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Viruses Nov 2023Protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are the most common post-translational modifications mediated by protein kinases and protein phosphatases, respectively.... (Review)
Review
Protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are the most common post-translational modifications mediated by protein kinases and protein phosphatases, respectively. These reversible processes can modulate the function of the target protein, such as its activity, subcellular localization, stability, and interaction with other proteins. Phosphorylation of viral proteins plays an important role in the life cycle of a virus. In this review, we highlight biological implications of the phosphorylation of the monkey polyomavirus SV40 large T and small t antigens, summarize our current knowledge of the phosphorylation of these proteins of human polyomaviruses, and conclude with gaps in the knowledge and a proposal for future research directions.
Topics: Humans; Polyomavirus; Antigens, Viral, Tumor; Phosphorylation; Polyomavirus Infections; Protein Kinases
PubMed: 38005912
DOI: 10.3390/v15112235 -
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences :... Jul 2023Dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) and valosin-containing protein (VCP) have both been reported to regulate mitochondrial homeostasis. However, their impact on...
Dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) and valosin-containing protein (VCP) have both been reported to regulate mitochondrial homeostasis. However, their impact on mitochondrial quality control (MQC) and myocardial function during LPS-induced endotoxemia remains unclear. We addressed this issue by modeling LPS-induced endotoxemia in DUSP1 transgenic (DUSP1) mice and in cultured DUSP1-overexpressing HL-1 cardiomyocytes. Accompanying characteristic structural and functional deficits, cardiac DUSP1 expression was significantly downregulated following endotoxemia induction in wild type mice. In contrast, markedly reduced myocardial inflammation, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, cardiac structural disorder, cardiac injury marker levels, and normalized systolic/diastolic function were observed in DUSP1 mice. Furthermore, DUSP1 overexpression in HL-1 cells significantly attenuated LPS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction by preserving MQC, as indicated by normalized mitochondrial dynamics, improved mitophagy, enhanced biogenesis, and attenuated mitochondrial unfolded protein response. Molecular assays showed that VCP was a substrate of DUSP1 and the interaction between DUSP1 and VCP primarily occurred on the mitochondria. Mechanistically, DUSP1 phosphatase domain promoted the physiological DUSP1/VCP interaction which prevented LPS-mediated VCP Ser784 phosphorylation. Accordingly, transfection with a phosphomimetic VCP mutant abolished the protective actions of DUSP1 on MQC and aggravated inflammation, apoptosis, and contractility/relaxation capacity in HL-1 cardiomyocytes. These findings support the involvement of the novel DUSP1/VCP/MQC pathway in the pathogenesis of endotoxemia-caused myocardial dysfunction.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Cardiomyopathies; Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1; Endotoxemia; Lipopolysaccharides; Mitochondria; Myocytes, Cardiac; Valosin Containing Protein
PubMed: 37464072
DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04863-z -
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences :... Sep 2023Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) loss tightly correlates with prostate cancer (PCa) progression and metastasis. Inactivation of PTEN leads to abnormal activation of...
Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) loss tightly correlates with prostate cancer (PCa) progression and metastasis. Inactivation of PTEN leads to abnormal activation of PI3K/AKT pathway. However, results from clinical trials with AKT inhibitors in PCa have been largely disappointing. Identification of novel regulators of PTEN in PTEN-dysfunctional PCa is urgently needed. Here we demonstrated that the expression level of PTEN is inversely correlated with the signature score of unfolded protein response (UPR) in PCa. Importantly, PTEN suppresses the activity of ATF6α, via interacting to de-phosphorylate ATF6α and consequently inhibiting its nuclear translocation. Conversely, ATF6α promotes the ubiquitination and degradation of PTEN by inducing CHIP expression. Thus, ATF6α and PTEN forms a negative feedback loop during PCa progression. Combination of ATF6α inhibitor with AKT inhibitor suppresses tumor cell proliferation and xenograft growth. Importantly, this study highlighted ATF6α as a therapeutic vulnerability in PTEN dysfunctional PCa.
Topics: Male; Humans; Feedback; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Prostatic Neoplasms; Prostate; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; PTEN Phosphohydrolase
PubMed: 37715829
DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04940-3 -
ELife Sep 2023Checkpoint activation after DNA damage causes a transient cell cycle arrest by suppressing cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). However, it remains largely elusive how cell...
Checkpoint activation after DNA damage causes a transient cell cycle arrest by suppressing cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). However, it remains largely elusive how cell cycle recovery is initiated after DNA damage. In this study, we discovered the upregulated protein level of MASTL kinase hours after DNA damage. MASTL promotes cell cycle progression by preventing PP2A/B55-catalyzed dephosphorylation of CDK substrates. DNA damage-induced MASTL upregulation was caused by decreased protein degradation, and was unique among mitotic kinases. We identified E6AP as the E3 ubiquitin ligase that mediated MASTL degradation. MASTL degradation was inhibited upon DNA damage as a result of the dissociation of E6AP from MASTL. E6AP depletion reduced DNA damage signaling, and promoted cell cycle recovery from the DNA damage checkpoint, in a MASTL-dependent manner. Furthermore, we found that E6AP was phosphorylated at Ser-218 by ATM after DNA damage and that this phosphorylation was required for its dissociation from MASTL, the stabilization of MASTL, and the timely recovery of cell cycle progression. Together, our data revealed that ATM/ATR-dependent signaling, while activating the DNA damage checkpoint, also initiates cell cycle recovery from the arrest. Consequently, this results in a timer-like mechanism that ensures the transient nature of the DNA damage checkpoint.
Topics: Cell Cycle Checkpoints; Cell Cycle; Cell Division; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases; DNA Damage
PubMed: 37672026
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.86976 -
Acta Biochimica Et Biophysica Sinica Aug 2023Tumor metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic modification work together to promote tumorigenesis and development. Protein lysine acetylation, which affects a variety of...
Tumor metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic modification work together to promote tumorigenesis and development. Protein lysine acetylation, which affects a variety of biological functions of proteins, plays an important role under physiological and pathological conditions. Here, through immunoprecipitation and mass spectrum data, we show that phosphoglycerate mutase 5 (PGAM5) deacetylation enhances malic enzyme 1 (ME1) metabolic enzyme activity to promote lipid synthesis and proliferation of liver cancer cells. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that the deacetylase SIRT2 mediates PGAM5 deacetylation to activate ME1 activity, leading to ME1 dephosphorylation, subsequent lipid accumulation and the proliferation of liver cancer cells. Taken together, our study establishes an important role for the SIRT2-PGAM5-ME1 axis in the proliferation of liver cancer cells, suggesting a potential innovative cancer therapy.
Topics: Humans; Sirtuin 2; Lipid Metabolism; Phosphoglycerate Mutase; Liver Neoplasms; Cell Proliferation; Lipids; Acetylation; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases; Mitochondrial Proteins
PubMed: 37580952
DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023155 -
MedComm Aug 2023Skin fibrosis, a pathological process featured by fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, makes a significant contribution to morbidity. Studies...
Skin fibrosis, a pathological process featured by fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, makes a significant contribution to morbidity. Studies have identified biomechanics as the central element in the complex network of fibrogenesis that drives the profibrotic feedback loop. In this study, we found that the acetylation of α-tubulin at lysine 40 (K40) was augmented in fibrotic skin tissues. Further analysis showed that α-tubulin acetylation is required for fibroblast activation, including contraction, migration, and ECM deposition. More importantly, we revealed that biomechanics-induced upregulation of K40 acetylation promotes fibrosis by mediating mechanosensitive Yes-associated protein S127 dephosphorylation and its cytoplasm nucleus shuttle. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the knockdown of α-tubulin acetyltransferase 1 could rescue the K40 acetylation upregulation caused by increased matrix rigidity and ameliorate skin fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro. Herein, we highlight the critical role of α-tubulin acetylation in matrix stiffness-induced skin fibrosis and clarify a possible molecular mechanism. Our research suggests α-tubulin acetylation as a potential target for drug design and therapeutic intervention.
PubMed: 37457658
DOI: 10.1002/mco2.319 -
Cell Host & Microbe Dec 2023Pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) mediate basal resistance to most phytopathogens. However, plant responses can be cell type specific, and the mechanisms governing...
Pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) mediate basal resistance to most phytopathogens. However, plant responses can be cell type specific, and the mechanisms governing xylem immunity remain largely unknown. We show that the lectin-receptor-like kinase LORE contributes to xylem basal resistance in Arabidopsis upon infection with Ralstonia solanacearum, a destructive plant pathogen that colonizes the xylem to cause bacterial wilt. Following R. solanacearum infection, LORE is activated by phosphorylation at residue S761, initiating a phosphorelay that activates reactive oxygen species production and cell wall lignification. To prevent prolonged activation of immune signaling, LORE recruits and phosphorylates type 2C protein phosphatase LOPP, which dephosphorylates LORE and attenuates LORE-mediated xylem immunity to maintain immune homeostasis. A LOPP knockout confers resistance against bacterial wilt disease in Arabidopsis and tomatoes without impacting plant growth. Thus, our study reveals a regulatory mechanism in xylem immunity involving the reversible phosphorylation of receptor-like kinases.
Topics: Phosphorylation; Receptors, Mitogen; Arabidopsis; Xylem; Lectins; Plant Diseases; Plant Immunity
PubMed: 37977141
DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.10.017 -
Science Advances Mar 2024We recently developed a heterobifunctional approach [phosphorylation targeting chimeras (PhosTACs)] to achieve the targeted protein dephosphorylation (TPDephos). Here,...
We recently developed a heterobifunctional approach [phosphorylation targeting chimeras (PhosTACs)] to achieve the targeted protein dephosphorylation (TPDephos). Here, we envisioned combining the inhibitory effects of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKIs) and the active dephosphorylation by phosphatases to achieve dual inhibition of kinases. We report an example of tyrosine phosphatase-based TPDephos and the effective epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine dephosphorylation. We also used phosphoproteomic approaches to study the signaling transductions affected by PhosTAC-related molecules at the proteome-wide level. This work demonstrated the differential signaling pathways inhibited by PhosTAC compared with the TKI, gefitinib. Moreover, a covalent PhosTAC selective for mutated EGFR was developed and showed its inhibitory potential for dysregulated EGFR. Last, EGFR PhosTACs, consistent with EGFR dephosphorylation profiles, induced apoptosis and inhibited cancer cell viability during prolonged PhosTAC treatment. PhosTACs showcased their potential of modulating RTKs activity, expanding the scope of bifunctional molecule utility.
Topics: Apoptosis; Cell Line, Tumor; ErbB Receptors; Phosphorylation; Signal Transduction; Tyrosine; Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors; Humans; Proteolysis Targeting Chimera
PubMed: 38536914
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj7251 -
JCI Insight Oct 2023Overexpression of phosphatases of regenerating liver 2 (PRL2), detected in numerous diverse cancers, is often associated with increased severity and poor patient...
Overexpression of phosphatases of regenerating liver 2 (PRL2), detected in numerous diverse cancers, is often associated with increased severity and poor patient prognosis. PRL2-catalyzed tyrosine dephosphorylation of the tumor suppressor PTEN results in increased PTEN degradation and has been identified as a mechanism underlying PRL2 oncogenic activity. Overexpression of PRL2, coincident with reduced PTEN protein, is frequently observed in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In the current study, a PTEN-knockdown AML animal model was generated to assess the effect of conditional PRL2 inhibition on the level of PTEN protein and the development and progression of AML. Inhibition of PRL2 resulted in a significant increase in median animal survival, from 40 weeks to greater than 60 weeks. The prolonged survival reflected delayed expansion of aberrantly differentiated hematopoietic stem cells into leukemia blasts, resulting in extended time required for clinically relevant leukemia blast accumulation in the BM niche. Leukemia blast suppression following PRL2 inhibition was correlated with an increase in PTEN and downregulation of AKT/mTOR-regulated pathways. These observations directly established, in a disease model, the viability of PRL2 inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for improving clinical outcomes in AML and potentially other PTEN-deficient cancers by slowing cancer progression.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Signal Transduction; PTEN Phosphohydrolase; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Hematopoietic Stem Cells
PubMed: 37665633
DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.170065 -
Cell Death & Disease Jan 2024Yes-associated protein (YAP) and WW domain-containing transcription regulator protein 1 (WWTR1; also known as TAZ) are the main effectors of the Hippo pathway and their...
Yes-associated protein (YAP) and WW domain-containing transcription regulator protein 1 (WWTR1; also known as TAZ) are the main effectors of the Hippo pathway and their dysregulation contributes to diseases in tissues including the liver. Although mitochondria are capable of transmitting signals to change transcriptomic landscape of diseased hepatocytes, such retrograde signaling and the related nuclear machinery are largely unknown. Here, we show that increased YAP activity is associated with mitochondrial stress during liver injury; and this is required for secondary inflammation, promoting hepatocyte death. Mitochondrial stress inducers robustly promoted YAP/TAZ dephosphorylation, nuclear accumulation, and target gene transcription. RNA sequencing revealed that the majority of mitochondrial stress transcripts required YAP/TAZ. Mechanistically, direct oxidation of RhoA by mitochondrial superoxide was responsible for PP2A-mediated YAP/TAZ dephosphorylation providing a novel physiological input for the Hippo pathway. Hepatocyte-specific Yap/Taz ablation suppressed acetaminophen-induced liver injury and blunted transcriptomic changes associated with the pathology. Our observations uncover unappreciated pathway of mitochondrial stress signaling and reveal YAP/TAZ activation as the mechanistic basis for liver injury progression.
Topics: Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; YAP-Signaling Proteins; Liver; Signal Transduction; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
PubMed: 38225223
DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06448-5