A synergy between mechanosensitive calcium- and membrane-binding mediates tension-sensing by C2-like domains

When nuclear membranes are stretched, the peripheral membrane enzyme cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) binds via its calcium-dependent C2 domain (cPLA2-C2) and initiates bioactive lipid signaling and tissue inflammation. More than 150 C2-like domains are encoded in vertebrate genomes. How many of them are mechanosensors and quantitative relationships between tension and membrane recruitment remain unexplored, leaving a knowledge gap in the mechanotransduction field. In this study, we imaged the mechanosensitive adsorption of cPLA2 and its C2 domain to nuclear membranes and artificial lipid bilayers, comparing it to related C2-like motifs. Stretch increased the Ca2+ sensitivity of all tested domains, promoting half-maximal binding of cPLA2 at cytoplasmic resting-Ca2+ concentrations. cPLA2-C2 bound up to 50 times tighter to stretched than to unstretched membranes. Our data suggest that a synergy of mechanosensitive Ca2+ interactions and deep, hydrophobic membrane insertion enables cPLA2-C2 to detect stretched membranes with antibody-like affinity, providing a quantitative basis for understanding mechanotransduction by C2-like domains.

TC2N: A Novel Vital Oncogene or Tumor Suppressor Gene In Cancers

Several C2 domain-containing proteins play key roles in tumorigenesis, signal transduction, and mediating protein–protein interactions. Tandem C2 domains nuclear protein (TC2N) is a tandem C2 domain-containing protein that is differentially expressed in several types of cancers and is closely associated with tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Notably, TC2N has been identified as an oncogene in lung and gastric cancer but as a tumor suppressor gene in breast cancer. Recently, a large number of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), such as heat shock proteins, alpha-fetoprotein, and carcinoembryonic antigen, have been identified in a variety of malignant tumors. Differences in the expression levels of TAAs between cancer cells and normal cells have led to these antigens being investigated as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and as novel targets in cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the clinical characteristics of TC2N-positive cancers and potential mechanisms of action of TC2N in the occurrence and development of specific cancers. This article provides an exploration of TC2N as a potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of different types of cancers.

Characterization the binding of cytosolic phospholipase A2 alpha and NOX2 NADPH oxidase in mouse macrophages

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that Cytosolic phospholipase A2a (cPLA2a) is absolutely required for NOX2 NADPH oxidase activation in human and mouse phagocytes. Moreover, upon stimulation, cPLA2a translocates to the plasma membranes of by binding to the assembled oxidase, forming a complex between its C2 domain and the PX domain of the oxidase cytosolic factor, p47phox in human phagocytes. Intravenous administration of an antisense against cPLA2a that significantly inhibited its expression in mouse peritoneal neutrophil and macrophages also inhibited superoxide production, in contrast to cPLA2a knockout mice that showed normal superoxide production. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there is a binding between cPLA2a-C2 domain and p47phox-PX in mouse macrophages, to further support the role of cPLA2a in oxidase regulation also in mouse phagocytes. Methods and Results: A significant binding of mouse GST-p47phox-PX domain fusion protein and cPLA2a in stimulated mouse phagocyte membranes was demonstrated by pull down experiments, although lower than that detected by human p47phox-PX domain. Substituting the amino acids Phe98, Asn99 and Gly100 to Cys98 Ser99 and Thr100 in mouse p47phox-PX domain (that are present in human p47phox-PX domain) caused strong binding that was similar to that detected by the human p47phox-PX domain. Conclusions: the binding between cPLA2a-C2 and p47phox-PX domains exist in mouse macrophages and is not unique to human phagocytes. The binding between the two proteins is lower in the mice probably due to the absence of amino acids Cys98 Ser99 and Thr100 in p47phox-PX domain that facilitate the binding to cPLA2a.

Tensin Phosphatase-Like System of Hantavirus Facilitates Membrane Fusion to Disrupt Vascular permeability

Increased vascular permeability is a characteristic of Hantavirus illness, for which there is now no treatment. We employed the domain search method to investigate the Hantavirus protein in this present work. The results indicated that the membrane glycoprotein E protein (containing Gn-Gc) of Hantavirus had lipid phosphatase and C2-like domains. The E protein was a tensin phosphatase-like (PTEN) enzyme that could shuttle in the cytoplasm and cell membrane. In an acidic endosomal environment, Gn dissociates, exposing Gc's autophosphorylation region to complete autophosphorylation and activating the C2 domain. The C2 domain facilitates Gc's conformational transition, which is followed by Gc binding to the endosomal membrane. After being inserted into the endosomal membrane, the phosphatase domain of Gc phosphorylates PI(3,4,5)P3 on the endosomal membrane. Then converted PI(3,4,5)P3 to PI(4,5)P2 . PI(4,5)P2 bound to the N-terminal of Gc, completely anchoring the tetramer-shaped Gc to the endosomal membrane and forming a fusion hole. Then analogous to PTEN, phosphorylation of PI(3,4,5)P3 directly induced the disintegration of Gc tetramer. The enlargement of the fusion pore speeded up the fusion of the viral and endosomal membranes. Through the fusion hole, the virus's intracellular material was swiftly discharged into the cytoplasm. The C2 domain promoted the PKC signaling route during Hantavirus membrane fusion, whereas the phosphatase inhibited the PI3K signaling pathway. E protein's PTEN-like action impaired lipid metabolism and endothelial cell remodeling, increasing blood vessel permeability and resulting in renal and cardiac syndromes. Additionally, E protein inhibited the immune system and Akt-mediated eNOS activation, resulting in a cascade of consequences.

Assessment of the Contribution of a Thermodynamic and Mechanical Destabilization of Myosin-Binding Protein C Domain C2 to the Pathomechanism of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy-Causing Double Mutation MYBPC3Δ25bp/D389V

Mutations in the gene encoding cardiac myosin-binding protein-C (MyBPC), a thick filament assembly protein that stabilizes sarcomeric structure and regulates cardiac function, are a common cause for the development of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. About 10% of carriers of the Δ25bp variant of MYBPC3, which is common in individuals from South Asia, are also carriers of the D389V variant on the same allele. Compared with noncarriers and those with MYBPC3Δ25bp alone, indicators for the development of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occur with increased frequency in MYBPC3Δ25bp/D389V carriers. Residue D389 lies in the IgI-like C2 domain that is part of the N-terminal region of MyBPC. To probe the effects of mutation D389V on structure, thermostability, and protein–protein interactions, we produced and characterized wild-type and mutant constructs corresponding to the isolated 10 kDa C2 domain and a 52 kDa N-terminal fragment that includes subdomains C0 to C2. Our results show marked reductions in the melting temperatures of D389V mutant constructs. Interactions of construct C0–C2 D389V with the cardiac isoforms of myosin-2 and actin remain unchanged. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal changes in the stiffness and conformer dynamics of domain C2 caused by mutation D389V. Our results suggest a pathomechanism for the development of HCM based on the toxic buildup of misfolded protein in young MYBPC3Δ25bp/D389V carriers that is supplanted and enhanced by C-zone haploinsufficiency at older ages.

Global Identification of C2 Domain Contain Proteins And Characterization Of Genetic Variations For Involved Abiotic Stress Tolerance In Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

BackgroundC2DPs (C2 domain contain proteins) have been identified in different genomes that contain single or multiple C2 domains in their C or N-terminal, it possesses higher functional activity in the cell membrane between the cytoplasm and nucleus. Despite the identification of MCTPs and NTMC2s in rice, Arabidopsis, and cotton in a previous study, however, the C2DP gene family in rice has not been comprehensively studied, and the role of the C2DP gene in rice in response to abiotic stress is unclear.ResultsIn this study, we identified 82 C2DPs in the rice genome and divided them into seven groups through phylogenetic analysis. Synteny analysis revealed that duplication events were either exhibited within the genome of rice or between the genome of rice and other species. Through the analysis of cis-acting elements in promoters, expression profiles, and qRT-PCR results, the functions of OsC2DPs were found to be widely expressed in diverse tissues and were extensively involved in phytohormones and abiotic stress in rice. Prediction of the miRNA targets of OsC2DPs revealed that some of the homolog genes were regulated by consistent miRNAs and may carry out redundancy function. Notably, OsC2DP50/51/52 as a co-tandem duplication exhibited similar expression variations and involved the coincident miRNA-regulation pathway. Moreover, the results of SNP genotyping and haplotype analysis revealed that OsC2DP17, OsC2DP29, and OsC2DP49 possessed diverse haplotypes for impacted cold tolerance owing to genomic variations.ConclusionsThese findings provide a comprehensive sight for characterized OsC2DPs in rice and their roles for abiotic stress. Further, the genetic variation supports the theoretical reference for molecular breeding in rice.

Vacuolar localization via the N-terminal domain of Sch9 is required for TORC1-dependent phosphorylation and downstream signal transduction

The budding yeast Sch9 kinase (functional ortholog of the mammalian S6 kinase) is a major effector of the Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (TORC1) complex in the regulation of cell growth in response to nutrient availability and stress. In budding yeast, Sch9 is partially localized at the vacuolar surface, where it is phosphorylated by TORC1 under favorable growth conditions. Sch9 recruitment at the vacuole is mediated by direct interaction between PI(3,5)P2 on the vacuolar membrane and the region of Sch9 encompassing amino acid residues 1-390, which contains a C2 domain. Since many C2 domains mediate phospholipid binding, it had been suggested that the C2 domain of Sch9 mediates its vacuolar recruitment. However, the in vivo requirement of the C2 domain for Sch9 localization had not been demonstrated, and the phenotypic consequences of Sch9 delocalization remained unknown. Here, by examining cellular localization, phosphorylation state and growth phenotypes of Sch9 truncation mutants, we show that deletion of the N-terminal domain of Sch9 (aa 1-182), but not the C2 domain (aa 183-399), impairs vacuolar localization and TORC1-dependent phosphorylation of Sch9, while causing growth defects similar those observed in sch9Δ cells. Artificial tethering of an N-terminally truncated Sch9 mutant at the vacuolar membrane rescued TORC1-dependent phosphorylation and cell growth. Our study uncovers a key role for the N-terminal domain of Sch9 and demonstrates that recruitment of Sch9 at the vacuolar surface is necessary for TORC1-dependent phosphorylation and downstream signal transduction for the regulation of cell growth.

The neuronal calcium sensor Synaptotagmin-1 and SNARE proteins cooperate to dilate fusion pores

All membrane fusion reactions proceed through an initial fusion pore, including calcium-triggered release of neurotransmitters and hormones. Expansion of this small pore to release cargo is energetically costly and regulated by cells, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we show that the neuronal/exocytic calcium sensor Synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1) promotes expansion of fusion pores induced by SNARE proteins. Pore dilation relied on calcium-induced insertion of the tandem C2 domain hydrophobic loops of Syt1 into the membrane, previously shown to reorient the C2 domain. Mathematical modelling suggests that C2B reorientation rotates a bound SNARE complex so that it exerts force on the membranes in a mechanical lever action that increases the height of the fusion pore, provoking pore dilation to offset the bending energy penalty. We conclude that Syt1 exerts novel non-local calcium-dependent mechanical forces on fusion pores that dilate pores and assist neurotransmitter and hormone release.