Tumor induction by disruption of the Dnmt1, PCNA and UHRF1 interactions.

The low level of DNA methylation in tumors compared to the level of DNA methylation in their normal-tissue counterparts or global DNA hypomethylation was one of the first epigenetic alterations to be found in human cancer^1,2^. While the contribution of genome hypomethylation in cancer development and progression is explained by several mechanisms: chromosomal instability, loss of imprinting, and reactivation of transposable elements^3, 4^, the molecular causes of genome hypomethylation remain unclear. Indeed, despite the central roles of the DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts) in the establishment and maintenance of the DNA methylation, no clear consensus appears between the reduction of the Dnmts expression and the genome hypomethylation in human cancers^5^. Nevertheless, the cancer-associated genome hypomethylation could be explained by the disruption of interactions existing between Dnmts and the DNA replication and DNA repair proteins because these interactions play a crucial role in the DNA methylation in mammalian cells^6-8^. We here demonstrate that the disruption of the Dnmt1/PCNA and Dnmt1/UHRF1 interactions induce the genome hypomethylation and act as oncogenic factors promoting the tumorigenesis. We also identify the Akt- and/or PKC-mediated phosphorylations of Dnmt1 as both initiators of these disruptions and as a hallmark conferring poor prognosis in glioma patients

Recombinant pediocin in Lactococcus lactis:increased production by propeptide fusion and improved potency by co-production with PedC

We describe the impact of two propeptides and PedC on the production yield and the potency of recombinant pediocins produced in Lactococcus lactis. On the one hand, the sequences encoding the propeptides SD or LEISSTCDA were inserted between the sequence encoding the signal peptide of Usp45 and the structural gene of the mature pediocin PA-1. On the other hand, the putative thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase PedC was coexpressed with pediocin. The concentration of recombinant pediocins produced in supernatants was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The potency of recombinant pediocins was investigated by measuring the minimal inhibitory concentration by agar well diffusion assay. The results show that propeptides SD or LEISSTCDA lead to an improved secretion of recombinant pediocins with apparently no effect on the antibacterial potency and that PedC increases the potency of recombinant pediocin. To our knowledge, this study reveals for the first time that pediocin tolerates fusions at the N-terminal end. Furthermore, it reveals that only expressing the pediocin structural gene in a heterologous host is not sufficient to get an optimal potency and requires the accessory protein PedC. In addition, it can be speculated that PedC catalyses the correct formation of disulfide bonds in pediocin.</p

Mass spectrometry strategies for proteomic studies

chap. 18International audienc

ETUDE D'INTERACTIONS FAIBLES INTRA- ET INTER-MOLECULAIRES DE BIOMOLECULES PAR SPECTROMETRIE DE MASSE

STRASBOURG-Sc. et Techniques (674822102) / SudocSudocFranceF

SpecOMS: A Full Open Modification Search Method Performing All-to-All Spectra Comparisons within Minutes

International audienceThe analysis of discovery proteomics experiments relies on algorithms that identify peptides from their tandem mass spectra. The almost exhaustive interpretation of these spectra remains an unresolved issue. At present, an important number of missing interpretations is probably due to peptides displaying post-translational modifications and variants that yield spectra that are particularly difficult to interpret. However, the emergence of a new generation of mass spectrometers that provide high fragment ion accuracy has paved the way for more efficient algorithms. We present a new software, SpecOMS, that can handle the computational complexity of pairwise comparisons of spectra in the context of large volumes. SpecOMS can compare a whole set of experimental spectra generated by a discovery proteomics experiment to a whole set of theoretical spectra deduced from a protein database in a few minutes on a standard workstation. SpecOMS can ingeniously exploit those capabilities to improve the peptide identification process, allowing strong competition between all possible peptides for spectrum interpretation. Remarkably, this software resolves the drawbacks (i.e., efficiency problems and decreased sensitivity) that usually accompany open modification searches. We highlight this promising approach using results obtained from the analysis of a public human data set downloaded from the PRIDE (PRoteomics IDEntification) database

Fungal proteins in the extra-radical phase of arbuscular mycorrhiza: a shotgun proteomic picture

International audienc

New insights into the structural and spatial variability of cell-wall polysaccharides during wheat grain development, as revealed through MALDI mass spectrometry imaging

Arabinoxylans (AX) and (1→3),(1→4)-β-glucans (BG) are the major components of wheat grain cell walls. Although incompletely described at the molecular level, it is known that the chemical and distributional heterogeneity of these compounds impacts the quality and use of wheat. In this work, an emerging technique based on MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) was employed to map variations in the quantity, localization, and structure of these polysaccharides in the endosperm during wheat maturation. MALDI MSI couples detailed structural information with the spatial localization observed at the micrometer scale. The enzymic hydrolysis of AX and BG was performed directly on the grain sections, resulting in the efficient formation of smaller oligosaccharides that are easily measurable through MS, with no relocation across the grain. The relative quantification of the generated oligosaccharides was achieved. The method was validated by confirming data previously obtained using other analytical techniques. Furthermore, in situ analysis of grain cell walls through MSI revealed previously undetectable intense acetylation of AX in young compared to mature grains, together with findings concerning the feruloylation of AX and different structural features of BG. These results provide new insights into the physiological roles of these polysaccharides in cell walls and the specificity of the hydrolytic enzymes involved

The screening of cell wall polysaccharides composition and structure in plant collections

National audienc

The seed nuclear proteome

OPEN ACCESS Cette revue date de 2010 mini review article Repetto, Ombretta : ex UMR LEG 0102, n'a jamais intégré l'UMR Agro Present adress : CRO, IRCCS, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico - Proteomics Core Facility, Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Aviano PN, Italie. BAP GEAPSI CT2International audienceUnderstanding the regulatory networks coordinating seed development will help to manipulate seed traits, such as protein content and seed weight, in order to increase yield and seed nutritional value of important food crops, such as legumes. Because of the cardinal role of the nucleus in gene expression, sub-proteome analyses of nuclei from developing seeds were conducted, taking advantage of the sequences available for model species. In this review, we discuss the strategies used to separate and identify the nuclear proteins at a stage when the seed is preparing for reserve accumulation. We present how these data provide an insight into the complexity and distinctive features of the seed nuclear proteome. We discuss the presence of chromatin-modifying enzymes and proteins that have roles in RNA-directed DNA methylation and which may be involved in modifying genome architecture in preparation for seed filling. Specific features of the seed nuclei at the transition between the stage of cell divisions and that of cell expansion and reserve deposition are described here which may help to manipulate seed quality traits, such as seed weight

Extraction and Proteome Analysis of Starch Granule-Associated Proteins in Mature Wheat Kernel (Triticum aestivum L.)

Starch consists of the two glucose polymers, amylose and amylopectin, and is deposited as semicrystalline granules inside plastids. The starch granule proteome is particularly challenging to study due to the amount of interfering compounds (sugars, storage proteins), the very low starch granule-associated protein content and also the dynamic range of abundant proteins. Here we present the protocol for extraction and 2-DE of wheat starch granule-associated proteins whose most important steps are: (i) washing and sonication to remove interfering compounds (storage proteins) from the surface of the granules, (ii) scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations to monitor purification and granules swelling, (iii) appropriate protein extraction and solubilization to obtain enough proteins for Coomassie blue staining and proteomic analysis. Our objective was to minimize the amount of contamination by storage proteins and to preserve the structure of the starch and of starch-associated proteins and to maximize the number of polypeptides that can be resolved. For quantitative proteomic analysis of proteins associated with wheat starch granules, we developed a two-step protein extraction protocol including TCA/acetone precipitation and phenol extraction. With this protocol, proteins were extracted from wheat starch granules and solubilized and satisfactory blue-stained 2-DE protein maps were obtained. The majority of the spots associated with starch granules were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting and MS/MS and functionally classified into carbohydrate metabolism and stress defense