scholarly journals The Central Role of Redox-Regulated Switch Proteins in Bacteria

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosi Fassler ◽  
Lisa Zuily ◽  
Nora Lahrach ◽  
Marianne Ilbert ◽  
Dana Reichmann
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
New Members ◽  
Post Translational Modifications ◽  
Metal Centers ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Redox Switches

Bacteria possess the ability to adapt to changing environments. To enable this, cells use reversible post-translational modifications on key proteins to modulate their behavior, metabolism, defense mechanisms and adaptation of bacteria to stress. In this review, we focus on bacterial protein switches that are activated during exposure to oxidative stress. Such protein switches are triggered by either exogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) or endogenous ROS generated as by-products of the aerobic lifestyle. Both thiol switches and metal centers have been shown to be the primary targets of ROS. Cells take advantage of such reactivity to use these reactive sites as redox sensors to detect and combat oxidative stress conditions. This in turn may induce expression of genes involved in antioxidant strategies and thus protect the proteome against stress conditions. We further describe the well-characterized mechanism of selected proteins that are regulated by redox switches. We highlight the diversity of mechanisms and functions (as well as common features) across different switches, while also presenting integrative methodologies used in discovering new members of this family. Finally, we point to future challenges in this field, both in uncovering new types of switches, as well as defining novel additional functions.

scholarly journals Thiol-based switching mechanisms of stress-sensing chaperones

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrin Ulrich ◽  
Blanche Schwappach ◽  
Ursula Jakob
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
Stress Exposure ◽  
Atp Levels ◽  
Protein Functions ◽  
Activation Mechanisms ◽  
Client Proteins ◽  
Stress Sensing ◽  
Redox Switches

AbstractThiol-based redox switches evolved as efficient post-translational regulatory mechanisms that enable individual proteins to rapidly respond to sudden environmental changes. While some protein functions need to be switched off to save resources and avoid potentially error-prone processes, protective functions become essential and need to be switched on. In this review, we focus on thiol-based activation mechanisms of stress-sensing chaperones. Upon stress exposure, these chaperones convert into high affinity binding platforms for unfolding proteins and protect cells against the accumulation of potentially toxic protein aggregates. Their chaperone activity is independent of ATP, a feature that becomes especially important under oxidative stress conditions, where cellular ATP levels drop and canonical ATP-dependent chaperones no longer operate. Vice versa, reductive inactivation and substrate release require the restoration of ATP levels, which ensures refolding of client proteins by ATP-dependent foldases. We will give an overview over the different strategies that cells evolved to rapidly increase the pool of ATP-independent chaperones upon oxidative stress and provide mechanistic insights into how stress conditions are used to convert abundant cellular proteins into ATP-independent holding chaperones.

The role of corneal crystallins in the cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Lassen ◽  
William J. Black ◽  
Tia Estey ◽  
Vasilis Vasiliou
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Cellular Defense

An AraC/XylS Family Transcriptional Regulator Modulates the Oxidative Stress Response of Francisella tularensis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Marghani ◽  
Zhuo Ma ◽  
Anthony J. Centone ◽  
Weihua Huang ◽  
Meenakshi Malik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Francisella Tularensis ◽  
Human Disease ◽  
Transcriptional Regulator ◽  
Intracellular Survival ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Transcription Regulators

Francisella tularensis is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes a fatal human disease known as tularemia. The Centers for Disease Control have classified F. tularensis as Category A Tier-1 Select Agent. The virulence mechanisms of Francisella are not entirely understood. Francisella possesses very few transcription regulators, and most of these regulate the expression of genes involved in intracellular survival and virulence. The F. tularensis genome sequence analysis reveals an AraC ( FTL_ 0689) transcriptional regulator homologous to the AraC/XylS family of transcriptional regulators. In Gram-negative bacteria, AraC activates genes required for L-arabinose utilization and catabolism. The role of the FTL_ 0689 regulator in F. tularensis is not known. In this study, we characterized the role of FTL_ 0689 in gene regulation of F. tularensis and investigated its contribution to intracellular survival and virulence. The results demonstrate that FTL_0689 in Francisella is not required for L-arabinose utilization. Instead, FTL_ 0689 specifically regulates the expression of the oxidative and global stress response, virulence, metabolism, and other key pathways genes required by Francisella when exposed to oxidative stress. The FTL_0689 mutant is attenuated for intramacrophage growth and virulence in mice. Based on the deletion mutant phenotype, FTL_0689 was termed osrR ( o xidative s tress r esponse r egulator). Altogether, this study elucidates the role of the osrR transcriptional regulator in tularemia pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE: The virulence mechanisms of category A select agent Francisella tularensis , the causative agent of a fatal human disease known as tularemia, remain largely undefined. The present study investigated the role of a transcriptional regulator and its overall contribution to the oxidative stress resistance of F. tularensis . The results provide an insight into a novel gene regulatory mechanism, especially when Francisella is exposed to oxidative stress conditions. Understanding such Francisella - specific regulatory mechanisms will identify potential targets for developing effective therapies and vaccines to prevent tularemia.

scholarly journals Connexin Gap Junctions and Hemichannels in Modulating Lens Redox Homeostasis and Oxidative Stress in Cataractogenesis

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1374
Author(s):  
Yumeng Quan ◽  
Yu Du ◽  
Yuxin Tong ◽  
Sumin Gu ◽  
Jean X. Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Gap Junction ◽  
Redox Homeostasis ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Post Translational Modifications ◽  
Gap Junction Channels ◽  
Mediate Cell ◽  
The Impact

The lens is continuously exposed to oxidative stress insults, such as ultraviolet radiation and other oxidative factors, during the aging process. The lens possesses powerful oxidative stress defense systems to maintain its redox homeostasis, one of which employs connexin channels. Connexins are a family of proteins that form: (1) Hemichannels that mediate the communication between the intracellular and extracellular environments, and (2) gap junction channels that mediate cell-cell communication between adjacent cells. The avascular lens transports nutrition and metabolites through an extensive network of connexin channels, which allows the passage of small molecules, including antioxidants and oxidized wastes. Oxidative stress-induced post-translational modifications of connexins, in turn, regulates gap junction and hemichannel permeability. Recent evidence suggests that dysfunction of connexins gap junction channels and hemichannels may induce cataract formation through impaired redox homeostasis. Here, we review the recent advances in the knowledge of connexin channels in lens redox homeostasis and their response to cataract-related oxidative stress by discussing two major aspects: (1) The role of lens connexins and channels in oxidative stress and cataractogenesis, and (2) the impact and underlying mechanism of oxidative stress in regulating connexin channels.

scholarly journals Stress affects the epigenetic marks added by natural transposable element insertions in Drosophila melanogaster

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lain Guio ◽  
Cristina Vieira ◽  
Josefa González
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transposable Element ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
Regulatory Sequences ◽  
Epigenetic Marks ◽  
Cis Acting ◽  
Comprehensive Picture ◽  
Epigenetic Gene Regulation

ABSTRACTTransposable elements are emerging as an important source of cis-acting regulatory sequences and epigenetic marks that could influence gene expression. However, few studies have dissected the role of specific transposable element insertions on epigenetic gene regulation. Bari-Jheh is a natural transposon that mediates resistance to oxidative stress by adding cis-regulatory sequences that affect expression of nearby genes. In this work, we integrated publicly available data with chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments to get a more comprehensive picture of Bari-Jheh molecular effects. We showed that Bari-Jheh was enriched for H3K9me3 in nonstress conditions, and for H3K9me3, H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 in oxidative stress conditions, which is consistent with expression changes in adjacent genes. We further showed that under oxidative stress conditions, H3K4me3 and H3K9me3 spread to the promoter region of Jheh1 gene. Finally, another insertion of the Bari1 family was associated with increased H3K27me3 in oxidative stress conditions suggesting that Bari1 histone marks are copy-specific. We concluded that besides adding cis-regulatory sequences, Bari-Jheh influences gene expression by affecting the local chromatin state.

scholarly journals Battle between plants as antioxidants with free radicals in human body

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Jamshidi-kia ◽  
Joko Priyanto Wibowo ◽  
Mostafa Elachouri ◽  
Rohollah Masumi ◽  
Alizamen Salehifard-Jouneghani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Free Radicals ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Natural Antioxidants ◽  
Redox Status ◽  
The Body ◽  
Antioxidant Agents ◽  
Endogenous Antioxidants

Free radicals are constructed by natural physiological activities in the human cells as well as in the environment. They may be produced as a result of diet, smoking, exercise, inflammation, exposure to sunlight, air pollutants, stress, alcohol and drugs. Imbalanced redox status may lead to cellular oxidative stress, which can damage the cells of the body, resulting in an incidence of various diseases. If the endogenous antioxidants do not stop the production of reactive metabolites, they will be needed to bring about a balance in redox status. Natural antioxidants, for example plants, play an important part in this context. This paper seeks to report the available evidence about oxidative stress and the application of plants as antioxidant agents to fight free radicals in the human body. For this purpose, to better understand oxidative stress, the principles of free radical production, the role of free radicals in diseases, antioxidant defense mechanisms, and the role of herbs and diet in oxidative stress are discussed.

scholarly journals The role of astroglia in neuroprotection

2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-295 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Hepatic Encephalopathy ◽  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Ion Homeostasis ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Constant Support ◽  
Brain Homeostasis

Astrocytes are the main neural cell type responsible for the maintenance of brain homeostasis. They form highly organized anatomical domains that are interconnected into extensive networks. These features, along with the expression of a wide array of receptors, transporters, and ion channels, ideally position them to sense and dynamically modulate neuronal activity. Astrocytes cooperate with neurons on several levels, including neurotransmitter trafficking and recycling, ion homeostasis, energy metabolism, and defense against oxidative stress. The critical dependence of neurons upon their constant support confers astrocytes with intrinsic neuroprotective properties which are discussed here. Conversely, pathogenic stimuli may disturb astrocytic function, thus compromising neuronal functionality and viability. Using neuroinflammation, Alzheimer's disease, and hepatic encephalopathy as examples, we discuss how astrocytic defense mechanisms may be overwhelmed in pathological conditions, contributing to disease progression.

scholarly journals Squalene: More than a Step toward Sterols

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Micera ◽  
Alfonso Botto ◽  
Federica Geddo ◽  
Susanna Antoniotti ◽  
Cinzia Margherita Bertea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Free Radicals ◽  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Metabolic Intermediate ◽  
Cellular Models

Squalene (SQ) is a natural triterpene widely distributed in nature. It is a metabolic intermediate of the sterol biosynthetic pathway and represents a possible target in different metabolic and oxidative stress-related disorders. Growing interest has been focused on SQ’s antioxidant properties, derived from its chemical structure. Strong evidence provided by ex vivo models underline its scavenging activity towards free radicals, whereas only a few studies have highlighted its effect in cellular models of oxidative stress. Given the role of unbalanced free radicals in both the onset and progression of several cardiovascular diseases, an in depth evaluation of SQ’s contribution to antioxidant defense mechanisms could represent a strategic approach in dealing with these pathological conditions. At present experimental results overall show a double-edged sword role of squalene in cardiovascular diseases and its function has to be better elucidated in order to establish intervention lines focused on its features. This review aims to summarize current knowledge about endogenous and exogenous sources of SQ and to point out the controversial role of SQ in cardiovascular physiology.

scholarly journals Carnosine Prevents Aβ-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Microglial Cells: A Key Role of TGF-β1

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Caruso ◽  
Claudia Fresta ◽  
Nicolò Musso ◽  
Mariaconcetta Giambirtone ◽  
Margherita Grasso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Microglial Cells ◽  
Neuronal Cultures ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Aβ Oligomers ◽  
Endogenous Antioxidant ◽  
Tgf Β1

Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine), a dipeptide, is an endogenous antioxidant widely distributed in excitable tissues like muscles and the brain. Carnosine is involved in cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress, including the inhibition of amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregation and the scavenging of reactive species. Microglia play a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, promoting neuroinflammation through the secretion of inflammatory mediators and free radicals. However, the effects of carnosine on microglial cells and neuroinflammation are not well understood. In the present work, carnosine was tested for its ability to protect BV-2 microglial cells against oligomeric Aβ1-42-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Carnosine prevented cell death in BV-2 cells challenged with Aβ oligomers through multiple mechanisms. Specifically, carnosine lowered the oxidative stress by decreasing NO and O2−• intracellular levels as well as the expression of iNOS and Nox enzymes. Carnosine also decreased the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, simultaneously rescuing IL-10 levels and increasing the expression and the release of TGF-β1. Carnosine also prevented Aβ-induced neurodegeneration in mixed neuronal cultures challenged with Aβ oligomers, and these neuroprotective effects were completely abolished by SB431542, a selective inhibitor of the type-1 TGF-β receptor. Our data suggest a multimodal mechanism of action of carnosine underlying its protective effects on microglial cells against Aβ toxicity with a key role of TGF-β1 in mediating these protective effects.

scholarly journals H2O2 Activates the Nuclear Localization of Msn2 and Maf1 through Thioredoxins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1429-1438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphanie Boisnard ◽  
Gilles Lagniel ◽  
Cecilia Garmendia-Torres ◽  
Mikael Molin ◽  
Emmanuelle Boy-Marcotte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Nuclear Accumulation ◽  
Cell Defense ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Thioredoxin System ◽  
Enhanced Expression

ABSTRACT The cellular response to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is characterized by a repression of growth-related processes and an enhanced expression of genes important for cell defense. In budding yeast, this response requires the activation of a set of transcriptional effectors. Some of them, such as the transcriptional activator Yap1, are specific to oxidative stress, and others, such as the transcriptional activators Msn2/4 and the negative regulator Maf1, are activated by a wide spectrum of stress conditions. How these general effectors are activated in response to oxidative stress remains an open question. In this study, we demonstrate that the two cytoplasmic thioredoxins, Trx1 and Trx2, are essential to trigger the nuclear accumulation of Msn2/4 and Maf1, specifically under H2O2 treatment. Contrary to the case with many stress conditions previously described for yeast, the H2O2-induced nuclear accumulation of Msn2 and Maf1 does not correlate with the downregulation of PKA kinase activity. Nevertheless, we show that PP2A phosphatase activity is essential for driving Maf1 dephosphorylation and its subsequent nuclear accumulation in response to H2O2 treatment. Interestingly, under this condition, the lack of PP2A activity has no impact on the subcellular localization of Msn2, demonstrating that the H2O2 signaling pathways share a common route through the thioredoxin system and then diverge to activate Msn2 and Maf1, the final integrators of these pathways.

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