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Pflüger T, Gschell M, Zhang L, Shnitsar V, Zabadné AJ, Zierep P, Günther S, Einsle O, Andrade SLA. How sensor Amt-like proteins integrate ammonium signals. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadm9441. [PMID: 38838143 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm9441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Unlike aquaporins or potassium channels, ammonium transporters (Amts) uniquely discriminate ammonium from potassium and water. This feature has certainly contributed to their repurposing as ammonium receptors during evolution. Here, we describe the ammonium receptor Sd-Amt1, where an Amt module connects to a cytoplasmic diguanylate cyclase transducer module via an HAMP domain. Structures of the protein with and without bound ammonium were determined to 1.7- and 1.9-Ångstrom resolution, depicting the ON and OFF states of the receptor and confirming the presence of a binding site for two ammonium cations that is pivotal for signal perception and receptor activation. The transducer domain was disordered in the crystals, and an AlphaFold2 prediction suggests that the helices linking both domains are flexible. While the sensor domain retains the trimeric fold formed by all Amt family members, the HAMP domains interact as pairs and serve to dimerize the transducer domain upon activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Pflüger
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute for Biochemistry, University Freiburg, Albertstr. 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mathias Gschell
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute for Biochemistry, University Freiburg, Albertstr. 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lin Zhang
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute for Biochemistry, University Freiburg, Albertstr. 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Volodymyr Shnitsar
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute for Biochemistry, University Freiburg, Albertstr. 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Annas J Zabadné
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute for Biochemistry, University Freiburg, Albertstr. 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Paul Zierep
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 9, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Günther
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 9, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Einsle
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute for Biochemistry, University Freiburg, Albertstr. 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, University Freiburg, Schänzlerstr. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Susana L A Andrade
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute for Biochemistry, University Freiburg, Albertstr. 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, University Freiburg, Schänzlerstr. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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2
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Williamson G, Bizior A, Harris T, Pritchard L, Hoskisson P, Javelle A. Biological ammonium transporters from the Amt/Mep/Rh superfamily: mechanism, energetics, and technical limitations. Biosci Rep 2024; 44:BSR20211209. [PMID: 38131184 PMCID: PMC10794816 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20211209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The exchange of ammonium across cellular membranes is a fundamental process in all domains of life and is facilitated by the ubiquitous Amt/Mep/Rh transporter superfamily. Remarkably, despite a high structural conservation in all domains of life, these proteins have gained various biological functions during evolution. It is tempting to hypothesise that the physiological functions gained by these proteins may be explained at least in part by differences in the energetics of their translocation mechanisms. Therefore, in this review, we will explore our current knowledge of energetics of the Amt/Mep/Rh family, discuss variations in observations between different organisms, and highlight some technical drawbacks which have hampered effects at mechanistic characterisation. Through the review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of current understanding of the mechanism of transport of this unique and extraordinary Amt/Mep/Rh superfamily of ammonium transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Williamson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, U.K
| | - Adriana Bizior
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, U.K
| | - Thomas Harris
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, U.K
| | - Leighton Pritchard
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, U.K
| | - Paul A. Hoskisson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, U.K
| | - Arnaud Javelle
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, U.K
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3
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Williamson G, Harris T, Bizior A, Hoskisson PA, Pritchard L, Javelle A. Biological ammonium transporters: evolution and diversification. FEBS J 2024. [PMID: 38265636 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Although ammonium is the preferred nitrogen source for microbes and plants, in animal cells it is a toxic product of nitrogen metabolism that needs to be excreted. Thus, ammonium movement across biological membranes, whether for uptake or excretion, is a fundamental and ubiquitous biological process catalysed by the superfamily of the Amt/Mep/Rh transporters. A remarkable feature of the Amt/Mep/Rh family is that they are ubiquitous and, despite sharing low amino acid sequence identity, are highly structurally conserved. Despite sharing a common structure, these proteins have become involved in a diverse range of physiological process spanning all domains of life, with reports describing their involvement in diverse biological processes being published regularly. In this context, we exhaustively present their range of biological roles across the domains of life and after explore current hypotheses concerning their evolution to help to understand how and why the conserved structure fulfils diverse physiological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Williamson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Thomas Harris
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Adriana Bizior
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Paul Alan Hoskisson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Leighton Pritchard
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Arnaud Javelle
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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4
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Rodrigues DS, Cabral VP, Barbosa AD, Valente Sá LG, Silva CR, Moreira LE, Neto JB, Silva J, Santos HS, Marinho ES, Cavalcanti BC, Moraes MO, Nobre Júnior HV. Sertraline has fungicidal activity against Candida spp. and acts by inhibiting membrane and cell wall biosynthesis. Future Microbiol 2023; 18:1025-1039. [PMID: 37540066 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2022-0254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Our study evaluated the activity of sertraline (SER) alone and associated with antifungal drugs in planktonic Candida spp. strains, and investigated its mechanism of action. Materials & methods: Broth microdilution method and minimum fungicidal concentration/MIC ratio were used to assess SER anticandidal activity, and the interaction with antifungals was determined by fractional inhibitory concentration index. The mechanism of action was investigated by flow cytometry and in silico tests. Results: SER inhibited Candida spp. strains at low concentrations by the fungicidal effect and showed no loss of effectiveness when combined. Its action seemed to be related to the membrane and cell wall biosynthesis inhibition. Conclusion: SER has activity against Candida spp. isolated and associated with antifungals, and acts by causing cell wall and membrane damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Rodrigues
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
| | - Vitória Pf Cabral
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
| | - Amanda D Barbosa
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
| | - Lívia Ga Valente Sá
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
- Christus University Center (UNICHRISTUS), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Cecília R Silva
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
| | - Lara Ea Moreira
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
| | - Joao Ba Neto
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
- Christus University Center (UNICHRISTUS), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Jacilene Silva
- Department of Chemistry, Group of Theoretical Chemistry and Electrochemistry (GQTE), State University of Ceará, Limoeiro do Norte, Ceará, 930-000, Brazil
| | - Hélcio S Santos
- Science and Technology Center, Chemistry Course, Vale do Acaraú State University, CE, 040-370, Sobral
| | - Emmanuel S Marinho
- Department of Chemistry, Group of Theoretical Chemistry and Electrochemistry (GQTE), State University of Ceará, Limoeiro do Norte, Ceará, 930-000, Brazil
| | - Bruno C Cavalcanti
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
| | - Manoel O Moraes
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
| | - Hélio V Nobre Júnior
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 430-275, Brazil
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5
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Cao H, Liu Q, Liu X, Ma Z, Zhang J, Li X, Shen L, Yuan J, Zhang Q. Phosphatidic acid regulates ammonium uptake by interacting with AMMONIUM TRANSPORTER 1;1 in Arabidopsis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 193:1954-1969. [PMID: 37471275 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Ammonium (NH4+) is a key inorganic nitrogen source in cellular amino acid biosynthesis. The coupling of transcriptional and posttranslational regulation of AMMONIUM TRANSPORTER (AMT) ensures that NH4+ acquisition by plant roots is properly balanced, which allows for rapid adaptation to a variety of nitrogen conditions. Here, we report that phospholipase D (PLD)-derived phosphatidic acid (PA) interacts with AMT1;1 to mediate NH4+ uptake in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We examined pldα1 pldδ-knockout mutants and found that a reduced PA level increased seedling growth under nitrogen deficiency and inhibited root growth upon NH4+ stress, which was consistent with the enhanced accumulation of cellular NH4+. PA directly bound to AMT1;1 and inhibited its transport activity. Mutation of AMT1;1 R487 to Gly (R487G) resulted in abolition of PA suppression and, subsequently, enhancement of ammonium transport activity in vitro and in vivo. Observations of AMT1;1-GFP showed suppressed endocytosis under PLD deficiency or by mutation of the PA-binding site in AMT1;1. Endocytosis was rescued by PA in the pldα1 pldδ mutant but not in the mutant AMT1;1R487G-GFP line. Together, these findings demonstrated PA-based shutoff control of plant NH4+ transport and point to a broader paradigm of lipid-transporter function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Qingyun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Zhaokun Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jixiu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xuebing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Like Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jingya Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Qun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
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6
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do Nascimento FB, Valente Sá LG, de Andrade Neto JB, Cabral VP, Rodrigues DS, Barbosa AD, Moreira LE, Oliveira LC, Silva A, Lima IS, Silva J, Marinho ES, Santos HS, Cavalcanti BC, Morais MO, Júnior HV, Silva CR. Antifungal activity of cisatracurium against fluconazole-resistant Candida isolates and its antibiofilm effects. Future Microbiol 2023; 18:649-660. [PMID: 37522164 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2022-0224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the antifungal activity of cisatracurium against Candida spp. resistant to fluconazole strains in planktonic and biofilm forms, in addition to determining its mechanism of action. Materials & methods: Antifungal activity and pharmacological interactions were determined using broth microdilution methods and the mechanism of action was evaluated by flow cytometry and molecular docking. Results: Cisatracurium presented antifungal activity against Candida spp. planktonic cells due to alterations of mitochondrial transmembrane potential leading to cellular apoptosis in addition to interacting with important targets related to cellular respiration, membrane and cell wall evidenced by molecular docking. Furthermore, the drug both prevented biofilm formation and impaired mature biofilms. Conclusion: Cisatracurium exhibits potential antifungal activity against Candida spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Ba do Nascimento
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CEP, 60.430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, CE, CEP, 60.430-275, Brasil
| | - Lívia Ga Valente Sá
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CEP, 60.430-372, Brazil
- Christus University Center, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, CE, CEP, 60.430-275, Brasil
| | - João B de Andrade Neto
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CEP, 60.430-372, Brazil
- Christus University Center, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, CE, CEP, 60.430-275, Brasil
| | - Vitória Pf Cabral
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CEP, 60.430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, CE, CEP, 60.430-275, Brasil
| | - Daniel S Rodrigues
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CEP, 60.430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, CE, CEP, 60.430-275, Brasil
| | - Amanda D Barbosa
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CEP, 60.430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, CE, CEP, 60.430-275, Brasil
| | - Lara Ea Moreira
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CEP, 60.430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, CE, CEP, 60.430-275, Brasil
| | - Leilson C Oliveira
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CEP, 60.430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, CE, CEP, 60.430-275, Brasil
| | - Anderson Silva
- Institute of Advanced Chemistry, Higher Council for Scientific Research, Spain
| | - Iri Sp Lima
- Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Barbalha, 63048-080, CE, Brasil
| | - Jacilene Silva
- Theoretical Chemistry & Electrochemistry Group, State University of Ceará, Limoeiro do Norte, Ceará, 62.930-000, Brasil
| | - Emmanuel S Marinho
- Theoretical Chemistry & Electrochemistry Group, State University of Ceará, Limoeiro do Norte, Ceará, 62.930-000, Brasil
| | - Hélcio S Santos
- Science and Technology Centre, Course of Chemistry, State University Vale do Acaraú, Sobral, CE, Brazil
| | - Bruno C Cavalcanti
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, CE, CEP, 60.430-275, Brasil
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.CEP, 60.430-275, Brasil
| | - Manoel O Morais
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, CE, CEP, 60.430-275, Brasil
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.CEP, 60.430-275, Brasil
| | - Hélio Vn Júnior
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CEP, 60.430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, CE, CEP, 60.430-275, Brasil
| | - Cecília R Silva
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CEP, 60.430-372, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, CE, CEP, 60.430-275, Brasil
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Bizior A, Williamson G, Harris T, Hoskisson PA, Javelle A. Prokaryotic ammonium transporters: what has three decades of research revealed? MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169:001360. [PMID: 37450375 PMCID: PMC10433425 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The exchange of ammonium across cellular membranes is a fundamental process in all domains of life. In plants, bacteria and fungi, ammonium represents a vital source of nitrogen, which is scavenged from the external environment. In contrast, in animal cells ammonium is a cytotoxic metabolic waste product and must be excreted to prevent cell death. Transport of ammonium is facilitated by the ubiquitous Amt/Mep/Rh transporter superfamily. In addition to their function as transporters, Amt/Mep/Rh proteins play roles in a diverse array of biological processes and human physiopathology. Despite this clear physiological importance and medical relevance, the molecular mechanism of Amt/Mep/Rh proteins has remained elusive. Crystal structures of bacterial Amt/Rh proteins suggest electroneutral transport, whilst functional evidence supports an electrogenic mechanism. Here, focusing on bacterial members of the family, we summarize the structure of Amt/Rh proteins and what three decades of research tells us concerning the general mechanisms of ammonium translocation, in particular the possibility that the transport mechanism might differ in various members of the Amt/Mep/Rh superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Bizior
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Gordon Williamson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Thomas Harris
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Paul A. Hoskisson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Arnaud Javelle
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
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8
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Progress of Molecular Display Technology Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11010125. [PMID: 36677416 PMCID: PMC9864768 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the long history of microorganism use, yeasts have been developed as hosts for producing biologically active compounds or for conventional fermentation. Since the introduction of genetic engineering, recombinant proteins have been designed and produced using yeast or bacterial cells. Yeasts have the unique property of expressing genes derived from both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is one of the well-studied yeasts in genetic engineering. Recently, molecular display technology, which involves a protein-producing system on the yeast cell surface, has been established. Using this technology, designed proteins can be displayed on the cell surface, and novel abilities are endowed to the host yeast strain. This review summarizes various molecular yeast display technologies and their principles and applications. Moreover, S. cerevisiae laboratory strains generated using molecular display technology for sustainable development are described. Each application of a molecular displayed yeast cell is also associated with the corresponding Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
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9
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Wang Z, Yang R, Lv W, Zhang W, Meng X, Liu W. Functional Characterization of Sugar Transporter CRT1 Reveals Differential Roles of Its C-Terminal Region in Sugar Transport and Cellulase Induction in Trichoderma reesei. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0087222. [PMID: 35852347 PMCID: PMC9431493 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00872-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of cellulase genes in lignocellulose-degrading fungus Trichoderma reesei is induced by insoluble cellulose and its soluble derivatives. Membrane-localized transporter/transceptor proteins have been thought to be involved in nutrient uptake and/or sensing to initiate the subsequent signal transduction during cellulase gene induction. Crt1 is a sugar transporter proven to be essential for cellulase gene induction although the detailed mechanism of Crt1-triggered cellulase induction remains elusive. In this study, we focused on the C-terminus region of Crt1 which is predicted to exist as an unstructured cytoplasmic tail in T. reesei. Serial C-terminal truncation of Crt1 revealed that deleting the last half of the C-terminal region of Crt1 hardly affected its transporting activity or ability to mediate the induction of cellulase gene expression. In contrast, removal of the entire C-terminus region eliminated both activities. Of note, Crt1-C5, retaining only the first five amino acids of C-terminus, was found to be capable of transporting lactose but failed to restore cellulase gene induction in the Δcrt1 strain. Analysis of the cellular localization of Crt1 showed that Crt1 existed both at the plasma membrane and at the periphery of the nucleus although the functional relevance is not clear at present. Finally, we showed that the cellulase production defect of Δcrt1 was corrected by overexpressing Xyr1, indicating that Xyr1 is a potential regulatory target of the signaling cascade initiated from Crt1. IMPORTANCE The lignocellulose-degrading fungus T. reesei has been widely used in industrial cellulases production. Understanding the precise cellulase gene regulatory network is critical for its genetic engineering to enhance the mass production of cellulases. As the key membrane protein involved in cellulase expression in T. reesei, the detailed mechanism of Crt1 in mediating cellulase induction remains to be investigated. In this study, the C-terminal region of Crt1 was found to be vital for its transport and signaling receptor functions. These two functions are, however, separable because a C-terminal truncation mutant is capable of sugar transporting but loses the ability to mediate cellulase gene expression. Furthermore, the key transcriptional activator Xyr1 represents a downstream target of the Crt1-initiated signaling cascade. Together, our research provides new insights into the function of Crt1 and further contributes to the unveiling of the intricate signal transduction process leading to efficient cellulase gene expression in T. reesei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbiology Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
| | - Renfei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbiology Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenhao Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbiology Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weixin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbiology Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiangfeng Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbiology Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weifeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbiology Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
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10
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Lazaratos M, Siemers M, Brown LS, Bondar AN. Conserved hydrogen-bond motifs of membrane transporters and receptors. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2022; 1864:183896. [PMID: 35217000 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2022.183896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Membrane transporters and receptors often rely on conserved hydrogen bonds to assemble transient paths for ion transfer or long-distance conformational couplings. For transporters and receptors that use proton binding and proton transfer for function, inter-helical hydrogen bonds of titratable protein sidechains that could change protonation are of central interest to formulate hypotheses about reaction mechanisms. Knowledge of hydrogen bonds common at sites of potential interest for proton binding could thus inform and guide studies on functional mechanisms of protonation-coupled membrane proteins. Here we apply graph-theory approaches to identify hydrogen-bond motifs of carboxylate and histidine sidechains in a large data set of static membrane protein structures. We find that carboxylate-hydroxyl hydrogen bonds are present in numerous structures of the dataset, and can be part of more extended H-bond clusters that could be relevant to conformational coupling. Carboxylate-carboxyamide and imidazole-imidazole hydrogen bonds are represented in comparably fewer protein structures of the dataset. Atomistic simulations on two membrane transporters in lipid membranes suggest that many of the hydrogen bond motifs present in static protein structures tend to be robust, and can be part of larger hydrogen-bond clusters that recruit additional hydrogen bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalis Lazaratos
- Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Physics, Theoretical Molecular Biophysics, Arnimallee 14, D14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Malte Siemers
- Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Physics, Theoretical Molecular Biophysics, Arnimallee 14, D14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Leonid S Brown
- University of Guelph, Department of Physics, 50 Stone Road E., Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Ana-Nicoleta Bondar
- Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Physics, Theoretical Molecular Biophysics, Arnimallee 14, D14195 Berlin, Germany; University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, Atomiștilor 405, Măgurele 077125, Romania; Forschungszentrum Jülich, Institute for Neuroscience and Medicine and Institute for Advanced Simulations (IAS-5/INM-9), Computational Biomedicine, Wilhelm-Johnen Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany.
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11
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Rocha da Silva C, Sá LGDAV, Dos Santos EV, Ferreira TL, Coutinho TDNP, Moreira LEA, de Sousa Campos R, de Andrade CR, Barbosa da Silva WM, de Sá Carneiro I, Silva J, Dos Santos HS, Marinho ES, Cavalcanti BC, de Moraes MO, Júnior HVN, Andrade Neto JB. Evaluation of the antifungal effect of chlorogenic acid against strains of Candida spp. resistant to fluconazole: apoptosis induction and in silico analysis of the possible mechanisms of action. J Med Microbiol 2022; 71. [PMID: 35575783 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Candida spp. are commensal fungal pathogens of humans, but when there is an imbalance in the microbiota, or weak host immunity, these yeasts can become pathogenic, generating high medical costs.Gap Statement. With the increase in resistance to conventional antifungals, the development of new therapeutic strategies is necessary. This study evaluated the in vitro antifungal activity of chlorogenic acid against fluconazole-resistant strains of Candida spp. Mechanism of action through flow cytometry and in silico analyses, as well as molecular docking assays with ALS3 and SAP5, important proteins in the pathogenesis of Candida albicans associated with the adhesion process and biofilm formation.Results. The chlorogenic acid showed in vitro antifungal activity against the strains tested, causing reduced cell viability, increased potential for mitochondrial depolarization and production of reactive oxygen species, DNA fragmentation and phosphatidylserine externalization, indicating an apoptotic process. Concerning the analysis through docking, the complexes formed between chlorogenic acid and the targets Thymidylate Kinase, CYP51, 1Yeast Cytochrome BC1 Complex e Exo-B-(1,3)-glucanase demonstrated more favourable binding energy. In addition, chlorogenic acid presented significant interactions with the ALS3 active site residues of C. albicans, important in the adhesion process and resistance to fluconazole. Regarding molecular docking with SAP5, no significant interactions were found between chlorogenic acid and the active site of the enzyme.Conclusion. We concluded that chlorogenic acid has potential use as an adjuvant in antifungal therapies, due to its anti-Candida activity and ability to interact with important drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecília Rocha da Silva
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Lívia Gurgel do Amaral Valente Sá
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Christus University Center (UNICHRISTUS), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Lara Elloyse Almeida Moreira
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Rosana de Sousa Campos
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Christus University Center (UNICHRISTUS), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Igor de Sá Carneiro
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Jacilene Silva
- Department of Chemistry, Group of Theoretical Chemistry and Electrochemistry (GQTE), State University of Ceará, Limoeiro do Norte, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Hélcio Silva Dos Santos
- Science and Technology Centre, Course of Chemistry, State University Vale do Acaraú, Sobral, CE, Brazil
| | - Emmanuel Silva Marinho
- Department of Chemistry, Group of Theoretical Chemistry and Electrochemistry (GQTE), State University of Ceará, Limoeiro do Norte, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Bruno Coelho Cavalcanti
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Manoel Odorico de Moraes
- Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Hélio Vitoriano Nobre Júnior
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - João Batista Andrade Neto
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Christus University Center (UNICHRISTUS), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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12
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Khalid S, Schroeder C, Bond PJ, Duncan AL. What have molecular simulations contributed to understanding of Gram-negative bacterial cell envelopes? MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2022; 168. [PMID: 35294337 PMCID: PMC9558347 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial cell envelopes are compositionally complex and crowded and while highly dynamic in some areas, their molecular motion is very limited, to the point of being almost static in others. Therefore, it is no real surprise that studying them at high resolution across a range of temporal and spatial scales requires a number of different techniques. Details at atomistic to molecular scales for up to tens of microseconds are now within range for molecular dynamics simulations. Here we review how such simulations have contributed to our current understanding of the cell envelopes of Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syma Khalid
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Cyril Schroeder
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Peter J Bond
- Bioinformatics Institute (A*STAR), Singapore 138671, Singapore.,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Anna L Duncan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
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13
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Coexistence of Ammonium Transporter and Channel Mechanisms in Amt-Mep-Rh Twin-His Variants Impairs the Filamentation Signaling Capacity of Fungal Mep2 Transceptors. mBio 2022; 13:e0291321. [PMID: 35196127 PMCID: PMC9040831 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02913-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Ammonium translocation through biological membranes, by the ubiquitous Amt-Mep-Rh family of transporters, plays a key role in all domains of life. Two highly conserved histidine residues protrude into the lumen of the pore of these transporters, forming the family’s characteristic Twin-His motif. It has been hypothesized that the motif is essential to confer the selectivity of the transport mechanism. Here, using a combination of in vitro electrophysiology on Escherichia coli AmtB, in silico molecular dynamics simulations, and in vivo yeast functional complementation assays, we demonstrate that variations in the Twin-His motif trigger a mechanistic switch between a specific transporter, depending on ammonium deprotonation, to an unspecific ion channel activity. We therefore propose that there is no selective filter that governs specificity in Amt-Mep-Rh transporters, but the inherent mechanism of translocation, dependent on the fragmentation of the substrate, ensures the high specificity of the translocation. We show that coexistence of both mechanisms in single Twin-His variants of yeast Mep2 transceptors disrupts the signaling function and so impairs fungal filamentation. These data support a signaling process driven by the transport mechanism of the fungal Mep2 transceptors.
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14
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Sathee L, Krishna GK, Adavi SB, Jha SK, Jain V. Role of protein phosphatases in the regulation of nitrogen nutrition in plants. PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 27:2911-2922. [PMID: 35035144 PMCID: PMC8720119 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-021-01115-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The reversible protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation mediated by protein kinases and phosphatases regulate different biological processes and their response to environmental cues, including nitrogen (N) availability. Nitrate assimilation is under the strict control of phosphorylation-dephosphorylation mediated post-translational regulation. The protein phosphatase family with approximately 150 members in Arabidopsis and around 130 members in rice is a promising player in N uptake and assimilation pathways. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) enhances the activation of nitrate reductase (NR) by deactivating SnRK1 and reduces the binding of inhibitory 14-3-3 proteins on NR. The functioning of nitrate transporter NPF6.3 is regulated by phosphorylation of CBL9 (Calcineurin B like protein 9) and CIPK23 (CBL interacting protein kinase 23) module. Phosphorylation by CIPK23 inhibits the activity of NPF6.3, whereas protein phosphatases (PP2C) enhance the NPF6.3-dependent nitrate sensing. PP2Cs and CIPK23 also regulate ammonium transporters (AMTs). Under either moderate ammonium supply or high N demand, CIPK23 is bound and inactivated by PP2Cs. Ammonium uptake is mediated by nonphosphorylated and active AMT1s. Whereas, under high ammonium availability, CIPK23 gets activated and phosphorylate AMT1;1 and AMT1;2 rendering them inactive. Recent reports suggest the critical role of protein phosphatases in regulating N use efficiency (NUE). In rice, PP2C9 regulates NUE by improving N uptake and assimilation. Comparative leaf proteome of wild type and PP2C9 over-expressing transgenic rice lines showed 30 differentially expressed proteins under low N level. These proteins are involved in photosynthesis, N metabolism, signalling, and defence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lekshmy Sathee
- Division of Plant Physiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012 India
| | - G. K. Krishna
- Division of Plant Physiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012 India
- Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, 680 656 India
| | - Sandeep B. Adavi
- Division of Plant Physiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012 India
| | - Shailendra K. Jha
- Division of Genetics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012 India
| | - Vanita Jain
- Agricultural Education Division, ICAR, KAB-II, New Delhi, 110 012 India
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15
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Lei HT, Mu X, Hattne J, Gonen T. A conformational change in the N terminus of SLC38A9 signals mTORC1 activation. Structure 2021; 29:426-432.e8. [PMID: 33296665 PMCID: PMC9994763 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2020.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
mTORC1 is a central hub that integrates environmental cues, such as cellular stresses and nutrient availability to modulate metabolism and cellular responses. Recently, SLC38A9, a lysosomal amino acid transporter, emerged as a sensor for luminal arginine and as an activator of mTORC1. The amino acid-mediated activation of mTORC1 is regulated by the N-terminal domain of SLC38A9. Here, we determined the crystal structure of zebrafish SLC38A9 (drSLC38A9) and found the N-terminal fragment inserted deep within the transporter, bound in the substrate-binding pocket where normally arginine would bind. This represents a significant conformational change of the N-terminal domain (N-plug) when compared with our recent arginine-bound structure of drSLC38A9. We propose a ball-and-chain model for mTORC1 activation, where N-plug insertion and Rag GTPase binding with SLC38A9 is regulated by luminal arginine levels. This work provides important insights into nutrient sensing by SLC38A9 to activate the mTORC1 pathways in response to dietary amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiang-Ting Lei
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Xuelang Mu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Departments of Biological Chemistry and Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Johan Hattne
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Departments of Biological Chemistry and Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Tamir Gonen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Departments of Biological Chemistry and Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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16
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Cation Transporters of Candida albicans-New Targets to Fight Candidiasis? Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11040584. [PMID: 33923411 PMCID: PMC8073359 DOI: 10.3390/biom11040584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Candidiasis is the wide-spread fungal infection caused by numerous strains of yeast, with the prevalence of Candida albicans. The current treatment of candidiasis is becoming rather ineffective and costly owing to the emergence of resistant strains; hence, the exploration of new possible drug targets is necessary. The most promising route is the development of novel antibiotics targeting this pathogen. In this review, we summarize such candidates found in C. albicans and those involved in the transport of (metal) cations, as the latter are essential for numerous processes within the cell; hence, disruption of their fluxes can be fatal for C. albicans.
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17
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Abstract
AbstractIt is crucial for the growth and development of an organism whether ammonium is transported across its membranes in a form of NH4+ or NH3. The transport of both molecules follows different pH-dependent gradients across membranes and transport of both substrates differentially affects the internal and external pH. As a consequence, they directly influence the physiology and organism development. CaMep2 from Candida albicans shows a dual transceptor function in ammonium transport and sensing. CaMep2 senses low ammonium availability and induces filamentous growth. CaMep1, by contrast, is only active in transport, but not involved in ammonium signaling. Here, both proteins were heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. This study identified electrogenic NH4+ transport by CaMep1 and electroneutral NH3 transport by CaMep2, which might be a prerequisite for the induction of pseudohyphal growth.
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18
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Dias T, Pimentel V, Cogo AJD, Costa R, Bertolazi AA, Miranda C, de Souza SB, Melo J, Carolino M, Varma A, Eutrópio F, Olivares FL, Ramos AC, Cruz C. The Free-Living Stage Growth Conditions of the Endophytic Fungus Serendipita indica May Regulate Its Potential as Plant Growth Promoting Microbe. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:562238. [PMID: 33072023 PMCID: PMC7536269 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.562238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Serendipita indica (former Piriformospora indica) is a non-obligate endophytic fungus and generally a plant growth and defence promoter with high potential to be used in agriculture. However, S. indica may switch from biotrophy to saprotrophy losing its plant growth promoting traits. Our aim was to understand if the free-living stage growth conditions (namely C availability) regulate S. indica’s phenotype, and its potential as plant-growth-promoting-microbe (PGPM). We grew S. indica in its free-living stage under increasing C availabilities (2–20 g L–1 of glucose or sucrose). We first characterised the effect of C availability during free-living stage growth on fungal phenotype: colonies growth and physiology (plasma membrane proton pumps, stable isotopic signatures, and potential extracellular decomposing enzymes). The effect of the C availability during the free-living stage of the PGPM was evaluated on wheat. We observed that C availability during the free-living stage regulated S. indica’s growth, ultrastructure and physiology, resulting in two distinct colony phenotypes: compact and explorer. The compact phenotype developed at low C, used peptone as the major C and N source, and displayed higher decomposing potential for C providing substrates; while the explorer phenotype developed at high C, used glucose and sucrose as major C sources and casein and yeast extract as major N sources, and displayed higher decomposing potential for N and P providing substrates. The C availability, or the C/N ratio, during the free-living stage left a legacy to the symbiosis stage, regulating S. indica’s potential to promote plant growth: wheat growth promotion by the explorer phenotype was ± 40% higher than that by the compact phenotype. Our study highlights the importance of considering microbial ecology in designing PGPM/biofertilizers. Further studies are needed to test the phenotypes under more extreme conditions, and to understand if the in vitro acquired characteristics persist under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Dias
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Vívian Pimentel
- Laboratory of Physiology and Biochemistry of Microorganisms, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil
| | | | - Raquel Costa
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Amanda Azevedo Bertolazi
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Universidade Vila Velha, Vila Velha, Brazil
| | - Camila Miranda
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Universidade Vila Velha, Vila Velha, Brazil
| | - Sávio Bastos de Souza
- Plant Physiology Lab, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil
| | - Juliana Melo
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Manuela Carolino
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ajit Varma
- Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | | | - Fábio Lopes Olivares
- Cell Tissue and Biology Lab, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil
| | - Alessandro Coutinho Ramos
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Universidade Vila Velha, Vila Velha, Brazil
| | - Cristina Cruz
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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19
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Grishin D, Kasap E, Izotov A, Lisitsa A. Multifaceted ammonia transporters. ALL LIFE 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/26895293.2020.1812443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- D.V. Grishin
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry (IBMC), Moscow, Russia
| | - E.Y. Kasap
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry (IBMC), Moscow, Russia
| | - A.A. Izotov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry (IBMC), Moscow, Russia
| | - A.V. Lisitsa
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry (IBMC), Moscow, Russia
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20
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Williamson G, Tamburrino G, Bizior A, Boeckstaens M, Dias Mirandela G, Bage MG, Pisliakov A, Ives CM, Terras E, Hoskisson PA, Marini AM, Zachariae U, Javelle A. A two-lane mechanism for selective biological ammonium transport. eLife 2020; 9:57183. [PMID: 32662768 PMCID: PMC7447429 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The transport of charged molecules across biological membranes faces the dual problem of accommodating charges in a highly hydrophobic environment while maintaining selective substrate translocation. This has been the subject of a particular controversy for the exchange of ammonium across cellular membranes, an essential process in all domains of life. Ammonium transport is mediated by the ubiquitous Amt/Mep/Rh transporters that includes the human Rhesus factors. Here, using a combination of electrophysiology, yeast functional complementation and extended molecular dynamics simulations, we reveal a unique two-lane pathway for electrogenic NH4+ transport in two archetypal members of the family, the transporters AmtB from Escherichia coli and Rh50 from Nitrosomonas europaea. The pathway underpins a mechanism by which charged H+ and neutral NH3 are carried separately across the membrane after NH4+ deprotonation. This mechanism defines a new principle of achieving transport selectivity against competing ions in a biological transport process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Williamson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Giulia Tamburrino
- Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.,Physics, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Adriana Bizior
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Mélanie Boeckstaens
- Biology of Membrane Transport Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Gaëtan Dias Mirandela
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Marcus G Bage
- Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.,Physics, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Andrei Pisliakov
- Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.,Physics, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Callum M Ives
- Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Eilidh Terras
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A Hoskisson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Maria Marini
- Biology of Membrane Transport Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Ulrich Zachariae
- Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.,Physics, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Arnaud Javelle
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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21
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Hao DL, Zhou JY, Yang SY, Huang YN, Su YH. Functional and Regulatory Characterization of Three AMTs in Maize Roots. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:884. [PMID: 32676086 PMCID: PMC7333355 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Maize grows in nitrate-dominated dryland soils, but shortly upon localized dressing of nitrogen fertilizers, ammonium is retained as a noticeable form of nitrogen source available to roots. Thus in addition to nitrate, the absorption of ammonium can be an important strategy that promotes rapid plant growth at strong nitrogen demanding stages. The present study reports the functional characterization of three root-expressed ammonium transporters (AMTs), aiming at finding out functional and regulatory properties that correlate with efficient nitrogen acquisition of maize. Using a stable electrophysiological recording method we previously established in Xenopus laevis oocytes that integrates the capture of currents in response to voltage ramps with onsite stability controls, we demonstrate that all three ZmAMT1s engage NH4 + uniporting as ammonium uptake mechanisms. The K m value for ZmAMT1.1a, 1.1b, or ZmAMT1.3 is, respectively, 9.9, 15.6, or 18.6 μM, indicating a typical high-affinity transport of NH4 + ions. Importantly, the uptake currents of these ZmAMT1s are markedly amplified upon extracellular acidification. A pH drop from 7.4 to 5.4 results in a 140.8%, 64.1% or a 120.7% increase of ammonium uptake activity through ZmAMT1.1a, 1.1b, or ZmAMT1.3. Since ammonium uptake by plant roots accompanies a spontaneous acidification to the root medium, the functional promotion of ZmAMT1.1a, 1.1b, and ZmAMT1.3 by low pH is in line with the facilitated ammonium uptake activity in maize roots. Furthermore, the expression of the three ZmAMT1 genes is induced under ammonium-dominated conditions. Thus we describe a facilitated ammonium uptake strategy in maize roots by functional and expression regulations of ZmAMT1 transporters that may coordinate with efficient acquisition of this form of nitrogen source when available.
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22
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Ganz P, Ijato T, Porras-Murrilo R, Stührwohldt N, Ludewig U, Neuhäuser B. A twin histidine motif is the core structure for high-affinity substrate selection in plant ammonium transporters. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:3362-3370. [PMID: 31988244 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ammonium transporters (AMT), methylamine permeases (Mep), and the more distantly related rhesus factors (Rh) are trimeric membrane proteins present in all domains of life. AMT/Mep/Rhs are highly selective membrane proteins required for ammonium uptake or release, and they efficiently exclude the similarly sized K+ ion. Previously reported crystal structures have revealed that each transporter subunit contains a unique hydrophobic but occluded central pore, but it is unclear whether the base (NH3) or NH3 coupled with an H+ are transported. Here, using expression of two plant AMTs (AtAMT1;2 and AMT2) in budding yeast, we found that systematic replacements in the conserved twin-histidine motif, a hallmark of most AMT/Mep/Rh, alter substrate recognition, transport capacities, N isotope selection, and selectivity against K+ AMT-specific differences were found for histidine variants. Variants that completely lost ammonium N isotope selection, a feature likely associated with NH4 + deprotonation during passage, substantially transported K+ in addition to NH4 + Of note, the twin-histidine motif was not essential for ammonium transport. However, it conferred key AMT features, such as high substrate affinity and selectivity against alkali cations via an NH4 + deprotonation mechanism. Our findings indicate that the twin-His motif is the core structure responsible for substrate deprotonation and isotopic preferences in AMT pores and that decreased deprotonation capacity is associated with reduced selectivity against K+ We conclude that optimization for ammonium transport in plant AMT represents a compromise between substrate deprotonation for optimal selectivity and high substrate affinity and transport rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Ganz
- Institute of Crop Science, Nutritional Crop Physiology, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Toyosi Ijato
- Institute of Crop Science, Nutritional Crop Physiology, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Romano Porras-Murrilo
- Institute of Crop Science, Nutritional Crop Physiology, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Nils Stührwohldt
- Institute of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Uwe Ludewig
- Institute of Crop Science, Nutritional Crop Physiology, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Benjamin Neuhäuser
- Institute of Crop Science, Nutritional Crop Physiology, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany.
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23
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Brito AS, Neuhäuser B, Wintjens R, Marini AM, Boeckstaens M. Yeast filamentation signaling is connected to a specific substrate translocation mechanism of the Mep2 transceptor. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008634. [PMID: 32069286 PMCID: PMC7048316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The dimorphic transition from the yeast to the filamentous form of growth allows cells to explore their environment for more suitable niches and is often crucial for the virulence of pathogenic fungi. In contrast to their Mep1/3 paralogues, fungal Mep2-type ammonium transport proteins of the conserved Mep-Amt-Rh family have been assigned an additional receptor role required to trigger the filamentation signal in response to ammonium scarcity. Here, genetic, kinetic and structure-function analyses were used to shed light on the poorly characterized signaling role of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mep2. We show that Mep2 variants lacking the C-terminal tail conserve the ability to induce filamentation, revealing that signaling can proceed in the absence of exclusive binding of a putative partner to the largest cytosolic domain of the protein. Our data support that filamentation signaling requires the conformational changes accompanying substrate translocation through the pore crossing the hydrophobic core of Mep2. pHluorin reporter assays show that the transport activity of Mep2 and of non-signaling Mep1 differently affect yeast cytosolic pH in vivo, and that the unique pore variant Mep2H194E, with apparent uncoupling of transport and signaling functions, acquires increased ability of acidification. Functional characterization in Xenopus oocytes reveals that Mep2 mediates electroneutral substrate translocation while Mep1 performs electrogenic transport. Our findings highlight that the Mep2-dependent filamentation induction is connected to its specific transport mechanism, suggesting a role of pH in signal mediation. Finally, we show that the signaling process is conserved for the Mep2 protein from the human pathogen Candida albicans. Fungal Mep2-type ammonium transport proteins of the conserved Mep-Amt-Rh family that includes human Rhesus factors are specifically required to allow filamentation in response to ammonium limitation. These proteins were therefore assigned a receptor role while the underlying mechanism of signal transduction remains poorly understood. The “transceptor” property has subsequently been proposed to concern transporters of all kind of micro- and macro- nutrients in eukaryotes, from fungi to human. However, bringing the firm demonstration of their existence remains challenging as variants with full uncoupling of transport and receptor functions are difficult to obtain. Our data question the involvement of the C-terminal extremity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mep2 in the signal mediation leading to filamentation. If signaling partners exist, they should also bind to cytosolic loops and/or membrane-embedded domains. The capacity of Mep2 to enable filamentation is closely intertwined to the mechanism of substrate translocation through the pore of the hydrophobic core of the protein. In Xenopus oocytes, the transport activity of non-signaling Mep1 is electrogenic while it is electroneutral for Mep2, the latter likely translocating the weak base NH3, but not the proton released after NH4+ recognition and depronotation. We propose that given consequences of a Mep2-specific transport process, such as an intracellular pH modification, could be the underlying cause of the filamentation signal ensured by Mep2-type proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofia Brito
- Biology of Membrane Transport Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Benjamin Neuhäuser
- Institute of Crop Science, Nutritional Crop Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - René Wintjens
- Unité Microbiologie, Chimie Bioorganique et Macromoléculaire, Département RD3, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anna Maria Marini
- Biology of Membrane Transport Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
- * E-mail: (AMM); (MB)
| | - Mélanie Boeckstaens
- Biology of Membrane Transport Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
- * E-mail: (AMM); (MB)
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24
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A pore-occluding phenylalanine gate prevents ion slippage through plant ammonium transporters. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16765. [PMID: 31727964 PMCID: PMC6856177 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53333-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughout all kingdoms of life, highly conserved transport proteins mediate the passage of ammonium across membranes. These transporters share a high homology and a common pore structure. Whether NH3, NH4+ or NH3 + H+ is the molecularly transported substrate, still remains unclear for distinct proteins. High-resolution protein structures of several ammonium transporters suggested two conserved pore domains, an external NH4+ recruitment site and a pore-occluding twin phenylalanine gate, to take over a crucial role in substrate determination and selectivity. Here, we show that while the external recruitment site seems essential for AtAMT1;2 function, single mutants of the double phenylalanine gate were not reduced in their ammonium transport capacity. Despite an unchanged ammonium transport rate, a single mutant of the inner phenylalanine showed reduced N-isotope selection that was proposed to be associated with ammonium deprotonation during transport. Even though ammonium might pass the mutant AMT pore in the ionic form, the transporter still excluded potassium ions from being transported. Our results, highlight the importance of the twin phenylalanine gate in blocking uncontrolled ammonium ion flux.
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25
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Affiliation(s)
- Bert van den Berg
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Siobhan Lister
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Julian C. Rutherford
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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26
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Wu X, Liu T, Zhang Y, Duan F, Neuhäuser B, Ludewig U, Schulze WX, Yuan L. Ammonium and nitrate regulate NH4+ uptake activity of Arabidopsis ammonium transporter AtAMT1;3 via phosphorylation at multiple C-terminal sites. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2019; 70:4919-4930. [PMID: 31087098 PMCID: PMC6760267 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erz230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In plants, nutrient transporters require tight regulation to ensure optimal uptake in complex environments. The activities of many nutrient transporters are post-translationally regulated by reversible phosphorylation, allowing rapid adaptation to variable environmental conditions. Here, we show that the Arabidopsis root epidermis-expressed ammonium transporter AtAMT1;3 was dynamically (de-)phosphorylated at multiple sites in the cytosolic C-terminal region (CTR) responding to ammonium and nitrate signals. Under ammonium resupply rapid phosphorylation of a Thr residue (T464) in the conserved part of the CTR (CTRC) effectively inhibited AtAMT1;3-dependent NH4+ uptake. Moreover, phosphorylation of Thr (T494), one of three phosphorylation sites in the non-conserved part of the CTR (CRTNC), moderately decreased the NH4+ transport activity of AtAMT1;3, as deduced from functional analysis of phospho-mimic mutants in yeast, oocytes, and transgenic Arabidopsis. Double phospho-mutants indicated a role of T494 in fine-tuning the NH4+ transport activity when T464 was non-phosphorylated. Transient dephosphorylation of T494 with nitrate resupply closely paralleled a transient increase in ammonium uptake. These results suggest that T464 phosphorylation at the CTRC acts as a prime switch to prevent excess ammonium influx, while T494 phosphorylation at the CTRNC fine tunes ammonium uptake in response to nitrate. This provides a sophisticated regulatory mechanism for plant ammonium transporters to achieve optimal ammonium uptake in response to various nitrogen forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Wu
- Key Lab of Plant-Soil Interaction, MOE, College Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Liu
- Key Lab of Plant-Soil Interaction, MOE, College Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yongjian Zhang
- Key Lab of Plant-Soil Interaction, MOE, College Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Fengying Duan
- Key Lab of Plant-Soil Interaction, MOE, College Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Benjamin Neuhäuser
- Institute of Crop Science, Nutritional Crop Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Uwe Ludewig
- Institute of Crop Science, Nutritional Crop Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Waltraud X Schulze
- Institute for Physiology and Biotechnology of Plants, Plant Systems Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Lixing Yuan
- Key Lab of Plant-Soil Interaction, MOE, College Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Correspondence:
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27
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Schoeters F, Van Dijck P. Protein-Protein Interactions in Candida albicans. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1792. [PMID: 31440220 PMCID: PMC6693483 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being one of the most important human fungal pathogens, Candida albicans has not been studied extensively at the level of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and data on PPIs are not readily available in online databases. In January 2018, the database called "Biological General Repository for Interaction Datasets (BioGRID)" that contains the most PPIs for C. albicans, only documented 188 physical or direct PPIs (release 3.4.156) while several more can be found in the literature. Other databases such as the String database, the Molecular INTeraction Database (MINT), and the Database for Interacting Proteins (DIP) database contain even fewer interactions or do not even include C. albicans as a searchable term. Because of the non-canonical codon usage of C. albicans where CUG is translated as serine rather than leucine, it is often problematic to use the yeast two-hybrid system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to study C. albicans PPIs. However, studying PPIs is crucial to gain a thorough understanding of the function of proteins, biological processes and pathways. PPIs can also be potential drug targets. To aid in creating PPI networks and updating the BioGRID, we performed an exhaustive literature search in order to provide, in an accessible format, a more extensive list of known PPIs in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floris Schoeters
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick Van Dijck
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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28
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Abstract
Cell nutrition, detoxification, signalling, homeostasis and response to drugs, processes related to cell growth, differentiation and survival are all mediated by plasma membrane (PM) proteins called transporters. Despite their distinct fine structures, mechanism of function, energetic requirements, kinetics and substrate specificities, all transporters are characterized by a main hydrophobic body embedded in the PM as a series of tightly packed, often intertwined, α-helices that traverse the lipid bilayer in a zigzag mode, connected with intracellular or extracellular loops and hydrophilic N- and C-termini. Whereas longstanding genetic, biochemical and biophysical evidence suggests that specific transmembrane segments, and also their connecting loops, are responsible for substrate recognition and transport dynamics, emerging evidence also reveals the functional importance of transporter N- and C-termini, in respect to transport catalysis, substrate specificity, subcellular expression, stability and signalling. This review highlights selected prototypic examples of transporters in which their termini play important roles in their functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Mikros
- Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - George Diallinas
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, 15781 Athens, Greece
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29
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Rutherford JC, Bahn YS, van den Berg B, Heitman J, Xue C. Nutrient and Stress Sensing in Pathogenic Yeasts. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:442. [PMID: 30930866 PMCID: PMC6423903 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 1.5 million fungal species are estimated to live in vastly different environmental niches. Despite each unique host environment, fungal cells sense certain fundamentally conserved elements, such as nutrients, pheromones and stress, for adaptation to their niches. Sensing these extracellular signals is critical for pathogens to adapt to the hostile host environment and cause disease. Hence, dissecting the complex extracellular signal-sensing mechanisms that aid in this is pivotal and may facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches to control fungal infections. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on how two important pathogenic yeasts, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, sense nutrient availability, such as carbon sources, amino acids, and ammonium, and different stress signals to regulate their morphogenesis and pathogenicity in comparison with the non-pathogenic model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The molecular interactions between extracellular signals and their respective sensory systems are described in detail. The potential implication of analyzing nutrient and stress-sensing systems in antifungal drug development is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian C Rutherford
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Yong-Sun Bahn
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bert van den Berg
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Chaoyang Xue
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States.,Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
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30
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Successful amphiphiles as the key to crystallization of membrane proteins: Bridging theory and practice. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1863:437-455. [PMID: 30419284 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Membrane proteins constitute a major group of proteins and are of great significance as pharmaceutical targets, but underrepresented in the Protein Data Bank. Particular reasons are their low expression yields and the constant need for cautious and diligent handling in a sufficiently stable hydrophobic environment substituting for the native membrane. When it comes to protein crystallization, such an environment is often established by detergents. SCOPE OF REVIEW In this review, 475 unique membrane protein X-ray structures from the online data bank "Membrane proteins of known 3D structure" are presented with a focus on the detergents essential for protein crystallization. By systematic analysis of the most successful compounds, including current trends in amphiphile development, we provide general insights for selection and design of detergents for membrane protein crystallization. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The most successful detergents share common features, giving rise to favorable protein interactions. The hydrophile-lipophile balance concept of well-balanced hydrophilic and hydrophobic detergent portions is still the key to successful protein crystallization. Although a single detergent compound is sufficient in most cases, sometimes a suitable mixture of detergents has to be found to alter the resulting protein-detergent complex. Protein crystals with a high diffraction limit involve a tight crystal packing generally favored by detergents with shorter alkyl chains. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The formation of well-diffracting membrane protein crystals strongly depends on suitable surfactants, usually screened in numerous crystallization trials. The here-presented findings provide basic criteria for the assessment of surfactants within the vast space of potential crystallization conditions for membrane proteins.
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31
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Mirandela GD, Tamburrino G, Hoskisson PA, Zachariae U, Javelle A. The lipid environment determines the activity of the Escherichia coli ammonium transporter AmtB. FASEB J 2018; 33:1989-1999. [PMID: 30211659 PMCID: PMC6338640 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201800782r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The movement of ammonium across biologic membranes is a fundamental process in all living organisms and is mediated by the ubiquitous ammonium transporter/methylammonium permease/rhesus protein (Amt/Mep/Rh) family of transporters. Recent structural analysis and coupled mass spectrometry studies have shown that the Escherichia coli ammonium transporter AmtB specifically binds 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl phosphatidylglycerol (POPG). Upon POPG binding, several residues of AmtB undergo a small conformational change, which stabilizes the protein against unfolding. However, no studies have so far been conducted, to our knowledge, to explore whether POPG binding to AmtB has functional consequences. Here, we used an in vitro experimental assay with purified components, together with molecular dynamics simulations, to characterize the relation between POPG binding and AmtB activity. We show that the AmtB activity is electrogenic. Our results indicate that the activity, at the molecular level, of Amt in archaebacteria and eubacteria may differ. We also show that POPG is an important cofactor for AmtB activity and that, in the absence of POPG, AmtB cannot complete the full translocation cycle. Furthermore, our simulations reveal previously undiscovered POPG binding sites on the intracellular side of the lipid bilayer between the AmtB subunits. Possible molecular mechanisms explaining the functional role of POPG are discussed.-Mirandela, G. D., Tamburrino, G., Hoskisson, P. A., Zachariae, U., Javelle, A. The lipid environment determines the activity of the Escherichia coli ammonium transporter AmtB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëtan Dias Mirandela
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Giulia Tamburrino
- Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.,Physics, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A Hoskisson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ulrich Zachariae
- Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.,Physics, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Arnaud Javelle
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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32
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Yoo JI, O’Malley MA. Tuning Vector Stability and Integration Frequency Elevates Functional GPCR Production and Homogeneity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:1763-1772. [PMID: 29871481 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Membrane proteins play a valuable role in biotechnology, yet the difficulty of producing high yields of functional membrane protein limits their use in synthetic biology. The practical application of G protein-coupled receptors in whole cell biosensors, for example, is restricted to those that are functionally produced at the cell surface in the chosen host, limiting the range of detectable molecules. Here, we present a facile approach to significantly improve the yield and homogeneity of functional membrane proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by altering only the choice of expression vector. Expression of a model GPCR, the human adenosine A2a receptor, from commonly used centromeric and episomal vectors leads to low yields and cellular heterogeneity due to plasmid loss in 20-90% of the cell population. In contrast, homogeneous production of GPCR is attained using a multisite integrating vector or a novel, modified high copy vector that does not require genomic integration or addition of any selection agents. Finally, we introduce a FACS-based screen, which enables rapid isolation of cells with 4- to 15-fold increases in gene dosage and up to a 9-fold increase in functional protein yield without loss of homogeneity compared to a strain isolated through conventional, low-throughput methods. These results can be extended to improve the cellular homogeneity and yield of other membrane proteins, expanding the repertoire of useful receptors for synthetic biology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin I. Yoo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Michelle A. O’Malley
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
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33
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Paul JA, Wallen RM, Zhao C, Shi T, Perlin MH. Coordinate regulation of Ustilago maydis ammonium transporters and genes involved in mating and pathogenicity. Fungal Biol 2018; 122:639-650. [PMID: 29880199 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2018.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The dimorphic switch from budding to filamentous growth is an essential morphogenetic transition many fungi utilize to cause disease in the host. Although different environmental signals can induce filamentous growth, the developmental programs associated with transmitting these different signals may differ. Here, we explore the relationship between filamentation and expression levels of ammonium transporters (AMTs) that also sense low ammonium for Ustilago maydis, the pathogen of maize. Overexpression of the high affinity ammonium transporter, Ump2, under normally non-inducing conditions, results in filamentous growth. Furthermore, ump2 expression levels are correlated with expression of genes involved in the mating response pathway and in pathogenicity. Ump1 and Ump2 transcription levels also tracked expression of genes normally up-regulated during either filamentous growth or during growth of the fungus inside the host. Interestingly, haploid strains deleted for the b mating-type locus, like those deleted for ump2, failed to filament on low ammonium; they also shared some alterations in gene expression patterns with cells deleted for ump2 or over-expressing this gene. Deletion of ump2 either in both mating partners or in a solopathogenic haploid strain resulted in a dramatic reduction in disease severity for infected plants, suggesting some importance of this transceptor in the pathogenesis program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinny A Paul
- Department of Biology, Program on Disease Evolution, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - R Margaret Wallen
- Department of Biology, Program on Disease Evolution, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Chen Zhao
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Science, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Tieliu Shi
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Science, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Michael H Perlin
- Department of Biology, Program on Disease Evolution, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
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34
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Steyfkens F, Zhang Z, Van Zeebroeck G, Thevelein JM. Multiple Transceptors for Macro- and Micro-Nutrients Control Diverse Cellular Properties Through the PKA Pathway in Yeast: A Paradigm for the Rapidly Expanding World of Eukaryotic Nutrient Transceptors Up to Those in Human Cells. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:191. [PMID: 29662449 PMCID: PMC5890159 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The nutrient composition of the medium has dramatic effects on many cellular properties in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition to the well-known specific responses to starvation for an essential nutrient, like nitrogen or phosphate, the presence of fermentable sugar or a respirative carbon source leads to predominance of fermentation or respiration, respectively. Fermenting and respiring cells also show strong differences in other properties, like storage carbohydrate levels, general stress tolerance and cellular growth rate. However, the main glucose repression pathway, which controls the switch between respiration and fermentation, is not involved in control of these properties. They are controlled by the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Addition of glucose to respiring yeast cells triggers cAMP synthesis, activation of PKA and rapid modification of its targets, like storage carbohydrate levels, general stress tolerance and growth rate. However, starvation of fermenting cells in a glucose medium for any essential macro- or micro-nutrient counteracts this effect, leading to downregulation of PKA and its targets concomitant with growth arrest and entrance into G0. Re-addition of the lacking nutrient triggers rapid activation of the PKA pathway, without involvement of cAMP as second messenger. Investigation of the sensing mechanism has revealed that the specific high-affinity nutrient transporter(s) induced during starvation function as transporter-receptors or transceptors for rapid activation of PKA upon re-addition of the missing substrate. In this way, transceptors have been identified for amino acids, ammonium, phosphate, sulfate, iron, and zinc. We propose a hypothesis for regulation of PKA activity by nutrient transceptors to serve as a conceptual framework for future experimentation. Many properties of transceptors appear to be similar to those of classical receptors and nutrient transceptors may constitute intermediate forms in the development of receptors from nutrient transporters during evolution. The nutrient-sensing transceptor system in yeast for activation of the PKA pathway has served as a paradigm for similar studies on candidate nutrient transceptors in other eukaryotes and we succinctly discuss the many examples of transceptors that have already been documented in other yeast species, filamentous fungi, plants, and animals, including the examples in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenella Steyfkens
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Center for Microbiology, VIB, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Zhiqiang Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Center for Microbiology, VIB, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Griet Van Zeebroeck
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Center for Microbiology, VIB, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Johan M Thevelein
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Center for Microbiology, VIB, Flanders, Belgium
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35
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Ke X, Xia XY, Zheng RC, Zheng YG. Identification of a consensus motif in Erg28p required for C-4 demethylation in yeast ergosterol biosynthesis based on mutation analysis. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2018; 365:4793250. [PMID: 29319811 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fny002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Erg28p protein is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, where it acts as a scaffold to tether the C-4 demethylase complex involved in the sterol biosynthesis pathway of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, due to the challenges involved in characterizing the interactions of membrane proteins, the precise region of Erg28p that is responsible for the assembly of this enzyme complex remains unknown. To address this question, mutants with serial truncations in the C-terminus of Erg28p were constructed based on a topology prediction of its transmembrane domain. Sterol profiles demonstrated that intermediates involved in the stepwise removal of the two C-4 methyl groups from the tetracyclic sterol ring were accumulated in the ERG28Δ135-447 strain. Homologous alignment of Erg28p further identified a highly conserved 10-amino acid sequence (63LS/QARTFGT/LWT72) within the truncated region of ERG28Δ136-273. Complementation of the BY4741/erg28 strain with the ScERG28Δ175-204 plasmid resulted both in a significant growth inhibition and a reduction of ergosterol biosynthesis compared with the plasmid without the Δ175-204 truncation. Furthermore, homology modeling of the Erg28p mutant indicated that the deletion of residues 63-72 significantly disrupted the 3D structure of the four parallel helices in Erg28p. Taken together, the data indicate that the region spanning amino acids 63-72 constitutes a key consensus motif within Erg28p that is required for sterol C-4 demethylation during ergosterol biosynthesis in S. cerevisiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Ke
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China.,Engineering Research Center of Bioconversion and Biopurification of the Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Yuan Xia
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China.,Engineering Research Center of Bioconversion and Biopurification of the Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China
| | - Ren-Chao Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China.,Engineering Research Center of Bioconversion and Biopurification of the Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Guo Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China.,Engineering Research Center of Bioconversion and Biopurification of the Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China
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36
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Cao K, Zhang J, Miao XY, Wei QX, Zhao XL, He QY, Sun X. Evolution and molecular mechanism of PitAs in iron transport of Streptococcus species. J Inorg Biochem 2018; 182:113-123. [PMID: 29455001 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Iron is an essential element for almost all bacteria. The iron ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters located on the cell membrane affects bacterial virulence and infection. Although a variety of Fe3+-transporters have been found in bacteria, their evolutionary processes are rarely studied. Pneumococcal iron ABC transporter (PitA), a highly conserved Fe3+-transporter in most pathogenic bacteria, influences the capsule formation and virulence of bacteria. However, multiple sequence alignment revealed that PitA is expressed in four different variants in bacteria, and the structural complexity of these variants increases progressively. To more efficiently import Fe3+ ions into bacterial cells, bacteria have evolved a fused PitA from two separately expressed PitA-1 (SPD_0227) and PitA-2 (SPD_0226) proteins. Further biochemical characterization indicated that both PitA-1 and PitA-2 have weaker Fe3+-binding ability than their protein complex. More importantly, Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) pull-down and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) detection showed that PitA-1 and PitA-2 interact with each other via Tyr111-Leu37, Asn112-Gln38, Asn103-Leu33, and Asn103-Thr34. Further molecular dynamics (MD) simulations demonstrated that this interaction in full-length PitA is stronger than that in the two individual proteins. Deletion of PitA family genes could lead to decrease in the ability of iron acquisition and of adhesion and invasion of S. pneumoniae. Our study revealed the evolving state and molecular mechanism of Fe3+-transporter PitAs in bacteria and provided important information for understanding the iron transportation mechanism in bacteria and designing new antibacterial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Cao
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xin-Yu Miao
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Qiu-Xia Wei
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xin-Lu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Qing-Yu He
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Xuesong Sun
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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37
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Pflüger T, Hernández CF, Lewe P, Frank F, Mertens H, Svergun D, Baumstark MW, Lunin VY, Jetten MSM, Andrade SLA. Signaling ammonium across membranes through an ammonium sensor histidine kinase. Nat Commun 2018; 9:164. [PMID: 29323112 PMCID: PMC5764959 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02637-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensing and uptake of external ammonium is essential for anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria, and is typically the domain of the ubiquitous Amt/Rh ammonium transporters. Here, we report on the structure and function of an ammonium sensor/transducer from the anammox bacterium "Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis" that combines a membrane-integral ammonium transporter domain with a fused histidine kinase. It contains a high-affinity ammonium binding site not present in assimilatory Amt proteins. The levels of phosphorylated histidine in the kinase are coupled to the presence of ammonium, as conformational changes during signal recognition by the Amt module are transduced internally to modulate the kinase activity. The structural analysis of this ammonium sensor by X-ray crystallography and small-angle X-ray-scattering reveals a flexible, bipartite system that recruits a large uptake transporter as a sensory module and modulates its functionality to achieve a mechanistic coupling to a kinase domain in order to trigger downstream signaling events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Pflüger
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 21, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - Camila F Hernández
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 21, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - Philipp Lewe
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 21, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - Fabian Frank
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 21, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - Haydyn Mertens
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, EMBL c/o DESY, Notkestr. 85, Hamburg, D-22603, Germany
| | - Dmitri Svergun
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, EMBL c/o DESY, Notkestr. 85, Hamburg, D-22603, Germany
| | - Manfred W Baumstark
- Center for Medicine, Institute for Exercise and Occupational Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, Freiburg, 79106, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79106, Germany
| | - Vladimir Y Lunin
- Institute of Mathematical Problems of Biology RAS, Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics of Russian Academy of Sciences, Vitkevicha str. 1, Pushchino, 142290, Russia
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, NL-6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Susana L A Andrade
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 21, Freiburg, 79104, Germany. .,BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, Freiburg, 79104, Germany.
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38
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Substrate Specificity of the FurE Transporter Is Determined by Cytoplasmic Terminal Domain Interactions. Genetics 2017; 207:1387-1400. [PMID: 28978674 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.117.300327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
FurE, a member of the Nucleobase Cation Symporter 1 transporter family in Aspergillus nidulans, is specific for allantoin, uric acid (UA), uracil, and related analogs. Herein, we show that C- or N-terminally-truncated FurE transporters (FurE-ΔC or FurE-ΔΝ) present increased protein stability, but also an inability for UA transport. To better understand the role of cytoplasmic terminal regions, we characterized genetic suppressors that restore FurE-ΔC-mediated UA transport. Suppressors map in the periphery of the substrate-binding site [Thr133 in transmembrane segment (TMS)3 and Val343 in TMS8], an outward-facing gate (Ser296 in TMS7, Ile371 in TMS9, and Tyr392 and Leu394 in TMS10), or in flexible loops (Asp26 in LN, Gly222 in L5, and Asn308 in L7). Selected suppressors were also shown to restore the wild-type specificity of FurE-ΔΝ, suggesting that both C- and/or N-terminal domains are involved in intramolecular dynamics critical for substrate selection. A direct, substrate-sensitive interaction of C- and/or N-terminal domains was supported by bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. To our knowledge, this is the first case where not only the function, but also the specificity, of a eukaryotic transporter is regulated by its terminal cytoplasmic regions.
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39
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Niehaus EM, Studt L, von Bargen KW, Kummer W, Humpf HU, Reuter G, Tudzynski B. Sound of silence: the beauvericin cluster in Fusarium fujikuroi is controlled by cluster-specific and global regulators mediated by H3K27 modification. Environ Microbiol 2017; 18:4282-4302. [PMID: 27750383 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we compared the secondary metabolite profile of Fusarium fujikuroi and the histone deacetylase mutant ΔHDA1. We identified a novel peak in ΔHDA1, which was identified as beauvericin (BEA). Going in line with a 1000-fold increased BEA production, the respective non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)-encoding gene (BEA1), as well as two adjacent genes (BEA2-BEA3), were significantly up-regulated in ΔHDA1 compared to the wild type. A special role was revealed for the ABC transporter Bea3: deletion of the encoding gene resulted in significant up-regulation of BEA1 and BEA2 and drastically elevated product yields. Furthermore, mutation of a conserved sequence motif in the promoter of BEA1 released BEA repression and resulted in elevated product levels. Candidate transcription factors (TFs) that could bind to this motif are the cluster-specific TF Bea4 as well as a homolog of the global mammalian Kruppel-like TF Yin Yang 1 (Yy1), both acting as repressors of BEA biosynthesis. In addition to Hda1, BEA biosynthesis is repressed by the activity of the H3K27 methyltransferase Kmt6. Consistently, Western blot analyses revealed a genome-wide enrichment of H3K27 acetylation (H3K27ac) in the ΔHDA1 and KMT6 knock-down mutants. Subsequent chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments showed elevated H3K27ac modification levels at the BEA cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria Niehaus
- Institut für Biologie und Biotechnologie der Pflanzen, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Schlossplatz 8, Münster, D-48143
| | - Lena Studt
- Institut für Biologie und Biotechnologie der Pflanzen, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Schlossplatz 8, Münster, D-48143
| | - Katharina W von Bargen
- Institut für Lebensmittelchemie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Corrensstr. 45, Münster, D-48149
| | - Wiebke Kummer
- Institut für Genetik, Martin Luther Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Weinbergweg 10, Halle (Saale), D-06120
| | - Hans-Ulrich Humpf
- Institut für Lebensmittelchemie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Corrensstr. 45, Münster, D-48149
| | - Gunter Reuter
- Institut für Genetik, Martin Luther Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Weinbergweg 10, Halle (Saale), D-06120
| | - Bettina Tudzynski
- Institut für Biologie und Biotechnologie der Pflanzen, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Schlossplatz 8, Münster, D-48143
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40
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Dinkeloo K, Boyd S, Pilot G. Update on amino acid transporter functions and on possible amino acid sensing mechanisms in plants. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 74:105-113. [PMID: 28705659 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Amino acids are essential components of plant metabolism, not only as constituents of proteins, but also as precursors of important secondary metabolites and as carriers of organic nitrogen between the organs of the plant. Transport across intracellular membranes and translocation of amino acids within the plant is mediated by membrane amino acid transporters. The past few years have seen the identification of a new family of amino acid transporters in Arabidopsis, the characterization of intracellular amino acid transporters, and the discovery of new roles for already known proteins. While amino acid metabolism needs to be tightly coordinated with amino acid transport activity and carbohydrate metabolism, no gene involved in amino acid sensing in plants has been unequivocally identified to date. This review aims at summarizing the recent data accumulated on the identity and function of amino acid transporters in plants, and discussing the possible identity of amino acid sensors based on data from other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasia Dinkeloo
- Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Shelton Boyd
- Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Guillaume Pilot
- Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA.
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41
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Abstract
To respond to the changing environment, cells must be able to sense external conditions. This is important for many processes including growth, mating, the expression of virulence factors, and several other regulatory effects. Nutrient sensing at the plasma membrane is mediated by different classes of membrane proteins that activate downstream signaling pathways: nontransporting receptors, transceptors, classical and nonclassical G-protein-coupled receptors, and the newly defined extracellular mucin receptors. Nontransporting receptors have the same structure as transport proteins, but have lost the capacity to transport while gaining a receptor function. Transceptors are transporters that also function as a receptor, because they can rapidly activate downstream signaling pathways. In this review, we focus on these four types of fungal membrane proteins. We mainly discuss the sensing mechanisms relating to sugars, ammonium, and amino acids. Mechanisms for other nutrients, such as phosphate and sulfate, are discussed briefly. Because the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been the most studied, especially regarding these nutrient-sensing systems, each subsection will commence with what is known in this species.
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42
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Jacquot A, Li Z, Gojon A, Schulze W, Lejay L. Post-translational regulation of nitrogen transporters in plants and microorganisms. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2017; 68:2567-2580. [PMID: 28369438 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erx073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
For microorganisms and plants, nitrate and ammonium are the main nitrogen sources and they are also important signaling molecules controlling several aspects of metabolism and development. Over the past decade, numerous studies revealed that nitrogen transporters are strongly regulated at the transcriptional level. However, more and more reports are now showing that nitrate and ammonium transporters are also subjected to post-translational regulations in response to nitrogen availability. Phosphorylation is so far the most well studied post-translational modification for these transporters and it affects both the regulation of nitrogen uptake and nitrogen sensing. For example, in Arabidopsis thaliana, phosphorylation was shown to activate the sensing function of the root nitrate transporter NRT1.1 and to switch the transport affinity. Also, for ammonium transporters, a phosphorylation-dependent activation/inactivation mechanism was elucidated in recent years in both plants and microorganisms. However, despite the fact that these regulatory mechanisms are starting to be thoroughly described, the signaling pathways involved and their action on nitrogen transporters remain largely unknown. In this review, we highlight the inorganic nitrogen transporters regulated at the post-translational level and we compare the known mechanisms in plants and microorganisms. We then discuss how these mechanisms could contribute to the regulation of nitrogen uptake and/or nitrogen sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurore Jacquot
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes 'Claude Grignon', UMR CNRS/INRA/SupAgro/UM2, Place Viala, 34060 Montpellier cedex, France
| | - Zhi Li
- Institute of Physiology and Biotechnology of plants, Plant Systems Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, D-70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Alain Gojon
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes 'Claude Grignon', UMR CNRS/INRA/SupAgro/UM2, Place Viala, 34060 Montpellier cedex, France
| | - Waltraud Schulze
- Institute of Physiology and Biotechnology of plants, Plant Systems Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, D-70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Laurence Lejay
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes 'Claude Grignon', UMR CNRS/INRA/SupAgro/UM2, Place Viala, 34060 Montpellier cedex, France
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KRH1 and KRH2 are functionally non-redundant in signaling for pseudohyphal differentiation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Curr Genet 2017; 63:851-859. [PMID: 28247024 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-017-0684-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Diploid cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae undergo pseudohyphal differentiation in response to nutrient depletion. Although this dimorphic transition occurs due to signals originating from carbon and nitrogen limitation, how these signals are coordinated and integrated is not understood. Results of this study indicate that the pseudohyphal defect of the mep2∆ mutant is overcome upon disruption of KRH2/GPB1 but not KRH1/GPB2. Further, the agar invasion defect observed in a mep2 mutant strain is suppressed only by deleting KRH2 and not KRH1. Thus, the results presented indicate that MEP2 functions by inhibiting KRH2 to trigger filamentation response when glucose becomes limiting. Biochemical data and phenotypic response to glucose replenishment reveal that KRH1 and KRH2 are differentially regulated by glucose and ammonium to induce pseudohyphae formation via the cAMP-PKA pathway. In contrast to the current view, this study clearly demonstrates that, KRH1 and KRH2 are not functionally redundant.
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