GroE heat-shock proteins promote assembly of foreign prokaryotic ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase oligomers in Escherichia coli

Assembly of foreign prokaryotic ribulose bisphosphate carboxylases (Rubiscos) in Escherichia coli requires both heat-shock proteins groEL and groES. GroEL is related to a chloroplast protein implicated in Rubisco assembly. Bacteria and chloroplasts therefore have a conserved mechanism that uses auxiliary proteins to assist in the assembly of Rubisco.     

Amino-terminal domains of c-myc and N-myc proteins mediate binding to the retinoblastoma gene product

The proteins encoded by the myc gene family are involved in the control of cell proliferation and differentiation, and aberrant expression of myc proteins has been implicated in the genesis of a variety of neoplasms. In the carboxyl terminus, myc proteins have two domains that encode a basic domain/helix-loop-helix and a leucine zipper motif, respectively. These motifs are involved both in DNA binding and in protein dimerization. In addition, myc protein family members share several regions of highly conserved amino acids in their amino termini that are essential for transformation. We report here that an N-terminal domain present in both the c-myc and N-myc proteins mediates binding to the retinoblastoma gene product, pRb. We show that the human papilloma virus E7 protein competes with c-myc for binding to pRb, indicating that these proteins share overlapping binding sites on pRb. Furthermore, a mutant Rb protein from a human tumour cell line that carried a 35-amino-acid deletion in its C terminus failed to bind to c-myc. Our results suggest that c-myc and pRb cooperate through direct binding to control cell proliferation.     

Demonstration by genetic suppression of interaction of GroE products with many proteins

The way in which proteins attain and maintain their final form is of fundamental importance. Recent work has focused on the role of a set of ubiquitous proteins, termed chaperonins, in the assembly of phage and multisubunit proteins. The range of chaperonin action is unknown; they could interact with most cellular polypeptides or have a limited subset of protein partners. Included in the chaperonin family is the essential heat-shock regulated Escherichia coli groEL gene product. Over-expression of the groE operon in E. coli causes enhanced assembly of heterologously expressed ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase subunits and suppresses the heat-sensitive mutant phenotype of several dnaA alleles. It has been inferred that suppression of heat-sensitive mutations is confined to dnaA alleles and that this confinement could reflect an interaction between the groE operon products and a dnaA protein aggregate at the replication origin. We now report that multiple copies of the groE operon suppress mutations in genes encoding several diverse proteins. Our data indicate a general role for the groE operon products, the GroEL and GroES proteins, in the folding-assembly pathways of many proteins.     

Improved immunogenicity of a peptide epitope after fusion to hepatitis B core protein

Synthetic vaccines for viral diseases can use defined regions of viral proteins as immunogens: the peptide sequence of amino acids 141-160 of the VP1 protein of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) elicits virus-neutralizing antibodies to protect guinea pigs, cattle and pigs either when coupled to a carrier protein or when administered in liposomes or in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. The immune response to these peptides is much lower than that to complete virus particles and the same sequence fused to the N terminus of beta-galactosidase did not produce a more potent immunogen than synthetic peptide alone. We report here an expression system for immunogenic epitopes linked to a carrier protein, hepatitis B core antigen, to form part of a virus-like complex which can present these epitopes to the immune system at high density. The immunogenicity of these structures approaches that of FMDV particles.     

Mitochondrial heat-shock protein hsp60 is essential for assembly of proteins imported into yeast mitochondria

A nuclear encoded mitochondrial heat-shock protein hsp60 is required for the assembly into oligomeric complexes of proteins imported into the mitochondrial matrix. hsp60 is a member of the 'chaperonin' class of protein factors, which include the Escherichia coli groEL protein and the Rubisco subunit-binding protein of chloroplasts.     

Nanog promotes transfer of pluripotency after cell fusion

Through cell fusion, embryonic stem (ES) cells can erase the developmental programming of differentiated cell nuclei and impose pluripotency. Molecules that mediate this conversion should be identifiable in ES cells. One candidate is the variant homeodomain protein Nanog, which has the capacity to entrain undifferentiated ES cell propagation. Here we report that in fusions between ES cells and neural stem (NS) cells, increased levels of Nanog stimulate pluripotent gene activation from the somatic cell genome and enable an up to 200-fold increase in the recovery of hybrid colonies, all of which show ES cell characteristics. Nanog also improves hybrid yield when thymocytes or fibroblasts are fused to ES cells; however, fewer colonies are obtained than from ES x NS cell fusions, consistent with a hierarchical susceptibility to reprogramming among somatic cell types. Notably, for NS x ES cell fusions elevated Nanog enables primary hybrids to develop into ES cell colonies with identical frequency to homotypic ES x ES fusion products. This means that in hybrids, increased Nanog is sufficient for the NS cell epigenome to be reset completely to a state of pluripotency. We conclude that Nanog can orchestrate ES cell machinery to instate pluripotency with an efficiency of up to 100% depending on the differentiation status of the somatic cell.     

Generation of beta-globin by sequence-specific proteolysis of a hybrid protein produced in Escherichia coli

High-level expression of many eukaryotic genes has proved difficult to achieve even when a strong promoter and the ribosome binding sequence from highly expressed Escherichia coli genes have been placed in front of the coding sequences. To overcome this problem, many eukaryotic proteins have been efficiently produced as hybrids after fusion of their genes with a coding sequence of E. coli genes. However, such hybrid proteins are not suitable for functional studies or clinical use unless the authentic protein sequence can be released by specific cleavage. Here, we have inserted the sequence Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg between the 31 amino-terminal residues of lambda cII protein and Val 1 of human beta-globin, and produced this hybrid in high yield in E. coli. We then cleaved the hybrid specifically at the single arginine, using blood coagulation factor Xa and thus liberated the authentic beta-globin chain. As factor Xa is specific for the tetrapeptide Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg, which is rare in protein sequences, our expression/cleavage system is applicable to the efficient production of many eukaryotic proteins.     

(Mg-ATP)-dependent self-assembly of molecular chaperone GroEL

The important Escherichia coli heat-shock protein GroEL of relative molecular mass 57,259 is a typical molecular chaperone. It possesses ATPase activity and interacts in ATP-driven reactions with non-folded proteins to stimulate their correct folding and/or assembly by preventing the formation of improper protein structures or aggregates. As GroEL is isolated and functions as a 20-25S tetradecameric particle (GroELp), the question arises--what is the mechanism of its own assembly? Here we show the (Mg-ATP)-dependent self-stimulation ('self-chaperoning') in vitro of GroELp reassembly from its monomeric state.     

Comparative analysis and evolutionary significance of the HMG1 gene in crucian carp,blunt snout bream,and their polyploid progeny

The full-length mRNA of the high mobility group protein 1 coding gene (HMG1) was obtained by RACE-PCR from red crucian carp (Carassius auratus red var.),blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala),and their triploid and tetraploid progeny.The sequence contained an open reading frame of 579 nucleotides coding for 193 amino acids.The nucleotide identity of HMG1 was higher between the tetraploid hybrid and the maternal red crucian carp (99%) than between the tetraploid hybrid and the paternal blunt snout bream (97%).The nucleotide identity between the triploid hybrids and each parent (95%) was lower than that between the parents (98%).The protein identity between the tetraploid hybrid and each parent (100%) was higher than that between the triploid hybrid and each parent (97%).Our results suggest that interspecific hybridization generates a shock to the HMG1 gene in triploid hybrids,causing divergence of nucleotides.The HMG1 protein of the tetraploid hybrids was consistent with that of its parents,which reduced the barrier of cross incompatibility between alleles,providing the basis for the bisexual fertile tetraploid hybrids forming a new polyploid species in nature.The secondary and tertiary structures of the HMG1 protein contain eight helices,three switches,two DNA-binding domains in the N-terminus,and a long acidic tail in the C-terminus.Together,these data suggest that the HMG1 protein plays a role of protein-DNA interactions,facilitating various DNA-dependent activities in the nucleus.We also investigated the phylogeny of fish,amphibian,reptilian,bird,and mammalian HMG1 proteins.Our results suggest that HMG1 is an ancestral protein that has been highly conserved.These data provide clues as to how interspecific hybridization may form polyploid hybrids.     

HLA-A*0207重链胞外区原核表达载体的构建及表达

目的：克隆HLA-A*0207(A2)重链基因，构建在羧基端融合生物索化酶BirA底物肽(BirA substrate peptide，BSP)的A2重链胞外区原核表达载体，在大肠杆菌中进行表达。方法：以RT-PCR方法从HLA-A2^ 供白细胞中克隆A2基因并进行DNA测序，并以PCR方法构建在羧基端融合BSP的A2重链胞外区表达载体，在大肠杆菌B121(ED3)中进行表达。结果：从31名HLA-A2^ 供白细胞中克隆到的基因经DNA测序显示，只有从供2得到的基因是HLA-A*0207。将编码该基因编码重链胞外区1-275的序列和编码BSP的序列融合，构建融合蛋白表达载体，并以测序验证。融合蛋白在B121(ED3)中获得高效表达，产物相对分子质量为35000，约占菌体总蛋白的30％，主要存在于包涵体中，对包涵体进行洗涤后得到纯度为80％的重组蛋白。结论：成功克隆HLA-A*0207基因，构建了其胞外区和BSP融合蛋白表达载体并在大肠杆菌中获得高效表达。     

高频等位基因HLA-A*1101重链胞外域-BSP融合蛋白原核表达载体的构建及表达鉴定

目的:构建HLA-A*1101重链胞外域羧基端融合生物素化酶B irA底物肽(BSP)的融合蛋白(HLA-A11-BSP)原核表达载体,并在大肠杆菌中表达该融合蛋白。方法:以RT-PCR法扩增并克隆HLA-A*1101重链基因的cDNA,以PCR方法构建HLA-A11-BSP的表达载体,在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中诱导表达,并以免疫印迹法进行鉴定。结果:从HLA-A2阴性的供者外周血单个核细胞中克隆到HLA-A*1101重链基因的cDNA,以此cDNA为模板,将编码HLA-A*1101重链胞外域1~276序列与编码BSP的序列融合,构建HLA-A11-BSP融合蛋白表达载体,重组质粒经测序验证。融合蛋白在BL21(DE3)中诱导后获得高效表达,约占菌体总蛋白的20%;其相对分子质量约为35 000,与理论值一致。免疫印迹分析显示表达产物主要存在于包涵体中,上清液中几乎无任何产物存在。结论:成功构建表达HLA-A11-BSP融合蛋白的原核表达载体,该融合蛋白在大肠杆菌中以包涵体形式获得高水平表达。     

Transient association of newly synthesized unfolded proteins with the heat-shock GroEL protein

It has been suggested that newly synthesized proteins are maintained in their unfolded state by cellular ATP-driven factors which may prevent or reverse the formation of misfolded structures or promote the correct assembly of oligomeric proteins or post-translational secretion. Using a photocross-linking approach, we have identified the 20S heat-shock GroEL protein as the major cytosolic component which forms a complex with the unfolded newly synthesized pre-beta-lactamase or chloramphenicol acetyltransferase in Escherichia coli. Dissociation of these complexes is ATP-dependent. The unfolded state of pre-beta-lactamase, maintained by the transient interaction with GroEL, may be essential for the secretion of this protein.     

A homologue of the bacterial heat-shock gene DnaJ that alters protein sorting in yeast

Heat-shock proteins have been implicated in assembly of protein complexes, correct protein folding and uptake of proteins into organelles. In Escherichia coli, the heat-shock protein DnaJ and the Hsp70 homologue, DnaK, act together to disassemble a protein complex involved in bacteriophage lambda replication. We report the identification of SCJ1, a gene in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that encodes a homologue of the bacterial DnaJ protein. SCJ1 was identified by a genetic screen in which increased expression of candidate genes results in missorting of a nuclear-targeted test protein. The predicted amino-acid sequence of SCJ1 is 37% identical to the entire E. coli DnaJ protein. Hybridization experiments indicate that there is a family of yeast genes related to SCJ1. These findings suggest that the Hsp70 DnaK-DnaJ interaction is general to eukaryotes.     

Drosophila genes Posterior Sex Combs and Suppressor two of zeste encode proteins with homology to the murine bmi-1 oncogene.

The Polycomb group (Pc-G) genes are needed to maintain expression patterns of the homeotic selector genes of the Antennapedia (Antp-C) and bithorax (bx-C) complexes, and hence for the maintenance of segmental determination. We report the predicted protein sequence of the Pc-G gene Posterior Sex Combs (Psc), and of the neighbouring and related gene Suppressor two of zeste (Su(z)2). Both genes encode large proteins that contain a 200 amino-acid domain identical over 37.4% that is also conserved in the murine oncogene bmi-1. At the amino terminus of this domain is a cysteine-rich sequence that has been proposed as a novel type of zinc finger.     

Homology of 54K protein of signal-recognition particle, docking protein and two E. coli proteins with putative GTP-binding domains

Most proteins exported from mammalian cells contain a signal sequence which mediates targeting to and insertion into the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Involved in this process are the signal-recognition particle (SRP) and docking protein (DP), the receptor for SRP in the ER membrane. SRP interacts with the signal sequence on nascent polypeptide chains and retards their further elongation, which resumes only after interaction of the arrested ribosomal complex with the docking protein. SRP is a ribonucleoprotein particle comprising a 7S RNA and six polypeptides with relative molecular masses (Mr) of 9,000 (9K) 14K, 19K, 54K, 68K and 72K (ref. 1). The 9K and 14K proteins are essential for elongation arrest and the 68K-72K heterodimer is required for docking to the ER membrane. The 54K protein binds to the signal sequence when it emerges from the ribosome. Docking protein consists of two polypeptides, a 72K alpha-subunit (DP alpha) and a 30K beta-subunit (DP beta). No components structurally homologous to SRP and docking protein have yet been found in yeast or Escherichia coli. To understand the molecular nature of the interaction between the signal sequence and its receptor(s) we have characterized a complementary DNA coding for the 54K protein of SRP. Significant sequence homology was found to part of DP alpha and two E. coli proteins of unknown function. The homologous region includes a putative GTP-binding domain.     

A signal sequence is not sufficient to lead beta-galactosidase out of the cytoplasm

Escherichia coli strains have been constructed in which lacZ, the gene for the cytoplasmic enzyme beta-galactosidase, is fused to lamB, the gene for an outer membrane protein. One such strain produces a beta-galactosidase which remains cytoplasmic even though it possesses the complete signal sequence of the lamB protein precursor at the amino-terminal end.     

Hybrid hybridomas and their use in immunohistochemistry

A normal antibody-producing cell only expresses one antibody, resulting in the well-known phenomenon of allelic exclusion. When two myeloma cells are fused, the derived hybrids are capable of co-dominantly expressing the antibody genes of both parents. Although the respective variable (V) and constant (C) region genes remain expressed in the same cis configuration, heavy and light chains of both parents are scrambled, and hybrid molecules are formed. The same is true when a myeloma and an antibody-producing cell are fused to produce a hybrid myeloma (hybridoma). Fusion therefore allows the production of hybrid immunoglobulin molecules containing two different combining sites. Hybrid molecules of this type retain antigen-binding activity and specificity. Bispecific monoclonal antibodies secreted by hybridomas may have a variety of uses in biology and in medicine. Here we have focused on their application in histochemistry. As an example, we have prepared and tested an anti-somatostatin-anti-peroxidase bispecific antibody. This way of producing hybrid molecules is superior to the production of hybrid antibodies by chemical reconstitution methods because the drastic treatment required for chain separation in the latter is likely to lead to some protein denaturation and loss of antibody activity. Intracellularly synthesized and assembled hybrids do not suffer from this disadvantage. In addition, the recombination of heavy and light chains from different antibody molecules is likely to lead to considerable waste.     

Successive action of DnaK, DnaJ and GroEL along the pathway of chaperone-mediated protein folding.

The main stress proteins of Escherichia coli function in an ordered protein-folding reaction. DnaK (heat-shock protein 70) recognizes the folding polypeptide as an extended chain and cooperates with DnaJ in stabilizing an intermediate conformational state lacking ordered tertiary structure. Dependent on GrpE and ATP hydrolysis, the protein is then transferred to GroEL (heat-shock protein 60) which acts catalytically in the production of the native state. This sequential mechanism of chaperone action may represent an important pathway for the folding of newly synthesized polypeptides.