Phosphoinositide-dependent activation of the ADP-ribosylation factor GTPase-activating protein ASAP1. Evidence for the pleckstrin homology domain functioning as an allosteric site

The ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf) family of GTP-binding proteins are regulators of membrane traffic and the actin cytoskeleton. Both negative and positive regulators of Arf, the centaurin beta family of Arf GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) and Arf guanine nucleotide exchange factors, contain pleckstrin homology (PH) domains and are activated by phosphoinositides. To understand how the activities are coordinated, we have examined the role of phosphoinositide binding for Arf GAP function using ASAP1/centaurin beta4 as a model. In contrast to Arf exchange factors, phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PtdIns-4,5-P(2)) specifically activated Arf GAP. D3 phosphorylated phosphoinositides were less effective. Activation involved PtdIns-4,5-P(2) binding to the PH domain; however, in contrast to the Arf exchange factors and contrary to predictions based on the current paradigm for PH domains as independently functioning recruitment signals, we found the following: (i) the PH domain was dispensable for targeting to PDGF-induced ruffles; (ii) activation and recruitment could be uncoupled; (iii) the PH domain was necessary for activity even in the absence of phospholipids; and (iv) the Arf GAP domain influenced localization and lipid binding of the PH domain. Furthermore, PtdIns-4,5-P(2) binding to the PH domain caused a conformational change in the Arf GAP domain detected by limited proteolysis. Thus, these data demonstrate that PH domains can function as allosteric sites. In addition, differences from the published properties of the Arf exchange factors suggest a model in which feedforward and feedback loops involving lipid metabolites coordinate GTP binding and hydrolysis by Arf.     

Direct micellar systems as a tool to improve the efficiency of aromatic substrate conversion for fine chemicals production

Whole-cell bioconversion of naphthalene to (+)-cis-(1R,2S)-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene by Escherichia coli JM109(pPS1778) recombinant strain, carrying naphthalene dioxygenase and regulatory genes cloned from Pseudomonas fluorescens N3, in direct micellar systems is optimized as an example of fine chemicals bioproduction from scarcely water-soluble substrates. The oxygen insertion into the aromatic substrate, which stops at the enantiomerically pure cis dihydroxylated product, is performed in direct microemulsion systems, where a non-ionic surfactant stabilizes naphthalene containing oil droplets in an aqueous medium. These media provide an increased substrate solubility so that a homogeneous reaction can be carried out, while not affecting bacteria viability and performances. The influence of the chemical nature of the oil is investigated. The phase behavior of the direct microemulsion system was monitored for three different oils as a function their volume fraction and characterized through light scattering. The addition of isopropyl palmitate, oleic acid, or glyceryl trioleate, 0.6-1.2% v/v to the micellar systems, led to an increase of the substrate concentration in the solution and particularly its bioavailability, allowing faster catalytic conversions. All these systems resulted in being suitable for catalytic conversions of aromatic compounds. Although the nature of the oil does have a deep effect on the phase behavior of the micellar systems, in the present investigation no differences in the yields and in the rates of product formation of the enzymatic system were observed on changing the oil, thus showing that in this case the substrate concentration or bioavailability is not the rate-limiting step.     

Synthesis and structural study of quadruplex structures containing 2'-deoxy-8-methyladenosine

The synthesis and preliminary structural studies of ODNs A8MeGGGT and TA8MeGGGT, where A8Me represents 2'-deoxy-8-methyladenosine, are reported.     

The GGAs promote ARF-dependent recruitment of clathrin to the TGN

The GGAs constitute a family of modular adaptor-related proteins that bind ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) and localize to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) via their GAT domains. Here, we show that binding of the GAT domain stabilizes membrane-bound ARF1.GTP due to interference with the action of GTPase-activating proteins. We also show that the hinge and ear domains of the GGAs interact with clathrin in vitro, and that the GGAs promote recruitment of clathrin to liposomes in vitro and to TGN membranes in vivo. These observations suggest that the GGAs could function to link clathrin to membrane-bound ARF.GTP.     

Accrescimento del pericarpo,seme, endosperma ed embrione in prunus Amygdalus stokes

Abstract

GROWTH OF PERICARP, SEED, ENDOSPERM, AND EMBRYO IN PRUNUS AMYGDALUS STOKES. — The fruits of an almond-tree growing at Bari were collected weekly from February 22nd to July 11th and on August 16th 1960. The material was kept in fixative; the growth of the various organs was studied both from a morphological and a quantitative point of view. Special attention was given to growth of the endosperm, especially during the nuclear stage and at the beginning of cellularisation (Figg. 1-14), and to the developement of the embryo until it reaches the « heart-shaped » stage (Figg. 15–22). From a quantitative point of view, the volume and main diameters of pericarp and seed, and whenever possible endosperm and embryo, were measured for each fruit. Most of the data are given in Tables I to V and Figg. 23 and 24.

If reference is made to the 3 phases of fruit growth established for other species (notably peaches and cherries), the main conclusions are that:

1. phase I (growth of pericarp, testa and nucellus) is clearly recognisable; it ends after the micropylar portion of the endosperm has become cellular and the embryo heart shaped;

2. phase II is also present: during this phase most of the growth of endosperm and embryo takes place; while the seed has reached its definite size at the end of phase I, the pericarp undergoes a period of greatly reduced growth;

3. two weeks after the beginning of phase II the pericarp seems to resume growth just for a very short period, judging at least by the weekly values of the ratio pericarp volume to seed volume (see Fig. 23); this seems to indicate the existence of a new phase, that is phase III, which in fleshy fruits of the genus Prunus corresponds to a much longer and important process of pericarp growth than in the almond;

4. as in the peaches and cherries therefore a crisis in pericarp growth occurs during the period of maximum rate of growth of the cellular endosperm and embryo;

5. the sequence: cellularisation of the endosperm, growth of endosperm and embryo, ceasing of seed growth, and reduction in pericarp growth is very clear, particularly if we take into account growth in length rather than in volume; both morphological and quantitative data would indicate the importance of the endosperm not only for the beginning of embryo development, but also for the control of pericarp growth.

     

Orally active multi-functional antioxidants are neuroprotective in a rat model of light-induced retinal damage

Background

Progression of age-related macular degeneration has been linked to iron dysregulation and oxidative stress that induce apoptosis of neural retinal cells. Since both antioxidants and chelating agents have been reported to reduce the progression of retinal lesions associated with AMD in experimental animals, the present study evaluates the ability of multi-functional antioxidants containing functional groups that can independently chelate redox metals and quench free radicals to protect the retina against light-induced retinal degeneration, a rat model of dry atrophic AMD.

Methods/Results

Proof of concept studies were conducted to evaluate the ability of 4-(5-hydroxypyrimidin-2-yl)-N,N-dimethyl-3,5-dioxopiperazine-1-sulfonamide (compound 4) and 4-(5-hydroxy-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)-N,N-dimethyl-3,5-dioxopiperazine-1-sulfonamide (compound 8) to reduce retinal damage in 2-week dark adapted Wistar rats exposed to 1000 lx of light for 3 hours. Assessment of the oxidative stress markers 4- hydroxynonenal and nitrotyrosine modified proteins and Thioredoxin by ELISA and Western blots indicated that these compounds reduced the oxidative insult caused by light exposure. The beneficial antioxidant effects of these compounds in providing significant functional and structural protection were confirmed by electroretinography and quantitative histology of the retina.

Conclusions/Significance

The present study suggests that multi-functional compounds may be effective candidates for preventive therapy of AMD.     

A cytokinin from the culture filtrate of Pseudomonas syringae pv. savastanoi

The structure of a new cytokinin, isolated from the culture filtrate of Pseudomonas syringae pv. savastanoi, is assigned on the basis of spectroscopic data including its tetracetyl derivative and comparison with related adenine derivatives. It was identified as 6-(4-hydroxy-1,3-dimethylbut-trans-2-enylamino-9-β-D-ribofuranosyl)purine.     

Src-dependent phosphorylation of ASAP1 regulates podosomes

Invadopodia are Src-induced cellular structures that are thought to mediate tumor invasion. ASAP1, an Arf GTPase-activating protein (GAP) containing Src homology 3 (SH3) and Bin, amphiphysin, and RVS161/167 (BAR) domains, is a substrate of Src that controls invadopodia. We have examined the structural requirements for ASAP1-dependent formation of invadopodia and related structures in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts called podosomes. We found that both predominant splice variants of ASAP1 (ASAP1a and ASAP1b) associated with invadopodia and podosomes. Podosomes were highly dynamic, with rapid turnover of both ASAP1 and actin. Reduction of ASAP1 levels by small interfering RNA blocked formation of invadopodia and podosomes. Podosomes were formed in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts in which endogenous ASAP1 was replaced with either recombinant ASAP1a or ASAP1b. ASAP1 mutants that lacked the Src binding site or GAP activity functioned as well as wild-type ASAP1 in the formation of podosomes. Recombinant ASAP1 lacking the BAR domain, the SH3 domain, or the Src phosphorylation site did not support podosome formation. Based on these results, we conclude that ASAP1 is a critical target of tyrosine kinase signaling involved in the regulation of podosomes and invadopodia and speculate that ASAP1 may function as a coincidence detector of simultaneous protein association through the ASAP1 SH3 domain and phosphorylation by Src.     

Sequencing of the smallest Apicomplexan genome from the human pathogen Babesia microti

We have sequenced the genome of the emerging human pathogen Babesia microti and compared it with that of other protozoa. B. microti has the smallest nuclear genome among all Apicomplexan parasites sequenced to date with three chromosomes encoding ∼3500 polypeptides, several of which are species specific. Genome-wide phylogenetic analyses indicate that B. microti is significantly distant from all species of Babesidae and Theileridae and defines a new clade in the phylum Apicomplexa. Furthermore, unlike all other Apicomplexa, its mitochondrial genome is circular. Genome-scale reconstruction of functional networks revealed that B. microti has the minimal metabolic requirement for intraerythrocytic protozoan parasitism. B. microti multigene families differ from those of other protozoa in both the copy number and organization. Two lateral transfer events with significant metabolic implications occurred during the evolution of this parasite. The genomic sequencing of B. microti identified several targets suitable for the development of diagnostic assays and novel therapies for human babesiosis.