scholarly journals Life or death: disease-tolerant coral species activate autophagy following immune challenge

2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1856) ◽  
pp. 20170771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren E. Fuess ◽  
Jorge H. Pinzón C ◽  
Ernesto Weil ◽  
Robert D. Grinshpon ◽  
Laura D. Mydlarz

Global climate change has increased the number and severity of stressors affecting species, yet not all species respond equally to these stressors. Organisms may employ cellular mechanisms such as apoptosis and autophagy in responding to stressful events. These two pathways are often mutually exclusive, dictating whether a cell adapts or dies. In order to examine differences in cellular response to stress, we compared the immune response of four coral species with a range of disease susceptibility. Using RNA-seq and novel pathway analysis, we were able to identify differences in response to immune stimulation between these species. Disease-susceptible species Orbicella faveolata activated pathways associated with apoptosis. By contrast, disease-tolerant species Porites porites and Porites astreoides activated autophagic pathways. Moderately susceptible species Pseudodiploria strigosa activated a mixture of these pathways. These findings were corroborated by apoptotic caspase protein assays, which indicated increased caspase activity following immune stimulation in susceptible species. Our results indicate that in response to immune stress, disease-tolerant species activate cellular adaptive mechanisms such as autophagy, while susceptible species turn on cell death pathways. Differences in these cellular maintenance pathways may therefore influence the organismal stress response. Further study of these pathways will increase understanding of differential stress response and species survival in the face of changing environments.

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 200
Author(s):  
Luke D. Bussiere ◽  
Cathy L. Miller

Cells are continually exposed to stressful events, which are overcome by the activation of a number of genetic pathways. The integrated stress response (ISR) is a large component of the overall cellular response to stress, which ultimately functions through the phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor-2 (eIF2α) to inhibit the energy-taxing process of translation. This response is instrumental in the inhibition of viral infection and contributes to evolution in viruses. Mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV), an oncolytic virus that has shown promise in over 30 phase I–III clinical trials, has been shown to induce multiple arms within the ISR pathway, but it successfully evades, modulates, or subverts each cellular attempt to inhibit viral translation. MRV has not yet received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for general use in the clinic; therefore, researchers continue to study virus interactions with host cells to identify circumstances where MRV effectiveness in tumor killing can be improved. In this review, we will discuss the ISR, MRV modulation of the ISR, and discuss ways in which MRV interaction with the ISR may increase the effectiveness of cancer therapeutics whose modes of action are altered by the ISR.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (19) ◽  
pp. 4901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo M. R. Ferreira ◽  
Teresa Cunha-Oliveira ◽  
Margarida C. Sobral ◽  
Patrícia L. Abreu ◽  
Maria Carmen Alpoim ◽  
...  

Worldwide, several million workers are employed in the various chromium (Cr) industries. These workers may suffer from a variety of adverse health effects produced by dusts, mists and fumes containing Cr in the hexavalent oxidation state, Cr(VI). Of major importance, occupational exposure to Cr(VI) compounds has been firmly associated with the development of lung cancer. Counterintuitively, Cr(VI) is mostly unreactive towards most biomolecules, including nucleic acids. However, its intracellular reduction produces several species that react extensively with biomolecules. The diversity and chemical versatility of these species add great complexity to the study of the molecular mechanisms underlying Cr(VI) toxicity and carcinogenicity. As a consequence, these mechanisms are still poorly understood, in spite of intensive research efforts. Here, we discuss the impact of Cr(VI) on the stress response—an intricate cellular system against proteotoxic stress which is increasingly viewed as playing a critical role in carcinogenesis. This discussion is preceded by information regarding applications, chemical properties and adverse health effects of Cr(VI). A summary of our current understanding of cancer initiation, promotion and progression is also provided, followed by a brief description of the stress response and its links to cancer and by an overview of potential molecular mechanisms of Cr(VI) carcinogenicity.


2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (20) ◽  
pp. 7273-7283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Blanco ◽  
Claudio Santos ◽  
Pedro A. Lazo

ABSTRACT Hypoxia represents a major stress that requires an immediate cellular response in which different signaling pathways participate. Hypoxia induces an increase in the activity of TAK1, an atypical mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK), which responds to oxidative stress by triggering cascades leading to the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). JNK activation by hypoxia requires assembly with the JIP1 scaffold protein, which might also interact with other intracellular proteins that are less well known but that might modulate MAPK signaling. We report that TAK1 is able to form a stable complex with JIP1 and thus regulate the activation of JNK, which in turn determines the cellular stress response to hypoxia. This activation of TAK1-JIP1-JNK is suppressed by vaccinia-related kinase 2 (VRK2). VRK2A is able to interact with TAK1 by its C-terminal region, forming stable complexes. The kinase activity of VRK2 is not necessary for this interaction or the downregulation of AP1-dependent transcription. Furthermore, reduction of the endogenous VRK2 level with short hairpin RNA can increase the response induced by hypoxia, suggesting that the intracellular levels of VRK2 can determine the magnitude of this stress response.


2002 ◽  
pp. 139-139
Author(s):  
A. Mazur ◽  
C. Malpuech-Brugère ◽  
W. Nowacki ◽  
E. Rock ◽  
Y. Rayssiguier

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (17) ◽  
pp. 9271-9281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narumon Thongdee ◽  
Juthamas Jaroensuk ◽  
Sopapan Atichartpongkul ◽  
Jurairat Chittrakanwong ◽  
Kamonchanok Chooyoung ◽  
...  

Abstract Cellular response to oxidative stress is a crucial mechanism that promotes the survival of Pseudomonas aeruginosa during infection. However, the translational regulation of oxidative stress response remains largely unknown. Here, we reveal a tRNA modification-mediated translational response to H2O2 in P. aeruginosa. We demonstrated that the P. aeruginosa trmB gene encodes a tRNA guanine (46)-N7-methyltransferase that catalyzes the formation of m7G46 in the tRNA variable loop. Twenty-three tRNA substrates of TrmB with a guanosine residue at position 46 were identified, including 11 novel tRNA substrates. We showed that loss of trmB had a strong negative effect on the translation of Phe- and Asp-enriched mRNAs. The trmB-mediated m7G modification modulated the expression of the catalase genes katA and katB, which are enriched with Phe/Asp codons at the translational level. In response to H2O2 exposure, the level of m7G modification increased, consistent with the increased translation efficiency of Phe- and Asp-enriched mRNAs. Inactivation of trmB led to decreased KatA and KatB protein abundance and decreased catalase activity, resulting in H2O2-sensitive phenotype. Taken together, our observations reveal a novel role of m7G46 tRNA modification in oxidative stress response through translational regulation of Phe- and Asp-enriched genes, such as katA and katB.


2010 ◽  
Vol 192 (10) ◽  
pp. 2473-2481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana N. Yurgel ◽  
Jennifer Rice ◽  
Monika Mulder ◽  
Michael L. Kahn

ABSTRACT The Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm1021ΔglnD-sm2 mutant, which is predicted to make a GlnD nitrogen sensor protein truncated at its amino terminus, fixes nitrogen in symbiosis with alfalfa, but the plants cannot use this nitrogen for growth (S. N. Yurgel and M. L. Kahn, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 105:18958-18963, 2008). The mutant also has a generalized nitrogen stress response (NSR) defect. These results suggest a connection between GlnD, symbiotic metabolism, and the NSR, but the nature of this connection is unknown. In many bacteria, GlnD modifies the PII proteins, GlnB and GlnK, as it transduces a measurement of bacterial nitrogen status to a cellular response. We have now constructed and analyzed Rm1021 mutants missing GlnB, GlnK, or both proteins. Rm1021ΔglnKΔglnB was much more defective in its NSR than either single mutant, suggesting that GlnB and GlnK overlap in regulating the NSR in free-living Rm1021. The single mutants and the double mutant all formed an effective symbiosis, indicating that symbiotic nitrogen exchange could occur without the need for either GlnB or GlnK. N-terminal truncation of the GlnD protein interfered with PII protein modification in vitro, suggesting either that unmodified PII proteins were responsible for the glnD mutant's ineffective phenotype or that connecting GlnD and appropriate symbiotic behavior does not require the PII proteins.


2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (9) ◽  
pp. 1212-1221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. McCann ◽  
Kunjana Rotjanapun ◽  
John E. Hesketh ◽  
Nicole C. Roy

AbstractSe is an essential micronutrient for human health, and fluctuations in Se levels and the potential cellular dysfunction associated with it may increase the risk for disease. Although Se has been shown to influence several biological pathways important in health, little is known about the effect of Se on the expression of microRNA (miRNA) molecules regulating these pathways. To explore the potential role of Se-sensitive miRNA in regulating pathways linked with colon cancer, we profiled the expression of 800 miRNA in the CaCo-2 human adenocarcinoma cell line in response to a low-Se (72 h at <40 nm) environment using nCounter direct quantification. These data were then examined using a range ofin silicodatabases to identify experimentally validated miRNA–mRNA interactions and the biological pathways involved. We identified ten Se-sensitive miRNA (hsa-miR-93-5p, hsa-miR-106a-5p, hsa-miR-205-5p, hsa-miR-200c-3p, hsa-miR-99b-5p, hsa-miR-302d-3p, hsa-miR-373-3p, hsa-miR-483-3p, hsa-miR-512-5p and hsa-miR-4454), which regulate 3588 mRNA in key pathways such as the cell cycle, the cellular response to stress, and the canonical Wnt/β-catenin, p53 and ERK/MAPK signalling pathways. Our data show that the effects of low Se on biological pathways may, in part, be due to these ten Se-sensitive miRNA. Dysregulation of the cell cycle and of the stress response pathways due to low Se may influence key genes involved in carcinogenesis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrin Pallauf ◽  
Nils Duckstein ◽  
Mario Hasler ◽  
Lars-Oliver Klotz ◽  
Gerald Rimbach

Dietary flavonoids have been shown to extend the lifespan of some model organisms and may delay the onset of chronic ageing-related diseases. Mechanistically, the effects could be explained by the compounds scavenging free radicals or modulating signalling pathways. Transcription factors Nrf2, FoxO, and PPARγpossibly affect ageing by regulating stress response, adipogenesis, and insulin sensitivity. Using Hek-293 cells transfected with luciferase reporter constructs, we tested the potency of flavonoids from different subclasses (flavonols, flavones, flavanols, and isoflavones) to activate these transcription factors. Under cell-free conditions (ABTS and FRAP assays), we tested their free radical scavenging activities and usedα-tocopherol and ascorbic acid as positive controls. Most of the tested flavonoids, but not the antioxidant vitamins, stimulated Nrf2-, FoxO-, and PPARγ-dependent promoter activities. Flavonoids activating Nrf2 also tended to induce a FoxO and PPARγresponse. Interestingly, activation patterns of cellular stress response by flavonoids were not mirrored by their activities in ABTS and FRAP assays, which depended mostly on hydroxylation in the flavonoid B ring and, in some cases, extended that of the vitamins. In conclusion, the free radical scavenging properties of flavonoids do not predict whether these molecules can stimulate a cellular response linked to activation of longevity-associated transcription factors.


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Haley ◽  
Jennifer Cordick ◽  
Sarah Mackrell ◽  
Immaculate Antony ◽  
Maireanne Ryan-Harrison

In humans, anticipatory stress involves activation of the limbic–hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, which releases stress hormones such as cortisol in response to an impending stressor. Conditioning of the stress response to anticipate and prepare for future challenges is a hallmark of adaptation. It is unknown whether human infants in the first year of life have developed the neural circuitry to support the anticipation of stressful events in an attachment context. Here, we show that human infants at six months of age produce an anticipatory stress response, as indicated by the release of stress hormones, when re-exposed after 24 h to a context in which they demonstrated a stress response to a disruption in the parent–infant relationship. Although infant stress response (cortisol elevation) was greater to the stressful event (parent unresponsiveness) than to the second exposure to the stress context (room, chair, presence of parent and experimenter, etc.), it was greater in the stress group than in the control group on both days. Results suggest that human infants have the capacity to produce an anticipatory stress response that is based on expectations about how their parents will treat them in a specific context.


1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 719-766 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Lindemann

Recent research on cellular mechanisms of peripheral taste has defined transduction pathways involving membrane receptors, G proteins, second messengers, and ion channels. Receptors for organic tastants received much attention, because they provide the specificity of a response. Their future cloning will constitute a major advance. Taste transduction typically utilizes two or more pathways in parallel. For instance, sweet-sensitive taste cells of the rat appear to respond to sucrose with activation of adenylyl cyclase, followed by adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent membrane events and Ca2+ uptake. The same cells respond differently to some artificial sweeteners, i.e., with activation of phospholipase C (PLC) followed by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-dependent Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. Some bitter tastants block K+ channels or initiate the cascade receptor G1 protein, PLC, IP3, and Ca2+ release or the cascade receptor alpha-gustducin, phosphodiesterase (PDE), cAMP decrease, and opening of cAMP-blocked channels. Membrane-permeant bitter tastants may elicit a cellular response by interacting with G protein, PLC, or PDE of the above cascades. Salt taste is initiated by current flowing into the taste cell through cation channels located in the apical membrane, even though basolateral channels may also contribute (following salt diffusion through paracellular pathways). In rodents, the Na+-specific component of salt taste is typically mediated by apical amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels, but less specific and not amiloride-sensitive taste components exist in addition. Sour taste may in part be mediated by amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels conducting protons, but other mechanisms certainly contribute. Thus the transduction of taste cells generally comprises parallel pathways. Furthermore, the transduction pathways vary with the location of taste buds on the tongue and, of course, across species of animals. To identify these pathways, to understand how they are controlled and why they evolved to this complexity are major goals of present research.


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