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1.
Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis ; 1867(4): 166062, 2021 04 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33385517

ABSTRACT

The majority of cellular energy is produced by the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system. Failure of the first OXPHOS enzyme complex, NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase or complex I (CI), is associated with multiple signs and symptoms presenting at variable ages of onset. There is no approved drug treatment yet to slow or reverse the progression of CI-deficient disorders. Here, we present a comprehensive human metabolic network model of genetically characterized CI-deficient patient-derived fibroblasts. Model calculations predicted that increased cholesterol production, export, and utilization can counterbalance the surplus of reducing equivalents in patient-derived fibroblasts, as these pathways consume considerable amounts of NAD(P)H. We show that fibrates attenuated increased NAD(P)H levels and improved CI-deficient fibroblast growth by stimulating the production of cholesterol via enhancement of its cellular efflux. In CI-deficient (Ndufs4-/-) mice, fibrate treatment resulted in prolonged survival and improved motor function, which was accompanied by an increased cholesterol efflux from peritoneal macrophages. Our results shine a new light on the use of compensatory biological pathways in mitochondrial dysfunction, which may lead to novel therapeutic interventions for mitochondrial diseases for which currently no cure exists.


Subject(s)
Biosynthetic Pathways/drug effects , Cholesterol/metabolism , Electron Transport Complex I/deficiency , Fibric Acids/therapeutic use , Mitochondrial Diseases/metabolism , Animals , Cholesterol/genetics , Electron Transport Complex I/drug effects , Electron Transport Complex I/genetics , Electron Transport Complex I/metabolism , Female , Fibroblasts/drug effects , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Humans , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mitochondrial Diseases/genetics , Mitochondrial Diseases/physiopathology , Motor Activity/drug effects , NADP/metabolism , Oxidation-Reduction/drug effects
2.
Front Genet ; 10: 245, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30972103

ABSTRACT

Mitochondrial diseases are a group of rare life-threatening diseases often caused by defects in the oxidative phosphorylation system. No effective treatment is available for these disorders. Therapeutic development is hampered by the high heterogeneity in genetic, biochemical, and clinical spectra of mitochondrial diseases and by limited preclinical resources to screen and identify effective treatment candidates. Alternative models of the pathology are essential to better understand mitochondrial diseases and to accelerate the development of new therapeutics. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a cost- and time-efficient model that can recapitulate a wide range of phenotypes observed in patients suffering from mitochondrial disorders. We targeted three important subunits of complex I of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system with the flexible UAS-Gal4 system and RNA interference (RNAi): NDUFS4 (ND-18), NDUFS7 (ND-20), and NDUFV1 (ND-51). Using two ubiquitous driver lines at two temperatures, we established a collection of phenotypes relevant to complex I deficiencies. Our data offer models and phenotypes with different levels of severity that can be used for future therapeutic screenings. These include qualitative phenotypes that are amenable to high-throughput drug screening and quantitative phenotypes that require more resources but are likely to have increased potential and sensitivity to show modulation by drug treatment.

3.
Nat Genet ; 50(1): 120-129, 2018 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29255262

ABSTRACT

Selenium-binding protein 1 (SELENBP1) has been associated with several cancers, although its exact role is unknown. We show that SELENBP1 is a methanethiol oxidase (MTO), related to the MTO in methylotrophic bacteria, that converts methanethiol to H2O2, formaldehyde, and H2S, an activity not previously known to exist in humans. We identified mutations in SELENBP1 in five patients with cabbage-like breath odor. The malodor was attributable to high levels of methanethiol and dimethylsulfide, the main odorous compounds in their breath. Elevated urinary excretion of dimethylsulfoxide was associated with MTO deficiency. Patient fibroblasts had low SELENBP1 protein levels and were deficient in MTO enzymatic activity; these effects were reversed by lentivirus-mediated expression of wild-type SELENBP1. Selenbp1-knockout mice showed biochemical characteristics similar to those in humans. Our data reveal a potentially frequent inborn error of metabolism that results from MTO deficiency and leads to a malodor syndrome.


Subject(s)
Halitosis/genetics , Oxidoreductases/genetics , Selenium-Binding Proteins/genetics , Animals , Breath Tests , Cell Line , Cells, Cultured , Dimethyl Sulfoxide/blood , Dimethyl Sulfoxide/cerebrospinal fluid , Dimethyl Sulfoxide/urine , Halitosis/enzymology , Humans , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Mutation , Selenium-Binding Proteins/deficiency , Selenium-Binding Proteins/metabolism
4.
Cell Metab ; 22(3): 399-407, 2015 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26331605

ABSTRACT

Cholesterol-lowering statins effectively reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events. Myopathy is the most important adverse effect, but its underlying mechanism remains enigmatic. In C2C12 myoblasts, several statin lactones reduced respiratory capacity and appeared to be strong inhibitors of mitochondrial complex III (CIII) activity, up to 84% inhibition. The lactones were in general three times more potent inducers of cytotoxicity than their corresponding acid forms. The Qo binding site of CIII was identified as off-target of the statin lactones. These findings could be confirmed in muscle tissue of patients suffering from statin-induced myopathies, in which CIII enzyme activity was reduced by 18%. Respiratory inhibition in C2C12 myoblasts could be attenuated by convergent electron flow into CIII, restoring respiration up to 89% of control. In conclusion, CIII inhibition was identified as a potential off-target mechanism associated with statin-induced myopathies.


Subject(s)
Electron Transport Complex III/antagonists & inhibitors , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/adverse effects , Lactones/adverse effects , Mitochondria/drug effects , Muscular Diseases/chemically induced , Myoblasts/drug effects , Myoblasts/pathology , Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism , Animals , Cell Line , Cell Respiration/drug effects , Cells, Cultured , Electron Transport Complex III/metabolism , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/chemistry , Lactones/chemistry , Mice , Mitochondria/metabolism , Mitochondria/pathology , Models, Molecular , Muscles/cytology , Muscles/drug effects , Muscles/metabolism , Muscles/pathology , Muscular Diseases/metabolism , Muscular Diseases/pathology , Myoblasts/metabolism
5.
Am J Hum Genet ; 96(2): 245-57, 2015 Feb 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25597510

ABSTRACT

We studied a group of individuals with elevated urinary excretion of 3-methylglutaconic acid, neutropenia that can develop into leukemia, a neurological phenotype ranging from nonprogressive intellectual disability to a prenatal encephalopathy with progressive brain atrophy, movement disorder, cataracts, and early death. Exome sequencing of two unrelated individuals and subsequent Sanger sequencing of 16 individuals with an overlapping phenotype identified a total of 14 rare, predicted deleterious alleles in CLPB in 14 individuals from 9 unrelated families. CLPB encodes caseinolytic peptidase B homolog ClpB, a member of the AAA+ protein family. To evaluate the relevance of CLPB in the pathogenesis of this syndrome, we developed a zebrafish model and an in vitro assay to measure ATPase activity. Suppression of clpb in zebrafish embryos induced a central nervous system phenotype that was consistent with cerebellar and cerebral atrophy that could be rescued by wild-type, but not mutant, human CLPB mRNA. Consistent with these data, the loss-of-function effect of one of the identified variants (c.1222A>G [p.Arg408Gly]) was supported further by in vitro evidence with the mutant peptides abolishing ATPase function. Additionally, we show that CLPB interacts biochemically with ATP2A2, known to be involved in apoptotic processes in severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) 3 (Kostmann disease [caused by HAX1 mutations]). Taken together, mutations in CLPB define a syndrome with intellectual disability, congenital neutropenia, progressive brain atrophy, movement disorder, cataracts, and 3-methylglutaconic aciduria.


Subject(s)
Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics , Brain/pathology , Endopeptidase Clp/genetics , Intellectual Disability/genetics , Metabolism, Inborn Errors/genetics , Abnormalities, Multiple/pathology , Adenosine Triphosphatases/metabolism , Animals , Atrophy/genetics , Atrophy/pathology , Base Sequence , Cataract/genetics , Cataract/pathology , Endopeptidase Clp/metabolism , Exome/genetics , Humans , Intellectual Disability/pathology , Metabolism, Inborn Errors/pathology , Molecular Sequence Data , Movement Disorders/genetics , Movement Disorders/pathology , Neutropenia/genetics , Neutropenia/pathology , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics , Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases/metabolism , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Zebrafish
6.
Eur J Hum Genet ; 23(2): 202-9, 2015 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24781757

ABSTRACT

Defects in complex II of the mitochondrial respiratory chain are a rare cause of mitochondrial disorders. Underlying autosomal-recessive genetic defects are found in most of the 'SDHx' genes encoding complex II (SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, and SDHD) and its assembly factors. Interestingly, SDHx genes also function as tumor suppressor genes in hereditary paragangliomas, pheochromocytomas, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. In these cases, the affected patients are carrier of a heterozygeous SDHx germline mutation. Until now, mutations in SDHx associated with mitochondrial disease have not been reported in association with hereditary tumors and vice versa. Here, we characterize four patients with isolated complex II deficiency caused by mutations in SDHA presenting with multisystem mitochondrial disease including Leigh syndrome (LS) and/or leukodystrophy. Molecular genetic analysis revealed three novel mutations in SDHA. Two mutations (c.64-2A>G and c.1065-3C>A) affect mRNA splicing and result in loss of protein expression. These are the first mutations described affecting SDHA splicing. For the third new mutation, c.565T>G, we show that it severely affects enzyme activity. Its pathogenicity was confirmed by lentiviral complementation experiments on the fibroblasts of patients carrying this mutation. It is of special interest that one of our LS patients harbored the c.91C>T (p.Arg31*) mutation that was previously only reported in association with paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas, tightening the gap between these two rare disorders. As tumor screening is recommended for SDHx mutation carriers, this should also be considered for patients with mitochondrial disorders and their family members.


Subject(s)
Electron Transport Complex II/genetics , Leigh Disease/genetics , Leukoencephalopathies/genetics , Neoplasms/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Cells, Cultured , Child , Child, Preschool , Electron Transport Complex II/chemistry , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Humans , Infant , Leigh Disease/diagnosis , Leukoencephalopathies/diagnosis , Molecular Sequence Data , Mutation, Missense , RNA Splicing
7.
Brain ; 136(Pt 5): 1544-54, 2013 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23599390

ABSTRACT

Whole exome sequencing is a powerful tool to detect novel pathogenic mutations in patients with suspected mitochondrial disease. However, the interpretation of novel genetic variants is not always straightforward. Here, we present two siblings with a severe neonatal encephalopathy caused by complex V deficiency. The aim of this study was to uncover the underlying genetic defect using the combination of enzymatic testing and whole exome sequence analysis, and to provide evidence for causality by functional follow-up. Measurement of the oxygen consumption rate and enzyme analysis in fibroblasts were performed. Immunoblotting techniques were applied to study complex V assembly. The coding regions of the genome were analysed. Three-dimensional modelling was applied. Exome sequencing of the two siblings with complex V deficiency revealed a heterozygous mutation in the ATP5A1 gene, coding for complex V subunit α. The father carried the variant heterozygously. At the messenger RNA level, only the mutated allele was expressed in the patients, whereas the father expressed both the wild-type and the mutant allele. Gene expression data indicate that the maternal allele is not expressed, which is supported by the observation that the ATP5A1 expression levels in the patients and their mother are reduced to ∼50%. Complementation with wild-type ATP5A1 restored complex V in the patient fibroblasts, confirming pathogenicity of the defect. At the protein level, the mutation results in a disturbed interaction of the α-subunit with the ß-subunit of complex V, which interferes with the stability of the complex. This study demonstrates the important value of functional studies in the diagnostic work-up of mitochondrial patients, in order to guide genetic variant prioritization, and to validate gene defects.


Subject(s)
Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathies/enzymology , Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathies/genetics , Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases/genetics , Cells, Cultured , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathies/mortality , Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases/chemistry , Oxidative Phosphorylation Coupling Factors/chemistry , Oxidative Phosphorylation Coupling Factors/genetics , Protein Structure, Secondary
8.
Nat Genet ; 44(7): 797-802, 2012 Jun 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22683713

ABSTRACT

Using exome sequencing, we identify SERAC1 mutations as the cause of MEGDEL syndrome, a recessive disorder of dystonia and deafness with Leigh-like syndrome, impaired oxidative phosphorylation and 3-methylglutaconic aciduria. We localized SERAC1 at the interface between the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum in the mitochondria-associated membrane fraction that is essential for phospholipid exchange. A phospholipid analysis in patient fibroblasts showed elevated concentrations of phosphatidylglycerol-34:1 (where the species nomenclature denotes the number of carbon atoms in the two acyl chains:number of double bonds in the two acyl groups) and decreased concentrations of phosphatidylglycerol-36:1 species, resulting in an altered cardiolipin subspecies composition. We also detected low concentrations of bis(monoacyl-glycerol)-phosphate, leading to the accumulation of free cholesterol, as shown by abnormal filipin staining. Complementation of patient fibroblasts with wild-type human SERAC1 by lentiviral infection led to a decrease and partial normalization of the mean ratio of phosphatidylglycerol-34:1 to phosphatidylglycerol-36:1. Our data identify SERAC1 as a key player in the phosphatidylglycerol remodeling that is essential for both mitochondrial function and intracellular cholesterol trafficking.


Subject(s)
Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases/genetics , Cholesterol/metabolism , Deafness/genetics , Dystonia/genetics , Mitochondria/genetics , Mutation , Phospholipids/metabolism , Amino Acid Sequence , Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases/metabolism , Cardiolipins/genetics , Cardiolipins/metabolism , Cell Line, Transformed , Cell Line, Tumor , Cholesterol/genetics , Deafness/metabolism , Dystonia/metabolism , Exome , Fibroblasts/metabolism , HEK293 Cells , HeLa Cells , Humans , Mitochondria/metabolism , Molecular Sequence Data , Oxidative Phosphorylation , Phosphatidylglycerols/genetics , Phosphatidylglycerols/metabolism , Phospholipids/genetics , Sequence Alignment
9.
FEBS Lett ; 584(18): 3867-72, 2010 Sep 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20696164

ABSTRACT

The Plenty of SH3 domains protein (POSH) is an E3 ligase and a scaffold in the JNK mediated apoptosis, linking Rac1 to downstream components. We here describe POSH2 which was identified from a p21-activated kinase 2 (PAK2) interactor screen. POSH2 is highly homologous with other members of the POSH family; it contains four Src homology 3 (SH3) domains and a RING finger domain which confers E3 ligase activity to the protein. In addition POSH2 contains an N-terminal extension which is conserved among its mammalian counterparts. POSH2 interacts with GTP-loaded Rac1. We have mapped this interaction to a previously unrecognized partial Cdc42/Rac1-interactive binding domain.


Subject(s)
RING Finger Domains , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism , rac1 GTP-Binding Protein/metabolism , Amino Acid Sequence , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/chemistry , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics , cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein/metabolism
10.
Mol Biol Cell ; 19(7): 2857-69, 2008 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18448666

ABSTRACT

We have previously shown that a human picornavirus echovirus 1 (EV1) is transported to caveosomes during 2 h together with its receptor alpha2beta1 integrin. Here, we show that the majority of early uptake does not occur through caveolae. alpha2beta1 integrin, clustered by antibodies or by EV1 binding, is initially internalized from lipid rafts into tubulovesicular structures. These vesicles accumulate fluid-phase markers but do not initially colocalize with caveolin-1 or internalized simian virus 40 (SV40). Furthermore, the internalized endosomes do not contain glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins or flotillin 1, suggesting that clustered alpha2beta1 integrin does not enter the GPI-anchored protein enriched endosomal compartment or flotillin pathways, respectively. Endosomes mature further into larger multivesicular bodies between 15 min to 2 h and concomitantly recruit caveolin-1 or SV40 inside. Cell entry is regulated by p21-activated kinase (Pak)1, Rac1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, phospholipase C, and actin but not by dynamin 2 in SAOS-alpha2beta1 cells. An amiloride analog, 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropanyl) amiloride, blocks infection, causes integrin accumulation in early tubulovesicular structures, and prevents their structural maturation into multivesicular structures. Our results together suggest that alpha2beta1 integrin clustering defines its own entry pathway that is Pak1 dependent but clathrin and caveolin independent and that is able to sort cargo to caveosomes.


Subject(s)
Caveolae/metabolism , Integrin alpha2beta1/metabolism , Membrane Microdomains/chemistry , p21-Activated Kinases/metabolism , Amiloride/pharmacology , Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming/metabolism , Caveolins/chemistry , Cell Line, Tumor , Clathrin/metabolism , Enterovirus B, Human/metabolism , Humans , Microscopy, Confocal/methods , Models, Biological , Time Factors , Type C Phospholipases/metabolism
11.
Mol Cell ; 26(6): 899-915, 2007 Jun 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17588523

ABSTRACT

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation controls many aspects of signaling in multicellular organisms. One of the major consequences of tyrosine phosphorylation is the creation of binding sites for proteins containing Src homology 2 (SH2) domains. To profile the global tyrosine phosphorylation state of the cell, we have developed proteomic binding assays encompassing nearly the full complement of human SH2 domains. Here we provide a global view of SH2 domain binding to cellular proteins based on large-scale far-western analyses. We also use reverse-phase protein arrays to generate comprehensive, quantitative SH2 binding profiles for phosphopeptides, recombinant proteins, and entire proteomes. As an example, we profiled the adhesion-dependent SH2 binding interactions in fibroblasts and identified specific focal adhesion complex proteins whose tyrosine phosphorylation and binding to SH2 domains are modulated by adhesion. These results demonstrate that high-throughput comprehensive SH2 profiling provides valuable mechanistic insights into tyrosine kinase signaling pathways.


Subject(s)
Fibroblasts/metabolism , Focal Adhesions/physiology , Protein Processing, Post-Translational/physiology , Proteome/metabolism , Signal Transduction/physiology , src Homology Domains/physiology , Animals , Cell Adhesion/physiology , Fibroblasts/cytology , Humans , Mice , Multiprotein Complexes/metabolism , NIH 3T3 Cells , Peptides/metabolism , Phosphorylation , Phosphotyrosine/metabolism , Protein Array Analysis , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism , Recombinant Proteins/metabolism
12.
Int Rev Cytol ; 252: 71-128, 2006.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16984816

ABSTRACT

Gaucher disease (GD) is the most common lysosomal storage disorder and is caused by inherited deficiencies of glucocerebrosidase, the enzyme responsible for the lysosomal breakdown of the lipid glucosylceramide. GD is characterized by the accumulation of pathological, lipid laden macrophages, so-called Gaucher cells. Following the development of enzyme replacement therapy for GD, the search for suitable surrogate disease markers resulted in the identification of a thousand-fold increased chitinase activity in plasma from symptomatic Gaucher patients and that decreases upon successful therapeutic intervention. Biochemical investigations identified a single enzyme, named chitotriosidase, to be responsible for this activity. Chitotriosidase was found to be an excellent marker for lipid laden macrophages in Gaucher patients and is now widely used to assist clinical management of patients. In the wake of the identification of chitotriosidase, the presence of other members of the chitinase family in mammals was discovered. Amongst these is AMCase, an enzyme recently implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma. Chitinases are omnipresent throughout nature and are also produced by vertebrates in which they play important roles in defence against chitin-containing pathogens and in food processing.


Subject(s)
Biomarkers/metabolism , Chitinases/metabolism , Gaucher Disease , Macrophages/physiology , Animals , Carbohydrate Sequence , Chemokines, CC/immunology , Chitin/chemistry , Chitin/metabolism , Chitinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Chitinases/chemistry , Chitinases/genetics , Gaucher Disease/blood , Gaucher Disease/enzymology , Gaucher Disease/genetics , Gaucher Disease/physiopathology , Glucosylceramidase/deficiency , Hexosaminidases/antagonists & inhibitors , Hexosaminidases/chemistry , Hexosaminidases/genetics , Hexosaminidases/metabolism , Humans , Immunity, Innate/physiology , Macrophages/chemistry , Models, Molecular , Molecular Sequence Data , Molecular Structure , Neutrophils/enzymology , Protein Conformation
13.
J Inherit Metab Dis ; 29(4): 564-71, 2006 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16736095

ABSTRACT

Glucosylceramide-laden tissue macrophages in Gaucher patients secrete large quantities of chitotriosidase and CC chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18), resulting in markedly increased plasma levels. We have comparatively investigated the occurrence of both parameters in plasma and urine samples of Gaucher patients. Chitotriosidase was high in urine samples of some symptomatic patients, but elevations did not correlate with increased plasma concentrations. Urinary chitotriosidase was particularly high in a patient with severe kidney involvement and local storage cell infiltration. Urinary levels of CCL18 were also highly elevated in samples from Gaucher patients as compared to controls. The median value of the CCL18/creatinine ratio in urine samples of 31 Gaucher patients was 143.3 pg/micromol (range 32-551) and in those of 12 normal subjects was 4.1 pg/micromol (range 1.3-6.8). In sharp contrast to chitotriosidase, increases in the low-molecular-mass chemokine CCL18 in urine and plasma specimens of Gaucher patients correlated well. A correlation was also observed for reductions in urinary and plasma CCL18 following therapy. It is concluded that assessment of urinary CCL18 of Gaucher patients gives insight into the total body burden on Gaucher cells, whereas that of chitotriosidase does not. Urinary chitotriosidase appears rather to be a reflection of renal pathology.


Subject(s)
Chemokines, CC/blood , Chemokines, CC/urine , Gaucher Disease/diagnosis , Gaucher Disease/metabolism , Kidney/pathology , Adult , Biomarkers/metabolism , Case-Control Studies , Female , Gaucher Disease/therapy , Genotype , Hexosaminidases/metabolism , Humans , Kidney/metabolism , Male , Middle Aged , Time Factors
14.
EMBO Rep ; 7(2): 186-91, 2006 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16374509

ABSTRACT

We have determined the human genome to contain 296 different Src homology-3 (SH3) domains and cloned them into a phage-display vector. This provided a powerful and unbiased system for simultaneous assaying of the complete human SH3 proteome for the strongest binding to target proteins of interest, without the limitations posed by short linear peptide ligands or confounding variables of more indirect methods for protein interaction screening. Studies involving three ligand proteins, human immunodeficiency virus-1 Nef, p21-activated kinase (PAK)2 and ADAM15, showed previously reported as well as novel SH3 partners with nanomolar affinities specific for them. This argues that SH3 domains may have a more dominant role in directing cellular protein interactions than has been assumed. Besides showing potentially important new SH3-directed interactions, these studies also led to the discovery of novel signalling proteins, such as the PAK2-binding adaptor protein POSH2 and the ADAM15-binding sorting nexin family member SNX30.


Subject(s)
Peptide Library , Proteins/metabolism , Proteome , src Homology Domains/physiology , ADAM Proteins/genetics , ADAM Proteins/metabolism , Carrier Proteins/genetics , Carrier Proteins/metabolism , Gene Products, nef/genetics , Gene Products, nef/metabolism , Genetic Vectors , Glutathione Transferase/metabolism , Humans , Ligands , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Protein Binding , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Proteins/genetics , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism , Vesicular Transport Proteins/genetics , Vesicular Transport Proteins/metabolism , p21-Activated Kinases , src Homology Domains/genetics
15.
Int Immunol ; 17(11): 1505-12, 2005 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16214810

ABSTRACT

Man has been found to produce highly conserved chitinases. The most prominent is the phagocyte-derived chitotriosidase, the plasma levels of which are markedly elevated in some pathological conditions. Here, we report that both polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and macrophages (m) are a source of chitotriosidase. The enzyme is located in specific granules of human PMNs and secreted following stimulation with granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). In addition, GM-CSF induces expression of chitotriosidase in m that constitutively secrete the enzyme and partly accumulate it in their lysosomes. Studies with recombinant human chitotriosidase revealed that the enzyme targets chitin-containing fungi. These findings are consistent with earlier observations concerning anti-fungal activity of homologous plant chitinases and beneficial effects of GM-CSF administration in individuals suffering from invasive fungal infections. In conclusion, chitotriosidase should be viewed as a component of the innate immunity that may play a role in defence against chitin-containing pathogens and the expression and release of which by human phagocytes is highly regulated.


Subject(s)
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/pharmacology , Hexosaminidases/metabolism , Immunity, Innate , Macrophages/metabolism , Secretory Vesicles/metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Chitin/immunology , Chitin/metabolism , Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/immunology , Hexosaminidases/genetics , Hexosaminidases/immunology , Humans , Macrophages/cytology , Macrophages/immunology , Mycoses/drug therapy , Mycoses/immunology , Secretory Vesicles/immunology
16.
Oncogene ; 24(7): 1150-8, 2005 Feb 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15580288

ABSTRACT

The neurofibromatosis 2 tumour suppressor merlin/schwannomin is structurally related to the ezrin-radixin-moesin family of proteins, which anchor actin cytoskeleton to specific membrane proteins and participate in cell signalling. Merlin inhibits cell growth with a yet unknown mechanism. As most tumour suppressors are linked to cell cycle control, we investigated merlin's behaviour during cell cycle. In glioma and osteosarcoma cells, endogenous merlin was targeted to the nucleus in a cell cycle-specific manner. Merlin accumulated perinuclearly at the G2/M phase, and shifted to the nucleus at early G1. During mitosis, merlin localized to mitotic spindles and at the contractile ring. Nuclear merlin was strongly reduced in confluent cells. Blocking of the CRM1/exportin nuclear export pathway led to accumulation of merlin in the nucleus. Activation of the p21-activated kinase or protein kinase A, which result in phosphorylation of merlin, did not affect its nuclear localization. Merlin regulates the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) and nuclear localization of both proteins was induced by cell adhesion. Unlike ERK2, nuclear localization of merlin was not, however, dependent on intact actin cytoskeleton. These results link merlin to events related to cell cycle control and may help to resolve its tumour suppressor function.


Subject(s)
Cell Cycle , Cell Nucleus/metabolism , Glioma/metabolism , Neurofibromin 2/metabolism , Active Transport, Cell Nucleus/physiology , Cell Adhesion/physiology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Nucleus/chemistry , Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases/physiology , Cytoplasm/chemistry , Cytoplasm/metabolism , Cytoskeleton/metabolism , Glioma/chemistry , Humans , Karyopherins/physiology , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1/analysis , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1/antagonists & inhibitors , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1/physiology , Neurofibromin 2/analysis , Osteosarcoma/chemistry , Osteosarcoma/metabolism , Phosphorylation , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/physiology , Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/physiology , p21-Activated Kinases , Exportin 1 Protein
17.
J Virol ; 78(23): 12773-80, 2004 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15542629

ABSTRACT

We have previously reported that Nef specifically interacts with a small but highly active subpopulation of p21-activated kinase 2 (PAK2). Here we show that this is due to a transient association of Nef with a PAK2 activation complex within a detergent-insoluble membrane compartment containing the lipid raft marker GM1. The low abundance of this Nef-associated kinase (NAK) complex was found to be due to an autoregulatory mechanism. Although activation of PAK2 was required for assembly of the NAK complex, catalytic activity of PAK2 also promoted dissociation of this complex. Testing different constitutively active PAK2 mutants indicated that the conformation associated with p21-mediated activation rather than kinase activity per se was required for PAK2 to become NAK. Although association with PAK2 is one of the most conserved properties of Nef, we found that the ability to stimulate PAK2 activity differed markedly among divergent Nef alleles, suggesting that PAK2 association and activation are distinct functions of Nef. However, mutations introduced into the p21-binding domain of PAK2 revealed that p21-GTPases are involved in both of these Nef functions and, in addition to promoting PAK2 activation, also help to physically stabilize the NAK complex.


Subject(s)
Gene Products, nef/physiology , Membrane Microdomains/metabolism , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/physiology , ras Proteins/physiology , Cell Line , Enzyme Activation , Humans , Phosphorylation , cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein/physiology , p21-Activated Kinases
18.
J Virol ; 78(13): 6864-74, 2004 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15194762

ABSTRACT

The accessory Nef protein allows human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to persist at high levels and to cause AIDS in infected humans. The function of HIV-1 group M subtype B nef alleles has been extensively studied, and a variety of in vitro activities believed to be important for viral pathogenesis have been established. However, the function of nef alleles derived from naturally simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected chimpanzees, the original host of HIV-1, or from the HIV-1 N and O groups resulting from independent zoonotic transmissions remains to be investigated. In the present study we demonstrate that SIVcpz and HIV-1 group N or O nef alleles down-modulate CD4, CD28, and class I or II MHC molecules and up-regulate surface expression of the invariant chain (Ii) associated with immature major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II. Furthermore, the ability of Nef to interact with the p21-activated kinase 2 was generally conserved. The functional activity of HIV-1 group N and O nef genes did not differ significantly from group M nef alleles. However, SIVcpz nef genes as a group showed a 1.8- and 2.0-fold-higher activity in modulating CD28 (P = 0.0002) and Ii (P = 0.016) surface expression, respectively, but were 1.7-fold less active in down-regulating MHC class II molecules (P = 0.006) compared to HIV-1 M nef genes. Our finding that primary SIVcpz nef alleles derived from naturally infected chimpanzees modulate the surface expression of various human cellular receptors involved in T-cell activation and antigen presentation suggests that functional nef genes helped the chimpanzee virus to persist efficiently in infected humans immediately after zoonotic transmission.


Subject(s)
Gene Products, nef/metabolism , Pan troglodytes/virology , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/virology , Simian Immunodeficiency Virus/pathogenicity , Adult , Animals , CD28 Antigens/metabolism , CD4 Antigens/metabolism , Female , Gene Expression Regulation , Gene Products, nef/chemistry , Gene Products, nef/genetics , HIV Infections/virology , HIV-1/classification , HIV-1/genetics , HIV-1/metabolism , HIV-1/pathogenicity , Histocompatibility Antigens Class II/metabolism , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Molecular Sequence Data , Simian Immunodeficiency Virus/genetics , Simian Immunodeficiency Virus/metabolism , nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus , p21-Activated Kinases
19.
J Biol Chem ; 279(18): 18559-66, 2004 Apr 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14981079

ABSTRACT

Mutations in the NF2 tumor suppressor gene encoding merlin induce the development of tumors of the nervous system. Merlin is highly homologous to the ERM (ezrin-radixin-moesin) family of membrane/cytoskeleton linker proteins. However, the mechanism for the tumor suppressing activity of merlin is not well understood. Previously, we characterized a novel role for merlin as a protein kinase A (PKA)-anchoring protein, which links merlin to the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. In this study we show that merlin is also a target for PKA-induced phosphorylation. In vitro [gamma-(33)P]ATP labeling revealed that both the merlin N and C termini are phosphorylated by PKA. Furthermore, both in vitro and in vivo phosphorylation studies of the wild-type and mutated C termini demonstrated that PKA can phosphorylate merlin at serine 518, a site that is phosphorylated also by p21-activated kinases (PAKs). Merlin was phosphorylated by PKA in cells in which PAK activity was suppressed, indicating that the two kinases function independently. Both in vitro and in vivo interaction studies indicated that phosphorylation of serine 518 promotes heterodimerization between merlin and ezrin, an event suggested to convert merlin from a growth-suppressive to a growth-permissive state. This study provides further evidence on the connection between merlin and cAMP/PKA signaling and suggests a role for merlin in the cAMP/PKA transduction pathway.


Subject(s)
Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases/metabolism , Isoenzymes/metabolism , Neurofibromin 2/metabolism , Phosphoproteins/metabolism , Binding Sites , Cell Line , Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Catalytic Subunits , Cytoskeletal Proteins , Dimerization , Humans , Neurofibromin 2/genetics , Phosphorylation , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases , Serine/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Transfection , p21-Activated Kinases
20.
J Biol Chem ; 278(42): 40911-6, 2003 Oct 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12890686

ABSTRACT

Chitotriosidase is a chitinase that is massively expressed by lipid-laden tissue macrophages in man. Its enzymatic activity is markedly elevated in serum of patients suffering from lysosomal lipid storage disorders, sarcoidosis, thalassemia, and visceral Leishmaniasis. Monitoring of serum chitotriosidase activity in Gaucher disease patients during progression and therapeutic correction of their disease is useful to obtain insight in changes in body burden on pathological macrophages. However, accurate quantification of chitotriosidase levels by enzyme assay is complicated by apparent substrate inhibition, which prohibits the use of saturating substrate concentrations. We have therefore studied the catalytic features of chitotriosidase in more detail. It is demonstrated that the inhibition of enzyme activity at excess substrate concentration can be fully explained by transglycosylation of substrate molecules. The potential physiological consequences of the ability of chitotriosidase to hydrolyze as well as transglycosylate are discussed. The novel insight in transglycosidase activity of chitotriosidase has led to the design of a new substrate molecule, 4-methylumbelliferyl-(4-deoxy)chitobiose. With this substrate, which is no acceptor for transglycosylation, chitotriosidase shows normal Michaelis-Menten kinetics, resulting in major improvements in sensitivity and reproducibility of enzymatic activity measurements. The novel convenient chitotriosidase enzyme assay should facilitate the accurate monitoring of Gaucher disease patients receiving costly enzyme replacement therapy.


Subject(s)
Chitinases/analysis , Glycoside Hydrolases/blood , Hexosaminidases/blood , Macrophages/enzymology , Multienzyme Complexes/blood , Transferases/blood , Catalysis , Chemistry, Clinical/methods , Chitinases/blood , Chitinases/chemistry , DNA, Complementary/metabolism , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Gaucher Disease/diagnosis , Glycoside Hydrolases/metabolism , Glycosylation , Hexosaminidases/metabolism , Humans , Kinetics , Models, Biological , Multienzyme Complexes/metabolism , Recombinant Proteins/chemistry , Time Factors , Transferases/metabolism
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