S100 proteins regulate the interaction of Hsp90 with Cyclophilin 40 and FKBP52 through their tetratricopeptide repeats

S100 proteins are a subfamily of the EF-hand type calcium sensing proteins, the exact biological functions of which have not been clarified yet. In this work, we have identified Cyclophilin 40 (CyP40) and FKBP52 (called immunophilins) as novel targets of S100 proteins. These immunophilins contain a tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain for Hsp90 binding. Using glutathione-S transferase pull-down assays and immunoprecipitation, we have demonstrated that S100A1 and S100A2 specifically interact with the TPR domains of FKBP52 and CyP40 in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner, and lead to inhibition of the CyP40-Hsp90 and FKBP52-Hsp90 interactions. These findings have suggested that the Ca²⁺/S100 proteins are TPR-targeting regulators of the immunophilins-Hsp90 complex formations.

Structured summary

MINT-7710442: FKBP52 (uniprotkb:Q02790) physically interacts (MI:0915) with S100A6 (uniprotkb:P06703) by competition binding (MI:0405)MINT-7710192: Cyp40 (uniprotkb:P26882) binds (MI:0407) to S100A1 (uniprotkb:P35467) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7710412: Cyp40 (uniprotkb:P26882) physically interacts (MI:0915) with S100A2 (uniprotkb:P29034) by competition binding (MI:0405)MINT-7710374: FKBP52 (uniprotkb:Q02790) binds (MI:0407) to S100A2 (uniprotkb:P29034) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7710452: Cyp40 (uniprotkb:P26882) physically interacts (MI:0914) with S100A2 (uniprotkb:P29034) and Hsp90 (uniprotkb:P07900) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)MINT-7710387: FKBP52 (uniprotkb:Q02790) binds (MI:0407) to S100A6 (uniprotkb:P06703) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7710279: FKBP52 (uniprotkb:Q02790) physically interacts (MI:0915) with S100A1 (uniprotkb:P35467) by competition binding (MI:0405)MINT-7710224: FKBP52 (uniprotkb:Q02790) binds (MI:0407) to Hsp90 (uniprotkb:P07900) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7710464: Cyp40 (uniprotkb:P26882) physically interacts (MI:0914) with S100A6 (uniprotkb:P06703) and Hsp90 (uniprotkb:P07900) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)MINT-7710249: Cyp40 (uniprotkb:P26882) binds (MI:0407) to Hsp90 (uniprotkb:P07900) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7710422: Cyp40 (uniprotkb:P26882) physically interacts (MI:0915) with S100A6 (uniprotkb:P06703) by competition binding (MI:0405)MINT-7710348: Cyp40 (uniprotkb:P26882) binds (MI:0407) to S100A2 (uniprotkb:P29034) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7710208: FKBP52 (uniprotkb:Q02790) binds (MI:0407) to S100A1 (uniprotkb:P35467) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7710265: Cyp40 (uniprotkb:P26882) physically interacts (MI:0915) with S100A1 (uniprotkb:P35467) by competition binding (MI:0405)MINT-7710361: Cyp40 (uniprotkb:P26882) binds (MI:0407) to S100A6 (uniprotkb:P06703) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7710476: FKBP52 (uniprotkb:Q02790) physically interacts (MI:0914) with S100A2 (uniprotkb:P29034) and Hsp90 (uniprotkb:P07900) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)MINT-7710316: FKBP52 (uniprotkb:Q02790) physically interacts (MI:0914) with S100A1 (uniprotkb:P35467) and Hsp90 (uniprotkb:P07900) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)MINT-7710432: FKBP52 (uniprotkb:Q02790) physically interacts (MI:0915) with S100A2 (uniprotkb:P29034) by competition binding (MI:0405)MINT-7710488: FKBP52 (uniprotkb:Q02790) physically interacts (MI:0914) with S100A6 (uniprotkb:P06703) and Hsp90 (uniprotkb:P07900) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)MINT-7710329: S100A6 (uniprotkb:P14069) physically interacts (MI:0914) with FKBP52 (uniprotkb:P30416) and Cyp40 (uniprotkb:Q08752) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006)MINT-7710295: Cyp40 (uniprotkb:P26882) physically interacts (MI:0914) with Hsp90 (uniprotkb:P07900) and S100A1 (uniprotkb:P35467) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)     

Developmental changes in chemotactic response and choice of two attractants, sodium acetate and diacetyl, in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

The chemotactic behavior of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to chemical attractants, water-soluble sodium acetate and odorant diacetyl, was investigated using nematodes at various developmental stages to examine the effects of postembryonic development on chemotactic response and spontaneous locomotion. The chemotactic responses to attractants increased as development progressed, and the largest responses to either 1.0 M sodium acetate or 0.1% diacetyl were seen at the young adult (YA) or day adult (A1) stage, respectively. Responses to the chemicals declined thereafter in-line with increasing age. The chemotaxis indices for attractants correlated with activity of spontaneous locomotion (p<0.01), suggesting that a change in spontaneous locomotion is one of the factors involved with the change in chemotactic responses during development. We also investigated the effect of aging on attractant choice by the simultaneous presentation of 0.6 M sodium acetate and 0.1% diacetyl. In the presence of both attractants, the fraction of larval animals at the sodium acetate location was greater than that at the diacetyl location (p<0.05). The fractions of YA animals that gathered at either location were almost identical, whereas the fraction of adult animals at the diacetyl location was greater than that at the sodium acetate location (p<0.05). The patterns of attractant choice of the long-lived daf-2 mutants and short lifespan mev-1 mutants showed the same tendency as those of wild type nematodes in the presence of both attractants. These results suggest that a change in the neuronal mechanisms controlling attractant choice and preference occurs during developmental progression.     

Accumulation of Squalene in a Microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by Genetic Modification of Squalene Synthase and Squalene Epoxidase Genes

Several microalgae accumulate high levels of squalene, and as such provide a potentially valuable source of this useful compound. However, the molecular mechanism of squalene biosynthesis in microalgae is still largely unknown. We obtained the sequences of two enzymes involved in squalene synthesis and metabolism, squalene synthase (CrSQS) and squalene epoxidase (CrSQE), from the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. CrSQS was functionally characterized by expression in Escherichia coli and CrSQE by complementation of a budding yeast erg1 mutant. Transient expression of CrSQS and CrSQE fused with fluorescent proteins in onion epidermal tissue suggested that both proteins were co-localized in the endoplasmic reticulum. CrSQS-overexpression increased the rate of conversion of ¹⁴C-labeled farnesylpyrophosphate into squalene but did not lead to over-accumulation of squalene. Addition of terbinafine caused the accumulation of squalene and suppression of cell survival. On the other hand, in CrSQE-knockdown lines, the expression level of CrSQE was reduced by 59–76% of that in wild-type cells, and significant levels of squalene (0.9–1.1 μg mg^–1 cell dry weight) accumulated without any growth inhibition. In co-transformation lines with CrSQS-overexpression and CrSQE-knockdown, the level of squalene was not increased significantly compared with that in solitary CrSQE-knockdown lines. These results indicated that partial knockdown of CrSQE is an effective strategy to increase squalene production in C. reinhardtii cells.     

Analysis of the T-type calcium channel in embryonic chick ventricular myocytes

Summary T-type calcium channels (I _T channels) were studied in cell-attached patch electrode recordings from the ventricular cell membrane of 14-day embryonic chick heart. All experiments were performed in the absence of Ca²⁺ with Na⁺ (120mm) as the charge carrier.I _T channels were distinguished from L-type calcium channels (I _L) by their more negative activation and inactivation potential ranges; their smaller unitary slope conductance (26 pS), and their insensitivity to isoproterenol or D600. Inactivation kinetics were voltage dependent. The time constant of inactivation was 37 msec when the membrane potential was depolarized 40 mV from rest (R+40 mV), and 20 msec atR+60 mV. The frequency histogram of channel open times ₀ was fit by a single-exponential curve while that of closed times _c was biexponeintial. _o was the same atR+40 mV andR+60 mV whereas _c was shortened atR+60 mV. The open-state probability (P _o) increased with depolarization: 0.35 atR+40 mV, 0.8 atR+60 mV and 0.88 atR+80 mV. This increase inP _o at depolarized potentials could be accounted for by the decrease in _c.     

Thiamine-responsive pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency in two patients caused by a point mutation (F205L and L216F) within the thiamine pyrophosphate binding region

The human pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC) catalyzes the thiamine-dependent decarboxylation of pyruvate. Thiamine treatment is very effective for some patients with PDHC deficiency. Among these patients, five mutations of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1)alpha subunit have been reported previously: H44R, R88S, G89S, R263G, and V389fs. All five mutations are in a region outside the thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP)-binding region of the E1alpha subunit.We report the biochemical and molecular analysis of two patients with clinically thiamine-responsive lactic acidemia. The PDHC activity was assayed using two different concentrations of TPP. These two patients displayed very low PDHC activity in the presence of a low (1 x 10(-4) mM) TPP concentration, but their PDHC activity significantly increased at a high (0.4 mM) TPP concentration. Therefore, the PDHC deficiency in these two patients was due to a decreased affinity of PDHC for TPP. Treatment of both patients with thiamine resulted in a reduction in the serum lactate concentration and clinical improvement, suggesting that these two patients have a thiamine-responsive PDHC deficiency. The DNA sequence of these two male patients' X-linked E1alpha subunit revealed a point mutation (F205L and L216F) within the TPP-binding region in exon 7.     

'Lysobacter enzymogenes ssp. cookii ' Christensen 1978 should be recognized as an independent species, Lysobacter cookii sp. nov.

' Lysobacter enzymogenes ssp. cookii ' was proposed by Christensen and Cook in 1978; however, this subspecies name has not been cited in the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names and therefore the nomenclature has not been validated. In our genetic approach to clarify the relationships of the designated type strain of ' L. enzymogenes ssp. cookii ' PAGU 1119 (GenBank accession number ATCC29488 ) within the genus Lysobacter revealed that the strain was closely related to Lysobacter capsici YC5194 ^T (99.4%) rather than L. enzymogenes DSM2043 ^T (97.2%). The value for whole genome DNA–DNA relatedness between strain PAGU 1119 and L. enzymogenes DSM 2043^T or L. capsici YC5194 ^T was 20.7–26.1% or 60.9–62.0%, respectively. Although PAGU 1119 and L. capsici YC5194 ^T showed relatively high DNA relationships, the fatty acid profiles and some phenotypic characteristics were different, and we concluded that PAGU 1119 should be placed in a new species. We therefore propose a new species with the name Lysobacter cookii sp. nov. The type strain is PAGU 1119^T ( ATCC29488 ).     

Genetic screening of new genes responsible for cellular adaptation to hypoxia using a genome-wide shRNA library

Oxygen is a vital requirement for multi-cellular organisms to generate energy and cells have developed multiple compensatory mechanisms to adapt to stressful hypoxic conditions. Such adaptive mechanisms are intricately interconnected with other signaling pathways that regulate cellular functions such as cell growth. However, our understanding of the overall system governing the cellular response to the availability of oxygen remains limited. To identify new genes involved in the response to hypoxic stress, we have performed a genome-wide gene knockdown analysis in human lung carcinoma PC8 cells using an shRNA library carried by a lentiviral vector. The knockdown analysis was performed under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions to identify shRNA sequences enriched or lost in the resulting selected cell populations. Consequently, we identified 56 candidate genes that might contribute to the cellular response to hypoxia. Subsequent individual knockdown of each gene demonstrated that 13 of these have a significant effect upon oxygen-sensitive cell growth. The identification of BCL2L1, which encodes a Bcl-2 family protein that plays a role in cell survival by preventing apoptosis, validates the successful design of our screen. The other selected genes have not previously been directly implicated in the cellular response to hypoxia. Interestingly, hypoxia did not directly enhance the expression of any of the identified genes, suggesting that we have identified a new class of genes that have been missed by conventional gene expression analyses to identify hypoxia response genes. Thus, our genetic screening method using a genome-wide shRNA library and the newly-identified genes represent useful tools to analyze the cellular systems that respond to hypoxic stress.     

Genetic and ultrastructural demonstration of strong reversibility in human mesenchymal stem cell

We examined human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by applying real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (RT-PCR) technology and electron-microscopic techniques. Our RT-PCR demonstrated that the values of peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor gamma2 (PPARgamma2) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA dramatically increased according to adipogenic stimulation. The expressions of both PPARgamma2 and LPL mRNA were significantly reduced ( P<0.01) and almost disappeared after stimulation had ceased. The expressions of both genes, however, increased again by stimulation even though the cells were in a dedifferentiated state for a month. In the ultrastructural study, over 80% of the cells proceeded into morphologically well-developed adipocytes at the 12th day of induction/maintenance which were packed with lipid droplets and clusters. In the next process these lipid products were excreted from the cell bodies and the peripheral small parts containing numerous droplets were torn from the greater parts, which stuck tightly to each other and adhered to culture dishes. Adipocytes were not detected in the culture media during the final stage. The total cell number was equal to and over 90% of the cells dedifferentiated into fibroblast-like stem cells during the final maintenance period of 1 month. Furthermore the dedifferentiated cells quickly differentiated again into adipocytes by stimulation even if they were quiescent for 1 month. Thus we conclude that mesenchymal stem cells have strong reversibility from both the genetic and morphological points of view.