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Campagna CM, McMahon H, Nechipurenko I. The G protein alpha chaperone and guanine-nucleotide exchange factor RIC-8 regulates cilia morphogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans sensory neurons. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1011015. [PMID: 37910589 PMCID: PMC10642896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterotrimeric G (αβγ) proteins are canonical transducers of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling and play critical roles in communication between cells and their environment. Many GPCRs and heterotrimeric G proteins localize to primary cilia and modulate cilia morphology via mechanisms that are not well understood. Here, we show that RIC-8, a cytosolic guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) and chaperone for Gα protein subunits, shapes cilia membrane morphology in a subset of Caenorhabditis elegans sensory neurons. Consistent with its role in ciliogenesis, C. elegans RIC-8 localizes to cilia in different sensory neuron types. Using domain mutagenesis, we demonstrate that while the GEF function alone is not sufficient, both the GEF and Gα-interacting chaperone motifs of RIC-8 are required for its role in cilia morphogenesis. We identify ODR-3 as the RIC-8 Gα client and demonstrate that RIC-8 functions in the same genetic pathway with another component of the non-canonical G protein signaling AGS-3 to shape cilia morphology. Notably, despite defects in AWC cilia morphology, ags-3 null mutants exhibit normal chemotaxis toward benzaldehyde unlike odr-3 mutant animals. Collectively, our findings describe a novel function for the evolutionarily conserved protein RIC-8 and non-canonical RIC-8-AGS-3-ODR-3 signaling in cilia morphogenesis and uncouple Gα ODR-3 functions in ciliogenesis and olfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M. Campagna
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Hayley McMahon
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Inna Nechipurenko
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Campagna CM, McMahon H, Nechipurenko I. The G protein alpha Chaperone and Guanine-Nucleotide Exchange Factor RIC-8 Regulates Cilia Morphogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans Sensory Neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.25.554856. [PMID: 37662329 PMCID: PMC10473713 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.25.554856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Heterotrimeric G (αβγ) proteins are canonical transducers of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling and play critical roles in communication between cells and their environment. Many GPCRs and heterotrimeric G proteins localize to primary cilia and modulate cilia morphology via mechanisms that are not well understood. Here, we show that RIC-8, a cytosolic guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) and chaperone for Gα protein subunits, shapes cilia membrane morphology in a subset of Caenorhabditis elegans sensory neurons. Consistent with its role in ciliogenesis, C. elegans RIC-8 localizes to cilia in different sensory neuron types. Using domain mutagenesis, we demonstrate that while the GEF function alone is not sufficient, both the GEF and Gα-interacting chaperone motifs of RIC-8 are required for its role in cilia morphogenesis. We identify ODR-3 as the RIC-8 Gα client and demonstrate that RIC-8 functions in the same genetic pathway with another component of the non-canonical G protein signaling AGS-3 to shape cilia morphology. Notably, despite severe defects in AWC cilia morphology, ags-3 null mutants exhibit normal chemotaxis toward benzaldehyde unlike odr-3 mutant animals. Collectively, our findings describe a novel function for the evolutionarily conserved protein RIC-8 and non-canonical RIC-8-AGS-3-ODR-3 signaling in cilia morphogenesis and uncouple Gα ODR-3 functions in ciliogenesis and olfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M. Campagna
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Hayley McMahon
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Inna Nechipurenko
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
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3
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Chaubey AH, Sojka SE, Onukwufor JO, Ezak MJ, Vandermeulen MD, Bowitch A, Vodičková A, Wojtovich AP, Ferkey DM. The Caenorhabditis elegans innexin INX-20 regulates nociceptive behavioral sensitivity. Genetics 2023; 223:iyad017. [PMID: 36753530 PMCID: PMC10319955 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Organisms rely on chemical cues in their environment to indicate the presence or absence of food, reproductive partners, predators, or other harmful stimuli. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the bilaterally symmetric pair of ASH sensory neurons serves as the primary nociceptors. ASH activation by aversive stimuli leads to backward locomotion and stimulus avoidance. We previously reported a role for guanylyl cyclases in dampening nociceptive sensitivity that requires an innexin-based gap junction network to pass cGMP between neurons. Here, we report that animals lacking function of the gap junction component INX-20 are hypersensitive in their behavioral response to both soluble and volatile chemical stimuli that signal through G protein-coupled receptor pathways in ASH. We find that expressing inx-20 in the ADL and AFD sensory neurons is sufficient to dampen ASH sensitivity, which is supported by new expression analysis of endogenous INX-20 tagged with mCherry via the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Although ADL does not form gap junctions directly with ASH, it does so via gap junctions with the interneuron RMG and the sensory neuron ASK. Ablating either ADL or RMG and ASK also resulted in nociceptive hypersensitivity, suggesting an important role for RMG/ASK downstream of ADL in the ASH modulatory circuit. This work adds to our growing understanding of the repertoire of ways by which ASH activity is regulated via its connectivity to other neurons and identifies a previously unknown role for ADL and RMG in the modulation of aversive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi H Chaubey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Savannah E Sojka
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - John O Onukwufor
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Meredith J Ezak
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Matthew D Vandermeulen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Alexander Bowitch
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Anežka Vodičková
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Andrew P Wojtovich
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Denise M Ferkey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
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4
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Davis K, Mitchell C, Weissenfels O, Bai J, Raizen DM, Ailion M, Topalidou I. G protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK-2) controls exploration through neuropeptide signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010613. [PMID: 36652499 PMCID: PMC9886303 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals alter their behavior in manners that depend on environmental conditions as well as their developmental and metabolic states. For example, C. elegans is quiescent during larval molts or during conditions of satiety. By contrast, worms enter an exploration state when removed from food. Sensory perception influences movement quiescence (defined as a lack of body movement), as well as the expression of additional locomotor states in C. elegans that are associated with increased or reduced locomotion activity, such as roaming (exploration behavior) and dwelling (local search). Here we find that movement quiescence is enhanced, and exploration behavior is reduced in G protein-coupled receptor kinase grk-2 mutant animals. grk-2 was previously shown to act in chemosensation, locomotion, and egg-laying behaviors. Using neuron-specific rescuing experiments, we show that GRK-2 acts in multiple ciliated chemosensory neurons to control exploration behavior. grk-2 acts in opposite ways from the cGMP-dependent protein kinase gene egl-4 to control movement quiescence and exploration behavior. Analysis of mutants with defects in ciliated sensory neurons indicates that grk-2 and the cilium-structure mutants act in the same pathway to control exploration behavior. We find that GRK-2 controls exploration behavior in an opposite manner from the neuropeptide receptor NPR-1 and the neuropeptides FLP-1 and FLP-18. Finally, we show that secretion of the FLP-1 neuropeptide is negatively regulated by GRK-2 and that overexpression of FLP-1 reduces exploration behavior. These results define neurons and molecular pathways that modulate movement quiescence and exploration behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Davis
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Center for Excellence in Environmental Toxicology (CEET), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Christo Mitchell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Olivia Weissenfels
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Jihong Bai
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - David M. Raizen
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Michael Ailion
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Irini Topalidou
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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Topalidou I, Cooper K, Pereira L, Ailion M. Dopamine negatively modulates the NCA ion channels in C. elegans. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1007032. [PMID: 28968387 PMCID: PMC5638609 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The NALCN/NCA ion channel is a cation channel related to voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels. NALCN has been reported to be a sodium leak channel with a conserved role in establishing neuronal resting membrane potential, but its precise cellular role and regulation are unclear. The Caenorhabditis elegans orthologs of NALCN, NCA-1 and NCA-2, act in premotor interneurons to regulate motor circuit activity that sustains locomotion. Recently we found that NCA-1 and NCA-2 are activated by a signal transduction pathway acting downstream of the heterotrimeric G protein Gq and the small GTPase Rho. Through a forward genetic screen, here we identify the GPCR kinase GRK-2 as a new player affecting signaling through the Gq-Rho-NCA pathway. Using structure-function analysis, we find that the GPCR phosphorylation and membrane association domains of GRK-2 are required for its function. Genetic epistasis experiments suggest that GRK-2 acts on the D2-like dopamine receptor DOP-3 to inhibit Go signaling and positively modulate NCA-1 and NCA-2 activity. Through cell-specific rescuing experiments, we find that GRK-2 and DOP-3 act in premotor interneurons to modulate NCA channel function. Finally, we demonstrate that dopamine, through DOP-3, negatively regulates NCA activity. Thus, this study identifies a pathway by which dopamine modulates the activity of the NCA channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irini Topalidou
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail: (IT); (MA)
| | - Kirsten Cooper
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Laura Pereira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Michael Ailion
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail: (IT); (MA)
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Komolov KE, Benovic JL. G protein-coupled receptor kinases: Past, present and future. Cell Signal 2017; 41:17-24. [PMID: 28711719 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2017.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
This review is provided in recognition of the extensive contributions of Dr. Robert J. Lefkowitz to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) field and to celebrate his 75th birthday. Since one of the authors trained with Bob in the 80s, we provide a history of work done in the Lefkowitz lab during the 80s that focused on dissecting the mechanisms that regulate GPCR signaling, with a particular emphasis on the GPCR kinases (GRKs). In addition, we highlight structure/function characteristics of GRK interaction with GPCRs as well as a review of two recent reports that provide a molecular model for GRK-GPCR interaction. Finally, we offer our perspective on some future studies that we believe will drive this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin E Komolov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States
| | - Jeffrey L Benovic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States.
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7
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Wang J, Luo J, Aryal DK, Wetsel WC, Nass R, Benovic JL. G protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK-2) regulates serotonin metabolism through the monoamine oxidase AMX-2 in Caenorhabditis elegans. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:5943-5956. [PMID: 28213524 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.760850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate many animal behaviors. GPCR signaling is mediated by agonist-promoted interactions of GPCRs with heterotrimeric G proteins, GPCR kinases (GRKs), and arrestins. To further elucidate the role of GRKs in regulating GPCR-mediated behaviors, we utilized the genetic model system Caenorhabditis elegans Our studies demonstrate that grk-2 loss-of-function strains are egg laying-defective and contain low levels of serotonin (5-HT) and high levels of the 5-HT metabolite 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA). The egg laying defect could be rescued by the expression of wild type but not by catalytically inactive grk-2 or by the selective expression of grk-2 in hermaphrodite-specific neurons. The addition of 5-HT or inhibition of 5-HT metabolism also rescued the egg laying defect. Furthermore, we demonstrate that AMX-2 is the primary monoamine oxidase that metabolizes 5-HT in C. elegans, and we also found that grk-2 loss-of-function strains have abnormally high levels of AMX-2 compared with wild-type nematodes. Interestingly, GRK-2 was also found to interact with and promote the phosphorylation of AMX-2. Additional studies reveal that 5-HIAA functions to inhibit egg laying in a manner dependent on the 5-HT receptor SER-1 and the G protein GOA-1. These results demonstrate that GRK-2 modulates 5-HT metabolism by regulating AMX-2 function and that 5-HIAA may function in the SER-1 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjun Wang
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
| | - Jiansong Luo
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
| | | | - William C Wetsel
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.,Cell Biology, and.,Neurobiology and.,Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, and
| | - Richard Nass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Jeffrey L Benovic
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107,
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8
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Yang P, Glukhova A, Tesmer JJG, Chen Z. Membrane orientation and binding determinants of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 as assessed by combined vibrational spectroscopic studies. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82072. [PMID: 24278472 PMCID: PMC3838385 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2013] [Accepted: 10/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are integral membrane proteins involved in a wide variety of biological processes in eukaryotic cells, and are targeted by a large fraction of marketed drugs. GPCR kinases (GRKs) play important roles in feedback regulation of GPCRs, such as of β-adrenergic receptors in the heart, where GRK2 and GRK5 are the major isoforms expressed. Membrane targeting is essential for GRK function in cells. Whereas GRK2 is recruited to the membrane by heterotrimeric Gβγ subunits, the mechanism of membrane binding by GRK5 is not fully understood. It has been proposed that GRK5 is constitutively associated with membranes through elements located at its N-terminus, its C-terminus, or both. The membrane orientation of GRK5 is also a matter of speculation. In this work, we combined sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to help determine the membrane orientation of GRK5 and a C-terminally truncated mutant (GRK51-531) on membrane lipid bilayers. It was found that GRK5 and GRK51-531 adopt a similar orientation on model cell membranes in the presence of PIP2 that is similar to that predicted for GRK2 in prior studies. Mutation of the N-terminal membrane binding site of GRK5 did not eliminate membrane binding, but prevented observation of this discrete orientation. The C-terminus of GRK5 does not have substantial impact on either membrane binding or orientation in this model system. Thus, the C-terminus of GRK5 may drive membrane binding in cells via interactions with other proteins at the plasma membrane or bind in an unstructured manner to negatively charged membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Alisa Glukhova
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - John J. G. Tesmer
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ZC); (JJGT)
| | - Zhan Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ZC); (JJGT)
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Yang P, Boughton A, Homan KT, Tesmer JJG, Chen Z. Membrane orientation of Gα(i)β(1)γ(2) and Gβ(1)γ(2) determined via combined vibrational spectroscopic studies. J Am Chem Soc 2013; 135:5044-51. [PMID: 23461393 DOI: 10.1021/ja3116026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The manner in which the heterotrimeric G protein complexes Gβ1γ2 and Gαiβ1γ2 interact with membranes is likely related to their biological function. We combined complementary measurements from sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy to determine the possible membrane orientations of Gβ1γ2 and the Gαiβ1γ2 heterotrimer more precisely than could be achieved using SFG alone. The most likely orientations of Gβ1γ2 and the Gαiβ1γ2 heterotrimer were both determined to fall within a similar narrow range of twist and tilt angles, suggesting that Gβ1γ2 may bind to Gαi without a significant change in orientation. This "basal" orientation seems to depend primarily on the geranylgeranylated C-terminus of Gγ2 along with basic residues at the N-terminus of Gαi, and suggests that activated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) must reorient G protein heterotrimers at lipid bilayers to catalyze nucleotide exchange. The innovative methodologies developed in this paper can be widely applied to study the membrane orientation of other proteins in situ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michiga n, 930 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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10
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Mann JK, Wood JF, Stephan AF, Tzanakakis ES, Ferkey DM, Park S. Epitope-guided engineering of monobody binders for in vivo inhibition of Erk-2 signaling. ACS Chem Biol 2013; 8:608-16. [PMID: 23227961 PMCID: PMC3600092 DOI: 10.1021/cb300579e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Although the affinity optimization of protein binders is straightforward, engineering epitope specificity is more challenging. Targeting a specific surface patch is important because the biological relevance of protein binders depends on how they interact with the target. They are particularly useful to test hypotheses motivated by biochemical and structural studies. We used yeast display to engineer monobodies that bind a defined surface patch on the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) Erk-2. The targeted area ("CD" domain) is known to control the specificity and catalytic efficiency of phosphorylation by the kinase by binding a linear peptide ("D" peptide) on substrates and regulators. An inhibitor of the interaction should thus be useful for regulating Erk-2 signaling in vivo. Although the CD domain constitutes only a small percentage of the surface area of the enzyme (~5%), sorting a yeast displayed monobody library with wild type (wt) Erk-2 and a rationally designed mutant led to isolation of high affinity clones with desired epitope specificity. The engineered binders inhibited the activity of Erk-2 in vitro and in mammalian cells. Furthermore, they specifically inhibited the activity of Erk-2 orthologs in yeast and suppressed a mutant phenotype in round worms caused by overactive MAPK signaling. The study therefore shows that positive and negative screening can be used to bias the evolution of epitope specificity and predictably design inhibitors of biologically relevant protein-protein interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasdeep K. Mann
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, NY 14260
| | - Jordan F. Wood
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, NY 14260
| | - Anne Fleur Stephan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, NY 14260
| | - Emmanuel S. Tzanakakis
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, NY 14260
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, NY 14260
- Western New York Stem Cell Culture and Analysis Center, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, NY 14260
| | - Denise M. Ferkey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, NY 14260
| | - Sheldon Park
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, NY 14260
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11
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Olmedo M, O’Neill JS, Edgar RS, Valekunja UK, Reddy AB, Merrow M. Circadian regulation of olfaction and an evolutionarily conserved, nontranscriptional marker in Caenorhabditis elegans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:20479-84. [PMID: 23185015 PMCID: PMC3528576 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1211705109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Circadian clocks provide a temporal structure to processes from gene expression to behavior in organisms from all phyla. Most clocks are synchronized to the environment by alternations of light and dark. However, many organisms experience only muted daily environmental cycles due to their lightless spatial niches (e.g., caves or soil). This has led to speculation that they may dispense with the daily clock. However, recent reports contradict this notion, showing various behavioral and molecular rhythms in Caenorhabditis elegans and in blind cave fish. Based on the ecology of nematodes, we applied low-amplitude temperature cycles to synchronize populations of animals through development. This entrainment regime reveals rhythms on multiple levels: in olfactory cued behavior, in RNA and protein abundance, and in the oxidation state of a broadly conserved peroxiredoxin protein. Our work links the nematode clock with that of other clock model systems; it also emphasizes the importance of daily rhythms in sensory functions that are likely to impact on organism fitness and population structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Olmedo
- Department of Molecular Chronobiology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, University of Groningen, 9474 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität-München, 80336 Munich, Germany; and
| | - John S. O’Neill
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Metabolic Science, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel S. Edgar
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Metabolic Science, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Utham K. Valekunja
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Metabolic Science, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Akhilesh B. Reddy
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Metabolic Science, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Martha Merrow
- Department of Molecular Chronobiology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, University of Groningen, 9474 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität-München, 80336 Munich, Germany; and
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