Meiosis and small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO)-conjugating enzyme, Ubc9

Sea perch (Lateolabrax japonicus) UBC9 augments RGNNV infection by hindering RLRs-interferon response

Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is a reversible post-translational modification that regulates various biological processes in eukaryotes. Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 9 (UBC9) is the sole E2-conjugating enzyme responsible for SUMOylation and plays an important role in essential cellular functions. Here, we cloned the UBC9 gene from sea perch (Lateolabrax japonicus) (LjUBC9) and investigated its role in regulating the IFN response during red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) infection. The LjUBC9 gene consisted of 477 base pairs and encoded a polypeptide of 158 amino acids with an active site cysteine residue and a UBCc domain. Phylogenetic analysis showed that LjUBC9 shared the closest evolutionary relationship with UBC9 from Paralichthys olivaceus. Tissue expression profile analysis demonstrated that LjUBC9 was significantly increased in multiple tissues of sea perch following RGNNV infection. Further experiments showed that overexpression of LjUBC9 significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of RGNNV capsid protein in LJB cells infected with RGNNV, nevertheless knockdown of LjUBC9 had the opposite effect, suggesting that LjUBC9 exerted a pro-viral effect during RGNNV infection. More importantly, we found that the 93rd cysteine is crucial for its pro-viral effect. Additionally, dual luciferase assays revealed that LjUBC9 prominently attenuated the promoter activities of sea perch type Ⅰ interferon (IFN) in RGNNV-infected cells, and overexpression of LjUBC9 markedly suppressed the transcription of key genes associated with RLRs-IFN pathway. In summary, these findings elucidate that LjUBC9 impairs the RLRs-IFN response, resulting in enhanced RGNNV infection.

SUMO is a pervasive regulator of meiosis

Protein modification by SUMO helps orchestrate the elaborate events of meiosis to faithfully produce haploid gametes. To date, only a handful of meiotic SUMO targets have been identified. Here, we delineate a multidimensional SUMO-modified meiotic proteome in budding yeast, identifying 2747 conjugation sites in 775 targets, and defining their relative levels and dynamics. Modified sites cluster in disordered regions and only a minority match consensus motifs. Target identities and modification dynamics imply that SUMOylation regulates all levels of chromosome organization and each step of meiotic prophase I. Execution-point analysis confirms these inferences, revealing functions for SUMO in S-phase, the initiation of recombination, chromosome synapsis and crossing over. K15-linked SUMO chains become prominent as chromosomes synapse and recombine, consistent with roles in these processes. SUMO also modifies ubiquitin, forming hybrid oligomers with potential to modulate ubiquitin signaling. We conclude that SUMO plays diverse and unanticipated roles in regulating meiotic chromosome metabolism.

Most mammalian, yeast and other eukaryote cells have two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent, which contain all the cell’s DNA. Sex cells – like the sperm and egg – however, have half the number of chromosomes and are formed by a specialized type of cell division known as meiosis. At the start of meiosis, each cell replicates its chromosomes so that it has twice the amount of DNA. The cell then undergoes two rounds of division to form sex cells which each contain only one set of chromosomes. Before the cell divides, the two duplicated sets of chromosomes pair up and swap sections of their DNA. This exchange allows each new sex cell to have a unique combination of DNA, resulting in offspring that are genetically distinct from their parents.

This complex series of events is tightly regulated, in part, by a protein called the 'small ubiquitin-like modifier' (or SUMO for short), which attaches itself to other proteins and modifies their behavior. This process, known as SUMOylation, can affect a protein’s stability, where it is located in the cell and how it interacts with other proteins. However, despite SUMO being known as a key regulator of meiosis, only a handful of its protein targets have been identified.

To gain a better understanding of what SUMO does during meiosis, Bhagwat et al. set out to find which proteins are targeted by SUMO in budding yeast and to map the specific sites of modification. The experiments identified 2,747 different sites on 775 different proteins, suggesting that SUMO regulates all aspects of meiosis. Consistently, inactivating SUMOylation at different times revealed SUMO plays a role at every stage of meiosis, including the replication of DNA and the exchanges between chromosomes. In depth analysis of the targeted proteins also revealed that SUMOylation targets different groups of proteins at different stages of meiosis and interacts with other protein modifications, including the ubiquitin system which tags proteins for destruction.

The data gathered by Bhagwat et al. provide a starting point for future research into precisely how SUMO proteins control meiosis in yeast and other organisms. In humans, errors in meiosis are the leading cause of pregnancy loss and congenital diseases. Most of the proteins identified as SUMO targets in budding yeast are also present in humans. So, this research could provide a platform for medical advances in the future. The next step is to study mammalian models, such as mice, to confirm that the regulation of meiosis by SUMO is the same in mammals as in yeast.

Identification and relative abundances of mRNA for a gene encoding the vWD domain and three Kazal-type domains in the ovary of giant freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Understanding Macrobrachium rosenbergii ovarian maturation control at the genome level is an important aspect for increasing larvae production. In this study, an ovarian maturation related gene, M. rosenbergii vWD domain and three Kazal-type domains of a gene (MrvWD-Kazal) have been studied. The MrvWD-Kazal gene was isolated using a rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE) method and the relative abundances of MrvWD-Kazal mRNA in the ovary, hepatopancreas, stomach, intestine and gill were determined by using the quantitative PCR technique. The MrvWD-Kazal gene is composed of 2194 bp with an open reading frame (ORF) of 1998 bp encoding 665 amino acids and has great similarity to the M. nipponense vWD-Kazal gene (91%). The qPCR analyses indicated the relative abundance of MrvWD-Kazal mRNA transcript varied among different stages of ovarian function (P < 0.05), but there were no differences abundance in hepatopancreas, stomach, intestine and gill (P> 0.05). In the ovary, relative abundance of MrvWD-Kazal mRNA transcript gradually increased with ovarian maturation from Stages 1 (Spent; 1.00-fold), to 2 (Proliferative; 3.47-fold) to 3 (Premature; 6.18-fold) and decreased at Stage 4 (Mature; 1.31-fold). Differential relative abundances of MrvWD-Kazal mRNA transcript in the ovary indicate the MrvWD-Kazal protein may have an important function in ovarian maturation of M. rosenbergii. The results of this study also indicate the MrvWD-Kazal is not involved in regulation of the reproductive related function of the hepatopancreas, digestive system (stomach and intestine) and respiratory system (gill).

Characterisation and expression analysis of UBC9 and UBS27 genes in developing gonads of cicindelids (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae)

Ubiquitin and small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMO) are post-translational modifiers essential in a variety of cellular processes, including gametogenesis. SUMO-conjugating enzyme (UBC9) and the ubiquitin ribosomal fusion protein UBS27 have been characterised in several model species. However, their expression in coleopteran remains unstudied. In this study, UBC9 and UBS27 genes have been characterised in the tiger beetle Cicindela campestris for the first time. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the Cc-UBC9 gene encoded a 159 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular weight of 18.18kDa, and the Cc-UBS27 gene encoded a 156 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular weight of 17.71kDa. Selection analyses carried out in several cicindelid species revealed that both genes were affected by purifying selection. Real time quantitative PCR analysis demonstrated that Cc-UBC9 and Cc-UBS27 were expressed in different tissues. The highest expression on both genes was found in the ovary and testis, and there were differential expression levels between immature and mature stages of testis development. The expression patterns of Cc-UBC9 and Cc-UBS27 suggest that these genes play important roles in gametogenesis in C. campestris. This information is relevant to better understand the reproductive process in cicindelids and the function of ubiquitin and small ubiquitin-related modifier genes in the Coleoptera.

Depletion of UBC9 Causes Nuclear Defects during the Vegetative and Sexual Life Cycles in Tetrahymena thermophila

Ubc9p is the sole E2-conjugating enzyme for SUMOylation, and its proper function is required for regulating key nuclear events such as transcription, DNA repair, and mitosis. In Tetrahymena thermophila, the genome is separated into a diploid germ line micronucleus (MIC) that divides by mitosis and a polyploid somatic macronucleus (MAC) that divides amitotically. This unusual nuclear organization provides novel opportunities for the study of SUMOylation and Ubc9p function. We identified the UBC9 gene and demonstrated that its complete deletion from both MIC and MAC genomes is lethal. Rescue of the lethal phenotype with a GFP-UBC9 fusion gene driven by a metallothionein promoter generated a cell line with CdCl2-dependent expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-Ubc9p. Depletion of Ubc9p in vegetative cells resulted in the loss of MICs, but MACs continued to divide. In contrast, expression of catalytically inactive Ubc9p resulted in the accumulation of multiple MICs. Critical roles for Ubc9p were also identified during the sexual life cycle of Tetrahymena. Cell lines that were depleted for Ubc9p did not form mating pairs and therefore could not complete any of the subsequent stages of conjugation, including meiosis and macronuclear development. Mating between cells expressing catalytically inactive Ubc9p resulted in arrest during macronuclear development, consistent with our observation that Ubc9p accumulates in the developing macronucleus.

Cloning, genomic structure and expression analysis of ubc9 in the course of development in the half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis)

The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) pathway is an essential biological process in eukaryote, and Ubc9 is an important E2 conjugating enzyme (UBE2) for SUMO pathway and plays a critical role in cellular differentiation, development and sex modification in various species. However, the relationship between Ubc9 and sex modification and development in fish remains elusive. To elucidate the impact of Ubc9 on sex modification and development, the full length of the cDNA and genomic sequence was cloned from half-smooth tongue sole, Cynoglossus semilaevis. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that ubc9 was ubiquitously expressed in different tissues, and the expression levels varied in the different stages of embryonic and gonadal development. In addition, the expression level was significantly higher in the temperature-treated females than the normal females and males. Moreover, the PET-32-Ubc9 plasmid was constructed and the recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coli. Follistatin gene expression was initially up-regulated and FSE genes (cyp19a1a, ctnnb1, foxl2) were initially down-regulated after the injection of Ubc9 protein, prior to 96 h eventually recovered to normal levels. Taken together, the results show that Ubc9 is involved in embryogenesis, gametogenesis and sex modification, and exerts an effect on gene expression.

Reconstruction of nuclear receptor network reveals that NR2E3 is a novel upstream regulator of ESR1 in breast cancer

ESR1 is one of the most important transcription factors and therapeutic targets in breast cancer. By applying systems-level re-analysis of publicly available gene expression data, we uncovered a potential regulator of ESR1. We demonstrated that orphan nuclear receptor NR2E3 regulates ESR1 via direct binding to the ESR1 promoter with concomitant recruitment of PIAS3 to the promoter in breast cancer cells, and is essential for physiological cellular activity of ESR1 in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells. Moreover, expression of NR2E3 was significantly associated with recurrence-free survival and a favourable response to tamoxifen treatment in women with ER-positive breast cancer. Our results provide mechanistic insights on the regulation of ESR1 by NR2E3 and the clinical relevance of NR2E3 in breast cancer.

Analysis of the Basidiomycete Coprinopsis cinerea reveals conservation of the core meiotic expression program over half a billion years of evolution

Coprinopsis cinerea (also known as Coprinus cinereus) is a multicellular basidiomycete mushroom particularly suited to the study of meiosis due to its synchronous meiotic development and prolonged prophase. We examined the 15-hour meiotic transcriptional program of C. cinerea, encompassing time points prior to haploid nuclear fusion though tetrad formation, using a 70-mer oligonucleotide microarray. As with other organisms, a large proportion (∼20%) of genes are differentially regulated during this developmental process, with successive waves of transcription apparent in nine transcriptional clusters, including one enriched for meiotic functions. C. cinerea and the fungi Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe diverged ∼500–900 million years ago, permitting a comparison of transcriptional programs across a broad evolutionary time scale. Previous studies of S. cerevisiae and S. pombe compared genes that were induced upon entry into meiosis; inclusion of C. cinerea data indicates that meiotic genes are more conserved in their patterns of induction across species than genes not known to be meiotic. In addition, we found that meiotic genes are significantly more conserved in their transcript profiles than genes not known to be meiotic, which indicates a remarkable conservation of the meiotic process across evolutionarily distant organisms. Overall, meiotic function genes are more conserved in both induction and transcript profile than genes not known to be meiotic. However, of 50 meiotic function genes that were co-induced in all three species, 41 transcript profiles were well-correlated in at least two of the three species, but only a single gene (rad50) exhibited coordinated induction and well-correlated transcript profiles in all three species, indicating that co-induction does not necessarily predict correlated expression or vice versa. Differences may reflect differences in meiotic mechanisms or new roles for paralogs. Similarities in induction, transcript profiles, or both, should contribute to gene discovery for orthologs without currently characterized meiotic roles.

Meiosis is the part of the sexual reproduction process in which the number of chromosomes in an organism is halved. This occurs in most plants, animals, and fungi; and many of the proteins involved are the same in the different organisms that have been studied. We wanted to ask whether the genes involved in the meiotic process are turned on and off at the same stages of meiosis in organisms that separated a long time ago. To do this we looked at three fungal species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast), Schizosaccharomyces pombe (a very distantly related fungus of the same phylum), and Coprinopsis cinerea (a mushroom-forming fungus of a different phylum), which had a common ancestor 500–900 million years ago (in comparison, rats and mice separated ∼23 million years ago). We lined up meiotic stages and found that gene expression during the meiotic process was more conserved for meiotic genes than for non-meiotic genes, indicating ancient conservation of the meiotic process.

cDNA cloning and expression of Ubc9 in the developing embryo and ovary of Oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense

The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) pathway in eukaryotes is an essential biological process involving cellular processes, development and organelle biogenesis. In a sequential enzymatic action, Ubc9 is an important conjunction enzyme in the SUMO pathway. Although the Ubc9 has been found in vertebrates, its expression in crustaceans is little known. In this study, the Ubc9 was identified in the embryo and ovary of a freshwater prawn Macrobrachium nipponense for the first time and it was denoted as MnUbc9. Bioinformatics analyses showed that this gene encodes a protein of 161 amino acids with predicted molecular mass of 18.32kDa. Real-time quantitative PCR analyses demonstrated that the expression levels varied significantly in the developing embryo and ovary. In the embryo, the expression level of MnUbc9 was higher at the cleavage stage (CS) than at the blastula stage (BS), and reached even higher levels at the protozoea stage (PS) and the zoea stage (ZS). In the ovary, the MuUbc9 expression was low at the early stage, but reached the highest at the yolk granule stage (YG), and then abruptly declined at the maturation stage (MA). The differential expressions of MnUbc9 in the embryo and ovary suggest that MnUbc9 may play an important role in embryogenesis and oogenesis of M. nipponense.

The multi-replication protein A (RPA) system--a new perspective

Replication protein A (RPA) complex has been shown, using both in vivo and in vitro approaches, to be required for most aspects of eukaryotic DNA metabolism: replication, repair, telomere maintenance and homologous recombination. Here, we review recent data concerning the function and biological importance of the multi-RPA complex. There are distinct complexes of RPA found in the biological kingdoms, although for a long time only one type of RPA complex was believed to be present in eukaryotes. Each complex probably serves a different role. In higher plants, three distinct large and medium subunits are present, but only one species of the smallest subunit. Each of these protein subunits forms stable complexes with their respective partners. They are paralogs as complex. Humans possess two paralogs and one analog of RPA. The multi-RPA system can be regarded as universal in eukaryotes. Among eukaryotic kingdoms, paralogs, orthologs, analogs and heterologs of many DNA synthesis-related factors, including RPA, are ubiquitous. Convergent evolution seems to be ubiquitous in these processes. Using recent findings, we review the composition and biological functions of RPA complexes.

Coprinus cinereus Mer3 is required for synaptonemal complex formation during meiosis

Mer3 is an evolutionarily conserved DNA helicase that has crucial roles in meiotic recombination and crossover formation. We have identified the MER3 homolog in Coprinus cinereus (Ccmer3) and show that it is expressed in zygotene and pachytene meiocytes. Immunostaining analysis indicated that CcMer3 was localized on chromosomes at zygotene and pachytene and CcMer3 foci were more frequent on paired than unpaired chromosomes. We generated a C. cinereus mer3 mutant (#1) and found that it showed abnormal meiosis progression and underwent apoptosis after prophase I. Basidiospore production in #1 was reduced to 0.8% of the wild-type level; the spores showed slower germination at 25 degrees C but were similar to the wild type at 37 degrees C. Electron microscopic analysis of chromosome spreads revealed that axial elements were formed in the mutant but that synapsis was defective, resulting in a reduction in spore production. Our results demonstrate that CcMer3 is required for synaptonemal complex formation after axial elements align and is thus essential for homologous synapsis.

SUMO-conjugating enzyme (Sce) and FK506-binding protein (FKBP) encoding rice (Oryza sativa L.) genes: genome-wide analysis, expression studies and evidence for their involvement in abiotic stress response

We report an in-depth characterization of two major stress proteins namely SUMO-conjugating enzyme (Sce) and peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Sce mediates addition of SUMO group to various cell proteins, through process referred to as SUMOylation. Rice nuclear genome has two putative genes encoding the Sce protein (OsSce1 and OsSce2). PCR-amplified full-length OsSce1 cDNA functionally complemented the growth defect in yeast cells lacking the equivalent Ubc9 protein (ScDeltaubc9). RT-PCR analysis showed that transcript levels of OsSce1 and OsSce2 in rice seedlings were regulated by temperature stress. OsSce1 protein was localized to the nucleus in onion epidermal cells as evidenced by the transient GFP expression analysis following micro-projectile gun-based shooting of an OsSce1-GFP fusion construct. PPIase proteins assist molecular chaperones in reactions associated with protein folding and protein transport across membrane. There are 23 putative genes encoding for FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs; specific class of PPIase) in rice genome. OsFKBP20 cDNA was isolated as a stress-inducible EST clone. Largest ORF of 561 bases in OsFKBP20 showed characteristic FK506-binding domain at N-terminus and a coiled-coil motif at C-terminus. RNA expression analysis indicated that OsFKBP20 transcript is heat-inducible. OsFKBP20 over-expression in yeast endowed capacity of high temperature tolerance to yeast cells. Yeast two-hybrid analysis showed that OsSce1 protein physically interacts with the OsFKBP20 protein. It is thus proposed that OsSce1 and OsFKBP20 proteins in concert mediate the stress response of rice plants.