The Major Antigenic Membrane Protein of “Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris” Selectively Interacts with ATP Synthase and Actin of Leafhopper Vectors

Phytoplasmas, uncultivable phloem-limited phytopathogenic wall-less bacteria, represent a major threat to agriculture worldwide. They are transmitted in a persistent, propagative manner by phloem-sucking Hemipteran insects. Phytoplasma membrane proteins are in direct contact with hosts and are presumably involved in determining vector specificity. Such a role has been proposed for phytoplasma transmembrane proteins encoded by circular extrachromosomal elements, at least one of which is a plasmid. Little is known about the interactions between major phytoplasma antigenic membrane protein (Amp) and insect vector proteins. The aims of our work were to identify vector proteins interacting with Amp and to investigate their role in transmission specificity. In controlled transmission experiments, four Hemipteran species were identified as vectors of “Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris”, the chrysanthemum yellows phytoplasmas (CYP) strain, and three others as non-vectors. Interactions between a labelled (recombinant) CYP Amp and insect proteins were analysed by far Western blots and affinity chromatography. Amp interacted specifically with a few proteins from vector species only. Among Amp-binding vector proteins, actin and both the α and β subunits of ATP synthase were identified by mass spectrometry and Western blots. Immunofluorescence confocal microscopy and Western blots of plasma membrane and mitochondrial fractions confirmed the localisation of ATP synthase, generally known as a mitochondrial protein, in plasma membranes of midgut and salivary gland cells in the vector Euscelidius variegatus. The vector-specific interaction between phytoplasma Amp and insect ATP synthase is demonstrated for the first time, and this work also supports the hypothesis that host actin is involved in the internalization and intracellular motility of phytoplasmas within their vectors. Phytoplasma Amp is hypothesized to play a crucial role in insect transmission specificity

Effect of the ATPase inhibitor protein IF1 on H+ translocation in the mitochondrial ATP synthase complex

The H+ FoF1-ATP synthase complex of coupling membranes converts the proton-motive force into rotatory mechanical energy to drive ATP synthesis. The F1 moiety of the complex protrudes at the inner side of the membrane, the Fo sector spans the membrane reaching the outer side. The IF1 component of the mitochondrial complex is a basic 10 kDa protein, which inhibits the FoF1-ATP hydrolase activity. The mitochondrial matrix pH is the critical factor for the inhibitory binding of the central segment of IF1 (residue 42-58) to the F1-α/β subunits. We have analyzed the effect of native purified IF1 the IF1-(42-58) synthetic peptide and its mutants on proton conduction, driven by ATP hydrolysis or by [K+] gradients, in bovine heart inside-out submitochondrial particles and in liposome-reconstituted FoF1 complex. The results show that IF1, and in particular its central 42-58 segment, displays different inhibitory affinity for proton conduction from the F1 to the Fo side and in the opposite direction. Cross-linking of IF1 to F1-α/β subunits inhibits the ATP-driven H+ translocation but enhances H+ conduction in the reverse direction. These observation are discussed in terms of the rotary mechanism of the FoF1 complex. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Structural and functional characterization of FoF1-ATP synthase on the extracellular surface of rat hepatocytes

Extracellular ATP formation from ADP and inorganic phosphate, attributed to the activity of a cell surface ATP synthase, has so far only been reported in cultures of some proliferating and tumoral cell lines. We now provide evidence showing the presence of a functionally active ecto-FoF1-ATP synthase on the plasma membrane of normal tissue cells, i.e. isolated rat hepatocytes. Both confocal microscopy and flow cytometry analysis show the presence of subunits of F1 (α/β and γ) and Fo (FoI-PVP(b) and OSCP) moieties of ATP synthase at the surface of rat hepatocytes. This finding is confirmed by immunoblotting analysis of the hepatocyte plasma membrane fraction. The presence of the inhibitor protein IF1 is also detected on the hepatocyte surface. Activity assays show that the ectopic-ATP synthase can work both in the direction of ATP synthesis and hydrolysis. A proton translocation assay shows that both these mechanisms are accompanied by a transient flux of H+ and are inhibited by F1 and Fo-targeting inhibitors. We hypothesise that ecto-FoF1-ATP synthase may control the extracellular ADP/ATP ratio, thus contributing to intracellular pH homeostasis. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Structural and functional characterization of F(o)F(1)-ATP synthase on the extracellular surface of rat hepatocytes.

Extracellular ATP formation from ADP and inorganic phosphate, attributed to the activity of a cell surface ATP synthase, has so far only been reported in cultures of some proliferating and tumoral cell lines. We now provide evidence showing the presence of a functionally active ecto-FoF1-ATP synthase on the plasma membrane of normal tissue cells, i.e. isolated rat hepatocytes. Both confocal microscopy and flow cytometry analysis show the presence of subunits of F1 (α/β and γ) and Fo (FoI-PVP(b) and OSCP) moieties of ATP synthase at the surface of rat hepatocytes. This finding is confirmed by immunoblotting analysis of the hepatocyte plasma membrane fraction. The presence of the inhibitor protein IF1 is also detected on the hepatocyte surface. Activity assays show that the ectopic-ATP synthase can work both in the direction of ATP synthesis and hydrolysis. A proton translocation assay shows that both these mechanisms are accompanied by a transient flux of H+ and are inhibited by F1 and Fo-targeting inhibitors. We hypothesise that ecto-FoF1-ATP synthase may control the extracellular ADP/ATP ratio, thus contributing to intracellular pH homeostasis

3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine upregulates rat-liver mitochondrial FoF1-ATP synthase by GA-binding protein/nuclear respiratory factor-2

Besides triiodothyronine (T3), 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine (T2) has been reported to affect mitochondrial bioenergetic parameters. T2 effects have been considered as independent of protein synthesis. Here, we investigated the effect of in vivo chronic T2 administration to hypothyroid rats on liver mitochondrial FoF1-ATP synthase activity and expression. T2 increased state 4 and state 3 oxygen consumption and raised ATP synthesis and hydrolysis, which were reduced in hypothyroid rats. Immunoblotting analysis showed that T2 up-regulated the expression of several subunits (α, β, FoI-PVP and OSCP) of the ATP synthase. The observed increase of β-subunit mRNA accumulation suggested a T2-mediated nuclear effect. Then, the molecular basis underlying T2 effects was investigated. Our results support the notion that the β-subunit of ATP synthase is indirectly regulated by T2 through, at least in part, the activation of the transcription factor GA-binding protein/nuclear respiratory factor-2. These findings provide new insights into the T2 role on bioenergetic mechanisms. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine upregulates rat-liver mitochondrial F(o)F(1)-ATP synthase by GA-binding protein/nuclear respiratory factor-2.

Besides triiodothyronine (T3), 3,5-diiodo-l-thyronine (T2) has been reported to affect mitochondrial bioenergetic parameters. T2 effects have been considered as independent of protein synthesis. Here, we investigated the effect of in vivo chronic T2 administration to hypothyroid rats on liver mitochondrial FoF1-ATP synthase activity and expression. T2 increased state 4 and state 3 oxygen consumption and raised ATP synthesis and hydrolysis, which were reduced in hypothyroid rats. Immunoblotting analysis showed that T2 up-regulated the expression of several subunits (α, β, FoI-PVP and OSCP) of the ATP synthase. The observed increase of β-subunit mRNA accumulation suggested a T2-mediated nuclear effect. Then, the molecular basis underlying T2 effects was investigated. Our results support the notion that the β-subunit of ATP synthase is indirectly regulated by T2 through, at least in part, the activation of the transcription factor GA-binding protein/nuclear respiratory factor-2. These findings provide new insights into the T2 role on bioenergetic mechanisms

Reporte del proyecto “Intelli”

Documento final del Proyecto de Aplicación Profesional en el que se tuvo como objetivo encontrar la factibilidad comercial de uno de los productos de la empresa Intelli, que se dedica a la fabricación de persianas, específicamente en el mercado de Centroamérica. Los alcances de este trabajo son internacionales, ya que la investigación se hace desde México hacia los países de Centroamérica tomando en cuenta información y datos macroeconómicos, turísticos y sociales. La investigación se realizó por medio de bases de datos. Los resultados más importantes fueron el descubrimiento de posibles mercados en dicha región que tienen tendencias de crecimiento en el sector de la construcción y en el turismo