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Nature Nov 2023Optimum protein function and biochemical activity critically depends on water availability because solvent thermodynamics drive protein folding and macromolecular...
Optimum protein function and biochemical activity critically depends on water availability because solvent thermodynamics drive protein folding and macromolecular interactions. Reciprocally, macromolecules restrict the movement of 'structured' water molecules within their hydration layers, reducing the available 'free' bulk solvent and therefore the total thermodynamic potential energy of water, or water potential. Here, within concentrated macromolecular solutions such as the cytosol, we found that modest changes in temperature greatly affect the water potential, and are counteracted by opposing changes in osmotic strength. This duality of temperature and osmotic strength enables simple manipulations of solvent thermodynamics to prevent cell death after extreme cold or heat shock. Physiologically, cells must sustain their activity against fluctuating temperature, pressure and osmotic strength, which impact water availability within seconds. Yet, established mechanisms of water homeostasis act over much slower timescales; we therefore postulated the existence of a rapid compensatory response. We find that this function is performed by water potential-driven changes in macromolecular assembly, particularly biomolecular condensation of intrinsically disordered proteins. The formation and dissolution of biomolecular condensates liberates and captures free water, respectively, quickly counteracting thermal or osmotic perturbations of water potential, which is consequently robustly buffered in the cytoplasm. Our results indicate that biomolecular condensation constitutes an intrinsic biophysical feedback response that rapidly compensates for intracellular osmotic and thermal fluctuations. We suggest that preserving water availability within the concentrated cytosol is an overlooked evolutionary driver of protein (dis)order and function.
Topics: Cell Death; Cytosol; Homeostasis; Macromolecular Substances; Osmolar Concentration; Pressure; Proteins; Solvents; Temperature; Thermodynamics; Time Factors; Water
PubMed: 37853127
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06626-z -
The EMBO Journal Aug 2016Cells contain numerous, molecularly distinct cellular compartments that are not enclosed by lipid bilayers. These compartments are implicated in a wide range of cellular... (Review)
Review
Cells contain numerous, molecularly distinct cellular compartments that are not enclosed by lipid bilayers. These compartments are implicated in a wide range of cellular activities, and they have been variously described as bodies, granules, or organelles. Recent evidence suggests that a liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) process may drive their formation, possibly justifying the unifying term "droplet organelle". A veritable deluge of recent publications points to the importance of low-complexity proteins and RNA in determining the physical properties of phase-separated structures. Many of the proteins linked to such structures are implicated in human diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We provide an overview of the organizational principles that characterize putative "droplet organelles" in healthy and diseased cells, connecting protein biochemistry with cell physiology.
Topics: Cell Physiological Phenomena; Cytosol; Macromolecular Substances; Multienzyme Complexes
PubMed: 27357569
DOI: 10.15252/embj.201593517 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2020Biomolecular condensates play a key role in organizing cellular fluids such as the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. Most of these non-membranous organelles show liquid-like... (Review)
Review
Biomolecular condensates play a key role in organizing cellular fluids such as the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. Most of these non-membranous organelles show liquid-like properties both in cells and when studied in vitro through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of purified proteins. In general, LLPS of proteins is known to be sensitive to variations in pH, temperature and ionic strength, but the role of crowding remains underappreciated. Several decades of research have shown that macromolecular crowding can have profound effects on protein interactions, folding and aggregation, and it must, by extension, also impact LLPS. However, the precise role of crowding in LLPS is far from trivial, as most condensate components have a disordered nature and exhibit multiple weak attractive interactions. Here, we discuss which factors determine the scope of LLPS in crowded environments, and we review the evidence for the impact of macromolecular crowding on phase boundaries, partitioning behavior and condensate properties. Based on a comparison of both in vivo and in vitro LLPS studies, we propose that phase separation in cells does not solely rely on attractive interactions, but shows important similarities to segregative phase separation.
Topics: Animals; Cell Fractionation; Chromatography, Liquid; Cytoplasmic Granules; Cytosol; Humans; Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
PubMed: 32824618
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165908 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2020Cytosolic DNA sensing is a fundamental mechanism by which organisms handle various stresses, including infection and genotoxicity. The hematopoietic system is sensitive... (Review)
Review
Cytosolic DNA sensing is a fundamental mechanism by which organisms handle various stresses, including infection and genotoxicity. The hematopoietic system is sensitive to stresses, and hematopoietic changes are often rapid and the first response to stresses. Based on the transcriptome database, cytosolic DNA sensing pathways are widely expressed in the hematopoietic system, and components of these pathways may be expressed at even higher levels in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) than in their certain progeny immune cells. Recent studies have described a previously unrecognized role for cytosolic DNA sensing pathways in the regulation of hematopoiesis under both homeostatic and stress conditions. In particular, the recently discovered cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway is a critical modulator of hematopoiesis. Perturbation of the cGAS-STING pathway in HSPCs may be involved in the pathogenesis of hematopoietic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and inflammation-related diseases and may be candidate therapeutic targets. In this review, we focus on the recent findings of the cGAS-STING pathway in the regulation of hematopoiesis, and its physiopathological significance including its implications in diseases and therapeutic potential.
Topics: Cytosol; DNA; Hematopoiesis; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Inflammation; Membrane Proteins; Nucleotidyltransferases; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 33329537
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.573915 -
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. :... Jul 2012Autophagy is a fundamental eukaryotic process with multiple cytoplasmic homeostatic roles, recently expanded to include unique stand-alone immunological functions and... (Review)
Review
Autophagy is a fundamental eukaryotic process with multiple cytoplasmic homeostatic roles, recently expanded to include unique stand-alone immunological functions and interactions with nearly all parts of the immune system. In this article, we review this growing repertoire of autophagy roles in innate and adaptive immunity and inflammation. Its unique functions include cell-autonomous elimination of intracellular microbes facilitated by specific receptors. Other intersections of autophagy with immune processes encompass effects on inflammasome activation and secretion of its substrates, including IL-1β, effector and regulatory interactions with TLRs and Nod-like receptors, Ag presentation, naive T cell repertoire selection, and mature T cell development and homeostasis. Genome-wide association studies in human populations strongly implicate autophagy in chronic inflammatory disease and autoimmune disorders. Collectively, the unique features of autophagy as an immunological process and its contributions to other arms of the immune system represent a new immunological paradigm.
Topics: Animals; Antigen Presentation; Autophagy; Bacterial Infections; Cytosol; Humans; Inflammasomes; Inflammation; Phagosomes; Receptors, Pattern Recognition
PubMed: 22723639
DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1102108 -
Current Opinion in Structural Biology Aug 2022Inflammasomes are cytosolic protein complexes that form in response to pathogen or damage signals and initiate inflammation. Signal transduction in the inflammasome... (Review)
Review
Inflammasomes are cytosolic protein complexes that form in response to pathogen or damage signals and initiate inflammation. Signal transduction in the inflammasome pathway occurs via protein-protein interaction, protein conformational change, and oligomerization. Recent advances in structural biology have provided multiple insights in inflammasome regulation that are both biologically intriguing and therapeutically valuable. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of three most studied inflammasome complexes: the NAIP/NLRC4, NLRP1, and NLRP3 inflammasomes. We discuss the general mechanisms and unique features of their regulation and how investigating these systems may contribute to therapeutic applications.
Topics: Cryoelectron Microscopy; Cytosol; Inflammasomes; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
PubMed: 35636002
DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102390 -
Current Opinion in Virology Feb 2017The ability to recognize invading viral pathogens and to distinguish their components from those of the host cell is critical to initiate the innate immune response. The... (Review)
Review
The ability to recognize invading viral pathogens and to distinguish their components from those of the host cell is critical to initiate the innate immune response. The efficiency of this detection is an important factor in determining the susceptibility of the cell to viral infection. Innate sensing of viruses is, therefore, an indispensable step in the line of defense for cells and organisms. Recent discoveries have uncovered novel sensors of viral components and hallmarks of infection, as well as mechanisms by which cells discriminate between self and non-self. This review highlights the mechanisms used by cells to detect viral pathogens in the cytosol, and recent advances in the field of cytosolic sensing of viruses.
Topics: Animals; Cytosol; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Receptors, Immunologic; Viruses
PubMed: 27951430
DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2016.11.012 -
Cancer Cell Sep 2018Besides constituting a first layer of defense against microbial challenges, the detection of cytosolic DNA is fundamental for mammalian organisms to control malignant... (Review)
Review
Besides constituting a first layer of defense against microbial challenges, the detection of cytosolic DNA is fundamental for mammalian organisms to control malignant transformation and tumor progression. The accumulation of DNA in the cytoplasm can initiate the proliferative inactivation (via cellular senescence) or elimination (via regulated cell death) of neoplastic cell precursors. Moreover, cytosolic DNA sensing is intimately connected to the secretion of cytokines that support innate and adaptive antitumor immunity. Here, we discuss the molecular mechanisms whereby cytosolic DNA enables cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic oncosuppression, and their relevance for the development of novel therapeutic approaches that reinstate anticancer immunosurveillance.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Cellular Senescence; Cytosol; DNA; Humans; Immunologic Surveillance; Neoplasms
PubMed: 30216189
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2018.05.013 -
Toxins Jul 2019Pertussis toxin (PT) is a multimeric complex of six proteins. The PTS1 subunit is an ADP-ribosyltransferase that inactivates the alpha subunit of heterotrimeric G/... (Review)
Review
Pertussis toxin (PT) is a multimeric complex of six proteins. The PTS1 subunit is an ADP-ribosyltransferase that inactivates the alpha subunit of heterotrimeric G/ proteins. The remaining PT subunits form a pentamer that positions PTS1 in and above the central cavity of the triangular structure. Adhesion of this pentamer to glycoprotein or glycolipid conjugates on the surface of a target cell leads to endocytosis of the PT holotoxin. Vesicle carriers then deliver the holotoxin to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where PTS1 dissociates from the rest of the toxin, unfolds, and exploits the ER-associated degradation pathway for export to the cytosol. Refolding of the cytosolic toxin allows it to regain an active conformation for the disruption of cAMP-dependent signaling events. This review will consider the intracellular trafficking of PT and the order-disorder-order transitions of PTS1 that are essential for its cellular activity.
Topics: Animals; Cytosol; Humans; Pertussis Toxin; Protein Subunits; Protein Transport
PubMed: 31349590
DOI: 10.3390/toxins11080437 -
Biomolecules Aug 2022The highly conserved molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is well-known for maintaining metastable proteins and mediating various aspects of intracellular... (Review)
Review
The highly conserved molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is well-known for maintaining metastable proteins and mediating various aspects of intracellular protein dynamics. Intriguingly, high-throughput interactome studies suggest that Hsp90 is associated with a variety of other pathways. Here, we will highlight the potential impact of Hsp90 in protein transport. Currently, a limited number of studies have defined a few mechanistic contributions of Hsp90 to protein transport, yet the relevance of hundreds of additional connections between Hsp90 and factors known to aide this process remains unresolved. These interactors broadly support transport pathways including endocytic and exocytic vesicular transport, the transfer of polypeptides across membranes, or unconventional protein secretion. In resolving how Hsp90 contributes to the protein transport process, new therapeutic targets will likely be obtained for the treatment of numerous human health issues, including bacterial infection, cancer metastasis, and neurodegeneration.
Topics: Cytosol; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins; Humans; Molecular Chaperones; Protein Transport
PubMed: 36008972
DOI: 10.3390/biom12081077