Protein interactors of Spindle Pole Body (SPB) components and septal proteins in fungus Neurospora crassa: A mass spectrometry-based dataset.

Microtubule Organizing Centers (MTOC) are subcellular structures in eukaryotic cells where nucleation of microtubules (MTs) takes place and represents the filament's minus end. Their localization depends on the species, cell type, and cell cycle stage. Along the fungal kingdom, the Spindle Pole Body (SPB) in the nucleus (an equivalent to Centrosomes in animal cells) is the principal MTOC. Other MTOCs have been identified in filamentous fungi, such as the Spitzenkörper in the hyphal tips of Schizosaccharomyces pombe or the septal pore of Aspergillus nidulans. However, in the fungal-model organism Neurospora crassa, these alternative MTOCs have not been recognized. Here, we present a Mass spectrometry-based dataset of proteins interacting with four MTOC components of N. crassa tagged with fluorescent proteins: γ-Tubulin-sGFP (main nucleator at the SPB), MZT-1-sGFP (structural SPB microprotein), APS-2-dRFP (septal protein and recognized SPB component), and SPA-10-sGFP (septal MTOC protein). A WT and a cytosolic GFP expressing strain were included as controls. The protein interactors were pulled down by Co-IP1, using GFP-Magnetic agarose that captures recombinant GFP proteins (including GFP-derivatives) in their native state. Bounded proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE and identified by nano LC-MS/MS2. The protein annotation was done using the N. crassa protein database.

In Vivo Protein Cross-Linking and Coimmunoprecipitation in Haloferax volcanii.

Coimmunoprecipitation is a powerful and commonly used method to identify protein-protein interactions in a physiological context. Here, we report a coimmunoprecipitation protocol that was adapted and optimized for the haloarchaeon Haloferax volcanii to identify interacting partners to the LonB protease. This protocol includes the in vivo cross-linking of H. volcanii proteins using two different crosslinker agents, dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate) and formaldehyde, followed by immunoprecipitation with anti-LonB antibody conjugated to Protein A - Sepharose beads. Tryptic on-bead protein digestion was performed combined with Mass Spectrometry analysis of peptides for the identification and quantification of LonB ligands.

Liguleless narrow and narrow odd dwarf act in overlapping pathways to regulate maize development and metabolism.

Narrow odd dwarf (nod) and Liguleless narrow (Lgn) are pleiotropic maize mutants that both encode plasma membrane proteins, cause similar developmental patterning defects, and constitutively induce stress signaling pathways. To investigate how these mutants coordinate maize development and physiology, we screened for protein interactors of NOD by affinity purification. LGN was identified by this screen as a strong candidate interactor, and we confirmed the NOD-LGN molecular interaction through orthogonal experiments. We further demonstrated that LGN, a receptor-like kinase, can phosphorylate NOD in vitro, hinting that they could act in intersecting signal transduction pathways. To test this hypothesis, we generated Lgn-R;nod mutants in two backgrounds (B73 and A619), and found that these mutations enhance each other, causing more severe developmental defects than either single mutation on its own, with phenotypes including very narrow leaves, increased tillering, and failure of the main shoot. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of the single and double mutants in the two genetic backgrounds revealed widespread induction of pathogen defense genes and a shift in resource allocation away from primary metabolism in favor of specialized metabolism. These effects were similar in each single mutant and heightened in the double mutant, leading us to conclude that NOD and LGN act cumulatively in overlapping signaling pathways to coordinate growth-defense tradeoffs in maize.

Eukaryotic expression, Co-IP and MS identify BMPR-1B protein-protein interaction network.

BACKGROUND: BMPR-1B is part of the transforming growth factor ß super family and plays a pivotal role in ewe litter size. Functional loss of exon-8 mutations in the BMPR-1B gene (namely the FecB gene) can increase both the ewe ovulation rate and litter size. RESULTS: This study constructed a eukaryotic expression system, prepared a monoclonal antibody, and characterized BMPR-1B/FecB protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Using Co-immunoprecipitation coupled to mass spectrometry (Co-IP/MS), 23 proteins were identified that specifically interact with FecB in ovary extracts of ewes. Bioinformatics analysis of selected PPIs demonstrated that FecB associated with several other BMPs, primarily via signal transduction in the ovary. FecB and its associated interaction proteins enriched the reproduction process via BMP2 and BMP4 pathways. Signal transduction was identified via Smads proteins and TGF-beta signaling pathway by analyzing the biological processes and pathways. Moreover, other target proteins (GDF5, GDF9, RhoD, and HSP 10) that interact with FecB and that are related to ovulation and litter size in ewes were identified. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this research identified a novel pathway and insight to explore the PPi network of BMPR-1B.

Eukaryotic expression, Co-IP and MS identify BMPR-1B protein-protein interaction network

BACKGROUND: BMPR-1B is part of the transforming growth factor ß super family and plays a pivotal role in ewe litter size. Functional loss of exon-8 mutations in the BMPR-1B gene (namely the FecB gene) can increase both the ewe ovulation rate and litter size. RESULTS: This study constructed a eukaryotic expression system, prepared a monoclonal antibody, and characterized BMPR-1B/FecB protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Using Co-immunoprecipitation coupled to mass spectrometry (Co-IP/MS), 23 proteins were identified that specifically interact with FecB in ovary extracts of ewes. Bioinformatics analysis of selected PPIs demonstrated that FecB associated with several other BMPs, primarily via signal transduction in the ovary. FecB and its associated interaction proteins enriched the reproduction process via BMP2 and BMP4 pathways. Signal transduction was identified via Smads proteins and TGF-beta signaling pathway by analyzing the biological processes and pathways. Moreover, other target proteins (GDF5, GDF9, RhoD, and HSP 10) that interact with FecB and that are related to ovulation and litter size in ewes were identified. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this research identified a novel pathway and insight to explore the PPi network of BMPR-1B.

Co-immunoprecipitation of Plant Receptor Kinases.

In order to comprehend the function of a particular protein, identification of the interacting protein partners is a useful approach. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) is employed to test physical interactions between proteins. Specific antibodies or antibodies against tagged versions can be used to immunoprecipitate the proteins. In this chapter, we describe a method to carry out Co-IP using recombinant membrane proteins expressed in yeast microsomal fractions.

Co-immunoprecipitation for Deciphering Protein Interactomes.

A single protein is often capable of binding with many partners, enabling potential effects on either protein, such as modifying its expression or activity. However, due to the complex nature of in vivo systems, it is often difficult to perform nontargeted assays with a protein of interest. Methods in discovery proteomics must be used to find potential interactors to pave the way for additional, more focused studies. This protocol describes the biological steps needed to create an interactome focused on a single protein target through co-immunoprecipitation.