scholarly journals A novel dephosphorylation targeting chimera selectively promoting tau removal in tauopathies

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Zheng ◽  
Na Tian ◽  
Fei Liu ◽  
Yidian Zhang ◽  
Jingfen Su ◽  
...  

AbstractIntraneuronal accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau is a hallmark pathology shown in over twenty neurodegenerative disorders, collectively termed as tauopathies, including the most common Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Therefore, selectively removing or reducing hyperphosphorylated tau is promising for therapies of AD and other tauopathies. Here, we designed and synthesized a novel DEPhosphorylation TArgeting Chimera (DEPTAC) to specifically facilitate the binding of tau to Bα-subunit-containing protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A-Bα), the most active tau phosphatase in the brain. The DEPTAC exhibited high efficiency in dephosphorylating tau at multiple AD-associated sites and preventing tau accumulation both in vitro and in vivo. Further studies revealed that DEPTAC significantly improved microtubule assembly, neurite plasticity, and hippocampus-dependent learning and memory in transgenic mice with inducible overexpression of truncated and neurotoxic human tau N368. Our data provide a strategy for selective removal of the hyperphosphorylated tau, which sheds new light for the targeted therapy of AD and related-tauopathies.

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (21) ◽  
pp. 8143-8156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haifeng Yang ◽  
Wei Jiang ◽  
Matthew Gentry ◽  
Richard L. Hallberg

ABSTRACT CDC55 encodes a Saccharomyces cerevisiaeprotein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulatory subunit.cdc55-null cells growing at low temperature exhibit a failure of cytokinesis and produce abnormally elongated buds, butcdc55-null cells producing the cyclin-dependent kinase Cdc28-Y19F, which is unable to be inhibited by Y19 phosphorylation, show a loss of the abnormal morphology. Furthermore,cdc55-null cells exhibit a hyperphosphorylation of Y19. For these reasons, we have examined in wild-type and cdc55-null cells the levels and activities of the kinase (Swe1p) and phosphatase (Mih1p) that normally regulate the extent of Cdc28 Y19 phosphorylation. We find that Mih1p levels are comparable in the two strains, and an estimate of the in vivo and in vitro phosphatase activity of this enzyme in the two cell types indicates no marked differences. By contrast, while Swe1p levels are similar in unsynchronized and S-phase-arrested wild-type and cdc55-null cells, Swe1 kinase is found at elevated levels in mitosis-arrestedcdc55-null cells. This excess Swe1p incdc55-null cells is the result of ectopic stabilization of this protein during G2 and M, thereby accounting for the accumulation of Swe1p in mitosis-arrested cells. We also present evidence indicating that, in cdc55-null cells, misregulated PP2A phosphatase activity is the cause of both the ectopic stabilization of Swe1p and the production of the morphologically abnormal phenotype.


2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 4017-4027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana M. Gil-Bernabé ◽  
Francisco Romero ◽  
M. Cristina Limón-Mortés ◽  
María Tortolero

ABSTRACT Sister chromatid segregation is triggered at the metaphase-to-anaphase transition by the activation of the protease separase. For most of the cell cycle, separase activity is kept in check by its association with the inhibitory chaperone securin. Activation of separase occurs at anaphase onset, when securin is targeted for destruction by the anaphase-promoting complex or cyclosome E3 ubiquitin protein ligase. This results in the release of the cohesins from chromosomes, which in turn allows the segregation of sister chromatids to opposite spindle poles. Here we show that human securin (hSecurin) forms a complex with enzymatically active protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and that it is a substrate of the phosphatase, both in vitro and in vivo. Treatment of cells with okadaic acid, a potent inhibitor of PP2A, results in various hyperphosphorylated forms of hSecurin which are extremely unstable, due to the action of the Skp1/Cul1/F-box protein complex ubiquitin ligase. We propose that PP2A regulates hSecurin levels by counteracting its phosphorylation, which promotes its degradation. Misregulation of this process may lead to the formation of tumors, in which overproduction of hSecurin is often observed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert P. Friedland ◽  
Joseph D. McMillan ◽  
Zimple Kurlawala

Despite the enormous literature documenting the importance of amyloid beta (Ab) protein in Alzheimer's disease, we do not know how Ab aggregation is initiated and why it has its unique distribution in the brain. In vivo and in vitro evidence has been developed to suggest that functional microbial amyloid proteins produced in the gut may cross-seed Ab aggregation and prime the innate immune system to have an enhanced and pathogenic response to neuronal amyloids. In this commentary, we summarize the molecular mechanisms by which the microbiota may initiate and sustain the pathogenic processes of neurodegeneration in aging.


1993 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 219-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Kam ◽  
K.A. Resing ◽  
S.K. Lim ◽  
B.A. Dale

The aggregation of cellular intermediate filaments is an important step in the terminal differentiation of keratinocytes. It has been shown that epidermal filaggrin can cause intermediate filaments to aggregate in vitro and may also have the same function in vivo. Filaggrin is derived via dephosphorylation and proteolysis from a highly phosphorylated precursor, profilaggrin, which is found in the granular layer of the epidermis. Using casein kinase II phosphorylated filaggrin as substrate, a profilaggrin phosphatase has been partially purified from rat epidermal homogenate by three chromatographic steps (DE52, hydroxylapatite and S200 gel filtration). Profilaggrin phosphatase activity eluted from the last column has a Km of 0.12 mM and a Vmax of 8 nmol/mg/min with respect to phosphofilaggrin. Results obtained by initial rate analysis showed that the enzymatic activity is not affected by phospho-tyrosyl phosphatase inhibitors and the active fractions preferentially dephosphorylate the alpha subunit of phosphorylase kinase which has been phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent kinase. These results suggest that epidermal profilaggrin phosphatase is not a phospho-tyrosyl phosphatase or a type 1 phospho-seryl/phospho-threonyl phosphatase. Dephosphorylation is not affected by EDTA, calcium or magnesium, but is very sensitive to okadaic acid inhibition (IC50 = 80 pM), suggesting that the enzymatic activity is related to that of the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Endocrinology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 149 (10) ◽  
pp. 5235-5243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kun Don Yi ◽  
James W. Simpkins

It is becoming increasingly clear that protein phosphatases are important modulators of cellular function and that disruption of these proteins are involved in neurodegenerative disease processes. Serine/threonine protein phosphatases (PP) such as protein phosphatase PP1, PP2A, and calcineurin are involved in hyperphosphorylation of τ- as well as β-amyloid-induced cell death. We have previously shown serine/threonine protein phosphatases to be involved in estrogen-mediated neuroprotection. The purpose of this study was to delineate the role of PP1, PP2A, and calcineurin in the mechanism of estrogen mediated neuroprotection against oxidative stress and excitotoxicity. Treatment with protein phosphatases inhibitor II, endothall, or cyclosporin A, which are specific inhibitors of PP1, PP2A, and calcineurin, respectively, did not have an effect on cell viability. However, in combination, these inhibitors adversely affected cell survival, which suggests the importance of serine/threonine protein phosphatases in maintenance of cellular function. Inhibitors of PP1, PP2A, and calcineurin attenuated the protective effects of estrogen against glutamate-induced -neurotoxicity but did not completely abrogate the estrogen-mediated protection. The attenuation of estrogen-induced neuroprotection was achieved through decrease in the activity of theses serine/threonine phosphatases without the concomitant decrease in protein expression. In an animal model, transient middle cerebral artery occlusion caused a 50% decrease in levels of PP1, PP2A, and PP2B ipsilateral to the lesion in a manner that was prevented by estradiol pretreatment. Therefore, we conclude that in the face of cytotoxic challenges in vitro and in vivo, estrogens maintain the function of PP1, PP2A, and calcineurin.


1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1657-1665 ◽  
Author(s):  
C L Carpenter ◽  
K R Auger ◽  
B C Duckworth ◽  
W M Hou ◽  
B Schaffhausen ◽  
...  

We identified a serine/threonine protein kinase that is associated with and phosphorylates phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PtdIns 3-kinase). The serine kinase phosphorylates both the 85- and 110-kDa subunits of PtdIns 3-kinase and purifies with it from rat liver and immunoprecipitates with antibodies raised to the 85-kDa subunit. Tryptic phosphopeptide maps indicate that p85 from polyomavirus middle T-transformed cells is phosphorylated in vivo at three sites phosphorylated in vitro by the associated serine kinase. The 85-kDa subunit of PtdIns 3-kinase is phosphorylated in vitro on serine at a stoichiometry of approximately 1 mol of phosphate per mol of p85. This phosphorylation results in a three- to sevenfold decrease in PtdIns 3-kinase activity. Dephosphorylation with protein phosphatase 2A reverses the inhibition. This suggests that the association of protein phosphatase 2A with middle T antigen may function to activate PtdIns 3-kinase.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1738
Author(s):  
Hongying Zhang ◽  
Songpeng Yang ◽  
Jiao Wang ◽  
Yangfu Jiang

Aspirin can prevent or inhibit inflammation-related cancers, such as colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the effectiveness of chemotherapy may be compromised by activating oncogenic pathways in cancer cells. Elucidation of such chemoresistance mechanisms is crucial to developing novel strategies to maximize the anti-cancer effects of aspirin. Here, we report that aspirin markedly induces CREB/ATF1 phosphorylation in HCC cells, which compromises aspirin’s anti-HCC effect. Inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) abrogates the induction of CREB/ATF1 phosphorylation by aspirin. Mechanistically, activation of AMPK by aspirin results in decreased expression of the urea cycle enzyme carbamoyl-phosphate synthase 1 (CPS1) in HCC cells and xenografts. Treatment with aspirin or CPS1 knockdown stimulates soluble adenylyl cyclase expression, thereby increasing cyclic AMP (cAMP) synthesis and stimulating PKA–CREB/ATF1 signaling. Importantly, abrogation of aspirin-induced CREB/ATF1 phosphorylation could sensitize HCC to aspirin. The bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid berbamine suppresses the expression of cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A), leading to protein phosphatase 2A-mediated downregulation of CREB/ATF1 phosphorylation. The combination of berbamine and aspirin significantly inhibits HCC in vitro and in vivo. These data demonstrate that the regulation of cAMP-PKA-CREB/ATF1 signaling represents a noncanonical function of CPS1. Targeting the PKA–CREB/ATF1 axis may be a strategy to improve the therapeutic effects of aspirin on HCC.


1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 6593-6602 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Okamoto ◽  
C Kamibayashi ◽  
M Serrano ◽  
C Prives ◽  
M C Mumby ◽  
...  

We and others previously showed that cyclin G is a transcriptional target of the p53 tumor suppressor protein. However, cellular proteins which might form a complex with cyclin G have not yet been identified. To gain insight into the biological role of cyclin G, we used the yeast two-hybrid screen and isolated two mouse cDNAs encoding cyclin G-interacting proteins. Interestingly, both positive cDNAs encoded B' regulatory subunits of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). One clone encodes B'alpha, while the other clone codes for a new member of the B' family, B'beta. B'beta is 70% identical to other members of the B' family. B'alpha associated both in vitro and in vivo with cyclin G but not with the other mammalian cyclins. Furthermore, cyclin G formed a complex with B'alpha only after induction of p53 in p53 temperature-sensitive cell lines. These results indicate that cyclin G forms a specific complex with the B' subunit of PP2A and that complex formation is regulated by p53. Potential roles for the cyclin G-B' complex in p53-mediated pathways are discussed.


Neuroscience ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 207 ◽  
pp. 288-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Wu ◽  
H. Lou ◽  
T.N.M. Alerte ◽  
E.K. Stachowski ◽  
J. Chen ◽  
...  

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