Experimental Approaches to Study Mitochondrial Localization and Function of a Nuclear Cell Cycle Kinase, Cdk1

Summary

Here, we outline how to study mitochondrial localization of a (cell cycle) kinase, and how to determine its sub-mitochondrial location as well as potential mitochondrial substrates/targets. Forced expression of proteins into the mitochondria provides a useful tool for studying the functional consequences of mitochondrial localization of a protein of interest.

Abstract

Although mitochondria possess their own transcriptional machinery, merely 1% of mitochondrial proteins are synthesized inside the organelle. The nuclear-encoded proteins are transported into mitochondria guided by their mitochondria targeting sequences (MTS); however, a majority of mitochondrial localized proteins lack an identifiable MTS. Nevertheless, the fact that MTS can instruct proteins to go into the mitochondria provides a valuable tool for studying mitochondrial functions of normally nuclear and/or cytoplasmic proteins. We have recently identified the cell cycle kinase CyclinB1/Cdk1 complex in the mitochondria. To specifically study the mitochondrial functions of this complex, mitochondrial overexpression and knock-down of this complex without interfering with its nuclear or cytoplasmic functions were essential. By tagging CyclinB1/Cdk1 with MTS, we were able to achieve mitochondrial overexpression of this complex to study its mitochondrial targets as well as functions. Via tagging dominant-negative Cdk1 with MTS, inhibition of Cdk1 activity was accomplished particularly in the mitochondria. Potential mitochondrial targets of CyclinB1/Cdk1 complex were identified using a gel-based proteomics approach. Unlike traditional 2D gel analysis, we employed 2-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) technology followed by phosphoprotein staining to fluorescently label differentially phosphorylated proteins in mitochondrial Cdk1 expressing cells. Identification of phosphoprotein spots that were altered in wild type versus dominant negative Cdk1 bearing mitochondria revealed the identity of mitochondrial targets of Cdk1. Finally, to determine the effect of CyclinB1/Cdk1 mitochondrial localization in cell cycle progression, a cell proliferation assay using a synthetic thymidine analogue EdU (5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine) was used to monitor the cells as they go through the cell cycle and replicate their DNA. Altogether, we demonstrated a variety of approaches available to study mitochondrial localization and activity of a cell cycle kinase. These are advanced, yet easy to follow methods that will be beneficial to many cell biology researchers.

Introduction

In mammals, cell cycle progression is dependent upon highly ordered events controlled by cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks)¹. Through its cytoplasmic, nuclear, and centrosomal localization, CyclinB1/Cdk1 is able to synchronize different events in mitosis such as nuclear envelope breakdown and centrosome separation². CyclinB1/Cdk1 protects mitotic cells against apoptosis³ and promotes mitochondrial fission, a critical step for an equal distribution of mitochondria to the newly formed daughter cells⁴.

In proliferating mammalian cells, mitochondrial ATP is generated via oxidative phosphoryla....

Protocol

1. Isolation of Mitochondria from Cultured Cells

1. Preparation of Isolation Buffer for Cells (IBc) Buffer
   1. Prepare 0.1 M Tris/MOPS (tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane/3-(N-morpholino) propanesulfonic acid): Dissolve 12.1 g of Tris in 800 ml of distilled water, adjust pH to 7.4 using MOPS powder, add distilled water to a total volume of 1 L and store at 4 ^oC.
   2. Prepare 0.1 M EGTA (Ethylene glycol bis(2-aminoethyl ether)tetraacetic acid)/Tris: Dissolve 38.1 g of EGTA in 800 ml of distilled water, adjust pH to 7.4 using Tris powder, add distilled water to a total volume of 1 L and store at 4 ^oC.

Results

Sub-mitochondrial localization of CyclinB1 and Cdk1

Sodium carbonate extraction is used to determine whether a protein is located inside the mitochondria or on the outside surface, namely outer membrane. Once a protein is shown to localize inside the mitochondria, further determination of sub-mitochondrial localization can be made via mitoplasting combined with protease digestion. To specify the sub-mitochondria.......

Discussion

Like the proteins destined for other subcellular organelles, the mitochondrial targeted proteins possess targeting signals within their primary or secondary structure that direct them to the organelle with the assistance of elaborate protein translocating and folding machines^21,22. Mitochondria targeting sequences (MTS) obtained from exclusively mitochondrial resident proteins such as COX8 can be added to N-terminus of any gene sequence to target specific proteins into the mitochondria^11,23,24. Here.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
32P ATP	PerkinElmer	BLU002001MC
Anti-mouse secondary antibody	Invitrogen	A-11003	Alexa-546 conjugated
Anti-rabbit secondary antibody	Invitrogen	A11029	Alexa-488 conjugated
ATP	Research Organics	1166A	For in vitro kinase assay
Cdk1 antibody	Cell Signaling Technology	9112
Cdk1 kinase buffer	New England Biolabs	P6020S
Click-iT EdU Alexa Fluor 488 Imaging Kit	Life Technologies	C10337	For cell cycle analysis with EdU labeling
COX IV antibody	Cell Signaling Technology	4844S	For mitochondrial immunostaining
Cyclin B1 antibody	Santa Cruz Biotech	sc-752
CyclinB1/Cdk1 enzyme complex	New England Biolabs	P6020S	Avoid freeze/thaw
CyDye DIGE Fluor Labeling Kit	GE Healthcare Life Sciences	25-8009-83
DIGE Gel and DIGE Buffer Kit	GE Healthcare Life Sciences	28-9480-26 AA
Dimethylformamide	Sigma Aldrich	319937	DMF
Dithiothreitol	Bio-Rad	161-0611	DTT
dNTP	EMD Millipore	71004	For site-directed mutagenesis
Dpn I enzyme	Stratagene	200519-53	For site-directed mutagenesis
Dry Strip cover fluid	GE Healthcare Life Sciences	17-1335-01	Used as mineral oil
EDTA	J.T. Baker	4040-03
EGTA	Acros Organics	409910250
Eppendorf Vacufuge Concentrator	Fisher Scientific	07-748-13	Used as vacuum centrifuge concentrator
Fluoromount G	Southern Biotech	0100-01	Anti-fade mounting solution
Fortessa Flow Cytometer	BD Biosciences	649908	For cell cycle analysis with EdU labeling
Histone H1	Calbiochem	382150	For in vitro kinase assay
QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit	Qiagen	28704	For purifying DNA fragments from agarose gels
Immobiline DryStrip Gels	GE Healthcare Life Sciences	18-1016-61	IEF (isoelectric focusing) strips
Immobilized Glutathione	Thermo Scientific	15160	Glutathione-agarose beads
Iodoacetamide	Sigma Aldrich	I1149	IAA
IPGphor 3 Isoelectric Focusing Unit	GE Healthcare Life Sciences	11-0033-64	IPGphor strip holders
Isopropyl-b-D-thio-galactopyranoside	RPI Corp	156000-5.0	IPTG
Leupeptin	Sigma Aldrich	L9783	For cell lysis buffer
Lipofectamine 2000	Life Technologies	11668027	Transfection reagent
Lysine	Sigma Aldrich	L5501	For CyDye labeling
Lysozyme	EMD Chemicals	5960
Mitoctracker Red/Green	Invitrogen	M7512/M7514	Mitochondrial fluorescent dyes
MOPS	EMD Chemicals	6310
pEGFP-N1	Clonetech	6085-1	GFP-expressing vector
Pfu	Stratagene	600-255-52
pGEX-5X-1	GE Healthcare Life Sciences	28-9545-53	GST-expressing vector
Phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride	Shelton Scientific	IB01090	PMSF
Phosphate buffered saline	Life Technologies	14040	PBS
Spectra/Por 4 dialysis tubing	Spectrum Labs	132700	as porous membrane tubing for dialysis
Pro-Q Diamond Phosphoprotein Gel Stain	Life Technologies	P-33300	For staining phosphoproteins on 2D gels
Proteinase inhibitor cocktail	Calbiochem	539134	For cell lysis buffer
QuikChange site-directed mutagenesis kit	Stratagene	200519-5
QIAprep Spin Miniprep Kit	Qiagen	27104	MiniPrep Plasmid Isolation Kit
RO-3306	Alexis Biochemicals	270-463-M001	Cdk1 inhibitor
Rotenone	MP Biomedicals	150154	Complex I inhibitor
Sodium carbonate	Fisher Scientific	S93359
Sodium chloride	EMD Chemicals	SX0420-5	For cell lysis buffer
Sodium orthovanadate	MP Biomedicals	159664	For cell lysis buffer
Sodium pyrophosphate decahydrate	Alfa Aesar	33385	For cell lysis buffer
Sodium β-glycerophosphate	Alfa Aesar	L03425	For cell lysis buffer
SpectraMax M2e	Molecular Devices	M2E	Microplate reader
Sucrose	Fisher Scientific	57-50-1
Tissue Grinder pestle	Kimble Chase	885301-0007	For mitochondria isolation
Tissue Grinder tube	Kimble Chase	885303-0007	For mitochondria isolation
Trichloroacetic acid solution	Sigma Aldrich	T0699	TCA
Tris	MP Biomedicals	103133
Triton-x-100	Teknova	T1105
Trypsin	Calbiochem	650211
Typhoon Imager	GE Healthcare Life Sciences	28-9558-09	Laser gel scanner fro 2D-DIGE
Ubiquinone	Sigma Aldrich	C7956