Showing papers on "Cellular compartment published in 2009"

In vivo measurement of cytosolic and mitochondrial pH using a pH-sensitive GFP derivative in Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveals a relation between intracellular pH and growth.

Abstract: The specific pH values of cellular compartments affect virtually all biochemical processes, including enzyme activity, protein folding and redox state. Accurate, sensitive and compartment-specific measurements of intracellular pH (pHi) dynamics in living cells are therefore crucial to the understanding of stress response and adaptation. We used the pH-sensitive GFP derivative ‘ratiometric pHluorin’ expressed in the cytosol and in the mitochondrial matrix of growing Saccharomyces cerevisiae to assess the variation in cytosolic pH (pHcyt) and mitochondrial pH (pHmit) in response to nutrient availability, respiratory chain activity, shifts in environmental pH and stress induced by addition of sorbic acid. The in vivo measurement allowed accurate determination of organelle-specific pH, determining a constant pHcyt of 7.2 and a constant pHmit of 7.5 in cells exponentially growing on glucose. We show that pHcyt and pHmit are differentially regulated by carbon source and respiratory chain inhibitors. Upon glucose starvation or sorbic acid stress, pHi decrease coincided with growth stasis. Additionally, pHi and growth coincided similarly in recovery after addition of glucose to glucose-starved cultures or after recovery from a sorbic acid pulse. We suggest a relation between pHi and cellular energy generation, and therefore a relation between pHi and growth.

Presenilins are enriched in endoplasmic reticulum membranes associated with mitochondria.

Abstract: Presenilin-1 (PS1) and −2 (PS2), which when mutated cause familial Alzheimer disease, have been localized to numerous compartments of the cell, including the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, nuclear envelope, endosomes, lysosomes, the plasma membrane, and mitochondria. Using three complementary approaches, subcellular fractionation, γ-secretase activity assays, and immunocytochemistry, we show that presenilins are highly enriched in a subcompartment of the endoplasmic reticulum that is associated with mitochondria and that forms a physical bridge between the two organelles, called endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria-associated membranes. A localization of PS1 and PS2 in mitochondria-associated membranes may help reconcile the disparate hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease and may explain many seemingly unrelated features of this devastating neurodegenerative disorder.

Mitochondrial localization of DJ-1 leads to enhanced neuroprotection.

Abstract: Mutations in DJ-1 (PARK7) cause recessively inherited Parkinson's disease. DJ-1 is a multifunctional protein with antioxidant and transcription modulatory activity. Its localization in cytoplasm, mitochondria, and nucleus is recognized, but the relevance of this subcellular compartmentalization to its cytoprotective activity is not fully understood. Here we report that under basal conditions DJ-1 is present mostly in the cytoplasm and to a lesser extent in mitochondria and nucleus of dopaminergic neuroblastoma SK-N-BE(2)C cells. Upon oxidant challenge, more DJ-1 translocates to mitochondria within 3 hr and subsequently to the nucleus by 12 hr. The predominant DJ-1 species in both mitochondria and nucleus is a dimer believed to be the functional form. Mutating cysteine 106, 53, or 46 had no impact on the translocation of DJ-1 to mitochondria. To study the relative neuroprotective activity of DJ-1 in mitochondria and nucleus, DJ-1 cDNA constructs fused to the appropriate localization signal were transfected into cells. Compared with 30% protection against oxidant-induced cell death in wild-type DJ-1-transfected cells, mitochondrial targeting of DJ-1 provided a significantly stronger (55%) cytoprotection based on lactate dehydrogenase release. Nuclear targeting of DJ-1 preserved cells equally as well as the wild-type protein. These observations suggest that the time frame for the translocation of DJ-1 from the cytoplasm to mitochondria and to the nucleus following oxidative stress is quite different and that dimerized DJ-1 in mitochondria is functional as an antioxidant not related to cysteine modification. These findings further highlight the multifaceted functions of DJ-1 as a cytoprotector in different cellular compartments.

Protein kinase CK2 in health and disease: Cellular functions of protein kinase CK2: a dynamic affair.

Abstract: Protein kinase CK2 targets a vast array of substrates located in a number of cellular compartments, making the challenge of discriminating among these substrates a daunting task. However, as a signaling protein, CK2 could be targeted to different cellular compartments in response to various stress stimuli such as heat shock, UV irradiation, hypoxia, DNA damage and viral infections. This review will be focused on the evidence that the dynamic association of CK2 subunits and the substrate-dependent subcellular targeting of the enzyme are a likely point of regulation in response to a variety of signaling events. We propose that in addition to enzymatic substrate recognition, regulated CK2 localization to specific compartments should help to provide the exquisite specificity required for robust signal transduction.

Characterization of PRMT1 from Plasmodium falciparum

Abstract: 3 during parasite development, suggesting that histone- arginine methylation may play a conserved role in chromatin- mediated gene regulation. Consistent with the presence of potential substrates in both the cytoplasm and nucleus, green fluorescent protein-tagged PfPRMT1 and untagged PfPRMT1 were localized in both cellular compartments, with the majority in the cytoplasm. In vitro assays showed that PfPRMT1 could be inhibited by several small-molecule inhibitors, with IC50- values in the sub-micromolar range. Most of these compounds also effectively inhibited parasite growth, suggesting that parasite PRMTs are promising targets for developing antiparasitic drugs.

How peroxisomes multiply.

Abstract: With every cell division, peroxisomes duplicate and are segregated between progeny cells. Here, we discuss the different modes of peroxisome multiplication and the machinery that is involved in each case. Peroxisomes have been considered by many to be peripheral to mainstream cell biology. However, this is changing in response to the recent finding that peroxisomes obtain membrane constituents from the endoplasmic reticulum, making them the latest branch of the endomembrane system to be identified. Furthermore, the observations that peroxisome and mitochondrial biogenesis can occur in a coordinated manner, and that these organelles share factors for their multiplication, demonstrate previously unanticipated aspects of cellular organisation.

The E3 Ubiquitin Ligase WWP1 Selectively Targets HER4 and Its Proteolytically Derived Signaling Isoforms for Degradation

Abstract: In general, epidermal growth factor receptor family members stimulate cell proliferation. In contrast, at least one HER4 isoform, JM-a/Cyt1, inhibits cell growth after undergoing a two-step proteolytic cleavage that first produces a membrane-anchored 80-kDa fragment (m80HER4) and subsequently liberates a soluble 80-kDa fragment, s80HER4. Here we report that s80HER4 Cyt1 action increased the expression of WWP1 (for WW domain-containing protein 1), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, but not other members of the Nedd4 E3 ligase family. The HER4 Cyt1 isoform contains three proline-rich tyrosine (PY) WW binding motifs, while Cyt2 has only two. WWP1 binds to all three Cyt1 PY motifs; the interaction with PY2 found exclusively in Cyt1 was strongest. WWP1 ubiquitinated and caused the degradation of HER4 but not of EGFR, HER2, or HER3. The HER4-WWP1 interaction also accelerated WWP1 degradation. Membrane HER4 (full length and m80HER4, the product of the first proteolytic cleavage) were the preferred targets of WWP1, correlating with the membrane localization of WWP1. Conversely s80HER4, a poorer WWP1 substrate, was found in the cell nucleus, while WWP1 was not. Deletion of the C2 membrane association domain of WWP1 allowed more efficient s80HER4 degradation, suggesting that WWP1 is normally part of a membrane complex that regulates HER4 membrane species levels, with a predilection for the growth-inhibitory Cyt1 isoform. Finally, WWP1 expression diminished HER4 biologic activity in MCF-7 cells. We previously showed that nuclear s80HER4 is ubiquitinated and degraded by the anaphase-promoting complex, suggesting that HER4 ubiquitination within specific cellular compartments helps regulate the unique HER4 signaling capabilities.

The molecular mechanisms of HDL and associated vesicular trafficking mechanisms to mediate cellular lipid homeostasis.

Abstract: HDL functions mainly as a cholesterol scavenger, facilitating transport of cholesterol to the liver for conversion to bile acids and secretion into the bile for elimination or recycling in the enterohepatic bile acid cycle. Because of its major function in cholesterol clearance, HDL is in general considered to be atheroprotective. From cell cholesterol can be removed by efflux especially to apoA-I and HDL as extracellular acceptors which transport the cholesterol to the liver for excretion. This process is called reverse cholesterol transport. In this context the ATP binding cassette transporter protein ABCA1 facilitates cellular cholesterol and phospholipid release to apoA-I-containing HDL precursors. In addition ABCA1 plays a role in vesicular lipid transport mechanisms required for HDL particle formation. In general to maintain intracellular lipid homeostasis, sterols and associated lipids move between cellular compartments by vesicular and nonvesicular pathways. However, cholesterol sorting on vesicle formation is poorly understood. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of HDL and associated vesicular trafficking mechanisms to mediate cellular lipid homeostasis.

Subcellular proteomic characterization of the high-temperature stress response of the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis.

Abstract: The present study examined the changes in protein expression in Spirulina platensis upon exposure to high temperature, with the changes in expression analyzed at the subcellular level. In addition, the transcriptional expression level of some differentially expressed proteins, the expression pattern clustering, and the protein-protein interaction network were analyzed. The results obtained from differential expression analysis revealed up-regulation of proteins involved in two-component response systems, DNA damage and repair systems, molecular chaperones, known stress-related proteins, and proteins involved in other biological processes, such as capsule formation and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis. The clustering of all differentially expressed proteins in the three cellular compartments showed: (i) the majority of the proteins in all fractions were sustained tolerance proteins, suggesting the roles of these proteins in the tolerance to high temperature stress, (ii) the level of resistance proteins in the photosynthetic membrane was 2-fold higher than the level in two other fractions, correlating with the rapid inactivation of the photosynthetic system in response to high temperature. Subcellular communication among the three cellular compartments via protein-protein interactions was clearly shown by the PPI network analysis. Furthermore, this analysis also showed a connection between temperature stress and nitrogen and ammonia assimilation.

Overexpression of Organellar and Cytosolic AtHSP90 in Arabidopsis thaliana Impairs Plant Tolerance to Oxidative Stress

Abstract: Three AtHSP90 isoforms, cytosol-localized AtHSP90.2, chloroplast-localized AtHSP90.5, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized AtHSP90.7 genes, were constitutively overexpressed in Arabidopsis thaliana to study their functional mechanisms under oxidative stress. Overexpression of AtHSP90 genes reduced germination of transgenic seeds under oxidative stress. When exposed to 10 mM H2O2, AtHSP90 transgenic seedlings displayed lower activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase; higher content of malondialdehyde; and higher levels of protein damage than detected in the wild type. This indicated that overexpression of AtHSP90.2, AtHSP90.5, and AtHSP90.7 in Arabidopsis impaired plant tolerance to oxidative stress. Moreover, overexpression of chloroplast- and ER-localized AtHSP90 resulted in lower resistance to oxidative stress than that of cytosolic AtHSP90. This suggested that HSP90.2, HSP90.5, and HSP90.7 localized in different cellular compartments were involved in different functional mechanisms during oxidative stress.

Targeting and post-translational processing of human α1-antichymotrypsin in BY-2 tobacco cultured cells†

Abstract: Summary The post-translational processing of human α1-antichymotrypsin (AACT) in Bright Yellow-2 (BY-2) tobacco cells was assessed in relation to the cellular compartment targeted for accumulation As determined by pulse-chase labelling experiments and immunofluorescence microscopy, AACT sent to the vacuole or the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was found mainly in the culture medium, similar to a secreted form targeted to the apoplast Unexpectedly, AACT expressed in the cytosol was found in the nucleus under a stable, non-glycosylated form, in contrast with secreted variants undergoing multiple post-translational modifications during their transit through the secretory pathway All secreted forms of AACT were N-glycosylated, with the presence of complex glycans as observed naturally on human AACT Proteolytic trimming was also observed for all secreted variants, both during their intracellular transit and after their secretion in the culture medium Overall, the targeting of human AACT to different compartments of BY-2 tobacco cells led to the production of two protein products: (i) a stable, non-glycosylated protein accumulated in the nucleus; and (ii) a heterogeneous mixture of secreted variants resulting from post-translational N-glycosylation and proteolytic processing Overall, these data suggest that AACT is sensitive to resident proteases in the ER, the Golgi and/or the apoplast, and that the production of intact AACT in the plant secretory pathway will require innovative approaches to protect its structural integrity in vivo Studies are now needed to assess the activity of the different AACT variants, and to identify the molecular determinants for the nuclear localization of AACT expressed in the cytosol

The Golgi Apparatus

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the discovery, structural organization, and function of the Golgi apparatus. Biochemically, the Golgi apparatus is a transition cell component that functions as intermediaries between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the cell surface. The Golgi apparatus is a primary site of the terminal glycosylation of membrane glycoproteins and glycolipids. As the major sorting and processing center of the cell, the Golgi apparatus may be responsible not only for the formation of secretory vesicles and granules but also make important contributions to lysosome formation, the generation of components of the vacuolar apparatus, and to various types of storage granules. Most of the activities of Golgi apparatus can be classified under two broad categories: (1) those of function in the synthesis, assembly, receiving, sorting, and shipping of products destined for secretion and (2) those of function in biogenesis and modification of membranes. The chapter describes a protocol for the isolation of highly purified fractions of the Golgi apparatus as well as of reference fractions including endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane, and nuclei for use in comparative biochemical studies and kinetic analyses.

Stimulus-Specific Distinctions in Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Stress-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinases Revealed by a Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Biosensor

Abstract: The stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs), namely, p38 and JNK, are members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family and are important determinants of cell fate when cells are exposed to environmental stresses such as UV and osmostress. SAPKs are activated by SAPK kinases (SAP2Ks), which are in turn activated by various SAP2K kinases (SAP3Ks). Because conventional methods, such as immunoblotting using phospho-specific antibodies, measure the average activity of SAP3Ks in a cell population, the intracellular dynamics of SAP3K activity are largely unknown. Here, we developed a reporter of SAP3K activity toward the MKK6 SAP2K, based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer, that can uncover the dynamic behavior of SAP3K activation in cells. Using this reporter, we demonstrated that SAP3K activation occurs either synchronously or asynchronously among a cell population and in different cellular compartments in single cells, depending on the type of stress applied. In particular, SAP3Ks are activated by epidermal growth factor and osmostress on the plasma membrane, by anisomycin and UV in the cytoplasm, and by etoposide in the nucleus. These observations revealed previously unknown heterogeneity in SAPK responses and supplied answers to the question of the cellular location in which various stresses induce stimulus-specific SAPK responses.

Protein pool maintenance during oxidative stress.

Abstract: The production of reactive species causes oxidative modifications of proteins accompanied by a loss of protein function. By protein oxidation all cellular compartments and any amino acid are effected. This might result in a defect of function. By protein oxidation all cellular compartments and any amino acid are effected. This might result in a defect of cellular homeostasis. Therefore, the degradation of non-functional, oxidized proteins is an essential function of the proteolytic branch of the antioxidant defense machinery. The major proteolytic system responsible for the removal of oxidized proteins is the proteasomal system. Whereas moderately oxidized proteins are more sensitive to proteolytic attack, severely oxidized ones are often poor substrates and might, however, inhibit the proteasome. This paper reviews the data available on protein modifications following oxidative stress, the cellular responses and the role of proteasome in this process.

A Stereological Approach for Estimation of Cellular Immunogold Labeling and Its Spatial Distribution in Oriented Sections Using the Rotator

Abstract: Particulate gold labeling applied to ultrathin sections is a powerful approach for locating cellular proteins and lipids on thin sections of cellular structures and compartments. Effective quantitative methods now allow estimation of both density and distribution of gold labeling across aggregate organelles or compartment profiles. However, current methods generally use random sections of cells and tissues, and these do not readily present the information needed for spatial mapping of cellular quantities of gold label. Yet spatial mapping of gold particle labeling becomes important when cells are polarized or show internal organization or spatial shifts in protein/lipid localization. Here we have applied a stereological approach called the rotator to estimate cellular gold label and proportions of labeling over cellular compartments at specific locations related to a chosen cell axis or chosen cellular structures. This method could be used in cell biology for mapping cell components in studies of protein translocation, cell polarity, cell cycle stages, or component cell types in tissues.

Subcellular distribution of key enzymes of lipid metabolism during the euthermia-hibernation-arousal cycle

Abstract: Mammalian hibernation is a natural, fully reversible hypometabolic state characterized by a drastic reduction of body temperature and metabolic activity, which ensures survival to many species under adverse environmental conditions. During hibernation, many hibernators rely for energy supply almost exclusively on lipid reserves; the shift from carbohydrate to lipid metabolism implies profound rearrangement of the anabolic and catabolic pathways of energetic substrates. However, the structural counterpart of such adaptation is not known. In this study we investigated, by using immunoelectron microscopy, the fine intracellular distribution of two key enzymes involved in lipid metabolism, namely, the fatty acid synthase (FAS) and the long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase (ACSL), in hepatocytes of euthermic, hibernating and arousing hazel dormice. Our results show that the two enzymes are differentially distributed in cellular compartments (cytoplasm, mitochondria and cell nuclei) of hepatocytes during euthermia. Quantitative redistribution of both enzymes among cellular compartments takes place during hibernation and arousal, in accordance with the physiological changes. Interestingly, this redistribution follows different seasonal patterns in cytoplasm, mitochondria and nuclei. In conclusion, our data represent the first quantitative morphological evidence of lipid enzyme distribution in a true hibernator throughout the year cycle, thus providing a structural framework to biochemical changes associated with the hypometabolism of hibernation.

The Molecular Mechanisms of HDL and Associated Vesicular Trafficking Mechanisms to Mediate Cellular Lipid Homeostasis

Abstract: HDL functions mainly as a cholesterol scavenger, facilitating transport of cholesterol to the liver for conversion to bile acids and secretion into the bile for elimination or recycling in the enterohepatic bile acid cycle. Because of its major function in cholesterol clearance, HDL is in general considered to be atheroprotective. From cell cholesterol can be removed by efflux especially to apoA-I and HDL as extracellular acceptors which transport the cholesterol to the liver for excretion. This process is called reverse cholesterol transport. In this context the ATP binding cassette transporter protein ABCA1 facilitates cellular cholesterol and phospholipid release to apoA-I-containing HDL precursors. In addition ABCA1 plays a role in vesicular lipid transport mechanisms required for HDL particle formation. In general to maintain intracellular lipid homeostasis, sterols and associated lipids move between cellular compartments by vesicular and nonvesicular pathways. However, cholesterol sorting on vesicle...

Putting a break on protein translocation: metabolic regulation of mitochondrial protein import.

Abstract: Sequence-inherent targeting information directs polypeptides synthesized in the cytosol to their respective cellular compartment. Some proteins use ambiguous sorting signals or specific folding properties to be dually distributed between the cytosol and mitochondria. A study published in this issue of Molecular Microbiology shows that in the case of fumarase this distribution is controlled by the metabolic state of yeast cells. The metabolite-dependent distribution of fumarase represents an exciting example of regulated protein import into mitochondria that shows that eukaryotes can adapt the intracellular protein distribution to their physiological conditions.

Proteomic profiling in distinct cellular compartments of tumor cells reveals p53‐dependent upregulation of S100A6 upon induction of telomere dysfunction

Abstract: Telomere dysfunction is evoking a DNA damage response which leads to replicative senescence or apoptosis. Tumor cells feature telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein complex counteracting telomere shortening and proliferation limitation as a prerequisite of immortal cell growth. Recently, we demonstrated the effects of telomerase inhibition on the proteome of tumor cell clones in whole cell lysates by SELDI-TOF-MS profiling and MS/MS protein identification (Zimmermann et al., Proteomics 2009, 9, 521―534). We continued proteomic analyses of such clones after telomerase-inhibition using fractionation of cellular compartments. Among the differentially expressed peaks found in different fractions, a cytoplasmic 10.1 kDa protein upregulated in telomerase-inhibited clones (p < 0.0001) was identified by nanoflow-HPLC-MS/MS as S100A6. S100A6 upregulation was confirmed by immunoblotting in telomerase-inhibited HCT-116, A-549, and NCI-H460 clones. S100A6 and other proteins involved in telomere dysfunction were further analyzed in derivative p53 ―/― and p21 ―/― HCT-116 cell lines indicating an overall reduced number of significant changes in these lines compared to wild type HCT-116 cells. In addition, post-translational modification of S100A6 was demonstrated with a potential role in mediating the cellular response to telomere dysfunction. In conclusion, proteomic profiling in distinct cellular compartments led to the identification of a novel p53-dependent biomarker of telomere dysfunction, S100A6.

Subcellular Localization of Diacylglycerol-responsive Protein Kinase C Isoforms in HeLa Cells

Abstract: Subcellular localization of protein kinase often plays an important role in determining its activity and specificity. Protein kinase C (PKC), a family of multi-gene protein kinases has long been known to be translocated to the particular cellular compartments in response to DAG or its analog phorbol esters. We used C-terminal green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins of PKC isoforms to visualize the subcellular distribution of individual PKC isoforms. Intracellular localization of PKC-GFP proteins was monitored by fluorescence microscopy after transient transfection of PKC-GFP expression vectors in the HeLa cells. In unstimulated HeLa cells, all PKC isoforms were found to be distributed throughout the cytoplasm with a few exceptions. PKCθ was mostly localized to the Golgi, and PKCγ, PKCδ and PKCη showed cytoplasmic distribution with Golgi localization. DAG analog TPA induced translocation of PKC-GFP to the plasma membrane. PKCα, PKCη and PKCθ were also localized to the Golgi in response to TPA. Only PKCδ was found to be associated with the nuclear membrane after transient TPA treatment. These results suggest that specific PKC isoforms are translocated to different intracellular sites and exhibit distinct biological effects.