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Gomez RA, Dallai R, Sims-West DJ, Mercati D, Sinka R, Ahmed-Braimah Y, Pitnick S, Dorus S. Proteomic diversification of spermatostyles among six species of whirligig beetles. Mol Reprod Dev 2024; 91:e23745. [PMID: 38785179 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23745] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Seminal fluid protein composition is complex and commonly assumed to be rapidly divergent due to functional interactions with both sperm and the female reproductive tract (FRT), both of which evolve rapidly. In addition to sperm, seminal fluid may contain structures, such as mating plugs and spermatophores. Here, we investigate the evolutionary diversification of a lesser-known ejaculate structure: the spermatostyle, which has independently arisen in several families of beetles and true bugs. We characterized the spermatostyle proteome, in addition to spermatostyle and FRT morphology, in six species of whirligig beetles (family Gyrinidae). Spermatostyles were enriched for proteolytic enzymes, and assays confirmed they possess proteolytic activity. Sperm-leucylaminopeptidases (S-LAPs) were particularly abundant, and their localization to spermatostyles was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Although there was evidence for functional conservation of spermatostyle proteomes across species, phylogenetic regressions suggest evolutionary covariation between protein composition and the morphology of both spermatostyles and FRTs. We postulate that S-LAPs (and other proteases) have evolved a novel structural role in spermatostyles and discuss spermatostyles as adaptations for delivering male-derived materials to females.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Antonio Gomez
- Department of Biology, Center for Reproductive Evolution, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Dylan J Sims-West
- Department of Biology, Center for Reproductive Evolution, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - David Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Yasir Ahmed-Braimah
- Department of Biology, Center for Reproductive Evolution, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Scott Pitnick
- Department of Biology, Center for Reproductive Evolution, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Steve Dorus
- Department of Biology, Center for Reproductive Evolution, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
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Vedelek V, Bicskei P, Tábi M, Lajkó N, Ékes C, Bereczki K, Meixner-Csáti Z, Sinka R, Vágvölgyi A, Zádori J. Endometrium development patterns and BMI groups among in vitro fertilization patients; prognostic aspects. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1379109. [PMID: 38737557 PMCID: PMC11082419 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1379109] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The impact of the obesity pandemic on female reproductive capability is a factor that needs to be investigated. In addition, the link between endometrial thickness and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes is contentious. Goal Our goal was to analyze the association among endometrium development, hormone levels, embryo quality, clinical pregnancy, anamnestic parameters, and body mass index (BMI) in women receiving IVF treatment. Patients and methods 537 participants undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles with successful oocyte retrieval were enrolled. Subjects were divided into four BMI based groups: underweight (UW; n=32), normal weight (NW; n=324), overweight (OW; n= 115), obesity (OB; n=66). Anthropometric and anamnestic parameters, characteristics of stimulation, endometrial thickness on the day of hCG injection, at puncture, at embryo transfer, FSH, LH, AMH, partner's age and the semen analysis indicators, embryo quality, clinical pregnancy, were recorded and analyzed. Support Vector Machine (SVM) was built to predict potential pregnancies based on medical data using 22 dimensions. Results In accordance with BMI categories, when examining pregnant/non-pregnant division, the average age of pregnant women was significantly lower in the UW (30.9 ± 4.48 vs. 35.3 ± 5.49 years, p=0.022), NW (34.2 ± 4.25 vs. 36.3 ± 4.84 years, p<0.001), and OW (33.8 ± 4.89 vs. 36.3 ± 5.31 years, p=0.009) groups. Considering FSH, LH, and AMH levels in each BMI category, a statistically significant difference was observed only in the NW category FSH was significantly lower (7.8 ± 2.99 vs. 8.6 ± 3.50 IU/L, p=0.032) and AMH (2.87 ± 2.40 vs. 2.28 ± 2.01 pmol/L, p=0.021) was higher in pregnant women. There were no further statistically significant differences observed between the pregnant and non-pregnant groups across any BMI categories, especially concerning endometrial development. Surprisingly, BMI and weight correlated negatively with FSH (r=-0.252, p<0.001; r=-0.206, p<0.001, respectively) and LH (r= -0.213, p<0.001; r= -0.195, p<0.001) in the whole population. SVM model average accuracy on predictions was 61.71%. Discussion A convincing correlation between endometrial thickness development and patients' BMI could not be substantiated. However, FSH and LH levels exhibited a surprising decreasing trend with increasing BMI, supporting the evolutionary selective role of nutritional status. Our SVM model outperforms previous models; however, to confidently predict the outcome of embryo transfer, further optimization is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Petra Bicskei
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Mariann Tábi
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Noémi Lajkó
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Csaba Ékes
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Kristóf Bereczki
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsófia Meixner-Csáti
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anna Vágvölgyi
- Department of Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - János Zádori
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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Vedelek V, Jankovics F, Zádori J, Sinka R. Mitochondrial Differentiation during Spermatogenesis: Lessons from Drosophila melanogaster. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3980. [PMID: 38612789 PMCID: PMC11012351 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073980] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Numerous diseases can arise as a consequence of mitochondrial malfunction. Hence, there is a significant focus on studying the role of mitochondria in cancer, ageing, neurodegenerative diseases, and the field of developmental biology. Mitochondria could exist as discrete organelles in the cell; however, they have the ability to fuse, resulting in the formation of interconnected reticular structures. The dynamic changes between these forms correlate with mitochondrial function and mitochondrial health, and consequently, there is a significant scientific interest in uncovering the specific molecular constituents that govern these transitions. Moreover, the specialized mitochondria display a wide array of variable morphologies in their cristae formations. These inner mitochondrial structures are closely associated with the specific functions performed by the mitochondria. In multiple cases, the presence of mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to male sterility, as it has been observed to cause a range of abnormal spermatogenesis and sperm phenotypes in different species. This review aims to elucidate the dynamic alterations and functions of mitochondria in germ cell development during the spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Jankovics
- Institute of Genetics, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, 6726 Szeged, Hungary;
- Department of Medical Biology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical Centre, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - János Zádori
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical Centre, University of Szeged, 6723 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
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Datki Z, Darula Z, Vedelek V, Hunyadi-Gulyas E, Dingmann BJ, Vedelek B, Kalman J, Urban P, Gyenesei A, Galik-Olah Z, Galik B, Sinka R. Biofilm formation initiating rotifer-specific biopolymer and its predicted components. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127157. [PMID: 37778576 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127157] [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] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The rotifer-specific biopolymer, namely Rotimer, is a recently discovered group of the biomolecule family. Rotimer has an active role in the biofilm formation initiated by rotifers (e.g., Euchlanis dilatata or Adineta vaga) or in the female-male sexual interaction of monogononts. To understand the Ca2+- and polarity-dependent formation of this multifunctional viscoelastic material, it is essential to explore its molecular composition. The investigation of the rotifer-enhanced biofilm and Rotimer-inductor conglomerate (RIC) formation yielded several protein candidates to predict the Rotimer-specific main components. The exudate of E. dilatata males was primarily applied from different biopolimer-containing samples (biofilm or RIC). The advantage of males over females lies in their degenerated digestive system and simple anatomy. Thus, their exudate is less contaminated with food and endosymbiont elements. The sequenced and annotated genome and transcriptome of this species opened the way for identifying Rotimer proteins by mass spectrometry. The predicted rotifer-biopolymer forming components are SCO-spondins and 14-3-3 protein. The characteristics of Rotimer are similar to Reissner's fiber, which is found in the central nervous system of vertebrates and is mainly formed from SCO-spondins. This molecular information serves as a starting point for its interdisciplinary investigation and application in biotechnology, biomedicine, or neurodegeneration-related drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Datki
- Micro-In Vivo Biomolecule Research Laboratory, Competence Centre of the Life Sciences Cluster of the Centre of Excellence for Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation of the University of Szeged. Dugonics ter 13. H-6720, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Zsuzsanna Darula
- Single Cell Omics Advanced Core Facility, Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine, Szeged, Hungary; Proteomics Research Group, Core Facilities, Biological Research Centre, ELKH, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Viktor Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Kozep fasor 52, H-6726, Hungary
| | - Eva Hunyadi-Gulyas
- Proteomics Research Group, Core Facilities, Biological Research Centre, ELKH, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Brian J Dingmann
- Department of Math Science and Technology, University of Minnesota Crookston, 2900 University Avenue, Crookston, MN 56716, United States of America
| | - Balazs Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Kozep fasor 52, H-6726, Hungary
| | - Janos Kalman
- Department of Psychiatry, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Koranyi Fasor 8-10, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Peter Urban
- Szentagothai Research Center, Genomic and Bioinformatic Core Facility, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Attila Gyenesei
- Szentagothai Research Center, Genomic and Bioinformatic Core Facility, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Zita Galik-Olah
- Micro-In Vivo Biomolecule Research Laboratory, Competence Centre of the Life Sciences Cluster of the Centre of Excellence for Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation of the University of Szeged. Dugonics ter 13. H-6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Bence Galik
- Szentagothai Research Center, Genomic and Bioinformatic Core Facility, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Kozep fasor 52, H-6726, Hungary
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Vedelek V, Vedelek B, Lőrincz P, Juhász G, Sinka R. A comparative analysis of fruit fly and human glutamate dehydrogenases in Drosophila melanogaster sperm development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1281487. [PMID: 38020911 PMCID: PMC10652781 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1281487] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate dehydrogenases are enzymes that take part in both amino acid and energy metabolism. Their role is clear in many biological processes, from neuronal function to cancer development. The putative testis-specific Drosophila glutamate dehydrogenase, Bb8, is required for male fertility and the development of mitochondrial derivatives in spermatids. Testis-specific genes are less conserved and could gain new functions, thus raising a question whether Bb8 has retained its original enzymatic activity. We show that while Bb8 displays glutamate dehydrogenase activity, there are significant functional differences between the housekeeping Gdh and the testis-specific Bb8. Both human GLUD1 and GLUD2 can rescue the bb8 ms mutant phenotype, with superior performance by GLUD2. We also tested the role of three conserved amino acids observed in both Bb8 and GLUD2 in Gdh mutants, which showed their importance in the glutamate dehydrogenase function. The findings of our study indicate that Drosophila Bb8 and human GLUD2 could be novel examples of convergent molecular evolution. Furthermore, we investigated the importance of glutamate levels in mitochondrial homeostasis during spermatogenesis by ectopic expression of the mitochondrial glutamate transporter Aralar1, which caused mitochondrial abnormalities in fly spermatids. The data presented in our study offer evidence supporting the significant involvement of glutamate metabolism in sperm development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Balázs Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Hungarian Research Network, Biological Research Centre, Developmental Genetics Unit, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Péter Lőrincz
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Juhász
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Research Network, Biological Research Centre, Institute of Genetics, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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Réthi-Nagy Z, Ábrahám E, Sinka R, Juhász S, Lipinszki Z. Protein Phosphatase 4 Is Required for Centrobin Function in DNA Damage Repair. Cells 2023; 12:2219. [PMID: 37759442 PMCID: PMC10526779 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182219] [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] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome stability in human cells relies on the efficient repair of double-stranded DNA breaks, which is mainly achieved by homologous recombination (HR). Among the regulators of various cellular functions, Protein phosphatase 4 (PP4) plays a pivotal role in coordinating cellular response to DNA damage. Meanwhile, Centrobin (CNTRB), initially recognized for its association with centrosomal function and microtubule dynamics, has sparked interest due to its potential contribution to DNA repair processes. In this study, we investigate the involvement of PP4 and its interaction with CNTRB in HR-mediated DNA repair in human cells. Employing a range of experimental strategies, we investigate the physical interaction between PP4 and CNTRB and shed light on the importance of two specific motifs in CNTRB, the PP4-binding FRVP and the ATR kinase recognition SQ sequences, in the DNA repair process. Moreover, we examine cells depleted of PP4 or CNTRB and cells harboring FRVP and SQ mutations in CNTRB, which result in similar abnormal chromosome morphologies. This phenomenon likely results from the impaired resolution of Holliday junctions, which serve as crucial intermediates in HR. Taken together, our results provide new insights into the intricate mechanisms of PP4 and CNTRB-regulated HR repair and their interrelation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsánna Réthi-Nagy
- MTA SZBK Lendület Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Institute of Biochemistry, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (Z.R.-N.); (E.Á.)
- Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Edit Ábrahám
- MTA SZBK Lendület Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Institute of Biochemistry, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (Z.R.-N.); (E.Á.)
- National Laboratory for Biotechnology, Institute of Genetics, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - Szilvia Juhász
- Institute of Biochemistry, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Lipinszki
- MTA SZBK Lendület Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Institute of Biochemistry, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (Z.R.-N.); (E.Á.)
- National Laboratory for Biotechnology, Institute of Genetics, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
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7
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Szebenyi C, Gu Y, Gebremariam T, Kocsubé S, Kiss-Vetráb S, Jáger O, Patai R, Spisák K, Sinka R, Binder U, Homa M, Vágvölgyi C, Ibrahim AS, Nagy G, Papp T. cotH Genes Are Necessary for Normal Spore Formation and Virulence in Mucor lusitanicus. mBio 2023; 14:e0338622. [PMID: 36625576 PMCID: PMC9973265 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03386-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucormycosis is an invasive fungal infection caused by certain members of the fungal order of Mucorales. The species most frequently identified as the etiological agents of mucormycosis belong to the genera Rhizopus, Lichtheimia, and Mucor. The frequency of systemic mucormycosis has been increasing, mainly because of increasing numbers of susceptible patients. Furthermore, Mucorales display intrinsic resistance to the majority of routinely used antifungal agents (e.g., echinocandins and short-tailed azoles), which limits the number of possible therapeutic options. All the above-mentioned issues urge the improvement of molecular identification methods and the discovery of new antifungal targets and strategies. Spore coat proteins (CotH) constitute a kinase family present in many pathogenic bacteria and fungi and participate in the spore formation in these organisms. Moreover, some of them can act as virulence factors being receptors of the human GRP78 protein during Rhizopus delemar-induced mucormycosis. We identified 17 cotH-like genes in the Mucor lusitanicus genome database. Successful disruption of five cotH genes in Mucor was performed using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. The CotH3 and CotH4 proteins play a role in adaptation to different temperatures as well as in developing the cell wall structure. We also show CotH4 protein is involved in spore wall formation by affecting the total chitin content and, thus, the composition of the spore wall. The role of CotH3 and CotH4 proteins in virulence was confirmed in two invertebrate models and a diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) mouse model. IMPORTANCE Current treatment options for mucormycosis are inadequate, resulting in high mortality rates, especially among immunosuppressed patients. The development of novel therapies for mucormycosis has been hampered by lack of understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms. The importance of the cell surface CotH proteins in the pathogenesis of Rhizopus-mediated mucormycosis has been recently described. However, the contribution of this family of proteins to the virulence of other mucoralean fungi and their functionality in vital processes remain undefined. Through the use of the CRISPR-Case9 gene disruption system, we demonstrate the importance of several of the CotH proteins to the virulence of Mucor lusitanicus by using three infection models. We also report on the importance of one of these proteins, CotH4, to spore wall formation by affecting chitin content. Therefore, our studies extend the importance of CotH proteins to Mucor and identify the mechanism by which one of the CotH proteins contributes to the development of a normal fungal cell wall, thereby indicating that this family of proteins can be targeted for future development of novel therapeutic strategies of mucormycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csilla Szebenyi
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Yiyou Gu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
| | - Teclegiorgis Gebremariam
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
| | - Sándor Kocsubé
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Sándor Kiss-Vetráb
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Olivér Jáger
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Roland Patai
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Spisák
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Theoretical Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ulrike Binder
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mónika Homa
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Csaba Vágvölgyi
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ashraf S. Ibrahim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Gábor Nagy
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás Papp
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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8
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Abstract
There are numerous surprising discoveries in current comprehensive biopolymer research, including the description of new types of biopolymers and the extension of their applications. The discovery of a new rotifer-specific biopolymer family (Rotimers) and the exceptional ability of these micrometazoans to inactivate and catabolize human-type neurotoxic aggregates (e.g., beta-amyloids, alpha-synucleins, prions) by their exudates can be mentioned as the original work of our research group. Rotimers are exogenous and protein complex molecules with a calcium-dependent production mechanism in both bdelloid and monogonant rotifers. However, their experimental and application possibilities are still unknown; only part of the class has been explored and described. Current Rotimer-related studies present promising biodiversity and bioactivity of these biomaterials (e.g., antiand disaggregation effects or high degrees of adhesion to other molecules). The primary objective of current research is to explore and develop their application in translational biomedicine. A key area is the design of drug candidates against neurodegeneration-related aggregates based on the molecular information provided by the composition, structure and function of Rotimers. These novel biomaterials have the potential to open new perspectives in the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Datki
- Micro-In Vivo Research Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation Centre of Excellence, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Hungary
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9
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Rethi-Nagy Z, Abraham E, Udvardy K, Klement E, Darula Z, Pal M, Katona RL, Tubak V, Pali T, Kota Z, Sinka R, Udvardy A, Lipinszki Z. STABILON, a Novel Sequence Motif That Enhances the Expression and Accumulation of Intracellular and Secreted Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158168. [PMID: 35897744 PMCID: PMC9332151 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158168] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamic balance of transcriptional and translational regulation together with degron-controlled proteolysis shapes the ever-changing cellular proteome. While a large variety of degradation signals has been characterized, our knowledge of cis-acting protein motifs that can in vivo stabilize otherwise short-lived proteins is very limited. We have identified and characterized a conserved 13-mer protein segment derived from the p54/Rpn10 ubiquitin receptor subunit of the Drosophila 26S proteasome, which fulfills all the characteristics of a protein stabilization motif (STABILON). Attachment of STABILON to various intracellular as well as medically relevant secreted model proteins resulted in a significant increase in their cellular or extracellular concentration in mammalian cells. We demonstrate that STABILON acts as a universal and dual function motif that, on the one hand, increases the concentration of the corresponding mRNAs and, on the other hand, prevents the degradation of short-lived fusion proteins. Therefore, STABILON may lead to a breakthrough in biomedical recombinant protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Rethi-Nagy
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biochemistry, MTA SZBK Lendület Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, ELKH, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (Z.R.-N.); (E.A.); (K.U.); (M.P.)
- Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Edit Abraham
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biochemistry, MTA SZBK Lendület Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, ELKH, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (Z.R.-N.); (E.A.); (K.U.); (M.P.)
| | - Katalin Udvardy
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biochemistry, MTA SZBK Lendület Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, ELKH, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (Z.R.-N.); (E.A.); (K.U.); (M.P.)
| | - Eva Klement
- Single Cell Omics Advanced Core Facility, Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine (HCEMM), H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (E.K.); (Z.D.)
- Biological Research Centre, Laboratory of Proteomics Research, ELKH, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Darula
- Single Cell Omics Advanced Core Facility, Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine (HCEMM), H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (E.K.); (Z.D.)
- Biological Research Centre, Laboratory of Proteomics Research, ELKH, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Margit Pal
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biochemistry, MTA SZBK Lendület Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, ELKH, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (Z.R.-N.); (E.A.); (K.U.); (M.P.)
| | | | - Vilmos Tubak
- Creative Laboratory Ltd., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - Tibor Pali
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, ELKH, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (T.P.); (Z.K.)
| | - Zoltan Kota
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, ELKH, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (T.P.); (Z.K.)
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (A.U.); (Z.L.)
| | - Andor Udvardy
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biochemistry, MTA SZBK Lendület Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, ELKH, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (Z.R.-N.); (E.A.); (K.U.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (A.U.); (Z.L.)
| | - Zoltan Lipinszki
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biochemistry, MTA SZBK Lendület Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, ELKH, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (Z.R.-N.); (E.A.); (K.U.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (A.U.); (Z.L.)
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10
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Datki Z, Sinka R, Galik B, Galik-Olah Z. Particle-dependent reproduction and exogenic biopolymer secretion of protozoa co-cultured rotifers. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 211:669-677. [PMID: 35588974 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.05.020] [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: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The rotifer-specific exogenic biopolymer, named Rotimer and its related molecular processes are affected by physical and chemical factors (e.g., temperature, pH or metal ions); however, the study of biological influences (e.g., the presence protozoa) concerning the particle-dependent reproduction (egg laying) and 'biopolymer producing capacity' (BPC) of rotifers is the objective of the present work. Non-planktonic rotifer species (Philodina acuticornis, Adineta vaga, Euchlanis dilatata, and Lecane bulla) were studied in paired micrometazoa-protozoa co-cultures involving Paramecium, Diplonema, and Amoeba. These protozoa can be beneficial food sources, enhancing reproduction, or even toxic factors for the above-mentioned animals, but can also function as particle-like mechanical stimulators. Furthermore, current studies reveal that bdelloids, similarly to monogonants, produce filamentous exudate; moreover, the body of bdelloids is covered by their exudate, unlike that of monogonants, especially in the case of A. vaga. A mathematical formula was developed as an improved version of a previously published viability marker to characterize the BPC and the relative amount of produced exudate in different conditions. Rotifer species secreting biopolymers appear to be a general trait indicating a common evolutionary background (e.g., calcium- and particle dependency) of such molecules; therefore, the BPC becomes an experiential sublethal influencing marker to these micrometazoans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Datki
- Micro-In Vivo Research Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation Centre of Excellence, University of Szeged, Dugonics ter 13. H-6720 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726, Hungary
| | - Bence Galik
- Bioinformatics Research Group, Bioinformatics and Sequencing Core Facility, Szentagothai Research Centre, University of Pecs, Ifjusag u. 20, H-7624 Pecs, Hungary; Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Medical University of Bialystok, ul.Jana Kilinskiego 1, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Zita Galik-Olah
- Micro-In Vivo Research Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation Centre of Excellence, University of Szeged, Dugonics ter 13. H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
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11
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Alzyoud E, Vedelek V, Réthi-Nagy Z, Lipinszki Z, Sinka R. Microtubule Organizing Centers Contain Testis-Specific γ-TuRC Proteins in Spermatids of Drosophila. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:727264. [PMID: 34660584 PMCID: PMC8511327 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.727264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubule nucleation in eukaryotes is primarily promoted by γ-tubulin and the evolutionary conserved protein complex, γ-Tubulin Ring Complex (γ-TuRC). γ-TuRC is part of the centrosome and basal body, which are the best-known microtubule-organizing centers. Centrosomes undergo intensive and dynamic changes during spermatogenesis, as they turn into basal bodies, a prerequisite for axoneme formation during spermatogenesis. Here we describe the existence of a novel, tissue-specific γ-TuRC in Drosophila. We characterize three genes encoding testis-specific components of γ-TuRC (t-γ-TuRC) and find that presence of t-γ-TuRC is essential to male fertility. We show the diverse subcellular distribution of the t-γ-TuRC proteins during post-meiotic development, at first at the centriole adjunct and then also on the anterior tip of the nucleus, and finally, they appear in the tail region, close to the mitochondria. We also prove the physical interactions between the t-γ-TuRC members, γ-tubulin and Mozart1. Our results further indicate heterogeneity in γ-TuRC composition during spermatogenesis and suggest that the different post-meiotic microtubule organizing centers are orchestrated by testis-specific gene products, including t-γ-TuRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Alzyoud
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Faculty of Science and Informatics, Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Viktor Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsánna Réthi-Nagy
- Faculty of Science and Informatics, Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biochemistry, MTA SZBK Lendület Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Lipinszki
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biochemistry, MTA SZBK Lendület Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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12
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Abstract
Candida infections are the most prevalent cause of serious human mycoses and are the third most common pathogens isolated from bloodstream infections in hospitalized patients. C. parapsilosis is a member of the non-albicans spp., which have a predilection for causing life-threatening disease in neonates and hospitalized pediatric patients. In this study, we utilized a Drosophila melanogaster infection model to analyze the immunological responses to C. parapsilosis. Our results demonstrate that the Toll pathway in Drosophila controls C. parapsilosis proliferation as the Toll signaling mutant MyD88-/- flies are highly susceptible to C. parapsilosis. We also confirmed that the MyD88-/- fly is a convenient invertebrate animal model to analyze virulence properties of different species and strains from the C. parapsilosis sensu lato complex as C. orthopsilosis, C. metapsilosis proved to be less virulent than C. parapsilosis sensu stricto and the N-mannan deficient C. parapsilosis och1Δ/Δ strain showed attenuated pathogenicity in this immunodeficient Drosophila background. We also found that Persephone protease is not required for detection and activation of Toll pathway during C. parapsilosis infection. Furthermore, we observed that Drosophila β-glucan receptor deficient flies where more sensitive to C. parapsilosis compared to wild-type flies; however, we could not find a clear dependence on the recognition of this receptor and the cell wall β-glucan exposure-induced host response. These studies establish this D. melanogaster infection model as an efficient tool in deciphering immune responses to C. parapsilosis as well as for assessing virulence factors produced by this emerging fungal predator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Csonka
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Tasi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Viktor Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Csaba Vágvölgyi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Attila Gácser
- HCEMM-USZ, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,MTA-SZTE Lendület Mycobiome Research Group, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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13
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Vedelek V, Kovács AL, Juhász G, Alzyoud E, Sinka R. The tumor suppressor archipelago E3 ligase is required for spermatid differentiation in Drosophila testis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8422. [PMID: 33875704 PMCID: PMC8055871 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87656-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The human orthologue of the tumor suppressor protein FBW7 is encoded by the Drosophila archipelago (ago) gene. Ago is an F-box protein that gives substrate specificity to its SCF ubiquitin ligase complex. It has a central role in multiple biological processes in a tissue-specific manner such as cell proliferation, cellular differentiation, hypoxia-induced gene expression. Here we present a previously unknown tissue-specific role of Ago in spermatid differentiation. We identified a classical mutant of ago which is semi-lethal and male-sterile. During the characterization of ago function in testis, we found that ago plays role in spermatid development, following meiosis. We confirmed spermatogenesis defects by silencing ago by RNAi in testes. The ago mutants show multiple abnormalities in elongating and elongated spermatids, including aberration of the cyst morphology, malformed mitochondrial structures, and individualization defects. Additionally, we determined the subcellular localization of Ago protein with mCherry-Ago transgene in spermatids. Our findings highlight the potential roles of Ago in different cellular processes of spermatogenesis, like spermatid individualization, and regulation of mitochondrial morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Attila L Kovács
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Lóránd University of Science, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Juhász
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Lóránd University of Science, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Elham Alzyoud
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
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14
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Bajusz C, Kristó I, Abonyi C, Venit T, Vedelek V, Lukácsovich T, Farkas A, Borkúti P, Kovács Z, Bajusz I, Marton A, Vizler C, Lipinszki Z, Sinka R, Percipalle P, Vilmos P. The nuclear activity of the actin-binding Moesin protein is necessary for gene expression in Drosophila. FEBS J 2021; 288:4812-4832. [PMID: 33606336 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin (ERM) proteins play an essential role in the cytoplasm by cross-linking actin filaments with plasma membrane proteins. Research has identified the nuclear localization of ERMs, as well as the involvement of a single Drosophila ERM protein, Moesin, in nuclear mRNA exports. However, the question of how important the nuclear activity of ERM proteins are for the life of an organism has so far not been explored. Here, we present the first attempt to reveal the in vivo relevance of nuclear localization of Moesin in Drosophila. With the help of a nuclear export signal, we decreased the amount of Moesin in the nuclei of the animals. Furthermore, we observed various developmental defects, demonstrating the importance of ERM function in the nucleus for the first time. Transcriptome analysis of the mutant flies revealed that the lack of nuclear Moesin function leads to expression changes in nearly 700 genes, among them heat-shock genes. This result together with additional findings revealed that in Drosophila the expression of protein chaperones requires the nuclear functions of Moesin. DATABASE: GEO accession number: GSE155778.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csaba Bajusz
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary.,Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ildikó Kristó
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Csilla Abonyi
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tomáš Venit
- Biology Program, Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | | | | | - Attila Farkas
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Péter Borkúti
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary.,Doctoral School of Multidisciplinary Medical Science, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Kovács
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary.,Doctoral School of Multidisciplinary Medical Science, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Izabella Bajusz
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Annamária Marton
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Csaba Vizler
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Lipinszki
- Lendület Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, ELKH, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Piergiorgio Percipalle
- Biology Program, Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, UAE.,Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Sweden
| | - Péter Vilmos
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
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15
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Jipa A, Vedelek V, Merényi Z, Ürmösi A, Takáts S, Kovács AL, Horváth GV, Sinka R, Juhász G. Analysis of Drosophila Atg8 proteins reveals multiple lipidation-independent roles. Autophagy 2020; 17:2565-2575. [PMID: 33249988 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2020.1856494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Yeast Atg8 and its homologs are involved in autophagosome biogenesis in all eukaryotes. These are the most widely used markers for autophagy thanks to the association of their lipidated forms with autophagic membranes. The Atg8 protein family expanded in animals and plants, with most Drosophila species having two Atg8 homologs. In this Brief Report, we use clear-cut genetic analysis in Drosophila melanogaster to show that lipidated Atg8a is required for autophagy, while its non-lipidated form is essential for developmentally programmed larval midgut elimination and viability. In contrast, expression of Atg8b is restricted to the male germline and its loss causes male sterility without affecting autophagy. We find that high expression of non-lipidated Atg8b in the male germline is required for fertility. Consistent with these non-canonical functions of Atg8 proteins, loss of Atg genes required for Atg8 lipidation lead to autophagy defects but do not cause lethality or male sterility.
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Affiliation(s)
- András Jipa
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary.,Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Viktor Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Merényi
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Adél Ürmösi
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary.,Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Szabolcs Takáts
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila L Kovács
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor V Horváth
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor Juhász
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary.,Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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16
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Homa M, Galgóczy L, Manikandan P, Narendran V, Sinka R, Csernetics Á, Vágvölgyi C, Kredics L, Papp T. South Indian Isolates of the Fusarium solani Species Complex From Clinical and Environmental Samples: Identification, Antifungal Susceptibilities, and Virulence. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1052. [PMID: 29875757 PMCID: PMC5974209 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) are the most frequently isolated fusaria from soil. Moreover, this complex solely affects more than 100 plant genera, and is also one of the major opportunistic human pathogenic filamentous fungi, being responsible for approximately two-third of fusariosis cases. Mycotic keratitis due to Fusarium species is among the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness in South India, but its management is still challenging due to the poor susceptibility of the isolates to conventional antifungal drugs. Aims of the present study were to isolate South Indian clinical and environmental FSSC strains and identify them to species level, to determine the actual trends in their susceptibilities to antifungal therapeutic drugs and to compare the virulence of clinical and environmental FSSC members. Based on the partial sequences of the translation elongation factor 1α gene, the majority of the isolates-both from keratomycosis and environment-were confirmed as F. falciforme, followed by F. keratoplasticum and F. solani sensu stricto. In vitro antifungal susceptibilities to commonly used azole, allylamine and polyene antifungals were determined by the CLSI M38-A2 broth microdilution method. The first generation triazoles, fluconazole and itraconazole proved to be ineffective against all isolates tested. This phenomenon has already been described before, as fusaria are intrinsically resistant to them. However, our results indicated that despite the intensive agricultural use of azole compounds, fusaria have not developed resistance against the imidazole class of antifungals. In order to compare the virulence of different FSSC species from clinical and environmental sources, a Drosophila melanogaster model was used. MyD88 mutant flies having impaired immune responses were highly susceptible to all the examined fusaria. In wild-type flies, one F. falciforme and two F. keratoplasticum strains also reduced the survival significantly. Pathogenicity seemed to be independent from the origin of the isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónika Homa
- MTA-SZTE "Lendület" Fungal Pathogenicity Mechanisms Research Group, Szeged, Hungary.,Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Galgóczy
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Palanisamy Manikandan
- Aravind Eye Hospital and Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Coimbatore, India.,Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia.,Greenlink Analytical and Research Laboratory India Private Limited, Coimbatore, India
| | | | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Árpád Csernetics
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Csaba Vágvölgyi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Kredics
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás Papp
- MTA-SZTE "Lendület" Fungal Pathogenicity Mechanisms Research Group, Szeged, Hungary.,Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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17
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Jankovics F, Bence M, Sinka R, Faragó A, Bodai L, Pettkó-Szandtner A, Ibrahim K, Takács Z, Szarka-Kovács AB, Erdélyi M. Drosophila small ovary gene is required for transposon silencing and heterochromatin organisation and ensures germline stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Development 2018; 145:dev.170639. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.170639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells is one of the fundamental biological phenomena relying on proper chromatin organisation. In our study, we describe a novel chromatin regulator encoded by the Drosophila small ovary (sov) gene. We demonstrate that sov is required in both the germline stem cells (GSCs) and the surrounding somatic niche cells to ensure GSC survival and differentiation. Sov maintains niche integrity and function by repressing transposon mobility, not only in the germline, but also in the soma. Protein interactome analysis of Sov revealed an interaction between Sov and HP1a. In the germ cell nuclei, Sov co-localises with HP1a, suggesting that Sov affects transposon repression as a component of the heterochromatin. In a position effect variegation assay, we found a dominant genetic interaction between sov and HP1a, indicating their functional cooperation in promoting the spread of heterochromatin. An in vivo tethering assay and FRAP analysis revealed that Sov enhances heterochromatin formation by supporting the recruitment of HP1a to the chromatin. We propose a model in which sov maintains GSC niche integrity by regulating transposon silencing and heterochromatin formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Jankovics
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Melinda Bence
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anikó Faragó
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Bodai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Aladár Pettkó-Szandtner
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Karam Ibrahim
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsanett Takács
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - Miklós Erdélyi
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
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18
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Laurinyecz B, Péter M, Vedelek V, Kovács AL, Juhász G, Maróy P, Vígh L, Balogh G, Sinka R. Reduced expression of CDP-DAG synthase changes lipid composition and leads to male sterility in Drosophila. Open Biol 2016; 6:50169. [PMID: 26791243 PMCID: PMC4736822 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.150169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophila spermatogenesis is an ideal system to study the effects of changes in lipid composition, because spermatid elongation and individualization requires extensive membrane biosynthesis and remodelling. The bulk of transcriptional activity is completed with the entry of cysts into meiotic division, which makes post-meiotic stages of spermatogenesis very sensitive to even a small reduction in gene products. In this study, we describe the effect of changes in lipid composition during spermatogenesis using a hypomorphic male sterile allele of the Drosophila CDP-DAG synthase (CdsA) gene. We find that the CdsA mutant shows defects in spermatid individualization and enlargement of mitochondria and the axonemal sheath of the spermatids. Furthermore, we could genetically rescue the male sterile phenotype by overexpressing Phosphatidylinositol synthase (dPIS) in a CdsA mutant background. The results of lipidomic and genetic analyses of the CdsA mutant highlight the importance of correct lipid composition during sperm development and show that phosphatidic acid levels are crucial in late stages of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mária Péter
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Viktor Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Attila L Kovács
- Department of Anatomy, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Juhász
- Department of Anatomy, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Maróy
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Vígh
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor Balogh
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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19
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Vedelek V, Laurinyecz B, Kovács AL, Juhász G, Sinka R. Testis-Specific Bb8 Is Essential in the Development of Spermatid Mitochondria. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161289. [PMID: 27529784 PMCID: PMC4986964 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are essential organelles of developing spermatids in Drosophila, which undergo dramatic changes in size and shape after meiotic division, where mitochondria localized in the cytoplasm, migrate near the nucleus, aggregate, fuse and create the Nebenkern. During spermatid elongation the two similar mitochondrial derivatives of the Nebenkern start to elongate parallel to the axoneme. One of the elongated mitochondrial derivatives starts to lose volume and becomes the minor mitochondrial derivative, while the other one accumulates paracrystalline and becomes the major mitochondrial derivative. Proteins and intracellular environment that are responsible for cyst elongation and paracrystalline formation in the major mitochondrial derivative need to be identified. In this work we investigate the function of the testis specific big bubble 8 (bb8) gene during spermatogenesis. We show that a Minos element insertion in bb8 gene, a predicted glutamate dehydrogenase, causes recessive male sterility. We demonstrate bb8 mRNA enrichment in spermatids and the mitochondrial localisation of Bb8 protein during spermatogenesis. We report that megamitochondria develop in the homozygous mutant testes, in elongating spermatids. Ultrastructural analysis of the cross section of elongated spermatids shows enlarged mitochondria and the production of paracrystalline in both major and minor mitochondrial derivatives. Our results suggest that the Bb8 protein and presumably glutamate metabolism has a crucial role in the normal development and establishment of the identity of the mitochondrial derivatives during spermatid elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - Attila L Kovács
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Juhász
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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20
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Abstract
Protein recycling is important for maintaining homeostasis of the Golgi and its cisternae. The Vps54 (Scat) protein, a subunit of the GARP tethering complex, is a central factor in retrograde transport to the trans-Golgi. We found the scat1 mutant to be male sterile in Drosophila with individualization problems occurring during spermatogenesis. Another typically observed phenotype was the abnormal nuclear structure in elongated mutant cysts. When examining the structure and function of the Golgi, a failure in acrosome formation and endosome-Golgi vesicular transport were found in the scat1 mutant. This acrosome formation defect was due to a fault in the trans-Golgi side of the acroblast ribbon. When testing a mutation in a second retrograde transport protein, Fws, a subunit of the conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) tethering complex, the acroblast structure, was again disrupted. fwsP caused a similar, albeit milder, acrosome and sperm individualization phenotype as the scat1 mutant. In the case of fwsP the cis side of the acroblast ribbon was dispersed, in-line with the intra-Golgi retrograde function of COG. Our results highlight the importance of an intact acroblast for acrosome formation, nuclear elongation and therefore sperm maturation. Moreover, these results suggest the importance of retrograde tethering complexes in the formation of a functional Golgi ribbon. Summary: This study demonstrates that retrograde tethering complexes are necessary to form a functional acroblast, which is essential for normal nuclear elongation and acrosome formation during Drosophila spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Fári
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged 6726, Hungary
| | - Sándor Takács
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged 6726, Hungary
| | - Dániel Ungár
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged 6726, Hungary
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21
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Wendler F, Gillingham AK, Sinka R, Rosa-Ferreira C, Gordon DE, Franch-Marro X, Peden AA, Vincent JP, Munro S. A genome-wide RNA interference screen identifies two novel components of the metazoan secretory pathway. EMBO J 2010; 29:304-14. [PMID: 19942856 PMCID: PMC2824459 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2009.350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2009] [Accepted: 11/02/2009] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic screens in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have identified many proteins involved in the secretory pathway, most of which have orthologues in higher eukaryotes. To investigate whether there are additional proteins that are required for secretion in metazoans but are absent from yeast, we used genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) to look for genes required for secretion of recombinant luciferase from Drosophila S2 cells. This identified two novel components of the secretory pathway that are conserved from humans to plants. Gryzun is distantly related to, but distinct from, the Trs130 subunit of the TRAPP complex but is absent from S. cerevisiae. RNAi of human Gryzun (C4orf41) blocks Golgi exit. Kish is a small membrane protein with a previously uncharacterised orthologue in yeast. The screen also identified Drosophila orthologues of almost 60% of the yeast genes essential for secretion. Given this coverage, the small number of novel components suggests that contrary to previous indications the number of essential core components of the secretory pathway is not much greater in metazoans than in yeasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Wendler
- MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London, UK
| | | | - Rita Sinka
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - David E Gordon
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Andrew A Peden
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Sean Munro
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
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22
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Hirst J, Sahlender DA, Choma M, Sinka R, Harbour ME, Parkinson M, Robinson MS. Spatial and Functional Relationship of GGAs and AP-1 inDrosophilaand HeLa Cells. Traffic 2009; 10:1696-710. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0854.2009.00983.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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23
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Abstract
Vesicles and other carriers destined for the Golgi apparatus must be guided to the correct cisternae. Golgins, long coiled-coil proteins that localize to particular Golgi subdomains via their C termini, are candidate regulators of vesicle sorting. In this study, we report that the GRIP domain golgins, whose C termini bind the Arf-like 1 G protein on the trans-Golgi, can also bind four members of the Rab family of G proteins. The Rab2-, Rab6-, Rab19-, and Rab30-binding sites are within the coiled-coil regions that are not required for Golgi targeting. Binding sites for two of these Rabs are also present on two coiled-coil proteins of the cis-Golgi, the Drosophila melanogaster orthologues of GM130 and GMAP-210. We suggest an integrated model for a tentacular Golgi in which coiled-coil proteins surround the Golgi to capture and retain Rab-containing membranes, excluding other structures such as ribosomes. Binding sites for diverse Rabs could ensure that incoming carriers are captured on first contact and moved to their correct destination within the stack.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Sinka
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England, UK
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24
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Chen F, Archambault V, Kar A, Lio' P, D'Avino PP, Sinka R, Lilley K, Laue ED, Deak P, Capalbo L, Glover DM. Multiple protein phosphatases are required for mitosis in Drosophila. Curr Biol 2007; 17:293-303. [PMID: 17306545 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2007.01.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2006] [Revised: 12/19/2006] [Accepted: 01/24/2007] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately one-third of the Drosophila kinome has been ascribed some cell-cycle function. However, little is known about which of its 117 protein phosphatases (PPs) or subunits have counteracting roles. RESULTS We investigated mitotic roles of PPs through systematic RNAi. We found that G(2)-M progression requires Puckered, the JNK MAP-kinase inhibitory phosphatase and PP2C in addition to string (Cdc25). Strong mitotic arrest and chromosome congression failure occurred after Pp1-87B downregulation. Chromosome alignment and segregation defects also occurred after knockdown of PP1-Flapwing, not previously thought to have a mitotic role. Reduction of several nonreceptor tyrosine phosphatases produced spindle and chromosome behavior defects, and for corkscrew, premature chromatid separation. RNAi of the dual-specificity phosphatase, Myotubularin, or the related Sbf "antiphosphatase" resulted in aberrant mitotic chromosome behavior. Finally, for PP2A, knockdown of the catalytic or A subunits led to bipolar monoastral spindles, knockdown of the Twins B subunit led to bridged and lagging chromosomes, and knockdown of the B' Widerborst subunit led to scattering of all mitotic chromosomes. Widerborst was associated with MEI-S332 (Shugoshin) and required for its kinetochore localization. CONCLUSIONS We identify cell-cycle roles for 22 of 117 Drosophila PPs. Involvement of several PPs in G(2) suggests multiple points for its regulation. Major mitotic roles are played by PP1 with tyrosine PPs and Myotubularin-related PPs having significant roles in regulating chromosome behavior. Finally, depending upon its regulatory subunits, PP2A regulates spindle bipolarity, kinetochore function, and progression into anaphase. Discovery of several novel cell-cycle PPs identifies a need for further studies of protein dephosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Chen
- Cancer Research United Kingdom, Cell Cycle Genetics Research Group, Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom.
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25
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Bettencourt-Dias M, Giet R, Sinka R, Mazumdar A, Lock WG, Balloux F, Zafiropoulos PJ, Yamaguchi S, Winter S, Carthew RW, Cooper M, Jones D, Frenz L, Glover DM. Genome-wide survey of protein kinases required for cell cycle progression. Nature 2004; 432:980-7. [PMID: 15616552 DOI: 10.1038/nature03160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 272] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2004] [Accepted: 10/28/2004] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Cycles of protein phosphorylation are fundamental in regulating the progression of the eukaryotic cell through its division cycle. Here we test the complement of Drosophila protein kinases (kinome) for cell cycle functions after gene silencing by RNA-mediated interference. We observed cell cycle dysfunction upon downregulation of 80 out of 228 protein kinases, including most kinases that are known to regulate the division cycle. We find new enzymes with cell cycle functions; some of these have family members already known to phosphorylate microtubules, actin or their associated proteins. Additionally, depletion of several signalling kinases leads to specific mitotic aberrations, suggesting novel roles for familiar enzymes. The survey reveals the inter-digitation of systems that monitor cellular physiology, cell size, cellular stress and signalling processes with the basic cell cycle regulatory machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bettencourt-Dias
- Cancer Research UK Cell Cycle Genetics Research Group, University of Cambridge, Department of Genetics, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK.
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26
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Farkas A, Tompa P, Schád E, Sinka R, Jékely G, Friedrich P. Autolytic activation and localization in Schneider cells (S2) of calpain B from Drosophila. Biochem J 2004; 378:299-305. [PMID: 14614768 PMCID: PMC1223968 DOI: 10.1042/bj20031310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2003] [Revised: 11/03/2003] [Accepted: 11/13/2003] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Calpain B is one of the two calpain homologues in Drosophila melanogaster that are proteolytically active. We studied its activation by Ca2+ both in vitro and in vivo, in Schneider (S2) cells. Activation involves the autolytic cleavage, at two major sites, of the N-terminal segment, the length of which was earlier underestimated. Site-directed mutagenesis at the autolytic sites did not prevent autolysis, but only shifted its sites. Calpain B mRNA was detectable in all developmental stages of the fly. In situ hybridization and immunostaining showed expression in ovaries, embryo and larvae, with high abundance in larval salivary glands. In S2 cells, calpain B was mainly in the cytoplasm and upon a rise in Ca2+ the enzyme adhered to intracellular membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila Farkas
- Institute of Enzymology, Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 7, Budapest H-1518, Hungary
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27
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Abstract
The Drosophila homolog of yeast Aut1, CG6877/Draut1, is a ubiquitously expressed cytosolic protein. Draut1 loss of function was achieved by expression of an inverted repeat transgene inducing RNA interference. The effect is temperature-dependent and resembles an allelic series as described by Fortier, E. and Belote, J.M. (Genesis 26 (2000) 240-244). Draut1 loss of function larvae are unable to induce autophagy and heterophagy in fat body cells before pupariation and die during metamorphosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a multicellular animal lacking the function of a gene participating in the protein conjugation systems of autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Juhász
- Department of General Zoology, Eötvös Loránd University, H-1117 Pázmány sétány 1/C, Budapest, Hungary.
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28
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Abstract
The calpains are Ca(2+)-activated cysteine proteases whose biochemical properties have been extensively characterized in vitro. Less is known, however, about the physiological role of calpains. In this respect, Drosophila melanogaster is a useful experimental organism to study calpain activity and regulation in vivo. The sequencing of the fly genome has been recently completed and a novel calpain homologue has been identified in the CG3692 gene product. We embarked on the cloning and characterization of this putative novel calpain. We demonstrate that the actual calpain is different from the predicted protein and we provide experimental evidence for the correction of the genomic annotation. This novel protein, Calpain C, must be catalytically inactive, having mutated active site residues but is otherwise structurally similar to the other known fly calpains. Moreover, we analysed Calpain C RNA expression during Drosophila development by RT-PCR and RNA in situ hybridization, which revealed strong expression in the salivary glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesare Spadoni
- Institute of Enzymology, Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 7, Budapest H-1518, Hungary
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29
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Kurucz E, Zettervall CJ, Sinka R, Vilmos P, Pivarcsi A, Ekengren S, Hegedüs Z, Ando I, Hultmark D. Hemese, a hemocyte-specific transmembrane protein, affects the cellular immune response in Drosophila. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003; 100:2622-7. [PMID: 12598653 PMCID: PMC151390 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0436940100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We have identified a previously undescribed transmembrane protein, Hemese, from Drosophila melanogaster blood cells (hemocytes), by using a monoclonal pan-hemocyte antibody. Heavy glycosylation is suggested by the heterogeneous size distribution, ranging between 37 and 70 kDa. Hemese expression is restricted to the cell surfaces of hemocytes of all classes, and to the hematopoietic organs. The sequence of the corresponding gene, Hemese (He), predicts a glycophorin-like protein of 15 kDa, excluding an N-terminal signal peptide, with a single hydrophobic transmembrane region. The extracellular region consists mainly of Ser/Thr-rich sequence of low complexity, with several potential O-glycosylation sites. Hemese contains phosphotyrosine and the cytoplasmic region has potential phosphorylation sites, suggesting an involvement in signal transduction. Depletion of Hemese by RNA interference has no obvious effect under normal conditions, but the cellular response to parasitic wasps is much enhanced. This finding indicates that Hemese plays a modulatory role in the activation or recruitment of the hemocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Kurucz
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Center of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, P.O Box 521, H-6701 Szeged, Hungary. Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis, By. 6L, Umeå University, S-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
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30
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Abstract
In Drosophila, development of the embryonic germ cells depends on posterior transport and site-specific translation of oskar (osk) mRNA and on interdependent anchoring of the osk mRNA and protein within the posterior subcortical region of the oocyte. Transport of the osk mRNA is mediated by microtubules, while anchoring of the osk gene products at the posterior pole of the oocyte is suggested to be microfilament dependent. To date, only a single actin binding protein (TropomyosinII) has been identified with a putative role in osk mRNA and protein anchoring. This communication demonstrates that mutations in the Drosophila moesin (Dmoe) gene that encodes another actin binding protein result in delocalization of osk mRNA and protein from the posterior subcortical region and, as a consequence, in failure of embryonic germ cell development. In Dmoe mutant oocytes, the subcortical actin network is detached from the cell membrane, while the polarized microtubule cytoskeleton is unaffected. In line with the earlier observations, colocalization of ectopic actin and OSK protein in Dmoe mutants suggests that the actin cytoskeleton anchors OSK protein to the subcortical cytoplasmic area of the Drosophila oocyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Jankovics
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, PO Box 521, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
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31
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Sinka R, Jankovics F, Somogyi K, Szlanka T, Lukácsovich T, Erdélyi M. poirot,a new regulatory gene ofDrosophila oskaracts at the level of the short Oskar protein isoform. Development 2002; 129:3469-78. [PMID: 12091316 DOI: 10.1242/dev.129.14.3469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic germ cell formation and abdomen development in Drosophila requires localisation and site specific translation of oskar mRNA in the posterior part of the oocyte. Targeting of oskar function to the posterior pole of the oocyte needs a large set of proteins and RNAs, encoded by posterior group genes. Consequently, mutations in the posterior group genes can result in embryos without abdomens and/or germ cells. During a systematic hobo-mediated mutant isolation screen, we identified poirot, a novel posterior group gene, owing to its germ cell-less phenotype. We show that the lack of poirot activity dramatically decreases OSK protein levels, without affecting the oskar mRNA distribution. In poirot mutant oocytes, delocalised OSK protein is observed, indicating that wild-type poirot has a role in the anchoring process of the OSK protein at the posterior pole. Furthermore, we demonstrate that poirot acts in an isoform-specific manner, only the short OSK isoform is affected, while the long OSK isoform remains at wild-type levels in poirot mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Sinka
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Center of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-6701 PO Box 521, Szeged, Hungary
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32
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Jankovics F, Sinka R, Erdélyi M. An interaction type of genetic screen reveals a role of the Rab11 gene in oskar mRNA localization in the developing Drosophila melanogaster oocyte. Genetics 2001; 158:1177-88. [PMID: 11454766 PMCID: PMC1461719 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/158.3.1177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Abdomen and germ cell development of Drosophila melanogaster embryo requires proper localization of oskar mRNA to the posterior pole of the developing oocyte. oskar mRNA localization depends on complex cell biological events like cell-cell communication, dynamic rearrangement of the microtubule network, and function of the actin cytoskeleton of the oocyte. To investigate the cellular mechanisms involved, we developed a novel interaction type of genetic screen by which we isolated 14 dominant enhancers of a sensitized genetic background composed of mutations in oskar and in TropomyosinII, an actin binding protein. Here we describe the detailed analysis of two allelic modifiers that identify Drosophila Rab11, a gene encoding small monomeric GTPase. We demonstrate that mutation of the Rab11 gene, involved in various vesicle transport processes, results in ectopic localization of oskar mRNA, whereas localization of gurken and bicoid mRNAs and signaling between the oocyte and the somatic follicle cells are unaffected. We show that the ectopic oskar mRNA localization in the Rab11 mutants is a consequence of an abnormally polarized oocyte microtubule cytoskeleton. Our results indicate that the internal membranous structures play an important role in the microtubule organization in the Drosophila oocyte and, thus, in oskar RNA localization.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Jankovics
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Center of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-6701 POB 521 Szeged, Hungary
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