MeCP2: structure and functionThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in a Special Issue entitled 31st Annual International Asilomar Chromatin and Chromosomes Conference, and has undergone the Journal’s usual peer review process.

2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas L. Adkins ◽  
Philippe T. Georgel
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Peer Review Process ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Structural Domains ◽  
Architectural Proteins ◽  
Protein Mecp2 ◽  
Selection Of

Despite a vast body of literature linking chromatin structure to regulation of gene expression, the role of architectural proteins in higher order chromatin transitions required for transcription activation and repression has remained an under-studied field. To demonstrate the current knowledge of the role of such proteins, we have focused our attention on the methylated DNA binding and chromatin-associated protein MeCP2. Structural studies using chromatin assembled in vitro have revealed that MeCP2 can associate with nucleosomes in an N-terminus dependent manner and efficiently condense nucleosome arrays. The present review attempts to match MeCP2 structural domains, or lack thereof, and specific chromatin features needed for the proper recruitment of MeCP2 to its multiple functions as either activator or repressor. We specifically focused on MeCP2’s role in Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder associated with specific MeCP2 mutations.

CHD proteins: a diverse family with strong tiesThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this Special Issue, entitled 28th International West Coast Chromatin and Chromosome Conference, and has undergone the Journal's usual peer review process.

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 463-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Adam Hall ◽  
Philippe T. Georgel
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review Process ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Helicase Domain ◽  
Structural Domains ◽  
Potential Activity ◽  
Or Gene ◽  
Selection Of

Chromodomain/helicase/DNA-binding domain (CHD) proteins have been identified in a variety of organisms. Despite common features, such as their chromodomain and helicase domain, they have been described as having multiple roles and interacting partners. However, a common theme for the main role of CHD proteins appears to be linked to their ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling activity. Their actual activity as either repressor or activator, and their cell or gene specificity, is connected to their interacting partner(s). In this minireview, we attempt to match the members of the CHD family with the presence of structural domains, cofactors, and cellular roles in the regulation of gene expression, recombination, genome organization, and chromatin structure, as well as their potential activity in RNA processing.

scholarly journals Activation of mitochondrial TUFM ameliorates metabolic dysregulation through coordinating autophagy induction

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dasol Kim ◽  
Hui-Yun Hwang ◽  
Eun Sun Ji ◽  
Jin Young Kim ◽  
Jong Shin Yoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Regulation ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Diet Induced Obesity ◽  
Metabolic Dysregulation ◽  
Autophagy Induction ◽  
Transcription Factor Eb ◽  
Mitochondrial Elongation

AbstractDisorders of autophagy, a key regulator of cellular homeostasis, cause a number of human diseases. Due to the role of autophagy in metabolic dysregulation, there is a need to identify autophagy regulators as therapeutic targets. To address this need, we conducted an autophagy phenotype-based screen and identified the natural compound kaempferide (Kaem) as an autophagy enhancer. Kaem promoted autophagy through translocation of transcription factor EB (TFEB) without MTOR perturbation, suggesting it is safe for administration. Moreover, Kaem accelerated lipid droplet degradation in a lysosomal activity-dependent manner in vitro and ameliorated metabolic dysregulation in a diet-induced obesity mouse model. To elucidate the mechanism underlying Kaem’s biological activity, the target protein was identified via combined drug affinity responsive target stability and LC–MS/MS analyses. Kaem directly interacted with the mitochondrial elongation factor TUFM, and TUFM absence reversed Kaem-induced autophagy and lipid degradation. Kaem also induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) to sequentially promote lysosomal Ca2+ efflux, TFEB translocation and autophagy induction, suggesting a role of TUFM in mtROS regulation. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Kaem is a potential therapeutic candidate/chemical tool for treating metabolic dysregulation and reveal a role for TUFM in autophagy for metabolic regulation with lipid overload.

scholarly journals Secreted KIAA1199 promotes the progression of rheumatoid arthritis by mediating hyaluronic acid degradation in an ANXA1-dependent manner

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Guoyu Yin ◽  
Heping Zhao ◽  
Hanzhi Ling ◽  
Zhen Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Hyaluronic Acid ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Collagen Induced Arthritis ◽  
Intracellular Degradation ◽  
Main Pathway ◽  
First Time

AbstractIn inflamed joints, enhanced hyaluronic acid (HA) degradation is closely related to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). KIAA1199 has been identified as a hyaladherin that mediates the intracellular degradation of HA, but its extracellular function remains unclear. In this study, we found that the serum and synovial levels of secreted KIAA1199 (sKIAA1199) and low-molecular-weight HA (LMW-HA, MW < 100 kDa) in RA patients were significantly increased, and the positive correlation between them was shown for the first time. Of note, treatment with anti-KIAA1199 mAb effectively alleviated the severity of arthritis and reduced serum LMW-HA levels and cytokine secretion in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. In vitro, sKIAA1199 was shown to mediate exogenous HA degradation by attaching to the cell membrane of RA fibroblast-like synoviosytes (RA FLS). Furthermore, the HA-degrading activity of sKIAA1199 depended largely on its adhesion to the membrane, which was achieved by its G8 domain binding to ANXA1. In vivo, kiaa1199-KO mice exhibited greater resistance to collagen-induced arthritis. Interestingly, this resistance could be partially reversed by intra-articular injection of vectors encoding full-length KIAA1199 instead of G8-deleted KIAA119 mutant, which further confirmed the indispensable role of G8 domain in KIAA1199 involvement in RA pathological processes. Mechanically, the activation of NF-κB by interleukin-6 (IL-6) through PI3K/Akt signaling is suggested to be the main pathway to induce KIAA1199 expression in RA FLS. In conclusion, our study supported the contribution of sKIAA1199 to RA pathogenesis, providing a new therapeutic target for RA by blocking sKIAA1199-mediated HA degradation.

scholarly journals Phaseolin Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in RAW 264.7 Cells and Zebrafish

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 420
Author(s):  
Su-Jung Hwang ◽  
Ye-Seul Song ◽  
Hyo-Jong Lee
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Raw 264.7 Cells ◽  
Network Pharmacology ◽  
Raw 264.7 ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Bioactive Constituents

Kushen (Radix Sophorae flavescentis) is used to treat ulcerative colitis, tumors, and pruritus. Recently, phaseolin, formononetin, matrine, luteolin, and quercetin, through a network pharmacology approach, were tentatively identified as five bioactive constituents responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of S. flavescentis. However, the role of phaseolin (one of the primary components of S. flavescentis) in the direct regulation of inflammation and inflammatory processes is not well known. In this study, the beneficial role of phaseolin against inflammation was explored in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation models of RAW 264.7 macrophages and zebrafish larvae. Phaseolin inhibited LPS-mediated production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), without affecting cell viability. In addition, phaseolin suppressed pro-inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, phaseolin reduced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity as well as macrophage adhesion in vitro and the recruitment of leukocytes in vivo by downregulating Ninjurin 1 (Ninj1), an adhesion molecule. Finally, phaseolin inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). In view of the above, our results suggest that phaseolin could be a potential therapeutic candidate for the management of inflammation.

scholarly journals PapRIV, a BV-2 microglial cell activating quorum sensing peptide

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yorick Janssens ◽  
Nathan Debunne ◽  
Anton De Spiegeleer ◽  
Evelien Wynendaele ◽  
Marta Planas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Communication Signals ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Gastro Intestinal Tract

AbstractQuorum sensing peptides (QSPs) are bacterial peptides produced by Gram-positive bacteria to communicate with their peers in a cell-density dependent manner. These peptides do not only act as interbacterial communication signals, but can also have effects on the host. Compelling evidence demonstrates the presence of a gut-brain axis and more specifically, the role of the gut microbiota in microglial functioning. The aim of this study is to investigate microglial activating properties of a selected QSP (PapRIV) which is produced by Bacillus cereus species. PapRIV showed in vitro activating properties of BV-2 microglia cells and was able to cross the in vitro Caco-2 cell model and reach the brain. In vivo peptide presence was also demonstrated in mouse plasma. The peptide caused induction of IL-6, TNFα and ROS expression and increased the fraction of ameboid BV-2 microglia cells in an NF-κB dependent manner. Different metabolites were identified in serum, of which the main metabolite still remained active. PapRIV is thus able to cross the gastro-intestinal tract and the blood–brain barrier and shows in vitro activating properties in BV-2 microglia cells, hereby indicating a potential role of this quorum sensing peptide in gut-brain interaction.

scholarly journals Histone lactylation drives oncogenesis by facilitating m6A reader protein YTHDF2 expression in ocular melanoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Yu ◽  
Peiwei Chai ◽  
Minyue Xie ◽  
Shengfang Ge ◽  
Jing Ruan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macrophage Polarization ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Metabolic Stress ◽  
Ocular Melanoma ◽  
Rna Modifications ◽  
M1 Macrophage ◽  
Melanoma Therapy

Abstract Background Histone lactylation, a metabolic stress-related histone modification, plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression during M1 macrophage polarization. However, the role of histone lactylation in tumorigenesis remains unclear. Results Here, we show histone lactylation is elevated in tumors and is associated with poor prognosis of ocular melanoma. Target correction of aberrant histone lactylation triggers therapeutic efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, histone lactylation contributes to tumorigenesis by facilitating YTHDF2 expression. Moreover, YTHDF2 recognizes the m6A modified PER1 and TP53 mRNAs and promotes their degradation, which accelerates tumorigenesis of ocular melanoma. Conclusion We reveal the oncogenic role of histone lactylation, thereby providing novel therapeutic targets for ocular melanoma therapy. We also bridge histone modifications with RNA modifications, which provides novel understanding of epigenetic regulation in tumorigenesis.

scholarly journals The Neuroinflammatory Role of Pericytes in Epilepsy

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 759
Author(s):  
Gaku Yamanaka ◽  
Fuyuko Takata ◽  
Yasufumi Kataoka ◽  
Kanako Kanou ◽  
Shinichiro Morichi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Cell Damage ◽  
Neurovascular Unit ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Intractable Epilepsy ◽  
In Vivo Studies

Pericytes are a component of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) neurovascular unit, in which they play a crucial role in BBB integrity and are also implicated in neuroinflammation. The association between pericytes, BBB dysfunction, and the pathophysiology of epilepsy has been investigated, and links between epilepsy and pericytes have been identified. Here, we review current knowledge about the role of pericytes in epilepsy. Clinical evidence has shown an accumulation of pericytes with altered morphology in the cerebral vascular territories of patients with intractable epilepsy. In vitro, proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, TNFα, and IL-6, cause morphological changes in human-derived pericytes, where IL-6 leads to cell damage. Experimental studies using epileptic animal models have shown that cerebrovascular pericytes undergo redistribution and remodeling, potentially contributing to BBB permeability. These series of pericyte-related modifications are promoted by proinflammatory cytokines, of which the most pronounced alterations are caused by IL-1β, a cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Furthermore, the pericyte-glial scarring process in leaky capillaries was detected in the hippocampus during seizure progression. In addition, pericytes respond more sensitively to proinflammatory cytokines than microglia and can also activate microglia. Thus, pericytes may function as sensors of the inflammatory response. Finally, both in vitro and in vivo studies have highlighted the potential of pericytes as a therapeutic target for seizure disorders.

scholarly journals Lumican Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis and Bone Resorption by Suppressing Akt Activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4717
Author(s):  
Jin-Young Lee ◽  
Da-Ae Kim ◽  
Eun-Young Kim ◽  
Eun-Ju Chang ◽  
So-Jeong Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Resorption ◽  
Bone Formation ◽  
Map Kinases ◽  
Osteoclast Differentiation ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Dual Action ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Resorptive Activity

Lumican, a ubiquitously expressed small leucine-rich proteoglycan, has been utilized in diverse biological functions. Recent experiments demonstrated that lumican stimulates preosteoblast viability and differentiation, leading to bone formation. To further understand the role of lumican in bone metabolism, we investigated its effects on osteoclast biology. Lumican inhibited both osteoclast differentiation and in vitro bone resorption in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with this, lumican markedly decreased the expression of osteoclastogenesis markers. Moreover, the migration and fusion of preosteoclasts and the resorptive activity per osteoclast were significantly reduced in the presence of lumican, indicating that this protein affects most stages of osteoclastogenesis. Among RANKL-dependent pathways, lumican inhibited Akt but not MAP kinases such as JNK, p38, and ERK. Importantly, co-treatment with an Akt activator almost completely reversed the effect of lumican on osteoclast differentiation. Taken together, our findings revealed that lumican inhibits osteoclastogenesis by suppressing Akt activity. Thus, lumican plays an osteoprotective role by simultaneously increasing bone formation and decreasing bone resorption, suggesting that it represents a dual-action therapeutic target for osteoporosis.

Protein kinase C potentiates cAMP-stimulated mouse duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion in vitro

2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (5) ◽  
pp. G814-G821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bi-Guang Tuo ◽  
Jimmy Y. C. Chow ◽  
Kim E. Barrett ◽  
Jon I. Isenberg
Keyword(s):  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Duodenal Mucosa ◽  
Bicarbonate Secretion ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Ussing Chambers ◽  
Duodenal Bicarbonate Secretion

PKC has been shown to regulate epithelial Cl- secretion in a variety of models. However, the role of PKC in duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion is less clear. We aimed to investigate the role of PKC in regulation of duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion. Bicarbonate secretion by murine duodenal mucosa was examined in vitro in Ussing chambers using a pH-stat technique. PKC isoform expression and activity were assessed by Western blotting and in vitro kinase assays, respectively. PMA (an activator of PKC) alone had no effect on duodenal bicarbonate secretion or short-circuit current ( Isc). When PMA and dibutyryl-cAMP (db-cAMP) were added simultaneously, PMA failed to alter db-cAMP-stimulated duodenal bicarbonate secretion or Isc ( P > 0.05). However, a 1-h preincubation with PMA potentiated db-cAMP-stimulated duodenal bicarbonate secretion and Isc in a concentration-dependent manner (from 10-8 to 10-5M) ( P < 0.05). PMA preincubation had no effects on carbachol- or heat-stable toxin-stimulated bicarbonate secretion. Western blot analysis revealed that PKCα, -γ, -ϵ, -θ, -μ, and -ι/λ were expressed in murine duodenal mucosa. Ro 31–8220 (an inhibitor active against PKCϵ, -α, -β, and -γ), but not Gö 6983 (an inhibitor active against PKCα, -γ, -β, and -δ), reversed the potentiating effect of PMA on db-cAMP-stimulated bicarbonate secretion. PMA also time- and concentration-dependently increased the activity of PKCϵ, an effect that was prevented by Ro 31–8220 but not Gö 6983. These results demonstrate that activation of PKC potentiates cAMP-stimulated duodenal bicarbonate secretion, whereas it does not modify basal secretion. The effect of PKC on cAMP-stimulated bicarbonate secretion is mediated by the PKCϵ isoform.

scholarly journals Sec1p directly stimulates SNARE-mediated membrane fusion in vitro

2004 ◽  
Vol 167 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenton L. Scott ◽  
Jeffrey S. Van Komen ◽  
Hassan Irshad ◽  
Song Liu ◽  
Kirilee A. Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Membrane Trafficking ◽  
Snare Complex ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Bud Neck ◽  
Precise Role

Sec1 proteins are critical players in membrane trafficking, yet their precise role remains unknown. We have examined the role of Sec1p in the regulation of post-Golgi secretion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Indirect immunofluorescence shows that endogenous Sec1p is found primarily at the bud neck in newly budded cells and in patches broadly distributed within the plasma membrane in unbudded cells. Recombinant Sec1p binds strongly to the t-SNARE complex (Sso1p/Sec9c) as well as to the fully assembled ternary SNARE complex (Sso1p/Sec9c;Snc2p), but also binds weakly to free Sso1p. We used recombinant Sec1p to test Sec1p function using a well-characterized SNARE-mediated membrane fusion assay. The addition of Sec1p to a traditional in vitro fusion assay moderately stimulates fusion; however, when Sec1p is allowed to bind to SNAREs before reconstitution, significantly more Sec1p binding is detected and fusion is stimulated in a concentration-dependent manner. These data strongly argue that Sec1p directly stimulates SNARE-mediated membrane fusion.

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