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Ítem Acceso Abierto Structural features of the plant N-recognin ClpS1 and sequence determinants in its targets that govern substrate selection(Federation of European Biochemical Societies, 2021-06-14) Aguilar Lucero, Dianela Ailin; Cantoia, Alejo; Sánchez López, Carolina; Binolfi, Andrés; Mogk, Axel; Ceccarelli, Eduardo Augusto; Rosano, Germán L.; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5776-3306; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8313-6813; Dr. Song, Hyun-kyu: provide the coordinates of ClpS1 (PDB 7d34)In the N-degron pathway of protein degradation of Escherichia coli, the N-recognin ClpS identifies substrates bearing N-terminal phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, or leucine and delivers them to the caseinolytic protease (Clp). Chloroplasts contain the Clp system, but whether chloroplastic ClpS1 adheres to the same constraints is unknown. Moreover, the structural underpinnings of substrate recognition are not completely defined. We show that ClpS1 recognizes canonical residues of the E. coli N-degron pathway. The residue in second position influences recognition (especially in N-terminal ends starting with leucine). N-terminal acetylation abrogates recognition. ClpF, a ClpS1-interacting partner, does not alter its specificity. Substrate binding provokes local remodeling of residues in the substrate-binding cavity of ClpS1. Our work strongly supports the existence of a chloroplastic N-degron pathway.Ítem Acceso Abierto Activation of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) at fertilization in Rhinella arenarum eggs(University of the Basque Country Press (UBC Press), 2015-07-02) Mouguelar, Valeria Soraya; Coux, GabrielaRecently, we have provided evidence for the involvement of a cytosolic tyrosine–phosphorylatable 70 kDa oocyte protein in Rhinella arenarum (Anura: Bufonidae) fertilization. The aim of the present work was to characterize its phosphorylation, determine the identity of this protein and establish its biological role during the fertilization process. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the 70 kDa protein was not observed in eggs activated with the calcium ionophore A23187. Pretreatment of oocytes with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein effectively blocked the fertilization-dependent phosphorylation of the 70 kDa protein. In order to identify this protein, we examined the presence in amphibian oocytes of non-receptor 70 kDa tyrosine kinase members of the Syk/Zap70 and Tec families by RT-PCR using degenerate primers. We found that R. arenarum oocytes contain the transcripts coding for Syk and Tec kinases. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of Syk protein in unfertilized oocytes and eggs. Studies using phospho-Syk specific antibodies showed that fertilization rapidly (less than 10 minutes) induces phosphorylation on Syk tyrosine residues (352 and 525/526) that are necessary for the activation of the enzyme. Finally, specific inhibition of Syk with the R406 compound provoked a diminished fertilization score, thereby confirming a functional role of the Syk protein during R. arenarum fertilization. To our knowledge this is the first time that Syk is described as a player in the signaling cascade activated after fertilization.Ítem Acceso Abierto D- and N-Methyl Amino Acids for Modulating the Therapeutic Properties of Antimicrobial Peptides and Lipopeptides(MDPI, 2023-04-27) Humpola, Maria Veronica; Spinelli, Roque; Erben, Melina; Perdomo, Virginia Gabriela; Tonarelli, Georgina Guadalupe; Albericio, Fernando; Siano, Alvaro Sebastian; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4479-2356; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8946-0462; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7790-5532Here we designed and synthesized analogs of two antimicrobial peptides, namely C10:0-A2, a lipopeptide, and TA4, a cationic α-helical amphipathic peptide, and used non-proteinogenic amino acids to improve their therapeutic properties. The physicochemical properties of these analogs were analyzed, including their retention time, hydrophobicity, and critical micelle concentration, as well as their antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and yeast. Our results showed that substitution with D- and N-methyl amino acids could be a useful strategy to modulate the therapeutic properties of antimicrobial peptides and lipopeptides, including enhancing stability against enzymatic degradation. The study provides insights into the design and optimization of antimicrobial peptides to achieve improved stability and therapeutic efficacy. TA4(dK), C10:0-A2(6-NMeLys), and C10:0-A2(9-NMeLys) were identified as the most promising molecules for further studies.Ítem Acceso Abierto Expression of Flavodiiron Proteins Flv2-Flv4 in Chloroplasts of Arabidopsis and Tobacco Plants Provides Multiple Stress Tolerance(MDPI, 2021-01-25) Vicino, Paula; Carrillo, Julieta; Gómez, Rodrigo Lionel; Shahinnia, Fahimeh; Tula, Suresh; Melzer, Michael; Rutten, Twan; Carrillo, Néstor; Hajirezaei, Mohammad-Reza; Lodeyro, Anabella F.; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8789-0899; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8236-7647; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5213-4030With the notable exception of angiosperms, all phototrophs contain different sets of flavodiiron proteins that help to relieve the excess of excitation energy on the photosynthetic electron transport chain during adverse environmental conditions, presumably by reducing oxygen directly to water. Among them, the Flv2-Flv4 dimer is only found in β-cyanobacteria and induced by high light, supporting a role in stress protection. The possibility of a similar protective function in plants was assayed by expressing Synechocystis Flv2-Flv4 in chloroplasts of tobacco and Arabidopsis. Flv-expressing plants exhibited increased tolerance toward high irradiation, salinity, oxidants, and drought. Stress tolerance was reflected by better growth, preservation of photosynthetic activity, and membrane integrity. Metabolic profiling under drought showed enhanced accumulation of soluble sugars and amino acids in transgenic Arabidopsis and a remarkable shift of sucrose into starch, in line with metabolic responses of drought-tolerant genotypes. Our results indicate that the Flv2-Flv4 complex retains its stress protection activities when expressed in chloroplasts of angiosperm species by acting as an additional electron sink. The flv2-flv4 genes constitute a novel biotechnological tool to generate plants with increased tolerance to agronomically relevant stress conditions that represent a significant productivity constraint.Ítem Acceso Abierto New tools for recombinant proteinproduction in Escherichia coli:A 5-year update(Wiley, 2019-06-01) Rosano, Germán L.; Morales, Enrique Salvador; Ceccarelli, Eduardo Augusto; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8313-6813; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5776-3306The production of proteins in sufficient amounts is key for their study or use asbiotherapeutic agents. Escherichia coli is the host of choice for recombinant protein production givenits fast growth, easy manipulation, and cost-effectiveness. As such, its protein production capabilitiesare continuously being improved. Also, the associated tools (such as plasmids and cultivationconditions) are subject of ongoing research to optimize product yield. In this work, we review thelatest advances in recombinant protein production in E. coli.Ítem Acceso Abierto Cnbp ameliorates Treacher Collins Syndrome craniofacial anomalies through a pathway that involves redox-responsive genes(Springer Nature, 2016-10-06) Porcel de Peralta, Mauro S.; Mouguelar, Valeria Soraya; Sdrigotti, María Antonella; Ishiy, Felipe A. A.; Fanganiello, Roberto D.; Passos Bueno, Maria R.; Coux, Gabriela; Calcaterra, Nora B.Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS) is a rare congenital disease (1:50 000 live births) characterized by craniofacial defects, including hypoplasia of facial bones, cleft palate and palpebral fissures. Over 90% of the cases are due to mutations in the TCOF1 gene, which codifies the nucleolar protein Treacle. Here we report a novel TCS-like zebrafish model displaying features that fully recapitulate the spectrum of craniofacial abnormalities observed in patients. As it was reported for a Tcof1+/ − mouse model, Treacle depletion in zebrafish caused reduced rRNA transcription, stabilization of Tp53 and increased cell death in the cephalic region. An increase of ROS along with the overexpression of redox-responsive genes was detected; furthermore, treatment with antioxidants ameliorated the phenotypic defects of craniofacial anomalies in TCS-like larvae. On the other hand, Treacle depletion led to a lowering in the abundance of Cnbp, a protein required for proper craniofacial development. Tcof1 knockdown in transgenic zebrafish overexpressing cnbp resulted in barely affected craniofacial cartilage development, reinforcing the notion that Cnbp has a role in the pathogenesis of TCS. The cnbp overexpression rescued the TCS phenotype in a dose-dependent manner by a ROScytoprotective action that prevented the redox-responsive genes’ upregulation but did not normalize the synthesis of rRNAs. Finally, a positive correlation between the expression of CNBP and TCOF1 in mesenchymal cells from both control and TCS subjects was found. Based on this, we suggest CNBP as an additional target for new alternative therapeutic treatments to reduce craniofacial defects not only in TCS but also in other neurocristopathies.Ítem Acceso Abierto Neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles favour neuronal differentiation and plasticity under stress conditions(Frontiers Media, 2023-03-24) Delgado Ocaña, Susana; Magaquian, Dario; Banchio, ClaudiaExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by all cell types and are involved in intercellular communication. We evaluated if neural stem cells-derived EVs (NSCEVs) regulate NSCs proliferation and differentiation under control and stress conditions. We found that NSC-EVs treatment increases cell proliferation and promotes neuronal differentiation and plasticity. The fact that nervous tissue poorly recovers after cellular damage, prump us to evaluate the effect of EVs supplementation under oxidative stress and inflammation. We demonstrate that NSC-EVs restore the proliferative potential of the NSCs affected by oxidative stress. In addition, we provide evidence that oxidative stress and inflammation induce neuronal differentiation. Interestingly, the aberrant cell phenotype induced by inflammation is restored by NSC-EVs treatment, suggesting that these vesicles ameliorate the damage burden in neurons and modulate neuronal plasticity. These results contribute to understand the role of the NSCs-derived EVs as key players for brain tissue generation and regeneration and open new pathways to the development of therapies.Ítem Acceso Abierto Ready for new waves: optimizing SARS-CoV-2 variants monitoring in pooled samples with droplet digital PCR(Frontiers Media, 2024-01-11) Pacini, Antonella; Paredes, Franco; Heckel, Sofía; Ibarra, Guadalupe; Petreli, María Victoria; Perez, Marilina; Agnella, Yanina; Piskulic, Laura; Allasia, María Belén; Caprile, Luis; Colaneri, Alejandro; Sesma, JulianaIntroduction: The declaration of the end of the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 on May 11th, 2023, has shifted the global focus led by WHO and CDC towards monitoring the evolution of SARS-CoV-2. Augmenting these international endeavors with local initiatives becomes crucial to not only track the emergence of new variants but also to understand their spread. We present a cost-effective digital PCR-based pooled sample testing methodology tailored for early variant surveillance. Methods: Using 1200 retrospective SARS-CoV-2 positive samples, either negative or positive for Delta or Omicron, we assessed the sensitivity and specificity of our detection strategy employing commercial TaqMan variant probes in a 1:9 ratio of variant-positive to variant-negative samples. Results: The study achieved 100% sensitivity and 99% specificity in 10-sample pools, with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) exceeding 0.998 in ROC curves, using distinct commercial TaqMan variant probes. Discussion: The employment of two separate TaqMan probes for both Delta and Omicron establishes dual validation routes, emphasizing the method’s robustness. Although we used known samples to model realistic emergence scenarios of the Delta and Omicron variants, our main objective is to demonstrate the versatility of this strategy to identify future variant appearances. The utilization of two divergent variants and distinct probes for each confirms the method’s independence from specific variants and probes. This flexibility ensures it can be tailored to recognize any subsequent variant emergence, given the availability of its sequence and a specific probe. Consequently, our approach stands as a robust tool for tracking and managing any new variant outbreak, reinforcing our global readiness against possible future SARS-CoV-2 waves.Ítem Acceso Abierto Reactive oxygen species generated in chloroplasts contribute to tobacco leaf infection by the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea(Society for Experimental Biology, 2017-10) Rossi, Franco R.; Krapp, Adriana R.; Bisaro, Fabiana; Maiale, Santiago J.; Pieckenstain, Fernando L.; Carrillo, NéstorReactive oxygen species (ROS) play fundamental roles in plant responses to pathogen infection, including modulation of cell death processes and defense-related gene expression. Cell death triggered as part of the hypersensitive response enhances resistance to biotrophic pathogens, but favors the virulence of necrotrophs. Even though the involvement of ROS in the orchestration of defense responses is well established, the relative contribution of specific subcellular ROS sources to plant resistance against microorganisms with different pathogenesis strategies is not completely known. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of chloroplastic ROS in plant defense against a typical necrotrophic fungus, Botrytis cinerea. For this purpose, we used transgenic Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) lines expressing a plastid-targeted cyanobacterial flavodoxin (pfld lines), which accumulate lower chloroplastic ROS in response to different stresses. Tissue damage and fungal growth were significantly reduced in infected leaves of pfld plants, as compared with infected wild-type (WT) counterparts. ROS build-up triggered by Botrytis infection and associated with chloroplasts was significantly decreased (70–80%) in pfld leaves relative to the wild type. Phytoalexin accumulation and expression of pathogenesis-related genes were induced to a lower degree in pfld plants than in WT siblings. The impact of fungal infection on photosynthetic activity was also lower in pfld leaves. The results indicate that chloroplast-generated ROS play a major role in lesion development during Botrytis infection. This work demonstrates that the modulation of chloroplastic ROS levels by the expression of a heterologous antioxidant protein can provide a significant degree of protection against a canonical necrotrophic fungus.Ítem Acceso Abierto Early cold stress responses in post-meiotic anthers from tolerant and sensitive rice cultivars(SpringerOpen, 2019-12-18) González Schain, Nahuel; Roig-Villanova, Irma; Kater, Martin M.; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1155-2575Background: Rice grain production is susceptible to a changing environment that imposes both biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Cold episodes are becoming more frequent in the last years and directly affect rice yield in areas with a temperate climate. Rice is particularly susceptible to cold stress during the reproductive phase, especially in anthers during post-meiotic stages which, in turn, affect pollen production. However, a number of rice cultivars with a certain degree of tolerance to cold have been described, which may represent a good breeding resource for improvement of susceptible commercial varieties. Plants experiencing cold stress activate a molecular response in order to reprogram many metabolic pathways to face these hostile conditions. Results: Here we performed RNA-seq analysis using cold-stressed post-meiotic anther samples from a cold-tolerant, Erythroceros Hokkaido (ERY), and a cold-susceptible commercial cultivar Sant’Andrea (S.AND). Both cultivars displayed an early common molecular response to cold, although the changes in expression levels are much more drastic in the tolerant one. Comparing our datasets, obtained after one-night cold stress, with other similar genome-wide studies showed very few common deregulated genes, suggesting that molecular responses in coldstressed anthers strongly depend on conditions and the duration of the cold treatments. Cold-tolerant ERY exhibits specific molecular responses related to ethylene metabolism, which appears to be activated after cold stress. On the other hand, S.AND cold-treated plants showed a general downregulation of photosystem I and II genes, supporting a role of photosynthesis and chloroplasts in cold responses in anthers, which has remained elusive. Conclusions: Our study revealed that a number of ethylene-related transcription factors, as putative master regulators of cold responses, were upregulated in ERY providing promising candidates to confer tolerance to susceptible cultivars. Our results also suggest that the photosynthesis machinery might be a good target to improve cold tolerance in anthers. In summary, our study provides valuable candidates for further analysis and molecular breeding for cold-tolerant rice cultivars.Ítem Acceso Abierto Characterization of the accessory protein ClpT1 from Arabidopsis thaliana: oligomerization status and interaction with Hsp100 chaperones(BMC, 2014-08-24) Colombo, Clara V.; Ceccarelli, Eduardo Augusto; Rosano, Germán L.Background: The caseinolytic protease (Clp) is crucial for chloroplast biogenesis and proteostasis. The Arabidopsis Clp consists of two heptameric rings (P and R rings) assembled from nine distinct subunits. Hsp100 chaperones (ClpC1/2 and ClpD) are believed to dock to the axial pores of Clp and then transfer unfolded polypeptides destined to degradation. The adaptor proteins ClpT1 and 2 attach to the protease, apparently blocking the chaperone binding sites. This competition was suggested to regulate Clp activity. Also, monomerization of ClpT1 from dimers in the stroma triggers P and R rings association. So, oligomerization status of ClpT1 seems to control the assembly of the Clp protease. Results: In this work, ClpT1 was obtained in a recombinant form and purified. In solution, it mostly consists of monomers while dimers represent a small fraction of the population. Enrichment of the dimer fraction could only be achieved by stabilization with a crosslinker reagent. We demonstrate that ClpT1 specifically interacts with the Hsp100 chaperones ClpC2 and ClpD. In addition, ClpT1 stimulates the ATPase activity of ClpD by more than 50% when both are present in a 1:1 molar ratio. Outside this optimal proportion, the stimulatory effect of ClpT1 on the ATPase activity of ClpD declines. Conclusions: The accessory protein ClpT1 behaves as a monomer in solution. It interacts with the chloroplastic Hsp100 chaperones ClpC2 and ClpD and tightly modulates the ATPase activity of the latter. Our results provide new experimental evidence that may contribute to revise and expand the existing models that were proposed to explain the roles of this poorly understood regulatory protein.Ítem Acceso Abierto Deciphering the metabolic pathways influencing heat and cold responses during post-harvest physiology of peach fruit(Wiley, 2014-01-21) Lauxmann, Martín Alexander; Borsani, Julia; Osorio, Sonia; Lombardo, Verónica Andrea; Budde, Claudio O.; Bustamante, Claudia Anabel; Monti, Laura Lucía; Andreo, Carlos Santiago; Fernie, Alisdair R.; Drincovich, María Fabiana; Lara, María ValeriaPeaches are highly perishable and deteriorate quickly at ambient temperature. Cold storage is commonly used to prevent fruit decay; however, it affects fruit quality causing physiological disorders collectively termed ‘chilling injury’ (CI). To prevent or ameliorate CI, heat treatment is often applied prior to cold storage. In the present work, metabolic profiling was performed to determine the metabolic dynamics associated with the induction of acquired CI tolerance in response to heat shock. ‘Dixiland’ peach fruits exposed to 39 °C, cold stored, or after a combined treatment of heat and cold, were compared with fruits ripening at 20 °C. Dramatic changes in the levels of compatible solutes such as galactinol and raffinose were observed, while amino acid precursors of the phenylpropanoid pathway were also modified due to the stress treatments, as was the polyamine putrescine. The observed responses towards temperature stress in peaches are composed of both common and specific response mechanisms to heat and cold, but also of more general adaptive responses that confer strategic advantages in adverse conditions such as biotic stresses. The identification of such key metabolites, which prime the fruit to cope with different stress situations, will likely greatly accelerate the design and the improvement of plant breeding programs.Ítem Acceso Abierto Unravelling early events in the Taphrina deformans–Prunus persica interaction: an insight into the differential responses in resistant and susceptible genotypes(Wiley, 2017-07-12) Svetaz, Laura Andrea; Bustamante, Claudia Anabel; Goldy, Camila; Rivero, Nery Alberto; Müller, Gabriela Leticia; Valentini, Gabriel Hugo; Fernie, Alisdair R.; Drincovich, María Fabiana; Lara, María Valeria; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4914-0242; Dr. Bellini, E.: provide P. persica selections DOFI-84.364.089 and DOFI-84.364.060; Dr. Giordani, E.: provide P. persica selections DOFI-84.364.089 and DOFI-84.364.060Leaf peach curl is a devastating disease affecting leaves, flowers and fruits, caused by the dimorphic fungus Taphrina deformans. To gain insight into the mechanisms of fungus pathogenesis and plant responses, leaves of a resistant and two susceptible Prunus persica genotypes were inoculated with blastospores (yeast), and the infection was monitored during 120 h post inoculation (h.p.i.). Fungal dimorphism to the filamentous form and induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), callose synthesis, cell death and defence compound production were observed independently of the genotype. Fungal load significantly decreased after 120 h.p.i. in the resistant genotype, while the pathogen tended to grow in the susceptible genotypes. Metabolic profiling revealed a biphasic re-programming of plant tissue in susceptible genotypes, with an initial stage co-incident with the yeast form of the fungus and a second when the hypha is developed. Transcriptional analysis of PRs and plant hormone-related genes indicated that pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins are involved in P. persica defence responses against T. deformans and that salicylic acid is induced in the resistant genotype. Conducted experiments allowed the elucidation of common and differential responses in susceptible versus resistant genotypes and thus allow us to construct a picture of early events during T. deformans infection.Ítem Acceso Abierto G-quadruplexes as novel cis-elements controlling transcription during embryonic development(Oxford University Press, 2016-01-14) David, Aldana P.; Margarit, Ezequiel; Domizi, Pablo; Banchio, Claudia; Armas, Pablo; Calcaterra, Nora B.G-quadruplexes are dynamic structures folded in G-rich single-stranded DNA regions. These structures have been recognized as a potential nucleic acid based mechanism for regulating multiple cellular processes such as replication, transcription and genomic maintenance. So far, their transcriptional role in vivo during vertebrate embryonic development has not yet been addressed. Here, we performed an in silico search to find conserved putative G-quadruplex sequences (PQSs) within proximal promoter regions of human, mouse and zebrafish developmental genes. Among the PQSs able to fold in vitro as G-quadruplex, those present in nog3, col2a1 and fzd5 promoters were selected for further studies. In cellulo studies revealed that the selected G-quadruplexes affected the transcription of luciferase controlled by the SV40 nonrelated promoter. G-quadruplex disruption in vivo by microinjection in zebrafish embryos of either small ligands or DNA oligonucleotides complementary to the selected PQSs resulted in lower transcription of the targeted genes. Moreover, zebrafish embryos and larvae phenotypes caused by the presence of complementary oligonucleotides fully resembled those ones reported for nog3, col2a1 and fzd5 morphants. To our knowledge, this is the first work revealing in vivo the role of conserved G-quadruplexes in the embryonic development, one of the most regulated processes of the vertebrates biology.Ítem Acceso Abierto Beyond the binding site: In vivo Identification of tbx2, smarca5 and wnt5b as molecular targets of CNBP during embryonic development(Public Library of Science, 2013-05-07) Armas, Pablo; Margarit, Ezequiel; Mouguelar, Valeria Soraya; Allende, Miguel L.; Calcaterra, Nora B.CNBP is a nucleic acid chaperone implicated in vertebrate craniofacial development, as well as in myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) and sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) human muscle diseases. CNBP is highly conserved among vertebrates and has been implicated in transcriptional regulation; however, its DNA binding sites and molecular targets remain elusive. The main goal of this work was to identify CNBP DNA binding sites that might reveal target genes involved in vertebrate embryonic development. To accomplish this, we used a recently described yeast one-hybrid assay to identify DNA sequences bound in vivo by CNBP. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that these sequences are G-enriched and show high frequency of putative G-quadruplex DNA secondary structure. Moreover, an in silico approach enabled us to establish the CNBP DNA-binding site and to predict CNBP putative targets based on gene ontology terms and synexpression with CNBP. The direct interaction between CNBP and candidate genes was proved by EMSA and ChIP assays. Besides, the role of CNBP upon the identified genes was validated in loss-of-function experiments in developing zebrafish. We successfully confirmed that CNBP up-regulates tbx2b and smarca5, and down-regulates wnt5b gene expression. The highly stringent strategy used in this work allowed us to identify new CNBP target genes functionally important in different contexts of vertebrate embryonic development. Furthermore, it represents a novel approach toward understanding the biological function and regulatory networks involving CNBP in the biology of vertebrates.Ítem Acceso Abierto Gene expression changes throughout the life cycle allow a bacterial plant pathogen to persist in diverse environmental habitats(Public Library of Science, 2023-12-19) De Pedro-Jové, Roger; Corral, Jordi; Rocafort, Mercedes; Puigvert, Marina; Azam, Fàtima Latif; Vandecaveye, Agustina; Macho, Alberto P.; Balsalobre , Carlos; Coll, Núria S.; Orellano, Elena G.; Valls, Marc; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2312-0091Bacterial pathogens exhibit a remarkable ability to persist and thrive in diverse ecological niches. Understanding the mechanisms enabling their transition between habitats is crucial to control dissemination and potential disease outbreaks. Here, we use Ralstonia solanacearum, the causing agent of the bacterial wilt disease, as a model to investigate pathogen adaptation to water and soil, two environments that act as bacterial reservoirs, and compare this information with gene expression in planta. Gene expression in water resembled that observed during late xylem colonization, with an intriguing induction of the type 3 secretion system (T3SS). Alkaline pH and nutrient scarcity—conditions also encountered during late infection stages–were identified as the triggers for this T3SS induction. In the soil environment, R. solanacearum upregulated stress-responses and genes for the use of alternate carbon sources, such as phenylacetate catabolism and the glyoxylate cycle, and downregulated virulence-associated genes. We proved through gain- and loss-of-function experiments that genes associated with the oxidative stress response, such as the regulator OxyR and the catalase KatG, are key for bacterial survival in soil, as their deletion cause a decrease in culturability associated with a premature induction of the viable but non culturable state (VBNC). This work identifies essential factors necessary for R. solanacearum to complete its life cycle and is the first comprehensive gene expression analysis in all environments occupied by a bacterial plant pathogen, providing valuable insights into its biology and adaptation to unexplored habitats.Ítem Acceso Abierto Engineering a bifunctional copper site in the cupredoxin fold by loop-directed mutagenesis(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2018-06-28) Espinoza Cara, Andrés; Zitare, Ulises A.; Alvarez Paggi , Damián; Klinke, Sebastián; Otero, Lisandro H.; Murgida, Daniel H.; Vila, Alejandro J.; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0500-4513; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0248-6916; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1507-9685; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8777-0870; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5448-5483; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5173-0183; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7978-3233Copper sites in proteins are designed to perform either electron transfer or redox catalysis. Type 1 and CuA sites are electron transfer hubs bound to a rigid protein fold that prevents binding of exogenous ligands and side reactions. Here we report the engineering of two Type 1 sites by loop-directed mutagenesis within a CuA scaffold with unique electronic structures and functional features. A copper–thioether axial bond shorter than the copper–thiolate bond is responsible for the electronic structure features, in contrast to all other natural or chimeric sites where the copper thiolate bond is short. These sites display highly unusual features, such as: (1) a high reduction potential despite a strong interaction with the axial ligand, which we attribute to changes in the hydrogen bond network and (2) the ability to bind exogenous ligands such as imidazole and azide. This strategy widens the possibility of using natural protein scaffolds with functional features not present in nature.Ítem Acceso Abierto Optimization of protease production and sequence analysis of the purified enzyme from the cold adapted yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa CBMAI 1528(Elsevier, 2020-10-21) Lario, Luciana Daniela; Pillaca-Pullo, Omar Santiago; Sette, Lara Durães; Converti, Attilio; Casati, Paula; Spampinato, Claudia P.; Pessoa, AdalbertoEnzymes from cold-adapted microorganisms are of high interest to industries due to their high activity at low and mild temperatures, which makes them suitable for their use in several processes that either require a supply of exogenous energy or involve the use of heat labile products. In this work, the protease production by the strain Rhodotorula mucilaginosa CBMAI 1528, previously isolated from the Antarctic continent, was optimized, and the purified enzyme analyzed. It was found that protease production was dependent on culture medium composition and growth temperature, being 20 C and a culture medium containing both glucose and casein peptone (20 and 10 g/L, respectively) the optimal growing conditions in batch as well as in bioreactor. Moreover, mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the enzyme under study has a 100 % sequence identity with the deduced amino acid sequence of a putative aspartic protease from Rhodotorula sp. JG-1b (protein ID: KWU42276.1). This result was confirmed by the decrease of 95 % proteolytic activity by pepstatin A, a specific inhibitor of aspartic proteases. We propose that the enzyme reported here could be Rodothorulapepsin, a protein characterized in 1972 that did not have an associated sequence to date and has been classified as an orphan enzyme.Ítem Acceso Abierto Transcriptional and metabolic profiling of potato plants expressing a plastid-targeted electron shuttle reveal modulation of genes associated to drought tolerance by chloroplast redox poise(MDPI, 2020-09-29) Pierella Karlusich, Juan J.; Arce, Rocío C.; Shahinnia, Fahimeh; Sonnewald, Sophia; Sonnewald, Uwe; Zurbriggen, Matias D.; Hajirezaei, Mohammad-Reza; Carrillo, Néstor; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1739-4424; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6549-6316; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8236-7647; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9185-6255Water limitation represents the main environmental constraint affecting crop yield worldwide. Photosynthesis is a primary drought target, resulting in over-reduction of the photosynthetic electron transport chain and increased production of reactive oxygen species in plastids. Manipulation of chloroplast electron distribution by introducing alternative electron transport sinks has been shown to increase plant tolerance to multiple environmental challenges including hydric stress, suggesting that a similar strategy could be used to improve drought tolerance in crops. We show herein that the expression of the cyanobacterial electron shuttle flavodoxin in potato chloroplasts protected photosynthetic activities even at a pre-symptomatic stage of drought. Transcriptional and metabolic profiling revealed an attenuated response to the adverse condition in flavodoxin-expressing plants, correlating with their increased stress tolerance. Interestingly, 5–6% of leaf-expressed genes were affected by flavodoxin in the absence of drought, representing pathways modulated by chloroplast redox status during normal growth. About 300 of these genes potentially contribute to stress acclimation as their modulation by flavodoxin proceeds in the same direction as their drought response in wild-type plants. Tuber yield losses under chronic water limitation were mitigated in flavodoxin-expressing plants, indicating that the flavoprotein has the potential to improve major agronomic traits in potato.Ítem Acceso Abierto Centrosomal AKAP350 modulates the G1/S transition(Landes Bioscience, 2013-10-10) Mattaloni, Stella M.; Ferretti, Anabela Cecilia; Tonucci, Facundo Mauro; Favre, Cristian; Goldenring, James R.; Larocca, María CeciliaAKAP350 (AKAP450/AKAP9/CG-NAP) is an A-kinase anchoring protein, which recruits multiple signaling proteins to the Golgi apparatus and the centrosomes. Several proteins recruited to the centrosomes by this scaffold participatein the regulation of the cell cycle. Previous studies indicated that AKAP350 participates in centrosome duplication. In the present study we specifically assessed the role of AKAP350 in the progression of the cell cycle. Our results showed that interference with AKAP350 expression inhibits G1/S transition, decreasing the initiation of both DNA synthesis and centrosome duplication. We identified an AKAP350 carboxyl-terminal domain (AKAP350CTD), which contained the centrosomal targeting domain of AKAP350 and induced the initiation of DNA synthesis. Nevertheless, AKAP350CTD expression did not induce centrosomal duplication. AKAP350CTD partially delocalized endogenous AKAP350 from the centrosomes, but increased the centrosomal levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2). Accordingly, the expression of this AKAP350 domain increased the endogenous phosphorylation of nucleophosmin by Cdk2, which occurs at the G1 /S transition and is a marker of the centrosomal activity of the cyclin E-Cdk2 complex. Cdk2 recruitment to the centrosomes is a necessary event for the development of the G1/S transition. Altogether, our results indicate that AKAP350 facilitates the initiation of DNA synthesis by scaffolding Cdk2 to the centrosomes, and enabling its specific activity at this organelle. Although this mechanism could also be involved in AKAP350-dependent modulation of centrosomal duplication, it is not sufficient to account for this process.