TDP-43 mutations in familial and sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motor neuron disorder characterized pathologically by ubiquitinated TAR DNA binding protein (TDP-43) inclusions. The function of TDP-43 in the nervous system is uncertain, and a mechanistic role in neurodegeneration remains speculative. We identified neighboring mutations in a highly conserved region of TARDBP in sporadic and familial ALS cases. TARDBPM337V segregated with disease within one kindred and a genome-wide scan confirmed that linkage was restricted to chromosome 1p36, which contains the TARDBP locus. Mutant forms of TDP-43 fragmented in vitro more readily than wild type and, in vivo, caused neural apoptosis and developmental delay in the chick embryo. Our evidence suggests a pathophysiological link between TDP-43 and ALS.     

Toxic proteins in neurodegenerative disease

A broad range of neurodegenerative disorders is characterized by neuronal damage that may be caused by toxic, aggregation-prone proteins. As genes are identified for these disorders and cell culture and animal models are developed, it has become clear that a major effect of mutations in these genes is the abnormal processing and accumulation of misfolded protein in neuronal inclusions and plaques. Increased understanding of the cellular mechanisms for disposal of abnormal proteins and of the effects of toxic protein accumulation on neuronal survival may allow the development of rational, effective treatment for these disorders.     

Dopaminergic loss and inclusion body formation in alpha-synuclein mice: implications for neurodegenerative disorders

To elucidate the role of the synaptic protein alpha-synuclein in neurodegenerative disorders, transgenic mice expressing wild-type human alpha-synuclein were generated. Neuronal expression of human alpha-synuclein resulted in progressive accumulation of alpha-synuclein-and ubiquitin-immunoreactive inclusions in neurons in the neocortex, hippocampus, and substantia nigra. Ultrastructural analysis revealed both electron-dense intranuclear deposits and cytoplasmic inclusions. These alterations were associated with loss of dopaminergic terminals in the basal ganglia and with motor impairments. These results suggest that accumulation of wild-type alpha-synuclein may play a causal role in Parkinson's disease and related conditions.     

Oxidative damage linked to neurodegeneration by selective alpha-synuclein nitration in synucleinopathy lesions

Aggregated alpha-synuclein proteins form brain lesions that are hallmarks of neurodegenerative synucleinopathies, and oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of some of these disorders. Using antibodies to specific nitrated tyrosine residues in alpha-synuclein, we demonstrate extensive and widespread accumulations of nitrated alpha-synuclein in the signature inclusions of Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, the Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease, and multiple system atrophy brains. We also show that nitrated alpha-synuclein is present in the major filamentous building blocks of these inclusions, as well as in the insoluble fractions of affected brain regions of synucleinopathies. The selective and specific nitration of alpha-synuclein in these disorders provides evidence to directly link oxidative and nitrative damage to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative synucleinopathies.     

A century of Alzheimer's disease

One hundred years ago a small group of psychiatrists described the abnormal protein deposits in the brain that define the most common neurodegenerative diseases. Over the past 25 years, it has become clear that the proteins forming the deposits are central to the disease process. Amyloid-beta and tau make up the plaques and tangles of Alzheimer's disease, where these normally soluble proteins assemble into amyloid-like filaments. Tau inclusions are also found in a number of related disorders. Genetic studies have shown that dysfunction of amyloid-beta or tau is sufficient to cause dementia. The ongoing molecular dissection of the neurodegenerative pathways is expected to lead to a true understanding of disease pathogenesis.     

Plant development: regulation by protein degradation

Many aspects of eukaryotic development depend on regulated protein degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. This highly conserved pathway promotes covalent attachment of ubiquitin to protein substrates through the sequential action of three enzymes called a ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1), a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2), and a ubiquitin-protein ligase (E3). Most ubiquitinated proteins are then targeted for degradation by the 26S proteasome. Recent studies have also shown that the ubiquitin-related protein RUB/Nedd8 and the proteasome-related COP9 signalosome complex cooperate with the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway to promote protein degradation. Most of these components are conserved in all three eukaryotic kingdoms. However, the known targets of the pathway in plants, and the developmental processes they regulate, are specific to the plant kingdom.     

Abraxas and RAP80 form a BRCA1 protein complex required for the DNA damage response

The BRCT repeats of the breast and ovarian cancer predisposition protein BRCA1 are essential for tumor suppression. Phosphopeptide affinity proteomic analysis identified a protein, Abraxas, that directly binds the BRCA1 BRCT repeats through a phospho-Ser-X-X-Phe motif. Abraxas binds BRCA1 to the mutual exclusion of BACH1 (BRCA1-associated C-terminal helicase) and CtIP (CtBP-interacting protein), forming a third type of BRCA1 complex. Abraxas recruits the ubiquitin-interacting motif (UIM)-containing protein RAP80 to BRCA1. Both Abraxas and RAP80 were required for DNA damage resistance, G(2)-M checkpoint control, and DNA repair. RAP80 was required for optimal accumulation of BRCA1 on damaged DNA (foci) in response to ionizing radiation, and the UIM domains alone were capable of foci formation. The RAP80-Abraxas complex may help recruit BRCA1 to DNA damage sites in part through recognition of ubiquitinated proteins.     

Reconstitution of G1 cyclin ubiquitination with complexes containing SCFGrr1 and Rbx1

Control of cyclin levels is critical for proper cell cycle regulation. In yeast, the stability of the G1 cyclin Cln1 is controlled by phosphorylation-dependent ubiquitination. Here it is shown that this reaction can be reconstituted in vitro with an SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. Phosphorylated Cln1 was ubiquitinated by SCF (Skp1-Cdc53-F-box protein) complexes containing the F-box protein Grr1, Rbx1, and the E2 Cdc34. Rbx1 promotes association of Cdc34 with Cdc53 and stimulates Cdc34 auto-ubiquitination in the context of Cdc53 or SCF complexes. Rbx1, which is also a component of the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor complex, may define a previously unrecognized class of E3-associated proteins.     

Human lupus inclusions and interferon

Raji cells, a human B lymphoblastoid cell line of Burkitt lymphoma origin, formed lupus inclusions when grown in a medium conditioned by the growth of Raji cells whose DNA thymidine residues had been unifilarly (single-strandedly) substituted with bromodeoxyuridine. Ultracentrifugation of this medium in excess of that required to remove Epstein-Barr virus and all other known mammalian viruses did not prevent the formation of the inclusions, and treatment of the conditioned medium with pronase destroyed the activity. These results demonstrate the presence of a protein that is secreted from bromodeoxyuridine-substituted Raji cells and is capable of inducing nonbromodeoxyuridine-substituted cells to form lupus inclusions. Interferon (100 units per milliliter) was found in the conditioned medium. Inclusions also formed in Raji cells grown in fresh medium supplemented with human leukocyte or fibroblast interferon (100 units per milliliter).     

Ubistatins inhibit proteasome-dependent degradation by binding the ubiquitin chain

To identify previously unknown small molecules that inhibit cell cycle machinery, we performed a chemical genetic screen in Xenopus extracts. One class of inhibitors, termed ubistatins, blocked cell cycle progression by inhibiting cyclin B proteolysis and inhibited degradation of ubiquitinated Sic1 by purified proteasomes. Ubistatins blocked the binding of ubiquitinated substrates to the proteasome by targeting the ubiquitin-ubiquitin interface of Lys(48)-linked chains. The same interface is recognized by ubiquitin-chain receptors of the proteasome, indicating that ubistatins act by disrupting a critical protein-protein interaction in the ubiquitin-proteasome system.     

Yeast cells provide insight into alpha-synuclein biology and pathobiology

Alpha-synuclein is implicated in several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy, yet its functions remain obscure. When expressed in yeast, alpha-synuclein associated with the plasma membrane in a highly selective manner, before forming cytoplasmic inclusions through a concentration-dependent, nucleated process. Alpha-synuclein inhibited phospholipase D, induced lipid droplet accumulation, and affected vesicle trafficking. This readily manipulable system provides an opportunity to dissect the molecular pathways underlying normal alpha-synuclein biology and the pathogenic consequences of its misfolding.     

Regulation of receptor fate by ubiquitination of activated beta 2-adrenergic receptor and beta-arrestin

Although trafficking and degradation of several membrane proteins are regulated by ubiquitination catalyzed by E3 ubiquitin ligases, there has been little evidence connecting ubiquitination with regulation of mammalian G protein (heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein)-coupled receptor (GPCR) function. Agonist stimulation of endogenous or transfected beta2-adrenergic receptors (beta2ARs) led to rapid ubiquitination of both the receptors and the receptor regulatory protein, beta-arrestin. Moreover, proteasome inhibitors reduced receptor internalization and degradation, thus implicating a role for the ubiquitination machinery in the trafficking of the beta2AR. Receptor ubiquitination required beta-arrestin, which bound to the E3 ubiquitin ligase Mdm2. Abrogation of beta-arrestin ubiquitination, either by expression in Mdm2-null cells or by dominant-negative forms of Mdm2 lacking E3 ligase activity, inhibited receptor internalization with marginal effects on receptor degradation. However, a beta2AR mutant lacking lysine residues, which was not ubiquitinated, was internalized normally but was degraded ineffectively. These findings delineate an adapter role of beta-arrestin in mediating the ubiquitination of the beta2AR and indicate that ubiquitination of the receptor and of beta-arrestin have distinct and obligatory roles in the trafficking and degradation of this prototypic GPCR.     

Chromosome alignment and segregation regulated by ubiquitination of survivin

Proper chromosome segregation requires the attachment of sister kinetochores to microtubules from opposite spindle poles to form bi-oriented chromosomes on the metaphase spindle. The chromosome passenger complex containing Survivin and the kinase Aurora B regulates this process from the centromeres. We report that a de-ubiquitinating enzyme, hFAM, regulates chromosome alignment and segregation by controlling both the dynamic association of Survivin with centromeres and the proper targeting of Survivin and Aurora B to centromeres. Survivin is ubiquitinated in mitosis through both Lys(48) and Lys(63) ubiquitin linkages. Lys(63) de-ubiquitination mediated by hFAM is required for the dissociation of Survivin from centromeres, whereas Lys(63) ubiquitination mediated by the ubiquitin binding protein Ufd1 is required for the association of Survivin with centromeres. Thus, ubiquitinaton regulates dynamic protein-protein interactions and chromosome segregation independently of protein degradation.     

饲料蛋白水平对中华鳖稚鳖生长和消化酶活性的影响

配制蛋白水平分别为34%,37%,40%,43%和46%的五组等能饲料,饲养中华鳖日本品系稚鳖（370±005 g）8周,探讨饲料不同蛋白水平对稚鳖生长、饲料利用率以及消化酶活性的影响。试验结果表明,试验鳖的增重率、饲料利用效率随着饲料蛋白含量的增加而提高,在43%蛋白饲料组达到最佳值（P<005）;当饲料蛋白含量增加到46%,试验鳖生长表现不再显著提高（P>005）。随着饲料蛋白水平的提高,试验鳖胃、肝脏和肠道的蛋白酶活性均呈现上升趋势,其中胃和肝脏蛋白酶活性均在43%蛋白饲料组达到最大值,肠道蛋白酶活性在46%蛋白饲料组最高。各组织中淀粉酶活性以及肝脏脂肪酶活性随饲料蛋白水平的提高显著下降（P<005）,胃和肠道脂肪酶活性下降趋势不显著（P>005）。     

Strawberry vein banding virus P6 protein intracellular transport and an important domain identification

Strawberry vein banding virus(SVBV)-infected strawberry cells contain cytoplasmic inclusions with isometric particles.To identify the components of the inclusions,green fluorescent protein(GFP)was fused to the carboxy-terminus(C-terminus)of SVBV open reading frames,these constructs were separately transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens and infiltrated into Nicotiana benthamiana leaves.Results showed that the SVBV P6 protein assembled into prominent and amorphous inclusion bodies(IBs).To investigate P6 subcellular localization,P6-GFP was ectopically expressed in N.benthamiana leaves by agroinfiltration and then stained with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole(DAPI).We found the P6 protein accumulated in the nuclei and also formed cytoplasmic IBs with different sizes.To further determine the location of P6 IBs in the cytoplasm,and explore whether the P6 IBs move freely or depend on cytoskeleton and endoplasmic reticulum(ER),the microfilament marker protein(GFP-ABD2-GFP),microtubules marker protein(m Cherry-MAP65-1)and ER marker protein(m Cherry-HDEL)were separately coexpressed with P6-GFP and into N.benthamiana leaves by agroinfiltration,exhibiting that P6 IBs aligned with cytoskeleton and endoplasmic reticulum.Meanwhile,coinfiltration of P1 and P6 indicated the P6colocalized with the P1 protein at periphery of cells.The P6 protein contains one C-terminal nuclear localization signal(NLS)region,a P6 protein mutant with a deleted NLS did not localize in the nucleus,did not form IBs,and was unable to facilitate exogenous GFP expression.These results demonstrate that the deleted NLS region is an important P6 domain required for biological functions.In summary,the mobile P6 IBs are associated with ER,microfilaments and microtubules and move along microfilaments to the SVBV P1 protein in the PD.     

A protein induced during nerve growth (GAP-43) is a major component of growth-cone membranes

Growth cones are specialized structures that form the distal tips of growing axons. During both normal development of the nervous system and regeneration of injured nerves, growth cones are essential for elongation and guidance of growing axons. Developmental and regenerative axon growth is frequently accompanied by elevated synthesis of a protein designated GAP-43. GAP-43 has now been found to be a major component of growth-cone membranes in developing rat brains. Relative to total protein, GAP-43 is approximately 12 times as abundant in growth-cone membranes as in synaptic membranes from adult brains. Immunohistochemical localization of GAP-43 in frozen sections of developing brain indicates that the protein is specifically associated with neuropil areas containing growth cones and immature synaptic terminals. The results support the proposal that GAP-43 plays a role in axon growth.     

小麦黄花叶病毒P2蛋白原核表达、抗血清制备及其在感病小麦细胞中的定位

通过RT PCR获得小麦黄花叶病毒(Wheat yellow mosaic virus, WYMV)扬州分离物P2基因,并进行序列分析。P2基因编码区含有2 635个核苷酸,编码一个由875个氨基酸组成的分子量72 kDa 的蛋白。在原核表达体系中,该基因的全长表达较困难,因此将P2基因的5′端和3′端各设计大约1 kb亚克隆到原核表达载体pMAL C2X中构建重组表达载体MBP P2N,MBP P2C,经IPTG诱导在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中表达MBP P2N和MBP P2C融合蛋白。MBP P2C融合蛋白经大量诱导、纯化、制备相应抗血清。用制备的抗血清可以有效检测WYMV病叶中的P2蛋白。免疫胶体金标记实验表明在感病WYMV的小麦叶片细胞膜状内含体结构中发现有大量胶体金颗粒特异性分布,表明P2蛋白可能与膜状内含体结构有关。     

甘露聚糖酶基因Man23在芽孢杆菌WB600中的表达

兼具纤维素酶和半纤维素酶活性的Man23基因(Man23)来自于芽孢杆菌B23,将其连接到质粒pHY-P43上,由强启动子P43来启动Man23的表达,重组质粒pHY-p43-Man23转入蛋白酶缺陷型芽孢杆菌WB600中,表达产物与原体系相比,甘露聚糖酶活力提高了21%,电泳检测得到的蛋白图谱显示目的酶丰度有显著提高,杂蛋白未见大量表达,可见构建的WB600体系适用于Man23基因表达.     

茶树叶片内核酮糖二磷酸羧化酶酶蛋白水平的研究

茶树叶片内核酮糖二磷酸羧化酶蛋白水平,随着新梢叶片的逐渐成熟而增加,当叶龄在33～48天,叶片完全成熟时,蛋白水平达最高值并持续稳定,以后随叶龄的进一步增大而呈下降趋势;叶位试验也表现出相同的变化规律,以芽下第4～6叶位叶中的蛋白水平为稳定最高;在年生育过程中,不同品种春梢叶在春、夏、秋三季中的蛋白水平均以夏季最低,但福鼎大白茶表现为春>秋,而龙井43与龙井长叶表现为秋>春;不同品种春、夏、秋三季新梢叶中的核酮糖二磷酸羧化酶蛋白水平差异,福鼎大白茶与政和大白茶表现为春>秋>夏的规律,龙井43、龙井长叶、迎霜、水古四品种则以秋季最高,春、夏差异不大.