核定位信号筛选系统的构建

建立了一酵母克隆系统用于克隆含核定位信号 (NLS)的蛋白质的基因 .用表达转录因子GAL4 DNA结合域 - p53(GAL4- DBD- p53)融合蛋白的质粒转化酵母 HF7c,使 GAL4- DBD- p53可结合于报告基因的启动子但因无转录激活域而不能激活转录 .构建一酵母穿梭载体 ,可表达无NLS的 GAL4转录激活域 -大 T抗原 (GAL4- AD- LT)融合蛋白 .融合蛋白基因的下游插入一多克隆位点 .将 c DNA文库插入多克隆位点后 ,如果 c DNA片段可编码 NLS,则 GAL4- AD- LT分子可进入细胞核 ,并通过 LT与 p53的相互作用而使 GAL4- AD结合于启动子和激活报告基因的转录 .构建了这一克隆系统的各质粒 ,并用绿色荧光蛋白 (GFP)验证了其对核内蛋白和胞浆蛋白的甄别能力 .这一系统将有助于从 c DNA文库中筛选编码带有 NLS的蛋白质的基因     

Novel splice variants of ING4 and their possible roles in the regulation of cell growth and motility

The ING4 gene is a candidate tumor suppressor gene that functions in cell proliferation, contact inhibition, and angiogenesis. We identified three novel splice variants of ING4 with differing activities in controlling cell proliferation, cell spreading, and cell migration. ING4_v1 (the longest splice variant), originally identified as ING4, encodes an intact nuclear localization signal (NLS), whereas the other three splice variants (ING4_v2, ING4_v3, and ING4_v4) lack the full NLS, resulting in increased cytoplasmic localization of these proteins. We found that one of the three ING4 variants, ING4_v2, is expressed at the same level as the original ING4 (ING4_v1), suggesting that ING4 variants may have significant biological functions. Growth suppressive effects of the variants that have a partial NLS (ING4_v2 and ING4_v4) were attenuated by a weaker effect of the variants on p21(WAF1) promoter activation. ING4_v4 lost cell spreading and migration suppressive effects; on the other hand, ING4_v2 retained a cell migration suppressive effect but lost a cell spreading suppressive effect. Therefore, ING4_v2, which localized primarily into cytoplasm, might have an important role in the regulation of cell migration. We also found that ING4_v4 played dominant-negative roles in the induction of p21(WAF1) promoter activation and in the suppression of cell motility by ING4_v1. In addition, ING4 variants had different binding affinities to two cytoplasmic proteins, protein-tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type, f polypeptide (PTPRF), interacting protein (liprin), alpha1, and G3BP2a. Understanding the functions of the four splice variants may aid in defining their roles in human carcinogenesis.     

Results and prospects of the yeast three-hybrid system

The known members of inhibitor of growth (ING) gene family are considered as candidate tumor suppressor genes. ING4, a novel member of ING family, is recently reported to interact with tumor suppressor p53, p300 (a major component of histone acetyl transferase complexes), and p65(RelA) subunit of NF-κB. In this study, we investigated the cellular behaviors of HepG2 cells with exogenous ING4. Interestingly, the overexpression of ING4 negatively regulated the cell growth with significant G2/M arrest of cell cycle, and moreover, enhanced the cell apoptosis triggered by serum starvation in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the exogenous ING4 could upregulate endogenous p21 and Bax in HepG2 cells, not in p53-deficient Saos-2 cells, suggesting that G2/M arrest induced by ING4 could be mediated by the increased p21 expression in a p53-dependent manner, although there is no significant increase of p53 expression in HepG2 cells. Moreover, HepG2 cells with exogenous ING4 could significantly increase cell death, as exposed to some DNA-damage agents, such as etoposide and doxorubicin, implying that ING4 could enhance chemosensitivity to certain DNA-damage agents in HepG2 cells.     

A bipartite nuclear localization signal is required for p53 nuclear import regulated by a carboxyl-terminal domain.

Abnormal p53 cellular localization has been considered to be one of the mechanisms that could inactivate p53 function. To understand the regulation of p53 cellular trafficking, we have previously identified two p53 domains involved in its localization. A basic domain, Lys(305)-Arg(306), is required for p53 nuclear import, and a carboxyl-terminal domain, namely the cytoplasmic sequestration domain (CSD) from residues 326-355, could block the nuclear import of Lys(305) or Arg(306) mutated p53. To characterize further the function of these two domains, we demonstrate in this report that the previously described major nuclear localization signal works together with Lys(305)-Arg(306) to form a bipartite and functional nuclear localization sequence (NLS) for p53 nuclear import. The CSD could block the binding of p53 to the NLS receptor, importin alpha, and reduce the efficiency of p53 nuclear import in MCF-7, H1299, and Saos-2 cells. The blocking effect of the CSD is not due to the enhancement of nuclear export or oligomerization of the p53. These results indicate that the CSD can regulate p53 nuclear import by controlling access of the NLS to importin alpha binding.     

The NPK1 mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase contains a functional nuclear localization signal at the binding site for the NACK1 kinesin-like protein

The tobacco mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase NPK1 localizes to the equatorial region of phragmoplasts by interacting with kinesin-like protein NACK1. This leads to activation of NPK1 kinase at late M phase, which is necessary for cell plate formation. Until now, its localization during interphase has not been reported. We investigated the subcellular localization of NPK1 in tobacco-cultured BY-2 cells at interphase using indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and fusion to green fluorescent protein (GFP). Fluorescence of anti-NPK1 antibodies and GFP-fused NPK1 were detected only in the nuclei of BY-2 cells at interphase. Examination of the amino acid sequence of NPK1 showed that at the carboxyl-terminal region in the regulatory domain, which contains the binding site of NACK1, NPK1 contained a cluster of basic amino acids that resemble a bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS). Amino acid substitution mutations in the critical residues in putative NLS caused a marked reduction in nuclear localization of NPK1 in BY-2 cells, indicating that this sequence is functional in tobacco BY-2 cells. We also found that the 64-amino acid sequence at the carboxyl terminus that contains NLS sequence is essential for interaction with NACK1, and that mutations in the NLS sequence prevented NPK1 from interacting with NACK1. Thus, the amino acid sequence at the carboxyl-terminal region of NPK1 has dual functions for nuclear localization during interphase and binding NACK1 in M phase.     

HPV16 E6通过阻碍ING4对p53作用而抑制细胞凋亡的实验研究

通过HPV16 E6干扰ING4对p53作用的实验研究,探讨HPV16 E6新的致癌机制。采用转染及免疫共沉淀实验证明HPV16 E6阻碍ING4和p53结合及其诱导的p53蛋白乙酰化的作用;将表达p53、ING4和p53报告基因与HPV16 E6或其突变体的质粒共转染p53蛋白阴性的SaoS2细胞系,荧光素酶报告基因检测HPV16 E6抑制ING4对p53基因在转录水平的影响;并采用细胞集落形成实验检测HPV16 E6对ING4所诱导p53途径所致细胞凋亡的抑制。HPV16 E6阻碍ING4和p53结合及其诱导的p53蛋白Lys-382的乙酰化;HPV16 E6减弱ING4在转录水平对p53基因的调控,HPV16 E6抑制ING4诱导的p53途径介导的细胞凋亡,且所有这些作用不依赖p53蛋白的降解。HPV16 E6阻碍ING4对p53的作用而抑制细胞凋亡可能是其引起癌变的途径之一。     

Contribution of membrane localization to the apoptotic activity of PUMA

The BH3-only protein PUMA plays an important role in the activation of apoptosis in response to p53. In different studies, PUMA has been described to function by either directly activating the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bak, or by neutralizing anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl2 family. We have examined the contribution of regions of PUMA other than the BH3 domain to its localization and function. Although the hydrophobic domain in the C-terminus of PUMA is necessary for efficient mitochondrial localization of PUMA itself, PUMA proteins lacking this region can still induce apoptosis and localize to the mitochondria through binding to Bcl2. Even a nuclear localization signal (NLS)-tagged PUMA protein retains apoptotic activity and can be efficiently relocalized from the nucleus after interaction with ectopically expressed Bcl2, underscoring the efficiency of this interaction. Interestingly, unlike the Bcl2 interaction, the binding of PUMA to Bax is severely compromised by the loss of the C-terminal domain of PUMA. However, since the loss of the C-terminus does not compromise the ability of PUMA to induce cell death, our results indicate that the key apoptotic function of PUMA is through interaction with anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl2.     

Grow-ING, Age-ING and Die-ING: ING proteins link cancer, senescence and apoptosis

The INhibitor of Growth (ING) family of plant homeodomain (PHD) proteins induce apoptosis and regulate gene expression through stress-inducible binding of phospholipids with subsequent nuclear and nucleolar localization. Relocalization occurs concomitantly with interaction with a subset of nuclear proteins, including PCNA, p53 and several regulators of acetylation such as the p300/CBP and PCAF histone acetyltransferases (HATs), as well as the histone deacetylases HDAC1 and hSir2. These interactions alter the localized state of chromatin compaction, subsequently affecting the expression of subsets of genes, including those associated with the stress response (Hsp70), apoptosis (Bax, MDM2) and cell cycle regulation (p21WAF1, cyclin B) in a cell- and tissue-specific manner. The expression levels and subcellular localization of ING proteins are altered in a significant number of human cancer types, while the expression of ING isoforms changes during cellular aging, suggesting that ING proteins may play a role in linking cellular transformation and replicative senescence. The variety of functions attributed to ING proteins suggest that this tumor suppressor serves to link the disparate processes of cell cycle regulation, cell suicide and cellular aging through epigenetic regulation of gene expression. This review examines recent findings in the ING field with a focus on the functions of protein-protein interactions involving ING family members and the mechanisms by which these interactions facilitate the various roles that ING proteins play in tumorigenesis, apoptosis and senescence.     

Stable formation of mutated p53 multimers in a Chinese hamster cell line causes defective p53 nuclear localization and abrogates its residual function

We have previously described a methotrexate-resistant cell line (MTX M) characterized by amplified dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) genes, cytoplasmic p53 localization, and p53 stable tetramers. To investigate the p53 functionality in MTX M, the effect of chemical/physical agents was studied. In MTX M cells, DNA damage did not induce p53 or mdm-2 protein, while in the parental V79 cells, a residual p53 activity was found. cDNA sequencing showed that V79 and MTX M cells share the same mutations, indicating that the complete loss of p53 function in MTX M cells was due to cytoplasmic sequestration of a mutated p53 with residual activity. In Chinese hamster, both p53 and DHFR genes map on short arm of chromosome 2 suggesting that p53 itself might be amplified. However, fluorescence in situ hybridization with a hamster p53 probe showed only a single signal. Thus, the presence of p53 stable tetramers in MTX M cells, although correlated with DNA amplification, could not be the consequence of either p53 or DHFR gene amplification. Expression of a C-terminal human p53 peptide does not induce p53 nuclear accumulation, indicating that the cytoplasmic localization is due to a mechanism different from that already described in cancer cell lines. Treatments with Sodium Butyrate induced beta-tubulin polymerization, but did not apparently organize a normal microtubule network, which is shown to be important for the p53 localization. Our data indicated that in MTX M cells, p53 is sequestered in the cytoplasm by a novel mechanism that abrogates p53 residual function.     

The N-terminus of porcine circovirus type 2 replication protein is required for nuclear localization and ori binding activities

Porcine circovirus type 2 possesses a circular, single-stranded DNA genome that requires the replication protein (Rep) for virus replication. To characterize the DNA binding potential and the significant region that confers the nuclear localization of the Rep protein, the defined coding regions of rep gene were cloned and expressed. All of the recombinant proteins except for the N-terminal 110 residues deletion mutant could bind to the double-stranded minimal binding site of replication origin (ori). In addition, the N-terminal deletion mutant lacking 110 residues exhibited mainly cytoplasmic staining in the transfected cells in contrast to the others, which localized dominantly in the nucleus, suggesting that this N-terminal domain is essential for nuclear localization. Furthermore, a series of green fluorescence proteins (GFP) containing potential nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequences were tested for their cellular distribution. The ability of the utmost 20 residues of the N-terminal region to target the GFP to the nucleus confirmed its role as a functional NLS.     

MDM2 splice variants predominantly localize to the nucleoplasm mediated by a COOH-terminal nuclear localization signal

Of the >40 alternative and aberrant splice variants of MDM2 that have been described to date, the majority has lost both the well-characterized nuclear localization signal (NLS1) and the nuclear export signal (NES) sequence. Because cellular localization of proteins provides insight regarding their potential function, we determined the localization of three different MDM2 splice variants. The splice variants chosen were the common variants MDM2-A and MDM2-B. In addition, MDM2-FB26 was chosen because it is one of the few variants described that contains the complete p53-binding site. All three splice variants predominantly localized to the nucleus. Nuclear localization of MDM2-A and MDM2-B was controlled by a previously uncharacterized nuclear localization signal (NLS2), whereas nucleoplasmic localization of MDM2-FB26 was mediated by NLS1. p53 and full-length MDM2 colocalized with the splice variants in the nucleus. MDM2-A and MDM2-B both contain a COOH-terminal RING finger domain, and interaction with full-length MDM2 through this domain was confirmed. MDM2-FB26 was the only splice variant evaluated that contained a p53-binding domain; however, interaction between MDM2-FB26 and p53 could not be shown. p14(ARF) did not colocalize with the splice variants and was predominantly expressed within the nucleoli. In summary, nuclear localization signals responsible for the nucleoplasmic distribution of MDM2 splice variants have been characterized. Colocalization and interaction of MDM2-A and MDM2-B with full-length MDM2 in the nucleus have important physiologic consequences, for example, deregulation of p53 activity.     

Nuclear accumulation of p53 protein is mediated by several nuclear localization signals and plays a role in tumorigenesis.

The basic carboxy terminus of p53 plays an important role in directing the protein into the nuclear compartment. The C terminus of the p53 molecule contains a cluster of several nuclear localization signals (NLSs) that mediate the migration of the protein into the cell nucleus. NLSI, the most active domain, is highly conserved in genetically diverged species and shares perfect homology with consensus NLS sequences found in other nuclear proteins. The other two NLSs, II and III, appear to be less effective and less conserved. Although nuclear localization is dictated primarily by the NLSs inherent in the primary amino acid sequence, the actual nuclear homing can be modified by interactions with other proteins expressed in the cell. Comparison between wild-type p53 and naturally occurring mutant p53 showed that both protein categories could migrate into the nucleus of rat primary embryonic fibroblasts by essentially similar mechanisms. Nuclear localization of both proteins was totally dependent on the existence of functional NLS domains. In COS cells, however, we found that NLS-deprived wild-type p53 molecules could migrate into the nucleus by complexing with another nuclear protein, simian virus 40 large-T antigen. Wild-type and mutant p53 proteins differentially complexed with viral or cellular proteins, which may significantly affect the ultimate compartmentalization of p53 in the cell; this finding suggests that the actual subcellular compartmentalization of proteins may differ in various cell type milieux and may largely be affected by the ability of these proteins to complex with other proteins expressed in the cell. Experiments designed to test the physiological significance of p53 subcellular localization indicated that nuclear localization of mutant p53 is essential for this protein to enhance the process of malignant transformation of partially transformed cells, suggesting that p53 functions within the cell nucleus.     

Secretory production of recombinant human C-reactive protein in Escherichia coli,capable of binding with phosphorylcholine,and its characterization

We reported previously that mouse ING1 homolog (mINGh), localized in the nucleus, enhanced cell death in HC11 mouse mammary epithelial cells. Analysis of the mINGh amino acid sequences revealed the presence of potential nuclear localization signal (NLS) and plant homeodomain (PHD) finger DNA binding domain. In the present study, NLS site in mINGh was determined using different pieces of mutant mINGh proteins, which were fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP), and transfected into HC11 cells. NLS of mINGh was split into two parts consisting of amino acids KEKK and KKLK. Mutation in NLS sites of mINGh resulted in no enhancement of the cell death when over-expressed. These results indicated that mINGh contains NLS of bipartite type, which is essential for the regulation of cell death.     

Defective calmodulin-mediated nuclear transport of the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome (SRY) in XY sex reversal

The sex-determining region of the Y chromosome (SRY) plays a key role in human sex determination, as mutations in SRY can cause XY sex reversal. Although some SRY missense mutations affect DNA binding and bending activities, it is unclear how others contribute to disease. The high mobility group domain of SRY has two nuclear localization signals (NLS). Sex-reversing mutations in the NLSs affect nuclear import in some patients, associated with defective importin-beta binding to the C-terminal NLS (c-NLS), whereas in others, importin-beta recognition is normal, suggesting the existence of an importin-beta-independent nuclear import pathway. The SRY N-terminal NLS (n-NLS) binds calmodulin (CaM) in vitro, and here we show that this protein interaction is reduced in vivo by calmidazolium, a CaM antagonist. In calmidazolium-treated cells, the dramatic reduction in nuclear entry of SRY and an SRY-c-NLS mutant was not observed for two SRY-n-NLS mutants. Fluorescence spectroscopy studies reveal an unusual conformation of SRY.CaM complexes formed by the two n-NLS mutants. Thus, CaM may be involved directly in SRY nuclear import during gonadal development, and disruption of SRY.CaM recognition could underlie XY sex reversal. Given that the CaM-binding region of SRY is well-conserved among high mobility group box proteins, CaM-dependent nuclear import may underlie additional disease states.