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Luman/CREB3 induces transcription of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response protein Herp through an ER stress response element.

Luman/CREB3 (also called LZIP) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane-bound transcription factor which is believed to undergo regulated intramembrane proteolysis in response to cellular cues. We previously found that Luman activates transcription from the unfolded protein response element. Here we report the identification of Herp, a gene involved in ER stress-associated protein degradation (ERAD), as a direct target of Luman. We found that Luman was transcriptionally induced and proteolytically activated by the ER stress inducer thaspsigargin. Overexpression of Luman activated transcription of cellular Herp via ER stress response element II (ERSE-II; ATTGG-N-CCACG) in the promoter region. Mutagenesis studies and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that Luman physically associates with the Herp promoter, specifically the second half-site (CCACG) of ERSE-II. Luman was also necessary for the full activation of Herp during the ER stress response, since Luman small interfering RNA knockdown or functional repression by a dominant negative mutant attenuated Herp gene expression. Like Herp, overexpression of Luman protected cells against ER stress-induced apoptosis. With Luman structurally similar to ATF6 but resembling XBP1 in DNA-binding specificities, we propose that Luman is a novel factor that plays a role in ERAD and a converging point for various signaling pathways channeling through the ER.

Animals↗

A self-enabling TGFbeta response coupled to stress signaling: Smad engages stress response factor ATF3 for Id1 repression in epithelial cells.

Genome-wide transcriptional profiling of human epithelial cells revealed that repression of Id inhibitors of differentiation (Id1, Id2, and Id3) is a general feature of the TGFbeta cytostatic program. Opposite responses of Id1 to TGFbeta and the related factor BMP are dictated by the specific ability of the TGFbeta mediator, Smad3, to activate expression of stress response factor ATF3 and then recruit this factor to the Id1 promoter. Thus, a Smad3-mediated primary gene response, ATF3 induction, enables Smad3 to participate in an ATF3-mediated, secondary gene response. As a common target of TGFbeta/Smad signals and stress signals via p38 kinase, ATF3 additionally serves to channel synergy between these pathways in the response of epithelial cells to stress and injury.

Activating Transcription Factor 3↗

A search in the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for genes regulated via stress response elements.

Stress response elements (STREs, core consensus AG4 or C4T) have been demonstrated previously to occur in the upstream region of a number of genes responsive to induction by a variety of stress signals. This stress response is mediated by the homologous transcription factors Msn2p and Msn4p, which bind specifically to STREs. Double mutants (msn2 msn4) deficient in these transcription factors have been shown to be hypersensitive to severe stress conditions. To obtain a more representative overview of the set of yeast genes controlled via this regulon, a computer search of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome was carried out for genes, which, similar to most known STRE-controlled genes, exhibit at least two STREs in their upstream region. In addition to the great majority of genes previously known to be controlled via STREs, 69 open reading-frames were detected. Expression patterns of a set of these were examined by grid filter hybridization, and 14 genes were examined by Northern analysis. Comparison of the expression patterns of these genes demonstrates that they are all STRE-controlled although their detailed expression patterns differ considerably.

Blotting, Northern↗

Yeast signaling pathways in the oxidative stress response.

Oxidative stress that generates the reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the major causes of DNA damage and mutations. The "DNA damage checkpoint" that arrests cell cycle and repairs damaged DNA has been a focus of recent studies, and the genetically amenable model systems provided by yeasts have been playing a leading role in the eukaryotic checkpoint research. However, means to eliminate ROS are likely to be as important as the DNA repair mechanisms in order to suppress mutations in the chromosomal DNA, and yeasts also serve as excellent models to understand how eukaryotes combat oxidative stress. In this article, we present an overview of the signaling pathways that sense oxidative stress and induce expression of various anti-oxidant genes in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe and the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. Three conserved signaling modules have been identified in the oxidative stress response of these diverse yeast species: the stress-responsive MAP kinase cascade, the multistep phosphorelay and the AP-1-like transcription factor. The structure and function of these signaling modules are discussed.

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases↗

A novel high-throughput genetic screen for stress-responsive mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana reveals new loci involving stress responses.

Activation sequence-1 (as-1) cognate promoter elements are widespread in the promoters of plant defense-related genes as well as in plant pathogen promoters, and may play important roles in the activation of defense-related genes. The as-1-type elements are highly responsive to multiple stress stimuli such as jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), H(2)O(2), xenobiotics and heavy metals, and therefore provide a unique opportunity for identifying additional signaling components and cross-talk points in the various signaling networks. A single as-1-type cis-element-driven GUS reporter Arabidopsis line responsive to JA, SA, H(2)O(2), xenobiotics and heavy metals was constructed for mutagenesis. A large-scale T-DNA mutagenesis has been conducted in the reporter background, and an efficient high-throughput mutant screen was established for isolating mutants with altered responses to the stress chemicals. A number of mutants with altered stress responses were obtained, some of which appear to identify new components in the as-1-based signal transduction pathways. We characterized a mutant (Delta8L4) with a T-DNA insertion in the coding sequence of the gene At4g24275. The as-1-regulated gene expression and GUS reporter gene expression were altered in the Delta8L4 mutant, but there was no change in the expression of genes lacking as-1 elements in their promoters. The phenotype observed with the Delta8L4 mutant was further verified using RNAi plants for At4g24275 (8L4-RNAi), suggesting the feasibility of use of this high-throughput mutant screening in isolating stress-signaling mutants.

Arabidopsis↗

Endocrinology of the stress response.

The stress response is subserved by the stress system, which is located both in the central nervous system and the periphery. The principal effectors of the stress system include corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH); arginine vasopressin; the proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and beta-endorphin, the glucocorticoids; and the catecholamines norepinephrine and epinephrine. Appropriate responsiveness of the stress system to stressors is a crucial prerequisite for a sense of well-being, adequate performance of tasks, and positive social interactions. By contrast, inappropriate responsiveness of the stress system may impair growth and development and may account for a number of endocrine, metabolic, autoimmune, and psychiatric disorders. The development and severity of these conditions primarily depend on the genetic vulnerability of the individual, the exposure to adverse environmental factors, and the timing of the stressful events, given that prenatal life, infancy, childhood, and adolescence are critical periods characterized by increased vulnerability to stressors.

Endocrine Glands↗

The stress-responsive gene GADD45G is a functional tumor suppressor, with its response to environmental stresses frequently disrupted epigenetically in multiple tumors.

The CpG island of GADD45G was identified as a target sequence during the identification of hypermethylated genes using methylation-sensitive representational difference analysis combined with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine demethylation. Located at the commonly deleted region 9q22, GADD45G is a member of the DNA damage-inducible gene family. In response to stress shock, GADD45G inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis. Same as other GADD45 members, GADD45G is ubiquitously expressed in all normal adult and fetal tissues. However, its transcriptional silencing or down-regulation and promoter hypermethylation were frequently detected in tumor cell lines, including 11 of 13 (85%) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 3 of 6 (50%) Hodgkin's lymphoma, 8 of 11 (73%) nasopharyngeal carcinoma, 2 of 4 (50%) cervical carcinoma, 5 of 17 (29%) esophageal carcinoma, and 2 of 5 (40%) lung carcinoma and other cell lines but not in any immortalized normal epithelial cell line, normal tissue, or peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The silencing of GADD45G could be reversed by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine or genetic double knockout of DNMT1 and DNMT3B, indicating a direct epigenetic mechanism. Aberrant methylation was further frequently detected in primary lymphomas although less frequently in primary carcinomas. Only one single sequence change in the coding region was detected in 1 of 25 cell lines examined, indicating that genetic inactivation of GADD45G is very rare. GADD45G could be induced by heat shock or UV irradiation in unmethylated cell lines; however, this stress response was abolished when its promoter becomes hypermethylated. Ectopic expression of GADD45G strongly suppressed tumor cell growth and colony formation in silenced cell lines. These results show that GADD45G can act as a functional new-age tumor suppressor but being frequently inactivated epigenetically in multiple tumors.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

How do glucocorticoids influence stress responses? Integrating permissive, suppressive, stimulatory, and preparative actions.

The secretion of glucocorticoids (GCs) is a classic endocrine response to stress. Despite that, it remains controversial as to what purpose GCs serve at such times. One view, stretching back to the time of Hans Selye, posits that GCs help mediate the ongoing or pending stress response, either via basal levels of GCs permitting other facets of the stress response to emerge efficaciously, and/or by stress levels of GCs actively stimulating the stress response. In contrast, a revisionist viewpoint posits that GCs suppress the stress response, preventing it from being pathologically overactivated. In this review, we consider recent findings regarding GC action and, based on them, generate criteria for determining whether a particular GC action permits, stimulates, or suppresses an ongoing stress-response or, as an additional category, is preparative for a subsequent stressor. We apply these GC actions to the realms of cardiovascular function, fluid volume and hemorrhage, immunity and inflammation, metabolism, neurobiology, and reproductive physiology. We find that GC actions fall into markedly different categories, depending on the physiological endpoint in question, with evidence for mediating effects in some cases, and suppressive or preparative in others. We then attempt to assimilate these heterogeneous GC actions into a physiological whole.

Animals↗

Genome-wide characterization of ZmCRY genes: unveiling stress response mechanisms and the role of ZmCRYPHR2 in salinity tolerance.

BACKGROUND: Blue light serves as a crucial environmental signal regulating plant growth and development. The cryptochrome (CRY) family represents a key class of blue light receptors involved in these processes, as well as plant growth, development, and defense. However, the functions of CRYs in maize remain largely unexplored. RESULTS: In this study, nine ZmCRY genes were identified and found to be unevenly distributed across five chromosomes. Gene structure and conserved motif analyses revealed that ZmCRYs within the same phylogenetic groups are highly conserved. Synteny analysis indicated a close evolutionary relationship between ZmCRYs and their homologs in Oryza sativa. Promoter analysis identified diverse cis-regulatory elements linked to light response, stress tolerance, and hormone signaling. RT-qPCR analysis showed that ZmCRYs respond to various abiotic and biotic stresses, including high salinity, drought, nitrogen deficiency, Fusarium verticillioides, and Puccinia polysora. Functional studies demonstrated that ZmCRYPHR2, localized in chloroplasts and the cytoplasmic membrane, plays a role in scavenging reactive oxygen and regulating maize salt tolerance. Haplotype 2 of ZmCRYPHR2 was identified as the preferred haplotype in a panel of 269 inbred lines. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide a comprehensive genomic and functional characterization of the ZmCRY gene family, with ZmCRYPHR2 identified as a pivotal regulator of salt tolerance, offering valuable genetic insights for the development of stress-resilient maize breeding.

Zea mays↗

Rapid deubiquitination of nucleosomal histones in human tumor cells caused by proteasome inhibitors and stress response inducers: effects on replication, transcription, translation, and the cellular stress response.

The proteasome inhibitors, lactacystin and N-acetyl-leucyl-leucyl-norlucinal, caused a rapid and near-complete loss of approximately 22-23-kDa ubiquitinated nucleoproteins, which we have identified as monoubiquitinated nucleosomal histones H2A and H2B by immunological and two-dimensional electrophoretic techniques. In human SKBr3 breast tumor cells, depletion of monoubiquitinated histones by the proteasome inhibitors coincided with the accumulation of high molecular weight ubiquitinated proteins in both nucleoprotein and cytosolic fractions and decreased unconjugated ubiquitin in the cytosol, without changes in the nonubiquitinated core histones. Unconjugated ubiquitin was not detected in isolated tumor cell nuclei. A similar loss in monoubiquitinated histones occurred in cells harboring a defective, temperature-sensitive mutation of the ubiquitin-activating E1 enzyme, after these cells were elevated from 33 degrees C to the non-permissive temperature of 39 degrees C. DNA replication and RNA transcription were decreased by the proteasome inhibitors most strongly after 90% of the ubiquitin had been removed from ubiquitinated histones H2A and H2B, suggesting a relationship between the nucleosomal histone ubiquitin status and the processing of genetic information. Interestingly, although both proteasome inhibitors caused a generalized decrease in methionine incorporation into proteins, they strongly induced the synthesis of the hsp72 and hsp90 stress proteins. Finally, treating cells with heat-shock at 43 degrees C, with stress response-provoking chemicals or with several other proteasome inhibitors caused ubiquitinated proteins to accumulate, depleted free ubiquitin, and concomitantly decreased nucleosomal monoubiquitinated histones. These results suggest that deubiquitination of nucleosomal histones H2A and H2B may play a previously unrecognized role in the cellular stress response, as well as in the processing of chromatin, and emphasize the important role of the proteasome in cellular homeostasis.

Acetylcysteine↗

Postnatal maternal deprivation produces long-lasting modifications of the stress response, feeding and stress-related behaviour in the rat.

The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a central role both in the regulation of the stress response, and in the control of feeding behaviour. Sensitivity of the HPA axis to respond to stress varies both during ontogeny and between individuals, and can be altered by neonatal events. The aim of our experiments was to determine whether early events that affect the HPA axis could also induce persistent modifications in food intake (quantitatively and qualitatively), as well as alterations of anxiety-related behaviour. Twenty-four-hour maternal deprivation was introduced at two different periods of HPA maturation, on day 5 (DEP5) or day 14 (DEP14) after birth. Sequential measurements of plasma levels of adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone showed that this deprivation altered the HPA axis of adults; the response to restraint stress was prolonged in DEP5 and a higher ACTH peak appeared in DEP14. The neonatal stress also produced long-lasting modifications of rat behaviour, as DEP14 adults became more anxious. Standard food intake decreased in both groups of deprived rats. Diet preferences also changed, as carbohydrate intake decreased in DEP5 rats. Corticosteroid receptor binding did not vary in the hippocampus of the deprived rats. The modifications of the stress response and the behaviour parameters could be due to the alteration of corticosteroid receptors in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and/or corticotropin-releasing hormone or vasopressin function, but these parameters have yet to be determined. This early stress paradigm altering feeding behaviour could become an interesting model for research into human eating disorders.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

The Trichoderma atroviride seb1 (stress response element binding) gene encodes an AGGGG-binding protein which is involved in the response to high osmolarity stress.

The chitinase genes of Trichoderma spp. (ech42, chit33, nag1) contain one or more copies of a pentanucleotide element (5'-AGGGG-3') in their 5'-noncoding regions. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, this motif is recognized and bound by the stress response regulator proteins Msn2p/Msn4p. To test whether this motif in the chitinase promoters is bound by a Trichoderma Msn2/4p homolog, we have cloned a gene (seb1) from T. atroviride which encodes a C2H2 zinc-finger protein that is 62 (64)% identical to S. cerevisiae Msn2p (Msn4p) in the zinc-finger region, and almost identical to the G-box binding protein from Haematonectria haematococca and to polypeptides encoded by uncharacterized ORFs from Neurospora crassa and Aspergillus nidulans. Its zinc-finger domain specifically recognizes the AGGGG sequence of the ech42 and nag1 promoter in band-shift assays. However, a cDNA clone of seb1, when overexpressed in S. cerevisiae, was unable to complement a Delta msn2/4 mutant of S. cerevisiae. Levels of seb1 mRNA increased under conditions of osmotic stress (sorbitol, NaCl) but not under other stress conditions (cadmium sulfate, pH, membrane perturbance). A T. atroviride Delta seb1 strain, produced by transformation with a seb1 copy disrupted by insertion of the A. nidulans amdS gene, showed strongly reduced growth on solid medium, but grew normally in liquid medium. In liquid medium, growth of the disruption strain was significantly more inhibited by the presence of 1 M sorbitol and 1 M NaCl than was that of the wild-type strain. Despite the presence of AGGGG elements in the promoter of the chitinase gene nag1, no differences in its expression were found between the parent and the disruption strain. EMSA analyses with cell-free extracts obtained from the seb1 disruption strain showed the presence of proteins that could bind to the AGGGG-element in nag1 and ech42. We therefore conclude that seb1 encodes a protein that is involved in the osmotic stress response, but not in chitinase gene expression, in T. atroviride.

Chitinases↗

Response to acetaldehyde stress in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae involves a strain-dependent regulation of several ALD genes and is mediated by the general stress response pathway.

One of the stress conditions that yeast may encounter is the presence of acetaldehyde. In a previous study we identified that, in response to this stress, several HSP genes are induced that are also involved in the response to other forms of stress. Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH) play an important role in yeast acetaldehyde metabolism (e.g. when cells are growing in ethanol). In this work we analyse the expression of the genes encoding these enzymes (ALD) and also the corresponding enzymatic activities under several growth conditions. We investigate three kinds of yeast strains: laboratory strains, strains involved in the alcoholic fermentation stage of wine production and flor yeasts (responsible for the biological ageing of sherry wines). The latter are very important to consider because they grow in media containing high ethanol concentrations, and produce important amounts of acetaldehyde. Under several growth conditions, further addition of acetaldehyde or ethanol in flor yeasts induced the expression of some ALD genes and led to an increase in ALDH activity. This result is consistent with their need to obtain energy from ethanol during biological ageing processes. Our data also suggest that post-transcriptional and/or post-translational mechanisms are involved in regulating the activity of these enzymes. Finally, analyses indicate that the Msn2/4p and Hsf1p transcription factors are necessary for HSP26, ALD2/3 and ALD4 gene expression under acetaldehyde stress, while PKA represses the expression of these genes.

Acetaldehyde↗

Translation reinitiation at alternative open reading frames regulates gene expression in an integrated stress response.

Stress-induced eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2) alpha phosphorylation paradoxically increases translation of the metazoan activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), activating the integrated stress response (ISR), a pro-survival gene expression program. Previous studies implicated the 5' end of the ATF4 mRNA, with its two conserved upstream ORFs (uORFs), in this translational regulation. Here, we report on mutation analysis of the ATF4 mRNA which revealed that scanning ribosomes initiate translation efficiently at both uORFs and ribosomes that had translated uORF1 efficiently reinitiate translation at downstream AUGs. In unstressed cells, low levels of eIF2alpha phosphorylation favor early capacitation of such reinitiating ribosomes directing them to the inhibitory uORF2, which precludes subsequent translation of ATF4 and represses the ISR. In stressed cells high levels of eIF2alpha phosphorylation delays ribosome capacitation and favors reinitiation at ATF4 over the inhibitory uORF2. These features are common to regulated translation of GCN4 in yeast. The metazoan ISR thus resembles the yeast general control response both in its target genes and its mechanistic details.

Animals↗

The role of chemical-induced stress responses in immunosuppression: a review of quantitative associations and cause-effect relationships between chemical-induced stress responses and immunosuppression.

Although there is an increasing awareness that drugs and chemicals can modulate the immune system by indirect mechanisms, few compounds have been thoroughly evaluated in this regard. Several environmentally relevant chemicals induce stresslike responses, as indicated by elevated glucocorticoid levels. Comparable glucocorticoid levels induced by physical or psychological stressors are consistently associated with suppression of one or more immunological parameters. Thus, it seems likely that stress-related neuroendocrine mechanisms are important in immunosuppression by some environmental chemicals. Distinguishing direct and indirect (stress-related) mechanisms of immunosuppression is generally possible, and this could be done as a routine part of immunotoxicity assessment. Although it is clear that glucocorticoids can contribute to such immunosuppression, it is also clear that several other neuroendocrine mediators associated with stress responses can be immunomodulatory. Thus, correlation between glucocorticoid levels and immunosuppression does not conclusively demonstrate a cause-effect relationship. Demonstrating such relationships has been difficult, but it has been done in a few cases of drug-induced thymic hypoplasia by monitoring several parameters known to be affected by glucocorticoids and by measuring the ability of a glucocorticoid antagonist (RU 486) or adrenalectomy to block changes in these parameters. A similar strategy might be useful for evaluation of the role of glucocorticoids in drug- or chemical-induced suppression of a variety of immune functions, but the effects of RU 486 on neuroendocrine feedback circuits and the possibility of consequent immunological changes must be considered when the data are interpreted. This approach could also be applied to evaluation of the roles in chemical-induced immunosuppression of other neuroendocrine mediators for which antagonists or agents that block the synthesis or release of the mediator are available. However, it is likely that a comprehensive (and perhaps predictive) understanding of the relationship between chemically induced stress responses and immunosuppression will require more detailed and quantitative elucidation of the mechanisms and regulation of neuroendocrine-immune interactions.

Animals↗

Influence of alexithymic characteristics on physiological and subjective stress responses in normal individuals.

Individual differences in response to stress have been linked to the development of stress-related disorders through the presence of a dissociation between physiological and subjective stress responses. It has been suggested that the presence of alexithymic characteristics may constitute a new source of individual response differences and thereby contribute to the development of a stress-related disorder. However, it is also possible that the presence of alexithymic characteristics is simply a new name for a preexisting construct. The present study examined subjective and physiological stress response patterns in normal individuals with high or low presence of alexithymic characteristics, and the relationship between alexithymia and potentially equivalent constructs. The results revealed that the presence of alexithymic characteristics is independent of repression, trait anxiety, and social desirability. As well, high alexithymics appear to manifest high levels of sympathetic activity, and a dissociation between subjective and physiological stress responses. These results are discussed in terms of the potential contribution of alexithymic characteristics to the development of stress-related disorders.

Adult↗

Molecular and evolutionary basis of the cellular stress response.

The cellular stress response is a universal mechanism of extraordinary physiological/pathophysiological significance. It represents a defense reaction of cells to damage that environmental forces inflict on macromolecules. Many aspects of the cellular stress response are not stressor specific because cells monitor stress based on macromolecular damage without regard to the type of stress that causes such damage. Cellular mechanisms activated by DNA damage and protein damage are interconnected and share common elements. Other cellular responses directed at re-establishing homeostasis are stressor specific and often activated in parallel to the cellular stress response. All organisms have stress proteins, and universally conserved stress proteins can be regarded as the minimal stress proteome. Functional analysis of the minimal stress proteome yields information about key aspects of the cellular stress response, including physiological mechanisms of sensing membrane lipid, protein, and DNA damage; redox sensing and regulation; cell cycle control; macromolecular stabilization/repair; and control of energy metabolism. In addition, cells can quantify stress and activate a death program (apoptosis) when tolerance limits are exceeded.

Animals↗