scholarly journals A Novel Epigenetic Regulator ZRF1: Insight into Its Functions in Plants

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1245
Author(s):  
Jing Feng ◽  
Yahui Gao ◽  
Kun Wang ◽  
Mingguo Jiang

Recently, Zuotin-related factor 1 (ZRF1), an epigenetic regulator, was found to be involved in transcriptional regulation. In animals and humans, ZRF1 specifically binds to monoubiquitinated histone H2A through a ubiquitin-binding domain and derepresses Polycomb target genes at the beginning of cellular differentiation. In addition, ZRF1 can work as a tumor suppressor. According to bioinformatics analysis, ZRF1 homologs are widely found in plants. However, the current studies on ZRF1 in higher plants are limited and few in-depth studies of its functions have been reported. In this review, we aim to summarize the key role of AtZRF1a/b in Arabidopsis thaliana growth and development, as well as the research progress in this field in recent years.

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brianna J. Klein ◽  
Suk Min Jang ◽  
Catherine Lachance ◽  
Wenyi Mi ◽  
Jie Lyu ◽  
...  

Abstract Acetylation of histone H3K23 has emerged as an essential posttranslational modification associated with cancer and learning and memory impairment, yet our understanding of this epigenetic mark remains insufficient. Here, we identify the native MORF complex as a histone H3K23-specific acetyltransferase and elucidate its mechanism of action. The acetyltransferase function of the catalytic MORF subunit is positively regulated by the DPF domain of MORF (MORFDPF). The crystal structure of MORFDPF in complex with crotonylated H3K14 peptide provides mechanistic insight into selectivity of this epigenetic reader and its ability to recognize both histone and DNA. ChIP data reveal the role of MORFDPF in MORF-dependent H3K23 acetylation of target genes. Mass spectrometry, biochemical and genomic analyses show co-existence of the H3K23ac and H3K14ac modifications in vitro and co-occupancy of the MORF complex, H3K23ac, and H3K14ac at specific loci in vivo. Our findings suggest a model in which interaction of MORFDPF with acylated H3K14 promotes acetylation of H3K23 by the native MORF complex to activate transcription.


2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (17) ◽  
pp. 6195-6208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Kyung Cho ◽  
Won Dong Kim ◽  
Sung Hwan Ki ◽  
Jong-Ik Hwang ◽  
Sangdun Choi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Gα12 and Gα13 function as molecular regulators responding to extracellular stimuli. NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is involved in a protective adaptive response to oxidative stress. This study investigated the regulation of Nrf2 by Gα12 and Gα13. A deficiency of Gα12, but not of Gα13, enhanced Nrf2 activity and target gene transactivation in embryo fibroblasts. In mice, Gα12 knockout activated Nrf2 and thereby facilitated heme catabolism to bilirubin and its glucuronosyl conjugations. An oligonucleotide microarray demonstrated the transactivation of Nrf2 target genes by Gα12 gene knockout. Gα12 deficiency reduced Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK)-dependent Nrf2 ubiquitination required for proteasomal degradation, and so did Gα13 deficiency. The absence of Gα12, but not of Gα13, increased protein kinase C δ (PKC δ) activation and the PKC δ-mediated serine phosphorylation of Nrf2. Gα13 gene knockout or knockdown abrogated the Nrf2 phosphorylation induced by Gα12 deficiency, suggesting that relief from Gα12 repression leads to the Gα13-mediated activation of Nrf2. Constitutive activation of Gα13 promoted Nrf2 activity and target gene induction via Rho-mediated PKC δ activation, corroborating positive regulation by Gα13. In summary, Gα12 and Gα13 transmit a JNK-dependent signal for Nrf2 ubiquitination, whereas Gα13 regulates Rho-PKC δ-mediated Nrf2 phosphorylation, which is negatively balanced by Gα12.


2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (19) ◽  
pp. 6456-6465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valérie Schmutz ◽  
Régine Janel-Bintz ◽  
Jérôme Wagner ◽  
Denis Biard ◽  
Naoko Shiomi ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1355-1365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelia B. Karlsson ◽  
Jacqueline Washington ◽  
Valentina Dimitrova ◽  
Christopher Hooper ◽  
Alexander Shekhtman ◽  
...  

Troyer syndrome is an autosomal recessive hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) caused by frameshift mutations in the SPG20 gene that results in a lack of expression of the truncated protein. Spartin is a multifunctional protein, yet only two conserved domains—a microtubule-interacting and trafficking domain and a plant-related senescence domain involved in cytokinesis and mitochondrial physiology, respectively—have been defined. We have shown that overexpressed spartin binds to the Ile44 hydrophobic pocket of ubiquitin, suggesting spartin might contain a ubiquitin-binding domain. In the present study, we demonstrate that spartin contributes to the formation of dendritic aggresome-like induced structures (DALIS) through a unique ubiquitin-binding region (UBR). Using short hairpin RNA, we knocked down spartin in RAW264.7 cells and found that DALIS frequency decreased; conversely, overexpression of spartin increased the percentage of cells containing DALIS. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we characterized spartin's UBR and defined the UBR's amino acids that are key for ubiquitin binding. We also found that spartin, via the UBR, binds Lys-63–linked ubiquitin chains but does not bind Lys-48–linked ubiquitin chains. Finally, we demonstrate that spartin's role in DALIS formation depends on key residues within its UBR.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang Mi Shin ◽  
Ji Hye Yang ◽  
Sung Hwan Ki

The liver is a central organ that performs a wide range of functions such as detoxification and metabolic homeostasis. Since it is a metabolically active organ, liver is particularly susceptible to oxidative stress. It is well documented that liver diseases including hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma are highly associated with antioxidant capacity. NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) is an essential transcription factor that regulates an array of detoxifying and antioxidant defense genes expression in the liver. It is activated in response to electrophiles and induces its target genes by binding to the antioxidant response element (ARE). Therefore, the roles of the Nrf2-ARE pathway in liver diseases have been extensively investigated. Studies from several animal models suggest that the Nrf2-ARE pathway collectively exhibits diverse biological functions against viral hepatitis, alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver disease, fibrosis, and cancer via target gene expression. In this review, we will discuss the role of the Nrf2-ARE pathway in liver pathophysiology and the potential application of Nrf2 as a therapeutic target to prevent and treat liver diseases.


2013 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 256-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Lan Jong ◽  
Mohd Rais Mustafa ◽  
Paul M. Vanhoutte ◽  
Sazaly AbuBakar ◽  
Pooi-Fong Wong

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate various cellular processes. While several genes associated with replicative senescence have been described in endothelial cells, miRNAs that regulate these genes remain largely unknown. The present study was designed to identify miRNAs associated with replicative senescence and their target genes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). An integrated miRNA and gene profiling approach revealed that hsa-miR-299-3p is upregulated in senescent HUVECs compared with the young cells, and one of its target genes could be IGF1. IGF1 was upregulated in senescent compared with young HUVECs, and knockdown of hsa-miR-299-3p dose-dependently increased the mRNA expression of IGF1, more significantly observed in the presenescent cells ( passage 19) compared with the senescent cells ( passage 25). Knockdown of hsa-miR-299-3p also resulted in significant reduction in the percentage of cells positively stained for senescence-associated β-galactosidase and increases in cell viability measured by MTT assay but marginal increases in cell proliferation and cell migration capacity measured by real-time growth kinetics analysis. Moreover, knockdown of hsa-miR-299-3p also increased proliferation of cells treated with H2O2 to induce senescence. These findings suggest that hsa-miR-299-3p may delay or protect against replicative senescence by improving the metabolic activity of the senesced cells but does not stimulate growth of the remaining cells in senescent cultures. Hence, these findings provide an early insight into the role of hsa-miR-299-3p in the modulation of replicative senescence in HUVECs.


1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 3012-3022 ◽  
Author(s):  
S S Lee ◽  
T Pineau ◽  
J Drago ◽  
E J Lee ◽  
J W Owens ◽  
...  

To gain insight into the function of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) isoforms in rodents, we disrupted the ligand-binding domain of the alpha isoform of mouse PPAR (mPPAR alpha) by homologous recombination. Mice homozygous for the mutation lack expression of mPPAR alpha protein and yet are viable and fertile and exhibit no detectable gross phenotypic defects. Remarkably, these animals do not display the peroxisome proliferator pleiotropic response when challenged with the classical peroxisome proliferators, clofibrate and Wy-14,643. Following exposure to these chemicals, hepatomegaly, peroxisome proliferation, and transcriptional-activation of target genes were not observed. These results clearly demonstrate that mPPAR alpha is the major isoform required for mediating the pleiotropic response resulting from the actions of peroxisome proliferators. mPPAR alpha-deficient animals should prove useful to further investigate the role of this receptor in hepatocarcinogenesis, fatty acid metabolism, and cell cycle regulation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Karan Naresh Amin ◽  
Palanisamy Rajagru ◽  
Koustav Sarkar ◽  
M. R. Ganesh ◽  
Takayoshi Suzuki ◽  
...  

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a key role in the folding, modification, and trafficking of proteins. When the homeostasis of the ER is disturbed, un/misfolded proteins accumulate in the ER which leads to ER stress. Sustained ER stress results in apoptosis, which is associated with various diseases. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a major transcription factor in redox homeostasis by regulating various genes associated with detoxification and cell-protective mechanisms. We found that Rosolic acid (RA) treatment dose-dependently activates Nrf2 in endothelial cells using the enzyme fragment complementation assay. The cytoprotective role of RA against ER stress-induced endothelial apoptosis and its molecular mechanism was explored in the present study. The Nrf2 and its target genes, as well as ER stress marker expressions, were measured by qPCR in ER stress-exposed endothelial cells. The contribution of Nrf2 in RA-mediated defense mechanism in endothelial cells was established by knockout studies using Nrf2-CRISPR/Cas9. The treatment with RA to ER stress-induced endothelial cells exhibited activation of Nrf2, as demonstrated by Nrf2 translocation and reduction of ER stress markers. We found that the Nrf2 knockout sensitized the endothelial cells against ER stress, and further, RA failed to mediate its cytoprotective effect. Proteomic studies using LC-MS/MS revealed that among the 1370 proteins detected, we found 296 differentially regulated proteins in ER stress-induced endothelial cells, and RA administration ameliorated 71 proteins towards the control levels. Of note, the ER stress in endothelial cells was attenuated by the treatment with the RA, suggesting the role of the Nrf2 activator in the pathological conditions of ER stress-associated diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Yang ◽  
Xu Zhao ◽  
Ruoyu Huang ◽  
Juanjuan Zhao ◽  
Mengmeng Guo ◽  
...  

: GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3), a member of the zinc finger-binding transcription factor GATA gene family, plays an important role in regulating the development and differentiation of various tissues and organs. Previous studies have manifested that GATA3 is implicated in inhibiting the development of breast cancer, including suppressing the growth, metastasis and invasion of cancer cells. However, the exact role of GATA3 in breast cancer remains to be fully elucidated. Interestingly, recent studies have further shown that GATA3 can regulate a variety of new target genes including ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 3 (ENTPD3), semaphorin 3B (SEMA3B) and microRNAs (miRNAs) to promote tumorgenisis, epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and metastasis of breast cancer. Meanwhile, GATA3 mutations can affect the role of GATA3 in inhibiting the growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells, which indicates that GATA3 might be a promising target for breast cancer treatment. Undoubtedly, these new evidences further uncover the complexity of GATA3/targets network in breast cancer development. In this article, we review related research progress and put forward some questions about the development of GATA3 in future in order to be helpful for the understanding on the exact role of GATA3 in progress of breast cancer and the development of related new clinical treatment strategies that will ultimately benefit the clinical outcome of breast cancer patients.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanshan Zhou ◽  
Wanqing Sun ◽  
Zhiguo Zhang ◽  
Yang Zheng

Heart failure (HF) is frequently the consequence of sustained, abnormal neurohormonal, and mechanical stress and remains a leading cause of death worldwide. The key pathophysiological process leading to HF is cardiac remodeling, a term referring to maladaptation to cardiac stress at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ levels. HF and many of the conditions that predispose one to HF are associated with oxidative stress. Increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the heart can directly lead to increased necrosis and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes which subsequently induce cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. Nuclear factor-erythroid-2- (NF-E2-) related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that controls the basal and inducible expression of a battery of antioxidant genes and other cytoprotective phase II detoxifying enzymes that are ubiquitously expressed in the cardiovascular system. Emerging evidence has revealed that Nrf2 and its target genes are critical regulators of cardiovascular homeostasis via the suppression of oxidative stress, which is the key player in the development and progression of HF. The purpose of this review is to summarize evidence that activation of Nrf2 enhances endogenous antioxidant defenses and counteracts oxidative stress-associated cardiac remodeling and HF.


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