scholarly journals Retroviral vectors elevate coexpressed protein levels in trans through cap-dependent translation

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3505-3510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongqiang Gou ◽  
Hyewon Byun ◽  
Adam E. Zook ◽  
Gurvani B. Singh ◽  
Andrea K. Nash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Lentiviral Vector ◽  
Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Inducible Promoter ◽  
Retroviral Vectors ◽  
Signaling Mechanism ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Vector Sequences ◽  
Standard Plasmid

Retroviruses cause immunodeficiency and cancer but also are used as vectors for the expression of heterologous genes. Nevertheless, optimal translation of introduced genes often is not achieved. Here we show that transfection into mammalian cells of lentiviral or gammaretroviral vectors, including those with specific shRNAs, increased expression of a cotransfected gene relative to standard plasmid vectors. Levels of most endogenous cellular proteins were unchanged. Transfer of lentiviral vector sequences into a standard plasmid conferred the ability to give increased expression of cotransfected genes (superinduction). Superinduction by the retroviral vector was not dependent on the cell type or species, the type of reporter gene, or the method of transfection. No differences were detected in the IFN, unfolded protein, or stress responses in the presence of retroviral vectors. RT-PCRs revealed that RNA levels of cotransfected genes were unchanged during superinduction, yet Western blotting, pulse labeling, and the use of bicistronic vectors showed increased cap-dependent translation of cointroduced genes. Expression of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase target 4E-BP1, but not the mTOR inhibitor Torin 1, preferentially inhibited superinduction relative to basal protein expression. Furthermore, transcription of lentiviral vector sequences from a doxycycline-inducible promoter eliminated superinduction, consistent with a DNA-triggered event. Thus, retroviral DNA increased translation of cointroduced genes in trans by an mTOR-independent signaling mechanism. Our experiments have broad applications for the design of retroviral vectors for transfections, DNA vaccines, and gene therapy.

Phospholipase D1b and D2a generate structurally identical phosphatidic acid species in mammalian cells

2001 ◽  
Vol 360 (3) ◽  
pp. 707-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor R. PETTITT ◽  
Mark McDERMOTT ◽  
Khalid M. SAQIB ◽  
Neil SHIMWELL ◽  
Michael J. O. WAKELAM
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Phosphatidic Acid ◽  
Phospholipase D ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Inducible Promoter ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Intracellular Messenger

Mammalian cells contain different phospholipase D enzymes (PLDs) whose distinct physiological roles are poorly understood and whose products have not been characterized. The development of porcine aortic endothelial (PAE) cell lines able to overexpress PLD-1b or −2a under the control of an inducible promoter has enabled us to characterize both the substrate specificity and the phosphatidic acid (PtdOH) product of these enzymes under controlled conditions. Liquid chromatography–MS analysis showed that PLD1b- and PLD2a-transfected PAE cells, as well as COS7 and Rat1 cells, generate similar PtdOH and, in the presence of butan-1-ol, phosphatidylbutanol (PtdBut) profiles, enriched in mono- and di-unsaturated species, in particular 16:0/18:1. Although PtdBut mass increased, the species profile did not change in cells stimulated with ATP or PMA. Overexpression of PLD made little difference to basal or stimulated PtdBut formation, indicating that activity is tightly regulated in vivo and that factors other than just PLD protein levels limit hydrolytic function. In vitro assays using PLD-enriched lysates showed that the enzyme could utilize both phosphatidylcholine and, much less efficiently, phosphatidylethanolamine, with slight selectivity towards mono- and di-unsaturated species. Phosphatidylinositol was not a substrate. Thus PLD1b and PLD2a hydrolyse a structurally similar substrate pool to generate an identical PtdOH product enriched in mono- and di-unsaturated species that we propose to function as the intracellular messenger forms of this lipid.

scholarly journals Raptor and Rheb Negatively Regulate Skeletal Myogenesis through Suppression of Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 (IRS1)

2011 ◽  
Vol 286 (41) ◽  
pp. 35675-35682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yejing Ge ◽  
Mee-Sup Yoon ◽  
Jie Chen
Keyword(s):  
Myogenic Differentiation ◽  
Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Skeletal Myogenesis ◽  
Signaling Mechanism ◽  
Akt Activation ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Negative Role ◽  
Mtor Complex 1 ◽  
Signaling Components

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is essential for skeletal myogenesis through controlling distinct cellular pathways. The importance of the canonical mTOR complex 1 signaling components, including raptor, S6K1, and Rheb, had been suggested in muscle maintenance, growth, and metabolism. However, the role of those components in myogenic differentiation is not entirely clear. In this study we have investigated the functions of raptor, S6K1, and Rheb in the differentiation of C2C12 mouse myoblasts. We find that although mTOR knockdown severely impairs myogenic differentiation as expected, the knockdown of raptor, as well as Rheb, enhances differentiation. Consistent with a negative role for these proteins in myogenesis, overexpression of raptor or Rheb inhibits C2C12 differentiation. On the other hand, neither knockdown nor overexpression of S6K1 has any effect. Moreover, the enhanced differentiation elicited by raptor or Rheb knockdown is accompanied by increased Akt activation, elevated IRS1 protein levels, and decreased Ser-307 (human Ser-312) phosphorylation on IRS1. Finally, IRS1 knockdown eliminated the enhancement in differentiation elicited by raptor or Rheb knockdown, suggesting that IRS1 is a critical mediator of the myogenic functions of raptor and Rheb. In conclusion, the Rheb-mTOR/raptor pathway negatively regulates myogenic differentiation by suppressing IRS1-PI3K-Akt signaling. These findings underscore the versatility of mTOR signaling in biological regulations and implicate the existence of novel mTOR complexes and/or signaling mechanism in skeletal myogenesis.

Early signalling events of autophagy

2013 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura E. Gallagher ◽  
Edmond Y.W. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Focal Adhesion Kinase ◽  
Focal Adhesion ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Interacting Protein ◽  
The Core ◽  
Autophagy Gene ◽  
Autophagy Induction ◽  
Cellular Pathways

Autophagy is a conserved cellular degradative process important for cellular homoeostasis and survival. An early committal step during the initiation of autophagy requires the actions of a protein kinase called ATG1 (autophagy gene 1). In mammalian cells, ATG1 is represented by ULK1 (uncoordinated-51-like kinase 1), which relies on its essential regulatory cofactors mATG13, FIP200 (focal adhesion kinase family-interacting protein 200 kDa) and ATG101. Much evidence indicates that mTORC1 [mechanistic (also known as mammalian) target of rapamycin complex 1] signals downstream to the ULK1 complex to negatively regulate autophagy. In this chapter, we discuss our understanding on how the mTORC1–ULK1 signalling axis drives the initial steps of autophagy induction. We conclude with a summary of our growing appreciation of the additional cellular pathways that interconnect with the core mTORC1–ULK1 signalling module.

scholarly journals Orexin A Enhances Pro-Opiomelanocortin Transcription Regulated by BMP-4 in Mouse Corticotrope AtT20 Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4553
Author(s):  
Satoshi Fujisawa ◽  
Motoshi Komatsubara ◽  
Naoko Tsukamoto-Yamauchi ◽  
Nahoko Iwata ◽  
Takahiro Nada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Type I ◽  
Orexin A ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Bmp Receptors ◽  
Morphogenetic Protein ◽  
Crh Receptor Type 1

Orexin is expressed mainly in the hypothalamus and is known to activate the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis that is involved in various stress responses and its resilience. However, the effects of orexin on the endocrine function of pituitary corticotrope cells remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the roles of orexin A in pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) transcription using mouse corticotrope AtT20 cells, focusing on the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) system expressed in the pituitary. Regarding the receptors for orexin, type 2 (OXR2) rather than type 1 (OX1R) receptor mRNA was predominantly expressed in AtT20 cells. It was found that orexin A treatment enhanced POMC expression, induced by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation through upregulation of CRH receptor type-1 (CRHR1). Orexin A had no direct effect on the POMC transcription suppressed by BMP-4 treatment, whereas it suppressed Smad1/5/9 phosphorylation and Id-1 mRNA expression induced by BMP-4. It was further revealed that orexin A had no significant effect on the expression levels of type I and II BMP receptors but upregulated inhibitory Smad6/7 mRNA and protein levels in AtT20 cells. The results demonstrated that orexin A upregulated CRHR signaling and downregulated BMP-Smad signaling, leading to an enhancement of POMC transcription by corticotrope cells.

scholarly journals Dicer is involved in protection against influenza A virus infection

2007 ◽  
Vol 88 (10) ◽  
pp. 2627-2635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexey A. Matskevich ◽  
Karin Moelling
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Influenza A Virus ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Virus Production ◽  
Vero Cells ◽  
Antiviral Response ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Influenza A Virus Infection

In mammals the interferon (IFN) system is a central innate antiviral defence mechanism, while the involvement of RNA interference (RNAi) in antiviral response against RNA viruses is uncertain. Here, we tested whether RNAi is involved in the antiviral response in mammalian cells. To investigate the role of RNAi in influenza A virus-infected cells in the absence of IFN, we used Vero cells that lack IFN-α and IFN-β genes. Our results demonstrate that knockdown of a key RNAi component, Dicer, led to a modest increase of virus production and accelerated apoptosis of influenza A virus-infected cells. These effects were much weaker in the presence of IFN. The results also show that in both Vero cells and the IFN-producing alveolar epithelial A549 cell line influenza A virus targets Dicer at mRNA and protein levels. Thus, RNAi is involved in antiviral response, and Dicer is important for protection against influenza A virus infection.

Human p53 and CDC2Hs genes combine to inhibit the proliferation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 1357-1365
Author(s):  
J M Nigro ◽  
R Sikorski ◽  
S I Reed ◽  
B Vogelstein
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Growth Inhibition ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
P53 Protein ◽  
Inducible Promoter ◽  
Mutant P53 ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Growth Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Wild Type P53 ◽  
P53 Genes

Human wild-type and mutant p53 genes were expressed under the control of a galactose-inducible promoter in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The growth rate of the yeast was reduced in cells expressing wild-type p53, whereas cells transformed with mutant p53 genes derived from human tumors were less affected. Coexpression of the normal p53 protein with the human cell cycle-regulated protein kinase CDC2Hs resulted in much more pronounced growth inhibition that for p53 alone. Cells expressing p53 and CDC2Hs were partially arrested in G1, as determined by morphological analysis and flow cytometry. p53 was phosphorylated when expressed in the yeast, but differences in phosphorylation did not explain the growth inhibition attributable to coexpression of p53 and CDC2Hs. These results suggest that wild-type p53 has a growth-inhibitory activity in S. cerevisiae similar to that observed in mammalian cells and suggests that this yeast may provide a useful model for defining the pathways through which p53 acts.

scholarly journals Dual-controlled optogenetic system for the rapid down-regulation of protein levels in mammalian cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Baaske ◽  
Patrick Gonschorek ◽  
Raphael Engesser ◽  
Alazne Dominguez-Monedero ◽  
Katrin Raute ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Down Regulation ◽  
Protein Levels

scholarly journals Optimization Procedure for Small Interfering RNA Transfection in a 384-Well Format

2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 546-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Borawski ◽  
Alicia Lindeman ◽  
Frank Buxton ◽  
Mark Labow ◽  
L. Alex Gaither
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Small Interfering Rna ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Lentiviral Vector ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Sirna Transfection ◽  
Rna Transfection ◽  
Well Assay ◽  
Interfering Rna

High-throughput screening of RNAi libraries has become an essential part of functional analysis in academic and industrial settings. The transition of a cell-based RNAi assay into a 384-well format requires several optimization steps to ensure the phenotype being screened is appropriately measured and that the signal-to-background ratio is above a certain quantifiable threshold. Methods currently used to assess small interfering RNA (siRNA) efficacy after transfection, including quantitative PCR or branch DNA analysis, face several technical limitations preventing the accurate measurement of mRNA levels in a 384-well format. To overcome these difficulties, the authors developed an approach using a viral-based transfection system that measures siRNA efficacy in a standardized 384-well assay. This method allows measurement of siRNA activity in a phenotypically neutral manner by quantifying the knockdown of an exogenous luciferase gene delivered by a lentiviral vector. In this assay, the efficacy of a luciferase siRNA is compared to a negative control siRNA across many distinct assay parameters including cell type, cell number, lipid type, lipid volume, time of the assay, and concentration of siRNA. Once the siRNA transfection is optimized as a 384-well luciferase knockdown, the biologically relevant phenotypic analysis can proceed using the best siRNA transfection conditions. This approach provides a key technology for 384-well assay development when direct measurement of mRNA knockdown is not possible. It also allows for direct comparison of siRNA activity across cell lines from almost any mammalian species. Defining optimal conditions for siRNA delivery into mammalian cells will greatly increase the speed and quality of large-scale siRNA screening campaigns. ( Journal of Biomolecular Screening 2007:546-559)

scholarly journals Elevated cJUN expression and an ATF/CRE site within the ATF3 promoter contribute to activation of ATF3 transcription by the amino acid response

2013 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 127-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingchen Fu ◽  
Michael S. Kilberg
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Translational Control ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Transcriptional Control ◽  
Present Report ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Maximal Response ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Amino Acid Response

Mammalian cells respond to amino acid deprivation through multiple signaling pathways referred to as the amino acid response (AAR). Transcription factors mediate the AAR after their activation by several mechanisms; examples include translational control (activating transcription factor 4, ATF4), phosphorylation (p-cJUN), and transcriptional control (ATF3). ATF4 induces ATF3 transcription through a promoter-localized C/EBP-ATF response element (CARE). The present report characterizes an ATF/CRE site upstream of the CARE that also contributes to AAR-induced ATF3 transcription. ATF4 binds to the ATF/CRE and CARE sequences and both are required for a maximal response to ATF4 induction. ATF3, which antagonizes ATF4 and represses its own gene, also exhibited binding activity to the ATF/CRE and CARE sequences. The AAR resulted in elevated total cJUN and p-cJUN protein levels and both forms exhibited binding activity to the ATF/CRE and CARE ATF3 sequences. Knockdown of AAR-enhanced cJUN expression blocked induction of the ATF3 gene and mutation of either the ATF/CRE or the CARE site prevented the cJUN-dependent increase in ATF3-driven luciferase activity. The results indicate that both increased cJUN and the cis-acting ATF/CRE sequence within the ATF3 promoter contribute to the transcriptional activation of the gene during the AAR.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document