The influence of N-glycosylation and C-terminal sequence on secretion of HBV large surface antigen from S. cerevisiae

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we synthesized and secreted L-HBVsAg (named as pre-S(Met1 to Asn174)::S(Met175 to Ile400)) and three mutants, i.e., pre-S degree degree::S (Asn15Gln and Asn123Gln), pre-S degree degree::S degree (Asn15Gln, Asn123Gln, and Asn320Gln), and pre-S degree degree::S degree degree (Asn15Gln, Asn123Gln, Asn233Gln, and Asn320Gln). All of the secreted pre-S::S was N-glycosylated, i.e., hyper-mannosylated. In the secretion of pre-S degree degree::S and pre-S degree degree::S degree, besides the hyper-mannosylated form, another immunoreactive protein with much lower molecular mass was observed, which seems to be unglycosylated form of pre-S degree degree::S and pre-S degree degree::S degree. Only a part of the secreted pre-S degree degree::S or pre-S degree degree::S degree molecules was N-glycosylated, and the site for the partial N-glycosylation seems to be Asn233 in S-antigen region. Compared to the N-glycosylated pre-S degree degree::S and pre-S degree degree::S degree, pre-S degree degree::S degree degree (non-N-glycosylated mutant) was secreted with lower secretion efficiency but showed apparent immunoreactivity to anti-S antigen monoclonal Ab. Interestingly, unlike pre-S degree degree::S degree degree with authentic C-terminus, the recombinant pre-S degree degree::S degree degree with C-terminal myc or poly-histidine tag (pre-S degree degree::S degree degree::tag) was almost all aggregated into insoluble proteins in the intracellular region. Conclusively, the C-terminal sequence and glycosylation in S-antigen region seem to be of crucial importance in determining the secretion efficiency of L-HBVsAg in S. cerevisiae.     

Global chimeric exchanges within the intracellular face of the bradykinin B2 receptor with corresponding angiotensin II type Ia receptor regions: generation of fully functional hybrids showing characteristic signaling of the AT1a receptor

The intracellular (IC) face of the G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR), bradykinin (BK) B2 and angiotensin (AT) 1a, is similar in sequence homology and in size. Both receptors are known to link to Galphai and Galphaq but differ markedly in a number of physiologic actions, particularly with respect to their hemodynamic action. We made single as well as multiple, global replacements within the IC of BKB2R with the corresponding regions of the AT1aR. When stably transfected into Rat-1 cells, these hybrid receptors all bound BK with high affinity. Single replacement of the intracellular loop 2 (IC2) or the distal 34 residues of the C-terminus (dCt) with the corresponding regions of AT1aR resulted in chimera, which turned over phosphotidylinositol (PI) and released arachidonic acid (ARA) as WT BKB2R. In contrast, incorporation of the AT1aR IC3 in a single replacement abolished signal transduction. However, the simultaneous exchange of IC2 and IC3 of BKB2R with AT1aR resulted in a receptor responding to BK with PI turnover and ARA release approximately 4-fold greater than WT BKB2R. Likewise, the simultaneous replacement of IC2 and dCt resulted in a 2.8- and 1.6-fold increase in PI turnover and ARA release, respectively. In contrast, the dual replacement of IC3 and dCt could not overcome the deleterious effects of the IC3 replacement, resulting in very low PI activation and ARA release. Replacement of all three IC domains (IC2, IC3, and dCt) resulted in PI closer to that of AT1aR than BKB2R. The uptake of the receptor chimeras was similar to that of WT BKB2R with the exception of the IC3/dCt dual mutant, which exhibited very poor internalization (18% at 60'). When transfected into Rat-1 cells, the AT1aR markedly increased the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA, while BK slightly decreased it. The dual IC2/dCt and triple IC2/IC3/dCt hybrids both upregulated CTGF mRNA in response to BK. These results show that the IC face of the BKB2R can be exchanged with that of AT1aR, producing hybrid receptors, which take on the functional characteristics of AT1aR. The characterization of the chimera with stepwise replacement of the IC domains should allow for assignment of specific roles to the individual loops and C-terminus in the signaling and internalization of the BKB2R and facilitate the generation of a receptor with BKB2R binding and AT1aR function.     

The Nucleolar PICT-1/GLTSCR2 Protein Forms Homo-Oligomers

The human “protein interacting with carboxyl terminus 1” (PICT-1), also designated as the “glioma tumor suppressor candidate region 2 gene product”, GLTSCR2, is a nucleolar protein whose activity is, as yet, unknown. Contradictory results regarding the role of PICT-1 in cancer have been reported, and PICT-1 has been suggested to function either as a tumor suppressor protein or as an oncogene. In this study, we demonstrate self-association of PICT-1. Through yeast two-hybrid assay, we identified PICT-1 as its own interaction partner. We confirmed the interaction of PICT-1 with itself by direct yeast two-hybrid assay and also showed self-association of PICT-1 in mammalian cells by co-immunoprecipitation and fluorescence resonance energy transfer assays. Furthermore, we confirmed direct self-association of PICT-1 by using in vitro microfluidic affinity binding assays. The later assay also identified the carboxy-terminal domain as mediating self-interaction of PICT-1. Glutaraldehyde cross-linking and gel-filtration assays suggest that PICT-1 forms dimers, though it may form higher-order complexes as well. Our findings add another layer of complexity in understanding the different functions of PICT-1 and may help provide insights regarding the activities of this protein.     

Inhibition of chlamydial class Ic ribonucleotide reductase by C‐terminal peptides from protein R2

Chlamydia trachomatis ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is a class Ic RNR. It has two homodimeric subunits: proteins R1 and R2. Class Ic protein R2 in its most active form has a manganese–iron metal cofactor, which functions in catalysis like the tyrosyl radical in classical class Ia and Ib RNRs. Oligopeptides with the same sequence as the C‐terminus of C. trachomatis protein R2 inhibit the catalytic activity of C. trachomatis RNR, showing that the class Ic enzyme shares a similar highly specific inhibition mechanism with the previously studied radical‐containing class Ia and Ib RNRs. The results indicate that the catalytic mechanism of this class of RNRs with a manganese–iron cofactor is similar to that of the tyrosyl‐radical‐containing RNRs, involving reversible long‐range radical transfer between proteins R1 and R2. The competitive binding of the inhibitory R2‐derived oligopeptide blocks the transfer pathway. We have constructed three‐dimensional structure models of C. trachomatis protein R1, based on homologous R1 crystal structures, and used them to discuss possible binding modes of the peptide to protein R1. Typical half maximal inhibitory concentration values for C. trachomatis RNR are about 200 µ m for a 20‐mer peptide, indicating a less efficient inhibition compared with those for an equally long peptide in the Escherichia coli class Ia RNR. A possible explanation is that the C. trachomatis R1/R2 complex has other important interactions, in addition to the binding mediated by the R1 interaction with the C‐terminus of protein R2. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Smurf E3 ubiquitin ligases at the cross roads of oncogenesis and tumor suppression

Smad ubiquitin regulatory factors (Smurfs) belong to the HECT- family of E3 ubiquitin ligases and comprise mainly of two members, Smurf1 and Smurf2. Initially, Smurfs have been implicated in determining the competence of cells to respond to TGF-β/BMP signaling pathway. Nevertheless, the intrinsic catalytic activity has extended the repertoire of Smurf substrates beyond the TGF-β/BMP super family expanding its realm further to epigenetic modifications of histones governing the chromatin landscape. Through regulation of a large number of proteins in multiple cellular compartments, Smurfs regulate diverse cellular processes, including cell-cycle progression, cell proliferation, differentiation, DNA damage response, maintenance of genomic stability, and metastasis. As the genomic ablation of Smurfs leads to global changes in histone modifications and predisposition to a wide spectrum of tumors, Smurfs are also considered to have a novel tumor suppressor function. This review focuses on regulation network and biological functions of Smurfs in connection with its role in cancer progression. By providing a portrait of their protein targets, we intend to link the substrate specificity of Smurfs with their contribution to tumorigenesis. Since the regulation and biological functions of Smurfs are quite complex, understanding the oncogenic potential of these E3 ubiquitin ligases may facilitate the development of mechanism-based drugs in cancer treatment.     

Reversible control of F1-ATPase rotational motion using a photochromic ATP analog at the single molecule level

Motor enzymes such as F₁-ATPase and kinesin utilize energy from ATP for their motion. Molecular motions of these enzymes are critical to their catalytic mechanisms and were analyzed thoroughly using a single molecule observation technique. As a tool to analyze and control the ATP-driven motor enzyme motion, we recently synthesized a photoresponsive ATP analog with a p-tert-butylazobenzene tethered to the 2′ position of the ribose ring. Using cis/trans isomerization of the azobenzene moiety, we achieved a successful reversible photochromic control over a kinesin-microtubule system in an in vitro motility assay. Here we succeeded to control the hydrolytic activity and rotation of the rotary motor enzyme, F₁-ATPase, using this photosensitive ATP analog. Subsequent single molecule observations indicated a unique pause occurring at the ATP binding angle position in the presence of cis form of the analog.     

Bacterial multidrug efflux pumps: Mechanisms,physiology and pharmacological exploitations

Multidrug resistance (MDR) refers to the capability of bacterial pathogens to withstand lethal doses of structurally diverse drugs which are capable of eradicating non-resistant strains. MDR has been identified as a major threat to the public health of human being by the World Health Organization (WHO). Among the four general mechanisms that cause antibiotic resistance including target alteration, drug inactivation, decreased permeability and increased efflux, drug extrusion by the multidrug efflux pumps serves as an important mechanism of MDR. Efflux pumps not only can expel a broad range of antibiotics owing to their poly-substrate specificity, but also drive the acquisition of additional resistance mechanisms by lowering intracellular antibiotic concentration and promoting mutation accumulation. Over-expression of multidrug efflux pumps have been increasingly found to be associated with clinically relevant drug resistance. On the other hand, accumulating evidence has suggested that efflux pumps also have physiological functions in bacteria and their expression is subject tight regulation in response to various of environmental and physiological signals. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of drug extrusion, and regulation and physiological functions of efflux pumps is essential for the development of anti-resistance interventions. In this review, we summarize the development of these research areas in the recent decades and present the pharmacological exploitation of efflux pump inhibitors as a promising anti-drug resistance intervention.     

A simple reporter assay for screening claudin-4 modulators

Claudin-4, a member of a tetra-transmembrane protein family that comprises 27 members, is a key functional and structural component of the tight junction-seal in mucosal epithelium. Modulation of the claudin-4-barrier for drug absorption is now of research interest. Disruption of the claudin-4-seal occurs during inflammation. Therefore, claudin-4 modulators (repressors and inducers) are promising candidates for drug development. However, claudin-4 modulators have never been fully developed. Here, we attempted to design a screening system for claudin-4 modulators by using a reporter assay. We prepared a plasmid vector coding a claudin-4 promoter-driven luciferase gene and established stable reporter gene-expressing cells. We identified thiabendazole, carotene and curcumin as claudin-4 inducers, and potassium carbonate as a claudin-4 repressor by using the reporter cells. They also increased or decreased, respectively, the integrity of the tight junction-seal in Caco-2 cells. This simple reporter system will be a powerful tool for the development of claudin-4 modulators.