scholarly journals Calnexin Is Involved in Apoptosis Induced by Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in the Fission Yeast

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 4404-4420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renée Guérin ◽  
Geneviève Arseneault ◽  
Stéphane Dumont ◽  
Luis A. Rokeach

Stress conditions affecting the functions of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) cause the accumulation of unfolded proteins. ER stress is counteracted by the unfolded-protein response (UPR). However, under prolonged stress the UPR initiates a proapoptotic response. Mounting evidence indicate that the ER chaperone calnexin is involved in apoptosis caused by ER stress. Here, we report that overexpression of calnexin in Schizosaccharomyces pombe induces cell death with apoptosis markers. Cell death was partially dependent on the Ire1p ER-stress transducer. Apoptotic death caused by calnexin overexpression required its transmembrane domain (TM), and involved sequences on either side of the ER membrane. Apoptotic death caused by tunicamycin was dramatically reduced in a strain expressing endogenous levels of calnexin lacking its TM and cytosolic tail. This demonstrates the involvement of calnexin in apoptosis triggered by ER stress. A genetic screen identified the S. pombe homologue of the human antiapoptotic protein HMGB1 as a suppressor of apoptotic death due to calnexin overexpression. Remarkably, overexpression of human calnexin in S. pombe also provoked apoptotic death. Our results argue for the conservation of the role of calnexin in apoptosis triggered by ER stress, and validate S. pombe as a model to elucidate the mechanisms of calnexin-mediated cell death.

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (8) ◽  
pp. 3463-3474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baoqin Xuan ◽  
Zhikang Qian ◽  
Emi Torigoi ◽  
Dong Yu

ABSTRACT The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a key organelle involved in sensing and responding to stressful conditions, including those resulting from infection of viruses, such as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Three signaling pathways collectively termed the unfolded protein response (UPR) are activated to resolve ER stress, but they will also lead to cell death if the stress cannot be alleviated. HCMV is able to modulate the UPR to promote its infection. The specific viral factors involved in such HCMV-mediated modulation, however, were unknown. We previously showed that HCMV protein pUL38 was required to maintain the viability of infected cells, and it blocked cell death induced by thapsigargin. Here, we report that pUL38 is an HCMV-encoded regulator to modulate the UPR. In infection, pUL38 allowed HCMV to upregulate phosphorylation of PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) and the α subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF-2α), as well as induce robust accumulation of activating transcriptional factor 4 (ATF4), key components of the PERK pathway. pUL38 also allowed the virus to suppress persistent phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which was induced by the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 pathway. In isolation, pUL38 overexpression elevated eIF-2α phosphorylation, induced ATF4 accumulation, limited JNK phosphorylation, and suppressed cell death induced by both thapsigargin and tunicamycin, two drugs that induce ER stress by different mechanisms. Importantly, ATF4 overexpression and JNK inhibition significantly reduced cell death in pUL38-deficient virus infection. Thus, pUL38 targets ATF4 expression and JNK activation, and this activity appears to be critical for protecting cells from ER stress induced by HCMV infection.


Author(s):  
Toru Hosoi ◽  
Jun Nomura ◽  
Koichiro Ozawa ◽  
Akinori Nishi ◽  
Yasuyuki Nomura

AbstractThe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle that plays a crucial role in protein quality control such as protein folding. Evidence to indicate the involvement of ER in maintaining cellular homeostasis is increasing. However, when cells are exposed to stressful conditions, which perturb ER function, unfolded proteins accumulate leading to ER stress. Cells then activate the unfolded protein response (UPR) to cope with this stressful condition. In the present review, we will discuss and summarize recent advances in research on the basic mechanisms of the UPR. We also discuss the possible involvement of ER stress in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Potential therapeutic opportunities for diseases targeting ER stress is also described.


STEMedicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. e21
Author(s):  
Yanfei Wang ◽  
Zhigang Xu

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays pivotal roles in coordinating protein biosynthesis and processing. Under ER stress, when excessive misfolded or unfolded proteins are accumulated in the ER, the unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated. The UPR blocks global protein synthesis while activates chaperone expression, eventually leading to the alleviation of ER stress. However, prolonged UPR induces cell death. ER stress has been associated with various types of diseases. Recently, increasing evidences suggest that ER stress and UPR are also involved in hearing loss. In the present review, we will discuss the role of ER stress in hereditary hearing loss as well as acquired hearing loss. Moreover, we will discuss the emerging ER stress-based treatment of hearing loss. Further investigations are warranted to understand the mechanisms in detail how ER stress contributes to hearing loss, which will help us develop better ER stress-related treatments.


2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1411-1420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuhiko Hiramatsu ◽  
Carissa Messah ◽  
Jaeseok Han ◽  
Matthew M. LaVail ◽  
Randal J. Kaufman ◽  
...  

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein misfolding activates the unfolded protein response (UPR) to help cells cope with ER stress. If ER homeostasis is not restored, UPR promotes cell death. The mechanisms of UPR-mediated cell death are poorly understood. The PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) arm of the UPR is implicated in ER stress–induced cell death, in part through up-regulation of proapoptotic CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein (CHOP). Chop−/− cells are partially resistant to ER stress–induced cell death, and CHOP overexpression alone does not induce cell death. These findings suggest that additional mechanisms regulate cell death downstream of PERK. Here we find dramatic suppression of antiapoptosis XIAP proteins in response to chronic ER stress. We find that PERK down-regulates XIAP synthesis through eIF2α and promotes XIAP degradation through ATF4. Of interest, PERK's down-regulation of XIAP occurs independently of CHOP activity. Loss of XIAP leads to increased cell death, whereas XIAP overexpression significantly enhances resistance to ER stress–induced cell death, even in the absence of CHOP. Our findings define a novel signaling circuit between PERK and XIAP that operates in parallel with PERK to CHOP induction to influence cell survival during ER stress. We propose a “two-hit” model of ER stress–induced cell death involving concomitant CHOP up-regulation and XIAP down-regulation both induced by PERK.


2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-315
Author(s):  
Ali Riza Koksal ◽  
George Nicholas Verne ◽  
QiQi Zhou

The ability of translated cellular proteins to perform their functions requires their proper folding after synthesis. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is responsible for coordinating protein folding and maturation. Infections, genetic mutations, environmental factors and many other conditions can lead to challenges to the ER known as ER stress. Altering ER homeostasis results in accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins. To eliminate this problem, a response is initiated by the cell called the unfolded protein response (UPR), which involves multiple signaling pathways. Prolonged ER stress or a dysregulated UPR can lead to premature apoptosis and an exaggerated inflammatory response. Following these discoveries, ER stress was shown to be related to several chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative disorders, fatty liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease that have not yet been clearly demonstrated pathophysiologically. Here, we review the field and present up-to-date information on the relationship between biological processing, ER stress, UPR, and several chronic diseases.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afshin Samali ◽  
Una FitzGerald ◽  
Shane Deegan ◽  
Sanjeev Gupta

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the site of folding of membrane and secreted proteins in the cell. Physiological or pathological processes that disturb protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum cause ER stress and activate a set of signaling pathways termed the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). The UPR can promote cellular repair and sustained survival by reducing the load of unfolded proteins through upregulation of chaperones and global attenuation of protein synthesis. Research into ER stress and the UPR continues to grow at a rapid rate as many new investigators are entering the field. There are also many researchers not working directly on ER stress, but who wish to determine whether this response is activated in the system they are studying: thus, it is important to list a standard set of criteria for monitoring UPR in different model systems. Here, we discuss approaches that can be used by researchers to plan and interpret experiments aimed at evaluating whether the UPR and related processes are activated. We would like to emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation and strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to verify UPR activation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 395 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Sovolyova ◽  
Sandra Healy ◽  
Afshin Samali ◽  
Susan E. Logue

Abstract The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a highly dynamic organelle of fundamental importance present in all eukaryotic cells. The majority of synthesized structural and secreted proteins undergo post-translational modification, folding and oligomerization in the ER lumen, enabling proteins to carry out their physiological functions. Therefore, maintenance of ER homeostasis and function is imperative for proper cellular function. Physiological and pathological conditions can disturb ER homeostasis and thus negatively impact upon protein folding, resulting in an accumulation of unfolded proteins. Examples include hypoxia, hypo- and hyperglycemia, acidosis, and fluxes in calcium levels. Increased levels of unfolded/misfolded proteins within the ER lumen triggers a condition commonly referred to as ‘ER stress’. To combat ER stress, cells have evolved a highly conserved adaptive stress response referred to as the unfolded protein response (UPR). UPR signaling affords the cell a ‘window of opportunity’ for stress resolution however, if prolonged or excessive the UPR is insufficient and ER stress-induced cell death ensues. This review discusses the role of ER stress sensors IRE1, PERK and ATF6, describing their role in ER stress-induced death signaling with specific emphasis placed upon the importance of the intrinsic cell death pathway and Bcl-2 family regulation.


2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (18) ◽  
pp. 3520-3532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanyarat Promlek ◽  
Yuki Ishiwata-Kimata ◽  
Masahiro Shido ◽  
Mitsuru Sakuramoto ◽  
Kenji Kohno ◽  
...  

Eukaryotic cells activate the unfolded-protein response (UPR) upon endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, where the stress is assumed to be the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER. Consistent with previous in vitro studies of the ER-luminal domain of the mutant UPR initiator Ire1, our study show its association with a model unfolded protein in yeast cells. An Ire1 luminal domain mutation that compromises Ire1's unfolded-protein–associating ability weakens its ability to respond to stress stimuli, likely resulting in the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER. In contrast, this mutant was activated like wild-type Ire1 by depletion of the membrane lipid component inositol or by deletion of genes involved in lipid homeostasis. Another Ire1 mutant lacking the authentic luminal domain was up-regulated by inositol depletion as strongly as wild-type Ire1. We therefore conclude that the cytosolic (or transmembrane) domain of Ire1 senses membrane aberrancy, while, as proposed previously, unfolded proteins accumulating in the ER interact with and activate Ire1.


2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (2) ◽  
pp. F323-F334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masanori Kitamura

A number of pathophysiological insults lead to accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and cause ER stress. In response to accumulation of unfolded/misfolded proteins, cells adapt themselves to the stress condition via the unfolded protein response (UPR). For the cells, UPR is a double-edged sword. It triggers both prosurvival and proapoptotic signals. ER stress and UPR may, therefore, be involved in a diverse range of pathological situations. However, currently, information is limited regarding roles of ER stress and UPR in the renal pathophysiology. This review describes current knowledge on the relationship between ER stress and diseases and summarizes evidence for the link between ER stress/UPR and renal diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 1783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takasugi ◽  
Hiraoka ◽  
Nakahara ◽  
Akiyama ◽  
Fujikawa ◽  
...  

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated by the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which is called ER stress. ER stress sensors PERK, IRE1, and ATF6 play a central role in the initiation and regulation of the UPR; they inhibit novel protein synthesis and upregulate ER chaperones, such as protein disulfide isomerase, to remove unfolded proteins. However, when recovery from ER stress is difficult, the UPR pathway is activated to eliminate unhealthy cells. This signaling transition is the key event of many human diseases. However, the precise mechanisms are largely unknown. Intriguingly, reactive electrophilic species (RES), which exist in the environment or are produced through cellular metabolism, have been identified as a key player of this transition. In this review, we focused on the function of representative RES: nitric oxide (NO) as a gaseous RES, 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) as a lipid RES, and methylmercury (MeHg) as an environmental organic compound RES, to outline the relationship between ER stress and RES. Modulation by RES might be a target for the development of next-generation therapy for ER stress-associated diseases.


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