Patterns of [PSI+] aggregation allow insights into cellular organization of yeast prion aggregates

The yeast prion phenomenon is very widespread and mounting evidence suggests that it has an impact on cellular regulatory mechanisms related to phenotypic responses to changing environments. Studying the aggregation patterns of prion amyloids during different stages of the prion life cycle is a first key step to understand major principles of how and where cells generate, organize and turn-over prion aggregates. The induction of the [PSI⁺] state involves the actin cytoskeleton and quality control compartments such as the Insoluble Protein Deposit (IPOD). An initially unstable transitional induction state can be visualized by overexpression of the prion determinant and displays characteristic large ring- and ribbon-shaped aggregates consisting of poorly fragmented bundles of very long prion fibrils. In the mature prion state, the aggregation pattern is characterized by highly fragmented, shorter prion fibrils that form aggregates, which can be visualized through tagging with fluorescent proteins. The number of aggregates formed varies, ranging from a single large aggregate at the IPOD to multiple smaller ones, depending on several parameters discussed. Aggregate units below the resolution of light microscopy that are detectable by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy are in equilibrium with larger aggregates in this stage and can mediate faithful inheritance of the prion state. Loss of the prion state is often characterized by reduced fragmentation of prion fibrils and fewer, larger aggregates.     

定量研究菲啶对酵母朊病毒[PSI+]的治愈作用

为系统研究菲啶对酵母朊病毒的治愈效果,借助表达融合蛋白GFP-Sup35p的酵母朊病毒模型(NGMC),引入半变性琼脂糖凝胶电泳技术和荧光漂白后恢复技术在蛋白和细胞水平定量分析了菲啶对酵母朊病毒的治愈效果。结果表明,蛋白和细胞水平采用的定量分析方法能够精确定量菲啶对酵母朊病毒的治愈作用,菲啶作用酵母朊病毒[PSI+]1~5 d的治愈率分别为0%、0%、51.7%、87.5%和94.4%。另外,菲啶作用酵母朊病毒[PSI+]细胞1~2 d后出现的粉色菌落中朊病毒的聚集状态与[PSI+]相似,而3~5 d后出现的粉色菌落中朊病毒的状态与[psi-]相似。     

Effects of the [PSI+] prion on rates of adaptation in yeast

The [PSI(+)] prion in yeast has been shown to improve short-term growth in some environments, but its effects on rates of adaptation have not been assessed before now. We adapted three yeast genotypes to three novel environments in the presence and the absence of the prion. There were significant differences in adaptation rates between lines with different combinations of genotype, environment, and prion status. We saw no consistent effect, however, of the prion on the rate of adaptation to new environments. A major factor affecting the rate of adaptation was initial fitness in the new environment: lines with low initial fitness evolved faster than lines with high initial fitness.     

Insight into molecular basis of curing of [PSI+] prion by overexpression of 104-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp104)

Yeast prions are a powerful model for understanding the dynamics of protein aggregation associated with a number of human neurodegenerative disorders. The AAA+ protein disaggregase Hsp104 can sever the amyloid fibrils produced by yeast prions. This action results in the propagation of "seeds" that are transmitted to daughter cells during budding. Overexpression of Hsp104 eliminates the [PSI+] prion but not other prions. Using biochemical methods we identified Hsp104 binding sites in the highly charged middle domain of Sup35, the protein determinant of [PSI+]. Deletion of a short segment of the middle domain (amino acids 129-148) diminishes Hsp104 binding and strongly affects the ability of the middle domain to stimulate the ATPase activity of Hsp104. In yeast, [PSI+] maintained by Sup35 lacking this segment, like other prions, is propagated by Hsp104 but cannot be cured by Hsp104 overexpression. These results provide new insight into the enigmatic specificity of Hsp104-mediated curing of yeast prions and sheds light on the limitations of the ability of Hsp104 to eliminate aggregates produced by other aggregation-prone proteins.