25 research outputs found

    Structural basis of gating of CNG channels

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    AbstractCyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) ion channels, underlying sensory transduction in vertebrate photoreceptors and olfactory sensory neurons, require cyclic nucleotides to open. Here, we present structural models of the tetrameric CNG channel pore from bovine rod in both open and closed states, as obtained by combining homology modeling-based techniques, experimentally derived spatial constraints and structural patterns present in the PDB database. Gating is initiated by an anticlockwise rotation of the N-terminal region of the C-linker, which is then, transmitted through the S6 transmembrane helices to the P-helix, and in turn from this to the pore lumen, which opens up from 2 to 5Å thus allowing for ion permeation. The approach, here presented, is expected to provide a general methodology for model ion channels and their gating when structural templates are available and an extensive electrophysiological analysis has been performed

    Locking CNGA1 Channels in the Open and Closed State

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    AbstractWith the aim of understanding the relation between structure and gating of CNGA1 channels from bovine rod, an extensive cysteine scanning mutagenesis was performed. Each residue from Phe-375 to Val-424 was mutated into a cysteine one at a time and the modification caused by various sulfhydryl reagents was analyzed. The addition of the mild oxidizing agent copper phenanthroline (CuP) in the open (presence of 1mM cGMP) or closed state locked the channel in the respective states. A subsequent treatment with the reducing agent DTT restored normal gating fully in the open state and partially in the closed state. This action of CuP was not observed when F380 was mutated into a cysteine in the cysteine-free CNGA1 channel and in the double mutant C314S&F380C. These observations suggest that these effects are mediated by the formation of a disulfide bond (S-S) between F380C and the endogenous Cys-314 in the S5 segment. It can be rationalized by supposing that during gating the S6 segment rotates anticlockwise—when viewed from the extracellular side—by ∼30°

    A mosaic world: puzzles revealed by adult neural stem cell heterogeneity

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    Neural stem cells (NSCs) reside in specialized niches in the adult mammalian brain. The ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ), adjacent to the lateral ventricles, gives rise to olfactory bulb (OB) neurons, and some astrocytes and oligodendrocytes throughout life. In vitro assays have been widely used to retrospectively identify NSCs. However, cells that behave as stem cells in vitro do not reflect the identity, diversity, and behavior of NSCs in vivo. Novel tools including fluorescence activated cell sorting, lineage-tracing, and clonal analysis have uncovered multiple layers of adult V-SVZ NSC heterogeneity, including proliferation state and regional identity. In light of these findings, we reexamine the concept of adult NSCs, considering heterogeneity as a key parameter for analyzing their dynamics in vivo. V-SVZ NSCs form a mosaic of quiescent (qNSCs) and activated cells (aNSCs) that reside in regionally distinct microdomains, reflecting their regional embryonic origins, and give rise to specific subtypes of OB interneurons. Prospective purification and transcriptome analysis of qNSCs and aNSCs has illuminated their molecular and functional properties. qNSCs are slowly dividing, have slow kinetics of neurogenesis in vivo, can be recruited to regenerate the V-SVZ, and only rarely give rise to in vitro colonies. aNSCs are highly proliferative, undergo rapid clonal expansion of the neurogenic lineage in vivo, and readily form in vitro colonies. Key open questions remain about stem cell dynamics in vivo and the lineage relationship between qNSCs and aNSCs under homeostasis and regeneration, as well as context-dependent plasticity of regionally distinct adult NSCs under different external stimuli. WIREs Dev Biol 2016, 5:640-658. doi: 10.1002/wdev.248 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website

    Abstract 1032: Identification of Ran binding protein 6 as a novel negative regulator of EGFR and candidate tumor suppressor in glioblastoma

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    Abstract Amplification and overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are common in glioblastoma (GBM) and frequently associated with silencing of the phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) tumor suppressor. PTEN silencing has been associated with clinical resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, in part by raising EGFR levels. Here, we investigated the effect of PTEN on the EGFR signaling complex by EGFR affinity immunopurification and mass spectrometry with and without PTEN knockdown. We identified Ran binding protein 6 (RanBP6), a 125-kDa protein of previously unknown functions, as EGFR interacting protein in PTEN expressing, but not PTEN knockdown cells. Further studies of the effect of RanBP6 on EGFR revealed that RanBP6 depletion by shRNA or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene silencing resulted in increased EGFR mRNA levels and upregulation of EGFR promoter activity. Consistent with a model of a negative EGFR regulation by RanBP6, we observed an inverse correlation between RanBP6 and EGFR mRNA levels in PTEN wildtype but not PTEN altered cancer cells in a large panel of human cancer cell lines (Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia). To further understand the mechanism of how RanBP6 negatively regulates EGFR mRNA level, we found that RanBP6 interacted with nuclear Ran-GTPase and repressed EGFR transcription by promoting nuclear import of Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Lastly, RanBP6 appeared to be frequently deleted on chromosome 9p in GBM. We showed that RanBP6 silencing raised EGFR levels and signal output and accelerated in-vivo glioma growth. Our results establish a novel function of RanBP6 as a link between EGFR signaling and the Ran-mediated nuclear import pathway, and identify RanBP6 as candidate tumor suppressor on chromosome 9p. Citation Format: Wan-Ying Hsieh, Barbara Oldrini, Hediye Erdjument-Bromage, Paolo Codega, Maria S. Carro, Igor Vivanco, Dan Rohle, Carl Campos, Craig Bielski, Barry Taylor, Paul Tempst, Massimo Squatrito, Ingo K. Mellinghoff. Identification of Ran binding protein 6 as a novel negative regulator of EGFR and candidate tumor suppressor in glioblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1032. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1032</jats:p

    Prolonged illumination up-regulates arrestin and two GCAPs: a novel mechanism for light adaptation

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    Light adaptation in vertebrate photoreceptors is mediated by multiple mechanisms, one of which could involve nuclear feedback and changes in gene expression. Therefore, we have investigated light adaptation-associated changes in gene expression using microarrays and real-time PCR in isolated photoreceptors, in cultured isolated retinas and in acutely isolated retinas. In all three preparations after 2 h of an exposure to a bright light, we observed an up-regulation of almost 100% of three genes, Sag, Guca1a and Guca1b, coding for proteins known to play a major role in phototransduction: arrestin, GCAP1 and GCAP2. No detectable up-regulation occurred for light exposures of less than 1 h. Functional in vivo electroretinographic tests show that a partial recovery of the dark current occurred 1-2 h after prolonged illumination with a steady light that initially caused a substantial suppression of the photoresponse. These observations demonstrate that prolonged illumination results in the up-regulation of genes coding for proteins involved in the phototransduction signalling cascade, possibly underlying a novel component of light adaptation occurring 1-2 h after the onset of a steady bright light
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