Insights into the molecular activation mechanism of the RhoA-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor, PDZRhoGEF

PDZRhoGEF (PRG) belongs to a small family of RhoA-specific nucleotide exchange factors that mediates signaling through select G-protein-coupled receptors via Gα(12/13) and activates RhoA by catalyzing the exchange of GDP to GTP. PRG is a multidomain protein composed of PDZ, regulators of G-protein signaling-like (RGSL), Dbl-homology (DH), and pleckstrin-homology (PH) domains. It is autoinhibited in cytosol and is believed to undergo a conformational rearrangement and translocation to the membrane for full activation, although the molecular details of the regulation mechanism are not clear. It has been shown recently that the main autoregulatory elements of PDZRhoGEF, the autoinhibitory "activation box" and the "GEF switch," which is required for full activation, are located directly upstream of the catalytic DH domain and its RhoA binding surface, emphasizing the functional role of the RGSL-DH linker. Here, using a combination of biophysical and biochemical methods, we show that the mechanism of PRG regulation is yet more complex and may involve an additional autoinhibitory element in the form of a molten globule region within the linker between RGSL and DH domains. We propose a novel, two-tier model of autoinhibition where the activation box and the molten globule region act synergistically to impair the ability of RhoA to bind to the catalytic DH-PH tandem. The molten globule region and the activation box become less ordered in the PRG-RhoA complex and dissociate from the RhoA-binding site, which may constitute a critical step leading to PRG activation.     

Effect of g.2728g > A and g.3996t > C polymorphisms at the leptin gene locus on microstructure and physicochemical properties of longissimus lumborum muscle of Polish Landrace pigs

The influence ofHindIII (g.2728G > A) and Bg/II (g.3996 T > C) polymorphisms at the leptin gene locus on muscle fibre characteristics and meat quality of longissimus lumborum muscle was studied in 146 barrows of the Polish Landrace breed. Leptin gene polymorphism was identified by PCR-RFLP. Fibre type percentage, fibre diameter and the following technological parameters ofmeat were also determined: pH45, pH24, L*a*b* colour, drip loss, water holding capacity, shear force and intramuscular fat content. Polymorphism was not detected in the locus studied in the Landrace pig herd analysed with the Bg/II restriction enzyme (g.3996 T > C). For the HindIII enzyme (g.2728G > A), there was a high frequency of GG homozygotes (0.78) and G allele (0.89), but the AA genotype was not present. Moreover, the genotypes ofleptin gene RFLP-HindIII polymorphism had no effect on intramuscular fat content and muscle fibre type percentage, but had a significant effect on muscle fibre size. Heterozygous GA fatteners had a significantly larger (P < 0.05) diameter of type IIB and type I fibres compared to homozygous GG fatteners. Generally, meat quality parameters were comparable among the examined genotypes except for water holding capacity (which was the lowest for the GG genotype) and colour lightness (L*) (which was the lightest for GA genotype). Moreover, regardless of genotype, large differences were observed between each animal in the distribution of intramuscular fat.     

Coordination properties of ethyl bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)phosphate ligand with copper and zinc chloride. X-ray crystal structure of Cu(II) complex

A new ethyl bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)phosphate (2-bis(pm)Ope) ligand has been synthesized and used for synthesis of copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of the formula [MCl₂(2-bis(pm)Ope)] [M = Cu(II), Zn(II)]. Despite having the same general formula, Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes are not isostructural. The Zn(II) complex is four coordinated (MCl₂N₂) forming probably tetrahedral structure whereas the Cu(II) complex of distorted square pyramidal geometry is five coordinated (MCl₂ON₂). The later compound not only coordinates by two nitrogen atoms of pyridine rings but also by the oxygen atom of pyridin-2-ylmethoxyl residue. The compound (2-bis(pm)Ope) has been obtained as the product of diethyl (pyridin-2-ylmethyl)phosphate’s (2-pmOpe) transestrification. The compounds have been identified and characterized by IR, far-IR, ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR and elemental analyses. The crystal structure of copper(II) complex i.e. [CuCl₂(2-bis(pm)Ope)] has been determined by the X-ray diffraction method. The low temperature magnetic study reveals significant antiferromagnetic interaction between copper centers through the H-bond system.     

Calmyrin1 binds to SCG10 protein (stathmin2) to modulate neurite outgrowth

Calmyrin1 (CaMy1) is an EF-hand Ca²⁺-binding protein expressed in several cell types, including brain neurons. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen of a human fetal brain cDNA library, we identified SCG10 protein (stathmin2) as a CaMy1 partner. SCG10 is a microtubule-destabilizing factor involved in neuronal growth during brain development. We found increased mRNA and protein levels of CaMy1 during neuronal development, which paralleled the changes in SCG10 levels. In developing primary rat hippocampal neurons in culture, CaMy1 and SCG10 colocalized in cell soma, neurites, and growth cones. Pull-down, coimmunoprecipitation, and proximity ligation assays demonstrated that the interaction between CaMy1 and SCG10 is direct and Ca²⁺-dependent in vivo and requires the C-terminal domain of CaMy1 (residues 99-192) and the N-terminal domain of SCG10 (residues 1-35). CaMy1 did not interact with stathmin1, a protein that is homologous with SCG10 but lacks the N-terminal domain characteristic of SCG10. CaMy1 interfered with SCG10 inhibitory activity in a microtubule polymerization assay. Moreover, CaMy1 overexpression inhibited SCG10-mediated neurite outgrowth in nerve growth factor (NGF)-stimulated PC12 cells. This CaMy1 activity did not occur when an N-terminally truncated SCG10 mutant unable to interact with CaMy1 was expressed. Altogether, these data suggest that CaMy1 via SCG10 couples Ca²⁺ signals with the dynamics of microtubules during neuronal outgrowth in the developing brain. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: 11th European Symposium on Calcium.     

B cells and TCR avidity determine distinct functions of CD4+ T cells in retroviral infection

The T cell-dependent B cell response relies on cognate interaction between B cells and CD4(+) Th cells. However, the consequences of this interaction for CD4(+) T cells are not entirely known. B cells generally promote CD4(+) T cell responses to pathogens, albeit to a variable degree. In contrast, CD4(+) T cell responses to self- or tumor Ags are often suppressed by B cells. In this study, we demonstrated that interaction with B cells dramatically inhibited the function of virus-specific CD4(+) T cells in retroviral infection. We have used Friend virus infection of mice as a model for retroviral infection, in which the behavior of virus-specific CD4(+) T cells was monitored according to their TCR avidity. We report that avidity for Ag and interaction with B cells determine distinct aspects of the primary CD4(+) T cell response to Friend virus infection. Virus-specific CD4(+) T cells followed exclusive Th1 and T follicular helper (Tfh) differentiation. High avidity for Ag facilitated expansion during priming and enhanced the capacity for IFN-γ and IL-21 production. In contrast, Tfh differentiation was not affected by avidity for Ag. By reducing or preventing B cell interaction, we found that B cells promoted Tfh differentiation, induced programmed death 1 expression, and inhibited IFN-γ production by virus-specific CD4(+) T cells. Ultimately, B cells protected hosts from CD4(+) T cell-mediated immune pathology, at the detriment of CD4(+) T cell-mediated protective immunity. Our results suggest that B cell presentation of vaccine Ags could be manipulated to direct the appropriate CD4(+) T cell response.     

The cooperation of FGF receptor and Klotho is involved in excretory canal development and regulation of metabolic homeostasis in Caenorhabditis elegans

FGFs have traditionally been associated with cell proliferation, morphogenesis, and development; yet, a subfamily of FGFs (FGF19, -21, and -23) functions as hormones to regulate glucose, lipid, phosphate, and vitamin D metabolism with impact on energy balance and aging. In mammals, Klotho and beta-Klotho are type 1 transmembrane proteins that function as obligatory co-factors for endocrine FGFs to bind to their cognate FGF receptors (FGFRs). Mutations in Klotho/beta-Klotho or fgf19, -21, or -23 are associated with a number of human diseases, including autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets, premature aging disorders, and diabetes. The Caenorhabditis elegans genome contains two paralogues of Klotho/beta-Klotho, klo-1, and klo-2. klo-1 is expressed in the C. elegans excretory canal, which is structurally and functionally paralogous to the vertebrate kidney. KLO-1 associates with EGL-15/FGFR, suggesting a role for KLO-1 in the fluid homeostasis phenotype described previously for egl-15/fgfr mutants. Altered levels of EGL-15/FGFR signaling lead to defects in excretory canal development and function in C. elegans. These results suggest an evolutionarily conserved function for the FGFR-Klotho complex in the development of excretory organs such as the mammalian kidney and the worm excretory canal. These results also suggest an evolutionarily conserved function for the FGFR-Klotho axis in metabolic regulation.     

High activity catechol 2,3-dioxygenase from the cresols - Degrading Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain KB2

This study aimed at characterization of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia KB2, being able to utilize a wide spectrum of aromatic substrates as a sole carbon and energy source. 2-methylphenol, 3-methylphenol, and 4-methylphenol was completely degraded during 24 h in concentration 6 mM, 7 mM, and 5 mM, respectively. When cells of strain KB2 were growing on methylphenols, catechol 2,3-dioxygenase was induced. Biochemical analysis revealed that the examined enzyme was similar to another catechol 2,3-dioxygenases, but showed extremely high activity. The enzyme was optimally active at 30 °C and pH 7.6. Kinetic studies showed that the value of K_m, V_max and Hill constant was 85.11 ??M, 3.08 ??M min⁻¹ and 4.09 respectively. Comparative structural and phylogenetic analysis of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase from S. maltophilia KB2 had placed the protein with the single-ring substrate subfamily of the extradiol dioxygenase. We observed the presence of externally located ??-helices and internally located ??-sheets. We also suggest that the Fe²⁺ ion binding is facilitated via four ligands: two histidine residues, one glutamate residue and one molecule of water.     

Association between Polymorphisms in the TSHR Gene and Graves' Orbitopathy

Background

Graves'' orbitopathy (GO) as well as Graves'' disease (GD) hyperthyroidism originate from an autoimmune reaction against the common auto-antigen, thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR). GO phenotype is associated with environmental risk factors, mainly nicotinism, as well as genetic risk factors which initiate an immunologic reaction. In some patients GO is observed before diagnosis of GD hyperthyroidism, while it can also be observed far after diagnosis. The intensity of GO symptoms varies greatly in these patients. Thus, the pathogenesis of GD and GO may correlate with different genetic backgrounds, which has been confirmed by studies of correlations between GO and polymorphisms in cytokines involved in orbit inflammation. The aim of our analysis was to assess genetic predisposition to GO in young patients (age of diagnosis ≤30 years of age), for whom environmental effects had less time to influence outcomes than in adults.

Methods

768 GD patients were included in the study. 359 of them had clinically evident orbitopathy (NOSPECS ≥2). Patients were stratified by age at diagnosis. Association analyses were performed for genes with a known influence on development of GD - TSHR, HLA-DRB1, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) and lymphoid protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPN22).

Results

The rs179247 TSHR polymorphism was associated with GO in young patients only. In young GO-free patients, allele A was statistically more frequent and homozygous carriers had a considerable lower risk of disease incidence than patients with AG or GG genotypes. Those differences were not found in either elderly patients or the group analyzed as a whole.

Conclusions

Allele A of the rs179247 polymorphism in the TSHR gene is associated with lower risk of GO in young GD patients.