Among abiotic stresses, salinity is considered the main limiting stress that negatively affects plant growth and reduces productivity worldwide. To overcome this challenge, a sustainable solution such as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can be used to meet the increasing demand for food. The desert microbe Enterobacter sp SA187, an endophytic PGPB, induces salt tolerance in both model plant and crops. The interaction between SA187 and the host plant triggers the sulfur pathway in the bacteria which then provides multiple sulfur-containing compounds to its host plant. However, the molecular sensor of these compounds in the host plant is not known. Here, we show that SA187 activates the plant target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway. The beneficial effect of SA187 was lost in TOR mutants like raptor, and by the application of TOR inhibitor AZD8055. Next, we show that SA187 modulates the one- carbon (1C) metabolism of the host plant consisting of methionine and folate cycles. The beneficial effect of SA187 was compromised by using chemical inhibitors of folate cycle like Methotrexate (MTX) and Sulfadiazine (SDZ). The intermediates of the 1C metabolism like Homocysteine and S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) showed similar beneficial effects as SA187 colonized plants. Finally, we showed that SA187 enhances 1C metabolism activity by increasing methylation index (SAM/SAH ratio) in the plants. Taken together, we could show that host TOR-1C axis is essential for plant salt tolerance by SA187.

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<p>MurA catalyzes the first committed step of peptidoglycan biosynthesis and it is the target of the antibiotic fosfomycin. Due to a Cys-to-Asp substitution in the active site, MurAs from a number of pathogenic bacteria, including <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em> and <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> (Lyme disease), are fosfomycin resistant. His-tagged <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> MurA (Bb_MurA) and its D116C mutant have been successfully expressed, purified and characterized. The <em>k</em>_cat value of wild-type Bb_MurA was 0.74 ± 0.01 s^-1. The D116C mutant’s <em>k</em>_cat decreased by 25-fold and was fosfomycin sensitive. The pH profiles of <em>k</em>_cat for both Bb_MurA and its mutant were characterized. There was little difference in p<em>K</em>_a1 values, but the p<em>K</em>_a2 value shifted from 7.4 ± 0.2 in wild-type enzyme to a value >11 in the mutant. This demonstrated that the p<em>K</em>_a2 of 7.4 was due to D116, and that it must be protonated for activity. Fosfomycin inactivation of Bb_MurA_H6(D116C) was time-dependent and only proceeded in the presence of UDP-GlcNAc. The dissociation constant, <em>K</em>_i, was 5.7 ± 0.4 µM and rate of covalent modification, <em>k</em>_inact, was 0.021 ± 0.003 s^-1.</p> <p>DAHP synthase catalyzes the first committed step in the shikimate pathway, and its catalysis has been proposed to proceed through two oxacarbenium ion intermediates. Pyruvate oxime, glyoxylate oxime and 4-imidazolecarboxylic acid have been evaluated as inhibitors of DAHP synthase. In the presence of glycerol 3-phosphate, the fitted <em>K</em>_i values of pyruvate oxime and glyoxylate oxime were 7.6 (± 0.9) × 10^-5 M and 7.4 (± 1.7) × 10^-5 M, respectively. 4-Imidazolecarboxylic acid’s inhibition was cooperative, and its binding was competitive with respect to PEP, and uncompetitive with respect to E4P. Its equilibrium dissociation constant was 3.0 (± 0.2) × 10^-3 M.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)

Phosphorus-containing high performance polymers have been extensively studied during the last 10 years. These materials are of interest for a variety of optical and fire resistant properties, as well as for their ability to complex with the inorganic salts. This dissertation has focused on the nature of the phosphonyl group interactions with hydroxyl containing polymers, such as the poly(hydroxy ether)s. These may be considered linear models of epoxy resins and are also closely related to dimethacrylate (vinyl ester) matrix resins that are important for composite systems. It has been shown that bisphenol A poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide/sulfone) homo- or statistical copolymers are miscible with a bisphenol A-epichlorohydrin based poly(hydroxy ethers) (PHE), as shown by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy and , solid state cross polarization-magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (CP-MAS). These measurements illustrate the strong hydrogen bonding between the phosphonyl groups of the copolymers and the pendent hydroxyl groups of the PHE as the miscibility inducing mechanism. Complete miscibility at all blend compositions was achieved with as little as 20 mole% of phosphine oxide units in the poly(arylene ether) copolymer. Replacement of the bisphenol A moiety by other diphenols, such as hydroquinone, hexafluorobisphenol A and biphenol did not significantly affect blend miscibilities. Miscible polymer blends with PHE were also made by blending poly(arylene thioether phosphine oxide), and fully cyclized phosphine oxide containing polyimides based on (prepared from 2,2'-bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane dianhydride (BPADA) and bis(m-aminophenyl) methyl phosphine oxide (DAMPO)) or bis(m-aminophenyl) phenyl phosphine oxide). Additional research has focused on the influence of these materials on the property characteristics of vinyl ester matrix resins and has shown that the concentration of phosphonyl groups controls the homogeneity of both oligomers and the resulting networks. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and fracture toughness measurements further confirmed the qualitative observations. Metal salts, such as CoCl2 and CuCl2 had earlier been demonstrated to form complexes/nanocomposites with phosphorus-containing poly(arylene ethers). It has been possible to prepare transparent films with 100 mol% of metal chlorides, based upon the phosphonyl groups. The films are transparent, unlike the opaque polysulfone control systems. FTIR results suggested the formation of inorganic salt and polymer complexes at low concentrations. TEM showed homogeneous morphology at low concentrations and excellent dispersion even at high mole % of salts. Cobalt materials reinforce the basic poly(arylene ether)s to provide higher modulus values and influence positively the char yield generated after TGA experiments in air. The cobalt salt/BPADA-DAMPO polyimide composites also yield transparent films, implying very small dimensions. Silica-polymer nanocomposites were also produced by mixing commercial silica colloid/N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) fine dispersions (~ 12 nm) with bisphenol A poly(arylene ether phenyl phosphine oxide). The dry films produced by solution casting are transparent and silica colloids are evenly dispersed (~ 12 nm) into the polymer matrix as shown by TEM. These nanocomposites increased char yield compared with the polymer control, suggesting their fire retardant character. In comparison, the silica/polysulfone hybrid films prepared by the same methods were opaque and the char yield was not improved. This different phase behavior has been explained to be due to the hydrogen bonding between phosphonyl groups and silanol hydroxyl groups on the surface of the nanosilica. / Ph. D.

No / Methionine dependence is unique to cancer cells and defined as the inability to grow in a methionine-deprived environment even if supplemented with the metabolic precursor homocysteine. Cobalamin-dependent methionine synthase (MS) catalyses the formation of methionine and tetrahydrofolate from homocysteine and methyltetrahydrofolate, thus linking the methionine and folate pathways. The apparent altered methionine metabolism in methionine-dependent cancer cells suggests a role for MS, although results to date are conflicting. We have analysed key metabolites of the MS-associated transmethylation, transsulphuration and folate pathways of the methionine-dependent MAC15A tumour model as a function of tumour progression over a 10-day period. MS activity increased 2-fold from day I to day 10. Cysteine, homocysteine, S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine levels in tumour cytosolic fractions decreased as a function of tumour progression. Plasma cysteine levels also decreased, whilst the distribution of folates in erythrocytes was altered, with a maximum increase in methyltetrahydrofolate observed by day 5. The increasing MS activity and decreasing cysteine levels suggest an increasing methionine requirement by the tumour, whilst the induction of enzyme activity indicates that MS is not defective in the methionine-dependent MAC15A tumour. The decrease in tumour S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine levels suggests that methionine is required for some function other than cellular methylation, e.g., incorporation into protein. Overall, the results support a theory of methionine conservation in response to tumour growth, where the methionine-dependent MAC15A tumour has a higher than normal methionine requirement.

Master of Science / Department of Biochemistry / Qize Wei / Proper regulation of mitosis and cytokinesis is fundamentally important for all living organisms. During anaphase, antiparallel microtubules are bundled between the separating chromosomes, forming the central spindle (also called the spindle midzone), and the myosin contractile ring is assembled at the equatorial cortex. Regulators of central spindle formation and myosin contractile ring assembly are mostly restricted to the interdigitated microtubules of central spindles and they can be collectively called midzone components. It is thought that characteristic microtubule configurations during mitosis and cytokinesis are dictated by the coordinated action of microtubule-stabilizing and -destabilizing factors. Although extensive investigations have focused on understanding the roles of microtubule-bundling/stabilizing factors in controlling central spindle formation, efforts have been lacking in aiming to understand how microtubule-destabilizing factors regulate the assembly of central spindles. This dissertation describes the role of a novel microtubule-destabilizing factor termed CCDC69 (coiled-coil domain-containing protein 69) in controlling the assembly of central spindles and the recruitment of midzone components. Endogenous CCDC69 was localized to the nucleus during interphase and to the central spindle during anaphase. Exogenous expression of CCDC69 in HeLa cells destabilized microtubules and disrupted the formation of bipolar mitotic spindles. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of CCDC69 led to the formation of aberrant central spindles and interfered with the localization of midzone components such as aurora B kinase, protein regulator of cytokinesis 1 (PRC1), MgcRacGAP/HsCYK-4, and pololike kinase 1 (Plk1) at the central spindle. CCDC69 knockdown also decreased equatorial RhoA staining, indicating that CCDC69 deficiency can impair equatorial RhoA activation and ultimately lead to cytokinesis defects. Four coiled-coil domains were found in CCDC69 and the C terminal coiled-coil domain was required for interaction with aurora B. Disruption of aurora B function in HeLa cells by treatment with a small chemical inhibitor led to the mislocalization of CCDC69 at the central spindle. Further, vitro kinase assay showed that Plk1 could phosphorylate CCDC69. Taken together, we propose that CCDC69 acts as a scaffold and a microtubule-destabilizing factor to control the recruitment of midzone components and the assembly of central spindles.

Résumé : Les podocytes, cellules épithéliales rénales, sont nécessaires au maintien de la structure et de la fonction de filtration des glomérules rénaux. La dédifférenciation et l’apoptose des podocytes sont des évènements précoces de la néphropathie diabétique. Des études ont rapporté que l’insuline est nécessaire à la survie des podocytes puisque la délétion du récepteur à l’insuline dans les podocytes de souris entraîne une pathologie glomérulaire semblable à la néphropathie. D’autres études ont montré que la protéine tyrosine phosphatase Src homology-2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) inhibe les voies de signalisation de l’insuline au niveau du foie et du muscle en déphosphorylant la sous-unité bêta du récepteur à l’insuline (IRβ) et la kinase Phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Il a récemment été démontré que l’expression de SHP-1 est élevée dans les cortex rénaux de souris diabétiques. Nous avons donc émis l’hypothèse que l’expression de SHP-1 induite par l’hyperglycémie altère les actions de l’insuline dans les podocytes. Nous avons premièrement utilisé un modèle in vivo de souris diabétiques de type 1 (Ins2+/C96Y; Akita). Comparées aux souris contrôles (Ins2+/+), les souris Akita présentaient une apoptose élevée des podocytes ainsi qu’une perte des pédicelles. La phosphorylation de la protéine kinase B (Akt) et de Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), suite à une injection systémique d’insuline, était également significativement diminuée dans les cortex rénaux des souris Akita. Cette diminution correspondant à une résistance à l’insuline corrélait avec une augmentation de deux fois de l’expression de SHP-1 dans les glomérules. Nous avons ensuite utilisé une lignée immortalisée de podocytes murins en culture et avons observé que l’exposition à des concentrations élevées de glucose (HG; 25 mM) pendant 96 h, entraînait l’augmentation de l’expression de marqueurs apoptotiques et de l’activité enzymatique de caspase-3/7 en comparaison aux concentrations normales de glucose (NG; 5,6 mM). L’exposition en HG a augmenté l’expression de l’ARNm et protéique de SHP-1, en plus de réduire la signalisation de l’insuline dans les podocytes. La surexpression de la forme dominante-négative de SHP-1 dans les podocytes a permis de renverser les effets de HG et de restaurer les actions de l’insuline. Finalement, l’augmentation de l’expression de SHP-1, tant in vivo qu’in vitro, a été directement corrélée à son association avec IRβ et à la diminution de la phosphorylation de IRβ, Akt et ERK1/2 suite à une stimulation à l’insuline. En conclusion, nous avons montré que l’expression élevée de SHP-1 dans les glomérules cause une résistance à l’insuline et la mort des podocytes contribuant ainsi à la néphropathie diabétique. // Abstract : Podocytes are epithelial renal cells required to preserve glomerular structure and filtration. Their dedifferentiation and apoptosis are early events of diabetic nephropathy progression. Previous studies have shown that insulin action is critical for podocyte survival since deletion of its receptor lead to a glomerular pathology similar to nephropathy. It has also been demonstrated that Src homology-2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1), a protein tyrosine phosphatase, inhibits insulin signaling pathway in liver and muscle by dephosphorylating tyrosine residues on insulin receptor beta-subunit (IRβ) and the Phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). A recent study concluded that SHP-1 is elevated in kidney cortex of type 1 diabetic mice. We hypothesized that hyperglycemia-induced SHP-1 expression may affect insulin actions in podocytes. To confirm this hypothesis, we used type 1 diabetic Akita mice (Ins2+/C96Y). Compared to control littermate mice (Ins2+/+), Akita mice developed elevated podocyte foot process effacement and podocyte apoptosis. In contrast to control mice, insulin-stimulated protein kinase B (Akt) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation was remarkably reduced in renal podocytes of Akita mice. This phosphorylation diminution associated to a renal insulin resistance was correlated with a two-fold increase of SHP-1 expression in the glomeruli. We then used cultured murine podocytes cell line to confirm our in vivo results. Podocytes exposed to high glucose concentration (HG; 25 mM) for 96 h exhibited high levels of apoptotic markers and caspase-3/7 enzymatic activity as compared to normal glucose concentration (NG; 5,6 mM). HG exposure raised mRNA and protein levels of SHP-1 and reduced the insulin-signaling pathway in podocytes. Overexpression of dominant-negative SHP-1 in podocytes prevented HG effects and restored insulin actions. Finally, elevated SHP-1 expression induced by high glucose levels was directly correlated to an increased association with insulin receptor-β subunit (IRβ) in vitro and in vivo. This association is therefore leading to the reduction of both IRβ phosphorylation and insulin-stimulated Akt and ERK phosphorylation. In conclusion, our results showed that high levels of SHP-1 in glomeruli cause insulin resistance and podocyte loss, thereby contributing to diabetic nephropathy.

Sulfiredoxin (Srx) is an antioxidant enzyme that can be induced by oxidative stress. It promotes oncogenic phenotypes of cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and metastasis in lung, skin and colon cancers. Srx reduces the overoxidation of 2-cysteine peroxiredoxins in cells, in addition to its role of removing glutathione modification from several proteins. In this study, I explored additional physiological functions of Srx in lung cancer through studying its interacting proteins. Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family members, thioredoxin domain containing protein 5 (TXNDC5) and protein disulfide isomerase family A member 6 (PDIA6), were detected to interact with Srx. Therefore, I proposed that TXNDC5 and PDIA6 are important for the oncogenic phenotypes of Srx in lung cancer. In chapter one, I presented background information about the role of Srx as an antioxidant enzyme in cancer. I also explained the functional significance of PDIs as oxidoreductase and chaperones in cells. In chapter two, I verified the Srx-TXNDC5/PDIA6 interaction in HEK293T and A549 cells by co-immunoprecipitation and other assays. In TXNDC5 and PDIA6, the N-terminal thioredoxin-like domain (D1) is determined to be the main platform for interaction with Srx. The Srx-TXNDC5 interaction was enhanced by H2O2 treatment in A549 cells. Srx was determined to localize in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of A549 cells along with TXNDC5 and PDIA6. This localization was confirmed by both subcellular fractionation and immunofluorescence imaging experiments. In chapter three I focused on studying the physiological function of Srx interacting proteins in the ER. A549 subcellular fractionation results showed that TXNDC5 facilitates Srx retention in the ER. Moreover, TXNDC5 and Srx were found to participate in chaperone activities in lung cancer. Both proteins contributed in the refolding of heat-shock induced protein aggregates. In addition, TXNDC5 and PDIA6 were found to enhance the protein refolding in response to H2O2 treatment. Conversely, Srx appeared to have an inhibitory effect on protein folding under same treatment conditions. Downregulation of Srx, TXNDC5, or PDIA6 significantly reduced cell viability in response to tunicamycin treatment. TXNDC5 knockdown decreased the time required for the splicing of X-box binding protein-1 (XBP-1). In either knockdown Srx or TXNDC5 cells, there was an observable decrease in the expression of GRP78 and the splicing of spliced XBP-1. These results suggest a possible role of Srx in unfolded protein response signaling. TXNDC5 and PDIA6, similar to Srx, contribute to the proliferation, anchorage independent colony formation and migration of lung cancer cells. In this dissertation I concluded that Srx TXNDC5, and PDIA6 proteins participate in oxidative protein folding in lung cancer. Srx and TXNDC5 can modulate unfolded protein response (UPR) sensor activation and growth inhibition. Furthermore, TXNDC5 and PDIA6 can promote tumorigenesis of lung cancer cells. Therefore, the molecular interaction of Srx with TXNDC5/PDIA6 has the potential to be used as novel therapeutic targets for lung cancer treatment.