Novel RepA-MCM proteins encoded in plasmids pTAU4, pORA1 and pTIK4 from Sulfolobus neozealandicus

Three plasmids isolated from the crenarchaeal thermoacidophile Sulfolobus neozealandicus were characterized. Plasmids pTAU4 (7,192 bp), pORA1 (9,689 bp) and pTIK4 (13,638 bp) show unusual properties that distinguish them from previously characterized cryptic plasmids of the genus Sulfolobus. Plasmids pORA1 and pTIK4 encode RepA proteins, only the former of which carries the novel polymerase-primase domain of other known Sulfolobus plasmids. Plasmid pTAU4 encodes a mini-chromosome maintenance protein homolog and no RepA protein; the implications for DNA replication are considered. Plasmid pORA1 is the first Sulfolobus plasmid to be characterized that does not encode the otherwise highly conserved DNA-binding PlrA protein. Another encoded protein appears to be specific for the New Zealand plasmids. The three plasmids should provide useful model systems for functional studies of these important crenarchaeal proteins.     

Revisiting the role of H+ in chemotactic signaling of sperm

Chemotaxis of sperm is an important step toward fertilization. During chemotaxis, sperm change their swimming behavior in a gradient of the chemoattractant that is released by the eggs, and finally sperm accumulate near the eggs. A well established model to study chemotaxis is the sea urchin Arbacia punctulata. Resact, the chemoattractant of Arbacia, is a peptide that binds to a receptor guanylyl cyclase. The signaling pathway underlying chemotaxis is still poorly understood. Stimulation of sperm with resact induces a variety of cellular events, including a rise in intracellular pH (pHi) and an influx of Ca2+; the Ca2+ entry is essential for the chemotactic behavior. Previous studies proposed that the influx of Ca2+ is initiated by the rise in pHi. According to this proposal, a cGMP-induced hyperpolarization activates a voltage-dependent Na+/H+ exchanger that expels H+ from the cell. Because some aspects of the proposed signaling pathway are inconsistent with recent results (Kaupp, U.B., J. Solzin, J.E. Brown, A. Helbig, V. Hagen, M. Beyermann, E. Hildebrand, and I. Weyand. 2003. Nat. Cell Biol. 5:109-117), we reexamined the role of protons in chemotaxis of sperm using kinetic measurements of the changes in pHi and intracellular Ca2+ concentration. We show that for physiological concentrations of resact (<25 pM), the influx of Ca2+ precedes the rise in pHi. Moreover, buffering of pHi completely abolishes the resact-induced pHi signal, but leaves the Ca2+ signal and the chemotactic motor response unaffected. We conclude that an elevation of pHi is required neither to open Ca(2+)-permeable channels nor to control the chemotactic behavior. Intracellular release of cGMP from a caged compound does not cause an increase in pHi, indicating that the rise in pHi is induced by cellular events unrelated to cGMP itself, but probably triggered by the consumption and subsequent replenishment of GTP. These results show that the resact-induced rise in pHi is not an obligatory step in sperm chemotactic signaling. A rise in pHi is also not required for peptide-induced Ca2+ entry into sperm of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Speract, a peptide of S. purpuratus may act as a chemoattractant as well or may serve functions other than chemotaxis.     

A mechanism for polar protein localization in bacteria

We investigate a mechanism for the polar localization of proteins in bacteria. We focus on the MinCD/DivIVA system regulating division site placement in the rod-shaped bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Our model relies on a combination of geometric effects and reaction-diffusion dynamics to direct proteins to both cell poles, where division is then blocked. We discuss similarities and differences with related division models in Escherichia coli and also develop extensions of the model to asymmetric polar protein localization. We propose that our mechanism for polar localization may be employed more widely in bacteria, especially in outgrowing spores, which do not possess any pre-existing polar division apparatus from prior division events.     

A sea urchin egg jelly peptide induces a cGMP-mediated decrease in sperm intracellular Ca(2+) before its increase

Speract, a sperm-activating peptide (SAP) from sea urchin eggs, increases the intracellular concentration of Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]i) and modulates sperm motility. We measured the initial sperm response to speract using its caged analog and observed, for the first time, a small but significant decrease in sperm [Ca²⁺]i before the increase. Both directions of the [Ca²⁺]i change were completely blocked in high K⁺ seawater. Using membrane-permeant caged cyclic nucleotides (cNMP), only cGMP induced the decrease in [Ca²⁺]i although both cGMP and cAMP increased the [Ca²⁺]i. The decrease in the [Ca²⁺]i induced by cGMP was more notable following a second photolytic event, once [Ca²⁺]i had been elevated by an initial flash. This pattern of [Ca²⁺]i change was confirmed in individual sperm. These results together with pharmacological evidence suggest that the initial [Ca²⁺]i decrease is due to a Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger activity, stimulated by hyperpolarization mediated by K⁺ efflux through cGMP-regulated K⁺ channels.     

A Myxococcus xanthus rppA-mmrA double mutant exhibits reduced uptake of amino acids and tolerance of some antimicrobials

Myxococcus xanthus RppA and MmrA are homologous to methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs) and to multidrug transporters, respectively. We reported previously that rppA-mmrA double mutant exhibited reduced colony expansion, agglutination, and polysaccharide levels. We have demonstrated here that the rppA-mmrA mutant also exhibited reduced amino acid uptake. Furthermore, the double mutant appeared to be more susceptible to some antimicrobial agents, such as streptomycin, ethidium bromide and norfloxacin, than the wild-type. These phenotypes were not shown in the rppA or mmrA single mutant. These results indicate that M. xanthus RppA and MmrA are also involved in the uptake of amino acids and efflux of some antimicrobial agents.     

Sphingosine 1-phosphate and its G protein-coupled receptors constitute a multifunctional immunoregulatory system

The lysophospholipid growth factors sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) are generated by many cells involved in immunity, including macrophages, dendritic cells, mast cells, and platelets, with resultant lymph and plasma concentrations of 0.1-1 microM. All immune cells express distinctive profiles of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) for S1P and LPA, which are regulated developmentally and by cellular activation. For T-cells, constitutive S1P signaling through their principal S1P(1) GPCR inhibits chemotactic responses to chemokines, with lesser suppression of proliferation and cytokine production. These S1P-S1P(1) GPCR signals tonically reduce T-cell chemotactic sensitivity to chemokines and thereby limit homing of blood and spleen T-cells to secondary lymphoid tissues. S1P(1) GPCR antagonists evoke lymphopenia by permitting blood T-cells to enter lymph nodes and blocking S1P(1) GPCR-dependent T-cell efflux from lymph nodes. Inversely, there is a longer than normal persistance in blood and a decrease in lymphoid transit time for T-cells overexpressing transgenic S1P(1) GPCRs. The immunotherapeutic potential of S1P(1) GPCR antagonists derives from their capacity to limit T-cell access to organ grafts and autoimmune antigens without reducing their other intrinsic functional capabilities. Lysophospholipids and their GPCRs thus constitute an immunoregulatory system of sufficient prominence for pharmacological targeting in transplantation, autoimmunity and immunodeficiency.     

To go or not to go: Migration of human mesenchymal progenitor cells stimulated by isoforms of PDGF

The recruitment of mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) and their subsequent differentiation to osteoblasts is mandatory for bone development, remodeling, and repair. To study the possible involvement of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) isoforms, primary human MPCs and osteogenic differentiated progenitor cells (dOB) were examined for chemotaxic response to homodimeric human platelet-derived growth factor AA, -BB, and heterodimeric PDGF-AB. The role of PDGF receptors was addressed by preincubation with PDGF receptor alpha and beta chain specific antibodies. Migration of MPCs, dOB, and primary osteoblasts (OB) was stimulated by the addition of rhPDGF-AA, rhPDGF-BB, and rhPDGF-AB. The effect was highest in MPCs and for rhPDGF-BB, and declining with osteogenic differentiation. Preincubation with the receptor alpha specific antibody decreased the CI to borderline values while pretreatment with the receptor beta specific antibody led to a complete loss of chemotactic response to PDGF isoforms. In control experiments, basal migration values and rhBMP-2 as well as rxBMP-4 induced chemotaxis of MPC were not influenced by the addition of receptor alpha or beta antibodies. Interestingly, without preincubation the parallel exposure of MPC to rhTGF-beta1 instantaneously leads to a selective loss of migratory stimulation by rhPDGF-AA. The chemotactic effect of PDGF isoforms for primary human MPCs and the influence of osteogenic differentiation suggest a functional role for recruitment of MPCs during bone development and remodeling. Moreover, these observations may be useful for novel approaches towards guided tissue regeneration or tissue engineering of bone.     

Loss of G2A promotes macrophage accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions of low density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is considered a major proatherogenic component of oxidized low density lipoprotein based on its proinflammatory actions in vitro. LPC stimulates macrophage and T-cell chemotaxis via the G protein-coupled receptor G2A and may thus promote inflammatory cell infiltration during atherosclerotic lesion development. However, G2A also mediates proapoptotic effects of LPC and may therefore promote the death of inflammatory cells within developing lesions. To determine how these effects of LPC modify atherogenesis, we examined atherosclerotic lesion development in G2A-sufficient and G2A-deficient low density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice. Although LPC species capable of activating G2A-dependent responses were increased during lesion development, G2A-deficient mice developed lesions similar in size to those in their G2A-sufficient counterparts. Loss of G2A during atherosclerotic lesion development did not reduce macrophage and T-cell infiltration but instead resulted in increased lesional macrophage content associated with reduced numbers of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeled cells and decreased collagen deposition. These data indicate that the ability of LPC to stimulate macrophage and T-cell chemotaxis via G2A is not manifested in vivo and that G2A-mediated proapoptotic rather than chemotactic action is most penetrant during atherogenesis and may modify the stability of atherosclerotic lesions by promoting macrophage death.     

Osteoblast migration in vertebrate bone

Bone formation, for example during bone remodelling or fracture repair, requires mature osteoblasts to deposit bone with remarkable spatial precision. As osteoblast precursors derive either from circulation or resident stem cell pools, they and their progeny are required to migrate within the three‐dimensional bone space and to navigate to their destination, i.e. to the site of bone formation. An understanding of this process is emerging based on in vitro and in vivo studies of several vertebrate species. Receptors on the osteoblast surface mediate cell adhesion and polarization, which induces osteoblast migration. Osteoblast migration is then facilitated along gradients of chemoattractants. The latter are secreted or released proteolytically by several cell types interacting with osteoblasts, including osteoclasts and vascular endothelial cells. The positions of these cellular sources of chemoattractants in relation to the position of the osteoblasts provide the migrating osteoblasts with tracks to their destination, and osteoblasts possess the means to follow a track marked by multiple chemoattractant gradients. In addition to chemotactic cues, osteoblasts sense other classes of signals and utilize them as landmarks for navigation. The composition of the osseous surface guides adhesion and hence migration efficiency and can also provide steering through haptotaxis. Further, it is likely that signals received from surface interactions modulate chemotaxis. Besides the nature of the surface, mechanical signals such as fluid flow may also serve as navigation signals for osteoblasts. Alterations in osteoblast migration and navigation might play a role in metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis.