1
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Knight KM, Obarow EG, Wei W, Mani S, Esteller MI, Cui M, Ma N, Martin SA, Brinson E, Hewitt N, Soden GM, Logothetis DE, Vaidehi N, Dohlman HG. Molecular annotation of G protein variants in a neurological disorder. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113462. [PMID: 37980565 PMCID: PMC10872635 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterotrimeric G proteins transduce extracellular chemical messages to generate appropriate intracellular responses. Point mutations in GNAO1, encoding the G protein αo subunit, have been implicated in a pathogenic condition characterized by seizures, movement disorders, intellectual disability, and developmental delay (GNAO1 disorder). However, the effects of these mutations on G protein structure and function are unclear. Here, we report the effects of 55 mutations on Gαo conformation, thermostability, nucleotide binding, and hydrolysis, as well as interaction with Gβγ subunits, receptors, and effectors. Our effort reveals four functionally distinct groups of mutants, including one group that sequesters receptors and another that sequesters Gβγ, both acting in a genetically dominant manner. These findings provide a more comprehensive understanding of disease-relevant mutations and reveal that GNAO1 disorder is likely composed of multiple mechanistically distinct disorders that will likely require multiple therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Knight
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Elizabeth G Obarow
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Wenyuan Wei
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Sepehr Mani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Maria I Esteller
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Meng Cui
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ning Ma
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Sarah A Martin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Emily Brinson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Natalie Hewitt
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Gaby M Soden
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Diomedes E Logothetis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Nagarajan Vaidehi
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
| | - Henrik G Dohlman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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2
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Su X, Pang YT, Li W, Gumbart JC, Kelley J, Torres M. N-terminal intrinsic disorder is an ancestral feature of Gγ subunits that influences the balance between different Gβγ signaling axes in yeast. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104947. [PMID: 37354971 PMCID: PMC10393545 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Activated G protein-coupled receptors promote the dissociation of heterotrimeric G proteins into Gα and Gβγ subunits that bind to effector proteins to drive intracellular signaling responses. In yeast, Gβγ subunits coordinate the simultaneous activation of multiple signaling axes in response to mating pheromones, including MAP kinase (MAPK)-dependent transcription, cell polarization, and cell cycle arrest responses. The Gγ subunit in this complex contains an N-terminal intrinsically disordered region that governs Gβγ-dependent signal transduction in yeast and mammals. Here, we demonstrate that N-terminal intrinsic disorder is likely an ancestral feature that has been conserved across different Gγ subtypes and organisms. To understand the functional contribution of structural disorder in this region, we introduced precise point mutations that produce a stepwise disorder-to-order transition in the N-terminal tail of the canonical yeast Gγ subunit, Ste18. Mutant tail structures were confirmed using circular dichroism and molecular dynamics and then substituted for the wildtype gene in yeast. We find that increasing the number of helix-stabilizing mutations, but not isometric mutation controls, has a negative and proteasome-independent effect on Ste18 protein levels as well as a differential effect on pheromone-induced levels of active MAPK/Fus3, but not MAPK/Kss1. When expressed at wildtype levels, we further show that mutants with an alpha-helical N terminus exhibit a counterintuitive shift in Gβγ signaling that reduces active MAPK/Fus3 levels whilst increasing cell polarization and cell cycle arrest. These data reveal a role for Gγ subunit intrinsically disordered regions in governing the balance between multiple Gβγ signaling axes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinya Su
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yui Tik Pang
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Wei Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Southeast Center for Mathematics and Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - J C Gumbart
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Joshua Kelley
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
| | - Matthew Torres
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Southeast Center for Mathematics and Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
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3
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Hewitt N, Ma N, Arang N, Martin SA, Prakash A, DiBerto JF, Knight KM, Ghosh S, Olsen RHJ, Roth BL, Gutkind JS, Vaidehi N, Campbell SL, Dohlman HG. Catalytic site mutations confer multiple states of G protein activation. Sci Signal 2023; 16:eabq7842. [PMID: 36787384 PMCID: PMC10021883 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abq7842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) that function as molecular switches for cellular growth and metabolism are activated by GTP and inactivated by GTP hydrolysis. In uveal melanoma, a conserved glutamine residue critical for GTP hydrolysis in the G protein α subunit is often mutated in Gαq or Gα11 to either leucine or proline. In contrast, other glutamine mutations or mutations in other Gα subtypes are rare. To uncover the mechanism of the genetic selection and the functional role of this glutamine residue, we analyzed all possible substitutions of this residue in multiple Gα isoforms. Through cell-based measurements of activity, we showed that some mutants were further activated and inactivated by G protein-coupled receptors. Through biochemical, molecular dynamics, and nuclear magnetic resonance-based structural studies, we showed that the Gα mutants were functionally distinct and conformationally diverse, despite their shared inability to hydrolyze GTP. Thus, the catalytic glutamine residue contributes to functions beyond GTP hydrolysis, and these functions include subtype-specific, allosteric modulation of receptor-mediated subunit dissociation. We conclude that G proteins do not function as simple on-off switches. Rather, signaling emerges from an ensemble of active states, a subset of which are favored in disease and may be uniquely responsive to receptor-directed ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Hewitt
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ning Ma
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Nadia Arang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Sarah A. Martin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ajit Prakash
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jeffrey F. DiBerto
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kevin M. Knight
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Soumadwip Ghosh
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Current address: Illumina Inc, 5200 Illumina Way, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Reid H. J. Olsen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Current address: GPCR Pharmacology, Discovery Biology, Exscientia Ai, Oxford, UK OX4 4GE
| | - Bryan L. Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - J. Silvio Gutkind
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nagarajan Vaidehi
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Sharon L. Campbell
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Henrik G. Dohlman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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4
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Sanz AB, Díez-Muñiz S, Moya J, Petryk Y, Nombela C, Rodríguez-Peña JM, Arroyo J. Systematic Identification of Essential Genes Required for Yeast Cell Wall Integrity: Involvement of the RSC Remodelling Complex. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8070718. [PMID: 35887473 PMCID: PMC9323250 DOI: 10.3390/jof8070718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Conditions altering the yeast cell wall lead to the activation of an adaptive transcriptional response mainly governed by the cell wall integrity (CWI) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Two high-throughput screenings were developed using the yTHC collection of yeast conditional mutant strains to systematically identify essential genes related to cell wall integrity, and those required for the transcriptional program elicited by cell wall stress. Depleted expression of 52 essential genes resulted in hypersensitivity to the dye Calcofluor white, with chromatin organization, Golgi vesicle transport, rRNA processing, and protein glycosylation processes, as the most highly representative functional groups. Via a flow cytometry-based quantitative assay using a CWI reporter plasmid, 97 strains exhibiting reduced gene-reporter expression levels upon stress were uncovered, highlighting genes associated with RNA metabolism, transcription/translation, protein degradation, and chromatin organization. This screening also led to the discovery of 41 strains displaying a basal increase in CWI-associated gene expression, including mainly putative cell wall-related genes. Interestingly, several members of the RSC chromatin remodelling complex were uncovered in both screenings. Notably, Rsc9 was necessary to regulate the gene expression of CWI-related genes both under stress and non-stress conditions, suggesting distinct requirements of the RSC complex for remodelling particular genes.
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5
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Fierro F, Vaca I, Castillo NI, García-Rico RO, Chávez R. Penicillium chrysogenum, a Vintage Model with a Cutting-Edge Profile in Biotechnology. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10030573. [PMID: 35336148 PMCID: PMC8954384 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10030573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of penicillin entailed a decisive breakthrough in medicine. No other medical advance has ever had the same impact in the clinical practise. The fungus Penicillium chrysogenum (reclassified as P. rubens) has been used for industrial production of penicillin ever since the forties of the past century; industrial biotechnology developed hand in hand with it, and currently P. chrysogenum is a thoroughly studied model for secondary metabolite production and regulation. In addition to its role as penicillin producer, recent synthetic biology advances have put P. chrysogenum on the path to become a cell factory for the production of metabolites with biotechnological interest. In this review, we tell the history of P. chrysogenum, from the discovery of penicillin and the first isolation of strains with high production capacity to the most recent research advances with the fungus. We will describe how classical strain improvement programs achieved the goal of increasing production and how the development of different molecular tools allowed further improvements. The discovery of the penicillin gene cluster, the origin of the penicillin genes, the regulation of penicillin production, and a compilation of other P. chrysogenum secondary metabolites will also be covered and updated in this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Fierro
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Unidad Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México 09340, Mexico
- Correspondence:
| | - Inmaculada Vaca
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 7800003, Chile;
| | - Nancy I. Castillo
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas y Químicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Antonio Nariño, Bogotá 110231, Colombia;
| | - Ramón Ovidio García-Rico
- Grupo de Investigación GIMBIO, Departamento De Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad de Pamplona, Pamplona 543050, Colombia;
| | - Renato Chávez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9170020, Chile;
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6
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Knight KM, Ghosh S, Campbell SL, Lefevre TJ, Olsen RHJ, Smrcka AV, Valentin NH, Yin G, Vaidehi N, Dohlman HG. A universal allosteric mechanism for G protein activation. Mol Cell 2021; 81:1384-1396.e6. [PMID: 33636126 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
G proteins play a central role in signal transduction and pharmacology. Signaling is initiated by cell-surface receptors, which promote guanosine triphosphate (GTP) binding and dissociation of Gα from the Gβγ subunits. Structural studies have revealed the molecular basis of subunit association with receptors, RGS proteins, and downstream effectors. In contrast, the mechanism of subunit dissociation is poorly understood. We use cell signaling assays, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and biochemistry and structural analyses to identify a conserved network of amino acids that dictates subunit release. In the presence of the terminal phosphate of GTP, a glycine forms a polar network with an arginine and glutamate, putting torsional strain on the subunit binding interface. This "G-R-E motif" secures GTP and, through an allosteric link, discharges the Gβγ dimer. Replacement of network residues prevents subunit dissociation regardless of agonist or GTP binding. These findings reveal the molecular basis of the final committed step of G protein activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Knight
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Soumadwip Ghosh
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Sharon L Campbell
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Tyler J Lefevre
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Reid H J Olsen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Alan V Smrcka
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Natalie H Valentin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Guowei Yin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Nagarajan Vaidehi
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
| | - Henrik G Dohlman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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7
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Abstract
Many sensory and chemical signal inputs are transmitted by intracellular GTP-binding (G) proteins. G proteins make up two major subfamilies: "large" G proteins comprising three subunits and "small" G proteins, such as the proto-oncogene product RAS, which contains a single subunit. Members of both subfamilies are regulated by post-translational modifications, including lipidation, proteolysis, and carboxyl methylation. Emerging studies have shown that these proteins are also modified by ubiquitination. Much of our current understanding of this post-translational modification comes from investigations of the large G-protein α subunit from yeast (Gpa1) and the three RAS isotypes in humans, NRAS, KRAS, and HRAS. Gα undergoes both mono- and polyubiquitination, and these modifications have distinct consequences for determining the sites and mechanisms of its degradation. Genetic and biochemical reconstitution studies have revealed the enzymes and binding partners required for addition and removal of ubiquitin, as well as the delivery and destruction of both the mono- and polyubiquitinated forms of the G protein. Complementary studies of RAS have identified multiple ubiquitination sites, each having distinct consequences for binding to regulatory proteins, shuttling to and from the plasma membrane, and degradation. Here, we review what is currently known about these two well-studied examples, Gpa1 and the human RAS proteins, that have revealed additional mechanisms of signal regulation and dysregulation relevant to human physiology. We also compare and contrast the effects of G-protein ubiquitination with other post-translational modifications of these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik G Dohlman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599.
| | - Sharon L Campbell
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599.
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8
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Negative Feedback Phosphorylation of Gγ Subunit Ste18 and the Ste5 Scaffold Synergistically Regulates MAPK Activation in Yeast. Cell Rep 2019; 23:1504-1515. [PMID: 29719261 PMCID: PMC5987779 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.03.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterotrimeric G proteins (Gαβγ) are essential transducers in G protein signaling systems in all eukaryotes. In yeast, G protein signaling differentially activates mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)—Fus3 and Kss1—a phenomenon controlled by plasma membrane (PM) association of the scaffold protein Ste5. Here, we show that phosphorylation of the yeast Gγ subunit (Ste18), together with Fus3 docking on Ste5, controls the rate and stability of Ste5/PM association. Disruption of either element alone by point mutation has mild but reciprocal effects on MAPK activation. Disabling both elements results in ultra-fast and stable bulk Ste5/PM localization and Fus3 activation that is 6 times faster and 4 times more amplified compared to wild-type cells. These results further resolve the mechanism by which MAPK negative feedback phosphorylation controls pathway activation and provides compelling evidence that Gγ subunits can serve as intrinsic regulators of G protein signaling.
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9
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Ignatius Pang CN, Goel A, Wilkins MR. Investigating the Network Basis of Negative Genetic Interactions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae with Integrated Biological Networks and Triplet Motif Analysis. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:1014-1030. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.7b00649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chi Nam Ignatius Pang
- Systems
Biology Initiative, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Apurv Goel
- Systems
Biology Initiative, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Marc R. Wilkins
- Systems
Biology Initiative, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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10
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Sridharan R, Connelly SM, Naider F, Dumont ME. Variable Dependence of Signaling Output on Agonist Occupancy of Ste2p, a G Protein-coupled Receptor in Yeast. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:24261-24279. [PMID: 27646004 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.733006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2016] [Revised: 09/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We report here on the relationship between ligand binding and signaling responses in the yeast pheromone response pathway, a well characterized G protein-coupled receptor system. Responses to agonist (α-factor) by cells expressing widely varying numbers of receptors depend primarily on fractional occupancy, not the absolute number of agonist-bound receptors. Furthermore, the concentration of competitive antagonist required to inhibit α-factor-dependent signaling is more than 10-fold higher than predicted based on the known ligand affinities. Thus, responses to a particular number of agonist-bound receptors can vary greatly, depending on whether there are unoccupied or antagonist-bound receptors present on the same cell surface. This behavior does not appear to be due to pre-coupling of receptors to G protein or to the Sst2p regulator of G protein signaling. The results are consistent with a signaling response that is determined by the integration of positive signals from agonist-occupied receptors and inhibitory signals from unoccupied receptors, where the inhibitory signals can be diminished by antagonist binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajashri Sridharan
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Sara M Connelly
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Fred Naider
- the Department of Chemistry and Macromolecular Assembly Institute, College of Staten Island of the City University of New York, Staten Island, New York 10314, and.,the Ph.D. Programs in Biochemistry and Chemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, New York 10016
| | - Mark E Dumont
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14642,
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11
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Liu X, Liao W, Yuan Q, Ou Y, Huang J. TTK activates Akt and promotes proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Oncotarget 2016; 6:34309-20. [PMID: 26418879 PMCID: PMC4741454 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most malignant cancers with poor clinical outcome. The protein kinase human monopolar spindle 1 (hMps1/TTK) gene expression is significantly increased in HCCs. However, its contributions to hepatocarcinogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we found that TTK was overexpressed in 77.63% (118/152) HCC specimens. Elevated TTK expression positively correlated with large tumor size and presence of the portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). Demethylation in its promoter increased TTK expression in HCC. In vitro assays revealed that TTK not only promoted cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth, but also cell migration. Subsequent investigations revealed that TTK activated Akt/mTOR pathway in a p53 dependent manner. We also found that TTK specific kinase inhibitor AZ3146 could decrease HCC cell growth. In conclusion, TTK contributes to HCC tumorigenesis via promoting cell proliferation and migration. It may serve as a novel biomarker and a potential target in HCC cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Liu
- National Engineering Center for Biochip at Shanghai, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory for Disease and Health Genomics, Chinese National Human Genome Center at Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijia Liao
- Hepatology Institute of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Qing Yuan
- National Engineering Center for Biochip at Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Ou
- National Engineering Center for Biochip at Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Huang
- National Engineering Center for Biochip at Shanghai, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory for Disease and Health Genomics, Chinese National Human Genome Center at Shanghai, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education) and Collaborative Innovation Center of Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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12
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Torres M. Chapter Two - Heterotrimeric G Protein Ubiquitination as a Regulator of G Protein Signaling. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2016; 141:57-83. [PMID: 27378755 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2016.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Ubiquitin-mediated regulation of G proteins has been known for over 20 years as a result of discoveries made independently in yeast and vertebrate model systems for pheromone and photoreception, respectively. Since that time, several details underlying the cause and effect of G protein ubiquitination have been determined-including the initiating signals, responsible enzymes, trafficking pathways, and their effects on protein structure, function, interactions, and cell signaling. The collective body of evidence suggests that Gα subunits are the primary targets of ubiquitination. However, longstanding and recent results suggest that Gβ and Gγ subunits are also ubiquitinated, in some cases impacting cell polarization-a process essential for chemotaxis and polarized cell growth. More recently, evidence from mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics coupled with advances in PTM bioinformatics have revealed that protein families representing G protein subunits contain several structural hotspots for ubiquitination-most of which have not been investigated for a functional role in signal transduction. Taken together, our knowledge and understanding of heterotrimeric G protein ubiquitination as a regulator of G protein signaling-despite 20 years of research-is still emerging.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Torres
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Biology, Atlanta, GA, United States.
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13
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Miguel-Rojas C, Hera C. The F-box protein Fbp1 functions in the invasive growth and cell wall integrity mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in Fusarium oxysporum. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2016; 17:55-64. [PMID: 25808603 PMCID: PMC6638410 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
F-box proteins determine substrate specificity of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Previous work has demonstrated that the F-box protein Fbp1, a component of the SCF(Fbp1) E3 ligase complex, is essential for invasive growth and virulence of the fungal plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. Here, we show that, in addition to invasive growth, Fbp1 also contributes to vegetative hyphal fusion and fungal adhesion to tomato roots. All of these functions have been shown previously to require the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Fmk1. We found that Fbp1 is required for full phosphorylation of Fmk1, indicating that Fbp1 regulates virulence and invasive growth via the Fmk1 pathway. Moreover, the Δfbp1 mutant is hypersensitive to sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and calcofluor white (CFW) and shows reduced phosphorylation levels of the cell wall integrity MAPK Mpk1 after SDS treatment. Collectively, these results suggest that Fbp1 contributes to both the invasive growth and cell wall integrity MAPK pathways of F. oxysporum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Miguel-Rojas
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Córdoba, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
- Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Concepcion Hera
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Córdoba, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
- Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
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14
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Zhang Z, Ren Q. Why are essential genes essential? - The essentiality of Saccharomyces genes. MICROBIAL CELL 2015; 2:280-287. [PMID: 28357303 PMCID: PMC5349100 DOI: 10.15698/mic2015.08.218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Essential genes are defined as required for the survival of an organism or a cell. They are of particular interests, not only for their essential biological functions, but also in practical applications, such as identifying effective drug targets to pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has approximately 6,000 open reading frames, 15 to 20% of which are deemed as essential. Some of the essential genes, however, appear to perform non-essential functions, such as aging and cell death, while many of the non-essential genes play critical roles in cell survival. In this paper, we reviewed and analyzed the levels of essentiality of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes and have grouped the genes into four categories: (1) Conditional essential: essential only under certain circumstances or growth conditions; (2) Essential: required for survival under optimal growth conditions; (3) Redundant essential: synthetic lethal due to redundant pathways or gene duplication; and (4) Absolute essential: the minimal genes required for maintaining a cellular life under a stress-free environment. The essential and non-essential functions of the essential genes were further analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaojie Zhang
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Qun Ren
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
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15
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Dewhurst HM, Choudhury S, Torres MP. Structural Analysis of PTM Hotspots (SAPH-ire)--A Quantitative Informatics Method Enabling the Discovery of Novel Regulatory Elements in Protein Families. Mol Cell Proteomics 2015; 14:2285-97. [PMID: 26070665 PMCID: PMC4528253 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m115.051177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Predicting the biological function potential of post-translational modifications (PTMs) is becoming increasingly important in light of the exponential increase in available PTM data from high-throughput proteomics. We developed structural analysis of PTM hotspots (SAPH-ire)—a quantitative PTM ranking method that integrates experimental PTM observations, sequence conservation, protein structure, and interaction data to allow rank order comparisons within or between protein families. Here, we applied SAPH-ire to the study of PTMs in diverse G protein families, a conserved and ubiquitous class of proteins essential for maintenance of intracellular structure (tubulins) and signal transduction (large and small Ras-like G proteins). A total of 1728 experimentally verified PTMs from eight unique G protein families were clustered into 451 unique hotspots, 51 of which have a known and cited biological function or response. Using customized software, the hotspots were analyzed in the context of 598 unique protein structures. By comparing distributions of hotspots with known versus unknown function, we show that SAPH-ire analysis is predictive for PTM biological function. Notably, SAPH-ire revealed high-ranking hotspots for which a functional impact has not yet been determined, including phosphorylation hotspots in the N-terminal tails of G protein gamma subunits—conserved protein structures never before reported as regulators of G protein coupled receptor signaling. To validate this prediction we used the yeast model system for G protein coupled receptor signaling, revealing that gamma subunit–N-terminal tail phosphorylation is activated in response to G protein coupled receptor stimulation and regulates protein stability in vivo. These results demonstrate the utility of integrating protein structural and sequence features into PTM prioritization schemes that can improve the analysis and functional power of modification-specific proteomics data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry M Dewhurst
- From the ‡Georgia Institute of Technology; School of Biology; 310 Ferst Drive; Atlanta, Georgia 30332
| | - Shilpa Choudhury
- From the ‡Georgia Institute of Technology; School of Biology; 310 Ferst Drive; Atlanta, Georgia 30332
| | - Matthew P Torres
- From the ‡Georgia Institute of Technology; School of Biology; 310 Ferst Drive; Atlanta, Georgia 30332
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16
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English JG, Shellhammer JP, Malahe M, McCarter PC, Elston TC, Dohlman HG. MAPK feedback encodes a switch and timer for tunable stress adaptation in yeast. Sci Signal 2015; 8:ra5. [PMID: 25587192 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2005774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Signaling pathways can behave as switches or rheostats, generating binary or graded responses to a given cell stimulus. We evaluated whether a single signaling pathway can simultaneously encode a switch and a rheostat. We found that the kinase Hog1 mediated a bifurcated cellular response: Activation and commitment to adaptation to osmotic stress are switchlike, whereas protein induction and the resolution of this commitment are graded. Through experimentation, bioinformatics analysis, and computational modeling, we determined that graded recovery is encoded through feedback phosphorylation and a gene induction program that is both temporally staggered and variable across the population. This switch-to-rheostat signaling mechanism represents a versatile stress adaptation system, wherein a broad range of inputs generate an "all-in" response that is later tuned to allow graded recovery of individual cells over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin G English
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - James P Shellhammer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Michael Malahe
- Department of Mathematics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Patrick C McCarter
- Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Timothy C Elston
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Henrik G Dohlman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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17
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Dixit G, Baker R, Sacks CM, Torres MP, Dohlman HG. Guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gα) endocytosis by a cascade of ubiquitin binding domain proteins is required for sustained morphogenesis and proper mating in yeast. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:15052-63. [PMID: 24722989 PMCID: PMC4031556 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.566117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2014] [Revised: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterotrimeric G proteins are well known to transmit signals from cell surface receptors to intracellular effector proteins. There is growing appreciation that G proteins are also present at endomembrane compartments, where they can potentially interact with a distinct set of signaling proteins. Here, we examine the cellular trafficking function of the G protein α subunit in yeast, Gpa1. Gpa1 contains a unique 109-amino acid insert within the α-helical domain that undergoes a variety of posttranslational modifications. Among these is monoubiquitination, catalyzed by the NEDD4 family ubiquitin ligase Rsp5. Using a newly optimized method for G protein purification together with biophysical measures of structure and function, we show that the ubiquitination domain does not influence enzyme activity. By screening a panel of 39 gene deletion mutants, each lacking a different ubiquitin binding domain protein, we identify seven that are necessary to deliver Gpa1 to the vacuole compartment including four proteins (Ede1, Bul1, Ddi1, and Rup1) previously not known to be involved in this process. Finally, we show that proper endocytosis of the G protein is needed for sustained cellular morphogenesis and mating in response to pheromone stimulation. We conclude that a cascade of ubiquitin-binding proteins serves to deliver the G protein to its final destination within the cell. In this instance and in contrast to the previously characterized visual system, endocytosis from the plasma membrane is needed for proper signal transduction rather than for signal desensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gauri Dixit
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
| | | | | | - Matthew P Torres
- School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332
| | - Henrik G Dohlman
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 and
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18
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Clement ST, Dixit G, Dohlman HG. Regulation of yeast G protein signaling by the kinases that activate the AMPK homolog Snf1. Sci Signal 2013; 6:ra78. [PMID: 24003255 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2004143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular signals, such as nutrients and hormones, cue intracellular pathways to produce adaptive responses. Often, cells must coordinate their responses to multiple signals to produce an appropriate outcome. We showed that components of a glucose-sensing pathway acted on components of a heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-mediated pheromone signaling pathway in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We demonstrated that the G protein α subunit Gpa1 was phosphorylated in response to conditions of reduced glucose availability and that this phosphorylation event contributed to reduced pheromone-dependent stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, gene transcription, cell morphogenesis, and mating efficiency. We found that Elm1, Sak1, and Tos3, the kinases that phosphorylate Snf1, the yeast homolog of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), in response to limited glucose availability, also phosphorylated Gpa1 and contributed to the diminished mating response. Reg1, the regulatory subunit of the phosphatase PP1 that acts on Snf1, was likewise required to reverse the phosphorylation of Gpa1 and to maintain the mating response. Thus, the same kinases and phosphatase that regulate Snf1 also regulate Gpa1. More broadly, these results indicate that the pheromone signaling and glucose-sensing pathways communicate directly to coordinate cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah T Clement
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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19
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Hurst JH, Dohlman HG. Dynamic ubiquitination of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) Ste7 determines mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) specificity. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:18660-71. [PMID: 23645675 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.475707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination is a post-translational modification that tags proteins for proteasomal degradation. In addition, there is a growing appreciation that ubiquitination can influence protein activity and localization. Ste7 is a prototype MAPKK in yeast that participates in both the pheromone signaling and nutrient deprivation/invasive growth pathways. We have shown previously that Ste7 is ubiquitinated upon pheromone stimulation. Here, we show that the Skp1/Cullin/F-box ubiquitin ligase SCF(Cdc4) and the ubiquitin protease Ubp3 regulate Ste7 ubiquitination and signal specificity. Using purified components, we demonstrate that SCF(Cdc4) ubiquitinates Ste7 directly. Using gene deletion mutants, we show that SCF(Cdc4) and Ubp3 have opposing effects on Ste7 ubiquitination. Although SCF(Cdc4) is necessary for proper activation of the pheromone MAPK Fus3, Ubp3 is needed to limit activation of the invasive growth MAPK Kss1. Finally, we show that Fus3 phosphorylates Ubp3 directly and that phosphorylation of Ubp3 is necessary to limit Kss1 activation. These results reveal a feedback loop wherein one MAPK limits the ubiquitination of an upstream MAPKK and thereby prevents spurious activation of a second competing MAPK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian H Hurst
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7260, USA
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20
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Chandrasekaran P, Buckley M, Moore V, Wang LQ, Kehrl JH, Venkatesan S. HIV-1 Nef impairs heterotrimeric G-protein signaling by targeting Gα(i2) for degradation through ubiquitination. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:41481-98. [PMID: 23071112 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.361782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The HIV Nef protein is an important pathogenic factor that modulates cell surface receptor trafficking and impairs cell motility, presumably by interfering at multiple steps with chemotactic receptor signaling. Here, we report that a dominant effect of Nef is to trigger AIP4 E3 ligase-mediated Gα(i2) ubiquitination, which leads to Gα(i2) endolysosomal sequestration and destruction. The loss of the Gα(i2) subunit was demonstrable in many cell types in the context of gene transfection, HIV infection, or Nef protein transduction. Nef directly interacts with Gα(i2) and ternary complexes containing AIP4, Nef, and Gα(i2) form. A substantial reversal of Gα(i2) loss and a partial recovery of impaired chemotaxis occurred following siRNA knockdown of AIP4 or NEDD4 or by inhibiting dynamin. The N-terminal myristoyl group, (62)EEEE(65) motif, and (72)PXXP(75) motif of Nef are critical for this effect to occur. Nef expression does not affect a Gq(i5) chimera where the five C-terminal residues of Gq are replaced with those of Gα(i2). Lysine at position 296 of Gα(i2) was identified as the critical determinant of Nef-induced degradation. By specifically degrading Gα(i2), Nef directly subverts leukocyte migration and homing. Impaired trafficking and homing of HIV Nef-expressing lymphocytes probably contributes to early immune dysfunction following HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabha Chandrasekaran
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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21
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Won S, Michkov AV, Krystofova S, Garud AV, Borkovich KA. Genetic and physical interactions between Gα subunits and components of the Gβγ dimer of heterotrimeric G proteins in Neurospora crassa. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2012; 11:1239-48. [PMID: 22903975 PMCID: PMC3485923 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00151-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2012] [Accepted: 08/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Heterotrimeric G proteins are critical regulators of growth and asexual and sexual development in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. Three Gα subunits (GNA-1, GNA-2, and GNA-3), one Gβ subunit (GNB-1), and one Gγ subunit (GNG-1) have been functionally characterized, but genetic epistasis relationships between Gβ and Gα subunit genes have not been determined. Physical association between GNB-1 and FLAG-tagged GNG-1 has been previously demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation, but knowledge of the Gα binding partners for the Gβγ dimer is currently lacking. In this study, the three N. crassa Gα subunits are analyzed for genetic epistasis with gnb-1 and for physical interaction with the Gβγ dimer. We created double mutants lacking one Gα gene and gnb-1 and introduced constitutively active, GTPase-deficient alleles for each Gα gene into the Δgnb-1 background. Genetic analysis revealed that gna-3 is epistatic to gnb-1 with regard to negative control of submerged conidiation. gnb-1 is epistatic to gna-2 and gna-3 for aerial hyphal height, while gnb-1 appears to act upstream of gna-1 and gna-2 during aerial conidiation. None of the activated Gα alleles restored female fertility to Δgnb-1 mutants, and the gna-3(Q208L) allele inhibited formation of female reproductive structures, consistent with a need for Gα proteins to cycle through the inactive GDP-bound form for these processes. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments using extracts from the gng-1-FLAG strain demonstrated that the three Gα proteins interact with the Gβγ dimer. The finding that the Gβγ dimer interacts with all three Gα proteins is supported by epistasis between gnb-1 and gna-1, gna-2, and gna-3 for at least one function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Won
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California-Riverside, CA, USA
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22
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Fang W, Price MS, Toffaletti DL, Tenor J, Betancourt-Quiroz M, Price JL, Pan WH, Liao WQ, Perfect JR. Pleiotropic effects of deubiquitinating enzyme Ubp5 on growth and pathogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans. PLoS One 2012; 7:e38326. [PMID: 22719877 PMCID: PMC3375289 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 05/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination is a reversible protein modification that influences various cellular processes in eukaryotic cells. Deubiquitinating enzymes remove ubiquitin, maintain ubiquitin homeostasis and regulate protein degradation via the ubiquitination pathway. Cryptococcus neoformans is an important basidiomycete pathogen that causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis primarily in the immunocompromised population. In order to understand the possible influence deubiquitinases have on growth and virulence of the model pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans, we generated deletion mutants of seven putative deubiquitinase genes. Compared to other deubiquitinating enzyme mutants, a ubp5Δ mutant exhibited severely attenuated virulence and many distinct phenotypes, including decreased capsule formation, hypomelanization, defective sporulation, and elevated sensitivity to several external stressors (such as high temperature, oxidative and nitrosative stresses, high salts, and antifungal agents). Ubp5 is likely the major deubiquitinating enzyme for stress responses in C. neoformans, which further delineates the evolutionary divergence of Cryptococcus from the model yeast S. cerevisiae, and provides an important paradigm for understanding the potential role of deubiquitination in virulence by other pathogenic fungi. Other putative deubiquitinase mutants (doa4Δ and ubp13Δ) share some phenotypes with the ubp5Δ mutant, illustrating functional overlap among deubiquitinating enzymes in C. neoformans. Therefore, deubiquitinating enzymes (especially Ubp5) are essential for the virulence composite of C. neoformans and provide an additional yeast survival and propagation advantage in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Fang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, PLA Key Laboratory of Mycosis, Institute of Dermatology and Mycosis of Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Michael S. Price
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Dena L. Toffaletti
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Tenor
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Marisol Betancourt-Quiroz
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Price
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Wei-hua Pan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, PLA Key Laboratory of Mycosis, Institute of Dermatology and Mycosis of Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wan-qing Liao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, PLA Key Laboratory of Mycosis, Institute of Dermatology and Mycosis of Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (JRP); (W-QL)
| | - John R. Perfect
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JRP); (W-QL)
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23
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Dohlman HG, Jones JC. Signal activation and inactivation by the Gα helical domain: a long-neglected partner in G protein signaling. Sci Signal 2012; 5:re2. [PMID: 22649098 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2003013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) are positioned at the top of many signal transduction pathways. The G protein α subunit is composed of two domains, one that resembles Ras and another that is composed entirely of α helices. Historically most attention has focused on the Ras-like domain, but emerging evidence reveals that the helical domain is an active participant in G protein signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik G Dohlman
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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24
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Abstract
MPS1 protein kinases are found widely, but not ubiquitously, in eukaryotes. This family of potentially dual-specific protein kinases is among several that regulate a number of steps of mitosis. The most widely conserved MPS1 kinase functions involve activities at the kinetochore in both the chromosome attachment and the spindle checkpoint. MPS1 kinases also function at centrosomes. Beyond mitosis, MPS1 kinases have been implicated in development, cytokinesis, and several different signaling pathways. Family members are identified by virtue of a conserved C-terminal kinase domain, though the N-terminal domain is quite divergent. The kinase domain of the human enzyme has been crystallized, revealing an unusual ATP-binding pocket. The activity, level, and subcellular localization of Mps1 family members are tightly regulated during cell-cycle progression. The mitotic functions of Mps1 kinases and their overexpression in some tumors have prompted the identification of Mps1 inhibitors and their active development as anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuedong Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA.
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25
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Torres MP, Clement ST, Cappell SD, Dohlman HG. Cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation and ubiquitination of a G protein alpha subunit. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:20208-16. [PMID: 21521692 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.239343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
A diverse array of external stimuli, including most hormones and neurotransmitters, bind to cell surface receptors that activate G proteins. Mating pheromones in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae activate G protein-coupled receptors and initiate events leading to cell cycle arrest in G(1) phase. Here, we show that the Gα subunit (Gpa1) is phosphorylated and ubiquitinated in response to changes in the cell cycle. We systematically screened 109 gene deletion strains representing the non-essential yeast kinome and identified a single kinase gene, ELM1, as necessary and sufficient for Gpa1 phosphorylation. Elm1 is expressed in a cell cycle-dependent manner, primarily at S and G(2)/M. Accordingly, phosphorylation of Gpa1 in G(2)/M phase leads to polyubiquitination in G(1) phase. These findings demonstrate that Gpa1 is dynamically regulated. More broadly, they reveal how G proteins can simultaneously regulate, and become regulated by, progression through the cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P Torres
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7260, USA
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26
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Cappell SD, Dohlman HG. Selective regulation of MAP kinase signaling by an endomembrane phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:14852-60. [PMID: 21388955 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.195073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple MAP kinase pathways share components yet initiate distinct biological processes. Signaling fidelity can be maintained by scaffold proteins and restriction of signaling complexes to discreet subcellular locations. For example, the yeast MAP kinase scaffold Ste5 binds to phospholipids produced at the plasma membrane and promotes selective MAP kinase activation. Here we show that Pik1, a phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase that localizes primarily to the Golgi, also regulates MAP kinase specificity but does so independently of Ste5. Pik1 is required for full activation of the MAP kinases Fus3 and Hog1 and represses activation of Kss1. Further, we show by genetic epistasis analysis that Pik1 likely regulates Ste11 and Ste50, components shared by all three MAP kinase pathways, through their interaction with the scaffold protein Opy2. These findings reveal a new regulator of signaling specificity functioning at endomembranes rather than at the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven D Cappell
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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