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Non-Mitochondrial Aconitase-2 Mediates the Transcription of Nuclear-Encoded Electron Transport Chain Genes in Fission Yeast.
Ho-Jung Kim, Soo-Yeon Cho, Soo-Jin Jung, Yong-Jun Cho, Jung-Hye Roe, Kyoung-Dong Kim
J. Microbiol. 2024;62(8):639-648.   Published online June 25, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-024-00147-8
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AbstractAbstract
Aconitase-2 (Aco2) is present in the mitochondria, cytosol, and nucleus of fission yeast. To explore its function beyond the well-known role in the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, we conducted genome-wide profiling using the aco2ΔNLS mutant, which lacks a nuclear localization signal (NLS). The RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data showed a general downregulation of electron transport chain (ETC) genes in the aco2ΔNLS mutant, except for those in the complex II, leading to a growth defect in respiratory-prone media. Complementation analysis with non-catalytic Aco2 [aco2ΔNLS + aco2(3CS)], where three cysteines were substituted with serine, restored normal growth and typical ETC gene expression. This suggests that Aco2's catalytic activity is not essential for its role in ETC gene regulation. Our mRNA decay assay indicated that the decrease in ETC gene expression was due to transcriptional regulation rather than changes in mRNA stability. Additionally, we investigated the Php complex's role in ETC gene regulation and found that ETC genes, except those within complex II, were downregulated in php3Δ and php5Δ strains, similar to the aco2ΔNLS mutant. These findings highlight a novel role for nuclear aconitase in ETC gene regulation and suggest a potential connection between the Php complex and Aco2.
Recombinant Protein Mimicking the Antigenic Structure of the Viral Surface Envelope Protein Reinforces Induction of an Antigen‑Specific and Virus‑Neutralizing Immune Response Against Dengue Virus
Ju Kim , Tae Young Lim , Jisang Park , Yong&#
J. Microbiol. 2023;61(1):131-143.   Published online February 1, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-023-00021-z
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AbstractAbstract
Dengue virus (DENV), belonging to the family Flaviviridae, is the causative agent of dengue and comprises four serotypes. A second heterologous DENV infection is a critical risk factor for severe dengue, and no effective vaccine is available to prevent infection by all four DENV serotypes. Recombinant DENV vaccines are primarily based on the envelope proteins, prM and E. The E protein and its envelope domain III (EDIII) have been investigated as candidate antigens (Ags) for recombinant subunit vaccines. However, most EDIII-based Ags are monomers that do not display the cognate antigenic structure of E protein, which is essential for induction of virus-neutralizing immunity. Here, we developed recombinant DENV-2 envelope domain (r2ED) protein as an Ag that mimics the quaternary structure of E protein on the DENV surface. We confirmed that r2ED retained the conformational epitope displayed at the E-dimer interface, which reportedly exhibits broad virus-neutralizing capacity, without displaying the fusion loop epitope that causes antibody (Ab)-dependent enhancement. Furthermore, compared with EDIII alone, r2ED elicited stronger Ag-specific and cross-reactive neutralizing Ab and T cell-mediated immune responses in mice. This Ag-specific immunity was maintained at an elevated level 6 months after the last immunization, suggesting sustained Ag-specific immune memory. Taken together, these observations suggest that r2ED could be used to develop an improved subunit vaccine capable of inducing a broadly cross-reactive and long-lasting immune response against DENV infection.

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