Back to Search Start Over

Characterization of an Intermediate Filament Protein from the Platyhelminth,Dugesia japonica

Authors :
Shoji Ando
Hitoshi Kawano
Akiko Yamamoto
Ken Ichiro Matsunaga
Toshihisa Ueda
Toshihiko Matsumoto
Toyoaki Anai
Source :
Protein & Peptide Letters. 27:432-446
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd., 2020.

Abstract

Background:Intermediate Filaments (IFs) are major constituents of the cytoskeletal systems in animal cells.Objective:To gain insights into the structure-function relationship of invertebrate cytoplasmic IF proteins, we characterized an IF protein from the platyhelminth, Dugesia japonica, termed Dif-1.Method:cDNA cloning, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemical analysis, and IF assembly experiments in vitro using recombinant Dif-1, were performed for protein characterization.Results:The structure deduced from the cDNA sequence showed that Djf-1 comprises 568 amino acids and has a tripartite domain structure (N-terminal head, central rod, and C-terminal tail) that is characteristic of IF proteins. Similar to nuclear IF lamins, Djf-1 contains an extra 42 residues in the coil 1b subdomain of the rod domain that is absent from vertebrate cytoplasmic IF proteins and a nuclear lamin-homology segment of approximately 105 residues in the tail domain; however, it contains no nuclear localization signal. In situ hybridization analysis showed that Djf-1 mRNA is specifically expressed in cells located within the marginal region encircling the worm body. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that Djf-1 protein forms cytoplasmic IFs located close to the microvilli of the cells. In vitro IF assembly experiments using recombinant proteins showed that Djf-1 alone polymerizes into IFs. Deletion of the extra 42 residues in the coil 1b subdomain resulted in the failure of IF formation.Conclusions:Together with data from other histological studies, our results suggest that Djf- 1 is expressed specifically in anchor cells within the glandular adhesive organs of the worm and that Djf-1 IFs may play a role in protecting the cells from mechanical stress.

Details

ISSN :
09298665
Volume :
27
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Protein & Peptide Letters
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........7df0439cc446528e189ee9bdd4fca4ec
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.2174/0929866526666191025102902