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Safety education aims to promote safe habits through experience-oriented education that combines knowledge, skills and attitudes. However, in situations where experience-oriented safety education is challenging, realistic content created through technological advancements can indirectly function as an excellent safety education tool that allows for individual safety experiences. This study conducted a safety education program for 34 elementary school students using the most commonly used realistic safety education content in Korea, the 'simulator fire extinguisher,' four times. Safety knowledge tests and safety problem-solving ability tests were used as measuring tools and statistical significance was verified through paired sample t-tests. This study demonstrated that the safety education program using the 'simulator fire extinguisher' was effective in improving safety knowledge and problem-solving abilities . The average score of elementary school students increased from 8.47 to 9.23 in safety knowledge tests and from 4.26 to 4.64 in safety problem-solving ability tests. These results were statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) are critical for tissue regeneration. How hMSC respond to genotoxic stresses and potentially contribute to aging and cancer remain underexplored. We showed that ionizing radiation induced cellular senescence of hMSC over a period of 10 days, showing a critical transition between days 3 and 6. This was confirmed by senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining, protein expression profiles of key cell cycle regulators (retinoblastoma protein, p53, p21waf1/Cip1, and p16INK4A), and senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (interleukin-8, interleukin-12, GRO, and MDC). We observed dramatic cytoskeletal reorganization of hMSC through reduction of myosin-10, redistribution of myosin-9, and secretion of profilin-1. Using a SILAC-based phosphoproteomics method, we detected significant reduction of myosin-9 phosphorylation at Ser1943, coinciding with its redistribution. Importantly, through treatment with cell-permeable inhibitors (4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzotriazole and 2-dimethylamino-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole) and gene knockdown using RNA interference, we identified CK2, a kinase responsible for myosin-9 phosphorylation at Ser1943, as a key factor contributing to the radiation-induced senescence of hMSC. We showed that individual knockdown of CK2 catalytic subunits CK2α and CK2α′ induced hMSC senescence. However, only knockdown of CK2α resulted in morphologic phenotypes resembling those of radiation-induced senescence. These results suggest that CK2α and CK2α′ play differential roles in hMSC senescence progression, and their relative expression might represent a novel regulatory mechanism for CK2 activity. [Cancer Res 2009;69(20):8200–7]

Supplementary Figures 1-4 from Protein Kinase CK2 Regulates Cytoskeletal Reorganization during Ionizing Radiation–Induced Senescence of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Individuals with disabilities who engage in regular physical activity reduce their risk of diseases such as obesity and heart disease, as well as other risk factors; relieve tense emotions, and improve their quality of life via interaction with others. Despite these advantages, only one out of every four Koreans with a disability engages in physical activity. Grit is the ability to maintain interest and effort towards a goal in the face of adversity and failure. Grit can act as an important factor in increasing the psychological level of individuals with disabilities. We investigated the relationship between basic psychological needs, grit, and the quality of life of disabled individuals to determine if physical activities can improve their quality of life. Our dataset included 296 disabled individuals registered with the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare. Using structural equation modelling, the direct and indirect effects of grit, quality of life, and psychological needs satisfaction such as competence, relatedness, and autonomy were examined. We found that competence positively affects consistency of interests (β = 0.150, t = 1.854), relatedness positively affects consistency of interests (β = 0.354, t = 4.409), and autonomy has no statistically significant effects (β = 0.101, t = 1.086). Second, competence positively affects perseverance of effort (β = 0.249, t = 3.206), autonomy negatively affects perseverance of effort (β = −0.269, t = −2.880), and relatedness has no statistically significant effects (β = −0.017, t = −0.249). Third, autonomy positively affects quality of life (β = 0.214, t = 2.349) while competence and relatedness had no statistically significant effects (β = −0.018, t = −0.208; β = 0.096, t = 1.288). Fourth, consistency of interests positively affects quality of life (β = 0.312, t = 4.191) while perseverance of effort had no statistically significant effects (β = −0.094, t = −1.480). Fifth, competence was found to have positive indirect effects on quality of life through grit. This study underscores the importance of addressing these three basic psychological needs and elements of grit when designing future quality of life interventions for disabled individuals.

The bacterial effector protein RavZ from a pathogen can impair autophagy in the host by delipidating the mammalian autophagy- related gene 8 (mATG8)-phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) on autophagic membranes. In RavZ, the membrane-targeting (MT) domain is an essential function. However, the molecular mechanism of this domain in regulating the intracellular localization of RavZ in cells is unclear. In this study, we found that the fusion of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) to the MT domain of RavZ (GFP-MT) resulted in localization primarily to the cytosol and nucleus, whereas the GFP-fused duplicated-MT domain (GFP-2xMT) localized to Rab5- or Rab7-positive endosomes. Similarly, GFP fusion to the catalytic domain (CA) of RavZ (GFP-CA) resulted in localization primarily to the cytosol and nucleus, even in autophagy-induced cells. However, by adding the MT domain to GFP-CA (GFP-CA-MT), the cooperation of MT and CA led to localization on the Rab5-positive endosomal membranes in a wortmannin-sensitive manner under nutrient-rich conditions, and to autophagic membranes in autophagy- induced cells. In autophagic membranes, GFP-CA-MT delipidated overexpressed or endogenous mATG8-PE. Furthermore, GFP-CAΔα3-MT, an α3 helix deletion within the CA domain, failed to localize to the endosomal or autophagic membranes and could not delipidate overexpressed mATG8-PE. Thus, the CA or MT domain alone is insufficient for stable membrane localization in cells, but the cooperation of MT and CA leads to localization to the endosomal and autophagic membranes. In autophagic membranes, the CA domain can delipidate mATG8-PE without requiring substrate recognition mediated by LC3-interacting region (LIR) motifs. [BMB Reports 2021; 54(2): 118-123]

C-terminal fragments of Tar DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) have been identified as the major pathological protein in several neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). However, how they affect cellular toxicity and neurodegeneration, including the modulation process remains unknown. This study revealed that the C-terminal fragment of TDP-43 (TDP-25) was localized primarily to mitochondria and caused abnormal mitochondrial morphology, inducing Parkin-mediated mitophagy. Also, we discovered that the knockdown of selective autophagy receptors, such as TAX1BP, Optineurin, or NDP52 caused TDP-25 accumulation, indicating that TDP-25 was degraded by mitophagy. Interestingly, myosin IIB, a nonmuscle type of myosin and actin-based motor protein, is mostly colocalized to TDP-25 associated with abnormal mitochondria. In addition, myosin IIB inhibition by siRNA or blebbistatin induced mitochondrial accumulation of insoluble TDP-25 and Tom20, and reduced neuronal cell viability. Our results suggest a novel role of myosin IIB in mitochondrial degradation of toxic TDP-25. Therefore, we proposed that regulating myosin IIB activity might be a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases associated with TDP-43 pathology.

Mammals conserve multiple mammalian Atg8-family proteins (mATG8s) consisting of GABARAP (GABA type A receptor-associated protein) and MAP1LC3/LC3 (microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3) subfamilies that tightly bind to autophagic membranes in a membrane-anchored form. These proteins are crucial for selective autophagy and recruit proteins bearing LC3-interacting region (LIR) motifs. However, because limited research tools are available, information on the specific roles of each membrane-anchored mATG8 in selective autophagy is scarce. In this study, we identified LIR motifs specific to the membrane-anchored form of each mATG8 and characterized the residues critical for their selective interaction using cell-based assays and structural analyses. We then used these selective LIR motifs to develop probes and irreversible deconjugases that targeted selective membrane-anchored mATG8s in the autophagic membrane, revealing that membrane-anchored GABARAP subfamily proteins regulate the aggrephagy of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-linked protein aggregates. Our tools will be useful for elucidating the functional significance of each mATG8 protein on autophagic membranes in autophagy research. A:C autophagic membrane:cytosol; ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; ATG4 autophagy related 4; Atg8 autophagy related 8; BafA1 bafilomycin A1; BNIP3L/Nix BCL2 interacting protein 3 like; CALCOCO2/NDP52 calcium binding and coiled-coil domain 2; EBSS Earle’s balanced salt solution; GABARAP GABA type A receptor-associated protein; GST glutathione S transferase; HKO hexa knockout; Kd dissociation constant; LIR LC3-interacting region; MAP1LC3/LC3 microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; NLS nuclear localization signal/sequence; PE phosphatidylethanolamine; SpHfl1 Schizosaccharomyces pombeorganic solute transmembrane transporter; SQSTM1/p62 SQSTM1/p62; TARDBP/TDP-43 TAR DNA binding protein; TKO triple knockout

The bacterial effector protein RavZ is secreted by the intracellular pathogen Legionella pneumophila and inhibits host autophagy through an irreversible deconjugation of mammalian ATG8 (mATG8) proteins from autophagosome membranes. However, the roles of the LC3 interacting region (LIR) motifs in RavZ function remain unclear. In this study, we show that a membrane-targeting (MT) domain or the LIR motifs of RavZ play major or minor roles in RavZ function. A RavZ mutant that does not bind to mATG8 delipidated all forms of mATG8-phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) as efficiently as did wild-type RavZ. However, a RavZ mutant with a deletion of the MT domain selectively delipidated mATG8-PE less efficiently than did wild-type RavZ. Taken together, our results suggest that the effects of LIR motifs and the MT domain on RavZ activity are complementary and work through independent pathways. [BMB Reports 2019; 52(12): 700-705].

Arginine methylation plays crucial roles in many cellular functions including signal transduction, RNA transcription, and regulation of gene expression. Protein arginine methyltransferase 8 (PRMT8), a unique brain-specific protein, is localized to the plasma membrane. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying PRMT8 plasma membrane targeting remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the N-terminal 20 amino acids of PRMT8 are sufficient for plasma membrane localization and that oligomerization enhances membrane localization. The basic amino acids, combined with myristoylation within the N-terminal 20 amino acids of PRMT8, are critical for plasma membrane targeting. We also found that substituting Gly-2 with Ala [PRMT8(G2A)] or Cys-9 with Ser [PRMT8(C9S)] induces the formation of punctate structures in the cytosol or patch-like plasma membrane localization, respectively. Impairment of PRMT8 oligomerization/dimerization by Cterminal deletion induces PRMT8 mis-localization to the mitochondria, prevents the formation of punctate structures by PRMT8(G2A), and inhibits PRMT8(C9S) patch-like plasma membrane localization. Overall, these results suggest that oligomerization/dimerization plays several roles in inducing the efficient and specific plasma membrane localization of PRMT8. [BMB Reports 2019; 52(10): 601-606].

Mammals conserve multiple mammalian ATG8 proteins (mATG8s) consisting of γ-aminobutyric acid receptor-associated protein (GABARAP) and microtubule-associated protein 1 light-chain 3 (LC3) subfamilies that tightly bind to the autophagic membranes in a lipidated form. They are crucial in selective autophagy and recruit proteins bearing LC3-interacting region (LIR) motifs. However, because limited research tools are available, information about the specific roles of each lipidated mATG8 in selective autophagy is scarce. Here, we identified LIR motifs specific to the lipidated form of each mATG8 and characterized the residues critical for their selective interaction using cell-based assays and structural analyses. Then, we used these selective LIR motifs to develop probes and irreversible deconjugases that targeted selective lipidated mATG8s in the autophagic membrane, revealing that lipidated GABARAP subfamily proteins regulate aggrephagy of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-linked protein aggregates. Our tools will be useful in elucidating the functional significance of each mATG8 protein in autophagy research.

Significant clinical symptoms of Cohen syndrome (CS), a rare autosomal recessive disorder, include intellectual disability, facial dysmorphism, postnatal microcephaly, retinal dystrophy, and intermittent neutropenia. CS has been associated with mutations in the VPS13B (vacuolar protein sorting 13 homolog B) gene, which regulates vesicle-mediated protein sorting and transport; however, the cellular mechanism underlying CS pathogenesis in patient-derived neurons remains uncertain. This report states that autophagic vacuoles accumulate in CS fibroblasts and the axonal terminals of CS patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (CS iPSC)-derived neurons; additionally, autophagic flux was significantly increased in CS-derived neurons compared to control neurons. VPS13B knockout HeLa cell lines generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system showed significant upregulation of autophagic flux, indicating that VSP13B may be associated with autophagy in CS. Transcriptomic analysis focusing on the autophagy pathway revealed that genes associated with autophagosome organization were dysregulated in CS-derived neurons. ATG4C is a mammalian ATG4 paralog and a crucial regulatory component of the autophagosome biogenesis/recycling pathway. ATG4C was significantly upregulated in CS-derived neurons, indicating that autophagy is upregulated in CS neurons. The autophagy pathway in CS neurons may be associated with the pathophysiology exhibited in the neural network of CS patients.

The compartmentalization of cAMP by specifically targeted phosphodiesterases (PDEs) contributes to signal regulation in defined regions of cells. We previously demonstrated that the 20 N-terminal amino acids of Aplysia PDE4 (ApPDE4) long-form (L(N20)) and the two mutants of L(N20) were localized to the Golgi complex. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the Golgi complex targeting of ApPDE4 long-form and its mutated forms are not clear. In the present study, we show that the Golgi complex targeting of L(N20/C14,15S)-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was antimycin A-, phenylarsine oxide (PAO)-, and adenosine-sensitive, but insensitive to high concentrations of wortmannin. On the other hand, the Golgi complex targeting of L(N20)-EGFP and L(N20/C3,14S)-EGFP was antimycin A- and PAO-insensitive. These results suggest that the Golgi-localized lipid kinase protein, phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase type II alpha (PI4KIIα), the activity of which is inhibited by PAO and adenosine, but not by h...

Macroautophagy allows for bulk degradation of cytosolic components in lysosomes. Overexpression of GFP/RFP‐LC3/GABARAP is commonly used to monitor autophagosomes, a hallmark of autophagy, despite artifacts related to their overexpression. Here, we developed new sensors that detect endogenous LC3/GABARAP proteins at the autophagosome using an LC3‐interacting region (LIR) and a short hydrophobic domain (HyD). Among HyD‐LIR‐GFP sensors harboring LIR motifs of 34 known LC3‐binding proteins, HyD‐LIR(TP)‐GFP using the LIR motif from TP53INP2 allowed detection of all LC3/GABARAPs‐positive autophagosomes. However, HyD‐LIR(TP)‐GFP preferentially localized to GABARAP/GABARAPL1‐positive autophagosomes in a LIR‐dependent manner. In contrast, HyD‐LIR(Fy)‐GFP using the LIR motif from FYCO1 specifically detected LC3A/B‐positive autophagosomes. HyD‐LIR(TP)‐GFP and HyD‐LIR(Fy)‐GFP efficiently localized to autophagosomes in the presence of endogenous LC3/GABARAP levels and without affecting autophagic flux. Both sensors also efficiently localized to MitoTracker‐positive damaged mitochondria upon mitophagy induction. HyD‐LIR(TP)‐GFP allowed live‐imaging of dynamic autophagosomes upon autophagy induction. These novel autophagosome sensors can thus be widely used in autophagy research.

Sec7 protein is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor in the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) family of small GTP-binding proteins. Aplysia Sec7 proteins (ApSec7s) play many roles in neurite outgrowth and synaptic facilitation in Aplysia neurons. However, the binding property of Aplysia ARF1 by ApSec7 isoforms has not been examined. In this study, we found that the cloned Aplysia ARF1 (ApARF1) protein only localized to the Golgi complex when it was expressed alone in HEK293T cells; however, if ApARF1 was co-expressed with plasma membrane-targeted ApSec7, it localized to both the plasma membrane and the Golgi complex via association with the Sec7 domain of ApSec7. Moreover, in HEK293T cells expressing both ApARF1 and another Sec7 isoform, ApSec7(VPKIS), the pleckstrin homology domain of ApSec7(VPKIS) associated with ApARF1, resulting in its localization to the Golgi complex. Overall, we propose a model in which ApSec7(VPKIS) activates ApARF1 in the Golgi complex, while ApSec7 recruits ApARF1 to the plasma membrane where it activates ApARF1/6 downstream signaling.

Xenophagy is a selective lysosomal degradation pathway for invading pathogens in host cells. However, invading bacteria also develop survival mechanisms to inhibit host autophagy. RavZ is a protein secreted by Legionella that irreversibly delipidates mammalian autophagy-related protein 8 (mATG8) on autophagic membranes in host cells via efficient autophagic membrane targeting. In this study, we leveraged the autophagic membrane-targeting mechanism of RavZ and generated a new autophagosome probe by replacing the catalytic domain of RavZ with GFP. This probe is efficiently localized to mATG8-positive autophagic membranes via a synergistic combination between mATG8 protein-binding mediated by the LC3-interacting region (LIR) motifs and phosphoinositide-3-phosphate (PI3P) binding mediated by the membrane-targeting (MT) domain. Furthermore, the membrane association activity of this new probe with an MT domain was more efficient than that of probes with a hydrophobic domain that were previously used in LIR-based autophagosome sensors. Finally, by substituting the LIR motifs of RavZ with selective LIR motifs from Fyco1 or ULK2, we developed new probes for detecting LC3A/B- or GABARAP subfamily-positive autophagic membranes, respectively. We propose that these new RavZ-based sensors will be useful for monitoring and studying the function of mATG8-positive autophagic membranes in different cellular contexts for autophagy research.

Autophagy allows for lysosomal cellular degradation of cytosolic components. In particular, neuronal autophagy is essential for cellular homeostasis and neuronal survival and is tightly regulated by several autophagy-related (ATG) proteins in post-mitotic neurons. Among these ATG proteins, the LC3/GABARAP proteins are known to regulate autophagosome biogenesis/maturation and cargo recognition. However, little is known about the role of GABARAP family proteins in neuronal autophagy despite their abundant expression in post-mitotic neurons. We have previously developed HyD (Hydrophobic Domain)-LIR (LC3-interacting region)-based autophagosome markers. In this study, to monitor GABARAP family proteins in autophagosomes of post-mitotic neurons, we improved the sensitivity of the probes for specifically detecting endogenous GABARAP family proteins by adding one more LIR motif to the LIR probes. We have tested the efficiency of two different LIRs, from ULK2 and Stbd1, in regard to their cellular localization to autophagosomes. HyD-2xLIR(ULK2)-GFP and HyD-2xLIR(Stbd1)-GFP demonstrated specific localization to GABARAP-positive autophagosomes relative to LC3B-positive autophagosomes in MEF/HeLa cells in an autophagy-dependent manner. Indeed, HyD-2xLIR(Stbd1)-GFP could efficiently detect GABARAP-positive autophagosomes in cultured cortical neurons. Our improved GABARAP-sensitive probes will contribute toward understanding the specific role of GABARAP family proteins in regard to neuronal autophagy.

Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P) plays a crucial role in cellular functions, including protein trafficking, and is mainly located in the cytoplasmic surface of intracellular membranes, which include the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and the plasma membrane. However, many PI4P-binding domains of membrane-associated proteins are localized only to the TGN because of the requirement of a second binding protein such as ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1) in order to be stably localized to the specific membrane. In this study, we developed new probes that were capable of detecting PI4P at the plasma membrane using the known TGN-targeting PI4P-binding domains. The PI4P-specific binding pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of various proteins including CERT, OSBP, OSH1, and FAPP1 was combined with the N-terminal moderately hydrophobic domain of the short-form of Aplysia phosphodiesterase 4 (S(N30)), which aids in plasma membrane association but cannot alone facilitate this association. As a result, we found that the addition of S(N30) to the N-terminus of the GFP-fused PH domain of OSBP (S(N30)-GFP-OSBP-PH), OSH1 (S(N30)-GFP-OSH1-PH), or FAPP1 (S(N30)-GFP-FAPP1-PH) could induce plasma membrane localization, as well as retain TGN localization. The plasma membrane localization of S(N30)-GFP-FAPP1-PH is mediated by PI4P binding only, whereas those of S(N30)-GFP-OSBP-PH and S(N30)-GFP-OSH1-PH are mediated by either PI4P or PI(4,5)P2 binding. Taken together, we developed new probes that detect PI4P at the plasma membrane using a combination of a moderately hydrophobic domain with the known TGN-targeting PI4P-specific binding PH domain.

Dual A-kinase anchoring protein 1a (D-AKAP1a, AKAP1) regulates cAMP signaling in mitochondria. However, it is not clear how D-AKAP1a is associated with mitochondria. In this study, we show that D-AKAP1a is a transmembrane protein in the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM). We revealed that the N-terminus of D-AKAP1a is exposed to the intermembrane space of mitochondria and that its C-terminus is located on the cytoplasmic side of the MOM. Moderate hydrophobicity and the positively charged flanking residues of the transmembrane domain of D-AKAP1a were important for targeting. Taken together, D-AKAP1a can be classified as a signal-anchored protein in the MOM. Our topological study provides valuable information about the molecular and cellular mechanisms of mitochondrial targeting of AKAP1.

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) plays an important role in cAMP-mediated signaling within cells. We previously showed that the long-form of Aplysia PDE4 (ApPDE4) was localized in the plasma membrane and the presynaptic terminal in Aplysia sensory neurons, and the 16 N-terminal amino acid was sufficient for this targeting process. In this study, we characterized the cellular localization of various ApPDE4 mutants. We first identified the roles of each amino acid within the group of 16 N-terminal amino acids of long-form ApPDE4. As a result, we were able to identify various mutants that were localized to both the plasma membrane and the Golgi complex, Golgi only, or both the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi complex. To examine the role of palmitoylation on the cellular localization of ApPDE4 mutants, 2-bromo palmitate (2-BR) was used as a treatment. As a result, in the presence of 2-BR, the plasma membrane targeting of many mutants was impaired, indicating that palmitoylation was involved in the plasma membrane targeting of the mutants. We also found that PI4P play crucial roles in the Golgi targeting of (N16,C3S/VV/G)-mRFP, L(N16,C3S/LFS/R)mRFP, and L(N16,EPL/R)-mRFP. 요 약: Phosphodiesterase(PDE)는 세포내에서 cAMP를 분해하는 효소로 세포의 신호 전달에 중요한 기 능을 수행하는 것으로 알려져 왔다. 이전의 연구를 통해 군소에서 클로닝된 PDE4 long-form의 N-말단에 ★ Corresponding author Phone : +82-(0)54-530-1213 Fax : +82-(0)54-530-1218 E-mail : djangdj@knu.ac.kr #이 저자들은 본 논문에 동등하게 기여했음. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons. org/licenses/ by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Analysis of molecular mechanism of cellular localization of various N-terminal mutants of Aplysia PDE4 in HEK293T cells 11 Vol. 29, No. 1, 2016 위치하는 16개 아미노산만으로 충분히 원형질막에 타기팅됨을 알 수 있었다. 본 연구에서는 ApPDE4의 N-말단 16 개(L(N16))를 주형으로 해서 9-11번째와 15번째 아미노산들(RHW-C)을 무작위적으로 아마노 산에 돌연변이를 주어서 세포내 타기팅에 미치는 영향을 분석해 보았다. 본 연구를 통해 원형질막과 골 지체로 타기팅되는 돌연변이체들과 골지체로만 타기팅되는 돌연변이체들과, 소포체와 골지체로 동시에 타기팅되는 돌연변이체들과, 세포질에만 위치하는 돌연변이체들을 얻을 수 있었다. 또한, 이러한 타기팅 에 palmitoylation이 영향을 주는지 확인하기 위해 palmitoylation 억제제인 2-BR을 처리해보니 대부분의 돌연변이체에서 원형질막 타기팅이 사라지는 것을 확인하였다. 이를통해 palmitoylation이 ApPDE4 돌연 변이체들의 원형질막 타기팅에 중요하다는 사실을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한, 이들 돌연변이체들중 골지체 로만 타기팅되는 L(N16,C3S/VV/G)-mRFP와 L(N16,C3S/LFS/R)-mRFP와 L(N16,EPL/R)-mRFP들의 경우 는 골지체 타기팅에 인지질 중에 하나인 PI4P가 중요한 역할을 하는 것을 알 수 있었다.

δ-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is an endogenous metabolite formed in the mitochondria from succinyl-CoA and glycine, and plays a key role in the living body as an intermediate of the compound in the porphyrin biosynthesis pathway. ALA has been commonly used in photodynamic therapy for several years, because ALA is of interest as a biodegradable mediator, a growth regulator, and an effective agent used in dermatology. Here, we determined which ALA derivatives were the most effective for the inhibition of the cell proliferation and growth of human fibroblast. As a result, we found that the treatment of ALA derivatives including ALA, ALAP (ALA phosphate salt), MAL (Methyl 5-aminolevulinate hydrochloride salt), PBGL (phophobilinogen lactam) and PBGH (phophobilinogen-HCl) could attenuate cell proliferation of human fibroblast cells. Among them, PBGH was the most effective derivative. In addition, PBGH treatment could induce mitochondrial membrane depolarization, leading to cell death of human fibroblast. These results suggest that mitochondrial membrane depolarization induced by ALA and PBGH treatment might be responsible for inhibition of cell proliferation and death. Taken together, our results propose the possibility that PBGH can be used as one of the effective drugs in human skin disease, psoriasis.

Molecular comparison of species belonging to the genus Junonia collected from Myanmar was completed using mtDNA sequence data from 605-bp cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). Six species were sequenced, aligned, and used to construct phylogenetic trees. The base composition of the COI sequences was 37.8% T, 15.4% C, 31.4% A, and 15.4% G, revealing strong AT bias (69.2%). The sequence distance of Junonia ranged from 1.5% to 9.0%. Nucleotide substitution primarily occurred through transition rather than transversion. Phylogenetic trees were constructed by the neighbor-joining (NJ) and maximum likelihood methods, using Hypolimnas misippus as the outgroup. Both trees had almost identical topologies. All COI sequences of each species fell in the same cluster as those of the same species obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Species in Junonia exhibited the following relationships: ((( J. orithya + J. hierta ) + J. lemonias lemonias ) + J. almana almana ) + ( J. atlites + J. iphita ). The clustering results were almost identical to current morphological classification.

Although participating in regular physical activity has many benefits, female Korean college students tend to have much lower participation rates than their male counterparts. An effective means of increasing physical activity among female college students is sport participation. The purpose of this study is to incorporate three types of psychological needs from self-determination theory as precursor background variables into the theory of planned behavior to predict sport participation among female Korean college students. Our dataset consisted of 494 female undergraduate students attending Kyung Hee University in South Korea. Using structural equation modeling, the direct and indirect effects of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and psychological needs satisfaction such as competency, relatedness, and autonomy were examined. Although attitude towards and perceived behavioral control over sport participation were significantly associated with intention in all three models, subjective norm was not significantly associated with intention in any model. Satisfaction of the psychological needs for competency, relatedness, and autonomy had positive indirect effects on sport participation. This study underscores the importance of addressing the satisfaction of these three basic psychological needs when designing future sport promotion interventions for female college students.

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) play a key role in the regulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which in turn mediates various cellular functions including learning and memory. We previously cloned and characterized three PDE4 isoforms (ApPDE4) from Aplysia kurodai. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we found that ApPDE4 isoforms are primarily expressed in the central nervous system. However, the detailed distribution of ApPDE4 mRNA in Aplysia individual ganglions was not evident. In this study, to determine the distribution of ApPDE4 mRNAs in Aplysia ganglions, we performed in situ hybridization (ISH) using a probe targeting ApPDE4, including the PDE catalytic domain. Interestingly, we found the strongest ISH-positive signals in the symmetrical bag cell clusters of the abdominal ganglion. The R2, R14, L7, L2 and L11 neurons in the abdominal ganglion, LP1 neuron in pleural ganglion, and metacerebral (MCC) neurons were ISH-positive. Mechanosensory neurons of the sensory cluster were also stained on the ventral aspect of the right and left pleural ganglia. Taken together, we found the detailed distribution of ApPDE4 mRNA in Aplysia ganglion and support their roles in serotonin (5-HT)-induced synaptic facilitation of Aplysia mechanosensory neurons.

Membrane targeting of the β2e subunit is dynamically regulated by M1 muscarinic receptor signaling to promote fast inactivation of CaV2.2., High voltage-activated Ca2+ (CaV) channels are protein complexes containing pore-forming α1 and auxiliary β and α2δ subunits. The subcellular localization and membrane interactions of the β subunits play a crucial role in regulating CaV channel inactivation and its lipid sensitivity. Here, we investigated the effects of membrane phosphoinositide (PI) turnover on CaV2.2 channel function. The β2 isoform β2e associates with the membrane through electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. Using chimeric β subunits and liposome-binding assays, we determined that interaction between the N-terminal 23 amino acids of β2e and anionic phospholipids was sufficient for β2e membrane targeting. Binding of the β2e subunit N terminus to liposomes was significantly increased by inclusion of 1% phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) in the liposomes, suggesting that, in addition to phosphatidylserine, PIs are responsible for β2e targeting to the plasma membrane. Membrane binding of the β2e subunit slowed CaV2.2 current inactivation. When membrane phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and PIP2 were depleted by rapamycin-induced translocation of pseudojanin to the membrane, however, channel opening was decreased and fast inactivation of CaV2.2(β2e) currents was enhanced. Activation of the M1 muscarinic receptor elicited transient and reversible translocation of β2e subunits from membrane to cytosol, but not that of β2a or β3, resulting in fast inactivation of CaV2.2 channels with β2e. These results suggest that membrane targeting of the β2e subunit, which is mediated by nonspecific electrostatic insertion, is dynamically regulated by receptor stimulation, and that the reversible association of β2e with membrane PIs results in functional changes in CaV channel gating. The phospholipid–protein interaction observed here provides structural insight into mechanisms of membrane–protein association and the role of phospholipids in ion channel regulation.

Intracellular organelles in eukaryotic cells play important roles in many cellular functions. Intracellulartrafficking of many proteins to specific intracellular organelles is tightly regulated by various mechanisms in cells.Therefore, elucidating the targeting mechanism of novel markers for intracellular organelles is important for cellularphysiology and pathology. In this study, we tried to identify the peptides which could bind to specific glycolipidin cellular membrane using GFP-fused glycolipid-binding peptides, and analyzed their cellular localization. As aresult, we could identify mitochondria-, Golgi- or plasma membrane-targeting peptides. Furthermore, we found thatthe plasma membrane-targeting peptide was localized to the plasma membrane via electrostatic interactions. Thus,our results suggest that various glycolipid-binding peptides could be used as intracellular organelles markers.요약: 진핵세포내 막성세포소기관들은 각각 고유한 세포의 중요한 기능들을 담당하고 있다. 이들 기관에 분포하는 단백질들은 세포질에서 발현된 후, 정교한 조절에 의해서 다양한 세포내 소기관으로 운송된다. 따라서, 세포내에 존재하는 막성세포소기관의 마커를 개발하고, 이들의 타기팅 기전을 알아내는 것은 세포 생리 및 병리학적 기전 연구에 중요한 도구가 될 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 기존에 보고된 당지질-결합 펩타이드들과 이들의 변형을 통한 세포내 타겟팅을 분석하였다. 그 결과 이러한 당지질-결합 펩타이드들은 미토콘드리아, 원형질막, 골지체로 위치하는 것을 확인할 수 있었으며, 이러한 펩타이드가 세포내 기관을 마커로 이용될 가능성을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한, 원형질막에 타기팅하는 펩타이드 마커의경우는, 정전기적인 상호작용에 의해 원형질막에 선택적으로 타기팅됨을 알 수 있었다. 본 연구결과를 통해 당지질-결합 펩타이드들이 다양한 세포내 운송과 관련한 연구에 세포소기관의 위치 및 모양을 분석할 수 있는 마커로 이용될 수 있음을 알 수 있었다.Key words: glycolipid-binding peptide, intracellular organelles, marker, plasma membrane, electrostatic interaction.

δ-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a compound which is widely present in the biosphere and plays an important role in the living body as an intermediate of the tetrapyrrole compound biosynthesis pathway that leads to heme in mammals and chlorophyll in plants. ALA is of interest as a biodegradable mediator, a growth regulator, a precursor of heme proteins, and an effective agent used in therapy of cancer. It has been recently reported that ALA is commonly used in dermatology, due to good effects of skin therapy. Although for the last few decades a substantial amount of research has been focused on the elucidation of the mechanism of ALA and the improvement of its therapeutic activity, it’s effect on the cell functions and growth was not cleared. Here, we identified that ALA treatment could attenuate cell proliferation of HEK293T and HaCaT cells. In addition, ALA treatement could induce apoptosis of HeLa cells. These results suggest that apoptosis induced by ALA treatment might be responsible for inhibition of cell proliferation. These results propose the possibility of the improved therapeutic strategy making ALA one of the effective drugs used in human cancers. 요 약: δ-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA)는 생물권내에 폭넓게 존재하는 화합물이고, 포유류에서 헴(heme)과 식물에서 엽록소 생성을 하게하는 경로에서 만들어진 테트라피롤의 중간물질로써 생체내 중요한 역할을 한다. ALA는 생분해성 매개자, 성장 조절자, 헴단백질의 전구체 그리고 암 치료에서 사용되는 효과적인 물질로써 관심이 있다. 최근에는 ALA가 피부 치료의 좋은 효과를 가지고 있어 피부과학에서 빈번히 사 ★ Corresponding author Phone : +82-(0)54-530-1213; +82-(0)42-629-8785 Fax : +82-(0)82-54-530-1218; +82-(0)42-629-8789 E-mail : jangdj@knu.ac.kr; leeja@hnu.kr 이 저자들은 본 논문에 공동으로 기여했음 224 Yong-Woo Jun, Kun-Hyung Kim, Su-Yeon Jo, Jin-A Lee and Deok-Jin Jang Analytical Science & Technology 용된다고 보고되어 있는데, 하지만 지난 몇 십 년 동안, 많은 연구가 ALA 메커니즘의 설명과 치료적 활 성 개선에 초점을 맞춰왔지만, 세포 기능과 세포생장에 대한 ALA의 효과는 아직 불분명하다. 본 연구에 서는 ALA의 약물학적 효과가 HEK293T 뿐만 아니라, HaCaT와 HeLa 세포에서 세포분열을 억제하는 것 으로 확인을 하였다. 또한, ALA가 처리된 세포에서는 세포예정사가 유도되는 것을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과들은 특정 세포에 ALA가 처리되면 세포증식을 억제하며, 특히 인간의 암세포의 죽임을 유발하는 효 과적인 약물 중 하나로써 ALA를 개선된 치료 전략으로 가능성을 제시한다.

Mutations in fused in sarcoma (FUS), a DNA/RNA binding protein, are associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, little is known about how ALS-causing mutations alter protein-protein and protein-RNA complexes and contribute to neurodegeneration. In this study, we identified protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) as a protein that more avidly associates with ALS-linked FUS-R521C than with FUS-WT (wild type) or FUS-P525L using co-immunoprecipitation and LC-MS analysis. Abnormal association between FUS-R521C and PRMT1 requires RNA, but not methyltransferase activity. PRMT1 was sequestered into cytosolic FUS-R521C-positive stress granule aggregates. Overexpression of PRMT1 rescued neurite degeneration caused by FUS-R521C upon oxidative stress, while loss of PRMT1 further accumulated FUS-positive aggregates and enhanced neurite degeneration. Furthermore, the mRNA of Nd1-L, an actin-stabilizing protein, was sequestered into the FUS-R521C/PRMT1 complex. Nd1-L overexpression rescued neurite shortening caused by FUS-R521C upon oxidative stress, while loss of Nd1-L further exacerbated neurite shortening. Altogether, these data suggest that the abnormal stable complex of FUS-R521C/PRMT1/Nd1-L mRNA could contribute to neurodegeneration upon oxidative stress. Overall, our study provides a novel pathogenic mechanism of the FUS mutation associated with abnormal protein-RNA complexes upon oxidative stress in ALS and provides insight into possible therapeutic targets for this pathology.

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) play key roles in cAMP compartmentalization, which is required for intracellular signaling processes, through specific subcellular targeting. Previously, we showed that the long and short forms of Aplysia PDE4 (ApPDE4), which are localized to the membranes of distinct subcellular organelles, play key roles in 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced synaptic facilitation in Aplysia sensory and motor synapses. However, the molecular mechanism of the isoform-specific distinct membrane targeting was not clear. In this study, we further investigated the molecular mechanism of the membrane targeting of the ApPDE4 long and short forms. We found that the membrane targeting of the long form was mediated by hydrophobic interactions, mainly via 16 amino acids at the N-terminal region, whereas the short form was targeted solely to the plasma membrane, mainly by nonspecific electrostatic interactions between their N termini and the negatively charged lipids such as the phosphatidylinositol polyphosphates PI4P and PI(4,5)P2, which are embedded in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. Moreover, oligomerization of the long or short form by interaction of their respective upstream conserved region domains, UCR1 and UCR2, enhanced their plasma membrane targeting. These results suggest that the long and short forms of ApPDE4 are distinctly targeted to intracellular membranes through their direct association with the membranes via hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, respectively.

Two pharmacologically distinct types of local protein synthesis are required for synapse- specific long-term synaptic facilitation (LTF) in Aplysia: one for initiation and the other for maintenance. ApCPEB, a rapamycin sensitive prion-like molecule regulates a form of local protein synthesis that is specifically required for the maintenance of the LTF. However, the molecular component of the local protein synthesis that is required for the initiation of LTF and that is sensitive to emetine is not known. Here, we identify a homolog of ApCPEB responsible for the initiation of LTF. ApCPEB4 which we have named after its mammalian CPEB4-like homolog lacks a prion-like domain, is responsive to 5-hydroxytryptamine, and is translated (but not transcribed) in an emetine-sensitive, rapamycin-insensitive, and PKA-dependent manner. The ApCPEB4 binds to different target RNAs than does ApCPEB. Knock-down of ApCPEB4 blocked the induction of LTF, whereas overexpression of ApCPEB4 reduces the threshold of the formation of LTF. Thus, our findings suggest that the two different forms of CPEBs play distinct roles in LTF; ApCPEB is required for maintenance of LTF, whereas the ApCPEB4, which lacks a prion-like domain, is required for the initiation of LTF. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13041-016-0271-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Sec7 protein is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor in the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) family of small GTP-binding proteins. Aplysia Sec7 proteins (ApSec7s) play many roles in neurite outgrowth and synaptic facilitation in Aplysia neurons. However, the binding property of Aplysia ARF1 by ApSec7 isoforms has not been examined. In this study, we found that the cloned Aplysia ARF1 (ApARF1) protein only localized to the Golgi complex when it was expressed alone in HEK293T cells; however, if ApARF1 was co-expressed with plasma membrane-targeted ApSec7, it localized to both the plasma membrane and the Golgi complex via association with the Sec7 domain of ApSec7. Moreover, in HEK293T cells expressing both ApARF1 and another Sec7 isoform, ApSec7(VPKIS), the pleckstrin homology domain of ApSec7(VPKIS) associated with ApARF1, resulting in its localization to the Golgi complex. Overall, we propose a model in which ApSec7(VPKIS) activates ApARF1 in the Golgi complex, while ApSec7 recruits ApARF1 to the plasma membrane where it activates ApARF1/6 downstream signaling.

Neurite growth requires neurite extension and retraction, which are associated with protein degradation. Autophagy is a conserved bulk degradation pathway that regulates several cellular processes. However, little is known about autophagic regulation during early neurite growth. In this study, we investigated whether autophagy was involved in early neurite growth and how it regulated neurite growth in primary cortical neurons. Components of autophagy were expressed and autophagy was activated during early neurite growth. Interestingly, inhibition of autophagy by atg7 small interfering RNA (siRNA) caused elongation of axons, while activation of autophagy by rapamycin suppressed axon growth. Surprisingly, inhibition of autophagy reduced the protein level of RhoA. Moreover, expression of RhoA suppressed axon overelongation mediated by autophagy inhibition, whereas inhibition of the RhoA signaling pathway by Y-27632 recovered rapamycin-mediated suppression of axon growth. Interestingly, hnRNP-Q1, which negatively regulates RhoA, accumulated in autophagy-deficient neurons, while its protein level was reduced by autophagy activation. Overall, our study suggests that autophagy negatively regulates axon extension via the RhoA-ROCK pathway by regulating hnRNP-Q1 in primary cortical neurons. Therefore, autophagy might serve as a fine-tuning mechanism to regulate early axon extension.

PDE plays an important role in cAMP-mediated cellular signaling within the cells. The proper targeting of each PDE is mediated by unique N-terminal of each PDE isoform. It has been recently reported that supershort-, short- and long-forms of PDE4 in Aplysia were cloned in Aplysia. Long-form of ApPDE4 was localized at plasma membrane and presynaptic terminal in Aplysia sensory neurons. However, it remains elusive which part of ApPDE4 is minimal region for the proper targeting and what are the effects on the cell functions. Here, we identified that N-terminal 13 amino acids of ApPDE4 long-form is minimal regions for the plasma membrane targeting. In addition, overexpression of ApPDE4(N20)-mRFP could induce morphological changes in HEK293T cells. Interestingly, mRFP-(PH), which selectively binds to PI4,, could induce morphological changes in similar with that by ApPDE4(N20)-mRFP. These results suggested that binding of ApPDE4(N20) to lipids including PI4, might be responsible for targeting of ApPDE4 to plasma membrane and morphological changes in HEK293T cells.

Long-term facilitation inAplysiais accompanied by the growth of new synaptic connections between the sensory and motor neurons of the gill-withdrawal reflex. One of the initial steps leading to the growth of these synapses is the internalization, induced by 5-HT, of the transmembrane isoform ofAplysiacell-adhesion molecule (TM–apCAM) from the plasma membrane of sensory neurons (Bailey et al., 1992). However, the mechanisms that govern the internalization of TM–apCAM and how this internalization is coupled to the molecular events that initiate the structural changes are not fully understood. Here, we report that the synthesis of membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], which is known to be mediated by a signaling cascade throughAplysiaSec7 protein (ApSec7) and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase type I α (PIP5KIα) is required for both the internalization of TM–apCAM and the initiation of synaptic growth during 5-HT-induced long-term facilitation. Pharmacological blockade of PI(4,5)P2synthesis by the application of the inhibitor phenylarsine oxide blocked the internalization of apCAM. Furthermore, perturbation of the endogenous activation of ApSec7 and its downstream target PIP5KIα also blocked 5-HT-mediated internalization of TM–apCAM and synaptic growth. Finally, long-term facilitation was specifically impaired by blocking the ApSec7 signaling pathway at sensory-to-motor neuron synapses. These data indicate that the ApSec7/PIP5KIα signaling pathway is actively recruited during learning-related 5-HT signaling and acts as a key regulator of apCAM internalization associated with the formation of new synaptic connections during long-term facilitation.

IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating proteins (IQGAPs), which are well-known -independent calmodulin (CaM) binding proteins, are involved in various cellular functions such as cell proliferation, carcinogenesis and cell migration. The IQGAP3 similar to IQGAP1 has four repeated IQ motifs, which are crucial for CaM binding. It has been recently shown that all four IQ motifs of the IQGAP1 could bind to CaM, while not clear the binding of four IQ motifs of the IQGAP3. In this study, we examined the binding between CaM and each IQ motif of IQGAP3. As a result, we found that IQ2 and IQ3, but not IQ1 and IQ4, have a -independent CaM binding activity. We also found that IQ(3.5-4.4) on the IQGAP3 has -dependent CaM binding activity as similar with that of IQGAP1. This finding indicates that IQ motifs of the IQGAP3 plays a dynamic role via different interaction of IQ motifs with /CaM or apoCaM.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that posttranscriptionally regulate gene expression in many tissues. Although a number of brain-enriched miRNAs have been identified, only a few specific miRNAs have been revealed as critical regulators of synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. miR-9-5p/3p are brain-enriched miRNAs known to regulate development and their changes have been implicated in several neurological disorders, yet their role in mature neurons in mice is largely unknown. Here, we report that inhibition of miR-9-3p, but not miR-9-5p, impaired hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) without affecting basal synaptic transmission. Moreover, inhibition of miR-9-3p in the hippocampus resulted in learning and memory deficits. Furthermore, miR-9-3p inhibition increased the expression of the LTP-related genes Dmd and SAP97, the expression levels of which are negatively correlated with LTP. These results suggest that miR-9-3p-mediated gene regulation plays important roles in synaptic plasticity and hippocampus-dependent memory. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Despite the abundant expression of the brain-specific microRNA miR-9-5p/3p in both proliferating and postmitotic neurons, most functional studies have focused on their role in neuronal development. Here, we examined the role of miR-9-5p/3p in adult brain and found that miR-9-3p, but not miR-9-5p, has a critical role in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory. Moreover, we identified in vivo binding targets of miR-9-3p that are involved in the regulation of long-term potentiation. Our study provides the very first evidence for the critical role of miR-9-3p in synaptic plasticity and memory in the adult mouse.

Voltage-gated calcium (Ca-v) channels, which are regulated by membrane potential, cytosolic Ca2+, phosphorylation, and membrane phospholipids, govern Ca2+ entry into excitable cells. Ca-v channels contain a pore-forming alpha 1 subunit, an auxiliary alpha 2 delta subunit, and a regulatory beta subunit, each encoded by several genes in mammals. In addition to a domain that interacts with the alpha 1 subunit, beta 2e and beta 2a also interact with the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane through an electrostatic interaction for beta 2e and posttranslational acylation for beta 2a. We found that an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ promoted the release of beta 2e from the membrane without requiring substantial depletion of the anionic phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) from the plasma membrane. Experiments with liposomes indicated that Ca2+ disrupted the interaction of the beta 2e amino-terminal peptide with membranes containing PIP2. Ca2+ binding to calmodulin (CaM) leads to CaM-mediated inactivation of Ca-v currents. Although Ca(v)2.2 coexpressed with beta 2a required Ca2+-dependent activation of CaM for Ca2+-mediated reduction in channel activity, Ca(v)2.2 coexpressed with beta 2e exhibited Ca2+-dependent inactivation of the channel even in the presence of Ca2+-insensitive CaM. Inducible depletion of PIP2 reduced Ca(v)2.2 currents, and in cells coexpressing beta 2e, but not a form that lacks the polybasic region, increased intracellular Ca2+ further reduced Ca(v)2.2 currents. Many hormone-or neurotransmitter-activated receptors stimulate PIP2 hydrolysis and increase cytosolic Ca2+; thus, our findings suggest that beta 2e may integrate such receptor-mediated signals to limit Ca-v activity.

Cytohesin family proteins act as guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) for the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) family of small GTP-binding proteins. Aplysia Sec7 (ApSec7), a member of the cytohesin family in Aplysia, plays key roles in neurite outgrowth in Aplysia neurons. Although ApSec7 has a conserved coiled-coil (CC) domain, its role was not clear. In this study, we found that the CC domain of ApSec7 and ARNO/cytohesin-2 are involved in homodimer formation, leading to efficient plasma membrane targeting of ApSec7 and ARNO/cytohesin-2 in HEK293T cells. Therefore, deletion of the CC domain of ApSec7 and ARNO/cytohesin-2 may result in a loss of dimerization and reduce plasma membrane localization. In addition, the CC domains of ApSec7 and ARNO/cytohesin-2 have partially or fully CRM1-dependent nuclear export signals, respectively. Taken together, our results suggest that the CC domain of cytohesin family proteins, including ApSec7 and ARNO/cytohesin-2, has dual roles in intracellular targeting: increased plasma membrane targeting through homodimer formation and nuclear exclusion through either a CRM1-dependent or a CRM1-independent pathway. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Figure S1. A representative Western blot (left) and quantification (right) of ApCPEB4 in Aplysia pleural ganglia extracts prepared from animals exposed to 5-HT in vivo for 2Â h. Total extracts were prepared at indicated times and 20Â Îźg of proteins were blotted with anti-ApCPEB4 antibodies (left, top panel). The same extracts were also stained with Coomassie blue as loading controls (left, bottom panel). (PDF 49 kb)