Broad Ranges of Affinity and Specificity of Anti-Histone Antibodies Revealed by a Quantitative Peptide Immunoprecipitation Assay

Antibodies directed against histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) are critical tools in epigenetics research, particularly in the widely used chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments. However, a lack of quantitative methods for characterizing such antibodies has been a major bottleneck in accurate and reproducible analysis of histone modifications. Here, we report a simple and sensitive method for quantitatively characterizing polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for histone PTMs in a ChIP-like format. Importantly, it determines the apparent dissociation constants for the interactions of an antibody with peptides harboring cognate or off-target PTMs. Analyses of commercial antibodies revealed large ranges of affinity, specificity and binding capacity as well as substantial lot-to-lot variations, suggesting the importance of quantitatively characterizing each antibody intended to be used in ChIP experiments and optimizing experimental conditions accordingly. Furthermore, using this method, we identified additional factors potentially affecting the interpretation of ChIP experiments.     

Members of the evolutionarily conserved PMT family of protein O-mannosyltransferases form distinct protein complexes among themselves

Protein O-mannosyltransferases (PMTs) initiate the assembly of O-mannosyl glycans, an essential protein modification. Since PMTs are evolutionarily conserved in fungi but are absent in green plants, the PMT family is a putative target for new antifungal drugs, particularly in fighting the threat of phytopathogenic fungi. The PMT family is phylogenetically classified into PMT1, PMT2, and PMT4 subfamilies, which differ in protein substrate specificity. In the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae as well as in many other fungi the PMT family is highly redundant, and only the simultaneous deletion of PMT1/PMT2 and PMT4 subfamily members is lethal. In this study we analyzed the molecular organization of PMT family members in S. cerevisiae. We show that members of the PMT1 subfamily (Pmt1p and Pmt5p) interact in pairs with members of the PMT2 subfamily (Pmt2p and Pmt3p) and that Pmt1p-Pmt2p and Pmt5p-Pmt3p complexes represent the predominant forms. Under certain physiological conditions, however, Pmt1p interacts also with Pmt3p, and Pmt5p with Pmt2p, suggesting a compensatory cooperation that guarantees the maintenance of O-mannosylation. Unlike the PMT1/PMT2 subfamily members, the single member of the PMT4 subfamily (Pmt4p) acts as a homomeric complex. Using mutational analyses we demonstrate that the same conserved protein domains underlie both heteromeric and homomeric interactions, and we identify an invariant arginine residue of transmembrane domain two as essential for the formation and/or stability of PMT complexes in general. Our data suggest that protein-protein interactions between the PMT family members offer a point of attack to shut down overall protein O-mannosylation in fungi.     

Roles of phosphoinositides and of Spo14p (phospholipase D)-generated phosphatidic acid during yeast sporulation

During yeast sporulation, internal membrane synthesis ensures that each haploid nucleus is packaged into a spore. Prospore membrane formation requires Spo14p, a phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2]-stimulated phospholipase D (PLD), which hydrolyzes phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) to phosphatidic acid (PtdOH) and choline. We found that both meiosis and spore formation also require the phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns)/PtdCho transport protein Sec14p. Specific ablation of the PtdIns transport activity of Sec14p was sufficient to impair spore formation but not meiosis. Overexpression of Pik1p, a PtdIns 4-kinase, suppressed the sec14-1 meiosis and spore formation defects; conversely, pik1-ts diploids failed to undergo meiosis and spore formation. The PtdIns(4)P 5-kinase, Mss4p, also is essential for spore formation. Use of phosphoinositide-specific GFP-PH domain reporters confirmed that PtdIns(4,5)P2 is enriched in prospore membranes. sec14, pik1, and mss4 mutants displayed decreased Spo14p PLD activity, whereas absence of Spo14p did not affect phosphoinositide levels in vivo, suggesting that formation of PtdIns(4,5)P2 is important for Spo14p activity. Spo14p-generated PtdOH appears to have an essential role in sporulation, because treatment of cells with 1-butanol, which supports Spo14p-catalyzed PtdCho breakdown but leads to production of Cho and Ptd-butanol, blocks spore formation at concentrations where the inert isomer, 2-butanol, has little effect. Thus, rather than a role for PtdOH in stimulating PtdIns(4,5)P2 formation, our findings indicate that during sporulation, Spo14p-mediated PtdOH production functions downstream of Sec14p-, Pik1p-, and Mss4p-dependent PtdIns(4,5)P2 synthesis.     

Structure of a Ca2+-myristoyl switch protein that controls activation of a phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase in fission yeast

Neuronal calcium sensor (NCS) proteins transduce Ca2+ signals and are highly conserved from yeast to humans. We determined NMR structures of the NCS-1 homolog from fission yeast (Ncs1), which activates a phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase. Ncs1 contains an α-NH2-linked myristoyl group on a long N-terminal arm and four EF-hand motifs, three of which bind Ca2+, assembled into a compact structure. In Ca2+-free Ncs1, the N-terminal arm positions the fatty acyl chain inside a cavity near the C terminus. The C14 end of the myristate is surrounded by residues in the protein core, whereas its amide-linked (C1) end is flanked by residues at the protein surface. In Ca2+-bound Ncs1, the myristoyl group is extruded (Ca2+-myristoyl switch), exposing a prominent patch of hydrophobic residues that specifically contact phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase. The location of the buried myristate and structure of Ca2+-free Ncs1 are quite different from those in other NCS proteins. Thus, a unique remodeling of each NCS protein by its myristoyl group, and Ca2+-dependent unmasking of different residues, may explain how each family member recognizes distinct target proteins.     

Protein N-glycosylation determines functionality of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall integrity sensor Mid2p

The fungal cell wall is a highly dynamic structure that is essential to maintain cell shape and stability. Hence in yeasts and fungi cell wall integrity is tightly controlled. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae plasma membrane protein Mid2p is a putative mechanosensor that responds to cell wall stresses and morphological changes during pheromone induction. The extracellular domain of Mid2p, which is crucial to sensing, is highly O- and N-glycosylated. We showed that O-mannosylation is determining stability of Mid2p. If and how N-glycosylation is linked to Mid2p function was unknown. Here we demonstrate that Mid2p contains a single high mannose N-linked glycan at position Asn-35. The N -glycan is located close to the N-terminus and is exposed from the plasma membrane towards the cell wall through a highly O-mannosylated domain that is predicted to adopt a rod-like conformation. In contrast to O-mannosylation, lack of the N-linked glycan affects neither, stability of Mid2p nor distribution at the plasma membrane during vegetative and sexual growth. However, non-N-glycosylated Mid2p fails to perceive cell wall challenges. Our data further demonstrate that both the extent of the N-linked glycan and its distance from the plasma membrane affect Mid2p function, suggesting the N -glycan to be directly involved in Mid2p sensing.     

Accelerated nuclei preparation and methods for analysis of histone modifications in yeast

The continuing identification of new histone post-translational modifications and ongoing discovery of their roles in nuclear processes has increased the demand for quick, efficient, and precise methods for their analysis. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a variety of methods exist for the characterization of histone modifications on a global scale. However, a wide gap in preparation time and histone purity exists between the most widely used extraction methods, which include a simple whole cell extraction (WCE) and an intensive histone extraction. In this work we evaluate various published WCE buffers for their relative effectiveness in the detection of histone modifications by Western blot analysis. We also present a precise, yet time-efficient method for the detection of subtle changes in histone modification levels. Lastly, we present a protocol for the rapid small-scale purification of nuclei that improves the performance of antibodies that do not work efficiently in WCE. These new methods are ideal for the analysis of histone modifications and could be applied to the analysis and improved detection of other nuclear proteins.     

Imperceptible senescence: Ageing in the ocean quahog Arctica islandica

The ocean quahog Arctica islandica is the longest-lived of all bivalve and molluscan species on earth. Animals close to 400 years are common and reported maximum live span around Iceland is close to 400 years. High and stable antioxidant capacities are a possible strategy to slow senescence and extend lifespan and this study has investigated several antioxidant parameters and a mitochondrial marker enzyme in a lifetime range spanning from 4–200 years in the Iceland quahog. In gill and mantle tissues of 4–192 year old A. islandica, catalase, citrate synthase activity and glutathione concentration declined rapidly within the first 25 years, covering the transitional phase of rapid somatic growth and sexual maturation to the outgrown mature stages (～32 years). Thereafter all three parameters kept rather stable levels for > 150 years. In contrast, superoxide dismutase activities maintained high levels throughout life time. These findings support the ‘Free Radical-Rate of Living theory’, antioxidant capacities of A.islandica are extraordinarily high and thus may explain the species long life span.     

A conserved acidic motif is crucial for enzymatic activity of protein O-mannosyltransferases

Protein O-mannosylation is an essential modification in fungi and mammals. It is initiated at the endoplasmic reticulum by a conserved family of dolichyl phosphate mannose-dependent protein O-mannosyltransferases (PMTs). PMTs are integral membrane proteins with two hydrophilic loops (loops 1 and 5) facing the endoplasmic reticulum lumen. Formation of dimeric PMT complexes is crucial for mannosyltransferase activity, but the direct cause is not known to date. In bakers' yeast, O-mannosylation is catalyzed largely by heterodimeric Pmt1p-Pmt2p and homodimeric Pmt4p complexes. To further characterize Pmt1p-Pmt2p complexes, we developed a photoaffinity probe based on the artificial mannosyl acceptor substrate Tyr-Ala-Thr-Ala-Val. The photoreactive probe was preferentially cross-linked to Pmt1p, and deletion of the loop 1 (but not loop 5) region abolished this interaction. Analysis of Pmt1p loop 1 mutants revealed that especially Glu-78 is crucial for binding of the photoreactive probe. Glu-78 belongs to an Asp-Glu motif that is highly conserved among PMTs. We further demonstrate that single amino acid substitutions in this motif completely abolish activity of Pmt4p complexes. In contrast, both acidic residues need to be exchanged to eliminate activity of Pmt1p-Pmt2p complexes. On the basis of our data, we propose that the loop 1 regions of dimeric complexes form part of the catalytic site.