Oxygen intervention in the regulation of gene expression: the photosynthetic bacterial paradigm

The means by which oxygen intervenes in gene expression has been examined in considerable detail in the metabolically versatile bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Three regulatory systems are now known in this organism, which are used singly and in combination to modulate genes in response to changing oxygen availability. The outcome of these regulatory events is that the molecular machinery is present for the cell to obtain energy by means that are best suited to prevailing conditions, while at the same time maintaining cellular redox balance. Here, we explore the dangers associated with molecular oxygen relative to the various metabolisms used by R. sphaeroides, and then present the most recent findings regarding the features and operation of each of the three regulatory systems which collectively mediate oxygen control in this organism.Received 26 June 2003; received after revision 30 July 2003; accepted 8 August 2003     

What’s new in the renin-angiotensin system?

Activation of the type 1 angiotensin II receptor (AT(1)R) is associated with the aetiology of left ventricular hypertrophy, although the exact intracellular signalling mechanism(s) remain unclear. Transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has emerged as a central mechanism by which the G protein-coupled AT(1)R, which lacks intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity, can stimulate the mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathways thought to mediate cardiac hypertrophy. Current studies support a model whereby AT(1)R-dependent transactivation of EGFRs on cardiomyocytes involves stimulation of membrane-bound metalloproteases, which in turn cleave EGFR ligands such as heparin-binding EGF from a plasma membrane-associated precursor. Numerous aspects of the 'triple membrane-passing signalling' paradigm of AT(1)R-induced EGFR transactivation remain to be characterised, including the identity of the specific metalloproteases involved, the intracellular mechanism for their activation and the exact EGFR subtypes required. Here we examine how 'hijacking' of the EGFR might explain the ability of the AT(1)R to elicit the temporally and qualitatively diverse responses characteristic of the hypertrophic phenotype, and discuss the ramifications of delineating these pathways for the development of new therapeutic strategies to combat cardiac hypertrophy.     

Gelsolin superfamily proteins: key regulators of cellular functions

Cytoskeletal rearrangement occurs in a variety of cellular processes and involves a wide spectrum of proteins. Among these, the gelsolin superfamily proteins control actin organization by severing filaments, capping filament ends and nucleating actin assembly [1]. Gelsolin is the founding member of this family, which now contains at least another six members: villin, adseverin, capG, advillin, supervillin and flightless I. In addition to their respective role in actin filament remodeling, these proteins have some specific and apparently non-overlapping particular roles in several cellular processes, including cell motility, control of apoptosis and regulation of phagocytosis (summarized in table 1). Evidence suggests that proteins belonging to the gelsolin superfamily may be involved in other processes, including gene expression regulation. This review will focus on some of the known functions of the gelsolin superfamily proteins, thus providing a basis for reflection on other possible and as yet incompletely understood roles for these proteins.     

Snake venom thrombin-like enzymes: from reptilase to now

The snake venom thrombin-like enzymes (SVTLEs) comprise a number of serine proteases functionally and structurally related to thrombin. Until recently, only nine complete sequences of this subgroup of the serine protease family were known. Over the past 5 years, the primary structure of several SVTLEs has been characterized, and now this family includes several members. Of particular interest is their possible use in pathologies such as thrombosis. The aim of the present review is to summarize the state of the art concerning the evolutionary, structural and biological features of the SVTLEs.Received 16 August 2003; received after revision 26 September 2003; accepted 1 October 2003     

Polarization of immunity induced by direct injection of naked sequence-stabilized mRNA vaccines

In the context of developing a safe genetic vaccination strategy we tested and studied globin-stabilized mRNA-based vaccination in mice. This vaccination strategy has the advantages of genetic vaccination (easy production, adaptability to any disease and inexpensive storage when lyophilized), but not the drawbacks of DNA vaccination (long-term uncontrolled expression of a transgene, possibility of integration into the host genome and possible induction of anti-DNA antibodies). We report here that injection of naked -globin untranslated region (UTR)-stabilized mRNA coding for -galactosidase is followed by detectable translation in vivo. In addition, we show that such a vaccination strategy primes a T helper 2 (Th2) type of response which can be enhanced and shifted to a Th1-type immune response by application of recombinant granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor 1 day after mRNA injection. Our data demonstrate that the administration of globin UTR-stabilized mRNA is a versatile vaccination strategy that can be manipulated to fit the requirement of antiviral, antibacterial or antitumor immunity.Received 14 June 2004; received after revision 19 July 2004; accepted 9 August 2004     

Dynamics of proteins in Golgi membranes: comparisons between mammalian and plant cells highlighted by photobleaching techniques

In less than a decade the green fluorescent protein (GFP) has become one of the most popular tools for cell biologists for the study of dynamic processes in vivo. GFP has revolutionised the scientific approach for the study of vital organelles, such as the Golgi apparatus. As Golgi proteins can be tagged with GFP, in most cases without altering their targeting and function, it is a great substitute to conventional dyes used in the past to highlight this compartment. In this review, we cover the application of GFP and its spectral derivatives in the study of Golgi dynamics in mammalian and plant cells. In particular, we focus on the technique of selective photobleaching known as fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, which has successfully shed light on essential differences in the biology of the Golgi apparatus in mammalian and plant cells.     

A direct functional link between the multi-PDZ domain protein GRIP1 and the Fraser syndrome protein Fras1

Cell adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins is crucial for the structural integrity of tissues and epithelial-mesenchymal interactions mediating organ morphogenesis. Here we describe how the loss of a cytoplasmic multi-PDZ scaffolding protein, glutamate receptor interacting protein 1 (GRIP1), leads to the formation of subepidermal hemorrhagic blisters, renal agenesis, syndactyly or polydactyly and permanent fusion of eyelids (cryptophthalmos). Similar malformations are characteristic of individuals with Fraser syndrome and animal models of this human genetic disorder, such as mice carrying the blebbed mutation (bl) in the gene encoding the Fras1 ECM protein. GRIP1 can physically interact with Fras1 and is required for the localization of Fras1 to the basal side of cells. In one animal model of Fraser syndrome, the eye-blebs (eb) mouse, Grip1 is disrupted by a deletion of two coding exons. Our data indicate that GRIP1 is required for normal cell-matrix interactions during early embryonic development and that inactivation of Grip1 causes Fraser syndrome-like defects in mice.     

Heterozygous missense mutations in BSCL2 are associated with distal hereditary motor neuropathy and Silver syndrome

Distal hereditary motor neuropathy (dHMN) or distal spinal muscular atrophy (OMIM #182960) is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by an almost exclusive degeneration of motor nerve fibers, predominantly in the distal part of the limbs. Silver syndrome (OMIM #270685) is a rare form of hereditary spastic paraparesis mapped to chromosome 11q12-q14 (SPG17) in which spasticity of the legs is accompanied by amyotrophy of the hands and occasionally also the lower limbs. Silver syndrome and most forms of dHMN are autosomal dominantly inherited with incomplete penetrance and a broad variability in clinical expression. A genome-wide scan in an Austrian family with dHMN-V (ref. 4) showed linkage to the locus SPG17, which was confirmed in 16 additional families with a phenotype characteristic of dHMN or Silver syndrome. After refining the critical region to 1 Mb, we sequenced the gene Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy (BSCL2) and identified two heterozygous missense mutations resulting in the amino acid substitutions N88S and S90L. Null mutations in BSCL2, which encodes the protein seipin, were previously shown to be associated with autosomal recessive Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy (OMIM #269700). We show that seipin is an integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The amino acid substitutions N88S and S90L affect glycosylation of seipin and result in aggregate formation leading to neurodegeneration.     

Biochemistry and biology of mammalian DNA methyltransferases

DNA methylation is a stable but not irreversible epigenetic signal that silences gene expression. It has a variety of important functions in mammals, including control of gene expression, cellular differentiation and development, preservation of chromosomal integrity, parental imprinting and X-chromosome inactivation. In addition, it has been implicated in brain function and the development of the immune system. Somatic alterations in genomic methylation patterns contribute to the etiology of human cancers and ageing. It is tightly interwoven with the modification of histone tails and other epigenetic signals. Here we review our current understanding of the molecular enzymology of the mammalian DNA methyltransferases Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b and Dnmt2 and the roles of the enzymes in the above-mentioned biological processes.