scholarly journals 275.Calmodulin-dependent nuclear import pathway of the testis-determining factor SRY

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 275
Author(s):  
G. Kaur ◽  
A. Delluc-Clavieres ◽  
I. Poon ◽  
D. A. Jans
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Nuclear Accumulation ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Testis Development ◽  
New Findings

Modulation of the nuclear entry of transcription factors (TFs) and chromatin components is a means by which eukaryotic cells can regulate gene expression in response to extracellular signals and the cell cycle during differentiation and development. TFs and chromatin components access the nucleus through nuclear localisation sequences (NLSs), which mediate interaction with components of the cellular nuclear import machinery, such as members of the importin superfamily. The Ca2+-binding protein calmodulin (CaM ) has previously been shown to bind at or near NLSs in several nuclear-localising proteins that have important roles in testis development including the Y chromosome-encoded HMG-domain-carrying chromatin remodelling factor SRY, and related factor SOX9, both of which are key regulators of gonadal development. SRY function in the nucleus of somatic cells of the fetal gonad, in particular, is essential for development of a testis in males. Here we present new findings implicating a role for CaM in modulating SRY nuclear accumulation, whereby treatment of transfected cells with CaM antagonists significantly reduces nuclear accumulation of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fusion proteins encoding either full length SRY or the SRY HMG domain alone. An in vitro nuclear transport assay using bacterially expressed fluorescent proteins showed similar results, with native gel electrophoresis/fluorimaging and fluorescence polarisation assays, indicating direct binding of CaM to the SRY HMG domain in Ca2+-dependent fashion. Since clinical mutations resulting in sex reversal occur within SRY's CaM-binding NLS, these results may shed new insight into CaM-dependent pathways of nuclear protein import, and how this may relate to testis development.

scholarly journals Monoclonal Antibodies to NTF2 Inhibit Nuclear Protein Import by Preventing Nuclear Translocation of the GTPase Ran

2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 703-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne M. Steggerda ◽  
Ben E. Black ◽  
Bryce M. Paschal
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Nuclear Accumulation ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Permeabilized Cells ◽  
Dependent Protein

Nuclear transport factor 2 (NTF2) is a soluble transport protein originally identified by its ability to stimulate nuclear localization signal (NLS)-dependent protein import in digitonin-permeabilized cells. NTF2 has been shown to bind nuclear pore complex proteins and the GDP form of Ran in vitro. Recently, it has been reported that NTF2 can stimulate the accumulation of Ran in digitonin-permeabilized cells. Evidence that NTF2 directly mediates Ran import or that NTF2 is required to maintain the nuclear concentration of Ran in living cells has not been obtained. Here we show that cytoplasmic injection of anti-NTF2 mAbs resulted in a dramatic relocalization of Ran to the cytoplasm. This provides the first evidence that NTF2 regulates the distribution of Ran in vivo. Moreover, anti-NTF2 mAbs inhibited nuclear import of both Ran and NLS-containing protein in vitro, suggesting that NTF2 stimulates NLS-dependent protein import by driving the nuclear accumulation of Ran. We also show that biotinylated NTF2-streptavidin microinjected into the cytoplasm accumulated at the nuclear envelope, indicating that NTF2 can target a binding partner to the nuclear pore complex. Taken together, our data show that NTF2 is an essential regulator of the Ran distribution in living cells and that NTF2-mediated Ran nuclear import is required for NLS-dependent protein import.

scholarly journals Ribosomal Protein L12 Uses a Distinct Nuclear Import Pathway Mediated by Importin 11

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1266-1275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott M. Plafker ◽  
Ian G. Macara
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Protein ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Ribosomal Proteins ◽  
Ribosome Biogenesis ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Nuclear Accumulation ◽  
Transient Transfection Assay

ABSTRACT Ribosome biogenesis requires the nuclear translocation of ribosomal proteins from their site of synthesis in the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Analyses of the import mechanisms have revealed that most ribosomal proteins can be delivered to the nucleus by multiple transport receptors (karyopherins or importins). We now provide evidence that ribosomal protein L12 (rpL12) is distinguished from the bulk of ribosomal proteins because it accesses the importin 11 pathway as a major route into the nucleus. rpL12 specifically and directly interacted with importin 11 in vitro and in vivo. Both rpL12 binding to and import by importin 11 were inhibited by another importin 11 substrate, UbcM2, indicating that these two cargoes may bind overlapping sites on the transport receptor. In contrast, the import of rpL23a, a ribosomal protein that uses the general ribosomal protein import system, was not competed by UbcM2, and in an in vitro binding assay, importin 11 did not bind to the nuclear localization signal of rpL23a. Furthermore, in a transient transfection assay, the nuclear accumulation of rpL12 was increased by coexpressed importin 11, but not by other importins. These data are consistent with importin 11 being a mediator of rpL12 nuclear import. Taken together, these results indicate that rpL12 uses a distinct nuclear import pathway that may contribute to a mechanism for regulating ribosome synthesis and/or maturation.

scholarly journals Two Isoforms of Npap60 (Nup50) Differentially Regulate Nuclear Protein Import

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 630-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yutaka Ogawa ◽  
Yoichi Miyamoto ◽  
Munehiro Asally ◽  
Masahiro Oka ◽  
Yoshinari Yasuda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Nuclear Protein ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
Vitro Binding ◽  
Importin Α ◽  
Nuclear Protein Import

Npap60 (Nup50) is a nucleoporin that binds directly to importin α. In humans, there are two Npap60 isoforms: the long (Npap60L) and short (Npap60S) forms. In this study, we provide both in vitro and in vivo evidence that Npap60L and Npap60S function differently in nuclear protein import. In vitro binding assays revealed that Npap60S stabilizes the binding of importin α to classical NLS-cargo, whereas Npap60L promotes the release of NLS-cargo from importin α. In vivo time-lapse experiments showed that when the Npap60 protein level is controlled, allowing CAS to efficiently promote the dissociation of the Npap60/importin α complex, Npap60S and Npap60L suppress and accelerate the nuclear import of NLS-cargo, respectively. These results demonstrate that Npap60L and Npap60S have opposing functions and suggest that Npap60L and Npap60S levels must be carefully controlled for efficient nuclear import of classical NLS-cargo in humans. This study provides novel evidence that nucleoporin expression levels regulate nuclear import efficiency.

scholarly journals tdLanYFP, a yellow, bright, photostable and pH insensitive fluorescent protein for live cell imaging and FRET-based sensing strategies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Bousmah ◽  
H. Valenta ◽  
G. Bertolin ◽  
U. Singh ◽  
V. Nicolas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Live Cell Imaging ◽  
Cell Imaging ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Yellow Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Live Cell ◽  
Live Cells

AbstractYellow fluorescent proteins (YFP) are widely used as optical reporters in Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) based biosensors. Although great improvements have been done, the sensitivity of the biosensors is still limited by the low photostability and the poor fluorescence performances of YFPs at acidic pHs. In fact, today, there is no yellow variant derived from the EYFP with a pK1/2 below ∼5.5. Here, we characterize a new yellow fluorescent protein, tdLanYFP, derived from the tetrameric protein from the cephalochordate B. lanceolatum, LanYFP. With a quantum yield of 0.92 and an extinction coefficient of 133 000 mol−1.L.cm−1, it is, to our knowledge, the brightest dimeric fluorescent protein available, and brighter than most of the monomeric YFPs. Contrasting with EYFP and its derivatives, tdLanYFP has a very high photostability in vitro and preserves this property in live cells. As a consequence, tdLanYFP allows the imaging of cellular structures with sub-diffraction resolution with STED nanoscopy. We also demonstrate that the combination of high brightness and strong photostability is compatible with the use of spectro-microscopies in single molecule regimes. Its very low pK1/2 of 3.9 makes tdLanYFP an excellent tag even at acidic pHs. Finally, we show that tdLanYFP can be a FRET partner either as donor or acceptor in different biosensing modalities. Altogether, these assets make tdLanYFPa very attractive yellow fluorescent protein for long-term or single-molecule live-cell imaging that is also suitable for FRET experiment including at acidic pH.

scholarly journals Properties of Fluorescent Far-Red Anti-TNF Nanobodies

Antibodies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Gorshkova ◽  
Grigory Efimov ◽  
Ksenia Ermakova ◽  
Ekaterina Vasilenko ◽  
Diana Yuzhakova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autoimmune Diseases ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Humanized Mice ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Whole Body Imaging ◽  
Theranostic Agent ◽  
Variable Heavy

Upregulation of the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α, TNF) has a significant role in the development of autoimmune diseases. The fluorescent antibodies binding TNF may be used for personalized therapy of TNF-dependent diseases as a tool to predict the response to anti-TNF treatment. We generated recombinant fluorescent proteins consisting of the anti-TNF module based on the variable heavy chain (VHH) of camelid antibodies fused with the far-red fluorescent protein Katushka (Kat). Two types of anti-TNF VHH were developed: one (BTN-Kat) that was bound both human or mouse TNF, but did not neutralize their activity, and a second (ITN-Kat) that was binding and neutralizing human TNF. BTN-Kat does not interfere with TNF biological functions and can be used for whole-body imaging. ITN-Kat can be evaluated in humanized mice or in cells isolated from humanized mice. It is able to block human TNF (hTNF) activities both in vitro and in vivo and may be considered as a prototype of a theranostic agent for autoimmune diseases.

scholarly journals Peroxisome Function Is Required for Virulence and Survival of Fusarium graminearum

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 1617-1627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyunghun Min ◽  
Hokyoung Son ◽  
Jungkwan Lee ◽  
Gyung Ja Choi ◽  
Jin-Cheol Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fusarium Graminearum ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Deletion Mutants ◽  
In Planta ◽  
Peroxisomal Protein ◽  
Peroxisomal Targeting ◽  
Signal Type

Peroxisomes are organelles that are involved in a number of important cellular metabolic processes, including the β-oxidation of fatty acids, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, the role of peroxisomes was examined in Fusarium graminearum by targeted deletion of three genes (PEX5, PEX6, and PEX7) encoding peroxin (PEX) proteins required for peroxisomal protein import. PEX5 and PEX7 deletion mutants were unable to localize the fluorescently tagged peroxisomal targeting signal type 1 (PTS1)- and PTS2-containing proteins to peroxisomes, respectively, whereas the PEX6 mutant failed to localize both fluorescent proteins. Deletion of PEX5 and PEX6 resulted in retarded growth on long-chain fatty acids and butyrate, while the PEX7 deletion mutants utilized fatty acids other than butyrate. Virulence on wheat heads was greatly reduced in the PEX5 and PEX6 deletion mutants, and they were defective in spreading from inoculated florets to the adjacent spikelets through rachis. Deletion of PEX5 and PEX6 dropped survivability of aged cells in planta and in vitro due to the accumulation of ROS followed by necrotic cell death. These results demonstrate that PTS1-dependent peroxisomal protein import mediated by PEX5 and PEX6 are critical to virulence and survival of F. graminearum.

scholarly journals Functional Analyses of a Putative, Membrane-Bound, Peroxisomal Protein Import Mechanism from the Apicomplexan Protozoan Toxoplasma gondii

Genes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 434
Author(s):  
Alison Mbekeani ◽  
Will Stanley ◽  
Vishal Kalel ◽  
Noa Dahan ◽  
Einat Zalckvar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Metabolic Energy ◽  
Peroxisomal Protein ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Peroxisomal Targeting ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Peroxisomes are central to eukaryotic metabolism, including the oxidation of fatty acids—which subsequently provide an important source of metabolic energy—and in the biosynthesis of cholesterol and plasmalogens. However, the presence and nature of peroxisomes in the parasitic apicomplexan protozoa remains controversial. A survey of the available genomes revealed that genes encoding peroxisome biogenesis factors, so-called peroxins (Pex), are only present in a subset of these parasites, the coccidia. The basic principle of peroxisomal protein import is evolutionarily conserved, proteins harbouring a peroxisomal-targeting signal 1 (PTS1) interact in the cytosol with the shuttling receptor Pex5 and are then imported into the peroxisome via the membrane-bound protein complex formed by Pex13 and Pex14. Surprisingly, whilst Pex5 is clearly identifiable, Pex13 and, perhaps, Pex14 are apparently absent from the coccidian genomes. To investigate the functionality of the PTS1 import mechanism in these parasites, expression of Pex5 from the model coccidian Toxoplasma gondii was shown to rescue the import defect of Pex5-deleted Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In support of these data, green fluorescent protein (GFP) bearing the enhanced (e)PTS1 known to efficiently localise to peroxisomes in yeast, localised to peroxisome-like bodies when expressed in Toxoplasma. Furthermore, the PTS1-binding domain of Pex5 and a PTS1 ligand from the putatively peroxisome-localised Toxoplasma sterol carrier protein (SCP2) were shown to interact in vitro. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the Pex5–PTS1 interaction is functional in the coccidia and indicate that a nonconventional peroxisomal import mechanism may operate in the absence of Pex13 and Pex14.

005.Efficiency of nuclear import of the chromatin-remodelling factor SRY is critical for sex determination

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
D. A. Jans ◽  
G. Kaur ◽  
I. K. H. Poon ◽  
A. Delluc-Clavieries ◽  
K. M. Wagstaff
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Sex Reversal ◽  
Nuclear Accumulation ◽  
Missense Mutations ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signals ◽  
Testicular Cells ◽  
Xy Sex Reversal

15% of cases of human XY sex reversal are due to mutations in SRY (sex determining region on the Y chromosome), many of which map to one of SRY’s two independently acting nuclear localization signals (NLSs) flanking its DNA binding domain. The C-terminal NLS (C-NLS) targets SRY to the nucleus through a ‘conventional’ pathway dependent on the nuclear import receptor importin-β (Imp-β). No importin has been shown to bind the N-terminal NLS (N-NLS), but it is known to interact with the Ca2+-binding protein calmodulin (CaM). We examined seven distinct missense mutations in the SRY NLSs from XY sex-reversed human females for effects on nuclear import and ability to interact with CaM/Imp-β1. All mutations were found to result in reduced nuclear localization in transfected testicular cells compared to wild type. The CaM antagonist, calmidazolium chloride (CDZ), was found to significantly reduce SRY nuclear accumulation, indicating a dependence of SRY nuclear import on CaM. Intriguingly, N-NLS mutants were resistant to CDZ’s effects, implying a loss of interaction with CaM; this was confirmed directly by in vitro binding experiments using recombinantly expressed protein. Either impaired CaM or Imp-β1 binding can thus be the basis of sex-reversal in human patients. Our results implicate a CaM-dependent nuclear import pathway for SRY mediated by the N-NLS that, together with the C-NLS, is required to achieve threshold levels of SRY in the nucleus for male sex determination.

scholarly journals C-terminal eYFP fusion impairs Escherichia coli MinE function

Open Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 200010
Author(s):  
Navaneethan Palanisamy ◽  
Mehmet Ali Öztürk ◽  
Emir Bora Akmeriç ◽  
Barbara Di Ventura
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Yellow Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Enhanced Yellow Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Min Proteins

The Escherichia coli Min system plays an important role in the proper placement of the septum ring at mid-cell during cell division. MinE forms a pole-to-pole spatial oscillator with the membrane-bound ATPase MinD, resulting in MinD concentration being the lowest at mid-cell. MinC, the direct inhibitor of the septum initiator protein FtsZ, forms a complex with MinD at the membrane, mirroring its polar gradients. Therefore, MinC-mediated FtsZ inhibition occurs away from mid-cell. Min oscillations are often studied in living cells by time-lapse microscopy using fluorescently labelled Min proteins. Here, we show that, despite permitting oscillations to occur in a range of protein concentrations, the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (eYFP) C-terminally fused to MinE impairs its function. Combining in vivo , in vitro and in silico approaches, we demonstrate that eYFP compromises the ability of MinE to displace MinC from MinD, to stimulate MinD ATPase activity and to directly bind to the membrane. Moreover, we reveal that MinE-eYFP is prone to aggregation. In silico analyses predict that other fluorescent proteins are also likely to compromise several functionalities of MinE, suggesting that the results presented here are not specific to eYFP.

Cellular Uptake of Carbon Nanotubes Conjugated to Semiconductor Quantum Dots for Breast Cancer Imaging and Treatment Applications

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen A. Zimmermann ◽  
Jianfei Zhang ◽  
Harry Dorn ◽  
Christopher Rylander ◽  
Marissa Nichole Rylander
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Fluorescent Properties ◽  
Breast Cancer Imaging ◽  
Fluorescent Markers ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are attractive materials for early detection, treatment, and imaging of cancer malignancies; however, they are limited by their inability to be monitored in vitro and in vivo [1]. Unlabeled CNTs are difficult to distinguish using elemental analysis because they are composed entirely of carbon, which is also characteristic of cellular membranes. Although some single walled nanotubes (SWNT) have been found to exhibit fluorescent properties, not all particles in a single batch fluoresce [2]. Additionally, these emissions may be too weak to be detected using conventional imaging modalities [3]. Incorporating fluorescent markers, such as fluorescent proteins or quantum dots, allows the non-fluorescent particles to be visualized. Previously, fluorophores, such as green fluorescent protein (GFP) or red fluorescent protein (RFP), have been used to visualize and track cells or other particles in biological environments, but their low quantum yield and tendency to photobleach generate limitations for their use in such applications.

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