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Lian YL, Lin YC. The emerging tools for precisely manipulating microtubules. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 88:102360. [PMID: 38640790 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2024.102360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Cells generate a highly diverse microtubule network to carry out different activities. This network is comprised of distinct tubulin isotypes, tubulins with different post-translational modifications, and many microtubule-based structures. Defects in this complex system cause numerous human disorders. However, how different microtubule subtypes in this network regulate cellular architectures and activities remains largely unexplored. Emerging tools such as photosensitive pharmaceuticals, chemogenetics, and optogenetics enable the spatiotemporal manipulation of structures, dynamics, post-translational modifications, and cross-linking with actin filaments in target microtubule subtypes. This review summarizes the design rationale and applications of these new approaches and aims to provide a roadmap for researchers navigating the intricacies of microtubule dynamics and their post-translational modifications in cellular contexts, thereby opening new avenues for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Ling Lian
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Chun Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan; Department of Medical Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan.
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2
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Turan FB, Ercan ME, Firat-Karalar EN. A Chemically Inducible Organelle Rerouting Assay to Probe Primary Cilium Assembly, Maintenance, and Disassembly in Cultured Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2725:55-78. [PMID: 37856017 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3507-0_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The primary cilium is a conserved, microtubule-based organelle that protrudes from the surface of most vertebrate cells as well as sensory cells of many organisms. It transduces extracellular chemical and mechanical cues to regulate diverse cellular processes during development and physiology. Loss-of-function studies via RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knockouts have been the main tool for elucidating the functions of proteins, protein complexes, and organelles implicated in cilium biology. However, these methods are limited in studying acute spatiotemporal functions of proteins as well as the connection between their cellular positioning and functions. A powerful approach based on inducible recruitment of plus or minus end-directed molecular motors to the protein of interest enables fast and precise control of protein activity in time and in space. In this chapter, we present a chemically inducible heterodimerization method for functional perturbation of centriolar satellites, an emerging membrane-less organelle involved in cilium biogenesis and function. The method we present is based on rerouting of centriolar satellites to the cell center or the periphery in mammalian epithelial cells. We also describe how this method can be applied to study the temporal functions of centriolar satellites during primary cilium assembly, maintenance, and disassembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Basak Turan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - M Erdem Ercan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Elif Nur Firat-Karalar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
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3
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Abstract
mTORC1, the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1, is a key regulator of cellular physiology. The lipid metabolite phosphatidic acid (PA) binds to and activates mTORC1 in response to nutrients and growth factors. We review structural findings and propose a model for PA activation of mTORC1. PA binds to a highly conserved sequence in the α4 helix of the FK506 binding protein 12 (FKBP12)/rapamycin-binding (FRB) domain of mTOR. It is proposed that PA binding to two adjacent positively charged amino acids breaks and shortens the C-terminal region of helix α4. This has profound consequences for both substrate binding and the catalytic activity of mTORC1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Frias
- Department of Biology and Health Promotion, St. Francis College, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Ahmet Hatipoglu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10065, USA; Biochemistry Program, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - David A Foster
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10065, USA; Biochemistry Program, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA; Biology Program, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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Usami C, Inomata H. Rapalog-induced cell adhesion molecule inhibits mesoderm migration in Xenopus embryos by increasing frequency of adhesion to the ectoderm. Genes Cells 2022; 27:436-450. [PMID: 35437867 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
During the gastrula stage of Xenopus laevis, mesodermal cells migrate on the blastocoel roof (BCR) toward the animal pole. In this process, mesodermal cells directly adhere to the BCR via adhesion molecules, such as cadherins, which in turn trigger a repulsive reaction through factors such as Eph/ephrin. Therefore, the mesoderm and BCR repeatedly adhere to and detach from each other, and the frequency of this adhesion is thought to control mesoderm migration. Although knockdown of cadherin or Eph/ephrin causes severe gastrulation defects, these molecules have been reported to contribute not only to boundary formation but also to the internal function of each tissue. Therefore, it is possible that the defect caused by knockdown occurs due to tissue function abnormalities. To address this problem, we developed a method to specifically induce adhesion between different tissues using rapalog (an analog of rapamycin). When adhesion between the BCR and mesoderm was specifically enhanced by rapalog, mesoderm migration was strongly suppressed. Furthermore, we confirmed that rapalog significantly increased the frequency of adhesion between the two tissues. These results support the idea that the adhesion frequency controls mesoderm migration, and demonstrate that our method effectively enhances adhesion between specific tissues in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chisa Usami
- Axial Pattern Dynamics Team, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Kobe, Japan.,Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Hidehiko Inomata
- Axial Pattern Dynamics Team, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Kobe, Japan.,Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Japan
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Kim SB, Fujii R, Miller S, Tanabe M. Molecular Tension Probe for In Vitro Bioassays. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2524:91-103. [PMID: 35821465 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2453-1_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cell-free bioassays (CFBs) provide their own distinctive merits over cell-based bioassays (CBBs) including (i) rapid and on-site applicability, (ii) long-term utility, and (iii) bioanalytical versatility. The authors previously introduced a unique bioluminescent imaging probe for illuminating molecular tension appended by protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of interest. In this chapter, we exemplify that a full-length artificial luciferase is sandwiched between FRB (FKBP-rapamycin-binding domain of FKBP12-rapamycin-associated protein) and FKBP (FK506-binding protein) via minimal flexible linkers, named FRB-A23-FKBP. The rapamycin-activated PPIs between FRB and FKBP append molecular tension to the sandwiched luciferase, enhancing the enzymatic activity in a quantitative manner. The fusion protein, FRB-A23-FKBP, is three-step column-purified and the bioanalytical utility is characterized in various CFB conditions. This chapter guides the detailed protocols from the purification to the practical bioassays of FRB-A23-FKBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Bae Kim
- Environmental Management Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
| | - Rika Fujii
- Environmental Management Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Simon Miller
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Mikio Tanabe
- Structural Biology Research Center, Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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Chojnowski A, Werner H, Cook M, Sobota RM, Burke B, Stewart CL. Protein-Protein Interaction Mapping by 2C-BioID. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 84:e96. [PMID: 31483108 DOI: 10.1002/cpcb.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) add an essential layer of complexity to the information encoded by the genome. Modulation of such interactions is a key feature of most, if not all, cellular activities and allows cells to respond rapidly to both internal and external signals and stimuli. In this respect, the development of the BioID assay to interrogate PPIs within a cellular context represents an important adjunct to the range of tools currently at researchers' disposal. To address some of its current limitations, we devised 2C-BioID, in which biotin ligase and the protein of interest remain as separate entities until induced to associate. This is accomplished using the well-established FKBP-FRB dimerization system (based on the rapamycin-induced binding of FK506 binding protein and FKBP12-rapamycin binding domain.). The design of 2C-BioID ensures that biotin ligase association with the protein of interest occurs only after addition of the rapamycin analogue AP21967. As such, 2C-BioID alleviates potential targeting issues and improves the ability to exclude false positives, thereby refining the specificity of BioID-generated interactomes. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Chojnowski
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hendrikje Werner
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Matthew Cook
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Radoslaw M Sobota
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Institute of Molecular & Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Brian Burke
- Nuclear Dynamics and Architecture, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Colin L Stewart
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technical University, Singapore, Singapore
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Cermakova K, Hodges HC. Next-Generation Drugs and Probes for Chromatin Biology: From Targeted Protein Degradation to Phase Separation. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23081958. [PMID: 30082609 PMCID: PMC6102721 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23081958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin regulation is a critical aspect of nuclear function. Recent advances have provided detailed information about dynamic three-dimensional organization of chromatin and its regulatory factors. Mechanisms crucial for normal nuclear function and epigenetic control include compartmentalization of biochemical reactions by liquid-phase separated condensates and signal-dependent regulation of protein stability. Synthetic control of these phenomena by small molecules provides deep insight into essential activities such as histone modification, BAF (SWI/SNF) and PBAF remodeling, Polycomb repression, enhancer looping by cohesin and CTCF, as well as many other processes that contribute to transcription. As a result, a complete understanding of the spatiotemporal mechanisms that underlie chromatin regulation increasingly requires the use of fast-acting drugs and chemical probes. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of next-generation chemical biology tools to interrogate the chromatin regulatory landscape, including selective PROTAC E3 ubiquitin ligase degraders, degrons, fluorescent ligands, dimerizers, inhibitors, and other drugs. These small molecules provide important insights into the mechanisms that govern gene regulation, DNA repair, development, and diseases like cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Cermakova
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, and Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - H Courtney Hodges
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, and Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
- Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Alford SC, O'Sullivan C, Howard PL. Conditional Toxin Splicing Using a Split Intein System. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1495:197-216. [PMID: 27714618 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6451-2_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Protein toxin splicing mediated by split inteins can be used as a strategy for conditional cell ablation. The approach requires artificial fragmentation of a potent protein toxin and tethering each toxin fragment to a split intein fragment. The toxin-intein fragments are, in turn, fused to dimerization domains, such that addition of a dimerizing agent reconstitutes the split intein. These chimeric toxin-intein fusions remain nontoxic until the dimerizer is added, resulting in activation of intein splicing and ligation of toxin fragments to form an active toxin. Considerations for the engineering and implementation of conditional toxin splicing (CTS) systems include: choice of toxin split site, split site (extein) chemistry, and temperature sensitivity. The following method outlines design criteria and implementation notes for CTS using a previously engineered system for splicing a toxin called sarcin, as well as for developing alternative CTS systems.
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Abstract
Here we describe a method capable of identifying interactions between candidate trafficking proteins and a defined vesicle population in intact cells. The assay involves the expression of an FKBP12-rapamycin binding domain (FRB)-tagged candidate vesicle-binding protein that can be inducibly linked to an FKBP-tagged molecular motor. If the FRB-tagged candidate protein binds the labeled vesicles, then linking the FRB and FKBP domains recruits motors to the vesicles and causes a predictable, highly distinctive change in vesicle trafficking. We describe two versions of the assay: a general protocol for use in cells with a typical microtubule-organizing center and a specialized protocol designed to detect protein-vesicle interactions in cultured neurons. We have successfully used this assay to identify kinesins and Rabs that bind to a variety of different vesicle populations. In principle, this assay could be used to investigate interactions between any category of vesicle trafficking proteins and any vesicle population that can be specifically labeled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Bentley
- Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Gary Banker
- Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
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Ding L, Laor D, Weisman R, Forsburg SL. Rapid regulation of nuclear proteins by rapamycin-induced translocation in fission yeast. Yeast 2014; 31:253-64. [PMID: 24733494 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Revised: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic analysis of protein function requires a rapid means of inactivating the gene under study. Typically, this exploits temperature-sensitive mutations or promoter shut-off techniques. We report the adaptation to Schizosaccharomyces pombe of the anchor-away technique, originally designed in budding yeast by Laemmli lab. This method relies on a rapamycin-mediated interaction between the FRB- and FKBP12-binding domains to relocalize nuclear proteins of interest to the cytoplasm. We demonstrate a rapid nuclear depletion of abundant proteins as proof of principle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ding
- Molecular and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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