bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Signaling Activities of Localization Mutants of β-Catenin during Axis Specification in Xenopus
Authors: Miller Jeffrey R. , Moon Randall T.
Published: July 2002

In Xenopus embryos, β-catenin has been shown to be both necessary and sufficient for the establishment of dorsal cell fates. This signaling activity is thought to depend on the binding of β-catenin to members of the Lef/Tcf family of transcription factors and the regulation of gene expression by this complex. To test whether β-catenin must accumulate in nuclei to establish dorsal cell fate, we constructed various localization mutants that restrict β-catenin to either the plasma membrane, the cytosol, or the nucleus. When overexpressed in Xenopus embryos, the proteins localize as predicted, but surprisingly all forms induce an ectopic axis, indicative of inducing dorsal cell fates. Given this unexpected result, we focused on the membrane-tethered form of β-catenin to resolve the apparent discrepancy between its membrane localization and the hypothesized role of nuclear β-catenin in establishing dorsal cell fate. We demonstrate that overexpression of membrane-tethered β-catenin elevates the level of free endogenous β-catenin, which subsequently accumulates in nuclei. Consistent with the hypothesis that it is this pool of non–membrane-associated β-catenin that signals in the presence of membrane-tethered β-catenin, overexpression of cadherin, which binds free β-catenin, blocks the axis-inducing activity of membrane- tethered β-catenin. The mechanism by which ectopic membrane-tethered β-catenin increases the level of endogenous β-catenin likely involves competition for the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein, which in other systems has been shown to play a role in degradation of β-catenin. Consistent with this hypothesis, membrane-tethered β-catenin coimmunoprecipitates with APC and relocalizes APC to the membrane in cells. Similar results are observed with ectopic plakoglobin, casting doubt on a normal role for plakoglobin in axis specification and indicating that ectopic proteins that interact with APC can artifactually elevate the level of endogenous β-catenin, likely by interfering with its degradation. These results highlight the difficulty in interpreting the activity of an ectopic protein when it is assayed in a background containing the endogenous protein. We next investigated whether the ability of β-catenin to interact with potential protein partners in the cell may normally be regulated by phosphorylation. Compared with nonphosphorylated β-catenin, β-catenin phosphorylated by glycogen synthase kinase-3 preferentially associates with microsomal fractions expressing the cytoplasmic region of N-cadherin. These results suggest that protein–protein interactions of β-catenin can be influenced by its state of phosphorylation, in addition to prior evidence that this phosphorylation modulates the stability of β-catenin.
Rapid Diffusion of Green Fluorescent Protein in the Mitochondrial Matrix
Authors: Partikian Arthur , Ölveczky Bence , Swaminathan R. , Li Yuxin , Verkman A.S.
Published: July 2002

Abstract. It is thought that the high protein density in the mitochondrial matrix results in severely restricted solute diffusion and metabolite channeling from one enzyme to another without free aqueous-phase diffusion. To test this hypothesis, we measured the diffusion of green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressed in the mitochondrial matrix of fibroblast, liver, skeletal muscle, and epithelial cell lines. Spot photobleaching of GFP with a 100× objective (0.8-μm spot diam) gave half-times for fluorescence recovery of 15–19 ms with >90% of the GFP mobile. As predicted for aqueous-phase diffusion in a confined compartment, fluorescence recovery was slowed or abolished by increased laser spot size or bleach time, and by paraformaldehyde fixation. Quantitative analysis of bleach data using a mathematical model of matrix diffusion gave GFP diffusion coefficients of 2–3 × 10−7 cm2/s, only three to fourfold less than that for GFP diffusion in water. In contrast, little recovery was found for bleaching of GFP in fusion with subunits of the fatty acid β-oxidation multienzyme complex that are normally present in the matrix. Measurement of the rotation of unconjugated GFP by time-resolved anisotropy gave a rotational correlation time of 23.3 ± 1 ns, similar to that of 20 ns for GFP rotation in water. A rapid rotational correlation time of 325 ps was also found for a small fluorescent probe (BCECF, ∼0.5 kD) in the matrix of isolated liver mitochondria. The rapid and unrestricted diffusion of solutes in the mitochondrial matrix suggests that metabolite channeling may not be required to overcome diffusive barriers. We propose that the clustering of matrix enzymes in membrane-associated complexes might serve to establish a relatively uncrowded aqueous space in which solutes can freely diffuse.
ncl-1 Is Required for the Regulation of Cell Size and Ribosomal RNA Synthesis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Frank Deborah J. , Roth Mark B.
Published: July 2002

Regulation of ribosome synthesis is an essential aspect of growth control. Thus far, little is known about the factors that control and coordinate these processes. We show here that the Caenorhabditis elegans gene ncl-1 encodes a zinc finger protein and may be a repressor of RNA polymerase I and III transcription and an inhibitor of cell growth. Loss of function mutations in ncl-1, previously shown to result in enlarged nucleoli, result in increased rates of rRNA and 5S RNA transcription and enlarged cells. Furthermore, ncl-1 adult worms are larger, have more protein, and have twice as much rRNA as wild-type worms. Localization studies show that the level of NCL-1 protein is independently regulated in different cells of the embryo. In wild-type embryos, cells with the largest nucleoli have the lowest level of NCL-1 protein. Based on these results we propose that ncl-1 is a repressor of ribosome synthesis and cell growth.
Bcl-2 Expression Identifies an Early Stage of Myogenesis and Promotes Clonal Expansion of Muscle Cells
Authors: Dominov Janice A. , Dunn Jonathan J. , Miller Jeffrey Boone
Published: July 2002

We show that Bcl-2 expression in skeletal muscle cells identifies an early stage of the myogenic pathway, inhibits apoptosis, and promotes clonal expansion. Bcl-2 expression was limited to a small proportion of the mononucleate cells in muscle cell cultures, ranging from ∼1–4% of neonatal and adult mouse muscle cells to ∼5–15% of the cells from the C2C12 muscle cell line. In rapidly growing cultures, some of the Bcl-2–positive cells coexpressed markers of early stages of myogenesis, including desmin, MyoD, and Myf-5. In contrast, Bcl-2 was not expressed in multinucleate myotubes or in those mononucleate myoblasts that expressed markers of middle or late stages of myogenesis, such as myogenin, muscle regulatory factor 4 (MRF4), and myosin. The small subset of Bcl-2–positive C2C12 cells appeared to resist staurosporine-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, though myogenic cells from genetically Bcl-2–null mice formed myotubes normally, the muscle colonies produced by cloned Bcl-2–null cells contained only about half as many cells as the colonies produced by cells from wild-type mice. This result suggests that, during clonal expansion from a muscle progenitor cell, the number of progeny obtained is greater when Bcl-2 is expressed.
E-Cadherin–dependent Growth Suppression is Mediated by the Cyclin-dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27KIP1
Authors: St. Croix Brad , Sheehan Capucine , Rak Janusz W. , Flørenes Vivi Ann , Slingerland Joyce M. , Kerbel Robert S.
Published: July 2002

Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of E-cadherin, a homophilic cell–cell adhesion molecule, in contact inhibition of growth of normal epithelial cells. Many tumor cells also maintain strong intercellular adhesion, and are growth-inhibited by cell– cell contact, especially when grown in three-dimensional culture. To determine if E-cadherin could mediate contact-dependent growth inhibition of nonadherent EMT/6 mouse mammary carcinoma cells that lack E-cadherin, we transfected these cells with an exogenous E-cadherin expression vector. E-cadherin expression in EMT/6 cells resulted in tighter adhesion of multicellular spheroids and a reduced proliferative fraction in three-dimensional culture. In addition to increased cell–cell adhesion, E-cadherin expression also resulted in dephosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein, an increase in the level of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27kip1 and a late reduction in cyclin D1 protein. Tightly adherent spheroids also showed increased levels of p27 bound to the cyclin E-cdk2 complex, and a reduction in cyclin E-cdk2 activity. Exposure to E-cadherin–neutralizing antibodies in three-dimensional culture simultaneously prevented adhesion and stimulated proliferation of E-cadherin transfectants as well as a panel of human colon, breast, and lung carcinoma cell lines that express functional E-cadherin. To test the importance of p27 in E-cadherin–dependent growth inhibition, we engineered E-cadherin–positive cells to express inducible p27. By forcing expression of p27 levels similar to those observed in aggregated cells, the stimulatory effect of E-cadherin–neutralizing antibodies on proliferation could be inhibited. This study demonstrates that E-cadherin, classically described as an invasion suppressor, is also a major growth suppressor, and its ability to inhibit proliferation involves upregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27.
A Role for the αvβ3 Integrin in the Transmigration of Monocytes
Authors: Weerasinghe Dheepika , McHugh Kevin P. , Ross Frederick P. , Brown Eric J. , Gisler Roland H. , Imhof Beat A.
Published: July 2002

The β2 integrins and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) are important for monocyte migration through inflammatory endothelium. Here we demonstrate that the integrin αvβ3 is also a key player in this process. In an in vitro transendothelial migration assay, monocytes lacking β3 integrins revealed weak migratory ability, whereas monocytes expressing β3 integrins engaged in stronger migration. This migration could be partially blocked by antibodies against the integrin chains αL, β2, αv, or IAP, a protein functionally associated with αvβ3 integrin. Transfection of β3 integrin chain cDNA into monocytes lacking β3 integrins resulted in expression of the αvβ3 integrin and conferred on these cells an enhanced ability to transmigrate through cell monolayers expressing ICAM-1. These monocytes also engaged in αLβ2-dependent locomotion on recombinant ICAM-1 which was enhanced by αvβ3 integrin occupancy. Antibodies against IAP were able to revert this αvβ3 integrin-dependent cell locomotion to control levels. Finally, adhesion assays revealed that occupancy of αvβ3 integrin could decrease monocyte binding to ICAM-1.

In conclusion, we show that αvβ3 integrin modulates αLβ2 integrin-dependent monocyte adhesion to and migration on ICAM-1. This could represent a novel mechanism to promote monocyte motility on vascular ICAM-1 and initiate subsequent transendothelial migration.
Mitotic Centromere–associated Kinesin Is Important for Anaphase Chromosome Segregation
Authors: Maney Todd , Hunter Andrew W. , Wagenbach Mike , Wordeman Linda
Published: July 2002

Mitotic centromere–associated kinesin (MCAK) is recruited to the centromere at prophase and remains centromere associated until after telophase. MCAK is a homodimer that is encoded by a single gene and has no associated subunits. A motorless version of MCAK that binds centromeres but not microtubules disrupts chromosome segregation during anaphase. Antisense-induced depletion of MCAK results in the same defect. MCAK overexpression induces centromere-independent bundling and eventual loss of spindle microtubule polymer suggesting that centromere-associated bundling and/or depolymerization activity is required for anaphase. Live cell imaging indicates that MCAK may be required to coordinate the onset of sister centromere separation.
Distinct Effects of Fatty Acids on Translocation of γ- and ε-Subspecies of Protein Kinase C
Authors: Shirai Yasuhito , Kashiwagi Kaori , Yagi Keiko , Sakai Norio , Saito Naoaki
Published: July 2002

Effects of fatty acids on translocation of the γ- and ε-subspecies of protein kinase C (PKC) in living cells were investigated using their proteins fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP). γ-PKC–GFP and ε-PKC–GFP predominated in the cytoplasm, but only a small amount of γ-PKC–GFP was found in the nucleus. Except at a high concentration of linoleic acid, all the fatty acids examined induced the translocation of γ-PKC–GFP from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane within 30 s with a return to the cytoplasm in 3 min, but they had no effect on γ-PKC–GFP in the nucleus. Arachidonic and linoleic acids induced slow translocation of ε-PKC–GFP from the cytoplasm to the perinuclear region, whereas the other fatty acids (except for palmitic acid) induced rapid translocation to the plasma membrane. The target site of the slower translocation of ε-PKC–GFP by arachidonic acid was identified as the Golgi network. The critical concentration of fatty acid that induced translocation varied among the 11 fatty acids tested. In general, a higher concentration was required to induce the translocation of ε-PKC–GFP than that of γ-PKC–GFP, the exceptions being tridecanoic acid, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid. Furthermore, arachidonic acid and the diacylglycerol analogue (DiC8) had synergistic effects on the translocation of γ-PKC–GFP. Simultaneous application of arachidonic acid (25 μM) and DiC8 (10 μM) elicited a slow, irreversible translocation of γ-PKC– GFP from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane after rapid, reversible translocation, but a single application of arachidonic acid or DiC8 at the same concentration induced no translocation.

These findings confirm the involvement of fatty acids in the translocation of γ- and ε-PKC, and they also indicate that each subspecies has a specific targeting mechanism that depends on the extracellular signals and that a combination of intracellular activators alters the target site of PKCs.
PTPμ Regulates N-Cadherin–dependent Neurite Outgrowth
Authors: Burden-Gulley Susan M. , Brady-Kalnay Susann M.
Published: July 2002

Cell adhesion is critical to the establishment of proper connections in the nervous system. Some receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) have adhesion molecule–like extracellular segments with intracellular tyrosine phosphatase domains that may transduce signals in response to adhesion. PTPμ is a RPTP that mediates cell aggregation and is expressed at high levels in the nervous system. In this study, we demonstrate that PTPμ promotes neurite outgrowth of retinal ganglion cells when used as a culture substrate. In addition, PTPμ was found in a complex with N-cadherin in retinal cells. To determine the physiological significance of the association between PTPμ and N-cadherin, the expression level and enzymatic activity of PTPμ were perturbed in retinal explant cultures. Downregulation of PTPμ expression through antisense techniques resulted in a significant decrease in neurite outgrowth on an N-cadherin substrate, whereas there was no effect on laminin or L1-dependent neurite outgrowth. The overexpression of a catalytically inactive form of PTPμ significantly decreased neurite outgrowth on N-cadherin. These data indicate that PTPμ specifically regulates signals required for neurites to extend on an N-cadherin substrate, implicating reversible tyrosine phosphorylation in the control of N-cadherin function. Together, these results suggest that PTPμ plays a dual role in the regulation of neurite outgrowth.
Ctf19p: A Novel Kinetochore Protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and a Potential Link between the Kinetochore and Mitotic Spindle
Authors: Hyland Katherine M. , Kingsbury Jeffrey , Koshland Doug , Hieter Philip
Published: July 2002

A genetic synthetic dosage lethality (SDL) screen using CTF13 encoding a known kinetochore protein as the overexpressed reference gene identified two chromosome transmission fidelity (ctf) mutants, YCTF58 and YCTF26. These mutant strains carry independent alleles of a novel gene, which we have designated CTF19. In light of its potential role in kinetochore function, we have cloned and characterized the CTF19 gene in detail. CTF19 encodes a nonessential 369–amino acid protein. ctf19 mutant strains display a severe chromosome missegregation phenotype, are hypersensitive to benomyl, and accumulate at G2/M in cycling cells. CTF19 genetically interacts with kinetochore structural mutants and mitotic checkpoint mutants. In addition, ctf19 mutants show a defect in the ability of centromeres on minichromosomes to bind microtubules in an in vitro assay. In vivo cross-linking and chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrates that Ctf19p specifically interacts with CEN DNA. Furthermore, Ctf19-HAp localizes to the nuclear face of the spindle pole body and genetically interacts with a spindle-associated protein. We propose that Ctf19p is part of a macromolecular kinetochore complex, which may func- tion as a link between the kinetochore and the mitotic spindle.
Inhibition of Caspases Inhibits the Release of Apoptotic Bodies: Bcl-2 Inhibits the Initiation of Formation of Apoptotic Bodies in Chemotherapeutic Agent-induced Apoptosis
Authors: Zhang Jiandi , Reedy Mary C. , Hannun Yusuf A. , Obeid Lina M.
Published: July 2002

During apoptosis, the cell actively dismantles itself and reduces cell size by the formation and pinching off of portions of cytoplasm and nucleus as “apoptotic bodies.” We have combined our previously established quantitative assay relating the amount of release of [3H]-membrane lipid to the degree of apoptosis with electron microscopy (EM) at a series of timepoints to study apoptosis of lymphoid cells exposed to vincristine or etoposide. We find that the [3H]-membrane lipid release assay correlates well with EM studies showing the formation and release of apoptotic bodies and cell death, and both processes are regulated in parallel by inducers or inhibitors of apoptosis. Overexpression of Bcl-2 or inhibition of caspases by DEVD inhibited equally well the activation of caspases as indicated by PARP cleavage. They also inhibited [3H]-membrane lipid release and release of apoptotic bodies. EM showed that cells overexpressing Bcl-2 displayed near-normal morphology and viability in response to vincristine or etoposide. In contrast, DEVD did not prevent cell death. Although DEVD inhibited the chromatin condensation, PARP cleavage, release of apoptotic bodies, and release of labeled lipid, DEVD-treated cells showed accumulation of heterogeneous vesicles trapped in the condensed cytoplasm. These results suggest that inhibition of caspases arrested the maturation and release of apoptotic bodies. Our results also imply that Bcl-2 regulates processes in addition to caspase activation.
The Maize Homologue of the Cell Cycle Checkpoint Protein MAD2 Reveals Kinetochore Substructure and Contrasting Mitotic and Meiotic Localization Patterns
Authors: Yu Hong-Guo , Muszynski Michael G. , Kelly Dawe R.
Published: July 2002

We have identified a maize homologue of yeast MAD2, an essential component in the spindle checkpoint pathway that ensures metaphase is complete before anaphase begins. Combined immunolocalization of MAD2 and a recently cloned maize CENPC homologue indicates that MAD2 localizes to an outer domain of the prometaphase kinetochore. MAD2 staining was primarily observed on mitotic kinetochores that lacked attached microtubules; i.e., at prometaphase or when the microtubules were depolymerized with oryzalin. In contrast, the loss of MAD2 staining in meiosis was not correlated with initial microtubule attachment but was correlated with a measure of tension: the distance between homologous or sister kinetochores (in meiosis I and II, respectively). Further, the tension-sensitive 3F3/2 phosphoepitope colocalized, and was lost concomitantly, with MAD2 staining at the meiotic kinetochore. The mechanism of spindle assembly (discussed here with respect to maize mitosis and meiosis) is likely to affect the relative contributions of attachment and tension. We support the idea that MAD2 is attachment-sensitive and that tension stabilizes microtubule attachments.
Trafficking of Shigella Lipopolysaccharide in Polarized Intestinal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Beatty Wandy L. , Méresse Stéphane , Gounon Pierre , Davoust Jean , Mounier Joëlle , Sansonetti Philippe J. , Gorvel Jean-Pierre
Published: July 2002

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at the apical surface of polarized intestinal epithelial cells was previously shown to be transported from the apical to the basolateral pole of the epithelium (Beatty, W.L., and P.J. Sansonetti. 1997. Infect. Immun. 65:4395–4404). The present study was designed to elucidate the transcytotic pathway of LPS and to characterize the endocytic compartments involved in this process. Confocal and electron microscopic analyses revealed that LPS internalized at the apical surface became rapidly distributed within endosomal compartments accessible to basolaterally internalized transferrin. This compartment largely excluded fluid-phase markers added at either pole. Access to the basolateral side of the epithelium subsequent to trafficking to basolateral endosomes occurred via exocytosis into the paracellular space beneath the intercellular tight junctions. LPS appeared to exploit other endocytic routes with much of the internalized LPS recycled to the original apical membrane. In addition, analysis of LPS in association with markers of the endocytic network revealed that some LPS was sent to late endosomal and lysosomal compartments.
Target-Cell Contact Activates a Highly Selective Capacitative Calcium Entry Pathway in Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes
Authors: Zweifach Adam
Published: July 2002

Calcium influx is critical for T cell activation. Evidence has been presented that T cell receptor–stimulated calcium influx in helper T lymphocytes occurs via channels activated as a consequence of depletion of intracellular calcium stores, a mechanism known as capacitative Ca2+ entry (CCE). However, two key questions have not been addressed. First, the mechanism of calcium influx in cytotoxic T cells has not been examined. While the T cell receptor–mediated early signals in helper and cytotoxic T cells are similar, the physiology of the cells is strikingly different, raising the possibility that the mechanism of calcium influx is also different. Second, contact of T cells with antigen-presenting cells or targets involves a host of intercellular interactions in addition to those between antigen–MHC and the T cell receptor. The possibility that calcium influx pathways in addition to those activated via the T cell receptor may be activated by contact with relevant cells has not been addressed. We have used imaging techniques to show that target-cell–stimulated calcium influx in CTLs occurs primarily through CCE. We investigated the permeability of the CTL influx pathway for divalent cations, and compared it to the permeability of CCE in Jurkat human leukemic T cells. CCE in CTLs shows a similar ability to discriminate between calcium, barium, and strontium as CCE in Jurkat human leukemic T lymphocytes, where CCE is likely to mediated by Ca2+ release–activated Ca2+ current (CRAC) channels, suggesting that CRAC channels also underlie CCE in CTLs. These results are the first determination of the mechanism of calcium influx in cytotoxic T cells and the first demonstration that cell contact–mediated calcium signals in T cells occur via depletion-activated channels.
Jil-1, a Chromosomal Kinase Implicated in Regulation of Chromatin Structure, Associates with the Male Specific Lethal (Msl) Dosage Compensation Complex
Authors: Jin Ye , Wang Yanming , Johansen Jørgen , Johansen Kristen M.
Published: July 2002

JIL-1 is a novel chromosomal kinase that is upregulated almost twofold on the male X chromosome in Drosophila. Here we demonstrate that JIL-1 colocalizes and physically interacts with male specific lethal (MSL) dosage compensation complex proteins. Furthermore, ectopic expression of the MSL complex directed by MSL2 in females causes a concomitant upregulation of JIL-1 to the female X that is abolished in msl mutants unable to assemble the complex. Thus, these results strongly indicate JIL-1 associates with the MSL complex and further suggests JIL-1 functions in signal transduction pathways regulating chromatin structure.
The Regulatory Complex of Drosophila melanogaster 26s Proteasomes
Authors: Hölzl Harald , Kapelari Barbara , Kellermann Josef , Seemüller Erika , Sümegi Máté , Udvardy Andor , Medalia Ohad , Sperling Joseph , Müller Shirley A. , Engel Andreas , Baumeister Wolfgang
Published: July 2002

Drosophila melanogaster embryos are a source for homogeneous and stable 26S proteasomes suitable for structural studies. For biochemical characterization, purified 26S proteasomes were resolved by two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis and subunits composing the regulatory complex (RC) were identified by amino acid sequencing and immunoblotting, before corresponding cDNAs were sequenced. 17 subunits from Drosophila RCs were found to have homologues in the yeast and human RCs. An additional subunit, p37A, not yet described in RCs of other organisms, is a member of the ubiquitin COOH-terminal hydrolase family (UCH). Analysis of EM images of 26S proteasomes-UCH-inhibitor complexes allowed for the first time to localize one of the RC's specific functions, deubiquitylating activity.

The masses of 26S proteasomes with either one or two attached RCs were determined by scanning transmission EM (STEM), yielding a mass of 894 kD for a single RC. This value is in good agreement with the summed masses of the 18 identified RC subunits (932 kD), indicating that the number of subunits is complete.
Mutants Affecting the Structure of the Cortical Endoplasmic Reticulum in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Prinz William A. , Grzyb Lara , Veenhuis Marten , Kahana Jason A. , Silver Pamela A. , Rapoport Tom A.
Published: July 2002

We find that the peripheral ER in Saccharomyces cerevisiae forms a dynamic network of interconnecting membrane tubules throughout the cell cycle, similar to the ER in higher eukaryotes. Maintenance of this network does not require microtubule or actin filaments, but its dynamic behavior is largely dependent on the actin cytoskeleton. We isolated three conditional mutants that disrupt peripheral ER structure. One has a mutation in a component of the COPI coat complex, which is required for vesicle budding. This mutant has a partial defect in ER segregation into daughter cells and disorganized ER in mother cells. A similar phenotype was found in other mutants with defects in vesicular trafficking between ER and Golgi complex, but not in mutants blocked at later steps in the secretory pathway. The other two mutants found in the screen have defects in the signal recognition particle (SRP) receptor. This receptor, along with SRP, targets ribosome–nascent chain complexes to the ER membrane for protein translocation. A conditional mutation in SRP also disrupts ER structure, but other mutants with translocation defects do not. We also demonstrate that, both in wild-type and mutant cells, the ER and mitochondria partially coalign, and that mutations that disrupt ER structure also affect mitochondrial structure. Our data suggest that both trafficking between the ER and Golgi complex and ribosome targeting are important for maintaining ER structure, and that proper ER structure may be required to maintain mitochondrial structure.
Rabenosyn-5, a Novel Rab5 Effector, Is Complexed with Hvps45 and Recruited to Endosomes through a Fyve Finger Domain
Authors: Nielsen Erik , Christoforidis Savvas , Uttenweiler-Joseph Sandrine , Miaczynska Marta , Dewitte Frederique , Wilm Matthias , Hoflack Bernard , Zerial Marino
Published: July 2002

Rab5 regulates endocytic membrane traffic by specifically recruiting cytosolic effector proteins to their site of action on early endosomal membranes. We have characterized a new Rab5 effector complex involved in endosomal fusion events. This complex includes a novel protein, Rabenosyn-5, which, like the previously characterized Rab5 effector early endosome antigen 1 (EEA1), contains an FYVE finger domain and is recruited in a phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase–dependent fashion to early endosomes. Rabenosyn-5 is complexed to the Sec1-like protein hVPS45. hVPS45 does not interact directly with Rab5, therefore Rabenosyn-5 serves as a molecular link between hVPS45 and the Rab5 GTPase. This property suggests that Rabenosyn-5 is a closer mammalian functional homologue of yeast Vac1p than EEA1. Furthermore, although both EEA1 and Rabenosyn-5 are required for early endosomal fusion, only overexpression of Rabenosyn-5 inhibits cathepsin D processing, suggesting that the two proteins play distinct roles in endosomal trafficking. We propose that Rab5-dependent formation of membrane domains enriched in phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate has evolved as a mechanism for the recruitment of multiple effector proteins to mammalian early endosomes, and that these domains are multifunctional, depending on the differing activities of the effector proteins recruited.
Rapid Cycling of Lipid Raft Markers between the Cell Surface and Golgi Complex
Authors: Nichols Benjamin J. , Kenworthy Anne K. , Polishchuk Roman S. , Lodge Robert , Roberts Theresa H. , Hirschberg Koret , Phair Robert D. , Lippincott-Schwartz Jennifer
Published: July 2002

The endocytic itineraries of lipid raft markers, such as glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins and glycosphingolipids, are incompletely understood. Here we show that different GPI-anchored proteins have different intracellular distributions; some (such as the folate receptor) accumulate in transferrin-containing compartments, others (such as CD59 and GPI-linked green fluorescent protein [GFP]) accumulate in the Golgi apparatus. Selective photobleaching shows that the Golgi pool of both GPI-GFP and CD59-GFP constantly and rapidly exchanges with the pool of these proteins found on the plasma membrane (PM). We visualized intermediates carrying GPI-GFP from the Golgi apparatus to the PM and separate structures delivering GPI-GFP to the Golgi apparatus.

GPI-GFP does not accumulate within endocytic compartments containing transferrin, although it is detected in intracellular structures which are endosomes by the criteria of accessibility to a fluid phase marker and to cholera and shiga toxin B subunits (CTxB and STxB, which are also found in rafts). GPI-GFP and a proportion of the total CTxB and STxB taken up into cells are endocytosed independently of clathrin-associated machinery and are delivered to the Golgi complex via indistinguishable mechanisms. Hence, they enter the Golgi complex in the same intermediates, get there independently of both clathrin and rab5 function, and are excluded from it at 20°C and under conditions of cholesterol sequestration. The PM–Golgi cycling pathway followed by GPI-GFP could serve to regulate lipid raft distribution and function within cells.
Role of Phosphatidylinositol 3′ Kinase and a Downstream Pleckstrin Homology Domain–Containing Protein in Controlling Chemotaxis inDictyostelium
Authors: Funamoto Satoru , Milan Kristina , Meili Ruedi , Firtel Richard A.
Published: July 2002

We show that cells lacking two Dictyostelium class I phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3′ kinases (PI3K and pi3k1/2-null cells) or wild-type cells treated with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 are unable to properly polarize, are very defective in the temporal, spatial, and quantitative regulation of chemoattractant-mediated filamentous (F)-actin polymerization, and chemotax very slowly. PI3K is thought to produce membrane lipid-binding sites for localization of PH domain–containing proteins. We demonstrate that in response to chemoattractants three PH domain–containing proteins do not localize to the leading edge in pi3k1/2-null cells, and the translocation is blocked in wild-type cells by LY294002. Cells lacking one of these proteins, phdA-null cells, exhibit defects in the level and kinetics of actin polymerization at the leading edge and have chemotaxis phenotypes that are distinct from those described previously for protein kinase B (PKB) (pkbA)-null cells. Phenotypes of PhdA-dominant interfering mutations suggest that PhdA is an adaptor protein that regulates F-actin localization in response to chemoattractants and links PI3K to the control of F-actin polymerization at the leading edge during pseudopod formation. We suggest that PKB and PhdA lie downstream from PI3K and control different downstream effector pathways that are essential for proper chemotaxis.
Subdomain-Specific Localization of Climp-63 (P63) in the Endoplasmic Reticulum Is Mediated by Its Luminal α-Helical Segment
Authors: Klopfenstein Dieter R. , Klumperman Judith , Lustig Ariel , Kammerer Richard A. , Oorschot Viola , Hauri Hans-Peter
Published: July 2002

The microtubule-binding integral 63 kD cytoskeleton-linking membrane protein (CLIMP-63; former name, p63) of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is excluded from the nuclear envelope. We studied the mechanism underlying this ER subdomain–specific localization by mutagenesis and structural analysis. Deleting the luminal but not cytosolic segment of CLIMP-63 abrogated subdomain-specific localization, as visualized by confocal microscopy in living cells and by immunoelectron microscopy using ultrathin cryosections. Photobleaching/recovery analysis revealed that the luminal segment determines restricted diffusion and immobility of the protein. The recombinant full-length luminal segment of CLIMP-63 formed α-helical 91-nm long rod-like structures as evident by circular dichroism spectroscopy and electron microscopy. In the analytical ultracentrifuge, the luminal segment sedimented at 25.7 S, indicating large complexes. The complexes most likely arose by electrostatic interactions of individual highly charged coiled coils. The findings indicate that the luminal segment of CLIMP-63 is necessary and sufficient for oligomerization into α-helical complexes that prevent nuclear envelope localization. Concentration of CLIMP-63 into patches may enhance microtubule binding on the cytosolic side and contribute to ER morphology by the formation of a protein scaffold in the lumen of the ER.
Targeted ablation of NrCAM or ankyrin-B results in disorganized lens fibers leading to cataract formation
Authors: Moré Margret I. , Kirsch Frank-P. , Rathjen Fritz G.
Published: July 2002

The NgCAM-related cell adhesion molecule (NrCAM) is an immunoglobulin superfamily member of the L1 subgroup that interacts intracellularly with ankyrins. We reveal that the absence of NrCAM causes the formation of mature cataracts in the mouse, whereas significant pathfinding errors of commissural axons at the midline of the spinal cord or of proprioceptive axon collaterals are not detected. Cataracts, the most common cause of visual impairment, are generated in NrCAM-deficient mice by a disorganization of lens fibers, followed by cellular disintegration and accumulation of cellular debris. The disorganization of fiber cells becomes histologically distinct during late embryonic development and includes abnormalities of the cytoskeleton and of connexin50-containing gap junctions. Furthermore, analysis of lenses of ankyrin-B mutant mice also reveals a disorganization of lens fibers at postnatal day 1, indistinguishable from that generated by the absence of NrCAM, indicating that NrCAM and ankyrin-B are required to maintain contact between lens fiber cells. Also, these studies provide genetic evidence of an interaction between NrCAM and ankyrin-B.
Peri-Golgi vesicles contain retrograde but not anterograde proteins consistent with the cisternal progression model of intra-Golgi transport
Authors: Martínez-Menárguez José A. , Prekeris Rytis , Oorschot Viola M.J. , Scheller Richard , Slot Jan W. , Geuze Hans J. , Klumperman Judith
Published: July 2002

A cisternal progression mode of intra-Golgi transport requires that Golgi resident proteins recycle by peri-Golgi vesicles, whereas the alternative model of vesicular transport predicts anterograde cargo proteins to be present in such vesicles. We have used quantitative immuno-EM on NRK cells to distinguish peri-Golgi vesicles from other vesicles in the Golgi region. We found significant levels of the Golgi resident enzyme mannosidase II and the transport machinery proteins giantin, KDEL-receptor, and rBet1 in coatomer protein I–coated cisternal rims and peri-Golgi vesicles. By contrast, when cells expressed vesicular stomatitis virus protein G this anterograde marker was largely absent from the peri-Golgi vesicles. These data suggest a role of peri-Golgi vesicles in recycling of Golgi residents, rather than an important role in anterograde transport.
Phosphatidylserine (PS) induces PS receptor–mediated macropinocytosis and promotes clearance of apoptotic cells
Authors: Hoffmann Peter R. , deCathelineau Aimee M. , Ogden Carol Anne , Leverrier Yann , Bratton Donna L. , Daleke David L. , Ridley Anne J. , Fadok Valerie A. , Henson Peter M.
Published: July 2002

Efficient phagocytosis of apoptotic cells is important for normal tissue development, homeostasis, and the resolution of inflammation. Although many receptors have been implicated in the clearance of apoptotic cells, the roles of these receptors in the engulfment process have not been well defined. We developed a novel system to distinguish between receptors involved in tethering of apoptotic cells versus those inducing their uptake. Our results suggest that regardless of the receptors engaged on the phagocyte, ingestion does not occur in the absence of phosphatidylserine (PS). Further, recognition of PS was found to be dependent on the presence of the PS receptor (PSR). Both PS and anti-PSR antibodies stimulated membrane ruffling, vesicle formation, and “bystander” uptake of cells bound to the surface of the phagocyte. We propose that the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells requires two events: tethering followed by PS-stimulated, PSR-mediated macropinocytosis.
CHO1, a mammalian kinesin-like protein, interacts with F-actin and is involved in the terminal phase of cytokinesis
Authors: Kuriyama Ryoko , Gustus Charles , Terada Yasuhiko , Uetake Yumi , Matuliene Jurgita
Published: July 2002

CHO1 is a kinesin-like protein of the mitotic kinesin-like protein (MKLP)1 subfamily present in central spindles and midbodies in mammalian cells. It is different from other subfamily members in that it contains an extra ∼300 bp in the COOH-terminal tail. Analysis of the chicken genomic sequence showed that heterogeneity is derived from alternative splicing, and exon 18 is expressed in only the CHO1 isoform. CHO1 and its truncated isoform MKLP1 are coexpressed in a single cell. Surprisingly, the sequence encoded by exon 18 possesses a capability to interact with F-actin, suggesting that CHO1 can associate with both microtubule and actin cytoskeletons. Microinjection of exon 18–specific antibodies did not result in any inhibitory effects on karyokinesis and early stages of cytokinesis. However, almost completely separated daughter cells became reunited to form a binulceate cell, suggesting that the exon 18 protein may not have a role in the formation and ingression of the contractile ring in the cortex. Rather, it might be involved directly or indirectly in the membrane events necessary for completion of the terminal phase of cytokinesis.
Normal Lymphocyte Development but Delayed Humoral Immune Response in CD81-null Mice
Authors: Maecker Holden T. , Levy Shoshana
Published: July 2002

CD81 is a cell surface molecule expressed on many cell types and associated with the CD19/ CD21/Leu13 signal-transducing complex on B cells. A recent report implies that CD81 expression on thymic stromal cells is important in the maturation of thymocytes from CD4− CD8− to CD4+CD8+. However, we have produced CD81-null mice by gene targeting, and find that they undergo normal development of thymocytes and express normal numbers of T cells. B cells are also found in normal numbers in the spleen, blood, and peritoneal cavity of CD81-null mice, but they express a lower level of CD19 compared to heterozygous littermates. Finally, early antibody responses to the protein antigen ovalbumin are weaker in CD81null mice compared to their heterozygous littermates. This is consistent with the proposed role of the CD19/CD21/CD81-signaling complex in lowering the threshold for B cell responses. These results show that CD81 is not required for maturation of T cells, but is important for optimal expression of CD19 on B cells and optimal stimulation of antibody production.
Suppression of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1)–induced Pneumonia in Mice by Inhibition of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS, NOS2)
Authors: Adler Heiko , Beland Janice L. , Del-Pan Nadia C. , Kobzik Lester , Brewer Joanne P. , Martin Thomas R. , Rimm Ilonna J.
Published: July 2002

Intranasal Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection of mice caused pneumonia. Manifestations of the disease included: histological pneumonitis, pulmonary influx of lymphocytes, decreased pulmonary compliance, and decreased survival. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated iNOS induction and the nitrotyrosine antigen in the lungs of infected, but not uninfected mice, suggesting that nitric oxide contributes to the development of pneumonia. To elucidate the role of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of HSV-1 pneumonia, infected mice were treated either with the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase activity, NG-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA), or, as a control, with PBS or d-NMMA. l-NMMA treatment decreased the histological evidence of pneumonia and reduced the bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocyte number to one-quarter of the total measured in control-treated mice. l-NMMA treatment significantly improved survival and pulmonary compliance of HSV-1–infected mice. Strikingly, the l-NMMA–mediated suppression of pneumonia occurred despite the presence of a 17-fold higher pulmonary viral titer. Taken together, these data demonstrated a previously unrecognized role of nitric oxide in HSV-1–induced pneumonia. Of note, suppression of pneumonia occurred despite higher pulmonary virus content; therefore, our data suggest that HSV-1 pneumonia is due to aspects of the inflammatory response rather than to direct viral cytopathic effects.
Antigenic Cancer Cells Grow Progressively in Immune Hosts without Evidence for T Cell Exhaustion or Systemic Anergy
Authors: Wick Maresa , Dubey Purnima , Koeppen Hartmut , Siegel Christopher T. , Fields Patrick E. , Chen Lieping , Bluestone Jeffrey A. , Schreiber Hans
Published: July 2002

One enigma in tumor immunology is why animals bearing malignant grafts can reject normal grafts that express the same nonself-antigen. An explanation for this phenomenon could be that different T cell clones react to the normal graft and the malignant cells, respectively, and only the tumor-reactive clonotypes may be affected by the growing tumor. To test this hypothesis, we used a T cell receptor transgenic mouse in which essentially all CD8+ T cells are specific for a closely related set of self-peptides presented on the MHC class I molecule Ld. We find that the tumor expressed Ld in the T cell receptor transgenic mice but grew, while the Ld-positive skin was rejected. Thus, despite an abundance of antigen-specific T cells, the malignant tissue grew while normal tissue expressing the same epitopes was rejected. Therefore, systemic T cell exhaustion or anergy was not responsible for the growth of the antigenic cancer cells. Expression of costimulatory molecules on the tumor cells after transfection and preimmunization by full-thickness skin grafts was required for rejection of a subsequent tumor challenge, but there was no detectable effect of active immunization once the tumor was established. Thus, the failure of established tumors to attract and activate tumor-specific T cells at the tumor site may be a major obstacle for preventive or therapeutic vaccination against antigenic cancer.
Self Antigens Expressed by Solid Tumors Do Not Efficiently Stimulate Naive or Activated T Cells: Implications for Immunotherapy
Authors: Speiser Daniel E. , Miranda Renata , Zakarian Arsen , Bachmann Martin F. , McKall-Faienza Kim , Odermatt Bernhard , Hanahan Douglas , Zinkernagel Rolf M. , Ohashi Pamela S.
Published: July 2002

Induction and maintenance of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity specific for a primary endogenous tumor was investigated in vivo. The simian virus 40 T antigen (Tag) expressed under the control of the rat insulin promoter (RIP) induced pancreatic β-cell tumors producing insulin, causing progressive hypoglycemia. As an endogenous tumor antigen, the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) glycoprotein (GP) was introduced also under the control of the RIP. No significant spontaneous CTL activation against GP was observed. However, LCMV infection induced an antitumor CTL response which efficiently reduced the tumor mass, resulting in temporarily normalized blood glucose levels and prolonged survival of double transgenic RIP(GP × Tag2) mice (137 ± 18 d) as opposed to control RIP-Tag2 mice (88 ± 8 d). Surprisingly, the tumor-specific CTL response was not sustained despite the facts that the tumor cells continued to express MHC class I and LCMV-GP–specific CTLs were present and not tolerized. Subsequent adoptive transfer of virus activated spleen cells into RIP(GP × Tag2) mice further prolonged survival (168 ± 11 d), demonstrating continued expression of the LCMV-GP tumor antigen and MHC class I. The data show that the tumor did not spontaneously induce or maintain an activated CTL response, revealing a profound lack of immunogenicity in vivo. Therefore, repetitive immunizations are necessary for prolonged antitumor immunotherapy. In addition, the data suggest that the risk for induction of chronic autoimmune diseases is limited, which may encourage immunotherapy against antigens selectively but not exclusively expressed by the tumor.
Tumor Eradication by Wild-type p53-specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes
Authors: Vierboom Michel P.M. , Nijman Hans W. , Offringa Rienk , Voort Ellen I.H. van der , Hall Thorbald van , Broek Lambert van den , Fleuren Gert Jan , Kenemans Peter , Kast W. Martin , Melief Cornelis J.M.
Published: July 2002

The tumor suppressor protein p53 is overexpressed in close to 50% of all human malignancies. The p53 protein is therefore an attractive target for immunotherapy. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) recognizing a murine wild-type p53 peptide, presented by the major histocompatibility complex class I molecule H-2Kb, were generated by immunizing p53 gene deficient (p53 −/−) C57BL/6 mice with syngeneic p53-overexpressing tumor cells. Adoptive transfer of these CTLs into tumor-bearing p53 +/+ nude mice caused complete and permanent tumor eradication. Importantly, this occurred in the absence of any demonstrable damage to normal tissue. When transferred into p53 +/+ immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice, the CTLs persisted for weeks in the absence of immunopathology and were capable of preventing tumor outgrowth. Wild-type p53-specific CTLs can apparently discriminate between p53-overexpressing tumor cells and normal tissue, indicating that widely expressed autologous molecules such as p53 can serve as a target for CTL-mediated immunotherapy of tumors.