The IFIH1-A946T risk variant promotes diabetes in a sex-dependent manner

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which pancreatic islet β-cells are attacked by the immune system, resulting in insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia. One of the top non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with T1D is in the interferon-induced helicase C domain-containing protein 1 (IFIH1), which encodes an anti-viral cytosolic RNA sensor. This SNP results in an alanine to threonine substitution at amino acid 946 (IFIH1A946T) and confers an increased risk for several autoimmune diseases, including T1D. We hypothesized that the IFIH1A946T risk variant, (IFIH1R) would promote T1D pathogenesis by stimulating type I interferon (IFN I) signaling leading to immune cell alterations. To test this, we developed Ifih1R knock-in mice on the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse background, a spontaneous T1D model. Our results revealed a modest increase in diabetes incidence and insulitis in Ifih1R compared to non-risk Ifih1 (Ifih1NR) mice and a significant acceleration of diabetes onset in Ifih1R females. Ifih1R mice exhibited a significantly enhanced interferon stimulated gene (ISG) signature compared to Ifih1NR, indicative of increased IFN I signaling. Ifih1R mice exhibited an increased frequency of plasma cells as well as tissue-dependent changes in the frequency and activation of CD8+ T cells. Our results indicate that IFIH1R may contribute to T1D pathogenesis by altering the frequency and activation of immune cells. These findings advance our knowledge on the connection between the rs1990760 variant and T1D. Further, these data are the first to demonstrate effects of Ifih1R in NOD mice, which will be important to consider for the development of therapeutics for T1D.

The IFIH1-A946T risk variant promotes diabetes in a sex-dependent manner

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which pancreatic islet β-cells are attacked by the immune system, resulting in insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia. One of the top non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with T1D is in the interferon-induced helicase C domain-containing protein 1 ( IFIH1 ), which encodes an anti-viral cytosolic RNA sensor. This SNP results in an alanine to threonine substitution at amino acid 946 (IFIH1 A946T ) and confers an increased risk for several autoimmune diseases, including T1D. We hypothesized that the IFIH1 A946T risk variant, ( IFIH1 R ) would promote T1D pathogenesis by stimulating type I interferon (IFN I) signaling leading to immune cell alterations. To test this, we developed Ifih1 R knock-in mice on the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse background, a spontaneous T1D model. Our results revealed a modest increase in diabetes incidence and insulitis in Ifih1 R compared to non-risk Ifih1 ( Ifih1 NR ) mice and a significant acceleration of diabetes onset in Ifih1 R females. Ifih1 R mice exhibited a significantly enhanced interferon stimulated gene (ISG) signature compared to Ifih1 NR , indicative of increased IFN I signaling. Ifih1 R mice exhibited an increased frequency of plasma cells as well as tissue-dependent changes in the frequency and activation of CD8 + T cells. Our results indicate that IFIH1 R may contribute to T1D pathogenesis by altering the frequency and activation of immune cells. These findings advance our knowledge on the connection between the rs1990760 variant and T1D. Further, these data are the first to demonstrate effects of Ifih1 R in NOD mice, which will be important to consider for the development of therapeutics for T1D.

The Autoimmune Risk R262W Variant of the Adaptor SH2B3 Improves Survival in Sepsis

The single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3184504 is broadly associated with increased risk for multiple autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases. Although the allele is uniquely enriched in European descent, the mechanism for the widespread selective sweep is not clear. In this study, we find the rs3184504*T allele had a strong association with reduced mortality in a human sepsis cohort. The rs3184504*T allele associates with a loss-of-function amino acid change (p.R262W) in the adaptor protein SH2B3, a likely causal variant. To better understand the role of SH2B3 in sepsis, we used mouse modeling and challenged SH2B3-deficient mice with a polymicrobial cecal-ligation puncture (CLP) procedure. We found SH2B3 deficiency improved survival and morbidity with less organ damage and earlier bacterial clearance compared with control mice. The peritoneal infiltrating cells exhibited augmented phagocytosis in Sh2b3 ^-/- mice with enriched recruitment of Ly6C^hi inflammatory monocytes despite equivalent or reduced chemokine expression. Rapid cycling of monocytes and progenitors occurred uniquely in the Sh2b3 ^-/- mice following CLP, suggesting augmented myelopoiesis. To model the hypomorphic autoimmune risk allele, we created a novel knockin mouse harboring a similar point mutation in the murine pleckstrin homology domain of SH2B3. At baseline, phenotypic changes suggested a hypomorphic allele. In the CLP model, homozygous knockin mice displayed improved mortality and morbidity compared with wild-type or heterozygous mice. Collectively, these data suggest that hypomorphic SH2B3 improves the sepsis response and that balancing selection likely contributed to the relative frequency of the autoimmune risk variant.

Germline SAMD9L truncation variants trigger global translational repression

SAMD9L is an interferon-induced tumor suppressor implicated in a spectrum of multisystem disorders, including risk for myeloid malignancies and immune deficiency. We identified a heterozygous de novo frameshift variant in SAMD9L in an infant with B cell aplasia and clinical autoinflammatory features who died from respiratory failure with chronic rhinovirus infection. Autopsy demonstrated absent bone marrow and peripheral B cells as well as selective loss of Langerhans and Purkinje cells. The frameshift variant led to expression of a truncated protein with interferon treatment. This protein exhibited a gain-of-function phenotype, resulting in interference in global protein synthesis via inhibition of translational elongation. Using a mutational scan, we identified a region within SAMD9L where stop-gain variants trigger a similar translational arrest. SAMD9L variants that globally suppress translation had no effect or increased mRNA transcription. The complex-reported phenotype likely reflects lineage-dominant sensitivities to this translation block. Taken together, our findings indicate that interferon-triggered SAMD9L gain-of-function variants globally suppress translation.

The TYK2-P1104A Autoimmune Protective Variant Limits Coordinate Signals Required to Generate Specialized T Cell Subsets

TYK2 is a JAK family member that functions downstream of multiple cytokine receptors. Genome wide association studies have linked a SNP (rs34536443) within TYK2 encoding a Proline to Alanine substitution at amino acid 1104, to protection from multiple autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and multiple sclerosis (MS). The protective role of this SNP in autoimmune pathogenesis, however, remains incompletely understood. Here we found that T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, switched memory B cells, and IFNAR signaling were decreased in healthy individuals that expressed the protective variant TYK2 ^A1104 (TYK2 ^P ). To study this variant in vivo, we developed a knock-in murine model of this allele. Murine Tyk2 ^P expressing T cells homozygous for the protective allele, but not cells heterozygous for this change, manifest decreased IL-12 receptor signaling, important for Tfh lineage commitment. Further, homozygous Tyk2 ^P T cells exhibited diminished in vitro Th1 skewing. Surprisingly, despite these signaling changes, in vivo formation of Tfh and GC B cells was unaffected in two models of T cell dependent immune responses and in two alternative SLE models. TYK2 is also activated downstream of IL-23 receptor engagement. Here, we found that Tyk2 ^P expressing T cells had reduced IL-23 dependent signaling as well as a diminished ability to skew toward Th17 in vitro. Consistent with these findings, homozygous, but not heterozygous, Tyk2 ^P mice were fully protected in a murine model of MS. Homozygous Tyk2 ^P mice had fewer infiltrating CD4⁺ T cells within the CNS. Most strikingly, homozygous mice had a decreased proportion of IL-17⁺/IFNγ⁺, double positive, pathogenic CD4⁺ T cells in both the draining lymph nodes (LN) and CNS. Thus, in an autoimmune model, such as EAE, impacted by both altered Th1 and Th17 signaling, the Tyk2 ^P allele can effectively shield animals from disease. Taken together, our findings suggest that TYK2^P diminishes IL-12, IL-23, and IFN I signaling and that its protective effect is most likely manifest in the setting of autoimmune triggers that concurrently dysregulate at least two of these important signaling cascades.

The IFIH1 A946T autoimmune risk variant exhibits enhanced signaling and promotes T1D pathogenesis

Genome wide association studies have linked SNPs in innate signaling programs to an increased risk for autoimmune disease. One SNP, rs1990760, within the IFIH1 viral sensor (leading to an A to T amino acid change at codon 946) is strongly associated with multiple autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes (T1D). The impact of this variant on viral sensing and autoimmune pathogenesis, however, has not yet been determined. Using an overexpression system, we demonstrate that IFIH1-A946T exhibits heightened basal and post-stimulation signaling and increased viral control. Consistent with this finding, primary PBMCs from healthy subjects expressing the variant exhibit heightened signaling. To study IFIH1-A946T in vivo, we generated a novel knock-in murine model. Both heterozygous and homozygous variant mice display enhanced basal Type I IFN mRNA expression and splenomegaly. Moreover, homozygous pups manifest an embryonic survival defect. Further, IFIH1-T946 mice exhibit increased frequency of STZ-induced T1D. Finally, intercross of IFIH1-T946 mice with animals expressing the T1D risk variant in PTPN22 lead to a synergistic increase in T1D development. Together, our data demonstrate that IFIH1-A946T alters antiviral signaling and strongly supports the model that increased Type I IFN production driven by the variant leads to an inflammatory state that promotes autoimmunity, particularly in association with other autoimmune risk alleles.

Trafficking defects in WASH-knockout fibroblasts originate from collapsed endosomal and lysosomal networks

WASH regulates endosomal sorting, but its roles are ill defined. WASH-knockout MEFs display enlarged yet ordered endosomes without aberrant tubulation and a collapsed lysosomal network. Without WASH, EGFR is basally degraded, whereas TfnR is not, which supports discrete receptor trafficking via WASH-dependent and WASH-independent mechanisms.

The Arp2/3-activator Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein and Scar homologue (WASH) is suggested to regulate actin-dependent membrane scission during endosomal sorting, but its cellular roles have not been fully elucidated. To investigate WASH function, we generated tamoxifen-inducible WASH-knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (WASHout MEFs). Of interest, although EEA1⁺ endosomes were enlarged, collapsed, and devoid of filamentous-actin and Arp2/3 in WASHout MEFs, we did not observe elongated membrane tubules emanating from these disorganized endomembranes. However, collapsed WASHout endosomes harbored segregated subdomains, containing either retromer cargo recognition complex–associated proteins or EEA1. In addition, we observed global collapse of LAMP1⁺ lysosomes, with some lysosomal membrane domains associated with endosomes. Both epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and transferrin receptor (TfnR) exhibited changes in steady-state cellular localization. EGFR was directed to the lysosomal compartment and exhibited reduced basal levels in WASHout MEFs. However, although TfnR was accumulated with collapsed endosomes, it recycled normally. Moreover, EGF stimulation led to efficient EGFR degradation within enlarged lysosomal structures. These results are consistent with the idea that discrete receptors differentially traffic via WASH-dependent and WASH-independent mechanisms and demonstrate that WASH-mediated F-actin is requisite for the integrity of both endosomal and lysosomal networks in mammalian cells.

The cytoskeletal adaptor protein IQGAP1 regulates TCR-mediated signaling and filamentous actin dynamics

The Ras GTPase-activating-like protein IQGAP1 is a multimodular scaffold that controls signaling and cytoskeletal regulation in fibroblasts and epithelial cells. However, the functional role of IQGAP1 in T cell development, activation, and cytoskeletal regulation has not been investigated. In this study, we show that IQGAP1 is dispensable for thymocyte development as well as microtubule organizing center polarization and cytolytic function in CD8(+) T cells. However, IQGAP1-deficient CD8(+) T cells as well as Jurkat T cells suppressed for IQGAP1 were hyperresponsive, displaying increased IL-2 and IFN-γ production, heightened LCK activation, and augmented global phosphorylation kinetics after TCR ligation. In addition, IQGAP1-deficient T cells exhibited increased TCR-mediated F-actin assembly and amplified F-actin velocities during spreading. Moreover, we found that discrete regions of IQGAP1 regulated cellular activation and F-actin accumulation. Taken together, our data suggest that IQGAP1 acts as a dual negative regulator in T cells, limiting both TCR-mediated activation kinetics and F-actin dynamics via distinct mechanisms.

IQGAP1 mediates lymphocyte cytoskeletal polarization and peripheral effector functions (95.16)

IQGAP1 is a scaffolding protein that integrates the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. Although IQGAP1 has been shown to participate in numerous cellular activities in fibroblasts and epithelial cells including E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion, cell polarity, motility, proliferation, and MAP kinase signaling, its function in thymocyte development or peripheral T cell effector functions has not yet been investigated. IQGAP1 localizes to the immune synapse in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells suggesting a possible role in T cell activation. Using wild type and IQGAP1-deficient mice, we demonstrate that neither thymocyte development nor peripheral T cells numbers are affected in the absence of IQGAP1. Surprisingly, IQGAP1-deficient CD4+ T cells make significantly more IL-2 compared to wild type cells. Despite this, IQGAP1-deficient T cells show diminished T cell proliferation and increased cell death following TCR and CD28 ligation, which is most likely due to increased activation-induced cell death. Interestingly, IQGAP1-deficient T cells spread abnormally in response to anti-CD3, fail to accumulate F-actin or polarize their microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) toward anti-CD3 coated beads. Consistent with the latter observation, CD8+ T cells do show defective cell-mediated killing. Furthermore, we find that IQGAP1-deficient T cells fail to polarize following integrin stimulation. Taken together, our data identify IQGAP1 as an important mediator of proper cytoskeletal polarization during T cell activation. This work was supported by NIAID grant AI065474 to D.D.B. and NIH -T32-AI07425 pre-doctoral Immunology Training Grant to J.A. Gorman.

Isolation of a gene encoding a putative polyamine transporter from Candida albicans, GPT1

A gene encoding a transport protein from the pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans, has been isolated during a complementation experiment utilizing an ornithine decarboxylase-negative (spe1 Delta) strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This gene restores gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transport to a GABA transport-negative mutant of S. cerevisiae and encodes a protein which putatively allows transport of one or more of the polyamines. We have assigned the name GPT1 (GABA/polyamine transporter) to this gene.

Polyproline binding is an essential function of human profilin in yeast

Structural analysis of human profilin has revealed two tryptophan residues, W3 and W31, which interact with polyproline. The codons for these residues were mutated to encode phenylalanine and the mutant proteins overexpressed in Eschericia coli. The isolated proteins were diminished in their ability to bind polyproline, whereas phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) binding remained unchanged. In many strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, disruption of the gene encoding profilin, PFY1, is lethal. It was found that expression of the gene for human profilin is capable of suppressing this lethality. The polyproline-binding mutant alleles of the human gene were cloned into various yeast expression vectors. Each of the mutant genes resulted in suppression of the lethality of pfy1Delta. It was observed that the mutant protein expression levels paralleled the growth rates of the strains. The severity of various morphological abnormalities of the strains was also attenuated with increased protein levels, suggesting that profilin polyproline-binding mutations are deleterious to cell growth unless overexpressed. Both tryptophan mutations were combined to give a third mutant allele that was found both unable to bind polyproline and to suppress the lethality of a pfy1 deletion. Immunoprecipitation experiments suggested that the mutants were unaltered in their affinity for actin and PIP2. These data strongly suggest that polyproline binding is an essential function of profilin.

The extracellular domain of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sln1p membrane osmolarity sensor is necessary for kinase activity

The function of the extracellular domain (ECD) of Sln1p, a plasma membrane two-transmembrane domain (TMD) sensor of the high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) response pathway, has been studied in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Truncations of SLN1 that retain an intact kinase domain are capable of complementing the lethality of an sln1Delta strain. By observing levels of Hog1p phosphorylation as well as the phosphorylation state of Sln1p, the kinase activities of various SLN1 constructions were determined. In derivatives that do not contain the first TMD, Sln1p activity was no longer dependent on medium osmolarity but appeared to be constitutively active even under conditions of high osmolarity. Removal of the first TMD (DeltaTMD1 construct) gave a protein that was strongly phosphorylated whereas Hog1p was largely dephosphorylated, as expected if the active form of Sln1p is phosphorylated. When both TMDs as well as the ECD were deleted, so that the kinase domain is cytosolic, Sln1p was not phosphorylated whereas Hog1p became constitutively hyperphosphorylated. Surprisingly, this hyperactivity of the HOG mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway was not sufficient to result in cell lethality. When the ECD of the DeltaTMD1 construct was replaced with a leucine zipper motif, Sln1p was hyperactive, so that Hog1p became mostly unphosphorylated. In contrast, when the Sln1p/leucine zipper construct was crippled by a mutation of one of the internal leucines, the Sln1 kinase was inactive. These experiments are consistent with the hypothesis that the ECD of Sln1p functions as a dimerization and activation domain but that osmotic regulation of activity requires the presence of the first TMD.

Effect of CTP synthetase regulation by CTP on phospholipid synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

CTP synthetase (EC 6.3.4.2, UTP:ammonia ligase (ADP-forming)) activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is allosterically regulated by CTP product inhibition. Amino acid residue Glu161 in the URA7-encoded and URA8-encoded CTP synthetases was identified as being involved in the regulation of these enzymes by CTP product inhibition. The specific activities of the URA7-encoded and URA8-encoded enzymes with a Glu161 --> Lys (E161K) mutation were 2-fold greater when compared with the wild-type enzymes. The E161K mutant URA7-encoded and URA8-encoded CTP synthetases were less sensitive to CTP product inhibition with inhibitor constants for CTP of 8.4- and 5-fold greater, respectively, than those of their wild-type counterparts. Cells expressing the E161K mutant enzymes on a multicopy plasmid exhibited an increase in resistance to the pyrimidine poison and cancer therapeutic drug cyclopentenylcytosine and accumulated elevated (6-15-fold) levels of CTP when compared with cells expressing the wild-type enzymes. Cells expressing the E161K mutation in the URA7-encoded CTP synthetase exhibited an increase (1.5-fold) in the utilization of the Kennedy pathway for phosphatidylcholine synthesis when compared with control cells. Cells bearing the mutation also exhibited an increase in the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine (1.5-fold), phosphatidylethanolamine (1.3-fold), and phosphatidate (2-fold) and a decrease in the synthesis of phosphatidylserine (1.7-fold). These alterations were accompanied by an inositol excretion phenotype due to the misregulation of the INO1 gene. Moreover, cells bearing the E161K mutation exhibited an increase (1.6-fold) in the ratio of total neutral lipids to phospholipids, an increase in triacylglycerol (1.4-fold), free fatty acids (1.7-fold), and ergosterol ester (1.8-fold), and a decrease in diacylglycerol (1. 3-fold) when compared with control cells. These data indicated that the regulation of CTP synthetase activity by CTP plays an important role in the regulation of phospholipid synthesis.

Isolation and sequence of the gene encoding ornithine decarboxylase, SPE1, from Candida albicans by complementation of a spe1 delta strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The gene encoding ornithine decarboxylase, SPE1, from the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans has been isolated by complementation of an ornithine decarboxylase-negative (spe1 delta) strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Four transformants, three of which contain plasmids with the SPE1 gene, were isolated by selection on polyamine-free medium. The C. albicans ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) showed high homology with other eukaryotic ODCs at both the amino acid and nucleic acid levels.

Isolation and characterization of the Candida albicans PFY1 gene for profilin

We have isolated the Candida albicans gene for profilin, PFY1. Degenerate oligonucleotide primers based on regions of high homology were utilized to obtain a polymerase chain reaction-amplified copy of the gene. This was then used as a probe to isolate the gene from a C. albicans genomic library. Our studies indicate that the full-length gene is unstable in Escherichia coli. Several clones were sequenced, and the predicted amino acid sequence demonstrated homology with profilin proteins from other organisms, most notably Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Northern analysis revealed that the gene is expressed in C. albicans. Attempts to express the gene in S. cerevisiae cells were unsuccessful until the C. albicans promoter was replaced with an S. cerevisiae promoter. Functional complementation of the gene was demonstrated in S. cerevisiae profilin-requiring cells. Antibodies raised to isolated C. albicans profilin protein recognized a protein of the predicted molecular weight when the gene was expressed in S. cerevisiae cells.

Ascosteroside, a new antifungal agent from Ascotricha amphitricha. I. Taxonomy, fermentation and biological activities

Ascosteroside, a novel antifungal compound, was isolated from the culture broth of Ascotricha amphitricha. This compound is an alpha-linked glycoside of a lanostane type triterpenoid. It is active against yeasts such as Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and against filamentous fungi but shows no activity against bacteria. It is not toxic to mammalian cells at concentrations up to 150 microM. In a mouse model, the compound afforded protection comparable to that of ketoconazole.

The sea pansy Renilla reniformis luciferase serves as a sensitive bioluminescent reporter for differential gene expression in Candida albicans

The infectious yeast Candida albicans progresses through two developmental programs which involve differential gene expression, the bud-hypha transition and high-frequency phenotypic switching. To understand how differentially expressed genes are regulated in this organism, the promoters of phase-specific genes must be functionally characterized, and a bioluminescent reporter system would facilitate such characterization. However, C. albicans has adopted a nontraditional codon strategy that involves a tRNA with a CAG anticodon to decode the codon CUG as serine rather than leucine. Since the luciferase gene of the sea pansy Renilla reinformis contains no CUGs, we have used it to develop a highly sensitive bioluminescent reporter system for C. albicans. When fused to the galactose-inducible promoter of GAL1, luciferase activity is inducible; when fused to the constitutive EF1 alpha 2 promoter, luciferase activity is constitutive; and when fused to the promoter of the white-phase-specific gene WH11 or the opaque-phase-specific gene OP4, luciferase activity is phase specific. The Renilla luciferase system can, therefore, be used as a bioluminescent reporter to analyze the strength and developmental regulation of C. albicans promoters.

Regulation of profilin localization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by phosphoinositide metabolism

Profilin is an actin- and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-binding protein that plays a role in the organization of the cytoskeleton and may be involved in growth factor signaling pathways. The subcellular localization of profilin was examined in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Immunoblot analysis showed that profilin was localized in both the plasma membrane and cytosolic fractions of the cell. Actin was bound to the profilin localized in the cytosol. The association of profilin with the membrane was peripheral and mediated through interaction with phospholipid. The phospholipid dependence of profilin for membrane binding was examined in vitro using pure profilin and defined unilamellar phospholipid vesicles. The presence of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in phospholipid vesicles was required for maximum profilin binding. Moreover, the binding of profilin to phospholipid vesicles was dependent on the surface concentration of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. The subcellular localization of profilin was examined in vivo under growth conditions (i.e. inositol starvation of ino1 cells and glucose starvation of respiratory deficient cells) where plasma membrane levels of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate were depleted. Depletion of plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate levels resulted in a translocation of profilin from the plasma membrane to the cytosolic fraction. Profilin translocated back to the membrane fraction from the cytosol under growth conditions where plasma membrane levels of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate were replenished. These results suggested that phosphoinositide metabolism played a role in the localization of profilin.

Characterization of the Candida albicans TRP1 gene and construction of a homozygous trp1 mutant by sequential co-transformation

The Candida albicans TRP1 gene has been isolated by complementation of an Escherichia coli trpC mutant. Sequence analysis has revealed a single ORF (open reading frame) of 678 nucleotides (nt). The amino acid (aa) sequence deduced from this coding region demonstrates a high degree of homology with PRAI (phosphoribosylanthranilate isomerase) enzymes of other fungi, as well as bacterial species. The gene is also analogous to other yeast TRP1 genes in that it encodes a unifunctional enzyme, whereas TRP1 in filamentous fungi encodes a tri-functional enzyme. Both chromosomal copies of the gene were disrupted by sequential integrative transformation employing co-transformation of an ade1 mutant in order to create a homozygous auxotrophic trp1,ade1 C. albicans strain. This double auxotroph was used to test the ability of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae TRP1 gene to complement the C. albicans trp1 mutation; no expression of the S. cerevisiae gene was detectable.

Isolation and sequence of the t-RNA ligase-encoding gene of Candida albicans

The gene encoding tRNA ligase from Candida albicans was isolated from a genomic library by complementation of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain containing a disrupted structural gene, RLG1, encoding tRNA ligase. The cloned gene also complements a temperature-sensitive allele of RLG1. Sequence analysis revealed a single 2499-nt coding region. The gene encodes a protein of 833 amino acids that is 42% identical to S. cerevisiae tRNA ligase. Hybridization to chromosomes of C. albicans separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis located the gene to chromosome 1, the smallest C. albicans chromosome.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the Candida albicans enolase gene

A DNA clone containing the putative Candida albicans enolase gene (ENO1) was isolated from a genomic DNA library. The sequenced insert contained a continuous open reading frame of 1,320 bp. The predicted 440-amino-acid protein is 78 and 76% identical, respectively, to Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase proteins 1 and 2. Only one enolase gene could be detected in C. albicans genomic DNA by Southern analysis with a homologous probe. Northern (RNA) analysis detected a single, abundant C. albicans ENO1 transcript of approximately 1,600 nucleotides. When cells were grown on glucose, levels of ENO1 mRNA were markedly increased by comparison with ENO1 mRNA levels in cells grown on ethanol, a gluconeogenic carbon source. In contrast to this glucose-mediated transcriptional induction, the carbon source had no dramatic effect on the levels of enolase protein or enzyme activity in the C. albicans strains tested. These results suggest that posttranscriptional mechanisms are responsible for modulating expression of the C. albicans enolase gene.

Identification, characterization and sequence of Candida albicans repetitive DNAs Rel-1 and Rel-2

Two moderately repetitive DNA elements, Rel-1 and Rel-2, were identified in a screen for clones that hybridized to a Candida albicans minichromosome. Rel-1, a 223-bp sequence, is C. albicans-specific. The 2789-bp Rel-2 sequence hybridizes weakly to C. stellatoidia DNA but not to DNA from several other yeast species. Genomic Southern-blot analysis indicated that Rel-1 and Rel-2 are often closely associated in the genome, suggesting that they may be subsequences of a larger repetitive element. Small subrepeats are located in the nucleotide sequence of both clones. Hybridization demonstrated that Rel-2 contains both repetitive and unique DNA sequences. The repetitive DNA is present on most, and perhaps all, C. albicans chromosomes. The unique sequence maps to chromosome 7; however, in some strains, it is also present on additional chromosomes.

DNA translocations contribute to chromosome length polymorphisms in Candida albicans

Rotating-gel electrophoresis and DNA hybridization were used to compare the electrophoretic karyotype of six Candida albicans isolates. The hybridization pattern for 22 cloned sequences, including eight previously unmapped genes, indicates that there are eight pair of homologous chromosomes in each strain. However, since homologous chromosomes can differ in length, it is possible to resolve more than eight bands in some strains. The mapping data demonstrate that linkage groups are generally conserved suggesting that, in spite of gross karyotype differences, there is an underlying similarity in the genome organization of different isolates. The hybridization data also provide direct evidence that DNA translocations and reciprocal translocations contribute to chromosome length polymorphisms in C. albicans.

Direct selection of galactokinase-negative mutants of Candida albicans using 2-deoxy-galactose

The galactose analogue 2-deoxy-galactose (2DG) has been widely used to select for mutations in the gene encoding the galactose pathway enzyme galactokinase (GalK). We have tested the effect of 2DG on Candida albicans to see if it could be used to obtain GalK- mutants in this diploid asexual yeast. 2DG was shown to be toxic to wild-type cells. Enzyme assays demonstrated that 2DG can induce GalK as efficiently as galactose. Examination of the initial rate of galactose uptake indicated that the galactose transport system is constitutive. 2DG-resistant mutants were isolated from mutagenized cultures and shown to have very low levels of GalK activity. The potential genetic applications of this system of direct mutant selection are discussed.

Repeated use of GAL1 for gene disruption in Candida albicans

A technique which has the potential to allow repeated use of the same selectable marker to create gene disruptions in Candida albicans has been developed. In this approach, originally described for Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the selectable marker is flanked by direct repeats. Mitotic recombination between these repeats leads to elimination of the selectable marker. A module in which the GALq1 gene is flanked by direct repeats of the bacterial CAT gene was constructed and used to disrupt one copy of the URA3 gene in a gal1 mutant. Gal- revertants were selected by plating on 2-deoxy-D-galactose (2DOG). The frequency of 2DOG-resistant colonies recovered was 20 times higher than that obtained with a similar construct not flanked by direct repeats. Of these, 20% had lost the GAL1 gene by recombination between the direct repeats. The GAL1 gene was used again to disrupt the remaining wild-type copy of the URA3 gene of one of these gal1 isolates, resulting in a stable ura3 mutant. This technique should be generally applicable to derive homozygous gene disruptions in this diploid organism.

Secretion of N-glycosylated interleukin-1 beta in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a leader peptide from Candida albicans. Effect of N-linked glycosylation on biological activity

Human interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) is expressed in activated monocytes as a 31-kDa precursor protein which is processed and secreted as a mature, unglycosylated 17-kDa carboxyl-terminal fragment, despite the fact that it contains a potential N-linked glycosylation site near the NH2 terminus (-Asn7-Cys8-Thr9-). cDNA coding for authentic mature IL-1 beta was fused to the signal sequence from the Candida albicans glucoamylase gene, two amino acids downstream from the signal processing site. Upon expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, approximately equimolar amounts of N-glycosylated (22 kDa) and unglycosylated (17 kDa) IL-1 beta protein were secreted. The N-glycosylated yeast recombinant IL-1 beta exhibited a 5-7-fold lower specific activity compared to the unglycosylated species. The mechanism responsible for inefficient glycosylation was also studied. We found no differences in secretion kinetics or processing between the two extracellular forms of IL-1 beta. The 17-kDa protein, which was found to lack core sugars, does not result from deglycosylation of the 22-kDa protein in vivo and does not result from saturation of the glycosylation enzymatic machinery through overexpression. Alteration of the uncommon Cys8 residue in the -Asn-X-Ser/Thr-glycosylation site to Ser also had no effect. However, increasing the distance between Asn7 and the signal processing site increased the extent of core N-linked glycosylation, suggesting a reduction in glycosylation efficiency near the NH2 terminus.

Analysis of a Candida albicans gene that encodes a novel mechanism for resistance to benomyl and methotrexate

The pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans, is insensitive to the anti-mitotic drug, benomyl, and to the dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor, methotrexate. Genes responsible for the intrinsic drug resistance were sought by transforming Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a yeast sensitive to both drugs, with genomic C. albicans libraries and screening on benomyl or methotrexate. Restriction analysis of plasmids isolated from benomyl- and methotrexate-resistant colonies indicated that both phenotypes were encoded by the same DNA fragment. Sequence analysis showed that the fragments were nearly identical and contained a long open reading frame of 1694 bp (ORF1) and a small ORF of 446 bp (ORF2) within ORF1 on the opposite strand. By site-directed mutagenesis, it was shown that ORF1 encoded both phenotypes. The protein had no sequence similarity to any known proteins, including beta-tubulin, dihydrofolate reductase, and the P-glycoprotein of the multi-drug resistance family. The resistance gene was detected in several C. albicans strains and in C. stellatoidea by DNA hybridization and by the polymerase chain reaction.

Functional expression of the Candida albicans beta-tubulin gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Expression of the beta-tubulin-encoding gene (TUB2) of Candida albicans has been examined in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Overexpression of the TUB2 gene of C. albicans, as well as that of S. cerevisiae, was found to be lethal. Chromosomal integration of the C. albicans TUB2 gene into a strain in which the native TUB2 gene had been deleted led to functional complementation. The results demonstrate that correct splicing of the two introns present in the C. albicans TUB2 gene occurs in the heterologous host strain containing this gene. Such strains are supersensitive to the tubulin-binding agent benomyl, indicating that the natural resistance of C. albicans to benomyl is not related to the structure of its beta-tubulin.

Increasing gene expression in yeast by fusion to ubiquitin

Heterologous gene expression in yeast can be increased up to several hundred-fold by expressing a foreign gene as a fusion to the ubiquitin gene. An endogenous yeast endoprotease (Ub-Xase) removes the ubiquitin from the fusion product to produce the authentic protein. The utility of this technique has been demonstrated by expression of three different proteins in yeast as both unfused and ubiquitin-fused forms: 1) the alpha subunit of the mammalian stimulating G-protein of the adenylate cyclase complex (Gs alpha); 2) a soluble fragment of the T cell receptor protein (sCD4); and 3) the protease domain of human urokinase (UKP). The sequence specificity of the Ub-Xase was demonstrated by mutagenesis of the carboxyl-terminal glycine of ubiquitin to an alanine, which inhibited ubiquitin removal in vivo. Processing of the ubiquitin-Gs alpha fusion protein (ub-Gs alpha) in vivo resulted in Gs alpha which could be reconstituted in mammalian membrane preparations and had the same specific activity as the authentic Gs alpha expressed in yeast. The yeast Ub-Xase has also been shown to work in vitro by the processing of a ub-sCD4 fusion protein synthesized in Escherichia coli. This technology should greatly enhance the utility of yeast for heterologous protein production.

Assignment of cloned genes to the seven electrophoretically separated Candida albicans chromosomes

By using orthogonal-field alternating gel electrophoresis (OFAGE), field-inversion gel electrophoresis (FIGE), and contour-clamped homogeneous field gel electrophoresis (CHEF), we have clearly resolved 11 chromosomal bands from various Candida albicans strains. OFAGE resolves the smaller chromosomes better, while FIGE, which under our conditions causes the chromosomes to run in the reverse order of OFAGE, is more effective in separating the larger chromosomes. CHEF separates all chromosomes under some conditions, but these conditions do not often resolve homologs. The strains examined are highly polymorphic for chromosome size. Fourteen cloned Candida genes, isolated on the basis of conferral of new properties to or complementation of auxotrophic deficiencies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and three sequences of unknown function have been hybridized to Southern transfers of CHEF, FIGE, and OFAGE gels. Four sets of resolvable bands have been shown to be homologous chromosomes. On the basis of these data, we suggest that C. albicans has seven chromosomes. Genes have been assigned to the seven chromosomes. Two chromosomes identified genetically have been located on the electrophoretic karyotype.

A review of a rural Saskatchewan obstetric service

In a six-year retrospective audit of 405 obstetric cases managed in a small rural Saskatchewan hospital, it was demonstrated that proper patient selection leads to excellent outcomes. The standards of practice were shown to be concordant with similar practices in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Isolation and characterization of a beta-tubulin gene from Candida albicans

We report the isolation and nucleotide sequence determination of a beta-tubulin gene (TUB2) from the pathogenic dimorphic fungus Candida albicans. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that TUB2 encodes a protein of 449 amino acids (aa) with considerable sequence homology to beta-tubulins isolated from other fungal species. The nucleotide sequence of the C. albicans gene is 70% homologous to that of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene. The coding region for the C. albicans beta-tubulin gene is interrupted by two introns. The first intron occurs after the 4th aa and the second intron occurs after the 13th aa. A comparison with other fungal beta-tubulin genes indicates that the intron locations are highly conserved. Codon usage in the C. albicans TUB2 gene is nonrandom, as has been observed for other fungal beta-tubulin genes. The C. albicans TUB2 gene is transcribed to yield a 1.8-kb mRNA species. On the basis of genomic Southern-blot analysis, we conclude that C. albicans most likely possesses a single beta-tubulin gene.

A vector for construction of gene libraries and the expression of heterologous genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have constructed a convenient new vector, YEp-DE, for the construction of gene libraries and the expression of heterologous genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The vector contains the yeast LEU2 gene, the 2 mu origin of replication, and a region from pUC18 that includes the ampr gene, the Escherichia coli origin of replication (ori), and the LacZ gene with multiple cloning sites. Five sites (Sac1, Sma1, BamH1, Sal1, Sph1) in this region are unique. This vector has advantages over similar yeast-E. coli shuttle vectors: small size (7291 bp, entirely sequenced), convenient cloning sites, and lacZ selection for detecting recombinant plasmids.

Yeast metallothionein function in metal ion detoxification

A genetic approach was taken to test the function of yeast metallothionein in metal ion detoxification. A yeast strain was constructed in which the metallothionein locus was deleted (cup1 delta). The cup1 delta strain was complemented with normal or mutant metallothionein genes under normal or constitutive regulatory control on high copy episomal plasmids. Metal resistance of the cup1 delta strain with and without the metallothionein-expressing vectors was analyzed. The normally regulated metallothionein gene conferred resistance only to copper (1000-fold); constitutively expressed metallothionein conferred resistance to both copper (500-fold) and cadmium (1000-fold), but not to mercury, zinc, silver, cobalt, nickel, gold, platinum, lanthanum, uranium, or tin. Two mutant versions of the metallothionein gene were constructed and tested for their ability to confer metal resistance in the cup1 delta background. The first had a deletion of a highly conserved amino acid sequence (Lys-Lys-Ser-Cys-Cys-Ser). The second was a hybrid gene consisting of the sequences coding for the first 20 amino acids of the yeast protein fused to the monkey metallothionein gene. Expression of these genes under the CUP1 promoter provided significant protection from copper, but none of the other metals tested. These results demonstrate that there is significant flexibility in the structural requirements for metallothionein to function in copper detoxification and that yeast metallothionein is also capable of detoxifying cadmium under conditions of constitutive expression.

Regulation of the yeast metallothionein gene

To study regulation of the yeast CUP1 gene, we have employed plasmids containing the CUP1 regulatory sequences fused to the Escherichia coli galK gene. A comparison of galK expression from low- and high-copy-number CUP1/galK fusion plasmids demonstrated that both basal and induced levels of galactokinase (GalK) increase proportionately with plasmid copy number. Host strains with an amplified, single or deleted CUP1 locus were compared to look for effects of chromosomal CUP1 gene dosage on expression from the episomal CUP1 promoter. Basal GalK levels are similar in CUP1R and cupls hosts, but can be induced to higher levels in the cup1s than the CUP1R host. In contrast, in a strain deleted for the chromosomal copy of CUP1, synthesis of GalK is constitutive but can be induced to yet higher levels by copper. A hybrid vector, placing the CUP1 coding sequence under the control of a constitutive promoter, was constructed. Introduction of this hybrid CUP1 gene into the deletion host containing the CUP1/galK plasmid restores regulation. Thus, metallothionein, in trans, can effect repression of the CUP1 promoter. The possible roles of metallothionein and free copper in CUP1 regulation are discussed.

Isolation of genes from Candida albicans by complementation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A genomic library of the asexual pathogenic yeast Candida albicans was constructed in the S. cerevisiae vector YEp13. The library contains a representation of the entire genome with a probability of 99%. The expression of the genes of C. albicans in S. cerevisiae was examined and two mutations his3-1 and trp1-289 of S. cerevisiae were complemented by the cloned genes of C. albicans. The hybridization data indicates that the plasmids complementing the mutations of S. cerevisiae contain sequences from C. albicans.

Copper metallothionein of yeast, structure of the gene, and regulation of expression

Addition of copper to yeast cells leads to the induction of a low molecular weight, cysteine-rich protein that binds copper. This protein, termed copper chelatin or thionein, is related to the metallothionein family of proteins that are induced in response to cadmium and zinc in vertebrate cells. We have determined the structure of the yeast copper-binding protein by DNA sequence analysis of the gene. Although the 6573-dalton yeast protein is substantially divergent from vertebrate metallothioneins, the arrangement of 12 cysteine residues, which is a hallmark of metal-binding proteins, is partially conserved. We analyzed the regulatory DNA sequence of the gene by fusing it with the Escherichia coli galactokinase gene and assaying the levels of enzyme activity in yeast in response to copper. The transcriptional activation has a specific requirement for copper. Zinc, cadmium, and gold were unable to regulate the galactokinase activity. The yeast copper metallothionein regulatory sequences represent a previously unreported class of yeast promoter that is regulated by copper.

Isolation of Physarum DNA segments that support autonomous replication in yeast

Hybrid plasmids containint the bacterial resistance-transfer factor pBR322 and the yeast leu2+ gene have been used to isolate DNA fragments of Physarum that are capable of initiating DNA replication in a yeast host. Five of forty hybrid plasmids containint Physarum sequences transform leu2- yeast to Leu+ at high frequency. The resulting Leu+ transformants are characterized by phenotypic instability. Supercoiled plasmid molecules containing pBR322 sequences can be detected in the transformed yeast, indicating that the transforming DNA replicates autonomously. Plasmid DNA isolated from Leu+ yeast can transform leuB bacteria. The hybrid plasmid recovered from the Leu+ bacterial transformants is identical to the original plasmid, indicating structural integrity is maintained during passage through the yeast host. These hybrid plasmids containing Physarum sequences have the same characteristics as those containing autonomously replicating yeast chromosomal sequences. As the temporal sequence of DNA replication is particularly accessible to study in Physarum plasmodia, the functional significance of these segments should be amenable to study.

Anisomycin sensitive mutants of Physarum polycephalum isolated by cyst selection

The haploid myxamoebae of Physarum polycephalum reversibly differentiate to form dormant microcysts under conditions of starvation. The thin-walled cysts can be selective recovered from a cell suspension which has been treated with the surfactant Triton X-100 to lyse amoeboid forms. Excystment, which is initiated by suspension in liquid medium, is inhibited by antibiotics which block protein synthesis. Cysts of drug resistant mutants excyst rapidly in media containing sufficient antibiotic to maintain drug sensitive strains in the encysted state. The selective survival of non-excysted cells following Triton X-100 treatment has been employed to enrich for drug sensitive mutants. Several anisomycin sensitive mutants have been isolated, one of which has been analysed genetically. The possible applications of this mutant enrichment technique are discussed.

Indirect selection for auxotrophic mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the antibiotic netropsin

The small basic oligopeptide antibiotic, netropsin, can be successfully employed as an effective counterselecting agent in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The use of the drug results in approximately a 35-fold enrichment of auxotrophic mutants in a mutagenized culture of yeast. The experimental procedure is quite simple and less time consuming than other presently used methods for indirect mutant selection in yeast.