Cross-linking and modification of fibronectin by peroxynitrous acid: Mapping and quantification of damage provides a new model for domain interactions.

Fibronectin (FN) is an abundant glycoprotein found in plasma and the extracellular matrix (ECM). It is present at high concentrations at sites of tissue damage, where it is exposed to oxidants generated by activated leukocytes, including peroxynitrous acid (ONOOH) formed from nitric oxide (from inducible nitric oxide synthase) and superoxide radicals (from NADPH oxidases and other sources). ONOOH reacts rapidly with the abundant tyrosine and tryptophan residues in ECM proteins, resulting in the formation of 3-nitrotyrosine, di-tyrosine, and 6-nitrotryptophan. We have shown previously that human plasma FN is readily modified by ONOOH, but the extent and location of modifications, and the role of FN structure (compact versus extended) in determining these factors is poorly understood. Here, we provide a detailed LC-MS analysis of ONOOH-induced FN modifications, including the extent of their formation and the sites of intramolecular and intermolecular cross-links, including Tyr-Tyr, Trp-Trp, and Tyr-Trp linkages. The localization of these cross-links to specific domains provides novel data on the interactions between different modules in the compact conformation of plasma FN and allows us to propose a model of its unknown quaternary structure. Interestingly, the pattern of modifications is significantly different to that generated by another inflammatory oxidant, HOCl, in both extent and sites. The characterization and quantification of these modifications offers the possibility of the use of these materials as specific biomarkers of ECM modification and turnover in the many pathologies associated with inflammation-associated fibrosis.

PolySTest: Robust Statistical Testing of Proteomics Data with Missing Values Improves Detection of Biologically Relevant Features.

Statistical testing remains one of the main challenges for high-confidence detection of differentially regulated proteins or peptides in large-scale quantitative proteomics experiments by mass spectrometry. Statistical tests need to be sufficiently robust to deal with experiment intrinsic data structures and variations and often also reduced feature coverage across different biological samples due to ubiquitous missing values. A robust statistical test provides accurate confidence scores of large-scale proteomics results, regardless of instrument platform, experimental protocol and software tools. However, the multitude of different combinations of experimental strategies, mass spectrometry techniques and informatics methods complicate the decision of choosing appropriate statistical approaches. We address this challenge by introducing PolySTest, a user-friendly web service for statistical testing, data browsing and data visualization. We introduce a new method, Miss test, that simultaneously tests for missingness and feature abundance, thereby complementing common statistical tests by rescuing otherwise discarded data features. We demonstrate that PolySTest with integrated Miss test achieves higher confidence and higher sensitivity for artificial and experimental proteomics data sets with known ground truth. Application of PolySTest to mass spectrometry based large-scale proteomics data obtained from differentiating muscle cells resulted in the rescue of 10-20% additional proteins in the identified molecular networks relevant to muscle differentiation. We conclude that PolySTest is a valuable addition to existing tools and instrument enhancements that improve coverage and depth of large-scale proteomics experiments. A fully functional demo version of PolySTest and Miss test is available via http://computproteomics.bmb.sdu.dk/Apps/PolySTest.

FlashPack: Fast and Simple Preparation of Ultrahigh-performance Capillary Columns for LC-MS.

Capillary ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography (cUHPLC) is essential for in-depth characterization of complex biomolecule mixtures by LC-MS. We developed a simple and fast method called FlashPack for custom packing of capillary columns of 50-100 cm length with sub- 2 µm sorbent particles. FlashPack uses high sorbent concentrations of 500-1,000 mg/ml for packing at relatively low pressure of 100 bar. Column blocking by sorbent aggregation is avoided during the packing by gentle mechanical tapping of the capillary proximal end by a slowly rotating magnet bar. Utilizing a standard 100-bar pressure bomb, Flashpack allows for production of 15-25 cm cUHPLC columns within a few minutes and of 50 cm cUHPLC columns in less than an hour. Columns exhibit excellent reproducibility of back-pressure, retention time, and resolution (CV 8.7%). FlashPack cUHPLC columns are inexpensive, robust and deliver performance comparable to commercially available cUHPLC columns. The FlashPack method is versatile and enables production of cUHPLC columns using a variety of sorbent materials.

ComplexBrowser: A Tool for Identification and Quantification of Protein Complexes in Large-scale Proteomics Datasets.

We have developed ComplexBrowser, an open source, online platform for supervised analysis of quantitative proteomic data (label free and isobaric mass tag based) that focuses on protein complexes. The software uses manually curated information from CORUM and Complex Portal databases to identify protein complex components. For the first time, we provide a Complex Fold Change (CFC) factor that identifies up- and downregulated complexes based on the level of complex subunits coregulation. The software provides interactive visualization of protein complexes' composition and expression for exploratory analysis and incorporates a quality control step that includes normalization and statistical analysis based on the limma package. ComplexBrowser was tested on two published studies identifying changes in protein expression within either human adenocarcinoma tissue or activated mouse T-cells. The analysis revealed 1519 and 332 protein complexes, of which 233 and 41 were found coordinately regulated in the respective studies. The adopted approach provided evidence for a shift to glucose-based metabolism and high proliferation in adenocarcinoma tissues, and the identification of chromatin remodeling complexes involved in mouse T-cell activation. The results correlate with the original interpretation of the experiments and provide novel biological details about the protein complexes affected. ComplexBrowser is, to our knowledge, the first tool to automate quantitative protein complex analysis for high-throughput studies, providing insights into protein complex regulation within minutes of analysis.

The Effect of Cannabidiol on UV-Induced Changes in Intracellular Signaling of 3D-Cultured Skin Keratinocytes.

Human epidermal keratinocytes are constantly exposed to UV radiation. As a result, there is a significant need for safe and effective compounds to protect skin cells against this environmental damage. This study aimed to analyze the effect of phytocannabinoid-cannabinoid (CBD)-on the proteome of UVA/B irradiated keratinocytes. The keratinocytes were cultured in a three-dimensional (3D) system, designed to mimic epidermal conditions closely. The obtained results indicate that CBD protected against the harmful effects of UVA/B radiation. CBD decreased the expression of proinflammatory proteins, including TNFα/NFκB and IκBKB complex and decreased the expression of proteins involved in de novo protein biosynthesis, which are increased in UVA/B-irradiated cells. Additionally, CBD enhanced the UV-induced expression of 20S proteasome subunits. CBD also protected protein structures from 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE)-binding induced by UV radiation, which primarily affects antioxidant enzymes. CBD-through its antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activity and regulation of protein biosynthesis and degradation-protects skin cells against UVA/B-induced changes. In the future, its long-term use in epidermal cells should be investigated.

Quantitative Proteome and Phosphoproteome Analyses of Streptomyces coelicolor Reveal Proteins and Phosphoproteins Modulating Differentiation and Secondary Metabolism.

Streptomycetes are multicellular bacteria with complex developmental cycles. They are of biotechnological importance as they produce most bioactive compounds used in biomedicine, e.g. antibiotic, antitumoral and immunosupressor compounds. Streptomyces genomes encode many Ser/Thr/Tyr kinases, making this genus an outstanding model for the study of bacterial protein phosphorylation events. We used mass spectrometry based quantitative proteomics and phosphoproteomics to characterize bacterial differentiation and activation of secondary metabolism of Streptomyces coelicolor We identified and quantified 3461 proteins corresponding to 44.3% of the S. coelicolor proteome across three developmental stages: vegetative hypha (first mycelium); secondary metabolite producing hyphae (second mycelium); and sporulating hyphae. A total of 1350 proteins exhibited more than 2-fold expression changes during the bacterial differentiation process. These proteins include 136 regulators (transcriptional regulators, transducers, Ser/Thr/Tyr kinases, signaling proteins), as well as 542 putative proteins with no clear homology to known proteins which are likely to play a role in differentiation and secondary metabolism. Phosphoproteomics revealed 85 unique protein phosphorylation sites, 58 of them differentially phosphorylated during differentiation. Computational analysis suggested that these regulated protein phosphorylation events are implicated in important cellular processes, including cell division, differentiation, regulation of secondary metabolism, transcription, protein synthesis, protein folding and stress responses. We discovered a novel regulated phosphorylation site in the key bacterial cell division protein FtsZ (pSer319) that modulates sporulation and regulates actinorhodin antibiotic production. We conclude that manipulation of distinct protein phosphorylation events may improve secondary metabolite production in industrial streptomycetes, including the activation of cryptic pathways during the screening for new secondary metabolites from streptomycetes.

The Hypoxic Proteome and Metabolome of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) with and without Phytoglobin Priming.

Overexpression of phytoglobins (formerly plant hemoglobins) increases the survival rate of plant tissues under hypoxia stress by the following two known mechanisms: (1) scavenging of nitric oxide (NO) in the phytoglobin/NO cycle and (2) mimicking ethylene priming to hypoxia when NO scavenging activates transcription factors that are regulated by levels of NO and O2 in the N-end rule pathway. To map the cellular and metabolic effects of hypoxia in barley (Hordeum vulgare L., cv. Golden Promise), with or without priming to hypoxia, we studied the proteome and metabolome of wild type (WT) and hemoglobin overexpressing (HO) plants in normoxia and after 24 h hypoxia (WT24, HO24). The WT plants were more susceptible to hypoxia than HO plants. The chlorophyll a + b content was lowered by 50% and biomass by 30% in WT24 compared to WT, while HO plants were unaffected. We observed an increase in ROS production during hypoxia treatment in WT seedlings that was not observed in HO seedlings. We identified and quantified 9694 proteins out of which 1107 changed significantly in abundance. Many proteins, such as ion transporters, Ca2+-signal transduction, and proteins related to protein degradation were downregulated in HO plants during hypoxia, but not in WT plants. Changes in the levels of histones indicates that chromatin restructuring plays a role in the priming of hypoxia. We also identified and quantified 1470 metabolites, of which the abundance of >500 changed significantly. In summary the data confirm known mechanisms of hypoxia priming by ethylene priming and N-end rule activation; however, the data also indicate the existence of other mechanisms for hypoxia priming in plants.

Accumulation of histone variant H3.3 with age is associated with profound changes in the histone methylation landscape.

Deposition of replication-independent histone variant H3.3 into chromatin is essential for many biological processes, including development and reproduction. Unlike replication-dependent H3.1/2 isoforms, H3.3 is expressed throughout the cell cycle and becomes enriched in postmitotic cells with age. However, lifelong dynamics of H3 variant replacement and the impact of this process on chromatin organization remain largely undefined. Using quantitative middle-down proteomics we demonstrate that H3.3 accumulates to near saturation levels in the chromatin of various mouse somatic tissues by late adulthood. Accumulation of H3.3 is associated with profound changes in global levels of both individual and combinatorial H3 methyl modifications. A subset of these modifications exhibit distinct relative abundances on H3 variants and remain stably enriched on H3.3 throughout the lifespan, suggesting a causal relationship between H3 variant replacement and age-dependent changes in H3 methylation. Furthermore, the H3.3 level is drastically reduced in human hepatocarcinoma cells as compared to nontumoral hepatocytes, suggesting the potential utility of the H3.3 relative abundance as a biomarker of abnormal cell proliferation activity. Overall, our study provides the first quantitative characterization of dynamic changes in H3 proteoforms throughout lifespan in mammals and suggests a role for H3 variant replacement in modulating H3 methylation landscape with age.

Nuclear phosphoproteome analysis of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation reveals system-wide phosphorylation of transcriptional regulators.

Adipocytes (fat cells) are important endocrine and metabolic cells critical for systemic insulin sensitivity. Both adipose excess and insufficiency are associated with adverse metabolic function. Adipogenesis is the process whereby preadipocyte precursor cells differentiate into lipid-laden mature adipocytes. This process is driven by a network of transcriptional regulators (TRs). We hypothesized that protein PTMs, in particular phosphorylation, play a major role in activating and propagating signals within TR networks upon induction of adipogenesis by extracellular stimulus. We applied MS-based quantitative proteomics and phosphoproteomics to monitor the alteration of nuclear proteins during the early stages (4 h) of preadipocyte differentiation. We identified a total of 4072 proteins including 2434 phosphorylated proteins, a majority of which were assigned as regulators of gene expression. Our results demonstrate that adipogenic stimuli increase the nuclear abundance and/or the phosphorylation levels of proteins involved in gene expression, cell organization, and oxidation-reduction pathways. Furthermore, proteins acting as negative modulators involved in negative regulation of gene expression, insulin stimulated glucose uptake, and cytoskeletal organization showed a decrease in their nuclear abundance and/or phosphorylation levels during the first 4 h of adipogenesis. Among 288 identified TRs, 49 were regulated within 4 h of adipogenic stimulation including several known and many novel potential adipogenic regulators. We created a kinase-substrate database for 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by investigating the relationship between protein kinases and protein phosphorylation sites identified in our dataset. A majority of the putative protein kinases belong to the cyclin-dependent kinase family and the mitogen-activated protein kinase family including P38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinases, suggesting that these kinases act as orchestrators of early adipogenesis.

Phosphotyrosine Biased Enrichment of Tryptic Peptides from Cancer Cells by Combining pY-MIP and TiO2 Affinity Resins.

Protein phosphorylation at distinct tyrosine residues (pY) is essential for fast, specific, and accurate signal transduction in cells. Enrichment of pY-containing peptides derived from phosphoproteins is commonly facilitated by use of immobilized anti-pY antibodies prior to phosphoproteomics analysis by mass spectrometry. We here report on an alternative approach for pY-peptide enrichment using inexpensive pY-imprinted polymer (pY-MIP). We assessed by mass spectrometry the performance of pY-MIP for enrichment and sequencing of phosphopeptides obtained by tryptic digestion of protein extracts from HeLa cells. The combination of pY-MIP- and TiO2-based phosphopeptide enrichment provided more than 90% selectivity for phosphopeptides. Mass spectrometry signal intensities were enhanced for most pY-phosphopeptides (approximately 70%) when using the pY-MIP-TiO2 combination as compared to TiO2 alone. pY constituted up to 8% of the pY-MIP-TiO2-enriched phosphopeptide fractions. The pY-MIP-TiO2 and the TiO2 protocols yielded comparable numbers of distinct phosphopeptides, 1693 and 1842, respectively, from microgram levels of peptide samples. Detailed analysis of physicochemical properties of pY-MIP-TiO2-enriched phosphopeptides demonstrated that this protocol retrieved phosphopeptides that tend to be smaller (<24 residues), less acidic, and almost exclusively monophosphorylated, as compared to TiO2 alone. These unique properties render the pY-MIP-based phosphopeptide enrichment technique an attractive alternative for applications in phosphoproteomics research.

Top-down and Middle-down Protein Analysis Reveals that Intact and Clipped Human Histones Differ in Post-translational Modification Patterns.

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of histone proteins play a fundamental role in regulation of DNA-templated processes. There is also growing evidence that proteolytic cleavage of histone N-terminal tails, known as histone clipping, influences nucleosome dynamics and functional properties. Using top-down and middle-down protein analysis by mass spectrometry, we report histone H2B and H3 N-terminal tail clipping in human hepatocytes and demonstrate a relationship between clipping and co-existing PTMs of histone H3. Histones H2B and H3 undergo proteolytic processing in primary human hepatocytes and the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2/C3A when grown in spheroid (3D) culture, but not in a flat (2D) culture. Using tandem mass spectrometry we localized four different clipping sites in H3 and one clipping site in H2B. We show that in spheroid culture clipped H3 proteoforms are mainly represented by canonical histone H3, whereas in primary hepatocytes over 90% of clipped H3 correspond to the histone variant H3.3. Comprehensive analysis of histone H3 modifications revealed a series of PTMs, including K14me1, K27me2/K27me3, and K36me1/me2, which are differentially abundant in clipped and intact H3. Analysis of co-existing PTMs revealed negative crosstalk between H3K36 methylation and H3K23 acetylation in clipped H3. Our data provide the first evidence of histone clipping in human hepatocytes and demonstrate that clipped H3 carry distinct co-existing PTMs different from those in intact H3.

A laser ablation ICP-MS based method for multiplexed immunoblot analysis: applications to manganese-dependent protein dynamics of photosystem II in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).

Manganese (Mn) constitutes an essential co-factor in the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II (PSII). Consequently, Mn deficiency reduces photosynthetic efficiency and leads to changes in PSII composition. In order to study these changes, multiplexed protein assays are advantageous. Here, we developed a multiplexed antibody-based assay and analysed selected PSII subunits in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). A selection of antibodies were labelled with specific lanthanides and immunoreacted with thylakoids exposed to Mn deficiency after western blotting. Subsequently, western blot membranes were analysed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), which allowed selective and relative quantitative analysis via the different lanthanides. The method was evaluated against established liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) methods, based on data-dependent acquisition (DDA) and selected reaction monitoring (SRM). Manganese deficiency resulted in a general decrease in PSII protein abundances, an effect that was shown to be reversible upon Mn re-supplementation. Specifically, the extrinsic proteins PsbP and PsbQ showed Mn-dependent changes in abundances. Similar trends in the response to Mn deficiency at the protein level were observed when comparing DDA, SRM and LA-ICP-MS results. A biologically important exception to this trend was the loss of PsbO in the SRM analysis, which highlights the necessity of validating protein changes by more than one technique. The developed method enables a higher number of proteins to be multiplexed in comparison to existing immunoassays. Furthermore, multiplexed protein analysis by LA-ICP-MS provides an analytical platform with high throughput appropriate for screening large collections of plants.

Properties of phosphorylated thymidylate synthase.

Thymidylate synthase (TS) may undergo phosphorylation endogenously in mammalian cells, and as a recombinant protein expressed in bacterial cells, as indicated by the reaction of purified enzyme protein with Pro-Q® Diamond Phosphoprotein Gel Stain (PGS). With recombinant human, mouse, rat, Trichinella spiralis and Caenorhabditis elegans TSs, expressed in Escherichia coli, the phosphorylated, compared to non-phosphorylated recombinant enzyme forms, showed a decrease in Vmax(app), bound their cognate mRNA (only rat enzyme studied), and repressed translation of their own and several heterologous mRNAs (human, rat and mouse enzymes studied). However, attempts to determine the modification site(s), whether endogenously expressed in mammalian cells, or recombinant proteins, did not lead to unequivocal results. Comparative ESI-MS/analysis of IEF fractions of TS preparations from parental and FdUrd-resistant mouse leukemia L1210 cells, differing in sensitivity to inactivation by FdUMP, demonstrated phosphorylation of Ser(10) and Ser(16) in the resistant enzyme only, although PGS staining pointed to the modification of both L1210 TS proteins. The TS proteins phosphorylated in bacterial cells were shown by (31)P NMR to be modified only on histidine residues, like potassium phosphoramidate (KPA)-phosphorylated TS proteins. NanoLC-MS/MS, enabling the use of CID and ETD peptide fragmentation methods, identified several phosphohistidine residues, but certain phosphoserine and phosphothreonine residues were also implicated. Molecular dynamics studies, based on the mouse TS crystal structure, allowed one to assess potential of several phosphorylated histidine residues to affect catalytic activity, the effect being phosphorylation site dependent.

Laccase detoxification mediates the nutritional alliance between leaf-cutting ants and fungus-garden symbionts.

Leaf-cutting ants combine large-scale herbivory with fungus farming to sustain advanced societies. Their stratified colonies are major evolutionary achievements and serious agricultural pests, but the crucial adaptations that allowed this mutualism to become the prime herbivorous component of neotropical ecosystems has remained elusive. Here we show how coevolutionary adaptation of a specific enzyme in the fungal symbiont has helped leaf-cutting ants overcome plant defensive phenolic compounds. We identify nine putative laccase-coding genes in the fungal genome of Leucocoprinus gongylophorus cultivated by the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex echinatior. One of these laccases (LgLcc1) is highly expressed in the specialized hyphal tips (gongylidia) that the ants preferentially eat, and we confirm that these ingested laccase molecules pass through the ant guts and remain active when defecated on the leaf pulp that the ants add to their gardens. This accurate deposition ensures that laccase activity is highest where new leaf material enters the fungus garden, but where fungal mycelium is too sparse to produce extracellular enzymes in sufficient quantities to detoxify phenolic compounds. Phylogenetic analysis of LgLcc1 ortholog sequences from symbiotic and free-living fungi revealed significant positive selection in the ancestral lineage that gave rise to the gongylidia-producing symbionts of leaf-cutting ants and their non-leaf-cutting ant sister group. Our results are consistent with fungal preadaptation and subsequent modification of a particular laccase enzyme for the detoxification of secondary plant compounds during the transition to active herbivory in the ancestor of leaf-cutting ants between 8 and 12 Mya.

Proteomic analysis of cAMP-mediated signaling during differentiation of 3 T3-L1 preadipocytes.

Initiation of adipocyte differentiation is promoted by the synergistic action of insulin/insulin-like growth factor, glucocorticoids, and agents activating cAMP-dependent signaling. The action of cAMP is mediated via PKA and Epac, where at least part of the PKA function relates to strong repression of Rho kinase activity, whereas Epac counteracts the reduction in insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling associated with complete repression of Rho kinase activity. However, detailed knowledge of the Epac-dependent branch and the interplay with PKA is still limited. In the present study, we present a comprehensive evaluation of Epac-mediated processes and their interplay with PKA during the initiation of 3 T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation using a combination of proteomics, molecular approaches, and bioinformatics. Proteomic analyses revealed 7 proteins specifically regulated in response to Epac activation, 4 in response to PKA activation, and 11 in response to the combined activation of Epac and PKA during the initial phase of differentiation. Network analyses indicated that the identified proteins are involved in pathways of importance for glucose metabolism, inositol metabolism, and calcium-dependent signaling thereby adding a novel facet to our understanding of cAMP-mediated potentiation of adipocyte differentiation.

The potato tuber mitochondrial proteome.

Mitochondria are called the powerhouses of the cell. To better understand the role of mitochondria in maintaining and regulating metabolism in storage tissues, highly purified mitochondria were isolated from dormant potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum 'Folva') and their proteome investigated. Proteins were resolved by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and tryptic peptides were extracted from gel slices and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using an Orbitrap XL. Using four different search programs, a total of 1,060 nonredundant proteins were identified in a quantitative manner using normalized spectral counts including as many as 5-fold more "extreme" proteins (low mass, high isoelectric point, hydrophobic) than previous mitochondrial proteome studies. We estimate that this compendium of proteins represents a high coverage of the potato tuber mitochondrial proteome (possibly as high as 85%). The dynamic range of protein expression spanned 1,800-fold and included nearly all components of the electron transport chain, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and protein import apparatus. Additionally, we identified 71 pentatricopeptide repeat proteins, 29 membrane carriers/transporters, a number of new proteins involved in coenzyme biosynthesis and iron metabolism, the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, and a type 2C protein phosphatase that may catalyze the dephosphorylation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Systematic analysis of prominent posttranslational modifications revealed that more than 50% of the identified proteins harbor at least one modification. The most prominently observed class of posttranslational modifications was oxidative modifications. This study reveals approximately 500 new or previously unconfirmed plant mitochondrial proteins and outlines a facile strategy for unbiased, near-comprehensive identification of mitochondrial proteins and their modified forms.

Heteromer score-using internal standards to assess the quality of proteomic data.

In the cell, the majority of proteins exist in complexes. Most of these complexes have a constant stoichiometry and thus can be used as internal standards. In this rapid communication, we show that it is possible to calculate a correlation coefficient that reflects the reproducibility of the analytical approach used. The abundance of one subunit in a heterodimer is plotted against the abundance of the other, and this is repeated for all subunits in all heteromers found in the data set. The correlation coefficient obtained (the "heteromer score") is a new bioinformatic tool that is independent of the method used to collect the data, requires no special sample preparation and can be used retrospectively on old datasets. It can be used for quality control, to indicate when a change becomes significant or identify complexes whose stoichiometry has been perturbed during the experiment.

Proteomic comparison between maturation drying and prematurely imposed drying of Zea mays seeds reveals a potential role of maturation drying in preparing proteins for seed germination, seedling vigor, and pathogen resistance.

We have studied the role(s) of maturation drying in the acquisition of germinability, seedling vigor and pathogen resistance by comparing the proteome changes in maize embryo and endosperm during mature and prematurely imposed drying. Prematurely imposed dried seeds at 40 days after pollination (DAP) germinated almost as well as mature seeds (at 65 DAP), but their seedling growth was slower and they were seriously infected by fungi. A total of 80 and 114 proteins were identified to change at least two-fold (p < 0.05) in abundance during maturation drying in embryo and endosperm, respectively. Fewer proteins (48 and 59 in embryo and endosperm, respectively) changed in abundance during prematurely imposed drying. A number of proteins, 33 and 38 in embryo and endosperm, respectively, changed similarly in abundance during both maturation and prematurely imposed drying. Storage proteins were abundant in this group and may contribute to the acquisition of seed germinability. However, a relatively large number of proteins changed in the embryo (47 spots) and endosperm (76 spots) specifically during maturation drying. Among these proteins, storage proteins in the embryo and defense proteins in the endosperm may be particularly important for seedling vigor and resistance to fungal infection, respectively.

Acute phencyclidine treatment induces extensive and distinct protein phosphorylation in rat frontal cortex.

Phencyclidine (PCP), a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, induces psychotomimetic effects in humans and animals. Administration of PCP to rodents is used as a preclinical model for schizophrenia; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the symptoms remain largely unknown. Acute PCP treatment rapidly induces behavioral and cognitive deficits; therefore, post-translational regulation of protein activity is expected to play a role at early time points. We performed mass-spectrometry-driven quantitative analysis of rat frontal cortex 15, 30, or 240 min after the administration of PCP (10 mg/kg). We identified and quantified 23,548 peptides, including 4749 phosphopeptides, corresponding to 2604 proteins. A total of 352 proteins exhibited altered phosphorylation levels, indicating that protein phosphorylation is involved in the acute response to PCP. Computational assessment of the regulated proteins biological function revealed that PCP perturbs key processes in the frontal cortex including calcium homeostasis, organization of cytoskeleton, endo/exocytosis, and energy metabolism. This study on acute PCP treatment provides the largest proteomics and phosphoproteomics data sets to date of a preclinical model of schizophrenia. Our findings contribute to the understanding of alterations in glutamatergic neurotransmission in schizophrenia and provide a foundation for discovery of novel targets for pharmacological intervention.

Advancements in 3D spheroid imaging: Optimised cryosectioning and immunostaining techniques.

This article presents a modified protocol for embedding and sectioning spheroids and organoids, which are increasingly used in research due to their ability to emulate living tissue. The modifications aim to reduce the distortion and damage of these fragile structures during the embedding and sectioning process. The new method involves using optimized embedding containers, a modified embedding protocol, and optimized temperatures for cryosectioning. A heat-induced antigen retrieval protocol was tested and found to significantly increase immunostaining intensity without compromising spheroid integrity. The combined approach allowed for the creation of thinner cryosections, leading to clearer and more detailed images. The results suggest that the modified protocol could be widely adopted to enhance the imaging of spheroids and organoids.•Paraformaldehyde fixation of spheroids•Antigen retrieval treatment of spheroids•Embedding in freezing medium and cryosectioning.