Cloning and structure determination of cDNA for cutinase, an enzyme involved in fungal penetration of plants

The primary structure of cutinase, an extracellular fungal enzyme involved in the penetration of plants by pathogenic fungi, has been determined from the nucleotide sequence of cloned cDNA. Clones containing cDNA made from poly(A)(+) RNA isolated from fungal cultures induced to synthesize cutinase were screened for their ability to hybridize with the [(32)P]cDNA for mRNA unique to the induced culture. The 75 cDNA clones thus identified were screened for the cutinase genetic code by hybrid-selected translation and examination of products with anti-cutinase IgG. This method yielded 15 clones containing cDNA for cutinase, and Southern blots showed that the size of the cDNA inserts ranged from 279 to 950 nucleotides. Blot analysis showed that cutinase mRNA contained 1050 nucleotides, indicating that the clone containing 950 nucleotides represented nearly the entire mRNA. This near-full-length cDNA and the restriction fragments subcloned from it were sequenced by a combination of the Maxam-Gilbert and the phage M13-dideoxy techniques. cDNAs from two other clones, containing the bulk of the coding region for cutinase, were also completely sequenced, and the results confirmed the sequence obtained with the first clone. A peptide isolated from a trypsin digest of cutinase was sequenced and the amino acid sequence as well as the initiation and termination codons were used to identify the coding region of the cDNA. The primary structure of the enzyme so far determined by amino acid sequencing ( approximately 40% of the total) agreed completely with the nucleotide sequencing results. Thus, the complete primary structure of the mature enzyme and that of the signal peptide region were ascertained.

Characterization of tyrosinase from the cap flesh of portabella mushrooms

Tyrosinase, purified from the cap flesh tissue of portabella mushrooms, was characterized with regard to its physical and biochemical properties. A native molecular size of 41 kDa for the enzyme was obtained by size exclusion chromatography, whereas SDS-PAGE indicated that the enzyme contained a single subunit with a size of approximately 48 kDa under reduced and nonreduced conditions. The purified enzyme showed a single immunological cross-reacting protein after Western blotting when probed with antibodies against Agaricus bisporus tyrosinase. Isoelectric focusing demonstrated that the enzyme preparation, apparently homogeneous by electrophoresis, still contained three isoforms of pI 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3. The purified enzyme was able to oxidize a variety of mono-, di-, and triphenolic compounds. An apparent K(m) of 5 mM was obtained using catechol as the substrate, and an apparent K(m) of 9 mM was found using L-Dopa as a substrate. Ascorbic acid, kojic acid, tropolone, mercaptobenzothiazole, and salicylhydroxamic acid inhibited the enzyme severely at 100 microM.

Sequence and structural features of plant and fungal tyrosinases

Tyrosinases from various organisms are compared with respect to enzymatic structure, primary, secondary and tertiary structure, domain structure, Cu binding sites, maturation mechanism and activation mechanism. On the basis of these comparisons, and by using hemocyanin structure as a template, a structure model for the active site of tyrosinases is proposed.

Structure and function of a virally encoded fungal toxin from Ustilago maydis: a fungal and mammalian Ca2+ channel inhibitor

BACKGROUND

The P4 strain of the corn smut fungus, Ustilago maydis, secretes a fungal toxin, KP4, encoded by a fungal virus (UMV4) that persistently infects its cells. UMV4, unlike most other (non-fungal) viruses, does not spread to uninfected cells by release into the extracellular milieu during its normal life cycle and is thus dependent upon host survival for replication. In symbiosis with the host fungus, UMV4 encodes KP4 to kill other competitive strains of U. maydis, thereby promoting both host and virus survival. KP4 belongs to a family of fungal toxins and determining its structure should lead to a better understanding of the function and evolutionary origins of these toxins. Elucidation of the mechanism of toxin action could lead to new anti-fungal agents against human pathogens.

RESULTS

We have determined the atomic structure of KP4 to 1.9 A resolution. KP4 belongs to the alpha/beta-sandwich family, and has a unique topology comprising a five-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet with two antiparallel alpha-helices lying at approximately 45 degrees to these strands. The structure has two left-handed beta alpha beta cross-overs and a basic protuberance extending from the beta-sheet. In vivo experiments demonstrated abrogation of toxin killing by Ca2+ and, to a lesser extent, Mg2+. These results led to experiments demonstrating that the toxin specifically inhibits voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in mammalian cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Similarities, although somewhat limited, between KP4 and scorpion toxins led us to investigate the possibility that the toxic effects of KP4 may be mediated by inhibition of cation channels. Our results suggest that certain properties of fungal Ca2+ channels are homologous to those in mammalian cells. KP4 may, therefore, be a new tool for studying mammalian Ca2+ channels and current mammalian Ca2+ channel inhibitors may be useful lead compounds for new anti-fungal agents.

The characterization and crystallization of a virally encoded Ustilago maydis KP4 toxin

KP4 is a virally encoded and highly specific toxin that kills fungi closely related to the fungus Ustilago maydis. The toxin was purified and crystals were formed using ammonium sulfate as precipitant. The crystals belong to the space group P6(1)(5)22 and diffracted to approximately 2.2 A resolution. Circular dicroism spectroscopy suggests that the protein is predominantly comprised of beta-strands.

Stathmin in mung bean leaves and rat brain

Stathmin is a highly-conserved, cytosolic protein whose synthesis and phosphorylation is closely associated with growth and differentiation. Although conserved among vertebrates, stathmin has not been identified in plants. In the present study, anti-stathmin antibodies were generated against a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino-acid residues 32-44 of rat stathmin, and these antibodies were used to probe immunoblots of proteins from rat brain and mung bean. The antibodies recognized 12-kDa, 21-kDa and 22-kDa proteins in cytosolic fractions from mung bean leaves and a 12-kDa protein in cytosolic fractions from roots. The two larger proteins identified by the antibodies have apparent molecular weights and isoelectric points similar to those of rat brain stathmin. These results are the first to show that stathmin-like proteins are present in plants.

Microheterogeneity in purified broad bean polyphenol oxidase

Polyphenoloxidase was purified from chloroplasts of broad bean leaves (Vicia faba L.) to apparent homogeneity. The enzyme was composed of two proteins with an apparent mass of 65 and 68 kilodaltons after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The isolated enzyme contained covalently attached carbohydrates and bound concanavalin A, Phaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinin, and Ricinus communis agglutinin lectins. Under native isoelectric focusing, several charged isoforms were present in the pH range of 4 to 6. Many, if not all, of the isoforms separated by isoelectric focusing were glycosylated and bound concanavalin A. All these isoforms shared a 65 kilodalton protein in common, and some of the isoforms were associated with both a 65 and 68 kilodalton protein. Isoforms separated by isoelectric focusing in the presence of 9 molar urea followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a similar pattern of proteins within a slightly higher pH range from 5 to 6.5.

Ustilago maydis virus P4 killer toxin: characterization, partial amino terminus sequence, and evidence for glycosylation

The toxin from Ustilago maydis virus P4 was purified to homogeneity and characterized. The native molecular mass, using size-exclusion HPLC was estimated to be 7.2 kDa. The purified toxin was composed of a single subunit. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis under reduced and nonreduced conditions resulted in estimated molecular masses of 8.4 and 7.4 kDa, respectively. The purified toxin was found to be glycosylated when tested for carbohydrates using the phenol-sulfuric acid method, Schiff's base reagent, and a Glycan detection kit and when probed against different biotinylated lectins. Partial amino acid sequence analysis of the purified toxin indicated a free N-terminus, 16% glycine, and 23% basic amino acid residues. No homology was found to either the alpha or the beta subunit of the toxin encoded by U. maydis infected with the P6 virus.

Sodium dodecyl sulfate activation of a plant polyphenoloxidase. Effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate on enzymatic and physical characteristics of purified broad bean polyphenoloxidase

Latent broad bean polyphenoloxidase was purified and shown to be activated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Further characterization of the enzyme was carried out in the presence and absence of SDS. Activation of the enzyme increased in a sigmoidal manner with increasing SDS concentrations up to a maximum of 1.75 mM. The presence of SDS eliminated a low pH optimum induced by acid shocking. Increased thermolability of the enzyme was observed in the presence of SDS as well as an increased binding of [14C]dihydroxy-phenylalanine. Size exclusion chromatography on high performance liquid chromatography showed that the size and apparent molecular mass of the enzyme were slightly altered in the presence (48 kDa) versus absence (47 kDa) of SDS. Although the estimations were larger than those obtained by size exclusion techniques, no large differences in molecular weight were observed after sedimentation equilibrium of the enzyme in the presence (53.9 kDa) and absence (52.3 kDa) of SDS. Relative electrophoretic mobility and intrinsic fluorescence of tyrosine and tryptophan residues increased in a complex fashion as the SDS concentration was increased. Plateau regions in these latter experiments corresponded to concentrations of SDS needed for activation. The ability of SDS to activate the enzyme alters both its enzymatic and physical characteristics and suggests that a limited conformational change, due to binding of small amounts of SDS, may induce or initiate the activation of latent enzyme.

Polypeptide composition and amino-terminal sequence of broad bean polyphenoloxidase

Polyphenoloxidase was purified from broad bean (Vicia faba) leaves. The purified enzyme contained two immunocross-reactive proteins of approximately 60 to 65 and 43 to 45 kilodaltons. Further electrophoretic separation resolved these proteins into doublets with molecular mass of 61.5, 60, 44.5, and 43 kilodaltons, respectively. Each of the four polypeptides was transferred to Immobilon and subjected to microprotein sequencing. All the polypeptides showed the same amino acid sequence up to residue 9 but some variations occurred thereafter. The amino-terminal sequence contained a large number of proline and serine residues. These results suggest that the four polypeptides were derived from a common parent form and that a posttranslational modification(s) must have occurred to account for the difference in their apparent size.

Purification and molecular properties of the toxin coded by Ustilago maydis virus P4

The toxin from the P4 strain of Ustilago maydis was purified and characterized using a series of gel-filtration and ion-exchange columns. The apparent molecular weight of the purified toxin was estimated from gel electrophoresis to be 11.3 kd in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol and 10.3 kd in the absence of 2-mercaptoethanol. Amino acid analysis indicated 12% basic amino acids, 14% acidic amino acids and 16% glycine. The toxin was also stable to filtration and repeated freezing at -20 degrees C and thawing.

Histochemical localization of mushroom tyrosinase in whole tissue sections on nitrocellulose

Mushrooms were cut into vertical and horizontal sections. These sections were blotted onto nitrocellulose sheets and the sheets were then stained for tyrosinase using L-dopa. Tyrosinase was localized throughout the mushroom tissues but more enzyme was located in the epidermis of the cap, the gill region, and the stipe. Preincubation of the nitrocellulose sheets in specific inhibitors of tyrosinase completely blocked enzyme staining, suggesting that the enzyme stained areas on the nitrocellulose blots were regions of tyrosinase activity. Immunochemical localization of tyrosinase was similar to that observed by histochemical staining. Nitrocellulose blotting of mushrooms allows localizations of enzyme at the whole tissue level and may be useful for other enzymes in mushrooms as well.

Mini-chromatofocusing of plant and fungal polyphenoloxidases

Mini-chromatofocusing was used to estimate the isoelectric points of mung bean polyphenoloxidase (5.4), broad bean polyphenoloxidase (5.4-5.7), and mushroom tyrosinase (4.5) in crude and purified samples. Using 1 to 2 ml of Polybuffer exchanger and 20 to 25 ml of Polybuffer 74, isoelectric points for the above enzymes were obtained in less than 2 h. Using this technique, isoelectric points for beta-lactoglobulin (4.5), carbonic anhydrase (6.4), soybean trypsin inhibitor (4.1), myoglobin (6.9), and bovine serum albumin (4.8) were obtained and compared to existing literature values. Mini-chromatofocusing provides a rapid estimation for isoelectric points of proteins and enzymes and may be a useful alternative to conventional methods for determination of isoelectric points.

Inhibition of Nb2 T-lymphoma cell growth by transforming growth factor-beta

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) inhibits proliferation of Nb2 cells, a rat T lymphoma, in response to lactogens and interleukin-2. Prostaglandins may play an important role in the pathway through which TGF-beta exerts its inhibitory actions, because prostaglandin E2 also inhibits proliferation of Nb2 cells, and indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, reverses the inhibitory effects of TGF-beta on Nb2 cell proliferation.

Synthesis and processing of killer toxin from Ustilago maydis virus P4

The synthesis of toxin protein from Ustilago maydis virus (UmV) strain P4 was studied in vitro and in vivo. The protein synthesized in vitro and in vivo has a molecular weight of approximately 30 kd whereas the native toxin has a molecular weight of about 12 kd. In the presence of protease inhibitors and glycosylation inhibitors, toxin protein synthesized in vivo showed higher molecular weight products that could be immunoprecipitated with toxin antibodies. These results suggest that the UmV P4 toxin protein is synthesized as a preprotein, which upon processing results in the 12 kd secreted form toxin.

In vitro translation of mushroom tyrosinase

Mushroom tyrosinase was purified and antibodies prepared against the holo enzyme and a protein of 26,000 daltons. Both antibodies recognized the large subunit of the enzyme but only one recognized the 26,000 dalton protein. Poly A+ mRNA was isolated from mushrooms, translated in vitro, and a 41,000 dalton protein immunoprecipitated from the translation mix with either antibody. This 41,000 dalton protein presumably corresponds to the large subunit of the holoenzyme. Antibodies against the holoenzyme also immunoprecipitated another translation product with a molecular weight of 15,000 daltons corresponding to the small subunit of the holoenzyme. These results suggest that each subunit may be coded for by different genes and undergo posttranslational processing.

Polyphenoloxidase in higher plants: immunological detection and analysis of in vitro translation products

Antibodies to broad bean polyphenoloxidase (PPO) were used to detect and demonstrate that the PPOs found in several different plants have many similarities in common. Crude extracts from leaves of broad bean, bush bean, lettuce, mung bean, pea, soybean, spinach, tobacco, and tomato contained enzyme which cross-reacted with polyclonal anti-PPO in Ouchterlony double diffusion analysis. The results suggested that plant polyphenoloxidase from a wide range of species may contain similar antigen determinants. Poly A(+) mRNA was isolated from leaves of each plant species and translated in vitro using a rabbit reticulocyte translation system. An in vitro synthesized product corresponding to PPO from each species was identified after specific immunoprecipitation with anti-PPO. The molecular weight of this in vitro product was similar in all plants examined and found to be approximately 45 kilodaltons. Peptide maps of the in vitro synthesized product from all plant species were similar and showed at least three peptides in common. Plant PPOs may have more structural similarities than commonly though in spite of the great variety in observed isoenzyme forms.

In Vitro Biosynthesis of Vicia faba Polyphenoloxidase

Poly A(+) mRNA was isolated from Vicia faba leaves and translated in vitro using a rabbit reticulocyte translation system. From analysis of the total translation products, the major proteins synthesized in vitro were 32 kilodaltons and 20 kilodaltons. When antibodies to Vicia faba polyphenoloxidase were added, a specific immunoprecipitable protein was observed. This protein's molecular weight was shown to be similar to that of the isolated enzyme (45 kilodaltons). The isolated enzyme successfully competed with the in vitro synthesized product for antipolyphenoloxidase. In addition, the in vitro synthesized product was not immunoprecipitated with antitomato peroxidase and comigrated with isolated and/or iodinated enzyme in sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Using in vitro translation and specific immunoprecipitation, a primary translation product corresponding to Vicia faba polyphenoloxidase was identified as a 45 kilodaltons protein.

In vitro translation of the major capsid polypeptide from Ustilago maydis virus stain P1

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) from Ustilago maydis virus strain P1 was translated in vitro using a nuclease-treated rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. Following heat denaturation of the H2 double-stranded RNA segment in 90% dimethyl sulfoxide and incubation in the cell free extract, a primary translation product was observed which showed the same molecular weight and co-migrated with viral coat protein on 10% SDS-polyacrylamide gels. The in vitro product of the H2 dsRNA segment could also be immunoprecipitated with antibodies prepared against viral coat protein. Limited proteolysis of the in vitro product and authentic viral coat protein using Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease produced similar peptide patterns on SDS gels. In vitro translation products from other dsRNA segments that make up the P1 viral genome could not be precipitated by antibody to viral coat protein. These results complement the genetic data that indicated that information for coat formation and maintenance was contained within the H segments of dsRNA.