Arabidopsis genes encoding mitochondrial type II NAD(P)H dehydrogenases have different evolutionary origin and show distinct responses to light

In addition to proton-pumping complex I, plant mitochondria contain several type II NAD(P)H dehydrogenases in the electron transport chain. The extra enzymes allow the nonenergy-conserving electron transfer from cytoplasmic and matrix NAD(P)H to ubiquinone. We have investigated the type II NAD(P)H dehydrogenase gene families in Arabidopsis. This model plant contains two and four genes closely related to potato (Solanum tuberosum) genes nda1 and ndb1, respectively. A novel homolog, termed ndc1, with a lower but significant similarity to potato nda1 and ndb1, is also present. All genes are expressed in several organs of the plant. Among the nda genes, expression of nda1, but not nda2, is dependent on light and circadian regulation, suggesting separate roles in photosynthesis-associated and other respiratory NADH oxidation. Genes from all three gene families encode proteins exclusively targeted to mitochondria, as revealed by expression of green fluorescent fusion proteins and by western blotting of fractionated cells. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that ndc1 affiliates with cyanobacterial type II NADH dehydrogenase genes, suggesting that this gene entered the eukaryotic cell via the chloroplast progenitor. The ndc1 should then have been transferred to the nucleus and acquired a signal for mitochondrial targeting of the protein product. Although they are of different origin, the nda, ndb, and ndc genes carry an identical intron position.     

Peptidomics-based discovery of novel neuropeptides

Modern proteomic methodologies have significantly improved the possibilities of large-scale identification of proteins. However, these methodologies are limited by their inability to reliably detect endogenously expressed peptides. We describe a novel approach of combining sample preparation, comprising focused microwave irradiation and mass spectrometric peptide profiling that has enabled us to simultaneously detect more than 550 endogenous neuropeptides in 1 mg of hypothalamic extracts. Automatic switching tandem mass spectrometry and amino acid sequence determination of the peptides showed that they consist of both novel and previously described neuropeptides. The methodology includes virtual visualization of the peptides as two- and three-dimensional image maps. In addition, several novel and known post-translational modifications of the neuropeptides were identified. The peptidomic approach proved to be a powerful method for investigating endogenous peptides and their post-translational modifications in complex tissues such as the brain. It is anticipated that this approach will complement proteomic methods in the future.     

Purification and characterization of the beta-trefoil fold protein barley alpha-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor overexpressed in Escherichia coli

Barley alpha-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor (BASI) is a beta-trefoil fold protein related to soybean trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz) and inhibits barley alpha-amylase isozyme 2 (AMY2), which is de novo synthesized in the seed during germination. Recombinant BASI was produced in Escherichia coli in an untagged form (untagged rBASI), in two His(6)-tag forms (His(6)-rBASI and His(6)-Xa-rBASI), and in an intein-CBD-tagged form (rBASI (intein)). The yields per liter culture after purification were (i) 25 mgl(-1) His(6)-rBASI; (ii) 6 mgl(-1) rBASI purified after cleavage of His(6)-Xa-rBASI by Factor Xa; (iii) 3 mgl(-1) untagged rBASI; and (iv) 0.2 mgl(-1) rBASI after a chitin-column and autohydrolysis of the rBASI-intein-CBD. In Pichia pastoris, rBASI was secreted at 0.1 mgl(-1). The recombinant BASI forms and natural seed BASI (sBASI) all had an identical isoelectric point of 7.2 and a mass of 19,879 Da, as determined by mass spectrometry. The fold of rBASI from the different preparations was confirmed by circular dichroism spectroscopy and rBASI (intein), His(6)-rBASI, and sBASI inhibited AMY2 catalyzed starch hydrolysis with K(i) of 0.10, 0.06, and 0.09 nM, respectively. Surface plasmon resonance analysis of the formation of AMY2/rBASI (intein) gave k(on)=1.3x10(5)M(-1)s(-1), k(off)=1.4x10(-4)s(-1), and K(D)=1.1 nM, and of the savinase-His(6)-rBASI complex k(on)=21.0x10(4)M(-1)s(-1), k(off)=53.0x10(-4)s(-1), and K(D)=25.0 nM, in agreement with sBASI values. K(i) was 77 and 65 nM for inhibition of savinase activity by His(6)-rBASI and sBASI, respectively.     

Microplate based biosensing with a computer screen aided technique

Melanophores, dark pigment cells from the frog Xenopus laevis, have the ability to change light absorbance upon stimulation by different biological agents. Hormone exposure (e.g. melatonin or alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone) has been used here as a reversible stimulus to test a new compact microplate reading platform. As an application, the detection of the asthma drug formoterol in blood plasma samples is demonstrated. The present system utilizes a computer screen as a (programmable) large area light source, and a standard web camera as recording media enabling even kinetic microplate reading with a versatile and broadly available platform, which suffices to evaluate numerous bioassays. Especially in the context of point of care testing or self testing applications these possibilities become advantageous compared with highly dedicated comparatively expensive commercial systems.     

Dynamic readjustment of parental methylation patterns of the 5'-flank of the mouse H19 gene during in vitro organogenesis

Gametic marks are stably propagated in order to manifest parent of origin-specific expression patterns of imprinted genes in the developing conceptus. Although the character of the imprint has not yet been fully elucidated, there is compelling evidence that it involves a methylation mark. This is exemplified by a region upstream of the H19 gene, which is not only methylated in a parent of origin-specific manner, but also regulates the silencing of the maternal Igf2 and paternal H19 alleles, respectively. We show here that the parental-specific methylation patterns within the differentially methylated domain (DMD) are perturbed in the soma during in vitro organogenesis. Under these conditions, the paternal DMD allele becomes partially demethylated, whereas the maternal DMD allele gains methylation. Despite these effects, there were no changes in allelic Igf2 or H19 expression patterns in the embryo. Finally, we show that although TSA derepresses the paternal H19 allele in ectoplacental cone when in vitro developed, there is no discernible effect on the methylation status of the paternally inherited 5'-flank in comparison to control samples. Collectively, this data demonstrates that the parental mark is sensitive to a subset of environmental cues and that a certain degree of plasticity of the gametic mark is tolerated without affecting the manifestation of the imprinted state.     

Role for a secreted cysteine proteinase in the establishment of host tissue tropism by group A streptococci

Primary infection of the human host by group A streptococci (GAS) most often involves either the epidermis of the skin or the oropharyngeal mucosa. A humanized in vivo model for impetigo was used to investigate the basis for host tissue tropism among GAS. Disruption of the speB gene (encoding for a secreted cysteine proteinase) led to a loss of virulence for two impetigo-derived strains (M-types 33 and 53), as evidenced by a diminution in tissue damage and a lack of reproductive growth. The level of cysteine proteinase activity in overnight cultures was associated with the extent of gross pathological changes induced by strains displaying varied degrees of virulence in the impetigo model. Moreover, high levels of secreted cysteine proteinase activity correlated with a genetic marker for preferred tissue site of infection at the skin (emm pattern D). The addition of exogenous SpeB to a speB mutant (emm pattern D) or to an avirulent throat-like strain (emm pattern A) led to increased bacterial reproduction at the skin. The data provide both experimental and epidemiological evidence for a critical role of a secreted bacterial protease in promoting host tissue-specific infection.     

Crystal structure of the haloalkane dehalogenase from Sphingomonas paucimobilis UT26

The haloalkane dehalogenase from Sphingomonas paucimobilis UT26 (LinB) is the enzyme involved in the degradation of the important environmental pollutant gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane. The enzyme hydrolyzes a broad range of halogenated cyclic and aliphatic compounds. Here, we present the 1.58 A crystal structure of LinB and the 2.0 A structure of LinB with 1,3-propanediol, a product of debromination of 1,3-dibromopropane, in the active site of the enzyme. The enzyme belongs to the alpha/beta hydrolase family and contains a catalytic triad (Asp108, His272, and Glu132) in the lipase-like topological arrangement previously proposed from mutagenesis experiments. The LinB structure was compared with the structures of haloalkane dehalogenase from Xanthobacter autotrophicus GJ10 and from Rhodococcus sp. and the structural features involved in the adaptation toward xenobiotic substrates were identified. The arrangement and composition of the alpha-helices in the cap domain results in the differences in the size and shape of the active-site cavity and the entrance tunnel. This is the major determinant of the substrate specificity of this haloalkane dehalogenase.