Cell line donor genotype and its influence on experimental phenotype: Toll-like receptor SNPs and potential variability in innate immunity.

Cell lines are used to model a disease and provide valuable information regarding phenotype, mechanism, and response to novel therapies. Derived from individuals of diverse genetic backgrounds, the cell's genetic complement predicts the phenotype, and although some lines have been sequenced, little emphasis has been placed on genotyping. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are essential in initiating the inflammatory cascade in response to infection. TLR single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) alleles may predict an altered innate immune response: a SNP can affect TLR-dependent pathways and may alter experimental results. Thus, genotype variation may have far-reaching implications when using cell lines to model phenotypes. We recommend that cell lines be genotyped and cataloged in a fashion similar to that used for bacteria, with cumulative information being archived in an accessible central database to facilitate the understanding of SNP cell phenotypes reported in the literature.

Oxytocin expression and function in the posterior retina: a novel signaling pathway.

PURPOSE: Oxytocin (OXT) is recognized as an ubiquitously acting nonapeptide hormone that is involved in processes ranging from parturition to neural development. Its effects are mediated by cell signaling that occurs as a result of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) activation. We sought to determine whether the OXT-OXTR signaling pathway is also expressed within the retina. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry using cell-specific markers was used to localize OXT within the rhesus retina. Reverse transcriptase PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression of OXTR in both human and rhesus retina. Single-cell RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were used to determine the expression of OXTR in cultured human fetal RPE (hfRPE) cells. Human fetal RPE cells loaded with FURA-2 AM were studied by ratiometric Ca(2+) imaging to assess transient mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i). RESULTS: Oxytocin was expressed in the cone photoreceptor extracellular matrix of the rhesus retina. Oxytocin mRNA and protein were expressed in the human and rhesus RPE. Oxytocin mRNA and protein expression were observed in cultured hfRPE cells, and exposure of these cells to 100 nM OXT induced a transient 79 ± 1.5 nM increase of [Ca(2+)]i. CONCLUSIONS: Oxytocin and OXTR are present in the posterior retina, and OXT induces an increase in hfRPE [Ca(2+)]i. These results suggest that the OXT-OXTR signaling pathway is active in the retina. We propose that OXT activation of the OXTR occurs in the posterior retina and that this may serve as a paracrine signaling pathway that contributes to communication between the cone photoreceptor and the RPE.

Snowflake vitreoretinal degeneration (SVD) mutation R162W provides new insights into Kir7.1 ion channel structure and function.

Snowflake Vitreoretinal Degeneration (SVD) is associated with the R162W mutation of the Kir7.1 inwardly-rectifying potassium channel. Kir7.1 is found at the apical membrane of Retinal Pigment Epithelial (RPE) cells, adjacent to the photoreceptor neurons. The SVD phenotype ranges from RPE degeneration to an abnormal b-wave to a liquid vitreous. We sought to determine how this mutation alters the structure and function of the human Kir7.1 channel. In this study, we expressed a Kir7.1 construct with the R162W mutation in CHO cells to evaluate function of the ion channel. Compared to the wild-type protein, the mutant protein exhibited a non-functional Kir channel that resulted in depolarization of the resting membrane potential. Upon co-expression with wild-type Kir7.1, R162W mutant showed a reduction of IKir7.1 and positive shift in '0' current potential. Homology modeling based on the structure of a bacterial Kir channel protein suggested that the effect of R162W mutation is a result of loss of hydrogen bonding by the regulatory lipid binding domain of the cytoplasmic structure.

Age-related cochlear cytokine gene expression in the BALB/cJ mouse with systemic versus intratympanic dosing of steroid drugs.

CONCLUSION: Age-related differences in the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the inner ear may contribute to the development of age-related hearing loss (ARHL). OBJECTIVES: ARHL is characterized by tissue remodeling, ischemia, ion homeostasis, and inflammation. Steroid therapy is an otoprotective strategy that likely acts by reducing inflammation. We examined age-related changes in cytokine gene expression in the cochlea of the BALB/cJ mouse model of premature ARHL after systemic or intratympanic steroid delivery. METHODS: 'Young' (2.5-3 months) and 'Old' (5-9 months) mice were treated with dexamethasone or fludrocortisone administered either orally or intratympanically. Cytokine gene expression in cochlear RNA was analyzed using prefabricated cDNA arrays. Old groups were compared to Young groups to identify age-related changes. RESULTS: Down-regulation of a cytokine associated with bone remodeling (SPP1) was observed in the untreated Old group. Numerous genes were up- or down-regulated by more than twofold by steroid treatment, including proinflammatory interleukins (IL-16) and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Phosphorylation regulates c-Myc's oncogenic activity in the mammary gland.

Expression of the c-Myc oncoprotein is affected by conserved threonine 58 (T58) and serine 62 (S62) phosphorylation sites that help to regulate c-Myc protein stability, and altered ratios of T58 and S62 phosphorylation have been observed in human cancer. Here, we report the development of 3 unique c-myc knock-in mice that conditionally express either c-Myc(WT) or the c-Myc(T58A) or c-Myc(S62A) phosphorylation mutant from the constitutively active ROSA26 locus in response to Cre recombinase to study the role of these phosphorylation sites in vivo. Using a mammary-specific Cre model, we found that expression of c-Myc(WT) resulted in increased mammary gland density, but normal morphology and no tumors at the level expressed from the ROSA promoter. In contrast, c-Myc(T58A) expression yielded enhanced mammary gland density, hyperplastic foci, cellular dysplasia, and mammary carcinoma, associated with increased genomic instability and suppressed apoptosis relative to c-Myc(WT). Alternatively, c-Myc(S62A) expression reduced mammary gland density relative to control glands, and this was associated with increased genomic instability and normal apoptotic function. Our results indicate that specific activities of c-Myc are differentially affected by T58 and S62 phosphorylation. This model provides a robust platform to interrogate the role that these phosphorylation sites play in c-Myc function during development and tumorigenesis.

The Axin1 scaffold protein promotes formation of a degradation complex for c-Myc.

Expression of the c-Myc proto-oncoprotein is tightly regulated in normal cells. Phosphorylation at two conserved residues, threonine58 (T58) and serine62 (S62), regulates c-Myc protein stability. In cancer cells, c-Myc can become aberrantly stabilized associated with altered T58 and S62 phosphorylation. A complex signalling cascade involving GSK3beta kinase, the Pin1 prolyl isomerase, and the PP2A-B56alpha phosphatase controls phosphorylation at these sites. We report here a novel role for the tumour suppressor scaffold protein Axin1 in facilitating the formation of a degradation complex for c-Myc containing GSK3beta, Pin1, and PP2A-B56alpha. Although knockdown of Axin1 decreases the association of c-Myc with these proteins, reduces T58 and enhances S62 phosphorylation, and increases c-Myc stability, acute expression of Axin1 reduces c-Myc levels and suppresses c-Myc transcriptional activity. Moreover, the regulation of c-Myc by Axin1 is impaired in several tested cancer cell lines with known stabilization of c-Myc or loss of Axin1. This study provides critical insight into the regulation of c-Myc expression, how this can be disrupted in three cancer types, and adds to our knowledge of the tumour suppressor activity of Axin1.

SCFGrr1-mediated ubiquitination of Gis4 modulates glucose response in yeast.

The F box protein Grr1 is the substrate specificity-determinant of the SCF(Grr1) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. Genetic analyses of Grr1 mutants have implicated Grr1 in glucose repression, specifically with regard to expression of the SUC2 transcript. To better understand Grr1, we screened for substrates using a mutant version of Grr1 that should not associate with the SCF complex. We identified Gis4 as a novel Grr1 substrate. Gis4 was originally isolated as a multi-copy suppressor of a Gal--phenotype in the triple mutant snf1 mig1 srb8. Here, we show that Gis4 binds Grr1 in vivo and that Grr1 protein levels positively affect the protein levels of Gis4. The Gis4 protein is stable in wild-type cells and in grr1Delta cells; however, Gis4 is ubiquitinated in a Grr1-dependent manner. Furthermore, we show that Gis4 interacts with Snf1 in a Grr1-dependent fashion, and that Gis4 is involved in de-repression of SUC2 and in transcription of other Snf1-dependent transcripts. Gis4 appears to connect the glucose repression and de-repression pathways. We suggest that Gis4 may explain the glucose repression defects in carbon source metabolism for the grr1 mutants.

The ISG15 isopeptidase UBP43 is regulated by proteolysis via the SCFSkp2 ubiquitin ligase.

The Skp2 oncoprotein belongs to the family of F-box proteins that function as substrate recognition factors for SCF (Skp1, cullin, F-box protein) E3 ubiquitin-ligase complexes. Binding of the substrate to the SCFSkp2 complex catalyzes the conjugation of ubiquitin molecules to the bound substrate, resulting in multi-ubiquitination and rapid degradation by the 26 S proteasome. Using Skp2 as bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen, we have identified UBP43 as a novel substrate for Skp2. UBP43 belongs to the family of ubiquitin isopeptidases and specifically cleaves ISG15, a ubiquitin-like molecule that is induced by cellular stresses, such as type 1 interferons (IFN), nephrotoxic damage, and bacterial infection. UBP43 was originally identified as an up-regulated gene in knock-in mice expressing an acute myelogenous leukemia fusion protein, AML1-ETO, as well as in melanoma cell lines treated with IFN-beta. The phenotype of UBP43 knockout mice includes shortened life span, hypersensitivity to IFN, and neuronal damage, suggesting that tight regulation of ISG15 conjugation is critical for normal cellular function. In this study, we demonstrate that UBP43 is ubiquitinated in vivo and accumulates in cells treated with proteasome inhibitors. We also show that Skp2 promotes UBP43 ubiquitination and degradation, resulting in higher levels of ISG15 conjugates. In Skp2-/- mouse cells, levels of UBP43 are consistently up-regulated, whereas levels of ISG15 conjugates are reduced. Our results demonstrate that the SCFSkp2 is involved in controlling UBP43 protein levels and may therefore play an important role in modulating type 1 IFN signaling.