A cytoplasmic protein inhibits the GTPase activity of H-Ras in a phospholipid-dependent manner

A cytoplasmic protein has been identified that inhibits the guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activity of bacterially synthesized, cellular H-Ras protein. This GTPase inhibiting protein is able to counteract the activity of GTPase activating protein (GAP), which has been postulated to function as a negative regulator of Ras activity. The potential biological importance of the GTPase inhibiting protein is further supported by its interaction with lipids. Phospholipids produced in cells as a consequence of mitogenic stimulation increase the activity of the GTPase inhibiting protein, as well as inhibit the activity of GAP. The interaction of such lipids with each of these two regulatory proteins would, therefore, tend to increase the biological activity of Ras and stimulate cell proliferation.     

日本囊对虾Ran基因的克隆表达与蛋白质GTP结合活性分析

在对虾抑制性差减杂交（suppression subtractive hybridization,SSH）研究过程中,首次发现一段经同源比较为Ran基因的部分序列,在抗病对虾中上调表达.为了进一步探索对虾Ran基因的功能,通过RACE-PCR的方法克隆得到了对虾Ran基因全长共1441个碱基,其中开放阅读框为645个碱基,共编码215个氨基酸,这是首次在海洋无脊椎动物体内克隆到该基因.本研究还将该基因克隆到原核表达载体PGEX-4T-2中并转化大肠杆菌BL21,37℃下诱导6h,超声裂解表达菌株,结果表明GST-Ran融合蛋白在大肠杆菌中为可溶性表达,蛋白大小约为50ku,经纯化得到了纯度大于90%的GST-Ran融合蛋白.随后的GTP结合试验验证了Ran蛋白具有GTP结合活性.     

A 32-kD GTP-binding protein associated with the CD4-p56lck and CD8-p56lck T cell receptor complexes

The guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins include signal-transducing heterotrimeric G proteins (for example, Gs, Gi), smaller GTP-binding proteins that function in protein sorting, and the oncogenic protein p21ras. The T cell receptor complexes CD4-p56lck and CD8-p56lck were found to include a 32- to 33-kilodalton phosphoprotein (p32) that was recognized by an antiserum to a consensus GTP-binding region in G proteins. Immunoprecipitated CD4 and CD8 complexes bound GTP and hydrolyzed it to guanosine diphosphate (GDP). The p32 protein was covalently linked to [alpha-32P]GTP by ultraviolet photoaffinity labeling. These results demonstrate an interaction between T cell receptor complexes and an intracellular GTP-binding protein.     

Integrins regulate Rac targeting by internalization of membrane domains

Translocation of the small GTP-binding protein Rac1 to the cell plasma membrane is essential for activating downstream effectors and requires integrin-mediated adhesion of cells to extracellular matrix. We report that active Rac1 binds preferentially to low-density, cholesterol-rich membranes, and specificity is determined at least in part by membrane lipids. Cell detachment triggered internalization of plasma membrane cholesterol and lipid raft markers. Preventing internalization maintained Rac1 membrane targeting and effector activation in nonadherent cells. Regulation of lipid rafts by integrin signals may regulate the location of membrane domains such as lipid rafts and thereby control domain-specific signaling events in anchorage-dependent cells.     

黄羽扇豆翻译延伸因子2的序列分析

 利用Sanger双脱氧链终止法对黄羽扇豆（Lupinusluteus）翻译延伸因子2（EF2）的全长cDNA克隆进行了序列分析。该cDNA长度为2794bp,其中包括5’末端的80bp非翻译区,3’末端185bp非翻译区和2529bp长编码序列,3’末端为一18bp poly（A）尾。与其它GTP结合蛋白比较其编译的843aa（氨基酸）序列,发现它们具有显著的同源性;黄羽扇豆EF2与甜菜EF2的氨基酸序列90％相同。其差异主要存在于序列的中部;而与肽基tRNA和核糖体作用部位、与GTP结合部位和GTP酶活性有关的部位具有很高的保守性。黄羽扇豆EF2第700个氨基酸残基组氨酸是白喉毒素的ADP-核糖基化部位。     

Inhibition of GTPase activating protein stimulation of Ras-p21 GTPase by the Krev-1 gene product

Krev-1 is known to suppress transformation by ras. However, the mechanism of the suppression is unclear. The protein product of Krev-1, Rap1A-p21, is identical to Ras-p21 proteins in the region where interaction with guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activating protein (GAP) is believed to occur. Therefore, the ability of GAP to interact with Rap1A-p21 was tested. Rap1A-p21 was not activated by GAP but bound tightly to GAP and was an effective competitive inhibitor of GAP-mediated Ras-GTPase activity. Binding of GAP to Rap1A-p21 was strictly guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-dependent. The ability of Rap1A-p21 to bind tightly to GAP may account for Krev-1 suppression of transformation by ras. This may occur by preventing interaction of GAP with Ras-p21 or with other cellular proteins necessary for GAP-mediated Ras GTPase activity.     

Spatial coordination of spindle assembly by chromosome-mediated signaling gradients

During cell division, chromosomes are distributed to daughter cells by the mitotic spindle. This system requires spatial cues to reproducibly self-organize. We report that such cues are provided by chromosome-mediated interaction gradients between the small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) Ran and importin-beta. This produces activity gradients that determine the spatial distribution of microtubule nucleation and stabilization around chromosomes and that are essential for the self-organization of microtubules into a bipolar spindle.     

Guanosine triphosphatase activating protein (GAP) interacts with the p21 ras effector binding domain

A cytoplasmic protein that greatly enhances the guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activity of N-ras protein but does not affect the activity of oncogenic ras mutants has been recently described. This protein (GAP) is shown here to be ubiquitous in higher eukaryotes and to interact with H-ras as well as with N-ras proteins. To identify the region of ras p21 with which GAP interacts, 21 H-ras mutant proteins were purified and tested for their ability to undergo stimulation of GTPase activity by GAP. Mutations in nonessential regions of H-ras p21 as well as mutations in its carboxyl-terminal domain (residues 165-185) and purine binding region (residues 117 and 119) did not decrease the ability of the protein to respond to GAP. In addition, an antibody against the carboxyl-terminal domain did not block GAP activity, supporting the conclusion that GAP does not interact with this region. Transforming mutations at positions 12, 59, and 61 (the phosphoryl binding region) abolished GTPase stimulation by GAP. Point mutations in the putative effector region of ras p21 (amino acids 35, 36, and 38) were also insensitive to GAP. However, a point mutation at position 39, shown previously not to impair effector function, did not alter GAP-p21 interaction. These results indicate that GAP interaction may be essential for ras p21 biological activity and that it may be a ras effector protein.     

Dual signaling regulated by calcyon, a D1 dopamine receptor interacting protein

The synergistic response of cells to the stimulation of multiple receptors has been ascribed to receptor cross talk; however, the specific molecules that mediate the resultant signal amplification have not been defined. Here a 24-kilodalton single transmembrane protein, designated calcyon, we functionally characterize that interacts with the D1 dopamine receptor. Calcyon localizes to dendritic spines of D1 receptor-expressing pyramidal cells in prefrontal cortex. These studies delineate a mechanism of Gq- and Gs-coupled heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein-coupled receptor cross talk by which D1 receptors can shift effector coupling to stimulate robust intracellular calcium (Ca2+i) release as a result of interaction with calcyon. The role of calcyon in potentiating Ca2+-dependent signaling should provide insight into the D1 receptor-modulated cognitive functions of prefrontal cortex.     

Semaphorin 3E and plexin-D1 control vascular pattern independently of neuropilins

The development of a patterned vasculature is essential for normal organogenesis. We found that signaling by semaphorin 3E (Sema3E) and its receptor plexin-D1 controls endothelial cell positioning and the patterning of the developing vasculature in the mouse. Sema3E is highly expressed in developing somites, where it acts as a repulsive cue for plexin-D1-expressing endothelial cells of adjacent intersomitic vessels. Sema3E-plexin-D1 signaling did not require neuropilins, which were previously presumed to be obligate Sema3 coreceptors. Moreover, genetic ablation of Sema3E or plexin-D1 but not neuropilin-mediated Sema3 signaling disrupted vascular patterning. These findings reveal an unexpected semaphorin signaling pathway and define a mechanism for controlling vascular patterning.     

The effect of GTPase activating protein upon ras is inhibited by mitogenically responsive lipids

Bacterially synthesized c-Ha-ras protein (Ras) was incubated with guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activating (GA) protein in the presence of various phospholipids. The stimulation of Ras GTPase activity by GA protein was inhibited in some cases. Among the lipids most active in blocking GA protein activity were lipids that show altered metabolism during mitogenic stimulation. These included phosphatidic acid (containing arachidonic acid), phosphatidylinositol phosphates, and arachidonic acid. Other lipids, including phosphatidic acid with long, saturated side chains, diacylglycerols, and many other common phospholipids, were unable to alter GA protein activity. The interaction of lipids with GA protein might be important in the regulation of Ras activity during mitogenic stimulation.     

A seven-transmembrane RGS protein that modulates plant cell proliferation

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) at the cell surface activate heterotrimeric G proteins by inducing the G protein alpha (Galpha) subunit to exchange guanosine diphosphate for guanosine triphosphate. Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins accelerate the deactivation of Galpha subunits to reduce GPCR signaling. Here we identified an RGS protein (AtRGS1) in Arabidopsis that has a predicted structure similar to a GPCR as well as an RGS box with GTPase accelerating activity. Expression of AtRGS1 complemented the pheromone supersensitivity phenotype of a yeast RGS mutant, sst2Delta. Loss of AtRGS1 increased the activity of the Arabidopsis Galpha subunit, resulting in increased cell elongation in hypocotyls in darkness and increased cell production in roots grown in light. These findings suggest that AtRGS1 is a critical modulator of plant cell proliferation.     

De-AMPylation of the small GTPase Rab1 by the pathogen Legionella pneumophila

The bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila exploits host cell vesicle transport by transiently manipulating the activity of the small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) Rab1. The effector protein SidM recruits Rab1 to the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV), where it activates Rab1 and then AMPylates it by covalently adding adenosine monophosphate (AMP). L. pneumophila GTPase-activating protein LepB inactivates Rab1 before its removal from LCVs. Because LepB cannot bind AMPylated Rab1, the molecular events leading to Rab1 inactivation are unknown. We found that the effector protein SidD from L. pneumophila catalyzed AMP release from Rab1, generating de-AMPylated Rab1 accessible for inactivation by LepB. L. pneumophila mutants lacking SidD were defective for Rab1 removal from LCVs, identifying SidD as the missing link connecting the processes of early Rab1 accumulation and subsequent Rab1 removal during infection.     

Function of PI3Kgamma in thymocyte development, T cell activation, and neutrophil migration

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) regulate fundamental cellular responses such as proliferation, apoptosis, cell motility, and adhesion. Viable gene-targeted mice lacking the p110 catalytic subunit of PI3Kgamma were generated. We show that PI3Kgamma controls thymocyte survival and activation of mature T cells but has no role in the development or function of B cells. PI3Kgamma-deficient neutrophils exhibited severe defects in migration and respiratory burst in response to heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists and chemotactic agents. PI3Kgamma links GPCR stimulation to the formation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate and the activation of protein kinase B, ribosomal protein S6 kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2. Thus, PI3Kgamma regulates thymocyte development, T cell activation, neutrophil migration, and the oxidative burst.     

芦笋三种花蕾性别分化相关差异蛋白表达分析

【目的】探究与芦笋性别分化相关的蛋白,为揭示性别分化的分子机制奠定基础。【方法】以芦笋雌株、雄株、雄性两性株两性分化期的花蕾为材料,采用双向电泳、质谱鉴定和生物信息学相结合的方法,对其进行蛋白质差异表达分析。【结果】通过双向电泳3次重复试验发现,雌、雄花蕾相比,雄花蕾特异蛋白点25个,上调蛋白点5个;雌花蕾特异蛋白点13个,上调蛋白点12个;雄性两性花蕾与雄花蕾相比,特异蛋白点19个,上调蛋白点8个。经过质谱鉴定及生物信息学分析,鉴定出雄花蕾特异或上调表达同源蛋白6个,包括1个促进α淀粉酶合成的luminal binding protein(Bi P);3个参与糖代谢的蛋白,分别为β淀粉酶、3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶和胞质磷酸甘油酸激酶;1个与质体相关的脂连接蛋白PAP fibrillin和1个未知功能的Os02g0634900蛋白;雄性两性花蕾和雌花蕾特异或上调表达同源蛋白16个,包括2个参与糖酵解过程的蛋白,即烯醇化酶1和胞质磷酸甘油酸激酶;2个维持细胞结构的蛋白,即肌动蛋白亚型B和肌动蛋白;2个参与能量代谢的蛋白,即ATP合成酶CF1α亚基和ATP合成酶β亚基;2个参与细胞内物质运输的蛋白,即小GTP结合蛋白和GTP结合蛋白,1个抑制蛋白质合成的核糖体失活蛋白,1个参与物质运输和信号转导的蛋白,即ADP核糖激化因子相似蛋白,1个催化磷酸基团转移的蛋白,即核苷二磷酸激酶,1个脂质相关蛋白,1个与光合作用(光系统Ⅱ)有关的蛋白,即放氧增强蛋白1,1个允许离子、糖和氨基酸被动转运穿过外膜的蛋白,即细胞外膜孔道蛋白,2个未知功能的蛋白,即细胞内病程相关蛋白亚型4和假想蛋白。【结论】β淀粉酶、3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶、胞质磷酸甘油酸激酶、luminal binding protein(BiP)、PAP fibrillin和Os02g0634900在芦笋上的同源蛋白与芦笋雄性器官发育相关;烯醇化酶1、胞质磷酸甘油酸激酶、肌动蛋白亚型B、肌动蛋白、ATP合成酶CF1α亚基、小GTP结合蛋白、GTP结合蛋白、核糖体失活蛋白、ADP核糖激化因子相似蛋白、核苷二磷酸激酶、脂质相关蛋白、放氧增强蛋白1、细胞外膜孔道蛋白和假想蛋白在芦笋上的同源蛋白,ATP合成酶β亚基、细胞内病程相关蛋白亚型4与芦笋雌性器官发育相关。放氧增强蛋白1和细胞外膜孔道蛋白在芦笋上的同源蛋白可能为雌性器官发育的关键蛋白。     

Mediation of the attachment or fusion step in vesicular transport by the GTP-binding Ypt1 protein

The function of the guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein Ypt1 in regulating vesicular traffic was studied in a cell-free system that reconstitutes transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi. Blocking the Ypt1 protein activity resulted in accumulation of vesicles that act as an intermediate passing between the two compartments. The Ypt1 protein was found on the outer side of these vesicles. The transport process is completed by fusion of these vesicles with the acceptor compartment, and Ypt1 protein activity was needed for this step. Thus, a specific GTP-binding protein is required for either attachment or fusion (or both) of secretory vesicles with the acceptor compartment during protein secretion.     

Critical roles for Rac1 and Rac2 GTPases in B cell development and signaling

The Rac1 guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) has been implicated in multiple cellular functions, including actin dynamics, proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, and migration resulting from signaling by multiple receptors, including the B cell antigen receptor (BCR). We used conditional gene targeting to generate mice with specific Rac1 deficiency in the B cell lineage. In the absence of both Rac1 and the highly related Rac2, B cell development was almost completely blocked. Both GTPases were required to transduce BCR signals leading to proliferation, survival and up-regulation of BAFF-R, a receptor for BAFF, a key survival molecule required for B cell development and maintenance.     

Rheb activates mTOR by antagonizing its endogenous inhibitor, FKBP38

The mammalian target of rapamycin, mTOR, is a central regulator of cell growth. Its activity is regulated by Rheb, a Ras-like small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase), in response to growth factor stimulation and nutrient availability. We show that Rheb regulates mTOR through FKBP38, a member of the FK506-binding protein (FKBP) family that is structurally related to FKBP12. FKBP38 binds to mTOR and inhibits its activity in a manner similar to that of the FKBP12-rapamycin complex. Rheb interacts directly with FKBP38 and prevents its association with mTOR in a guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP)-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that FKBP38 is an endogenous inhibitor of mTOR, whose inhibitory activity is antagonized by Rheb in response to growth factor stimulation and nutrient availability.     

小麦ADP-核糖基化因子克隆及序列分析

二磷酸腺苷-核糖基化作用因子(ADP-ribosylation factors,ARFs)是真核细胞囊泡运输通道的关键组成成分,参与细胞运输和信号传导。根据GenBank中已知ARF基因序列设计引物,对小麦及其二倍体供体种基因组DNA进行PCR扩增、克隆、测序。结果表明:从小麦中克隆的ARF基因属于ARF1基因;与其他物种的ARF基因对比发现,该基因的内含子存在特殊的剪切方式。氨基酸序列分析表明,小麦的ARF同其他物种一样,具有保守的GTP结合区域。     

A bifurcating pathway directs abscisic acid effects on stomatal closure and opening in Arabidopsis

Terrestrial plants lose water primarily through stomata, pores on the leaves. The hormone abscisic acid (ABA) decreases water loss by regulating opening and closing of stomata. Here, we show that phospholipase Dalpha1 (PLDalpha1) mediates the ABA effects on stomata through interaction with a protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) and a heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein (G protein) in Arabidopsis. PLDalpha1-produced phosphatidic acid (PA) binds to the ABI1 PP2C to signal ABA-promoted stomatal closure, whereas PLDalpha1 and PA interact with the Galpha subunit of heterotrimeric G protein to mediate ABA inhibition of stomatal opening. The results reveal a bifurcating signaling pathway that regulates plant water loss.