Activation of sucrose-phosphate synthase from darkened spinach leaves by an endogenous protein phosphatase

ALA Promotes Sucrose Accumulation in Early Peach Fruit by Regulating SPS Activity

5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), as a novel plant growth regulator, is a critical precursor for the biosynthesis of porphyrin compounds in all organisms. Many studies have reported that exogenous ALA treatment could improve fruit sweetness. However, the mechanism by which ALA promotes the increase in sugar content in fruit remains unclear. In this study, we found that ALA significantly promoted sucrose accumulation and SPS (sucrose phosphate synthase) activity in peach fruit. At 14, 28, 42, 50 and 60 days after ALA treatment, sucrose content of fruit was increased by 23%, 43%, 37%, 40% and 16%, respectively, compared with control treatment, and SPS enzyme activity was increased by 21%, 28%, 47%, 37% and 29%, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that the sucrose content of peach fruit under ALA treatment was significantly positively correlated with SPS activity. Subsequently, bioinformatics was used to identify SPS gene family members in peach fruit, and it was found that there were four members of the PpSPS gene family, distributed on chromosomes 1, 7 and 8, named PpSPS1, PpSPS2, PpSPS3 and PpSPS4, respectively. The results of qRT-PCR showed that PpSPS2 and PpSPS3 were highly expressed in response to ALA during fruit development, and the expression of PpSPS2 was positively correlated with SPS activity and sucrose accumulation in peach fruit. The results of tobacco subcellular localization showed that PpSPS2 was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm and nucleus, while PpSPS3 was mainly distributed in the nucleus. The results of this study will lay the foundation for further study on the functions of PpSPS and the regulation of sugar metabolism during the development and ripening of peach fruit by ALA.

Co-crystal Structure of Thermosynechococcus elongatus Sucrose Phosphate Synthase With UDP and Sucrose-6-Phosphate Provides Insight Into Its Mechanism of Action Involving an Oxocarbenium Ion and the Glycosidic Bond

In green species, sucrose can help antagonize abiotic stress. Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) is a well-known rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of sucrose. To date, however, there is no known crystal structure of SPS from plant or cyanobacteria. In this study, we report the first co-crystal structure of SPS from Thermosynechococcus elongatus with UDP and sucrose-6-phosphate (S6P). Within the catalytic site, the side chains of His158 and Glu331, along with two phosphate groups from UDP, form hydrogen bonds with the four hydroxyl groups of the glucose moiety in S6P. This association causes these four hydroxyl groups to become partially negatively charged, thus promoting formation of the C1 oxocarbenium ion. Breakage of the hydrogen bond between His158 and one of the hydroxyl groups may trigger covalent bond formation between the C1 oxocarbenium ion and the C2 hydroxyl of fructose-6-phosphate. Consistent with our structural model, we observed that two SPS mutants, H158A and E331A, lost all catalytic activity. Moreover, electron density of residues from two loops (loop1 and loop2) in the SPS A-domain was not observed, suggest their dynamic nature. B-factor analysis and molecular dynamics stimulations of the full-length enzyme and A-domain indicate that both loops are crucial for binding and release of substrate and product. In addition, temperature gradient analysis shows that SPS exhibits its highest activity at 70°C, suggesting that this enzyme has the potential of being used in industrial production of S6P.

C3a elicits unique migratory responses in immature low-density neutrophils

Neutrophils represent the immune system's first line of defense and are rapidly recruited into inflamed tissue. In cancer associated inflammation, phenotypic heterogeneity has been ascribed to this cell type, whereby neutrophils can manifest anti- or pro-metastatic functions depending on the cellular/micro-environmental context. Here, we demonstrate that pro-metastatic immature low-density neutrophils (iLDNs) more efficiently accumulate in the livers of mice bearing metastatic lesions compared with anti-metastatic mature high-density neutrophils (HDNs). Transcriptomic analyses reveal enrichment of a migration signature in iLDNs relative to HDNs. We find that conditioned media derived from liver-metastatic breast cancer cells, but not lung-metastatic variants, specifically induces chemotaxis of iLDNs and not HDNs. Chemotactic responses are due to increased surface expression of C3aR in iLDNs relative to HDNs. In addition, we detect elevated secretion of cancer-cell derived C3a from liver-metastatic versus lung-metastatic breast cancer cells. Perturbation of C3a/C3aR signaling axis with either a small molecule inhibitor, SB290157, or reducing the levels of secreted C3a from liver-metastatic breast cancer cells by short hairpin RNAs, can abrogate the chemotactic response of iLDNs both in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Together, these data reveal novel mechanisms through which iLDNs prefentially accumulate in liver tissue harboring metastases in response to tumor-derived C3a secreted from the liver-aggressive 4T1 breast cancer cells.

Effects of Light Quality and Intensity on Diurnal Patterns and Rates of Photo-Assimilate Translocation and Transpiration in Tomato Leaves

Translocation of assimilates is a fundamental process involving carbon and water balance affecting source/sink relationships. Diurnal patterns of CO2 exchange, translocation (carbon export), and transpiration of an intact tomato source leaf were determined during 14CO2 steady-state labeling under different wavelengths at three pre-set photosynthetic rates. Daily patterns showed that photosynthesis and export were supported by all wavelengths of light tested including orange and green. Export in the light, under all wavelengths was always higher than that at night. Export in the light varied from 65-83% of the total daily carbon fixed, depending on light intensity. Photosynthesis and export were highly correlated under all wavelengths (r = 0.90-0.96). Export as a percentage of photosynthesis (relative export) decreased as photosynthesis increased by increasing light intensity under all wavelengths. These data indicate an upper limit for export under all spectral conditions. Interestingly, only at the medium photosynthetic rate, relative export under the blue and the orange light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were higher than under white and red-white LEDs. Stomatal conductance, transpiration rates, and water-use-efficiency showed similar daily patterns under all wavelengths. Illuminating tomato leaves with different spectral quality resulted in similar carbon export rates, but stomatal conductance and transpiration rates varied due to wavelength specific control of stomatal function. Thus, we caution that the link between transpiration and C-export may be more complex than previously thought. In summary, these data indicate that orange and green LEDs, not simply the traditionally used red and blue LEDs, should be considered and tested when designing lighting systems for optimizing source leaf strength during plant production in controlled environment systems. In addition, knowledge related to the interplay between water and C-movement within a plant and how they are affected by environmental stimuli, is needed to develop a better understanding of source/sink relationships.

Activities of starch hydrolytic enzymes and sucrose-phosphate synthase in the stems of rice subjected to water stress during grain filling

To understand the effect of water stress on the remobilization of prestored carbon reserves, the changes in the activities of starch hydrolytic enzymes and sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS) in the stems of rice (Oryza sativa L.) during grain filling were investigated. Two rice cultivars, showing high lodging-resistance and slow remobilization, were grown in the field and subjected to well-watered (WW, psi(soil)=0) and water-stressed (WS, psi(soil)=-0.05 MPa) treatments 9 d after anthesis (DAA) till maturity. Leaf water potentials of both cultivars markedly decreased during the day as a result of WS treatment, but completely recovered by early morning. WS treatment accelerated the reduction of starch in the stems, promoted the reallocation of prefixed (14)C from the stems to grains, shortened the grain filling period, and increased the grain filling rate. More soluble sugars including sucrose were accumulated in the stems under WS than under WW treatments. Both alpha- and beta-amylase activities were enhanced by the WS, with the former enhanced more than the latter, and were significantly correlated with the concentrations of soluble sugars in the stems. The other two possible starch-breaking enzymes, alpha-glucosidase and starch phosphorylase, showed no significant differences in the activities between the WW and WS treatments. Water stress also increased the SPS activity that is responsible for sucrose production. Both V(limit) and V(max), the activities of the enzyme at limiting and saturating substrate concentrations, were enhanced and the activation state (V(limit)/V(max)) was also increased as a result of the more significant enhancement of V(limit). The enhanced SPS activity was closely correlated with an increase of sucrose accumulation in the stems. The results suggest that the fast hydrolysis of starch and increased carbon remobilization were attributed to the enhanced alpha-amylase activity and the high activation state of SPS when the rice was subjected to water stress.

Arabidopsis thaliana proteins related to the yeast SIP and SNF4 interact with AKINalpha1, an SNF1-like protein kinase

AKINalpha1, a Ser/Thr kinase from Arabidopsis thaliana belongs to the highly conserved SNF1 family of protein kinases in eukaryotes. Recent data suggest that the plant SNF1-related kinases (SnRK1 family) are key enzymes implicated in the regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammals, the SNF1 and AMPKalpha protein kinases interact with two other families of proteins, namely SNF4/AMPKgamma and SIP1/SIP2/GAL83/AMPKbeta, to form active heterotrimeric complexes. In this paper, we describe the characterisation of three novel cDNAs. AKINbeta1 and AKINbeta2 encode proteins similar to SIP1, SIP2 and GAL83 and AKINgamma codes for a protein showing similarity with SNF4. Using the two-hybrid system, specific interactions have been shown between A. thaliana AKINbeta1/beta2, AKINgamma and AKINgamma as well as between the A. thaliana and S. cerevisiae subunits. Interestingly, AKINbeta1, AKINbeta2 and AKINgamma mRNAs accumulate differentially in A. thaliana tissues and are modulated during development and under different growth conditions. These data suggest the presence in higher plants of a conserved heterotrimeric complex. Moreover, the differential transcription of different non-catalytic subunits can constitute a first level of regulation of the SNF1-like complex in plants.

Two SNF1-related protein kinases from spinach leaf phosphorylate and inactivate 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, nitrate reductase, and sucrose phosphate synthase in vitro

We resolved from spinach (Spinacia oleracea) leaf extracts four Ca2+-independent protein kinase activities that phosphorylate the AMARAASAAALARRR (AMARA) and HMRSAMSGLHLVKRR (SAMS) peptides, originally designed as specific substrates for mammalian AMP-activated protein kinase and its yeast homolog, SNF1. The two major activities, HRK-A and HRK-C (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase kinase A and C) were extensively purified and shown to be members of the plant SnRK1 (SNF1-related protein kinase 1) family using the following criteria: (a) They contain 58-kD polypeptides that cross-react with an antibody against a peptide sequence characteristic of the SnRK1 family; (b) they have similar native molecular masses and specificity for peptide substrates to mammalian AMP-activated protein kinase and the cauliflower homolog; (c) they are inactivated by homogeneous protein phosphatases and can be reactivated using the mammalian upstream kinase; and (d) they phosphorylate 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase from Arabidopsis at the inactivating site, serine (Ser)-577. We propose that HRK-A and HRK-C represent either distinct SnRK1 isoforms or the same catalytic subunit complexed with different regulatory subunits. Both kinases also rapidly phosphorylate nitrate reductase purified from spinach, which is associated with inactivation of the enzyme that is observed only in the presence of 14-3-3 protein, a characteristic of phosphorylation at Ser-543. Both kinases also inactivate spinach sucrose phosphate synthase via phosphorylation at Ser-158. The SNF1-related kinases therefore potentially regulate several major biosynthetic pathways in plants: isoprenoid synthesis, sucrose synthesis, and nitrogen assimilation for the synthesis of amino acids and nucleotides.

PLANT PROTEIN PHOSPHATASES

Posttranslational modification of proteins by phosphorylation is a universal mechanism for regulating diverse biological functions. Recognition that many cellular proteins are reversibly phosphorylated in response to external stimuli or intracellular signals has generated an ongoing interest in identifying and characterizing plant protein kinases and protein phosphatases that modulate the phosphorylation status of proteins. This review discusses recent advances in our understanding of the structure, regulation, and function of plant protein phosphatases. Three major classes of enzymes have been reported in plants that are homologues of the mammalian type-1, -2A, and -2C protein serine/threonine phosphatases. Molecular genetic and biochemical studies reveal a role for some of these enzymes in signal transduction, cell cycle progression, and hormonal regulation. Studies also point to the presence of additional phosphatases in plants that are unrelated to these major classes.

Integration of photosynthetic carbon and nitrogen metabolism in higher plants

Concomitant assimilation of C and N in illuminated leaves requires the regulated partitioning of reductant and photosynthate to sustain the demands of amino acid and carbohydrate biosynthesis. The short-term responses of photosynthesis and photosynthate partitioning to N enrichment in wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) leaves were studied in order to understand the regulatory strategy employed in higher plants. Transgenic tobacco plants (Tobacco plumbaginifolia) over-expressing NR or with poor NR expression were used to compare plants differing in their capacities for NO3 (-) assimilation. Similar regulatory responses to NO3 (-) were observed in leaves having C4- and C3-type photosynthesis. It was shown that the extra- C needed in the short-term to sustain amino acid synthesis was not provided by an increase in photosynthetic CO2 fixation but rather by a rapid shift in the partitioning of photosynthetic C to amino acid at the expense of sucrose biosynthesis. The modulation of three enzymes was shown to be important in this C and N interaction, namely PEPCase (EC 4.1.1.31), SPS (EC 2.4.1.14) and NADH/NR (EC 1.6.6.1). The first two enzymes were shown to share the common feature of regulatory post-transcriptional NO3 (-)-dependent phosphorylation of their proteins on a seryl-residue. While PEPCase is activated, SPS activity is decreased. In contrast the NR phosphorylation state is unchanged and all N-dependent control of NR activity is regulated at the protein level. A number of arguments support the hypothesis that Gln, the primary product of NO3 (-) assimilation, is the metabolite effector for short-term modulation of PEPCase, and SPS in response to N enrichment. Since a major effect of NO3 (-) on the PEPCase-protein kinase activity in concentrated wheat leaf extracts was demonstrated, the hypothesis is put forward that protein phosphorylation is the primary event allowing the short-term adaptation of leaf C metabolism to changes in N supply.

Characterization of a cDNA encoding the 55 kDa B regulatory subunit of Arabidopsis protein phosphatase 2A

Type 2A serine/threonine protein phosphatases (PP2A) are key components in the regulation of signal transduction and control of cell metabolism. The activity of these protein phosphatases is modulated by regulatory subunits. While PP2A activity has been characterized in plants, little is known about its regulation. We used the polymerase chain reaction to amplify a segment of a cDNA encoding the B regulatory subunit of PP2A from Arabidopsis. The amplified DNA fragment of 372 nucleotides was used as a probe to screen an Arabidopsis cDNA library and a full-length clone (AtB alpha) of 2.1 kbp was isolated. The predicted protein encoded by AtB alpha is 43 to 46% identical and 53 to 56% similar to its yeast and mammalian counterparts, and contains three unique regions of amino acid insertions not present in the animal B regulatory subunit. Genomic Southern blots indicate the Arabidopsis genome contains at least two genes encoding the B regulatory subunit. In addition, other plant species also contain DNA sequences homologous to the B regulatory subunit, indicating that regulation of PP2A activity by the 55 kDa B regulatory subunit is probably ubiquitous in plants. Northern blots indicate the AtB alpha mRNA accumulates in all Arabidopsis tissues examined, suggesting the protein product of the AtB alpha gene performs a basic housekeeping function in plant cells.

Sucrose-phosphate synthase phosphatase, a type 2A protein phosphatase, changes its sensitivity towards inhibition by inorganic phosphate in spinach leaves

The activity of a type 2A protein phosphatase from spinach leaves was monitored using phosphorylated sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS) as a substrate. After partial purification the overall activities of sucrose-phosphate synthase phosphatase (SPS-P) recovered from leaves harvested in the dark and in the light did not vary. However, SPS-P preparations from darkened leaves were more strongly inhibited by inorganic phosphate and certain phosphorylated compounds than preparations from illuminated or mannose fed leaves. We conclude, that activation of SPS involves an interconversion of multiple forms of SPS-P activity.

Expression of multiple type 1 phosphoprotein phosphatases in Arabidopsis thaliana

Type 1 phosphoprotein Ser/Thr phosphatases (PP1) are highly conserved enzymes found in all eukaryotes. These enzymes have multiple functions in fungal and animal cells but little is known of their function and regulation in plants. Previous studies in our laboratory indicated that maize and Arabidopsis contain a family of PP1 genes and/or pseudogenes. In this study, we report the isolation of five distinct Arabidopsis cDNA clones (TOPP1, TOPP2, TOPP3, TOPP4 and TOPP5) which encode the catalytic subunit (PP1c) of type 1 protein phosphatases. Genomic Southern blot analyses indicate that these clones are the products of five distinct genes and that an additional 2-3 PP1c genes and/or pseudogenes may be present in the Arabidopsis genome. The derived amino acid sequences of the TOPP clones are very similar to published sequences of PP1c from animals, fungi and plants. Four of the TOPP amino acid sequences show unique structural features not observed in other PP1c sequences from fungi or animals. All of the TOPP genes are expressed in Arabidopsis roots, rosettes and flowers, although TOPP1, TOPP2 and TOPP3 appear to be expressed at higher levels in these tissues than TOPP4 and TOPP5.

Site-specific serine phosphorylation of spinach leaf sucrose-phosphate synthase

We recently reported [Huber, Huber & Nielsen (1989) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 270, 681-690] that spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS; EC 2.4.1.14) was phosphorylated in vivo when leaves were fed [32P]Pi. In vitro the enzyme was phosphorylated and inactivated by using [gamma-32P]ATP. We now report that SPS is phosphorylated both in vivo and in vitro on serine residues. The protein is phosphorylated at multiple sites both in vivo and in vitro as indicated by two-dimensional peptide maps of the immunopurified SPS protein. After being fed with radiolabel, leaves were illuminated or given mannose (which activates the enzyme), in the presence or absence of okadaic acid. Feeding okadaic acid to leaves decreased the SPS activation state in the dark and light and in leaves fed mannose. Across all the treatments, the activation state of SPS in situ was inversely related to the labelling of two phosphopeptides (designated phosphopeptides 5 and 7). These two phosphopeptides are phosphorylated when SPS is inactivated in vitro with [gamma-32P]ATP, and thus are designated as regulatory (inhibitory) sites [Huber & Huber (1991) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1091, 393-400]. Okadaic acid increased the total 32P-labelling of SPS and in particular increased labelling of the two regulatory sites, which explains the decline in activation state. In the presence of okadaic acid, two cryptic phosphorylation sites became labelled in vivo that were not apparent in the absence of the inhibitor. Overall, the results suggest that light/dark regulation of SPS activity occurs as a result of regulatory serine phosphorylation. Multiple sites are phosphorylated in vivo, but two sites in particular appear to regulate activity and dephosphorylation of these sites in vivo is sensitive to okadaic acid.

In vitro phosphorylation and inactivation of spinach leaf sucrose-phosphate synthase by an endogenous protein kinase

(1) Partially purified preparations of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaf sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS) contain an endogenous protein kinase that phosphorylates and inactivates the enzyme with [gamma-32P]ATP. (2) The kinetic effect of phosphorylation is to alter affinities for substrates and the effector inorganic phosphate without affecting maximum velocity. (3) Two-dimensional peptide mapping of tryptic digests of in vitro labeled SPS yielded two phosphopeptides (designated sites 5 and 7). Labeling of the two sites occurred equally with time, and both correlated with inactivation. Maximum inactivation was associated with incorporation of 1.5 to 2.0 mol P/mol SPS tetramer, and about 70% of the phosphoryl groups were incorporated into one of the sites (phosphopeptide 7). (4) Phosphorylation and inactivation were strongly inhibited by NaCl, and the presence of salt alters some characteristics of the kinase reaction. In the absence of salt, the apparent Km for Mg.ATP was estimated to be 5 microM. (5) The dependence of the rate of phosphorylation on SPS concentration suggested that SPS and the protein kinase are distinct enzymes, but have some tendency to associate especially in the presence of ethylene glycol. (6) Ca2+/EGTA and polyamines have no effect on the rate of phosphorylation, whereas polycations (polylysine, polybrene and protamine) are inhibitory. (7) Of the metabolic intermediates tested, Glc 6-P inhibited phosphorylation and inactivation of the enzyme. The inhibition was not antagonized by inorganic phosphate, which suggests that Glc 6-P may be an effector of the kinase, rather than the target protein. Regulation by Glc 6-P may be of physiological significance.