Missense mutations define a restricted segment in the C-terminal domain of phytochrome A critical to its regulatory activity.

The phytochrome family of photoreceptors has dual molecular functions: photosensory, involving light signal perception, and regulatory, involving signal transfer to downstream transduction components. To define residues necessary specifically for the regulatory activity of phytochrome A (phyA), we undertook a genetic screen to identify Arabidopsis mutants producing wild-type levels of biologically defective but photochemically active and dimeric phyA molecules. Of eight such mutants identified, six contain missense mutations (including three in the same residue, glycine 727) clustered within a restricted segment in the C-terminal domain of the polypeptide. Quantitative photobiological analysis revealed retention of varying degrees of partial activity among the different alleles--a result consistent with the extent of conservation at the position mutated. Together with additional data, these results indicate that the photoreceptor subdomain identified here is critical to the regulatory activity of both phyA and phyB.     

Mapping of a region of the paramyxovirus L protein required for the formation of a stable complex with the viral phosphoprotein P.

The paramyxovirus large protein (L) and phosphoprotein (P) are both required for viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity. Previous biochemical experiments have shown that L and P can form a complex when expressed from cDNA plasmids in vivo. In this report, L and P proteins of the paramyxovirus simian virus 5 (SV5) were coexpressed in HeLa T4 cells from cDNA plasmids, and L-P complexes were examined. To identify regions of the SV5 L protein that are required for L-P complex formation, 16 deletion mutants were constructed by mutagenesis of an SV5 L cDNA. Following coexpression of these L mutants with cDNA-derived P and radiolabeling with 35S-amino acids, cell lysates were analyzed for stable L-P complexes by a coimmunoprecipitation assay and by sedimentation on 5 to 20% glycerol gradients. Mutant forms of L containing deletions that removed as much as 1,008 residues from the C-terminal half of the full-length 2,255-residue L protein were detected in complexes with P by these two assays. In contrast, large deletions in the N-terminal half of L resulted in proteins that were defective in the formation of stable L-P complexes. Likewise, L mutants containing smaller deletions that individually removed N-terminal regions which are conserved among paramyxovirus and rhabdovirus L proteins (domain I, II, or III) were also defective in stable interactions with P. These results suggest that the N-terminal half of the L protein contains sequences important for stable L-P complex formation and that the C-terminal half of L is not directly involved in these interactions. SV5-infected HeLa T4 cells were pulse-labeled with 35S-amino acids, and cell extracts were examined by gradient sedimentation. Solubilized L protein was detected as an approximately 8 to 10S species, while the P protein was found as both a approximately 4S form (approximately 85%) and a species that cosedimented with L (approximately 15%). These data provide the first biochemical evidence in support of a simple domain structure for an L protein of the nonsegmented negative-sense RNA viruses. The results are discussed in terms of a structural model for the L protein and the interactions of L with the second viral polymerase subunit P.     

Spotlight on phytochrome nomenclature

These recommendations for genes encoding phytochromes were developed independently by Quail et al., but are broadly consistent with the Commission's guidelines. Their original article, kindly provided in advance of publication, appeared as a Letter to the Editor inPlant Cell (6:468–471, 1994) and is published with permission of the American Society of Plant Physiologists.     

The Activity of Collagenase-1 Is Required for Keratinocyte Migration on a Type I Collagen Matrix

We have shown in a variety of human wounds that collagenase-1 (MMP-1), a matrix metalloproteinase that cleaves fibrillar type I collagen, is invariably expressed by basal keratinocytes migrating across the dermal matrix. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that MMP-1 expression is induced in primary keratinocytes by contact with native type I collagen and not by basement membrane proteins or by other components of the dermal or provisional (wound) matrix. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that the catalytic activity of MMP-1 is necessary for keratinocyte migration on type I collagen. To test this idea, we assessed keratinocyte motility on type I collagen using colony dispersion and colloidal gold migration assays. In both assays, primary human keratinocytes migrated efficiently on collagen. The specificity of MMP-1 in promoting cell movement was demonstrated in four distinct experiments. One, keratinocyte migration was completely blocked by peptide hydroxymates, which are potent inhibitors of the catalytic activity of MMPs. Two, HaCaTs, a line of human keratinocytes that do not express MMP-1 in response to collagen, did not migrate on a type I collagen matrix but moved efficiently on denatured type I collagen (gelatin). EGF, which induces MMP-I production by HaCaT cells, resulted in the ability of these cells to migrate across a type I collagen matrix. Three, keratinocytes did not migrate on mutant type I collagen lacking the collagenase cleavage site, even though this substrate induced MMP-1 expression. Four, cell migration on collagen was completely blocked by recombinant tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and by affinity-purified anti–MMP-1 antiserum. In addition, the collagen-mediated induction of collagenase-1 and migration of primary keratinocytes on collagen was blocked by antibodies against the α2 integrin subunit but not by antibodies against the α1 or α3 subunits. We propose that interaction of the α2β1 integrin with dermal collagen mediates induction of collagenase-1 in keratinocytes at the onset of healing and that the activity of collagenase-1 is needed to initiate cell movement. Furthermore, we propose that cleavage of dermal collagen provides keratinocytes with a mechanism to maintain their directionality during reepithelialization.     

Friend strain of spleen focus-forming virus: a recombinant between mouse type C ecotropic viral sequences and sequences related to xenotropic virus.

The genome of the Friend strain of the spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) has been analyzed by molecular hybridization. SFFV is composed of genetic sequences homologous to Friend type C helper virus (F-MuLV) and SFFV-specific sequences not present in F-MuLV. These SFFV-specific sequences are present in both the Friend and Rauscher strains of murine erythroleukemia virus. The SFFV-specific sequences are partially homologous to three separate strains of mouse xenotropic virus but not to several cloned mouse ecotropic viruses. Thus, the Friend strain of SFFV appears to be a recombinant between a portion of the F-MuLV genome and RNA sequences that are highly related to murine xenotropic viruses. The implications of the acquisition of the xenotropic virus-related sequences are discussed in relation to the leukemogenicity of SFFV, and a model for the pathogenicity of other murine leukemia-inducing viruses is proposed.     

The fertilizing capacity of ram testicular spermatozoa,freshly collected and after storage in cauda epididymal fluid

Epididymal fluid may contain substances which promote development of the fertilizing capacity of testicular spermatozoa under in vitro conditions, provided that the spermatozoa are exposed to such substances for long periods of time. In an attempt to resolve this question, the fertilizing capacity of testicular spermatozoa was assessed before and after storage in cauda epididymal fluid and comparisons made with ejaculated spermatozoa from the same rams. Of the 13 eggs examined from the group of ewes inseminated with ejaculated spermatozoa 61.5% were found to be in the 2-to 8-cell stage. No fertilized eggs were recovered from ewes impregnated with freshly collected testicular spermatozoa. Nor were any cleaved eggs obtained from the group of ewes inseminated with testicular spermatozoa stored in cauda epididymal fluid at 4°C for 7 to 11 days. We suggest there-fore, that in order to develop maximal fertilizing capacity, mammalian spermatozoa must be exposed to specific concentrated testicular and epididymal secretions in a sequential order and within strict time limits.     

Urokinase binding and receptor identification in cultured endothelial cells.

Recombinant human single-chain urokinase (rscu-PA), two-chain urokinase (tcu-PA), and diisopropyl-fluorophosphate-treated tcu-PA (DFP-tcu-PA) bound to cultured human and porcine endothelial cells in a rapid, saturable, dose-dependent and reversible manner. Analysis of specific binding results in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) gave the following estimated values for Kd and Bmax: 0.57 +/- 0.08 nM (mean +/- S.E.) and 188,000 +/- 18,000 sites/cell for 125I-labeled rscu-PA; 0.54 +/- 0.10 nM and 132,000 +/- 23,900 sites/cells for 125I-labeled tcu-PA; 0.89 +/- 0.14 nM and 143,000 +/- 30,300 sites/cell for 125I-labeled DFP-tcu-PA, respectively. Values for Kd were similar for primary and subcultured (six passages) HUVECs, but Bmax values were lower in subcultured HUVECs. Similar Kd values were found in cultured porcine endothelial cells; however, Bmax values varied depending on the endothelial cell type. All 125I-labeled urokinase forms yielded similar cross-linked approximately 110-kDa ligand-receptor complexes with cultured HUVECs, and 125I-labeled DFP-tcu-PA bound to a single major approximately 55-kDa protein in whole-cell lysates (ligand blotting/autoradiography), suggesting the presence of a single major approximately 55-kDa urokinase receptor in cultured HUVECs. The approximately 55-kDa urokinase receptor, isolated from several separate batches of cultured HUVECs (3-5 micrograms of protein, approximately 1 x 10(9) cells), by ligand affinity chromatography, exhibited the following properties: retained biologic activity as evidenced by its ability to bind 125I-labeled rscu-PA by ligand blotting/autoradiography and formation of a cross-linked 125I-labeled approximately 110-kDa rscu-PA-receptor complex; single-chain approximately 55-kDa protein, following reduction; complete conversion to and formation of a single major deglycosylated approximately 35-kDa protein, following treatment with N-glycanase.