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The Ciliary Protein IFT57 in the Macronucleus of Paramecium

Lei Shi1,2, France Koll1, Olivier Arnaiz1

  • 1Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), formerly Centre de Génétique Moléculaire, Université Paris Saclay, CEA, CNRS, 1 Avenue de la Terrasse, 91198, Gif sur Yvette, France.

The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology
|May 6, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Intraflagellar transport IFT57 proteins are crucial for cilia. In Paramecium, IFT57A localizes to the nucleus and influences gene expression, unlike IFT57C, with distinct functions across species.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Intraflagellar transport (IFT) proteins, like IFT57, are vital for ciliary assembly and function.
  • Human IFT57 (HIPPI) translocates to the nucleus, modulating gene expression.
  • Paramecium tetraurelia possesses multiple IFT57 gene copies due to whole genome duplication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the distinct roles and localization of IFT57 paralogs in Paramecium.
  • To identify the nuclear localization signals within IFT57A.
  • To compare the gene regulatory effects of Paramecium IFT57A with human IFT57.

Main Methods:

  • Gene depletion and protein localization studies in Paramecium.
  • Analysis of chimeric IFT57A-IFT57C-GFP fusion proteins.
  • Comparative analysis of IFT57 protein from Paramecium species with different evolutionary histories.
  • Gene expression profiling following IFT57A overexpression.

Main Results:

  • Paramecium IFT57 proteins form two subfamilies (IFT57A/B and IFT57C/D), with depletion causing ciliary defects.
  • IFT57A localizes to basal bodies, cilia, and the macronucleus, trafficking during autogamy.
  • A specific region of IFT57A mediates nuclear import.
  • Paramecium caudatum IFT57C is excluded from the nucleus.
  • Overexpression of IFT57A affects some gene expression in Paramecium, but with limited overlap to human cells.

Conclusions:

  • Paramecium IFT57 paralogs exhibit divergent localization and functions, with IFT57A possessing nuclear activity.
  • Evolutionary divergence and whole genome duplication have shaped IFT57 gene families.
  • While IFT57A influences gene expression in Paramecium, its targets differ from human HIPPI, suggesting species-specific regulatory roles.
Keywords:
HIPPICiliaintraflagellar transport

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