Replacement of mouse Sox10 by the Drosophila ortholog Sox100B provides evidence for co-option of SoxE proteins into vertebrate-specific gene-regulatory networks through altered expression

AbstractNeural crest cells and oligodendrocytes as the myelinating glia of the central nervous system exist only in vertebrates. Their development is regulated by complex regulatory networks, of which the SoxE-type high-mobility-group domain transcription factors Sox8, Sox9 and Sox10 are essential components. Here we analyzed by in ovo electroporation in chicken and by gene replacement in the mouse whether the Drosophila ortholog Sox100B can functionally substitute for vertebrate SoxE proteins. Sox100B overexpression in the chicken neural tube led to the induction of neural crest cells as previously observed for vertebrate SoxE proteins. Furthermore, many aspects of neural crest and oligodendrocyte development were surprisingly normal in mice in which the Sox10 coding information was replaced by Sox100B arguing that Sox100B integrates well into the gene-regulatory networks that drive these processes. Our results therefore provide strong evidence for a model in which SoxE proteins were co-opted to these gene-regulatory networks mainly through the acquisition of novel expression patterns. However, later developmental defects in several neural crest derived lineages in mice homozygous for the Sox100B replacement allele indicate that some degree of functional specialization and adaptation of SoxE protein properties have taken place in addition to the co-option event

Sox10 is required for Schwann cell identity and progression beyond the immature Schwann cell stage

The Sox10 transcription factor is required to maintain as well as specify glial identity, adding new causes for the neuropathies associated with SOX10 mutations

HnRNP L and L-like cooperate in multiple-exon regulation of CD45 alternative splicing

CD45 encodes a trans-membrane protein-tyrosine phosphatase expressed in diverse cells of the immune system. By combinatorial use of three variable exons 4–6, isoforms are generated that differ in their extracellular domain, thereby modulating phosphatase activity and immune response. Alternative splicing of these CD45 exons involves two heterogeneous ribonucleoproteins, hnRNP L and its cell-type specific paralog hnRNP L-like (LL). To address the complex combinatorial splicing of exons 4–6, we investigated hnRNP L/LL protein expression in human B-cells in relation to CD45 splicing patterns, applying RNA-Seq. In addition, mutational and RNA-binding analyses were carried out in HeLa cells. We conclude that hnRNP LL functions as the major CD45 splicing repressor, with two CA elements in exon 6 as its primary target. In exon 4, one element is targeted by both hnRNP L and LL. In contrast, exon 5 was never repressed on its own and only co-regulated with exons 4 and 6. Stable L/LL interaction requires CD45 RNA, specifically exons 4 and 6. We propose a novel model of combinatorial alternative splicing: HnRNP L and LL cooperate on the CD45 pre-mRNA, bridging exons 4 and 6 and looping out exon 5, thereby achieving full repression of the three variable exons

PuraStat in gastrointestinal bleeding: results of a prospective multicentre observational pilot study

Background: A recently developed haemostatic peptide gel for endoscopic application has been introduced to improve the management of gastrointestinal bleeding. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, efficacy and indication profiles of PuraStat in a clinical setting. Methods: In this prospective observational multicentre pilot study, patients with acute non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding (upper and lower) were included. Primary and secondary application of PuraStat was evaluated. Haemoglobin, prothrombin time, platelets and transfusion behaviour were documented before and after haemostasis. The efficacy of PuraStat was assessed during the procedure, at 3 days and 1 week after application. Results: 111 patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding were recruited into the study. 70 percent (78/111) of the patients had upper gastrointestinal bleeding and 30% (33/111) had lower gastrointestinal bleeding. After primary application of PuraStat, initial haemostatic success was achieved in 94% of patients (74/79, 95% CI 88-99%), and in 75% of the patients when used as a secondary haemostatic product, following failure of established techniques (24/32, 95% CI 59-91%). The therapeutic success rates (absence of rebleeding) after 3 and 7 days were 91% and 87% after primary use, and 87% and 81% in all study patients. Overall rebleeding rate at 30 day follow-up was 16% (18/111). In the 5 patients who finally required surgery (4.5%), PuraStat allowed temporary haemostasis and stabilisation. Conclusions: PuraStat expanded the therapeutic toolbox available for an effective treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding sources. It could be safely applied and administered without complications as a primary or secondary therapy. PuraStat may additionally serve as a bridge to surgery in order to achieve temporary haemostasis in case of refractory severe bleeding, possibly playing a role in preventing immediate emergency surgery

Recycling of the U12-Type Spliceosome Requires p110, a Component of the U6atac snRNP

U12-dependent introns are spliced by the so-called minor spliceosome, requiring the U11, U12, and U4atac/U6atac snRNPs in addition to the U5 snRNP. We have recently identified U6-p110 (SART3) as a novel human recycling factor that is related to the yeast splicing factor Prp24. U6-p110 transiently associates with the U6 and U4/U6 snRNPs during the spliceosome cycle, regenerating functional U4/U6 snRNPs from singular U4 and U6 snRNPs. Here we investigated the involvement of U6-p110 in recycling of the U4atac/U6atac snRNP. In contrast to the major U6 and U4/U6 snRNPs, p110 is primarily associated with the U6atac snRNP but is almost undetectable in the U4atac/U6atac snRNP. Since p110 does not occur in U5 snRNA-containing complexes, it appears to be transiently associated with U6atac during the cycle of the minor spliceosome. The p110 binding site was mapped to U6 nucleotides 38 to 57 and U6atac nucleotides 10 to 30, which are highly conserved between these two functionally related snRNAs. With a U12-dependent in vitro splicing system, we demonstrate that p110 is required for recycling of the U4atac/U6atac snRNP

p110, a novel human U6 snRNP protein and U4/U6 snRNP recycling factor

During each spliceosome cycle, the U6 snRNA undergoes extensive structural rearrangements, alternating between singular, U4–U6 and U6–U2 base-paired forms. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Prp24 functions as an snRNP recycling factor, reannealing U4 and U6 snRNAs. By database searching, we have identified a Prp24-related human protein previously described as p110(nrb) or SART3. p110 contains in its C-terminal region two RNA recognition motifs (RRMs). The N-terminal two-thirds of p110, for which there is no counterpart in the S.cerevisiae Prp24, carries seven tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domains. p110 homologs sharing the same domain structure also exist in several other eukaryotes. p110 is associated with the mammalian U6 and U4/U6 snRNPs, but not with U4/U5/U6 tri-snRNPs nor with spliceosomes. Recom binant p110 binds in vitro specifically to human U6 snRNA, requiring an internal U6 region. Using an in vitro recycling assay, we demonstrate that p110 functions in the reassembly of the U4/U6 snRNP. In summary, p110 represents the human ortholog of Prp24, and associates only transiently with U6 and U4/U6 snRNPs during the recycling phase of the spliceosome cycle

A Proteomic Approach Suggests Unbalanced Proteasome Functioning Induced by the Growth-Promoting Bacterium Kosakonia radicincitans in Arabidopsis

Endophytic plant growth-promoting bacteria have significant impact on the plant physiology and understanding this interaction at the molecular level is of particular interest to support crop productivity and sustainable production systems. We used a proteomics approach to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying plant growth promotion in the interaction of Kosakonia radicincitans DSM 16656 with Arabidopsis thaliana. Four weeks after the inoculation, the proteome of roots from inoculated and control plants was compared using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and differentially abundant protein spots were identified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Twelve protein spots were responsive to the inoculation, with the majority of them being related to cellular stress reactions. The protein expression of 20S proteasome alpha-3 subunit was increased by the presence of K. radicincitans. Determination of proteasome activity and immuno blotting analysis for ubiquitinated proteins revealed that endophytic colonization interferes with ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation. Inoculation of rpn12a, defective in a 26S proteasome regulatory particle, enhanced the growth-promoting effect. This indicates that the plant proteasome, besides being a known target for plant pathogenic bacteria, is involved in the establishment of beneficial interactions of microorganisms with plants

Verticillium suppression is associated with the glucosinolate composition of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves.

The soil-borne fungal pathogen Verticillium longisporum is able to penetrate the root of a number of plant species and spread systemically via the xylem. Fumigation of Verticillium contaminated soil with Brassica green manure is used as an environmentally friendly method for crop protection. Here we present a study focused on the potential role of glucosinolates and their breakdown products of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana in suppressing growth of V. longisporum. For this purpose we analysed the glucosinolate composition of the leaves and roots of a set of 19 key accessions of A. thaliana. The effect of volatile glucosinolate hydrolysis products on the in vitro growth of the pathogen was tested by exposing the fungus to hydrated lyophilized plant tissue. Volatiles released from leaf tissue were more effective than from root tissue in suppressing mycelial growth of V. longisporum. The accessions varied in their efficacy, with the most effective suppressing mycelial growth by 90%. An analysis of glucosinolate profiles and their enzymatic degradation products revealed a correlation between fungal growth inhibition and the concentration of alkenyl glucosinolates, particularly 2-propenyl (2Prop) glucosinolate, respectively its hydrolysis products. Exposure of the fungus to purified 2Prop glucosinolate revealed that its suppressive activity was correlated with its concentration. Spiking of 2Prop glucosinolate to leaf material of one of the least effective A. thaliana accessions led to fungal growth suppression. It is suggested that much of the inhibitory effect observed for the tested accessions can be explained by the accumulation of 2Prop glucosinolate