A calcineurin B-like protein participates in low oxygen signalling in rice

Following the identification of the calcineurin B-like interacting protein kinase 15 (CIPK15), which is a regulator of starch degradation, the low O2 signal elicited during rice germination under submergence has been linked to the sugar sensing cascade and calcium (Ca2+) signalling. CIPK proteins are downstream effectors of calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs), which act as Ca2+ sensors, whose role under low O2 has yet to be established. In the present study we describe CBL4 as a putative CIPK15 partner, transcriptionally activated under low O2 in rice coleoptiles. The transactivation of the rice embryo CBL4 transcript and CBL4 promoter was influenced by the Ca2+ blocker ruthenium red (RR). The bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay associated to fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) analysis confirmed that CBL4 interacts with CIPK15. The CBL4-CIPK15 complex is localised in the cytoplasm and the plasma-membrane. Experiments in protoplasts showed a dampening of α-amylase 3 (RAMY3D) expression after CBL4 silencing by artificial miRNA. Our results suggest that under low O2, the Ca2+ sensor CBL4 interacts with CIPK15 to regulate RAMY3D expression in a Ca2+-dependent manner.

Download Full-text

A cell-based high-content screen identifies isocotoin as a small molecule inhibitor of the meiosis-specific MEIOB–SPATA22 complex†

Biology of Reproduction ◽

10.1093/biolre/ioaa062 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 103 (2) ◽

pp. 333-342 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yang Xu ◽

Rong Liu ◽

N Adrian Leu ◽

Lei Zhang ◽

Ilsiya Ibragmova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Small Molecule ◽

Protein Interactions ◽

Cultured Cells ◽

Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation ◽

Hek293 Cells ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Bifc Assay ◽

Small Molecule Libraries ◽

A Cell ◽

Specific Proteins

Abstract MEIOB and SPATA22 are meiosis-specific proteins, interact with each other, and are essential for meiotic recombination and fertility. Aspartic acid 383 (D383) in MEIOB is critical for its interaction with SPATA22 in biochemical studies. Here we report that genetic studies validate the requirement of D383 for the function of MEIOB in mice. The MeiobD383A/D383A mice display meiotic arrest due to depletion of both MEIOB and SPATA22 proteins in the testes. We developed a cell-based bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay, in which MEIOB and SPATA22 are fused to split YFP moieties and their co-expression in cultured cells leads to the MEIOB–SPATA22 dimerization and reconstitution of the fluorophore. As expected, the interaction-disrupting D383A substitution results in the absence of YFP fluorescence in the BiFC assay. A high-throughput screen of small molecule libraries identified candidate hit compounds at a rate of 0.7%. Isocotoin, a hit compound from the natural product library, inhibits the MEIOB–SPATA22 interaction and promotes their degradation in HEK293 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, the BiFC assay can be employed to screen for small molecule inhibitors that disrupt protein–protein interactions or promote degradation of meiosis-specific proteins.

Download Full-text

Calcium Sensor SlCBL4 Associates with SlCIPK24 Protein Kinase and Mediates Salt Tolerance in Solanum lycopersicum

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10102173 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 2173

Author(s):

Joo Hyuk Cho ◽

Sung-Chur Sim ◽

Kyung-Nam Kim

Keyword(s):

Salt Stress ◽

Protein Kinase ◽

Salt Tolerance ◽

Solanum Lycopersicum ◽

Critical Role ◽

Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Interacting Protein ◽

Salt Stress Response ◽

Solanum Lycopersicum L

Soil salinity is one of the major environmental stresses that restrict the growth and development of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) worldwide. In Arabidopsis, the calcium signaling pathway mediated by calcineurin B-like protein 4 (CBL4) and CBL-interacting protein kinase 24 (CIPK24) plays a critical role in salt stress response. In this study, we identified and isolated two tomato genes similar to the Arabidopsis genes, designated as SlCBL4 and SlCIPK24, respectively. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and pull-down assays indicated that SlCBL4 can physically interact with SlCIPK24 at the plasma membrane of plant cells in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Overexpression of SlCBL4 or superactive SlCIPK24 mutant (SlCIPK24M) conferred salt tolerance to transgenic tomato (cv. Moneymaker) plants. In particular, the SlCIPK24M-overexpression lines displayed dramatically enhanced tolerance to high salinity. It is notable that the transgenic plants retained higher contents of Na+ and K+ in the roots compared to the wild-type tomato under salt stress. Taken together, our findings clearly suggest that SlCBL4 and SlCIPK24 are functional orthologs of the Arabidopsis counterpart genes, which can be used or engineered to produce salt-tolerant tomato plants.

Download Full-text

Necroptosis protects against exacerbation of acute pancreatitis

Cell Death and Disease ◽

10.1038/s41419-021-03847-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Michittra Boonchan ◽

Hideki Arimochi ◽

Kunihiro Otsuka ◽

Tomoko Kobayashi ◽

Hisanori Uehara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Pancreatitis ◽

Necrotizing Pancreatitis ◽

Neutrophil Infiltration ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Interacting Protein ◽

Inflammatory Conditions ◽

Edematous Pancreatitis ◽

Genetic Deletion ◽

Dose Dependent

AbstractThe sensing of various extrinsic stimuli triggers the receptor-interacting protein kinase-3 (RIPK3)-mediated signaling pathway, which leads to mixed-lineage kinase-like (MLKL) phosphorylation followed by necroptosis. Although necroptosis is a form of cell death and is involved in inflammatory conditions, the roles of necroptosis in acute pancreatitis (AP) remain unclear. In the current study, we administered caerulein to Ripk3- or Mlkl-deficient mice (Ripk3−/− or Mlkl−/− mice, respectively) and assessed the roles of necroptosis in AP. We found that Ripk3−/− mice had significantly more severe pancreatic edema and inflammation associated with macrophage and neutrophil infiltration than control mice. Consistently, Mlkl−/− mice were more susceptible to caerulein-induced AP, which occurred in a time- and dose-dependent manner, than control mice. Mlkl−/− mice exhibit weight loss, edematous pancreatitis, necrotizing pancreatitis, and acinar cell dedifferentiation in response to tissue damage. Genetic deletion of Mlkl resulted in downregulation of the antiapoptotic genes Bclxl and Cflar in association with increases in the numbers of apoptotic cells, as detected by TUNEL assay. These findings suggest that RIPK3 and MLKL-mediated necroptosis exerts protective effects in AP and caution against the use of necroptosis inhibitors for AP treatment.

Download Full-text

Expression and localization of androgen receptor-interacting protein-4 in the testis

AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1152/ajpendo.00287.2006 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 292 (2) ◽

pp. E513-E522 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Andrii Domanskyi ◽

Fu-Ping Zhang ◽

Mirja Nurmio ◽

Jorma J. Palvimo ◽

Jorma Toppari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Androgen Receptor ◽

Sertoli Cell ◽

Germ Cells ◽

Sertoli Cells ◽

Hormone Receptor ◽

Luteinizing Hormone Receptor ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Cell Nuclei ◽

Interacting Protein ◽

Independent Functions

Androgen receptor-interacting protein 4 (ARIP4) belongs to the SNF2 family of proteins involved in chromatin remodeling, DNA excision repair, and homologous recombination. It is a DNA-dependent ATPase, binds to DNA and mononucleosomes, and interacts with androgen receptor (AR) and modulates AR-dependent transactivation. We have examined in this study the expression and cellular localization of ARIP4 during postnatal development of mouse testis. ARIP4 was detected by immunohistochemistry in Sertoli cell nuclei at all ages studied, starting on day 5, and exhibited the highest expression level in adult mice. At the onset of spermatogenesis, ARIP4 expression became evident in spermatogonia, pachytene, and diplotene spermatocytes. Immunoreactive ARIP4 antigen was present in Leydig cell nuclei. In Sertoli cells ARIP4 was expressed in a stage-dependent manner, with high expression levels at stages II–VI and VII–VIII. ARIP4 expression patterns did not differ significantly in testes of wild-type, follicle-stimulating hormone receptor knockout, and luteinizing hormone receptor knockout mice. In testes of hypogonadal mice, ARIP4 was found mainly in interstitial cells and exhibited lower expression in Sertoli and germ cells. In vitro stimulation of rat seminiferous tubule segments with testosterone, FSH, or forskolin did not significantly change stage-specific levels of ARIP4 mRNA. Heterozygous ARIP4+/− mice were haploinsufficient and had reduced levels of Sertoli-cell specific androgen-regulated Rhox5 (also called Pem) mRNA. Collectively, ARIP4 is an AR coregulator in Sertoli cells in vivo, but the expression in the germ cells implies that it has also AR-independent functions in spermatogenesis.

Download Full-text

Nizp1, a Novel Multitype Zinc Finger Protein That Interacts with the NSD1 Histone Lysine Methyltransferase through a Unique C2HR Motif

Molecular and Cellular Biology ◽

10.1128/mcb.24.12.5184-5196.2004 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 24 (12) ◽

pp. 5184-5196 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Anders Lade Nielsen ◽

Poul Jørgensen ◽

Thierry Lerouge ◽

Margarita Cerviño ◽

Pierre Chambon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rna Polymerase Ii ◽

Zinc Finger ◽

Zinc Finger Protein ◽

Sotos Syndrome ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Interacting Protein ◽

Protein Protein Interaction ◽

Histone Lysine ◽

Histone Lysine Methyltransferase ◽

Lysine Methyltransferase

ABSTRACT Haploinsufficiency of the NSD1 gene is a hallmark of Sotos syndrome, and rearrangements of this gene by translocation can cause acute myeloid leukemia. The NSD1 gene product is a SET-domain histone lysine methyltransferase that has previously been shown to interact with nuclear receptors. We describe here a novel NSD1-interacting protein, Nizp1, that contains a SCAN box, a KRAB-A domain, and four consensus C2H2-type zinc fingers preceded by a unique finger derivative, referred to herein as the C2HR motif. The C2HR motif functions to mediate protein-protein interaction with the cysteine-rich (C5HCH) domain of NSD1 in a Zn(II)-dependent fashion, and when tethered to RNA polymerase II promoters, represses transcription in an NSD1-dependent manner. Mutations of the cysteine or histidine residues in the C2HR motif abolish the interaction of Nizp1 with NSD1 and compromise the ability of Nizp1 to repress transcription. Interestingly, converting the C2HR motif into a canonical C2H2 zinc finger has a similar effect. Thus, Nizp1 contains a novel type of zinc finger motif that functions as a docking site for NSD1 and is more than just a degenerate evolutionary remnant of a C2H2 motif.

Download Full-text

High Glucose and Lipopolysaccharide Prime NLRP3 Inflammasome via ROS/TXNIP Pathway in Mesangial Cells

Journal of Diabetes Research ◽

10.1155/2016/6973175 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Hong Feng ◽

Junling Gu ◽

Fang Gou ◽

Wei Huang ◽

Chenlin Gao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Nephropathy ◽

Nlrp3 Inflammasome ◽

High Glucose ◽

Mesangial Cells ◽

Central Component ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Glomerular Mesangial Cells ◽

Interacting Protein

While inflammation is considered a central component in the development in diabetic nephropathy, the mechanism remains unclear. The NLRP3 inflammasome acts as both a sensor and a regulator of the inflammatory response. The NLRP3 inflammasome responds to exogenous and endogenous danger signals, resulting in cleavage of procaspase-1 and activation of cytokines IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-33, ultimately triggering an inflammatory cascade reaction. This study observed the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling stimulated by high glucose, lipopolysaccharide, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitor N-acetyl-L-cysteine in glomerular mesangial cells, aiming to elucidate the mechanism by which the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway may contribute to diabetic nephropathy. We found that the expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), NLRP3, and IL-1βwas observed by immunohistochemistry in vivo. Simultaneously, the mRNA and protein levels of TXNIP, NLRP3, procaspase-1, and IL-1βwere significantly induced by high glucose concentration and lipopolysaccharide in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner in vitro. This induction by both high glucose and lipopolysaccharide was significantly inhibited by N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Our results firstly reveal that high glucose and lipopolysaccharide activate ROS/TXNIP/ NLRP3/IL-1βinflammasome signaling in glomerular mesangial cells, suggesting a mechanism by which inflammation may contribute to the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Download Full-text

picd-1, a gene that encodes CABIN1 domain-containing protein, interacts with pry-1/Axin to regulate multiple processes in Caenorhabditis elegans

10.1101/2021.09.27.462077 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Avijit Mallick ◽

Shane K. B. Taylor ◽

Sakshi Mehta ◽

Bhagwati P. Gupta

Keyword(s):

Stress Response ◽

Essential Role ◽

Family Members ◽

Transcriptome Profiling ◽

Scaffolding Protein ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

C Elegans ◽

Downstream Effectors ◽

Cellular Components

ABSTRACTAXIN family members control diverse biological processes in eukaryotes. As a scaffolding protein, AXIN facilitates interactions between cellular components and provides specificity to signaling pathways. Despite its crucial roles in metazoans and discovery of a large number of family members, the mechanism of AXIN function is not very well understood. The C. elegans AXIN homolog PRY-1 provides a powerful tool to identify interacting genes and downstream effectors that function in a conserved manner to regulate AXIN-mediated signaling. Previous work demonstrated pry-1’s essential role in developmental processes such as reproductive system, seam cells, and a P lineage cell P11.p. More recently, our lab carried out a transcriptome profiling of pry-1 mutant and uncovered the essential role of the gene in lipid metabolism, stress response, and aging. In this study, we have extended the work on pry-1 by reporting a novel interacting gene picd-1 (pry-1-interacting CABIN1 domain containing). Our findings have revealed that picd-1 plays an essential role in C. elegans and is involved in several pry-1-mediated processes including regulation of stress response and lifespan maintenance. In support of this, picd-1 expression overlaps with pry-1 in multiple tissues throughout the lifespan of animals. Further experiments showed that picd-1 inhibits CREB-regulated transcriptional coactivator homolog CRTC-1 function, which promotes longevity in a calcineurin-dependent manner. These data provide evidence for an essential role of the CABIN1 domain protein PICD-1 in mediating PRY-1 signaling in C. elegans.

Download Full-text

Calcineurin B-Like Proteins and Their Interacting Protein Kinases

Botanical Research ◽

10.12677/br.2012.12002 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 01 (02) ◽

pp. 9-12

Author(s):

清沈

Keyword(s):

Protein Kinases ◽

Interacting Protein ◽

Calcineurin B

Download Full-text

Stimulation of cardiac fibroblast Piezo1 channels opposes myofibroblast differentiation and induces IL-6 secretion via Ca2+-mediated p38 MAP kinase activation

10.1101/603456 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nicola M. Blythe ◽

Vasili Stylianidis ◽

Melanie J. Ludlow ◽

Hamish T. J. Gilbert ◽

Elizabeth L. Evans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Map Kinase ◽

Structural Integrity ◽

Kinase Inhibitor ◽

Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽

Collagen Gel ◽

Mechanical Stretch ◽

Cardiac Fibroblast ◽

Ruthenium Red ◽

P38 Map Kinase ◽

Dependent Manner

AbstractPiezo1 is a mechanosensitive cation channel with widespread physiological importance; however its role in the heart is poorly understood. Cardiac fibroblasts are responsible for preserving the structural integrity of the myocardium and play a key role in regulating its repair and remodeling following stress or injury. We investigated expression and function of Piezo1 in cultured human and mouse cardiac fibroblasts. RT-PCR studies confirmed expression ofPiezo1mRNA in cardiac fibroblasts at similar levels to endothelial cells. Fura-2 intracellular Ca2+measurements validated Piezo1 as a functional ion channel that was activated by the Piezo1 agonist, Yoda1. Yoda1-induced Ca2+entry was inhibited by Piezo1 blockers (gadolinium, ruthenium red) and the Ca2+response was reduced proportionally by Piezo1 siRNA knockdown or in cells fromPiezo1+/−mice. Investigation of Yoda1 effects on selected remodeling genes indicated that Piezo1 activation opposed cardiac fibroblast differentiation; data confirmed by functional collagen gel contraction assays. Piezo1 activation using Yoda1 or mechanical stretch also increased the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a mechanosensitive pro-hypertrophic and pro-fibrotic cytokine, in a Piezo1-dependent manner. Multiplex kinase activity profiling combined with kinase inhibitor studies and phospho-specific western blotting, established that Piezo1 activation stimulated IL-6 secretion via a pathway involving p38 MAP kinase, downstream of Ca2+entry. In summary, this study reveals that cardiac fibroblasts express functional Piezo1 channels coupled to reduced myofibroblast activation and increased secretion of paracrine signaling molecules that can modulate cardiac remodeling.

Download Full-text

Tat-Cannabinoid Receptor Interacting Protein Reduces Ischemia-Induced Neuronal Damage and Its Possible Relationship with 14-3-3η

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells9081827 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 1827 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hyun Jung Kwon ◽

Duk-Soo Kim ◽

Woosuk Kim ◽

Hyo Young Jung ◽

Yeon Hee Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cannabinoid Receptor ◽

Neuronal Damage ◽

Cell Damage ◽

Ischemia Reperfusion ◽

Ischemic Damage ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Ht22 Cells ◽

Concentration Dependent Manner ◽

H2o2 Treatment ◽

Interacting Protein

Cannabinoid receptor-interacting protein 1a (CRIP1a) binds to the C-terminal domain of cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) and regulates CB1R activities. In this study, we made Tat-CRIP1a fusion proteins to enhance CRIP1a penetration into neurons and brain and to evaluate the function of CRIP1a in neuroprotection following oxidative stress in HT22 hippocampal cells and transient forebrain ischemia in gerbils. Purified exogenous Tat-CRIP1a was penetrated into HT22 cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner and prevented H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species formation, DNA fragmentation, and cell damage. Tat-CRIP1a fusion protein also ameliorated the reduction of 14-3-3η expression by H2O2 treatment in HT22 cells. Ischemia–reperfusion damage caused motor hyperactivity in the open field test of gerbils; however, the treatment of Tat-CRIP1a significantly reduced hyperactivity 1 day after ischemia. Four days after ischemia, the administration of Tat-CRIP1a restored the loss of pyramidal neurons and decreased reactive astrocytosis and microgliosis induced by ischemic damage in the hippocampal cornu Ammonis (CA)1 region. Ischemic damage decreased 14-3-3η expression in all hippocampal sub-regions 4 days after ischemia; however, the treatment of Tat-CRIP1 ameliorated the reduction of 14-3-3η expression. These results suggest that Tat-CRIP1a attenuates neuronal damage and hyperactivity induced by ischemic damage, and it restores normal expression levels of 14-3-3η protein in the hippocampus.

Download Full-text