Cell-dependent efficiency of reiterated nuclear signals in a mutant simian virus 40 oncoprotein targeted to the nucleus

Recapitulation of the Function and Role of ROS Generated in Response to Heat Stress in Plants

In natural ecosystems, plants are constantly exposed to changes in their surroundings as they grow, caused by a lifestyle that requires them to live where their seeds fall. Thus, plants strive to adapt and respond to changes in their exposed environment that change every moment. Heat stress that naturally occurs when plants grow in the summer or a tropical area adversely affects plants' growth and poses a risk to plant development. When plants are subjected to heat stress, they recognize heat stress and respond using highly complex intracellular signaling systems such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS was previously considered a byproduct that impairs plant growth. However, in recent studies, ROS gained attention for its function as a signaling molecule when plants respond to environmental stresses such as heat stress. In particular, ROS, produced in response to heat stress in various plant cell compartments such as mitochondria and chloroplasts, plays a crucial role as a signaling molecule that promotes plant growth and triggers subsequent downstream reactions. Therefore, this review aims to address the latest research trends and understandings, focusing on the function and role of ROS in responding and adapting plants to heat stress.

All for One But Not One for All: Excitatory Synaptic Scaling and Intrinsic Excitability Are Coregulated by CaMKIV, Whereas Inhibitory Synaptic Scaling Is Under Independent Control

Neocortical circuits use a family of homeostatic plasticity mechanisms to stabilize firing, including excitatory and inhibitory synaptic scaling and homeostatic intrinsic plasticity (Turrigiano and Nelson, 2004). All three mechanisms can be induced in tandem in cultured rat neocortical pyramidal neurons by chronic manipulations of firing, but it is unknown whether they are coinduced by the same activity-sensors and signaling pathways, or whether they are under independent control. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type IV (CaMKIV) is a key sensory/effector in excitatory synaptic scaling that senses perturbations in firing through changes in calcium influx, and translates this into compensatory changes in excitatory quantal amplitude (Ibata et al., 2008; Goold and Nicoll, 2010). Whether CaMKIV also controls inhibitory synaptic scaling and intrinsic homeostatic plasticity was unknown. To test this we manipulated CaMKIV signaling in individual neurons using dominant-negative (dn) or constitutively-active (ca) forms of nuclear-localized CaMKIV and measured the induction of all three forms of homeostatic plasticity. We found that excitatory synaptic scaling and intrinsic plasticity were bidirectionally coinduced by these manipulations. In contrast, these cell-autonomous manipulations had no impact on inhibitory quantal amplitude. Finally, we found that spontaneous firing rates were shifted up or down by dnCaMKIV or caCaMKIV, respectively, suggesting that uncoupling CaMKIV activation from activity generates an error signal in the negative feedback mechanism that controls firing rates. Together, our data show that excitatory synaptic scaling and intrinsic excitability are tightly coordinated through bidirectional changes in the same signaling pathway, whereas inhibitory synaptic scaling is sensed and regulated through an independent control mechanism.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Maintaining stable function in highly interconnected neural circuits is essential for preventing circuit disorders, and is accomplished through a set of negative feedback mechanisms that sense and compensate for perturbations in activity. These "homeostatic" mechanisms can target synaptic excitation, synaptic inhibition, and intrinsic excitability, but whether they are independently controlled is not known. We find that synaptic excitation and intrinsic excitability are coregulated in individual neurons through CaMKIV signaling, which is tightly controlled by neuronal activity. In contrast, synaptic inhibition is unaffected by changes in firing or CaMKIV signaling in individual neurons. These results show that circuit stability is controlled both through cell-autonomous mechanisms that regulate some aspects of excitability, as well as circuit-level mechanisms that adjust inhibition.

Small Molecule Inhibitors Targeting Tec Kinase Block Unconventional Secretion of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is a potent mitogen promoting both tumor cell survival and tumor-induced angiogenesis. It is secreted by an unconventional secretory mechanism that is based upon direct translocation across the plasma membrane. Key steps of this process are (i) phosphoinositide-dependent membrane recruitment, (ii) FGF2 oligomerization and membrane pore formation, and (iii) extracellular trapping mediated by membrane-proximal heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Efficient secretion of FGF2 is supported by Tec kinase that stimulates membrane pore formation based upon tyrosine phosphorylation of FGF2. Here, we report the biochemical characterization of the direct interaction between FGF2 and Tec kinase as well as the identification of small molecules that inhibit (i) the interaction of FGF2 with Tec, (ii) tyrosine phosphorylation of FGF2 mediated by Tec in vitro and in a cellular context, and (iii) unconventional secretion of FGF2 from cells. We further demonstrate the specificity of these inhibitors for FGF2 because tyrosine phosphorylation of a different substrate of Tec is unaffected in their presence. Building on previous evidence using RNA interference, the identified compounds corroborate the role of Tec kinase in unconventional secretion of FGF2. In addition, they are valuable lead compounds with great potential for drug development aiming at the inhibition of FGF2-dependent tumor growth and metastasis.

MagFRET: the first genetically encoded fluorescent Mg2+ sensor

Magnesium has important structural, catalytic and signaling roles in cells, yet few tools exist to image this metal ion in real time and at subcellular resolution. Here we report the first genetically encoded sensor for Mg²⁺, MagFRET-1. This sensor is based on the high-affinity Mg²⁺ binding domain of human centrin 3 (HsCen3), which undergoes a transition from a molten-globular apo form to a compactly-folded Mg²⁺-bound state. Fusion of Cerulean and Citrine fluorescent domains to the ends of HsCen3, yielded MagFRET-1, which combines a physiologically relevant Mg²⁺ affinity (K_d = 148 µM) with a 50% increase in emission ratio upon Mg²⁺ binding due to a change in FRET efficiency between Cerulean and Citrine. Mutations in the metal binding sites yielded MagFRET variants whose Mg²⁺ affinities were attenuated 2- to 100-fold relative to MagFRET-1, thus covering a broad range of Mg²⁺ concentrations. In situ experiments in HEK293 cells showed that MagFRET-1 can be targeted to the cytosol and the nucleus. Clear responses to changes in extracellular Mg²⁺ concentration were observed for MagFRET-1-expressing HEK293 cells when they were permeabilized with digitonin, whereas similar changes were not observed for intact cells. Although MagFRET-1 is also sensitive to Ca²⁺, this affinity is sufficiently attenuated (K_d of 10 µM) to make the sensor insensitive to known Ca²⁺ stimuli in HEK293 cells. While the potential and limitations of the MagFRET sensors for intracellular Mg²⁺ imaging need to be further established, we expect that these genetically encoded and ratiometric fluorescent Mg²⁺ sensors could prove very useful in understanding intracellular Mg²⁺ homeostasis and signaling.

Zinc finger transcription factor ecotropic viral integration site 1 is induced by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and acts as a dual modulator of the ATRA response

Ecotropic viral integration site 1 (EVI1) plays important roles in leukaemia and development, and its expression is temporally and spatially highly restricted during the latter process. Nevertheless, the only physiological agent that to date has been shown to regulate transcription of this gene in mammalian cells is all-trans retinoic acid. Here we describe the identification of a retinoic acid response element that was located in the most distal of several alternative first exons of the human EVI1 gene and was constitutively bound by canonical retinoid receptors in NTERA-2 teratocarcinoma cells. Furthermore, it was the target of negative feedback by EVI1 on the induction of its own promoter by retinoic acid. This process required a previously described transcription repression domain of EVI1. Extending its role as a modulator of the retinoic acid response, EVI1 had the opposite effect on the RARβ retinoic acid response element, whose induction by all-trans retinoic acid it enhanced through a mechanism that involved almost all of its known functional domains. Augmentation of the retinoic acid response by EVI1 was also observed for the endogenous RARβ gene. Thus, we have established EVI1 as a novel type of modulator of the retinoic acid response, which can both enhance and repress induction by this agent in a promoter-specific manner.

A versatile viral system for expression and depletion of proteins in mammalian cells

The ability to express or deplete proteins in living cells is crucial for the study of biological processes. Viral vectors are often useful to deliver DNA constructs to cells that are difficult to transfect by other methods. Lentiviruses have the additional advantage of being able to integrate into the genomes of non-dividing mammalian cells. However, existing viral expression systems generally require different vector backbones for expression of cDNA, small hairpin RNA (shRNA) or microRNA (miRNA) and provide limited drug selection markers. Furthermore, viral backbones are often recombinogenic in bacteria, complicating the generation and maintenance of desired clones. Here, we describe a collection of 59 vectors that comprise an integrated system for constitutive or inducible expression of cDNAs, shRNAs or miRNAs, and use a wide variety of drug selection markers. These vectors are based on the Gateway technology (Invitrogen) whereby the cDNA, shRNA or miRNA of interest is cloned into an Entry vector and then recombined into a Destination vector that carries the chosen viral backbone and drug selection marker. This recombination reaction generates the desired product with >95% efficiency and greatly reduces the frequency of unwanted recombination in bacteria. We generated Destination vectors for the production of both retroviruses and lentiviruses. Further, we characterized each vector for its viral titer production as well as its efficiency in expressing or depleting proteins of interest. We also generated multiple types of vectors for the production of fusion proteins and confirmed expression of each. We demonstrated the utility of these vectors in a variety of functional studies. First, we show that the FKBP12 Destabilization Domain system can be used to either express or deplete the protein of interest in mitotically-arrested cells. Also, we generate primary fibroblasts that can be induced to senesce in the presence or absence of DNA damage. Finally, we determined that both isoforms of the AT-Rich Interacting Domain 4B (ARID4B) protein could induce G1 arrest when overexpressed. As new technologies emerge, the vectors in this collection can be easily modified and adapted without the need for extensive recloning.

Novel role of antioxidant-1 (Atox1) as a copper-dependent transcription factor involved in cell proliferation

Copper plays a fundamental role in regulating cell growth. Many types of human cancer tissues have higher copper levels than normal tissues. Copper can also induce gene expression. However, transcription factors that mediate copper-induced cell proliferation have not been identified in mammals. Here we show that antioxidant-1 (Atox1), previously appreciated as a copper chaperone, represents a novel copper-dependent transcription factor that mediates copper-induced cell proliferation. Stimulation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with copper markedly increased cell proliferation, cyclin D1 expression, and entry into S phase, which were completely abolished in Atox1(-/-) MEFs. Promoter analysis and EMSA revealed that copper stimulates the Atox1 binding to a previously undescribed cis element in the cyclin D1 promoter. The ChIP assay confirms that copper stimulates Atox1 binding to the DNA in vivo. Transfection of Atox1 fused to the DNA-binding domain of Gal4 demonstrated a copper-dependent transactivation in various cell types, including endothelial and cancer cells. Furthermore, Atox1 translocated to the nucleus in response to copper through its highly conserved C-terminal KKTGK motif and N-terminal copper-binding sites. Finally, the functional role of nuclear Atox1 is demonstrated by the observation that re-expression of nuclear-targeted Atox1 in Atox1(-/-) MEFs rescued the defective copper-induced cell proliferation. Thus, Atox1 functions as a novel transcription factor that, when activated by copper, undergoes nuclear translocation, DNA binding, and transactivation, thereby contributing to cell proliferation.

Mechanical properties of the cell nucleus and the effect of emerin deficiency

Nuclear structure and mechanics are gaining recognition as important factors that affect gene expression, development, and differentiation in normal function and disease, yet the physical mechanisms that govern nuclear mechanical stability remain unclear. Here we examined the physical properties of the cell nucleus by imaging fluorescently labeled components of the inner nucleus (chromatin and nucleoli) and the nuclear envelope (lamins and membranes) in nuclei deformed by micropipette aspiration (confocal imaged microdeformation). We investigated nuclei, both isolated and in intact, living cells, and found that nuclear volume significantly decreased by 60-70% during aspiration. While nuclear membranes exhibited blebbing and fluid characteristics during aspiration, the nuclear lamina exhibited behavior of a solid-elastic shell. Under large deformations of GFP-lamin A-labeled nuclei, we observed a decay of fluorescence intensity into the tip of the deformed tongue that we interpreted in terms of nonlinear, two-dimensional elasticity theory. Here we applied this method to study nuclear envelope stability in disease and found that mouse embryo fibroblasts lacking the inner nuclear membrane protein, emerin, had a significantly decreased ratio of the area expansion to shear moduli (K/mu) compared to wild-type cells (2.1 +/- 0.2 versus 5.1 +/- 1.3). These data suggest that altered nuclear envelope elasticity caused by loss of emerin could contribute to increased nuclear fragility in Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy patients with mutations in the emerin gene. Based on our experimental results and theoretical considerations, we present a model describing how the nucleus is stabilized in the pipette. Such a model is essential for interpreting the results of any micropipette study of the nucleus and porous materials in general.

Hydrogen peroxide triggers nuclear export of telomerase reverse transcriptase via Src kinase family-dependent phosphorylation of tyrosine 707

The regulation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) plays an important role in the proliferative capacity and survival of cells. Here, we report that exogenously as well as endogenously induced oxidative stress leads to translocation of endogenous as well as overexpressed human TERT from the nucleus into the cytosol. TERT is transported through the nuclear pores in a leptomycin-sensitive and Ran GTPase-dependent process. H(2)O(2)-induced nuclear export of TERT is preceded by TERT tyrosine phosphorylation at position 707 and prevented by the Src kinase family inhibitor PP1. Oxidative stress-induced nuclear export of TERT depends on association with the Ran GTPase. In contrast, mutation of tyrosine 707 inhibits phosphorylation induced by oxidative stress and prevents association with Ran and nuclear export of TERT. Moreover, inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation at 707 increases the antiapoptotic capacity of TERT. Taken together, depletion of nuclear TERT by tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent nuclear export of TERT is a novel mechanism for regulation of TERT localization, which reduces the antiapoptotic activity of TERT.

Characterization of the kinetochore binding domain of CENP-E reveals interactions with the kinetochore proteins CENP-F and hBUBR1

We have identified a 350-amino acid domain in the kinetochore motor CENP-E that specifies kinetochore binding in mitosis but not during interphase. The kinetochore binding domain was used in a yeast two-hybrid screen to isolate interacting proteins that included the kinetochore proteins CENP-E, CENP-F, and hBUBR1, a BUB1-related kinase that was found to be mutated in some colorectal carcinomas (Cahill, D.P., C. Lengauer, J. Yu, G.J. Riggins, J.K. Wilson, S.D. Markowitz, K.W. Kinzler, and B. Vogelstein. 1998. Nature. 392:300-303). CENP-F, hBUBR1, and CENP-E assembled onto kinetochores in sequential order during late stages of the cell cycle. These proteins therefore define discrete steps along the kinetochore assembly pathway. Kinetochores of unaligned chromosome exhibited stronger hBUBR1 and CENP-E staining than those of aligned chromosomes. CENP-E and hBUBR1 remain colocalized at kinetochores until mid-anaphase when hBUBR1 localized to portions of the spindle midzone that did not overlap with CENP-E. As CENP-E and hBUBR1 can coimmunoprecipitate with each other from HeLa cells, they may function as a motor-kinase complex at kinetochores. However, the complex distribution pattern of hBUBR1 suggests that it may regulate multiple functions that include the kinetochore and the spindle midzone.

An amino acid sequence motif sufficient for subnuclear localization of an arginine/serine-rich splicing factor

We have identified an amino acid sequence in the Drosophila Transformer (Tra) protein that is capable of directing a heterologous protein to nuclear speckles, regions of the nucleus previously shown to contain high concentrations of spliceosomal small nuclear RNAs and splicing factors. This sequence contains a nucleoplasmin-like bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) and a repeating arginine/serine (RS) dipeptide sequence adjacent to a short stretch of basic amino acids. Sequence comparisons from a number of other splicing factors that colocalize to nuclear speckles reveal the presence of one or more copies of this motif. We propose a two-step subnuclear localization mechanism for splicing factors. The first step is transport across the nuclear envelope via the nucleoplasmin-like NLS, while the second step is association with components in the speckled domain via the RS dipeptide sequence.

Nuclear transport of U1 snRNP in somatic cells: differences in signal requirement compared with Xenopus laevis oocytes

The signal requirement for the nuclear import of U1 RNA in somatic cells from different species was investigated by microinjection of both digoxygenin-labeled wild type and mutant U1 RNA molecules and in vitro reconstituted U1 snRNPs. U1 RNA was shown to be targeted to the nucleus by a temperature-dependent process that requires the prior assembly of RNPs from the common proteins and the microinjected RNA. Competition in the cell between immunoaffinity-purified U1 snRNPs and digoxygenin-labeled U1 snRNPs reconstituted in vitro showed that the transport is saturable and should therefore be a mediated process. The transport of a karyophilic protein under the same conditions was not affected, indicating the existence of a U snRNP-specific transport pathway in somatic cells, as already seen in the Xenopus laevis oocyte system. Surprisingly, the signal requirement for nuclear transport of U1 snRNP was found to differ between oocytes and somatic cells from mouse, monkey and Xenopus, in that the m3GGpppG-cap is no longer an essential signaling component in somatic cells. However, as shown by investigation of the transport kinetics of m3GpppG- and ApppG-capped U1 snRNPs, the m3GpppG-cap accelerates the rate of U1 snRNP import significantly indicating that it has retained a signaling role for nuclear targeting of U1 snRNP in somatic cells. Moreover, our data strongly suggest that cell specific rather than species specific differences account for the differential m3G-cap requirement in nuclear import of U1 snRNPs.

A hydrophobic protein sequence can override a nuclear localization signal independently of protein context

Simian virus 40 T antigen is specifically targeted to the nucleus by the signal Pro-Lys-Lys-128-Lys-Arg-Lys-Val. We have previously described the isolation of a simian virus 40 T-antigen mutant, 676FS, which retains a wild-type nuclear localization signal but fails to accumulate properly in the nucleus and interferes with the nuclear localization of heterologous proteins. Here we report that the hydrophobic carboxy-terminal sequence novel to 676FS T antigen overrides the nuclear localization signal if fused to other proteins, thereby anchoring the proteins in the cytoplasm. We discuss possible mechanisms by which missorting of such a fusion protein could interfere with the nuclear transport of heterologous proteins.

A hydrophobic protein sequence can override a nuclear localization signal independently of protein context

Simian virus 40 T antigen is specifically targeted to the nucleus by the signal Pro-Lys-Lys-128-Lys-Arg-Lys-Val. We have previously described the isolation of a simian virus 40 T-antigen mutant, 676FS, which retains a wild-type nuclear localization signal but fails to accumulate properly in the nucleus and interferes with the nuclear localization of heterologous proteins. Here we report that the hydrophobic carboxy-terminal sequence novel to 676FS T antigen overrides the nuclear localization signal if fused to other proteins, thereby anchoring the proteins in the cytoplasm. We discuss possible mechanisms by which missorting of such a fusion protein could interfere with the nuclear transport of heterologous proteins.

Analysis of the v-myb structural components important for transactivation of gene expression

In order to define the domains of the v-myb protein that are important for transactivation of gene expression, we have studied transactivation by the v-myb gene and a set of v-myb deletion mutants using transient transfection assays in NIH 3T3 cells. Analysis of the set of v-myb deletion products demonstrated that a previously unidentified region in the carboxyl-terminal portion of the protein is required for transactivation. This region lies between amino acids 295-356 with respect to the 5' end of the v-myb gene. Switching the v-myb DNA binding domain with the DNA binding domain of the rat glucocorticoid receptor (rGR) switched the cis-element requirement for v-myb action: only reports containing glucocorticoid response elements were activated by myb-rGR fusion proteins. The carboxyl terminal region essential for transactivation by the intact v-myb gene was also necessary for transactivation by the rGR-fusion gene. Carboxyl-terminal deletion mutations that encompassed the novel transactivation region were able to block wild-type v-myb transactivation when tested in transient co-expression assays. In an unexpected sidelight to our studies, we could demonstrate that the lacZ gene present in the prokaryotic vector sequences contained a DNA element that fortuitously can act as a v-myb-dependent enhancer element, and that v-myb protein can bind to this element in vitro. The lacZ enhancer contains the myb consensus DNA binding site YAAC(G/T)G.

Functional interaction of nuclear transport-defective simian virus 40 large T antigen with chromatin and nuclear matrix

We analyzed the subcellular distribution of nuclear transport-defective simian virus 40 Lys-128-mutant (cT-3 [R. E. Lanford and J. S. Butel, Cell 37:801-813, 1984] and d10 [D. Kalderon, W. D. Richardson, A. F. Markham, and A. E. Smith, Nature (London) 311:33-38, 1984]) large T antigens in various Lys-128-mutant-transformed rodent cells and in Lys-128-mutant d10-infected TC7 cells. Small but significant amounts of the mutant large T antigens were found in association with nuclear substructures, both in mutant-transformed and in mutant-infected cells. Experiments with TC7 cells made incompetent for cell division by 60Co irradiation supported the assumption that Lys-128-mutant large T antigen did not associate with nuclear components during mitosis but most likely was transported into the nucleus because the Lys-128 mutation was leaky for nuclear transport. Low-level simian virus 40 DNA replication and production of infectious mutant virus progeny in TC7 cells indicated that the association of Lys-128-mutant large T antigen with nuclear substructures is functional.

Nuclear localization of the adenovirus DNA-binding protein: requirement for two signals and complementation during viral infection

The adenovirus DNA-binding protein (DBP) is an abundant multifunctional protein located primarily in the nuclei of infected cells. To define sequences involved in nuclear transport of DBP, a series of point and small deletion mutants were constructed via oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. Two short stretches of basic amino acids located in the amino-terminal domain (amino acids 42 to 46 and 84 to 89) were identified. Their importance, however, depended on the context in which DBP was expressed. Disruption of either site prevented nuclear localization after transient expression in transfected 293 cells, implying that two nuclear localization signals are necessary for transport of this nuclear protein. In contrast, the mutant DBPs synthesized during viral infection were located either primarily in the nucleus or in the nucleus and cytoplasm, depending on the mutation and the stage of the viral infection. Thus, the nuclear localization defect could be complemented by viral infection, perhaps through the interaction of the mutant polypeptide with a virus-encoded or -induced factor(s).

Nuclear localization of the adenovirus DNA-binding protein: requirement for two signals and complementation during viral infection

The adenovirus DNA-binding protein (DBP) is an abundant multifunctional protein located primarily in the nuclei of infected cells. To define sequences involved in nuclear transport of DBP, a series of point and small deletion mutants were constructed via oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. Two short stretches of basic amino acids located in the amino-terminal domain (amino acids 42 to 46 and 84 to 89) were identified. Their importance, however, depended on the context in which DBP was expressed. Disruption of either site prevented nuclear localization after transient expression in transfected 293 cells, implying that two nuclear localization signals are necessary for transport of this nuclear protein. In contrast, the mutant DBPs synthesized during viral infection were located either primarily in the nucleus or in the nucleus and cytoplasm, depending on the mutation and the stage of the viral infection. Thus, the nuclear localization defect could be complemented by viral infection, perhaps through the interaction of the mutant polypeptide with a virus-encoded or -induced factor(s).