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Zanin JP, Unsain N, Anastasia A. Growth factors and hormones pro-peptides: the unexpected adventures of the BDNF prodomain. J Neurochem 2017; 141:330-340. [PMID: 28218971 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Most growth factors and hormones are synthesized as pre-pro-proteins which are processed to the biologically active mature protein. The pre- and prodomains are cleaved from the precursor protein in the secretory pathway or, in some cases, extracellularly. The canonical functions of these prodomains are to assist in folding and stabilization of the mature domain, to direct intra and extracellular localization, to facilitate storage, and to regulate bioavailability of their mature counterpart. Recently, exciting evidence has revealed that prodomains of certain growth factors, after cleaved from the precursor pro-protein, can act as independent active signaling molecules. In this review, we discuss the various classical functions of prodomains, and the biological consequences of these pro-peptides acting as ligands. We will focus our attention on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor prodomain (pBDNF), which has been recently described as a novel secreted ligand influencing neuronal morphology and physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Zanin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Nicolás Unsain
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martin Ferreyra, (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Agustin Anastasia
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martin Ferreyra, (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Córdoba, Argentina
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2
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Venegas FA, Saona LA, Monrás JP, Órdenes-Aenishanslins N, Giordana MF, Ulloa G, Collao B, Bravo D, Pérez-Donoso JM. Biological phosphorylated molecules participate in the biomimetic and biological synthesis of cadmium sulphide quantum dots by promoting H2S release from cellular thiols. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra03578k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Developing methods with a low environmental impact for nanoparticle synthesis remains one of the greatest challenges in nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. A. Venegas
- Universidad Andres Bello
- Bionanotechnology and Microbiology Laboratory
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology (CBIB)
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas
- Santiago
| | - L. A. Saona
- Universidad Andres Bello
- Bionanotechnology and Microbiology Laboratory
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology (CBIB)
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas
- Santiago
| | - J. P. Monrás
- Universidad Andres Bello
- Bionanotechnology and Microbiology Laboratory
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology (CBIB)
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas
- Santiago
| | - N. Órdenes-Aenishanslins
- Universidad Andres Bello
- Bionanotechnology and Microbiology Laboratory
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology (CBIB)
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas
- Santiago
| | - M. F. Giordana
- Centro Atómico Bariloche
- Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica
- 8400 S.C. de Bariloche
- Argentina
| | - G. Ulloa
- Universidad Andres Bello
- Bionanotechnology and Microbiology Laboratory
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology (CBIB)
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas
- Santiago
| | - B. Collao
- Universidad Andres Bello
- Bionanotechnology and Microbiology Laboratory
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology (CBIB)
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas
- Santiago
| | - D. Bravo
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Oral
- Facultad de Odontología
- Universidad de Chile
- Santiago
- Chile
| | - J. M. Pérez-Donoso
- Universidad Andres Bello
- Bionanotechnology and Microbiology Laboratory
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology (CBIB)
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas
- Santiago
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Kitatsuji C, Izumi K, Nambu S, Kurogochi M, Uchida T, Nishimura SI, Iwai K, O'Brian MR, Ikeda-Saito M, Ishimori K. Protein oxidation mediated by heme-induced active site conversion specific for heme-regulated transcription factor, iron response regulator. Sci Rep 2016; 6:18703. [PMID: 26729068 PMCID: PMC4700492 DOI: 10.1038/srep18703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Bradyrhizobium japonicum transcriptional regulator Irr (iron response regulator) is a key regulator of the iron homeostasis, which is degraded in response to heme binding via a mechanism that involves oxidative modification of the protein. Here, we show that heme-bound Irr activates O2 to form highly reactive oxygen species (ROS) with the "active site conversion" from heme iron to non-heme iron to degrade itself. In the presence of heme and reductant, the ROS scavenging experiments show that Irr generates H2O2 from O2 as found for other hemoproteins, but H2O2 is less effective in oxidizing the peptide, and further activation of H2O2 is suggested. Interestingly, we find a time-dependent decrease of the intensity of the Soret band and appearance of the characteristic EPR signal at g = 4.3 during the oxidation, showing the heme degradation and the successive formation of a non-heme iron site. Together with the mutational studies, we here propose a novel "two-step self-oxidative modification" mechanism, during which O2 is activated to form H2O2 at the heme regulatory motif (HRM) site and the generated H2O2 is further converted into more reactive species such as ·OH at the non-heme iron site in the His-cluster region formed by the active site conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Kitatsuji
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan.,Department of Molecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Kozue Izumi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Shusuke Nambu
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advance Materials, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Masaki Kurogochi
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, and Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan
| | - Takeshi Uchida
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Shin-ichiro Nishimura
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, and Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Iwai
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan.,CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan
| | - Mark R O'Brian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14214, United States
| | - Masao Ikeda-Saito
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advance Materials, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Koichiro Ishimori
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
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Abstract
Several techniques have been employed to detect proteins on membranes. These include the use of quantum dot luminescent labels, oxyblot immunochemical detection, polymer immunocomplexes, "coupled" probing approach, in situ renaturation of proteins for detecting enzyme activities in crude or purified preparations, immunochromatographic assay, western-phosphatase assay, and use of Congo red dye (a cosmetic color named Alta), Pro-Q Emerald 488 dye, or amine-reactive dye in combination with alkaline phosphatase- and horseradish peroxidase-antibody conjugates for the simultaneous trichromatic fluorescence detection of proteins. Several methods have been used to improve the detection of proteins on membranes, including glutaraldehyde treatment of nitrocellulose blots, elimination of keratin artifacts in immunoblots probed with polyclonal antibodies, and washing of immunoblots with excessive water and manipulation of Tween-20 in wash buffer. These methods are briefly reviewed in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biji T Kurien
- Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA,
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Anastasia A, Deinhardt K, Chao MV, Will NE, Irmady K, Lee FS, Hempstead BL, Bracken C. Val66Met polymorphism of BDNF alters prodomain structure to induce neuronal growth cone retraction. Nat Commun 2014; 4:2490. [PMID: 24048383 PMCID: PMC3820160 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A common single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the human brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene results in a Val66Met substitution in the BDNF prodomain region. This SNP is associated with alterations in memory and with enhanced risk to develop depression and anxiety disorders in humans. Here we show that the isolated BDNF prodomain is detected in the hippocampus and that it can be secreted from neurons in an activity-dependent manner. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and circular dichroism, we find that the prodomain is intrinsically disordered, and the Val66Met substitution induces structural changes. Surprisingly, application of Met66 (but not Val66) BDNF prodomain induces acute growth cone retraction and a decrease in Rac activity in hippocampal neurons. Expression of p75(NTR) and differential engagement of the Met66 prodomain to the SorCS2 receptor are required for this effect. These results identify the Met66 prodomain as a new active ligand, which modulates neuronal morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustin Anastasia
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
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Lim WH, Liu B, Cheng D, Williams BO, Mah SJ, Helms JA. Wnt signaling regulates homeostasis of the periodontal ligament. J Periodontal Res 2014; 49:751-9. [PMID: 24410666 DOI: 10.1111/jre.12158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE In health, the periodontal ligament maintains a constant width throughout an organism's lifetime. The molecular signals responsible for maintaining homeostatic control over the periodontal ligament are unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Wnt signaling in this process by removing an essential chaperone protein, Wntless (Wls), from odontoblasts and cementoblasts, and observing the effects of Wnt depletion on cells of the periodontal complex. MATERIAL AND METHODS The Wnt responsive status of the periodontal complex was assessed using two strains of Wnt reporter mice: Axin2(LacZ/+) and Lgr5(LacZ/+) . The function of this endogenous Wnt signal was evaluated by conditionally eliminating the Wntless (Wls) gene using an osteocalcin Cre driver. The resulting OCN-Cre;Wls (fl/fl) mice were examined using micro-computed tomography and histology, immunohistochemical analyses for osteopontin, Runx2 and fibromodulin, in-situ hybridization for osterix and alkaline phosphatase activity. RESULTS The adult periodontal ligament is Wnt responsive. Elimination of Wnt signaling in the periodontal complex of OCN-Cre;Wls(fl/fl) mice resulted in a wider periodontal ligament space. This pathologically increased periodontal width is caused by a reduction in the expression of osteogenic genes and proteins, which results in thinner alveolar bone. A concomitant increase in fibrous tissue occupying the periodontal space was observed, along with a disruption in the orientation of the periodontal ligament. CONCLUSION The periodontal ligament is a Wnt-dependent tissue. Cells in the periodontal complex are Wnt responsive, and eliminating an essential component of the Wnt signaling network leads to a pathological widening of the periodontal ligament space. Osteogenic stimuli are reduced, and a disorganized fibrillary matrix results from the depletion of Wnt signaling. Collectively, these data underscore the importance of Wnt signaling in homeostasis of the periodontal ligament.
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Affiliation(s)
- W H Lim
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry & Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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Vallejo-Illarramendi A, Marciano DK, Reichardt LF. A novel method that improves sensitivity of protein detection in PAGE and Western blot. Electrophoresis 2013; 34:1148-50. [PMID: 23400834 PMCID: PMC3768259 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201200534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Revised: 11/26/2012] [Accepted: 11/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
We have developed a simple and inexpensive method that improves sensitivity of protein and antigen detection in standard PAGE procedures. Our technique uses a sample microloader device with a funnel-like structure, filled with a 4% stacking gel. When attach to the top of a polyacrylamide slab gel, the proteins in a sample are concentrated by electrophoresis into a small volume as they emerge from the device's narrow outlet. Our microloader has several advantages over previous devices, including simple assembly, high versatility, and absence of cross-contamination between lanes. Addition of this device to a slab gel results in a fivefold increase in the sensitivity of antigen detection in a Western blot. As a result, less protein is required for loading and signal detection. Our protocol is a straightforward modification of a standard experimental technique, and is especially useful when only limited sample quantities are available.
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Jensen EC. The basics of western blotting. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2012; 295:369-71. [PMID: 22302360 DOI: 10.1002/ar.22424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2011] [Accepted: 01/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Zuber P, Chauhan S, Pilaka P, Nakano MM, Gurumoorthy S, Lin AA, Barendt SM, Chi BK, Antelmann H, Mäder U. Phenotype enhancement screen of a regulatory spx mutant unveils a role for the ytpQ gene in the control of iron homeostasis. PLoS One 2011; 6:e25066. [PMID: 21949854 PMCID: PMC3176815 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2011] [Accepted: 08/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spx is a global regulator of genes that are induced by disulfide stress in Bacillus subtilis. The regulon that it governs is comprised of over 120 genes based on microarray analysis, although it is not known how many of these are under direct Spx control. Most of the Spx-regulated genes (SRGs) are of unknown function, but many encode products that are conserved in low %GC Gram-positive bacteria. Using a gene-disruption library of B. subtilis genomic mutations, the SRGs were screened for phenotypes related to Spx-controlled activities, such as poor growth in minimal medium and sensitivity to methyglyoxal, but nearly all of the SRG mutations showed little if any phenotype. To uncover SRG function, the mutations were rescreened in an spx mutant background to determine which mutant SRG allele would enhance the spx mutant phenotype. One of the SRGs, ytpQ was the site of a mutation that, when combined with an spx null mutation, elevated the severity of the Spx mutant phenotype, as shown by reduced growth in a minimal medium and by hypersensitivity to methyglyoxal. The ytpQ mutant showed elevated oxidative protein damage when exposed to methylglyoxal, and reduced growth rate in liquid culture. Proteomic and transcriptomic data indicated that the ytpQ mutation caused the derepression of the Fur and PerR regulons of B. subtilis. Our study suggests that the ytpQ gene, encoding a conserved DUF1444 protein, functions directly or indirectly in iron homeostasis. The ytpQ mutant phenotype mimics that of a fur mutation, suggesting a condition of low cellular iron. In vitro transcription analysis indicated that Spx stimulates transcription from the ytpPQR operon within which the ytpQ gene resides. The work uncovers a link between Spx and control of iron homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Zuber
- Division of Environmental and Biomolecular Systems, Institute of Environmental Health, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America.
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Abstract
We introduce and characterize multiplexed native Western blotting in an automated and unified microfluidic format. While slab gel Western blotting is slow and laborious, conventional multiplexed blotting ("reblotting": probing one sample with multiple antibodies) requires even more resources. Here we detail three key advances that enable an automated and rapid microfluidic alternative to slab gel reblotting. First, we introduce both assay and microdevice designs that integrate protein blotting against multiple antibody blotting regions with native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This microfluidic integration strategy overcomes nonspecific material losses inherent to harsh antibody stripping steps typically needed for conventional reblotting; said conditions can severely limit analyte quantitation. Second, to inform rational design of the multiplexed microfluidic device we develop an analytical model for analyte capture on the blotting regions. Comparison to empirical observations is reported, with capture efficiencies of >85%. Third, we introduce label free detection that makes simultaneous and quantitative multiplexed measurements possible without the need for prelabeling of sample. Assay linear dynamic range spans 8-800 nM with assay completion in 5 min. Owing to the speed, automation, enhanced quantitation capability, and the difficulty of conventional slab gel Western reblotting, microfluidic multiplexed native Western blotting should find use in systems biology, in particular in analyses of protein isoforms and multimeric protein complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Q Tia
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, 94720, United States
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