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Complex regulation of thyroid hormone action: multiple opportunities for pharmacological intervention.

The thyroid hormone (TH; 3,3',5,5'-tetra-iodothyronine and 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine) regulates growth, development, and critical metabolic functions. Thyroid diseases are among the most prevalent group of metabolic disorders in the Western world. TH exerts effects through complex biological pathways, which offer a wealth of opportunities to pharmacologically intervene in TH signalling at numerous steps. These include biosynthesis, cell-specific uptake or export (involving L-type amino acid transporter, organic anion transporter, organic cation transporter, or multidrug resistance transporter), as well as nuclear targeting and actions (the latter including TH receptor binding and histone acetylation/deacetylation). Such processes represent potentially important pharmacological targets for the design of novel or improved therapies for TH disorders, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.

Receptors, Thyroid Hormone↗

PP2A phosphatase activity is required for stress and Tor kinase regulation of yeast stress response factor Msn2p.

In response to stress and nutrient starvation, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription factor Msn2p accumulates in the nucleus and activates expression of a broad array of genes. Here, we analyze the role of the Tor (target of rapamycin) signaling pathway in mediating these responses. Inactivation of the Tor pathway component Tap42p using tap42(Ts) alleles causes a sustained nuclear localization similar to that after the addition of the Tor kinase inhibitor rapamycin. Effects of Tap42p inactivation and rapamycin addition could be suppressed by deletion of TIP41, which encodes a Tap42p-interacting protein. These results support the notion that rapamycin affects Msn2p by inactivating Tap42p function. Tap42p interacts with the catalytic subunit of PP2A (protein phosphatase 2A) and PP2A-like phosphatases. Deletion of either the catalytic or regulatory subunit that forms the PP2A phosphatase complex prevents nuclear accumulation of Msn2p in the tap42(Ts) strain and in wild-type strains treated with rapamycin. These results suggest that Tap42p is an inhibitor of PP2A phosphatase, which in turn inhibits nuclear export of Msn2p. Interestingly, PP2A function is also required for nuclear accumulation of Msn2p in response to stresses, such as heat and osmotic shock, as well as nitrogen (but not glucose) starvation. Thus, PP2A and the Tor kinase pathway transduce stress and nitrogen starvation signals to Msn2p. Finally, Msn2p localization is unaffected by conditional loss of 14-3-3 protein function, ruling out the possibility that 14-3-3 proteins act as a scaffold to sequester Msn2p in the cytoplasm.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

Synergistic stimulation of HIV-1 rev-dependent export of unspliced mRNA to the cytoplasm by hnRNP A1.

The structural and accessory proteins of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 are expressed by unspliced or partially spliced mRNAs. Efficient transport of these mRNAs from the nucleus requires the binding of the viral nuclear transport protein Rev to an RNA stem-loop structure called the RRE (Rev response element). However, the RRE does not permit Rev to stimulate the export of unspliced mRNAs from the efficiently spliced beta-globin gene in the absence of additional cis-acting RNA regulatory signals. The p17gag gene instability (INS) element contains RNA elements that can complement Rev activity. In the presence of the INS element and the RRE, Rev permits up to 30 % of the total beta-globin mRNA to be exported to the cytoplasm as unspliced mRNA. Here, we show that a minimal sequence of 30 nt derived from the 5' end of the p17 gag gene INS element (5' INS) is functional and permits the export to the cytoplasm of 14% of the total beta-globin mRNA as unspliced pre-mRNA. Gel mobility shift assays and UV cross-linking experiments have shown that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A1 and a cellular RNA-binding protein of 50 kDa form a complex on the 5' INS. Mutants in the 5' INS that prevent hnRNP A1 and 50 kDa protein binding are inactive in the transport assay. To confirm that the hnRNP A1 complex is responsible for INS activity, a synthetic high-affinity binding site for hnRNP A1 was also analysed. When the high affinity hnRNP A1 binding site was inserted into the beta-globin reporter, Rev was able to increase the cytoplasmic levels of unspliced mRNAs to 14%. In contrast, the mutant hnRNP A1 binding site, or binding sites for hnRNP C and L are unable to stimulate Rev-mediated RNA transport. We conclude that hnRNP A1 is able to direct unspliced globin pre-mRNA into a nuclear compartment where it is recognised by Rev and then transported to the cytoplasm.

Base Sequence↗

Nutritional control of gene expression: how mammalian cells respond to amino acid limitation.

The amino acid response (AAR) pathway in mammalian cells is designed to detect and respond to amino acid deficiency. Limiting any essential amino acid initiates this signaling cascade, which leads to increased translation of a "master regulator," activating transcription factor (ATF) 4, and ultimately, to regulation of many steps along the pathway of DNA to RNA to protein. These regulated events include chromatin remodeling, RNA splicing, nuclear RNA export, mRNA stabilization, and translational control. Proteins that are increased in their expression as targets of the AAR pathway include membrane transporters, transcription factors from the basic region/leucine zipper (bZIP) superfamily, growth factors, and metabolic enzymes. Significant progress has been achieved in understanding the molecular mechanisms by which amino acids control the synthesis and turnover of mRNA and protein. Beyond gaining additional knowledge of these important regulatory pathways, further characterization of how these processes contribute to the pathology of various disease states represents an interesting aspect of future research in molecular nutrition.

Amino Acids↗

Glycosylation of human papillomavirus type 16 L1 protein.

We examined glycosylation of the L1 capsid protein of human papillomavirus type 16, using HPV16 L1 protein expressed from various recombinant vaccinia viruses in CV-1 and HaCaT cells. A minority of L1 protein was N-glycosylated, and all four potential N-glycosylation sites appeared to be used. Glycosylation was of the high-mannose type, as shown by reactivity with biotin-labeled Concanavalin A and by exoglycosidase digestions. A series of mutant L1 proteins were used to establish that an N-terminal hydrophobic sequence, common to all sequenced papillomavirus L1 capsid proteins, was a major determinant of the proportion of L1 protein glycosylated, whereas C-terminus nuclear localization signal sequences were unimportant. Subcellular localization studies showed that whereas the majority of L1 protein was found in the cell nucleus, glycosylated L1 was retained in the endoplasmic reticulum and was neither exported from the cell nor translocated to the cell membrane or the cell nucleus. We conclude that glycosylated L1 is unlikely to be an important component of the papillomavirus virion, a finding of importance for the design of papillomavirus-specific vaccines.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

New perspectives on nuclear transport.

A central aspect of cellular function is the proper regulation of nucleocytoplasmic transport. In recent years, significant progress has been made in identifying and characterizing the essential components of the transport machinery. Despite these advances, some facets of this process are still unclear. Furthermore, recent work has uncovered novel molecules and mechanisms of nuclear transport. This review focuses on the unresolved and novel aspects of nuclear transport and explores issues in tRNA, snRNA, and mRNA export that highlight the diversity of nuclear transport mechanisms.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Nuclear expression of thymidylate synthase in colorectal cancer cell lines and clinical samples.

Thymidylate synthase (TS) [TYMS; OMIM reference number (188,350)] is normally considered to be a cytoplasmic enzyme. However, a few reports have suggested it may also be present in the nucleus. To explore this in more detail, we used a highly specific polyclonal antibody to TS and a combination of techniques, including immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, cell fractionation, and Western blotting. We developed cell line HeLa-55, a HeLa derivative that grossly overexpresses TS. Although the vast majority of TS was in the cytoplasm, some TS also was seen in the nucleus. TS in parental HeLa cells and in normal human fibroblasts was seen exclusively in the cytoplasm. HeLa-55 cells exposed to 5-fluorodeoxyuridine were fractionated and examined by Western blotting. Interestingly, both free TS and the ternary complex of TS were seen in the cytoplasmic fraction but only free TS was detected in the nuclear fraction. Amongst different cell lines examined, HCT-15 and normal fibroblasts showed no nuclear TS, HCC-2998 and SW-620 showed a small amount of nuclear TS, and HT-29, RKO, and HCT-116 showed a strong nuclear TS signal. Nuclear staining was clearly evident in some clinical colorectal specimens, both normal and malignant. This staining was definitively shown to be TS by competition with recombinant TS protein. A putative leucine-rich nuclear export sequence was identified but its function could not be confirmed. We conclude that small amounts of TS protein is present in the nucleus of some cell types but further work is needed to determine the significance of this observation.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Multi-parameter analysis of the kinetics of NF-kappaB signalling and transcription in single living cells.

Proteins of the NF-kappaB transcription factor family normally reside in the cytoplasm of cells in a complex with IkappaB inhibitor proteins. Stimulation with TNFalpha leads to proteosomal degradation of the IkappaB proteins and nuclear translocation of the NF-kappaB proteins. Expression of p65 and IkappaBalpha fused to fluorescent proteins was used to measure the dynamics of these processes in transfected HeLa cells. Simultaneous visualisation of p65-dsRed translocation and IkappaBalpha-EGFP degradation indicated that in the presence of dual fluorescent fusion protein expression, the half-time of IkappaBalpha-EGFP degradation was reduced and that of p65 translocation was significantly increased when compared with cells expressing the single fluorescent fusion proteins. These results suggest that the ratio of IkappaBalpha and p65 determine the kinetics of transcription factor translocation into the nucleus and indicate that the complex of p65 and IkappaBalpha is the true substrate for TNFalpha stimulation in mammalian cells. When cells were treated with the CRM-1-dependent nuclear export inhibitor, leptomycin B (LMB), there was nuclear accumulation of IkappaBalpha-EGFP and p65-dsRed, with IkappaBalpha-EGFP accumulating more rapidly. No NF-kappaB-dependent transcriptional activation was seen in response to LMB treatment. Following 1 hour treatment with LMB, significant IkappaBalpha-EGFP nuclear accumulation, but low levels of p65-dsRed nuclear accumulation, was observed. When these cells were stimulated with TNFalpha, degradation of IkappaBalpha-EGFP was observed in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. A normal transient transcription response was observed in the same cells using luminescence imaging of NF-kappaB-dependent transcription. These observations suggest that both normal activation and post-induction repression of NF-kappaB-dependent transcription occur even when nuclear export of NF-kappaB is inhibited. The results provide functional evidence that other factors, such as modification of p65 by phosphorylation, or interaction with other proteins such as transcriptional co-activators/co-repressors, may critically modulate the kinetics of transcription through this signalling pathway.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

The mRNA export in Caenorhabditis elegans is mediated by Ce-NXF-1, an ortholog of human TAP/NXF and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mex67p.

Human TAP and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mex67p belong to a family of proteins that mediate mRNA export. Computer searches identified previously two Caenorhabditis elegans genes, C15H11.3 and C115H11.6, that encode putative homologs of hTAP and Mex67p (Segref et al., EMBO J, 1997, 16:3256-3271). Using RNA interference experiments in C. elegans, we found that functional knockout of C15H11.3 resulted in nuclear accumulation of poly(A)-containing RNAs and was lethal for both embryos and adult nematodes. No embryonic or progeny abnormality was observed in functional knockout of C15H11.6. Taken together, these data established that the C15H11.3 gene product is an ortholog of hTAP and Mex67p; thus, it was named Ce-NXF-1. Ce-NXF-1 binds RNA directly and is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttle protein accumulating in the nucleoplasm and at the nuclear rim. The rim association is mediated via unique signals present in the C-terminal portion of all TAP/NXF and Mex67p proteins. This region was shown to interact with the FG-repeat domains of nucleoporins Nup98, Nup153, and Nup214, indicating that the rim association occurs through components of the nuclear pore complex. In summary, Ce-NXF-1 belongs together with hTAP and Mex67p to a family of proteins that participate in mRNA export and can provide a direct molecular link between mRNAs and components of the nuclear pore complex. Therefore, despite differences in mRNA metabolism between these species, they utilize a conserved mRNA transport mechanism.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

A bipartite nuclear localization signal is required for p53 nuclear import regulated by a carboxyl-terminal domain.

Abnormal p53 cellular localization has been considered to be one of the mechanisms that could inactivate p53 function. To understand the regulation of p53 cellular trafficking, we have previously identified two p53 domains involved in its localization. A basic domain, Lys(305)-Arg(306), is required for p53 nuclear import, and a carboxyl-terminal domain, namely the cytoplasmic sequestration domain (CSD) from residues 326-355, could block the nuclear import of Lys(305) or Arg(306) mutated p53. To characterize further the function of these two domains, we demonstrate in this report that the previously described major nuclear localization signal works together with Lys(305)-Arg(306) to form a bipartite and functional nuclear localization sequence (NLS) for p53 nuclear import. The CSD could block the binding of p53 to the NLS receptor, importin alpha, and reduce the efficiency of p53 nuclear import in MCF-7, H1299, and Saos-2 cells. The blocking effect of the CSD is not due to the enhancement of nuclear export or oligomerization of the p53. These results indicate that the CSD can regulate p53 nuclear import by controlling access of the NLS to importin alpha binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nucleocytoplasmic trafficking in plant cells.

In a eukaryotic cell, the nuclear envelope (NE) separates genetic information from the environment of biosynthesis and metabolism. Transfer of macromolecules across the NE involves the nuclear pores--large multisubunit protein complexes--and machinery that facilitates rapid, directional, and selective transport. While core elements of the transport process are conserved between kingdoms, different solutions to similar problems have also evolved. Although the structure and composition of the yeast and mammalian nuclear pore have been unraveled recently, the plant nuclear pore remains largely enigmatic. Like any other process, nucleocytoplasmic transport can be regulated. Several examples from plants are discussed that promise insights into the regulation of signaling pathways. While controlling the partitioning of cellular components, the nuclear envelope also presents an obstacle to viruses and transforming agents that need access to the genome, and different mechanisms have evolved to overcome this obstacle. Finally, the recent recognition of the importance of small RNAs for gene regulation emphasizes the need to understand small RNA nuclear export and the levels of its regulation. This review attempts to wed our molecular-mechanistic understanding of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking drawn from all model systems with the intriguing examples of regulated nucleocytoplasmic partitioning in plants.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Evidence for a novel mitochondria-to-nucleus signalling pathway in respiring cells lacking i-AAA protease and the ABC-transporter Mdl1.

Peptides generated upon degradation of mitochondrial proteins by various ATP-dependent proteases are continuously released from mitochondria raising the intriguing possibility of a role of these peptides in interorganellar communication. Here, we have determined genome-wide transcript profiles of mutant yeast cells defective in mitochondrial peptide export. Deletion of YME1, coding for the i-AAA protease in the inner membrane, abolished peptide generation in the intermembrane space and led to the induction of nuclear genes with functions in mitochondrial gene expression and the biogenesis of the respiratory chain. On the other hand, deletion of MDL1, coding for an ABC-transporter involved in peptide export from the matrix space, only had minor effects on nuclear gene expression. It strengthened, however, the response in Deltayme1 cells suggesting a link between mitochondrial peptide export and nuclear gene expression. The response in Yme1-deficient cells depended on respiratory growth and was not observed in fermenting yeast cells. Inhibition of the F1FO-ATP synthase induced Deltayme1 responsive genes whereas inhibition of the respiratory chain or dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential resulted in their repression. These findings suggest the existence of a novel mitochondria-to-nucleus signalling pathway in respiring cells which allows the re-adjustment of the biogenesis of the respiratory chain in response to an altered activity of the F1FO-ATP synthase.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Fast-to-slow transformation and nuclear import/export kinetics of the transcription factor NFATc1 during electrostimulation of rabbit muscle cells in culture.

Contractile activity imposed by chronic electrical stimulation of a primary skeletal muscle cell culture grown on microcarriers over several days led to an increase of slow myosin heavy chain I (MHCI) and a decrease of fast MHCII expression at mRNA and protein levels, indicating an ongoing fast-to-slow transformation. Only patterns with periods of continuous stimulation of > or = 5 min in a 45 min cycle were capable of inducing a fibre type transformation, and this was independent of the applied stimulation frequency over the range 1-10 Hz. We have shown before that the calcineurin-NFATc1 signalling pathway is indispensable in mediating MHCI upregulation during fibre type transformation. Therefore, subcellular localization of NFATc1 was studied immunocytochemically. This revealed that only one stimulation train lasting for > or = 5 min was sufficient to induce nuclear import of this factor, which was about complete after 20 min of continuous stimulation. For both induction of NFATc1 import and MHCI mRNA upregulation, the minimum stimulation interval of > or = 5 min was sufficient and stimulation frequency was not crucial between 1 and 10 Hz. Repetition of stimulation cycles, with pauses (40 min) shorter than the time required for complete export of NFATc1, led to an accumulation of NFATc1 in the nuclei with each cycle and thus to an amplification of the transformation signal during extended periods of electrostimulation. The temporal behaviour of NFATc import/export appears to determine the effectiveness of various electrostimulation protocols in inducing fast-to-slow fibre transformation.

Animals↗

Homolog of BRCA2-interacting Dss1p and Uap56p link Mlo3p and Rae1p for mRNA export in fission yeast.

The breast cancer tumor suppressor BRCA2-interacting protein, DSS1, and its homologs are critical for DNA recombination in eukaryotic cells. We found that Dss1p, along with Mlo3p and Uap56p, Schizosaccharomyces pombe homologs of two messenger RNA (mRNA) export factors of the NXF-NXT pathway, is required for mRNA export in S. pombe. Previously, we showed that the nuclear pore-associated Rae1p is an essential mRNA export factor in S. pombe. Here, we show that Dss1p and Uap56p function by linking mRNA adapter Mlo3p to Rae1p for targeting mRNA-protein complex (mRNP) to the proteins of the nuclear pore complex (NPC). Dss1p preferentially recruits to genes in vivo and interacts with -FG (phenylalanine glycine) nucleoporins in vivo and in vitro. Thus, Dss1p may function at multiple steps of mRNA export, from mRNP biogenesis to their targeting and translocation through the NPC.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Signals that dictate nuclear, nucleolar, and cytoplasmic shuttling of the gamma(1)34.5 protein of herpes simplex virus type 1.

The gamma(1)34.5 protein of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is required for viral neurovirulence in vivo. In infected cells, this viral protein prevents the shutoff of protein synthesis mediated by double-stranded-RNA-dependent protein kinase PKR. This is accomplished by recruiting protein phosphatase 1 to dephosphorylate the alpha subunit of translation initiation factor eIF-2 (eIF-2 alpha). Moreover, the gamma(1)34.5 protein is implicated in viral egress and interacts with proliferating cell nuclear antigen. In this report, we show that the gamma(1)34.5 protein encoded by HSV-1(F) is distributed in the nucleus, nucleolus, and cytoplasm in transfected or superinfected cells. Deletion analysis revealed that the Arg-rich cluster from amino acids 1 to 16 in the gamma(1)34.5 protein functions as a nucleolar localization signal. The region from amino acids 208 to 236, containing a bipartite basic amino acid cluster, is able to mediate nuclear localization. R(215)A and R(216)A substitutions in the bipartite motif disrupt this activity. Intriguingly, leptomycin B, an inhibitor of nuclear export, blocks the cytoplasmic accumulation of the gamma(1)34.5 protein. L(134)A and L(136)A substitutions in the leucine-rich motif completely excluded the gamma(1)34.5 protein from the cytoplasm. These results suggest that the gamma(1)34.5 protein continuously shuttles between the nucleus, nucleolus, and cytoplasm, which may be a requirement for the different activities of the gamma(1)34.5 protein in virus-infected cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nuclear factor of activated T cells balances angiogenesis activation and inhibition.

It has been demonstrated that vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) induction of angiogenesis requires activation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). We show that NFATc2 is also activated by basic fibroblast growth factor and blocked by the inhibitor of angiogenesis pigment epithelial-derived factor (PEDF). This suggests a pivotal role for this transcription factor as a convergence point between stimulatory and inhibitory signals in the regulation of angiogenesis. We identified c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNKs) as essential upstream regulators of NFAT activity in angiogenesis. We distinguished JNK-2 as responsible for NFATc2 cytoplasmic retention by PEDF and JNK-1 and JNK-2 as mediators of PEDF-driven NFAT nuclear export. We identified a novel NFAT target, caspase-8 inhibitor cellular Fas-associated death domain-like interleukin 1beta-converting enzyme inhibitory protein (c-FLIP), whose expression was coregulated by VEGF and PEDF. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed VEGF-dependent increase of NFATc2 binding to the c-FLIP promoter in vivo, which was attenuated by PEDF. We propose that one possible mechanism of concerted angiogenesis regulation by activators and inhibitors may be modulation of the endothelial cell apoptosis via c-FLIP controlled by NFAT and its upstream regulator JNK.

Apoptosis↗

Localization of HIV-1 RNA in mammalian nuclei.

The Rev protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) facilitates the nuclear export of unspliced and partially spliced viral RNAs. In the absence of Rev, these intron-containing HIV-1 RNAs are retained in the nucleus. The basis for nuclear retention is unclear and is an important aspect of Rev regulation. Here we use in situ hybridization and digital imaging microscopy to examine the intranuclear distributions of intron-containing HIV RNAs and to determine their spatial relationships to intranuclear structures. HeLa cells were transfected with an HIV-1 expression vector, and viral transcripts were localized using oligonucleotide probes specific for the unspliced or spliced forms of a particular viral RNA. In the absence of Rev, the unspliced viral RNAs were predominantly nuclear and had two distinct distributions. First, a population of viral transcripts was distributed as approximately 10-20 intranuclear punctate signals. Actinomycin D chase experiments indicate that these signals represent nascent transcripts. A second, stable population of viral transcripts was dispersed throughout the nucleoplasm excluding nucleoli. Rev promoted the export of this stable population of viral RNAs to the cytoplasm in a time-dependent fashion. Significantly, the distributions of neither the nascent nor the stable populations of viral RNAs coincided with intranuclear speckles in which splicing factors are enriched. Using splice-junction-specific probes, splicing of human beta-globin pre-mRNA occurred cotranscriptionally, whereas splicing of HIV-1 pre-mRNA did not. Taken together, our results indicate that the nucleolus and intranuclear speckles are not involved in Rev regulation, and provide further evidence that efficient splicing signals are critical for cotranscriptional splicing.

Biological Transport↗

MEK inhibition impairs influenza B virus propagation without emergence of resistant variants.

Influenza A and B viruses are still a major worldwide threat. We demonstrate that influenza B virus infection induces signaling via the Raf/MEK/ERK cascade, a process required for efficient virus production. Expression of dominant-negative Raf and ERK mutants or treatment with a MEK inhibitor (U0126) strongly impaired viral propagation, while selective activation of the pathway resulted in increased virus titers. MEK inhibition appears to interfere with a distinct viral nuclear export process. Most importantly, no resistant virus variants emerged in the presence of U0126 demonstrating that influenza viruses cannot easily adapt to the missing cellular function.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗