Protein folding: versatility of the cytosolic chaperonin TRiC/CCT. (9/158)

Efficient de novo folding of actins and tubulins requires two molecular chaperones, the chaperonin TRiC (or CCT) and its novel cofactor GimC (or prefoldin). Recent studies indicate that TRiC is exquisitely adapted for this task, yet has the ability to interact with and assist the folding of numerous other cellular proteins.  (+info)

The interaction of the chaperonin tailless complex polypeptide 1 (TCP1) ring complex (TRiC) with ribosome-bound nascent chains examined using photo-cross-linking. (10/158)

The eukaryotic chaperonin tailless complex polypeptide 1 (TCP1) ring complex (TRiC) (also called chaperonin containing TCP1 [CCT]) is a hetero-oligomeric complex that facilitates the proper folding of many cellular proteins. To better understand the manner in which TRiC interacts with newly translated polypeptides, we examined its association with nascent chains using a photo-cross-linking approach. To this end, a series of ribosome-bound nascent chains of defined lengths was prepared using truncated mRNAs. Photoactivatable probes were incorporated into these (35)S- labeled nascent chains during translation. Upon photolysis, TRiC was cross-linked to ribosome-bound polypeptides exposing at least 50-90 amino acids outside the ribosomal exit channel, indicating that the chaperonin associates with much shorter nascent chains than indicated by previous studies. Cross-links were observed for nascent chains of the cytosolic proteins actin, luciferase, and enolase, but not to ribosome-bound preprolactin. The pattern of cross-links became more complex as the nascent chain increased in length. These results suggest a chain length-dependent increase in the number of TRiC subunits involved in the interaction that is consistent with the idea that the substrate participates in subunit-specific contacts with the chaperonin. Both ribosome isolation by centrifugation through sucrose cushions and immunoprecipitation with anti-puromycin antibodies demonstrated that the photoadducts form on ribosome-bound polypeptides. Our results indicate that TRiC/CCT associates with the translating polypeptide shortly after it emerges from the ribosome and suggest a close association between the chaperonin and the translational apparatus.  (+info)

Involvement of T-complex protein-1delta in dopamine triggered apoptosis in chick embryo sympathetic neurons. (11/158)

The neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) is capable of inducing apoptosis in post-mitotic sympathetic neurons via its oxidative metabolites. The differential display method was applied to cultured sympathetic neurons in an effort to detect genes whose expression is transcriptionally regulated during the early stages of DA-triggered apoptosis. One of the up-regulated genes was identified as the chick homologue to T-complex polypeptide-1delta (TCP-1delta), a member of the molecular chaperone family of proteins. Each chaperone protein is a complex of seven to nine different subunits. A full-length clone of 1.9 kilobases was isolated containing an open reading frame of 536 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 57,736. Comparison with the mouse TCP-1delta revealed 78 and 91% homology on the DNA and protein levels, respectively. Northern blot analysis disclosed a steady and significant increase in mRNA levels of TCP-1delta after DA administration, reaching a peak between 4 and 9 h and declining thereafter. Induction of the TCP-1delta protein levels was also observed as a function of DA treatment. Overexpression of TCP-1delta in sympathetic neurons accelerated DA-induced apoptosis; inhibition of TCP-1delta expression in these neurons using antisense technology significantly reduced DA-induced neuronal death. These findings suggest a functional role for TCP-1delta as a positive mediator of DA-induced neuronal apoptosis.  (+info)

The Fas-induced apoptosis analyzed by high throughput proteome analysis. (12/158)

The fate of cytosolic proteins was studied during Fas-induced cell death of Jurkat T-lymphocytes by proteome analysis. Among 1000 spots resolved in two-dimensional gels, comparison of control versus apoptotic cells revealed that the signal intensity of 19 spots decreased or even disappeared, whereas 38 novel spots emerged. These proteins were further analyzed with respect to de novo protein synthesis, phosphorylation status, and intracellular localization by metabolic labeling and analysis of subcellular protein fractions in combination with two-dimensional Western blots and mass spectrometry analysis of tryptic digests. We found that e.g. hsp27, hsp70B, calmodulin, and H-ras synthesis was induced upon Fas signaling. 34 proteins were affected by dephosphorylation (e.g. endoplasmin) and phosphorylation (e.g. hsc70, hsp57, and hsp90). Nuclear annexin IV translocated to the cytosol, whereas decreasing cytosolic TCP-1alpha became detectable in the nucleus. In addition, degradation of 12 proteins was observed; among them myosin heavy chain was identified as a novel caspase target. Fas-induced proteome alterations were compared with those of other cell death inducers, indicating specific physiological characteristics of different cell death mechanisms, consequent to as well as independent of caspase activation. Characteristic proteome alterations of apoptotic cells at early time points were found reminiscent of those of malignant cells in vivo.  (+info)

Characterization of protein and transcript levels of the chaperonin containing tailless complex protein-1 and tubulin during light-regulated growth of oat seedlings. (13/158)

In grass seedlings the network of cortical microtubules is reorganized during light-dependent growth of coleoptiles and mesocotyls. We investigated the effects of light-dependent growth on the relative steady-state levels of the mRNAs and protein levels of alpha-tubulin and the epsilon-subunit of the chaperonin containing tailless complex protein-1 in oat (Avena sativa) coleoptiles, which were grown in different light conditions to establish different growth responses. The soluble pools of the epsilon-subunit of the chaperonin containing tailless complex protein-1 and alpha-tubulin decreased in nonelongating coleoptiles, suggesting that the dynamics of the light-regulated soluble pool reflect the processes occurring during reorganization of cortical microtubules. The shifts in pool sizes are discussed in relation to the machinery that controls the dynamic structure of cortical microtubules in plant cells.  (+info)

Spontaneous release of cytosolic proteins from posttranslational substrates before their transport into the endoplasmic reticulum. (14/158)

In posttranslational translocation in yeast, completed protein substrates are transported across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane through a translocation channel formed by the Sec complex. We have used photo-cross-linking to investigate interactions of cytosolic proteins with a substrate synthesized in a reticulocyte lysate system, before its posttranslational translocation through the channel in the yeast membrane. Upon termination of translation, the signal recognition particle (SRP) and the nascent polypeptide-associated complex (NAC) are released from the polypeptide chain, and the full-length substrate interacts with several different cytosolic proteins. At least two distinct complexes exist that contain among other proteins either 70-kD heat shock protein (Hsp70) or tailless complex polypeptide 1 (TCP1) ring complex/chaperonin containing TCP1 (TRiC/CCT), which keep the substrate competent for translocation. None of the cytosolic factors appear to interact specifically with the signal sequence. Dissociation of the cytosolic proteins from the substrate is accelerated to the same extent by the Sec complex and an unspecific GroEL trap, indicating that release occurs spontaneously without the Sec complex playing an active role. Once bound to the Sec complex, the substrate is stripped of all cytosolic proteins, allowing it to subsequently be transported through the membrane channel without the interference of cytosolic binding partners.  (+info)

Autoantibodies against chaperonin CCT in human sera with rheumatic autoimmune diseases: comparison with antibodies against other Hsp60 family proteins. (15/158)

Chaperonin CCT containing t-complex polypeptide 1 is a cytosolic molecular chaperone that assists in the folding of actin, tubulin, and other proteins and is a member of the 60-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp60) family. We examined antibody titers against human CCT and other Hsp60 family members in the sera of patients with rheumatic autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematodes, Sjogren syndrome, and mixed connective tissue disease. Autoantibody titers against not only human mitochondrial Hsp60 but also CCT were significantly higher in the sera of patients with rheumatic autoimmune diseases than in healthy control sera. Although immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers against Escherichia coli GroEL were high in all the groups of sera tested, no significant differences in anti-GroEL responses were detected between patients and healthy controls. IgG titers against mycobacterial Hsp65 showed a similar pattern to titers of autoantibodies recognizing GroEL. Immunoabsorption experiments demonstrated that most of the autoantibodies recognizing CCT were cross-reactive with mitochondrial Hsp60, E coli GroEL, and mycobacterial Hsp65. Although most of the anti-Hsp60 IgG recognized CCT, anti-GroEL (or antimycobacterial Hsp65) IgG contained antibodies specific for GroEL (or mycobacterial Hsp65) in addition to antibodies cross-reactive with CCT and Hsp60. Results from immunoblot analyses, together with weak (15% to 20%) amino acid sequence identities between CCT and the other Hsp60 family members, suggested that CCT-reactive autoantibodies recognize conformational epitopes that are conserved among CCT and other Hsp60 family members.  (+info)

Eukaryotic chaperonin CCT stabilizes actin and tubulin folding intermediates in open quasi-native conformations. (16/158)

Three-dimensional reconstruction from cryoelectron micrographs of the eukaryotic cytosolic chaperonin CCT complexed to tubulin shows that CCT interacts with tubulin (both the alpha and beta isoforms) using five specific CCT subunits. The CCT-tubulin interaction has a different geometry to the CCT-actin interaction, and a mixture of shared and unique CCT subunits is used in binding the two substrates. Docking of the atomic structures of both actin and tubulin to their CCT-bound conformation suggests a common mode of chaperonin-substrate interaction. CCT stabilizes quasi-native structures in both proteins that are open through their domain-connecting hinge regions, suggesting a novel mechanism and function of CCT in assisted protein folding.  (+info)