How Tlg2p/syntaxin 16 'snares' Vps45

Soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor-attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) and Sec1p/Munc18-homologs (SM proteins) play key roles in intracellular membrane fusion. The SNAREs form tight four-helix bundles (core complexes) that bring the membranes together, but it is unclear how this activity is coupled to SM protein function. Studies of the yeast trans-Golgi network (TGN)/endosomal SNARE complex, which includes the syntaxin-like SNARE Tlg2p, have suggested that its assembly requires activation by binding of the SM protein Vps45p to the cytoplasmic region of Tlg2p folded into a closed conformation. Nuclear magnetic resonance and biochemical experiments now show that Tlg2p and Pep12p, a late- endosomal syntaxin that interacts functionally but not directly with Vps45p, have a domain structure characteristic of syntaxins but do not adopt a closed conformation. Tlg2p binds tightly to Vps45p via a short N-terminal peptide motif that is absent in Pep12p. The Tlg2p/Vps45p binding mode is shared by the mammalian syntaxin 16, confirming that it is a Tlg2p homolog, and resembles the mode of interaction between the SM protein Sly1p and the syntaxins Ufe1p and Sed5p. Thus, this mechanism represents the most widespread mode of coupling between syntaxins and SM proteins.     

Identification of a MAD2-binding protein,CMT2, and its role in mitosis

MAD2 is a key component of the spindle checkpoint that delays the onset of anaphase until all the kinetochores are attached to the spindle. It binds to human p55CDC and prevents it from promoting destruction of an anaphase inhibitor, securin. Here we report the characterization of a novel MAD2-binding protein, CMT2. Upon the completion of spindle attachment, formation of the CMT2-MAD2 complex coincides with dissociation of the p55CDC-MAD2 complex. Overexpression of CMT2 in cells arrested by the spindle checkpoint causes premature destruction of securin and allows exit from mitosis without chromosome segregation. Depletion of CMT2 induces cell death following a transient delay in the onset of anaphase. These results indicate that CMT2 interacts with the spindle checkpoint and coordinates cell cycle events in late mitosis.     

The systematic substitutions around the conserved charged residues of the cytoplasmic loop of Na+-driven flagellar motor component PomA

PomA, a homolog of MotA in the H+-driven flagellar motor, is an essential component for torque generation in the Na+-driven flagellar motor. Previous studies suggested that two charged residues, R90 and E98, which are in the single cytoplasmic loop of MotA, are directly involved in this process. These residues are conserved in PomA of Vibrio alginolyticus as R88 and E96, respectively. To explore the role of these charged residues in the Na+-driven motor, we replaced them with other amino acids. However, unlike in the H+-driven motor, both of the single and the double PomA mutants were functional. Several other positively and negatively charged residues near R88 and E96, namely K89, E97 and E99, were neutralized. Motility was retained in a strain producing the R88A/K89A/E96Q/E97Q/E99Q (AAQQQ) PomA protein. The swimming speed of the AAQQQ strain was as fast as that of the wild-type PomA strain, but the direction of motor rotation was abnormally counterclockwise-biased. We could, however, isolate non-motile or poorly motile mutants when certain charged residues in PomA were reversed or neutralized. The charged residues at positions 88-99 of PomA may not be essential for torque generation in the Na+-driven motor and might play a role in motor function different from that of the equivalent residues of the H+-driven motor.     

Interleukin-13 induces thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (CCL17) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

BACKGROUND: In allergic inflammation involving allergic rhinitis, the predominance of Th(2) lymphocytes is one of the primary causal agents in promotion of the allergic condition. Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) is a recently identified chemokine that induces the development of Th(2) lymphocytes. One of the sources of TARC has been reported to be peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). OBJECTIVE: We investigated TARC production from PBMCs by the stimulation of specific antigens and Th(2) type cytokines. METHOD: PBMCs were isolated from both allergic rhinitis patients and healthy volunteers. PBMCs were incubated with cytokine. TARC mRNA expression was examined by real time PCR methods and the amount of TARC production was examined by ELISA. RESULTS: IL-13 was found to be the most potent inducer for TARC mRNA expression and protein production in PBMCs. Furthermore, tumour necrosis factor alpha and IL-13 synergistically induce TARC. The amount of TARC from allergic rhinitis patients was significantly larger than that from healthy volunteers. Moreover, TARC was induced by a specific antigen, and was 35% inhibited by an anti-IL-13 neutralizing antibody. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that IL-13 is important in TARC mediated Th(2) lymphocytes infiltration in the nasal mucosa.     

In Situ Microspatial Imaging Using Two-Photon and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy of Bacteria and Extracellular Polymeric Secretions (EPS) Within Marine Stromatolites

The combination of a hydrophilic embedding resin, Nanoplast, with fluorescent probes, and subsequent imaging using two-photon and confocal laser scanning microscopy (2P-LSM and CLSM) has allowed in imaging of the in situ microspatial arrangements of microbial cells and their extracellular polymeric secretion (EPS) within marine stromatolites. Optical sectioning by 2P-LSM and CLSM allowed imaging of endolithic cyanobacteria cells, Solentia sp., seen within carbonate sand grains. 2P-LSM allowed very clear imaging with a high resolution of bacteria using DAPI, which normally require UV excitation and reduced photo-bleaching of fluorescent probes.     

Dual regulation of phospholipase D1 by protein kinase C alpha in vivo

The regulation of phospholipase D1 (PLD1), which has been shown to be activated by protein kinase C (PKC) alpha, was investigated in the human melanoma cell lines. In G361 cell line, which lacks PKCalpha, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced PLD activation was potentiated by introducing PKCalpha by the adenovirus vector. The kinase-negative PKCalpha elevated TPA-induced PLD activity less significantly than the wild type. A PKC specific inhibitor GF109203X lowered PLD activation in the cells expressing PKCalpha, but did not prevent PLD potentiation induced by the kinase-negative PKCalpha. Expression of PKCbetaII and the kinase-negative PKCbetaII enhanced TPA-stimulated PLD activity moderately in MeWo cell line, in which PKCbetaII is absent. Furthermore, the TPA treatment increased the association of PKCalpha, PKCbetaII, and their kinase-negative mutants with PLD1 in melanoma cells. These results indicate that PLD1 is dually regulated through phosphorylation as well as through the protein-protein interaction by PKCalpha, and probably by PKCbetaII, in vivo.     

Characterization of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive NK cells isolated from hydroa vacciniforme-like eruptions

Recently, the involvement of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in hydroa vacciniforme (HV)-like eruptions has been suggested. To elucidate the role of EBV in this disease, we isolated EBV-infected cell clones from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and the skin lesions of a patient with HV-like eruptions; cells isolated from PBMC were designated SNK-12, and those from the eruption SNK-11. Both cells expressed CD16, CD56, and HLA-DR and had germline configurations of the T-cell receptor and the immunoglobulin genes, indicating that the cell clones were of NK cell lineage. The analysis of EBV terminal repeats indicated that the cells were monoclonal, had identical clonality, and originated from EBV-positive cells in the PBMC and eruption. Both clones expressed EBNA-1, but not EBNA-2. Although LMP-1 was weakly detected in SNK-11, no LMP-1 was detected in SNK-12. Interestingly, EBV-infected cells required less IL-2 for in vitro growth in the later phase of this disease and this appeared to correlate with the expression of LMP-1, suggesting that the proliferative capacity of the EBV-positive NK cells increased during the time course of the disease, and LMP-1 expression might be responsible for that. This is the first report of the isolation of EBV-infected cells from the skin lesions of HV-like eruptions and strongly suggests that the HV-like eruption in the patient was caused by clonal NK cells with latent EBV infection.     

Phytosulfokine stimulates somatic embryogenesis in Cryptomeria japonica

Phytosulfokine (PSK), which has been identified as a plant growth factor, had a dramatic stimulatory effect on the formation of somatic embryos of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) in the presence of polyethylene glycol. The resultant somatic embryos germinated with synchronous sprouting of cotyledons, hypocotyls and roots, and most of the seedlings grew normally. A cDNA clone for the precursor to the PSK peptide of C. japonica was identified in an expressed sequence tags database. Our results support the existence of a PSK signaling pathway in C. japonica.