scholarly journals Role of the Trypanosoma brucei HEN1 Family Methyltransferase in Small Interfering RNA Modification

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huafang Shi ◽  
Rebecca L. Barnes ◽  
Nicholas Carriero ◽  
Vanessa D. Atayde ◽  
Christian Tschudi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Parasitic protozoa of the flagellate order Kinetoplastida represent one of the deepest branches of the eukaryotic tree. Among this group of organisms, the mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi) has been investigated in Trypanosoma brucei and to a lesser degree in Leishmania ( Viannia ) spp. The pathway is triggered by long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and in T. brucei requires a set of five core genes, including a single Argonaute (AGO) protein, T. brucei AGO1 ( Tb AGO1). The five genes are conserved in Leishmania ( Viannia ) spp. but are absent in other major kinetoplastid species, such as Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania major . In T. brucei small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are methylated at the 3′ end, whereas Leishmania ( Viannia ) sp. siRNAs are not. Here we report that T. brucei HEN1, an ortholog of the metazoan HEN1 2′- O -methyltransferases, is required for methylation of siRNAs. Loss of Tb HEN1 causes a reduction in the length of siRNAs. The shorter siRNAs in hen1 −/− parasites are single stranded and associated with Tb AGO1, and a subset carry a nontemplated uridine at the 3′ end. These findings support a model wherein Tb HEN1 methylates siRNA 3′ ends after they are loaded into Tb AGO1 and this methylation protects siRNAs from uridylation and 3′ trimming. Moreover, expression of Tb HEN1 in Leishmania ( Viannia ) panamensis did not result in siRNA 3′ end methylation, further emphasizing mechanistic differences in the trypanosome and Leishmania RNAi mechanisms.

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 2637
Author(s):  
Joon Min Jung ◽  
Tai Kyung Noh ◽  
Soo Youn Jo ◽  
Su Yeon Kim ◽  
Youngsup Song ◽  
...  

Epidermal keratinocytes are considered as the most important neighboring cells that modify melanogenesis. Our previous study used microarray to show that guanine deaminase (GDA) gene expression is highly increased in melasma lesions. Hence, we investigated the role of GDA in skin pigmentation. We examined GDA expression in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) lesions, diagnosed as Riehl’s melanosis. We further investigated the possible role of keratinocyte-derived GDA in melanogenesis by quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence staining, small interfering RNA-based GDA knockdown, and adenovirus-mediated GDA overexpression. We found higher GDA positivity in the hyperpigmentary lesional epidermis than in the perilesional epidermis. Both UVB irradiation and stem cell factor (SCF) plus endothelin-1 (ET-1) were used, which are well-known melanogenic stimuli upregulating GDA expression in both keratinocyte culture alone and keratinocyte and melanocyte coculture. GDA knockdown downregulated melanin content, while GDA overexpression promoted melanogenesis in the coculture. When melanocytes were treated with UVB-exposed keratinocyte-conditioned media, the melanin content was increased. Also, GDA knockdown lowered SCF and ET-1 expression levels in keratinocytes. GDA in epidermal keratinocytes may promote melanogenesis by upregulating SCF and ET-1, suggesting its role in skin hyperpigmentary disorders.


2007 ◽  
Vol 282 (49) ◽  
pp. 35964-35977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juneth J. Partridge ◽  
Mark A. Madsen ◽  
Veronica C. Ardi ◽  
Thales Papagiannakopoulos ◽  
Tatyana A. Kupriyanova ◽  
...  

The role of tumor-derived matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs) in cancer cell dissemination was analyzed by employing two variants of human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma, HT-hi/diss and HT-lo/diss, which differ by 50-100-fold in their ability to intravasate and metastasize in the chick embryo. HT-hi/diss and HT-lo/diss were compared by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot analyses for mRNA and protein expression of nine MMPs (MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -8, -9, -10, -13, and -14) and three TIMPs (TIMP-1, -2, and -3) in cultured cells in vitro and in primary tumors in vivo. MMP-1 and MMP-9 were more abundant in the HT-hi/diss variant, both in cultures and in tumors, whereas the HT-lo/diss variant consistently expressed higher levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2. Small interfering RNA-mediated down-regulation of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 increased intravasation of HT-lo/diss cells. Coordinately, treatment of the developing HT-hi/diss tumors with recombinant TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 significantly reduced HT-hi/diss cell intravasation. However, a substantial increase of HT-hi/diss dissemination was observed upon small interfering RNA-mediated down-regulation of three secreted MMPs, including the interstitial collagenase MMP-1 and the two gelatinases, MMP-2 and MMP-9, but not the membrane-tethered MMP-14. The addition of recombinant pro-MMP-9 protein to the HT-hi/diss tumors reversed the increased intravasation of HT-hi/diss cells, in which MMP-9 was stably down-regulated by short hairpin RNA interference. This rescue did not occur if the pro-MMP-9 was stoichiometrically complexed with TIMP-1, pointing to a direct role of the MMP-9 enzyme in regulation of HT-hi/diss intravasation. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that tumor-derived MMPs may have protective functions in cancer cell intravasation, i.e. not promoting but rather catalytically interfering with the early stages of cancer dissemination.


2017 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara L. Grinnage-Pulley ◽  
Daniel E. K. Kabotso ◽  
Chelsea L. Rintelmann ◽  
Rajarshi Roychoudhury ◽  
Robert G. Schaut ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTLeishmanialipophosphoglycan (LPG) is a key virulence factor, initiating inflammation resulting in cutaneous lesions. LPG is capped by various oligosaccharides. How these glycans are recognized and how they alter the course ofLeishmaniainfection are poorly understood. Previous studies synthesized α-1,2-trimannose cap sugars on latex beads and demonstrated that C57BL/6 mice coinoculated withLeishmania majorand trimannose-coated beads produced significantly higher levels of interleukin-12p40 (IL-12p40) and other proinflammatory, type 1 cytokines than mice inoculated withL. majoralone within the first 48 h of infection. However, asL. majorinfection typically progress over weeks to months, the role of trimannose in altering disease progression over the course of infection was unknown. Wild-type mice were inoculated with either trimannose-coated or carrier (uncoated) beads, infected withL. majoralone, coinoculated with carrier beads andL. major, or coinoculated with trimannose-coated beads andL. major. Trimannose treatment ofL. major-infected mice decreased the parasite load and significantly decreased the lesion size at 14 days postinfection (p.i.) compared to results for nontreated, infected mice. Infected, trimannose-treated mice had decreased IL-12p40 and IL-10 secretion and increased interferon gamma secretion at 14 days p.i. Mannose receptor knockout (MR−/−) mice lack the ability to detect trimannose. When MR−/−mice were infected withL. majorand treated with trimannose beads, they did not have decreased lesion size.Leishmania-derived trimannose represents a novel immunomodulator that provides early type 1-skewed cytokine production to control the parasite load and alter the course of cutaneous leishmaniasis.


Nanoscale ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (23) ◽  
pp. 10952-10962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco A. Deriu ◽  
Nicolas Tsapis ◽  
Magali Noiray ◽  
Gianvito Grasso ◽  
Nabil El Brahmi ◽  
...  

In the field of dendrimers targeting small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery, dendrimer structural properties, such as the surface chemistry, play a crucial role in the efficiency of complexation.


2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 5077-5086 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annett Koch ◽  
Yisang Yoon ◽  
Nina A. Bonekamp ◽  
Mark A. McNiven ◽  
Michael Schrader

The mammalian dynamin-like protein DLP1/Drp1 has been shown to mediate both mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission. In this study, we have examined whether hFis1, a mammalian homologue of yeast Fis1, which has been shown to participate in mitochondrial fission by an interaction with DLP1/Drp1, is also involved in peroxisomal growth and division. We show that hFis1 localizes to peroxisomes in addition to mitochondria. Through differential tagging and deletion experiments, we demonstrate that the transmembrane domain and the short C-terminal tail of hFis1 is both necessary and sufficient for its targeting to peroxisomes and mitochondria, whereas the N-terminal region is required for organelle fission. hFis1 promotes peroxisome division upon ectopic expression, whereas silencing of Fis1 by small interfering RNA inhibited fission and caused tubulation of peroxisomes. These findings provide the first evidence for a role of Fis1 in peroxisomal fission and suggest that the fission machinery of mitochondria and peroxisomes shares common components.


Cardiology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Yuan ◽  
Hongjie Fu ◽  
Lifen Ren ◽  
Haichang Wang ◽  
Wenyi Guo

Objective: High levels of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) in the circulation have been suggested as an important indicator of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndromes. In the present study, we explored the role of sCD40L in the formation of foam cells. Methods: Lipid deposition and foam cell formation was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and Nile Red staining, respectively. Gene expressions were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. The interaction between CD40 and sCD40L were blocked by CD40 small interfering RNA or anti-CD40 antibody. Results: sCD40L significantly increased lipid deposition and foam cell formation associated with upregulation of scavenger receptor type A and CD36. Additionally, sCD40L increased adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 and cholesterol efflux, and activated NF-κB in macrophages. sCD40L promoted foam cell formation via CD40 ligation and disruption of the ligation between CD40 and CD40L either by small interfering RNA or by a blocking anti-CD40 antibody apparently inhibiting foam cell formation in response to sCD40L. Conclusion: Our data suggests a novel insight into the role of sCD40L in foam cell formation during atherosclerosis, which further confirms the importance of sCD40L in atherosclerosis and as a target for the treatment of this disease.


2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Zavarella ◽  
Mitsutoshi Nakada ◽  
Shawn Belverud ◽  
Salvatore J. Coniglio ◽  
Amanda Chan ◽  
...  

Object Medulloblastomas are the most common malignant brain tumors in children. These tumors are highly invasive, and patients harboring these lesions are frequently diagnosed with distant spread. In this study, the authors investigated the role of Rac1, a member of the Rho family of small guanosine triphosphatases, in medulloblastoma invasion. Methods Three established medulloblastoma cell lines were used: DAOY, UW-228, and ONS-76. Specific depletion of Rac1 protein was accomplished by transient transfection of small interfering RNA. Cell invasion through extracellular matrix (Matrigel) was quantified using a transwell migration assay. Mitogen activated protein kinase activation was determined using phospho-MAP kinase–specific antibodies, and inhibition of MAP kinase pathways was achieved by specific small molecule inhibitors. Localization of Rac1 and its expression levels were determined by immunohistochemical analysis using a Rac1-specific antibody, and Rac1 activation was qualitatively assessed by Rac1 plasma membrane association. Results Small interfering RNA–mediated depletion of Rac1 strongly inhibited medulloblastoma cell invasion. Although depletion of Rac1 inhibited the proliferation of UW-228 cells, and of ONS-76 cells to a lesser extent, it stimulated the proliferation of DAOY cells. Depletion of Rac1 also inhibited the activation of the ERK and JNK MAP kinase pathways, and inhibition of either pathway diminished invasion and proliferation. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the Rac1 protein was overexpressed in all medulloblastoma tumors examined, and indicated that Rac1 was hyperactive in 6 of 25 tumors. Conclusions The authors' data show that Rac1 is necessary for the invasive behavior of medulloblastoma cells in vitro, and plays a variable role in medulloblastoma cell proliferation. In addition, these results indicate that Rac1 stimulates medulloblastoma invasion by activating the ERK and JNK pathways. The authors suggest that Rac1 and signaling elements controlled by this guanosine triphosphatase may serve as novel targets for therapeutic intervention in malignant medulloblastomas.


Endocrinology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 151 (11) ◽  
pp. 5255-5266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Cignarelli ◽  
Mariangela Melchiorre ◽  
Alessandro Peschechera ◽  
Antonella Conserva ◽  
Lucia Adelaide Renna ◽  
...  

The small ubiquitin-like modifier-conjugating enzyme UBC9, involved in protein modification through covalent attachment of small ubiquitin-like modifier and other less defined mechanisms, has emerged as a key regulator of cell proliferation and differentiation. To explore the role of UBC9 in adipocyte differentiation, the UBC9 protein levels were examined in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. UBC9 mRNA and protein levels were increased 2.5-fold at d 2 and then gradually declined to basal levels at d 8 of differentiation. In addition, UBC9 was expressed predominantly in the nucleus of preadipocytes but shifted to cytoplasmic compartments after d 4, after induction of differentiation. UBC9 knockdown was then achieved in differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes using a specific small interfering RNA. Oil-Red-O staining demonstrated accumulation of large triglyceride droplets in approximately 90% of control cells, whereas lipid droplets were smaller and evident in only 30% of cells treated with the UBC9-specific small interfering RNA. CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)-δ, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, and C/EBPα mRNA levels were increased severalfold 2–6 d after induction of differentiation in control cells, whereas the expression of these transcription factors was significantly lower in the presence of UBC9 gene silencing. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of a catalytically inactive mutant UBC9 protein in 3T3-L1 cells resulted in no changes in expression of adipogenic transcription factors and conversion to mature adipocytes as compared with control. In conclusion, UBC9 appears to play an important role in adipogenesis. The temporal profile of UBC9 induction and its ability to affect C/EBPδ mRNA induction support a role for this protein during early adipogenesis.


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