Polarized hyphal growth dominates the life cycle of filamentous fungi and is essential to disease progression for many fungal pathogens. Despite its importance, much of the basic biology controlling the process remains to be elucidated. Protein Nmyristoylation is one process important to hyphal growth for which the direct mechanism for this connection is not understood. N-myristoylation is mediated by Nmyristoyltransferase (NMT), which links 14-carbon myristate to target proteins. In Aspergillus nidulans, a mutation in the NMT gene (swoF1) results in abnormal morphogenesis during spore germination and the establishment of hyphal polarity. I hypothesize that a protein or proteins downstream of NMT are important for polarized hyphal growth. Using a forward genetic approach, I obtained six suppressors of swoF1. I found that three were proteasome-related and a mutation in genes encoding 26S proteasome subunits by-passed the polarity defects of swoF1. Interestingly, N-myristoylation negatively regulated the activity of the 26S proteasome. This result was confirmed by treating with the proteasome inhibitor MG132. This is the first finding of a connection between N-myristoylation and proteasome function during polarized growth. To identify targets by reverse genetic analysis, I found that 41 proteins (of more that 10,000 encoded by the organism) were predicted to be myristoylated in silico. Three were ADP ribosylation factors (ARF), proteins known to be involved in vesicle formation and trafficking in other systems. I chose ArfA (AN1126.3), ArfB (AN5020.3), and ArlA (AN5912.3) for further characterization of polarization in this study. ArfA::GFP discretely localized to endomembrane likely to be Golgi bodies. ArfB::GFP localized to septa and plasma membrane. N-myristoylation determined the localization of both ArfA and ArfB. Disruption of the arfB gene resulted in loss of polarity establishment and endocytosis. Together these results suggest that endocytosis plays an important role in maintaining hyphal polarized growth and in shaping the cell apex.

Protein structure and functions are tightly regulated. Studying the integration of multiple modifications in single systems is a novel approach. Hisactophilin protein from Dictyostelium discoideum, is an actin binding protein that serves to induce formation of actin filaments and is regulated by protonation and myristoylation. Utilizing hisactophilin as a model, I determined the effect of pH and myristoyl-switching on actin binding and filament induction using fluorescence spectroscopy, light scattering, and time-course electron microscopy. Results revealed the accessible myristoyl group slows binding and the rate of actin polymerization compared to when the group is sequestered. Hisactophilin induces pH-dependent actin aggregates before reorganizing them into filaments and bundles. Hisactophilin mutants impact initial actin binding and the kinetics of the aggregated state. I determined the cooperativity of myristoylation and protonation as interdependent protein regulatory mechanisms, their impact on actin binding and proposed a novel mechanism for actin polymerization as a result of these integrated regulators. / NSERC

No description available.

4 Abstract Phosphodiesterases (PDEs), enzymes that hydrolyze cyclic nucleotides, are important components of signal transduction pathways in eukaryotic cells. Second messenger 3'-5'- cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is hydrolyzed by specific PDEs. By controlling concentration levels of cAMP in cell, PDEs preserve favorable environment for successful transmission of the cAMP signal. Moreover, PDEs are activated by protein kinase A (PKA) in response to elevated cAMP concentration, which is a feature crucial for signal termination. PDE8A1 is a high-affinity cAMP-specific IBMX insensitive phosphodiesterase, an enzyme important for cAMP signaling. However, mostly due to a lack of specific inhibitor, its role has not been assessed in detail. This thesis reports cloning of PDE8A1, identification of its posttranslational modifications and subcellular localization, as well as an alternative approach to address PDE biology by the use of cyclase toxin from Bordetella pertussis. Keywords: phosphodiesterase, cAMP, posttranslational modification, myristoylation, palmitoylation, adenylate cyclase toxin

As there is a need for fully validated drug targets in <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i>, the genetic andbiochemical essentiality of <i>N</i>-myristoyltransferase (NMT) was assessed. The geneticrequirement was assessed using a classical gene replacement strategy, attempting tosequentially replace the endogenous alleles with drug resistance genes to generate an<i>NMT</i> null parasite. It was only possible to achieve this in the presence of an ectopiccopy of <i>NMT</i> under constitutive expression, providing the strongest evidence that thisgene is essential for the proliferation of the epimastigote. While both NMT and <i>N</i>-myristoylationwere detected in all lifecycle stages, there were subtle differences in theexpression of several myristoylated proteins. However, at least ~10 myristoylatedproteins were common throughout the lifecycle. In addition, <i>N</i>-myristoylation in thisparasite was found to be primarily associated with nascent protein synthesis, astreatment with cycloheximide reduced the number of <i>N</i>-myristoylated proteins detected. The sensitivity of epimastigotes to the inhibitor DDD85646 correlated with theexpression of NMT, suggesting it to be the target in the parasite. This was confirmedby the dose-dependent depletion of <i>N</i>-myristoylated proteins detected in parasitestreated with this compound. Mechanism of action studies revealed a cytokinesis defectcaused by the inhibition of <i>N</i>-myristoylation and NMT. Overexpression of NMT wasable to rescue these cells from this phenotype confirming that it is NMT mediated. The<i>N</i>-myristoylated proteins comprising the <i>N</i>-myristoylome of the epimastigote wereidentified using the myristic acid analog, azidomyristate and a chemical proteomicsapproach. Combining label-free and SILAC methodologies, 38 proteins were enrichedfrom azidomyristate labelled cells, 35 of which were predicted to have a glycine afterthe initial methionine. The findings from these experiments have led to the mostcomprehensive <i>N</i>-myristoylome of <i>T. cruzi</i> studied to date and provide severalhypotheses, by which the inhibition of NMT leads to the observed cytokinesis defect.

No description available.

[ES] La ubiquitinación inducida por hormonas desempeña un papel crucial en la vida media de los reguladores negativos clave de la propia señalización hormonal. En la señalización por ABA, los reguladores negativos clave son las PP2Cs del clado A, como PP2CA o ABI1, y su degradación es un mecanismo complementario a la inhibición de su actividad mediada por PYR/PYL/RCAR. El ABA promueve la degradación de ABI1 a través de las E3 ligasas PUB12/13, y PP2CA a través de las E3 ligasas RGLG1/5. Sin embargo, se predice que otras E3 ligasas no identificadas también regularán la vida media de las PP2Cs del clado A. En pasos posteriores de la señalización por ABA, el ABA también induce la regulación positiva de los niveles de transcrito y proteína de las PP2Cs como un mecanismo de retroalimentación negativa. Por lo tanto, restablecer la señalización de ABA también requiere la degradación de las PP2Cs para evitar su acumulación excesiva inducida por el propio ABA. En este trabajo identificamos las proteínas BTB/POZ AND MATH DOMAIN (BPM), adaptadores del sustrato de las E3 ligasas multiméricas CULLIN3-RING E3 (CRL3), como proteínas que interactúan con las PP2Cs. BPM3 y BPM5 interactúan en el núcleo con PP2CA, así como con ABI1, ABI2 y HAB1. Además, BPM3 y BPM5 aceleran la degradación de las PP2Cs de una manera dependiente del ABA y su sobreexpresión conduce a una mayor sensibilidad al ABA. Además, las plantas mutantes bpm3 bpm5 mostraron una mayor acumulación de PP2CA, ABI1 y HAB1, lo que conduce a una sensibilidad global disminuida al ABA. Finalmente, utilizando ensayos bioquímicos y genéticos, demostramos que las BPM aumentaban la ubiquitinación de PP2CA. Dado que la formación de los complejos ternarios receptor-ABA-fosfatasa se ve notablemente afectada por la abundancia de sus componentes proteicos y la concentración de ABA, revelamos que las BPM y las E3 ligasas multiméricas CRL3 son moduladores importantes de los niveles del correceptor PP2C para regular la señalización temprana de ABA, así como durante los consiguientes pasos de restablecimiento. Al contrario que con PUB12/13, no se sabe cómo el ABA aumenta la degradación de PP2CA a través de RGLG1/5. En el caso de RGLG1, esta proteína se encuentra predominantemente en la membrana plasmática, mientras que PP2CA se encuentra predominantemente en el núcleo. Nosotros demostramos que el ABA modifica la localización subcelular de RGLG1, promoviendo la interacción nuclear con PP2CA. En primer lugar, encontramos que RGLG1 está miristoilado in vivo, lo que facilita su unión a la membrana plasmática, sin embargo, el ABA inhibe esta miristoilación. El ABA también regula negativamente a N-myristoyltransferase 1, la enzima activa y central en la miristoilación de proteínas, esto puede ayudar a promover la translocación de RGLG1 al núcleo. Allí, RGLG1 puede interactuar con ciertos receptores monoméricos del ABA, como PYL8. El reclutamiento nuclear de la E3 ligasa también fue promovido por el aumento de los niveles de proteína PP2CA y por la formación de complejos RGLG1-PYL8-PP2CA en presencia de ABA. Además, nosotros encontramos que RGLG1Gly2Ala, mutada en el sitio de miristoilación N-terminal, muestra localización nuclear constitutiva y provoca una respuesta más sensible al ABA y al estrés salino y osmótico. En resumen, proporcionamos evidencia de que una ligasa E3 puede reubicarse dinámicamente en respuesta al ABA, el estrés salino y osmótico, y el aumento de los niveles de su sustrato, lo que revela un mecanismo para explicar cómo el ABA mejora la interacción RGLG1-PP2CA y, por lo tanto, la degradación de PP2CA. / [CA] L' ubiquitinació induïda per hormones té un paper crucial en la vida mitjana dels reguladors negatius clau de la pròpia senyalització hormonal. En la senyalització per ABA, els reguladors negatius clau són les PP2Cs del clado A, com PP2CA o ABI1, i la seva degradació és un mecanisme complementari a la inhibició de la seva activitat mediada per PYR/PYL/RCAR. El ABA promou la degradació de ABI1 a través de les E3 lligases PUB12/13, i PP2CA per mitja de les E3 lligases RGLG1/5. No obstant això, es prediu que altres E3 lligases no identificades també regularan la vida mitjana de les PP2Cs del clado A. En passos posteriors de la senyalització per ABA, l'ABA també indueix la regulació positiva de nivells de transcrit i proteïna de les PP2Cs com un mecanisme de retroalimentació negativa. Per tant, restablir la senyalització d'ABA també requereix la degradació de les PP2Cs per evitar la seva acumulació excessiva induïda pel propi ABA. En aquest treball identifiquem les proteïnes BTB/POZ AND MATH DOMAIN (BPM), adaptadors del substrat de les E3 lligases multimèriques CULLIN3-RING E3 (CRL3), com proteïnes que interactuen amb les PP2Cs. BPM3 i BPM5 interactuen en el nucli amb PP2CA, així com amb ABI1, ABI2 i HAB1. A més, BPM3 i BPM5 acceleren la degradació de les PP2Cs d'una manera dependent del ABA i la seva sobreexpressió porta a una major sensibilitat al ABA. A més, les plantes mutants bpm3 bpm5 van mostrar una major acumulació de PP2CA, ABI1 i HAB1, el que porta a una sensibilitat global disminuïda a ABA. Finalment, utilitzant assajos bioquímics i genètics, aconseguint que les BPM augmentaven l' ubiquitinació de PP2CA. Atès que la formació dels complexos ternaris receptor-ABA-fosfatasa es veu notablement afectada per l'abundància dels seus components proteics i la concentració d'ABA, revelem que les BPM i les E3 lligases multimèriques CRL3 són moduladors importants dels nivells del coreceptor PP2C per regular la senyalització primerenca de ABA, així com durant els consegüents passos de restabliment. Al contrari que amb PUB12/13, no se sap com el ABA augmenta la degradació de PP2CA a través d'RGLG1/5. En el cas de RGLG1, aquesta proteïna es troba predominantment en la membrana plasmàtica, mentre que PP2CA es troba predominantment en el nucli. Nosaltres vam demostrar que l'ABA modifica la localització subcelular de RGLG1, promovent la interacció nuclear amb PP2CA. En primer lloc, trobem que RGLG1 està miristoilado in vivo, el que facilita la seva unió a la membrana plasmàtica, però, el ABA inhibeix aquesta miristoilación. El ABA també regula negativament N-myristoyltransferase 1, l' enzim actiu i central en la miristoilación de proteïnes, això pot ajudar a promoure la translocació de RGLG1 al nucli. Allà, RGLG1 pot interactuar amb certs receptors monomèrics de l'ABA, com PYL8. El reclutament nuclear de l'E3 lligasa també va ser promogut per l'augment dels nivells de proteïna PP2CA i per la formació de complexos RGLG1-PYL8-PP2CA en presència d'ABA. A més, nosaltres trobem que RGLG1Gly2Ala, mutada en el lloc de miristoilació N-terminal, mostra localització nuclear constitutiva i provoca una resposta més sensible al ABA i l'estrès salí i osmòtic. En resum, proporcionem evidència que una ligasa E3 pot reubicar dinàmicament en resposta al ABA, l'estrès salí i osmòtic, i l'augment dels nivells de la seva substrat, el que revela un mecanisme per explicar com el ABA millora la interacció RGLG1-PP2CA i, per tant, la degradació de PP2CA. / [EN] Hormone-induced ubiquitination plays a crucial role to determine the half-life of key negative regulators of hormone signaling. In case of ABA signaling, the key negative regulators are the clade-A PP2Cs, such as PP2CA or ABI1, and their degradation is a complementary mechanism to PYR/PYL/RCAR-mediated inhibition of their activity. ABA promotes the degradation of ABI1 through the PUB12/13 E3 ligases, and PP2CA through the RGLG1/5 E3 ligases. However, other unidentified E3 ligases are predicted to regulate clade A PP2Cs half-life as well. At later steps of ABA signaling, ABA also induces upregulation of PP2C transcripts and protein levels as a negative feedback mechanism. Therefore, resetting of ABA signaling also requires PP2C degradation to avoid excessive ABA-induced accumulation of PP2Cs. In this work we identified BTB/POZ AND MATH DOMAIN proteins (BPMs), substrate adaptors of the multimeric CULLIN3-RING E3 ligases (CRL3s), as PP2C-interacting proteins. BPM3 and BPM5 interact in the nucleus with PP2CA as well as with ABI1, ABI2 and HAB1. Additionally, BPM3 and BPM5 accelerate the turnover of PP2Cs in an ABA-dependent manner and their overexpression leads to enhanced ABA sensitivity. Moreover, bpm3 bpm5 mutant plants showed increased accumulation of PP2CA, ABI1 and HAB1, which leads to global diminished ABA sensitivity. Finally, using biochemical and genetic assays we demonstrated that BPMs enhance the ubiquitination of PP2CA. Given the formation of receptor-ABA-phosphatase ternary complexes is markedly affected by the abundance of protein components and ABA concentration, we reveal that BPMs and multimeric CRL3 E3 ligases are important modulators of PP2C co-receptor levels to regulate early ABA signaling as well as the subsequent resetting steps. In contrast to PUB12/13, it was not known how ABA enhances the degradation of PP2CA by RGLG1/5. RGLG1 is predominantly found in the plasma membrane whereas PP2CA is predominant in the nucleus. We demonstrate that ABA modifies the subcellular localization of RGLG1, promoting nuclear interaction with PP2CA. Firstly, we found that RGLG1 is myristoylated in vivo, which facilitates its attachment to the plasma membrane, nevertheless, ABA inhibits its myristoylation. ABA also downregulates N-myristoyltransferase 1, the central active enzyme of protein myristoylation, which may help to promote RGLG1 translocation to the nucleus. There, RGLG1 can interact with certain monomeric ABA receptors, as PYL8. Enhanced nuclear recruitment of the E3 ligase was also promoted by increasing PP2CA protein levels and the formation of RGLG1-PYL8-PP2CA complexes in the presence of ABA. Additionally, we found that RGLG1Gly2Ala protein, mutated at the N-terminal myristoylation site, shows constitutive nuclear localization and causes an enhanced response to ABA and salt and osmotic stresses. In summary, we provided evidence that an E3 ligase can dynamically relocalize in response to ABA, salt and osmotic stress, and increased levels of its target, which reveals a mechanism to explain how ABA enhances RGLG1-PP2CA interaction and hence PP2CA degradation. / Julián Valenzuela, J. (2020). Regulation of ABA signaling through degradation of clade A PP2Cs by the RGLG1 and CRL3 BPM E3 ligases [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/137777

The phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase (PI3K) pathway is involved in many cellular processes including cell proliferation, survival, and glucose transport, and is implicated in various disease states such as cancer and diabetes. Though there have been numerous studies dissecting the role of PI3K signaling in different cell types and disease models, the mechanism by which PI3K signaling regulates embryonic stem (ES) cell fate remains unclear. It is believed that in addition to proliferation and tumorigenicity, PI3K activity might also be important for self-renewal of ES cells. Paling et al. (2004) reported that the inhibition of PI3K led to a reduction in the ability of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) to maintain self-renewal causing cells to differentiate. Studies in our lab have revealed that ES cells completely lacking GSK-3 remain undifferentiated compared to wildtype ES cells. GSK-3 is negatively regulated by PI3K suggesting that PI3K may play a vital role in maintaining pluripotency in ES cells through GSK-3. By using a modified Flp recombinase system, we expressed activated alleles of PDK-1 and PKB to create stable, isogenic ES cell lines to further study the role of the PI3K signaling pathway in stem cell fate determination. In vitro characterization of the transgenic cell lines revealed a strong tendency towards maintenance of pluripotency, and this phenotype was found to be independent of canonical Wnt signal transduction. To assess growth and differentiation capacity in vivo, the ES cell lines were grown as subcutaneous teratomas. The constitutively active PDK-1 and PKB ES cell lines were able to form all three germ layers when grown in this manner – in contrast to ES cells engineered to lack GSK-3. The resulting PI3K pathway activated cells exhibited a higher growth rate which resulted in large teratomas. In summary, PI3K signaling is sufficient to maintain self-renewal and survival of stem cells. Since this pathway is frequently mutationally activated in cancers, its effect on suppressing differentiation may contribute to its oncogenicity.

The phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase (PI3K) pathway is involved in many cellular processes including cell proliferation, survival, and glucose transport, and is implicated in various disease states such as cancer and diabetes. Though there have been numerous studies dissecting the role of PI3K signaling in different cell types and disease models, the mechanism by which PI3K signaling regulates embryonic stem (ES) cell fate remains unclear. It is believed that in addition to proliferation and tumorigenicity, PI3K activity might also be important for self-renewal of ES cells. Paling et al. (2004) reported that the inhibition of PI3K led to a reduction in the ability of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) to maintain self-renewal causing cells to differentiate. Studies in our lab have revealed that ES cells completely lacking GSK-3 remain undifferentiated compared to wildtype ES cells. GSK-3 is negatively regulated by PI3K suggesting that PI3K may play a vital role in maintaining pluripotency in ES cells through GSK-3. By using a modified Flp recombinase system, we expressed activated alleles of PDK-1 and PKB to create stable, isogenic ES cell lines to further study the role of the PI3K signaling pathway in stem cell fate determination. In vitro characterization of the transgenic cell lines revealed a strong tendency towards maintenance of pluripotency, and this phenotype was found to be independent of canonical Wnt signal transduction. To assess growth and differentiation capacity in vivo, the ES cell lines were grown as subcutaneous teratomas. The constitutively active PDK-1 and PKB ES cell lines were able to form all three germ layers when grown in this manner – in contrast to ES cells engineered to lack GSK-3. The resulting PI3K pathway activated cells exhibited a higher growth rate which resulted in large teratomas. In summary, PI3K signaling is sufficient to maintain self-renewal and survival of stem cells. Since this pathway is frequently mutationally activated in cancers, its effect on suppressing differentiation may contribute to its oncogenicity.