Contribution of the first K-homology domain of poly(C)-binding protein 1 to its affinity and specificity for C-rich oligonucleotides

Poly-C-binding proteins are triple KH (hnRNP K homology) domain proteins with specificity for single stranded C-rich RNA and DNA. They play diverse roles in the regulation of protein expression at both transcriptional and translational levels. Here, we analyse the contributions of individual αCP1 KH domains to binding C-rich oligonucleotides using biophysical and structural methods. Using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), we demonstrate that KH1 makes the most stable interactions with both RNA and DNA, KH3 binds with intermediate affinity and KH2 only interacts detectibly with DNA. The crystal structure of KH1 bound to a 5′-CCCTCCCT-3′ DNA sequence shows a 2:1 protein:DNA stoichiometry and demonstrates a molecular arrangement of KH domains bound to immediately adjacent oligonucleotide target sites. SPR experiments, with a series of poly-C-sequences reveals that cytosine is preferred at all four positions in the oligonucleotide binding cleft and that a C-tetrad binds KH1 with 10 times higher affinity than a C-triplet. The basis for this high affinity interaction is finally detailed with the structure determination of a KH1.W.C54S mutant bound to 5′-ACCCCA-3′ DNA sequence. Together, these data establish the lead role of KH1 in oligonucleotide binding by αCP1 and reveal the molecular basis of its specificity for a C-rich tetrad

A Novel Set of Nuclear Localization Signals Determine Distributions of the αCP RNA-Binding Proteins

αCPs comprise a subfamily of KH-domain-containing RNA-binding proteins with specificity for C-rich pyrimidine tracts. These proteins play pivotal roles in a broad spectrum of posttranscriptional events. The five major αCP isoforms are encoded by four dispersed loci. Each isoform contains three repeats of the RNA-binding KH domain (KH1, KH2, and KH3) but lacks other identifiable motifs. To explore the complexity of their respective functions, we examined the subcellular localization of each αCP isoform. Immunofluorescence studies revealed three distinct distributions: αCP1 and αCP2 are predominantly nuclear with specific enrichment of αCP1 in nuclear speckles, αCP3 and αCP4 are restricted to the cytoplasm, and αCP2-KL, an αCP2 splice variant, is present at significant levels in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. We mapped nuclear localization signals (NLSs) for αCP isoforms. αCP2 contains two functionally independent NLS. Both NLSs appear to be novel and were mapped to a 9-amino-acid segment between KH2 and KH3 (NLS I) and to a 12-amino-acid segment within KH3 (NLS II). NLS I is conserved in αCP1, whereas NLS II is inactivated by two amino acid substitutions. Neither NLS is present in αCP3 or αCP4. Consistent with mapping studies, deletion of NLS I from αCP1 blocks its nuclear accumulation, whereas NLS I and NLS II must both be inactivated to block nuclear accumulation of αCP2. These data demonstrate an unexpected complexity in the compartmentalization of αCP isoforms and identify two novel NLS that play roles in their respective distributions. This complexity of αCP distribution is likely to contribute to the diverse functions mediated by this group of abundant RNA-binding proteins

Gender Politics in the South Caucasus

ISSN:1867-932

Study of tribological efficiency of new type additive to oils

2-s2.0-84905815557 - ScopusHigh tribological efficiency of amorphous finely dispersed carbon (AFDC) received in the form of waste during methane pyrolysis (CMP) has been shown earlier. The multifunctional mechanism of its action is based on the new phenomenon, which consists in AFDC ability to form in the process of friction secondary surface structures, containing phases of nano-dispersed diamond, graphite, AFDC and providing high functional properties of oils containing CMP. By means of studies carried out in the mentioned aspect a new high effective multifunctional additive to oils is revealed, which represents synthesized amorphous nano-dispersed carbon doped by ironVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij