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Journal of Advanced Research Sep 2023Meteorin-like hormone (Metrnl) is ubiquitously expressed in skeletal muscle, heart, and adipose with beneficial roles in obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammation....
INTRODUCTION
Meteorin-like hormone (Metrnl) is ubiquitously expressed in skeletal muscle, heart, and adipose with beneficial roles in obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammation. Metrnl is found to protect against cardiac hypertrophy and doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. However, its role in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is undefined.
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to elucidate the potential roles of Metrnl in DCM.
METHODS
Gain- andloss-of-function experimentswere utilized to determine the roles of Metrnl in the pathological processes of DCM.
RESULTS
We found that plasma Metrnl levels, myocardial Metrnl protein and mRNA expressions were significantly downregulated in both streptozotocin (STZ)-induced (T1D) mice and leptin receptor deficiency (db/db) (T2D) mice. Cardiac-specific overexpression (OE) of Metrnl markedly ameliorated cardiac injury and dysfunction in both T1D and T2D mice. In sharp contrast, specific deletion of Metrnl in the heart had the opposite phenotypes. In parallel, Metrnl OE ameliorated, whereas Metrnl downregulation exacerbated high glucose (HG)-elicited hypertrophy, apoptosis and oxidative damage in primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Antibody-induced blockade of Metrnl eliminated the effects of benefits of Metrnl in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, Metrnl activated the autophagy pathway and inhibited the cGAS/STING signaling in a LKB1/AMPK/ULK1-dependent mechanism in cardiomyocytes. Besides, Metrnl-induced ULK1 phosphorylation facilitated the dephosphorylation and mitochondrial translocation of STING where it interacted with tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2), a scaffold protein and E3 ubiquitin ligase that was responsible for ubiquitination and degradation of STING, rendering cardiomyocytes sensitive to autophagy activation.
CONCLUSION
Thus, Metrnl may be an attractive therapeutic target or regimen for treating DCM.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Rats; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; Autophagy; Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies; Myocytes, Cardiac; Nucleotidyltransferases
PubMed: 36334887
DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.10.014 -
Cell Reports Aug 2023Mitochondrial morphology is regulated by the post-translational modifications of the dynamin family GTPase proteins including mitofusin 1 (MFN1), MFN2, and...
Mitochondrial morphology is regulated by the post-translational modifications of the dynamin family GTPase proteins including mitofusin 1 (MFN1), MFN2, and dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1). Mitochondrial phosphatase phosphoglycerate mutase 5 (PGAM5) is emerging as a regulator of these post-translational modifications; however, its precise role in the regulation of mitochondrial morphology is unknown. We show that PGAM5 interacts with MFN2 and DRP1 in a stress-sensitive manner. PGAM5 regulates MFN2 phosphorylation and consequently protects it from ubiquitination and degradation. Further, phosphorylation and dephosphorylation modification of MFN2 regulates its fusion ability. Phosphorylation enhances fission and degradation, whereas dephosphorylation enhances fusion. PGAM5 dephosphorylates MFN2 to promote mitochondrial network formation. Further, using a Drosophila genetic model, we demonstrate that the MFN2 homolog Marf and dPGAM5 are in the same biological pathway. Our results identify MFN2 dephosphorylation as a regulator of mitochondrial fusion and PGAM5 as an MFN2 phosphatase.
Topics: GTP Phosphohydrolases; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; Phosphoglycerate Mutase; Mitochondrial Dynamics; Mitochondrial Proteins; Dynamins
PubMed: 37498743
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112895 -
Science Immunology Jul 2023The extracellular nucleoside adenosine reduces tissue inflammation and is generated by irreversible dephosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) mediated by the... (Review)
Review
The extracellular nucleoside adenosine reduces tissue inflammation and is generated by irreversible dephosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) mediated by the ectonucleotidase CD73. The pro-inflammatory nucleotides adenosine triphosphate, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and cyclic guanosine -monophosphate-AMP (cGAMP), which are produced in the tumor microenvironment (TME) during therapy-induced immunogenic cell death and activation of innate immune signaling, can be converted into AMP by ectonucleotidases CD39, CD38, and CD203a/ENPP1. Thus, ectonucleotidases shape the TME by converting immune-activating signals into an immunosuppressive one. Ectonucleotidases also hinder the ability of therapies including radiation therapy, which enhance the release of pro-inflammatory nucleotides in the extracellular milieu, to induce immune-mediated tumor rejection. Here, we review the immunosuppressive effects of adenosine and the role of different ectonucleotidases in modulating antitumor immune responses. We discuss emerging opportunities to target adenosine generation and/or its ability to signal via adenosine receptors expressed by immune and cancer cells in the context of combination immunotherapy and radiotherapy.
Topics: Humans; Neoplasms; Adenosine; Adenosine Triphosphate; Adenosine Monophosphate; DNA Damage; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37418547
DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abq3015 -
Journal of Molecular Cell Biology Nov 2023Legionella pneumophila is a Gram-negative bacterium ubiquitously present in freshwater environments and causes a serious type of pneumonia called Legionnaires' disease.... (Review)
Review
Legionella pneumophila is a Gram-negative bacterium ubiquitously present in freshwater environments and causes a serious type of pneumonia called Legionnaires' disease. During infections, L. pneumophila releases over 300 effector proteins into host cells through an Icm/Dot type IV secretion system to manipulate the host defense system for survival within the host. Notably, certain effector proteins mediate posttranslational modifications (PTMs), serving as useful approaches exploited by L. pneumophila to modify host proteins. Some effectors catalyze the addition of host protein PTMs, while others mediate the removal of PTMs from host proteins. In this review, we summarize L. pneumophila effector-mediated PTMs of host proteins, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, AMPylation, phosphocholination, methylation, and ADP-ribosylation, as well as dephosphorylation, deubiquitination, deAMPylation, deADP-ribosylation, dephosphocholination, and delipidation. We describe their molecular mechanisms and biological functions in the regulation of bacterial growth and Legionella-containing vacuole biosynthesis and in the disruption of host immune and defense machinery.
Topics: Humans; Legionella pneumophila; Legionnaires' Disease; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Vacuoles; Ubiquitination
PubMed: 37156500
DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjad032 -
Molecular Cancer Dec 2023Liver metastasis is the leading cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Emerge evidence suggests that circular RNA (circRNA) is a pivotal player in...
BACKGROUND
Liver metastasis is the leading cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Emerge evidence suggests that circular RNA (circRNA) is a pivotal player in cancer progression. However, its role in CRC liver metastasis remains largely unknown.
METHODS
Circ-YAP expression was detected by qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization. The function of circ-YAP was tested by wound healing, transwell and CCK-8 assays. RNA immunoprecipitation, pull-down, luciferase reporter, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to investigate the mechanism underlying circ-YAP promoting CRC liver metastasis. CRC liver metastasis animal model was established to assess the effect of circ-YAP in vivo.
RESULTS
Circ-YAP was notably upregulated in CRC with liver metastasis, which was associated with dismal prognosis. Circ-YAP promoted CRC cell migration and invasion in vitro, and facilitated liver metastasis in patient-derived xenografts (PDX) models in vivo. Mechanistically, circ-YAP encoded a novel truncated protein containing 220 amino acids, termed as YAP-220aa, which competitively bound to LATS1, resulting in YAP dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation, thereby activating a cohort of metastasis-promoting genes. Importantly, N-methyladenosine (mA) modification orchestrated efficient initiation of circ-YAP translation, requiring mA reader YTHDF3 and eIF4G2 translation initiation complex. Intriguingly, circ-YAP was transcriptionally enhanced by YAP/TEAD complex, thus forming a positive regulatory feed-forward loop.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings reveal a previously uncharacterized oncoprotein encoded by circ-YAP, implying a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for CRC patients with liver metastasis.
Topics: Animals; Humans; RNA, Circular; Feedback; RNA; Liver Neoplasms; Colorectal Neoplasms; Cell Proliferation; MicroRNAs; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
PubMed: 38087322
DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01848-1 -
Cell Death and Differentiation Sep 2023Impaired transcription factor EB (TFEB) function and deficient autophagy activity have been shown to aggravate intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD), yet the...
Impaired transcription factor EB (TFEB) function and deficient autophagy activity have been shown to aggravate intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD), yet the underlying mechanisms remain less clear. Protein posttranslational modifications (PTMs) are critical for determining TFEB trafficking and transcriptional activity. Here, we demonstrate that TFEB activity is controlled by protein methylation in degenerated nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs), even though TFEB itself is incapable of undergoing methylation. Specifically, protein phosphatase 1 catalytic subunit alpha (PPP1CA), newly identified to dephosphorylate TFEB, contains a K141 mono-methylated site. In degenerated NPCs, increased K141-methylation of PPP1CA disrupts its interaction with TEFB and subsequently blocks TEFB dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation, which eventually leads to autophagy deficiency and NPC senescence. In addition, we found that the PPP1CA-mediated targeting of TFEB is facilitated by the protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 9B (PPP1R9B), which binds with PPP1CA and is also manipulated by K141 methylation. Further proteomic analysis revealed that the protein lysine methyltransferase suppressor of variegation 3-9 homologue 2 (SUV39H2) is responsible for the K141 mono-methylation of PPP1CA. Targeting SUV39H2 effectively mitigates NPC senescence and IDD progression, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for IDD intervention.
Topics: Humans; Methylation; Lysine; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration; Protein Phosphatase 1; Proteomics; Autophagy; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
PubMed: 37605006
DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01210-4 -
Clinical and Translational Medicine Sep 2023The imbalance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts may lead to osteoporosis. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts have different energy requirements, with aerobic glycolysis being...
BACKGROUND
The imbalance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts may lead to osteoporosis. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts have different energy requirements, with aerobic glycolysis being the prominent metabolic feature of osteoblasts, while osteoclast differentiation and fusion are driven by oxidative phosphorylation.
METHODS
By polymerase chain reaction as well as Western blotting, we assayed coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1) expression in bone tissue, the mouse precranial osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 and the mouse monocyte macrophage leukaemia cell line RAW264.7, and expression of related genes during osteogenic differentiation and osteoclast differentiation. Using gene overexpression (lentivirus) and loss-of-function approach (CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout) in vitro, we examined whether CARM1 regulates osteogenic differentiation and osteoblast differentiation by metabolic regulation. Transcriptomic assays and metabolomic assays were used to find the mechanism of action of CARM1. Furthermore, in vitro methylation assays were applied to clarify the arginine methylation site of PPP1CA by CARM1.
RESULTS
We discovered that CARM1 reprogrammed glucose metabolism in osteoblasts and osteoclasts from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis, thereby promoting osteogenic differentiation and inhibiting osteoclastic differentiation. In vivo experiments revealed that CARM1 significantly decreased bone loss in osteoporosis model mice. Mechanistically, CARM1 methylated R23 of PPP1CA, affected the dephosphorylation of AKT-T450 and AMPK-T172, and increased the activities of phosphofructokinase-1 and pructose-2,6-biphosphatase3, causing an up-regulation of glycolytic flux. At the same time, as a transcriptional coactivator, CARM1 regulated the expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 3, which resulted in the inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity and inhibition of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, leading to a subsequent decrease in the flux of oxidative phosphorylation.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings reveal for the first time the mechanism by which CARM1 affects both osteogenesis and osteoclast differentiation through metabolic regulation, which may represent a new feasible treatment strategy for osteoporosis.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Osteogenesis; Methylation; Cell Differentiation; Arginine; Glucose
PubMed: 37649137
DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1369 -
The Plant Cell Sep 2023Catalase (CAT) is often phosphorylated and activated by protein kinases to maintain hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) homeostasis and protect cells against stresses, but whether...
Catalase (CAT) is often phosphorylated and activated by protein kinases to maintain hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) homeostasis and protect cells against stresses, but whether and how CAT is switched off by protein phosphatases remains inconclusive. Here, we identified a manganese (Mn2+)-dependent protein phosphatase, which we named PHOSPHATASE OF CATALASE 1 (PC1), from rice (Oryza sativa L.) that negatively regulates salt and oxidative stress tolerance. PC1 specifically dephosphorylates CatC at Ser-9 to inhibit its tetramerization and thus activity in the peroxisome. PC1 overexpressing lines exhibited hypersensitivity to salt and oxidative stresses with a lower phospho-serine level of CATs. Phosphatase activity and seminal root growth assays indicated that PC1 promotes growth and plays a vital role during the transition from salt stress to normal growth conditions. Our findings demonstrate that PC1 acts as a molecular switch to dephosphorylate and deactivate CatC and negatively regulate H2O2 homeostasis and salt tolerance in rice. Moreover, knockout of PC1 not only improved H2O2-scavenging capacity and salt tolerance but also limited rice grain yield loss under salt stress conditions. Together, these results shed light on the mechanisms that switch off CAT and provide a strategy for breeding highly salt-tolerant rice.
Topics: Catalase; Oryza; Hydrogen Peroxide; Protein Phosphatase 1; Salt Tolerance; Homeostasis; Plant Proteins
PubMed: 37325884
DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad167 -
Cell Death & Disease Nov 2023The mechanism underlying acute kidney injury (AKI) and AKI-to-Chronic kidney disease (CKD) transition remains unclear, but mitochondrial dysfunction may be a key driving...
The mechanism underlying acute kidney injury (AKI) and AKI-to-Chronic kidney disease (CKD) transition remains unclear, but mitochondrial dysfunction may be a key driving factor. Literature reports suggest that dual-specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) plays a critical role in maintaining mitochondrial function and structural integrity. In this study, ischemic Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and post-ischemic fibrosis models were established by clamping the renal pedicle with different reperfusion times. To investigate the role of DUSP1, constitutional Dusp1 knockout mice and tubular-specific Sting knockout mice were used. Mitochondrial damage was assessed through electron microscopy observation, measurements of mitochondrial membrane potential, mtDNA release, and BAX translocation. We found that Dusp1 expression was significantly upregulated in human transplant kidney tissue and mouse AKI tissue. Dusp1 gene deletion exacerbated acute ischemic injury, post-ischemic renal fibrosis, and tubular mitochondrial dysfunction in mice. Mechanistically, DUSP1 could directly bind to JNK, and DUSP1 deficiency could lead to aberrant phosphorylation of JNK and BAX mitochondria translocation. BAX translocation promoted mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage and activated the cGAS-STING pathway. Inhibition of JNK or BAX could inhibit mtDNA leakage. Furthermore, STING knockout or JNK inhibition could significantly mitigate the adverse effects of DUSP1 deficiency in ischemic AKI model. Collectively, our findings suggest that DUSP1 is a regulator for the protective response during AKI. DUSP1 protects against AKI by preventing BAX-induced mtDNA leakage and blocking excessive activation of the cGAS-STING signaling axis through JNK dephosphorylation.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mice; Acute Kidney Injury; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; DNA, Mitochondrial; Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1; Kidney; Mice, Knockout; Mitochondria; Nucleotidyltransferases; Reperfusion Injury
PubMed: 37935658
DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06247-4