Cytosolic T3-binding protein modulates dynamic alteration of T3-mediated gene expression in cells

Abstract Background There is an increased level of senescent cells and toll-like teceptor-1, -2, -4, and -6 (TLR) expression in degenerating intervertebral discs (IVDs) from back pain patients. However, it is currently not known if the increase in expression of TLRs is related to the senescent cells or if it is a more general increase on all cells. It is also not known if TLR activation in IVD cells will induce cell senescence. Methods Cells from non-degenerate human IVD were obtained from spine donors and cells from degenerate IVDs came from patients undergoing surgery for low back pain. Gene expression of TLR-1,2,4,6, senescence and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) markers was evaluated by RT-qPCR in isolated cells. Matrix synthesis was verified with safranin-O staining and Dimethyl-Methylene Blue Assay (DMMB) confirmed proteoglycan content. Protein expression of p16INK4a, SASP factors, and TLR-2 was evaluated by immunocytochemistry (ICC) and/or by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results An increase in senescent cells was found following 48-h induction with a TLR-2/6 agonist in cells from both non-degenerate and degenerating human IVDs. Higher levels of SASP factors, TLR-2 gene expression, and protein expression were found following 48-h induction with TLR-2/6 agonist. Treatment with o-vanillin reduced the number of senescent cells, and increased matrix synthesis in IVD cells from back pain patients. Treatment with o-vanillin after induction with TLR-2/6 agonist reduced gene and protein expression of SASP factors and TLR-2. Co-localized staining of p16INK4a and TLR-2 demonstrated that senescent cells have a high TLR-2 expression. Conclusions Taken together our data demonstrate that activation of TLR-2/6 induce senescence and increase TLR-2 and SASP expression in cells from non-degenerate IVDs of organ donors without degeneration and back pain and in cells from degenerating human IVD of patients with disc degeneration and back pain. The senescent cells showed high TLR-2 expression suggesting a link between TLR activation and cell senescence in human IVD cells. The reduction in senescence, SASP, and TLR-2 expression suggest o-vanillin as a potential disease-modifying drug for patients with disc degeneration and back pain.

Download Full-text

The promoter sequences of lettuce cis-prenyltransferase and its binding protein specify gene expression in laticifers

Planta ◽

10.1007/s00425-021-03566-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 253 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Elysabeth K. Barnes ◽

Moonhyuk Kwon ◽

Connor L. Hodgins ◽

Yang Qu ◽

Seon-Won Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Binding Protein ◽

Promoter Sequences

Download Full-text

The Interplay of RNA Binding Proteins, Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in ALS

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10040552 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 552

Author(s):

Jasmine Harley ◽

Benjamin E. Clarke ◽

Rickie Patani

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Gene Expression ◽

Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽

Binding Proteins ◽

Rna Binding ◽

Rna Binding Proteins ◽

Binding Protein ◽

Rna Binding Protein ◽

Therapeutic Strategies ◽

Lateral Sclerosis

RNA binding proteins fulfil a wide number of roles in gene expression. Multiple mechanisms of RNA binding protein dysregulation have been implicated in the pathomechanisms of several neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction also play important roles in these diseases. In this review, we highlight the mechanistic interplay between RNA binding protein dysregulation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in ALS. We also discuss different potential therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways.

Download Full-text

RNA–Binding Protein HuD as a Versatile Factor in Neuronal and Non–Neuronal Systems

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology10050361 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 361

Author(s):

Myeongwoo Jung ◽

Eun-Kyung Lee

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Neural Plasticity ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Neuronal Development ◽

Rna Binding ◽

Binding Protein ◽

Rna Binding Protein ◽

Novel Treatments ◽

Target Mrnas ◽

Neuronal Systems

HuD (also known as ELAVL4) is an RNA–binding protein belonging to the human antigen (Hu) family that regulates stability, translation, splicing, and adenylation of target mRNAs. Unlike ubiquitously distributed HuR, HuD is only expressed in certain types of tissues, mainly in neuronal systems. Numerous studies have shown that HuD plays essential roles in neuronal development, differentiation, neurogenesis, dendritic maturation, neural plasticity, and synaptic transmission by regulating the metabolism of target mRNAs. However, growing evidence suggests that HuD also functions as a pivotal regulator of gene expression in non–neuronal systems and its malfunction is implicated in disease pathogenesis. Comprehensive knowledge of HuD expression, abundance, molecular targets, and regulatory mechanisms will broaden our understanding of its role as a versatile regulator of gene expression, thus enabling novel treatments for diseases with aberrant HuD expression. This review focuses on recent advances investigating the emerging role of HuD, its molecular mechanisms of target gene regulation, and its disease relevance in both neuronal and non–neuronal systems.

Download Full-text