@article{8473, abstract = {β2-microglobulin (β2m), the light chain of class I major histocompatibility complex, is responsible for the dialysis-related amyloidosis and, in patients undergoing long term dialysis, the full-length and chemically unmodified β2m converts into amyloid fibrils. The protein, belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, in common to other members of this family, experiences during its folding a long-lived intermediate associated to the trans-to-cis isomerization of Pro-32 that has been addressed as the precursor of the amyloid fibril formation. In this respect, previous studies on the W60G β2m mutant, showing that the lack of Trp-60 prevents fibril formation in mild aggregating condition, prompted us to reinvestigate the refolding kinetics of wild type and W60G β2m at atomic resolution by real-time NMR. The analysis, conducted at ambient temperature by the band selective flip angle short transient real-time two-dimensional NMR techniques and probing the β2m states every 15 s, revealed a more complex folding energy landscape than previously reported for wild type β2m, involving more than a single intermediate species, and shedding new light into the fibrillogenic pathway. Moreover, a significant difference in the kinetic scheme previously characterized by optical spectroscopic methods was discovered for the W60G β2m mutant.}, author = {Corazza, Alessandra and Rennella, Enrico and Schanda, Paul and Mimmi, Maria Chiara and Cutuil, Thomas and Raimondi, Sara and Giorgetti, Sofia and Fogolari, Federico and Viglino, Paolo and Frydman, Lucio and Gal, Maayan and Bellotti, Vittorio and Brutscher, Bernhard and Esposito, Gennaro}, issn = {0021-9258}, journal = {Journal of Biological Chemistry}, keywords = {Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology}, number = {8}, pages = {5827--5835}, publisher = {American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology}, title = {{Native-unlike long-lived intermediates along the folding pathway of the amyloidogenic protein β2-Microglobulin revealed by real-time two-dimensional NMR}}, doi = {10.1074/jbc.m109.061168}, volume = {285}, year = {2010}, } @article{11103, abstract = {Over the last decade, the nuclear envelope (NE) has emerged as a key component in the organization and function of the nuclear genome. As many as 100 different proteins are thought to specifically localize to this double membrane that separates the cytoplasm and the nucleoplasm of eukaryotic cells. Selective portals through the NE are formed at sites where the inner and outer nuclear membranes are fused, and the coincident assembly of ∼30 proteins into nuclear pore complexes occurs. These nuclear pore complexes are essential for the control of nucleocytoplasmic exchange. Many of the NE and nuclear pore proteins are thought to play crucial roles in gene regulation and thus are increasingly linked to human diseases.}, author = {HETZER, Martin W and Wente, Susan R.}, issn = {1534-5807}, journal = {Developmental Cell}, keywords = {Developmental Biology, Cell Biology, General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Molecular Biology}, number = {5}, pages = {606--616}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Border control at the nucleus: Biogenesis and organization of the nuclear membrane and pore complexes}}, doi = {10.1016/j.devcel.2009.10.007}, volume = {17}, year = {2009}, } @article{11105, abstract = {Nuclear-pore complexes (NPCs) are large protein channels that span the nuclear envelope (NE), which is a double membrane that encloses the nuclear genome of eukaryotes. Each of the typically 2,000–4,000 pores in the NE of vertebrate cells is composed of multiple copies of 30 different proteins known as nucleoporins. The evolutionarily conserved NPC proteins have the well-characterized function of mediating the transport of molecules between the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm. Mutations in nucleoporins are often linked to specific developmental defects and disease, and the resulting phenotypes are usually interpreted as the consequences of perturbed nuclear transport activity. However, recent evidence suggests that NPCs have additional functions in chromatin organization and gene regulation, some of which might be independent of nuclear transport. Here, we review the transport-dependent and transport-independent roles of NPCs in the regulation of nuclear function and gene expression.}, author = {Capelson, Maya and HETZER, Martin W}, issn = {1469-3178}, journal = {EMBO reports}, keywords = {Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry}, number = {7}, pages = {697--705}, publisher = {EMBO}, title = {{The role of nuclear pores in gene regulation, development and disease}}, doi = {10.1038/embor.2009.147}, volume = {10}, year = {2009}, } @article{11108, abstract = {In dividing cells, nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) disassemble during mitosis and reassemble into the newly forming nuclei. However, the fate of nuclear pores in postmitotic cells is unknown. Here, we show that NPCs, unlike other nuclear structures, do not turn over in differentiated cells. While a subset of NPC components, like Nup153 and Nup50, are continuously exchanged, scaffold nucleoporins, like the Nup107/160 complex, are extremely long-lived and remain incorporated in the nuclear membrane during the entire cellular life span. Besides the lack of nucleoporin expression and NPC turnover, we discovered an age-related deterioration of NPCs, leading to an increase in nuclear permeability and the leaking of cytoplasmic proteins into the nucleus. Our finding that nuclear “leakiness” is dramatically accelerated during aging and that a subset of nucleoporins is oxidatively damaged in old cells suggests that the accumulation of damage at the NPC might be a crucial aging event.}, author = {D'Angelo, Maximiliano A. and Raices, Marcela and Panowski, Siler H. and HETZER, Martin W}, issn = {0092-8674}, journal = {Cell}, keywords = {General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology}, number = {2}, pages = {284--295}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Age-dependent deterioration of nuclear pore complexes causes a loss of nuclear integrity in postmitotic cells}}, doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2008.11.037}, volume = {136}, year = {2009}, } @article{8480, abstract = {The KIX domain of the transcription co-activator CBP is a three-helix bundle protein that folds via rapid accumulation of an intermediate state, followed by a slower folding phase. Recent NMR relaxation dispersion studies revealed the presence of a low-populated (excited) state of KIX that exists in equilibrium with the natively folded form under non-denaturing conditions, and likely represents the equilibrium analog of the folding intermediate. Here, we combine amide hydrogen/deuterium exchange measurements using rapid NMR data acquisition techniques with backbone 15N and 13C relaxation dispersion experiments to further investigate the equilibrium folding of the KIX domain. Residual structure within the folding intermediate is detected by both methods, and their combination enables reliable quantification of the amount of persistent residual structure. Three well-defined folding subunits are found, which display variable stability and correspond closely to the individual helices in the native state. While two of the three helices (α2 and α3) are partially formed in the folding intermediate (to ∼ 50% and ∼ 80%, respectively, at 20 °C), the third helix is disordered. The observed helical content within the excited state exceeds the helical propensities predicted for the corresponding peptide regions, suggesting that the two helices are weakly mutually stabilized, while methyl 13C relaxation dispersion data indicate that a defined packing arrangement is unlikely. Temperature-dependent experiments reveal that the largest enthalpy and entropy changes along the folding reaction occur during the final transition from the intermediate to the native state. Our experimental data are consistent with a folding mechanism where helices α2 and α3 form rapidly, although to different extents, while helix α1 consolidates only as folding proceeds to complete the native state-structure.}, author = {Schanda, Paul and Brutscher, Bernhard and Konrat, Robert and Tollinger, Martin}, issn = {0022-2836}, journal = {Journal of Molecular Biology}, keywords = {Molecular Biology}, number = {4}, pages = {726--741}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Folding of the KIX domain: Characterization of the equilibrium analog of a folding intermediate using 15N/13C relaxation dispersion and fast 1H/2H amide exchange NMR spectroscopy}}, doi = {10.1016/j.jmb.2008.05.040}, volume = {380}, year = {2008}, } @article{8481, abstract = {The copK gene is localized on the pMOL30 plasmid of Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 within the complex cop cluster of genes, for which 21 genes have been identified. The expression of the corresponding periplasmic CopK protein is strongly upregulated in the presence of copper, leading to a high periplasmic accumulation. The structure and metal-binding properties of CopK were investigated by NMR and mass spectrometry. The protein is dimeric in the apo state with a dissociation constant in the range of 10- 5 M estimated from analytical ultracentrifugation. Mass spectrometry revealed that CopK has two high-affinity Cu(I)-binding sites per monomer with different Cu(I) affinities. Binding of Cu(II) was observed but appeared to be non-specific. The solution structure of apo-CopK revealed an all-β fold formed of two β-sheets in perpendicular orientation with an unstructured C-terminal tail. The dimer interface is formed by the surface of the C-terminal β-sheet. Binding of the first Cu(I)-ion induces a major structural modification involving dissociation of the dimeric apo-protein. Backbone chemical shifts determined for the 1Cu(I)-bound form confirm the conservation of the N-terminal β-sheet, while the last strand of the C-terminal sheet appears in slow conformational exchange. We hypothesize that the partial disruption of the C-terminal β-sheet is related to dimer dissociation. NH-exchange data acquired on the apo-protein are consistent with a lower thermodynamic stability of the C-terminal sheet. CopK contains seven methionine residues, five of which appear highly conserved. Chemical shift data suggest implication of two or three methionines (Met54, Met38, Met28) in the first Cu(I) site. Addition of a second Cu(I) ion further increases protein plasticity. Comparison of the structural and metal-binding properties of CopK with other periplasmic copper-binding proteins reveals two conserved features within these functionally related proteins: the all-β fold and the methionine-rich Cu(I)-binding site.}, author = {Bersch, Beate and Favier, Adrien and Schanda, Paul and van Aelst, Sébastien and Vallaeys, Tatiana and Covès, Jacques and Mergeay, Max and Wattiez, Ruddy}, issn = {0022-2836}, journal = {Journal of Molecular Biology}, keywords = {Molecular Biology}, number = {2}, pages = {386--403}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Molecular structure and metal-binding properties of the periplasmic CopK protein expressed in Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 during copper challenge}}, doi = {10.1016/j.jmb.2008.05.017}, volume = {380}, year = {2008}, } @article{11116, abstract = {The metazoan nuclear envelope (NE) breaks down and re-forms during each cell cycle. Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), which allow nucleocytoplasmic transport during interphase, assemble into the re-forming NE at the end of mitosis. Using in vitro NE assembly, we show that the vertebrate homologue of MEL-28 (maternal effect lethal), a recently discovered NE component in Caenorhabditis elegans, functions in postmitotic NPC assembly. MEL-28 interacts with the Nup107–160 complex (Nup for nucleoporin), an important building block of the NPC, and is essential for the recruitment of the Nup107–160 complex to chromatin. We suggest that MEL-28 acts as a seeding point for NPC assembly.}, author = {Franz, Cerstin and Walczak, Rudolf and Yavuz, Sevil and Santarella, Rachel and Gentzel, Marc and Askjaer, Peter and Galy, Vincent and HETZER, Martin W and Mattaj, Iain W and Antonin, Wolfram}, issn = {1469-3178}, journal = {EMBO reports}, keywords = {Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry}, number = {2}, pages = {165--172}, publisher = {EMBO}, title = {{MEL‐28/ELYS is required for the recruitment of nucleoporins to chromatin and postmitotic nuclear pore complex assembly}}, doi = {10.1038/sj.embor.7400889}, volume = {8}, year = {2007}, } @article{11117, abstract = {Over the last years it has become evident that the nuclear envelope (NE) is more than a passive membrane barrier that separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm. The NE not only controls the trafficking of macromolecules between the nucleoplasm and the cytosol, but also provides anchoring sites for chromosomes and cytoskeleton to the nuclear periphery. Targeting of chromatin to the NE might actually be part of gene expression regulation in eukaryotes. Mutations in certain NE proteins are associated with a diversity of human diseases, including muscular dystrophy, neuropathy, lipodistrophy, torsion dystonia and the premature aging condition progeria. Despite the importance of the NE for cell division and differentiation, relatively little is known about its biogenesis and its role in human diseases. It is our goal to provide a comprehensive view of the NE and to discuss possible implications of NE-associated changes for gene expression, chromatin organization and signal transduction.}, author = {D’Angelo, M. A. and HETZER, Martin W}, issn = {1420-9071}, journal = {Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences}, keywords = {Cell Biology, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine}, number = {3}, pages = {316--332}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, title = {{The role of the nuclear envelope in cellular organization}}, doi = {10.1007/s00018-005-5361-3}, volume = {63}, year = {2006}, } @article{12203, abstract = {Geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS, EC: 2.5.1.29) catalyzes the biosynthesis of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP), which is a key precursor for ginkgolide biosynthesis. Here we reported for the first time the cloning of a new full-length cDNA encoding GGPPS from the living fossil plant Ginkgo biloba. The full-length cDNA encoding G. biloba GGPPS (designated as GbGGPPS) was 1657bp long and contained a 1176bp open reading frame encoding a 391 amino acid protein. Comparative analysis showed that GbGGPPS possessed a 79 amino acid transit peptide at its N-terminal, which directed GbGGPPS to target to the plastids. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that GbGGPPS was a member of polyprenyltransferases with two highly conserved aspartate-rich motifs like other plant GGPPSs. Phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that plant GGPPSs could be classified into two groups, angiosperm and gymnosperm GGPPSs, while GbGGPPS had closer relationship with gymnosperm plant GGPPSs.}, author = {Liao, Zhihua and Chen, Min and Gong, Yifu and Guo, Liang and Tan, Qiumin and Feng, Xiaoqi and Sun, Xiaofen and Tan, Feng and Tang, Kexuan}, issn = {1042-5179}, journal = {DNA Sequence}, keywords = {Endocrinology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry}, number = {2}, pages = {153--158}, publisher = {Informa UK Limited}, title = {{A new geranylgeranyl Diphosphate synthase gene from Ginkgo biloba, which intermediates the biosynthesis of the key precursor for ginkgolides}}, doi = {10.1080/10425170410001667348}, volume = {15}, year = {2004}, } @article{11122, abstract = {Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are large multiprotein assemblies that allow traffic between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. During mitosis in higher eukaryotes, the Nuclear Envelope (NE) breaks down and NPCs disassemble. How NPCs reassemble and incorporate into the NE upon mitotic exit is poorly understood. We demonstrate a function for the conserved Nup107-160 complex in this process. Partial in vivo depletion of Nup133 or Nup107 via RNAi in HeLa cells resulted in reduced levels of multiple nucleoporins and decreased NPC density in the NE. Immunodepletion of the entire Nup107-160 complex from in vitro nuclear assembly reactions produced nuclei with a continuous NE but no NPCs. This phenotype was reversible only if Nup107-160 complex was readded before closed NE formation. Depletion also prevented association of FG-repeat nucleoporins with chromatin. We propose a stepwise model in which postmitotic NPC assembly initiates on chromatin via early recruitment of the Nup107-160 complex.}, author = {Walther, Tobias C. and Alves, Annabelle and Pickersgill, Helen and Loı̈odice, Isabelle and HETZER, Martin W and Galy, Vincent and Hülsmann, Bastian B. and Köcher, Thomas and Wilm, Matthias and Allen, Terry and Mattaj, Iain W. and Doye, Valérie}, issn = {0092-8674}, journal = {Cell}, keywords = {General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology}, number = {2}, pages = {195--206}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{The conserved Nup107-160 complex is critical for nuclear pore complex assembly}}, doi = {10.1016/s0092-8674(03)00235-6}, volume = {113}, year = {2003}, } @article{13438, abstract = {ICln is an ion channel identified by expression cloning using a cDNA library from Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. In all organisms tested so far, only one transcript for the ICln protein could be identified. Here we show that two splice variants of the ICln ion channel can be found in Caenorhabditis elegans. Moreover, we show that these two splice variants of the ICln channel protein, which we termed IClnN1 and IClnN2, can be functionally reconstituted and tested in an artificial lipid bilayer. In these experiments, the IClnN1-induced currents showed no voltage-dependent inactivation, whereas the IClnN2-induced currents fully inactivated at positive potentials. The molecular entity responsible for the voltage-dependent inactivation of IClnN2 is a cluster of positively charged amino acids encoded by exon 2a, which is absent in IClnN1. Our experiments suggest a mechanism of channel inactivation that is similar to the “ball and chain” model proposed for the Shaker potassium channel,i.e. a cluster of positively charged amino acids hinders ion permeation through the channel by a molecular and voltage-dependent interaction at the inner vestibulum of the pore. This hypothesis is supported by the finding that synthetic peptides with the same amino acid sequence as the positive cluster can transform the IClnN1-induced current to the current observed after reconstitution of IClnN2. Furthermore, we show that the nematode ICln gene is embedded in an operon harboring two additional genes, which we termed Nx and Ny. Co-reconstitution of Nx and IClnN2 and functional analysis of the related currents revealed a functional interaction between the two proteins, as evidenced by the fact that the IClnN2-induced current in the presence of Nx was no longer voltage-sensitive. The experiments described indicate that the genome organization in nematodes allows an effective approach for the identification of functional partner proteins of ion channels.}, author = {Fürst, Johannes and Ritter, Markus and Rudzki, Jakob and Danzl, Johann G and Gschwentner, Martin and Scandella, Elke and Jakab, Martin and König, Matthias and Oehl, Bernhard and Lang, Florian and Deetjen, Peter and Paulmichl, Markus}, issn = {0021-9258}, journal = {Journal of Biological Chemistry}, keywords = {Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry}, number = {6}, pages = {4435--4445}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{ICln Ion channel splice variants in Caenorhabditis elegans}}, doi = {10.1074/jbc.m107372200}, volume = {277}, year = {2002}, } @article{11124, abstract = {Ran GTPase plays important roles in nucleocytoplasmic transport in interphase [1, 2] and in both spindle formation and nuclear envelope (NE) assembly during mitosis [3, 4, 5]. The latter functions rely on the presence of high local concentrations of GTP-bound Ran near mitotic chromatin [3, 4, 5]. RanGTP localization has been proposed to result from the association of Ran's GDP/GTP exchange factor, RCC1, with chromatin [6, 7, 8, 9], but Ran is shown here to bind directly to chromatin in two modes, either dependent or independent of RCC1, and, where bound, to increase the affinity of chromatin for NE membranes. We propose that the Ran binding capacity of chromatin contributes to localized spindle and NE assembly.}, author = {Bilbao-Cortés, Daniel and HETZER, Martin W and Längst, Gernot and Becker, Peter B. and Mattaj, Iain W.}, issn = {0960-9822}, journal = {Current Biology}, keywords = {General Agricultural and Biological Sciences, General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology}, number = {13}, pages = {1151--1156}, publisher = {Elsevier BV}, title = {{Ran binds to chromatin by two distinct mechanisms}}, doi = {10.1016/s0960-9822(02)00927-2}, volume = {12}, year = {2002}, } @article{11127, abstract = {Nuclear formation in Xenopus egg extracts requires cytosol and is inhibited by GTPγS, indicating a requirement for GTPase activity. Nuclear envelope (NE) vesicle fusion is extensively inhibited by GTPγS and two mutant forms of the Ran GTPase, Q69L and T24N. Depletion of either Ran or RCC1, the exchange factor for Ran, from the assembly reaction also inhibits this step of NE formation. Ran depletion can be complemented by the addition of Ran loaded with either GTP or GDP but not with GTPγS. RCC1 depletion is only complemented by RCC1 itself or by RanGTP. Thus, generation of RanGTP by RCC1 and GTP hydrolysis by Ran are both required for the extensive membrane fusion events that lead to NE formation.}, author = {HETZER, Martin W and Bilbao-Cortés, Daniel and Walther, Tobias C and Gruss, Oliver J and Mattaj, Iain W}, issn = {1097-2765}, journal = {Molecular Cell}, keywords = {Cell Biology, Molecular Biology}, number = {6}, pages = {1013--1024}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{GTP hydrolysis by Ran is required for nuclear envelope assembly}}, doi = {10.1016/s1097-2765(00)80266-x}, volume = {5}, year = {2000}, }