scholarly journals Trimethyllysine: From Carnitine Biosynthesis to Epigenetics

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 9451
Author(s):  
Marijn N. Maas ◽  
Jordi C. J. Hintzen ◽  
Miriam R. B. Porzberg ◽  
Jasmin Mecinović
Keyword(s):  
Protein Function ◽  
Genetic Disorders ◽  
Enzymatic Reactions ◽  
Lysine Methylation ◽  
Nucleosome Assembly ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Subsequent Effect ◽  
Control Protein ◽  
Epigenetic Processes

Trimethyllysine is an important post-translationally modified amino acid with functions in the carnitine biosynthesis and regulation of key epigenetic processes. Protein lysine methyltransferases and demethylases dynamically control protein lysine methylation, with each state of methylation changing the biophysical properties of lysine and the subsequent effect on protein function, in particular histone proteins and their central role in epigenetics. Epigenetic reader domain proteins can distinguish between different lysine methylation states and initiate downstream cellular processes upon recognition. Dysregulation of protein methylation is linked to various diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and genetic disorders. In this review, we cover biomolecular studies on the role of trimethyllysine in carnitine biosynthesis, different enzymatic reactions involved in the synthesis and removal of trimethyllysine, trimethyllysine recognition by reader proteins, and the role of trimethyllysine on the nucleosome assembly.

scholarly journals Aggregation is a Context-Dependent Constraint on Protein Evolution

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Monti ◽  
Alexandros Armaos ◽  
Marco Fantini ◽  
Annalisa Pastore ◽  
Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Evolution ◽  
Protein Evolution ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Beta Lactamase ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Bacterial Enzyme ◽  
Rna Biogenesis ◽  
Context Dependent

Solubility is a requirement for many cellular processes. Loss of solubility and aggregation can lead to the partial or complete abrogation of protein function. Thus, understanding the relationship between protein evolution and aggregation is an important goal. Here, we analysed two deep mutational scanning experiments to investigate the role of protein aggregation in molecular evolution. In one data set, mutants of a protein involved in RNA biogenesis and processing, human TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43), were expressed in S. cerevisiae. In the other data set, mutants of a bacterial enzyme that controls resistance to penicillins and cephalosporins, TEM-1 beta-lactamase, were expressed in E. coli under the selective pressure of an antibiotic treatment. We found that aggregation differentiates the effects of mutations in the two different cellular contexts. Specifically, aggregation was found to be associated with increased cell fitness in the case of TDP-43 mutations, as it protects the host from aberrant interactions. By contrast, in the case of TEM-1 beta-lactamase mutations, aggregation is linked to a decreased cell fitness due to inactivation of protein function. Our study shows that aggregation is an important context-dependent constraint of molecular evolution and opens up new avenues to investigate the role of aggregation in the cell.

scholarly journals Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases: Players in Cancer Cellular Processes

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 848
Author(s):  
Lucas Cruz ◽  
Paula Soares ◽  
Marcelo Correia
Keyword(s):  
Protein Function ◽  
Deubiquitinating Enzymes ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Cellular Targets ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Protein Ubiquitination ◽  
Damage Repair ◽  
Ubiquitin Molecule

Ubiquitination represents a post-translational modification (PTM) essential for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Ubiquitination is involved in the regulation of protein function, localization and turnover through the attachment of a ubiquitin molecule(s) to a target protein. Ubiquitination can be reversed through the action of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). The DUB enzymes have the ability to remove the mono- or poly-ubiquitination signals and are involved in the maturation, recycling, editing and rearrangement of ubiquitin(s). Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) are the biggest family of DUBs, responsible for numerous cellular functions through interactions with different cellular targets. Over the past few years, several studies have focused on the role of USPs in carcinogenesis, which has led to an increasing development of therapies based on USP inhibitors. In this review, we intend to describe different cellular functions, such as the cell cycle, DNA damage repair, chromatin remodeling and several signaling pathways, in which USPs are involved in the development or progression of cancer. In addition, we describe existing therapies that target the inhibition of USPs.

scholarly journals AML1/ETO and its function as a regulator of gene transcription via epigenetic mechanisms

Oncogene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Rejeski ◽  
Jesús Duque-Afonso ◽  
Michael Lübbert
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transcription ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Chromosomal Translocation ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Genetic Landscape ◽  
Specific Impact

AbstractThe chromosomal translocation t(8;21) and the resulting oncofusion gene AML1/ETO have long served as a prototypical genetic lesion to model and understand leukemogenesis. In this review, we describe the wide-ranging role of AML1/ETO in AML leukemogenesis, with a particular focus on the aberrant epigenetic regulation of gene transcription driven by this AML-defining mutation. We begin by analyzing how structural changes secondary to distinct genomic breakpoints and splice changes, as well as posttranscriptional modifications, influence AML1/ETO protein function. Next, we characterize how AML1/ETO recruits chromatin-modifying enzymes to target genes and how the oncofusion protein alters chromatin marks, transcription factor binding, and gene expression. We explore the specific impact of these global changes in the epigenetic network facilitated by the AML1/ETO oncofusion on cellular processes and leukemic growth. Furthermore, we define the genetic landscape of AML1/ETO-positive AML, presenting the current literature concerning the incidence of cooperating mutations in genes such as KIT, FLT3, and NRAS. Finally, we outline how alterations in transcriptional regulation patterns create potential vulnerabilities that may be exploited by epigenetically active agents and other therapeutics.

scholarly journals The Role of Deubiquitinases in Oncovirus and Host Interactions

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yueshuo Li ◽  
Feng Shi ◽  
Jianmin Hu ◽  
Longlong Xie ◽  
Ann M. Bode ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Deubiquitinating Enzymes ◽  
Antiviral Signaling ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Ubiquitin System ◽  
Almost All

Infection-related cancer comprises one-sixth of the global cancer burden. Oncoviruses can directly or indirectly contribute to tumorigenesis. Ubiquitination is a dynamic and reversible posttranslational modification that participates in almost all cellular processes. Hijacking of the ubiquitin system by viruses continues to emerge as a central theme around the viral life cycle. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) maintain ubiquitin homeostasis by removing ubiquitin modifications from target proteins, thereby altering protein function, stability, and signaling pathways, as well as acting as key mediators between the virus and its host. In this review, we focus on the multiple functions of DUBs in RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) and stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-mediated antiviral signaling pathways, oncoviruses regulation of NF-κB activation, oncoviral life cycle, and the potential of DUB inhibitors as therapeutic strategies.

scholarly journals Aggregation is a context-dependent constraint on protein evolution

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Monti ◽  
Alexandros Armaos ◽  
Marco Fantini ◽  
Annalisa Pastore ◽  
Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
Keyword(s):  
Protein Evolution ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Beta Lactamase ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Bacterial Enzyme ◽  
Rna Biogenesis ◽  
Context Dependent ◽  
The Relationship

Solubility is a requirement for many cellular processes. Loss of solubility and aggregation can lead to the partial or complete abrogation of protein function. Thus, understanding the relationship between protein evolution and aggregation is an important goal. Here, we analysed two deep mutational scanning experiments to investigate the role of protein aggregation in molecular evolution.In one data set, mutants of a protein involved in RNA biogenesis and processing, human TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43), were expressed inS. cerevisiae. In the other data set, mutants of a bacterial enzyme that controls resistance to penicillins and cephalosporins, TEM-1 beta-lactamase, were expressed inE. coli under the selective pressure of an antibiotic treatment. We found that aggregation differentiates the effects of mutations in the two different cellular contexts. Specifically, aggregation was found to be associated with increased cell fitness in the case of TDP-43 mutations, as it protects the host from aberrant interactions. By contrast, in the case of TEM-1 beta-lactamase mutations, aggregation is linked to a decreased cell fitness due to inactivation of protein function.Our study shows that aggregation is an important context-dependent constraint of molecular evolution and opens up new avenues to investigate the role of aggregation in different cellular contexts-

scholarly journals The Role of Histone Lysine Methylation in the Response of Mammalian Cells to Ionizing Radiation

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Di Nisio ◽  
Giuseppe Lupo ◽  
Valerio Licursi ◽  
Rodolfo Negri
Keyword(s):  
Cell Lines ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Bioinformatic Analysis ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Lysine Methylation ◽  
Histone Lysine Methylation ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Histone Lysine

Eukaryotic genomes are wrapped around nucleosomes and organized into different levels of chromatin structure. Chromatin organization has a crucial role in regulating all cellular processes involving DNA-protein interactions, such as DNA transcription, replication, recombination and repair. Histone post-translational modifications (HPTMs) have a prominent role in chromatin regulation, acting as a sophisticated molecular code, which is interpreted by HPTM-specific effectors. Here, we review the role of histone lysine methylation changes in regulating the response to radiation-induced genotoxic damage in mammalian cells. We also discuss the role of histone methyltransferases (HMTs) and histone demethylases (HDMs) and the effects of the modulation of their expression and/or the pharmacological inhibition of their activity on the radio-sensitivity of different cell lines. Finally, we provide a bioinformatic analysis of published datasets showing how the mRNA levels of known HMTs and HDMs are modulated in different cell lines by exposure to different irradiation conditions.

Dysregulation of HOX as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Breast Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji-Yeon Lee ◽  
Myoung Hee Kim
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Hox Genes ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Genome Structure ◽  
Control Cell ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Hox Protein

: HOX genes belong to the highly conserved homeobox superfamily, responsible for the regulation of various cellular processes that control cell homeostasis, from embryogenesis to carcinogenesis. The abnormal expression of HOX genes is observed in various cancers, including breast cancer; they act as oncogenes or as suppressors of cancer, according to context. In this review, we analyze HOX gene expression patterns in breast cancer and examine their relationship, based on the three-dimensional genome structure of the HOX locus. The presence of non-coding RNAs, embedded within the HOX cluster, and the role of these molecules in breast cancer have been reviewed. We further evaluate the characteristic activity of HOX protein in breast cancer and its therapeutic potential.

MiRNA-145 and Its Direct Downstream Targets in Digestive System Cancers: A Promising Therapeutic Target

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yini Ma ◽  
Xiu Cao ◽  
Guojuan Shi ◽  
Tianlu Shi
Keyword(s):  
Digestive System ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Malignant Neoplasm ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Diagnostic Biomarkers ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Promising Therapeutic Target ◽  
Direct Target ◽  
Potential Strategy

: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a vital role in the onset and development of many diseases, including cancers. Emerging evidence shows that numerous miRNAs have the potential to be used as diagnostic biomarkers for cancers, and miRNA-based therapy may be a promising therapy for the treatment of malignant neoplasm. MicroRNA-145 (miR-145) has been considered to play certain roles in various cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, via modulating expression of direct target genes. Recent reports show that miR-145 participates in the progression of digestive system cancers, and plays crucial and novel roles for cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the recent knowledge concerning the function of miR-145 and its direct targets in digestive system cancers. We discuss the potential role of miR-145 as valuable biomarkers for digestive system cancers and how miR-145 regulates these digestive system cancers via different targets to explore the potential strategy of targeting miR-145.

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