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Journal of Virology Feb 2022After receptor-mediated endocytosis and endosomal escape, adenoviral capsids can travel via microtubule organizing centers to the nuclear envelope. Upon capsid...
After receptor-mediated endocytosis and endosomal escape, adenoviral capsids can travel via microtubule organizing centers to the nuclear envelope. Upon capsid disassembly, viral genome import into nuclei of interphase cells then occurs through nuclear pore complexes, involving the nucleoporins Nup214 and Nup358. Import also requires the activity of the classic nuclear export receptor CRM1, as it is blocked by the selective inhibitor leptomycin B. We have now used artificially enucleated as well as mitotic cells to analyze the role of an intact nucleus in different steps of the viral life cycle. In enucleated U2OS cells, viral capsids traveled to the microtubule organizing center, whereas their removal from this complex was blocked, suggesting that this step required nuclear factors. In mitotic cells, on the other hand, CRM1 promoted capsid disassembly and genome release, suggesting a role of this protein that does not require intact nuclear envelopes or nuclear pore complexes and is distinct from its function as a nuclear export receptor. Similar to enucleation, inhibition of CRM1 by leptomycin B also leads to an arrest of adenoviral capsids at the microtubule organizing center. In a small-scale screen using leptomycin B-resistant versions of CRM1, we identified a mutant, CRM1 W142A P143A, that is compromised with respect to adenoviral capsid disassembly in both interphase and mitotic cells. Strikingly, this mutant is capable of exporting cargo proteins out of the nucleus of living cells or digitonin-permeabilized cells, pointing to a role of the mutated region that is not directly linked to nuclear export. A role of nucleoporins and of soluble transport factors in adenoviral genome import into the nucleus of infected cells in interphase has previously been established. The nuclear export receptor CRM1 promotes genome import, but its precise function is not known. Using enucleated and mitotic cells, we showed that CRM1 does not simply function by exporting a crucial factor out of the nucleus that would then trigger capsid disassembly and genome import. Instead, CRM1 has an export-independent role, a notion that is also supported by a mutant, CRM1 W142A P143A, which is export competent but deficient in viral capsid disassembly, in both interphase and mitotic cells.
Topics: Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; Adenoviridae; Adenoviridae Infections; Capsid; Cell Line; Genome, Viral; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Karyopherins; Microtubules; Models, Molecular; Mutation; Nuclear Envelope; Protein Conformation; Protein Transport; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Structure-Activity Relationship; Virus Replication; Exportin 1 Protein
PubMed: 34757845
DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01273-21 -
The EMBO Journal Dec 2021Mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) is the executioner in the caspase-independent form of programmed cell death called necroptosis. Receptor-interacting...
Mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) is the executioner in the caspase-independent form of programmed cell death called necroptosis. Receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) phosphorylates MLKL, triggering MLKL oligomerization, membrane translocation and membrane disruption. MLKL also undergoes ubiquitylation during necroptosis, yet neither the mechanism nor the significance of this event has been demonstrated. Here, we show that necroptosis-specific multi-mono-ubiquitylation of MLKL occurs following its activation and oligomerization. Ubiquitylated MLKL accumulates in a digitonin-insoluble cell fraction comprising organellar and plasma membranes and protein aggregates. Appearance of this ubiquitylated MLKL form can be reduced by expression of a plasma membrane-located deubiquitylating enzyme. Oligomerization-induced MLKL ubiquitylation occurs on at least four separate lysine residues and correlates with its proteasome- and lysosome-dependent turnover. Using a MLKL-DUB fusion strategy, we show that constitutive removal of ubiquitin from MLKL licences MLKL auto-activation independent of necroptosis signalling in mouse and human cells. Therefore, in addition to the role of ubiquitylation in the kinetic regulation of MLKL-induced death following an exogenous necroptotic stimulus, it also contributes to restraining basal levels of activated MLKL to avoid unwanted cell death.
Topics: Animals; Cell Membrane; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Necroptosis; Phosphorylation; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Protein Kinases; Protein Multimerization; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; Ubiquitination
PubMed: 34698396
DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019103718 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2021The Na/K-ATPase α1 subunit (ATP1A1) is a potential target for hepatic carcinoma (HCC) treatment, which plays a key role in Na/K exchange, metabolism, signal...
The Na/K-ATPase α1 subunit (ATP1A1) is a potential target for hepatic carcinoma (HCC) treatment, which plays a key role in Na/K exchange, metabolism, signal transduction, etc. , we found that saponins (PNS) could inhibit tumor growth and significantly downregulate the expression and phosphorylation of ATP1A1/AKT/ERK in tumor-bearing mice. Our study aims to explore the potential effects of PNS on the regulation of ATP1A1 and the possible mechanisms of antitumor activity. The effects of PNS on HepG2 cell viability, migration, and apoptosis were examined . Fluorescence, Western blot, and RT-PCR analyses were used to examine the protein and gene expression. Further analysis was assessed with a Na/K-ATPase inhibitor (digitonin) and sorafenib . We found that the ATP1A1 expression was markedly higher in HepG2 cells than in L02 cells and PNS exhibited a dose-dependent effect on the expression of ATP1A and the regulation of AKT/ERK signaling pathways. Digitonin did not affect the expression of ATP1A1 but attenuated the effects of PNS on the regulation of ATP1A1/AKT/ERK signaling pathways and enhanced the antitumor effect of PNS by promoting nuclear fragmentation. Taken together, PNS inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells downregulation of ATP1A1 and signal transduction. Our findings will aid a data basis for the clinical use of PNS.
PubMed: 34690763
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.720368 -
Free Radical Biology & Medicine Dec 2021Permeable cell models have contributed much to the progress in mitochondrial research. Optimization of permeabilization is required to make the cell's plasma membrane...
Permeable cell models have contributed much to the progress in mitochondrial research. Optimization of permeabilization is required to make the cell's plasma membrane permeable to small molecules while keeping the intracellular organelles and their membranes intact and fully functional. Here we report our assessment and optimization of commonly used permeabilizing agents including different saponin preparations, digitonin, and recombinant perfringolysin O employing a new electron flow based mitochondrial assay technology that utilizes a colorimetric redox dye. The results of this study provide guidance in optimizing the conditions for mitochondrial function assays with permeabilized cells using the novel redox dye-based format.
Topics: Cell Membrane; Cell Membrane Permeability; Electrons; Mitochondria; Oxidation-Reduction
PubMed: 34656699
DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.10.014 -
Scientific Reports Sep 2021Plasma membrane repair mechanisms are activated within seconds post-injury to promote rapid membrane resealing in eukaryotic cells and prevent cell death. However, less...
Plasma membrane repair mechanisms are activated within seconds post-injury to promote rapid membrane resealing in eukaryotic cells and prevent cell death. However, less is known about the regeneration phase that follows and how cells respond to injury in the short-term. Here, we provide a genome-wide study into the mRNA expression profile of MCF-7 breast cancer cells exposed to injury by digitonin, a mild non-ionic detergent that permeabilizes the plasma membrane. We focused on the early transcriptional signature and found a time-dependent increase in the number of differentially expressed (> twofold, P < 0.05) genes (34, 114 and 236 genes at 20-, 40- and 60-min post-injury, respectively). Pathway analysis highlighted a robust and gradual three-part transcriptional response: (1) prompt activation of immediate-early response genes, (2) activation of specific MAPK cascades and (3) induction of inflammatory and immune pathways. Therefore, plasma membrane injury triggers a rapid and strong stress and immunogenic response. Our meta-analysis suggests that this is a conserved transcriptome response to plasma membrane injury across different cell and injury types. Taken together, our study shows that injury has profound effects on the transcriptome of wounded cells in the regeneration phase (subsequent to membrane resealing), which is likely to influence cellular status and has been previously overlooked.
Topics: Animals; Cell Membrane; Computational Biology; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; MAP Kinase Signaling System; MCF-7 Cells; RNA-Seq; Regeneration
PubMed: 34580330
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98420-y -
MethodsX 2021We describe here a simple method to enrich mitochondrial fractions from mammalian cells for downstream analyses in the lab. Mitochondria purification involves cell lysis...
We describe here a simple method to enrich mitochondrial fractions from mammalian cells for downstream analyses in the lab. Mitochondria purification involves cell lysis followed by separation of the organelles from the rest of the cellular components. Here, we use detergent to rupture the cell membrane of mammalian cells followed by differential centrifugation to enrich the organelles. Optimum conditions with respect to detergent concentration, time, sample size, and yield are discussed. The method's utility in downstream analyses and ease of processing multiple samples simultaneously is also described. All the reagents in this method can be assembled in-house, are economical, and are comparable, if not superior, to commercially available kits in terms of mitochondrial yield and integrity. • Rapid enrichment of mitochondria from mammalian cells using commonly available reagents. • Multiple samples can be processed simultaneously. • Works over a wide range of sample size (1 million to 100 million cells).
PubMed: 34434723
DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2020.101197 -
The Analyst Sep 2021Analyzing intracellular signalling protein activities in living cells promises a better understanding of the signalling cascade and related biological processes. We have...
Analyzing intracellular signalling protein activities in living cells promises a better understanding of the signalling cascade and related biological processes. We have previously developed cyclic peptide-based probes for analyzing intracellular AKT signalling activities, but these peptide probes were not cell-permeable. Implementing fusogenic liposomes as delivery vehicles could circumvent the problem when analyzing adherent cells, but it remained challenging to study suspension cells using similar approaches. Here, we present a method for delivering these imaging probes into suspension cells using digitonin, which could transiently perforate the cell membrane. Using U87, THP-1, and Jurkat cells as model systems representing suspended adherent cells, myeloid cells, and lymphoid cells, we demonstrated that low concentrations of digitonin enabled a sufficient amount of probes to enter the cytosol without affecting cell viability. We further combined this delivery method with a microwell single-cell chip and interrogated the AKT signalling dynamics in THP-1 and Jurkat cells, followed by immunofluorescence-based quantitation of AKT expression levels. We resolved the cellular heterogeneity in AKT signalling activities and showed that the kinetic patterns of AKT signalling and the AKT expression levels were related in THP-1 cells, but decoupled in Jurkat cells. We expect that our approach can be adapted to study other suspension cells.
Topics: Biological Phenomena; Digitonin; Humans; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Signal Transduction; Single-Cell Analysis
PubMed: 34351328
DOI: 10.1039/d1an00751c -
Scientific Reports Jul 2021In higher plants, the photosynthetic process is performed and regulated by Photosystem II (PSII). Arabidopsis thaliana was the first higher plant with a fully sequenced...
In higher plants, the photosynthetic process is performed and regulated by Photosystem II (PSII). Arabidopsis thaliana was the first higher plant with a fully sequenced genome, conferring it the status of a model organism; nonetheless, a high-resolution structure of its Photosystem II is missing. We present the first Cryo-EM high-resolution structure of Arabidopsis PSII supercomplex with average resolution of 2.79 Å, an important model for future PSII studies. The digitonin extracted PSII complexes demonstrate the importance of: the LHG2630-lipid-headgroup in the trimerization of the light-harvesting complex II; the stabilization of the PsbJ subunit and the CP43-loop E by DGD520-lipid; the choice of detergent for the integrity of membrane protein complexes. Furthermore, our data shows at the anticipated MnCaO-site a single metal ion density as a reminiscent early stage of Photosystem II photoactivation.
Topics: Arabidopsis; Cryoelectron Microscopy; Digitonin; Photosystem II Protein Complex
PubMed: 34330992
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94914-x -
Journal of Visualized Experiments : JoVE Jul 2021Disruption of nucleocytoplasmic transport is increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, there is a growing recognition of...
Disruption of nucleocytoplasmic transport is increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, there is a growing recognition of cell-specific differences in nuclear pore complex structure, prompting a need to adapt nuclear transport methods for use in neurons. Permeabilized cell assays, in which the plasma membrane is selectively perforated by digitonin, are widely used to study passive and active nuclear transport in immortalized cell lines but have not been applied to neuronal cultures. In our initial attempts, we observed the rapid loss of nuclear membrane integrity in primary mouse cortical neurons exposed to even low concentrations of digitonin. We hypothesized that neuronal nuclear membranes may be uniquely vulnerable to the loss of cytoplasmic support. After testing multiple approaches to improve nuclear stability, we observed optimal nuclear integrity following hypotonic lysis in the presence of a concentrated bovine serum albumin cushion. Neuronal nuclei prepared by this approach reliably import recombinant fluorescent cargo in an energy-dependent manner, facilitating analysis of nuclear import by high content microscopy with automated analysis. We anticipate that this method will be broadly applicable to studies of passive and active nuclear transport in primary neurons.
Topics: Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; Animals; Cell Nucleus; Digitonin; HeLa Cells; Humans; Mice; Neurons; Nuclear Envelope; Nuclear Pore
PubMed: 34309603
DOI: 10.3791/62710 -
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Nov 2021Pathway activating mutations of the transcription factor NRF2 and its negative regulator KEAP1 are strongly correlative with poor clinical outcome with...
Pathway activating mutations of the transcription factor NRF2 and its negative regulator KEAP1 are strongly correlative with poor clinical outcome with pemetrexed/carbo(cis)platin/pembrolizumab (PCP) chemo-immunotherapy in lung cancer. Despite the strong genetic support and therapeutic potential for a NRF2 transcriptional inhibitor, currently there are no known direct inhibitors of the NRF2 protein or its complexes with MAF and/or DNA. Herein we describe the design of a novel and high-confidence homology model to guide a medicinal chemistry effort that resulted in the discovery of a series of peptides that demonstrate high affinity, selective binding to the Antioxidant Response Element (ARE) DNA and thereby displace NRF2-MAFG from its promoter, which is an inhibitory mechanism that to our knowledge has not been previously described. In addition to their activity in electrophoretic mobility shift (EMSA) and TR-FRET-based assays, we show significant dose-dependent ternary complex disruption of NRF2-MAFG binding to DNA by SPR, as well as cellular target engagement by thermal destabilization of HiBiT-tagged NRF2 in the NCI-H1944 NSCLC cell line upon digitonin permeabilization, and SAR studies leading to improved cellular stability. We report the characterization and unique profile of lead peptide 18, which we believe to be a useful in vitro tool to probe NRF2 biology in cancer cell lines and models, while also serving as an excellent starting point for additional in vivo optimization toward inhibition of NRF2-driven transcription to address a significant unmet medical need in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Topics: Antioxidant Response Elements; DNA; Drug Design; Drug Stability; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; Half-Life; HeLa Cells; Humans; MafG Transcription Factor; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Neoplasms; Peptides; Structure-Activity Relationship
PubMed: 34303079
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113686