Compensatory and long-range changes in picosecond-nanosecond main-chain dynamics upon complex formation: 15N relaxation analysis of the free and bound states of the ubiquitin-like domain of human plexin-B1 and the small GTPase Rac1

The formation of a complex between Rac1 and the cytoplasmic domain of plexin-B1 is one of the first documented cases of a direct interaction between a small guanosine 5′-triphosphatase (GTPase) and a transmembrane receptor. Structural studies have begun to elucidate the role of this interaction for the signal transduction mechanism of plexins. Mapping of the Rac1 GTPase surface that contacts the Rho GTPase binding domain of plexin-B1 by solution NMR spectroscopy confirms the plexin domain as a GTPase effector protein. Regions neighboring the GTPase switch I and II regions are also involved in the interaction and there is considerable interest to examine the changes in protein dynamics that take place upon complex formation. Here we present main-chain nitrogen-15 relaxation measurements for the unbound proteins as well as for the Rho GTPase binding domain and Rac1 proteins in their complexed state. Derived order parameters, S², show that considerable motions are maintained in the bound state of plexin. In fact, some of the changes in S² on binding appear compensatory, exhibiting decreased as well as increased dynamics. Fluctuations in Rac1, already a largely rigid protein on the picosecond-nanosecond timescale, are overall diminished, but isomerization dynamics in the switch I and II regions of the GTPase are retained in the complex and appear to be propagated to the bound plexin domain. Remarkably, fluctuations in the GTPase are attenuated at sites, including helices α6 (the Rho-specific insert helix), α7 and α8, that are spatially distant from the interaction region with plexin. This effect of binding on long-range dynamics appears to be communicated by hinge sites and by subtle conformational changes in the protein. Similar to recent studies on other systems, we suggest that dynamical protein features are affected by allosteric mechanisms. Altered protein fluctuations are likely to prime the Rho GTPase-plexin complex for interactions with additional binding partners.     

The basal level of intracellular calcium gates the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt signaling by brain-derived neurotrophic factor in cortical neurons

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mediates survival and neuroplasticity through the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt pathway. Although previous studies suggested the roles of mitogen-activated protein kinase, phospholipase C-gamma-mediated intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) increase, and extracellular calcium influx in regulating Akt activation, the cellular mechanisms are largely unknown. We demonstrated that sub-nanomolar BDNF significantly induced Akt activation in developing cortical neurons. The TrkB-dependent Akt phosphorylation at S473 and T308 required only phosphoinositide 3-kinase, but not phospholipase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase activity. Blocking NMDA receptors, L-type voltage-gated calcium channels, and chelating extracellular calcium by EGTA failed to block BDNF-induced Akt phosphorylation. In contrast, chelating [Ca2+]i by 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N ',N '-tetraacetic acid-acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM) abolished Akt phosphorylation. Interestingly, sub-nanomolar BDNF did not stimulate [Ca2+]i increase under our culture conditions. Together with that NMDA- and membrane depolarization-induced [Ca2+]i increase did not activate Akt, we conclude that the basal level of [Ca2+]i gates BDNF function. Furthermore, inhibiting calmodulin by W13 suppressed Akt phosphorylation. On the other hand, inhibition of protein phosphatase 1 by okadaic acid and tautomycin rescued Akt phosphorylation in BAPTA-AM and W13-treated neurons. We further demonstrated that the phosphorylation of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 did not correlate with Akt phosphorylation at T308. Our results suggested novel roles of basal [Ca2+]i, rather than activity-induced calcium elevation, in BDNF-Akt signaling.     

Immunoproteasome responds to injury in the retina and brain

It is well known that immunoproteasome generates peptides for MHC Class I occupancy and recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). The present study focused on evidence for alternative roles for immunoproteasome. Retina and brain were analyzed for expression of immunoproteasome subunits using immunohistochemistry and western blotting under normal conditions and after injury/stress induced by CTL attack on glia (brain) or neurons (retina). Normal retina expressed substantial levels of immunoproteasome in glia, neurons, and retinal pigment epithelium. The basal level of immunoproteasome in retina was two-fold higher than in brain; CTL-induced retinal injury further up-regulated immunoproteasome expression. Immunoproteasome up-regulation was also observed in injured brain and corresponded with expression in Purkinje cells, microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. These results suggest that the normal environment of the retina is sufficiently challenging to require on-going expression of immunoproteasome. Further, immunoproteasome up-regulation with retinal and brain injury implies a role in neuronal protection and/or repair of damage.     

Calmodulin regulation of Nav1.4 current: role of binding to the carboxyl terminus

Calmodulin (CaM) regulates steady-state inactivation of sodium currents (Na(V)1.4) in skeletal muscle. Defects in Na current inactivation are associated with pathological muscle conditions such as myotonia and paralysis. The mechanisms of CaM modulation of expression and function of the Na channel are incompletely understood. A physical association between CaM and the intact C terminus of Na(V)1.4 has not previously been demonstrated. FRET reveals channel conformation-independent association of CaM with the C terminus of Na(V)1.4 (CT-Na(V)1.4) in mammalian cells. Mutation of the Na(V)1.4 CaM-binding IQ motif (Na(V)1.4(IQ/AA)) reduces cell surface expression of Na(V)1.4 channels and eliminates CaM modulation of gating. Truncations of the CT that include the IQ region abolish Na current. Na(V)1.4 channels with one CaM fused to the CT by variable length glycine linkers exhibit CaM modulation of gating only with linker lengths that allowed CaM to reach IQ region. Thus one CaM is sufficient to modulate Na current, and CaM acts as an ancillary subunit of Na(V)1.4 channels that binds to the CT in a conformation-independent fashion, modulating the voltage dependence of inactivation and facilitating trafficking to the surface membrane.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci affecting cattle temperament

In addition to its potential contribution to improving animal welfare, the study of the genetics of cattle behavior may provide more general insights into the genetic control of such complex traits. We carried out a genome scan in a Holstein x Charolais cross cattle population to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing temperament-related traits. Individuals belonging to the second-generation of this population (F(2) and backcross individuals) were subjected to 2 behavioral tests. The flight from feeder (FF) test measured the distance at which the animal moved away from an approaching human observer, whereas the social separation (SS) test categorized different activities which the animal engaged in when removed from its penmates. The entire population was genotyped with 165 microsatellite markers. A regression interval mapping analysis identified 29 regions exceeding the 5% chromosome-wide significance level, which individually explained a relatively small fraction of the phenotypic variance of the traits (from 3.8% to 8.4%). One of the significant associations influencing an FF test trait on chromosome 29 reached the 5% genome-wide significance level. Eight other QTL, all associated with an SS test trait, reached the 1% chromosome-wide significance level. The location of some QTL coincided with other previously reported temperament QTL in cattle, whereas those that are reported for the first time here may represent general loci controlling temperament differences between cattle breeds. No overlapping QTL were identified for the traits measured by the 2 different tests, supporting the hypothesis that different genetic factors influence behavioral responses to different situations.     

SAP enables T cells to help B cells by a mechanism distinct from Th cell programming or CD40 ligand regulation

Genetic mutations disrupting the function of signaling lymphocytic activation molecule-associated protein (SAP) lead to T cell intrinsic defects in T cell-dependent Ab responses. To better understand how SAP enables Th cells to help B cells, we first assessed whether molecules important for B cell help are dysregulated in SAP-deficient (SAP knockout (KO)) mice. CD40 ligand (CD40L) expression was enhanced on unpolarized SAP KO T cells; however, Th2 polarization returned their CD40L expression to wild-type levels without rescuing their ability to help B cells. CD40L also localized normally to the site of contact between SAP KO T cells and Ag-bearing B cells. Finally, CD40L-deficient Th cells and SAP KO Th cells differed in their abilities to help B cells in vitro. These data argue that Ab defects caused by SAP deficiency do not result from a loss of CD40L regulation or CD40L function on CD4 T cells. SAP KO Th cells additionally displayed normal patterns of migration and expression of ICOS and CXCR5. Global gene expression was remarkably similar in activated SAP KO vs wild-type T cells, prompting us to investigate whether SAP is necessary for "programming" T cells to become B cell helpers. By restricting SAP expression during differentiation, we determined that SAP is not required during the first 5 days of T cell activation/differentiation to generate Th cells capable of helping B cells. Instead, SAP is necessary for very late stages of differentiation or, most likely, for allowing Th cells to communicate during cognate T:B interactions.     

Liver X receptor agonists increase airway reactivity in a model of asthma via increasing airway smooth muscle growth

The liver X receptors (LXRalpha/beta) are orphan nuclear receptors that are expressed in a large number of cell types and have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Nuclear receptors have previously proved to be amenable targets for small molecular mass pharmacological agents in asthma, and so the effect of an LXR ligand was assessed in models of allergic airway inflammation. LXR agonist, GW 3965, was profiled in rat and mouse models of allergic asthma. In the Brown Norway rats, GW 3965 (3-30 mg/kg) was unable to reduce the bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophilia associated with this model and had no impact on inflammatory biomarkers (eotaxin and IL-1beta). The compound did significantly stimulate ABCA-1 (ATP-binding cassette A1) mRNA expression, indicating that there was adequate exposure/LXR activation. In the mouse model, the LXR ligand surprisingly increased airway reactivity, an effect that was apparent in both the Ag and nonchallenged groups. This increase was not associated with a change in lung tissue inflammation or number of mucus-containing cells. There was, however, a marked increase in airway smooth muscle thickness in both treated groups. We demonstrated an increase in contractile response to exogenous methacholine in isolated airways taken from LXR agonist-treated animals compared with the relevant control tissue. We corroborated these findings in a human system by demonstrating increased proliferation of cultured airway smooth muscle. This phenomenon, if evidenced in man, would indicate that LXR ligands may directly increase airway reactivity, which could be detrimental, especially in patients with existing respiratory disease and with already compromised lung function.