Nedd4-2 modulates renal Na+-Cl- cotransporter via the aldosterone-SGK1-Nedd4-2 pathway.

Regulation of renal Na(+) transport is essential for controlling blood pressure, as well as Na(+) and K(+) homeostasis. Aldosterone stimulates Na(+) reabsorption by the Na(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter (NCC) in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) and by the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) in the late DCT, connecting tubule, and collecting duct. Aldosterone increases ENaC expression by inhibiting the channel's ubiquitylation and degradation; aldosterone promotes serum-glucocorticoid-regulated kinase SGK1-mediated phosphorylation of the ubiquitin-protein ligase Nedd4-2 on serine 328, which prevents the Nedd4-2/ENaC interaction. It is important to note that aldosterone increases NCC protein expression by an unknown post-translational mechanism. Here, we present evidence that Nedd4-2 coimmunoprecipitated with NCC and stimulated NCC ubiquitylation at the surface of transfected HEK293 cells. In Xenopus laevis oocytes, coexpression of NCC with wild-type Nedd4-2, but not its catalytically inactive mutant, strongly decreased NCC activity and surface expression. SGK1 prevented this inhibition in a kinase-dependent manner. Furthermore, deficiency of Nedd4-2 in the renal tubules of mice and in cultured mDCT(15) cells upregulated NCC. In contrast to ENaC, Nedd4-2-mediated inhibition of NCC did not require the PY-like motif of NCC. Moreover, the mutation of Nedd4-2 at either serine 328 or 222 did not affect SGK1 action, and mutation at both sites enhanced Nedd4-2 activity and abolished SGK1-dependent inhibition. Taken together, these results suggest that aldosterone modulates NCC protein expression via a pathway involving SGK1 and Nedd4-2 and provides an explanation for the well-known aldosterone-induced increase in NCC protein expression.

Altered expression of proteins of metabolic regulation during remodeling of the left ventricle after myocardial infarction.

Non-infarcted myocardium after coronary occlusion undergoes progressive morphological and functional changes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether non-infarcted myocardium exhibits (1) alteration of the substrate pattern of myocardial metabolism and (2) concomitant changes in the expression of regulatory proteins of glucose and fatty acid metabolism. Myocardial infarction was induced in rats by ligation of the left coronary artery. One day and eight weeks after coronary occlusion, glucose and palmitate oxidation were measured. Expression of selected proteins of metabolism were determined one day to 12 weeks after infarction. One day after coronary occlusion no difference of glucose and palmitate oxidation was detectable, whereas after eight weeks, glucose oxidation was increased (+84%, P<0.05) and palmitate oxidation did not change significantly (-19%, P=0.07) in infarct-containing hearts, compared with hearts from sham-operated rats. One day after coronary occlusion, myocardial mRNA expression of the glucose transporter GLUT-1 was increased (+86%, P<0.05) and the expression of GLUT-4 was decreased (-28%, P<0.05) in surviving myocardium of infarct-containing hearts. Protein level of GLUT-1 was increased (+81%, P<0.05) and that of GLUT-4 slightly, but not significantly, decreased (-16%, P=NS). mRNA expressions of heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP), and of medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD), were decreased by 36% (P<0.05) and 35% (P=0. 07), respectively. Eight weeks after acute infarction, the left ventricle was hypertrophied and, at this time-point, there was no difference in the expression of GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 between infarcted and sham-operated hearts. However, myocardial mRNA and protein content of MCAD were decreased by 30% (P<0.01) and 27% (P<0.05), respectively. In summary, in surviving myocardium, glucose oxidation was increased eight weeks after coronary occlusion. Concomitantly, mRNA and protein expression of MCAD were decreased, compatible with a role of altered expression of regulatory proteins of metabolism in post-infarction modification of myocardial metabolism.

Reggies/flotillins regulate E-cadherin-mediated cell contact formation by affecting EGFR trafficking.

The reggie/flotillin proteins are implicated in membrane trafficking and, together with the cellular prion protein (PrP), in the recruitment of E-cadherin to cell contact sites. Here, we demonstrate that reggies, as well as PrP down-regulation, in epithelial A431 cells cause overlapping processes and abnormal formation of adherens junctions (AJs). This defect in cell adhesion results from reggie effects on Src tyrosine kinases and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR): loss of reggies reduces Src activation and EGFR phosphorylation at residues targeted by Src and c-cbl and leads to increased surface exposure of EGFR by blocking its internalization. The prolonged EGFR signaling at the plasma membrane enhances cell motility and macropinocytosis, by which junction-associated E-cadherin is internalized and recycled back to AJs. Accordingly, blockage of EGFR signaling or macropinocytosis in reggie-deficient cells restores normal AJ formation. Thus, by promoting EGFR internalization, reggies restrict the EGFR signaling involved in E-cadherin macropinocytosis and recycling and regulate AJ formation and dynamics and thereby cell adhesion.

The antiviral adaptor proteins Cardif and Trif are processed and inactivated by caspases

The outcome of a viral infection depends on the interplay between the host's capacity to trigger potent antiviral responses and viral mechanisms that counteract them. Although Toll-like receptor (TLR)-3, which recognizes virally derived double-stranded (ds) RNA, transmits downstream antiviral signaling through the TIR adaptor Trif (TICAM-1), viral RNA-sensing RIG-like helicases (RLHs) use the mitochondrial-bound CARD protein Cardif (IPS-1/MAVS/VISA). The importance of these two antiviral signaling pathways is reflected by the fact that both adaptors are inhibited through specific cleavage triggered by the hepatitis C virus serine protease NS3-4A. Here, we show that inactivation can also occur through cellular caspases activated by various pro-apoptotic signals. Upon caspase-dependent cleavage both adaptors loose their capacity to activate the transcription factors interferon regulatory factors (IRF) and NF-kappaB. Importantly, poliovirus infection triggers a caspase-dependent cleavage of Cardif, suggesting that some viruses may activate caspases not only as a mean to facilitate shedding and replication, but also to impair antiviral responses

Insulin resistance in adult cardiomyocytes undergoing dedifferentiation: role of GLUT4 expression and translocation.

Myocardium undergoing remodeling in vivo exhibits insulin resistance that has been attributed to a shift from the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter GLUT4 to the fetal, less insulin-sensitive, isoform GLUT1. To elucidate the role of altered GLUT4 expression in myocardial insulin resistance, glucose uptake and the expression of the glucose transporter isoforms GLUT4 and GLUT1 were measured in adult rat cardiomyocytes (ARC). ARC in culture spontaneously undergo dedifferentiation, hypertrophy-like spreading, and return to a fetal-like gene expression pattern. Insulin stimulation of 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake was completely abolished on day 2 and 3 of culture and recovered thereafter. Although GLUT4 protein level was reduced, the time-course of unresponsiveness to insulin did not correlate with altered expression of GLUT1 and GLUT4. However, translocation of GLUT4 to the sarcolemma in response to insulin was completely abolished during transient insulin resistance. Insulin-mediated phosphorylation of Akt was not reduced, indicating that activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) was preserved. On the other hand, total and phosphorylated Cbl was reduced during insulin resistance, suggesting that activation of Cbl/CAP is essential for insulin-mediated GLUT4 translocation, in addition to activation of PI3K. Pharmacological inhibition of contraction in insulin-sensitive ARC reduced insulin sensitivity and lowered phosphorylated Cbl. The results suggest that transient insulin resistance in ARC is related to impairment of GLUT4 translocation. A defect in the PI3K-independent insulin signaling pathway involving Cbl seems to contribute to reduced insulin responsiveness and may be related to contractile arrest.

Efficacy of enzyme replacement therapy in Fabry disease.

Enzyme replacement therapy has recently been introduced to treat Fabry disease, a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder. The disease occurs due to deficient activity of alpha-galactosidase A, leading to progressive accumulation of globotriaosylceramide in multiple organs and tissues. Renal, cardiac and cerebrovascular manifestations of the disease result in premature death in both hemizygous males and heterozygous females. This paper outlines the clinical signs, symptoms and diagnosis of Fabry disease, and the development of the two available enzyme replacement therapies -- agalsidase alfa and agalsidase beta. Agalsidase alfa and agalsidase beta are produced in a human cell line and in Chinese hamster ovary cells, respectively, resulting in products with the same amino acid sequence as the native human enzyme, but with different patterns of glycosylation. Correct post-translational glycosylation is important in terms of the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, clinical efficacy and tolerability of genetically engineered protein therapeutics. Differences in glycosylation, which may affect immunogenicity and mannose-6-phosphate receptor-mediated cellular internalisation of administered enzyme, possibly account for the differences in dosing, clinical effects and safety profiles reported for agalsidase alfa and agalsidase beta.

Plasticity of protein expression during culture of fetal skin cells.

In order to gain insight into the biology of fetal skin during culture, cellular proteins were studied during four culture passages (P00, P01, P04 as well as P10) using high-resolution two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry (MS). Bioinformatic analyses were focused on a region of each gel corresponding to pI between 4 and 8 and M(r) from 8000 to 35 000. In this area, 373 +/- 42 spots were detected (N = 18). Twenty-six spots presented an integrated intensity that increased in the higher passages, whereas five spots showed a progressively lower intensity in subsequent passaging. MS analysis was performed on spots that were unambiguously identified on preparative 2-D gels. Among the 26 spots showing an increased size between P00 and P10, 9 were identified, and corresponded to 3 proteins: (i) peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase A (P05092; cyclophilin A or cyclosporin A-binding protein), (ii) triosephosphate isomerase (P00938), and (iii) enoyl-CoA hydratase (P30084). Among these nine identified spots, three were absent at P00, but were present at P10. They corresponded to isoforms of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase and triosephosphate isomerase, respectively. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses of the acidic isoforms of triosephosphate isomerase showed modifications of cysteine residues to cysteic acid. All these isoforms were clearly present in the skin cells of a 4-year-old child, as well as in skin cells from a 80-year-old man, at P00. These observations probably reflect either an oxidative stress related to cell culture, or, alternatively, maturation, differentiation and the aging of the cells.

Molecular basis of leukocyte rolling on PSGL-1. Predominant role of core-2 O-glycans and of tyrosine sulfate residue 51.

Interactions between the leukocyte adhesion receptor L-selectin and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 play an important role in regulating the inflammatory response by mediating leukocyte tethering and rolling on adherent leukocytes. In this study, we have examined the effect of post-translational modifications of PSGL-1 including Tyr sulfation and presentation of sialylated and fucosylated O-glycans for L-selectin binding. The functional importance of these modifications was determined by analyzing soluble L-selectin binding and leukocyte rolling on CHO cells expressing various glycoforms of PSGL-1 or mutant PSGL-1 targeted at N-terminal Thr or Tyr residues. Simultaneous expression of core-2 beta1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase and fucosyltransferase VII was required for optimal L-selectin binding to PSGL-1. Substitution of Thr-57 by Ala but not of Thr-44, strongly decreased L-selectin binding and leukocyte rolling on PSGL-1. Substitution of Tyr by Phe revealed that PSGL-1 Tyr-51 plays a predominant role in mediating L-selectin binding and leukocyte rolling whereas Tyr-48 has a minor role, an observation that contrasts with the pattern seen for the interactions between PSGL-1 and P-selectin where Tyr-48 plays a key role. Molecular modeling analysis of L-selectin and P-selectin interactions with PSGL-1 further supported these observations. Additional experiments showed that core-2 O-glycans attached to Thr-57 were also of critical importance in regulating the velocity and stability of leukocyte rolling. These observations pinpoint the structural characteristics of PSGL-1 that are required for optimal interactions with L-selectin and may be responsible for the specific kinetic and mechanical bond properties of the L-selectin-PSGL-1 adhesion receptor-counterreceptor pair.

Conserved chromosomal clustering of genes governed by chromatin regulators in Drosophila

Background: The trithorax group (trxG) and Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are responsible for the maintenance of stable transcriptional patterns of many developmental regulators. They bind to specific regions of DNA and direct the post-translational modifications of histones, playing a role in the dynamics of chromatin structure.Results: We have performed genome-wide expression studies of trx and ash2 mutants in Drosophila melanogaster. Using computational analysis of our microarray data, we have identified 25 clusters of genes potentially regulated by TRX. Most of these clusters consist of genes that encode structural proteins involved in cuticle formation. This organization appears to be a distinctive feature of the regulatory networks of TRX and other chromatin regulators, since we have observed the same arrangement in clusters after experiments performed with ASH2, as well as in experiments performed by others with NURF, dMyc, and ASH1. We have also found many of these clusters to be significantly conserved in D. simulans, D. yakuba, D. pseudoobscura and partially in Anopheles gambiae.Conclusion: The analysis of genes governed by chromatin regulators has led to the identification of clusters of functionally related genes conserved in other insect species, suggesting this chromosomal organization is biologically important. Moreover, our results indicate that TRX and other chromatin regulators may act globally on chromatin domains that contain transcriptionally co-regulated genes.

The Cul3-KLHL21 E3 ubiquitin ligase targets aurora B to midzone microtubules in anaphase and is required for cytokinesis.

Cul3 (Cullin3)-based E3 ubiquitin ligases recently emerged as critical regulators of mitosis. In this study, we identify two mammalian BTB (Bric-a-brac-Tramtrack-Broad complex)-Kelch proteins, KLHL21 and KLHL22, that interact with Cul3 and are required for efficient chromosome alignment. Interestingly, KLHL21 but not KLHL22 is necessary for cytokinesis and regulates translocation of the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) from chromosomes to the spindle midzone in anaphase, similar to the previously described BTB-Kelch proteins KLHL9 and KLHL13. KLHL21 directly binds to aurora B and mediates ubiquitination of aurora B in vitro. In contrast to KLHL9 and KLHL13, KLHL21 localizes to midzone microtubules in anaphase and recruits aurora B and Cul3 to this region. Together, our results suggest that different Cul3 adaptors nonredundantly regulate aurora B during mitosis, possibly by ubiquitinating different pools of aurora B at distinct subcellular localizations.

O-GlcNAc transferase catalyzes site-specific proteolysis of HCF-1.

The human epigenetic cell-cycle regulator HCF-1 undergoes an unusual proteolytic maturation process resulting in stably associated HCF-1(N) and HCF-1(C) subunits that regulate different aspects of the cell cycle. Proteolysis occurs at six centrally located HCF-1(PRO)-repeat sequences and is important for activation of HCF-1(C)-subunit functions in M phase progression. We show here that the HCF-1(PRO) repeat is recognized by O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT), which both O-GlcNAcylates the HCF-1(N) subunit and directly cleaves the HCF-1(PRO) repeat. Replacement of the HCF-1(PRO) repeats by a heterologous proteolytic cleavage signal promotes HCF-1 proteolysis but fails to activate HCF-1(C)-subunit M phase functions. These results reveal an unexpected role of OGT in HCF-1 proteolytic maturation and an unforeseen nexus between OGT-directed O-GlcNAcylation and proteolytic maturation in HCF-1 cell-cycle regulation.

The inflammasome recognizes cytosolic microbial and host DNA and triggers an innate immune response.

The innate immune system recognizes nucleic acids during infection and tissue damage. Whereas viral RNA is detected by endosomal toll-like receptors (TLR3, TLR7, TLR8) and cytoplasmic RIG-I and MDA5, endosomal TLR9 and cytoplasmic DAI bind DNA, resulting in the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB and interferon regulatory factor transcription factors. However, viruses also trigger pro-inflammatory responses, which remain poorly defined. Here we show that internalized adenoviral DNA induces maturation of pro-interleukin-1beta in macrophages, which is dependent on NALP3 and ASC, components of the innate cytosolic molecular complex termed the inflammasome. Correspondingly, NALP3- and ASC-deficient mice display reduced innate inflammatory responses to adenovirus particles. Inflammasome activation also occurs as a result of transfected cytosolic bacterial, viral and mammalian (host) DNA, but in this case sensing is dependent on ASC but not NALP3. The DNA-sensing pro-inflammatory pathway functions independently of TLRs and interferon regulatory factors. Thus, in addition to viral and bacterial components or danger signals in general, inflammasomes sense potentially dangerous cytoplasmic DNA, strengthening their central role in innate immunity.

Myc's other life: stem cells and beyond.

Over the last three decades genetic and biochemical studies have revealed the pleiotropic effects of the Myc oncoprotein. While cell line studies have defined the intracellular processes regulated by Myc such as proliferation, differentiation, and metabolic growth, in vivo studies have confirmed these functions, and revealed roles in acquisition and maintenance of stem cell properties. These roles may be partially mediated by Myc's capacity to modify the chromatin landscape on a global scale. Myc also regulates numerous protein-coding transcripts, and many noncoding RNAs (rRNAs, tRNAs, and miRNAs). As Myc activity directly correlates with protein expression, further complexity is provided by post-translational modifications that regulate Myc in normal stem cells or deregulate it in malignant stem cells.

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy in higher eukaryotes.

Research in autophagy continues to accelerate,(1) and as a result many new scientists are entering the field. Accordingly, it is important to establish a standard set of criteria for monitoring macroautophagy in different organisms. Recent reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose.(2,3) There are many useful and convenient methods that can be used to monitor macroautophagy in yeast, but relatively few in other model systems, and there is much confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure macroautophagy in higher eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers of autophagosomes versus those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway; thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from fully functional autophagy that includes delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of the methods that can be used by investigators who are attempting to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as by reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that investigate these processes. This set of guidelines is not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to verify an autophagic response.