TOR kinase pathway and 14-3-3 proteins regulate glucose-induced expression of HXT1, a yeast low-affinity glucose transporter

Expression of HXT1, a gene encoding a Saccharomyces cerevisiae low-affinity glucose transporter, is regulated by glucose availability, being activated in the presence of glucose and inhibited when the levels of the sugar are scarce. In this study we show that 14-3-3 proteins are involved in the regulation of the expression of HXT1 by glucose. We also demonstrate that 14-3-3 proteins, in complex with Reg1, a regulatory subunit of Glc7 protein phosphatase, interact physically with Grr1 (a component of the SCF-Grr1 ubiquitination complex), a key player in the process of HXT1 induction by glucose. In addition, we show that the TOR kinase pathway participates actively in the induction of HXT1 expression by glucose. Inhibition of the TOR kinase pathway by rapamycin treatment abolishes HXT1 glucose induction. A possible involvement of PP2A protein phosphatase complex, through the Cdc55 B-subunit, in the glucose induction of HXT1 is also discussed.     

Involvement of yeast YOL151W/GRE2 in ergosterol metabolism

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene YOL151W/GRE2 is widely used as a model gene in studies on yeast regulatory responses to osmotic and oxidative stress. Nevertheless, information concerning the physiological role of this enzyme, a distant homologue of mammalian 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, is scarce. Combining quantitative phenotypic profiling and protein expression analysis studies, we here report the involvement of yeast Gre2p in ergosterol metabolism. Growth was significantly and exclusively reduced in gre2Delta strains subjected to environmental stress straining the cell membrane. Furthermore, whereas no compensatory mechanisms were activated due to loss of Gre2p during growth in favourable conditions (synthetic defined media, no stress), a striking and highly specific induction of the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway, represented by the enzymes Erg10p, Erg19p and Erg6p, was observed in gre2Delta during growth in a stress condition in which lack of Gre2p significantly affects growth. Involvement of Gre2p in ergosterol metabolism was confirmed by application of an array of selective inhibitors of lipid biosynthesis, as gre2Delta displayed vastly impaired tolerance exclusively to agents targeting the ergosterol biosynthesis. The approach outlined here, combining broad-spectrum phenotypic profiling, expression analysis during conditions reducing the growth of the mutant and functional confirmation by application of highly selective inhibitors, may prove a valuable tool in gene functional analysis.     

酿酒废水硫氧化细菌的分离鉴定及其硫氧化特性

本研究从酿酒废水中分离了一株化能自养硫氧化细菌LS2,通过16S rRNA基因和硫氧化功能酶基因sox B分析表明该菌株与Halothiobacillus亲缘关系最近,但Halothiobacillussp.LS2的基因组中存在完整的固氮酶基因簇nif,其关键编码基因nif H与Acidithiobacillus属中A. ferrooxidans和A. ferrivorans相似性最高,均高于80%。通过细胞水平的比较研究,菌株LS2在有氮和无氮条件下均可生长,在1 mM NH4+的条件下生长量最高可达1.98×107/m L,而无氮条件下生长量较有氮条件下少,最高可达1.37×107/m L;基于基因表达分析,菌株LS2的nif H表达量因氮源存在而下调,硫代硫酸盐浓度增加而上调,其中在5 mM S2O32-浓度下其表达量上调了约33倍。说明该菌的固氮作用与硫氧化反应息息相关。本研究获得了一株具有固氮能力的化能自养硫氧化细菌,所获得的结果可为含硫化物废水的治理提供一种新思路。     

酿酒酵母中的蔗糖转换酶基因(SUC2)研究进展

蔗糖转换酶基因(SUC2)编码蔗糖转换酶(Invertase),通过降解酵母细胞外的蔗糖成果糖和葡萄糖来提供酵母生长所需的碳源,在以蔗糖为主要碳源的培养条件下,蔗糖转换酶对于酵母生长必不可少.因此研究蔗糖转换酶基因序列、转录、调控等对酵母蔗糖代谢具有重要意义.蔗糖转换酶基因的表达受葡萄糖浓度、氧气和其在染色体上的位置等因素的影响.本文就葡萄糖浓度对SUC2表达的影响以及葡萄糖浓度对其表达调控的机制进行了综述,并展望了该基因及蔗糖转换酶在今后的应用和研究趋势.     

Pathway and single gene analyses of inhibited Caco-2 differentiation by ascorbate-stabilized quercetin suggest enhancement of cellular processes associated with development of colon cancer

The aim was to investigate mechanisms contributing to quercetin's previously described effects on cell-proliferation and -differentiation, which contradicted its proposed anticarcinogenic potency. In a 10-day experiment, 40 microM quercetin stabilized by 1 mM ascorbate reduced Caco-2 differentiation up to 50% (p < 0.001). Caco-2 RNA from days 5 and 10, hybridized on HG-U133A2.0 Affymetrix GeneChips(R), showed 1,743 affected genes on both days (p < 0.01). All 14 Caco-2 differentiation-associated genes showed decreased expression (p < 0.01), including intestinal alkaline phosphatase, that was confirmed technically (qRT-PCR) and functionally (enzyme-activity). The 1,743 genes contributed to 27 pathways (p < 0.05) categorized under six gene ontology (GO) processes, including apoptosis and cell-cycle. Genes within these GO-processes showed fold changes that suggest increased cell-survival and -proliferation. Furthermore, quercetin down-regulated expression of genes involved in tumor-suppression and phase II metabolism, and up-regulated oncogenes. Gene expression changes mediated by ascorbate-stabilized quercetin were concordant with those occurring in human colorectal carcinogenesis ( approximately 80-90%), but were opposite to those previously described for Caco-2 cells exposed to quercetin without ascorbate ( approximately 75-90%). In conclusion, gene expression among Caco-2 cells exposed to ascorbate-stabilized quercetin showed mechanisms contrary to what is expected for a cancer-preventive agent. Whether this unexpected in vitro effect is relevant in vivo, remains to be elucidated.     

DOGR1 and DOGR2: Two genes from Saccharomyces cerevisiae that confer 2-deoxyglucose resistance when overexpressed

Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains two genes (DOG^R1 and DOG^R2) that are able to confer 2-deoxyglucose resistance when they are overexpressed. These genes are very similar, sharing 92% identity at the protein level. They code for two isoenzymes with 2-deoxyglucose-6 phosphate (2-DOG-6P) phosphatase activity. These enzymes have been purified and characterized. Dog^R1p shows an optimum pH of 6, an optimum temperature of 30°C and a K_M on 2-DOG-6P of 17 mM. Dog^R2p shows a similar optimum pH, but the optimum temperature is 40°C and it exhibits a K_M on 2-DOG-6P of 41 mM. Both enzymes require 10 mM-MgCl₂ for maximal activity and they are inhibited by inorganic phosphate.     

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae TGL2 gene encodes a protein with lipolytic activity and can complement an Escherichia coli diacylglycerol kinase disruptant

Escherichia coli cells with a disrupted diacylglycerol kinase gene are unable to grow on media containing arbutin due to a lethal accumulation of diacylglycerol. In order to isolate genes from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae involved in diacylglycerol metabolism we complemented an E. coli diacylglycerol kinase disruptant with a yeast genomic library and transformants were selected capable of growing in the presence of arbutin. Using this method, a gene (TGL2) was isolated coding for a protein resembling lipases from Pseudomonas. After expression of the TGL2 gene in E. coli, lipolytic activity towards triacylglycerols and diacylglycerols with short-chain fatty acids could be measured. Therefore, it is very likely that the TGL2 gene can complement the E. coli diacylglycerol kinase disruptant, because it encodes a protein that degrades the diacylglycerol accumulated after growth in the presence of arbutin. Disruption of the TGL2 gene in S. cerevisiae did not result in a detectable phenotype. The role of the Tgl2 protein in lipid degradation in yeast is still unclear. The nucleotide sequence published here has been submitted to the EMBL sequence data bank and is available under accession number X98000. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The S. cerevisiae nitrogen starvation-induced Yvh1p and Ptp2p phosphatases play a role in control of sporulation

Starvation for nitrogen in the absence of a fermentable carbon source causes diploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells to leave vegetative growth, enter meiosis, and sporulate; the former nutritional condition also induces expression of the YVH1 gene that encodes a protein phosphatase. This correlation prompted us to determine whether the Yvh1p phosphatase was a participant in the network that controls the onset of meiosis and sporulation. We found that expression of the IME2 gene, encoding a protein kinase homologue required for meiosis- and sporulation-specific gene expression, is decreased in a yvh1 disrupted strain. We also observed a decrease, albeit a smaller one, in the expression of IME1 which encodes an activator protein required for IME2 expression. Under identical experimental conditions, expression of the MCK1 and IME4 genes (which promote sporulation but do not require Ime1p for expression) was not affected. These results demonstrate the specificity of the yvh1 disruption phenotype. They suggest that decreased steady-state levels of IME1 and IME2 mRNA were not merely the result of non-specific adverse affects on nucleic acid metabolism caused by the yvh1 disruption. Sporulation of a homozygous yvh1 disruption mutant was delayed and less efficient overall compared to an isogenic wild-type strain, a result which correlates with decreased IME1 and IME2 gene expression. We also observed that expression of the PTP2 tyrosine phosphatase gene (a negative regulator of the osmosensing MAP kinase cascade), but not the PTP1 gene (also encoding a tyrosine phosphatase) was induced by nitrogen-starvation. Although disruption of PTP2 alone did not demonstrably affect sporulation or IME2 gene expression, sporulation was decreased more in a yvh1, ptp2 double mutant than in a yvh1 single mutant; it was nearly abolished in the double mutant. These data suggest that the YVH1 and PTP2 encoded phosphatases likely participate in the control network regulating meiosis and sporulation. Expression of YVH1 and PTP2 was not affected by nitrogen source quality (asparagine compared to proline) suggesting that nitrogen starvation-induced YVH1 and PTP2 expression and sensitivity to nitrogen catabolite repression are on two different branches of the nitrogen regulatory network.     

Single cell reporter assay using cell surface displayed Vargula luciferase

Reporter genes such as firefly luciferase are common tools to monitor gene expression in various systems. As reporter gene represents the expression level of the gene of interest with its enzyme activity, firefly luciferase is most frequently used because its luminescent activity is highly sensitive and less time consumable for assay. However, since firefly luciferase is expressed internally in the cell, lysis of the cell is a critical step, and thus it is difficult to monitor the gene expression level continuously. In this report, we utilized secretive Vargula hilgendorfii luciferase modified to cell surface displayed one by fusing with human EGFR transmembrane sequence. This modified Vargula luciferase was expressed on cell surface without losing its bioluminescent activity. Co-transfection with secretive alkaline phosphatase showed that the behaviors of cell surface displayed Vargula luciferase and secretive alkaline phosphatase are comparable to each other. Furthermore, the luminescence of a single cell expressing cell surface displayed Vargula luciferase can be monitored by using photon counting CCD camera, which indicates that this reporter gene can monitor gene expression in a single cell without cell lysis.     

Control of Saccharomyces cerevisiae carboxypeptidase S (CPS1) gene expression under nutrient limitation

Expression of the vacuolar carboxypeptidase S (CPS1) gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regulated by the availability of nutrients. Enzyme production is sensitive to nitrogen catabolite repression; i.e. the presence of ammonium ions maintains expression of the gene at a low level. Transfer of ammonium–glucose pre-grown cells to a medium deprived of nitrogen causes a drastic increase in CPS1 RNA level provided that a readily usable carbon source, such as glucose or fructose, is available to the cells. Derepression of the gene by nitrogen limitation is cycloheximide-insensitive. Neither glycerol, ethanol, acetate nor galactose support derepression of CPS1 expression under nitrogen starvation conditions. Non-metabolizable sugar analogs (2-deoxyglucose, 6-methyl-glucose or glucosamine) do not allow derepression of CPS1, showing that the process is energy-dependent. Production of carboxypeptidase yscS also increases several-fold when ammonium-pregrown cells are transferred to media containing glucose and a non-readily metabolizable nitrogen source such as proline, leucine, valine or leucyl-glycine. Analysis of CPS1 expression in RAS2⁺ (high cAMP) and ras2 mutant (low cAMP) strains and in cells grown at low temperature (23°C) and in heat-shocked cells (38°C) shows that steady-state levels of CPS1 mRNA are not controlled by a low cAMP level-signalling pathway.     

The in vivo activation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae plasma membrane H+-ATPase by ethanol depends on the expression of the PMA1 gene,but not of the PMA2 gene

The expression of the PMA1 and PMA2 genes during Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth in medium with glucose plus increasing concentrations of ethanol was monitored by using PMA1-lacZ and PMA2-lacZ fusions and Northern blot hybridizations of total RNA probed with PMA1 gene. The presence of sub-lethal concentrations of ethanol enhanced the expression of PMA2 whereas it reduced the expression of PMA1. The inhibition of PMA1 expression by ethanol corresponded to a decrease in the content of plasma membrane ATPase as quantified by immunoassays. Although an apparent correspondence could exist between the increase of plasma membrane ATPase activity and the level of PMA2 expression, the maximal level of PMA2 expression remained about 200 times lower than PMA1. On the other hand, ethanol activated the plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase activity from a strain expressing only the PMA1 ATPase but did not activate that from a strain expressing only the PMA2 ATPase. These results provide evidence that in the presence of ethanol it is the PMA1 ATPase which is activated, probably by a post-translational mechanism and that the PMA2 ATPase is not involved.     

Effect of growth factors and lactogenic hormones on expression of plasminogen activator-related genes and cell proliferation in a bovine mammary epithelial cell line

There is conflicting evidence in the literature as to whether up-regulation of urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA) expression is related to bovine mammary epithelial cell growth. The role of u-PA receptor (u-PAR) and that of the plasminogen activator inhibitors type 1 and type 2 (PAI-1 and PAI-2) in bovine mammary epithelial cell proliferation is not known. The effect of growth factors and various hormones known to affect mammary function on expression of u-PA, u-PAR, PAI-1, PAI-2 and cell proliferation using the BME-UV1 bovine mammary epithelial cell line was examined. Cell proliferation was measured using the MTT assay and direct cell enumeration. Results showed that both IGF-1 and EGF increased cell proliferation but EGF was a more potent mitogen than IGF-1. Furthermore, IGF-1 increased by 2-fold expression of both u-PA and u-PAR while EGF increased by 3·8-fold the expression of only u-PAR. Both growth factors had no effect on expression of PAI-1 and PAI-2. In a manner consistent with changes in gene expression, EGF and to a lesser extent IGF-1 up-regulated total cell associated, membrane-bound and secreted u-PA activity. Thus, a strong correlation exists between u-PAR gene expression along with the activity of u-PA present on cell membranes and cell proliferation. Dexamethasone, prolactin and surprisingly insulin had no effect on cell proliferation. Dexamethasone alone and when combined with insulin or prolactin up-regulated gene expression of both PAI- and PAI-2 but not that of u-PA and u-PAR. Decreased total cell-associated, membrane-bound and secreted u-PA activity was detected in cells cultured in the presence of dexamethasone when combined with insulin or prolactin. However no such effect was observed in the presence of dexamethasone alone. Thus, dexamethasone acting synergistically with prolactin or insulin inhibits the activation of the plasmin-plasminogen system but this inhibition is not correlated with any changes in cell proliferation.     

A PMR1-like calcium ATPase of Aspergillus fumigatus: cloning, identification and functional expression in S. cerevisiae

The understanding of the controlling factors of calcium homeostasis in Aspergillus fumigatus is very poor, although this ion is involved in several important events of these particular cells. We have cloned, identified and expressed for functional complementation a PMR1-like Ca(2+)-ATPase gene from A. fumigatus. The Afpmr1 gene encodes a protein of 1061 deduced amino acids, containing all the conserved subdomains found in other P-type ATPases: the phosphatase region, phosphorylation site, FITC labelling site, ATP binding domain; E(386), N871, D875 amino acid residues for calcium ion interaction and Q880, a residue that alters ion selectivity in PMR1. The expressed AfPMR1 in S. cerevisiae K616 strain functionally complemented the deficient growth in EGTA (5-20 mM)- and MnCl2 (4 mM)-containing medium. These results demonstrate the first evidence of a Ca(2+)-ATPase in A. fumigatus and strongly suggest a role for this enzyme in calcium and manganese homeostasis.     

Single cell reporter assay using cell surface displayed Vargula luciferase

Reporter genes such as firefly luciferase are common tools to monitor gene expression in various systems. As reporter gene represents the expression level of the gene of interest with its enzyme activity, firefly luciferase is most frequently used because its luminescent activity is highly sensitive and less time consumable for assay. However, since firefly luciferase is expressed internally in the cell, lysis of the cell is a critical step, and thus it is difficult to monitor the gene expression level continuously. In this report, we utilized secretive Vargula hilgendorfii luciferase modified to cell surface displayed one by fusing with human EGFR transmembrane sequence. This modified Vargula luciferase was expressed on cell surface without losing its bioluminescent activity. Co-transfection with secretive alkaline phosphatase showed that the behaviors of cell surface displayed Vargula luciferase and secretive alkaline phosphatase are comparable to each other. Furthermore, the luminescence of a single cell expressing cell surface displayed Vargula luciferase can be monitored by using photon counting CCD camera, which indicates that this reporter gene can monitor gene expression in a single cell without cell lysis.     

Comparative analysis of promoter regions containing binding sites of the heterodimeric transcription factor Ino2/Ino4 involved in yeast phospholipid biosynthesis

The inositol/choline responsive element (ICRE) functions as a UAS element mediating coordinate expression of structural genes required for yeast phospholipid biosynthesis. However, ICRE motifs could be detected upstream of various genes apparently not involved in lipid metabolism. In this work we investigated the expression pattern of selected genes containing ICRE promoter motifs, as identified by in silico analysis (ARG4, ERG20, FAR8, GPD2, RSF1, URA8, VHT1 and YEL073C). It turned out that the presence of an ICRE upstream of a gene of unknown function indeed allows to conclude for regulation by phospholipid precursors, which is mediated by activators Ino2/Ino4 and the repressor Opi1. We also demonstrated in vitro binding of Ino2/Ino4 heterodimers to promoter regions. Thus, our analysis supports the view that identification of regulatory elements by a database search provides evidence for a specific pattern of gene expression. Activation by pathway-specific regulators may suggest a physiological function for as yet uncharacterized genes.     

苹果根皮苷-2-O-糖基转移酶基因克隆与表达模式分析

目的：根皮苷-2-O-糖基转移酶（phloridzin 2’-O-glycosyltransferase,P2’-GT）是根皮苷合成最后一步关键酶,可以把根皮素转化成根皮苷,本研究在富士苹果中克隆出P2’-GT基因,对基因编码产物进行生物信息学分析和基因的表达模式分析。方法：以苹果皮为材料,提取RNA反转录合成cDNA为模板,设计特异性引物进行扩增和测序,利用Pro Param tool、TMHMM等在线软件对编码蛋白进行生物信息学分析,利用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应（realtime fluorescence quatitative polymerase chain reaction,RTFQ-PCR）分析P2’-GT在苹果不同部位、不同苹果品种和不同生长时期的表达差异。结果：P2’-GT cDNA全长1 452 bp,编码483 个氨基酸,相对分子质量53.6 kDa,等电点5.76,该基因编码蛋白是不稳定蛋白,不具有明显的跨膜结构,二级结构主要有α-螺旋、无规卷曲和延伸链组成,三级结构结果显示P2’-GT蛋白模型与对苯二酚葡萄糖基转移酶相似度最高（41.32%）,进化分析表明P2’-GT与白梨糖基转移酶同源性最高。RTFQ-PCR分析发现P2’-GT在3 种苹果皮中均高效表达,在叶和根中微量表达,在果肉中不表达;P2’-GT的转录表达受苹果发育调控,在生长初期几乎不表达,随着苹果发育表达量逐渐增加,在生长中期达到最高值,随后开始减少,至苹果成熟期下降到最高值的50%水平。此外,P2’-GT在3 种苹果品种中表达不同,在澳洲青苹中表达量最高,在嘎啦中表达量最低。结论：本研究明确了P2’-GT的生物信息学特性及P2’-GT基因在不同生长期和不同部位的表达差异,为调控根皮苷合成的研究提供理论依据。