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Biology subjects

Wilson, G. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Wilson, G. M..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Remnants of the Balbiani body are required for formation of RNA transport granules in Xenopus oocytes

Fragmentation of the Balbiani body in Xenopus oocytes engenders a region extending from the germinal vesicle (GV) towards the vegetal pole that is enriched in mitochondria. This area is later transversed by RNA that is being localized to the vegetal cortex. Inhibition of mitochondrial ATP synthesis prevents the perinuclear formation of these RNA transport granules that can be reversed by the nonhydrolyzable ATP analog, adenosine 5-({beta}{gamma}-imido) triphosphate. The protein composition and sensitivity of the transport granules to hexanediol indicate that they are liquid phase condensates. Mitochondria in the remnants of the Balbiani body produce a region of elevated ATP that appears to act as a hydrotrope to support the perinuclear phase transition leading to granule formation. SummaryMitochondria in the remnants of the Balbiani body produce elevated levels of ATP required for the formation of liquid phase condensates containing RNA transport granules.

molecular biology↗

Phosphorylation controls RNA binding and transcription by the influenza virus polymerase

The influenza virus polymerase transcribes and replicates the viral genome. The proper timing and balance of polymerase activity is important for successful replication. We previously showed that phosphorylation regulates genome replication by controlling assembly of the replication machinery (Mondal, et al. 2017). However, it remained unclear whether phosphorylation directly regulated polymerase activity. Here we identified polymerase phosphosites that control its function. Mutating phosphosites in the catalytic subunit PB1 altered polymerase activity and virus replication. Biochemical analyses revealed phosphorylation events that disrupted global polymerase function by blocking the NTP entry channel or preventing RNA binding. We also identified a regulatory site that split polymerase function by specifically suppressing transcription. These experiments show that host kinases phospho-regulate viral RNA synthesis directly by modulating polymerase activity and indirectly by controlling assembly of replication machinery. Further, they suggest polymerase phosphorylation may bias replication versus transcription at discrete times or locations during the infectious cycle.

microbiology↗

Broad and thematic remodeling of the surface glycoproteome on isogenic cells transformed with driving proliferative oncogenes

The cell surface proteome, the surfaceome, is the interface for engaging the extracellular space in normal and cancer cells. Here we apply quantitative proteomics of N-linked glycoproteins to reveal how a collection of some 700 surface proteins is dramatically remodeled in an isogenic breast epithelial cell line stably expressing any of six of the most prominent proliferative oncogenes, including the receptor tyrosine kinases, EGFR and HER2, and downstream signaling partners such as KRAS, BRAF, MEK and AKT. We find that each oncogene has somewhat different surfaceomes but the functions of these proteins are harmonized by common biological themes including up-regulation of nutrient transporters, down-regulation of adhesion molecules and tumor suppressing phosphatases, and alteration in immune modulators. Addition of a potent MEK inhibitor that blocks MAPK signaling brings each oncogene-induced surfaceome back to a common state reflecting their strong dependence on the MAPK pathway to propagate signaling. Using a recently developed glyco-proteomics method of activated ion electron transfer dissociation (AI-ETD) we found massive oncogene-induced changes in 142 N-linked glycans and differential increases in complex hybrid glycans especially for KRAS and HER2 oncogenes. Overall, these studies provide a broad systems level view of how specific driver oncogenes remodel the surface glycoproteome in a cell autologous fashion, and suggest possible surface targets, and combinations thereof, for drug and biomarker discovery.\n\nSignificant statementThe cell surface glycoproteome (surfaceome) mediates interactions between the cell and the extracellular environment, and is a major target for immunotherapy in cancer. Using state-of-the-art proteomics methods, we compared how six neighboring proliferative oncogenes cause large and bidirectional expression of some 700 surface proteins and the 142 different glycans that decorate them. While each oncogene induces large and somewhat unique glycoproteomes relative to non-transformed cells, we find common functional consequences that are massively reversed by small molecule inhibition of the MAPK pathway. This large-scale comparative study provides important insights for how oncogenes remodel isogenic cells in a cell autologous fashion, and suggest possible new opportunities for antibody drug discovery in more complex tumor settings.

biochemistry↗

Pptc7 is an essential phosphatase for promoting mammalian mitochondrial metabolism and biogenesis

Mitochondrial proteins are replete with phosphorylation; however, the origin, abundance, and functional relevance of these modifications are largely unclear. Nonetheless, mitochondria possess multiple resident phosphatases, suggesting that protein dephosphorylation may be broadly important for mitochondrial activities. To explore this, we deleted the poorly characterized matrix phosphatase Pptc7 from mice using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Strikingly, Pptc7-/- mice exhibited marked hypoketotic hypoglycemia, elevated acylcarnitines, and lactic acidosis, and died soon after birth. Pptc7-/- tissues had significantly diminished mitochondrial size and protein content despite normal transcript levels, but consistently elevated phosphorylation on select mitochondrial proteins. These putative Pptc7 substrates include the protein translocase complex subunit Timm50, whose phosphorylation reduced import activity. We further find that phosphorylation in or near the mitochondrial targeting sequences of multiple proteins can disrupt their import rates and matrix processing. Overall, our data define Pptc7 as a protein phosphatase essential for proper mitochondrial function and biogenesis during the extrauterine transition.

biochemistry↗

Post-Transcriptional Control of Coenzyme Q Biosynthesis Revealed by Transomic Analysis of the RNA-Binding Protein Puf3p

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is a redox active lipid required for mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos). How CoQ biosynthesis is coordinated with the biogenesis of OxPhos protein complexes is unclear. Here, we show that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA-binding protein (RBP) Puf3p directly regulates CoQ biosynthesis. To establish the mechanism for this regulation, we employed a transomic strategy to identify mRNAs that not only bind Puf3p, but also are regulated by Puf3p in vivo. The CoQ biosynthesis enzyme Coq5p is a critical Put3p target: Puf3p regulates the level of Coq5p and prevents its toxicity, thereby enabling efficient CoQ production. In parallel, Puf3p represses a specific set of proteins involved in mitochondrial protein import, translation, and OxPhos complex assembly -- pathways essential to prime mitochondrial biogenesis. Our data reveal a mechanism for post-transcriptionally coordinating CoQ production with OxPhos biogenesis and, more broadly, demonstrate the power of transomics for defining genuine targets of RBPs.\n\nHIGHLIGHTSO_LIThe RNA binding protein (RBP) Puf3p regulates coenzyme Q (CoQ) biosynthesis\nC_LIO_LITransomic analysis of RNAs, proteins, lipids, and metabolites defines RBP targets\nC_LIO_LIPuf3p regulates the potentially toxic CoQ biosynthesis enzyme Coq5p\nC_LIO_LIPuf3p couples regulation of CoQ with a broader program for controlling mitochondria\nC_LI

biochemistry↗