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JACC. Basic To Translational Science Sep 2023Mitochondrial dysfunction is suggested to be a major contributor for the progression of heart failure (HF). Here we examined the role of syntaxin 17 (STX17) in the...
Mitochondrial dysfunction is suggested to be a major contributor for the progression of heart failure (HF). Here we examined the role of syntaxin 17 (STX17) in the progression of HF. Cardiac-specific knockout manifested cardiac dysfunction and mitochondrial damage, associated with reduced levels of p(S616)-dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) in mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes and dampened mitophagy. Cardiac STX17 overexpression promoted DRP1-dependent mitophagy and attenuated transverse aortic constriction-induced contractile and mitochondrial damage. Furthermore, STX17 recruited cyclin-dependent kinase-1 through its SNARE domain onto mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes, to phosphorylate DRP1 at Ser616 and promote DRP1-mediated mitophagy upon transverse aortic constriction stress. These findings indicate the potential therapeutic benefit of targeting STX17 in the mitigation of HF.
PubMed: 37791317
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2023.04.006 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023Membrane-spanning portions of proteins' polypeptide chains are commonly known as their transmembrane domains (TMDs). The structural organisation and dynamic behaviour of... (Review)
Review
Membrane-spanning portions of proteins' polypeptide chains are commonly known as their transmembrane domains (TMDs). The structural organisation and dynamic behaviour of TMDs from proteins of various families, be that receptors, ion channels, enzymes etc., have been under scrutiny on the part of the scientific community for the last few decades. The reason for such attention is that, apart from their obvious role as an "anchor" in ensuring the correct orientation of the protein's extra-membrane domains (in most cases functionally important), TMDs often actively and directly contribute to the operation of "the protein machine". They are capable of transmitting signals across the membrane, interacting with adjacent TMDs and membrane-proximal domains, as well as with various ligands, etc. Structural data on TMD arrangement are still fragmentary at best due to their complex molecular organisation as, most commonly, dynamic oligomers, as well as due to the challenges related to experimental studies thereof. Inter alia, this is especially true for viral fusion proteins, which have been the focus of numerous studies for quite some time, but have provoked unprecedented interest in view of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. However, despite numerous structure-centred studies of the spike (S) protein effectuating target cell entry in coronaviruses, structural data on the TMD as part of the entire spike protein are still incomplete, whereas this segment is known to be crucial to the spike's fusogenic activity. Therefore, in attempting to bring together currently available data on the structure and dynamics of spike proteins' TMDs, the present review aims to tackle a highly pertinent task and contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying virus-mediated fusion, also offering a rationale for the design of novel efficacious methods for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses.
Topics: Humans; Membrane Fusion; Protein Domains; Viral Fusion Proteins; Peptides; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 38003610
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216421 -
Nature Microbiology May 2024Children infected with SARS-CoV-2 rarely progress to respiratory failure. However, the risk of mortality in infected people over 85 years of age remains high. Here we...
Children infected with SARS-CoV-2 rarely progress to respiratory failure. However, the risk of mortality in infected people over 85 years of age remains high. Here we investigate differences in the cellular landscape and function of paediatric (<12 years), adult (30-50 years) and older adult (>70 years) ex vivo cultured nasal epithelial cells in response to infection with SARS-CoV-2. We show that cell tropism of SARS-CoV-2, and expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in nasal epithelial cell subtypes, differ between age groups. While ciliated cells are viral replication centres across all age groups, a distinct goblet inflammatory subtype emerges in infected paediatric cultures and shows high expression of interferon-stimulated genes and incomplete viral replication. In contrast, older adult cultures infected with SARS-CoV-2 show a proportional increase in basaloid-like cells, which facilitate viral spread and are associated with altered epithelial repair pathways. We confirm age-specific induction of these cell types by integrating data from in vivo COVID-19 studies and validate that our in vitro model recapitulates early epithelial responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Epithelial Cells; Serine Endopeptidases; Nasal Mucosa; Child; Age Factors; Virus Replication; Child, Preschool; Viral Tropism; Male; Female; Aged, 80 and over; Cells, Cultured; Adolescent; Infant
PubMed: 38622380
DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01658-1 -
Antioxidants & Redox Signaling Oct 2023Mitochondrial (mt) reticulum network in the cell possesses amazing ultramorphology of parallel lamellar cristae, formed by the invaginated inner mitochondrial membrane.... (Review)
Review
Mitochondrial (mt) reticulum network in the cell possesses amazing ultramorphology of parallel lamellar cristae, formed by the invaginated inner mitochondrial membrane. Its non-invaginated part, the inner boundary membrane (IBM) forms a cylindrical sandwich with the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM). Crista membranes (CMs) meet IBM at crista junctions (CJs) of mt cristae organizing system (MICOS) complexes connected to OMM sorting and assembly machinery (SAM). Cristae dimensions, shape, and CJs have characteristic patterns for different metabolic regimes, physiological and pathological situations. Cristae-shaping proteins were characterized, namely rows of ATP-synthase dimers forming the crista lamella edges, MICOS subunits, optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) isoforms and mitochondrial genome maintenance 1 (MGM1) filaments, prohibitins, and others. Detailed cristae ultramorphology changes were imaged by focused-ion beam/scanning electron microscopy. Dynamics of crista lamellae and mobile CJs were demonstrated by nanoscopy in living cells. With tBID-induced apoptosis a single entirely fused cristae reticulum was observed in a mitochondrial spheroid. The mobility and composition of MICOS, OPA1, and ATP-synthase dimeric rows regulated by post-translational modifications might be exclusively responsible for cristae morphology changes, but ion fluxes across CM and resulting osmotic forces might be also involved. Inevitably, cristae ultramorphology should reflect also mitochondrial redox homeostasis, but details are unknown. Disordered cristae typically reflect higher superoxide formation. To link redox homeostasis to cristae ultramorphology and define markers, recent progress will help in uncovering mechanisms involved in proton-coupled electron transfer the respiratory chain and in regulation of cristae architecture, leading to structural determination of superoxide formation sites and cristae ultramorphology changes in diseases. 39, 635-683.
Topics: Mitochondrial Membranes; Superoxides; Homeostasis; Oxidation-Reduction; Adenosine Triphosphate; Mitochondrial Proteins
PubMed: 36793196
DOI: 10.1089/ars.2022.0173 -
Experimental and computational approaches for membrane protein insertion and topology determination.Methods (San Diego, Calif.) Jun 2024Membrane proteins play pivotal roles in a wide array of cellular processes and constitute approximately a quarter of the protein-coding genes across all organisms.... (Review)
Review
Membrane proteins play pivotal roles in a wide array of cellular processes and constitute approximately a quarter of the protein-coding genes across all organisms. Despite their ubiquity and biological significance, our understanding of these proteins remains notably less comprehensive compared to their soluble counterparts. This disparity in knowledge can be attributed, in part, to the inherent challenges associated with employing specialized techniques for the investigation of membrane protein insertion and topology. This review will center on a discussion of molecular biology methodologies and computational prediction tools designed to elucidate the insertion and topology of helical membrane proteins.
Topics: Membrane Proteins; Computational Biology; Humans; Models, Molecular
PubMed: 38604415
DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2024.03.012 -
The Journal of Cell Biology Sep 2023The GPI-anchoring pathway plays important roles in normal development and immune modulation. MHC Class I Polypeptide-related Sequence A (MICA) is a stress-induced...
The GPI-anchoring pathway plays important roles in normal development and immune modulation. MHC Class I Polypeptide-related Sequence A (MICA) is a stress-induced ligand, downregulated by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) to escape immune recognition. Its most prevalent allele, MICA*008, is GPI-anchored via an uncharacterized pathway. Here, we identify cleft lip and palate transmembrane protein 1-like protein (CLPTM1L) as a GPI-anchoring pathway component and show that during infection, the HCMV protein US9 downregulates MICA*008 via CLPTM1L. We show that the expression of some GPI-anchored proteins (CD109, CD59, and MELTF)-but not others (ULBP2, ULBP3)-is CLPTM1L-dependent, and further show that like MICA*008, MELTF is downregulated by US9 via CLPTM1L during infection. Mechanistically, we suggest that CLPTM1L's function depends on its interaction with a free form of PIG-T, normally a part of the GPI transamidase complex. We suggest that US9 inhibits this interaction and thereby downregulates the expression of CLPTM1L-dependent proteins. Altogether, we report on a new GPI-anchoring pathway component that is targeted by HCMV.
Topics: Humans; Alleles; Cytomegalovirus; Membrane Proteins; Neoplasm Proteins; Transcription Factors; Cytomegalovirus Infections
PubMed: 37389656
DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202207104 -
Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ban =... Oct 2023The complement system is an important part of the innate immune system, including more than 50 secretory proteins and membrane-bound proteins, and it contributes to the...
The complement system is an important part of the innate immune system, including more than 50 secretory proteins and membrane-bound proteins, and it contributes to the clearance of apoptotic cells and invading pathogens to limit inflammatory immune responses and maintaining brain homeostasis. Complement activity is strictly regulated to protect cells from random attacks or to prevent the deposition of complement proteins in physiological cases. However, overactivation or abnormal regulation of the complement cascade in the brain can lead to neuronal damage and brain dysfunction. Recent studies have pointed out that changes in complement molecules exist in patients with psychiatric diseases and play an important role in the occurrence and development of diseases by regulating the function of neurons and glial cells. Therefore, summarizing the latest research progress of complement system in psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, major depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder can provide new ideas for preventing and controlling psychiatric diseases caused by abnormal activation of complement system.
Topics: Humans; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Mental Disorders; Complement System Proteins; Anxiety Disorders; Depressive Disorder, Major; Membrane Proteins
PubMed: 38432883
DOI: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2023.230109 -
Stem Cell Research & Therapy Sep 2023Refractory epilepsy is also known as drug-resistant epilepsy with limited clinical treatment. Benefitting from its safety and easy availability, olfactory mucosa...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Refractory epilepsy is also known as drug-resistant epilepsy with limited clinical treatment. Benefitting from its safety and easy availability, olfactory mucosa mesenchymal stem cells (OM-MSCs) are considered a preferable MSC source for clinical application. This study aims to investigate whether OM-MSCs are a promising alternative source for treating refractory epilepsy clinically and uncover the mechanism by OM-MSCs administration on an epileptic mouse model.
METHODS
OM-MSCs were isolated from turbinal and characterized by flow cytometry. Autologous human OM-MSCs treatment on a patient was carried out using intrathecal administration. Epileptic mouse model was established by 1 mg/kg scopolamine and 300 mg/kg pilocarpine treatment (intraperitoneal). Stereotaxic microinjection was employed to deliver the mouse OM-MSCs. Mouse electroencephalograph recording was used to investigate the seizures. Brain structure was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining of GFAP, IBA1, MAP2, TUBB3, OLIG2, CD4, CD25, and FOXP3 was carried out to investigate the neural cells and Treg cells. QRT-PCR and ELISA were performed to determine the cytokines (Il1b, Il6, Tnf, Il10) on mRNA and protein level. Y-maze, the object location test, and novel object recognition test were performed to measure the cognitive function. Footprint test, rotarod test, balance beam test, and grip strength test were conducted to evaluate the locomotive function. Von Frey testing was carried out to assess the mechanical allodynia.
RESULTS
Many beneficial effects of the OM-MSC treatment on disease status, including seizure type, frequency, severity, duration, and cognitive function, and no apparent adverse effects were observed at the 8-year follow-up case. Brain MRI indicated that autologous OM-MSC treatment alleviated brain atrophy in epilepsy patients. A study in an epileptic mouse model revealed that OM-MSC treatment recruited Treg cells to the brain, inhibited inflammation, rebuilt the neural network, and improved the cognitive, locomotive, and perceptive functions of epileptic mice.
CONCLUSIONS
Autologous OM-MSC treatment is efficacious for improving chronic refractory epilepsy, suggesting a future therapeutic candidate for epilepsy.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The study was registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200055357).
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Drug Resistant Epilepsy; Brain; Neural Networks, Computer; Disease Models, Animal; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Olfactory Mucosa
PubMed: 37674249
DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03458-6