scholarly journals Lysosome Function in Cardiovascular Diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-300
Keyword(s):  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Hydrolytic Enzymes ◽  
Vascular Diseases ◽  
Sphingolipid Metabolism ◽  
Cellular Behavior ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Vascular Regulation ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
And Function

The lysosome is a single ubiquitous membrane-enclosed intracellular organelle with an acidic pH present in all eukaryotic cells, which contains large numbers of hydrolytic enzymes with their maximal enzymatic activity at a low pH (pH ≤ 5) such as proteases, nucleases, and phosphatases that are able to degrade extracellular and intracellular components. It is well known that lysosomes act as a center for degradation and recycling of large numbers of macromolecules delivered by endocytosis, phagocytosis, and autophagy. Lysosomes are recognized as key organelles for cellular clearance and are involved in many cellular processes and maintain cellular homeostasis. Recently, it has been shown that lysosome function and its related pathways are of particular importance in vascular regulation and related diseases. In this review, we highlighted studies that have improved our understanding of the connection between lysosome function and vascular physiological and pathophysiological activities in arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs). Sphingolipids-metabolizingenzymes in lysosomes play critical roles in intracellular signaling events that influence cellular behavior and function in SMCs and ECs. The focus of this review will be to define the mechanism by which the lysosome contributes to cardiovascular regulation and diseases. It is believed that exploring the role of lysosomal function and its sphingolipid metabolism in the initiation and progression of vascular disease and regulation may provide novel insights into the understanding of vascular pathobiology and helps develop more effective therapeutic strategies for vascular diseases.

scholarly journals Membrane Contact Sites in Yeast: Control Hubs of Sphingolipid Homeostasis

Membranes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 971
Author(s):  
Philipp Schlarmann ◽  
Atsuko Ikeda ◽  
Kouichi Funato
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Membrane Lipids ◽  
Sphingolipid Metabolism ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Membrane Contact Sites ◽  
Contact Sites ◽  
Membrane Contact ◽  
And Function

Sphingolipids are the most diverse class of membrane lipids, in terms of their structure and function. Structurally simple sphingolipid precursors, such as ceramides, act as intracellular signaling molecules in various processes, including apoptosis, whereas mature and complex forms of sphingolipids are important structural components of the plasma membrane. Supplying complex sphingolipids to the plasma membrane, according to need, while keeping pro-apoptotic ceramides in check is an intricate task for the cell and requires mechanisms that tightly control sphingolipid synthesis, breakdown, and storage. As each of these processes takes place in different organelles, recent studies, using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, have investigated the role of membrane contact sites as hubs that integrate inter-organellar sphingolipid transport and regulation. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of the findings of these studies and put them into the context of established regulatory mechanisms of sphingolipid homeostasis. We have focused on the role of membrane contact sites in sphingolipid metabolism and ceramide transport, as well as the mechanisms that prevent toxic ceramide accumulation.

scholarly journals LNCcation: lncRNA localization and function

2021 ◽  
Vol 220 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Catherine Bridges ◽  
Amanda C. Daulagala ◽  
Antonis Kourtidis
Keyword(s):  
Subcellular Localization ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Cellular Activity ◽  
Cellular Behavior ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Rna Transcripts ◽  
Emerging Themes ◽  
And Function ◽  
Cumulative Evidence

Subcellular localization of RNAs has gained attention in recent years as a prevalent phenomenon that influences numerous cellular processes. This is also evident for the large and relatively novel class of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Because lncRNAs are defined as RNA transcripts >200 nucleotides that do not encode protein, they are themselves the functional units, making their subcellular localization critical to their function. The discovery of tens of thousands of lncRNAs and the cumulative evidence involving them in almost every cellular activity render assessment of their subcellular localization essential to fully understanding their biology. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of lncRNA subcellular localization, factors controlling their localization, emerging themes, including the role of lncRNA isoforms and the involvement of lncRNAs in phase separation bodies, and the implications of lncRNA localization on their function and on cellular behavior. We also discuss gaps in the current knowledge as well as opportunities that these provide for novel avenues of investigation.

The Pleiotropic Intricacies of Hedgehog Signaling: From Craniofacial Patterning to Carcinogenesis

FACE ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 273250162110243
Author(s):  
Mikhail Pakvasa ◽  
Andrew B. Tucker ◽  
Timothy Shen ◽  
Tong-Chuan He ◽  
Russell R. Reid
Keyword(s):  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Limb Development ◽  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Craniofacial Development ◽  
Signaling Cascade ◽  
Signaling Mechanisms ◽  
Intracellular Signaling Cascade ◽  
And Function

Hedgehog signaling was discovered more than 40 years ago in experiments demonstrating that it is a fundamental mediator of limb development. Since that time, it has been shown to be important in development, homeostasis, and disease. The hedgehog pathway proceeds through a pathway highly conserved throughout animals beginning with the extracellular diffusion of hedgehog ligands, proceeding through an intracellular signaling cascade, and ending with the activation of specific target genes. A vast amount of research has been done elucidating hedgehog signaling mechanisms and regulation. This research has found a complex system of genetics and signaling that helps determine how organisms develop and function. This review provides an overview of what is known about hedgehog genetics and signaling, followed by an in-depth discussion of the role of hedgehog signaling in craniofacial development and carcinogenesis.

scholarly journals Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-Like Proteins and Domains in Ribosome Production and Function: Chance or Necessity?

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4359
Author(s):  
Sara Martín-Villanueva ◽  
Gabriel Gutiérrez ◽  
Dieter Kressler ◽  
Jesús de la Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Proteins ◽  
Ribosome Biogenesis ◽  
Ribosome Assembly ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Substrate Protein ◽  
Precursor Proteins ◽  
Assembly Factors ◽  
Ubiquitin Moiety ◽  
And Function

Ubiquitin is a small protein that is highly conserved throughout eukaryotes. It operates as a reversible post-translational modifier through a process known as ubiquitination, which involves the addition of one or several ubiquitin moieties to a substrate protein. These modifications mark proteins for proteasome-dependent degradation or alter their localization or activity in a variety of cellular processes. In most eukaryotes, ubiquitin is generated by the proteolytic cleavage of precursor proteins in which it is fused either to itself, constituting a polyubiquitin precursor, or as a single N-terminal moiety to ribosomal proteins, which are practically invariably eL40 and eS31. Herein, we summarize the contribution of the ubiquitin moiety within precursors of ribosomal proteins to ribosome biogenesis and function and discuss the biological relevance of having maintained the explicit fusion to eL40 and eS31 during evolution. There are other ubiquitin-like proteins, which also work as post-translational modifiers, among them the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO). Both ubiquitin and SUMO are able to modify ribosome assembly factors and ribosomal proteins to regulate ribosome biogenesis and function. Strikingly, ubiquitin-like domains are also found within two ribosome assembly factors; hence, the functional role of these proteins will also be highlighted.

scholarly journals Akt2 Regulates Cardiac Metabolism and Cardiomyocyte Survival

2006 ◽  
Vol 281 (43) ◽  
pp. 32841-32851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian DeBosch ◽  
Nandakumar Sambandam ◽  
Carla Weinheimer ◽  
Michael Courtois ◽  
Anthony J. Muslin
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Overload ◽  
Cardiac Metabolism ◽  
Cellular Protein ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Infarct Zone ◽  
Targeted Disruption ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Ligand Stimulation ◽  
And Function

The Akt family of serine-threonine kinases participates in diverse cellular processes, including the promotion of cell survival, glucose metabolism, and cellular protein synthesis. All three known Akt family members, Akt1, Akt2 and Akt3, are expressed in the myocardium, although Akt1 and Akt2 are most abundant. Previous studies demonstrated that Akt1 and Akt3 overexpression results in enhanced myocardial size and function. Yet, little is known about the role of Akt2 in modulating cardiac metabolism, survival, and growth. Here, we utilize murine models with targeted disruption of the akt2 or the akt1 genes to demonstrate that Akt2, but not Akt1, is required for insulin-stimulated 2-[3H]deoxyglucose uptake and metabolism. In contrast, akt2-/- mice displayed normal cardiac growth responses to provocative stimulation, including ligand stimulation of cultured cardiomyocytes, pressure overload by transverse aortic constriction, and myocardial infarction. However, akt2-/- mice were found to be sensitized to cardiomyocyte apoptosis in response to ischemic injury, and apoptosis was significantly increased in the peri-infarct zone of akt2-/- hearts 7 days after occlusion of the left coronary artery. These results implicate Akt2 in the regulation of cardiomyocyte metabolism and survival.

scholarly journals The structure and function of centriolar rootlets

2021 ◽  
Vol 134 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Mahen
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Function ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Cellular Systems ◽  
Macromolecular Assemblies ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
Eukaryotic Organisms ◽  
And Function ◽  
Knockout Animals

ABSTRACT To gain a holistic understanding of cellular function, we must understand not just the role of individual organelles, but also how multiple macromolecular assemblies function collectively. Centrioles produce fundamental cellular processes through their ability to organise cytoskeletal fibres. In addition to nucleating microtubules, centrioles form lesser-known polymers, termed rootlets. Rootlets were identified over a 100 years ago and have been documented morphologically since by electron microscopy in different eukaryotic organisms. Rootlet-knockout animals have been created in various systems, providing insight into their physiological functions. However, the precise structure and function of rootlets is still enigmatic. Here, I consider common themes of rootlet function and assembly across diverse cellular systems. I suggest that the capability of rootlets to form physical links from centrioles to other cellular structures is a general principle unifying their functions in diverse cells and serves as an example of how cellular function arises from collective organellar activity.

Abstract 210: αMyHC-mCherry-LC3 Transgenic Mice is a New and Useful Tool to Examine the Role of Autophagy in Cardiomyocytes

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mai Terada ◽  
Kiyoshi Nobori ◽  
Yoshiko Munehisa ◽  
Manabu Kakizaki ◽  
Takayoshi Ohba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Hydrolytic Enzymes ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Double Positive ◽  
Intracellular Process ◽  
Fluorescence Protein ◽  
And Function

Autophagy is an intracellular process in which proteins and organelles are transported in double-membrane vesicles called autophagosomes through the cytoplasm to lysosomes for degradation. The autophagosome acquires hydrolytic enzymes by fusing with the lysosome to generate an autolysosome. Constitutive autophagy in the heart under baseline conditions is a homeostatic mechanism for maintaining cardiomyocyte size and global cardiac structure and function. Upregulation of autophagy in various heart diseases, including cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, is an adaptive response for protecting cells from hemodynamic stress. However, the detailed roles of autophagy in the heart remain unclear. LC3 is localized on the autophagosome membrane. Exogenously expressed GFP fused to LC3 (GFP-LC3) serves as an ideal molecular marker for autophagosome. Transgenic mice expressing GFP-LC3 (CAG-GFP-LC3) have been used to detect autophagy systemically. However, CAG-GFP-LC3 mice cannot distinguish autophagy-positive cardiomyocytes from other cells such as fibroblasts and smooth muscles in the heart and cannot detect autolysosome because GFP-LC3 loses fluorescence due to lysosomal acidic and degradative conditions. To resolve these problems, we have generated transgenic mice (αMyHC-mCherry-LC3) expressing mCherry fused to LC3 under the control of αmyosin heavy chain promoter instead of CAG promoter to detect autophagy only in cardiomyocytes. mCherry is an improved-monomeric red-fluorescence protein and does not lose fluorescence under acidic condition. Thus, αMyHC-mCherry-LC3 mice can detect not only autophagosome before fusion with lysosome but also autophagosome after fusion with lysosome. Moreover, we have crossed αMyHC-mCherry-LC3 mice with CAG-GFP-LC3 mice. Green signals showed autophagosome in non-cardiomyocytes. On the other hand, red signals showed autolysosome and double positive signals showed autophagosome in cardiacmyocytes. In conclusion, we have generated αMyHC-mCherry-LC3 mice to detect both autophagosome and autolysosome. The double transgenic mice cannot only detect autophagosome and autolysosome but also distinguish between them. This is an innovative method to examine the role of autophagy in cardiomyocytes.

scholarly journals Nemo-Like Kinase in Development and Diseases: Insights from Mouse Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 9203
Author(s):  
Renée Daams ◽  
Ramin Massoumi
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Homeostasis ◽  
Spinocerebellar Ataxias ◽  
Adult Tissue ◽  
Signalling Molecules ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Protein Map ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
And Function ◽  
Deficient Mice

The Wnt signalling pathway is a central communication cascade between cells to orchestrate polarity and fate during development and adult tissue homeostasis in various organisms. This pathway can be regulated by different signalling molecules in several steps. One of the coordinators in this pathway is Nemo-like kinase (NLK), which is an atypical proline-directed serine/threonine mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. Very recently, NLK was established as an essential regulator in different cellular processes and abnormal NLK expression was highlighted to affect the development and progression of various diseases. In this review, we focused on the recent discoveries by using NLK-deficient mice, which show a phenotype in the development and function of organs such as the lung, heart and skeleton. Furthermore, NLK could conduct the function and differentiation of cells from the immune system, in addition to regulating neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington’s disease and spinocerebellar ataxias. Overall, generations of NLK-deficient mice have taught us valuable lessons about the role of this kinase in certain diseases and development.

scholarly journals The Role of Phosphotyrosine Signaling Pathway in Parotid Gland Proliferation and Function

1995 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.R. Purushotham ◽  
M.G. Humphreys-Beher
Keyword(s):  
Salivary Glands ◽  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Secretory Function ◽  
Phosphotyrosine Signaling ◽  
And Function ◽  
Active Proliferation

Tyrosine phosphorylation and the intracellular signaling processes associated with it have been the focus of intense study due to its importance in the regulation of biological processes as diverse as cell proliferation and cell differentiation. While much of what we now understand has been derived from the study of cell lines and tumor cells, the salivary glands provide a model to examine the effects of tyrosine kinases and tyrosine phosphatases in a normal differentiated tissue. This review will focus, therefore, on the role tyrosine kinases and phosphatases play in inducing the transition from stasis to active proliferation and their potential role in mediating secretory function of the salivary glands.

scholarly journals C-terminus of the P4-ATPase ATP8A2 functions in protein folding and regulation of phospholipid flippase activity

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 452-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhavan Chalat ◽  
Kody Moleschi ◽  
Robert S. Molday
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Atpase Activity ◽  
Deletion Mutants ◽  
Serine Residue ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Phospholipid Asymmetry ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
And Function ◽  
Phospholipid Flippase

ATP8A2 is a P4-ATPase that flips phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine across cell membranes. This generates membrane phospholipid asymmetry, a property important in many cellular processes, including vesicle trafficking. ATP8A2 deficiency causes severe neurodegenerative diseases. We investigated the role of the C-terminus of ATP8A2 in its expression, subcellular localization, interaction with its subunit CDC50A, and function as a phosphatidylserine flippase. C-terminal deletion mutants exhibited a reduced tendency to solubilize in mild detergent and exit the endoplasmic reticulum. The solubilized protein, however, assembled with CDC50A and displayed phosphatidylserine flippase activity. Deletion of the C-terminal 33 residues resulted in reduced phosphatidylserine-dependent ATPase activity, phosphatidylserine flippase activity, and neurite extension in PC12 cells. These reduced activities were reversed with 60- and 80-residue C-terminal deletions. Unlike the yeast P4-ATPase Drs2, ATP8A2 is not regulated by phosphoinositides but undergoes phosphorylation on the serine residue within a CaMKII target motif. We propose a model in which the C-terminus of ATP8A2 consists of an autoinhibitor domain upstream of the C-terminal 33 residues and an anti-autoinhibitor domain at the extreme C-terminus. The latter blocks the inhibitory activity of the autoinhibitor domain. We conclude that the C-terminus plays an important role in the efficient folding and regulation of ATP8A2.

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