Accepting from the best donor; analysis of long-lifetime donor fluorescent protein pairings to optimise dynamic FLIM-based FRET experiments.

FRET biosensors have proven very useful tools for studying the activation of specific signalling pathways in living cells. Most biosensors designed to date have been predicated on fluorescent protein pairs that were identified by, and for use in, intensity based measurements, however fluorescence lifetime provides a more reliable measurement of FRET. Both the technology and fluorescent proteins available for FRET have moved on dramatically in the last decade. Lifetime imaging systems have become increasingly accessible and user-friendly, and there is an entire field of biology dedicated to refining and adapting different characteristics of existing and novel fluorescent proteins. This growing pool of fluorescent proteins includes the long-lifetime green and cyan fluorescent proteins Clover and mTurquoise2, the red variant mRuby2, and the dark acceptor sREACh. Here, we have tested these donors and acceptors in appropriate combinations against the standard or recommended norms (EGFP and mTFP as donors, mCherry and either Ypet or Venus as acceptors) to determine if they could provide more reliable, reproducible and quantifiable FLIM-FRET data to improve on the dynamic range compared to other donors and breadth of application of biosensor technologies. These tests were performed for comparison on both a wide-field, frequency domain system and a multiphoton, TCSPC time domain FLIM system. Clover proved to be an excellent donor with extended dynamic range in combination with mCherry on both platforms, while mRuby2 showed a high degree of variability and poor FRET efficiencies in all cases. mTFP-Venus was the most consistent cyan-yellow pair between the two FLIM methodologies, but mTurquoise2 has better dynamic range and transfers energy consistently over time to the dark acceptor sRCh. Combination of mTFP-sRCh with Clover-mCherry would allow the simultaneous use of two FLIM-FRET biosensors within one sample by eliminating the crosstalk between the yellow acceptor and green donor emissions.

The path to oncology drug target validation: an industry perspective.

The advent of a variety of genomic, proteomic and other system-based scientific approaches has raised the expectations of identifying novel targets for oncology drug discovery. However, the complexity of human genome cancer alterations requires a careful analysis of the function of candidate targets identified by these efforts. The postulation and testing of a hypothesis that modulation of a protein or pathway will result in a therapeutic effect in a preclinical setting is crucial for target validation activities. In this chapter, we provide an overview on target identification and validation approaches to interrogate the functional and therapeutic relevance of a candidate cancer drug target as an essential step towards justifying the subsequent investment in drug discovery efforts.

The MAGUK protein MPP7 binds to the polarity protein hDlg1 and facilitates epithelial tight junction formation.

Three groups of evolutionarily conserved proteins have been implicated in the establishment of epithelial cell polarity: the apically-localized proteins of the Par (Par3-Par6-aPKC-Cdc42) and Crumbs groups (Crb3-PALS1-PATJ) and the basolaterally localized proteins of the Dlg group (Dlg1-Scribble-Lgl). During epithelial morphogenesis, these proteins participate in a complex network of interdependent interactions that define the position and functional organization of adherens junctions and tight junctions. However, the biochemical pathways through which they control polarity are poorly understood. In this study, we identify an interaction between endogenous hDlg1 and MPP7, a previously uncharacterized MAGUK-p55 subfamily member. We find that MPP7 targets to the lateral surface of epithelial cells via its L27N domain, through an interaction with hDlg1. Loss of either hDlg1 or MPP7 from epithelial Caco-2 cells results in a significant defect in the assembly and maintenance of functional tight junctions. We conclude that the formation of a complex between hDlg1 and MPP7 promotes epithelial cell polarity and tight junction formation.

Kinetochore localization and microtubule interaction of the human spindle checkpoint kinase Mps1.

Members of the Mps1 protein kinase family have been implicated in the regulation of the kinetochore-mediated spindle assembly checkpoint in species ranging from yeast to man. However, conflicting data have been reported on the subcellular localization of vertebrate Mps1 kinases and their possible roles in centrosome duplication. Moreover, little is presently known about the regulation of Mps1 kinases during the cell cycle. Here, we have used immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoblotting and siRNA-mediated depletion of hMps1 to re-investigate the subcellular localization of this kinase. Our data confirm the kinetochore association of hMps1 but suggest that the centrosome staining produced by some anti-hMps1 antibodies could be due to cross-reactivity with other proteins. We also show that the kinetochore association of hMps1 is mediated by the amino-terminal, non-catalytic domain and specifically requires the presence of the Hec1/Ndc80-Nuf2 complex at the kinetochore. Finally, we have combined in vitro binding studies and kinase assays to explore the influence of microtubules on hMps1 activity. Our data indicate that the catalytic domain of hMps1 displays affinity for microtubules and that microtubule binding could contribute to the regulation of kinase activity.

Role of Hec1 in spindle checkpoint signaling and kinetochore recruitment of Mad1/Mad2.

The spindle checkpoint delays sister chromatid separation until all chromosomes have undergone bipolar spindle attachment. Checkpoint failure may result in chromosome mis-segregation and may contribute to tumorigenesis. We showed that the human protein Hec1 was required for the recruitment of Mps1 kinase and Mad1/Mad2 complexes to kinetochores. Depletion of Hec1 impaired chromosome congression and caused persistent activation of the spindle checkpoint, indicating that high steady-state levels of Mad1/Mad2 complexes at kinetochores were not essential for checkpoint signaling. Simultaneous depletion of Hec1 and Mad2 caused catastrophic mitotic exit, making Hec1 an attractive target for the selective elimination of spindle checkpoint-deficient cells.

Human Mps1 kinase is required for the spindle assembly checkpoint but not for centrosome duplication.

Budding yeast Mps1p kinase has been implicated in both the duplication of microtubule-organizing centers and the spindle assembly checkpoint. Here we show that hMps1, the human homolog of yeast Mps1p, is a cell cycle-regulated kinase with maximal activity during M phase. hMps1 localizes to kinetochores and its activity and phosphorylation state increase upon activation of the mitotic checkpoint. By antibody microinjection and siRNA, we demonstrate that hMps1 is required for human cells to undergo checkpoint arrest in response to microtubule depolymerization. In contrast, centrosome (re-)duplication as well as cell division occur in the absence of hMps1. We conclude that hMps1 is required for the spindle assembly checkpoint but not for centrosome duplication.