Screening proteins that interact with mutant superoxide dismutase 1 from familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using a yeast two-hybrid system

The present study screened a human fetal brain cDNA library to find the proteins that interact with mutant superoxide dismutase 1 （SOD1） using a yeast two-hybrid system. Using BLAST software, 15 real proteins which interacted with mutant SOD1 were obtained, including 8 known proteins （protein tyrosine-phosphatase non-receptor type 2, TBCl D4, protein kinase family, splicing factor, arginine/serine-rich 2, SRC protein tyrosine kinase Fyn, β-sarcoglycan; glycine receptor a2, microtubule associated protein/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 1, ferritin H chain）, and 7 unknown proteins. Results demonstrated interaction of mutant SOD1 with microtubule associated protein/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 1 and β-sarcoglycan.

Detection for Transcriptional Activity of Alternaria Tenuissim Protein Elicitor in Yeast Two-hybrid System

The peaT1 gene fragment was amplified from pGEM-6p-l-peaT1 by PCR, and recovered target gene was cloned into pLexA vector. After digestion and sequencing, the bait vector pLexA-peaT1 was transformed into yeast strain EGY48 [p8op-lacZ] by PEG/LiAC, and the transcriptional activity of bait vector was detected. The results showed that recombinant bait plasmid pLexA-PEMG1 was constructed, for the two bands of recombinant bait plasmid in agarose gel eleetrophoresis were expected after digesting by restriction endonuclease EcoR I and Xho I. Therefore, the recombinant bait plasmid could be used in yeast two-hybrid system to screen a cDNA library.

Protein-protein Interaction Between Domains of PDZ and BAR from PICK1

Two DNA fragments encoding PDZ domain （21-110 residues） and BAR domain （ 150-360 residues） from PICK1 （1-416 residues） were amplified by PCR and then introduced into vectors, pET-32M and pMAL-e2X respectively to generate recombinant plasmids, pE-pdz and pM-bar. Having been separately transferred into the hosts E. coli BL21 and E. coli JM109, these two strains can express fusion proteins： His-tagged PDZ（PDZ domain） and maltose binding protein-BAR（ MBP-BAR domain） respectively, as confirmed by both SDS-PAGE and Wostem blotting. The interaction between these two domains is dose-dependence, as identified by a pull-down test. Moreover, it has been shown from the ELISA analysis that the actual amount of PDZ bound to MBP-BAR-amylose beads reaches （ 16 ± 0. 5）%, as calculated by the molar ratio of PDZ to MBP-BAR. In addition, the interaction between BAR（bait） and PDZ（prey） in vivo was also examined with a yeast two-hybrid system.

Ferritin,heavy polypeptide 1 interacts with fragile X-related protein 1

Fragile X-related protein 1（FXR1P） is a member of the FXR gene family,which also includes fragile X mental retardation protein and fragile X-related protein 2（FXR2P）.To understand the functions of FXR1P,we screened FXR1P-interacting proteins using a yeast two-hybrid system.FXR1P was fused to pGBKT7 and used as the bait to screen a human fetal brain cDNA library.This screening revealed 10 FXR1P-interacting proteins including FTH1.FTH1 encodes Homo sapiens ferritin,heavy polypeptide 1.The interaction between FXR1P and FTH1 was confirmed by retesting in yeast using both a β-galactosidase assay and growth studies on selective media.A co-immunoprecipitation assay in mammalian cells further confirmed the FXR1P/FTH1 interaction.Moreover,the results revealed that FTH1 colocalized with FXR1P in the cytoplasm around the nucleus in mammalian cells.The present findings suggest that FXR1P plays an important role in iron metabolism in the brain by interacting with FTH1.This provides clues for elucidating the relationship between FXR1P function and fragile X syndrome.

Interaction of calcium- and integrin-binding protein 1 with integrin <i>α</i>11 and its possible involvement in pulmonary fibrosis

Integrin α11 (ITGA11) is one of the collagen-binding integrin α chains;however, its biological significance remains unknown. To determine the functions of ITGA11, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen using the cytoplasmic domain of ITGA11 as bait and transformed an EGY48 yeast strain with the bait-containing plasmid using the plasmid from a human lung fibroblast cDNA library. This screen identified calcium- and integrin-binding protein 1 (CIB1) as prey. Recombinant ITGA11 and CIB1 were expressed in mammalian cells and used in coimmunoprecipitation experiments, which showed that full-length ITGA11 and CIB1 are also associated in vivo. Over-expression of CIB1 in the human lung myofibroblast MRC-5 cells decreased the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and fibronectin. Using a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis (bleomycin-treatment), we detected elevated expression of CIB1 in lung tissues compared with controls. These data suggest that CIB1 may regulate pulmonary fibrosis in concert with IT-GA11.

Screening of genes for proteins interacting with the PS1TP5 protein of hepatitis B virus:probing a human leukocyte cDNA library using the yeast two-hybrid system

Background The hepatitis B virus （HBV） genome includes S, C, P and X regions. The S region is divided into four subregions of pre-pre-S, pre-S1, pre-S2 and S. PS1TP5 （human gene 5 transactivated by pre-S1 protein of HBV） is a novel target gene transactivated by the pre-S1 protein that has been screened with a suppression subtractive hybridization technique in our laboratory （GenBank accession： AY427953）. In order to investigate the biological function of the PS1TP5 protein, we performed a yeast two-hybrid system 3 to screen proteins from a human leukocyte cDNA library interacting with the PS1TP5 protein. Methods The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） was performed to amplify the gene of PS1TP5 from the mRNA of HepG2 cells and the gene was then cloned into the pGEM-T vector. After being sequenced and analyzed with Vector NTI 9.1 and NCBI BLAST software, the target gene of PS1TP5 was cut from the pGEM-T vector and cloned into a yeast expression plasmid pGBKT7, then ＂bait＂ plasmid pGBKT7-PS1TP5 was transformed into the yeast strain AH109. The yeast protein was isolated and analyzed with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis （SDS-PAGE） and Western blotting hybridization. After expression of the pGBKT7-PS1TP5 fusion protein in the AH109 yeast strain was accomplished, a yeast two-hybrid screening was performed by mating AH109 with Y187 containing a leukocyte cDNA library plasmid. The mated yeast was plated on quadruple dropout medium and assayed for α-gal activity. The interaction between the PS1TP5 protein and the proteins obtained from positive colonies was further confirmed by repeating the yeast two-hybrid screen. After extracting and sequencing of plasmids from blue colonies we carried out a bioinformatic analysis. Results Forty true positive colonies were selected and sequenced, full length sequences were obtained and we searched for homologous DNA sequences from GenBank. Among the 40 positive colonies, 23 coding genes with known functions were obtained, including Homo sapien leukocyte adhesion protein p150, 95, interleukin 2 receptor gamma chain, PALM2-AKAP2 protein （PALM2-AKAP2）, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A, beta-2-microglobin, solute carrier family 9 （sodium/hydrogen exchanger）, calreticulin, asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 （ASGR1）, MHC class Ⅱ lymphocyte antigen, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, lymphocyte antigen 86 （LY86） and lymphocyte cytosolic protein 1. One novel gene with unknown function was found and named as PS1TP5BP1. After being electronically spliced, it was deposited in GenBank （accession number： DQ471327）. Conclusions Genes of proteins interacting with PS1TP5 were successfully screened from leukocyte cDNA library. These results suggested that PS1TP5 was closely correlated with immunoregulation, carbohydrate metabolism, signal transduction, the formation of hepatic fibrosis and initiation and development of tumors and also brought some new clues for further studying the biological functions of the pre-S 1 protein.

An In Vitro and In Vivo Study of Thyroid Disruption of 1,2-Bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane(BTBPE)�A Novel Brominated Flame Retardant

The novel brominated flame retardant,1,2-bis-(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane(BTBPE),is an emerging environ-mental pollutant with undetermined toxicity.We investigated how BTBPE causes thyroid endocrine disruption with integrated in silico,in vitro,and in vivo assays.In yeast two-hybrid and T-Screen assays,BTBPE interacted with zebrafish thyroid hormone receptors with binding energies weaker than the TR agonist-3,3′,5-Triiodo-L-thyronine(T3),and disrupted thyroid function as a thyroid receptor(TR)agonist.We examined the bioconcentra-tion,developmental toxicity,and thyroid endocrine disruption in zebrafish after a 14-day exposure to BTBPE(1,3,10μg/L).Thyroxine(T4)was lower in BTBPE-treated larvae,whereas corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH)and thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)were higher.The gene transcription alterations along the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid(HPT)axis were observed.Furthermore,reduced locomotion suggested that BTBPE imparts developmental neurotoxicity at zebrafish early developmental stage.Establishing that BTBPE has thyroid endocrine-disrupting effects is an important step for understanding and managing BTBPE toxicity.

ERBIN蛋白PDZ结构域结合蛋白的筛选和鉴定

目的筛选和鉴定ERBIN蛋白的PDZ结构域结合蛋白。方法以ERBIN蛋白的PDZ结构域为诱饵,采用酵母双杂交系统从人淋巴细胞白血病细胞系的MATCHMAKER cDNA文库中筛选ERBIN PDZ结合蛋白,使用β-半乳糖苷酶(LacZ)活性的定性分析和免疫共沉淀技术鉴定所获结合蛋白识别和结合ERBIN PDZ结构域的结合特性。结果TAX1蛋白能选择性与ERBIN蛋白的PDZ结构域发生特异性结合。结论TAX1蛋白是ERBIN结合蛋白家族中的一个新成员。

Differential transcription-activating capability of NS1 proteins from different influenza virus subtypes expressed in yeast

Influenza A virus NS1 protein is an important regulatory factor with multiple functions and contributes greatly to viral pathogenesis.In the present study,transcription-activating potential of NS1 from different influenza A virus subtypes was examined in yeast two-hybrid system.The bait vectors contain-ing different NS1 genes,along with an empty prey vector,were transformed into yeast AH109(for growth assay on QDO plate and α-galactosidase assay),and Y187(for β-galactosidase assay).AH109 transformants with NS1 gene from H1N1,H5N1,and H9N2 viruses grew vigorously on the QDO plate and secreted high level of α-galactosidase.Also,Y187 bearing the above NS1 genes exhibited en-hanced β-galactosidase activity.Nevertheless,H3N2-NS1-transformed AH109 and Y187 yeasts did not grow on QDO plate and secrete β-galactosidase,respectively.These findings denote the remarkable variation in NS1 proteins from different influenza A virus subtypes on the transcription-stimulating capability in yeast.

Divalent cation tolerance protein binds to β-secretase and inhibits the processing of amyloid precursor protein

The deposition of amyloid-beta is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer＇s disease, Amyloid-beta is derived from amyloid precursor protein through sequential proteolytic cleavages by β-secretase （beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1） and r-secretase. To further elucidate the roles of beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 in the development of AIzheimer＇s disease, a yeast two-hybrid system was used to screen a human embryonic brain cDNA library for proteins directly interacting with the intracellular domain of beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1. A potential beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1- interacting protein identified from the positive clones was divalent cation tolerance protein. Immunoprecipitation studies in the neuroblastoma cell line N2a showed that exogenous divalent cation tolerance protein interacts with endogenous beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1. The overexpression of divalent cation tolerance protein did not affect beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 protein levels, but led to increased amyloid precursor protein levels in N2a/APP695 cells, with a concomitant reduction in the processing product amyloid precursor protein C-terminal fragment, indicating that divalent cation tolerance protein inhibits the processing of amyloid precursor protein. Our experimental findings suggest that divalent cation tolerance protein negatively regulates the function of beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1. Thus, divalent cation tolerance protein could play a protective role in Alzheimer＇s disease.

Identification of interaction between HIV-1 glycoprotein 41 and integrase

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 （HIV-1）encodes 15 viral proteins. Protein-protein interactions play a large role in the function of these proteins. In this study, we attempted to identify novel interactions between the HIV-1 proteins to better understand the role played by viral protein-protein interactions in the life cycle of HIV-I. Genes encoding the 15 viral proteins from the HIV-1 strain AD8 were inserted into the plasmids of a yeast two-hybrid system. By screening 120 pairs of proteins, interactions between seven pairs were found. This led to the discovery of an interaction between the HIV-1 proteins integrase （IN） and glycoprotein 41 （gp41）, which was confirmed by both co-immunoprecipitation （Co-IP） assays and fluorescence resonance energy transfer （FRET） imaging in live cells. In addition, it was found that the amino acids at positions 76-100 of gp41 are required for it to bind to IN. Deletion of this region from gp41 prevented its interaction with IN and reduced the production of HIV-1 in 293T cells. This study provides new information on HIV-1 protein-protein interactions which improves the understanding of the biological functions of gp41 and IN during the virus life cycle.

Insights into the subunit in-teractions of the chloroplast ATP synthase

Subunit interactions of the chloroplast F0F1-ATP synthase were studied using the yeast two-hybrid sys-tem. The coding sequences of all the nine subunits of spinach chloroplast ATP synthase were cloned in two-hybrid vectors. The vectors were transformed into the yeast strains HF7c and SFY526 by various pairwise combinations, and the protein interactions were analyzed by measuring the yeast growth on minimal SD medium without serine, lucine and histidine. Interactions of γ subunit with wild type or two truncated mutants of ε sununit, ε△N21 and ε△C45, which lose their abilities to inhibit the ATP hydrolysis, were also detected by in vitro and in vivo binding assay. The present results are largely accordant to the common structure model of F0F1-ATP synthase. Different from that in the E. coli F0F1-ATP synthase, the δ subunit of chloroplast ATP synthase could interact with β. γ, ε and all the CF0 subunits in the two-hybrid system. These results suggested that though the chloroplast ATP synthase

Interaction between Mnk2 and CBC^(VHL) ubiquitin ligase E3 complex

MAP kinase-interacting kinase-2 (Mnk2) is one of the downstream kinasesactivated by MAP kinases. It phosphorylates the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (elF4E), althoughthe role of elF4E phosphorylation and the role of Mnk2 in the process of proteintranslation are notwell understood. Except for elF4E, other physiological substrates of Mnk2 are still unidentified. Tolook for these unidentified substrates and to reveal the physiological function of Mnk2, weperformed a yeast two-hybrid screening with Mnk2 as the bait. The results demonstrated Mnk2 couldinteract with VHL (von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor), Rbx1 (ring-box1) and Cul2 (Cullin2) proteinsin yeast cells. Furthermore, we validated the interaction between Mnk2 and VHL proteins inmammalian cells by co-immunoprecipitation analysis. Because the three proteins VHL, Rbx1 and Cul2are all components of the CBC^(VHL) ubiquitin ligase E3 complex, it has been shown that Mnk2 caninteract with CBC^(VHL) complex, and is probably one of the newsubstrates of the CBC^(VHL) complex.Furthermore, during the interaction of Mnk2 with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor- bindingprotein 1 (VBP1), it appears that Mnk2 also joins to modulate cell shape as VBP1 plays an importantrole in the process of the maturation of the cytoskeleton and in the process of morphogenesis.