Beyond lectins: the calnexin/calreticulin chaperone system of the endoplasmic reticulum

Human glucose-regulated protein 78 modulates intracellular production and secretion of nonstructural protein 1 of dengue virus

Virus-host interactions play important roles in virus infection and host cellular response. Several viruses, including dengue virus (DENV), usurp host chaperones to support their amplification and survival in the host cell. We investigated the interaction of nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) of DENV with three endoplasmic reticulum-resident chaperones (i.e. GRP78, calnexin and calreticulin) to delineate their functional roles and potential binding sites for protein complex formation. GRP78 protein showed prominent association with DENV NS1 in virus-infected Huh7 cells as evidenced by co-localization and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Further studies on the functional interaction of GRP78 protein were performed by using siRNA-mediated gene knockdown in a DENV replicon transfection system. GRP78 knockdown significantly decreased intracellular NS1 production and delayed NS1 secretion but had no effect on viral RNA replication. Dissecting the important domain of GRP78 required for DENV NS1 interaction showed co-immunoprecipitation of DENV NS1 with a full-length and substrate-binding domain (SBD), but not an ATPase domain, of GRP78, confirming their interaction through SBD binding. Molecular dynamics simulations of DENV NS1 and human GRP78 complex revealed their potential binding sites through hydrogen and hydrophobic bonding. The majority of GRP78-binding sites were located in a β-roll domain and connector subdomains on the DENV NS1 structure involved in hydrophobic surface formation. Taken together, our findings demonstrated the roles of human GRP78 in facilitating the intracellular production and secretion of DENV NS1 as well as predicted potential binding sites between the DENV NS1 and GRP78 complex, which could have implications in the future development of target-based antiviral drugs.

Abnormal expression of ER quality control and ER associated degradation proteins in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia

Abnormalities in posttranslational protein modifications (PTMs) that regulate protein targeting, trafficking, synthesis, and function have been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contains specialized machinery that facilitate protein synthesis, ER entry and exit, quality control, and post-translational processing, steps required for protein maturation. Dysregulation of these systems could represent potential mechanisms for abnormalities of neurotransmitter associated proteins in schizophrenia. We hypothesized that expression of ER processing pathways is dysregulated in schizophrenia. We characterized protein and complex expression of essential components from protein folding, ER quality control (ERQC), and ER associated degradation (ERAD) processes in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of 12 matched pairs of elderly schizophrenia and comparison subjects. We found increased expression of proteins associated with recognizing and modifying misfolded proteins, including UDP-glucose/glycoprotein glucosyltransferase 2 (UGGT2), ER degradation enhancing alpha-mannosidase like protein 2 (EDEM2), and synoviolin (SYVN1)/HRD1. As SYVN1/HRD1 is a component of the ubiquitin ligase HRD1-SEL1L complex that facilitates ERAD, we immunoprecipitated SEL1L and measured expression of other proteins in this complex. In schizophrenia, SYVN1/HRD1 and OS-9, ERAD promoters, have increased association with SEL1L, while XTP3-B, which can prevent ERAD of substrates, has decreased association. Abnormal expression of proteins associated with ERQC and ERAD suggests dysregulation in ER localized protein processing pathways in schizophrenia. Interestingly, the deficits we found are not in the protein processing machinery itself, but in proteins that recognize and target incompletely or misfolded proteins. These changes may reflect potential mechanisms of abnormal neurotransmitter associated protein expression previously observed in schizophrenia.

ESCRT machinery components are required for Orthobunyavirus particle production in Golgi compartments

Peribunyaviridae is a large family of RNA viruses with several members that cause mild to severe diseases in humans and livestock. Despite their importance in public heath very little is known about the host cell factors hijacked by these viruses to support assembly and cell egress. Here we show that assembly of Oropouche virus, a member of the genus Orthobunyavirus that causes a frequent arboviral infection in South America countries, involves budding of virus particles toward the lumen of Golgi cisternae. As viral replication progresses, these Golgi subcompartments become enlarged and physically separated from Golgi stacks, forming Oropouche viral factory (Vfs) units. At the ultrastructural level, these virally modified Golgi cisternae acquire an MVB appearance, and while they lack typical early and late endosome markers, they become enriched in endosomal complex required for transport (ESCRT) proteins that are involved in MVB biogenesis. Further microscopy and viral replication analysis showed that functional ESCRT machinery is required for efficient Vf morphogenesis and production of infectious OROV particles. Taken together, our results indicate that OROV attracts ESCRT machinery components to Golgi cisternae to mediate membrane remodeling events required for viral assembly and budding at these compartments. This represents an unprecedented mechanism of how viruses hijack host cell components for coordinated morphogenesis.

Interplay between P-Glycoprotein Expression and Resistance to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stressors

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a phenotype of cancer cells with reduced sensitivity to a wide range of unrelated drugs. P-glycoprotein (P-gp)—a drug efflux pump (ABCB1 member of the ABC transporter gene family)—is frequently observed to be a molecular cause of MDR. The drug-efflux activity of P-gp is considered as the underlying mechanism of drug resistance against P-gp substrates and results in failure of cancer chemotherapy. Several pathological impulses such as shortages of oxygen and glucose supply, alterations of calcium storage mechanisms and/or processes of protein N-glycosylation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leads to ER stress (ERS), characterized by elevation of unfolded protein cell content and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). UPR is responsible for modification of protein folding pathways, removal of misfolded proteins by ER associated protein degradation (ERAD) and inhibition of proteosynthesis. However, sustained ERS may result in UPR-mediated cell death. Neoplastic cells could escape from the death pathway induced by ERS by switching UPR into pro survival mechanisms instead of apoptosis. Here, we aimed to present state of the art information about consequences of P-gp expression on mechanisms associated with ERS development and regulation of the ERAD system, particularly focused on advances in ERS-associated therapy of drug resistant malignancies.

Biosynthesis of human myeloperoxidase

Members of Chordata peroxidase subfamily [1] expressed in mammals, including myeloperoxidase (MPO), eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), lactoperoxidase (LPO), and thyroid peroxidase (TPO), express conserved motifs around the heme prosthetic group essential for their activity, a calcium-binding site, and at least two covalent bonds linking the heme group to the protein backbone. Although most studies of the biosynthesis of these peroxidases have focused on MPO, many of the features described occur during biosynthesis of other members of the protein subfamily. Whereas MPO biosynthesis includes events typical for proteins generated in the secretory pathway, the importance and consequences of heme insertion are events uniquely associated with peroxidases. This Review summarizes decades of work elucidating specific steps in the biosynthetic pathway of human MPO. Discussion includes cotranslational glycosylation and subsequent modifications of the N-linked carbohydrate sidechains, contributions by molecular chaperones in the endoplasmic reticulum, cleavage of the propeptide from proMPO, and proteolytic processing of protomers and dimerization to yield mature MPO. Parallels between the biosynthesis of MPO and TPO as well as the impact of inherited mutations in the MPO gene on normal biosynthesis will be summarized. Lastly, specific gaps in our knowledge revealed by this review of our current understanding will be highlighted.

Endoplasmic reticulum-retained podocin mutants are massively degraded by the proteasome

Podocin is a key component of the slit diaphragm in the glomerular filtration barrier, and mutations in the podocin-encoding gene NPHS2 are a common cause of hereditary steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. A mutant allele encoding podocin with a p.R138Q amino acid substitution is the most frequent pathogenic variant in European and North American children, and the corresponding mutant protein is poorly expressed and retained in the endoplasmic reticulum both in vitro and in vivo To better understand the defective trafficking and degradation of this mutant, we generated human podocyte cell lines stably expressing podocin^wt or podocin^R138Q Although it has been proposed that podocin has a hairpin topology, we present evidence for podocin^R138QN-glycosylation, suggesting that most of the protein has a transmembrane topology. We find that N-glycosylated podocin^R138Q has a longer half-life than non-glycosylated podocin^R138Q and that the latter is far more rapidly degraded than podocin^wt Consistent with its rapid degradation, podocin^R138Q is exclusively degraded by the proteasome, whereas podocin^wt is degraded by both the proteasomal and the lysosomal proteolytic machineries. In addition, we demonstrate an enhanced interaction of podocin^R138Q with calnexin as the mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum retention. Calnexin knockdown enriches the podocin^R138Q non-glycosylated fraction, whereas preventing exit from the calnexin cycle increases the glycosylated fraction. Altogether, we propose a model in which hairpin podocin^R138Q is rapidly degraded by the proteasome, whereas transmembrane podocin^R138Q degradation is delayed due to entry into the calnexin cycle.

Effects of calcium-dependent molecular chaperones and endoplasmic reticulum in the amygdala in rats under single‑prolonged stress

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‑resident molecular chaperone proteins to identify whether these proteins were involved in post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study detected changes of calreticulin (CRT), calnexin (CNX) and ERp57 in the amygdala of rats, which may with aim of providing a novel insight into the modulation effect of amygdala in PTSD. Single‑prolonged stress (SPS) was applied to create the models of PTSD in rats. The expression levels of CRT, CNX and ERp57 were examined using immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence, western blot analysis and reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR). The results showed that SPS induced significant changes in CRT, CNX and ERp57 expression levels. Furthermore, the expression levels of CRT, CNX and ERp57 were significantly upregulated when compared to that in the control group after SPS exposure by western blot analysis (P<0.05). RT‑qPCR analysis supported these results, indicating an upregulation of mRNA expression level. Taken together, the present findings suggest that SPS may induce changes to the expression of CRT, CNX and ERp57 in the amygdala of rats. The present study provides an insight into the effects of ER‑resident molecular chaperones in the amygdala participating in PTSD, and provides the experimental basis and a mechanism for the pathophysiology of PTSD.

Human Herpesvirus 8 Interleukin-6 Interacts with Calnexin Cycle Components and Promotes Protein Folding

Viral interleukin-6 (vIL-6) encoded by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is believed to contribute via mitogenic, survival, and angiogenic activities to HHV-8-associated Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), and multicentric Castleman's disease through autocrine or paracrine mechanisms during latency or productive replication. There is direct evidence that vIL-6 promotes latently infected PEL cell viability and proliferation and also viral productive replication in PEL and endothelial cells. These activities are mediated largely through endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized vIL-6, which can induce signal transduction via the gp130 signaling receptor, activating mitogen-activated protein kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling, and interactions of vIL-6 with the ER membrane protein vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 variant 2 (VKORC1v2). The latter functional axis involves suppression of proapoptotic lysosomal protein cathepsin D by promotion of the ER-associated degradation of ER-transiting, preproteolytically processed procathepsin D. Other interactions of VKORC1v2 and activities of vIL-6 via the receptor have not been reported. We show here that both vIL-6 and VKORC1v2 interact with calnexin cycle proteins UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase 1 (UGGT1), which catalyzes monoglucosylation of N-glycans, and oppositely acting glucosidase II (GlucII), and that vIL-6 can promote protein folding. This activity was found to require VKORC1v2 and UGGT1, to involve vIL-6 associations with VKORC1v2, UGGT1, and GlucII, and to operate in the context of productively infected cells. These findings document new VKORC1v2-associated interactions and activities of vIL-6, revealing novel mechanisms of vIL-6 function within the ER compartment.IMPORTANCE HHV-8 vIL-6 prosurvival (latent) and proreplication functions are mediated from the ER compartment through both gp130 receptor-mediated signal transduction and interaction of vIL-6 with the ER membrane protein VKORC1v2. This report identifies interactions of vIL-6 and VKORC1v2 with calnexin cycle enzymes GlucII and UGGT1, which are involved in glycan processing and nascent protein folding. The presented data show that vIL-6 and VKORC1v2 can cocomplex with GlucII and UGGT1, that vIL-6 promotes protein folding, and that VKORC1v2, UGGT1, and vIL-6 interactions with GlucII and UGGT1 are important for the profolding activity of vIL-6, which can be detected in the context of infected cells. This newly identified ER activity of vIL-6 involving VKORC1v2 may promote viral latency (in PEL cells) and productive replication by limiting the damaging effects of unfolded protein response signaling in addition to enhancing viral protein folding. This is the first report of such a function for a cytokine.

Inseparable tandem: evolution chooses ATP and Ca2+ to control life, death and cellular signalling

From the very dawn of biological evolution, ATP was selected as a multipurpose energy-storing molecule. Metabolism of ATP required intracellular free Ca(2+) to be set at exceedingly low concentrations, which in turn provided the background for the role of Ca(2+) as a universal signalling molecule. The early-eukaryote life forms also evolved functional compartmentalization and vesicle trafficking, which used Ca(2+) as a universal signalling ion; similarly, Ca(2+) is needed for regulation of ciliary and flagellar beat, amoeboid movement, intracellular transport, as well as of numerous metabolic processes. Thus, during evolution, exploitation of atmospheric oxygen and increasingly efficient ATP production via oxidative phosphorylation by bacterial endosymbionts were a first step for the emergence of complex eukaryotic cells. Simultaneously, Ca(2+) started to be exploited for short-range signalling, despite restrictions by the preset phosphate-based energy metabolism, when both phosphates and Ca(2+) interfere with each other because of the low solubility of calcium phosphates. The need to keep cytosolic Ca(2+) low forced cells to restrict Ca(2+) signals in space and time and to develop energetically favourable Ca(2+) signalling and Ca(2+) microdomains. These steps in tandem dominated further evolution. The ATP molecule (often released by Ca(2+)-regulated exocytosis) rapidly grew to be the universal chemical messenger for intercellular communication; ATP effects are mediated by an extended family of purinoceptors often linked to Ca(2+) signalling. Similar to atmospheric oxygen, Ca(2+) must have been reverted from a deleterious agent to a most useful (intra- and extracellular) signalling molecule. Invention of intracellular trafficking further increased the role for Ca(2+) homeostasis that became critical for regulation of cell survival and cell death. Several mutually interdependent effects of Ca(2+) and ATP have been exploited in evolution, thus turning an originally unholy alliance into a fascinating success story.This article is part of the themed issue 'Evolution brings Ca(2+) and ATP together to control life and death'.

Cooperation between ER stress and calcineurin signaling contributes to the maintenance of cell wall integrity in Candida glabrata

Candida glabrata is the second most common source of Candida infections in humans. In this pathogen, the maintenance of cell wall integrity (CWI) frequently precludes effective pharmacological treatment by antifungal agents. In numerous fungi, cell wall modulation is reported to be controlled by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, but how the latter affects CWI maintenance in C. glabrata is not clearly understood. Here, we characterized a C. glabrata strain harboring a mutation in the CNE1 gene, which encodes a molecular chaperone associated with nascent glycoprotein maturation in the ER. Disruption of cne1 induced ER stress and caused changes in the normal cell wall structure, specifically a reduction in the β-1,6-glucan content and accumulation of chitin. Conversely, a treatment with the typical ER stress inducer tunicamycin up-regulated the production of cell wall chitin but did not affect β-1,6-glucan content. Our results also indicated that C. glabrata features a uniquely evolved ER stress-mediated CWI pathway, which differs from that in the closely related species Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ER stress-mediated CWI pathway in C. glabrata is also induced by the disruption of other genes encoding proteins that function in a correlated manner in the quality control of N-linked glycoproteins in the ER. These results suggest that calcineurin and ER quality control system act as a platform for maintaining CWI in C. glabrata.

Aminoglycoside-Induced Cochleotoxicity: A Review

Aminoglycoside antibiotics are used as prophylaxis, or urgent treatment, for many life-threatening bacterial infections, including tuberculosis, sepsis, respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis, complex urinary tract infections and endocarditis. Although aminoglycosides are clinically-essential antibiotics, the mechanisms underlying their selective toxicity to the kidney and inner ear continue to be unraveled despite more than 70 years of investigation. The following mechanisms each contribute to aminoglycoside-induced toxicity after systemic administration: (1) drug trafficking across endothelial and epithelial barrier layers; (2) sensory cell uptake of these drugs; and (3) disruption of intracellular physiological pathways. Specific factors can increase the risk of drug-induced toxicity, including sustained exposure to higher levels of ambient sound, and selected therapeutic agents such as loop diuretics and glycopeptides. Serious bacterial infections (requiring life-saving aminoglycoside treatment) induce systemic inflammatory responses that also potentiate the degree of ototoxicity and permanent hearing loss. We discuss prospective clinical strategies to protect auditory and vestibular function from aminoglycoside ototoxicity, including reduced cochlear or sensory cell uptake of aminoglycosides, and otoprotection by ameliorating intracellular cytotoxicity.

GPNMB Induces BiP Expression by Enhancing Splicing of BiP Pre-mRNA during the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response

Glycoprotein nonmetastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB) has a neuroprotective effect against neuronal cell death caused by the accumulation of abnormal mutated proteins. It is known that the accumulation of pathological proteins induces endoplasmic-reticulum (ER) stress leading to cell damage. The aim of this study was to determine the role of GPNMB in the ER stress response. GPNMB was greatly up-regulated by thapsigargin-induced ER stress. Under the ER stress conditions, GPNMB relocated to the nucleus and specifically up-regulated expression of BiP at the mRNA level by promoting the BiP pre-mRNA splicing, not through the pathways initiated by the three major transducers of the unfolded protein response: IRE1, PERK, and ATF6. Furthermore, we found that the protein level of BiP and the infarction were increased and attenuated, respectively, in Gpnmb-transgenic mice after occlusion of the middle cerebral artery, in comparison with wild-type mice. Thus, our findings indicate that GPNMB enhances the BiP expression by promoting the splicing (thereby preventing cell death caused by ER stress) and could be a therapeutic target in ER stress-related disorders.

Heterologous expression of the N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I dictates a reinvestigation of the N-glycosylation pathway in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Eukaryotic N-glycosylation pathways are dependent of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GnTI), a key glycosyltransferase opening the door to the formation of complex-type N-glycans by transferring a N-acetylglucosamine residue onto the Man₅GlcNAc₂ intermediate. In contrast, glycans N-linked to Chlamydomonas reinhardtii proteins arise from a GnTI-independent Golgi processing of oligomannosides giving rise to Man₅GlcNAc₂ substituted eventually with one or two xylose(s). Here, complementation of C. reinhardtii with heterologous GnTI was investigated by expression of GnTI cDNAs originated from Arabidopsis and the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. No modification of the N-glycans was observed in the GnTI transformed cells. Consequently, the structure of the Man₅GlcNAc₂ synthesized by C. reinhardtii was reinvestigated. Mass spectrometry analyses combined with enzyme sequencing showed that C. reinhardtii proteins carry linear Man₅GlcNAc₂ instead of the branched structure usually found in eukaryotes. Moreover, characterization of the lipid-linked oligosaccharide precursor demonstrated that C. reinhardtii exhibit a Glc₃Man₅GlcNAc₂ dolichol pyrophosphate precursor. We propose that this precursor is then trimmed into a linear Man₅GlcNAc₂ that is not substrate for GnTI. Furthermore, cells expressing GnTI exhibited an altered phenotype with large vacuoles, increase of ROS production and accumulation of starch granules, suggesting the activation of stress responses likely due to the perturbation of the Golgi apparatus.

An Update on Jacalin-Like Lectins and Their Role in Plant Defense

Plant lectins are proteins that reversibly bind carbohydrates and are assumed to play an important role in plant development and resistance. Through the binding of carbohydrate ligands, lectins are involved in the perception of environmental signals and their translation into phenotypical responses. These processes require down-stream signaling cascades, often mediated by interacting proteins. Fusing the respective genes of two interacting proteins can be a way to increase the efficiency of this process. Most recently, proteins containing jacalin-related lectin (JRL) domains became a subject of plant resistance responses research. A meta-data analysis of fusion proteins containing JRL domains across different kingdoms revealed diverse partner domains ranging from kinases to toxins. Among them, proteins containing a JRL domain and a dirigent domain occur exclusively within monocotyledonous plants and show an unexpected high range of family member expansion compared to other JRL-fusion proteins. Rice, wheat, and barley plants overexpressing OsJAC1, a member of this family, are resistant against important fungal pathogens. We discuss the possibility that JRL domains also function as a decoy in fusion proteins and help to alert plants of the presence of attacking pathogens.

The Lectin Chaperone Calnexin Is Involved in the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response by Regulating Ca2+ Homeostasis in Aspergillus nidulans

The Ca²⁺-mediated signaling pathway is crucial for environmental adaptation in fungi. Here we show that calnexin, a molecular chaperone located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), plays an important role in regulating the cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_c) in Aspergillus nidulans Inactivation of calnexin (ClxA) in A. nidulans caused severe defects in hyphal growth and conidiation under ER stress caused by the ER stress-inducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) or high temperature. Importantly, defects in the ΔclxA mutant were restored by the addition of extracellular calcium. Furthermore, the CchA/MidA complex (the high-affinity Ca²⁺ channels), calcineurin (calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase), and PmrA (secretory pathway Ca²⁺ ATPase) were required for extracellular calcium-based restoration of the DTT/thermal stress sensitivity in the ΔclxA mutant. Interestingly, the ΔclxA mutant exhibited markedly reduced conidium formation and hyphal growth defects under the low-calcium condition, which is similar to defects caused by mutations in MidA/CchA. Moreover, the phenotypic defects were further exacerbated in the ΔclxA ΔmidA ΔcchA mutant, which suggested that ClxA and MidA/CchA are both required under the calcium-limiting condition. Using the calcium-sensitive photoprotein aequorin to monitor [Ca²⁺]_c in living cells, we found that ClxA and MidA/CchA complex synergistically coordinate transient increase in [Ca²⁺]_c in response to extracellular calcium. Moreover, ClxA, in particular its luminal domain, plays a role in mediating the transient [Ca²⁺]_c in response to DTT-induced ER stress in the absence of extracellular calcium, indicating ClxA may mediate calcium release from internal calcium stores. Our findings provide new insights into the role of calnexin in the regulation of calcium-mediated response in fungal ER stress adaptation.IMPORTANCE Calnexin is a well-known molecular chaperone conserved from yeast to humans. Although it contains calcium binding domains, little is known about the role of calnexin in Ca²⁺ regulation. In this study, we demonstrate that calnexin (ClxA) in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, similar to the high-affinity calcium uptake system (HACS), is required for normal growth and conidiation under the calcium-limiting condition. The ClxA dysfunction decreases the transient cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_c) induced by a high extracellular calcium or DTT-induced ER stress. Our findings provide the direct evidence that calnexin plays important roles in regulating Ca²⁺ homeostasis in addition to its role as a molecular chaperone in fungi. These results provide new insights into the roles of calnexin and expand knowledge of fungal stress adaptation.

The endoplasmic reticulum: A hub of protein quality control in health and disease

One third of the eukaryotic proteome is synthesized at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), whose unique properties provide a folding environment substantially different from the cytosol. A healthy, balanced proteome in the ER is maintained by a network of factors referred to as the ER quality control (ERQC) machinery. This network consists of various protein folding chaperones and modifying enzymes, and is regulated by stress response pathways that prevent the build-up as well as the secretion of potentially toxic and aggregation-prone misfolded protein species. Here, we describe the components of the ERQC machinery, investigate their response to different forms of stress, and discuss the consequences of ERQC break-down.

Dissecting physical structure of calreticulin, an intrinsically disordered Ca2+-buffering chaperone from endoplasmic reticulum

Calreticulin (CALR) is a Ca²⁺ binding multifunctional protein that mostly resides in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and plays a number of important roles in various physiological and pathological processes. Although the major functions ascribed to CALR are controlling the Ca²⁺ homeostasis in ER and acting as a lectin-like ER chaperon for many glycoproteins, this moonlighting protein can be found in various cellular compartments where it has many non-ER functions. To shed more light on the mechanisms underlying polyfunctionality of this moonlighting protein that can be found in different cellular compartments and that possesses a wide spectrum of unrelated biological activities, being able to interact with Ca²⁺ (and potentially other metal ions), RNA, oligosaccharides, and numerous proteins, we used a set of experimental and computational tools to evaluate the intrinsic disorder status of CALR and the role of calcium binding on structural properties and conformational stability of the full-length CALR and its isolated P- and C-domains.

Hippocampal Proteomic Analysis Reveals Distinct Pathway Deregulation Profiles at Early and Late Stages in a Rat Model of Alzheimer's-Like Amyloid Pathology

The cerebral accumulation and cytotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ) is central to Alzheimer's pathogenesis. However, little is known about how the amyloid pathology affects the global expression of brain proteins at different disease stages. In order to identify genotype and time-dependent significant changes in protein expression, we employed quantitative proteomics analysis of hippocampal tissue from the McGill-R-Thy1-APP rat model of Alzheimer-like amyloid pathology. McGill transgenic rats were compared to wild-type rats at early and late pathology stages, i.e., when intraneuronal Aβ amyloid burden is conspicuous and when extracellular amyloid plaques are abundant with more pronounced cognitive deficits. After correction for multiple testing, the expression levels of 64 proteins were found to be considerably different in transgenic versus wild-type rats at the pre-plaque stage (3 months), and 86 proteins in the post-plaque group (12 months), with only 9 differentially regulated proteins common to the 2 time-points. This minimal overlap supports the hypothesis that different molecular pathways are affected in the hippocampus at early and late stages of the amyloid pathology throughout its continuum. At early stages, disturbances in pathways related to cellular responses to stress, protein homeostasis, and neuronal structure are predominant, while disturbances in metabolic energy generation dominate at later stages. These results shed new light on the molecular pathways affected by the early accumulation of Aβ and how the evolving amyloid pathology impacts other complex metabolic pathways.

Parkinson's disease-associated receptor GPR37 is an ER chaperone for LRP6

Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a key role in embryonic development, stem cell biology, and neurogenesis. However, the mechanisms of Wnt signal transmission, notably how the receptors are regulated, remain incompletely understood. Here we describe that the Parkinson's disease-associated receptor GPR37 functions in the maturation of the N-terminal bulky β-propellers of the Wnt co-receptor LRP6. GPR37 is required for Wnt/β-catenin signaling and protects LRP6 from ER-associated degradation via CHIP (carboxyl terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein) and the ATPase VCP GPR37 is highly expressed in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) where it is required for Wnt-dependent neurogenesis. We conclude that GPR37 is crucial for cellular protein quality control during Wnt signaling.

Impact on Autophagy and Ultraviolet B Induced Responses of Treatment with the MTOR Inhibitors Rapamycin, Everolimus, Torin 1, and pp242 in Human Keratinocytes

The mechanistic target of Rapamycin (MTOR) protein is a crucial signaling regulator in mammalian cells that is extensively involved in cellular biology. The function of MTOR signaling in keratinocytes remains unclear. In this study, we detected the MTOR signaling and autophagy response in the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT and human epidermal keratinocytes treated with MTOR inhibitors. Moreover, we detected the impact of MTOR inhibitors on keratinocytes exposed to the common carcinogenic stressors ultraviolet B (UVB) and UVA radiation. As a result, keratinocytes were sensitive to the MTOR inhibitors Rapamycin, everolimus, Torin 1, and pp242, but the regulation of MTOR downstream signaling was distinct. Next, autophagy induction only was observed in HaCaT cells treated with Rapamycin. Furthermore, we found that MTOR signaling was insensitive to UVB but sensitive to UVA radiation. UVB treatment also had no impact on the inhibition of MTOR signaling by MTOR inhibitors. Finally, MTOR inhibition by Rapamycin, everolimus, or pp242 did not affect the series of biological events in keratinocytes exposed to UVB, including the downregulation of BiP and PERK, activation of Histone H2A and JNK, and cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP. Our study demonstrated that MTOR inhibition in keratinocytes cannot always induce autophagy, and the MTOR pathway does not play a central role in the UVB triggered cellular response.

Molecular Chaperone Calnexin Regulates the Function of Drosophila Sodium Channel Paralytic

Neuronal activity mediated by voltage-gated channels provides the basis for higher-order behavioral tasks that orchestrate life. Chaperone-mediated regulation, one of the major means to control protein quality and function, is an essential route for controlling channel activity. Here we present evidence that Drosophila ER chaperone Calnexin colocalizes and interacts with the α subunit of sodium channel Paralytic. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis indicates that Calnexin interacts with Paralytic protein variants that contain glycosylation sites Asn313, 325, 343, 1463, and 1482. Downregulation of Calnexin expression results in a decrease in Paralytic protein levels, whereas overexpression of the Calnexin C-terminal calcium-binding domain triggers an increase reversely. Genetic analysis using adult climbing, seizure-induced paralysis, and neuromuscular junction indicates that lack of Calnexin expression enhances Paralytic-mediated locomotor deficits, suppresses Paralytic-mediated ghost bouton formation, and regulates minature excitatory junction potentials (mEJP) frequency and latency time. Taken together, our findings demonstrate a need for chaperone-mediated regulation on channel activity during locomotor control, providing the molecular basis for channlopathies such as epilepsy.

Systematic deletion of the ER lectin chaperone genes reveals their roles in vegetative growth and male gametophyte development in Arabidopsis

Calnexin (CNX) and calreticulin (CRT) are homologous lectin chaperones in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that facilitate glycoprotein folding and retain folding intermediates to prevent their transit via the secretary pathway. The Arabidopsis genome has two CNX (CNX1 and CNX2) and three CRT (CRT1, CRT2 and CRT3) homologs. Despite growing evidence of the biological roles of CNXs and CRTs, little is understood about their function in Arabidopsis growth and development under normal conditions. Here, we report that the deletion of CNX1, but not of CNX2, in the crt1 crt2 crt3 triple mutation background had an adverse effect on pollen viability and pollen tube growth, leading to a significant reduction in fertility. The cnx1 crt1 crt2 crt3 quadruple mutation also conferred severe defects in growth and development, including a shortened primary root, increased root hair length and density, and reduced plant height. Disruption of all five members of the CNX/CRT family was revealed to be lethal. Finally, the abnormal phenotype of the cnx1 crt1 crt2 crt3 quadruple mutants was completely rescued by either the CNX1 or CNX2 cDNA under the control of the CNX1 promoter, suggesting functional redundancy between CNX1 and CNX2. Taken together, these results provide genetic evidence that CNX and CRT play essential and overlapping roles during vegetative growth and male gametophyte development in Arabidopsis.

Sustained HSP25 Expression Induces Clasmatodendrosis via ER Stress in the Rat Hippocampus

Heat shock protein (HSP) 25 (murine/rodent 25 kDa, human 27 kDa) is one of the major astroglial HSP families, which has a potent anti-apoptotic factor contributing to a higher resistance of astrocytes to the stressful condition. However, impaired removals of HSP25 decrease astroglial viability. In the present study, we investigated whether HSP25 is involved in astroglial apoptosis or clasmatodendrosis (autophagic astroglial death) in the rat hippocampus induced by status epilepticus (SE). Following SE, HSP25 expression was transiently increased in astrocytes within the dentate gyrus (DG), while it was sustained in CA1 astrocytes until 4 weeks after SE. HSP25 knockdown exacerbated SE-induced apoptotic astroglial degeneration, but mitigated clasmatodendrosis accompanied by abrogation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress without changed seizure susceptibility or severity. These findings suggest that sustained HSP25 induction itself may result in clasmatodendrosis via prolonged ER stress. To the best of our knowledge, the present study demonstrates for the first time the double-edge properties of HSP25 in astroglial death induced by SE.

The Calreticulin control of human stress erythropoiesis is impaired by JAK2V617F in polycythemia vera

Calreticulin (CALR) is a Ca²⁺-binding protein that shuttles among cellular compartments with proteins bound to its N/P domains. The knowledge that activation of the human erythropoietin receptor induces Ca²⁺ fluxes prompted us to investigate the role of CALR in human erythropoiesis. As shown by Western blot analysis, erythroblasts generated in vitro from normal sources and JAK2V617F polycythemia vera (PV) patients expressed robust levels of CALR. However, Ca²⁺ regulated CALR conformation only in normal cells. Normal erythroblasts expressed mostly the N-terminal domain of CALR (N-CALR) on their cell surface (as shown by flow cytometry) and C-terminal domain (C-CALR) in their cytoplasm (as shown by confocal microscopy) and expression of both epitopes decreased with maturation. In the proerythroblast (proEry) cytoplasm, C-CALR was associated with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which initiated the stress response. In these cells, Ca²⁺ deprivation and inhibition of nuclear export increased GR nuclear localization while decreasing cytoplasmic detection of C-CALR and C-CALR/GR association and proliferation in response to the GR agonist dexamethasone (Dex). C-CALR/GR association and Dex responsiveness were instead increased by Ca²⁺ and erythropoietin. In contrast, JAK2V617F proErys expressed normal cell-surface levels of N-CALR but barely detectable cytoplasmic levels of C-CALR. These cells contained GR mainly in the nucleus and were Dex unresponsive. Ruxolitinib rescued cytoplasmic detection of C-CALR, C-CALR/GR association, and Dex responsiveness in JAK2V617F proErys and its effects were antagonized by nuclear export and Ca²⁺ flux inhibitors. These results indicates that Ca²⁺-induced conformational changes of CALR regulate nuclear export of GR in normal erythroblasts and that JAK2V617F deregulates this function in PV.

Mechanistic understanding of N-glycosylation in Ebola virus glycoprotein maturation and function

The Ebola virus (EBOV) trimeric envelope glycoprotein (GP) precursors are cleaved into the receptor-binding GP₁ and the fusion-mediating GP₂ subunits and incorporated into virions to initiate infection. GP₁ and GP₂ form heterodimers that have 15 or two N-glycosylation sites (NGSs), respectively. Here we investigated the mechanism of how N-glycosylation contributes to GP expression, maturation, and function. As reported before, we found that, although GP₁ NGSs are not critical, the two GP₂ NGSs, Asn⁵⁶³ and Asn⁶¹⁸, are essential for GP function. Further analysis uncovered that Asn⁵⁶³ and Asn⁶¹⁸ regulate GP processing, demannosylation, oligomerization, and conformation. Consequently, these two NGSs are required for GP incorporation into EBOV-like particles and HIV type 1 (HIV-1) pseudovirions and determine viral transduction efficiency. Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we knocked out the two classical endoplasmic reticulum chaperones calnexin (CNX) and/or calreticulin (CRT) and found that both CNX and CRT increase GP expression. Nevertheless, NGSs are not required for the GP interaction with CNX or CRT. Together, we conclude that, although Asn⁵⁶³ and Asn⁶¹⁸ are not required for EBOV GP expression, they synergistically regulate its maturation, which determines its functionality.

Sphingomyelins and ceramides with VLCPUFAs are excluded from low-density raft-like domains in differentiating spermatogenic cells

Rat spermatogenic cells contain sphingomyelins (SMs) and ceramides (Cers) with very long-chain PUFAs (VLCPUFAs) in nonhydroxylated (n-V) and 2-hydroxylated (h-V) forms. How these atypical species distribute among membrane fractions during differentiation was investigated here using a detergent-free procedure to isolate a small light raft-like low-density fraction and a large heavy fraction, mostly derived from the plasma membrane of spermatocytes, round spermatids, and late spermatids. The light fraction contained cholesterol, glycerophospholipids (GPLs), and SM with the same saturated fatty acids in all three stages. In the heavy fraction, as PUFA increased in the GPL and VLCPUFA in SM from spermatocytes to spermatids, the concentration of cholesterol was also augmented. The heavy fraction had mostly n-V SM in spermatocytes, but accumulated h-V SM and h-V Cer in spermatids. A fraction containing intracellular membranes had less SM and more Cer than the latter, but in both fractions SM and Cer species with h-V increased over species with n-V with differentiation. This accretion of h-V was consistent with the differentiation-dependent expression of fatty acid 2-hydroxylase (Fa2h), as it increased significantly from spermatocytes to spermatids. The non-raft region of the plasma membrane is thus the main target of the dynamic lipid synthesis and remodeling that is involved in germ cell differentiation.

The Distribution of Lectins across the Phylum Nematoda: A Genome-Wide Search

Nematodes are a very diverse phylum that has adapted to nearly every ecosystem. They have developed specialized lifestyles, dividing the phylum into free-living, animal, and plant parasitic species. Their sheer abundance in numbers and presence in nearly every ecosystem make them the most prevalent animals on earth. In this research nematode-specific profiles were designed to retrieve predicted lectin-like domains from the sequence data of nematode genomes and transcriptomes. Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that play numerous roles inside and outside the cell depending on their sugar specificity and associated protein domains. The sugar-binding properties of the retrieved lectin-like proteins were predicted in silico. Although most research has focused on C-type lectin-like, galectin-like, and calreticulin-like proteins in nematodes, we show that the lectin-like repertoire in nematodes is far more diverse. We focused on C-type lectins, which are abundantly present in all investigated nematode species, but seem to be far more abundant in free-living species. Although C-type lectin-like proteins are omnipresent in nematodes, we have shown that only a small part possesses the residues that are thought to be essential for carbohydrate binding. Curiously, hevein, a typical plant lectin domain not reported in animals before, was found in some nematode species.

Structured States of Disordered Proteins from Genomic Sequences

Protein flexibility ranges from simple hinge movements to functional disorder. Around half of all human proteins contain apparently disordered regions with little 3D or functional information, and many of these proteins are associated with disease. Building on the evolutionary couplings approach previously successful in predicting 3D states of ordered proteins and RNA, we developed a method to predict the potential for ordered states for all apparently disordered proteins with sufficiently rich evolutionary information. The approach is highly accurate (79%) for residue interactions as tested in more than 60 known disordered regions captured in a bound or specific condition. Assessing the potential for structure of more than 1,000 apparently disordered regions of human proteins reveals a continuum of structural order with at least 50% with clear propensity for three- or two-dimensional states. Co-evolutionary constraints reveal hitherto unseen structures of functional importance in apparently disordered proteins.

Impact of Post-Translational Modifications of Crop Proteins under Abiotic Stress

The efficiency of stress-induced adaptive responses of plants depends on intricate coordination of multiple signal transduction pathways that act coordinately or, in some cases, antagonistically. Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) can regulate protein activity and localization as well as protein-protein interactions in numerous cellular processes, thus leading to elaborate regulation of plant responses to various external stimuli. Understanding responses of crop plants under field conditions is crucial to design novel stress-tolerant cultivars that maintain robust homeostasis even under extreme conditions. In this review, proteomic studies of PTMs in crops are summarized. Although the research on the roles of crop PTMs in regulating stress response mechanisms is still in its early stage, several novel insights have been retrieved so far. This review covers techniques for detection of PTMs in plants, representative PTMs in plants under abiotic stress, and how PTMs control functions of representative proteins. In addition, because PTMs under abiotic stresses are well described in soybeans under submergence, recent findings in PTMs of soybean proteins under flooding stress are introduced. This review provides information on advances in PTM study in relation to plant adaptations to abiotic stresses, underlining the importance of PTM study to ensure adequate agricultural production in the future.

The accessory proteins REEP5 and REEP6 refine CXCR1-mediated cellular responses and lung cancer progression

Some G-protein-coupled receptors have been reported to require accessory proteins with specificity for proper functional expression. In this study, we found that CXCR1 interacted with REEP5 and REEP6, but CXCR2 did not. Overexpression of REEP5 and REEP6 enhanced IL-8-stimulated cellular responses through CXCR1, whereas depletion of the proteins led to the downregulation of the responses. Although REEPs enhanced the expression of a subset of GPCRs, in the absence of REEP5 and REEP6, CXCR1 was expressed in the plasma membrane, but receptor internalization and intracellular clustering of β-arrestin2 following IL-8 treatment were impaired, suggesting that REEP5 and REEP6 might be involved in the ligand-stimulated endocytosis of CXCR1 rather than membrane expression, which resulted in strong cellular responses. In A549 lung cancer cells, which endogenously express CXCR1, the depletion of REEP5 and REEP6 significantly reduced growth and invasion by downregulating IL-8-stimulated ERK phosphorylation, actin polymerization and the expression of genes related to metastasis. Furthermore, an in vivo xenograft model showed that proliferation and metastasis of A549 cells lacking REEP5 and REEP6 were markedly decreased compared to the control group. Thus, REEP5 and REEP6 could be novel regulators of G-protein-coupled receptor signaling whose functional mechanisms differ from other accessory proteins.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress in obesity and obesity-related disorders: An expanded view

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is most notable for its central roles in calcium ion storage, lipid biosynthesis, and protein sorting and processing. By virtue of its extensive membrane contact sites that connect the ER to most other organelles and to the plasma membrane, the ER can also regulate diverse cellular processes including inflammatory and insulin signaling, nutrient metabolism, and cell proliferation and death via a signaling pathway called the unfolded protein response (UPR). Chronic UPR activation has been observed in liver and/or adipose tissue of dietary and genetic murine models of obesity, and in human obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Activation of the UPR in obesity and obesity-related disorders likely has two origins. One linked to classic ER stress involving the ER lumen and one linked to alterations to the ER membrane environment. This review discusses both of these origins and also considers the role of post-translational protein modifications, such as acetylation and palmitoylation, and ER-mitochondrial interactions to obesity-mediated impairments in the ER and activation of the UPR.

Function of gC1qR in innate immunity of Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis

gC1qR is identified as the globular "head" binding protein of the C1q protein and performs an important function in innate immunity. A EsgC1qR gene was identified from the hepatopancreas of Eriocheir sinensis. EsgC1qR encodes a protein with 275 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis showed that, together with crustaceans gC1qRs, EsgC1qR belongs to one group. EsgC1qR mRNA was detected in hemocytes, intestine, hepatopancreas, gills, eyestalk, heart, muscle, and nerve. The expression of the EsgC1qR transcript in the hepatopancreas could be regulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS), peptidoglycans (PGN), Staphyloccocus aureus, or Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Recombinant EsgC1qR (rEsgC1qR) protein could bind to various bacteria, LPS, and PGN. rEsgC1qR protein also presents direct bacteria inhibitory activity. rEsgC1qR could interact with EsCnx or EsCrt. Therefore, from the results, we could speculate that EsgC1qR is involved in the innate immunity of Chinese mitten crab, E. sinensis.

Contributions of the Lectin and Polypeptide Binding Sites of Calreticulin to Its Chaperone Functions in Vitro and in Cells

Calreticulin is a lectin chaperone of the endoplasmic reticulum that interacts with newly synthesized glycoproteins by binding to Glc1Man9GlcNAc2 oligosaccharides as well as to the polypeptide chain. In vitro, the latter interaction potently suppresses the aggregation of various non-glycosylated proteins. Although the lectin-oligosaccharide association is well understood, the polypeptide-based interaction is more controversial because the binding site on calreticulin has not been identified, and its significance in the biogenesis of glycoproteins in cells remains unknown. In this study, we identified the polypeptide binding site responsible for the in vitro aggregation suppression function by mutating four candidate hydrophobic surface patches. Mutations in only one patch, P19K/I21E and Y22K/F84E, impaired the ability of calreticulin to suppress the thermally induced aggregation of non-glycosylated firefly luciferase. These mutants also failed to bind several hydrophobic peptides that act as substrate mimetics and compete in the luciferase aggregation suppression assay. To assess the relative contributions of the glycan-dependent and -independent interactions in living cells, we expressed lectin-deficient, polypeptide binding-deficient, and doubly deficient calreticulin constructs in calreticulin-negative cells and monitored the effects on the biogenesis of MHC class I molecules, the solubility of mutant forms of α1-antitrypsin, and interactions with newly synthesized glycoproteins. In all cases, we observed a profound impairment in calreticulin function when its lectin site was inactivated. Remarkably, inactivation of the polypeptide binding site had little impact. These findings indicate that the lectin-based mode of client interaction is the predominant contributor to the chaperone functions of calreticulin within the endoplasmic reticulum.

Gel-Free/Label-Free Proteomic Analysis of Endoplasmic Reticulum Proteins in Soybean Root Tips under Flooding and Drought Stresses

Soybean is a widely cultivated crop; however, it is sensitive to flooding and drought stresses. The adverse environmental cues cause the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress due to accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins. To investigate the mechanisms in response to flooding and drought stresses, ER proteomics was performed in soybean root tips. The enzyme activity of NADH cytochrome c reductase was two-fold higher in the ER than other fractions, indicating that the ER was isolated with high purity. Protein abundance of ribosomal proteins was decreased under both stresses compared to control condition; however, the percentage of increased ribosomes was two-fold higher in flooding compared to drought. The ER proteins related to protein glycosylation and signaling were in response to both stresses. Compared to control condition, calnexin was decreased under both stresses; however, protein disulfide isomerase-like proteins and heat shock proteins were markedly decreased under flooding and drought conditions, respectively. Furthermore, fewer glycoproteins and higher levels of cytosolic calcium were identified under both stresses compared to control condition. These results suggest that reduced accumulation of glycoproteins in response to both stresses might be due to dysfunction of protein folding through calnexin/calreticulin cycle. Additionally, the increased cytosolic calcium levels induced by flooding and drought stresses might disturb the ER environment for proper protein folding in soybean root tips.

Plant subcellular proteomics: Application for exploring optimal cell function in soybean

Plants have evolved complicated responses to developmental changes and stressful environmental conditions. Subcellular proteomics has the potential to elucidate localized cellular responses and investigate communications among subcellular compartments during plant development and in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Soybean, which is a valuable legume crop rich in protein and vegetable oil, can grow in several climatic zones; however, the growth and yield of soybean are markedly decreased under stresses. To date, numerous proteomic studies have been performed in soybean to examine the specific protein profiles of cell wall, plasma membrane, nucleus, mitochondrion, chloroplast, and endoplasmic reticulum. In this review, methods for the purification and purity assessment of subcellular organelles from soybean are summarized. In addition, the findings from subcellular proteomic analyses of soybean during development and under stresses, particularly flooding stress, are presented and the proteins regulated among subcellular compartments are discussed. Continued advances in subcellular proteomics are expected to greatly contribute to the understanding of the responses and interactions that occur within and among subcellular compartments during development and under stressful environmental conditions.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Subcellular proteomics has the potential to investigate the cellular events and interactions among subcellular compartments in response to development and stresses in plants. Soybean could grow in several climatic zones; however, the growth and yield of soybean are markedly decreased under stresses. Numerous proteomics of cell wall, plasma membrane, nucleus, mitochondrion, chloroplast, and endoplasmic reticulum was carried out to investigate the respecting proteins and their functions in soybean during development or under stresses. In this review, methods of subcellular-organelle enrichment and purity assessment are summarized. In addition, previous findings of subcellular proteomics are presented, and functional proteins regulated among different subcellular are discussed. Subcellular proteomics contributes greatly to uncovering responses and interactions among subcellular compartments during development and under stressful environmental conditions in soybean.

Homozygous calreticulin mutations in patients with myelofibrosis lead to acquired myeloperoxidase deficiency

Acquired MPO deficiency in patients with MPN is uniquely associated with homozygous CALR mutations. In line with a posttranscriptional defect, MPO deficiency results from reduced MPO protein levels, but not from decreased MPO mRNA.

Two endoplasmic reticulum proteins (calnexin and calreticulin) are involved in innate immunity in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

Calnexin (Cnx) and calreticulin (Crt), which are important chaperones in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), participate in the folding and quality control of client proteins. Cnx and Crt identified from Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) are designated as EsCnx and EsCrt, respectively. EsCnx and EsCrt are expressed in the hemocyte, hepatopancrea, gill, and intestine at the mRNA and protein level. Immunofluorescence analysis indicated that EsCnx and EsCRT are located in the ER. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression levels of EsCnx and EsCrt were altered by challenge with lipopolysaccharides (LPS), peptidoglycans (PGN), Staphyloccocus aureus, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Recombinant EsCnx and EsCrt (rEsCnx and rEsCrt, respectively) proteins can bind to various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as to different polysaccharides (LPS and PGN). rEsCnx and rEsCrt assisted in the clearance of V. parahaemolyticus in vivo, and the clearance efficiency was impaired after silencing of EsCnx and EsCrt. Our results suggest that the two ER proteins are involved in anti-bacterial immunity in E. sinensis.

Synthesis of misfolded glycoprotein dimers through native chemical ligation of a dimeric peptide thioester

Glycoprotein quality control processes are very important for an efficient production of glycoproteins and for avoiding the accumulation of unwanted toxic species in cells. These complex processes consist of multiple enzymes and chaperones such as UGGT, calnexin/calreticulin, and glucosidase II. We designed and synthesized monomeric and dimeric misfolded glycoprotein probes. Synthetic homogeneous monomeric glycoproteins proved to be useful substrates for kinetic analyses of the folding sensor enzyme UGGT. For a concise synthesis of a bismaleimide-linked dimer, we examined double native chemical ligation (dNCL) of a dimeric peptide-α-thioester. The dNCL to two equivalents of glycopeptides gave a homodimer. The dNCL to a 1 : 1 mixture of a glycopeptide and a non-glycosylated peptide gave all the three possible ligation products consisting of two homodimers and a heterodimer. Both the homodimer bearing two Man9GlcNAc2 (M9) oligosaccharides and the heterodimer bearing one M9 oligosaccharide were found to be good substrates of UGGT.

Unfolded protein response in pollen development and heat stress tolerance

Importance of the UPR for pollen. Pollen is particularly sensitive to environmental conditions that disturb protein homeostasis, such as higher temperatures. Their survival is dependent on subcellular stress response systems, one of which maintains protein homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Disturbance of ER proteostasis due to stress leads to the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) that mitigates stress damage mainly by increasing ER-folding capacity and reducing folding demands. The UPR is controlled by ER membrane-associated transcription factors and an RNA splicing factor. They are important components of abiotic stress responses including general heat stress response and thermotolerance. In addition to responding to environmental stresses, the UPR is implicated in developmental processes required for successful male gametophyte development and fertilization. Consequently, defects in the UPR can lead to pollen abortion and male sterility. Several UPR components are involved in the elaboration of the ER network, which is required for pollen germination and polar tube growth. Transcriptome and proteome analyses have shown that components of the ER-folding machinery and the UPR are upregulated at specific stages of pollen development supporting elevated demands for secretion. Furthermore, genetic studies have revealed that knockout mutants of UPR genes are defective in producing viable or competitive pollen. In this review, we discuss recent findings regarding the importance of the UPR for both pollen development and stress response.

ER chaperones in neurodegenerative disease: Folding and beyond

Proteins along the secretory pathway are co-translationally translocated into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as unfolded polypeptide chains. Afterwards, they are usually modified with N-linked glycans, correctly folded and stabilized by disulfide bonds. ER chaperones and folding enzymes control these processes. The accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER activates a signaling response, termed the unfolded protein response (UPR). The hallmark of this response is the coordinated transcriptional up-regulation of ER chaperones and folding enzymes. In order to discuss the importance of the proper folding of certain substrates we will address the role of ER chaperones in normal physiological conditions and examine different aspects of its contribution in neurodegenerative disease. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI:ER stress.

Proteostasis impairment in ALS

In physiological conditions the maintenance of the cellular proteome is a prerequisite for optimal cell functioning and cell survival. Additionally, cells need to constantly sense and adapt to their changing environment and associated stressors. Cells achieve this via a set of molecular chaperones, protein clearance pathways as well as stress-associated signaling networks which work together to prevent protein misfolding, its aggregation and accumulation in subcellular compartments. These processes together form the proteostasis network which helps in maintaining cellular proteostasis. Imbalance or impairment in this processes is directly linked to ageing associated disorders such as diabetes, cancer, stroke, metabolic disorders, pulmonary fibrosis, inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we provide insights into the proteostasis process and how its failure governs neurodegenerative disorders with a special focus on Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI:ER stress.

A prominent role of PDIA6 in processing of misfolded proinsulin

Despite its critical role in maintaining glucose homeostasis, surprisingly little is known about proinsulin folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. In this study we aimed to understand the chaperones involved in the maturation and degradation of proinsulin. We generated pancreatic beta cell lines expressing FLAG-tagged proinsulin. Several chaperones (including BiP, PDIA6, calnexin, calreticulin, GRP170, Erdj3 and ribophorin II) co-immunoprecipitated with proinsulin suggesting a role for these proteins in folding. To investigate the chaperones responsible for targeting misfolded proinsulin for degradation, we also created a beta cell line expressing FLAG-tagged proinsulin carrying the Akita mutation (Cys96Tyr). All chaperones found to be associated with wild type proinsulin also co-immunoprecipitated with Akita proinsulin. However, one additional protein, namely P58(IPK), specifically precipitated with Akita proinsulin and approximately ten fold more PDIA6, but not other PDI family members, was bound to Akita proinsulin. The latter suggests that PDIA6 may act as a key reductase and target misfolded proinsulin to the ER-degradation pathway. The preferential association of PDIA6 to Akita proinsulin was also confirmed in another beta cell line (βTC-6). Furthermore, for the first time, a physiologically relevant substrate for PDIA6 has been evidenced. Thus, this study has identified several chaperones/foldases that associated with wild type proinsulin and has also provided a comprehensive interactome for Akita misfolded proinsulin.

Synthesis of Glc1Man9-Glycoprotein Probes by a Misfolding/Enzymatic Glucosylation/Misfolding Sequence

Glycoproteins in non-native conformations are often toxic to cells and may cause diseases, thus the quality control (QC) system eliminates these unwanted species. Lectin chaperone calreticulin and glucosidase II, both of which recognize the Glc1 Man9 oligosaccharide on glycoproteins, are important components of the glycoprotein QC system. Reported herein is the preparation of Glc1 Man9 -glycoproteins in both native and non-native conformations by using the following sequence: misfolding of chemically synthesized Man9 -glycoprotein, enzymatic glucosylation, and another misfolding step. By using synthetic glycoprotein probes, calreticulin was found to bind preferentially to a hydrophobic non-native glycoprotein whereas glucosidase II activity was not affected by glycoprotein conformation. The results demonstrate the ability of chemical synthesis to deliver homogeneous glycoproteins in several non-native conformations for probing the glycoprotein QC system.

The Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone Calnexin Is a NADPH Oxidase NOX4 Interacting Protein

Within the family of NADPH oxidases, NOX4 is unique as it is predominantly localized in the endoplasmic reticulum, has constitutive activity, and generates hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). We hypothesize that these features are consequences of a so far unidentified NOX4-interacting protein. Two-dimensional blue native (BN) electrophorese combined with SDS-PAGE yielded NOX4 to reside in macromolecular complexes. Interacting proteins were screened by quantitative SILAC (stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture) co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) in HEK293 cells stably overexpressing NOX4. By this technique, several interacting proteins were identified with calnexin showing the most robust interaction. Calnexin also resided in NOX4-containing complexes as demonstrated by complexome profiling from BN-PAGE. The calnexin NOX4 interaction could be confirmed by reverse Co-IP and proximity ligation assay, whereas NOX1, NOX2, or NOX5 did not interact with calnexin. Calnexin deficiency as studied in mouse embryonic fibroblasts from calnexin^−/− mice or in response to calnexin shRNA reduced cellular NOX4 protein expression and reactive oxygen species formation. Our results suggest that endogenous NOX4 forms macromolecular complexes with calnexin, which are needed for the proper maturation, processing, and function of NOX4 in the endoplasmic reticulum.

N-Glycan-based ER Molecular Chaperone and Protein Quality Control System: The Calnexin Binding Cycle

Helenius and colleagues proposed over 20-years ago a paradigm-shifting model for how chaperone binding in the endoplasmic reticulum was mediated and controlled for a new type of molecular chaperone- the carbohydrate-binding chaperones, calnexin and calreticulin. While the originally established basics for this lectin chaperone binding cycle holds true today, there has been a number of important advances that have expanded our understanding of its mechanisms of action, role in protein homeostasis, and its connection to disease states that are highlighted in this review.

Reproductive hormones affect follicular cells and ooplasm of Stage I and II oocytes in zebrafish

The basic pathway of oocyte development and its regulation is evolutionarily conserved among vertebrates; however, little is known about the role of hormones at the first stages (Stages I and II) of follicle development in fish. In the present study, zebrafish follicles at Stages I and II were exposed in vitro to the reproductive hormones 17β-oestradiol (E2), 11-ketotestosterone (11KT), 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and to the secondary messenger dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (db-cAMP) at a concentration of 1 µM for a 48-h period. Morphological alterations of the ooplasm were assessed by transmission electron microscopy and of the granulosa cell layer by quantitative stereology. Expression of mRNA was analysed for cell-cycle genes (cyclin B and E) and resident proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum (calnexin and 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (grp78/bip)). E2 and db-cAMP stimulated the presence of endoplasmic reticulum in the ooplasm and calnexin mRNA increased in the db-cAMP treatment, but also in response to 11KT and DHP. 11KT, DHP and db-cAMP inhibited the progression of the cell cycle in the granulosa–theca cell layer, indicated by a reduction of the nucleus volume-weighted size of granulosa cells and of increased cyclin E mRNA expression. Reproductive hormones had different effects on the ooplasm and the granulosa–theca cell layer of zebrafish follicles, predominantly at Stage II.