scholarly journals Accumulation of TERT in Mitochondria Shows Two Opposing Effects on Apoptosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Ebata ◽  
Tomohiro Shima ◽  
Ryo Iizuka ◽  
Sotaro Uemura

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is a protein that catalyzes the reverse transcription of telomere elongation. TERT is also expected to play a noncanonical role beyond telomere lengthening since it localizes not only in the nucleus but also in mitochondria, where telomeres do not exist. Several studies have reported that mitochondrial TERT regulates apoptosis induced by oxidative stress. However, there remains controversy about whether mitochondrial TERT promotes or inhibits apoptosis, mainly due to the lack of information on changes in the TERT distribution in individual cells over time. Here we simultaneously detected apoptosis and TERT localization after oxidative stress in individual HeLa cells by live-cell tracking. This tracking revealed that the stress-induced accumulation of TERT in mitochondria resulted in apoptosis but that the accumulation positively correlated with the time until cell death. The results suggest a new model in which mitochondrial TERT has two opposing effects at different stages of apoptosis: it predetermines apoptosis at the first stage of cell-fate determination but also delays apoptosis at the second stage. Because these distinct effects respectively support both sides of the controversy regarding the role of mitochondrial TERT in apoptosis, our model integrates two opposing hypotheses. Furthermore, detailed statistical analysis of TERT mutations, which have been predicted to inhibit TERT transport to mitochondria, revealed that these mutations suppress apoptosis independent of the mitochondrial localization of TERT. Together, these results indicate that the non-canonical functions of TERT affect a wide range of apoptotic pathways.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Gaál Kovalčíková ◽  
Ľubica Tichá ◽  
Katarína Šebeková ◽  
Peter Celec ◽  
Alžbeta Čagalová ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious psychosomatic disorder with unclear pathomechanisms. Metabolic dysregulation is associated with disruption of redox homeostasis that might play a pivotal role in the development of AN. The aim of our study was to assess oxidative status and carbonyl stress in plasma, urine and saliva of patients with AN and healthy controls. Methods Plasma, spot urine, and saliva were collected from 111 girls with AN (aged from 10 to 18 years) and from 29 age-matched controls. Markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant status were measured using spectrophotometric and fluorometric methods. Results Plasma advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were significantly higher in patients with AN than in healthy controls (by 96, and 82%, respectively). Accordingly, urinary concentrations of AOPP and fructosamines and salivary concentrations of AGEs were higher in girls with AN compared with controls (by 250, and 41% in urine; by 92% in saliva, respectively). Concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in saliva were 3-times higher in the patients with AN than in the controls. Overall antioxidants were lower in plasma of girls with AN compared to the controls, as shown by total antioxidant capacity and ratio of reduced and oxidized glutathione (by 43, and 31%, respectively). Conclusions This is the first study assessing wide range of markers of oxidative status in plasma, urine and saliva of the patients with AN. We showed that both, higher levels of markers of oxidative stress and lower antioxidants play a role in redox disruption. Restoration of redox homeostasis might be of the clinical relevance


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6857
Author(s):  
Samantha Bruno ◽  
Manuela Mancini ◽  
Sara De Santis ◽  
Cecilia Monaldi ◽  
Michele Cavo ◽  
...  

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematologic malignancy caused by a wide range of alterations responsible for a high grade of heterogeneity among patients. Several studies have demonstrated that the hypoxic bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) plays a crucial role in AML pathogenesis and therapy response. This review article summarizes the current literature regarding the effects of the dynamic crosstalk between leukemic stem cells (LSCs) and hypoxic BMM. The interaction between LSCs and hypoxic BMM regulates fundamental cell fate decisions, including survival, self-renewal, and proliferation capacity as a consequence of genetic, transcriptional, and metabolic adaptation of LSCs mediated by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). HIF-1α and some of their targets have been associated with poor prognosis in AML. It has been demonstrated that the hypoxic BMM creates a protective niche that mediates resistance to therapy. Therefore, we also highlight how hypoxia hallmarks might be targeted in the future to hit the leukemic population to improve AML patient outcomes.


Author(s):  
Sinan Xiong ◽  
Wee-Joo Chng ◽  
Jianbiao Zhou

AbstractUnder physiological and pathological conditions, cells activate the unfolded protein response (UPR) to deal with the accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy arising from immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells. MM cells are subject to continual ER stress and highly dependent on the UPR signaling activation due to overproduction of paraproteins. Mounting evidence suggests the close linkage between ER stress and oxidative stress, demonstrated by overlapping signaling pathways and inter-organelle communication pivotal to cell fate decision. Imbalance of intracellular homeostasis can lead to deranged control of cellular functions and engage apoptosis due to mutual activation between ER stress and reactive oxygen species generation through a self-perpetuating cycle. Here, we present accumulating evidence showing the interactive roles of redox homeostasis and proteostasis in MM pathogenesis and drug resistance, which would be helpful in elucidating the still underdefined molecular pathways linking ER stress and oxidative stress in MM. Lastly, we highlight future research directions in the development of anti-myeloma therapy, focusing particularly on targeting redox signaling and ER stress responses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng-Fei Xu ◽  
Ricardo Moraes Borges ◽  
Jonathan Fillatre ◽  
Maraysa de Oliveira-Melo ◽  
Tao Cheng ◽  
...  

AbstractGenerating properly differentiated embryonic structures in vitro from pluripotent stem cells remains a challenge. Here we show that instruction of aggregates of mouse embryonic stem cells with an experimentally engineered morphogen signalling centre, that functions as an organizer, results in the development of embryo-like entities (embryoids). In situ hybridization, immunolabelling, cell tracking and transcriptomic analyses show that these embryoids form the three germ layers through a gastrulation process and that they exhibit a wide range of developmental structures, highly similar to neurula-stage mouse embryos. Embryoids are organized around an axial chordamesoderm, with a dorsal neural plate that displays histological properties similar to the murine embryo neuroepithelium and that folds into a neural tube patterned antero-posteriorly from the posterior midbrain to the tip of the tail. Lateral to the chordamesoderm, embryoids display somitic and intermediate mesoderm, with beating cardiac tissue anteriorly and formation of a vasculature network. Ventrally, embryoids differentiate a primitive gut tube, which is patterned both antero-posteriorly and dorso-ventrally. Altogether, embryoids provide an in vitro model of mammalian embryo that displays extensive development of germ layer derivatives and that promises to be a powerful tool for in vitro studies and disease modelling.


Author(s):  
Giovanna Carrà ◽  
Giuseppe Ermondi ◽  
Chiara Riganti ◽  
Luisella Righi ◽  
Giulia Caron ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Oxidative stress is a hallmark of many cancers. The increment in reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting from an increased mitochondrial respiration, is the major cause of oxidative stress. Cell fate is known to be intricately linked to the amount of ROS produced. The direct generation of ROS is also one of the mechanisms exploited by common anticancer therapies, such as chemotherapy. Methods We assessed the role of NFKBIA with various approaches, including in silico analyses, RNA-silencing and xenotransplantation. Western blot analyses, immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR were used to detect the expression of specific proteins and genes. Immunoprecipitation and pull-down experiments were used to evaluate protein-protein interactions. Results Here, by using an in silico approach, following the identification of NFKBIA (the gene encoding IκBα) amplification in various cancers, we described an inverse correlation between IκBα, oxidative metabolism, and ROS production in lung cancer. Furthermore, we showed that novel IκBα targeting compounds combined with cisplatin treatment promote an increase in ROS beyond the tolerated threshold, thus causing death by oxytosis. Conclusions NFKBIA amplification and IκBα overexpression identify a unique cancer subtype associated with specific expression profile and metabolic signatures. Through p65-NFKB regulation, IκBα overexpression favors metabolic rewiring of cancer cells and distinct susceptibility to cisplatin. Lastly, we have developed a novel approach to disrupt IκBα/p65 interaction, restoring p65-mediated apoptotic responses to cisplatin due to mitochondria deregulation and ROS-production.


Oxygen ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-15
Author(s):  
John T. Hancock

Control of cellular function is extremely complex, being reliant on a wide range of components. Several of these are small oxygen-based molecules. Although reactive compounds containing oxygen are usually harmful to cells when accumulated to relatively high concentrations, they are also instrumental in the control of the activity of a myriad of proteins, and control both the upregulation and downregulation of gene expression. The formation of one oxygen-based molecule, such as the superoxide anion, can lead to a cascade of downstream generation of others, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the hydroxyl radical (∙OH), each with their own reactivity and effect. Nitrogen-based signaling molecules also contain oxygen, and include nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite, both instrumental among the suite of cell signaling components. These molecules do not act alone, but form part of a complex interplay of reactions, including with several sulfur-based compounds, such as glutathione and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Overaccumulation of oxygen-based reactive compounds may alter the redox status of the cell and lead to programmed cell death, in processes referred to as oxidative stress, or nitrosative stress (for nitrogen-based molecules). Here, an overview of the main oxygen-based molecules involved, and the ramifications of their production, is given.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rawshan Choudhury ◽  
Nadhim Bayatti ◽  
Richard Scharff ◽  
Ewa Szula ◽  
Viranga Tilakaratna ◽  
...  

AbstractRetinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells that underlie the neurosensory retina are essential for the maintenance of photoreceptor cells and hence vision. Interactions between the RPE and their basement membrane, i.e. the inner layer of Bruch’s membrane, are essential for RPE cell health and function, but the signals induced by Bruch’s membrane engagement, and their contributions to RPE cell fate determination remain poorly defined. Here, we studied the functional role of the soluble complement regulator and component of Bruch’s membrane, Factor H-like protein 1 (FHL-1). Human primary RPE cells adhered to FHL-1 in a manner that was eliminated by either mutagenesis of the integrin-binding RGD motif in FHL-1 or by using competing antibodies directed against the α5 and β1 integrin subunits. These short-term experiments reveal an immediate protein-integrin interaction that were obtained from primary RPE cells and replicated using the hTERT-RPE1 cell line. Separate, longer term experiments utilising RNAseq analysis of hTERT-RPE1 cells bound to FHL-1, showed an increased expression of the heat-shock protein genes HSPA6, CRYAB, HSPA1A and HSPA1B when compared to cells bound to fibronectin (FN) or laminin (LA). Pathway analysis implicated changes in EIF2 signalling, the unfolded protein response, and mineralocorticoid receptor signalling as putative pathways. Subsequent cell survival assays using H2O2 to induce oxidative stress-induced cell death suggest hTERT-RPE1 cells had significantly greater protection when bound to FHL-1 or LA compared to plastic or FN. These data show a non-canonical role of FHL-1 in protecting RPE cells against oxidative stress and identifies a novel interaction that has implications for ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.


Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 435
Author(s):  
Reham Z. Hamza ◽  
Mohammad S. Al-Harbi ◽  
Munirah A. Al-Hazaa

Aging is a neurological disease that is afforded by incidence of oxidative stress. Chitosan has received global interests due to its wide medical uses. Quercetin (Q) is a bioflavonoid and widely distributed in vegetables and fruits. Resveratrol is considered as a potent antioxidant and is a component of a wide range of foods. The using of either chitosan nanopartciles (CH-NPs), querectin (Q), and resveratrol (RV) to reduce the oxidative stress and biochemical alterations on brain and testicular tissues induced by D-galactose (DG) (100 mg/Kg) were the aim of the present study. This study investigated the probable protective effects of CH-NPs in two doses (140,280 mg/Kg), Q (20 mg/Kg) and RV (20 mg/Kg), against DG induced aging and neurological alterations. Brain antioxidant capacity as malonaldehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GRx), as well as histopathological damages of the brain and testicular tissues were measured. The DG treated group had significantly elevated the oxidative stress markers by 96% and 91.4% in brain and testicular tissues respectively and lower significantly the antioxidant enzyme activities of both brain and testicular tissues than those of the control group by 86.95%, 69.27%, 83.07%, and 69.43%. Groups of DG that treated with a combination of CH-NPs in two doses, Q and RV, the levels of oxidative stress marker declined significantly by 68.70%, 76.64% in brain tissues and by 74.07% and 76.61% in testicular tissues, and the enzymatic antioxidants increased significantly by 75.55%, 79.24%, 62.32%, and 61.97% as compared to the DG group. The present results indicate that CH-NPs, Q, and RV have protective effects against DG-induced brain and testis tissue damage at the biochemical and histopathological levels. Mechanisms of this protective effect of used compounds against neurological and testicular toxicity may be due to the enhanced brain and testis antioxidant capacities.


Author(s):  
Stephanie Probst ◽  
Johannes Fels ◽  
Bettina Scharner ◽  
Natascha A. Wolff ◽  
Eleni Roussa ◽  
...  

AbstractThe liver hormone hepcidin regulates systemic iron homeostasis. Hepcidin is also expressed by the kidney, but exclusively in distal nephron segments. Several studies suggest hepcidin protects against kidney damage involving Fe2+ overload. The nephrotoxic non-essential metal ion Cd2+ can displace Fe2+ from cellular biomolecules, causing oxidative stress and cell death. The role of hepcidin in Fe2+ and Cd2+ toxicity was assessed in mouse renal cortical [mCCD(cl.1)] and inner medullary [mIMCD3] collecting duct cell lines. Cells were exposed to equipotent Cd2+ (0.5–5 μmol/l) and/or Fe2+ (50–100 μmol/l) for 4–24 h. Hepcidin (Hamp1) was transiently silenced by RNAi or overexpressed by plasmid transfection. Hepcidin or catalase expression were evaluated by RT-PCR, qPCR, immunoblotting or immunofluorescence microscopy, and cell fate by MTT, apoptosis and necrosis assays. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using CellROX™ Green and catalase activity by fluorometry. Hepcidin upregulation protected against Fe2+-induced mIMCD3 cell death by increasing catalase activity and reducing ROS, but exacerbated Cd2+-induced catalase dysfunction, increasing ROS and cell death. Opposite effects were observed with Hamp1 siRNA. Similar to Hamp1 silencing, increased intracellular Fe2+ prevented Cd2+ damage, ROS formation and catalase disruption whereas chelation of intracellular Fe2+ with desferrioxamine augmented Cd2+ damage, corresponding to hepcidin upregulation. Comparable effects were observed in mCCD(cl.1) cells, indicating equivalent functions of renal hepcidin in different collecting duct segments. In conclusion, hepcidin likely binds Fe2+, but not Cd2+. Because Fe2+ and Cd2+ compete for functional binding sites in proteins, hepcidin affects their free metal ion pools and differentially impacts downstream processes and cell fate.


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