Lysosomal iron recycling in mouse macrophages is dependent upon both reductases LcytB and Steap3

Iron that is stored in macrophages as ferritin can be made bioavailable by degrading ferritin in the lysosome and releasing iron back into the cytosol. Iron stored in ferritin is found as Fe3+ and must be reduced to Fe2+ before it can be exported from the lysosome. Here we report that the lysosomal reductase Cyb561a3 (LcytB) and the endosomal reductase Six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 3 (Steap3) act as lysosomal ferrireductases in the mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 converting Fe3+ to Fe2+ for iron recycling. We determined that when lysosomes were loaded with horse cationic ferritin, reductions or loss of LcytB or Steap3 using CrispR/Cas9-mediated knockout technology resulted in decreased lysosomal iron export. Loss of both reductases was additive in decreasing lysosomal iron export. Decreased reductase activity resulted in increased transcripts for iron acquisition proteins DMT1 and Tfrc1 suggesting cells were iron limited. We show transcript expression of LcytB and Steap3 is decreased in macrophages exposed to Escherichia coli pathogen UTI89 supporting a role for these reductases in regulating iron availability for pathogens. We further show that loss of LcytB and Steap3 in macrophages infected with UTI89, led to increased intracellular UTI89 proliferation suggesting that the endolysosomal system is retaining Fe3+ that can be used for intravesicular pathogen proliferation. Together, our findings reveal an important role for both LcytB and Steap3 in macrophage iron recycling and suggest that limiting iron recycling by decreasing expression of endolysosomal reductases is an innate immune response to protect against pathogen proliferation and sepsis.

Zebrafish Ddx19 deficiency causes serious apoptosis and cell proliferation

Background: DDX19 is known as for its role in mRNA transport. It is also involved in translation and innate immune responses. However, the function of Ddx19 during body development rarely reported. We know that ddx19 plays an important role in development of organisms, but we don't understand how it affects the process of cell development. Results: Here, we report ddx19-deleted mutation in zebrafish, obtained two types with base deletion of 46 bp and 7 bp using CRISPR/Cas9 gene knockout technology, show morphologic defects such as small head, small eyes, pericardial edema and trunk curvature in 24 hours post fertilization (hpf). The maximum survival time of ddx19 -/- was less than 5 day post fertilization (dpf). In comparison to the wildtype, the mutant embryos showed widespread up-regulation of cell apoptosis, and significant decrease in the number of cells. Conclusions: These data indicate loss of ddx19 is lethal, and is associated with cell apoptosis and proliferation abnormalities in the organism. Our results reveal that ddx19 is essential for the development of zebrafish embryos, which deepens the understanding of the developmental function of DEAD-box genes family.

EB1 and EB3 regulate microtubule minus end organization and Golgi morphology

End-binding proteins (EBs) are the core components of microtubule plus end tracking protein complexes, but it is currently unknown whether they are essential for mammalian microtubule organization. Here, by using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout technology, we generated stable cell lines lacking EB2 and EB3 and the C-terminal partner-binding half of EB1. These cell lines show only mild defects in cell division and microtubule polymerization. However, the length of CAMSAP2-decorated stretches at noncentrosomal microtubule minus ends in these cells is reduced, microtubules are detached from Golgi membranes, and the Golgi complex is more compact. Coorganization of microtubules and Golgi membranes depends on the EB1/EB3–myomegalin complex, which acts as membrane–microtubule tether and counteracts tight clustering of individual Golgi stacks. Disruption of EB1 and EB3 also perturbs cell migration, polarity, and the distribution of focal adhesions. EB1 and EB3 thus affect multiple interphase processes and have a major impact on microtubule minus end organization.

Local signalling environments and human male infertility: what we can learn from mouse models

Infertility is one of the most prevalent public health problems facing young adult males in today's society. A clear, treatable cause of infertility cannot be determined in a large number of these patients, and a growing body of evidence suggests that infertility in many of these men may be due to genetic causes. Studies using mouse knockout technology have been integral for examination of normal spermatogenesis and to identify proteins essential for this process, which in turn are candidate genes for human male infertility. Successful spermatogenesis depends on a delicate balance of local signalling factors, and this review focuses on the genes that encode these factors. Normal functioning of all testicular cell types is essential for fertility and might also be crucial to prevent germ cell oncogenesis. Analysis of these signalling processes in spermatogenesis using mouse models has provided investigators with an invaluable tool to effectively translate basic science research to the research of human disease and infertility.