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Andras Kapus

Bio: Andras Kapus is an academic researcher from University of Toronto. The author has contributed to research in topics: Phosphorylation & Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src. The author has an hindex of 57, co-authored 137 publications receiving 9729 citations. Previous affiliations of Andras Kapus include University Health Network & Toronto General Hospital.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
11 Jan 2008-Science
TL;DR: A biosensor developed to study the subcellular distribution of phosphatidylserine found that it binds the cytosolic leaflets of the plasma membrane, as well as endosomes and lysosomes.
Abstract: Electrostatic interactions with negatively charged membranes contribute to the subcellular targeting of proteins with polybasic clusters or cationic domains. Although the anionic phospholipid phosphatidylserine is comparatively abundant, its contribution to the surface charge of individual cellular membranes is unknown, partly because of the lack of reagents to analyze its distribution in intact cells. We developed a biosensor to study the subcellular distribution of phosphatidylserine and found that it binds the cytosolic leaflets of the plasma membrane, as well as endosomes and lysosomes. The negative charge associated with the presence of phosphatidylserine directed proteins with moderately positive charge to the endocytic pathway. More strongly cationic proteins, normally associated with the plasma membrane, relocalized to endocytic compartments when the plasma membrane surface charge decreased on calcium influx.

945 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: PBEF is identified as a novel inflammatory cytokine that plays a requisite role in the delayed neutrophil apoptosis of clinical and experimental sepsis and is also upregulated in neutrophils by IL-1beta and functions as an inhibitor of apoptosis in response to a variety of inflammatory stimuli.
Abstract: Pre–B cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF) is a highly conserved 52-kDa protein, originally identified as a growth factor for early stage B cells. We show here that PBEF is also upregulated in neutrophils by IL-1β and functions as a novel inhibitor of apoptosis in response to a variety of inflammatory stimuli. Induction of PBEF occurs 5–10 hours after LPS exposure. Prevention of PBEF translation with an antisense oligonucleotide completely abrogates the inhibitory effects of LPS, IL-1, GM-CSF, IL-8, and TNF-α on neutrophil apoptosis. Immunoreactive PBEF is detectable in culture supernatants from LPS-stimulated neutrophils, and a recombinant PBEF fusion protein inhibits neutrophil apoptosis. PBEF is also expressed in neutrophils from critically ill patients with sepsis in whom rates of apoptosis are profoundly delayed. Expression occurs at higher levels than those seen in experimental inflammation, and a PBEF antisense oligonucleotide significantly restores the normal kinetics of apoptosis in septic polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Inhibition of apoptosis by PBEF is associated with reduced activity of caspases-8 and -3, but not caspase-9. These data identify PBEF as a novel inflammatory cytokine that plays a requisite role in the delayed neutrophil apoptosis of clinical and experimental sepsis.

596 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
21 Jul 2006-Science
TL;DR: These probes revealed marked, localized alterations in the charge of the inner surface of the plasma membrane of macrophages during the course of phagocytosis, which accounted for the change in surface potential at the phagosomal cup.
Abstract: The surface potential of biological membranes varies according to their lipid composition. We devised genetically encoded probes to assess surface potential in intact cells. These probes revealed marked, localized alterations in the charge of the inner surface of the plasma membrane of macrophages during the course of phagocytosis. Hydrolysis of phosphoinositides and displacement of phosphatidylserine accounted for the change in surface potential at the phagosomal cup. Signaling molecules such as K-Ras, Rac1, and c-Src that are targeted to the membrane by electrostatic interactions were rapidly released from membrane subdomains where the surface charge was altered by lipid remodeling during phagocytosis.

315 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Mechanical forces mediate actin assembly through the Rho–Rho-kinase–LIMK cofilin pathway, which promotes nuclear translocation of MRTF and subsequent activation of the SMA promoter to enhance SMA expression in fibroblasts.
Abstract: In pressure or volume overload, hypertrophic growth of the myocardium is associated with myofibroblast differentiation, a process in which cardiac fibroblasts express smooth muscle α-actin (SMA). The signaling mechanisms that mediate force-induced myofibroblast differentiation and SMA expression are not defined. We examined the role of the Rho–Rho-kinase pathway in force-induced SMA expression in fibroblasts using an in vitro model system that applies static tensile forces (0.65 pN/μm2) to integrins via collagen-coated magnetite beads. Force maximally induced RhoA activation at 10 minutes that was localized to force application sites and required intact actin filaments. Force application induced phosphorylation of LIM kinase (5-10 minutes) and an early dephosphorylation of cofilin (5 minutes) that was followed by prolonged cofilin phosphorylation. These responses were blocked by Y27632, an inhibitor of Rho kinase. Force promoted actin filament assembly at force application sites (10-20 minutes), a process that required Rho kinase and cofilin. Force application induced nuclear translocation of the transcriptional co-activator MRTF-A but not MRTF-B. Nuclear translocation of MRTF-A required Rho kinase and intact actin filaments. Force caused 3.5-fold increases of SMA promoter activity that were completely blocked by transfection of cells with dominant-negative MRTF-A or by inhibition of Rho kinase or by actin filament disassembly. These data indicate that mechanical forces mediate actin assembly through the Rho–Rho-kinase–LIMK cofilin pathway. Force-mediated actin filament assembly promotes nuclear translocation of MRTF and subsequent activation of the SMA promoter to enhance SMA expression.

308 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Nov 2000-Blood
TL;DR: CD36-dependent binding and signaling appears to be crucial for the nonopsonic clearance of PEs and does not appear to contribute to the increase in TNF-alpha that is prognostic of poor outcome in clinical malaria.

272 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
25 Nov 2009-Cell
TL;DR: The mesenchymal state is associated with the capacity of cells to migrate to distant organs and maintain stemness, allowing their subsequent differentiation into multiple cell types during development and the initiation of metastasis.

8,642 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The reprogramming of gene expression during EMT, as well as non-transcriptional changes, are initiated and controlled by signalling pathways that respond to extracellular cues, and the convergence of signalling pathways is essential for EMT.
Abstract: The transdifferentiation of epithelial cells into motile mesenchymal cells, a process known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), is integral in development, wound healing and stem cell behaviour, and contributes pathologically to fibrosis and cancer progression. This switch in cell differentiation and behaviour is mediated by key transcription factors, including SNAIL, zinc-finger E-box-binding (ZEB) and basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, the functions of which are finely regulated at the transcriptional, translational and post-translational levels. The reprogramming of gene expression during EMT, as well as non-transcriptional changes, are initiated and controlled by signalling pathways that respond to extracellular cues. Among these, transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) family signalling has a predominant role; however, the convergence of signalling pathways is essential for EMT.

6,036 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review summarizes the current state of knowledge of the functions of NOX enzymes in physiology and pathology.
Abstract: For a long time, superoxide generation by an NADPH oxidase was considered as an oddity only found in professional phagocytes. Over the last years, six homologs of the cytochrome subunit of the phag...

5,873 citations

Journal Article
TL;DR: Western medicine has not yet used flavonoids therapeutically, even though their safety record is exceptional, and suggestions are made where such possibilities may be worth pursuing.
Abstract: Flavonoids are nearly ubiquitous in plants and are recognized as the pigments responsible for the colors of leaves, especially in autumn. They are rich in seeds, citrus fruits, olive oil, tea, and red wine. They are low molecular weight compounds composed of a three-ring structure with various substitutions. This basic structure is shared by tocopherols (vitamin E). Flavonoids can be subdivided according to the presence of an oxy group at position 4, a double bond between carbon atoms 2 and 3, or a hydroxyl group in position 3 of the C (middle) ring. These characteristics appear to also be required for best activity, especially antioxidant and antiproliferative, in the systems studied. The particular hydroxylation pattern of the B ring of the flavonoles increases their activities, especially in inhibition of mast cell secretion. Certain plants and spices containing flavonoids have been used for thousands of years in traditional Eastern medicine. In spite of the voluminous literature available, however, Western medicine has not yet used flavonoids therapeutically, even though their safety record is exceptional. Suggestions are made where such possibilities may be worth pursuing.

4,663 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This Review focuses on new aspects of one of the central paradigms of inflammation and immunity — the leukocyte adhesion cascade.
Abstract: To get to the site of inflammation, leukocytes must first adhere to and traverse the blood-vessel wall, events that occur in a cascade-like manner. But what are the exact steps in this cascade and what molecules are involved?

3,917 citations