Procaryotic genesis and evolution of chemosignaling systems of eukaryotes

The analysis of own and literature data accumulated in the last two decades allowed to check and confirm the author's hypothesis about the prokaryotic origin and endosymbiotic genesis of chemosignalling systems of higher eukaryotes. The comparison of structural-functional organization of these information systems and their components (receptors, GTP-binding proteins, enzymes with cyclase activity, protein kinases etc.) in bacteria and eukaryotes revealed a number of similar features giving evidence for their evolutionary relationship. The conclusion was made that eukaryotic signaling systems have prokaryotic roots. The systems of signal transduction revealed in unicellular eukaryotes according to their architecture and functional properties represent a transient stage in the evolution of chemosignalling systems from prokaryotes to higher eukaryotes. The spreading of signalling systems among three super kingdoms--Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya occurred as a result of horizontal transfer of bacterial genes and co-evolution of signalling components.     

Chloroplast two-component systems: evolution of the link between photosynthesis and gene expression

Two-component signal transduction, consisting of sensor kinases and response regulators, is the predominant signalling mechanism in bacteria. This signalling system originated in prokaryotes and has spread throughout the eukaryotic domain of life through endosymbiotic, lateral gene transfer from the bacterial ancestors and early evolutionary precursors of eukaryotic, cytoplasmic, bioenergetic organelles—chloroplasts and mitochondria. Until recently, it was thought that two-component systems inherited from an ancestral cyanobacterial symbiont are no longer present in chloroplasts. Recent research now shows that two-component systems have survived in chloroplasts as products of both chloroplast and nuclear genes. Comparative genomic analysis of photosynthetic eukaryotes shows a lineage-specific distribution of chloroplast two-component systems. The components and the systems they comprise have homologues in extant cyanobacterial lineages, indicating their ancient cyanobacterial origin. Sequence and functional characteristics of chloroplast two-component systems point to their fundamental role in linking photosynthesis with gene expression. We propose that two-component systems provide a coupling between photosynthesis and gene expression that serves to retain genes in chloroplasts, thus providing the basis of cytoplasmic, non-Mendelian inheritance of plastid-associated characters. We discuss the role of this coupling in the chronobiology of cells and in the dialogue between nuclear and cytoplasmic genetic systems.     

cAMP-PKA signal pathway in the lower eukaryotes

The review summarizes current data regarding transduction mechanisms by cAMP-PKA signal pathway in unicellular eukaryotes. Conceptions of evolutionary origin of eukaryotic signal transduction systems are developed.     

Emerging MAP kinase pathways in plant stress signalling

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways transfer information from sensors to cellular responses in all eukaryotes. A surprisingly large number of genes encoding MAPK pathway components have been uncovered by analysing model plant genomes, suggesting that MAPK cascades are abundant players of signal transduction. Recent investigations have confirmed major roles of defined MAPK pathways in development, cell proliferation and hormone physiology, as well as in biotic and abiotic stress signalling. Latest insights and findings are discussed in the context of novel MAPK pathways in plant stress signalling.     

The evolution of Ca2+ signalling in photosynthetic eukaryotes

It is likely that cytosolic Ca2+ elevations have played a part in eukaryotic signal transduction for about the last 2 Gyr, being mediated by a group of molecules which are collectively known as the [Ca2+]cyt signalling toolkit. Different eukaryotes often display strikingly similar [Ca2+]cyt signalling elevations, which may reflect conservation of toolkit components (homology) or similar constraints acting on different toolkits (homoplasy). Certain toolkit components, which are presumably ancestral, are shared by plants and animals, but some components are unique to photosynthetic organisms. We propose that the structure of modern plant [Ca2+]cyt signalling toolkits may be explained by their modular adaptation from earlier pathways.     

Regulators of hormonal signalling system on the basis of peptides, derivatives of receptors of the serpentine type

In the review, own results and the data of other authors concerning synthetic peptides corresponding to intracellular and transmembrane regions of receptors of the serpentine type, which are responsible for the interaction with G-proteins and for the formation of ligand-binding site, are analyzed. These peptides affect the basal activity of hormonal signalling systems and the transduction of hormonal signal from the latter with high selectivity and efficiency. Possible molecular mechanisms of the action of peptides, the perspectives of development of a new generation of drugs for the control of endocrine function and physiological processes in the organism on the basis of receptor-based peptides, and their application as functional probes for study of structural-functional organization of hormonal signalling systems are considered.     

Hypothesis of evolutionary origin of several human and animal diseases

Studies of our Laboratory in the field of molecular and evolutionary endocrinology have allowed us to put forward a hypothesis about evolutionary origin of endocrine and other diseases of human and animals. This hypothesis is considered using a model of hormonal signaling systems. It is based on the concept formulated by the authors about molecular defects in hormonal signaling systems as the key causes of endocrine diseases; on evolutionary conservatism of hormonal signaling systems, which stems logically from the authors’ concept of the prokaryotic genesis and endosymbiotic emergence in the course of evolution of chemosignaling systems in the higher eukaryotes; from the fact that the process of formation of hormonal signaling systems with participation of endosymbiosis including the horizontal transfer of genes is accompanied by transfer not only of normal, but also of the defected genetic material. There are considered examples of the principal possibility of transfer of defected genes between bacteria and eukaryotic organisms. Analysis of the current literature allows suggesting inheritance of pathogenic factors from evolutionary ancestors in the lineage prokaryotes—lower eukaryotes—higher eukaryotes.     

Plant hormone perception and action: a role for G-protein signal transduction?

Plants perceive and respond to a profusion of environmental and endogenous signals that influence their growth and development. The G-protein signalling pathway is a mechanism for transducing extracellular signals that is highly conserved in a range of eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Evidence for the existence of G-protein signalling pathways in higher plants is reviewed, and their potential involvement in plant hormone signal transduction evaluated. A range of biochemical and molecular studies have identified potential components of G-protein signalling in plants, most notably a homologue of the G-protein coupled receptor superfamily (GCR1) and the G alpha and G beta subunits of heterotrimeric G-proteins. G-protein agonists and antagonists are known to influence a variety of signalling events in plants and have been used to implicate heterotrimeric G-proteins in gibberellin and possibly auxin signalling. Antisense suppression of GCR1 in Arabidopsis leads to a phenotype which supports a role for this receptor in cytokinin signalling. These observations suggest that higher plants have at least some of the components of G-protein signalling pathways and that these might be involved in the action of certain plant hormones.     

Evolution of two-component signal transduction

Two-component signal transduction (TCST) systems are the principal means for coordinating responses to environmental changes in bacteria as well as some plants, fungi, protozoa, and archaea. These systems typically consist of a receptor histidine kinase, which reacts to an extracellular signal by phosphorylating a cytoplasmic response regulator, causing a change in cellular behavior. Although several model systems, including sporulation and chemotaxis, have been extensively studied, the evolutionary relationships between specific TCST systems are not well understood, and the ancestry of the signal transduction components is unclear. Phylogenetic trees of TCST components from 14 complete and 6 partial genomes, containing 183 histidine kinases and 220 response regulators, were constructed using distance methods. The trees showed extensive congruence in the positions of 11 recognizable phylogenetic clusters. Eukaryotic sequences were found almost exclusively in one cluster, which also showed the greatest extent of domain variability in its component proteins, and archaeal sequences mainly formed species-specific clusters. Three clusters in different parts of the kinase tree contained proteins with serine-phosphorylating activity. All kinases were found to be monophyletic with respect to other members of their superfamily, such as type II topoisomerases and Hsp90. Structural analysis further revealed significant similarity to the ATP-binding domain of eukaryotic protein kinases. TCST systems are of bacterial origin and radiated into archaea and eukaryotes by lateral gene transfer. Their components show extensive coevolution, suggesting that recombination has not been a major factor in their differentiation. Although histidine kinase activity is prevalent, serine kinases have evolved multiple times independently within this family, accompanied by a loss of the cognate response regulator(s). The structural and functional similarity between TCST kinases and eukaryotic protein kinases raises the possibility of a distant evolutionary relationship.     

Phosphoinositides and protein phosphorylation in plant signal transduction

A highly complex set of interactions are responsible for the perception and transduction of signals in living cells. It is likely that a number of fundamental principles of signalling mechanisms are of early evolutionary origin, have been highly conserved and are shared by apparently disparate organisms. Possible clues to the biochemical and molecular basis of plant signalling might thus be obtained from research carried out on other eukaryotes. Like mammalian cells, plant cells have been found to possess a phosphoinositide system and also make extensive use of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation cascades. The potential role of these mechanisms in plant cell signalling is reviewed.     

The evolutionary origin of eukaryotic transmembrane signal transduction

1. A comparison was made of transmembrane signal transduction mechanisms in different eukaryotes and prokaryotes. 2. Much attention was given to eukaryotic microbes and their signal transduction mechanisms, since these organisms are intermediate in complexity between animals, plants and bacteria. 3. Signal transduction mechanisms in eukaryotic microbes, however, do not appear to be intermediate between those in animals, plants and bacteria, but show features characteristic of the higher eukaryotes. 4. These similarities include the regulation of receptor function, adenylate cyclase activity, the presence of a phosphatidylinositol cycle and of GTP-binding regulatory proteins. 5. It is proposed that the signal transduction systems known to operate in present-day eukaryotes evolved in the earliest eukaryotic cells.     

Regulatory proteins with a sense of direction: cell cycle signalling network in Caulobacter

Localization of kinases and other signalling molecules at discrete cellular locations is often an essential component of signal transduction in eukaryotes. Caulobacter crescentus is a small, single-celled bacterium that presumably lacks intracellular organelles. Yet in Caulobacter, the subcellular distribution of several two-component signal transduction proteins involved in the control of polar morphogenesis and cell cycle progression changes from a fairly dispersed distribution to a tight accumulation at one or both poles in a spatial and temporal pattern that is reproduced during each cell cycle. This cell cycle-dependent choreography suggests that similarly to what happens in eukaryotes, protein localization provides a means of modulating signal transduction in bacteria. Recent studies have provided important insights into the biological role and the mechanisms for the differential localization of these bacterial signalling proteins during the Caulobacter cell cycle.     

Plant mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascades

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades have emerged as a universal signal transduction mechanism that connects diverse receptors/sensors to cellular and nuclear responses in eukaryotes. Recent studies in plants indicate that MAPK cascades are vital to fundamental physiological functions involved in hormonal responses, cell cycle regulation, abiotic stress signaling, and defense mechanisms. New findings have revealed the complexity and redundancy of the signaling components, the antagonistic nature of distinct pathways, and the use of both positive and negative regulatory mechanisms.     

Protein complexes mediate signalling in plant responses to hormones,light, sucrose and pathogens

Living organisms use complex pathways of signal perception and transduction to respond to stimuli in their environments. In plants, putative signal transduction components have been identified through mutant screens and comparative analysis of genome sequences of model eukaryotes. Several pieces in a large series of puzzles have now been identified and a current challenge is to determine how these pieces interconnect. Functional analysis of the encoded proteins has necessitated a change from genetic to biochemical approaches. In recent years, the application of techniques such as two-hybrid screening and epitope tagging has facilitated the study of protein-protein interactions and has increased our understanding of cellular signalling mechanisms. One focus of present research is the ubiquitin/proteasome-mediated degradation of proteins. Increasing evidence suggests this is a control common to many plant signalling pathways including development and responsiveness to hormones, light and sucrose. A central challenge in the study of plant disease resistance has been to identify protein complexes that contain host defence proteins and pathogenicity factors. In this review we summarize the latest developments in these areas where the existence of protein complexes has been demonstrated to be of fundamental importance in plant signalling.     

双组分系统——细胞识别渗透胁迫信号的感应器

双组分系统是广泛存在于原核和真核细胞中的信号转导系统.主要由组氨酸蛋白激酶(HPK)和响应调节蛋白(RR)两个组分组成. 双组分系统信号通路一般包括信号的输入、HPK自身磷酸化、RR磷酸化、信号输出等环节.对双组分系统信号转导机制及其在渗透胁迫信号识别和传导中的作用进行了综述.     

Current topics in signal transduction in bacteria

Among the signal transfer systems in bacteria two types predominate: two-component regulatory systems and quorum sensing systems. Both types of system can mediate signal transfer across the bacterial cell envelope; however, the signalling molecule typically is not taken up into the cells in the former type of system, whereas it usually is in the latter. The Two-component systems include the recently described (eukaryotic) phosphorelay systems; quorum sensing systems can be based upon autoinducers of the N-acylated homoserine lactones, and on autoinducers of a peptidic nature. A single bacterial cell contains many signalling modules that primarily operate in parallel. This may give rise to neural-network behaviour. Recently, however, for both types of basic signal transfer modules, it has been demonstrated that they also can be organised in series (i.e. in a hierarchical order). Besides their hierarchical position in the signal transduction network of the cell, the spatial distribution of individual signalling modules may also be an important factor in their efficiency in signal transfer. Many challenges lie hidden in future work to understand these signal transfer processes in more detail. These are discussed here, with emphasis on the mutual interactions between different signal transfer processes. Successful contributions to this work will require rigorous mathematical modelling of the performance of signal transduction components, and -networks, as well as studies on light-sensing signal transduction systems, because of the unsurpassed time resolution obtainable in those latter systems, the opportunity to apply repeated reproducible stimuli, etc. The increased understanding of bacterial behaviour that already has resulted – and may further result – from these studies, can be used to fine-tune the beneficial activities of bacteria and/or more efficiently inhibit their deleterious ones.     

Wound signalling in plants

Plants undergoing the onslaught of wound-causing agents activate mechanisms directed to healing and further defence. Responses to mechanical damage are either local or systemic or both and hence involve the generation, translocation, perception, and transduction of wound signals to activate the expression of wound-inducible genes. Although the central role for jasmonic acid in plant responses to wounding is well established, other compounds, including the oligopeptide systemin, oligosaccharides, and other phytohormones such as abscisic acid and ethylene, as well as physical factors such as hydraulic pressure or electrical pulses, have also been proposed to play a role in wound signalling. Different jasmonic acid-dependent and -independent wound signal transduction pathways have been identified recently and partially characterized. Components of these signalling pathways are mostly similar to those implicated in other signalling cascades in eukaryotes, and include reversible protein phosphorylation steps, calcium/calmodulin-regulated events, and production of active oxygen species. Indeed, some of these components involved in transducing wound signals also function in signalling other plant defence responses, suggesting that cross-talk events may regulate temporal and spatial activation of different defences.     

昆虫先天性免疫信号通路研究进展

昆虫体内形成了强大的免疫防御系统,其被各种微生物攻击时能依靠病原相关分子模式识别蛋白对感染进行区分和激活体内信号通路诱导如抗菌肽之类的效应分子.昆虫体内控制先天性免疫的信号通路分别是:Toll通路、IMD通路和JAS/STAT通路,这3条通路在信号传递过程中存在协作,并且,这些通路与脊椎动物体内某些通路存在惊人相似、在免疫调控通路方面存在共同的进化起源.这揭示了先天性免疫在动物体内存在的普遍性和机体抵御病原感染的重要性.