Article
Microbiology
Matthew Durant, Joseph M. Roesner, Xheni Mucelli, Christian J. Slubowski, Erin Klee, Brian C. Seitz, Zoey Wallis, Linda S. Huang
Summary: Proper development of the prospore membrane is crucial for the formation of viable spores during sporulation in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. MAP kinase signaling plays an important role in the formation of the prospore membrane.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jeremy Scutenaire, Damien Plassard, Melody Matelot, Tommaso Villa, Julie Zumsteg, Domenico Libri, Bertrand Seraphin
Summary: This study investigates the role of m(6)A modification in meiosis. Using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the researchers identified Pho92 as an important m(6)A reader that facilitates meiotic progression by promoting the down-regulation of specific mRNAs in a m(6)A-dependent manner.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
R. Blake Billmyre, Michael T. Eickbush, Caroline J. Craig, Jeffrey J. Lange, Christopher Wood, Rachel M. Helston, Sarah E. Zanders
Summary: This study developed a high-throughput insertional mutagenesis approach to identify genes involved in sexual reproduction in fission yeast. They identified hundreds of novel genes contributing to sexual reproduction, including some that affect spore viability and others that are required for growth in low-density conditions. This research provides valuable insights into the genetic contributions to sexual reproduction and identifies potential candidate genes in other eukaryotes, including humans.
Article
Cell Biology
S. Grace Herod, Annie Dyatel, Stefanie Hodapp, Marko Jovanovic, Luke E. Berchowitz
Summary: Amyloids play important roles in age-related diseases. Some cells use reversible amyloid-like structures for translational control. Yeast 14-3-3 proteins bind to amyloid-like assemblies and facilitate their clearance, contributing to global protein aggregate homeostasis. These findings suggest that 14-3-3 proteins may protect against pathological protein aggregates.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rohan Dandage, Caroline M. Berger, Isabelle Gagnon-Arsenault, Kyung-Mee Moon, Richard Greg Stacey, Leonard J. Foster, Christian R. Landry
Summary: The study investigated protein-protein interactions in hybrids between yeast species, finding that most interactions are similar to those of the parents but with some altered instances. It suggests that the occurrence of chimeric protein complexes is frequent, potentially due to incompatibilities or imbalances between parental proteomes.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Pei-Liang Ye, Xue-Qing Wang, Bing Yuan, Chen-Guang Liu, Xin-Qing Zhao
Summary: In this study, integrated analysis of transcriptome, proteome, and phosphoproteome revealed significant changes in protein kinases in yeast cells under acetic acid stress. Overexpression of the mitogen-activated protein kinase Hog1 improved ethanol production under stress conditions.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Tsuyoshi S. Nakamura, Yasuyuki Suda, Kenji Muneshige, Yuji Fujieda, Yuuya Okumura, Ichiro Inoue, Takayuki Tanaka, Tetsuo Takahashi, Hideki Nakanishi, Xiao-Dong Gao, Yasushi Okada, Aaron M. Neiman, Hiroyuki Tachikawa
Summary: Vps13 family proteins play a crucial role in intracellular remodeling and membrane formation. The interaction between Vps13 and adaptor proteins at organelle contact sites, as well as the regulation of Vps13 activity by PI4P levels, are key aspects elucidated in this study. Furthermore, the involvement of ER-PM tethers in the function of Vps13 and the adaptor complex highlights the cooperative nature of contact site proteins in promoting membrane formation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kei Yamaya, Bin Wang, Nadin Memar, Arome Solomon Odiba, Alexander Woglar, Anton Gartner, Anne M. Villeneuve
Summary: RAD54 family DNA translocases, together with RAD51 recombinases, play a role in maintaining genome stability. Studying the functions of RAD54 paralogs RAD-54.L and RAD-54.B in Caenorhabditis elegans during meiotic prophase reveals their distinct contributions to the dynamics of RAD-51 association with DNA and meiotic double-strand break repair. RAD-54.L is essential for RAD-51 removal from meiotic double-strand break sites, while RAD-54.B prevents excessive accumulation of RAD-51 on unbroken DNA. This study provides insights into the division of labor among RAD-54 paralogs in promoting efficient homologous recombination and preventing deleterious effects of unproductive RAD-51 association.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gisela Cairo, Anne MacKenzie, Dai Tsuchiya, Soni Lacefield
Summary: Time-lapse fluorescence microscopy has provided valuable insights into meiotic cell-cycle events. This protocol describes a method to conditionally deplete proteins from the nucleus during specific stages of meiosis, allowing for the monitoring of meiotic events using time-lapse microscopy. The technique was demonstrated by depleting the kinetochore protein Ctf19 and analyzing chromatin masses at the end of meiosis II.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sonia Colombo, Maddalena Collini, Laura D'Alfonso, Giuseppe Chirico, Enzo Martegani
Summary: This study reveals that the Ras/cAMP/PKA pathway plays a crucial role in regulating the response to nutrients' availability and stress in budding yeast. The activity of this pathway leads to noisy oscillations of cAMP levels, which in turn affects the nuclear accumulation of the transcription factor Msn2. Using a sensor, the researchers were able to detect the changes in cAMP concentrations in single yeast cells and observed oscillations under conditions of nutritional stress caused by limiting glucose availability.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Kelly Komachi, Sean M. Burgess
Summary: During meiosis, the nuclear pore complex plays a role in meiotic chromosome dynamics. Nup60 mediates the binding of meiotic chromosomes to the nuclear envelope, while Nup2 plays a secondary role in countering the inhibitory function of Nup60's C-terminus.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nathalie Vrielynck, Katja Schneider, Marion Rodriguez, Jason Sims, Aurelie Chambon, Aurelie Hurel, Arnaud De Muyt, Arnaud Ronceret, Ondrej Krsicka, Christine Mezard, Peter Schloegelhofer, Mathilde Grelon
Summary: Research suggests that in the initiation of meiotic recombination, MTOPVIB and PRD1 provide links between different proteins, PRD3/AtMER2 establishes a direct connection between DSB formation and recombination mechanisms, and DFO controls the formation of MTOPVIB foci.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Alec Gaspary, Raphaelle Laureau, Annie Dyatel, Gizem Dursuk, Yael Simon, Luke E. Berchowitz
Summary: Gaspary et al. used forward genetics in yeast to identify two RNA-binding proteins, Rie1 and Sgn1, which form a complex that promotes meiotic cell fate decision. This complex enhances translation of the master transcriptional regulator of meiosis, IME1, under starvation conditions. The study provides insights into the mechanisms of cell fate decisions and their regulation at the posttranscriptional level.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nathalie Vrielynck, Katja Schneider, Marion Rodriguez, Jason Sims, Aurelie Chambon, Aurelie Hurel, Arnaud De Muyt, Arnaud Ronceret, Ondrej Krsicka, Christine Mezard, Peter Schlogelhofer, Mathilde Grelon
Summary: This study reveals the functions and interactions of different proteins in the process of meiotic recombination initiation, elucidating their critical roles in DSB formation and resection processes.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David M. Hollenstein, Mariya Licheva, Nicole Konradi, David Schweida, Hector Mancilla, Muriel Mari, Fulvio Reggiori, Claudine Kraft
Summary: Vac8 plays a crucial role in coordinating the initiation of autophagosome formation by promoting the assembly of autophagy factors through avidity-driven interactions. In selective autophagy, Vac8 acts as a central hub to nucleate the phagophore assembly site at the vacuolar membrane, leading to clustering and sequestering of early autophagy factors and promoting phagophore assembly.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nafiseh Sirati, Blagovesta Popova, Martijn R. Molenaar, Iris C. Verhoek, Gerhard H. Braus, Dora Kaloyanova, J. Bernd Helms
Summary: The assembly of GAPR-1 into cytosolic inclusions is a dynamic process regulated by factors like N-myristoylation and mutations in conserved metal-binding sites. Zn2+ metal ions enhance inclusion formation and stabilize GAPR-1 proteins within the inclusions, suggesting a role in the biological function of GAPR-1 and other CAP family members.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Rebekka Harting, Alexandra Nagel, Kai Nesemann, Annalena M. Hoefer, Emmanouil Bastakis, Harald Kusch, Claire E. Stanley, Martina Stockli, Alexander Kaever, Katharina J. Hoff, Mario Stanke, Andrew J. deMello, Markus Kuenzler, Cara H. Haney, Susanna A. Braus-Stromeyer, Gerhard H. Braus
Summary: Research has shown that different fluorescent pseudomonads have varying effects on fungal growth, with Pseudomonas protegens CHA0 exhibiting the strongest inhibitory potential. Fungal morphology and transcriptome are altered during co-cultivation with pseudomonads, and the bacterial effect on the pathogen contributes to plant protection.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karina Schneider, Theresa Farr, Niko Pinter, Kerstin Schmitt, Oliver Valerius, Gerhard H. Braus, Joerg Kaemper
Summary: Early endosomes play important roles in long distance transport of cargoes in filamentous fungi, controlled by specific membrane-bound proteins such as Rab5 and tethering complexes like CORVET. In Ustilago maydis, Rab5a recruits CORVET to early endosomes, with Nma1 protein modulating the lifespan of early endosomes to ensure their availability for transportation processes.
MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Lisa Marquardt, Matthew Taylor, Florian Kramer, Kerstin Schmitt, Gerhard H. Braus, Oliver Valerius, Michael Thumm
Summary: The yeast PROPPIN Atg18 is a beta-propeller protein that binds to both phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PtdIns3P) and PtdIns(3,5)P-2. It can induce membrane tubulation and fission through membrane insertion. Atg18 interacts with Vps35, a component of the retromer complex, and competes with sorting nexin proteins Vps5 and Vps17. Atg18-retromer is involved in vacuolar fragmentation during hyperosmotic stress.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hannah Elisa Krawczyk, Siqi Sun, Nathan M. Doner, Qiqi Yan, Magdiel Sheng Satha Lim, Patricia Scholz, Philipp William Niemeyer, Kerstin Schmitt, Oliver Valerius, Roman Pleskot, Stefan Hillmer, Gerhard H. Braus, Marcel Wiermer, Robert T. Mullen, Till Ischebeck
Summary: This study identifies three proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana that form a complex tethering a subset of lipid droplets to the plasma membrane in seedlings.
Article
Plant Sciences
Karl Kasper, Ilka N. Abreu, Kirstin Feussner, Krzysztof Zienkiewicz, Cornelia Herrfurth, Till Ischebeck, Dennis Janz, Andrzej Majcherczyk, Kerstin Schmitt, Oliver Valerius, Gerhard H. Braus, Ivo Feussner, Andrea Polle
Summary: This study investigated how variations in nitrogen nutrition affected the metabolome and proteome of xylem sap, as well as the growth of the xylem endophyte Brennaria salicis and the transcriptional re-wiring of leaf defenses in poplar. The results showed that nitrogen nutrition had a significant impact on the composition of xylem sap, leading to changes in protein and metabolite abundances. These changes in xylem composition also affected the growth of the xylem endophyte and the transcriptional landscape of leaves, influencing plant defenses.
Review
Microbiology
James T. Taylor, Rebekka Harting, Samer Shalaby, Charles M. Kenerley, Gerhard H. Braus, Benjamin A. Horwitz
Summary: Fungal adhesion, which is crucial for invading host tissues, remains poorly understood. By studying other fungi, such as yeast and insect pathogens, we can uncover the mechanisms and functions of Trichoderma adhesion. There are sequence and functional similarities between Trichoderma and other rhizosphere-competent fungi. The study of Verticillium and Metarhizium species has provided valuable insights into adhesion in Trichoderma.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dominic Simm, Blagovesta Popova, Gerhard H. Braus, Stephan Waack, Martin Kollmar
Summary: The study analyzed the influence of a profiled codon usage adaptation approach on protein expression levels in the eukaryotic model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Results showed that high levels of GFP expression and adaptation of toxic α Syn to endogenous low-level expression could be achieved using this approach. The new software for performing host-specific protein adaptations to commonly used model organisms is publicly available as a web-application.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Philipp William Niemeyer, Iker Irisarri, Patricia Scholz, Kerstin Schmitt, Oliver Valerius, Gerhard H. Braus, Cornelia Herrfurth, Ivo Feussner, Shrikant Sharma, Anders S. Carlsson, Jan de Vries, Per Hofvander, Till Ischebeck
Summary: There are plant organs and developmental stages that can withstand severe water loss. The tubers of yellow nutsedge have seed-like characteristics and show upregulation of seed proteins. In contrast, the tubers of purple nutsedge do not accumulate oil and lack desiccation-tolerance. The expression of specific transcription factors may contribute to the differences between the two nutsedge species.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nafiseh Sirati, Ziying Shen, Nick K. Olrichs, Blagovesta Popova, Iris C. Verhoek, Ilse M. Lagerwaard, Gerhard H. Braus, Dora V. Kaloyanova, J. Bernd Helms
Summary: Golgi-Associated plant Pathogenesis Related protein 1 (GAPR-1) acts as a negative regulator of autophagy by interacting with Beclin 1 at Golgi membranes in mammalian cells. The formation of protein condensates upon overexpression of GAPR-1 and Beclin 1 in yeast is affected by their mutual interactions, which are similar to their interactions at Golgi membranes.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ozlem Sarikaya Bayram, Ozgur Bayram, Betim Karahoda, Cindy Meister, Anna M. Kohler, Sabine Thieme, Nadia Elramli, Dean Frawley, Jamie McGowan, David A. Fitzpatrick, Kerstin Schmitt, Leandro Jose de Assis, Oliver Valerius, Gustavo H. Goldman, Gerhard H. Braus
Summary: F-box proteins play important roles in coordinating fungal development and secondary metabolism by controlling subcellular accumulations and degradation of key regulatory proteins.
Article
Microbiology
Isabel Maurus, Rebekka Harting, Cornelia Herrfurth, Jessica Starke, Alexandra Nagel, Lennart Mohnike, Ying-Yu Chen, Kerstin Schmitt, Emmanouil Bastakis, Marian T. Suess, Miriam Leonard, Kai Heimel, Oliver Valerius, Ivo Feussner, James W. Kronstad, Gerhard H. Braus
Summary: This study reveals that the transcriptional regulator Vta3 is crucial for the pathogenicity of Verticillium dahliae in tomato plants. It promotes the expression of the Elv1 gene, while reducing the expression of the Mtf1 gene. Vta3 delays the action of Mtf1, triggering plant immune responses. Understanding the genetic networks underlying V. dahliae development and virulence is essential for controlling the spread of plant disease.
Article
Microbiology
Isabel Maurus, Miriam Leonard, Alexandra Nagel, Jessica Starke, James W. Kronstad, Rebekka Harting, Gerhard H. Braus
Summary: Verticillium dahliae, a vascular fungal pathogen, produces specific proteins in the xylem sap of the host plant, which are important for colonization of the plant vasculature and disease symptoms induction. Two hydrophobins, Vdh4 and Vdh5, were found to play specialized roles in the pathogenicity of V. dahliae against tomato plants, contributing to disease development at later colonization stages.
Article
Microbiology
Alexandra Nagel, Miriam Leonard, Isabel Maurus, Jessica Starke, Kerstin Schmitt, Oliver Valerius, Rebekka Harting, Gerhard H. Braus
Summary: The study investigates the molecular functions and interactions of the Frequency (Frq) and Frq-interacting RNA helicase (Frh) in controlling the development of conidia or microsclerotia in the vascular plant pathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae. The results suggest that the Frq-Frh complex promotes conidiation but suppresses microsclerotia formation in response to light. The study also explores the possible link between the negative element Frq and the positive regulator Suppressor of flocculation 1 (Sfl1) in microsclerotia formation, providing insights into the regulatory molecular mechanism.
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
R. Harting, J. Starke, H. Kusch, S. Poeggeler, I. Maurus, R. Schlueter, M. Landesfeind, I. Bulla, M. Nowrousian, R. De Jonge, G. Stahlhut, K. J. Hoff, K. P. Asshauer, A. Thurmer, M. Stanke, R. Daniel, B. Morgenstern, B. P. H. J. Thomma, J. W. Kronstad, S. A. Braus-Stromeyer, G. H. Braus
MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ankita Chadda, Alexander G. Kozlov, Binh Nguyen, Timothy M. Lohman, Eric A. Galburt
Summary: In this study, it was found that the DNA damage response in Mycobacterium tuberculosis differs from well-studied model bacteria. The DNA repair helicase UvrD1 in Mtb is activated through a redox-dependent process and is closely associated with the homo-dimeric Ku protein. Additionally, Ku protein is shown to stimulate the helicase activity of UvrD1.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)