PRO40 is a scaffold protein of the cell wall integrity pathway, linking the MAP kinase module to the upstream activator protein kinase C.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways are crucial signaling instruments in eukaryotes. Most ascomycetes possess three MAPK modules that are involved in key developmental processes like sexual propagation or pathogenesis. However, the regulation of these modules by adapters or scaffolds is largely unknown. Here, we studied the function of the cell wall integrity (CWI) MAPK module in the model fungus Sordaria macrospora. Using a forward genetic approach, we found that sterile mutant pro30 has a mutated mik1 gene that encodes the MAPK kinase kinase (MAPKKK) of the proposed CWI pathway. We generated single deletion mutants lacking MAPKKK MIK1, MAPK kinase (MAPKK) MEK1, or MAPK MAK1 and found them all to be sterile, cell fusion-deficient and highly impaired in vegetative growth and cell wall stress response. By searching for MEK1 interaction partners via tandem affinity purification and mass spectrometry, we identified previously characterized developmental protein PRO40 as a MEK1 interaction partner. Although fungal PRO40 homologs have been implicated in diverse developmental processes, their molecular function is currently unknown. Extensive affinity purification, mass spectrometry, and yeast two-hybrid experiments showed that PRO40 is able to bind MIK1, MEK1, and the upstream activator protein kinase C (PKC1). We further found that the PRO40 N-terminal disordered region and the central region encompassing a WW interaction domain are sufficient to govern interaction with MEK1. Most importantly, time- and stress-dependent phosphorylation studies showed that PRO40 is required for MAK1 activity. The sum of our results implies that PRO40 is a scaffold protein for the CWI pathway, linking the MAPK module to the upstream activator PKC1. Our data provide important insights into the mechanistic role of a protein that has been implicated in sexual and asexual development, cell fusion, symbiosis, and pathogenicity in different fungal systems.

The Vac14-interaction network is linked to regulators of the endolysosomal and autophagic pathway.

The scaffold protein Vac14 acts in a complex with the lipid kinase PIKfyve and its counteracting phosphatase FIG4, regulating the interconversion of phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate to phosphatidylinositol-3,5-bisphosphate. Dysfunctional Vac14 mutants, a deficiency of one of the Vac14 complex components, or inhibition of PIKfyve enzymatic activity results in the formation of large vacuoles in cells. How these vacuoles are generated and which processes are involved are only poorly understood. Here we show that ectopic overexpression of wild-type Vac14 as well as of the PIKfyve-binding deficient Vac14 L156R mutant causes vacuoles. Vac14-dependent vacuoles and PIKfyve inhibitor-dependent vacuoles resulted in elevated levels of late endosomal, lysosomal, and autophagy-associated proteins. However, only late endosomal marker proteins were bound to the membranes of these enlarged vacuoles. In order to decipher the linkage between the Vac14 complex and regulators of the endolysosomal pathway, a protein affinity approach combined with multidimensional protein identification technology was conducted, and novel molecular links were unraveled. We found and verified the interaction of Rab9 and the Rab7 GAP TBC1D15 with Vac14. The identified Rab-related interaction partners support the theory that the regulation of vesicular transport processes and phosphatidylinositol-modifying enzymes are tightly interconnected.

A fungal sarcolemmal membrane-associated protein (SLMAP) homolog plays a fundamental role in development and localizes to the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria.

Sarcolemmal membrane-associated protein (SLMAP) is a tail-anchored protein involved in fundamental cellular processes, such as myoblast fusion, cell cycle progression, and chromosomal inheritance. Further, SLMAP misexpression is associated with endothelial dysfunctions in diabetes and cancer. SLMAP is part of the conserved striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complex required for specific signaling pathways in yeasts, filamentous fungi, insects, and mammals. In filamentous fungi, STRIPAK was initially discovered in Sordaria macrospora, a model system for fungal differentiation. Here, we functionally characterize the STRIPAK subunit PRO45, a homolog of human SLMAP. We show that PRO45 is required for sexual propagation and cell-to-cell fusion and that its forkhead-associated (FHA) domain is essential for these processes. Protein-protein interaction studies revealed that PRO45 binds to STRIPAK subunits PRO11 and SmMOB3, which are also required for sexual propagation. Superresolution structured-illumination microscopy (SIM) further established that PRO45 localizes to the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. SIM also showed that localization to the nuclear envelope requires STRIPAK subunits PRO11 and PRO22, whereas for mitochondria it does not. Taken together, our study provides important insights into fundamental roles of the fungal SLMAP homolog PRO45 and suggests STRIPAK-related and STRIPAK-unrelated functions.

Patterns of Proteins Removed with High-Flux Membranes on High-Volume Hemodiafiltration Detected with a MultiDimensional LC-MS/MS Strategy.

Background: Aim of this prospective crossover study was to identify the nature of the middle-molecular weight solutes removed during high-volume post-dilution HDF. Methods: The efficiency in removing small molecules, protein-bound and middle-molecular proteins was evaluated in 16 chronic dialysis patients on post-dilution HDF with two high-flux dialyzer membranes (Amembris and Polyamix). Multidimensional Protein Identification Technology (MudPIT) was employed to identify middle-molecular weight solutes in spent dialysate. Results: Efficiency of post-dilution HDF in removing solutes of different MW was high with both membranes, but higher with Amembris than with Polyamix. With MudPIT analysis, 277 proteins were identified in the dialysate fluids. Although the protein-removal pattern was similar among patients and tested membranes, the total and protein-specific peptide spectral count (mass spectrometric quantitation criteria) of most proteins were higher using the Amembris membrane. Conclusions: The MudPIT approach showed to be a powerful tool to identify a broad molecular weight spectrum of proteins removed with post-dilution HDF. Short Summary: Aim of this prospective crossover study was to analyze the hydraulic properties of two high-flux dialyzer membranes (Amembris and Polyamix) during high-volume, post-dilution HDF and to evaluate the influence of these properties on the removal of proteins and peptides using an in-depth analysis of the spent dialysate. For this analysis, a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry approach called MudPIT (Multidimensional Protein Identification Technology) was used to identify the middle molecular weight solutes present in the spent dialysate of patients. The capability of post-dilution HDF in removing solutes of different MW was very high with both dialyzers, but higher with the Amembris membrane. The proteomic MudPIT approach showed to be a powerful tool to identify a wide molecular spectrum of proteins removed from blood during post-dilution HDF. These results may contribute to address research toward a better knowledge of uremic toxins and the balance between the intended and unintended removal of undesired and beneficial proteins next to identification of new target proteins as potential candidates for uremic toxicity. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Proteome analysis reveals antiangiogenic environments in chronic wounds of diabetes mellitus type 2 patients.

In contrast to normal healing wounds, chronic wounds commonly show disturbances in proteins regulating wound healing processes, particularly those involved in cell proliferation and protein degradation. Multidimensional protein identification technology MS/MS was conducted to investigate and compare the protein composition of chronic diabetic foot exudates to exudates from split-skin donor sites of burn victims otherwise healthy. Spectral counting revealed 188 proteins differentially expressed (more than twofold and p-value <0.05) in chronic wounds. Most were involved in biological processes including inflammation, angiogenesis, and cell mortality. Increased expression of the inflammatory response stimulating S100 proteins, predominantly S100A8 and S100A9 (almost tenfold), was identified. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP1, MMP2, and MMP8 were identified to be elevated in chronic wounds with significant impact on collagen degradation and tissue destruction. Further, proteins with antiangiogenic properties were found at higher expression levels in chronic wounds. Reduced angiogenesis leads to drastic shortage in nutrition supply and causes increased cell death, demonstrated by Annexin A5 exclusively found in chronic wound exudates. However, excessive nucleic and cytosolic material infers cell death occurring not only by apoptosis but also by necrosis. In conclusion, mass spectrometric investigation of exudates from chronic wounds demonstrated dramatic impairment in wound repair with excessive inflammation, antiangiogenic environment, and accelerated cell death.

Physiological adaptation of the Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 membrane proteome to steroids as growth substrates.

Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 is a catabolically versatile soil actinomycete that can utilize a wide range of organic compounds as growth substrates including steroids. To globally assess the adaptation of the protein composition in the membrane fraction to steroids, the membrane proteomes of RHA1 grown on each of cholesterol and cholate were compared to pyruvate-grown cells using gel-free SIMPLE-MudPIT technology. Label-free quantification by spectral counting revealed 59 significantly regulated proteins, many of them present only during growth on steroids. Cholesterol and cholate induced distinct sets of steroid-degrading enzymes encoded by paralogous gene clusters, consistent with transcriptomic studies. CamM and CamABCD, two systems that take up cholate metabolites, were found exclusively in cholate-grown cells. Similarly, 9 of the 10 Mce4 proteins of the cholesterol uptake system were found uniquely in cholesterol-grown cells. Bioinformatic tools were used to construct a model of Mce4 transporter within the RHA1 cell envelope. Finally, comparison of the membrane and cytoplasm proteomes indicated that several steroid-degrading enzymes are membrane-associated. The implications for the degradation of steroids by actinomycetes, including cholesterol by the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis , are discussed.

A homologue of the human STRIPAK complex controls sexual development in fungi.

Sexual development in fungi is a complex process involving the generation of new cell types and tissues - an essential step for all eukaryotic life. The characterization of sterile mutants in the ascomycete Sordaria macrospora has led to a number of proteins involved in sexual development, but a link between these proteins is still missing. Using a combined tandem-affinity purification/mass spectrometry approach, we showed in vivo association of developmental protein PRO22 with PRO11, homologue of mammalian striatin, and SmPP2AA, scaffolding subunit of protein phosphatase 2A. Further experiments extended the protein network to the putative kinase activator SmMOB3, known to be involved in sexual development. Extensive yeast two-hybrid studies allowed us to pinpoint functional domains involved in protein-protein interaction. We show for the first time that a number of already known factors together with new components associate in vivo to form a highly conserved multi-subunit complex. Strikingly, a similar complex has been described in humans, but the function of this so-called striatin interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complex is largely unknown. In S. macrospora, truncation of PRO11 and PRO22 leads to distinct defects in sexual development and cell fusion, indicating a role for the fungal STRIPAK complex in both processes.

Liquid chromatographic analysis and mass spectrometric identification of farnesylated peptides.

Farnesylation involves the post-translational attachment of a 15 carbon unit to the C-terminus of proteins, thus allowing them to incorporate into membranes. The farnesylation reaction requires farnesyldiphosphate as the farnesyl group donor and is catalyzed by the farnesyltransferase. Some of the most familiar farnesylated proteins belong to the Ras protein superfamily, well-known oncoproteins. As Ras proteins require the membrane localization for the transduction of extracellular signals, farnesyltransferase inhibitors are discussed as chemotherapeutic agents. Despite the importance of this post-translational modification, farnesylated peptides have been investigated rarely by means of high-pressure liquid chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry. In this study, we examined the liquid chromatographic separation of farnesylated peptides with the help of the multidimensional protein identification technology. The peptides were further ionized by electrospray ionization and subsequently analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry. We demonstrated that farnesylated peptides are more strongly retained by reversed phase than nonfarnesylated peptides. This allowed for the identification of farnesylated peptides, if spiked into complex peptide samples. In some cases the farnesyl group was apparently split off from the peptide during the ionization process, and tandem mass spectra often revealed a neutral loss of the farnesyl moiety.

Multidimensional protein identification technology-selected reaction monitoring improving detection and quantification for protein biomarker studies.

The targeted analysis of proteins in complex biological samples is best achieved using selected reaction monitoring (SRM). To maximize the sensitivity of this approach, sample fractionation or enrichment is still required, particularly to detect less abundant proteins in clinically relevant biofluids. Here, we report the development of multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT)-SRM, taking advantage of the robust online strong cation exchange chromatography for tryptic peptide fractionation and combining it with the multiplexed, quantitative attributes of SRM. The classical MudPIT method has been modified with an in-line strategy to introduce reference peptides onto the analytical column to enable quantitation at each salt step. Applying the MudPIT-SRM approach to profile abundant plasma proteins, we demonstrated mean increases in peak areas of almost 90% compared to conventional SRM. MudPIT-SRM analyses of low abundant proteins present in human wound fluid exudates similarly demonstrated increased peak areas and enabled the detection of proteins which were below the lower limit of detection when analyzed by conventional SRM. The MudPIT-SRM method is relatively facile to conduct and offers performance advantages to enhance sensitivity for biomarker studies.

Advanced MudPIT as a next step toward high proteome coverage.

We present a simple, time- and cost-efficient approach to tackle the proteome of prokaryotic organisms. To obtain large data sets of complex biological experiments high-throughput and time- and cost-efficient methods still have to be developed and refined. In this study, we combined well-approved techniques, namely elevated chromatographic temperatures, long RP columns and the multidimensional protein identification technology MudPIT to achieve high proteome coverage. The advanced MudPIT approach has been evaluated and delivered very comprehensive results for Gram-positive as well as Gram-negative bacteria (53% proteome coverage for Corynebacterium glutamicum and 46% proteome coverage for Escherichia coli). Also, a high identification rate for the challenging integral membrane proteins was achieved. The competitiveness of the advanced MudPIT technology is strengthened by the fact that in this approach only two fractions were analyzed with both, simple and time-efficient sample preparation, and a moderate data acquisition time.

Cell response of Escherichia coli to cisplatin-induced stress.

Cisplatin is undoubtedly one of the most common and successful anticancer drugs worldwide. Though its DNA-based mechanism of action is well established, the contribution of the proteome to this process remains unclear. The possible impact of particular Escherichia coli proteins on the cytostatic activity of cisplatin was the subject of this study. Our main focus was not only the "bottom-up" identification of novel cisplatin protein targets through LC/LC-MS/MS analysis, but also a label-free quantification of their regulation profile by spectral-counting. The regulation of two proteins, aconitate hydratase 2 and 60 kDa chaperonin 1, could be linked to a platinated amino acid in the protein sequence, whereas in the cases of 30S ribosomal protein S1 and enolase, it could be shown that cisplatin fragments are coordinated to an essential site for the functionality of the protein. Nucleoside triphosphate pyrophosphohydrolase (MazG) regulates the programmed cell death and was found to be platinated on the protein surface, which probably correlates with the established mode of action. A possible new chapter in the understanding of cisplatin's mechanism of action and its severe side effects is opened, since evidence is provided that platinated proteins are not only involved in cellular stress response but also in energy metabolism through glycolysis and catabolic processes, in gene regulatory mechanisms and protein synthesis.

Platelet membrane proteomics: a novel repository for functional research.

Being central players in thrombosis and hemostasis, platelets react in manifold and complex ways to extracellular stimuli. Cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions are mandatory for initial adhesion as well as for final development of stable plugs. Primary interfaces for interactions are plasma membrane proteins, of which many have been identified over the past decades in individual studies. However, due to their enucleate structure, platelets are not accessible to large-scale genomic screens and thus a comprehensive inventory of membrane proteins is still missing. For this reason, we here present an advanced proteomic setup for the detailed analysis of enriched platelet plasma membranes and the so far most complete collection of platelet membrane proteins. In summary, 1282 proteins were identified, of which more than half are termed to be of membrane origin. This study provides a brief overview of gene ontology subcellular and functional classification, as well as interaction network analysis. In addition, the mass spectrometric data were used to assemble a first tentative relative quantification of large-scale data on the protein level. We therefore estimate the presented data to be of major interest to the platelet research field and to support rational design of functional studies.

Catalytic Subunit 1 of Protein Phosphatase 2A Is a Subunit of the STRIPAK Complex and Governs Fungal Sexual Development.

UNLABELLED: The generation of complex three-dimensional structures is a key developmental step for most eukaryotic organisms. The details of the molecular machinery controlling this step remain to be determined. An excellent model system to study this general process is the generation of three-dimensional fruiting bodies in filamentous fungi like Sordaria macrospora Fruiting body development is controlled by subunits of the highly conserved striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complex, which has been described in organisms ranging from yeasts to humans. The highly conserved heterotrimeric protein phosphatase PP2A is a subunit of STRIPAK. Here, catalytic subunit 1 of PP2A was functionally characterized. The Δpp2Ac1 strain is sterile, unable to undergo hyphal fusion, and devoid of ascogonial septation. Further, PP2Ac1, together with STRIPAK subunit PRO22, governs vegetative and stress-related growth. We revealed in vitro catalytic activity of wild-type PP2Ac1, and our in vivo analysis showed that inactive PP2Ac1 blocks the complementation of the sterile deletion strain. Tandem affinity purification, followed by mass spectrometry and yeast two-hybrid analysis, verified that PP2Ac1 is a subunit of STRIPAK. Further, these data indicate links between the STRIPAK complex and other developmental signaling pathways, implying the presence of a large interconnected signaling network that controls eukaryotic developmental processes. The insights gained in our study can be transferred to higher eukaryotes and will be important for understanding eukaryotic cellular development in general. IMPORTANCE: The striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complex is highly conserved from yeasts to humans and is an important regulator of numerous eukaryotic developmental processes, such as cellular signaling and cell development. Although functional insights into the STRIPAK complex are accumulating, the detailed molecular mechanisms of single subunits are only partially understood. The first fungal STRIPAK was described in Sordaria macrospora, which is a well-established model organism used to study the formation of fungal fruiting bodies, three-dimensional organ-like structures. We analyzed STRIPAK subunit PP2Ac1, catalytic subunit 1 of protein phosphatase PP2A, to study the importance of the catalytic activity of this protein during sexual development. The results of our yeast two-hybrid analysis and tandem affinity purification, followed by mass spectrometry, indicate that PP2Ac1 activity connects STRIPAK with other signaling pathways and thus forms a large interconnected signaling network.

Combination of metallomics and proteomics to study the effects of the metallodrug RAPTA-T on human cancer cells.

An approach to characterize the interactions of RAPTA-T, a novel ruthenium-based anticancer drug candidate with intriguing antimetastatic properties, with human ovarian cancer cells in vitro is described. The distribution profile of the metallodrug within the cancer cells was determined by (size exclusion chromatography)-inductively coupled mass spectrometry combined with subcellular fractionation procedures (metallomics). Multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT) was then used to obtain insight into the alteration of the cellular proteome upon RAPTA-T treatment. The metallomics approach reveals striking differences in the intracellular behavior of the drug between cisplatin-sensitive and resistant cell lines and provides clues on possible mechanisms of action as well as detoxification, quantitative proteomics based on spectral counting sheds light on cellular response mechanisms to metallodrug treatment.

Characterisation of cisplatin binding sites in human serum proteins using hyphenated multidimensional liquid chromatography and ESI tandem mass spectrometry.

Cisplatin binding sites in human serum proteins have been characterised by using combined multidimensional liquid chromatography and ESI tandem mass spectrometry (MudPIT). Following incubation periods of 3 h for cisplatin-blood serum mixtures and subsequent trypsin digestion, MS-MS spectra were recorded for individual peptides that had been separated by SCX and RP liquid chromatography. Matching of the MS-MS spectra to theoretical sequences that were generated for human proteins in the SWISS-PROT database led to the identification of specific binding sites in human serum albumin (HSA), serotransferrin (Trfe) and other abundant serum proteins (A2mg, A1at, Apoa1, Apoa2). The cisplatin coordination sites in HSA and Trfe were confirmed by independent MudPIT studies on cisplatin reaction mixtures with the individual proteins. A total of five specific binding sites were identified for HSA, including the cysteine residue C34, two methionine sites (M329, M548) and the tyrosine and aspartate O-donor sites Y150 (or Y148) and D375 (or E376). Methionine-256 was established as a cisplatin coordination site for Trfe in addition to the O-donor sites E265, Y314, E385 and T457. Inspection of the protein structures indicates that the preferred residues belong either to peripheral alpha helices or to flexible loops within the protein-binding pockets. O-donor residues dominate as cisplatin binding sites for other abundant serum proteins.