ginsenoside Rc was completely converted to ginsenoside Rd within 20 min.     

Purification, properties, and immunological characterization of GalT-3 (UDP-galactose: GM2 ganglioside, β1-3 galactosyltransferase) from embryonic chicken brain

A 1-3 galactosyltransferase (GalT-3; UDP-Gal; GM2 1-3galactosyltransferase) was purified over 5100-fold from 19-day-old embryonic chicken brain homogenate employing detergent solubilization, -lactalbumin Sepharose, Q-Sepharose, UDP-hexanolamine Sepharose, and GalNAc1-4Gal-Synsorb column chromatography. The purified enzyme was resolved into two bands on reducing gels with apparent molecular weights of 62 kDa and 65 kDa, respectively. GalT-3 activity was also localized in the same regions by activity gel analysis and sucrose-density gradient centrifugation of a detergent-solubilized extract of 19-day-old embryonic chicken brain. Purified GalT-3 exhibited apparentK _mS of 33 µm, 22 µm and 14.4mM with respect to the substrates GM2, UDP-galactose, and MnCl₂, respectively. Substrate specificity studies with the purified enzyme and a variety of glycosphingolipids, glycoproteins, and synthetic substrates revealed that the enzyme was highly specific only for the glycosphingolipid acceptors, GM2 and GgOse3Cer (asialo-GM2). Ovine-asialo-agalacto submaxillary mucin inhibited the transfer of galactose to GM2 but did not act as an acceptor in the range of concentrations tested. Polyclonal antibodies raised against purified GalT-3 inhibited GalT-3 activityin vitro and Western-immunoblot analysis of purified GalT-3 showed immunopositive bands at 62 and 65 kDa.Abbreviations CNS central nervous system - GM1 monosialotetraosylganglioside, Gal1-3GalNAc1-4(NeuAc2-3)Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer - GM2 monosialotriaosylganglioside, GalNAc1-4(NeuAc2-3)Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer - DSS detergent solubilized supernatant - ECB embryonic chicken brain - TBS Tris-buffered saline     

Purification and Some Properties of β-1, 3-Glucanase of Suspension-cultured Tobacco Cells

A laminaran-hydrolyzing enzyme was purified from the homogenate of suspension-cultured tobacco ceils by the treatment with ion-exchangers and gel filtration. The purified enzyme was homogemous in disc-electrophoresis and was a basic protein. The optimal pH of the enzyme was 5.0. The enzyme was stable at temperature below 40°C. The inhibitory effect of Hg²⁺ Cu²⁺ and Ag⁺ was observed. Investigation of the hydrolysis product revealed that the enzyme attacked laminaran endo-wise to form laminari-tetraose, -triose, -biose and glucose.     

The role of epigenetic inactivation of 14-3-3σ in human cancer

Cancer cells show characteristic alterations in DNA methylation patterns. Aberrant CpG methylation of specific promoters results in inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and therefore plays an important role in carcinogenesis. The p53-regulated gene 14-3-3σ undergoes frequent epigenetic silencing in several types of cancer, including carcinoma of the breast, prostate, and skin, suggesting that the loss of 14-3-3σ expression may be causally involved in tumor progression. Functional studies demonstrated that 14-3-3σ is involved in cell-cycle control and prevents the accumulation of chromosomal damage. The recent identification of novel 14-3-3if-associated proteins by a targeted proteomics approach implies that 14-3-3σ regulates diverse cellular processes, which may become deregulated after silencing of 14-3-3σ expression in cancer cells.     

14-3-3:保护性信号转导调节蛋白

14 3 3蛋白家族是真核细胞中高度保守的可溶性蛋白。在哺乳动物 ,14 3 3蛋白主要存在于脑。 14 3 3蛋白与许多蛋白结合 ,在细胞凋亡、生长、增殖的信号转导过程中发挥关键的调节作用 ,是细胞内重要的保护性蛋白。 14 3 3蛋白还是一些脑疾病的诊断标志。 14 3 3蛋白有可能成为治疗一些疾病的靶点     

囊性纤维化:太多NaCl,太少HCO3-

胰腺囊性纤维化（cystic fibrosis,CF）是一种单基因缺陷导致的致死性遗传疾病,在高加索人种中广泛分布。这种疾病在其它人种的发生率非常低,但据报道大部分人种中发现有该基因的突变。本文对CF发生的分子和病理生理学基本概念进行阐述。首先,阐述了CF的病理学和遗传特征,其基因产物囊性纤维化跨膜电导调节体（cystic fibrosis transmembranecon-ductance regulator,CFTR）的分子结构、特征、功能和调控。其次,由于突变的主要表现是电解质转运失调,其病理学效应和机制在两个典型受累器官中得到了很好的阐明,一个是汗腺,其病理发生是由于分泌过多NaCl,另一个是胰腺,其病理发生是由于分泌太少HCO3^-。然而,CF的发病率和死亡率主要来自难治性呼吸道感染,其发生机制存在争议,我们推断可能的机制为阴离子转运失调导致CF肺部慢性感染。     

Wrestling Rules in Transrepression: As Easy as SUMO-1, -2, -3?

A recent study in Molecular Cell uncovered parallel yet distinct SUMOylation pathways that provide insights into molecular mechanisms of transrepression mediated by activated nuclear receptors LXRalpha/beta and PPARgamma, thereby clarifying receptor, signal, and gene specificity of transrepression in inflammatory processes.