A testis-specific and testis developmentally regulated tumor protein D52 (TPD52)-like protein TPD52L3/hD55 interacts with TPD52 family proteins

Tumor protein D52-like proteins (TPD52) are small coiled-coil motif bearing proteins that were first identified in breast cancer. TPD52 and related proteins have been implicated in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and vesicle trafficking. To date, three human TPD52 members had been identified, named hD52 (TPD52), hD53 (TPD52L1), and hD54 (TPD52L2). The most important characteristic of the protein family is a highly conserved coiled-coil motif that is required for homo- and heteromeric interaction with other TPD52-like proteins. Herein, we identified a novel TPD52-like sequence (TPD52L3, or hD55) in human testis using cDNA microarray. Sequence analysis of the deduced protein suggests that hD55 contains a coiled-coil motif and is highly conserved compared with other TPD52-like sequences. Yeast two-hybrid and GST pull-down assays revealed that hD55 interacts with hD52, hD53, hD54, and itself. cDNA microarray detection found that hD55 was expressed at 5.6-fold higher levels in adult testis than in fetal testis. Additionally, the expression profile shows that hD55 is testis-specific, indicating a potential role for hD55 in testis development and spermatogenesis.     

Dual Specificity PDZ- and 14-3-3-Binding Motifs: A Structural and Interactomics Study

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14-3-3 proteins act as scaffolds for GmMYB62 and GmMYB176 and regulate their intracellular localization in soybean

Isoflavonoids are plant natural compounds predominantly found in leguminous plant. They play important functions in both nitrogen fixation and stress resistance. Many clinical studies have linked dietary intake of isoflavonoids to human health benefits. Binding of 14-3-3 proteins to GmMYB176, an isoflavonoid regulator, modulates expression of key isoflavonoids gene expression and its biosynthesis. We have recently demonstrated that the interaction of 14-3-3 proteins with GmMYB176 regulates nuclear-cytoplasmic localization of GmMYB176 thereby affecting target gene expression. Here, we report GmMYB62 as a new R1 MYB client protein of soybean 14-3-3s that may function together with GmMYB176 for gene regulation in soybean.     

Five new 14-3-3 isoforms from Nicotiana tabacum L.: implications for the phylogeny of plant 14-3-3 proteins

About thirty years after the initial identification of 14-3-3 proteins in mammalian brain, they are now thought to be ubiquitous among eukaryotes. We identified five cDNAs encoding 14-3-3 proteins of Nicotiana tabacum L. using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based screening strategy. A phylogenetic analysis was carried out with 14-3-3 amino-acid sequences from twelve plant species. The results showed that 14-3-3 proteins of plants can be divided into at least five different subgroups. Four of these subgroups resulted from early gene duplication events that happened prior to the speciation of most of the plant species considered. Interestingly, 14-3-3 epsilon isoforms from mammals and insects form one subgroup together with epsilon-like isoforms from plants. The 14-3-3 genes known from monocots descend from the same ancestor, forming the fifth subgroup. Received: 30 June 1997 / Accepted: 29 August 1997     

14-3-3 proteins activate a plant calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK)

Plants and protozoa contain a unique family of calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) which are defined by the presence of a carboxyl-terminal calmodulin-like regulatory domain. We present biochemical evidence indicating that at least one member of this kinase family can be stimulated by 14-3-3 proteins. Isoform CPK-1 from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana was expressed as a fusion protein in E. coli and purified. The calcium-dependent activity of this recombinant CPK-1 was shown to be stimulated almost twofold by three different 14-3-3 isoforms with 50% activation around 200 nM. 14-3-3 proteins bound to the purified CPK-1, as shown by binding assays in which either the 14-3-3 or CPK-1 were immobilized on a matrix. Both the 14-3-3 binding and activation of CPK-1 were specifically disrupted by a known 14-3-3 binding peptide LSQRQRSTpSTPNVHMV (IC₅₀=30 μM). These results raise the question of whether 14-3-3 can modulate the activity of CDPK signal transduction pathways in plants.     

Characterization of zetin 1/rBSPRY,a novel binding partner of 14-3-3 proteins

14-3-3 proteins are ubiquitously expressed proteins which serve as central adaptors in different signal transduction cascades. In this study, yeast two-hybrid screening of a rat brain cDNA library identified a novel gene product termed zetin 1/rBSPRY that interacts with 14-3-3 zeta. The zetin 1/rBSPRY gene is ubiquitously expressed in a variety of rat tissues, with highest expression being found in testis. In adult brain, high levels of zetin 1/rBSPRY mRNA were observed in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and piriform cortex. Biochemical studies confirmed zetin 1/rBSPRY to interact with 14-3-3 zeta. Transient co-transfection in COS 7 cells caused a partial redistribution of zetin 1/rBSPRY into 14-3-3 zeta enriched submembranous foci at leading edges. Our results suggest a role for zetin 1/rBSPRY-14-3-3 interactions at specialized submembrane domains.     

Alternative splicing mechanisms for the modulation of protein function: conservation between human and other species

Alternative splicing (AS) is an important process in eukaryotic organisms by which a given gene may express a set of different protein isoforms depending on the tissue, or the developmental stage of the individual. In the present work, we have compared AS among species, focusing on the conservation of AS mechanisms for the modulation of protein function. For this purpose, we first analysed the frequency with which different species, human, mouse, rat and fruitfly, utilise them. Second, we focused more directly on the conservation among species of the mechanisms themselves. To this end, we compared biologically equivalent AS events between human and mouse, or rat. Our results indicate only minor differences in the frequency of use of these mechanisms, as well as a high degree of conservation among the species studied.     

Interaction between ACC synthase 1 and 14-3-3 proteins in rice: a new insight

In this study, the interaction between rice 14-3-3 protein and 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid synthase (ACS) was observed in yeast cells using yeast two-hybrid assays. Given the fact that 14-3-3 proteins generally bind to their target proteins in a phosphorylation-dependent manner, a hypothesis regarding the regulatory role of 14-3-3 proteins in the activation of ACS is proposed in which 14-3-3 proteins may bind to the phosphorylated C-terminal tails of ACSs and help them to escape from their fated degradation when ethylene biosynthesis is needed. It is reasonable to believe that 14-3-3 protein may play an important role in regulating ACS activity. Published in Russian in Biokhimiya, 2007, Vol. 72, No. 9, pp. 1231–1237.     

Metabolic enzymes as targets for 14-3-3 proteins

The 14-3-3 proteins are binding proteins that have been shown to interact with a wide array of enzymes involved in primary biosynthetic and energy metabolism in plants. In most cases, the significance of binding of the 14-3-3 protein is not known. However, most of the interactions are phosphorylation-dependent and most of the known binding partners are found in the cytosol, while some may also be localized to plastids and mitochondria. In this review, we examine the factors that may regulate the binding of 14-3-3s to their target proteins, and discuss their possible roles in the regulation of the activity and proteolytic degradation of enzymes involved in primary carbon and nitrogen metabolism.     

SWTY--a general peptide probe for homogeneous solution binding assay of 14-3-3 proteins

Dimeric 14-3-3 proteins exert diverse functions in eukaryotes by binding to specific phosphorylated sites on diverse target proteins. Critical to the physiological function of 14-3-3 proteins is the wide range of binding affinity to different ligands. The existing information of binding affinity is mainly derived from nonhomogeneous-based methods such as surface plasmon resonance and quantitative affinity precipitation. We have developed a fluorescence anisotropy peptide probe using a genetically isolated 14-3-3-binding SWTY motif. The synthetic 5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein(FAM)-RGRSWpTY-COOH peptide, when bound to 14-3-3 proteins, exhibits a seven-fold increase in fluorescence anisotropy. Different from the existing assays for 14-3-3 binding, this homogeneous assay tests the interaction directly in solution. Hence it permits more accurate determination of the dissociation constants of 14-3-3 binding molecules. Protocols for a simple mix-and-read format have been developed to evaluate 14-3-3 protein interactions using either purified recombinant 14-3-3 fusion proteins or native 14-3-3s in crude cell lysate. Optimal assay conditions for high-throughput screening for modulators of 14-3-3 binding have been determined.     

C-terminal binding: an expanded repertoire and function of 14-3-3 proteins

Amino and carboxyl termini are unique positions in a polypeptide. They tend to be exposed in folded three dimensional structures. Diversity and functional significance of C-terminal sequences have been appreciated from studies of PDZ and PEX domains. Signaling 14-3-3 protein signaling by recognizing phosphorylated peptides plays a critical role in a variety of biological processes, including oncogenesis. The preferential binding of 14-3-3 to phosphorylated C-terminal sequences, mode III, provides a means of regulated binding and considerably expands the substrate repertoire of 14-3-3 interaction partners.     

Functional identification of a novel 14-3-3 epsilon splicing variant suggests dimerization is not necessary for 14-3-3 epsilon to inhibit UV-induced apoptosis

14-3-3 proteins function as a dimer and have been identified to involve in diverse signaling pathways. Here we reported the identification of a novel splicing variant of human 14-3-3 epsilon (14-3-3 epsilon sv), which is derived from a novel exon 1′ insertion. The insertion contains a stop codon and leads to a truncated splicing variant of 14-3-3 epsilon. The splicing variant is translated from the exon 2 and results in the deletion of an N-terminal α-helix which is crucial for the dimerization. Therefore, the 14-3-3 epsilon sv could not form a dimer with 14-3-3 zeta. However, after UV irradiation 14-3-3 epsilon sv could also support cell survival, suggesting monomer of 14-3-3 epsilon is sufficient to protect cell from apoptosis.     

14-3-3 proteins as signaling integration points for cell cycle control and apoptosis

14-3-3 proteins play critical roles in the regulation of cell fate through phospho-dependent binding to a large number of intracellular proteins that are targeted by various classes of protein kinases. 14-3-3 proteins play particularly important roles in coordinating progression of cells through the cell cycle, regulating their response to DNA damage, and influencing life-death decisions following internal injury or external cytokine-mediated cues. This review focuses on 14-3-3-dependent pathways that control cell cycle arrest and recovery, and the influence of 14-3-3 on the apoptotic machinery at multiple levels of regulation. Recognition of 14-3-3 proteins as signaling integrators that connect protein kinase signaling pathways to resulting cellular phenotypes, and their exquisite control through feedforward and feedback loops, identifies new drug targets for human disease, and highlights the emerging importance of using systems-based approaches to understand signal transduction events at the network biology level.     

Interaction of 14-3-3 proteins with the insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGFIR): evidence for a role of 14-3-3 proteins in IGFIR signaling

We have extended our previous yeast two-hybrid findings to show that 14-3-3beta also interacts with the insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGFIR) in mammalian cells overexpressing both proteins and that the interaction involves serine 1283 and is dependent on receptor activation. Treatment of cells with the phorbol ester PMA stimulates the interaction of 14-3-3beta with the IGFIR in the absence of receptor tyrosine phosphorylation, suggesting that receptor activation leads to activation of an endogenous protein kinase that catalyzes the phosphorylation of serine 1283. To investigate the role of 14-3-3 proteins in IGF signal transduction, IGFIR structure-function studies were performed. Mutation of serine 1283 alone (S1283A) (a mutation that decreases but does not abolish the interaction of the IGFIR with 14-3-3) did not affect anchorage-independent growth of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts overexpressing the mutant receptor. However, the simultaneous mutation of this residue and the truncation of the C-terminal 27 residues of the receptor (Delta1310/S1283A) abolished the interaction of the receptor with 14-3-3 and reversed the enhanced colony formation observed with the IGFIR truncation mutation alone (Delta1310). The difference between the Delta1310 and Delta1310/S1283A transfectants in the soft agar assay was confirmed by tumorigenesis experiments. These findings suggest that 14-3-3 proteins interact with the IGFIR in vivo and that this interaction may play a role in a transformation pathway signaled by the IGFIR.     

Subcellular localization of 14-3-3 proteins in Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites and evidence for a lipid raft-associated form

A polyclonal antibody was raised against a Toxoplasma gondii 14-3-3-gluthatione S-transferase fusion protein obtained by cloning a 14-3-3 cDNA sequence determined from the T. gondii database. This antibody specifically recognized T. gondii 14-3-3 without any cross-reaction with mammalian proteins. Immunofluorescence microscopy studies of the tachyzoites or the T. gondii-infected cells suggested cytosolic and membranous localizations of 14-3-3 protein. Different subcellular fractions were prepared for electrophoresis analysis and immunodetection. 14-3-3 proteins were found in the cytosol, the membrane fraction and Triton X-100-resistant membranes. Two 14-3-3 isoforms were detected. The major one was mainly cytoplasmic and to a lesser extent membrane-associated, whereas the minor isoform was associated with the detergent-resistant lipid rafts.     

The C-terminus of Raf-1 acts as a 14-3-3-dependent activation switch

The Raf-1 protein kinase is a major activator of the ERK MAPK pathway, which links signaling by a variety of cell surface receptors to the regulation of cell proliferation, survival, differentiation and migration. Signaling by Raf-1 is regulated by a complex and poorly understood interplay between phosphorylation events and protein–protein interactions. One important mode of Raf-1 regulation involves the phosphorylation-dependent binding of 14-3-3 proteins. Here, we have examined the mechanism whereby the C-terminal 14-3-3 binding site of Raf-1, S621, controls the activation of MEK-ERK signaling. We show that phosphorylation of S621 turns over rapidly and is enriched in the activated pool of endogenous Raf-1. The phosphorylation on this site can be mediated by Raf-1 itself but also by other kinase(s). Mutations that prevent the binding of 14-3-3 proteins to S621 render Raf-1 inactive by specifically disrupting its capacity to bind to ATP, and not by gross conformational alteration as indicated by intact MEK binding. Phosphorylation of S621 correlates with the inhibition of Raf-1 catalytic activity in vitro, but 14-3-3 proteins can completely reverse this inhibition. Our findings suggest that 14-3-3 proteins function as critical cofactors in Raf-1 activation, which induce and maintain the protein in a state that is competent for both ATP binding and MEK phosphorylation.