The Second-Largest Subunit of the Mouse DNA Polymerase α-Primase Complex Facilitates Both Production and Nuclear Translocation of the Catalytic Subunit of DNA Polymerase α

DNA polymerase α-primase is a replication enzyme necessary for DNA replication in all eukaryotes examined so far. Mouse DNA polymerase α is made up of four subunits, the largest of which is the catalytic subunit with a molecular mass of 180 kDa (p180). This subunit exists as a tight complex with the second-largest subunit (p68), whose physiological role has remained unclear up until now. We set out to characterize these subunits individually or in combination by using a cDNA expression system in cultured mammalian cells. Coexpression of p68 markedly increased the protein level of p180, with the result that ectopically generated DNA polymerase activity was dramatically increased. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that while either singly expressed p180 or p68 was localized in the cytoplasm, cotransfection of both subunits resulted in colocalization in the nucleus. We identified a putative nuclear localization signal for p180 (residues 1419 to 1437) and found that interaction with p68 is essential for p180 to translocate into the nucleus. These results indicate that association of p180 with p68 is important for both protein synthesis of p180 and translocation into the nucleus, implying that p68 plays a pivotal role in the newly synthesized DNA polymerase α complex.     

Sec61 channel subunit Sbh1/Sec61β promotes ER translocation of proteins with suboptimal targeting sequences and is fine-tuned by phosphorylation

The highly conserved endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein translocation channel contains one nonessential subunit, Sec61β/Sbh1, whose function is poorly understood so far. Its intrinsically unstructured cytosolic domain makes transient contact with ER-targeting sequences in the cytosolic channel vestibule and contains multiple phosphorylation sites suggesting a potential for regulating ER protein import. In a microscopic screen, we show that 12% of a GFP-tagged secretory protein library depends on Sbh1 for translocation into the ER. Sbh1-dependent proteins had targeting sequences with less pronounced hydrophobicity and often no charge bias or an inverse charge bias which reduces their insertion efficiency into the Sec61 channel. We determined that mutating two N-terminal, proline-flanked phosphorylation sites in the Sbh1 cytosolic domain to alanine phenocopied the temperature-sensitivity of a yeast strain lacking SBH1 and its ortholog SBH2. The phosphorylation site mutations reduced translocation into the ER of a subset of Sbh1-dependent proteins, including enzymes whose concentration in the ER lumen is critical for ER proteostasis. In addition, we found that ER import of these proteins depended on the activity of the phospho-S/T–specific proline isomerase Ess1 (PIN1 in mammals). We conclude that Sbh1 promotes ER translocation of substrates with suboptimal targeting sequences and that its activity can be regulated by a conformational change induced by N-terminal phosphorylation.     

Cancer associated mutations in Sec61γ alter the permeability of the ER translocase

Translocation of secretory and integral membrane proteins across or into the ER membrane occurs via the Sec61 complex, a heterotrimeric protein complex possessing two essential sub-units, Sec61p/Sec61α and Sss1p/Sec61γ and the non-essential Sbh1p/Sec61β subunit. In addition to forming a protein conducting channel, the Sec61 complex maintains the ER permeability barrier, preventing flow of molecules and ions. Loss of Sec61 integrity is detrimental and implicated in the progression of disease. The Sss1p/Sec61γ C-terminus is juxtaposed to the key gating module of Sec61p/Sec61α and is important for gating the translocon. Inspection of the cancer genome database identifies six mutations in highly conserved amino acids of Sec61γ/Sss1p. We identify that five out of the six mutations identified affect gating of the ER translocon, albeit with varying strength. Together, we find that mutations in Sec61γ that arise in malignant cells result in altered translocon gating dynamics, this offers the potential for the translocon to represent a target in co-therapy for cancer treatment.     

Function of the Tetraspanin CD151–α6β1 Integrin Complex during Cellular Morphogenesis

Upon plating on basement membrane Matrigel, NIH3T3 cells formed an anastomosing network of cord-like structures, inhibitable by anti-alpha6beta1 integrin antibodies. For NIH3T3 cells transfected with human CD151 protein, the formation of a cord-like network was also inhibitable by anti-CD151 antibodies. Furthermore, CD151 and alpha6beta1 were physically associated within NIH3T3 cells. On removal of the short 8-amino acid C-terminal CD151 tail (by deletion or exchange), exogenous CD151 exerted a dominant negative effect, as it almost completely suppressed alpha6beta1-dependent cell network formation and NIH3T3 cell spreading on laminin-1 (an alpha6beta1 ligand). Importantly, mutant CD151 retained alpha6beta1 association and did not alter alpha6beta1-mediated cell adhesion to Matrigel. In conclusion, the CD151-alpha6beta1 integrin complex acts as a functional unit that markedly influences cellular morphogenesis, with the CD151 tail being of particular importance in determining the "outside-in" functions of alpha6beta1-integrin that follow ligand engagement. Also, antibodies to alpha6beta1 and CD151 inhibited formation of endothelial cell cord-like networks, thus pointing to possible relevance of CD151-alpha6beta1 complexes during angiogenesis.     

Isolation, Characterization, and Expression of the Gene Encoding the β Subunit of the Mitochondrial Processing Peptidase from Blastocladiella emersonii

A 2.3-kb BamHI-KpnI fragment was isolated from a partial genomic library and shown by nucleotide sequence analysis to contain the entire coding region of the gene encoding the β subunit of the Blastocladiella mitochondrial processing peptidase (β-MPP). The predicted β-MPP protein has 465 amino acids and a calculated molecular mass of 50.8 kDa. S1 nuclease protection assays revealed an intron, 209 bp in size, interrupting the coding region between the putative signal sequence and the mature protein. Northern blot analysis showed that β-MPP mRNA levels decrease significantly during B. emersonii sporulation, reaching basal levels in the zoospore stage. The amount of β-MPP protein, determined in Western blots, unlike its mRNA, does not vary significantly throughout the fungal life cycle.     

Protection from Free β-Tubulin by the β-Tubulin Binding Protein Rbl2p

Free beta-tubulin not in heterodimers with alpha-tubulin can be toxic, disrupting microtubule assembly and function. We are interested in the mechanisms by which cells protect themselves from free beta-tubulin. This study focused specifically on the function of Rbl2p, which, like alpha-tubulin, can rescue cells from free beta-tubulin. In vitro studies of the mammalian homolog of Rbl2p, cofactor A, have suggested that Rbl2p/cofactor A may be involved in tubulin folding. Here we show that Rbl2p becomes essential in cells containing a modest excess of beta-tubulin relative to alpha-tubulin. However, this essential activity of Rbl2p/cofactorA does not depend upon the reactions described by the in vitro assay. Rescue of beta-tubulin toxicity requires a minimal but substoichiometric ratio of Rbl2p to beta-tubulin. The data suggest that Rbl2p binds transiently to free beta-tubulin, which then passes into an aggregated form that is not toxic.     

Integrin αvβ3 Requirement for Sustained Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Activity during Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis depends on growth factors and vascular cell adhesion events. Integrins and growth factors are capable of activating the ras/MAP kinase pathway in vitro, yet how these signals influence endothelial cells during angiogenesis is unknown. Upon initiation of angiogenesis with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), endothelial cell mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (ERK) activity was detected as early as 5 min yet was sustained for at least 20 h. The initial wave of ERK activity (5–120 min) was refractory to integrin antagonists, whereas the sustained activity (4–20 h) depended on integrin αvβ3, but not β1 integrins. Inhibition of MAP kinase kinase (MEK) during this sustained αvβ3-dependent ERK signal blocked the formation of new blood vessels while not influencing preexisting blood vessels on the CAM. Inhibition of MEK also blocked growth factor induced migration but not adhesion of endothelial cells in vitro. Therefore, angiogenesis depends on sustained ERK activity regulated by the ligation state of both a growth factor receptor and integrin αvβ3.     

Integrin α2β1 Is a Receptor for the Cartilage Matrix Protein Chondroadherin

Chondroadherin (the 36-kD protein) is a leucine-rich, cartilage matrix protein known to mediate adhesion of isolated chondrocytes. In the present study we investigated cell surface proteins involved in the interaction of cells with chondroadherin in cell adhesion and by affinity purification. Adhesion of bovine articular chondrocytes to chondroadherin-coated dishes was dependent on Mg²⁺ or Mn²⁺ but not Ca²⁺. Adhesion was partially inhibited by an antibody recognizing β1 integrin subunit. Chondroadherin-binding proteins from chondrocyte lysates were affinity purified on chondroadherin-Sepharose. The β1 integrin antibody immunoprecipitated two proteins with molecular mass ~110 and 140 kD (nonreduced) from the EDTA-eluted material. These results indicate that a β1 integrin on chondrocytes interacts with chondroadherin. To identify the α integrin subunit(s) involved in interaction of cells with the protein, we affinity purified chondroadherin-binding membrane proteins from human fibroblasts. Immunoprecipitation of the EDTA-eluted material from the affinity column identified α2β1 as a chondroadherin-binding integrin. These results are in agreement with cell adhesion experiments where antibodies against the integrin subunit α2 partially inhibited adhesion of human fibroblast and human chondrocytes to chondroadherin. Since α2β1 also is a receptor for collagen type II, we tested the ability of different antibodies against the α2 subunit to inhibit adhesion of T47D cells to collagen type II and chondroadherin. The results suggested that adhesion to collagen type II and chondroadherin involves similar or nearby sites on the α2β1 integrin. Although α2β1 is a receptor for both collagen type II and chondroadherin, only adhesion of cells to collagen type II was found to mediate spreading.     

Microbial Transformation of β-Ionone and β-Methylionone

Aspergillus niger JTS 191 was selected from many microorganisms tested as capable of converting ionones to other compounds having aromas. The individual transformation products from β-ionone were isolated and identified by comparison with synthetically derived compounds. The major products were (R)-4-hydroxy-β-ionone and (S)-2-hydroxy-β-ionone. 2-Oxo-, 4-oxo-, 3,4-dehydro-, 2,3-dehydro-4-oxo-, 3,4-dehydro-2-oxo-, (S)-2-acetoxy-, (R)-4-acetoxy-, and 5,6-epoxy-β-ionone and 4-(2,3,6-trimethylphenyl)-but-3-en-2-one were also identified. Analogous transformation products of β-methylionone also were identified. Based on gas-liquid chromatographic analysis during the fermentation, we propose two main oxidative pathways of β-ionone. The results of this study suggest that these transformations of β-ionones may be useful as tobacco-flavoring compounds.     

Cross Talk between β1 and αV Integrins: β1 Affects β3 mRNA Stability

There is increasing evidence that a fine-tuned integrin cross talk can generate a high degree of specificity in cell adhesion, suggesting that spatially and temporally coordinated expression and activation of integrins are more important for regulated cell adhesive functions than the intrinsic specificity of individual receptors. However, little is known concerning the molecular mechanisms of integrin cross talk. With the use of beta(1)-null GD25 cells ectopically expressing the beta(1)A integrin subunit, we provide evidence for the existence of a cross talk between beta(1) and alpha(V) integrins that affects the ratio of alpha(V)beta(3) and alpha(V)beta(5) integrin cell surface levels. In particular, we demonstrate that a down-regulation of alpha(V)beta(3) and an up-regulation of alpha(V)beta(5) occur as a consequence of beta(1)A expression. Moreover, with the use of GD25 cells expressing the integrin isoforms beta(1)B and beta(1)D, as well as two beta(1) cytoplasmic domain deletion mutants lacking either the entire cytoplasmic domain (beta(1)TR) or only its "variable" region (beta(1)COM), we show that the effects of beta(1) over alpha(V) integrins take place irrespective of the type of beta(1) isoform, but require the presence of the "common" region of the beta(1) cytoplasmic domain. In an attempt to establish the regulatory mechanism(s) whereby beta(1) integrins exert their trans-acting functions, we have found that the down-regulation of alpha(V)beta(3) is due to a decreased beta(3) subunit mRNA stability, whereas the up-regulation of alpha(V)beta(5) is mainly due to translational or posttranslational events. These findings provide the first evidence for an integrin cross talk based on the regulation of mRNA stability.     

Dual Lipid Modification of the Yeast Gγ Subunit Ste18p Determines Membrane Localization of Gβγ

The pheromone response in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is mediated by a heterotrimeric G protein. The Gbetagamma subunit (a complex of Ste4p and Ste18p) is associated with both internal and plasma membranes, and a portion is not stably associated with either membrane fraction. Like Ras, Ste18p contains a farnesyl-directing CaaX box motif (C-terminal residues 107 to 110) and a cysteine residue (Cys 106) that is a potential site for palmitoylation. Mutant Ste18p containing serine at position 106 (mutation ste18-C106S) migrated more rapidly than wild-type Ste18p during sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The electrophoretic mobility of wild-type Ste18p (but not the mutant Ste18p) was sensitive to hydroxylamine treatment, consistent with palmitoyl modification at Cys 106. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation of the Gbetagamma complex from cells cultured in the presence of [(3)H]palmitic acid resulted in two radioactive species on nonreducing SDS-PAGE gels, with molecular weights corresponding to Ggamma and Gbetagamma. Substitution of serine for either Cys 107 or Cys 106 resulted in the failure of Gbetagamma to associate with membranes. The Cys 107 substitution also resulted in reduced steady-state accumulation of Ste18p, suggesting that the stability of Ste18p requires modification at Cys 107. All of the mutant forms of Ste18p formed complexes with Ste4p, as assessed by coimmunoprecipitation. We conclude that tight membrane attachment of the wild-type Gbetagamma depends on palmitoylation at Cys 106 and prenylation at Cys 107 of Ste18p.     

Signal Peptidase Complex Subunit 1 Participates in the Assembly of Hepatitis C Virus through an Interaction with E2 and NS2

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 2 (NS2) is a hydrophobic, transmembrane protein that is required not only for NS2-NS3 cleavage, but also for infectious virus production. To identify cellular factors that interact with NS2 and are important for HCV propagation, we screened a human liver cDNA library by split-ubiquitin membrane yeast two-hybrid assay using full-length NS2 as a bait, and identified signal peptidase complex subunit 1 (SPCS1), which is a component of the microsomal signal peptidase complex. Silencing of endogenous SPCS1 resulted in markedly reduced production of infectious HCV, whereas neither processing of structural proteins, cell entry, RNA replication, nor release of virus from the cells was impaired. Propagation of Japanese encephalitis virus was not affected by knockdown of SPCS1, suggesting that SPCS1 does not widely modulate the viral lifecycles of the Flaviviridae family. SPCS1 was found to interact with both NS2 and E2. A complex of NS2, E2, and SPCS1 was formed in cells as demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation assays. Knockdown of SPCS1 impaired interaction of NS2 with E2. Our findings suggest that SPCS1 plays a key role in the formation of the membrane-associated NS2-E2 complex via its interaction with NS2 and E2, which leads to a coordinating interaction between the structural and non-structural proteins and facilitates the early step of assembly of infectious particles.     

Linking Integrin α6β4-based Cell Adhesion to the Intermediate Filament Cytoskeleton: Direct Interaction between the β4 Subunit and Plectin at Multiple Molecular Sites

Recent studies with patients suffering from epidermolysis bullosa simplex associated with muscular dystrophy and the targeted gene disruption in mice suggested that plectin, a versatile cytoskeletal linker and intermediate filament-binding protein, may play an essential role in hemidesmosome integrity and stabilization. To define plectin's interactions with hemidesmosomal proteins on the molecular level, we studied its interaction with the uniquely long cytoplasmic tail domain of the β₄ subunit of the basement membrane laminin receptor integrin α₆β₄ that has been implicated in connecting the transmembrane integrin complex with hemidesmosome-anchored cytokeratin filaments. In vitro binding and in vivo cotransfection assays, using recombinant mutant forms of both proteins, revealed their direct interaction via multiple molecular domains. Furthermore, we show in vitro self-interaction of integrin β₄ cytoplasmic domains, as well as disruption of intermediate filament network arrays and dislocation of hemidesmosome-associated endogenous plectin upon ectopic overexpression of this domain in PtK2 and/or 804G cells. The close association of plectin molecules with hemidesmosomal structures and their apparent random orientation was indicated by gold immunoelectron microscopy using domain-specific antibodies. Our data support a model in which plectin stabilizes hemidesmosomes, via directly interlinking integrin β₄ subunits and cytokeratin filaments.     

Three Distinct Mechanisms for Translocation and Activation of the δ Subspecies of Protein Kinase C

We expressed δ subspecies of protein kinase C (δ-PKC) fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) in CHO-K1 cells and observed the movement of this fusion protein in living cells after three different stimulations. The δ-PKC–GFP fusion protein had enzymological characteristics very similar to those of the native δ-PKC and was present throughout the cytoplasm in CHO-K1 cells. ATP at 1 mM caused a transient translocation of δ-PKC–GFP to the plasma membrane approximately 30 s after the stimulation and a sequent retranslocation to the cytoplasm within 3 min. A tumor-promoting phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA; 1 μM), induced a slower translocation of δ-PKC–GFP, and the translocation was unidirectional. Concomitantly, the kinase activity of δ-PKC–GFP was increased by these two stimulations, when the kinase activity of the immunoprecipitated δ-PKC–GFP was measured in vitro in the absence of PKC activators such as phosphatidylserine and diacylglycerol. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂; 5 mM) failed to translocate δ-PKC–GFP but increased its kinase activity more than threefold. δ-PKC–GFP was strongly tyrosine phosphorylated when treated with H₂O₂ but was tyrosine phosphorylated not at all by ATP stimulation and only slightly by TPA treatment. Both TPA and ATP induced the translocation of δ-PKC–GFP even after treatment with H₂O₂. Simultaneous treatment with TPA and H₂O₂ further activated δ-PKC–GFP up to more than fivefold. TPA treatment of cells overexpressing δ-PKC–GFP led to an increase in the number of cells in G₂/M phase and of dikaryons, while stimulation with H₂O₂ increased the number of cells in S phase and induced no significant change in cell morphology. These results indicate that at least three different mechanisms are involved in the translocation and activation of δ-PKC.