scholarly journals The RGS Protein Crg2 Regulates Pheromone and Cyclic AMP Signaling in Cryptococcus neoformans

2008 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 1540-1548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gui Shen ◽  
Yan-Li Wang ◽  
Amy Whittington ◽  
Lie Li ◽  
Ping Wang
Keyword(s):  
Cyclic Amp ◽  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Camp Signaling ◽  
Cell Swelling ◽  
G Protein Signaling ◽  
Protein Signaling ◽  
Protein Activity

ABSTRACT Crg1 and Crg2 are regulators of G-protein signaling homologs found in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Crg1 negatively regulates pheromone responses and mating through direct inhibition of Gα subunits Gpa2 and Gpa3. It has also been proposed that Crg2 has a role in mating, as genetic crosses involving Δcrg2 mutants resulted in formation of hyperfilaments. We found that mutation of Gpa2 and Gpa3 partially suppressed the hyperfilamentation, mutation of Gpa3 alleviated Δcrg2-specfic cell swelling, and mutation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase Cpk1 blocked both processes. These findings indicate that Gpa2 and Gpa3 function downstream of Crg2 and that Gpa3 is also epistatic to Crg2 in a Cpk1-dependent morphogenesis process linked to mating. Significantly, we found that Δcrg2 mutants formed enlarged capsules that mimic cells expressing a constitutively active GPA1(Q284L) allele and that the levels of intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) were also elevated, suggesting that Crg2 also negatively regulates the Gpa1-cAMP signaling pathway. We further showed that Crg2 interacted with Gpa3 and Gpa1, but not Gpa2, in a pulldown assay and that Crg2 maintained a higher in vitro GTPase-activating protein activity toward Gpa3 and Gpa1 than to Gpa2. Finally, we found that dysregulation of cAMP due to the Crg2 mutation attenuated virulence in a murine model of cryptococcosis. Taken together, our study reveals Crg2 as an RGS (regulator of G-protein signaling) protein of multiregulatory function, including one that controls mating distinctly from Crg1 and one that serves as a novel inhibitor of Gpa1-cAMP signaling.

scholarly journals Mutation of the Regulator of G Protein Signaling Crg1 Increases Virulence in Cryptococcus neoformans

2004 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1028-1035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Wang ◽  
Jim Cutler ◽  
Jill King ◽  
Daniel Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
G Protein Signaling ◽  
Protein Signaling ◽  
Human Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Mutant Strains ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Lethal Dosage ◽  
Type Strains

ABSTRACT The regulator of G protein signaling homolog Crg1 was found to be a key regulator of pheromone-responsive mating in the opportunistic human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. A mutation in the CRG1 gene has greatly increased virulence in the prevalently distributed MATα strains of the fungus. Mouse survival time was shortened by 40%, and the lethal dosage was 100-fold less than that of wild-type strains. In addition, the increased virulence of crg1 mutant strains was dependent on the transcription factor homolog Ste12α but not on the mitogen-activated protein kinase homolog Cpk1. The enhanced mating due to CRG1 mutation, however, was still dependent on Cpk1. Interestingly, crg1 mutants of MATα cells produced dark melanin pigment under normally inhibitory conditions, which may relate to the mechanism for increased virulence.

scholarly journals Endogenous modification of the chemoattractant CXCL5 alters receptor usage and enhances its activity toward neutrophils and monocytes

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (673) ◽  
pp. eaax3053
Author(s):  
Mieke Metzemaekers ◽  
Anneleen Mortier ◽  
Alessandro Vacchini ◽  
Daiane Boff ◽  
Karen Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Chemotactic Activity ◽  
G Protein Signaling ◽  
Protein Signaling ◽  
Agonist Activity ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
G Protein Coupled

The inflammatory human chemokine CXCL5 interacts with the G protein–coupled receptor CXCR2 to induce chemotaxis and activation of neutrophils. CXCL5 also has weak agonist activity toward CXCR1. The N-terminus of CXCL5 can be modified by proteolytic cleavage or deimination of Arg9 to citrulline (Cit), and these modifications can occur separately or together. Here, we chemically synthesized native CXCL5(1–78), truncated CXCL5 [CXCL5(9–78)], and the citrullinated (Cit9) versions and characterized their functions in vitro and in vivo. Compared with full-length CXCL5, N-terminal truncation resulted in enhanced potency to induce G protein signaling and β-arrestin recruitment through CXCR2, increased CXCL5-initiated internalization of CXCR2, and greater Ca2+ signaling downstream of not only CXCR2 but also CXCR1. Citrullination did not affect the capacity of CXCL5 to activate classical or alternative signaling pathways. Administering the various CXCL5 forms to mice revealed that in addition to neutrophils, CXCL5 exerted chemotactic activity toward monocytes and that this activity was increased by N-terminal truncation. These findings were confirmed by in vitro chemotaxis and Ca2+ signaling assays with primary human CD14+ monocytes and human THP-1 monocytes. In vitro and in vivo analyses suggested that CXCL5 targeted monocytes through CXCR1 and CXCR2. Thus, truncation of the N-terminus makes CXCL5 a more potent chemoattractant for both neutrophils and monocytes that acts through CXCR1 and CXCR2.

181 THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF NON-GENOMIC PATHWAYS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE REGULATION OF CALBINDIN-D9k IN VITRO

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 189
Author(s):  
V. H. Dang ◽  
E.-B. Jeung
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Gh3 Cells ◽  
G Protein Signaling ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Protein Signaling ◽  
Calbindin D9k ◽  
Protein Expressions ◽  
Genomic Effects

Calbindin-D9k (CaBP-9k), a cytosolic protein, is one of the members of the family of vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding proteins with high affinity for calcium. The previous in vitro studies indicated that this gene is controlled by 17β-estradiol (E2), a physiological estrogen, via both genomic (through its classical nuclear receptors) and non-genomic (through different cypoplasmic signals) mechanisms. In order to provide a better understanding in molecular events by which E2 exerts its actions in the regulation of CaBP-9k, we employed GH3 cells as an in vitro model to examine the possible non-genomic effects of E2 on the induction of CaBP-9k. GH3 cells were treated dose-dependently (10–5, 10–6, 10–7, 10–8, and 10–9 m) with E2-BSA, a membrane-impermeable E2 conjugated with BSA, for 24 h. To examine the time dependency, the cells were also exposed to a high concentration (10–6 m) of E2-BSA and harvested at various time points (5 min, 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h). Furthermore, in order to determine the potential involvement of non-genomic signaling pathways in E2-BSA-induced expression of CaBP-9k, several inhibitors also were employed, including ICI 182 780 for membrane estrogen receptor (ER) pathway, pertussis toxin (PTX) for G protein signaling, U0126 for ERK pathway, and wortmannin for Akt pathway. The non-genomic effects of E2-BSA on the induction of CaBP-9k mRNA and protein were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. In a dose-dependent manner, administration with E2-BSA (10–6 m) induced the highest response of CaBP-9k at transcriptional (mRNA) level, whereas protein level of CaBP-9k peaked at E2-BSA concentration (10–7 m) at 24 h. In a time course, E2-BSA (10–6 m) exposure caused a significant increase in both CaBP-9k mRNA and protein expressions as early as 15 min and peaked at 24 h. Co-treatment with ICI 182 780 and PTX completely inhibited E2-BSA-induced CaBP-9k mRNA and protein expressions. Interestingly, although co-treatments with U0126 and/or wortmannin alone failed to attenuate the effects of E2-BSA, a combination of 2 inhibitors completely reversed E2-BSA-induced CaBP-9k expressions at both transcriptional (mRNA) and translational (protein) levels, suggesting their involvement in the regulation of CaBP-9k in GH3 cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that various signaling pathways may be involved in E2-induced regulation of CaBP-9k in which membrane ER and G protein signaling pathways play a central role in non-genomic responses. Further in vitro experiments are required to elucidate additional details of the interaction of ERK and Akt pathways in the regulation of CaBP-9k in these cells, offering a new insight into the mode of E2 action in the pituitary gland of human and wildlife.

scholarly journals Heterotrimeric G-Protein Signaling Is Required for Cellulose Degradation in Neurospora crassa

mBio ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Logan A. Collier ◽  
Arit Ghosh ◽  
Katherine A. Borkovich
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Cellulose Degradation ◽  
Cellulase Activity ◽  
Cellulase Production ◽  
Camp Signaling ◽  
G Protein Signaling ◽  
Protein Signaling ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Posttranscriptional Control ◽  
Heterotrimeric G Protein Signaling

ABSTRACT The filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa decomposes lignocellulosic biomass to generate soluble sugars as carbon sources. In this study, we investigated a role for heterotrimeric G-protein signaling in cellulose degradation. Loss of the Gα subunit genes gna-1 and gna-3, the Gβ subunit genes gnb-1 and cpc-2, the Gγ gene gng-1, or the gene for downstream effector adenylyl cyclase (cr-1) resulted in loss of detectable cellulase activity. This defect was also observed in strains expressing a constitutively active version of gna-3 (gna-3Q208L). We found that GNA-1 levels are greatly reduced in Δgna-3, Δgnb-1, and Δgng-1 strains, likely contributing to cellulase defects in these genetic backgrounds. The observation that gna-3Q208L Δgnb-1 strains exhibit cellulase activity, despite greatly reduced levels of GNA-1 protein, is consistent with positive control of cellulase production by GNA-3 that is manifested in the absence of gnb-1. Expression patterns for five cellulase genes showed that Δgna-1, Δgnb-1, and Δgna-3 mutants produce less cellulase mRNA than the wild type, consistent with transcriptional regulation. Δcpc-2 mutants had wild-type levels of cellulase transcripts, suggesting posttranscriptional control. In contrast, results for Δcr-1 mutants support both transcriptional and posttranscriptional control of cellulase activity by cAMP signaling. Cellulase activity defects in Δgna-3 mutants were fully remediated by cAMP supplementation, consistent with GNA-3 operating upstream of cAMP signaling. In contrast, cAMP addition only partially corrected cellulase activity defects in Δgna-1 and Δgnb-1 mutants, suggesting participation of GNA-1 and GNB-1 in additional cAMP-independent pathways that control cellulase activity. IMPORTANCE Filamentous fungi are critical for the recycling of plant litter in the biosphere by degrading lignocellulosic biomass into simpler compounds for metabolism. Both saprophytic and pathogenic fungi utilize plant cell wall-degrading enzymes to liberate carbon for metabolism. Several studies have demonstrated a role for cellulase enzymes during infection of economically relevant crops by fungal pathogens. Especially in developing countries, severe plant disease means loss of entire crops, sometimes leading to starvation. In this study, we demonstrate that G-protein signaling is a key component of cellulase production. Therefore, understanding the role of G-protein signaling in the regulation of the unique metabolism of cellulose by these organisms can inform innovations in strain engineering of industrially relevant species for biofuel production and in combatting food shortages caused by plant pathogens.

scholarly journals Activator of G protein signaling 3 modulates prostate tumor development and progression

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. 1504-1513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy O Adekoya ◽  
Nikia Smith ◽  
Temilade Aladeniyi ◽  
Joe B Blumer ◽  
Xiaoxin L Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Prostate Gland ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
G Protein Signaling ◽  
Protein Signaling ◽  
Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽  
The Usa

Abstract Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer death among men, with greater prevalence of the disease among the African American population in the USA. Activator of G-protein signaling 3 (AGS3/G-protein signaling modulator 1) was shown to be overexpressed in prostate adenocarcinoma relative to the prostate gland. In this study, we investigated the correlation between AGS3 overexpression and PCa malignancy. Immunoblotting analysis and real-time quantitative-PCR showed increase in AGS3 expression in the metastatic cell lines LNCaP (~3-fold), MDA PCa 2b (~2-fold), DU 145 (~2-fold) and TRAMP-C1 (~20-fold) but not in PC3 (~1-fold), relative to control RWPE-1. Overexpression of AGS3 in PC3, LNCaP and MDA PCa 2b enhanced tumor growth. AGS3 contains seven tetratricopeptide repeats (TPR) and four G-protein regulatory (GPR) motifs. Overexpression of the TPR or the GPR motifs in PC3 cells had no effect in tumor growth. Depletion of AGS3 in the TRAMP-C1 cells (TRAMP-C1-AGS3-/-) decreased cell proliferation and delayed wound healing and tumor growth in both C57BL/6 (~3-fold) and nude mice xenografts, relative to control TRAMP-C1 cells. TRAMP-C1-AGS3-/- tumors also exhibited a marked increase (~5-fold) in both extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, which correlated with a significant increase (~3-fold) in androgen receptor (AR) expression, relative to TRAMP-C1 xenografts. Interestingly, overexpression of AGS3 in TRAMP-C1-AGS3-/- cells inhibited ERK activation and AR overexpression as compared with control TRAMP-C1 cells. Taken together, the data indicate that the effect of AGS3 in prostate cancer development and progression is probably mediated via a MAPK/AR-dependent pathway.

scholarly journals Regulator of G-Protein Signaling 5 Reduces HeyA8 Ovarian Cancer Cell Proliferation and Extends Survival in a Murine Tumor Model

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly K. Altman ◽  
Duy T. Nguyen ◽  
Santosh B. Patel ◽  
Jada M. Fambrough ◽  
Aaron M. Beedle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Tumor Progression ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Tumor Biology ◽  
Pathological Examination ◽  
Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽  
G Protein Signaling ◽  
Protein Signaling

The regulator of G-protein signaling 5 (RGS5) belongs to a family of GTPase activators that terminate signaling cascades initiated by extracellular mediators and G-protein-coupled receptors. RGS5 has an interesting dual biological role. One functional RGS5 role is as a pericyte biomarker influencing the switch to angiogenesis during malignant progression. Its other functional role is to promote apoptosis in hypoxic environments. We set out to clarify the extent to which RGS5 expression regulates tumor progression—whether it plays a pathogenic or protective role in ovarian tumor biology. We thus constructed an inducible gene expression system to achieve RGS5 expression in HeyA8-MDR ovarian cancer cells. Through this we observed that inducible RGS5 expression significantly reducesin vitroBrdU-positive HeyA8-MDR cells, although this did not correlate with a reduction in tumor volume observed using anin vivomouse model of ovarian cancer. Interestingly, mice bearing RGS5-expressing tumors demonstrated an increase in survival compared with controls, which might be attributed to the vast regions of necrosis observed by pathological examination. Additionally, mice bearing RGS5-expressing tumors were less likely to have ulcerated tumors. Taken together, this data supports the idea that temporal expression and stabilization of RGS5 could be a valuable tactic within the context of a multicomponent approach for modulating tumor progression.

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