Import of proteins into the trypanosome nucleus and their distribution at karyokinesis

A bona fide La protein is required for embryogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana

Searches in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome using the La motif as query revealed the presence of eight La or La-like proteins. Using structural and phylogenetic criteria, we identified two putative genuine La proteins (At32 and At79) and showed that both are expressed throughout plant development but at different levels and under different regulatory conditions. At32, but not At79, restores Saccharomyces cerevisiae La nuclear functions in non-coding RNAs biogenesis and is able to bind to plant 3'-UUU-OH RNAs. We conclude that these La nuclear functions are conserved in Arabidopsis and supported by At32, which we renamed as AtLa1. Consistently, AtLa1 is predominantly localized to the plant nucleoplasm and was also detected in the nucleolar cavity. The inactivation of AtLa1 in Arabidopsis leads to an embryonic-lethal phenotype with deficient embryos arrested at early globular stage of development. In addition, mutant embryonic cells display a nucleolar hypertrophy suggesting that AtLa1 is required for normal ribosome biogenesis. The identification of two distantly related proteins with all structural characteristics of genuine La proteins suggests that these factors evolved to a certain level of specialization in plants. This unprecedented situation provides a unique opportunity to dissect the very different aspects of this crucial cellular activity.

An unusual Dicer-like1 protein fuels the RNA interference pathway in Trypanosoma brucei

RNA interference (RNAi) is an evolutionarily conserved gene-silencing pathway that is triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Central to this pathway are two ribonucleases: Dicer, a multidomain RNase III family enzyme that initiates RNAi by generating small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and Argonaute or Slicer, an RNase H signature enzyme that affects cleavage of mRNA. Previous studies in the early diverging protozoan Trypanosoma brucei have established a key role for Argonaute 1 in RNAi. However, the identity of Dicer has not been resolved. Here, we report the identification and functional characterization of a T. brucei Dicer-like enzyme (TbDcl1). Using genetic and biochemical approaches, we provide evidence that TbDcl1 is required for the generation of siRNA-size molecules and for RNAi. Whereas Dicer and Dicer-like proteins are endowed with two adjacent RNase III domains at the carboxyl terminus (RNase IIIa and RNase IIIb), the arrangement of these two domains is unusual in TbDcl1. RNase IIIa is close to the amino terminus, and RNase IIIb is located approximately in the center of the molecule. This domain organization is specific to trypanosomatids and further illustrates the variable structures of protozoan Dicer-like proteins as compared to fungal and metazoan Dicer.

Fatty acid synthesis by elongases in trypanosomes

All eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms are thought to synthesize fatty acids using a type I or type II synthase. In addition, eukaryotes extend pre-existing long chain fatty acids using microsomal elongases (ELOs). We have found that Trypanosoma brucei, a eukaryotic human parasite that causes sleeping sickness, uses three elongases instead of type I or type II synthases for the synthesis of nearly all its fatty acids. Trypanosomes encounter diverse environments during their life cycle with different fatty acid requirements. The tsetse vector form requires synthesis of stearate (C18), whereas the bloodstream form needs myristate (C14). We find that trypanosome fatty acid synthesis is modular, with ELO1 converting C4 to C10, ELO2 extending C10 to C14, and ELO3 elongating C14 to C18. In blood, ELO3 downregulation favors myristate synthesis, whereas low concentrations of exogenous fatty acids in cultured parasites cause upregulation of the entire pathway, allowing the parasite to adapt to different environments.

Role of p38 in replication of Trypanosoma brucei kinetoplast DNA

Trypanosomes have an unusual mitochondrial genome, called kinetoplast DNA, that is a giant network containing thousands of interlocked minicircles. During kinetoplast DNA synthesis, minicircles are released from the network for replication as theta-structures, and then the free minicircle progeny reattach to the network. We report that a mitochondrial protein, which we term p38, functions in kinetoplast DNA replication. RNA interference (RNAi) of p38 resulted in loss of kinetoplast DNA and accumulation of a novel free minicircle species named fraction S. Fraction S minicircles are so underwound that on isolation they become highly negatively supertwisted and develop a region of Z-DNA. p38 binds to minicircle sequences within the replication origin. We conclude that cells with RNAi-induced loss of p38 cannot initiate minicircle replication, although they can extensively unwind free minicircles.

Overexpression of a cytochrome b5 reductase-like protein causes kinetoplast DNA loss in Trypanosoma brucei

The mitochondrial genome of trypanosomes, termed kinetoplast DNA (kDNA), contains thousands of minicircles and dozens of maxicircles topologically interlocked in a network. To identify proteins involved in network replication, we screened an inducible RNA interference-based genomic library for cells that lose kinetoplast DNA. In one cloned cell line with inducible kinetoplast DNA loss, we found that the RNA interference vector had aberrantly integrated into the genome resulting in overexpression of genes down-stream of the integration site (Motyka, S. A., Zhao, Z., Gull, K., and Englund, P. T. (2004) Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 134, 163-167). We now report that the relevant overexpressed gene encodes a mitochondrial cytochrome b(5) reductase-like protein. This overexpression caused kDNA loss by oxidation/inactivation of the universal minicircle sequence-binding protein, which normally binds the minicircle replication origin and triggers replication. The rapid loss of maxicircles suggests that the universal minicircle sequence-binding protein might also control maxicircle replication. Several lines of evidence indicate that the cytochrome b(5) reductase-like protein controls the oxidization status of the universal minicircle sequence-binding protein via tryparedoxin, a mitochondrial redox protein. For example, overexpression of mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase, which utilizes tryparedoxin, also caused oxidation of the universal minicircle sequence-binding protein and kDNA loss. Furthermore, the growth defect caused by overexpression of cytochrome b(5) reductase-like protein could be partially rescued by simultaneously overexpressing tryparedoxin.

Ordered assembly of the duplicating Golgi in Trypanosoma brucei

The new Golgi in the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei grows near to the old and adjacent to the growing new endoplasmic reticulum exit site. Growth is now shown to be at least a two-stage process, in which a representative matrix marker (GRASP) and enzyme (GntB) are delivered to the site of assembly, followed approximately 10 min later by a COPI component (epsilon-COP) and a trans-Golgi network (TGN) marker (GRIP70). A secretory cargo marker (signal sequence-YFP) appeared early near the new endoplasmic reticulum exit site but did not enter the Golgi until the second stage. Together these data suggest that structural and enzymatic components of the new Golgi stack are laid down first, followed by those needed to move and sort the cargo passing through it.

RNA-binding domain proteins in Kinetoplastids: a comparative analysis

RNA-binding proteins are important in many aspects of RNA processing, function, and destruction. One class of such proteins contains the RNA recognition motif (RRM), which consists of about 90 amino acid residues, including the canonical RNP1 octapeptide: (K/R)G(F/Y)(G/A)FVX(F/Y). We used a variety of homology searches to classify all of the RRM proteins of the three kinetoplastids Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania major. All three organisms have similar sets of RRM-containing protein orthologues, suggesting common posttranscriptional processing and regulatory pathways. Of the 75 RRM proteins identified in T. brucei, only 13 had clear homologues in other eukaryotes, although 8 more could be given putative functional assignments. A comparison with the 18 RRM proteins of the obligate intracellular parasite Encephalitozoon cuniculi revealed just 3 RRM proteins which appear to be conserved at the primary sequence level throughout eukaryotic evolution: poly(A) binding protein, the rRNA-processing protein MRD1, and the nuclear cap binding protein.

Cell cycle-dependent expression regulation by the proteasome pathway and characterization of the nuclear targeting signal of a Leishmania major Kin-13 kinesin

The LmjF01.0030 gene of Leishmania major Friedlin, annotated as 'MCAK-like', was confirmed as a kinesin with an internally located motor domain and termed LmjKIN13-1. Both the native form of the protein and a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fused recombinant version were shown to be exclusively intranuclear, and, more specifically, to localize to the spindle and spindle poles. Cell cycle-dependent regulation of the protein levels was demonstrated using synchronized Leishmania cells: LmjKIN13-1 was highly abundant in the G2+M phase and present at very low levels after mitosis. Altogether, these features suggest that this protein participates in mitosis. The construction of systematic deletion mutants allowed the localization of the primary sequence regions responsible for nuclear targeting on the one hand, and for cell cycle-dependent variations on the other hand. A 42-amino-acid region of the carboxy(C)-terminal domain mediates nuclear import and could be defined as an atypical nuclear localization signal. Protein level regulation during the cell cycle was shown to also depend upon the C-terminal domain, where apparently redundant degradation signals are present. Putative degradation signals appear to be present on both sides and inside the nuclear localization signal. Further experiments strongly suggest a role for the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway in this cell cycle-dependent regulation. These data underline the importance of post-translational regulation of protein abundance in this ancestral eukaryote where transcriptional regulation seems to be rare or near absent.

Role of a 300-kilodalton nuclear complex in the maturation of Trypanosoma brucei initiator methionyl-tRNA

tRNAs are transcribed as precursors containing 5' leader and 3' extensions that are removed by a series of posttranscriptional processing reactions to yield functional mature tRNAs. Here, we examined the maturation pathway of tRNA(Met) in Trypanosoma brucei, an early divergent unicellular eukaryote. We identified an approximately 300-kDa complex located in the nucleus of T. brucei that is required for trimming the 5' leader of initiator tRNA(Met) precursors. One of the subunits of the complex (T. brucei MT40 [TbMT40]) is a putative methyltransferase and a homolog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Gcd14, which is essential for 1-methyladenosine modification in tRNAs. Down-regulation of TbMT40 by RNA interference resulted in the accumulation of precursor initiator tRNA(Met) containing 5' extensions but processed 3' ends. In addition, immunoprecipitations with anti-La antibodies revealed initiator tRNA(Met) molecules with 5' and 3' extensions in TbMT40-silenced cells, albeit at a much lower level. Interestingly, silencing of TbMT40, as well as of TbMT53, a second subunit of the complex, led to an increase in the levels of mature elongator tRNA(Met). Taken together, our data provide a glance at the maturation of tRNAs in parasitic protozoa and suggest that at least for initiator tRNA(Met), 3' trimming precedes 5' processing.

The Trypanosoma brucei La protein is a candidate poly(U) shield that impacts spliced leader RNA maturation and tRNA intron removal

By virtue of its preferential binding to poly(U) tails on small RNA precursors and nuclear localisation motif, the La protein has been implicated for a role in the stabilisation and nuclear retention of processing intermediates for a variety of small RNAs in eukaryotic cells. As the universal substrate for trans-splicing, the spliced leader RNA is transcribed as a precursor with just such a tail. La protein was targeted for selective knockdown by inducible RNA interference in Trypanosoma brucei. Of three RNA interference strategies employed, a p2T7-177 vector was the most effective in reducing both the La mRNA as well as the protein itself from induced cells. In the relative absence of La protein T. brucei cells were not viable, in contrast to La gene knockouts in yeast. A variety of potential small RNA substrates were examined under induction, including spliced leader RNA, spliced leader associated RNA, the U1, U2, U4, and U6 small nuclear RNAs, 5S ribosomal RNA, U3 small nucleolar RNA, and tRNATyr. None of these molecules showed significant variance in size or abundance in their mature forms, although a discrete subset of intermediates appear for spliced leader RNA and tRNATyr intron splicing under La depletion conditions. 5'-end methylation in the spliced leader RNA and U1 small nuclear RNA was unaffected. The immediate cause of lethality in T. brucei was not apparent, but may represent a cumulative effect of multiple defects including processing of spliced leader RNA, tRNATyr and other unidentified RNA substrates. This study indicates that La protein binding is not essential for maturation of the spliced leader RNA, but does not rule out the presence of an alternative processing pathway that could compensate for the absence of normally-associated La protein.

Effects of RNA interference of Trypanosoma brucei structure-specific endonuclease-I on kinetoplast DNA replication

Kinetoplast DNA, the mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomatid protozoa, is a network containing several thousand topologically interlocked DNA minicircles. Kinetoplast DNA synthesis involves release of minicircles from the network, replication of the free minicircles, and reattachment of the progeny back onto the network. One enzyme involved in this process is structure-specific endonuclease-I. This enzyme, originally purified from Crithidia fasciculata, has been proposed to remove minicircle replication primers (Engel, M. L., and Ray, D. S. (1998) Nucleic Acids Res. 26, 4773-4778). We have studied the structure-specific endonuclease-I homolog from Trypanosoma brucei, showing it to be localized in the antipodal sites flanking the kinetoplast DNA disk, as previously shown in C. fasciculata. RNA interference of structure-specific endonuclease-I caused persistence of a single ribonucleotide at the 5' end of both the leading strand and at least the first Okazaki fragment in network minicircles, demonstrating that this enzyme in fact functions in primer removal. Probably because of the persistence of primers, RNA interference also impeded the reattachment of newly replicated free minicircles to the network and caused a delay in kinetoplast DNA segregation. These effects ultimately led to shrinkage and loss of the kinetoplast DNA network and cessation of growth of the cell.

Regulation of trypanosome DNA glycosylation by a SWI2/SNF2-like protein

Synthesis of the modified thymine base beta-D-glucosyl-hydroxymethyluracil, or J, within telomeric DNA of Trypanosoma brucei correlates with the bloodstream-form-specific epigenetic silencing of telomeric variant surface glycoprotein genes involved in antigenic variation. The mechanism of developmental and telomeric-specific regulation of J synthesis is unknown. We have previously identified a J binding protein (JBP1) involved in propagating J synthesis. We have now identified a homolog of JBP1, JBP2, containing a domain related to the SWI2/SNF2 family of chromatin remodeling proteins that is upregulated in bloodstream form cells and interacts with nuclear chromatin. We show that expression of JBP2 in procyclic form cells leads to de novo J synthesis within telomeric regions of the chromosome and that this activity is inhibited after mutagenesis of conserved residues critical for SWI2/SNF2 function. We propose a model in which chromatin remodeling by JBP2 regulates the initial sites of J synthesis within bloodstream form trypanosome DNA, with further propagation and maintenance of J by JBP1.

Golgi duplication in Trypanosoma brucei

Duplication of the single Golgi apparatus in the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei has been followed by tagging a putative Golgi enzyme and a matrix protein with variants of GFP. Video microscopy shows that the new Golgi appears de novo, near to the old Golgi, about two hours into the cell cycle and grows over a two-hour period until it is the same size as the old Golgi. Duplication of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) export site follows exactly the same time course. Photobleaching experiments show that the new Golgi is not the exclusive product of the new ER export site. Rather, it is supplied, at least in part, by material directly from the old Golgi. Pharmacological experiments show that the site of the new Golgi and ER export is determined by the location of the new basal body.

Trypanosomatid histones

The histones are responsible for packaging and regulating access to eukaryotic genomes. Trypanosomatids are flagellated protists that diverged early from the eukaryotic lineage and include parasites that cause disease in humans and other mammals. Here, we review the properties of histones in parasitic trypanosomatids, from gene organization and sequence to expression, post-translational modification and function within chromatin. Phylogenetic and experimental analysis indicates that certain specifically conserved histone sequence motifs, particularly within the N-terminal 'tail' domains, possibly represent functionally important modification substrates conserved throughout the eukaryotic lineage. For example, histone H3 contains a highly conserved methylation substrate. Trypanosomatids also possess at least three variant histones. Among these is an orthologue of H2A.Z, a histone involved in protecting 'active' chromatin from silencing in yeast. Histones provide docking platforms for a variety of regulatory factors. The presence of histone modification and variant histones in trypanosomatids therefore represents evidence for a network that provides the discrimination required to regulate transcription, recombination, repair and chromosome replication and segregation.

Identification and functional characterization of lsm proteins in Trypanosoma brucei

RNA interference of Sm proteins in Trypanosoma brucei demonstrated that the stability of the small nuclear RNAs (U1, U2, U4, U5) and the spliced leader RNA, but not U6 RNA, were affected upon Sm depletion (Mandelboim, M., Barth, S., Biton, M., Liang, X. H., and Michaeli, S. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 51469-51478), suggesting that Lsm proteins that bind and stabilize U6 RNA in other eukaryotes should exist in trypanosomes. In this study, we identified seven Lsm proteins (Lsm2p to Lsm8p) and examined the function of Lsm3p and Lsm8p by RNA interference silencing. Both Lsm proteins were found to be essential for U6 stability and mRNA decay. Silencing was lethal, and cis- and trans-splicing were inhibited. Importantly, silencing also affected the level of U4.U6 and the U4.U6/U5 tri-small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complexes. The presence of Lsm proteins in trypanosomes that diverged early in the eukaryotic lineage suggests that these proteins are highly conserved in both structure and function among eukaryotes. Interestingly, however, Lsm1p that is specific to the mRNA decay complex was not identified in the genome data base of any kinetoplastidae, and the Lsm8p that in other eukaryotes exclusively functions in U6 stability was found to function in trypanosomes also in mRNA decay. These data therefore suggest that in trypanosomes only a single Lsm complex may exist.

Trypanosoma brucei has two distinct mitochondrial DNA polymerase beta enzymes

In higher eukaryotes, DNA polymerase (pol) beta resides in the nucleus and participates primarily in DNA repair. The DNA polymerase beta from the trypanosomatid Crithidia fasciculata, however, was the first mitochondrial enzyme of this type described. Upon searching the nearly completed genome data base of the related parasite Trypanosoma brucei, we discovered genes for two pol beta-like proteins. One is approximately 70% identical to the C. fasciculata pol beta and is likely the homolog of this enzyme. The other, although approximately 30% identical within the polymerase region, has unusual structural features including a short C-terminal tail and a long N-terminal extension rich in prolines, alanines, and lysines. Both proteins, when expressed recombinantly, are active as DNA polymerases and deoxyribose phosphate lyases, but their polymerase activity optima differ with respect to pH and KCl and MgCl2 concentrations. Remarkably, green fluorescent protein fusion proteins and immunofluorescence demonstrate that both are mitochondrial, but their locations with respect to the mitochondrial DNA (kinetoplast DNA network) in this organism are strikingly different.

Balancing GFP reporter plasmid quantity in large-scale transient transfections for recombinant anti-human Rhesus-D IgG1 synthesis

Using transient expression, high amounts (>20 mg/mL) of secreted anti-human Rhesus-D IgG1 were produced in a suspension-adapted HEK293 EBNA cell line (Meissner et al., Biotechnol Bioeng 75: 197-203, 2001). Time of harvest was 3 days after transfection. For the estimation of transfection efficiencies, we routinely co-transfected EGFP reporter DNA. At higher reporter plasmid concentrations, >2% of total transfecting plasmid DNA, a substantial reduction of recombinant antibody synthesis, was observed. This phenomenon was investigated in detail by co-expressing various green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter constructs, which were targeted at different subcellular locations. Enhanced and humanized GFPs targeted to either the endoplasmic reticulum, the cytosol, or the nucleus reduced recombinant antibody production by 30 to 40% when present at higher concentrations in the transfection solution. The most severe effects were observed when the co-transfected EGFP was targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum, leading to a reduction of up to 80% in the presence of only 5% of reporter DNA. Interestingly, one nuclear-targeted GFP variant that was not codon optimized for expression in human cell lines could be added, to up to almost half of the total amount of transfecting DNA, without adverse effect on antibody production. Although the minimum amount of this reporter DNA needed for fluorescence reading was 10 times higher than for the other variants, it provided a much broader quantity range within which the transfection process could be studied without being negatively affected.

Multiple mitochondrial DNA polymerases in Trypanosoma brucei

Kinetoplast DNA (kDNA), the unusual mitochondrial DNA of Trypanosoma brucei, is a network containing thousands of catenated circles. Database searching for a kDNA replicative polymerase (pol) revealed no mitochondrial pol gamma homolog. Instead, we identified four proteins (TbPOLIA, IB, IC, and ID) related to bacterial pol I. Remarkably, all four localized to the mitochondrion. TbPOLIB and TbPOLIC localized beside the kDNA where replication occurs, and their knockdown by RNA interference caused kDNA network shrinkage. Furthermore, silencing of TbPOLIC caused loss of both minicircles and maxicircles and accumulation of minicircle replication intermediates, consistent with a role in replication. While typical mitochondria contain one DNA polymerase, pol gamma, trypanosome mitochondria contain five such enzymes, including the previously characterized pol beta.

A novel GFP approach for the analysis of genetic exchange in trypanosomes allowing the in situ detection of mating events

Trypanosoma brucei undergoes genetic exchange in its insect vector by an unknown mechanism. To visualize the production of hybrids in the fly, a tetracycline (Tet)-inducible expression system was adapted. One parental trypanosome clone was transfected with the gene encoding Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) under control of the Tet repressor in trans; transfection with these constructs also introduced genes for resistance to hygromycin and phleomycin, respectively. An experimental cross with a second parental clone carrying a gene for geneticin resistance produced fluorescent hybrids with both hygromycin and geneticin resistance. These results are consistent with the meiotic segregation and reassortment of the GFP and repressor genes. Fluorescent hybrids were visible in the salivary glands of the fly, but not the midgut, confirming that genetic exchange occurs among the trypanosome life cycle stages present in (or possibly en route to) the salivary glands. In conclusion, the experimental design has successfully produced fluorescent hybrids which can be observed directly in the salivary glands of the fly, and it has been shown that the recombinant genotypes were most probably the result of meiosis.

The La protein

Ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells, the La protein associates with the 3' termini of many newly synthesized small RNAs. RNAs bound by the La protein include all nascent transcripts made by RNA polymerase III as well as certain small RNAs synthesized by other RNA polymerases. Recent genetic and biochemical analyses have revealed that binding by the La protein protects the 3' ends of these RNAs from exonucleases. This La-mediated stabilization is required for the normal pathway of pre-tRNA maturation, facilitates assembly of small RNAs into functional RNA-protein complexes, and contributes to nuclear retention of certain small RNAs. Studies of mutant La proteins have given some insights into how the La protein specifically recognizes its RNA targets. However, many questions remain regarding the molecular mechanisms by which La protein binding influences multiple steps in small RNA biogenesis. This review focuses on the roles of the La protein in small RNA biogenesis and also discusses data that implicate the La protein in the translation of specific mRNAs.

Functionally different AU- and G-rich cis-elements confer developmentally regulated mRNA stability in Trypanosoma cruzi by interaction with specific RNA-binding proteins

Post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms have been suggested to be the main point of control of gene expression in kinetoplastid parasites. We have previously shown that Trypanosoma cruzi SMUG mucin mRNA steady-state level is developmentally regulated by post-transcriptional mechanisms, being stable in the epimastigote insect vector stage, but unstable in the trypomastigote infective stage of the parasite. Its turnover is controlled by an AU-rich element (ARE) localized in the 3'-untranslated region, since a reporter gene lacking this sequence was stable in the trypomastigote stage (Di Noia, J. M., D'Orso, I., Sanchez, D. O., and Frasch, A. C. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 10218-10227). Here, we show by gel mobility shift assay that the 44-nt ARE sequence interacts with a set of stage-specific AU-rich element RNA-binding proteins (ARE-BPs). The epimastigote stage AU-rich element RNA-binding protein, named E-ARE-BP, and the trypomastigote stage ARE-BPs, named T-ARE-BPs, are efficiently competed by poly(U). UV cross-linking analysis showed that E-ARE-BP has an apparent molecular mass of 100 kDa and is different from the 45-50-kDa ARE-BPs present in other stages of the parasite. Transfection experiments allowed the identification of a novel cis-element that might be responsible for a positive effect on mRNA stability. It is a G-rich element, named GRE, composed by two contiguous CGGGG pentamers. The factors that recognize GRE were different from the ones that bind to ARE, in both molecular masses and subcellular localization. Thus, ARE and GRE are functionally different cis-elements, which might regulate mucin expression throughout the parasite life cycle.

Nuclear import of histone H2A and H2B is mediated by a network of karyopherins

The first step in the assembly of new chromatin is the cell cycle-regulated synthesis and nuclear import of core histones. The core histones include H2A and H2B, which are assembled into nucleosomes as heterodimers. We show here that the import of histone H2A and H2B is mediated by several members of the karyopherin (Kap; importin) family. An abundant complex of H2A, H2B, and Kap114p was detected in cytosol. In addition, two other Kaps, Kap121p and Kap123p, and the histone chaperone Nap1p were isolated with H2A and H2B. Nap1p is not necessary for the formation of the Kap114p-H2A/H2B complex or for import of H2A and H2B. We demonstrate that both histones contain a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) in the amino-terminal tail. Fusions of the NLSs to green fluorescent protein were specifically mislocalized to the cytoplasm in kap mutant strains. In addition, we detected a specific mislocalization in a kap95 temperature-sensitive strain, suggesting that this Kap is also involved in the import of H2A and H2B in vivo. Importantly, we show that Kap114p, Kap121p, and Kap95 interact directly with both histone NLSs and that RanGTP inhibits this association. These data suggest that the import of H2A and H2B is mediated by a network of Kaps, in which Kap114p may play the major role.

Expression-site-associated gene 8 (ESAG8) of Trypanosoma brucei is apparently essential and accumulates in the nucleolus

Trypanosoma brucei variant surface glycoprotein expression sites are interesting examples of genomic loci under complex epigenetic control. In the infectious bloodstream stage, only one of about 20 expression sites is actively transcribed. In the Tsetse midgut (procyclic) stage, chromatin remodeling silences all expression sites. We have begun to explore the function of one of the expression-site-associated genes, ESAG8. Gene knockout experiments implied that ESAG8 is essential. ESAG8 is present at a very low level and apparently accumulates in the nucleolus. A 32-amino-acid domain, which contains a putative bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS), is both necessary and sufficient to target fusions of ESAG8, with Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein, to the trypanosome nucleolus. This same sequence functioned only as an NLS in mammalian cells, supporting the idea that nucleolar accumulation requires specific interactions. These results have implications for models of ESAG8 function.