Non-reductive modulation of chloroplast fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase by 2-Cys peroxiredoxin.

2-Cys peroxiredoxin (2-Cys Prx) is a large group of proteins that participate in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and photosynthesis. In the prevailing view, this ubiquitous peroxidase poises the concentration of H2O2 and, in so doing, regulates signal transduction pathways or protects macromolecules against oxidative damage. Here, we describe the first purification of 2-Cys Prx from higher plants and subsequently we show that the native and the recombinant forms of rapeseed leaves stimulate the activity of chloroplast fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (CFBPase), a key enzyme of the photosynthetic CO2 assimilation. The absence of reductants, the strict requirement of both fructose 1,6-bisphosphate and Ca2+, and the response of single mutants C174S and C179S CFBPase bring forward clear differences with the well-known stimulation mediated by reduced thioredoxin via the regulatory 170's loop of CFBPase. Taken together, these findings provide an unprecedented insight into chloroplast enzyme regulation wherein both 2-Cys Prx and the 170's loop of CFBPase exhibit novel functions.

An in vitro assay for (1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucan synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucan is a key cell wall component of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans. Many genes are known to affect the levels or structure of this glucan, but their roles and a molecular description of the synthesis of (1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucan remain to be established and a method to measure (1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucan synthase activity in vitro would provide an enabling tool. Here, conditions for the detection of in vitro synthesis of this polymer are described. Crude membrane preparations from S. cerevisiae were isolated, and incubated in the presence of UDP-glucose and GTP. With anti-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucan-specific antibodies, a time-dependent increase in the amount of this glucan was demonstrated in a dot-blot assay, or through an inhibition enzyme immunoassay. Antibody specificity was validated by competition experiments using pustulan, a (1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucan, laminarin, a (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan, yeast mannan and glycogen. The identity of the reaction product was also demonstrated by its sensitivity to a recombinant (1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucanase. Extracts from mutants in 10 genes with a wide range of altered cell wall (1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucan levels were assayed for in vitro synthesis of the polymer. A strong correlation of in vitro synthase activity with in vivo glucan levels was found, providing genetic support for the specificity of the assay. The basis for the GTP-dependence of the synthase reaction was studied. Extracts from rho2, rho3, rho4 and rho5 null mutants had wild-type in vitro activity. In contrast, Rho1p overproduction led to increased in vitro synthesis, implicating Rho1p in the regulation of (1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucan synthesis.

The COP9 signalosome inhibits p27(kip1) degradation and impedes G1-S phase progression via deneddylation of SCF Cul1.

The COP9 signalosome (CSN) is a conserved protein complex with homologies to the lid subcomplex of the 26S proteasome. It promotes cleavage of the Nedd8 conjugate (deneddylation) from the cullin component of SCF ubiquitin ligases. We provide evidence that cullin neddylation and deneddylation is highly dynamic, that its equilibrium can be effectively modulated by CSN, and that neddylation allows Cul1 to form larger protein complexes. CSN2 integrates into the CSN complex via its C-terminal region and its N-terminal half region is necessary for direct interaction with Cul1. The polyclonal antibodies against CSN2 but not other CSN subunits cause accumulation of neddylated Cul1/Cul2 in HeLa cell extract, indicating that CSN2 is essential in cullin deneddylation. Further, CSN inhibits ubiquitination and degradation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(kip1) in vitro. Microinjection of the CSN complex impeded the G1 cells from entering the S phase. Moreover, anti-CSN2 antibodies negate the CSN-dependent p27 stabilization and the G1/S blockage, suggesting that these functions require the deneddylation activity. We conclude that CSN inhibits SCF ubiquitin ligase activity in targeting p27 proteolysis and negatively regulates cell cycle at the G1 phase by promoting deneddylation of Cul1.