The yeast POP2 gene encodes a nuclease involved in mRNA deadenylation.

The major mRNA degradation pathway involves deadenylation of the target molecule followed by decapping and, finally, 5'-->3' exonuclease digestion of the mRNA body. While yeast factors involved in the decapping and exonuclease degradation steps have been identified, the nature of the factor(s) involved in the deadenylation step remained elusive. Database searches for yeast proteins related to the mammalian deadenylase PARN identified the Pop2 protein (Pop2p) as a potential deadenylase. While Pop2p was previously identified as a factor affecting transcription, we identified a non-canonical RNase D sequence signature in its sequence. Analysis of the fate of a reporter mRNA in a pop2 mutant demonstrates that Pop2p is required for efficient mRNA degradation in vivo. Characterisation of mRNA degradation intermediates accumulating in this mutant supports the involvement of Pop2p in mRNA deadenylation in vivo. Similar phenotypes are observed in yeast strains lacking the Ccr4 protein, which is known to be associated with Pop2p. A recombinant Pop2p fragment encompassing the putative catalytic domain degrades poly(A) in vitro demonstrating that Pop2p is a nuclease. We also demonstrate that poly(A) is a better competitor than poly(G) or poly(C) of the Pop2p nuclease activity. Altogether, our study indicates that Pop2p is a nuclease subunit of the yeast deadenylase and suggests that Pop2p homologues in other species may have similar functions.

Re-expression of the mannose 6-phosphate receptors in receptor-deficient fibroblasts. Complementary function of the two mannose 6-phosphate receptors in lysosomal enzyme targeting.

We have previously generated primary embryonic fibroblasts lacking either the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor (MPR) or the cation-dependent MPR, two trans-membrane proteins that bind the mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P) recognition marker on soluble lysosomal enzymes (Ludwig, T., Munier-Lehmann, H., Bauer, U., Hollinshead, M., Ovitt, C., Lobel, P., and Hoflack, B.(1994) EMBO J. 13, 3430-3437). These two cell types partially missort phosphorylated lysosomal enzymes. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we show here that they secrete, in a large part, different phosphorylated ligands. In order to better understand the sorting function of the MPRs, we have re-expressed each MPR in MPR-negative fibroblasts. We show that the MPRs have similar capacities for transporting the bulk of the newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes and that they target individual ligands with various efficiencies. However, high levels of one MPR do not fully compensate for the absence of the other, demonstrating that the two MPRs have complementary targeting functions, perhaps by recognizing different features on lysosomal enzymes. The analysis of the phosphorylated oligosaccharides shows that the ligands missorted in the absence of the cation-dependent MPR are slightly but significantly depleted in oligosaccharides with two Man-6-P residues, when compared with those missorted in the absence of the cation-independent MPR. While these results could explain some differences between the structure and the sorting function of the two MPRs, they strongly suggest that the reason why cells express two different but related MPRs is to maintain an efficient Man-6-P-dependent targeting process that could be potentially regulated by MPR expression.

A casein kinase II phosphorylation site in the cytoplasmic domain of the cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor determines the high affinity interaction of the AP-1 Golgi assembly proteins with membranes.

The transport of proteins from the secretory to the endocytic pathway is mediated by carrier vesicles coated with the AP-1 Golgi assembly proteins and clathrin. The mannose 6-phosphate receptors (MPHs) are two major transmembrane proteins segregated into these transport vesicles. Together with the GTPase ARF-1, these cargo proteins are essential components for the efficient translocation of the cytosolic AP-1 onto membranes of the trans-Golgi network, the first step of clathrin coat assembly, MPR-negative fibroblasts have a low capacity of recruiting AP-1 which can be restored by re-expressing the MPRs in these cells. This property was used to identify the protein motif of the cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CD-MPR) cytoplasmic domain that is essential for these interactions. Thus, the affinity of AP-1 for membranes and in vivo transport of cathepsin D were measured for MPR-negative cells re-expressing various CD-MPR mutants. The results indicate that the targeting of lysosomal enzymes requires the CD-PDR cytoplasmic domain that are different from tyrosine-based endocytosis motifs. The first is a casein kinase II phosphorylation site (ESEER) that is essential for high affinity binding of AP-1 and therefore probably acts as a dominant determinant controlling CD-MPR sorting in the trans-Golgi network. The second is the adjacent di-leucine motif (HLLPM), which, by itself, is not critical for AP-1 binding, but is absolutely required for a downstream sorting event.

Chimeric proteins containing the cytoplasmic domains of the mannose 6-phosphate receptors codistribute with the endogenous receptors.

We have constructed and transiently expressed in HeLa cells a series of hybrid proteins in which the cytoplasmic domain or both the transmembrane and the cytoplasmic domains of the mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor were fused to the ectodomain of the hemagglutinin of the influenza virus (HA), a typical plasma membrane protein. In addition, we have expressed a hybrid protein containing the luminal domain of HA fused to the transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail of the cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor. These hybrids were transported through and sorted from the secretory pathway as shown by acquisition of endo-H resistant oligosaccharides and their ability to recruit the Golgi assembly proteins AP-1 on the Golgi membrane. Like the mannose 6-phosphate receptors (MPRs), these hybrid proteins are also present in small amounts at the cell surface where they are likely to undergo endocytosis as disruption of the endocytosis signals contained in the MPR cytoplasmic domains induces their accumulation at the cell surface. Double immunofluorescence studies indicate that these chimeras codistribute with the endogenous MPRs at steady state. The results suggest that the cytoplasmic domains of the MPRs are sufficient to determine the steady-state distribution of the full-length proteins.

Binding of AP-1 Golgi adaptors to membranes requires phosphorylated cytoplasmic domains of the mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor.

In mammalian cells, clathrin-coated vesicles mediate transport of the lysosomal enzyme receptors from the trans-Golgi network to the endocytic pathway. A critical step of this process is the recruitment of Golgi-specific adaptors onto Golgi membranes for efficient clathrin polymerization. An in vitro assay was used here to quantitate this event in streptolysin-O-permeabilized NRK cells. At 37 degrees C, these interactions are cytosol- and energy-dependent, sensitive to GTP gamma S (guanosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate)) and brefeldin A. We report that Golgi-specific adaptor binding is enhanced in mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II (IGF II) receptor-overexpressing cells and reduced in mannose 6-phosphate receptor-deficient cells. Furthermore, adaptor binding is partially inhibited after addition of soluble cytoplasmic domains of the mannose 6-phosphate/IGF II receptor. Almost complete inhibition is only observed when this domain is phosphorylated on serines 2421 and 2492, a major modification acquired during exit of the receptor from the Golgi. These results show that the mannose 6-phosphate/IGF II receptor is part of the components that recruit the Golgi-specific adaptors and that its phosphorylation is an important feature for high affinity interactions with sorting components.

A Brassica napus transcript encoding a protein related to the Künitz protease inhibitor family accumulates upon water stress in leaves, not in seeds.

A cDNA clone encoding a Brassica napus drought-induced 22 kDa (BnD22) protein has been isolated and characterized. The BnD22 transcript accumulated in response to drought reversibly, and to other conditions of leaf water deficit such as rapid water stress or salt acclimation, but not to cold acclimation or heat shock. Exogenously applied abscisic acid induced both changes in leaf morphology similar to the drought-adaptive response and a pronounced accumulation of the BnD22 mRNA. In control and drought-adapted plants, the BnD22 transcript was expressed in an organ-specific manner: the mRNA level was highest in leaves, low in hypocotyls and undetectable in roots. Sequence analysis indicates that the BnD22 protein is related to the Künitz family of protease inhibitors. In contrast to most members of this family, and also to most polypeptides expressed in vegetative tissues upon drought, the BnD22 mRNA was absent in seeds, before or during the seed desiccation phase. The BnD22 gene represents a new class of genes which are strictly induced in vegetative tissues upon environmental stress, and its pattern of expression shows that the responses to water deficit differ, at least partially, in seeds and in leaves.

Comparison of constitutive and inducible transcriptional enhancement mediated by kappa B-related sequences: modulation of activity in B cells by human T-cell leukemia virus type I tax gene.

The kappa B sequence (GGGACTTTCC) binds a factor, NF-kappa B, that is constitutively found in its functional, DNA binding form only in B lymphocytes. A factor with apparently indistinguishable sequence specificity can be induced in many other cell types, where it is used to regulate inducible gene expression. For example, kappa B-related sequences have been shown to be important for the transcription of a few inducible genes, such as the interleukin 2 receptor alpha-chain gene and the beta-interferon gene. However, these genes are not constitutively active in B lymphocytes, suggesting that other regulatory mechanisms must play a role in determining the patterns of expression. We have investigated the constitutive and inducible transcriptional activity mediated by five kappa B-related sequence elements in two different cell types. We show that in S194 plasma cells the activity of each element correlates well with the relative affinity of B-cell-derived NF-kappa B for that element. This leads to significantly lower transcription enhancement by sites derived from the interleukin 2 receptor or T-cell receptor genes in S194 cells. However, in either EL-4 (T) cells or S194 cells, both lower-affinity sites can be significantly induced by the tax gene product of human T-cell leukemia virus type I, showing that NF-kappa B activity can be modulated even in a B-cell line that constitutively expresses this factor.

Functional analysis of the murine T-cell receptor beta enhancer and characteristics of its DNA-binding proteins.

The minimal T-cell receptor (TCR) beta-chain (TCR beta) enhancer has been identified by transfection into lymphoid cells. The minimal enhancer was active in T cells and in some B-lineage cells. When a larger fragment containing the minimal enhancer was used, its activity was apparent only in T cells. Studies with phytohemagglutinin and 4 beta-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate revealed that the enhancer activity was increased by these agents. By a combination of DNase I footprinting, gel mobility shift assay, and methylation interference analysis, seven different motifs were identified within the minimal enhancer. Furthermore, competition experiments showed that some of these elements bound identical or similar factors that are known to bind to the TCR V beta promoter decamer or to the immunoglobulin enhancer kappa E2 or muEBP-E motif. These shared motifs may be important in the differential gene activity among the different lymphoid subsets.

Multiple nuclear factors interact with sequences within the J beta 2-C beta 2 intron of the murine T cell receptor beta-chain gene.

Identification of tissue-specific DNaseI hypersensitive sites in the TCR J beta 2-C beta 2 intron has suggested the presence of sequences involved in the regulation of gene expression. Therefore, we have searched for protein-DNA interactions within a 930-bp fragment derived from the J beta 2-C beta 2 intron by in vitro DNaseI protection experiments and electrophoretic mobility-shift assays. This analysis has revealed, in addition to a previously characterized NF-kappa B binding site, the presence of seven potential protein-DNA interaction sites within this fragment. Interestingly, they are clustered in the regions where in vivo T cell-specific nuclease hypersensitive sites have been previously identified. Binding sites for four potential transcription factors have been mapped precisely by methylation-interference experiments. Sequence comparisons show that one of them is homologous to the Y box present in the promoter regions of MHC class II genes. Identification of several protein-DNA interactions clustered within the J beta 2-C beta 2 intron and the presence of binding sites for two well-characterized transcription factors suggest a transcriptional regulatory function for this region.

A second sequence element located 3' to the NF-kappa B-binding site regulates IL-2 receptor-alpha gene induction.

Transcriptional induction of the gene encoding the alpha-subunit of IL-2R has been shown to be mediated by a sequence element (GGGGAATCTCCC) that is homologous to the NF-kappa B-binding site of the kappa Ig gene enhancer. In this report we demonstrate that the induced transcription of this gene by mitogen and by the tax gene product of the type-I human T cell leukemia virus is dependent upon an additional sequence motif (GGGCGTAGC) located approximately 10 bp downstream of the previously identified site. This newly identified motif binds a factor that is present in extracts derived from different cell types and does not appear to be required for basal promoter activity. We conclude that proteins binding at both sites act coordinately, leading to maximal induction of the receptor gene.

Identification of a functional NF-kappa B binding site in the murine T cell receptor beta 2 locus.

We have identified a sequence in the TCR beta 2 locus that is homologous to the kappa B site in the Ig kappa light chain enhancer. This element, TCR beta-B, is located in the vicinity of previously identified T cell-specific DNase1 hypersensitive sites. Transfection analysis shows that a 60-bp fragment encompassing this site is preferentially active in T cells stimulated with phorbol esters or the HTLV-1 tax gene product compared with a B cell line that constitutively expresses NF-kappa B. Our results provide the first evidence for transcriptional regulatory sequences residing within the J beta 2-C beta 2 intron and suggest the possible involvement of these sequences in modulation of TCR beta gene expression upon cellular activation.

A brain-specific transcription activator.

We have identified a DNA binding protein, named BETA, that interacts with the same (B) transcriptional regulatory sequence as the known transcription factor NF-kappa B. BETA is found only in gray matter throughout the brain, and not in a variety of other rat tissues. Two binding sites for BETA are present adjacent to the promoter of the rat proenkephalin gene. Transfection of primary brain cultures that express BETA, with a reporter gene driven by the SV40 promoter linked to BETA DNA binding sites, results in transcriptional activation. We infer that BETA is a brain-specific transcription activator.

Alteration of a single nucleotide allows efficient binding of H2TF1/KBF1 to the immunoglobulin kappa enhancer B motif.

NF-kappa B (a protein present constitutively only in B cells) and H2TF1/KBF1 (a more ubiquitously distributed protein[s]) are two transcription factors that recognize very similar DNA sequences. However, the binding site associated with the kappa immunoglobulin gene enhancer (kappa B) is recognized predominantly by NF-kappa B. Using synthetically altered recognition sequences, we showed that the B-cell-specific NF-kappa B-binding site in the kappa enhancer can be converted to one that binds both NF-kappa B and the ubiquitous protein(s) H2TF1/KBF1 by substitution of a single nucleotide. Furthermore, transient transfection experiments suggested that NF-kappa B and H2TF1/KBF1 are functionally different even though their DNA recognition specificities are very similar.