The conserved C-terminal residues of FAM83H are required for the recruitment of casein kinase 1 to the keratin cytoskeleton.

The casein kinase 1 (CK1) family of serine/threonine protein kinases is involved in diverse cellular events at discrete subcellular compartments. FAM83H acts as a scaffold protein that recruits CK1 to the keratin cytoskeleton or to the nuclear speckles, which are storage sites for splicing factors. We determined the amino acid region of FAM83H required for recruiting CK1 to the keratin cytoskeleton. The subcellular localization of mutant FAM83H proteins with deletions of amino acid residues at different positions was evaluated via immunofluorescence. FAM83H mutants with deleted C-terminal residues 1134-1139, which are conserved among vertebrates, lost the ability to localize and recruit CK1 to the keratin cytoskeleton, suggesting that these residues are required for recruiting CK1 to the keratin cytoskeleton. The deletion of these residues (1134-1139) translocated FAM83H and CK1 to the nuclear speckles. Amino acid residues 1 to 603 of FAM83H were determined to contain the region responsible for the recruitment of CK1 to the nuclear speckles. Our results indicated that FAM83H recruits CK1 preferentially to the keratin cytoskeleton and alternatively to the nuclear speckles.

Binding of Cu2+ to Aß1-29 causes aggregation and toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells.

The accumulation and aggregation of amyloid-ß (Aß) are critical factors in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several studies have indicated that metal ions such as Cu2+and Zn2+ play a key role in the formation and stabilization of neurotoxic Aß aggregates, however the molecular mechanisms underlying Aß cytotoxicity have not yet been fully elucidated. Previously, we showed that the Aß-derived fragment peptide (Aß-FrP), Aß1-19, altered conformation in the presence of Cu2+, inhibiting its digestion by metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7). In this study we demonstrated that Aß1-19 did not form aggregates in the presence of Cu2+. Therefore, we synthesized a new Aß-FrP, Aß1-29, which displayed Cu2+-dependent conformational conversion and aggregate formation. Aß1-29 was cleaved by MMP-7, however this reaction was inhibited in the presence of Cu2+ in a similar way to Aß1-19. Interestingly, Aß1-29 showed conformational conversion and aggregate formation in the presence of Zn2+, however this did not confer resistance against MMP-7 cleavage. Moreover, Aß1-29 induced the apoptotic cell death of neural SH-SY5Y cells in the presence of Cu2+ but not Zn2+. These results suggest that Cu2+, unlike Zn2+, may play an important role in the aggregation mechanism of Aß and thus in the pathology of AD.

Development of a system for the detection of the inflammatory response induced by airborne fine particulate matter in rat tracheal epithelial cells.

Exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) is related to the increased risk of several diseases, including chronic and allergic rhinitis. We have previously shown that atmospheric endotoxin level was positively associated with the number of emergency department visits for asthma even after adjusting for meteorological factors, suggestive of the significant association between atmospheric endotoxin level and asthma exacerbation. Whether atmospheric endotoxin level is related to inflammatory response induction is, however, unclear. Here, we established stable cell lines to determine the promoter activity of the genes encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 (IL6), and IL33 by transfection of each reporter plasmid into rat tracheal epithelial EGV-4 T cells. These cells could measure the inflammatory response induced by endotoxin treatment more easily, rapidly, and sensitively than the conventional system using immunodetection assays. Furthermore, we revealed a relationship between atmospheric endotoxin level and inflammatory response induction. Thus, the system established herein may serve as a promising tool to monitor inflammatory response induced upon PM exposure.

Development of a system for the detection of the inflammatory response induced by airborne fine particulate matter in rat tracheal epithelial cells.

Exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) is related to the increased risk of several diseases, including chronic and allergic rhinitis. We have previously shown that atmospheric endotoxin level was positively associated with the number of emergency department visits for asthma even after adjusting for meteorological factors, suggestive of the significant association between atmospheric endotoxin level and asthma exacerbation. Whether atmospheric endotoxin level is related to inflammatory response induction is, however, unclear. Here, we established stable cell lines to determine the promoter activity of the genes encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 (IL6), and IL33 by transfection of each reporter plasmid into rat tracheal epithelial EGV-4 T cells. These cells could measure the inflammatory response induced by endotoxin treatment more easily, rapidly, and sensitively than the conventional system using immunodetection assays. Furthermore, we revealed a relationship between atmospheric endotoxin level and inflammatory response induction. Thus, the system established herein may serve as a promising tool to monitor inflammatory response induced upon PM exposure.

Depletion of Csk preferentially reduces the protein level of LynA in a Cbl-dependent manner in cancer cells.

There are eight human Src-family tyrosine kinases (SFKs). SFK members c-Src, c-Yes, Fyn, and Lyn are expressed in various cancer cells. SFK kinase activity is negatively regulated by Csk tyrosine kinase. Reduced activity of Csk causes aberrant activation of SFKs, which can be degraded by a compensatory mechanism depending on Cbl-family ubiquitin ligases. We herein investigated whether all SFK members are similarly downregulated by Cbl-family ubiquitin ligases in cancer cells lacking Csk activity. We performed Western blotting of multiple cancer cells knocked down for Csk and found that the protein levels of the 56 kDa isoform of Lyn (LynA), 53 kDa isoform of Lyn (LynB), c-Src, and Fyn, but not of c-Yes, were reduced by Csk depletion. Induction of c-Cbl protein levels was also observed in Csk-depleted cells. The reduction of LynA accompanying the depletion of Csk was significantly reversed by the knockdown for Cbls, whereas such significant recovery of LynB, c-Src, and Fyn was not observed. These results suggested that LynA is selectively downregulated by Cbls in cancer cells lacking Csk activity.

The discovery of shorter synthetic proteolytic peptides derived from Tob1 protein.

We screened nearly 1000 synthetic peptides and found that JAL-AK22 (KYEGHWYPEKPYKGSGFRCIHI), which is derived from the BoxA domain in the Tob1 protein, activates both unfolded and folded proMMP-7. Interestingly, the smaller derivative of JAL-AK22, termed JAL-TA9 (YKGSGFRMI) possessed auto-proteolytic activity and cleaved three synthetic peptides fragment (MMP18-33, MMP18-40, and Aß11-29) under physiological conditions. The kcat of JAL-TA9 was 4.58 × 10-4 min-1 against MMP18-33 and 6.5 × 10-4 min-1 against MMP18-40. These kinetic parameters are lower than those of general proteinases like trypsin, for which the kcat is 247.2 × 105 min-1 against benzoyl-l-arginine ethyl ester. In addition, a 5-mer peptide derived from JAL-TA9, GSGFR also cleaved Aß11-29. These proteolytic activities were inhibited by AEBSF (4-(2-Aminoethyl) benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride), a serine protease inhibitor. Our results demonstrate that some small synthetic peptides have protease activity. Thus, we propose calling small peptides possessing with protease activity Catalytides (catalytic peptides). We expect that our findings will stimulate the development of novel Catalytides and related applications such as the development of strategic peptide drugs.

MMP-7 cleaves amyloid ß fragment peptides and copper ion inhibits the degradation.

The extracellular deposition of amyloid ß (Aß) is known to be the fundamental cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aß1-42, generated by ß-secretases from the amyloid precursor protein (APP), is the main component of neuritic plaque, and the aggregation of this protein is shown to be dependent to an extent on metal ions such as copper and zinc. However, the mechanism by which Cu2+ affects the physicochemical properties of Aß1-42 or the central nervous system is still under debate. A recent series of studies have demonstrated that both the soluble-type matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and the membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) are capable of degrading Aß peptides. MMP-7, one of the soluble-type matrix metalloproteinases, is expressed in hippocampal tissue; however, less information is available concerning the pathophysiological roles of this enzyme in the process and/or progress of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we examined the degradation activity of MMP-7 against various Aß1-42's fragment peptides and the effect of Cu2+. Although Aß22-40 was degraded by MMP-7 regardless of Cu2+, Cu2+ inhibited the degradation of Aß1-19, Aß11-20, and Aß11-29 by MMP-7. These results indicate that MMP-7 is capable of degrading Aß1-42, and that Aß1-42 acquired resistance against MMP-7 cleavage through Cu2+-binding and structure changes. Our results demonstrate that MMP-7 may play an important role in the defensive mechanism against the aggregation of Aß1-42, which gives rise to the pathology of AD.

[The regulation of the activation in BCR signaling by ZIP9 transporter].

Zinc is the essential trace element and important for all living organisms. Zinc functions not only as a nutritional factor, but also as a second messenger. However, the effects of intracellular zinc on the B cell-receptor (BCR) signaling pathway are not poorly understood. Here, we indicate that the ZIP9 induces increase in intracellular zinc level and plays an important role in the phosphorylation of Akt and Erk in response to BCR activation. In DT40 cells, the enhancement of Akt and Erk phosphorylation requires intracellular zinc. To clarify this event, we used chicken Zip9-knockout DT40 (cZip9KO) cells. The levels of Akt and Erk phosphorylation significantly decreased in cZip9KO cells treated with zinc pyrithione (ZnPy), and overexpressing the human Zip9 gene restored these biochemical events. Moreover, we found that the increase in intracellular zinc level depends on the expression of ZIP9. Additionally, intracellular zinc was localized at the Golgi, even if it was treated with ZnPy in cZip9KO cells. We concluded that ZIP9 regulates cytosolic zinc level, resulting in the enhancement of Akt and Erk phosphorylation. Our observations provide new mechanistic insights into the BCR signaling pathway underlying the regulation of intracellular zinc level by ZIP9 in response to the BCR activation.

Essential role of the zinc transporter ZIP9/SLC39A9 in regulating the activations of Akt and Erk in B-cell receptor signaling pathway in DT40 cells.

The essential trace element zinc is important for all living organisms. Zinc functions not only as a nutritional factor, but also as a second messenger. However, the effects of intracellular zinc on the B cell-receptor (BCR) signaling pathway remain poorly understood. Here, we present data indicating that the increase in intracellular zinc level induced by ZIP9/SLC39A9 (a ZIP Zrt-/Irt-like protein) plays an important role in the activation of Akt and Erk in response to BCR activation. In DT40 cells, the enhancement of Akt and Erk phosphorylation following BCR activation requires intracellular zinc. To clarify this event, we used chicken ZnT5/6/7-gene-triple-knockout DT40 (TKO) cells and chicken Zip9-knockout DT40 (cZip9KO) cells. The levels of Akt and ERK phosphorylation significantly decreased in cZip9KO cells. In addition, the enzymatic activity of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) increased in cZip9KO cells. These biochemical events were restored by overexpressing the human Zip9 (hZip9) gene. Moreover, we found that the increase in intracellular zinc level depends on the expression of ZIP9. This observation is in agreement with the increased levels of Akt and Erk phosphorylation and the inhibition of total PTPase activity. We concluded that ZIP9 regulates cytosolic zinc level, resulting in the enhancement of Akt and Erk phosphorylation. Our observations provide new mechanistic insights into the BCR signaling pathway underlying the regulation of intracellular zinc level by ZIP9 in response to the BCR activation.

[Photometric study on the reaction between 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octabromo- 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(4-methylpyridyl) porphine and various metal ions].

The chelate forming reaction between 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octabromo-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methylpyridyl)porphine (OBTMPyP) and various metal ions, which belong mainly to 4th period and 7th-12th groups in the periodic table, was examined by the observing the absorption spectra. Because one chemical spicy, H-OBTMPyP, which is one protonated compound at an N atom of pyroll ring among 4 pyroll rings, was observed at pH 9.0, this pH was used to measure the changes of absorption spectra with metal ions. From these changes of absorption spectra of OBTMPyP with metal ions, OBTMPyP were seen to react easily with Cu²âº, Zn²âº, Mn²âº, or Co²âº ion without other additional reagent or heating within 1 min at over 25 °C. On the other hand, OBTMPyP reacted little with Ni²âº, and was not all with Fe³âº (or Fe²âº) reduced by ascorbic acid from Fe³âº) under the same conditions. 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methylpyridyl)porphine (TMPyP) also did not reacted metal ions above these conditions. The λ(max) of each Soret band differed. The stability constants (Ka value) of Cu-, Zn-, Mn- and Co-OBTMPyP was calculated by the change in absorbance of each band, and was 2.6 × 105, 3.6 × 105, 2.7 × 105 and 2.9 × 105 (dm³/mol), respectively. It was revealed that OBTMPyP and metal ions reacted at molar ratio of 1:1, and octabromination of porphine rings improved the reactivity with these ions.