Emergence and Epidemiology of Bovine Babesiosis Due to Babesia divergens on a Northern German Beef Production Farm.

Babesia divergens, transmitted by the tick Ixodes ricinus, is the most common cause of bovine babesiosis in northern Europe and plays a role as a zoonotic pathogen. However, several studies have indicated a decline of B. divergens prevalence in Europe during the last decades. Here, we investigate the epidemiology of bovine babesiosis on a beef production farm in northern Germany, which had not been affected by babesiosis until an initial outbreak in 2018. In June 2018, 21 adult cattle died, showing classical symptoms of babesiosis. Babesia divergens merozoites were detected in blood smears of clinically affected animals and the species was confirmed by PCR and sequencing of a part of the 18S rRNA gene. In 2018, screening of the farm's entire stock by PCR revealed that Babesia-positive animals were present in only one of five herds grazing on different pastures. In the following year, further babesiosis cases occurred in multiple herds. In March 2020, 95 cattle were tested for anti-B. divergens antibodies and 36 of them (37.89%) had positive titres. To investigate the local Babesia prevalence in ticks, 1,430 questing I. ricinus ticks (555 larvae, 648 nymphs, 227 adults) were collected on the farm's pastures and subjected to PCR for Babesia detection. Babesia divergens DNA could not be detected, but Babesia microti showed an overall prevalence of 0.49% (7/1,430; 0.88% [2/227] of adult ticks, 0.77% [5/648] of nymphs, 0.00% [0/555] of larvae). Babesia venatorum was detected in 0.42% (6/1,430) of ticks (0.44% [1/227] of adult ticks, 0.77% [5/648] of nymphs, 0.00% [0/555] of larvae) and B. capreoli in 0.07% (1/1,430) of ticks (0.00% [0/227] of adult ticks, 0.15% [1/648] of nymphs, 0.00% [0/555] of larvae). Despite the fact that no B. divergens-positive ticks were found, the collected data suggest a geographical spread of the pathogen on the farm. Bovine babesiosis remains a disease of veterinary importance in Europe and may cause considerable economic losses when (re-)emerging in non-endemic areas, especially as awareness for the disease among veterinarians and farmers declines.

The role of KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidases of Arabidopsis (AtCEP2 and AtCEP1) in root development.

Plants encode a unique group of papain-type cysteine endopeptidases (CysEP) characterized by a C-terminal KDEL endoplasmic reticulum retention signal (KDEL-CysEP) and an unusually broad substrate specificity. The three Arabidopsis KDEL-CysEPs (AtCEP1, AtCEP2, and AtCEP3) are differentially expressed in vegetative and generative tissues undergoing programmed cell death (PCD). While KDEL-CysEPs have been shown to be implicated in the collapse of tissues during PCD, roles of these peptidases in processes other than PCD are unknown. Using mCherry-AtCEP2 and EGFP-AtCEP1 reporter proteins in wild type versus atcep2 or atcep1 mutant plants, we explored the participation of AtCEP in young root development. Loss of AtCEP2, but not AtCEP1 resulted in shorter primary roots due to a decrease in cell length in the lateral root (LR) cap, and impairs extension of primary root epidermis cells such as trichoblasts in the elongation zone. AtCEP2 was localized to root cap corpses adherent to epidermal cells in the rapid elongation zone. AtCEP1 and AtCEP2 are expressed in root epidermis cells that are separated for LR emergence. Loss of AtCEP1 or AtCEP2 caused delayed emergence of LR primordia. KDEL-CysEPs might be involved in developmental tissue remodeling by supporting cell wall elongation and cell separation.

Involvement of Arabidopsis thaliana endoplasmic reticulum KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidase 1 (AtCEP1) in powdery mildew-induced and AtCPR5-controlled cell death.

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a prerequisite for successful development and it limits the spread of biotrophic pathogens in a rapid hypersensitive response at the site of infection. KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidases (KDEL CysEP) are a subgroup of papain-type cysteine endopeptidases expressed in tissues undergoing PCD. In Arabidopsis, three KDEL CysEPs (AtCEP1, AtCEP2, and AtCEP3) are expressed. We have previously shown that AtCEP1 is a factor of basal resistance to powdery mildew caused by the biotrophic ascomycete Erysiphe cruciferarum, and is expressed in spatiotemporal association with the late fungal development on Arabidopsis leaves. The endoplasmic reticulum-localized proenzyme of AtCEP1 was further visualized at the haustorial complex encased with callose. The AtCPR5 gene (CONSTITUTIVE EXPRESSION OF PR GENES 5) is a regulator of expression of pathogenesis related genes. Loss of AtCPR5 leads to spontaneous expression of chlorotic lesions which was associated with enhanced expression of AtCEP1. We used the atcpr5-2 mutant plants and the atcep1 atcpr5-2 double mutants harboring a non-functional reporter (PCEP1::pre-pro-3xHA-EGFP-KDEL) for visualization of AtCEP1 promoter activity. We found the specific up-regulation of AtCEP1 in direct neighborhood of spreading leaf lesions thus likely representing cells undergoing PCD. Furthermore, we found a strong resistance of atcpr5 mutant plants against infection with E. cruciferarum. Loss of AtCEP1 had no obvious influence on the strong resistance of atcpr5-2 mutant plants against infection with E. cruciferarum. However, the area of necrotic leaf lesions associated with E. cruciferarum colonies was significantly larger in atcpr5-2 as compared to atcep1 atcpr5-2 double mutant plants. The presence of AtCEP1 thus contributes to AtCPR5-controlled PCD at the sites of powdery mildew infection.

Expression analysis of KDEL-CysEPs programmed cell death markers during reproduction in Arabidopsis.

KEY MESSAGE: CEP cell death markers. Programmed cell death (PCD) is essential for proper plant growth and development. Plant-specific papain-type KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidases (KDEL-CysEPs or CEPs) have been shown to be involved in PCD during vegetative development as executors for the last step in the process. The Arabidopsis genome encodes three KDEL-CysEPs: AtCEP1, AtCEP2 and AtCEP3. With the help of fluorescent fusion reporter lines, we report here a detailed expression analysis of KDEL-CysEP (pro)proteins during reproductive processes, including flower organ and germline development, fertilization and seed development. AtCEP1 is highly expressed in different reproductive tissues including nucellus cells of mature ovule and the connecting edge of anther and filament. After fertilization, AtCEP1 marks integument cell layers of the seeds coat as well as suspensor and columella cells of the developing embryo. Promoter activity of AtCEP2 is detected in the style of immature and mature pistils, in other floral organs including anther, sepal and petal. AtCEP2 mainly localizes to parenchyma cells next to xylem vessels. Although there is no experimental evidence to demonstrate that KDEL-CysEPs are involved in PCD during fertilization, the expression pattern of AtCEPs, which were previously shown to represent cell death markers during vegetative development, opens up new avenues to investigate PCD in plant reproduction.

Endoplasmic reticulum KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidase 1 of Arabidopsis (AtCEP1) is involved in pathogen defense.

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a genetically determined process in all multicellular organisms. Plant PCD is effected by a unique group of papain-type cysteine endopeptidases (CysEP) with a C-terminal KDEL endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal (KDEL CysEP). KDEL CysEPs can be stored as pro-enzymes in ER-derived endomembrane compartments and are released as mature CysEPs in the final stages of organelle disintegration. KDEL CysEPs accept a wide variety of amino acids at the active site, including the glycosylated hydroxyprolines of the extensins that form the basic scaffold of the cell wall. In Arabidopsis, three KDEL CysEPs (AtCEP1, AtCEP2, and AtCEP3) are expressed. Cell- and tissue-specific activities of these three genes suggest that KDEL CysEPs participate in the abscission of flower organs and in the collapse of tissues in the final stage of PCD as well as in developmental tissue remodeling. We observed that AtCEP1 is expressed in response to biotic stress stimuli in the leaf. atcep1 knockout mutants showed enhanced susceptibility to powdery mildew caused by the biotrophic ascomycete Erysiphe cruciferarum. A translational fusion protein of AtCEP1 with a three-fold hemaglutinin-tag and the green fluorescent protein under control of the endogenous AtCEP1 promoter (PCEP1::pre-pro-3xHA-EGFP-AtCEP1-KDEL) rescued the pathogenesis phenotype demonstrating the function of AtCEP1 in restriction of powdery mildew. The spatiotemporal AtCEP1-reporter expression during fungal infection together with microscopic inspection of the interaction phenotype suggested a function of AtCEP1 in controlling late stages of compatible interaction including late epidermal cell death. Additionally, expression of stress response genes appeared to be deregulated in the interaction of atcep1 mutants and E. cruciferarum. Possible functions of AtCEP1 in restricting parasitic success of the obligate biotrophic powdery mildew fungus are discussed.

Ex vivo processing for maturation of Arabidopsis KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidase 2 (AtCEP2) pro-enzyme and its storage in endoplasmic reticulum derived organelles.

Ricinosomes are specialized ER-derived organelles that store the inactive pro-forms of KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidases (KDEL-CysEP) associated with programmed cell death (PCD). The Arabidopsis genome encodes three KDEL-CysEP (AtCEP1, AtCEP2, and AtCEP3) that are differentially expressed in vegetative and generative tissues undergoing PCD. These Arabidopsis proteases have not been characterized at a biochemical level, nor have they been localized intracellularly. In this study, we characterized AtCEP2. A 3xHA-mCherry-AtCEP2 gene fusion including pro-peptide and KDEL targeting sequences expressed under control of the endogenous promoter enabled us to isolate AtCEP2 "ex vivo". The purified protein was shown to be activated in a pH-dependent manner. After activation, however, protease activity was pH-independent. Analysis of substrate specificity showed that AtCEP2 accepts proline near the cleavage site, which is a rare feature specific for KDEL-CysEPs. mCherry-AtCEP2 was detected in the epidermal layers of leaves, hypocotyls and roots; in the root, it was predominantly found in the elongation zone and root cap. Co-localization with an ER membrane marker showed that mCherry-AtCEP2 was stored in two different types of ER-derived organelles: 10 µm long spindle shaped organelles as well as round vesicles with a diameter of approximately 1 µm. The long organelles appear to be ER bodies, which are found specifically in Brassicacae. The round vesicles strongly resemble the ricinosomes first described in castor bean. This study provides a first evidence for the existence of ricinosomes in Arabidopsis, and may open up new avenues of research in the field of PCD and developmental tissue remodeling.

Calmodulin-like protein AtCML3 mediates dimerization of peroxisomal processing protease AtDEG15 and contributes to normal peroxisome metabolism.

Matrix enzymes are imported into peroxisomes and glyoxysomes, a subclass of peroxisomes involved in lipid mobilization. Two peroxisomal targeting signals (PTS), the C-terminal PTS1 and the N-terminal PTS2, mediate the translocation of proteins into the organelle. PTS2 processing upon import is conserved in higher eukaryotes, and in watermelon the glyoxysomal processing protease (GPP) was shown to catalyse PTS2 processing. GPP and its ortholog, the peroxisomal DEG protease from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtDEG15), belong to the Deg/HtrA family of ATP-independent serine proteases with Escherichia coli DegP as their prototype. GPP existes in monomeric and dimeric forms. Their equilibrium is shifted towards the monomer upon Ca(2+)-removal and towards the dimer upon Ca(2+)-addition, which is accompanied by a change in substrate specificity from a general protease (monomer) to the specific cleavage of the PTS2 (dimer). We describe the Ca(2+)/calmodulin (CaM) mediated dimerization of AtDEG15. Dimerization is mediated by the CaM-like protein AtCML3 as shown by yeast two and three hybrid analyses. The binding of AtCML3 occurs within the first 25 N-terminal amino acids of AtDEG15, a domain containing a predicted CaM-binding motif. Biochemical analysis of AtDEG15 deletion constructs in planta support the requirement of the CaM-binding domain for PTS2 processing. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the CaM-binding site is conserved in peroxisomal processing proteases of higher plants (dicots, monocots) but not present in orthologs of animals or cellular slime molds. Despite normal PTS2 processing activity, an atcml3 mutant exhibited reduced 2,4-DB sensitivity, a phenotype previously reported for the atdeg15 mutant, indicating similarly impaired peroxisome metabolism.

Programmed cell death in Ricinus and Arabidopsis: the function of KDEL cysteine peptidases in development.

Programmed cell death (PCD) in plants is a prerequisite for development as well as seed and fruit production. It also plays a significant role in pathogen defense. A unique group of papain-type cysteine endopeptidases, characterized by a C-terminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal (KDEL CysEP), is involved in plant PCD. Genes for these endopeptidases have been sequenced and analyzed from 25 angiosperms and gymnosperms. They have no structural relationship to caspases involved in mammalian PCD and homologs to this group of plant cysteine endopeptidases have not been found in mammals or yeast. In castor beans (Ricinus communis), the CysEP is synthesized as pre-pro-enzyme. The pro-enzyme is transported to the cytosol of cells undergoing PCD in ER-derived vesicles called ricinosomes. These vesicles release the mature CysEP in the final stages of organelle disintegration triggered by acidification of the cytoplasm resulting from the disruption of the vacuole. Mature CysEP digests the hydroxyproline (Hyp)-rich proteins (extensins) that form the basic scaffold of the plant cell wall. The KDEL CysEPs accept a wide variety of amino acids at the active site, including the glycosylated Hyp residues of the extensins. In Arabidopsis, three KDEL CysEPs (AtCEP1, AtCEP2 and AtCEP3) are expressed in tissues undergoing PCD. In transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing ß-glucuronidase under the control of the promoters for these three genes, cell- and tissue-specific activities were mapped during seedling, flower and seed development. KDEL CysEPs participate in the collapse of tissues in the final stage of PCD and in tissue re-modeling such as lateral root formation.

The Arabidopsis calmodulin-like proteins AtCML30 and AtCML3 are targeted to mitochondria and peroxisomes, respectively.

Calmodulin (CaM) is a ubiquitous sensor/transducer of calcium signals in eukaryotic organisms. While CaM mediated calcium regulation of cytosolic processes is well established, there is growing evidence for the inclusion of organelles such as chloroplasts, mitochondria and peroxisomes into the calcium/calmodulin regulation network. A number of CaM-binding proteins have been identified in these organelles and processes such as protein import into chloroplasts and mitochondria have been shown to be governed by CaM regulation. What have been missing to date are the mediators of this regulation since no CaM or calmodulin-like protein (CML) has been identified in any of these organelles. Here we show that two Arabidopsis CMLs, AtCML3 and AtCML30, are localized in peroxisomes and mitochondria, respectively. AtCML3 is targeted via an unusual C-terminal PTS1-like tripeptide while AtCML30 utilizes an N-terminal, non-cleavable transit peptide. Both proteins possess the typical structure of CaMs, with two pairs of EF-hand motifs separated by a short linker domain. They furthermore display common characteristics, such as calcium-dependent alteration of gel mobility and calcium-dependent exposure of a hydrophobic surface. This indicates that they can function in a similar manner as canonical CaMs. The presence of close homologues to AtCML3 and AtCML30 in other plants further indicates that organellar targeting of these CMLs is not a specific feature of Arabidopsis. The identification of peroxisomal and mitochondrial CMLs is an important step in the understanding how these organelles are integrated into the cellular calcium/calmodulin signaling pathways.

Different functions of the C3HC4 zinc RING finger peroxins PEX10, PEX2, and PEX12 in peroxisome formation and matrix protein import.

The integral peroxisomal membrane proteins PEX10, PEX2, and PEX12 contain a zinc RING finger close to the C terminus. Loss of function of these peroxins causes embryo lethality at the heart stage in Arabidopsis. Preventing the coordination of Zn(2+) ions by amino acid substitutions in PEX10, PEX2, and PEX12 and overexpressing the resulting conditional sublethal mutations in WT uncovered additional functions of PEX10. Plants overexpressing DeltaZn-mutant PEX10 display deformed peroxisomal shapes causing diminished contact with chloroplasts and possibly with mitochondria. These changes correlated with impaired metabolite transfer and, at high CO(2), recoverable defective photorespiration plus dwarfish phenotype. The N-terminal PEX10 domain is critical for peroxisome biogenesis and plant development. A point mutation in the highly conserved TLGEEY motif results in vermiform peroxisome shape without impairing organelle contact. Addition of an N-terminal T7 tag to WT PEX0 resulted in partially recoverable reduced growth and defective inflorescences persisting under high CO(2). In contrast, plants overexpressing PEX2-DeltaZn-T7 grow like WT in normal atmosphere, contain normal-shaped peroxisomes, but display impaired peroxisomal matrix protein import. PEX12-DeltaZn-T7 mutants exhibit unimpaired import of matrix protein and normal-shaped peroxisomes when grown in normal atmosphere. During seed germination, glyoxysomes form a reticulum around the lipid bodies for mobilization of storage oil. The formation of this glyoxysomal reticulum seemed to be impaired in PEX10-DeltaZn but not in PEX2-DeltaZn-T7 or PEX12-DeltaZn-T7 plants. Both cytosolic PEX10 domains seem essential for peroxisome structure but differ in metabolic function, suggesting a role for this plant peroxin in addition to the import of matrix protein via ubiquitination of PEX5.

The DEG15 serine protease cleaves peroxisomal targeting signal 2-containing proteins in Arabidopsis.

Two distinct peroxisomal targeting signals (PTSs), the C-terminal PTS1 and the N-terminal PTS2, are defined. Processing of the PTS2 on protein import is conserved in higher eukaryotes. Recently, candidates for the responsible processing protease were identified from plants (DEG15) and mammals (TYSND1). We demonstrate that plants lacking DEG15 show an expressed phenotype potentially linked to reduced beta-oxidation, indicating the impact of protein processing on peroxisomal functions in higher eukaryotes. Mutational analysis of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) DEG15 revealed that conserved histidine, aspartic acid, and serine residues are essential for the proteolytic activity of this enzyme in vitro. This indicates that DEG15 and related enzymes are trypsin-like serine endopeptidases. Deletion of a plant-specific stretch present in the protease domain diminished, but did not abolish, the proteolytic activity of DEG15 against the PTS2-containing glyoxysomal malate dehydrogenase. Fluorescence microscopy showed that a DEG15-green fluorescent protein fusion construct is targeted to peroxisomes in planta. In vivo studies with isolated homozygous deg15 knockout mutants and complemented mutant lines suggest that this enzyme mediates general processing of PTS2-containing proteins.

KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidases involved in programmed cell death, intercalation of new cells, and dismantling of extensin scaffolds.

KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidases are a group of papain-type peptidases found in senescing tissue undergoing programmed cell death (PCD). Their genes have so far been cloned and analyzed in 12 angiosperms. They are synthesized as proenzymes with a C-terminal KDEL endoplasmatic reticulum retention signal, which is removed with the prosequence to activate enzyme activity. We previously identified three genes for KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidases (AtCEP1, AtCEP2, AtCEP3) in Arabidopsis thaliana. Transgenic plants of A. thaliana expressing ß-glucuronidase (GUS) under the control of the promoters for the three genes were produced and analyzed histochemically. GUS activity was promoter- and tissue-specific GUS activity during seedling, flower, and root development, especially in tissues that collapse during final stages of PCD, and in the course of lateral root formation. KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidases are unique in being able to digest the extensins that form the basic scaffold for cell wall formation. The broad substrate specificity is due to the structure of the active site cleft of the KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidase that accepts a wide variety of amino acids, including proline and glycosylated hydroxyproline of the hydroxyproline rich glycoproteins of the cell wall.

Dual specificities of the glyoxysomal/peroxisomal processing protease Deg15 in higher plants.

Glyoxysomes are a subclass of peroxisomes involved in lipid mobilization. Two distinct peroxisomal targeting signals (PTSs), the C-terminal PTS1 and the N-terminal PTS2, are defined. Processing of the PTS2 on protein import is conserved in higher eukaryotes. The cleavage site typically contains a Cys at P1 or P2. We purified the glyoxysomal processing protease (GPP) from the fat-storing cotyledons of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) by column chromatography, preparative native isoelectric focusing, and 2D PAGE. The GPP appears in two forms, a 72-kDa monomer and a 144-kDa dimer, which are in equilibrium with one another. The equilibrium is shifted on Ca(2+) removal toward the monomer and on Ca(2+) addition toward the dimer. The monomer is a general degrading protease and is activated by denatured proteins. The dimer constitutes the processing protease because the substrate specificity proven for the monomer (Phi-Arg/Lys downward arrow) is different from the processing substrate specificity (Cys-Xxx downward arrow/Xxx-Cys downward arrow) found with the mixture of monomer and dimer. The Arabidopsis genome analysis disclosed three proteases predicted to be in peroxisomes, a Deg-protease, a pitrilysin-like metallopeptidase, and a Lon-protease. Specific antibodies against the peroxisomal Deg-protease from Arabidopsis (Deg15) identify the watermelon GPP as a Deg15. A knockout mutation in the DEG15 gene of Arabidopsis (At1g28320) prevents processing of the glyoxysomal malate dehydrogenase precursor to the mature form. Thus, the GPP/Deg15 belongs to a group of trypsin-like serine proteases with Escherichia coli DegP as a prototype. Nevertheless, the GPP/Deg15 possesses specific characteristics and is therefore a new subgroup within the Deg proteases.

Requirement of the C3HC4 zinc RING finger of the Arabidopsis PEX10 for photorespiration and leaf peroxisome contact with chloroplasts.

Plant peroxisomes perform multiple vital metabolic processes including lipid mobilization in oil-storing seeds, photorespiration, and hormone biosynthesis. Peroxisome biogenesis requires the function of peroxin (PEX) proteins, including PEX10, a C(3)HC(4) Zn RING finger peroxisomal membrane protein. Loss of function of PEX10 causes embryo lethality at the heart stage. We investigated the function of PEX10 with conditional sublethal mutants. Four T-DNA insertion lines expressing pex10 with a dysfunctional RING finger were created in an Arabidopsis WT background (DeltaZn plants). They could be normalized by growth in an atmosphere of high CO(2) partial pressure, indicating a defect in photorespiration. beta-Oxidation in mutant glyoxysomes was not affected. However, an abnormal accumulation of the photorespiratory metabolite glyoxylate, a lowered content of carotenoids and chlorophyll a and b, and a decreased quantum yield of photosystem II were detected under normal atmosphere, suggesting impaired leaf peroxisomes. Light and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated leaf peroxisomes of the DeltaZn plants to be more numerous, multilobed, clustered, and not appressed to the chloroplast envelope as in WT. We suggest that inactivation of the RING finger domain in PEX10 has eliminated protein interaction required for attachment of peroxisomes to chloroplasts and movement of metabolites between peroxisomes and chloroplasts.

Ricinosomes and endosperm transfer cell structure in programmed cell death of the nucellus during Ricinus seed development.

The ricinosome (precursor protease vesicle) is an organelle found exclusively in plant cells. Ricinosomes contain a 45-kDa pro-cysteine endopeptidase (CysEP) with a C-terminal KDEL endoplasmic reticulum retention signal. CysEP is a member of a unique group of papain-type cysteine peptidases found specifically in senescing and ricinosome-containing tissues. During seed development in the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis L.), the cells of the nucellus are killed as the major seed storage organ, the cellular endosperm, expands and begins to accumulate reserves. The destruction of the maternal seed tissues is a developmentally programmed cell death. Terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling revealed that nuclear DNA fragmentation occurs in the nucellar cells adjacent to the expanding endosperm. These cells exhibit ultrastructural features consistent with programmed cell death, including vesiculation of the cytosol, development of irregularly shaped nuclei, vacuolar collapse, and shrinkage of the cytoplasm. Ricinosomes containing the CysEP were identified in the nucellar cells by light and electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry. Both proCysEP and mature CysEP are present in protein extracts of the nucellar tissues during seed development. Upon collapse of the nucellar cells, the content of the ricinosomes is released into the cytoplasm, where the activated CysEP digests the remaining proteinaceous cellular debris. Digestion products of the nucellar cells are presumed taken up by the outermost cells of the endosperm, which have labyrinthine ingrowths of the outer walls typical of transfer cells.

Organelle and translocatable forms of glyoxysomal malate dehydrogenase. The effect of the N-terminal presequence.

Many organelle enzymes coded for by nuclear genes have N-terminal sequences, which directs them into the organelle (precursor) and are removed upon import (mature). The experiments described below characterize the differences between the precursor and mature forms of watermelon glyoxysomal malate dehydrogenase. Using recombinant protein methods, the precursor (p-gMDH) and mature (gMDH) forms were purified to homogeneity using Ni2+-NTA affinity chromatography. Gel filtration and dynamic light scattering have shown both gMDH and p-gMDH to be dimers in solution with p-gMDH having a correspondingly higher molecular weight. p-gMDH also exhibited a smaller translational diffusion coefficient (D(t)) at temperatures between 4 and 32 degrees C resulting from the extra amino acids on the N-terminal. Differential scanning calorimetry described marked differences in the unfolding properties of the two proteins with p-gMDH showing additional temperature dependent transitions. In addition, some differences were found in the steady state kinetic constants and the pH dependence of the K(m) for oxaloacetate. Both the organelle-precursor and the mature form of this glyoxysomal enzyme were crystallized under identical conditions. The crystal structure of p-gMDH, the first structure of a cleavable and translocatable protein, was solved to a resolution of 2.55 A. GMDH is the first glyoxysomal MDH structure and was solved to a resolution of 2.50 A. A comparison of the two structures shows that there are few visible tertiary or quaternary structural differences between corresponding elements of p-gMDH, gMDH and other MDHs. Maps from both the mature and translocatable proteins lack significant electron density prior to G44. While no portion of the translocation sequences from either monomer in the biological dimer was visible, all of the other solution properties indicated measurable effects of the additional residues at the N-terminal.

The 2.0 A crystal structure and substrate specificity of the KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidase functioning in programmed cell death of Ricinus communis endosperm.

In the senescing endosperm of germinating castor bean (Ricinus communis) a special organelle (the ricinosome) releases a papain-type cysteine endopeptidase (CysEP) during the final stages of cellular disintegration. Protein cleavage sites for the Ricinus CysEP were determined with fluorogenic peptides (Abz-Xaa-Arg-/-Gln-Gln-Tyr(NO2)-Asp). The highest kcat/Km values were obtained with neutral amino acid residues with large aliphatic and non-polar (Leu, Val, Ile, Met) or aromatic (Phe, Tyr, Trp) side-chains. A second series (Abz-Leu-Xaa-/Gln-Pro-Tyr(NO2)-Asp) was evaluated. Based on these results, the covalent binding inhibitor H-D-Val-Leu-Lys-chloromethylketone (CMK) was chosen as substrate analogue for replacement in the catalytic site. Unusually, CysEP cleaved beta-casein N and C-terminal to the amino acid proline. CysEP was crystallized, its structure was solved by molecular replacement at 2.0 A resolution and refined to a R-factor of 18.1% (Rfree=22.6%). The polypeptide chain folds as in papain into two domains divided by the active site cleft, an elongated surface depression harboring the active site. The non-primed specificity subsites of the proteinase are clearly defined by the H-D-Val-Leu-Lys-CMK-inhibitor covalently bound to the active site. The absence of the occluding loop, which blocks the active site of exopeptidases at the C-terminal side of the scissile bond, identifies CysEP as an endopeptidase. The more open pocket of the Ricinus CysEP correlates with the extended variety of substrate amino acid residues accommodated by this enzyme, including even proline at the P1 and P1' positions. This may allow the enzyme to attack a greater variety of proteins during programmed cell death.

AthPEX10, a nuclear gene essential for peroxisome and storage organelle formation during Arabidopsis embryogenesis.

In yeasts and mammals, PEX10 encodes an integral membrane protein with a C3HC4 RING finger motif in its C-terminal domain and is required for peroxisome biogenesis and matrix protein import. In humans, its dysfunction in peroxisome biogenesis leads to severe Zellweger Syndrome and infantile Refsum disease. Here we show that dysfunction of a homologous gene in Arabidopsis leads to lethality at the heart stage of embryogenesis, impairing the biogenesis of peroxisomes, lipid bodies, and protein bodies. In a T-DNA insertion mutant disrupting the fourth exon of the AthPEX10 gene, ultrastructural analyses fail to detect peroxisomes characteristic for wild-type embryogenesis. Storage triacyl glycerides are not assembled into lipid bodies (oil bodies; oleosomes) surrounded by the phospholipid-protein monolayer membrane. Instead, the dysfunctional monolayer membranes, which derive from the bilayer membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum, accumulate in the cytosol. Concomitantly the transfer of the storage proteins from their site of synthesis at the endoplasmic reticulum to the vacuoles is disturbed. The mutant can be rescued by transformation with wild-type AthPEX10 cDNA. Transformants of wild-type Hansenula polymorpha cells with the AthPEX10 cDNA did produce the encoded protein without targeting it to peroxisomes. Additionally, the cDNA could not complement a Hansenula pex10 mutant unable to form peroxisomes. The ultrastructural knockout phenotype of AthPEX10p suggests that this protein in Arabidopsis is essential for peroxisome, oleosome, and protein transport vesicle formation.