A Population Genetics Perspective on Geminivirus Infection.

UNLABELLED: The selective accumulation of both DNA components of a bipartite geminivirus, Abutilon mosaic virus, was recorded during early systemic infection of Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Purified nuclei were diagnosed for viral DNA using hybridization specific for DNA A or DNA B to detect these individual genome components either alone or both simultaneously by dual-color staining. Although this virus needs both components for symptomatic infection, DNA A alone was transported to upper leaves, where it was imported into phloem nuclei and replicated autonomously. The coinfection with DNA A and DNA B revealed an independent spread of both molecules, which resulted in a stochastic distribution of DNA A- and DNA A/B-infected nuclei. A population genetics evaluation of the respective frequencies was compared to a model computation. This elucidated a surprisingly simple relationship between the initial frequencies of the viral DNA components and the number of susceptible cells during the course of early systemic infection. IMPORTANCE: For bipartite begomoviruses, DNA B-independent long-distance spread of DNA A has been described before, but it has never been shown whether viral DNA A alone invades nuclei of systemic tissues and replicates therein. This is demonstrated now for the first time. During infection with DNA A and DNA B, a similar solitary spread of DNA A can be recognized at early stages. We describe a population genetics model of how the hit probabilities of DNA A and DNA B for susceptible cells determine the relative frequencies of either genome component during the course of infection.

Intranasal delivery of growth differentiation factor 5 to the central nervous system.

CONTEXT: Growth differentiation factor 5 (GDF5), in addition to its role in bone and joint development, protects dopaminergic (DA) neurons from degeneration, and is a potential therapeutic agent for Parkinson's disease. Its large size and insolubility at physiologic pH are obstacles for drug administration to the central nervous system (CNS) in humans. OBJECTIVE: In this study, formulations to deliver GDF5 to the brain using intranasal (IN) administration were developed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IN administration of GDF5 in acidic buffer, 20 mM sodium acetate (NaAc) at pH 4.25, was performed in rats. Also, a lipid microemulsion (LME) comprised of olive oil and phosphatidylserine (PS) was used to formulate GDF5 at neutral pH for IN administration. Tissue concentrations of GDF5 were determined by both gamma counting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: IN administration of GDF5 in acidic buffers bypassed the blood-brain barrier (BBB), resulting in delivery to the brain with limited systemic exposure. IN administration of GDF5-LME increased drug targeting to the midbrain eightfold when compared to IN administration of GDF5 in acidic buffer. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study is the first to show that GDF5 can be formulated at neutral pH and can be directly delivered to the CNS via IN administration, with biologically relevant concentrations in the midbrain where it may be used to treat Parkinson's disease.

Mutations in GDF5 reveal a key residue mediating BMP inhibition by NOGGIN.

Signaling output of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) is determined by two sets of opposing interactions, one with heterotetrameric complexes of cell surface receptors, the other with secreted antagonists that act as ligand traps. We identified two mutations (N445K,T) in patients with multiple synostosis syndrome (SYM1) in the BMP-related ligand GDF5. Functional studies of both mutants in chicken micromass culture demonstrated a gain of function caused by a resistance to the BMP-inhibitor NOGGIN and an altered signaling effect. Residue N445, situated within overlapping receptor and antagonist interfaces, is highly conserved among the BMP family with the exception of BMP9 and BMP10, in which it is substituted with lysine. Like the mutant GDF5, both BMPs are insensitive to NOGGIN and show a high chondrogenic activity. Ectopic expression of BMP9 or the GDF5 mutants resulted in massive induction of cartilage in an in vivo chick model presumably by bypassing the feedback inhibition imposed by endogenous NOGGIN. Swapping residues at the mutation site alone was not sufficient to render Bmp9 NOG-sensitive; however, successive introduction of two additional substitutions imparted high to total sensitivity on customized variants of Bmp9. In conclusion, we show a new mechanism for abnormal joint development that interferes with a naturally occurring regulatory mechanism of BMP signaling.

Degradation of chloroaromatics by Pseudomonas putida GJ31: assembled route for chlorobenzene degradation encoded by clusters on plasmid pKW1 and the chromosome.

Pseudomonas putida GJ31 has been reported to grow on chlorobenzene using a meta-cleavage pathway with chlorocatechol 2,3-dioxygenase (CbzE) as a key enzyme. The CbzE-encoding gene was found to be localized on the 180 kb plasmid pKW1 in a cbzTEXGS cluster, which is flanked by transposases and encodes only a partial (chloro)catechol meta-cleavage pathway comprising ferredoxin reductase, chlorocatechol 2,3-dioxygenase, an unknown protein, 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde dehydrogenase and glutathione S-transferase. Downstream of cbzTEXGS are located cbzJ, encoding a novel type of 2-hydroxypent-2,4-dienoate hydratase, and a transposon region highly similar to Tn5501. Upstream of cbzTEXGS, traNEOFG transfer genes were found. The search for gene clusters possibly completing the (chloro)catechol metabolic pathway of GJ31 revealed the presence of two additional catabolic gene clusters on pKW1. The mhpRBCDFETP cluster encodes enzymes for the dissimilation of 2,3-dihydroxyphenylpropionate in a novel arrangement characterized by the absence of a gene encoding 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propionate monooxygenase and the presence of a GntR-type regulator, whereas the nahINLOMKJ cluster encodes part of the naphthalene metabolic pathway. Transcription studies supported their possible involvement in chlorobenzene degradation. The upper pathway cluster, comprising genes encoding a chlorobenzene dioxygenase and a chlorobenzene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase, was localized on the chromosome. A high level of transcription in response to chlorobenzene revealed it to be crucial for chlorobenzene degradation. The chlorobenzene degradation pathway in strain GJ31 is thus a mosaic encoded by four gene clusters.

A preliminary report on the effect of dimeric rhGDF-5 and its monomeric form rhGDF-5C465A on bone healing of rat cranial defects.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy on rat skull defects of two bone growth factors derived from the GDF-5 family. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 17 adult Wistar rats. On each animal, two symmetrical 6-mm wide, full-thickness, skull defects were carried out in the parietal regions. In 15 out of 17 animals, both experimental defects were filled by the implants. In the group I (n=2), both defects were left empty for control. The 15 other rats were divided into 3 groups: In group II (n=5), a collagen sponge was implanted. In group III (n=5), a collagen sponge impregnated with rhGDF-5 (the genuine dimeric form) was implanted. In group IV (n=5), a collagen sponge impregnated with rhGDF-5C465A (a monomeric form of GDF-5) was implanted. All animals were sacrificed at 8 weeks. The harvested specimens were processed for contact radiography and standard histological examination. The quantitative results were assessed with a semi-quantitative histological scoring system. RESULTS: One animal in the group II was excluded because it died of unknown reasons. In group I, no bone healing was observed in the defects. In group II, no bone healing was observed in 4 out of 10 defects, and partial bone healing was observed in 5 out of 10 defects. In group III, partial bone healing was also observed in 3 out of 8 defects and complete bone healing in 4 out of 8 defects. In group IV, partial bone healing was observed in 8 out of 10 defects and complete bone healing in 2 out of 10 defects. CONCLUSION: Bone healing was improved in all treated groups. Further studies are necessary to determine the optimal formulation of these composite implants.

Intracavernous growth differentiation factor-5 therapy enhances the recovery of erectile function in a rat model of cavernous nerve injury.

INTRODUCTION: Neurogenic erectile dysfunction remains a serious complication in the postprostatectomy population. Effective protective and regenerative neuromodulatory strategies are needed. AIM: To determine the effect of growth differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) on erectile function and its mechanism in a rat model of cavernous nerve (CN) injury. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Erectile function was assessed by CN electrostimulation at 4 weeks. Penile tissues were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemical analyses. METHODS: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six equal groups: one group underwent sham operation (uninjured controls), while five groups underwent bilateral CN crush. Crush-injury groups were treated at the time of injury with intracavernous injection of a slow-release suspension of liquid microparticles containing no GDF-5 (vehicle), 0.4 microg (low concentration), 2 microg (intermediate concentration), or 10 microg GDF-5 (high concentration). One untreated group served as injured controls. RESULTS: GDF-5 enhanced erectile recovery and significantly increased intracavernous pressure in the low and intermediate-concentration groups vs. injured controls. Low-concentration GDF-5 demonstrated the best functional preservation, as the intracavernous pressure increase in this group did not differ significantly from uninjured controls. A dose-response relationship was confirmed for the effects of GDF-5 in penile tissue. Low-concentration GDF-5 showed better preservation of the penile dorsal nerves and antiapoptotic effects in the corpus cavernosum (P < 0.05 vs. injured controls). Although high concentration GDF-5 did not confer meaningful erectile recovery, this dose was more effective at decreasing transforming growth factor-beta than low-concentration GDF-5. CONCLUSIONS: Intracavernous injection of low (0.4 microg) or intermediate-concentration GDF-5 (2 microg) was effective in preserving erectile function in a rat model of neurogenic erectile dysfunction. The underlying mechanism appears to involve neuron preservation and antiapoptosis.

Brachydactyly type A2 associated with a defect in proGDF5 processing.

We investigated a family with a brachydactyly type A2 and identified a heterozygous arginine to glutamine (R380Q) substitution in the growth/differentiation factor 5 (GDF5) in all affected individuals. The observed mutation is located at the processing site of the protein, at which the GDF5 precursor is thought to be cleaved releasing the mature molecule from the prodomain. In order to test the effect of the mutation, we generated the GDF5-R380Q mutant and a cleavage-resistant proGDF5 mutant (R380A/R381A) in vitro. Both mutants were secreted from chicken micromass cultures, but showed diminished biological activity. Western blot analyses showed that wt GDF5 was processed by the chicken micromass cells, whereas the mutants were not, indicating that the mutations interfere with processing and that this leads to a strong reduction of biological activity. To test the requirements for GDF5 processing in vitro we produced recombinant human (rh) proGDF5 wild-type protein in Escherichia coli. The results show that unprocessed (rh) proGDF5 is virtually inactive but can be proteolytically activated by different enzymes such as trypsin, furin, and MMP3. (rh) proGDF5 could thus be used as a locally administered depot form with retarded release of activity. In contrast to mature rhGDF5, (rh) proGDF5 shows a high solubility at physiological pH, a characteristic that might be useful for therapeutic applications.

The effect of intracavernosal growth differentiation factor-5 therapy in a rat model of cavernosal nerve injury.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the intracavernosal application of growth differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) influences nerve regeneration and erectile function after cavernosal nerve injury in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: eight had a sham operation (uninjured controls), while 24 had bilateral cavernosal nerve crush. The crush-injury groups were treated at the time of injury with an impregnated collagen sponge implanted into the right corpus cavernosum. The sponge contained no GDF-5 (injured controls), 2 microg (low concentration), or 20 microg GDF-5 (high concentration). Erectile function was assessed by cavernosal nerve electrostimulation at 8 weeks. Midshaft penile tissue samples were histochemically evaluated for neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-containing fibres in the dorsal penile nerve. RESULTS: There was no erectile dysfunction in the uninjured control group, as shown by a mean (sem) maximal increase in intracavernosal pressure (ICP) of 149.5 (17.0) cmH(2)O on stimulation. By comparison, the ICP decreased in the injured control group, by 21.3 (6.7) cmH(2)O. After cavernosal nerve injury, the recovery of erectile function was greatest in the low-concentration GDF-5 group; the maximum ICP increase was 40.8 (13.3) cmH(2)O, vs 24.3 (5.9) cmH(2)O for 20 microg GDF-5. Histologically, the low-concentration group had significantly more nNOS-containing nerve fibres, at 163 (24.7), than the high-concentration group, at 76 (17.3), or injured controls, at 67 (23.8). By contrast, the uninjured controls had a mean of 538 (40.6) nerve fibres in the dorsal nerve. CONCLUSION: Bilateral cavernosal nerve crush resulted in erectile dysfunction with accompanying neurological changes in the rat. The intracavernosal application of GDF-5 enhanced the recovery of erectile function and n-NOS nerve preservation, with a 2-microg dose giving the most promising results.

Monomeric and dimeric GDF-5 show equal type I receptor binding and oligomerization capability and have the same biological activity.

Growth and differentiation factor 5 (GDF-5) is a homodimeric protein stabilized by a single disulfide bridge between cysteine 465 in the respective monomers, as well as by three intramolecular cysteine bridges within each subunit. A mature recombinant human GDF-5 variant with cysteine 465 replaced by alanine (rhGDF-5 C465A) was expressed in E. coli, purified to homogeneity, and chemically renatured. Biochemical analysis showed that this procedure eliminated the sole interchain disulfide bond. Surprisingly, the monomeric variant of rhGDF-5 is as potent in vitro as the dimeric form. This could be confirmed by alkaline phosphatase assays and Smad reporter gene activation. Furthermore, dimeric and monomeric rhGDF-5 show comparable binding to their specific type I receptor, BRIb. Studies on living cells showed that both the dimeric and monomeric rhGDF-5 induce homomeric BRIb and heteromeric BRIb/BRII oligomers. Our results suggest that rhGDF-5 C465A has the same biological activity as rhGDF-5 with respect to binding to, oligomerization of and signaling through the BMP receptor type Ib.

Local application of a collagen type I/hyaluronate matrix and growth and differentiation factor 5 influences the closure of osteochondral defects in a minipig model by enchondral ossification.

This pilot study evaluated the effect of growth and differentiation factor-5 (rhGDF-5) combined with a collagen type I/hyaluronate matrix (c/h) on osteochondral defect repair in a minipig model. Defects created in both medial femoral condyles of 20 minipigs were treated with c/h (n = 10), c/h + rhGDF-5 (n = 10) or were left empty. After 3 and 12 months, five animals of each group were sacrificed. Evaluation included macroscopic and histological scoring and quantitative histomorphometry of synthesized bone. C/h and c/h + rhGDF-5 treatment increased trabecular bone formation in the upper third of the defect compared to empty controls, showing significance for c/h + rhGDF-5 (p = 0.05) but not between c/h and c/h + rhGDF-5 treatment. Cartilage regeneration and macroscopic outcome were not improved by c/h or c/h + rhGDF-5 treatment. Since c/h remnants were seen even one year postoperatively in the defect, possibly inhibiting further bone and cartilage healing, other matrices in combination with rhGDF-5 may provide further improvement in osteochondral defect treatment.

Activating and deactivating mutations in the receptor interaction site of GDF5 cause symphalangism or brachydactyly type A2.

Here we describe 2 mutations in growth and differentiation factor 5 (GDF5) that alter receptor-binding affinities. They cause brachydactyly type A2 (L441P) and symphalangism (R438L), conditions previously associated with mutations in the GDF5 receptor bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1b (BMPR1B) and the BMP antagonist NOGGIN, respectively. We expressed the mutant proteins in limb bud micromass culture and treated ATDC5 and C2C12 cells with recombinant GDF5. Our results indicated that the L441P mutant is almost inactive. The R438L mutant, in contrast, showed increased biological activity when compared with WT GDF5. Biosensor interaction analyses revealed loss of binding to BMPR1A and BMPR1B ectodomains for the L441P mutant, whereas the R438L mutant showed normal binding to BMPR1B but increased binding to BMPR1A, the receptor normally activated by BMP2. The binding to NOGGIN was normal for both mutants. Thus, the brachydactyly type A2 phenotype (L441P) is caused by inhibition of the ligand-receptor interaction, whereas the symphalangism phenotype (R438L) is caused by a loss of receptor-binding specificity, resulting in a gain of function by the acquisition of BMP2-like properties. The presented experiments have identified some of the main determinants of GDF5 receptor-binding specificity in vivo and open new prospects for generating antagonists and superagonists of GDF5.

Poinsettia latent virus is not a cryptic virus, but a natural polerovirus-sobemovirus hybrid.

The biochemical and genetic features of Poinsettia latent virus (PnLV, formerly named Poinsettia cryptic virus), which is spread worldwide in commercial cultivars of Euphorbia pulcherrima without inducing symptoms, have been determined using virus-purification, immunological techniques, electron microscopy, cloning, and sequencing. PnLV was found to be a chimeric virus with one 4652 bases, plus strand RNA showing a close relationship to poleroviruses within the first three quarters of its genome but to sobemoviruses in the last quarter. Thus, we propose to classify this virus as "polemovirus". Similarities of protein and nucleic acid sequences at the 5' and extreme 3' end of its RNA suggest a replication mode like that of poleroviruses, whereas the coat protein sequence is closely related to that of sobemoviruses. Consistent with these results, PnLV forms stable icosahedra of 34 nm in diameter. The consequences for the taxonomy of PnLV and for gardeners' practice are discussed.

Crystal structure of recombinant human growth and differentiation factor 5: evidence for interaction of the type I and type II receptor-binding sites.

The crystal structure of human growth differentiation factor 5 (GDF5) was solved at 2.4A resolution. The structure is very similar to the structure of bone morphogenetic factor 7 (BMP7) and consists of two banana-shaped monomers, linked via a disulfide bridge. The crystal packing of GDF5 is the same as the crystal packing of BMP7. This is highly unusual since only 25-30% of the crystal contacts involve identical residues. Analysis of the crystal packing revealed that residues of the type I receptor epitope are binding to residues of the type II receptor-binding epitope. The fact that for both BMP family members the type I and type II receptor-binding sites interact suggests that the complementary sites on the receptors may interact as well, suggesting a way how preformed receptor heterodimers may form, similar to the preformed receptors observed for the erythropoietin receptor and the BMP2 receptors.

Modulation of GDF5/BRI-b signalling through interaction with the tyrosine kinase receptor Ror2.

The brachydactylies are a group of inherited disorders of the hands characterized by shortened digits. Mutations in the tyrosine kinase receptor Ror2 cause brachydactyly type B (BDB). Mutations in GDF5, a member of the BMP/TGF-beta ligand family, cause brachydactyly type C (BDC) whereas mutations in the receptor for GDF5, BRI-b, cause brachydactyly type A2 (BDA2). There is considerable degree of phenotypic overlap between the subtypes BDB, BDC and BDA2. Here we demonstrate that all three components are involved in GDF5 induced regulation of chondrogenesis. We show that Ror2 (tyrosine kinase receptor) and BRI-b (serine/threonine kinase receptor) form a ligand independent heteromeric complex. The frizzled-like-CRD domain of Ror2 is required for this complex. Within that complex Ror2 gets transphosphorylated by BRI-b. We show that Ror2 modulates GDF5 signalling by inhibition of Smad1/5 signalling and by activating a Smad-independent pathway. Both pathways however, are needed for chondrogenic differentiation as demonstrated in ATDC5 cells. The functional interaction of Ror2 with GDF5 and BRI-b was genetically confirmed by the presence of epistatic effects in crosses of Ror2, BRI-b and Gdf5 deficient mice. These results indicate for the first time a direct interaction of Ser/Thr- and Tyr-Kinase receptors and provide evidence for modulation of the Smad-pathway and GDF5 triggered chondrogenesis.

Cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein-1 promotes the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are able to differentiate into many types of cells including chondrocytes. Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) is very important in the regulation of chondrogenesis. Since cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein-1 (CDMP-1) belongs to the TGF-beta superfamily, we tested whether CDMP-1 plays any role in the regulation of the differentiation of MSCs into chondrocytes using a high density pellet culture system. Based on the histological staining of glycosaminoglycan using toluidine blue dye-binding method we found that CDMP-1 could initiate chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs as did TGF-beta1. However, CDMP-1 was less stimulatory than TGF-beta1. The combination of CDMP-1 and TGF-beta1 synergically induced chondrogenesis of MSCs. This synergic chondrogenic effect of CDMP-1 together with TGF-beta1 was further confirmed by quantification of GAG using dimethylmethylene blue dye-binding assay and immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of cartilage-specific protein collagen II. This study may provide an improved induction approach using MSCs for repairing damaged cartilage.

Expression of growth differentiation factor-5 in the developing and adult rat brain.

Expression of the dopaminergic neurotrophin GDF-5 in developing rat ventral mesencephalon (VM) was found to begin at embryonic day (E) 12 and peak on E14, when dopaminergic neurones undergo terminal differentiation. In the adult rat, GDF-5 was found to be restricted to heart and brain, being expressed in many areas of the brain, including striatum and midbrain. This indicates a role for GDF-5 in the development and maintenance of dopaminergic neurones.

Expression of activins C and E induces apoptosis in human and rat hepatoma cells.

Activins C and E (homodimers of the betaC and betaE subunits), which are almost exclusively expressed in the liver, are members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) superfamily of growth factors. We examined their expression in three different hepatoma cell lines and found that, compared with normal liver or primary hepatocytes, human hepatoblastoma (HepG2), human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B) and rat hepatoma (H4IIEC3) cells have either completely lost or drastically reduced the expression of activins C and E. In order to elucidate the biological function of these proteins we transiently transfected HepG2, Hep3B and H4IIEC3 cell lines with rat activin betaC or betaE cDNA to study the consequences of restoring activin expression in hepatoma cells. Transfection with activin betaA, a known inhibitor of hepatic DNA synthesis and inducer of apoptosis, served as a positive control. We found that transfection of the three cell lines with activin betaC or betaE, as well as with activin betaA, reduced the increase in cell number by up to 40% compared with cells transfected with a control plasmid. Co-culture with a CHO cell clone secreting activin C also inhibited HepG2 cell multiplication. Furthermore, the three hepatoma cell lines studied showed an enhanced rate of apoptosis and elevated levels of active caspases in response to activin transfection. These results indicate that activins C and E share the potential to induce apoptosis in liver derived cell lines with activin A and TGFbeta1.

Bone augmentation using rhGDF-5-collagen composite.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of local application of growth differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5)-collagen composite on bone augmentation on the rat calvaria. GDF-5-collagen composite is made from recombinant human GDF-5 (rhGDF-5) and purified bovine type I atelocollagen. The GDF-5 solution was mixed with 0.3% atelocollagen acid solution, and the mixture was lyophilized. The spongy lyophilized material was pressed into the shape of a minidisk to make the GDF-5-collagen composite. The GDF-5-collagen composite contained 1, 10, or 100-microg rhGDF-5. The control collagen composite contained 0-microg rhGDF-5. The GDF-5-collagen composite or control collagen composite was inserted beneath the calvarial periosteum of 4-week-old rats. At 3 weeks after implantation, the implants containing 1-microg rhGDF-5 had mostly induced new bone formation on the cranial side. In the implants containing 10- microg rhGDF-5, bone formation had proceeded to the center of the GDF-5-collagen composite from the periosteal and the cranial sides, and bone marrow was seen focally. The augmented bone showed a connected trabecular structure with abundant vascularization. The implants containing 100-microg rhGDF-5 were nearly entirely replaced by new bone with bone marrow, and the augmented bone was firmly connected with the original bone. Neither cartilage nor bone formation was found in the control collagen composite. Thus, we conclude that the GDF-5-collagen composite may be a superior biomaterial for bone augmentation and this composite could be useful as a local osteoinductive device.