The cyclic nucleotide specificity of eight cAMP-binding proteins in Dictyostelium discoideum is correlated into three groups

cAMP is a mediator of inter- and intracellular events in Dictyostelium discoideum and is thought to act through specific receptors. Eight forms of cAMP-binding proteins have been described in this organism: four forms of a cell surface receptor, a cell surface and extracellular phosphodiesterase, an intracellular cAMP-dependent protein kinase (CAK), and a recently identified cAMP-binding protein (CABP1) that is present on the cell surface, in the cytoplasm, and in the nucleus. In this study we have analyzed the cyclic nucleotide specificity of these cAMP-binding proteins using 13 derivatives of cAMP with modifications in the adenine, ribose, and phosphate moiety. The results suggest that the cAMP-binding proteins belong to three groups: (i) four forms of the cell surface receptor, (ii) two forms of an intracellular receptor (CABP1 and CAK), and (iii) cell surface and extracellular phosphodiesterase. cAMP is probably bound to the surface receptors in the anti conformation in a hydrophobic cleft of the receptor with essential interactions at N6H2' and O3'. In contrast, cAMP is probably bound to CAK and CABP1 in the syn conformation with essential interactions at O2', O3', O5', and exocyclic oxygen. Finally, binding of cAMP to phosphodiesterase involves only O3' and exocyclic oxygen. The cyclic nucleotide specificity of cAMP-induced processes in D. discoideum indicates that the cell surface receptors participate in the transduction of the cAMP signal during chemotaxis and cell differentiation. Functions for CABP1 and CAK in these processes are presently elusive.     

Expression of an altered cAMP binding protein by rapid-developing strains of Dictyostelium discoideum

Immunoblotting with a monoclonal antibody raised against a novel cAMP binding protein termed CABP1 revealed that the molecular weights of the two CABP1 subunits are altered in certain strains of Dictyostelium discoideum. Cell-free translation followed by immunoprecipitation showed that the altered CABP1 polypeptides are derived from primary translation products. In addition, the affinity of the altered CABP1 for cAMP is much higher than the wild-type form. Morphologically, these strains are indistinguishable from other wild-type strains except that their developmental phase is considerably shorter. The rapid developers also exhibit a precocious appearance of CABP1. These results indicate a good correlation between an altered CABP1 and rapid development.     

Regulation of the gene encoding the p24 actin-binding protein in Dictyostelium discoideum.

We have isolated cDNA clones on the basis of sequence similarity to the gene encoding the cyclic cAMP-binding protein CABP1 of Dictyostelium discoideum. The predicted amino acid sequence of the cloned cDNAs shows that the homology to CABP1 is restricted to a region rich in proline, glycine, glutamine, and tyrosine. Sequence comparison indicates that the cloned cDNAs encode the actin-binding protein p24. We have examined by RNA blot hybridization the expression of the gene encoding p24. For cells developed in suspension, the levels of p24 mRNA increase rapidly during early development, reaching a peak at 3-4 h. Addition of high concentrations of exogenous cAMP during the first 4 h of development produced little or no effect on the accumulation of p24 mRNA. Treatment with cAMP during subsequent stages of development reduced the levels of p24 mRNA. We attempted to determine if the synthesis of new proteins during early development is a requirement for the reduction in p24 mRNA levels by treating the cells with protein synthesis inhibitor. Unexpectedly, the addition of the inhibitor cycloheximide resulted in an increase in the level of p24 mRNA. The roles of cycloheximide and cAMP on the expression of the p24 gene are discussed.     

Signal transduction pathways involved in the expression of the uridine diphosphoglucose pyrophosphorylase gene of Dictyostelium discoideum

The uridine diphosphoglucose pyrophosphorylase (UDPGP1) gene of Dictyostelium discoideum is an excellent marker to study the pathways that control the expression of genes during development. We have previously shown that the UDPGP1 gene is regulated by exogenous cAMP acting on cell-surface cAMP receptors. Various steps in the signal transduction pathway between receptor stimulation and the induction of the gene can now be studied. Induction does not require the synthesis of intracellular cAMP, but does require new protein synthesis. By deletion and transformation with altered genes, two cis-acting sequences that are required for UDPGP1 expression have been identified. A GC-rich palindromic sequence located between -410 and -374 is essential for induction of the gene by extracellular cAMP, but not for its basal expression. A sequence element located between -374 and -337 is required for any basal expression of this gene. When the polarity of the palindromic sequence was reversed such that it resembled the H2K enhancer element, the gene could still be induced by exogenous cAMP. Two DNA binding activities were detected in gel mobility shift assays using a fragment containing both of the regulatory sequence elements of UDPGP1 gene. Transformation with a vector that resulted in the synthesis of anti-sense UDPGP1 RNA led to almost total elimination of the enzyme antigen and no detectable enzyme activity. However, these transformants developed normally, indicating that either UDPGP is not required for development or residual synthesis of UDPGP may be sufficient for normal development.     

Disruption of the gene encoding the p34/31 polypeptides affects growth and development of Dictyostelium discoideum.

Summary We have used homologous recombination to disrupt the gene which codes for p34 and p31, two polypeptides related to a cAMP-binding protein (CABP1) in Dictyostelium discoideum. By screening a total of 80 independent transformants by Southern blotting, four mutants have been isolated. Two of these mutants were analyzed in detail. Our results indicate that, while a null allele has not been obtained, both mutants express drastically reduced levels of truncated p34 and p31. Phenotypic analysis has demonstrated that both of them grow significantly more slowly than wild-type controls when bacteria are used as a food source. Interestingly, this growth defect is not seen when the cells are cultured axenically. In addition, the mutants possess an altered developmental profile. They complete development approximately 3 h later than wild-type controls. These results indicate that p34 and p3l play roles in both growth and development in this organism.     

Application of denatured, electrophoretically separated, and immobilized lysates of herpes simplex virus-infected cells for detection of monoclonal antibodies and for studies of the properties of viral proteins

We report the use of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)- and HSV-2-infected cell polypeptides (ICPs) separated by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels and transferred to nitrocellulose to (i) detect monoclonal antibodies to viral polypeptides and to (ii) study the properties of the proteins with the monoclonal antibodies. Our results were as follows. (i) When the antigens were electrophoretically separated in denaturing gels and then immobilized on nitrocellulose strips, we detected a greater diversity of monoclonal antibodies to viral proteins than when we used the technique of immune precipitation of soluble, nondenatured viral antigens. The primary advantage of the technique is in the detection of nonprecipitating antibody and of antibody to poorly soluble antigens not available for reaction in preparations cleared by high-speed centrifugation before immune reaction. (ii) Studies of the viral polypeptides reactive with three monoclonal antibodies indicated that the technique can be used to investigate several properties of the antigens. Specifically, monoclonal antibody to ICP 4 confirmed the accumulation of viral protein in the nucleus and the mapping of the gene in the S component. The results showed, however, that HSV-1 and HSV-2 ICP 4 do have common antigenic determinants. The reaction of a nonprecipitating monoclonal antibody with electrophoretically separated, immobilized polypeptides contained in cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions, those chemically deglycosylated, or those specified by specific HSV-1 x HSV-2 intertypic recombinants identified the antigens reactive with the second monoclonal antibody as various forms of glycoprotein gC. Of particular interest was a set of four antigens, 39,000 to 46,500 in apparent molecular weight, reactive with each of several monoclonal antibodies. These studies showed that two polypeptides partition in the cytoplasm and two in the nucleus and that all comap with the previously mapped ICPs 35 and 37 in the region of the genome defined by the viral thymidine kinase gene on the left and the glycoprotein gA/B gene on the right. Unlike ICP 4 and gC, the four polypeptides are linked by intermolecular bisulfide bonds, inasmuch as the polypeptides were not at the expected locations upon denaturation and electrophoresis in the absence of reducing agents.     

PsbY, a novel manganese-binding, low-molecular-mass protein associated with photosystem II

We describe two related manganese-binding polypeptides with L-arginine metabolizing enzyme activity that can be detected as distinct components (designated PsbY-A1 and PsbY-A2, previously called L-AME) in membranes containing Photosystem II (PS II) from spinach. The polypeptides are bitopic and appear to exist in a heterodimeric form, but only in the chlorophyll a/b lineage of plants. Both proteins are encoded in the nucleus. In spinach and in Arabidopsis thaliana they are both derived from a single-copy gene (psbY) that is translated into a precursor polyprotein of approximately 20 kDa. The processing of the polyprotein is complex and includes at least four cleavage steps. Both polypeptides are exposed N-terminally to the lumenal and C-terminally to the stromal face of the thylakoid membrane.     

Regulation of gene expression by the intracellular second messengers IP3 and diacylglycerol

In Dictyostelium, extracellular cAMP interacts specifically with cell-surface receptors to promote the accumulation of a variety of intracellular second messengers, such as 3'-5' cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and 1,4,5 inositol trisphosphate (IP3). We and others have shown that activation of the cell-surface cAMP receptor can also modulate the expression of the Dictyostelium genome during development. In at least one instance, synthesis of intracellular cAMP is required for appropriate gene regulation. However, the induction of most cAMP-dependent gene expression can occur in the absence of receptor-mediated activation of adenylate cyclase and a consequent accumulation of intracellular cAMP. These results suggest that other intracellular second messengers produced in response to receptor activation may potentially act as signal transducers to modulate gene expression during development. In vertebrate cells, IP3 and diacylglycerol (DAG) are intracellular activators of specific protein kinases; they are produced in equimolar amounts by cleavage of phosphoinositol bisphosphate after a receptor-mediated activation of a membrane-bound phosphodiesterase. IP3 and, thus, by inference, diacyl-glycerol are synthesized in Dictyostelium as a response to cAMP interacting with its cell-surface receptor. Using defined conditions to inhibit the accumulation of extracellular cAMP, we have examined the effects of these compounds on the expression of genes that require cAMP for their maximal expression. Our results suggest that intracellular IP3 and DAG may in part mediate the action of extracellular cAMP on the expression of the Dictyostelium genome.     

cAMP induces a rapid and reversible modification of the chemotactic receptor in Dictyostelium discoideum

Stimulation, within 1 min after cAMP stimulation, of aggregation-competent Dictyostelium discoideum amebae was found to cause a rapid (within 1 min) modification of the cell's surface cAMP receptor. The modified receptor migrated on SDS PAGE as a 47,000-mol-wt protein, as opposed to a 45,000-mol-wt protein labeled on unstimulated cells. The length of time this modified receptor could be detected depended upon the strength of the cAMP stimulus: 3-4 min after treatment with 10(-7) M cAMP, cells no longer possessed the 47,000-mol-wt form of the cAMP receptor. Instead, the 45,000-mol-wt form was present. Stimulation of cells with 10(-5) M cAMP, however, resulted in the persistent (over 15 min) expression of the modified receptor. The time course, concentration dependence, and specificity of stimulus for this cAMP-induced shift in the cAMP receptor were found to parallel the cAMP-stimulated phosphorylation of a 47,000-mol-wt protein. In addition, both phenomena were shown to occur in the absence of endogenous cAMP synthesis. The possibility that the cAMP receptor is phosphorylated in response to cAMP stimulation, and the role of this event in cell desensitization, are discussed.     

The Regulation of Dictyostelium Development by Transmembrane Signalling

ABSTRACT. Dictyostelium discoideum has a well characterized life cycle where unicellular growth and multicellular development are separated events. Development is dependent upon signal transduction mediated by cell surface, cAMP receptor/G protein linkages. Secreted cAMP acts extracellularly as a primary signal and chemoattractant. There are 4 genes for the distinct cAMP receptor subtypes, CAR1, CAR2, CAR3 and CAR4. These subtypes are expressed with temporally and spatially specific patterns and cells carrying null mutations for each gene have distinct developmental phenotypes. These results indicate an essential role for cAMP signalling throughout Dictyostelium development to regulate such diverse pathways as cell motility, aggregation (multicellularity), cytodifferentiation, pattern formation and cell type-specific gene expression.     

A Ca2+-dependent signal transduction system participates in coupling expression of some cAMP-dependent prespore genes to the cell surface receptor

Elevated levels of cAMP are essential for the expression of many postaggregation prespore and prestalk mRNA species and for the suppression of some growth phase mRNAs. Here we review evidence that this regulation is mediated by cAMP interacting at the cell surface receptor. These effects of cAMP on gene expression can occur under conditions where the receptor-associated adenylate cyclase is inactivated and in concentrations that are consistent with receptor-binding. A number of differences are noted in the mechanism by which cAMP regulates prespore and prestalk genes. Finally, evidence is reviewed for the role of a Ca2+-dependent signal transduction system in coupling the expression of some of the prespore mRNAs to the cAMP receptor. This signal transduction system does not appear to be involved in the expression of the cAMP-dependent prestalk gene.     

PsbY, a novel manganese-binding, low-molecular-mass protein associated with photosystem II

We describe two related manganese-binding polypeptides with L-arginine metabolizing enzyme activity that can be detected as distinct components (designated PsbY-A1 and PsbY-A2, previously called L-AME) in membranes containing Photosystem II (PS II) from spinach. The polypeptides are bitopic and appear to exist in a heterodimeric form, but only in the chlorophyll a/b lineage of plants. Both proteins are encoded in the nucleus. In spinach and in Arabidopsis thaliana they are both derived from a single-copy gene (psbY) that is translated into a precursor polyprotein of approximately 20 kDa. The processing of the polyprotein is complex and includes at least four cleavage steps. Both polypeptides are exposed N-terminally to the lumenal and C-terminally to the stromal face of the thylakoid membrane. Received: 9 June 1998 / Accepted: 9 July 1998     

Postaggregative differentiation induction by cyclic AMP in Dictyostelium: intracellular transduction pathway and requirement for additional stimuli

Cyclic AMP induces postaggregative differentiation in aggregation competent cells of Dictyostelium by interacting with cell surface cAMP receptors. We investigated the transduction pathway of this response and additional requirements for the induction of postaggregative differentiation. Optimal induction of postaggregative gene expression requires that vegetative cells are first exposed to 2-4 hr of nanomolar cAMP pulses, and subsequently for 4-6 hr to steady-state cAMP concentrations in the micromolar range. Cyclic AMP pulses, which are endogenously produced before and during aggregation, induce full responsiveness to cAMP as a morphogen. The transduction pathway from the cell surface cAMP receptor to postaggregative gene expression may involve Ca2+ ions as intracellular messengers. A cAMP-induced increase in intracellular cAMP or cGMP levels is not involved in the transduction pathway.     

Pharmacological characterization of cyclic AMP receptors mediating gene regulation in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Extracellular molecules regulate gene expression in eucaryotes. Exogenous cyclic AMP (cAMP) affects the expression of a large number of developmentally regulated genes in Dictyostelium discoideum. Here, we determine the specificity of the receptor(s) which mediates gene expression by using analogs of cAMP. The order of potency with which these analogs affect the expression of specific genes is consistent with the specificity of their binding to a cell surface receptor and is distinct from their affinity for intracellular cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Dose-response curves with cAMP and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphorothioate, a nonhydrolyzable analog, revealed that the requirement for high concentrations of exogenous cAMP for regulating gene expression is due to the rapid degradation of cAMP by phosphodiesterase. The addition of low concentrations of cAMP (100 nM) or analogs in pulses also regulates gene expression. Both the genes that are positively regulated by exogenous cAMP and the discoidin gene, which is negatively regulated, respond to cAMP analogs to the same degree. Genes expressed in prespore or prestalk cells are also similarly regulated. These data suggest that the effects are mediated through the same receptor. The specificity of this receptor is indistinguishable from that of the well-characterized cell surface cAMP receptor.