scholarly journals A Fresh Look at the Structure, Regulation, and Functions of Fodrin

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamuna S. Sreeja ◽  
Rince John ◽  
Dhrishya Dharmapal ◽  
Rohith Kumar Nellikka ◽  
Suparna Sengupta
Keyword(s):  
Posttranslational Modifications ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Erythroid Cell ◽  
Structural Variations ◽  
Neuronal Tissues ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Neuronal Disorders

ABSTRACT Fodrin and its erythroid cell-specific isoform spectrin are actin-associated fibrous proteins that play crucial roles in the maintenance of structural integrity in mammalian cells, which is necessary for proper cell function. Normal cell morphology is altered in diseases such as various cancers and certain neuronal disorders. Fodrin and spectrin are two-chain (αβ) molecules that are encoded by paralogous genes and share many features but also demonstrate certain differences. Fodrin (in humans, typically a heterodimer of the products of the SPTAN1 and SPTBN1 genes) is expressed in nearly all cell types and is especially abundant in neuronal tissues, whereas spectrin (in humans, a heterodimer of the products of the SPTA1 and SPTB1 genes) is expressed almost exclusively in erythrocytes. To fulfill a role in such a variety of different cell types, it was anticipated that fodrin would need to be a more versatile scaffold than spectrin. Indeed, as summarized here, domains unique to fodrin and its regulation by Ca2+, calmodulin, and a variety of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) endow fodrin with additional specific functions. However, how fodrin structural variations and misregulated PTMs may contribute to the etiology of various cancers and neurodegenerative diseases needs to be further investigated.

Proteomics: current techniques and potential applications to lung disease

2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (1) ◽  
pp. L1-L23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Hirsch ◽  
Kirk C. Hansen ◽  
Alma L. Burlingame ◽  
Michael A. Matthay
Keyword(s):  
Posttranslational Modifications ◽  
Protein Separation ◽  
Protein Identification ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Protein Profiling ◽  
Complex Samples ◽  
Potential Value ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Tissue Specimens ◽  
Different Cell Types

Proteomics aims to study the whole protein content of a biological sample in one set of experiments. Such an approach has the potential value to acquire an understanding of the complex responses of an organism to a stimulus. The large vascular and air space surface area of the lung expose it to a multitude of stimuli that can trigger a variety of responses by many different cell types. This complexity makes the lung a promising, but also challenging, target for proteomics. Important steps made in the last decade have increased the potential value of the results of proteomics studies for the clinical scientist. Advances in protein separation and staining techniques have improved protein identification to include the least abundant proteins. The evolution in mass spectrometry has led to the identification of a large part of the proteins of interest rather than just describing changes in patterns of protein spots. Protein profiling techniques allow the rapid comparison of complex samples and the direct investigation of tissue specimens. In addition, proteomics has been complemented by the analysis of posttranslational modifications and techniques for the quantitative comparison of different proteomes. These methodologies have made the application of proteomics on the study of specific diseases or biological processes under clinically relevant conditions possible. The quantity of data that is acquired with these new techniques places new challenges on data processing and analysis. This article provides a brief review of the most promising proteomics methods and some of their applications to pulmonary research.

scholarly journals Reticulon 4a promotes exocytosis in mammalian cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (18) ◽  
pp. 2349-2357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richik Nilay Mukherjee ◽  
Daniel L. Levy
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Protein Trafficking ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Vesicular Trafficking ◽  
Secreted Proteins ◽  
Mammalian Cell Lines ◽  
Rough Er ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Functional Output

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) tubules and sheets conventionally correspond to smooth and rough ER, respectively. The ratio of ER tubules-to-sheets varies in different cell types and changes in response to cellular conditions, potentially impacting the functional output of the ER. To directly test whether ER morphology impacts vesicular trafficking, we increased the tubule-to-sheet ratio in three different ways, by overexpressing Rtn4a, Rtn4b, or REEP5. Only Rtn4a overexpression increased exocytosis, but not overall levels, of several cell surface and secreted proteins. Furthermore, Rtn4a depletion reduced cell surface trafficking without affecting ER morphology. Similar results were observed in three different mammalian cell lines, suggesting that Rtn4a generally enhances exocytosis independently of changes in ER morphology. Finally, we show that Rtn4a levels modulate cell adhesion, possibly by regulating trafficking of integrins to the cell surface. Taking the results together, we find that altering ER morphology does not necessarily affect protein trafficking, but that Rtn4a specifically enhances exocytosis.

scholarly journals S100A6 and Its Brain Ligands in Neurodegenerative Disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3979
Author(s):  
Anna Filipek ◽  
Wiesława Leśniak
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cytoskeletal Organization ◽  
High Level ◽  
S100a6 Protein ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

The S100A6 protein is present in different mammalian cells and tissues including the brain. It binds Ca2+ and Zn2+ and interacts with many target proteins/ligands. The best characterized ligands of S100A6, expressed at high level in the brain, include CacyBP/SIP and Sgt1. Research concerning the functional role of S100A6 and these two ligands indicates that they are involved in various signaling pathways that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, cytoskeletal organization, and others. In this review, we focused on the expression/localization of these proteins in the brain and on their possible role in neurodegenerative diseases. Published results demonstrate that S100A6, CacyBP/SIP, and Sgt1 are expressed in various brain structures and in the spinal cord and can be found in different cell types including neurons and astrocytes. When it comes to their possible involvement in nervous system pathology, it is evident that their expression/level and/or subcellular localization is changed when compared to normal conditions. Among diseases in which such changes have been observed are Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), epileptogenesis, Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), and others.

scholarly journals Mitofusin 2 ablation increases endoplasmic reticulum–mitochondria coupling

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (17) ◽  
pp. E2174-E2181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo Filadi ◽  
Elisa Greotti ◽  
Gabriele Turacchio ◽  
Alberto Luini ◽  
Tullio Pozzan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Morphological Analysis ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Mitofusin 2 ◽  
Electron And Fluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Microscopy Data ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Close Contacts

The organization and mutual interactions between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria modulate key aspects of cell pathophysiology. Several proteins have been suggested to be involved in keeping ER and mitochondria at a correct distance. Among them, in mammalian cells, mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), located on both the outer mitochondrial membrane and the ER surface, has been proposed to be a physical tether between the two organelles, forming homotypic interactions and heterocomplexes with its homolog Mfn1. Recently, this widely accepted model has been challenged using quantitative EM analysis. Using a multiplicity of morphological, biochemical, functional, and genetic approaches, we demonstrate that Mfn2 ablation increases the structural and functional ER–mitochondria coupling. In particular, we show that in different cell types Mfn2 ablation or silencing increases the close contacts between the two organelles and strengthens the efficacy of inositol trisphosphate (IP3)-induced Ca2+ transfer from the ER to mitochondria, sensitizing cells to a mitochondrial Ca2+ overload-dependent death. We also show that the previously reported discrepancy between electron and fluorescence microscopy data on ER–mitochondria proximity in Mfn2-ablated cells is only apparent. By using a different type of morphological analysis of fluorescent images that takes into account (and corrects for) the gross modifications in mitochondrial shape resulting from Mfn2 ablation, we demonstrate that an increased proximity between the organelles is also observed by confocal microscopy when Mfn2 levels are reduced. Based on these results, we propose a new model for ER–mitochondria juxtaposition in which Mfn2 works as a tethering antagonist preventing an excessive, potentially toxic, proximity between the two organelles.

scholarly journals TAPping into the treasures of tubulin using novel protein production methods

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 781-792
Author(s):  
Nuo Yu ◽  
Niels Galjart
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Gene Families ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Tubulin Isotypes ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Cytoskeletal Elements ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Β Tubulin

Microtubules are cytoskeletal elements with important cellular functions, whose dynamic behaviour and properties are in part regulated by microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). The building block of microtubules is tubulin, a heterodimer of α- and β-tubulin subunits. Longitudinal interactions between tubulin dimers facilitate a head-to-tail arrangement of dimers into protofilaments, while lateral interactions allow the formation of a hollow microtubule tube that mostly contains 13 protofilaments. Highly homologous α- and β-tubulin isotypes exist, which are encoded by multi-gene families. In vitro studies on microtubules and MAPs have largely relied on brain-derived tubulin preparations. However, these consist of an unknown mix of tubulin isotypes with undefined post-translational modifications. This has blocked studies on the functions of tubulin isotypes and the effects of tubulin mutations found in human neurological disorders. Fortunately, various methodologies to produce recombinant mammalian tubulins have become available in the last years, allowing researchers to overcome this barrier. In addition, affinity-based purification of tagged tubulins and identification of tubulin-associated proteins (TAPs) by mass spectrometry has revealed the ‘tubulome’ of mammalian cells. Future experiments with recombinant tubulins should allow a detailed description of how tubulin isotype influences basic microtubule behaviour, and how MAPs and TAPs impinge on tubulin isotypes and microtubule-based processes in different cell types.

scholarly journals Vascular CaMKII: heart and brain in your arteries

2016 ◽  
Vol 311 (3) ◽  
pp. C462-C478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanny Toussaint ◽  
Chimène Charbel ◽  
Bruce G. Allen ◽  
Jonathan Ledoux
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Proliferation ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Vascular System ◽  
Splice Variants ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Vascular Cell ◽  
Calcium Calmodulin Dependent ◽  
Regulatory Processes ◽  
Neuronal Tissues

First characterized in neuronal tissues, the multifunctional calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a key signaling component in several mammalian biological systems. Its unique capacity to integrate various Ca2+ signals into different specific outcomes is a precious asset to excitable and nonexcitable cells. Numerous studies have reported roles and mechanisms involving CaMKII in brain and heart tissues. However, corresponding functions in vascular cell types (endothelium and vascular smooth muscle cells) remained largely unexplored until recently. Investigation of the intracellular Ca2+ dynamics, their impact on vascular cell function, the regulatory processes involved and more recently the spatially restricted oscillatory Ca2+ signals and microdomains triggered significant interest towards proteins like CaMKII. Heteromultimerization of CaMKII isoforms (four isoforms and several splice variants) expands this kinase's peculiar capacity to decipher Ca2+ signals and initiate specific signaling processes, and thus controlling cellular functions. The physiological functions that rely on CaMKII are unsurprisingly diverse, ranging from regulating contractile state and cellular proliferation to Ca2+ homeostasis and cellular permeability. This review will focus on emerging evidence of CaMKII as an essential component of the vascular system, with a focus on the kinase isoform/splice variants and cellular system studied.

scholarly journals Growth of mammalian cells on substrates coated with cellular microexudates. I. Effect on cell growth at low population densities.

1975 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Weiss ◽  
G Poste ◽  
A MacKearnin ◽  
K Willett
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Growth Enhancement ◽  
Plastic Substrates ◽  
Embryo Cells ◽  
Cell Layers ◽  
Feeder Cell Layers ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Macromolecular Composition

Mammalian and avian cells cultured on glass or plastic substrates produce microexudates of cellular macromolecules which remain bound to the substrate when the cells are detached. The gross macromolecular composition of microexudates from a range of diploid, heteroploid, and virus-transformed cells was determined with cells labeled with radioisotopes. Significant differences in the amounts of cellular glycoproteins, proteins, and RNA present in microexudates were found between different cell types and between cells of the same type at different stages of growth. Inoculation of cells onto substrates "coated" with microexudates altered their growth behavior. Microexudates from exponentially growing subconfluent homotypic and heterotypic cell populations enhanced the growth of mouse and chick embryo cells seeded at very low densities, but similar microexudates had no effect on the proliferation of cells seeded at higher densities. The enhanced growth of low-density cell populations seeded on microexudates was compared with the growth enhancement produced by feeder cell layers and conditioned medium.

scholarly journals Ogt-Dependent X-Chromosome-Linked Protein Glycosylation Is a Requisite Modification in Somatic Cell Function and Embryo Viability

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 1680-1690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niall O'Donnell ◽  
Natasha E. Zachara ◽  
Gerald W. Hart ◽  
Jamey D. Marth
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Protein Glycosylation ◽  
Embryo Viability ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
T Cell Apoptosis

ABSTRACT The Ogt gene encodes a glycosyltransferase that links N-acetylglucosamine to serine and threonine residues (O-GlcNAc) on nuclear and cytosolic proteins. Efforts to study a mammalian model of Ogt deficiency have been hindered by the requirement for this X-linked gene in embryonic stem cell viability, necessitating the use of conditional mutagenesis in vivo. We have extended these observations by segregating Ogt mutation to distinct somatic cell types, including neurons, thymocytes, and fibroblasts, the latter by an approach developed for inducible Ogt mutagenesis. We show that Ogt mutation results in the loss of O-GlcNAc and causes T-cell apoptosis, neuronal tau hyperphosphorylation, and fibroblast growth arrest with altered expression of c-Fos, c-Jun, c-Myc, Sp1, and p27. We further segregated the mutant Ogt allele to parental gametes by oocyte- and spermatid-specific Cre-loxP mutagenesis. By this we established an in vivo genetic approach that supports the ontogeny of female heterozygotes bearing mutant X-linked genes required during embryogenesis. Successful production and characterization of such female heterozygotes further indicates that mammalian cells commonly require a functional Ogt allele. We find that O-GlcNAc modulates protein phosphorylation and expression among essential and conserved cell signaling pathways.

scholarly journals LRRK2 regulation of immune-pathways and inflammatory disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 1581-1595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Wallings ◽  
Malú G. Tansey
Keyword(s):  
Immune Cells ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Rab Gtpases ◽  
Sporadic Cases ◽  
Bona Fide ◽  
Pathway Regulation ◽  
Different Cell Types

Mutations in the leucine-rich-repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are associated with familial and sporadic cases of Parkinson's disease but are also found in immune-related disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, tuberculosis and leprosy. LRRK2 is highly expressed in immune cells and has been functionally linked to pathways pertinent to immune cell function, such as cytokine release, autophagy and phagocytosis. Here, we examine the current understanding of the role of LRRK2 kinase activity in pathway regulation in immune cells, drawing upon data from multiple diseases associated with LRRK2 to highlight the pleiotropic effects of LRRK2 in different cell types. We discuss the role of the bona fide LRRK2 substrate, Rab GTPases, in LRRK2 pathway regulation as well as downstream events in the autophagy and inflammatory pathways.

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