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Lu Y, Jiang X, Ai H, Li D, Khattak A, Zhang B, Liu X, Zhang H, Huang S. Characterization of a silkworm UFM1 homolog in regulating Bombyx mori unfolded protein response and nucleopolyhedrovirus replication. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 675:162-169. [PMID: 37478772 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
The Ubiquitin (Ub)-like molecules is essential for animal development and the physiopathology of multiple tissues in the vertebrate. Ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (UFM1) is one of the newly-identified UBL, which is covalently attached to its substrates through the orchestrated action of a dedicated enzymatic cascade. Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) is one of the main pathogens in sericulture, causing serious economic losses every year. However, there are no studies on UFMylation and the effect of UFMylation on BmNPV replication in silkworm. In this study, we identified BmUFM1 in the B. mori genome. Spatio-Temporal expression profiles showed that BmUFM1 expression was highly in hemocytes and response to various pathogenic stimuli. Furthermore, BmUFM1 is involved in the regulation of ER stress induced Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) and knockdown of BmUFM1 inhibited BmNPV replication. Overall, these results suggest that BmUFM1 plays an important role in facilitating BmNPV proliferation in silkworm. Our findings advance the understanding of UFM1's conjugation machinery, and also provides a potentially molecular target for BmNPV prevention and silkworm breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiting Lu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Xiaochun Jiang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Heng Ai
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Danting Li
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Afrasiyab Khattak
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Bei Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Xu Liu
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Development and Utilization of Characteristic Horticultural Biological Resources, Chengdu Normal University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Hualing Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Development and Utilization of Characteristic Horticultural Biological Resources, Chengdu Normal University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Shoujun Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, 230036, China.
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Mao Z, Ma X, Jing Y, Shen M, Ma X, Zhu J, Liu H, Zhang G, Chen F. Ufmylation on UFBP1 alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by modulating hepatic endoplasmic reticulum stress. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:584. [PMID: 37660122 PMCID: PMC10475044 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06095-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease characterized by lipid accumulation and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, while effective therapies targeting the specific characteristics of NAFLD are limited. Ufmylation is a newly found post-translational modification process that involves the attachment of the Ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (UFM1) protein to its substrates via ufmylation modification system. Ufmylation regulates ER stress via modifying UFM1 binding protein 1 (UFBP1), suggesting a potential role for ufmylation in NAFLD pathogenesis. However, the precise role of ufmylation in NAFLD remains unclear. Herein, we aim to elucidate the impact of ufmylation on UFBP1 in NAFLD and explore the underlying mechanisms involved. We observed increased expression of UFM1-conjugated proteins and ufmylation modification system components in livers with steatosis derived from NAFLD patients and NAFLD models. Upregulation of ufmylation on hepatic proteins appeared to be an adaptive response to hepatic ER stress in NAFLD. In vitro, knocking down UFBP1 resulted in increased lipid accumulation and lipogenesis in hepatocytes treated with free fatty acids (FFA), which could be rescued by wild-type UFBP1 (WT UFBP1) but not by a mutant form of UFBP1 lacking the main ufmylation site lys267 (UFBP1 K267R). In vivo, ufmylation on UFBP1 ameliorated obesity, hepatic steatosis, hepatic lipogenesis, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and liver damage in mice with NAFLD induced by a high fat diet (HFD). We also demonstrated that the downregulation of UFBP1 induced ER stress, whereas the reintroduction or overexpression of UFBP1 alleviated ER stress in a manner dependent on ufmylation in NAFLD. This mechanism could be responsible for the amelioration of aberrant hepatic lipogenesis and insulin resistance in NAFLD. Our data reveal a protective role of ufmylation on UFBP1 against NAFLD and offer a specific target for NAFLD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziming Mao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201999, China
| | - Xiaowen Ma
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201999, China
| | - Yu Jing
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201999, China
| | - Minyan Shen
- School of Graduate, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, 233030, China
| | - Xirui Ma
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201999, China
| | - Jing Zhu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201999, China
| | - Huifang Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201999, China.
| | - Guangya Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
| | - Fengling Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201999, China.
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Li H, Yu Z, Niu Z, Cheng Y, Wei Z, Cai Y, Ma F, Hu L, Zhu J, Zhang W. A neuroprotective role of Ufmylation through Atg9 in the aging brain of Drosophila. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:129. [PMID: 37086384 PMCID: PMC11073442 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04778-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Ufmylation is a recently identified small ubiquitin-like modification, whose biological function and relevant cellular targets are poorly understood. Here we present evidence of a neuroprotective role for Ufmylation involving Autophagy-related gene 9 (Atg9) during Drosophila aging. The Ufm1 system ensures the health of aged neurons via Atg9 by coordinating autophagy and mTORC1, and maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) activity. Neuron-specific expression of Atg9 suppresses the age-associated movement defect and lethality caused by loss of Ufmylation. Furthermore, Atg9 is identified as a conserved target of Ufm1 conjugation mediated by Ddrgk1, a critical regulator of Ufmylation. Mammalian Ddrgk1 was shown to be indispensable for the stability of endogenous Atg9A protein in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells. Taken together, our findings might have important implications for neurodegenerative diseases in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifang Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Zhenghong Yu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hosptial of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, China
| | - Zikang Niu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yun Cheng
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Zhenhao Wei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yafei Cai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Fei Ma
- College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Lanxin Hu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Jiejie Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
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Bou-Fakhredin R, De Franceschi L, Motta I, Cappellini MD, Taher AT. Pharmacological Induction of Fetal Hemoglobin in β-Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease: An Updated Perspective. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15060753. [PMID: 35745672 PMCID: PMC9227505 DOI: 10.3390/ph15060753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant amount of attention has recently been devoted to the mechanisms involved in hemoglobin (Hb) switching, as it has previously been established that the induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production in significant amounts can reduce the severity of the clinical course in diseases such as β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD). While the induction of HbF using lentiviral and genome-editing strategies has been made possible, they present limitations. Meanwhile, progress in the use of pharmacologic agents for HbF induction and the identification of novel HbF-inducing strategies has been made possible as a result of a better understanding of γ-globin regulation. In this review, we will provide an update on all current pharmacological inducer agents of HbF in β-thalassemia and SCD in addition to the ongoing research into other novel, and potentially therapeutic, HbF-inducing agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayan Bou-Fakhredin
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (R.B.-F.); (I.M.)
| | - Lucia De Franceschi
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Verona, 37128 Verona, Italy;
| | - Irene Motta
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (R.B.-F.); (I.M.)
- UOC General Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Domenica Cappellini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (R.B.-F.); (I.M.)
- UOC General Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.D.C.); (A.T.T.)
| | - Ali T. Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
- Correspondence: (M.D.C.); (A.T.T.)
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Lopez NH, Li B, Palani C, Siddaramappa U, Takezaki M, Xu H, Zhi W, Pace BS. Salubrinal induces fetal hemoglobin expression via the stress-signaling pathway in human sickle erythroid progenitors and sickle cell disease mice. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261799. [PMID: 35639781 PMCID: PMC9154101 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder caused by a mutation in the HBB gene leading to hemoglobin S production and polymerization under hypoxia conditions leading to vaso-occlusion, chronic hemolysis, and progressive organ damage. This disease affects ~100,000 people in the United States and millions worldwide. An effective therapy for SCD is fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction by pharmacologic agents such as hydroxyurea, the only Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for this purpose. Therefore, the goal of our study was to determine whether salubrinal (SAL), a selective protein phosphatase 1 inhibitor, induces HbF expression through the stress-signaling pathway by activation of p-eIF2α and ATF4 trans-activation in the γ-globin gene promoter. Sickle erythroid progenitors treated with 24μM SAL increased F-cells levels 1.4-fold (p = 0.021) and produced an 80% decrease in reactive oxygen species. Western blot analysis showed SAL enhanced HbF protein by 1.6-fold (p = 0.0441), along with dose-dependent increases of p-eIF2α and ATF4 levels. Subsequent treatment of SCD mice by a single intraperitoneal injection of SAL (5mg/kg) produced peak plasma concentrations at 6 hours. Chronic treatments of SCD mice with SAL mediated a 2.3-fold increase in F-cells (p = 0.0013) and decreased sickle erythrocytes supporting in vivo HbF induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole H. Lopez
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
| | - Biaoru Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
| | - Chithra Palani
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
| | - Umapathy Siddaramappa
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology Augusta University, Augusta GA, United States of America
| | - Mayuko Takezaki
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
| | - Hongyan Xu
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
| | - Wenbo Zhi
- Center for Biotechnology & Genomic Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
| | - Betty S. Pace
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
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Chen F, Sheng L, Xu C, Li J, Ali I, Li H, Cai Y. Ufbp1, a Key Player of Ufm1 Conjugation System, Protects Against Ketosis-Induced Liver Injury via Suppressing Smad3 Activation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:676789. [PMID: 34307359 PMCID: PMC8297976 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.676789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The dairy cattle suffer from severe liver dysfunction during the pathogenesis of ketosis. The Ufm1 conjugation system is crucial for liver development and homeostasis. Ufm1 binding protein (Ufbp1) is a putative Ufm1 target and an integral component, but its role in ketosis-induced liver injury is unclear so far. The purpose of this study is to explore the key role of Ufbp1 in liver fibrosis caused by ketosis in vivo and in vitro. Liver tissues were collected from ketotic cows and Ufbp1 conditional knockout (CKO) mice in vivo. However, Ufbp1–/– mouse embryonic fibroblast cells and Hela cells were used for in vitro validation. Subsequently, various assays were performed to reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms of the Ufbp1 protective effect. In this study, hepatic fibrosis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and apoptosis were reported in the liver of ketotic cows, fibrotic markers (alpha-smooth muscle actin, Collagen1) and ER stress markers (glucose-regulated protein 78, CEBP homologous protein) were upregulated remarkably, and the apoptosis-related genes (Bcl2, Bax) were in line with expectations. Interestingly, Ufbp1 expression was almost disappeared, and Smad2/Smad3 protein was largely phosphorylated in the liver of ketotic cows, but Ufbp1 deletion caused Smad3 phosphorylation apparently, rather than Smad2, and elevated ER stress was observed in the CKO mice model. At the cellular level, Ufbp1 deficiency led to serious fibrotic and ER stress response, Smad3 was activated by phosphorylation significantly and then was translocated into the nucleus, whereas p-Smad2 was largely unaffected in embryonic fibroblast cells. Ufbp1 overexpression obviously suppressed Smad3 phosphorylation in Hela cells. Ufbp1 was found to be in full combination with Smad3 using endogenous immunoprecipitation. Taken together, our findings suggest that downregulation or ablation of Ufbp1 leads to Smad3 activation, elevated ER stress, and hepatocyte apoptosis, which in turn causes liver fibrosis. Ufbp1 plays a protective role in ketosis-induced liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanghui Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Le Sheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenjie Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Li
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Ilyas Ali
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Honglin Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Yafei Cai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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Witting KF, Mulder MP. Highly Specialized Ubiquitin-Like Modifications: Shedding Light into the UFM1 Enigma. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020255. [PMID: 33578803 PMCID: PMC7916544 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modification with Ubiquitin-like proteins represents a complex signaling language regulating virtually every cellular process. Among these post-translational modifiers is Ubiquitin-fold modifier (UFM1), which is covalently attached to its substrates through the orchestrated action of a dedicated enzymatic cascade. Originally identified to be involved embryonic development, its biological function remains enigmatic. Recent research reveals that UFM1 regulates a variety of cellular events ranging from DNA repair to autophagy and ER stress response implicating its involvement in a variety of diseases. Given the contribution of UFM1 to numerous pathologies, the enzymes of the UFM1 cascade represent attractive targets for pharmacological inhibition. Here we discuss the current understanding of this cryptic post-translational modification especially its contribution to disease as well as expand on the unmet needs of developing chemical and biochemical tools to dissect its role.
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