Novel multiparameter correlates of Coxiella burnetii infection and vaccination identified by longitudinal deep immune profiling.

Q-fever is a flu-like illness caused by Coxiella burnetii (Cb), a highly infectious intracellular bacterium. There is an unmet need for a safe and effective vaccine for Q-fever. Correlates of immune protection to Cb infection are limited. We proposed that analysis by longitudinal high dimensional immune (HDI) profiling using mass cytometry combined with other measures of vaccination and protection could be used to identify novel correlates of effective vaccination and control of Cb infection. Using a vaccine-challenge model in HLA-DR transgenic mice, we demonstrated significant alterations in circulating T-cell and innate immune populations that distinguished vaccinated from naïve mice within 10 days, and persisted until at least 35 days post-vaccination. Following challenge, vaccinated mice exhibited reduced bacterial burden and splenomegaly, along with distinct effector T-cell and monocyte profiles. Correlation of HDI data to serological and pathological measurements was performed. Our data indicate a Th1-biased response to Cb, consistent with previous reports, and identify Ly6C, CD73, and T-bet expression in T-cell, NK-cell, and monocytic populations as distinguishing features between vaccinated and naïve mice. This study refines the understanding of the integrated immune response to Cb vaccine and challenge, which can inform the assessment of candidate vaccines for Cb.

A C. elegans orphan nuclear receptor contributes to xenobiotic resistance.

Lipophilic endocrine signals in metazoans, including the steroid, thyroid, and retinoid hormones, alter gene expression in target cells by binding to and modulating the activity of nuclear receptor (NR) transcription factors [1]. In vertebrates, xenobiotic and pharmacologic compounds can regulate the expression of protective metabolic enzymes via specific "xenobiotic sensing" NRs [2-4]. Here, we report evidence suggesting that this activity is an ancient conserved function for the NR class containing these receptors. Specifically, we show that a Caenorhabditis elegans member of this NR class, nhr-8, is required for wild-type levels of resistance to the toxins colchicine and chloroquine. The nhr-8 promoter is active in the nematode gut, a tissue that also expresses the ABC transporter, PGP-3, which contributes to defense against these toxins [5]. In contrast to pgp-3 mutants, nhr-8 mutants are not more sensitive than wild-type to pyocyanin-dependent killing by the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We conclude that NHR-8 functions in the nematode xenobiotic defense system and that NHR-8 and PGP-3 have overlapping, but distinct, spectra of toxin specificity.

Nuclear receptors in nematodes: themes and variations.

Large-scale sequencing efforts are providing new perspectives on similarities and differences among species. Sequences encoding nuclear receptor (NR) transcription factors furnish one striking example of this. The three complete or nearly complete metazoan genome sequences - those of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and the human - reveal dramatically different numbers of predicted NR genes: 270 for the nematode, 21 for the fruit fly and approximately 50 for the human. Although some classes of NRs present in insects and mammals are also represented among the nematode genes, most of the C. elegans NR sequences are distinct from those known in other phyla. Questions regarding the evolution and function of NR genes in nematodes, framed by t00e abundance and diversity of these genes in the C. elegans genome, are the focus of this article.

Evidence that dim1 associates with proteins involved in pre-mRNA splicing, and delineation of residues essential for dim1 interactions with hnRNP F and Npw38/PQBP-1.

The small evolutionarily conserved protein Dim1p/hDim1/Dib1p/DML-1 was initially defined as a factor essential for progression through the G2/M transition, and shown to be required to maintain the steady state level of a component of the fission yeast anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome. More recently, Dib1p has been defined as a component of the U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP, required for pre-mRNA splicing. To investigate the mechanism(s) of Dim1 function, reiterative two-hybrid screening was performed to identify interacting proteins. Proteins thus identified were solely those involved in pre-mRNA splicing or related functions, and one partner induced a striking synthetic phenotype when co-expressed with hDim1 in mammalian cells. Saturating alanine scanning mutagenesis of Dim1 allowed delineation of amino acids essential for its ability to interact with its defined partners: mapping these residues on the structural coordinates of hDim1 defined an interactive sector of the protein. Finally, depletion studies have recently shown that Dim1 function is essential for pre-mRNA splicing in yeast. We find that elimination of DML-1 expression in C. elegans by RNA interference leads to embryonal lethality during gastrulation, marked by a failure to correctly express early zygotic transcripts. These results parallel the arrest phenotypes associated with global disruption of zygotic gene expression, suggesting that Dim1 proteins maintain an essential function in gene expression in higher eukaryotes.

nhr-25, the Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of ftz-f1, is required for epidermal and somatic gonad development.

We have analyzed the expression and function of the Caenorhabditis elegans gene nhr-25, a member of the widely conserved FTZ-F1 family of nuclear receptors. The gene encodes two protein isoforms, only one of which has a DNA binding domain. nhr-25 is transcribed during embryonic and larval development. A nhr-25::GFP fusion gene is expressed in the epidermis, the developing somatic gonad, and a subset of other epithelial cells. RNA-mediated interference indicates a requirement for nhr-25 function during development: disruption of nhr-25 function leads to embryonic arrest due to failure of the epidermally mediated process of embryo elongation. Animals that survive to hatching arrest as misshapen larvae that occasionally exhibit defects in shedding molted cuticle. In addition, somatic gonad development is defective in these larvae. These results further establish the importance of FTZ-F1 nuclear receptors in molting and developmental control across evolutionarily distant phyla.

Therapeutic target discovery using Caenorhabditis elegans.

Use of the human genome sequence in disease therapy will require efficient identification of disease-causing and disease-associated genes with functions that are amenable to pharmacological manipulation. The validation and development of such genes as therapeutic targets requires information about both the genes' functions and the biochemical pathways in which they participate. One powerful means of obtaining such information is the study of homologous genes in model organisms amenable to laboratory manipulation. Among model organisms the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans offers several advantages, including well-established techniques for genetic and experimental manipulation and the first completed genome sequence for a multicellular organism. Molecular genetic experiments using C. elegans can contribute at several levels to drug discovery programs, from elucidation of genetic functions and pathways to the validation of candidate targets. Additionally, the ease of culture allows adaptation of the nematode for use in high-throughput chemical screens for the identification of lead compounds in drug development.

Expression and function of members of a divergent nuclear receptor family in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are a large class of ligand-regulated transcriptional modulators that have been shown to play roles in many developmental processes. The Caenorhabditis elegans genome is predicted to encode a large and divergent family of NR proteins. The functions of most of these genes are unknown. As a first step toward defining their roles, we have initiated an expression and functional survey of a subset of these genes. In this study, we demonstrate expression of 21 of 28 NR genes examined, indicating that a large fraction of the predicted genes likely encode functional gene products. We show that five genes are expressed predominantly in neuronal cells, while others are expressed in multiple cell types. Interestingly, we find that eight genes are expressed exclusively in the lateral hypodermal (seam) cells. These eight genes share a high degree of overall homology and cluster in a neighbor-joining tree derived from sequence analysis of the NRs, suggesting that they arose by gene duplication from a common ancestor. We show that overexpression of each of three members of this subfamily results in similar developmental defects, consistent with a redundant role for these genes in the function of the lateral hypodermal cells.

The nuclear receptor superfamily has undergone extensive proliferation and diversification in nematodes.

The nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily is the most abundant class of transcriptional regulators encoded in the Caenorhabditis elegans genome, with >200 predicted genes revealed by the screens and analysis of genomic sequence reported here. This is the largest number of NR genes yet described from a single species, although our analysis of available genomic sequence from the related nematode Caenorhabditis briggsae indicates that it also has a large number. Existing data demonstrate expression for 25% of the C. elegans NR sequences. Sequence conservation and statistical arguments suggest that the majority represent functional genes. An analysis of these genes based on the DNA-binding domain motif revealed that several NR classes conserved in both vertebrates and insects are also represented among the nematode genes, consistent with the existence of ancient NR classes shared among most, and perhaps all, metazoans. Most of the nematode NR sequences, however, are distinct from those currently known in other phyla, and reveal a previously unobserved diversity within the NR superfamily. In C. elegans, extensive proliferation and diversification of NR sequences have occurred on chromosome V, accounting for > 50% of the predicted NR genes.

The Caenorhabditis elegans orphan nuclear hormone receptor gene nhr-2 functions in early embryonic development.

We have identified a Caenorhabditis elegans gene, nhr-2, that is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of transcription factors and defines a new subclass of the superfamily. nhr-2 messenger RNA is expressed in the maternal germline and during the first half of embryogenesis. Zygotic expression of nhr-2 begins by the 16-cell stage, making it one of the earliest genes known to be transcribed in the embryo. Immunolocalization detects NHR-2 protein in embryonic nuclei as early as the 2-cell stage. The protein is present in every nucleus until the 16- to 20-cell stage. Subsequently, expression continues in many, but not all, cell lineages, becoming progressively restricted to the anterior and dorsal regions of the embryo and disappearing during the initial stages of morphogenesis. Disruption of nhr-2 function with antisense RNA results in embryonic and early larval arrest, indicating that the gene has an essential function in embryonic development. nhr-2 does not correspond to known mutations mapped to the same genetic interval, and will provide an entry point for further study of a heretofore uncharacterized zygotic gene regulatory pathway.

Properties of a Drosophila RNA polymerase II elongation factor.

We have purified from nuclear extracts of Drosophila Kc cells a 36-kDa protein, DmS-II, which has an effect on the elongation properties of RNA polymerase II. DmS-II stimulates RNA polymerase II during the transcription of double-stranded DNA templates when the nonphysiological divalent cation manganese is present. In the presence of physiological mono- and divalent cations, the factor reduces the tendency of RNA polymerase II to pause at specific sites along a dC-tailed template including the major pause encountered after 14 nucleotides have been incorporated. Based on its size and chromatographic properties, as well as its ability to stimulate RNA polymerase II activity in the presence of manganese, the protein seems to be analogous to a factor S-II purified from mouse cells (Sekimizu, K., Kobayashi, N., Mizuno, D., and Natori, S. (1976) Biochemistry 15, 5064-5070). We have used a completely defined system and show that the properties of DmS-II are intrinsic to the factor and not mediated through other factors.

Dynamic interaction between a Drosophila transcription factor and RNA polymerase II.

We have purified factor 5, a Drosophila RNA polymerase II transcription factor. Factor 5 was found to be required for accurate initiation of transcription from specific promoters and also had a dramatic effect on the elongation properties of RNA polymerase II. Kinetic studies suggested that factor 5 stimulates the elongation rate of RNA polymerase II on a dC-tailed, double-stranded template by reducing the time spent at the numerous pause sites encountered by the polymerase. The factor was found to be composed of two polypeptides (34 and 86 kilodaltons). Both subunits bound tightly to pure RNA polymerase II but were not bound to polymerase in elongation complexes. Our results suggest that factor 5 interacts briefly with the paused polymerase molecules and catalyzes a conformational change in them such that they adopt an elongation-competent conformation.

Elongation by Drosophila RNA polymerase II. Transcription of 3'-extended DNA templates.

RNA polymerase II will efficiently initiate transcription on linear duplex DNA which has been extended at its 3' ends by the addition of short stretches of polydeoxycytidine (Kadesch, T. R., and Chamberlin, M. J. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 5286-5295). We have used such dC-tailed templates to identify factors affecting elongation by Drosophila RNA polymerase II (Price, D. H., Sluder, A. E., and Greenleaf, A. L. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 3244-3255). While studying these factors we have observed two unexpected characteristics of transcription of the tailed templates. First, we found that RNA polymerase II encountered a strong pause site after the incorporation of 14 nucleotides. This pausing was observed on all templates examined and with RNA polymerase II from a variety of sources. In addition, we found that ammonium ions markedly stimulated the polymerase, increasing both the efficiency with which the enzyme left the 14 base pause site and the subsequent rate of elongation. A factor previously shown to affect transcription of dC-tailed templates (factor 4, Price, D. H., Sluder, A. E., and Greenleaf, A. L. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 3244-3255) was found to cause transcript displacement and to stimulate the elongation rate approximately 2-fold. This factor copurified with an RNase H activity, and a model is presented for the mechanism of transcript displacement by RNase H. The observations presented here form a basis for further analysis of RNA polymerase II elongation and its modulation by transcription factors. They should also aid in the interpretation of other experiments in which dC-tailed templates are used.

An activity necessary for in vitro transcription is a DNase inhibitor.

A phosphocellulose flowthrough fraction required for accurate transcription in vitro by RNA polymerase II was found to contain a DNase inhibitor which was necessary to maintain template integrity (Price D.H., Sluder A.E. & Greenleaf A.L. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 3244-3255). Starting with a Drosophila Kc cell nuclear extract, the DNase inhibitory activity has been purified 19,000-fold. In combination with the other necessary fractions, the highly purified inhibitor continues to support reconstruction of transcription. It thus appears to be the only required activity in the original phosphocellulose flowthrough fraction. The inhibitor is a protein which does not bind to DNA or inhibit DNase I, so that it has also been useful in assays for DNA binding proteins in crude, DNase-contaminated fractions.

Fractionation of transcription factors for RNA polymerase II from Drosophila Kc cell nuclear extracts.

Drosophila Kc cells were utilized to prepare nuclear extracts in which promoter-containing DNA templates were efficiently transcribed by RNA polymerase II. A combination of fractionation schemes was used to identify and partially purify seven activities (factors) which affected the transcription of four different genes in vitro. Reconstructing specific transcription required exogenous RNA polymerase II in addition to these factors. Moreover, the high efficiency of transcription characteristic of the crude extract was preserved in reconstruction reactions. The methods used are presented in detail. Functions were assigned to several of the factors. One essential factor appeared to affect initiation and displayed chromatographic properties unlike any other Drosophila transcription factor previously described. Two factors specifically affected RNA chain elongation. Another activity was a DNase inhibitor required to preserve template integrity in the fractionated system. The remaining three factors were not absolutely essential but affected the specific in vitro transcription either qualitatively or quantitatively. A comparison of these transcription factors with other Drosophila and mammalian transcription factors is made.

The use of alkaline elution procedures to measure DNA damage in spermiogenic stages of mice exposed to methyl methanesulfonate.

The ability of methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) to induce DNA breakage in spermiogenic stages of the mouse was studied using an alkaline elution technique. At daily intervals over a 3-week period following i.p. injection of 50 mg MMS/kg, mature spermatozoa were recovered from treated (3H-labeled) and control (14C-labeled) animals, lysed together on polycarbonate filters, and eluted with a high pH (12.2) buffer. Elution of germ-cell DNA from MMS-treated animals was found to increase in stages in which genetic damage from MMS is greatest. In general, the pattern of DNA elution from treated, spermiogenic stages paralleled the pattern of sensitivity to dominant lethals, specific-locus mutations and heritable translocations found by other investigators. It also paralleled the pattern of sperm-head methylation and protamine methylation measured in an earlier study (Sega and Owens, 1983). At 9 days post treatment (sperm sampled were in mid-to late-spermatid stages at the time of MMS exposure) the elution of sperm DNA did not change significantly over a pH range of 11.6-12.8, suggesting that, at the time of assay, DNA breaks were already present in the sperm. Because of the parallelism found between increased sperm DNA elution and increased genetic damage after mutagen treatment, alkaline elution may prove useful in monitoring potential genetic damage in human sperm.

agr-Amanitin Tolerance in Mycophagous Drosophila.

Six species of Drosophila were tested for tolerance to the mushroom toxin alpha-amanitin, a potent inhibitor of RNA polymerase II. Three nonmycophagous species-D. melanogaster, D. immigrans, and D. pseudoobscura-showed very low survival and long development times in the presence of amanitin. Three mycophagous species-D. putrida, D. recens, and D. tripunctata-showed little or no sensitivity. Analysis in vitro indicated that this tolerance is not based on alteration of the molecular structure of RNA polymerase II.