Isaac Corbacho

Identification of low-dye-binding (ldb) mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have completed the identification of Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes that are defective in previously isolated ldb (low-dye-binding) mutants. This was done by complementation of the mutants phenotype with DNA fragments from a genomic library and by running standard tests of allelism with single-gene deletion mutants of similar phenotype. The results were as follows: LDB2 is allelic to ERD1; LDB4 to SPC72; LDB5 to RLR1; LDB6 to GON7/YJL184W; LDB7 to YBL006C; LDB9 to ELM1; LDB10 to CWH36; LDB11 to COG1; LDB12 to OCH1; LDB13 to VAN1; LDB14 to BUD32; and LDB15 to PHO85. Since the precise function of some of the genes is not known, these data may contribute to the functional characterization of the S. cerevisiae genome.

Standard YPD, even supplemented with extra nutrients, does not always compensate growth defects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae auxotrophic strains

Conventional complex media are routinely used to grow auxotrophic strains under the assumption that they can compensate the latter’s nutritional deficiencies. We here demonstrate that this is not always true. This study compares the growth parameters of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S288C) and its derived auxotrophic strains FY1679-14C and BY4741 in synthetic minimal medium (SD), standard YPD medium from two of the most commonly used suppliers, or modified YPD medium. Maximum specific growth rates of auxotrophic strains were slightly lower than the prototrophic case in all growth conditions tested. Also, the biomass production of auxotrophic strains in synthetic medium was slightly less than the prototrophic case. However in both of the two standard YPD media used, the biomass production of both auxotrophic strains was markedly lower than that of the prototrophic one. The extent of the differences depended on the medium used. Indeed in one of the two YPD media, the lower biomass production of auxotrophic strains was evident even at the diauxic shift. Uracil seems to be the main limiting growth factor for both auxotrophic strains growing in the two standard YPD medium tested. No YPD media or specific supplement was able to compensate for the effect of the auxotrophic mutations in the multiple auxotrophic marker strain BY4741. The fact that auxotrophic strains grew poorly on YPD when compared to their prototrophic counterpart indicates that standard YPD medium is not sufficient to overcome the effect of auxotrophic mutations.

Inhibition of PMCA activity by tau as a function of aging and Alzheimer's neuropathology

Ca2+-ATPases are plasma membrane and intracellular membrane transporters that use the energy of ATP hydrolysis to pump cytosolic Ca2+ out of the cell (PMCA) or into internal stores. These pumps are the main high-affinity Ca2+ systems involved in the maintenance of intracellular free Ca2+ at the properly low level in eukaryotic cells. The failure of neurons to keep optimal intracellular Ca2+ concentrations is a common feature of neurodegeneration by aging and aging-linked neuropathologies, such as Alzheimers disease (AD). This disease is characterized by the accumulation of β-amyloid senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of tau, a protein that plays a key role in axonal transport. Here we show a novel inhibition of PMCA activity by tau which is concentration-dependent. The extent of inhibition significantly decreases with aging in mice and control human brain membranes, but inhibition profiles were similar in AD-affected brain membrane preparations, independently of age. No significant changes in PMCA expression and localization with aging or neuropathology were found. These results point out a link between Ca2+-transporters, aging and neurodegeneration mediated by tau protein.

The ldb1 mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is defective in Pmr1p, the yeast secretory pathway/Golgi Ca2+/Mn2+-ATPase

The LDB1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was identified by complementation of the ldb1 mutant phenotype with a genomic library. We found that the ldb1 defect is complemented by PMR1 which codes for the yeast secretory pathway/Golgi Ca(2+)/Mn(2+)-ATPase. Besides that, the analysis of a null mutation of the PMR1 gene revealed a phenotype identical to that of ldb1 mutant. Thus, LDB1 must be considered a synonym of PMR1.

Dependence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Golgi functions on V‐ATPase activity

The V-ATPase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an ATP-dependent proton pump responsible for acidification of the vacuole and other internal compartments including the whole secretory pathway. We have studied the behavior of several glycoprotein processing reactions occurring in different Golgi compartments of representative vmaΔ mutants. We found that outer chain initiation is not altered in the mutants while mannosylphosphate transfer, α(1,3)-linked mannoses addition, and α factor maturation seem to be affected. The results suggest a gradation in the dependence of Golgi functions on V-ATPase activity, from early Golgi (unaffected) to late Golgi (significantly reduced). These findings are in agreement with the internal pH of Golgi cisternae measured in mammalian cells, which is more acidic in the late region. The mutant defects can be partially restored by buffering the external medium to pH 6.0, which supports the existence of a mechanism that, in the absence of a functional V-ATPase, could contribute to pH regulation at least in the late Golgi.

Phospholipids and calmodulin modulate the inhibition of PMCA activity by tau

The disruption of Ca2+ signaling in neurons, together with a failure to keep optimal intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, have been proposed as significant factors for neuronal dysfunction in the Ca2+ hypothesis of Alzheimers disease (AD). Tau is a protein that plays an essential role in axonal transport and can form abnormal structures such as neurofibrillary tangles that constitute one of the hallmarks of AD. We have recently shown that plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA), a key enzyme in the maintenance of optimal cytosolic Ca2+ levels in cells, is inhibited by tau in membrane vesicles. In the present study we show that tau inhibits synaptosomal PMCA purified from pig cerebrum, and reconstituted in phosphatidylserine-containing lipid bilayers, with a Ki value of 1.5±0.2nM tau. Noteworthy, the inhibitory effect of tau is dependent on the charge of the phospholipid used for PMCA reconstitution. In addition, nanomolar concentrations of calmodulin, the major endogenous activator of PMCA, protects against inhibition of the Ca2+-ATPase activity by tau. Our results in a cellular model such as SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells yielded an inhibition of PMCA by nanomolar tau concentrations and protection by calmodulin against this inhibition similar to those obtained with purified synaptosomal PMCA. Functional studies were also performed with native and truncated versions of human cerebral PMCA4b, an isoform that has been showed to be functionally regulated by amyloid peptides, whose aggregates constitutes another hallmark of AD. Kinetic assays point out that tau binds to the C-terminal tail of PMCA, at a site distinct but close to the calmodulin binding domain. In conclusion, PMCA can be seen as a molecular target for tau-induced cytosolic calcium dysregulation in synaptic terminals. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: ECS Meeting edited by Claus Heizmann, Joachim Krebs and Jacques Haiech.

An improved method for expression and purification of functional human Ca2+ transporter PMCA4b in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Human plasma membrane calcium ATPases (PMCAs) are highly regulated transporters responsible for the extrusion of calcium out of the cell. Since calcium homeostasis is implicated in several diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, understanding PMCAs activity is crucial. One of the major hindrances is the availability of these proteins for functional and structural analysis. Here, using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae system, we show a new and enhanced method for the expression of the full-length human PMCA isoform 4b (hPMCA4b) and a truncated form lacking its auto-inhibitory domain. We have also improved a method for the purification of the native isoform by calmodulin-agarose affinity chromatography, and developed a new method to purify the truncated isoform by glutathione-Sepharose affinity chromatography. One of the most relevant features of this work is that, when compared to PMCAs purification from pig brain, our method provides a pure single isoform instead of a mixture of isoforms, essential for fine-tuning the activity of PMCA4b. Another relevant feature is that the method described in this work has a superior yield of protein than previously established methods to purify PMCA proteins expressed in yeasts.

Methylene blue activates the PMCA activity and cross-interacts with amyloid β-peptide, blocking Aβ-mediated PMCA inhibition

ABSTRACT The phenothiazine methylene blue (MB) is attracting increasing attention because it seems to have beneficial effects in the pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease (AD). Among other factors, the presence of neuritic plaques of amyloid‐&bgr; peptide (A&bgr;) aggregates, neurofibrilar tangles of tau and perturbation of cytosolic Ca2+ are important players of the disease. It has been proposed that MB decreases the formation of neuritic plaques due to A&bgr; aggregation. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this effect is far from clear. In this work, we show that MB stimulates the Ca2+‐ATPase activity of the plasma membrane Ca2+‐ATPase (PMCA) in human tissues from AD‐affected brain and age‐matched controls and also from pig brain and cell cultures. In addition, MB prevents and even blocks the inhibitory effect of A&bgr; on PMCA activity. Functional analysis with mutants and fluorescence experiments strongly suggest that MB binds to PMCA, at the C‐terminal tail, in a site located close to the last transmembrane helix and also that MB binds to the peptide. Besides, A&bgr; increases PMCA affinity for MB. These results point out a novel molecular basis of MB action on A&bgr; and PMCA as mediator of its beneficial effect on AD. HIGHLIGHTSMethylene blue activates the PMCA pump.Methylene blue blocks the toxic effect of A&bgr; on PMCA.The A&bgr; peptide increases MB affinity for PMCA.