The gene encoding the major heat shock-inducible member of the HSP70 family of Neurospora crassa was cloned and characterized. The 5 nontranscribed region shows the presence of consensus sequence motifs resembling the classical heat shock elements found in many heat shock-responsive eukaryotic promoters, as well as metal-responsive-element sequences. The coding region of the gene contains four introns with boundaries and internal consensus motifs typical of genes of filamentous fungi. None of the other stress-inducible hsp70 genes of fungal origin have, so far, been reported to contain introns. The sequence adjoining the transcriptional initiation zone shows the presence of prominent CT-rich stretches, characteristic of highly expressed fungal genes. The deduced amino acid sequence corresponds to a 646-residue polypeptide, with a calculated molecular mass of 70,561 Da and an average pI of 6.01, exhibiting strong sequence homology with many other eukaryotic HSP70s, with typical HSP70 family signatures 1 and 2 and a bipartite nuclear targeting sequence. Experiments with primer extension revealed the presence of one minor and two major transcriptional start sites. This gene, designated hsps-1, was mapped to a locus on the left arm of linkage group II, in close proximity to the AR-30 translocation breakpoint.The heat shock response is a fundamental attribute of living organisms, enabling them to withstand sudden environmental changes. The rapid synthesis of a specific complement of heat shock proteins (HSPs), or stress-responsive proteins, following hyperthermal injury or application of physiological or metabolic stress is recognized as an effective, protective strategy for ensuring cellular survival (32). In eukaryotic organisms, HSPs with a large molecular size (70 to 110 kDa) appear to be implicated in several functions critical for the maintenance of the integrity of structural proteins and cellular enzymes under unfavorable conditions.The stress-inducible HSP70 members compose one of the most highly conserved protein and gene families encountered throughout the biological world (4). The importance of the role of the stress-70 class of proteins as molecular chaperones of protein folding and oligomeric assembly, during heat shock as well as in normal cellular physiology, is beginning to be appreciated, and there is beginning to be a greater understanding of their structure-function relationships (13). The hsp70 multigene family of yeast, comprising eight members-including constitutive as well as stress-inducible ones-has been investigated intensively (6). In contrast, very little information is available on the heat shock genes and proteins of the filamentous fungi. Information derived from recent phylogenetic studies at the molecular level provides strong support for a close evolutionary linkage between the fungal and animal kingdoms (2). Therefore, elucidation of the evolutionary basis of defensive strategies elaborated by the filamentous fungi should provide invaluable genetic tools for exploration of similar ...
An inducible sulfite reductase was purified from Clostridium pasteurianum. The pH optimum of the enzyme is 7.5 in phosphate buffer. The molecular weight of the reductase was determined to be 83,600 from sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis with a proposed molecular structure: alpha 2 beta 2. Its absorption spectrum showed a maximum at 275 nm, a broad shoulder at 370 nm and a very small absorption maximum at 585 nm. No siroheme chromophore was isolated from this reductase. The enzyme could reduce the following substrates in preferential order: NH2OH greater than SeO3 (2-) greater than NO(2-) 2 at rates 50% or less of its preferred substrate SO3(2-). The proposed dissimilatory intermediates, S3O6 (2-) or S2O3(2-), were not utilized by this reductase while KCN inhibited its activity. Varying the substrate concentration [SO3(2-)] from 1 to 2.5 mumol affected the stoichiometry of the enzyme reaction by alteration of the ratio of H2 uptake to S2- formed from 2.5:1 to 3.1:1. The inducible sulfite reductase was found to be linked to ferredoxin which could be completely replaced by methyl viologen or partially by benzyl viologen. Some of the above-mentioned enzyme properties and physiological considerations indicated that it was a dissimilatory type sulfite reductase.
Neurospora crassa mycelium was heat shocked for intervals varying from 15-180 min. Heat shock mRNA was monitored by hybridization of Northern blots with the Drosophila hsp-70 gene probe and an inducible member of the yeast hsp-70 gene family, YG100. A 2.7 kilobase (kb) transcript, with homology to these two probes, was detected in cultures shocked for 15 min; its levels increased up to 60-90 min and declined thereafter. Sodium arsenite, too, induced the synthesis of this transcript. An additional, constitutively synthesized 2.4-kb transcript was revealed by hybridization with the yeast probe. The synthesis of this message was terminated during heat shock. Hybridization of Northern blots with the Drosophila actin gene probe demonstrated two size classes, 1.85 and 1.63 kb; the former decreased dramatically following heat shock. Recovery, as assessed by the disappearance of the 2.7-kb hsp-70-mRNA and restoration of the 1.85-kb actin message to the prestress levels, was essentially complete within 60 min of transfer to 28 degrees C. In vitro translations of RNA from stressed cells showed the heat shock messages to be stable and readily translatable. RNA of cells subjected to heat shock plus CdCl2 showed a higher content of messages for heat shock proteins of 70, 80, and 90 kilodaltons.
The process of repeat-induced point mutation (RIP) was used to disrupt hsps-1, the gene encoding the major heat-inducible member of the HSP70 family of Neurospora crassa. A plasmid DNA, containing an incomplete copy of hsps-1 and the selectable marker qa-2+, was introduced into germinated conidia. The sexual progeny of transformants with ectopically integrated hsps-1 DNA was examined for RIP by Southern-blot analysis of MboI- and Sau3A-digested genomic DNA. Progeny strains, showing RIP, were tested for heat shock-responsive expression of hsps-1, by RNA-blot hybridization and Western-blot analysis, as well as for thermotolerance. Isolates with RIP showed low levels of hsps-1 mRNA and a lack of induction of HSP70 protein by heat shock, accompanied by only a marginal decrease in the acquisition of thermotolerance.
Cell-free protein synthesis systems were prepared from normally-grown (N-lysate) and heat-shocked (HS-lysate) Neurospora crassa mycelium. Although both lysates translated homologous mRNA, the HS-lysate was more active, yielding a higher incorporation of [35S]-methionine into hot TCA-insoluble material and a vastly superior protein synthesis profile. The optimal temperature for translation by both lysates was 21 degrees C; the HS-lysate did not translate heat-shock mRNA preferentially at any temperature tested. Fortuitously, heterologous messenger RNAs from diverse eukaryotic and viral sources - Drosophila, dog pancreas, rabbit globin mRNA, brome mosaic virus, tobacco mosaic virus - were translated by the HS-lysate with an efficiency comparable to that of the commercial rabbit reticulocyte system and superior to the wheat germ system. The cap analogues, m7G(5')ppp(5')G and m7G(5')Gm, inhibited translation significantly.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.