The crystal structure of the transthyretin-like protein from Salmonella dublin, a prokaryote 5-hydroxyisourate hydrolase

The mechanism of binding of thyroid hormones by the transport protein transthyretin (TTR) in vertebrates is structurally well characterised. However, a homologous family of transthyretin-like proteins (TLPs) present in bacteria as well as eukaryotes do not bind thyroid hormones, instead they are postulated to perform a role in the purine degradation pathway and function as 5-hydroxyisourate hydrolases. Here we describe the 2.5 Angstroms X-ray crystal structure of the TLP from the Gram-negative bacterium Salmonella dublin, and compare and contrast its structure with vertebrate TTRs. The overall architecture of the homotetramer is conserved and, despite low sequence homology with vertebrate TTRs, structural differences within the monomer are restricted to flexible loop regions. However, sequence variation at the dimer-dimer interface has profound consequences for the ligand binding site and provides a structural rationalisation for the absence of thyroid hormone binding affinity in bacterial TLPs: the deep, negatively charged thyroxine-binding pocket that characterises vertebrate TTR contrasts with a shallow and elongated, positively charged cleft in S. dublin TLP. We have demonstrated that Sdu_TLP is a 5-hydroxyisourate hydrolase. Furthermore, using site-directed mutagenesis, we have identified three conserved residues located in this cleft that are critical to the enzyme activity. Together our data reveal that the active site of Sdu_TLP corresponds to the thyroxine binding site in TTRs.     

Functional characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis> transthyretin-like protein

Background  

Arabidopsis thaliana transthyretin-like (TTL) protein is a potential substrate in the brassinosteroid signalling cascade, having a role that moderates plant growth. Moreover, sequence homology revealed two sequence domains similar to 2-oxo-4-hydroxy-4-carboxy-5-ureidoimidazoline (OHCU) decarboxylase (N-terminal domain) and 5-hydroxyisourate (5-HIU) hydrolase (C-terminal domain). TTL is a member of the transthyretin-related protein family (TRP), which comprises a number of proteins with sequence homology to transthyretin (TTR) and the characteristic C-terminal sequence motif Tyr-Arg-Gly-Ser. TRPs are single domain proteins that form tetrameric structures with 5-HIU hydrolase activity. Experimental evidence is fundamental for knowing if TTL is a tetrameric protein, formed by the association of the 5-HIU hydrolase domains and, in this case, if the structural arrangement allows for OHCU decarboxylase activity. This work reports about the biochemical and functional characterization of TTL.     

Salmonella Typhimurium's Transthyretin-Like Protein Is a Host-Specific Factor Important in Fecal Survival in Chickens

The transthyretin-like protein (TLP) from Salmonella enterica subspecies I is a periplasmic protein with high level structural similarity to a protein found in mammals and fish. In humans, the protein homologue, transthyretin, binds and carries retinol and thyroxine, and a series of other, unrelated aromatic compounds. Here we show that the amino acid sequence of the TLP from different species, subspecies and serovars of the Salmonella genus is highly conserved and demonstrate that the TLP gene is constitutively expressed in S. Typhimurium and that copper and other divalent metal ions severely inhibit enzyme activity of the TLP, a cyclic amidohydrolase that hydrolyses 5-hydroxyisourate (5-HIU). In order to determine the in vivo role of the S. Typhimurium TLP, we constructed a strain of mouse-virulent S. Typhimurium SL1344 bearing a mutation in the TLP gene (SL1344 ΔyedX). We assessed the virulence of this strain via oral inoculation of mice and chickens. Whilst SL1344 ΔyedX induced a systemic infection in both organisms, the bacterial load detected in the faeces of infected chickens was significantly reduced when compared to the load of S. Typhimurium SL1344. These data demonstrate that the TLP gene is required for survival of S. Typhimurium in a high uric acid environment such as chicken faeces, and that metabolic traits of Salmonellae in natural and contrived hosts may be fundamentally different. Our data also highlight the importance of using appropriate animal models for the study of bacterial pathogenesis especially where host-specific virulence factors or traits are the subject of the study.     

Probing the evolution of hydroxyisourate hydrolase into transthyretin through active-site redesign

5-Hydroxyisourate hydrolase (HIUase) and transthyretin (TTR) are closely related phylogenetically and structurally, while performing quite different functions. The former catalyzes the hydrolysis of 5-hydroxyisourate within the urate degradation pathway, and the latter is a carrier protein involved in the extracellular transport of thyroid hormones and in the cotransport of retinol. The evolution of HIUase into TTR represents a remarkable example of adaptation of a new function by active-site modification of an enzyme. On the basis of phylogenetic reconstructions and structural comparison of HIUase and TTR, two mutations (Y116T and I16A) were likely to be crucial events in order to induce, after a gene duplication event, the conversion of the enzyme into a binding protein. By rational reshaping of the active sites of HIUase and functional analyses of its mutant forms, we have provided insights into how its neofunctionalization could be achieved. We show here that the two mutations at the active sites of HIUase open up the two ends of the channel that transverses the entire tetrameric protein, generating two cavities accessible to the thyroxine molecule and abrogating, at the same time, the enzymatic activity. Our data indicate that a small number of critical mutations affecting the active site of an enzyme may be sufficient to generate a drastically different function, while a large number of additional mutations may be required for the fine-tuning of the structural and functional features of new proteins.     

Iteron-binding ORF157 and FtsZ-like ORF156 proteins encoded by pBtoxis play a role in its replication in Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis

We recently identified a minireplicon of pBtoxis from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis that contained an operon encoding two novel proteins (ORF156 and ORF157), both of which are required for replication. ORF157 contains a helix-turn-helix motif and shares no homology with known plasmid replication proteins (Rep), and ORF156 contains the signature motif present in FtsZ/tubulin proteins, the latter of which are known to function in cell division and chromosome segregation. Here we show that the minimal sequence composed of four 12-bp imperfect direct repeats (iterons) in the pBtoxis minireplicon was sufficient to replicate a reporter plasmid in B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis when ORF156 and ORF157 functions were provided in trans. To further investigate the roles of ORF156 and ORF157 in pBtoxis replication, six-histidine-tagged recombinant rORF156 and rORF157 proteins were purified from Escherichia coli and used in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Our results demonstrated that rORF157, but not rORF156, binds specifically to the pBtoxis iterons, suggesting that ORF157 functions as a Rep protein. Although rORF156 did not bind to the iteron sequence, we showed that it bound to rORF157-DNA complexes. In addition, we showed that rORF156 has GTPase activity characteristic of the FtsZ/tubulin superfamily of proteins. Taken together, these results suggest that the iterons compose the minimal replication origin (ori) of pBtoxis and that ORF157 and ORF156 are involved in the initiation of pBtoxis replication and possibly in the segregation and partitioning of this plasmid to daughter cells.     

Amyloidogenic properties of transthyretin-like protein (TLP) from Escherichia coli

We report the amyloid-like properties of Escherichia coli transthyretin-like protein (TLP). TLP is 32% homologous to human transthyretin (hTTR), and is also tetrameric. In contrast to hTTR, TLP does not bind thyroxine. TLP orthologues are found in several prokaryotes, lower eukaryotes and vertebrates. TLP carries a signal peptide that targets the protein to the periplasmic space. We found that TLP and hTTR tetramers dissociate into monomers under similar conditions, although TLP monomers have different association properties. Like hTTR, TLP forms aggregates, small fibrillar structures of 8nm width, and annular structures of 8nm diameter which present amyloid-like properties and are toxic to cells.     

Characterization of Oncorhynchus mykiss 5-hydroxyisourate hydrolase/transthyretin superfamily: Evolutionary and functional analyses

Teleosts have highly diverged genomes that resulted from whole genome duplication, which leads to an extensive diversity of paralogous genes. Transthyretin (TTR), an extracellular thyroid hormone (TH) binding protein, is thought to have evolved from an ancestral 5-hydroxyisourate hydrolase (HIUHase) by gene duplication at some stage of chordate evolution. To characterize the functions of proteins that arose from duplicated genes in teleosts, we investigated the phylogenetic relationship of teleost HIUHase and TTR aa sequences, the expression levels of Oncorhynchus mykiss HIUHase and TTR mRNA in various tissues and the biological activities of the O. mykiss re-HIUHase and re-TTR. Phylogenetic analysis of the teleost aa sequences revealed the presence of two HIUHase subfamilies, HIUHase 1 (which has an N-terminal peroxisomal targeting signal-2 [PTS2]) and HIUHase 2 (which does not have an N-terminal PTS2), and one TTR family. The tissue distributions of HIUHase 1 and TTR mRNA were similar in juvenile O. mykiss and the mRNA levels were highest in the liver. The O. mykiss re-HIUHase and re-TTR proteins were both 40–50 kDa homotetramers consisting of 14–15 kDa subunits, with 30% identity. HIUHase had 5-hydroxyisourate (5-HIU) hydrolysis activity with Zn^2 + sensitivity, whereas TTR had ligand binding activity with a preference for THs and several environmental chemicals, such as halogenated phenols. Our results suggest that O. mykiss HIUHase and TTR have diverged from a common ancestral HIHUase with no functional complementation.     

Construction and analysis of Sip1Aa insecticidal protein random recombination library

The Sip1Aa protein from Bacillus thuringiensis is highly toxic to Colaphellus bowringi Baly. In order to obtain mutant proteins with higher insecticidal activity, a random recombinant library of Sip1Aa protein was constructed using error-prone PCR. A total number of 100 positive transformants were randomly selected for sequence determination, and 25 mutants (M1 to M25) were selected and expressed the respective Sip1Aa mutants. These Sip1Aa variants had a total of 29 base mutations, with an average of 1.2 base mutations per mutant. Compared with that of the wild-type Sip1Aa protein, the insecticidal activity of the mutants M1 (A31G, Y118C, D227E), M5 (K168R) and M21 (I307T) was significantly decreased, with and LC₅₀ values 4 to 6 times higher than the Sip1Aa protein. The mutant M8 (R174S) showed increase in the insecticidal activity against the Colaphellus bowringi Baly was obtained, with an LC₅₀ value 4-fold less than the Sip1Aa protein. The results of this study provide reference for the molecular modification of Sip1Aa protein and the study of key sites of its insecticidal activity.     

In vitro polymerization of Mycobacterium leprae FtsZ OR Mycobacterium tuberculosis FtsZ is revived or abolished, respectively, by reciprocal mutation of a single residue

A single residue that dramatically influences polymerization of principal cell division protein FtsZ of Mycobacterium leprae (MlFtsZ) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtFtsZ) has been identified. Soluble, recombinant MlFtsZ did not show polymerization in vitro, in contrast to MtFtsZ, which polymerised. Mutation of the lone non-conserved residue T172 in the N-terminal domain of MlFtsZ to A172, as it exists in MtFtsZ, showed dramatic polymerization of MlFtsZ-T172A in vitro. Reciprocal mutation of A172 in MtFtsZ to T172, as it exists in MlFtsZ, abolished polymerization of MtFtsZ-A172T in vitro. While T172A mutation enhanced weak GTPase activity of MlFtsZ, reciprocal A172T mutation marginally reduced GTPase activity of MtFtsZ in vitro. These observations demonstrate that the residue at position 172 plays critical role in the polymerization of MlFtsZ and MtFtsZ. A possible evolutionary correlation between the presence of polymerization-adversive or polymerization-favouring residue at position 172 in FtsZ and generation time of the respective bacterium are discussed.     

Resistance to AFN-1252 Arises from Missense Mutations in Staphylococcus aureus Enoyl-acyl Carrier Protein Reductase (FabI)

AFN-1252 is a potent antibiotic against Staphylococcus aureus that targets the enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (FabI). A thorough screen for AFN-1252-resistant strains was undertaken to identify the spectrum of mechanisms for acquired resistance. A missense mutation in fabI predicted to encode FabI(M99T) was isolated 49 times, and a single isolate was predicted to encode FabI(Y147H). AFN-1252 only bound to the NADPH form of FabI, and the close interactions between the drug and Met-99 and Tyr-147 explained how the mutations would result in resistant enzymes. The clone expressing FabI(Y147H) had a pronounced growth defect that was rescued by exogenous fatty acid supplementation, and the purified protein had less than 5% of the enzymatic activity of FabI. FabI(Y147F) was also catalytically defective but retained its sensitivity to AFN-1252, illustrating the importance of the conserved Tyr-147 hydroxyl group in FabI function. The strains expressing FabI(M99T) exhibited normal growth, and the biochemical properties of the purified protein were indistinguishable from those of FabI. The AFN-1252 K_i^app increased from 4 nm in FabI to 69 nm in FabI(M99T), accounting for the increased resistance of the corresponding mutant strain. The low activity of FabI(Y147H) precluded an accurate K_i measurement. The strain expressing FabI(Y147H) was also resistant to triclosan; however, the strain expressing FabI(M99T) was more susceptible. Strains with higher levels of AFN-1252 resistance were not obtained. The AFN-1252-resistant strains remained sensitive to submicromolar concentrations of AFN-1252, which blocked growth through inhibition of fatty acid biosynthesis at the FabI step.     

Identification and mapping of five new genes in bacteriophage T7

Mutations that affect the single-stranded DNA-binding protein of bacteriophage T7 (gene 2.5) and four T7 proteins of unknown function (the gene 4.3, 4.5, 4.7 and 5.5 proteins) are described and mapped by three-factor crosses. An extensive search for mutants defective in the DNA-binding protein (M_r = 25,562) produced several strains in which this protein has an altered electrophoretic mobility but no strains that appear to lack it completely. The gene 2.5 mutation that was mapped produces a slightly short DNA-binding protein that appears functional by tests in vitro. It seems likely that a functional DNA-binding protein is needed for T7 growth but that conditional-lethal amber mutations in it are rare; the nucleotide sequence known to code for the gene 2.5 protein contains only 1 to 3 sites that would be expected to be readily mutable to conditional-lethal amber codons by N-methyl-N?nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. The gene 4.3, 4.5 and 4.7 proteins (M_r ～ 8000 to 15,000) are eliminated by a deletion mutant that removes most of the DNA between genes 4 and 5. The gene 5.5 protein (M_r ～ 11,700) is made in relatively large amounts and is affected by two different mutations that were mapped between genes 5 and 6. One of these mutations appears to be an amber mutation that eliminates the protein entirely; the other decreases the electrophoretic mobility of the protein (an apparent increase in size). A larger protein (M_r ～ 18,000), found in small amounts and difficult to observe, is also affected by these two mutations; the relationship of this minor protein to the major gene 5.5 protein is not yet known. The genes 2 and 18 proteins have also been identified in patterns of protein synthesis during infection. The proteins specified by at least 34 different T7 genes have now been identified.     

Genetic and biochemical analysis of phosphatase activity of Escherichia coli NRII (NtrB) and its regulation by the PII signal transduction protein

Mutant forms of Escherichia coli NRII (NtrB) were isolated that retained wild-type NRII kinase activity but were defective in the PII-activated phosphatase activity of NRII. Mutant strains were selected as mimicking the phenotype of a strain (strain BK) that lacks both of the related PII and GlnK signal transduction proteins and thus has no mechanism for activation of the NRII phosphatase activity. The selection and screening procedure resulted in the isolation of numerous mutants that phenotypically resembled strain BK to various extents. Mutations mapped to the glnL (ntrB) gene encoding NRII and were obtained in all three domains of NRII. Two distinct regions of the C-terminal, ATP-binding domain were identified by clusters of mutations. One cluster, including the Y302N mutation, altered a lid that sits over the ATP-binding site of NRII. The other cluster, including the S227R mutation, defined a small surface on the "back" or opposite side of this domain. The S227R and Y302N proteins were purified, along with the A129T (NRII2302) protein, which has reduced phosphatase activity due to a mutation in the central domain of NRII, and the L16R protein, which has a mutation in the N-terminal domain of NRII. The S227R, Y302N, and L16R proteins were specifically defective in the PII-activated phosphatase activity of NRII. Wild-type NRII, Y302N, A129T, and L16R proteins bound to PII, while the S227R protein was defective in binding PII. This suggests that the PII-binding site maps to the "back" of the C-terminal domain and that mutation of the ATP-lid, central domain, and N-terminal domain altered functions necessary for the phosphatase activity after PII binding.     

Molecular dissection of TIMP3 mutation S156C associated with Sorsby fundus dystrophy

Sorsby fundus dystrophy (SFD) is an autosomal dominant macular degeneration of late onset. A key feature of the disease is the thickening of Bruch's membrane, an ECM structure located between the RPE and the choroid. SFD is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the ECM-associated tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases-3 (TIMP3). We have recently generated two Timp3 gene-targeted mouse lines, one deficient for the murine gene (Timp3-/-) and one carrying an SFD-related S156C mutation. Based on extracts and cell cultures derived from tissues of these animals we now evaluated TIMP3 functionality and its contribution to SFD. We show that the activity levels of TIMP3 target proteases including TACE, ADAMTS4/5 and aggrecan-cleaving MMPs are similar in Timp3S156/+ and Timp3S156C/S156C mice when compared to controls. In Timp3-/- mice, a significant enhancement of enzyme activity was observed for TACE but not for ADAMTS4/5 and MMPs indicating a compensatory effect of other inhibitors regulating the latter two groups of proteases. Fibrin bead assays show that angiogenesis in Timp3S156/+ and Timp3S156C/S156C mice is not altered whereas increased formation of capillary tubes was observed in Timp3-/- animals over controls. Rescue experiments using recombinant proteins demonstrate that the inhibitory activities of TIMP3 towards TACE and aggrecan-cleaving MMPs as well as the anti-angiogenic properties of TIMP3 are not impaired by SFD mutation S156C. We finally demonstrate that wild-type and S156C-TIMP3 proteins block the binding of VEGF to its receptor VEGFR2 to a similar extent. Taken together, this study shows that S156C-TIMP3 retains its known functional properties suggesting that causes other than an imbalance in protease or angiogenic activities represent the primary molecular defect underlying SFD.     

Phylogenetic and mutational analyses reveal key residues for UDP-glucuronic acid binding and activity of beta1,3-glucuronosyltransferase I (GlcAT-I)

The beta1,3-glucuronosyltransferases are responsible for the completion of the protein-glycosaminoglycan linkage region of proteoglycans and of the HNK1 epitope of glycoproteins and glycolipids by transferring glucuronic acid from UDP-alpha-D-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcA) onto a terminal galactose residue. Here, we develop phylogenetic and mutational approaches to identify critical residues involved in UDP-GlcA binding and enzyme activity of the human beta1,3-glucuronosyltransferase I (GlcAT-I), which plays a key role in glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis. Phylogeny analysis identified 119 related beta1,3-glucuronosyltransferase sequences in vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants that contain eight conserved peptide motifs with 15 highly conserved amino acids. Sequence homology and structural information suggest that Y84, D113, R156, R161, and R310 residues belong to the UDP-GlcA binding site. The importance of these residues is assessed by site-directed mutagenesis, UDP affinity and kinetic analyses. Our data show that uridine binding is primarily governed by stacking interactions with the phenyl group of Y84 and also involves interactions with aspartate 113. Furthermore, we found that R156 is critical for enzyme activity but not for UDP binding, whereas R310 appears less important with regard to both activity and UDP interactions. These results clearly discriminate the function of these two active site residues that were predicted to interact with the pyrophosphate group of UDP-GlcA. Finally, mutation of R161 severely compromises GlcAT-I activity, emphasizing the major contribution of this invariant residue. Altogether, this phylogenetic approach sustained by biochemical analyses affords new insight into the organization of the beta1,3-glucuronosyltransferase family and distinguishes the respective importance of conserved residues in UDP-GlcA binding and activity of GlcAT-I.     

Y145Stop is sufficient to induce de novo generation prions using protein misfolding cyclic amplification

A point mutation in Prnp that converts tyrosine (Y) at position 145 into a stop codon leading to a truncated prion molecule as found in an inherited transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE), Gertsmann-Sträussler-Scheincker syndrome, suggests that the N-terminus of the molecule (spanning amino acids 23–144) likely plays a critical role in prion misfolding as well as in protein-protein interactions. We hypothesized that Y145Stop molecule represents an unstable part of the prion protein that is prone to spontaneous misfolding. Utilizing protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) we show that the recombinant polypeptide corresponding to the Y145Stop of sheep and deer PRNP can be in vitro converted to PK-resistant PrP^Sc in presence or absence of preexisting prions. In contrast, recombinant protein full-length PrP^C did not show a propensity for spontaneous conformational conversion to protease resistant isoforms. Further, we show that seeded or spontaneously misfolded Y145Stop molecules can efficiently convert purified mammalian PrP^C into protease resistant isoforms. These results establish that the N-terminus of PrP^C molecule corresponding to residues 23–144 plays a role in seeding and misfolding of mammalian prions.Key words: prion protein, prions, recombinant prion protein, Y145Stop, protein misfolding cyclic amplification     

A Novel Nonsense Mutation in the MIP Gene Linked to Congenital Posterior Polar Cataracts in a Chinese Family

Purpose

To detect the causative mutation for congenital posterior polar cataracts in a five-generation Chinese family and further explore the potential pathogenesis of this disease.

Methods

Coding exons, with flanking sequences of five candidate genes, were screened using direct DNA sequencing. The identified mutations were confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. A full-length wild-type or an Y219* mutant aquaporin0 (AQP0) fused with an N-terminal FLAG tag, was transfected into HEK293T cells. For co-localization studies, FLAG-WT-AQP0 and Myc-Y219*-AQP0 constructs were co-transfected. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence studies were performed to determine protein expression levels and sub-cellular localization, respectively.

Results

We identified a novel nonsense mutation in MIP (c.657 C>G; p.Y219*) (major intrinsic protein gene) that segregates with congenital posterior polar cataract in a Chinese family. This mutation altered a highly conserved tyrosine to a stop codon (Y219*) within AQP0.When FLAG-WT-AQP0 and FLAG-Y219*-AQP0 expression constructs were singly transfected into HEK 293T cells, mRNA expression showed no significant difference between the wild-type and the mutant, while Y219*-AQP0 protein expression was significantly lower than that of wild-type AQP0. Wild-type AQP0 predominantly localized to the plasma membrane, while the mutated protein was abundant within the cytoplasm of HEK293T cells. However, when FLAG-WT-AQP0 andMyc-MU-AQP0were co-expressed, both proteins showed high fluorescence in the cytoplasm.

Conclusions

The novel nonsense mutation in the MIP gene (c.657 C>G) identified in a Chinese family may cause posterior polar cataracts. The dominant negative effect of the mutated protein on the wild-type protein interfered with the trafficking of wild-type protein to the cell membrane and both the mutant and wild-type protein were trapped in the cytoplasm. Consequently, both wild-type and mutant protein lost their function as a water channel on the cell membrane, and may result in a cataract phenotype. Our data also expands the spectrum of known MIP mutations.     

Cloning, Functional Characterization, and Mode of Action of a Novel Insecticidal Pore-Forming Toxin, Sphaericolysin, Produced by Bacillus sphaericus

An insecticidal protein produced by Bacillus sphaericus A3-2 was purified to elucidate its structure and mode of action. The active principle purified from the culture broth of A3-2 was a protein with a molecular mass of 53 kDa that rapidly intoxicated German cockroaches (Blattela germanica) at a dose of about 100 ng when injected. The insecticidal protein sphaericolysin possessed the undecapeptide motif of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins and had a unique N-terminal sequence. The recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli was equally as potent as the native protein. Sphaericolysin-induced hemolysis resulted from the protein's pore-forming action. This activity as well as the insecticidal activity was markedly reduced by a Y159A mutation. Also, coapplication of sphaericolysin with cholesterol abolished the insecticidal action, suggesting that cholesterol binding plays an important role in insecticidal activity. Sphaericolysin-lysed neurons dissociated from the thoracic ganglia of the German cockroaches. In addition, sphaericolysin's activity in ganglia was suppressed by the Y159A mutation. The sphaericolysin-induced damage to the cockroach ganglia was greater than the damage to the ganglia of common cutworms (Spodoptera litura), which accounts, at least in part, for the higher sensitivity to sphaericolysin displayed by the cockroaches than that displayed by cutworms.     

Isolation and characterization of recombinant OmpF-like porin from the Yersinia pseudotuberculosis outer membrane

The encoding sequence of the pore-forming OmpF-like protein from the Yersinia pseudotuberculosis outer membrane was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli cells. Conditions for isolation and refolding of recombinant monomer and porin trimer were selected. Their spatial structures were characterized by the intrinsic protein fluorescence and CD spectroscopy. It was shown that recombinant porins are similar in the composition of secondary structure elements to isolated porins, but have a considerably less compact tertiary structure. The pore-forming activities of the recombinant proteins are similar to those of Y. pseudotuberculosis native porins.     

Regulation of the wild-type and Y1235D mutant Met kinase activation

Met receptor tyrosine kinase plays a crucial role in the regulation of a large number of cellular processes and, when deregulated by overexpression or mutations, leads to tumor growth and invasion. The Y1235D mutation identified in metastases was shown to induce constitutive activation and a motile-invasive phenotype on transduced carcinoma cells. Wild-type Met activation requires phosphorylation of both Y1234 and Y1235 in the activation loop. We mapped the major phosphorylation sites in the kinase domain of a recombinant Met protein and identified the known residues Y1234 and Y1235 as well as a new phosphorylation site at Y1194 in the hinge region. Combining activating and silencing mutations at these sites, we characterized in depth the mechanism of activation of wild-type and mutant Met proteins. We found that the phosphotyrosine mimetic mutation Y1235D is sufficient to confer constitutive kinase activity, which is not influenced by phosphorylation at Y1234. However, the specific activity of this mutant was lower than that observed for fully activated wild-type Met and induced less phosphorylation of Y1349 in the signaling site, indicating that this mutation cannot entirely compensate for a phosphorylated tyrosine at this position. The Y1194F silencing mutation yielded an enzyme that could be activated to a similar extent as the wild type but with significantly slower activation kinetics, underlying the importance of this residue, which is conserved among different tyrosine kinase receptors. Finally, we observed different interactions of wild-type and mutant Met with the inhibitor K252a that may have therapeutic implications for the selective inhibition of this kinase.     

Mouse transthyretin-related protein is a hydrolase which degrades 5-hydroxyisourate, the end product of the uricase reaction

Uric acid is the end product of the purine degradation pathway in humans. It is catabolized to allantoin by urate oxidase or uricase (E.C. 1.7.3.3.) in most vertebrates except humans, some primates, birds, and certain species of reptiles. Here we provide evidence that mouse transthyretin-related protein facilitates the hydrolysis of 5-hydroxyisourate, the end product of the uricase reaction. Mutagenesis experiments showed that the residues that are absolutely conserved across the TRP family, including His11, Arg51, His102, and the C-terminal Tyr-Arg-Gly-Ser, may constitute the active site of mTRP. Based on these results, we propose that the transthyretin-related proteins present in diverse organisms are not functionally related to transthyretin but actually function as hydroxyisourate hydrolases.