Molecular characterisation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PK-A) catalytic subunit isoforms in the male tick, Amblyomma hebraeum

The non-LTR retrotransposons of Entamoeba histolytica: genomic organization and biology

Genome sequence analysis of Entamoeba species revealed various classes of transposable elements. While E. histolytica and E. dispar are rich in non-long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons, E. invadens contains predominantly DNA transposons. Non-LTR retrotransposons of E. histolytica constitute three families of long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs), and their short, nonautonomous partners, SINEs. They occupy ~ 11% of the genome. The EhLINE1/EhSINE1 family is the most abundant and best studied. EhLINE1 is 4.8 kb, with two ORFs that encode functions needed for retrotransposition. ORF1 codes for the nucleic acid-binding protein, and ORF2 has domains for reverse transcriptase (RT) and endonuclease (EN). Most copies of EhLINEs lack complete ORFs. ORF1p is expressed constitutively, but ORF2p is not detected. Retrotransposition could be demonstrated upon ectopic over expression of ORF2p, showing that retrotransposition machinery is functional. The newly retrotransposed sequences showed a high degree of recombination. In transcriptomic analysis, RNA-Seq reads were mapped to individual EhLINE1 copies. Although full-length copies were transcribed, no full-length 4.8 kb transcripts were seen. Rather, sense transcripts mapped to ORF1, RT and EN domains. Intriguingly, there was strong antisense transcription almost exclusively from the RT domain. These unique features of EhLINE1 could serve to attenuate retrotransposition in E. histolytica.

Quantitative Visions of Reality at the Tick-Host Interface: Biochemistry, Genomics, Proteomics, and Transcriptomics as Measures of Complete Inventories of the Tick Sialoverse

Species have definitive genomes. Even so, the transcriptional and translational products of the genome are dynamic and subject to change over time. This is especially true for the proteins secreted by ticks at the tick-host feeding interface that represent a complex system known as the sialoverse. The sialoverse represent all of the proteins derived from tick salivary glands for all tick species that may be involved in tick-host interaction and the modulation of the host's defense mechanisms. The current study contemplates the advances made over time to understand and describe the complexity present in the sialoverse. Technological advances at given periods in time allowed detection of functions, genes, and proteins enabling a deeper insight into the complexity of the sialoverse and a concomitant expansion in complexity with as yet, no end in sight. The importance of systematic classification of the sialoverse is highlighted with the realization that our coverage of transcriptome and proteome space remains incomplete, but that complete descriptions may be possible in the future. Even so, analysis and integration of the sialoverse into a comprehensive understanding of tick-host interactions may require further technological advances given the high level of expected complexity that remains to be uncovered.

Computational prediction and characterisation of ubiquitously expressed new splice variant of Prkaca gene in mouse

Prkaca gene of mouse encodes for a cAMP dependent protein kinase catalytic alpha subunit. PKA occurs naturally as a 4-membered structure having two regulatory (R) and two catalytic (C) subunits each encoded by separate gene. Alternatively spliced two transcript variants are known for the Prkaca gene, which encode for two isoforms of PKA C-subunits, namely Cα1 and Cα2. These isoforms arise as a result of alternative splicing of the first coding exon with the internal exons. We have identified a new transcript variant using combinatorial approach of bioinformatics and molecular biology techniques involving RT-PCR, semi-nested PCR and sequencing. The new transcript variant encoding Cα3 isoform has N-terminus that differs from Cα1 and Cα2 isoforms. Cα3 isoform also arise as a result of alternative splicing of first coding exon with the internal exon. Newly identified transcript is expressed ubiquitously in different tissues examined.

Differential distribution of cAMP-dependent protein kinase isoforms in various tissues of the bivalve mollusc Mytilus galloprovincialis

The cAMP signalling pathway is involved in the regulation of basic physiological processes in bivalve molluscs. We had previously identified and characterized two isoforms of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) from the sea mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis that differ at their regulatory (R) subunit, namely, R(myt1) or R(myt2). Here we investigated the immunohistochemical expression of both PKA isoforms in various mussel tissues. R(myt1) and R(myt2) displayed a complementary subcellular localization. In general, R(myt1) was found to be uniformly distributed in the cytoplasm of most cell types, whereas R(myt2) appears to be localized only in the cell periphery and associated with certain cellular structures, such as the cilia of labial palps and gill filaments. Thus, both PKA isoforms appear to be non-redundant, but they have specific functions. R(myt1) was the main isoform present in catch muscle fibers, which suggests that PKA(myt1) may be the isoform involved in the regulation of the catch state. Conversely, R(myt2) was the only isoform detected in the cilia of gill filaments, indicating that PKA(myt2) could mediate the effects of cAMP on the ciliary beat frequency.

Novel isoform of the Xenopus tropicalis PKA catalytic alpha subunit: An example of alternative splicing

The cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) plays key roles in the control of various aspects of eukaryotic cellular activities by phosphorylating several proteins and is multifunctional in nature. In the case of frog, Xenopus tropicalis, a gene encoding the PKA catalytic alpha subunit has been identified which encodes a single protein. Here we report the occurrence of N-terminal alternative splicing events in X. tropicalis tadpole that, in addition to generating a myristoylatable isoforms, also generate the non-myristoylated variant of the catalytic alpha subunit as has been reported in various other organisms. In addition to the already characterized exon 1, the 5' untranslated region and first intron actually contains one more other exon, that is alternatively spliced on to exon 2 at the 5' end of the pre-mRNA. This N-terminal alternative splicing occurs in combination with already characterized all internal exons. Thus, X. tropicalis tadpole expresses at least two different isoforms of the catalytic alpha subunit of PKA. The significance of this structural diversity in the family of PKA catalytic subunits is discussed.

Identification of multiple isoforms of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit in the bivalve mollusc Mytilus galloprovincialis

Several isoforms of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (C-subunit) were separated from the posterior adductor muscle and the mantle tissues of the sea mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis by cation exchange chromatography, and identified by: (a) protein kinase activity; (b) antibody recognition; and (c) peptide mass fingerprinting. Some of the isozymes seemed to be tissue-specific, and all them were phosphorylated at serine and threonine residues and showed slight but significant differences in their apparent molecular mass values, which ranged from 41.3 to 44.5 kDa. The results from the MS analysis suggest that at least some of the mussel C-subunit isoforms arise as a result of alternative splicing events. Furthermore, several peptide sequences from mussel C-subunits, determined by de novo sequencing, showed a high degree of homology with the mammalian Calpha-isoform, and contained some structural motifs that are essential for catalytic function. On the other hand, no significant differences were observed in the kinetic parameters of C-subunit isoforms, determined by using synthetic peptides as substrate and inhibitor. However, the C-subunit isoforms separated from the mantle tissue differed in their ability to phosphorylate in vitro some proteins present in a mantle extract.