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Calcium-activated RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway mediates p53-dependent apoptosis and is abrogated by alpha B-crystallin through inhibition of RAS activation.

The ocular lens is the only organ that does not develop spontaneous tumor. The molecular mechanism for this phenomenon remains unknown. Through examination of the signaling pathways mediating stress-induced apoptosis, here we presented evidence to show that different from most other tissues in which the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) pathway is generally implicated in mediation of survival signals activated by different factors, the RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway alone plays a key role in stress-activated apoptosis of lens epithelial cells. Treatment of N/N1003A cells with calcimycin, a calcium mobilizer, activates the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway through RAS, which is indispensable for the induced apoptosis because inhibition of this pathway by either pharmacological drug or dominant negative mutants greatly attenuates the induced apoptosis. Calcimycin also activates p38 kinase and JNK2, which are not involved in calcium-induced apoptosis. Downstream of ERK activation, p53 is essential. Activation of RAF/MEK/ERK pathway by calcimycin leads to distinct up-regulation of p53. Moreover, overexpression of p53 enhances calcimycin-induced apoptosis, whereas inhibition of p53 expression attenuates calcimycin-induced apoptosis. Up-regulation of p53 directly promotes Bax expression, which changes the integrity of mitochondria, leading to release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-3 and eventually execution of apoptosis. Overexpression of alphaB-crystallin, a member of the small heat-shock protein family, blocks activation of RAS to inhibit ERK1/2 activation, and greatly attenuates calcimycin-induced apoptosis. Together, our results provide 1) a partial explanation for the lack of spontaneous tumor in the lens, 2) a novel signaling pathway for calcium-induced apoptosis, and 3) a novel antiapoptotic mechanism for alphaB-crystallin.

Animals↗

[Participation of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase Cgamma1 and STAT1 protein in the formation of latent complexes of signal proteins].

It is known that the growth factor activates appropriate membrane receptors which become starting points of cascades of protein-protein interactions leading to cellular response. Recent data suggest that different signalling pathways may cross-talk during the cellular response. Here we show that phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C gamma 1, one of the key elements in phosphoinositide pathway of signal transduction, is physically associated with members of the STAT pathway. The precipitation of phospholipase C gamma 1, using polyclonal antibody in A-431 cells, leads to co-immunoprecipitation of STAT1 alpha and STAT1 beta, as well as STAT3. The formation of such complexes was observed in both unstimulated and EGF stimulated cells. The participation of SH3-domains in the formation of such complexes is discussed.

Cell Line, Transformed↗

Alpha interferon and gamma interferon stimulate transcription of a single gene through different signal transduction pathways.

Interferons (IFNs) play a key role in the defense against virus infection and the regulation of cell growth and differentiation, in part through changes in specific gene transcription in target cells. We describe several differences between the signal transduction events that result in transcriptional activation of the human gene coding for a guanylate-binding protein (GBP) by alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma). Activation by IFN-alpha was rapid, transient, and cycloheximide resistant. Activation by IFN-gamma was slower, sustained, and delayed by cycloheximide. IFN-gamma led to the formation of a stable intracellular signal which led to continued GBP transcription even if the ligand was withdrawn, whereas IFN-alpha-induced GBP transcription decayed rapidly if IFN-alpha was withdrawn. Perturbations of signaling pathways involving classical second messengers (cyclic AMP, Ca2+, protein kinase C) did not induce GBP transcription. However, various kinase inhibitors blocked the transcriptional response to IFN-gamma but not IFN-alpha, suggesting that a specific and possibly novel kinase is involved in gene activation by IFN-gamma.

Calcium↗

Evidence for involvement of Wnt signaling pathway in IB-MECA mediated suppression of melanoma cells.

The A3 adenosine receptor, A3AR, belongs to the family of Gi proteins, which upon induction, suppresses the formation of cAMP and its downstream effectors. Recent studies have indicated that activation of A3AR by its agonist, IB-MECA, results in growth inhibition of malignant cells. Here we demonstrate the ability of IB-MECA to decrease the levels of protein kinase A, a downstream effector of cAMP, and protein kinase B/Akt in melanoma cells. Examination of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta, GSK-3beta, whose phosphorylation is controlled by protein kinase A and B, showed a substantial decrease in the levels of its phosphorylated form and an increase in total GSK-3beta levels in IB-MECA treated melanoma cells. This observation suggests that the treatment of cells with IB-MECA augments the activity of GSK-3beta in the cells. Evaluation of beta-catenin, a key component of Wnt signaling pathway which, upon phosphorylation by GSK-3beta rapidly ubiquitinates, showed a substantial decrease in its level after IB-MECA treatment. Accordingly, the level of beta-catenin responsive cell growth regulatory genes including c-myc and cyclin D1 was severely declined upon treatment of the cells with IB-MECA. These observations which link cAMP to the Wnt signaling pathway provide mechanistic evidence for the involvement of Wnt pathway via its key elements GSK-3beta and beta-catenin in the anti-tumor activity of A3AR agonists.

Adenosine↗

The xylose reductase (AKR2B5) structure: homology and divergence from other aldo-keto reductases and opportunities for protein engineering.

The structure of xylose reductase from Candida tenuis (AKR2B5) has been determined and refined to 2.2 A resolution, both in holo and apo forms. These structures allow the recognition of numerous hydrophilic residues responsible for dimerization, a novel feature for the superfamily of enzymes. The residues allowing for dual NADH/NADPH cosubstrate specificity are also identified. Since xylose reductase functions in conjunction with an NAD(+)-specific xylitol dehydrogenase in the xylose assimilation pathway, this is a key step in engineering an enzyme specific for only NADH which will permit cosubstrate recycling between the two enzymes in a high-flux pathway. The structure of xylose reductase, combined with others in the superfamily provides an opportunity to examine and compare structural divergence as a function of sequence homology. It also suggests that the dimeric aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) from families 2 and 7 evolved from a common dimeric ancestor.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

Mutations in signal transduction pathways and inherited diseases.

Intracellular signal transduction pathways have central roles in processes such as growth, differentiation, neurotransmission and development. The aberrant expression of components of various signal transduction pathways has profound consequences for cellular functions. Recent findings indicate that many cases of neoplasia and inherited diseases have, at their roots, mutations in key steps of signalling pathways.

Animals↗

Structural aspects of denitrifying enzymes.

The reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas via nitrite, nitric oxide and nitrous oxide is the metabolic pathway usually known as denitrification, a key step in the nitrogen cycle. As observed for other elemental cycles, a battery of enzymes are utilized, namely the reductases for nitrate, nitrite, nitric oxide and nitrous oxide, as well as multiple electron donors that interact with these enzymes, in order to carry out the stepwise reactions that involve key intermediates. Because of the importance of this pathway (of parallel importance to the nitrogen-fixation pathway), efforts are underway to understand the structures of the participating enzymes and to uncover mechanistic aspects. Three-dimensional structures have been solved for the majority of these enzymes in the past few years, revealing the architecture of the active metal sites as well as global structural aspects, and possible mechanistic aspects. In addition, the recognition of specific electron-transfer partners raises important questions regarding specific electron-transfer pathways, partner recognition and control of metabolism.

Electron Transport↗

Mechanism of non-spliceosomal mRNA splicing in the unfolded protein response pathway.

The unfolded protein response is an intracellular signaling pathway that, in response to accumulation of misfolded proteins in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), upregulates transcription of ER resident chaperones. A key step in this pathway is the non-conventional, regulated splicing of the mRNA encoding the positive transcriptional regulator Hac1p. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the bifunctional transmembrane kinase/endoribonuclease Ire1p cleaves HAC1 mRNA at both splice junctions and tRNA ligase joins the two exons together. We have reconstituted HAC1 mRNA splicing in an efficient in vitro reaction and show that, in many ways, the mechanism of HAC1 mRNA splicing resembles that of pre-tRNA splicing. In particular, Ire1p endonucleolytic cleavage leaves 2', 3'-cyclic phosphates, the excised exons remain associated by base pairing, and exon ligation by tRNA ligase follows the same chemical steps as for pre-tRNA splicing. To date, this mechanism of RNA processing is unprecedented for a messenger RNA. In contrast to the striking similarities to tRNA splicing, the structural features of the splice junctions recognized by Ire1p differ from those recognized by tRNA endonuclease. We show that small stem-loop structures predicted to form at both splice junctions of HAC1 mRNA are required and sufficient for Ire1p cleavage.

Base Pairing↗

TaVRT-1, a putative transcription factor associated with vegetative to reproductive transition in cereals.

The molecular genetics of vernalization, defined as the promotion of flowering by cold treatment, is still poorly understood in cereals. To better understand this mechanism, we cloned and characterized a gene that we named TaVRT-1 (wheat [Triticum aestivum] vegetative to reproductive transition-1). Molecular and sequence analyses indicated that this gene encodes a protein homologous to the MADS-box family of transcription factors that comprises certain flowering control proteins in Arabidopsis. Mapping studies have localized this gene to the Vrn-1 regions on the long arms of homeologous group 5 chromosomes, regions that are associated with vernalization and freezing tolerance (FT) in wheat. The level of expression of TaVRT-1 is positively associated with the vernalization response and transition from vegetative to reproductive phase and is negatively associated with the accumulation of COR genes and degree of FT. Comparisons among different wheat genotypes, near-isogenic lines, and cereal species, which differ in their vernalization response and FT, indicated that the gene is inducible only in those species that require vernalization, whereas it is constitutively expressed in spring habit genotypes. In addition, experiments using both the photoperiod-sensitive barley (Hordeum vulgare cv Dicktoo) and short or long day de-acclimated wheat revealed that the expression of TaVRT-1 is also regulated by photoperiod. These expression studies indicate that photoperiod and vernalization may regulate this gene through separate pathways. We suggest that TaVRT-1 is a key developmental gene in the regulatory pathway that controls the transition from the vegetative to reproductive phase in cereals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Catalytic pathways of Euphorbia characias peroxidase reacting with hydrogen peroxide.

The reaction of Euphorbia characias latex peroxidase (ELP) with hydrogen peroxide as the sole substrate was studied by conventional and stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The reaction mechanism occurs via three distinct pathways. In the first (pathway I), ELP shows catalase-like activity: H2O2 oxidizes the native enzyme to compound I and subsequently acts as a reducing substrate, again converting compound I to the resting ferric enzyme. In the presence of an excess of hydrogen peroxide, compound I is still formed and further reacts in two other pathways. In pathway II, compound I initiates a series of cyclic reactions leading to the formation of compound II and compound III, and then returns to the native resting state. In pathway III, the enzyme is inactivated and compound I is converted into a bleached inactive species; this reaction proceeds faster in samples illuminated with bright white light, demonstrating that at least one of the intermediates is photosensitive. Calcium ions decrease the rate of pathway I and accelerate the rate of pathways II and III. Moreover, in the presence of calcium the inactive stable verdohemochrome P670 species accumulates. Thus, Ca2+ ions seem to be the key for all catalytic pathways of Euphorbia peroxidase.

Calcium↗

Care pathways development and implementation.

Care pathways are increasingly being used in the UK as a tool for managing clinical processes and patient outcomes. This article describes some of the key elements of care pathways, highlights factors in successful implementation and discusses some concerns about their use.

Critical Pathways↗

Don't let data become too much of a good thing in clinical path, outcomes tracking efforts.

Too much of a good thing? Are you collecting too much data? At University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, caregivers were tracking every variance to every item on every clinical pathway. It was just too much work, and the reports weren't even useful. A new variance tracking system includes targeting three to 10 key events for each pathway and has resulted in greater tracking compliance and data accuracy.

Benchmarking↗

Degradation of the gluconeogenic enzymes fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and malate dehydrogenase is mediated by distinct proteolytic pathways and signaling events.

The key gluconeogenic enzyme fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) is subjected to catabolite inactivation and degradation when glucose-starved cells are replenished with fresh glucose. In various studies, the proteasome and the vacuole have each been reported to be the major site of FBPase degradation. Because different growth conditions were used in these studies, we examined whether variations in growth conditions could alter the site of FBPase degradation. Here, we demonstrated that FBPase was degraded outside the vacuole (most likely in the proteasome), when glucose was added to cells that were grown in low glucose media for a short period of time. By contrast, cells that were grown in the same low glucose media for longer periods of time degraded FBPase in the vacuole in response to glucose. Another gluconeogenic enzyme malate dehydrogenase (MDH2) showed the same degradation characteristics as FBPase in that the short term starvation of cells led to a non-vacuolar degradation, whereas long term starvation resulted in the vacuolar degradation of this protein. The N-terminal proline is required for the degradation of FBPase and MDH2 for both the vacuolar and non-vacuolar proteolytic pathways. The cAMP signaling pathway and the phosphorylation of glucose were needed for the vacuolar-dependent degradation of FBPase and MDH2. By contrast, the cAMP-dependent signaling pathway was not involved in the non-vacuolar degradation of these proteins, although the phosphorylation of glucose was required.

Binding Sites↗

The role of c5b-9 terminal complement complex in activation of the cell cycle and transcription.

Activation of the complement system plays an important role in innate and acquired immunity. Activation of complement and subsequent formation of C5b-9 channels on the surface of cellular membranes leads to cell lysis. When the number of channels assembled on the surface of nucleated cells is limited, C5b-9 does not cause lysis, but instead can induce cell-cycle progression by activating signal transduction pathways, transcription factors, and key components of the cell-cycle machinery. Cell-cycle induction by C5b-9 is dependent on the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the ERK1 pathway in a Gi protein-dependent manner. Cell-cycle activation is regulated, in part, by activation of proto-oncogene c-jun and AP1 DNA binding activity. C5b-9 induces sequential activation of CDK4 and CDK2, leading to G1/S-phase transition and cellular proliferation. RGC-32 is a novel gene whose expression is induced by C5b-9. RGC-32 may play a key role in cell-cycle activation by increasing cyclin B1-CDC2 activity. C5b-9-mediated cell-cycle activation plays an important role in cellular proliferation and protection from apoptosis.

Animals↗

Liver transcriptome analysis revealed multiple immune processes and lipid metabolism pathways involved in the defense response of the turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) against Aeromonas salmonicida.

Aeromonas salmonicida is a significant pathogen causing notable economic losses in Scophthalmus maximus aquaculture. This study utilized Illumina sequencing technology to examine the transcriptional response characteristics of S. maximus liver at 24 h following A. salmonicida infection. A total of 2363 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified when compared to the negative control group. The immunity-related Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, as well as metabolism-related PPAR signaling pathway and insulin signaling pathway, were notably enriched. Significant differences exist in the expression of key genes within the PPAR pathway, particularly cd36, acsl4a, pparαa, and plin2, all of which mediate the interaction between lipid metabolism and the immune response. These results offer valuable insights into the immunometabolic regulatory mechanism of S. maximus response to A. salmonicida infection.

Animals↗

A member of the polymerase beta nucleotidyltransferase superfamily is required for RNA interference in C. elegans.

RNA interference (RNAi) is an ancient, highly conserved mechanism in which small RNA molecules (siRNAs) guide the sequence-specific silencing of gene expression . Several silencing machinery protein components have been identified, including helicases, RNase-related proteins, double- and single-stranded RNA binding proteins, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase-related proteins . Work on these factors has led to the revelation that RNAi mechanisms intersect with cellular pathways required for development and fertility . Despite rapid progress in understanding key steps in the RNAi pathway, it is clear that many factors required for both RNAi and related developmental mechanisms have not yet been identified. Here, we report the characterization of the C. elegans gene rde-3. Genetic analysis of presumptive null alleles indicates that rde-3 is required for siRNA accumulation and for efficient RNAi in all tissues, and it is essential for fertility and viability at high temperatures. RDE-3 contains conserved domains found in the polymerase beta nucleotidyltransferase superfamily, which includes conventional poly(A) polymerases, 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS), and yeast Trf4p . These findings implicate a new enzymatic modality in RNAi and suggest possible models for the role of RDE-3 in the RNAi mechanism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Positive interactive radiosensitisation in vitro with the combination of two nucleoside analogues, (E)-2'-deoxy-2'-(fluoromethylene) cytidine and iododeoxyuridine.

(E)-2'-Deoxy-2'-(fluoromethylene) cytidine (FMdC), an inhibitor of ribonucleotide diphosphate reductase (RR), is a potent radiation-sensitiser acting through alterations in the deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pool in the de novo pathway to DNA synthesis. The activity of thymidine kinase (TK), a key enzyme in the 'salvage pathway', is known to increase in response to a lowering of dATP induced by FMdC. Nucleoside analogues such as iododeoxyuridine (IdUrd) are incorporated into DNA after phosphorylation by TK. Radiation sensitisation by IdUrd depends on IdUrd incorporation. Therefore, we have investigated the radiosensitising effect of the combination of FMdC and IdUrd on WiDr (a human colon cancer cell-line) and compared it to the effect of either drug alone. We analysed the effects of FMdC and IdUrd on the dNTP pools by high-performance liquid chromatography, and measured whether the incorporation of IdUrd was increased by FMdC using a [(125)I]-IdUrd incorporation assay. The combination in vitro yielded radiation-sensitiser enhancement ratios of >2, significantly higher than those observed with FMdC or IdUrd alone. Isobologram analysis of the combination indicated a supra-additive effect. This significant increase in radiation sensitivity with the combination of FMdC and IdUrd could not be explained by changes in the dNTP pattern since the addition of IdUrd to FMdC did not further reduce the dATP. However, the increase in the radiation sensitivity of WiDr cells might be due to increased incorporation of IdUrd after FMdC treatment. Indeed, a specific and significant incorporation of IdUrd into DNA could be observed with the [(125)I]-IdUrd incorporation assay in the presence of 1 microM unlabelled IdUrd when combined with FMdC treatment.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

HAN11 binds mDia1 and controls GLI1 transcriptional activity.

BACKGROUND: The Hedgehog pathway is important in normal and diseased skin. One of the key transcription factors in the pathway is GLI1. GLI1-dependent transcription is positively regulated by DYRK1A, which is reported to bind HAN11. HAN11 is the human homologue of AN11, which controls flavonoid synthesis in plants. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to identify other binding partners of HAN11 and investigate whether HAN11 regulates GLI1-dependent transcription. METHODS: We used TAP-tag purification and GST pull down to identify protein-protein interactions and performed luciferase assays of transcriptional activity. We used immunofluorescence microscopy to examine the subcellular distribution of HAN11, mDia1 and GLI1. We performed in situ hybridisation to compare expression of HAN11 with GLI1 and patched in mouse embryos. RESULTS: We identified the cytoskeletal regulator mDia1 as a binding partner of HAN11. We showed that HAN11 binds the FH2 actin binding domain of mDia1 and confirmed that HAN11 also interacts with DYRK1A. Overexpression of mDia1 or active RhoA caused translocation of HAN11 from nucleus to cytoplasm. HAN11 and mDia1 repressed DYRK1A-dependent GLI1 transcriptional activity. HAN11 overexpression decreased SZ95 sebocyte proliferation and increased cytoplasmic GLI1. AN11 was highly expressed in E10.5 mouse embryo limb buds, in an overlapping pattern with Ptc and GLI1. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that AN11 may be a physiological regulator of GLI1 transcriptional activity.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗