Organellar proteomics: the prizes and pitfalls of opening the nuclear envelope

Split-GFP Complementation to Study the Nuclear Membrane Proteome Using Microscopy

Defining the proteome of any given subcellular compartment provides insight into the activities and functions within that organelle. Understanding the composition of the nuclear envelope (NE) using traditional methods such as biochemical subcellular fractionation has been challenging due to the continuity of the NE and the endoplasmic reticulum. Here, we describe how split green fluorescent protein (split-GFP) was adapted to determine and define the NE proteome. This system is able to resolve protein topology and distinguish localization to the inner or outer nuclear membranes (INM or ONM).

Combining LOPIT with differential ultracentrifugation for high-resolution spatial proteomics

The study of protein localisation has greatly benefited from high-throughput methods utilising cellular fractionation and proteomic profiling. Hyperplexed Localisation of Organelle Proteins by Isotope Tagging (hyperLOPIT) is a well-established method in this area. It achieves high-resolution separation of organelles and subcellular compartments but is relatively time- and resource-intensive. As a simpler alternative, we here develop Localisation of Organelle Proteins by Isotope Tagging after Differential ultraCentrifugation (LOPIT-DC) and compare this method to the density gradient-based hyperLOPIT approach. We confirm that high-resolution maps can be obtained using differential centrifugation down to the suborganellar and protein complex level. HyperLOPIT and LOPIT-DC yield highly similar results, facilitating the identification of isoform-specific localisations and high-confidence localisation assignment for proteins in suborganellar structures, protein complexes and signalling pathways. By combining both approaches, we present a comprehensive high-resolution dataset of human protein localisations and deliver a flexible set of protocols for subcellular proteomics.

Tomato nuclear proteome reveals the involvement of specific E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes in fruit ripening

BACKGROUND

Fruits are unique to flowering plants and play a central role in seed maturation and dispersal. Molecular dissection of fruit ripening has received considerable interest because of the biological and dietary significance of fruit. To better understand the regulatory mechanisms underlying fruit ripening, we report here the first comprehensive analysis of the nuclear proteome in tomato fruits.

RESULTS

Nuclear proteins were isolated from tomatoes in different stages of ripening, and subjected to iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification) analysis. We show that the proteins whose abundances change during ripening stages are involved in various cellular processes. We additionally evaluate changes in the nuclear proteome in the ripening-deficient mutant, ripening-inhibitor (rin), carrying a mutation in the transcription factor RIN. A set of proteins were identified and particular attention was paid to SlUBC32 and PSMD2, the components of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Through chromatin immunoprecipitation and gel mobility shift assays, we provide evidence that RIN directly binds to the promoters of SlUBC32 and PSMD2. Moreover, loss of RIN function affects protein ubiquitination in nuclei. SlUBC32 encodes an E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme and a genome-wide survey of the E2 gene family in tomatoes identified five more E2s as direct targets of RIN. Virus-induced gene silencing assays show that two E2s are involved in the regulation of fruit ripening.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results uncover a novel function of protein ubiquitination, identifying specific E2s as regulators of fruit ripening. These findings contribute to the unraveling of the gene regulatory networks that control fruit ripening.

Tomato nuclear proteome reveals the involvement of specific E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes in fruit ripening

BACKGROUND

Fruits are unique to flowering plants and play a central role in seed maturation and dispersal. Molecular dissection of fruit ripening has received considerable interest because of the biological and dietary significance of fruit. To better understand the regulatory mechanisms underlying fruit ripening, we report here the first comprehensive analysis of the nuclear proteome in tomato fruits.

RESULTS

Nuclear proteins were isolated from tomatoes in different stages of ripening, and subjected to iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification) analysis. We show that the proteins whose abundances change during ripening stages are involved in various cellular processes. We additionally evaluate changes in the nuclear proteome in the ripening-deficient mutant, ripening-inhibitor (rin), carrying a mutation in the transcription factor RIN. A set of proteins were identified and particular attention was paid to SlUBC32 and PSMD2, the components of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Through chromatin immunoprecipitation and gel mobility shift assays, we provide evidence that RIN directly binds to the promoters of SlUBC32 and PSMD2. Moreover, loss of RIN function affects protein ubiquitination in nuclei. SlUBC32 encodes an E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme and a genome-wide survey of the E2 gene family in tomatoes identified five more E2s as direct targets of RIN. Virus-induced gene silencing assays show that two E2s are involved in the regulation of fruit ripening.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results uncover a novel function of protein ubiquitination, identifying specific E2s as regulators of fruit ripening. These findings contribute to the unraveling of the gene regulatory networks that control fruit ripening.

The nuclear proteome and DNA-binding fraction of human Raji lymphoma cells

Purification of organelles and analysis of their proteins is an important initial step for biological proteomics, simplifying the proteome prior to analysis by established techniques such as two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2-DLC) or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Nuclear proteins play a central role in regulating gene expression, but are often under-represented in proteomic studies due to their lower abundance in comparison to cellular 'housekeeping' metabolic enzymes and structural proteins. A reliable procedure for separation and proteomic analysis of nuclear proteins would be useful for investigations of cell proliferation and differentiation during disease processes (e.g., human cancer). In this study, we have purified nuclei from the human Burkitt's lymphoma B-cell line, Raji, using sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The integrity and purity of the nuclei were assessed by light microscopy and proteins from the nuclear fractions were separated by 2-DE and identified using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). A total of 124 unique proteins were identified, of which 91% (n=110) were predicted to be nuclear using PSORT. Proteins from the nuclear fraction were subjected to affinity chromatography on DNA-agarose to isolate DNA-binding proteins. From this purified fraction, 131 unique proteins were identified, of which 69% (n=90) were known or predicted DNA-binding proteins. Purification of nuclei and subsequent enrichment of DNA-binding proteins allowed identification of a total of 209 unique proteins, many involved in transcription and/or correlated with lymphoma, leukemia or cancer in general. The data obtained should be valuable for identification of biomarkers and targets for cancer therapy, and for furthering our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying lymphoma development and progression.

Guilt by Association

The discovery that many inherited diseases are linked to interacting nuclear envelope proteins has raised the possibility that human genetic studies could be assisted by a fusion with proteomics. Two principles could be applied. In the first, the proteome of an organelle associated with a genetically variable disease is determined. The chromosomal locations of the genes encoding the organellar proteins are then determined. If a related disease is linked to a large chromosomal region that includes a gene identified in the organelle, then that gene has an increased likelihood of causing the disease. Directly sequencing this allele from patient samples might speed identification compared with further genetic linkage studies as has been demonstrated for multiple diseases associated with the nuclear envelope. The second principle is that if an organelle has been implicated in the pathology of a particular disorder, then comparison of the organelle proteome from control and patient cells might highlight differences that could indicate the causative protein. The distinct, tissue-specific pathologies associated with nuclear envelope diseases suggest that many tissues will have a set of disorders linked to this organelle, and there are numerous as yet unmapped or partially mapped syndromes that could benefit from such an approach.

An alternative to tandem mass spectrometry: isoelectric point and accurate mass for the identification of peptides

The traditional approach to the identification of peptides in complex biological samples integrally involves the use of tandem mass spectrometry to generate a unique fragmentation pattern in order to accurately assign its identity to a particular protein. In this article we describe the theoretical basis for a new paradigm for the identification of peptides and proteins. This methodology employs the use of accurate mass and peptide isoelectric point (pI) as identification criteria, and represents a change in focus from current tandem mass spectrometry-dominated approaches. A mathematical derivation of the false positive rate associated with accurate mass and pI measurements is presented to demonstrate the utility of the technique. The equations for calculation of the experimental false positive rate allow for the determination of the validity of the data. The false positive rate issue examined in detail here is not restricted to accurate mass-based approaches, but also has application to the tandem mass spectrometry community as well. The theoretical proteomes of Escherichia coli and Rattus norvegicus are used to evaluate the efficacy of this approach. The power of the technique is demonstrated by analyzing a series of peptides with the same monoisotopic masses but with differing isoelectric points. Finally, the speed of algorithm when combined with the experimental peptide analysis has the potential to rapidly accelerate the protein identification process.

Integration of Jacobson's Pellicle Method into Proteomic Strategies for Plasma Membrane Proteins

A modified form of the cationic colloidal silica technique for plasma membrane isolation has been combined with SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics for evaluation as a proteomics strategy with human multiple myeloma cells and human breast cancer cells. On the basis of Western blots, half of the protein isolated is estimated to come from the plasma membrane. Forty-three percent of the 366 proteins identified by mass spectrometry had been previously classified as plasma membrane proteins. Thirty proteins previously categorized as hypothetical membrane proteins are now reported to be expressed.