Role of ER export signals in controlling surface potassium channel numbers

Little is known about the identity of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) export signals and how they are used to regulate the number of proteins on the cell surface. Here, we describe two ER export signals that profoundly altered the steady-state distribution of potassium channels and were required for channel localization to the plasma membrane. When transferred to other potassium channels or a G protein-coupled receptor, these ER export signals increased the number of functional proteins on the cell surface. Thus, ER export of membrane proteins is not necessarily limited by folding or assembly, but may be under the control of specific export signals.     

Structural basis of gating by the outer membrane transporter FecA

Siderophore-mediated acquisition systems facilitate iron uptake. We present the crystallographic structure of the integral outer membrane receptor FecA from Escherichia coli with and without ferric citrate at 2.5 and 2.0 angstrom resolution. FecA is composed of three distinct domains: the barrel, plug, and NH2-terminal extension. Binding of ferric citrate triggers a conformational change of the extracellular loops that close the external pocket of FecA. Ligand-induced allosteric transitions are propagated through the outer membrane by the plug domain, signaling the occupancy of the receptor in the periplasm. These data establish the structural basis of gating for receptors dependent on the cytoplasmic membrane protein TonB. By compiling available data for this family of receptors, we propose a mechanism for the energy-dependent transport of siderophores.     

Convergence of the secretory pathways for cholera toxin and the filamentous phage, CTXphi

Virulence of Vibrio cholerae depends on secretion of cholera toxin (CT), which is encoded within the genome of a filamentous phage, CTXphi. Release of CT is mediated by the extracellular protein secretion (eps) type II secretion system. Here, the outer membrane component of this system, EpsD, was shown to be required for secretion of the phage as well. Thus, EpsD plays a role both in pathogenicity and in horizontal transfer of a key virulence gene. Genomic analysis suggests that additional filamentous phages also exploit chromosome-encoded outer membrane channels.     

动物双歧杆菌AD011暴露外表面蛋白的种类和功能分析

[目的]分析动物双歧杆菌AD011暴露外表面蛋白的种类和功能,有助于了解该菌株的各项生理功能以及为探讨该菌与宿主相互作用的分子机制奠定基础。[方法]以动物双歧杆菌AD011基因组序列为研究对象,采用Inmembrane方法和COG功能数据库对预测的外表面蛋白进行功能注释和聚类分析。[结果]AD011菌体暴露外表面蛋白数目为193个,包括11个细胞壁蛋白、20个脂蛋白、暴露外表面的膜蛋白140个、22个细胞外蛋白。AD011外表面蛋白的功能分析结果显示,193个外表面蛋白中,含有较大比例的蛋白没有功能注释(78个),115个蛋白具有COG功能注释。在有功能注释的蛋白中,所占比例较大的是氨基酸转运与代谢(16个),无机离子转运与代谢(14个),细胞壁、细胞膜生物合成(13个),碳水化合物转运与代谢(10个),防御机制(10个)等有关蛋白。[结论]AD011菌体外表面蛋白与营养物质的吸收和转运,细胞壁、细胞膜生物合成,防御机制有关。     

Structure of TonB in complex with FhuA, E. coli outer membrane receptor

The cytoplasmic membrane protein TonB spans the periplasm of the Gram-negative bacterial cell envelope, contacts cognate outer membrane receptors, and facilitates siderophore transport. The outer membrane receptor FhuA from Escherichia coli mediates TonB-dependent import of ferrichrome. We report the 3.3 angstrom resolution crystal structure of the TonB carboxyl-terminal domain in complex with FhuA. TonB contacts stabilize FhuA's amino-terminal residues, including those of the consensus Ton box sequence that form an interprotein beta sheet with TonB through strand exchange. The highly conserved TonB residue arginine-166 is oriented to form multiple contacts with the FhuA cork, the globular domain enclosed by the beta barrel.     

Role of a highly conserved bacterial protein in outer membrane protein assembly

After transport across the cytoplasmic membrane, bacterial outer membrane proteins are assembled into the outer membrane. Meningococcal Omp85 is a highly conserved protein in Gram-negative bacteria, and its homolog Toc75 is a component of the chloroplast protein-import machinery. Omp85 appeared to be essential for viability, and unassembled forms of various outer membrane proteins accumulated upon Omp85 depletion. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed decreased surface exposure of outer membrane proteins, which was particularly apparent at the cell-division planes. Thus, Omp85 is likely to play a role in outer membrane protein assembly.     

Structure and function of an essential component of the outer membrane protein assembly machine

Integral beta-barrel proteins are found in the outer membranes of mitochondria, chloroplasts, and Gram-negative bacteria. The machine that assembles these proteins contains an integral membrane protein, called YaeT in Escherichia coli, which has one or more polypeptide transport-associated (POTRA) domains. The crystal structure of a periplasmic fragment of YaeT reveals the POTRA domain fold and suggests a model for how POTRA domains can bind different peptide sequences, as required for a machine that handles numerous beta-barrel protein precursors. Analysis of POTRA domain deletions shows which are essential and provides a view of the spatial organization of this assembly machine.     

Targeting malaria virulence and remodeling proteins to the host erythrocyte

To establish infection in the host, malaria parasites export remodeling and virulence proteins into the erythrocyte. These proteins can traverse a series of membranes, including the parasite membrane, the parasitophorous vacuole membrane, and the erythrocyte membrane. We show that a conserved pentameric sequence plays a central role in protein export into the host cell and predict the exported proteome in Plasmodium falciparum. We identified 400 putative erythrocyte-targeted proteins corresponding to approximately 8% of all predicted genes, with 225 virulence proteins and a further 160 proteins likely to be involved in remodeling of the host erythrocyte. The conservation of this signal across Plasmodium species has implications for the development of new antimalarials.     

Structure of the zinc transporter YiiP

YiiP is a membrane transporter that catalyzes Zn2+/H+ exchange across the inner membrane of Escherichia coli. Mammalian homologs of YiiP play critical roles in zinc homeostasis and cell signaling. Here, we report the x-ray structure of YiiP in complex with zinc at 3.8 angstrom resolution. YiiP is a homodimer held together in a parallel orientation through four Zn2+ ions at the interface of the cytoplasmic domains, whereas the two transmembrane domains swing out to yield a Y-shaped structure. In each protomer, the cytoplasmic domain adopts a metallochaperone-like protein fold; the transmembrane domain features a bundle of six transmembrane helices and a tetrahedral Zn2+ binding site located in a cavity that is open to both the membrane outer leaflet and the periplasm.     

可结合Caco-2细胞表面蛋白的副溶血弧菌外膜蛋白的筛选与鉴定

[目的]筛选可结合Caco-2细胞表面蛋白的副溶血弧菌外膜蛋白。[方法]筛选副溶血弧菌外膜中的黏附蛋白,将Caco-2细胞表面蛋白生物素化并固定于中性卵白素树脂上,进一步利用亲和层析技术来筛选副溶血弧菌的外膜蛋白。[结果]通过LC-MS/MS质谱技术鉴定出3个候选蛋白:ATP synthase subunit alpha、ATP synthase subunit beta和outer membrane protein U。通过对这3个蛋白进行克隆基因和原核表达,成功纯化得到相应重组蛋白。通过进一步的间接免疫荧光试验,发现3种蛋白对于Caco-2细胞均有黏附作用。[结论]推测ATP synthase subunit alpha、ATP synthase subunit beta和outer membrane protein U这3种蛋白可能是潜在的黏附因子。     

Functional genomic analysis of RNA interference in C. elegans

RNA interference (RNAi) of target genes is triggered by double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) processed by conserved nucleases and accessory factors. To identify the genetic components required for RNAi, we performed a genome-wide screen using an engineered RNAi sensor strain of Caenorhabditis elegans. The RNAi screen identified 90 genes. These included Piwi/PAZ proteins, DEAH helicases, RNA binding/processing factors, chromatin-associated factors, DNA recombination proteins, nuclear import/export factors, and 11 known components of the RNAi machinery. We demonstrate that some of these genes are also required for germline and somatic transgene silencing. Moreover, the physical interactions among these potential RNAi factors suggest links to other RNA-dependent gene regulatory pathways.     

用抑制性差减杂交筛选鸭疫里氏杆菌2型可能毒力基因

为寻找鸭疫里氏杆菌(Riemerella anatipestifer,RA)可能的毒力基因,以鸭疫里氏杆菌2型(RA2)毒力株RAF2及弱毒力株LY-58为研究对象,通过抑制性差减杂交(SSH)试验,从RAF2株中获得14个特异性差异基因片段。经同源性分析,其中6个差异基因片段分别与外膜蛋白、ATP结合蛋白、转录调节因子、氨基酸通透酶、胞外蛋白编码基因有同源性,为可能的毒力基因;4个差异基因片段与功能未知蛋白或假定蛋白编码基因有关;另外4个差异基因片段未找到同源序列。利用PCR对上述10个可能与毒力相关的差异基因片段在13株分别属于8个不同血清型RA中的分布进行了检测,结果表明除8型外,以上差异基因片段在RA中分布普遍。     

两歧双歧杆菌PRL2010菌体外表面蛋白的功能分析

[目的]分析两歧双歧杆菌PRL2010菌体外表面蛋白的功能。[方法]以两歧双歧杆菌PRL2010基因组序列为研究对象,采用Perry等人分析革兰氏阳性菌菌体外表面蛋白(PSE蛋白)的Inmembrane方法,同时采用COG功能数据库对预测的外表面蛋白进行功能注释和聚类分析。[结果]PRL2010外表面蛋白包括28个细胞壁蛋白、12个脂蛋白、182个细胞膜蛋白、38个分泌蛋白。PRL2010外表面蛋白的功能分析结果显示,大多数外表面蛋白与细胞壁、细胞膜的生物合成,无机离子转运与代谢,防御机制,碳水化合物转运与代谢,氨基酸转运与代谢等有关。[结论]该研究可为探讨该菌与宿主相互作用的分子机制奠定基础。     

小反刍兽疫病毒细胞膜受体的鉴定

【目的】对小反刍兽疫病毒（Peste des petits ruminants virus,PPRV）H蛋白胞外区（tH）细胞膜受体进行鉴定,为PPRV致病机制的研究奠定基础。【方法】克隆PPRV H基因胞外区（tH）,在毕赤酵母(Pichia pastoris)中进行真核表达,纯化后免疫家兔,获得兔抗PPRVtH蛋白特异性抗体;提取山羊外周血淋巴细胞膜蛋白,经SDS-PAGE检测后,湿转印法转印至NC膜,分别利用纯化的重组tH蛋白和PPRV进行病毒铺覆蛋白结合试验（VOPBA）,对受体进行鉴定。【结果】成功克隆了1 653 bp的PPRV tH基因,构建其重组酵母表达质粒pPIC9K-tH,诱导表达后获得了60 ku目的蛋白。重组tH蛋白免疫家兔后获得了效价为1∶200的抗血清。Westernblotting分析发现,该重组蛋白可与PPRV多克隆抗体发生特异性反应,山羊外周血淋巴细胞膜蛋白上有2个与PPRV和重组tH蛋白结合的蛋白带,分子质量约为38和100 ku。【结论】从山羊外周血淋巴细胞膜蛋白上鉴定到了2种与PPRV结合的蛋白组分,其特性有待于进一步研究。     

Role of the ABC transporter Mdl1 in peptide export from mitochondria

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) adenosine triphosphatases actively transport a wide variety of compounds across biological membranes. Here, the ABC protein Mdl1 was identified as an intracellular peptide transporter localized in the inner membrane of yeast mitochondria. Mdl1 was required for mitochondrial export of peptides with molecular masses of approximately 2100 to 600 daltons generated by proteolysis of inner-membrane proteins by the m-AAA protease in the mitochondrial matrix. Proteolysis by the i-AAA protease in the intermembrane space led to the release of similar-sized peptides independent of Mdl1. Thus, two pathways of peptide efflux from mitochondria exist that may allow communication between mitochondria and their cellular environment.     

TMEM16A, a membrane protein associated with calcium-dependent chloride channel activity

Calcium-dependent chloride channels are required for normal electrolyte and fluid secretion, olfactory perception, and neuronal and smooth muscle excitability. The molecular identity of these membrane proteins is still unclear. Treatment of bronchial epithelial cells with interleukin-4 (IL-4) causes increased calcium-dependent chloride channel activity, presumably by regulating expression of the corresponding genes. We performed a global gene expression analysis to identify membrane proteins that are regulated by IL-4. Transfection of epithelial cells with specific small interfering RNA against each of these proteins shows that TMEM16A, a member of a family of putative plasma membrane proteins with unknown function, is associated with calcium-dependent chloride current, as measured with halide-sensitive fluorescent proteins, short-circuit current, and patch-clamp techniques. Our results indicate that TMEM16A is an intrinsic constituent of the calcium-dependent chloride channel. Identification of a previously unknown family of membrane proteins associated with chloride channel function will improve our understanding of chloride transport physiopathology and allow for the development of pharmacological tools useful for basic research and drug development.     

两种染色法测定禽源性大肠杆菌分离株的外膜蛋白型

对江苏地区２５个禽源性大肠杆菌Ｏ＿１、Ｏ＿２和Ｏ＿（７８）分离株的外膜蛋白型（ＯＭＰ型）进行测定。用Ｎ－十二烷酰肌氨酸（Ｓａｒｋｏｓｙｌ）提取其外膜蛋白，经ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ电泳后，分别以考马斯亮蓝染色法和银染法测定其外膜蛋白型。８个Ｏ＿１分离株、９个Ｏ＿２分离株分属２个ＯＭＰ型，其中的１个为二者所共有，而８个Ｏ＿（７８）分离株的ＯＭＰ型亦与该型用同；两种染色法对ＯＭＰ型的测定结果一致。与银染法相比，考马斯亮蓝染色法具有简便和背景清晰的优点，因此，考马斯亮蓝染色法是禽源性大肠杆菌分离株ＯＭＰ型测定的更为理想的染色方法     

Unity in function in the absence of consensus in sequence: role of leader peptides in export

Passage of proteins across membranes during export from their site of synthesis to their final destination is mediated by leader peptides that paradoxically exhibit a unity of function in spite of a diversity of sequence. These leader peptides act in at least two stages of the export process: at entry into the pathway and subsequently during translocation across the membrane. How selectivity is imposed on the system in the absence of a consensus among the sequences of leader peptides is the main issue discussed here.     

Plant cuticular lipid export requires an ABC transporter

A waxy protective cuticle coats all primary aerial plant tissues. Its synthesis requires extensive export of lipids from epidermal cells to the plant surface. Arabidopsis cer5 mutants had reduced stem cuticular wax loads and accumulated sheetlike inclusions in the cytoplasm of wax-secreting cells. These inclusions represented abnormal deposits of cuticular wax and resembled inclusions found in a human disorder caused by a defective peroxisomal adenosine triphosphate binding cassette (ABC) transporter. We found that the CER5 gene encodes an ABC transporter localized in the plasma membrane of epidermal cells and conclude that it is required for wax export to the cuticle.