The Drosophila PROS-28.1 gene is a member of the proteasome gene family

In the present communication, we report the identification of a new gene family which encodes the protein subunits of the proteasome. The proteasome is a high-M_r complex possessing proteolytic activity. Screening a Drosophila λgt11 cDNA expression library with the proteasome-specific antibody N19-28 we isolated a clone encoding the 28-kDa No. 1 proteasome protein subunit. In accordance with the nomenclature of proteasome subunits in Drosophila, the corresponding gene is designated PROS-28.1, and it encodes an mRNA of 1.1 kb with an open reading frame of 249 amino acids (aa). Genomic Southern-blot hybridization shows PROS-28.1 to be a member of a family of related genes. Analysis of the predicted aa sequence reveals a potential nuclear targeting signal, a potential site for tyrosine kinase and a potential cAMP/cGMP-dependent phosphorylation site. The aa sequence comparison of the products of PROS-28.1 and PROS-35 with the C2 proteasome subunit of rat shows a strong sequence similarity between the different proteasome subunits. The data suggest that at least a subset of the proteasome-encoding genes belongs to a family of related genes (PROS gene family) which may have evolved from a common ancestral PROS gene.     

The proteasome and MHC class I antigen processing

By generating peptides from intracellular antigens, which are then presented to T cells, the ubiquitin/26S proteasome system plays a central role in the cellular immune response. Under the control of interferon-gamma the proteolytic properties of the proteasome are adapted to the requirements of the immune system. Interferon-gamma induces the formation of immunoproteasomes and the synthesis of the proteasome activator PA28. Both alter the proteolytic properties of the proteasome complex and enhance proteasomal function in antigen presentation. Thus, a combination of several of regulatory events tunes the proteasome system for maximal efficiency in the generation of MHC class I antigens.     

Identification and characterization of three different subpopulations of the Drosophila multicatalytic proteinase (proteasome)

In Drosophila melanogaster the population of proteasome particles consists of three distinct subclasses. By fractionation of a 40,000 x g supernatant of Drosophila homogenate on a DEAE-Sephacel column, proteasome particles which elute at salt concentrations of 200, 300, and 500 mM KAc can be separated. The proteasomes of all three subfractions sediment at 19 S in sucrose gradients and are shown by two-dimensional gel electrophoretic analysis to possess the same protein content. They differ, however, with respect to their specific proteolytic activity against the substrates benzoyl-Val-Gly-Arg-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide, succinyl-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide, and succinyl-Ala-Ala-Phe-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide and the degree to which their hydrolytic activity can be enhanced by the addition of 30-110 microM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Our data show that the 200 mM proteasome fraction exhibits the lowest basal specific proteolytic activity but can be stimulated most by SDS. The 300 and 500 mM proteasome subfractions, on the other hand possess considerably higher but similar basal specific proteolytic activity. Of these only the proteolytic activity of the 300 mM subfraction against the substrates benzoyl-Val-Gly-Arg-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide and succinyl-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide can be enhanced by SDS. Our data raise the possibility that the different subpopulations reflect structural differences between the proteasome particles, which in turn may result in different in vivo substrate specificities of the proteasome subpopulations.     

Characterisation of the newly identified human Ump1 homologue POMP and analysis of LMP7(beta 5i) incorporation into 20 S proteasomes

Biogenesis of mammalian 20 S proteasomes occurs via precursor complexes containing alpha and unprocessed beta subunits. A human homologue of the yeast proteasome maturation factor Ump1 was identified in 2D gels of 16 S precursor preparations and designated as POMP (proteasome maturation protein). We show that POMP is detected only in precursor fractions and not in fractions containing mature 20 S proteasome. Northern blot experiments revealed that expression of POMP is induced after treatment with interferon gamma. To analyse the role of the beta 5 propeptide for proper maturation and incorporation of the beta 5 subunit into the complex, human T2 cells, which highly express derivatives of the beta 5i subunit (LMP7), were studied. In contrast to yeast, the presence of the beta 5 propeptide is not essential for incorporation of LMP7 into the proteasome complex. Mutated LMP7 subunits either carrying the prosequence of beta 2i (LMP2) or containing a mutation in the active threonine site are incorporated like wild-type LMP7, while a LMP7 derivative lacking the prosequence completely is incorporated to a lesser extent. Although the absence of the prosequence does not affect incorporation of LMP7, its deletion leads to delayed proteasome maturation and thereby to an accumulation of precursor complexes. As a result of the precursor accumulation, an increased amount of the POMP protein can be detected in these cells.