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Ampadu F, Awasthi V, Joshi AD. Role of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase Kinase 4 Signaling in Liver and Metabolic Diseases. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 390:233-239. [PMID: 38844365 PMCID: PMC11264251 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.124.002065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
MAP4K4 is a serine/threonine protein kinase belonging to the germinal center kinase subgroup of sterile 20 protein family of kinases. MAP4K4 has been involved in regulating multiple biologic processes and a plethora of pathologies, including systemic inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and metabolic and hepatic diseases. Recently, multiple reports have indicated the upregulation of MAP4K4 expression and signaling in hyperglycemia and liver diseases. This review provides an overview of our current knowledge of MAP4K4 structure and expression, as well as its regulation and signaling, specifically in metabolic and hepatic diseases. Reviewing these promising studies will enrich our understanding of MAP4K4 signaling pathways and, in the future, will help us design innovative therapeutic interventions against metabolic and liver diseases using MAP4K4 as a target. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Although most studies on the involvement of MAP4K4 in human pathologies are related to cancers, only recently its role in liver and other metabolic diseases is beginning to unravel. This mini review discusses recent advancements in MAP4K4 biology within the context of metabolic dysfunction and comprehensively characterizes MAP4K4 as a clinically relevant therapeutic target against liver and metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Ampadu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Vibhudutta Awasthi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Aditya D Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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2
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Rioux AV, Nsimba-Batomene TR, Slimani S, Bergeron NAD, Gravel MAM, Schreiber SV, Fiola MJ, Haydock L, Garneau AP, Isenring P. Navigating the multifaceted intricacies of the Na +-Cl - cotransporter, a highly regulated key effector in the control of hydromineral homeostasis. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:1147-1204. [PMID: 38329422 PMCID: PMC11381001 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00027.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The Na+-Cl- cotransporter (NCC; SLC12A3) is a highly regulated integral membrane protein that is known to exist as three splice variants in primates. Its primary role in the kidney is to mediate the cosymport of Na+ and Cl- across the apical membrane of the distal convoluted tubule. Through this role and the involvement of other ion transport systems, NCC allows the systemic circulation to reclaim a fraction of the ultrafiltered Na+, K+, Cl-, and Mg+ loads in exchange for Ca2+ and [Formula: see text]. The physiological relevance of the Na+-Cl- cotransport mechanism in humans is illustrated by several abnormalities that result from NCC inactivation through the administration of thiazides or in the setting of hereditary disorders. The purpose of the present review is to discuss the molecular mechanisms and overall roles of Na+-Cl- cotransport as the main topics of interest. On reading the narrative proposed, one will realize that the knowledge gained in regard to these themes will continue to progress unrelentingly no matter how refined it has now become.
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Rioux
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - T R Nsimba-Batomene
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - S Slimani
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - N A D Bergeron
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - M A M Gravel
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - S V Schreiber
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - M J Fiola
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - L Haydock
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Service de Néphrologie-Transplantation Rénale Adultes, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, AP-HP, INSERM U1151, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - A P Garneau
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Service de Néphrologie-Transplantation Rénale Adultes, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, AP-HP, INSERM U1151, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - P Isenring
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
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3
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Cull J, Cooper S, Alharbi H, Chothani S, Rackham O, Meijles D, Dash P, Kerkelä R, Ruparelia N, Sugden P, Clerk A. Striatin plays a major role in angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte and cardiac hypertrophy in mice in vivo. Clin Sci (Lond) 2024; 138:573-597. [PMID: 38718356 PMCID: PMC11130554 DOI: 10.1042/cs20240496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
The three striatins (STRN, STRN3, STRN4) form the core of STRiatin-Interacting Phosphatase and Kinase (STRIPAK) complexes. These place protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in proximity to protein kinases thereby restraining kinase activity and regulating key cellular processes. Our aim was to establish if striatins play a significant role in cardiac remodelling associated with cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. All striatins were expressed in control human hearts, with up-regulation of STRN and STRN3 in failing hearts. We used mice with global heterozygote gene deletion to assess the roles of STRN and STRN3 in cardiac remodelling induced by angiotensin II (AngII; 7 days). Using echocardiography, we detected no differences in baseline cardiac function or dimensions in STRN+/- or STRN3+/- male mice (8 weeks) compared with wild-type littermates. Heterozygous gene deletion did not affect cardiac function in mice treated with AngII, but the increase in left ventricle mass induced by AngII was inhibited in STRN+/- (but not STRN3+/-) mice. Histological staining indicated that cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was inhibited. To assess the role of STRN in cardiomyocytes, we converted the STRN knockout line for inducible cardiomyocyte-specific gene deletion. There was no effect of cardiomyocyte STRN knockout on cardiac function or dimensions, but the increase in left ventricle mass induced by AngII was inhibited. This resulted from inhibition of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and cardiac fibrosis. The data indicate that cardiomyocyte striatin is required for early remodelling of the heart by AngII and identify the striatin-based STRIPAK system as a signalling paradigm in the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua J. Cull
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, U.K
| | - Susanna T.E. Cooper
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St. George’s University of London, London, U.K
| | - Hajed O. Alharbi
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, U.K
| | - Sonia P. Chothani
- Program in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore
| | - Owen J.L. Rackham
- Program in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, U.K
| | - Daniel N. Meijles
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St. George’s University of London, London, U.K
| | - Philip R. Dash
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, U.K
| | - Risto Kerkelä
- Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Medical Research Centre Oulu (Oulu University Hospital) and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Neil Ruparelia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, U.K
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, U.K
| | - Peter H. Sugden
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, U.K
| | - Angela Clerk
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, U.K
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4
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Kwon YS, Lee MG, Kim NY, Nam GS, Nam KS, Jang H, Kim S. Overcoming radioresistance of breast cancer cells with MAP4K4 inhibitors. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7410. [PMID: 38548749 PMCID: PMC10978830 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57000-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4) has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic target in cancer. In this study, we explored the biological function of MAP4K4 in radioresistant breast cancer cells using two MAP4K4 inhibitors, namely PF06260933 and GNE-495. Radioresistant SR and MR cells were established by exposing SK-BR-3 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells to 48-70 Gy of radiation delivered at 4-5 Gy twice a week over 10 months. Surprisingly, although radioresistant cells were derived from two different subtypes of breast cancer cell lines, MAP4K4 was significantly elevated regardless of subtype. Inhibition of MAP4K4 with PF06260933 or GNE-495 selectively targeted radioresistant cells and improved the response to irradiation. Furthermore, MAP4K4 inhibitors induced apoptosis through the accumulation of DNA damage by inhibiting DNA repair systems in radioresistant cells. Notably, Inhibition of MAP4K4 suppressed the expressions of ACSL4, suggesting that MAP4K4 functioned as an upstream effector of ACSL4. This study is the first to report that MAP4K4 plays a crucial role in mediating the radioresistance of breast cancer by acting upstream of ACSL4 to enhance DNA damage response and inhibit apoptosis. We hope that our findings provide a basis for the development of new drugs targeting MAP4K4 to overcome radioresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Suk Kwon
- Research Institute of Climate Change and Agriculture, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Jeju, Jeju-do, 63240, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Gu Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 38066, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam-Yi Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 38066, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi Suk Nam
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Honam University, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, 62399, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Soo Nam
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 38066, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunsoo Jang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Pohang St. Mary's Hospital, Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 37661, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyoung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 38066, Republic of Korea.
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Vinogradov AA, Zhang Y, Hamada K, Kobayashi S, Ogata K, Sengoku T, Goto Y, Suga H. A Compact Reprogrammed Genetic Code for De Novo Discovery of Proteolytically Stable Thiopeptides. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:8058-8070. [PMID: 38491946 PMCID: PMC10979747 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c12037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Thiopeptides make up a group of structurally complex peptidic natural products holding promise in bioengineering applications. The previously established thiopeptide/mRNA display platform enables de novo discovery of natural product-like thiopeptides with designed bioactivities. However, in contrast to natural thiopeptides, the discovered structures are composed predominantly of proteinogenic amino acids, which results in low metabolic stability in many cases. Here, we redevelop the platform and demonstrate that the utilization of compact reprogrammed genetic codes in mRNA display libraries can lead to the discovery of thiopeptides predominantly composed of nonproteinogenic structural elements. We demonstrate the feasibility of our designs by conducting affinity selections against Traf2- and NCK-interacting kinase (TNIK). The experiment identified a series of thiopeptides with high affinity to the target protein (the best KD = 2.1 nM) and kinase inhibitory activity (the best IC50 = 0.15 μM). The discovered compounds, which bore as many as 15 nonproteinogenic amino acids in an 18-residue macrocycle, demonstrated high metabolic stability in human serum with a half-life of up to 99 h. An X-ray cocrystal structure of TNIK in complex with a discovered thiopeptide revealed how nonproteinogenic building blocks facilitate the target engagement and orchestrate the folding of the thiopeptide into a noncanonical conformation. Altogether, the established platform takes a step toward the discovery of thiopeptides with high metabolic stability for early drug discovery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A. Vinogradov
- Department
of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department
of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Keisuke Hamada
- Department
of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Kobayashi
- Department
of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Ogata
- Department
of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Toru Sengoku
- Department
of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Yuki Goto
- Department
of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department
of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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Liu ML, Ma S, Tai W, Zhong X, Ni H, Zou Y, Wang J, Zhang CL. Screens in aging-relevant human ALS-motor neurons identify MAP4Ks as therapeutic targets for the disease. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:4. [PMID: 38177100 PMCID: PMC10766628 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06395-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Effective therapeutics is much needed for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an adult-onset neurodegenerative disease mainly affecting motor neurons. By screening chemical compounds in human patient-derived and aging-relevant motor neurons, we identify a neuroprotective compound and show that MAP4Ks may serve as therapeutic targets for treating ALS. The lead compound broadly improves survival and function of motor neurons directly converted from human ALS patients. Mechanistically, it works as an inhibitor of MAP4Ks, regulates the MAP4Ks-HDAC6-TUBA4A-RANGAP1 pathway, and normalizes subcellular distribution of RANGAP1 and TDP-43. Finally, in an ALS mouse model we show that inhibiting MAP4Ks preserves motor neurons and significantly extends animal lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Lu Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Shuaipeng Ma
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Wenjiao Tai
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Xiaoling Zhong
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Haoqi Ni
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Yuhua Zou
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Jingcheng Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Chun-Li Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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Chang CD, Chao MW, Lee HY, Liu YT, Tu HJ, Lien ST, Lin TE, Sung TY, Yen SC, Huang SH, Hsu KC, Pan SL. In silico identification and biological evaluation of a selective MAP4K4 inhibitor against pancreatic cancer. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:2166039. [PMID: 36683274 PMCID: PMC9873280 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2166039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting a specific target in cancer cells and reducing unwanted side effects has become a promising strategy in pancreatic cancer treatment. MAP4K4 is associated with pancreatic cancer development and correlates with poor clinical outcomes. By phosphorylating MKK4, proteins associated with cell apoptosis and survival are translated. Therefore, inhibiting MAP4K4 activity in pancreatic tumours is a new therapeutic strategy. Herein, we performed a structure-based virtual screening to identify MAP4K4 inhibitors and discovered the compound F389-0746 with a potent inhibition (IC50 120.7 nM). The results of kinase profiling revealed that F389-0746 was highly selective to MAP4K4 and less likely to cause side effects. Results of in vitro experiments showed that F389-0746 significantly suppressed cancer cell growth and viability. Results of in vivo experiments showed that F389-0746 displayed comparable tumour growth inhibition with the group treated with gemcitabine. These findings suggest that F389-0746 has promising potential to be further developed as a novel pancreatic cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Di Chang
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Min-Wu Chao
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan,Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Yun Lee
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Liu
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Huang-Ju Tu
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ssu-Ting Lien
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tony Eight Lin
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ying Sung
- Biomedical Translation Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chung Yen
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | | | - Kai-Cheng Hsu
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,TMU Research Center for Drug Discovery, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Cancer Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,CONTACT Kai-Cheng Hsu
| | - Shiow-Lin Pan
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,TMU Research Center for Drug Discovery, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Shiow-Lin Pan Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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8
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Li C, Zhu X, Sun X, Guo X, Li W, Chen P, Shidlovskii YV, Zhou Q, Xue L. Slik maintains tissue homeostasis by preventing JNK-mediated apoptosis. Cell Div 2023; 18:16. [PMID: 37794497 PMCID: PMC10552427 DOI: 10.1186/s13008-023-00097-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway is an evolutionarily conserved regulator of cell death, which is essential for coordinating tissue homeostasis. In this study, we have characterized the Drosophila Ste20-like kinase Slik as a novel modulator of JNK pathway-mediated apoptotic cell death. RESULTS First, ectopic JNK signaling-triggered cell death is enhanced by slik depletion whereas suppressed by Slik overexpression. Second, loss of slik activates JNK signaling, which results in enhanced apoptosis and impaired tissue homeostasis. In addition, genetic epistasis analysis suggests that Slik acts upstream of or in parallel to Hep to regulate JNK-mediated apoptotic cell death. Moreover, Slik is necessary and sufficient for preventing physiologic JNK signaling-mediated cell death in development. Furthermore, introduction of STK10, the human ortholog of Slik, into Drosophila restores slik depletion-induced cell death and compromised tissue homeostasis. Lastly, knockdown of STK10 in human cancer cells also leads to JNK activation, which is cancelled by expression of Slik. CONCLUSIONS This study has uncovered an evolutionarily conserved role of Slik/STK10 in blocking JNK signaling, which is required for cell death inhibition and tissue homeostasis maintenance in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglin Li
- The First Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Diseases Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojie Zhu
- The First Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Diseases Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyue Sun
- The First Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Diseases Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaowei Guo
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wenzhe Li
- The First Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Diseases Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Chen
- The First Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Diseases Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yulii V Shidlovskii
- Department of Gene Expression Regulation in Development, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Biology and General Genetics, Sechenov University, 8, bldg. 2 Trubetskaya St, Moscow, 119048, Russia
| | - Qian Zhou
- The First Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Diseases Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Lei Xue
- The First Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Diseases Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
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9
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Maes B, Fayazpour F, Catrysse L, Lornet G, Van De Velde E, De Wolf C, De Prijck S, Van Moorleghem J, Vanheerswynghels M, Deswarte K, Descamps B, Vanhove C, Van der Schueren B, Vangoitsenhoven R, Hammad H, Janssens S, Lambrecht BN. STE20 kinase TAOK3 regulates type 2 immunity and metabolism in obesity. J Exp Med 2023; 220:e20210788. [PMID: 37347461 PMCID: PMC10287548 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20210788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Healthy adipose tissue (AT) contains ST2+ Tregs, ILC2s, and alternatively activated macrophages that are lost in mice or humans on high caloric diet. Understanding how this form of type 2 immunity is regulated could improve treatment of obesity. The STE20 kinase Thousand And One amino acid Kinase-3 (TAOK3) has been linked to obesity in mice and humans, but its precise function is unknown. We found that ST2+ Tregs are upregulated in visceral epididymal white AT (eWAT) of Taok3-/- mice, dependent on IL-33 and the kinase activity of TAOK3. Upon high fat diet feeding, metabolic dysfunction was attenuated in Taok3-/- mice. ST2+ Tregs disappeared from eWAT in obese wild-type mice, but this was not the case in Taok3-/- mice. Mechanistically, AT Taok3-/- Tregs were intrinsically more responsive to IL-33, through higher expression of ST2, and expressed more PPARγ and type 2 cytokines. Thus, TAOK3 inhibits adipose tissue Tregs and regulates immunometabolism under excessive caloric intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastiaan Maes
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory for Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Inflammation, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Farzaneh Fayazpour
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory for Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Inflammation, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Leen Catrysse
- Cellular and Molecular (Patho)Physiology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guillaume Lornet
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evelien Van De Velde
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory for Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Inflammation, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Caroline De Wolf
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sofie De Prijck
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Justine Van Moorleghem
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Manon Vanheerswynghels
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kim Deswarte
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Benedicte Descamps
- Department of Electronics and Information Systems, IBiTech-MEDISIP-Infinity Lab, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christian Vanhove
- Department of Electronics and Information Systems, IBiTech-MEDISIP-Infinity Lab, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart Van der Schueren
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roman Vangoitsenhoven
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hamida Hammad
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sophie Janssens
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory for Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Inflammation, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart N. Lambrecht
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam Netherlands
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10
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Li K, Ma L, Lu Z, Yan L, Chen W, Wang B, Xu H, Asemi Z. Apoptosis and heart failure: The role of non-coding RNAs and exosomal non-coding RNAs. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 248:154669. [PMID: 37422971 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Heart failure is a condition that affects the cardio vascular system and occurs if the heart cannot adequately pump the oxygen and blood to the body. Myocardial infarction, reperfusion injury, and this disease is the only a few examples of the numerous cardiovascular illnesses that are impacted by the closely controlled cell deletion process known as apoptosis. Attention has been paid to the creation of alternative diagnostic and treatment modalities for the condition. Recent evidences have shown that some non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) influence the stability of proteins, control of transcription factors, and HF apoptosis through a variety of methods. Exosomes make a significant paracrine contribution to the regulation of illnesses as well as to the communication between nearby and distant organs. However, it has not yet been determined whether exosomes regulate the cardiomyocyte-tumor cell interaction in ischemia HF to limit the vulnerability of malignancy to ferroptosis. Here, we list the numerous ncRNAs in HF that are connected to apoptosis. In addition, we emphasize the significance of exosomal ncRNAs in the HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ketao Li
- Department of cardiology, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Liping Ma
- Department of cardiology, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Zhiwei Lu
- Hangzhou Heyunjia Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhe'jiang 310000, China
| | - Laixing Yan
- Department of cardiology, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Wan Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Jiulongpo First People's Hospital, Chongqing 400051, China
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of cardiology, Zouping People's Hospital, Zouping, Shandong 256299, China
| | - Huiju Xu
- Department of cardiology, Hangzhou Mingzhou Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhe'jiang 311215, China.
| | - Zatollah Asemi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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11
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Liu ML, Ma S, Tai W, Zhong X, Ni H, Zou Y, Wang J, Zhang CL. Chemical screens in aging-relevant human motor neurons identify MAP4Ks as therapeutic targets for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.24.538014. [PMID: 37162962 PMCID: PMC10168247 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.24.538014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Effective therapeutics is much needed for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an adult-onset neurodegenerative disease mainly affecting motor neurons. By screening chemical compounds in human patient-derived and aging-relevant motor neurons, we identify a neuroprotective compound and show that MAP4Ks may serve as therapeutic targets for treating ALS. The lead compound broadly improves survival and function of motor neurons directly converted from human ALS patients. Mechanistically, it works as an inhibitor of MAP4Ks, regulates the MAP4Ks-HDAC6-TUBA4A-RANGAP1 pathway, and normalizes subcellular distribution of RANGAP1 and TDP-43. Finally, in an ALS mouse model we show that inhibiting MAP4Ks preserves motor neurons and significantly extends animal lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Lu Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Shuaipeng Ma
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Wenjiao Tai
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xiaoling Zhong
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Haoqi Ni
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Yuhua Zou
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jingcheng Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Chun-Li Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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12
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González-Montero J, Rojas CI, Burotto M. MAP4K4 and cancer: ready for the main stage? Front Oncol 2023; 13:1162835. [PMID: 37223681 PMCID: PMC10200945 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1162835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
MAP4K4 is a serine/threonine kinase that belongs to the MAP kinase family and plays a critical role in embryogenesis and cellular migration. It contains approximately 1,200 amino acids and has a molecular mass of 140 kDa. MAP4K4 is expressed in most tissues where it has been examined and its knockout is embryonic lethal due to impaired somite development. Alterations in MAP4K4 function have a central role in the development of many metabolic diseases such as atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes, but have recently been implicated in the initiation and progression of cancer. For example, it has been shown that MAP4K4 can stimulate the proliferation and invasion of tumor cells by activating pro-proliferative pathways (such as the c-Jun N-terminal kinase [JNK] and mixed-lineage protein kinase 3 [MLK3] pathways), attenuate anti-tumor cytotoxic immune responses, and stimulate cell invasion and migration by altering cytoskeleton and actin function. Recent in vitro experiments using RNA interference-based knockdown (miR) techniques have shown that inhibition of MAP4K4 function reduces tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion, and may represent a promising therapeutic approach in many types of cancer such as pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma, and medulloblastoma, among others. Over the last few years, specific MAP4K4 inhibitors such as GNE-495 have been developed but have not yet been tested in cancer patients. However, these novel agents may be useful for cancer treatment in the future.
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13
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Patterson V, Ullah F, Bryant L, Griffin JN, Sidhu A, Saliganan S, Blaile M, Saenz MS, Smith R, Ellingwood S, Grange DK, Hu X, Mireguli M, Luo Y, Shen Y, Mulhern M, Zackai E, Ritter A, Izumi K, Hoefele J, Wagner M, Riedhammer KM, Seitz B, Robin NH, Goodloe D, Mignot C, Keren B, Cox H, Jarvis J, Hempel M, Gibson CF, Tran Mau-Them F, Vitobello A, Bruel AL, Sorlin A, Mehta S, Raymond FL, Gilmore K, Powell BC, Weck K, Li C, Vulto-van Silfhout AT, Giacomini T, Mancardi MM, Accogli A, Salpietro V, Zara F, Vora NL, Davis EE, Burdine R, Bhoj E. Abrogation of MAP4K4 protein function causes congenital anomalies in humans and zebrafish. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade0631. [PMID: 37126546 PMCID: PMC10132768 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade0631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
We report 21 families displaying neurodevelopmental differences and multiple congenital anomalies while bearing a series of rare variants in mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4). MAP4K4 has been implicated in many signaling pathways including c-Jun N-terminal and RAS kinases and is currently under investigation as a druggable target for multiple disorders. Using several zebrafish models, we demonstrate that these human variants are either loss-of-function or dominant-negative alleles and show that decreasing Map4k4 activity causes developmental defects. Furthermore, MAP4K4 can restrain hyperactive RAS signaling in early embryonic stages. Together, our data demonstrate that MAP4K4 negatively regulates RAS signaling in the early embryo and that variants identified in affected humans abrogate its function, establishing MAP4K4 as a causal locus for individuals with syndromic neurodevelopmental differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Patterson
- Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Farid Ullah
- Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Departments of Pediatrics and Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Laura Bryant
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John N. Griffin
- University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Alpa Sidhu
- The Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | | | - Mackenzie Blaile
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Margarita S. Saenz
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Rosemarie Smith
- Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall St, Portland, ME 04102, USA
| | - Sara Ellingwood
- Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall St, Portland, ME 04102, USA
| | - Dorothy K. Grange
- St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Xuyun Hu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetics of Birth Defects, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Genetics and Birth Defects Control Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing, China
| | - Maimaiti Mireguli
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Department of Pediatrics, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yanfei Luo
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Department of Pediatrics, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yiping Shen
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Maternal and Child Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi, Nanning, China
| | - Maureen Mulhern
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W. 168th St, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Elaine Zackai
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alyssa Ritter
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kosaki Izumi
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Julia Hoefele
- Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Matias Wagner
- Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Medicine and Social Pediatrics, University Hospital of Munich, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Korbinian M. Riedhammer
- Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Nephrology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Nathaniel H. Robin
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Dana Goodloe
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Cyril Mignot
- APHP-Sorbonne Université, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Boris Keren
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK
| | - Helen Cox
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK
| | - Joanna Jarvis
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK
| | - Maja Hempel
- University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Antonio Vitobello
- UMR1231 GAD, Inserm, Université Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
- Unité Fonctionnelle Innovation en Diagnostic génomique des maladies rares, FHU-TRANSLAD, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Kelly Gilmore
- Department of Ob/Gyn, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Bradford C. Powell
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Karen Weck
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Chumei Li
- McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | | | - Thea Giacomini
- Unit of Child Neuropsychiatry, University of Genova, EpiCARE Network, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Accogli
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Neeta L. Vora
- Department of Ob/Gyn, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Erica E. Davis
- Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Departments of Pediatrics and Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Bhoj
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Singh SK, Roy R, Kumar S, Srivastava P, Jha S, Rana B, Rana A. Molecular Insights of MAP4K4 Signaling in Inflammatory and Malignant Diseases. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082272. [PMID: 37190200 PMCID: PMC10136566 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are crucial in extracellular signal transduction to cellular responses. The classical three-tiered MAPK cascades include signaling through MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) that activates a MAP kinase kinase (MAP2K), which in turn induces MAPK activation and downstream cellular responses. The upstream activators of MAP3K are often small guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins, but in some pathways, MAP3K can be activated by another kinase, which is known as a MAP kinase kinase kinase kinase (MAP4K). MAP4K4 is one of the widely studied MAP4K members, known to play a significant role in inflammatory, cardiovascular, and malignant diseases. The MAP4K4 signal transduction plays an essential role in cell proliferation, transformation, invasiveness, adhesiveness, inflammation, stress responses, and cell migration. Overexpression of MAP4K4 is frequently reported in many cancers, including glioblastoma, colon, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. Besides its mainstay pro-survival role in various malignancies, MAP4K4 has been implicated in cancer-associated cachexia. In the present review, we discuss the functional role of MAP4K4 in malignant/non-malignant diseases and cancer-associated cachexia and its possible use in targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Kumar Singh
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ruchi Roy
- UICentre for Drug Discovery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Piush Srivastava
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Saket Jha
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Basabi Rana
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ajay Rana
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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15
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MAP4K4 promotes ovarian cancer metastasis through diminishing ADAM10-dependent N-cadherin cleavage. Oncogene 2023; 42:1438-1452. [PMID: 36922678 PMCID: PMC10154218 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02650-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Peritoneal metastasis is a key feature of advanced ovarian cancer, but the critical protein required for ovarian cancer metastasis and progression is yet to be defined. Thus, an unbiased high throughput and in-depth study is warranted to unmask the mechanism. Transcriptomic sequencing of paired primary ovarian tumors and metastases unveiled that MAP4K4, a serine/threonine kinase belongs to the Ste20 family of kinases, was highly expressed in metastatic sites. Increased MAP4K4 expression in metastasis was further validated in other independent patients, with higher MAP4K4 expression associated with poorer survival, higher level of CA125 and more advanced FIGO stage. Down regulation of MAP4K4 inhibited cancer cell adhesion, migration, and invasion. Notably, MAP4K4 was found to stabilize N-cadherin. Further results showed that MAP4K4 mediated phosphorylation of ADAM10 at Ser436 results in suppression of N-cadherin cleavage by ADAM10, leading to N-cadherin stabilization. Pharmacologic inhibition of MAP4K4 abrogated peritoneal metastases. Overall, our data reveal MAP4K4 as a significant promoter in ovarian cancer metastasis. Targeting MAP4K4 may be a potential therapeutic approach for ovarian cancer patients.
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Integrated exome and transcriptome analysis prioritizes MAP4K4 de novo frameshift variants in autism spectrum disorder as a novel disease-gene association. Hum Genet 2023; 142:343-350. [PMID: 36469137 PMCID: PMC9950172 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-022-02497-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) to clinical practice is still hampered by the ability to interpret the clinical relevance of novel variants and the difficulty of evaluating their effect in specific tissues. Here, we applied integrated genomic approaches for interrogating blood samples of two unrelated individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and identified a novel neuro-pathogenic role for the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 4 gene (MAP4K4). In particular, we identified two novel frameshift variants in coding exons expressed in the blood and neuronal isoforms. Both variants were predicted to generate non-sense-mediated decay. By transcriptome analysis, we simultaneously demonstrated the deleterious effect of the identified variants on the splicing activity and stability of MAP4K4 mRNA. Therefore, we propose MAP4K4 as a novel causative gene for non-syndromic and syndromic neurodevelopmental disorders. Altogether, we prove the efficacy of an integrated approach of exome and transcriptome sequencing in the resolution of undiagnosed cases by leveraging the analysis of variants in genes expressed in peripheral blood.
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Jena S, Ray A, Sahoo A, Das PK, Kamila PK, Kar SK, Nayak S, Panda PC. Anti-proliferative Activity of Piper trioicum Leaf Essential Oil Based on Phytoconstituent Analysis, Molecular Docking and in silico ADMET Approaches. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2023; 26:183-190. [PMID: 34951357 DOI: 10.2174/1386207325666211222113239] [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: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The essential oils isolated from several medicinal plants have been reported to possess anticancer activities. Both the essential oil and extracts of many Piper species (Piperaceae) possess potential cytotoxic effects against cancer cell lines and are being used in traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of cancer. There is a need to evaluate and validate the anticancer properties of essential oils extracted from other wild species of Piper. OBJECTIVE The current research was undertaken to determine the chemical composition and investigate the anti-proliferative activity of wild-growing Piper trioicum leaf essential oil. The selected five major constituents were subjected to molecular docking to identify possible modes of binding against serine/threonine-protein kinase (MST3) protein. METHODS The essential oil of leaf of P. trioicum was extracted by hydrodistillation method, and its chemical composition was evaluated by GC-FID and GC-MS. The anti-proliferative activity of the essential oil was evaluated by the MTT assay against normal (3T3-L1) and various cancer (HCT 116, HT-29, PC-3 and HepG2) cell lines. Molecular docking analysis was performed using the AutoDock 4.2 software. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the major constituents were determined using absorption, distribution, metabolization, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) analysis. RESULTS The GC-MS analysis revealed the identification of 45 constituents with δ-cadinene (19.57%), germacrene-D (8.54%), β-caryophyllene (6.84%), 1-epi-cubenol (4.83%) and α-pinene (4.52%) being predominant constituents in the leaf essential oil of P. trioicum. The highest cytotoxicity of essential oil was observed against HT-29 cells (IC50 value of 33.14 μg/ml). 1-epi-cubenol and δ-cadinene exhibited low binding energy values of -6.25 and -5.92 kcal/mol, respectively. For prediction of in silico pharmacokinetic and drug-like properties of the major compounds, the ADMET prediction tool was used, the results of which were observed to be within the ideal range. CONCLUSION The present findings demonstrate that P. trioicum essential oil possesses significant anti-proliferative activity and could be effective against cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudipta Jena
- Centre for Biotechnology, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Kalinga Nagar, Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar 751 003, Odisha, India
| | - Asit Ray
- Centre for Biotechnology, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Kalinga Nagar, Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar 751 003, Odisha, India
| | - Ambika Sahoo
- Centre for Biotechnology, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Kalinga Nagar, Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar 751 003, Odisha, India
| | - Prabhat Kumar Das
- Taxonomy and Conservation Division, Regional Plant Resource Centre, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar 751 015, Odisha, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar Kamila
- Centre for Biotechnology, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Kalinga Nagar, Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar 751 003, Odisha, India
| | - Subrat Kumar Kar
- Department of Microbiology, IMS & SUM Hospital, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Kalinga Nagar, Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar 751 003, Odisha, India
| | - Sanghamitra Nayak
- Centre for Biotechnology, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Kalinga Nagar, Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar 751 003, Odisha, India
| | - Pratap Chandra Panda
- Centre for Biotechnology, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Kalinga Nagar, Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar 751 003, Odisha, India
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18
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Zhang J, Cai X, Cui W, Wei Z. Bioinformatics and Experimental Analyses Reveal MAP4K4 as a Potential Marker for Gastric Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13101786. [PMID: 36292671 PMCID: PMC9601900 DOI: 10.3390/genes13101786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Gastric cancer remains the most prevalent and highly lethal disease worldwide. MAP4K4, a member of Ste20, plays an important role in various pathologies, including cancer. However, its role in gastric cancer is not yet fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aims to determine the tumor-promoting role of MAP4K4 in gastric cancer and whether it can be used as a new and reliable biomarker to predict the prognosis of gastric cancer. For this purpose, we divide the samples into high- and low-expression groups according to the expression level of MAP4K4. The association of MAP4K4 expression with prognosis is assessed using the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Furthermore, immune infiltration analysis using ESTIMATE is conducted to evaluate the tumor immune scores of the samples. Results: The findings reveal a significantly higher expression of MAP4K4 in tumor samples than in adjacent samples. The high-expression group was significantly enriched in tumor-related pathways, such as the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. In addition, immune infiltration analysis revealed a positive correlation between immune scores and MAP4K4 expression. We also observed that miRNAs, such as miR-192-3p (R = −0.317, p-value 3.111 × 10−9), miR-33b-5p (R= −0.238, p-value 1.166 × 10−5), and miR-582-3p (R = −0.214, p-value 8.430 × 10−5), had potential negative regulatory effects on MAP4K4. Moreover, we identified several transcription factors, ubiquitinated proteins, and interacting proteins that might regulate MAP4K4. The relationship between MAP4K4 and DNA methylation was also identified. Finally, we verified the high expression of MAP4K4 and its effect on promoting cancer. Conclusion: MAP4K4 might be closely related to gastric cancer’s progression, invasion, and metastasis. Its high expression negatively impacts the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. This suggests MAP4K4 as an important prognostic factor for gastric cancer and could be regarded as a new potential prognostic detection and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junping Zhang
- Cancer Research Institute, Henan Academy Institute of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, China
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine; Zhengzhou 450004, China
| | - Xiaoping Cai
- Cancer Research Institute, Henan Academy Institute of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, China
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine; Zhengzhou 450004, China
| | - Weifeng Cui
- Cancer Research Institute, Henan Academy Institute of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, China
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine; Zhengzhou 450004, China
| | - Zheng Wei
- Cancer Research Institute, Henan Academy Institute of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, China
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine; Zhengzhou 450004, China
- Correspondence:
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19
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Zhu Q, Chen N, Tian X, Zhou Y, You Q, Xu X. Hematopoietic Progenitor Kinase 1 in Tumor Immunology: A Medicinal Chemistry Perspective. J Med Chem 2022; 65:8065-8090. [PMID: 35696642 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1), a hematopoietic cell-restricted member of the serine/threonine Ste20-related protein kinases, is a negative regulator of the T cell receptor, B cell receptor, and dendritic cells. Loss of HPK1 kinase function increases cytokine secretion and enhances T cell signaling, virus clearance, and tumor growth inhibition. Therefore, HPK1 is considered a promising target for tumor immunotherapy. Several HPK1 inhibitors have been reported to regulate T cell function. In addition, HPK1-targeting PROTACs, which can induce the degradation of HPK1, have also been developed. Here, we provide an overview of research concerning HPK1 protein structure, function, and inhibitors and propose perspectives and insights for the future development of agents targeting HPK1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiangsheng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Nannan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xinjian Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yeling Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - QiDong You
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiaoli Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
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20
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Mahlapuu M, Caputo M, Xia Y, Cansby E. GCKIII kinases in lipotoxicity: Roles in NAFLD and beyond. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:2613-2622. [PMID: 35641240 PMCID: PMC9512487 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is defined by excessive accumulation of lipid droplets within hepatocytes. The STE20‐type kinases comprising the germinal center kinase III (GCKIII) subfamily – MST3, MST4, and STK25 – decorate intrahepatocellular lipid droplets and have recently emerged as critical regulators of the initiation and progression of NAFLD. While significant advancement has been made toward deciphering the role of GCKIII kinases in hepatic fat accumulation (i.e., steatosis) as well as the aggravation of NAFLD into its severe form nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), much remains to be resolved. This review provides a brief overview of the recent studies in patient cohorts, cultured human cells, and mouse models, which have characterized the function of MST3, MST4, and STK25 in the regulation of hepatic lipid accretion, meta‐inflammation, and associated cell damage in the context of NAFLD/NASH. We also highlight the conflicting data and emphasize future research directions that are needed to advance our understanding of GCKIII kinases as potential targets in the therapy of NAFLD and its comorbidities. Conclusions: Several lines of evidence suggest that GCKIII proteins govern the susceptibility to hepatic lipotoxicity and that pharmacological inhibition of these kinases could mitigate NAFLD development and aggravation. Comprehensive characterization of the molecular mode‐of‐action of MST3, MST4, and STK25 in hepatocytes as well as extrahepatic tissues is important, especially in relation to their impact on carcinogenesis, to fully understand the efficacy as well as safety of GCKIII antagonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margit Mahlapuu
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mara Caputo
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ying Xia
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Emmelie Cansby
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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21
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Liu Y, Wang TV, Cui Y, Li C, Jiang L, Rao Y. STE20 phosphorylation of AMPK-related kinases revealed by biochemical purifications combined with genetics. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101928. [PMID: 35413284 PMCID: PMC9112000 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We have recently purified mammalian sterile 20 (STE20)-like kinase 3 (MST3) as a kinase for the multifunctional kinases, AMP-activated protein kinase-related kinases (ARKs). However, unresolved questions from this study, such as remaining phosphorylation activities following deletion of the Mst3 gene from human embryonic kidney cells and mice, led us to conclude that there were additional kinases for ARKs. Further purification recovered Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinases 1 and 2 (CaMKK1 and 2), and a third round of purification revealed mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 5 (MAP4K5) as potential kinases of ARKs. We then demonstrated that MST3 and MAP4K5, both belonging to the STE20-like kinase family, could phosphorylate all 14 ARKs both in vivo and in vitro. Further examination of all 28 STE20 kinases detected variable phosphorylation activity on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the salt-inducible kinase 3 (SIK3). Taken together, our results have revealed novel relationships between STE20 kinases and ARKs, with potential physiological and pathological implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Liu
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Biology, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Peking University, Beijing, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Changping Laboratory, Beijing, China
| | - Tao V Wang
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Biology, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Peking University, Beijing, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Changping Laboratory, Beijing, China
| | - Yunfeng Cui
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Biology, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Peking University, Beijing, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Changping Laboratory, Beijing, China
| | - Chaoyi Li
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Guangdong, China
| | - Lifen Jiang
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi Rao
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Biology, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Peking University, Beijing, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Changping Laboratory, Beijing, China.
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22
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Xie D, Li S, Wu T, Wang X, Fang L. MiR-181c suppresses triple-negative breast cancer tumorigenesis by targeting MAP4K4. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 230:153763. [PMID: 35026645 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.153763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) ranks as the highest incidence among cancer types in women all over the world. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known as a highly aggressive subtype of BC due to high rate of recurrence and metastasis, poor prognosis and lacking of effective targeted therapies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short endogenous non-coding RNA that mostly functioning to silence the target mRNAs. In this study, we found miR-181c-5p (miR-181c) was down-expressed in TNBC tissues and cell lines, whereas MAP4K4 was highly-expressed. Up-regulation of miR-181c inhibited TNBC cells proliferation and migration, promoted TNBC cells apoptosis and regulated the cell cycle by arresting cells in the G0/G1 cell phase, while depletion of miR-181c showed opposite effect. Importantly, miR-181c suppressed MAP4K4 expression at both mRNA and protein levels by directly targeting MAP4K4, thereby inhibiting the tumor-promoting effect of MAP4K4. This study is the first to demonstrate the miR-181c/MAP4K4 signaling in suppressing TNBC, providing a novel therapeutic target for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xie
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, PR China; Changzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, PR China.
| | - Saiyang Li
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, PR China; Changzhou First People's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, PR China
| | - Tianqi Wu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, PR China
| | - Xuehui Wang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, PR China
| | - Lin Fang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, PR China.
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23
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Lestari B, Naito S, Endo A, Nishihara H, Kato A, Watanabe E, Denda K, Komada M, Fukushima T. Placental mammals acquired functional sequences in NRK for regulating the CK2-PTEN-AKT pathway and placental cell proliferation. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6499274. [PMID: 34999820 PMCID: PMC8857918 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular evolution processes underlying the acquisition of the placenta in eutherian ancestors are not fully understood. Mouse NCK-interacting kinase (NIK)-related kinase (NRK) is expressed highly in the placenta and plays a role in preventing placental hyperplasia. Here, we show the molecular evolution of NRK, which confers its function for inhibiting placental cell proliferation. Comparative genome analysis identified NRK orthologs across vertebrates, which share the kinase and citron homology (CNH) domains. Evolutionary analysis revealed that NRK underwent extensive amino acid substitutions in the ancestor of placental mammals and has been since conserved. Biochemical analysis of mouse NRK revealed that the CNH domain binds to phospholipids, and a region in NRK binds to and inhibits casein kinase-2 (CK2), which we named the CK2-inhibitory region (CIR). Cell culture experiments suggest the following: 1) Mouse NRK is localized at the plasma membrane via the CNH domain, where the CIR inhibits CK2. 2) This mitigates CK2-dependent phosphorylation and inhibition of PTEN and 3) leads to the inhibition of AKT signaling and cell proliferation. Nrk deficiency increased phosphorylation levels of PTEN and AKT in mouse placenta, supporting our hypothesis. Unlike mouse NRK, chicken NRK did not bind to phospholipids and CK2, decrease phosphorylation of AKT, or inhibit cell proliferation. Both the CNH domain and CIR have evolved under purifying selection in placental mammals. Taken together, our study suggests that placental mammals acquired the phospholipid-binding CNH domain and CIR in NRK for regulating the CK2–PTEN–AKT pathway and placental cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beni Lestari
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
| | - Satomi Naito
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
| | - Akinori Endo
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
| | - Hidenori Nishihara
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
| | - Akira Kato
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
| | - Erika Watanabe
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
| | - Kimitoshi Denda
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
| | - Masayuki Komada
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan.,Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Fukushima
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan.,Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
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24
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Abstract
Ras is the most mutated oncoprotein in cancer. Among the three oncogenic effectors of Ras - Raf, PI3 Kinase and RalGEF>Ral - signalling through RalGEF>Ral (Ras-like) is by far the least well understood. A variety of signals and binding partners have been defined for Ral, yet we know little of how Ral functions in vivo. This review focuses on previous research in Drosophila that defined a function for Ral in apoptosis and established indirect relationships among Ral, the CNH-domain MAP4 Kinase misshapen, and the JNK MAP kinase basket. Most of the described signalling components are not essential in C. elegans, facilitating subsequent analysis using developmental patterning of the C. elegans vulval precursor cells (VPCs). The functions of two paralogous CNH-domain MAP4 Kinases were defined relative to Ras>Raf, Notch and Ras>RalGEF>Ral signalling in VPCs. MIG-15, the nematode ortholog of misshapen, antagonizes both the Ral-dependent and Ras>Raf-dependent developmental outcomes. In contrast, paralogous GCK-2, the C. elegans ortholog of Drosophila happyhour, propagates the 2°-promoting signal of Ral. Manipulations via CRISPR of Ral signalling through GCK-2 coupled with genetic epistasis delineated a Ras>RalGEF>Ral>Exo84>GCK-2>MAP3KMLK-1> p38PMK-1 cascade. Thus, genetic analysis using invertebrate experimental organisms defined a cascade from Ras to p38 MAP kinase.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David J. Reiner
- Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, USA,CONTACT David J. Reiner Institute of Biosciences and Technology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX
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25
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Huang H, Han Q, Zheng H, Liu M, Shi S, Zhang T, Yang X, Li Z, Xu Q, Guo H, Lu F, Wang J. MAP4K4 mediates the SOX6-induced autophagy and reduces the chemosensitivity of cervical cancer. Cell Death Dis 2021; 13:13. [PMID: 34930918 PMCID: PMC8688448 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04474-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
There are nearly 40% of cervical cancer patients showing poor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy that can be induced by autophagy, however, the underlying mechanism has not yet been fully clarified. We previously found that Sex-determining region of Y-related high-mobility-group box 6 (SOX6), a tumor suppressor gene or oncogene in several cancers, could induce autophagy in cervical cancer. Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the mechanism of SOX6-induced autophagy and its potential significance in the platinum-based chemotherapy of cervical cancer. Firstly, we found that SOX6 could promote autophagy in cervical cancer cells depending on its HMG domain. Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase-4 (MAP4K4) gene was identified as the direct target gene of SOX6, which was transcriptionally upregulated by binding the HMG domain of SOX6 protein to its double-binding sites within MAP4K4 gene promoter. MAP4K4 mediated the SOX6-induced autophagy through inhibiting PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway and activating MAPK/ERK pathway. Further, the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to cisplatin chemotherapy could be reduced by the SOX6-induced autophagy in vitro and in vivo, while such a phenomenon could be turned over by autophagy-specific inhibitor and MAP4K4 inhibitor, respectively. Moreover, cisplatin itself could promote the expression of endogenous SOX6 and subsequently the MAP4K4-mediated autophagy in cervical cancer cells, which might in turn reduce the sensitivity of these cells to cisplatin treatment. These findings uncovered the underlying mechanism and potential significance of SOX6-induced autophagy, and shed new light on the usage of MAP4K4 inhibitor or autophagy-specific inhibitor for sensitizing cervical cancer cells to the platinum-based chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxin Huang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Qin Han
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Third Hospital of Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Han Zheng
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Mingchen Liu
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Shu Shi
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xingwen Yang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhongqing Li
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Hongyan Guo
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Third Hospital of Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Fengmin Lu
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China.
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26
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Singh SK, Kumar S, Viswakarma N, Principe DR, Das S, Sondarva G, Nair RS, Srivastava P, Sinha SC, Grippo PJ, Thatcher GRJ, Rana B, Rana A. MAP4K4 promotes pancreatic tumorigenesis via phosphorylation and activation of mixed lineage kinase 3. Oncogene 2021; 40:6153-6165. [PMID: 34511598 PMCID: PMC8553609 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02007-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
MAP4K4 is a Ste20 member and reported to play important roles in various pathologies, including in cancer. However, the mechanism by which MAP4K4 promotes pancreatic cancer is not fully understood. It is suggested that MAP4K4 might function as a cancer promoter via specific downstream target(s) in an organ-specific manner. Here we identified MLK3 as a direct downstream target of MAP4K4. The MAP4K4 and MLK3 associates with each other, and MAP4K4 phosphorylates MLK3 on Thr738 and increases MLK3 kinase activity and downstream signaling. The phosphorylation of MLK3 by MAP4K4 promotes pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation. Moreover, MAP4K4 is overexpressed in human pancreatic tumors and directly correlates with the disease progression. The MAP4K4-specific pharmacological inhibitor, GNE-495, impedes pancreatic cancer cell growth, migration, induces cell death, and arrests cell cycle progression. Additionally, the GNE-495 reduced the tumor burden and extended survival of the KPC mice with pancreatic cancer. The MAP4K4 inhibitor also reduced MAP4K4 protein expression, tumor stroma, and induced cell death in murine pancreatic tumors. These findings collectively suggest that MLK3 phosphorylation by MAP4K4 promotes pancreatic cancer, and therefore therapies targeting MAP4K4 might alleviate the pancreatic cancer tumor burden in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Kumar Singh
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Navin Viswakarma
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Daniel R Principe
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Subhasis Das
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Gautam Sondarva
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Rakesh Sathish Nair
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Piush Srivastava
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | | | - Paul J Grippo
- Department of Medicine, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Gregory R J Thatcher
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Basabi Rana
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System Cancer Center, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Ajay Rana
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
- University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System Cancer Center, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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27
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Maes B, Smole U, Vanderkerken M, Deswarte K, Van Moorleghem J, Vergote K, Vanheerswynghels M, De Wolf C, De Prijck S, Debeuf N, Pavie B, Toussaint W, Janssens S, Savvides S, Lambrecht BN, Hammad H. The STE20 kinase TAOK3 controls the development house dust mite-induced asthma in mice. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 149:1413-1427.e2. [PMID: 34506849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The most common endotype of asthma is type 2-high asthma, which is sometimes driven by adaptive allergen-specific TH2 lymphocytes that react to allergens presented by dendritic cells (DCs), or sometimes by an innate immune response dominated by type 2 innate lymphocytes (ILC2s). Understanding the underlying pathophysiology of asthma is essential to improve patient-tailored therapy. The STE20 kinase thousand-and-one kinase 3 (TAOK3) controls key features in the biology of DCs and lymphocytes, but to our knowledge, its potential usefulness as a target for asthma therapy has not yet been addressed. OBJECTIVE We examined if and how loss of Taok3 affects the development of house dust mite (HDM)-driven allergic asthma in an in vivo mouse model. METHODS Wild-type Taok3+/+ and gene-deficient Taok3-/- mice were sensitized and challenged with HDM, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid composition, mediastinal lymph node cytokine production, lung histology, and bronchial hyperreactivity measured. Conditional Taok3fl/fl mice were crossed to tissue- and cell-specific specific deletor Cre mice to understand how Taok3 acted on asthma susceptibility. Kinase-dead (KD) Taok3KD mice were generated to probe for the druggability of this pathway. Activation of HDM-specific T cells was measured in adoptively transferred HDM-specific T-cell receptor-transgenic CD4+ T cells. ILC2 biology was assessed by in vivo and in vitro IL-33 stimulation assays in Taok3-/- and Taok3+/+, Taok3KD, and Red5-Cre Taok3fl/fl mice. RESULTS Taok3-/- mice failed to mount salient features of asthma, including airway eosinophilia, TH2 cytokine production, IgE secretion, airway goblet cell metaplasia, and bronchial hyperreactivity compared to controls. This was due to intrinsic loss of Taok3 in hematopoietic and not epithelial cells. Loss of Taok3 resulted in hampered HDM-induced lung DC migration to the draining lymph nodes and defective priming of HDM-specific TH2 cells. Strikingly, HDM and IL-33-induced ILC2 proliferation and function were also severely affected in Taok3-deficient and Taok3KD mice. CONCLUSIONS Absence of Taok3 or loss of its kinase activity protects from HDM-driven allergic asthma as a result of defects in both adaptive DC-mediated TH2 activation and innate ILC2 function. This identifies Taok3 as an interesting drug target, justifying further testing as a new treatment for type 2-high asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastiaan Maes
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Laboratory of ER Stress and Inflammation, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ursula Smole
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Matthias Vanderkerken
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kim Deswarte
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Justine Van Moorleghem
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karl Vergote
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Manon Vanheerswynghels
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Caroline De Wolf
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sofie De Prijck
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nincy Debeuf
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Benjamin Pavie
- VIB Bioimaging Core, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wendy Toussaint
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sophie Janssens
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Laboratory of ER Stress and Inflammation, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Savvas Savvides
- Unit for Structural Biology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Unit for Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart N Lambrecht
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hamida Hammad
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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Liu G, Zhang C, Wang Y, Dai G, Liu SQ, Wang W, Pan YH, Ding J, Li H. New exon and accelerated evolution of placental gene Nrk occurred in the ancestral lineage of placental mammals. Placenta 2021; 114:14-21. [PMID: 34418750 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.08.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The chorioallantoic placenta is a specific organ for placental mammals. However, the adaptive events during its emergence are still poorly investigated. METHODS We scanned the chromosome X to detect the accelerated evolution in the ancestral lineage of placental mammals, and constructed 3D protein structure models of a candidate by homology modeling. RESULTS Eight branch-specific accelerated regions were identified. Five of these regions (P=5.61×10-11 ~ 9.03×10-8) are located in the five exons of Nik-related kinase (Nrk), which is essential in placenta development and fetoplacental induction of labor. Nrk belongs to the germinal center kinase-IV subfamily with the overall similar protein structure; however, a new exon emerged in ancestors of placental mammals and its sequence has been conserved since then. Structure modelling of NRK suggests that the accelerated exons and the placental-mammal-specific exon (as a new loop) could change the enzymatic activity and the structure of placental mammal NRK. DISCUSSION Since the new loop is surrounded by the accelerated protein regions, it is likely that the new loop occurred and shifted the function of NRK, and then the accelerated evolution of Nrk occurred to adapt the structure change caused by the new loop in the ancestral lineage of placental mammals. Overall, this work suggests that the fundamental process of placental development and fetoplacental induction of labor has been targeted by positive Darwinian selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guopeng Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Chunxiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yuting Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Guangyi Dai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Shu-Qun Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, Yunnan, China
| | - Wenshuai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yi-Hsuan Pan
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China.
| | - Jianping Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Haipeng Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China; Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China.
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MAP4K4 expression in cardiomyocytes: multiple isoforms, multiple phosphorylations and interactions with striatins. Biochem J 2021; 478:2121-2143. [PMID: 34032269 PMCID: PMC8203206 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The Ser/Thr kinase MAP4K4, like other GCKIV kinases, has N-terminal kinase and C-terminal citron homology (CNH) domains. MAP4K4 can activate c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), and studies in the heart suggest it links oxidative stress to JNKs and heart failure. In other systems, MAP4K4 is regulated in striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complexes, in which one of three striatins tethers PP2A adjacent to a kinase to keep it dephosphorylated and inactive. Our aim was to understand how MAP4K4 is regulated in cardiomyocytes. The rat MAP4K4 gene was not properly defined. We identified the first coding exon of the rat gene using 5′-RACE, we cloned the full-length sequence and confirmed alternative-splicing of MAP4K4 in rat cardiomyocytes. We identified an additional α-helix C-terminal to the kinase domain important for kinase activity. In further studies, FLAG-MAP4K4 was expressed in HEK293 cells or cardiomyocytes. The Ser/Thr protein phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A (CalA) induced MAP4K4 hyperphosphorylation, with phosphorylation of the activation loop and extensive phosphorylation of the linker between the kinase and CNH domains. This required kinase activity. MAP4K4 associated with myosin in untreated cardiomyocytes, and this was lost with CalA-treatment. FLAG-MAP4K4 associated with all three striatins in cardiomyocytes, indicative of regulation within STRIPAK complexes and consistent with activation by CalA. Computational analysis suggested the interaction was direct and mediated via coiled-coil domains. Surprisingly, FLAG-MAP4K4 inhibited JNK activation by H2O2 in cardiomyocytes and increased myofibrillar organisation. Our data identify MAP4K4 as a STRIPAK-regulated kinase in cardiomyocytes, and suggest it regulates the cytoskeleton rather than activates JNKs.
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Vanderkerken M, Maes B, Vandersarren L, Toussaint W, Deswarte K, Vanheerswynghels M, Pouliot P, Martens L, Van Gassen S, Arthur CM, Kirkling ME, Reizis B, Conrad D, Stowell S, Hammad H, Lambrecht BN. TAO-kinase 3 governs the terminal differentiation of NOTCH2-dependent splenic conventional dendritic cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:31331-31342. [PMID: 33214146 PMCID: PMC7733863 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2009847117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Antigen-presenting conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) are broadly divided into type 1 and type 2 subsets that further adapt their phenotype and function to perform specialized tasks in the immune system. The precise signals controlling tissue-specific adaptation and differentiation of cDCs are currently poorly understood. We found that mice deficient in the Ste20 kinase Thousand and One Kinase 3 (TAOK3) lacked terminally differentiated ESAM+ CD4+ cDC2s in the spleen and failed to prime CD4+ T cells in response to allogeneic red-blood-cell transfusion. These NOTCH2- and ADAM10-dependent cDC2s were absent selectively in the spleen, but not in the intestine of Taok3-/- and CD11c-cre Taok3fl/fl mice. The loss of splenic ESAM+ cDC2s was cell-intrinsic and could be rescued by conditional overexpression of the constitutively active NOTCH intracellular domain in CD11c-expressing cells. Therefore, TAOK3 controls the terminal differentiation of NOTCH2-dependent splenic cDC2s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Vanderkerken
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bastiaan Maes
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lana Vandersarren
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wendy Toussaint
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kim Deswarte
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Manon Vanheerswynghels
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Philippe Pouliot
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liesbet Martens
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sofie Van Gassen
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Connie M Arthur
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapies, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Margaret E Kirkling
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
| | - Boris Reizis
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
| | - Daniel Conrad
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Sean Stowell
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapies, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Hamida Hammad
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart N Lambrecht
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Woychyshyn B, Papillon J, Guillemette J, Navarro-Betancourt JR, Cybulsky AV. Genetic ablation of SLK exacerbates glomerular injury in adriamycin nephrosis in mice. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2020; 318:F1377-F1390. [PMID: 32308020 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00028.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ste20-like kinase SLK is critical for embryonic development and may play an important role in wound healing, muscle homeostasis, cell migration, and tumor growth. Mice with podocyte-specific deletion of SLK show albuminuria and damage to podocytes as they age. The present study addressed the role of SLK in glomerular injury. We induced adriamycin nephrosis in 3- to 4-mo-old control and podocyte SLK knockout (KO) mice. Compared with control, SLK deletion exacerbated albuminuria and loss of podocytes, synaptopodin, and podocalyxin. Glomeruli of adriamycin-treated SLK KO mice showed diffuse increases in the matrix and sclerosis as well as collapse of the actin cytoskeleton. SLK can phosphorylate ezrin. The complex of phospho-ezrin, Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor 2, and podocalyxin in the apical domain of the podocyte is a key determinant of normal podocyte architecture. Deletion of SLK reduced glomerular ezrin and ezrin phosphorylation in adriamycin nephrosis. Also, deletion of SLK reduced the colocalization of ezrin and podocalyxin in the glomerulus. Cultured glomerular epithelial cells with KO of SLK showed reduced ezrin phosphorylation and podocalyxin expression as well as reduced F-actin. Thus, SLK deletion leads to podocyte injury as mice age and exacerbates injury in adriamycin nephrosis. The mechanism may at least in part involve ezrin phosphorylation as well as disruption of the cytoskeleton and podocyte apical membrane structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyan Woychyshyn
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Joan Papillon
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julie Guillemette
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - José R Navarro-Betancourt
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Andrey V Cybulsky
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Naito S, Fukushima T, Endo A, Denda K, Komada M. Nik-related kinase is targeted for proteasomal degradation by the chaperone-dependent ubiquitin ligase CHIP. FEBS Lett 2020; 594:1778-1786. [PMID: 32162334 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Nik-related kinase (Nrk) is a member of the germinal center kinase IV family and suppresses Akt signaling. In vivo, Nrk prevents placental hyperplasia and breast cancer formation. Here, we show that Nrk is regulated by the chaperone-dependent ubiquitin ligase carboxyl terminus of heat-shock protein (Hsp)70-interacting protein (CHIP). Immunoprecipitation and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis reveal that Nrk preferentially interacts with CHIP and Hsp70/90 family proteins. Nrk protein levels are decreased by CHIP overexpression and increased by siRNA-mediated CHIP knockdown. Our results indicate that Nrk is ubiquitinated by CHIP in a chaperone-dependent manner, resulting in its proteasomal degradation. CHIP targets a fraction of Nrk molecules that have lost the ability to regulate Akt signaling. We conclude that CHIP plays an important role in regulating Nrk protein levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satomi Naito
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Fukushima
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan.,Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Akinori Endo
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kimitoshi Denda
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masayuki Komada
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan.,Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
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Garg R, Koo CY, Infante E, Giacomini C, Ridley AJ, Morris JDH. Rnd3 interacts with TAO kinases and contributes to mitotic cell rounding and spindle positioning. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:jcs235895. [PMID: 32041905 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.235895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Rnd3 is an atypical Rho family protein that is constitutively GTP bound, and acts on membranes to induce loss of actin stress fibers and cell rounding. Phosphorylation of Rnd3 promotes 14-3-3 binding and its relocation to the cytosol. Here, we show that Rnd3 binds to the thousand-and-one amino acid kinases TAOK1 and TAOK2 in vitro and in cells. TAOK1 and TAOK2 can phosphorylate serine residues 210, 218 and 240 near the C-terminus of Rnd3, and induce Rnd3 translocation from the plasma membrane to the cytosol. TAOKs are activated catalytically during mitosis and Rnd3 phosphorylation on serine 210 increases in dividing cells. Rnd3 depletion by RNAi inhibits mitotic cell rounding and spindle centralization, and delays breakdown of the intercellular bridge between two daughter cells. Our results show that TAOKs bind, phosphorylate and relocate Rnd3 to the cytosol and that Rnd3 contributes to mitotic cell rounding, spindle positioning and cytokinesis. Rnd3 can therefore participate in the regulation of early and late mitosis and may also act downstream of TAOKs to affect the cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Garg
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
- King's College London, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Chuay-Yeng Koo
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Elvira Infante
- King's College London, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Caterina Giacomini
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Anne J Ridley
- King's College London, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Jonathan D H Morris
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
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Kück U, Radchenko D, Teichert I. STRIPAK, a highly conserved signaling complex, controls multiple eukaryotic cellular and developmental processes and is linked with human diseases. Biol Chem 2019; 400:1005-1022. [PMID: 31042639 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2019-0173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The striatin-interacting phosphatases and kinases (STRIPAK) complex is evolutionary highly conserved and has been structurally and functionally described in diverse lower and higher eukaryotes. In recent years, this complex has been biochemically characterized better and further analyses in different model systems have shown that it is also involved in numerous cellular and developmental processes in eukaryotic organisms. Further recent results have shown that the STRIPAK complex functions as a macromolecular assembly communicating through physical interaction with other conserved signaling protein complexes to constitute larger dynamic protein networks. Here, we will provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the architecture, function and regulation of the STRIPAK complex and discuss key issues and future perspectives, linked with human diseases, which may form the basis of further research endeavors in this area. In particular, the investigation of bi-directional interactions between STRIPAK and other signaling pathways should elucidate upstream regulators and downstream targets as fundamental parts of a complex cellular network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Kück
- Allgemeine und Molekulare Botanik, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Daria Radchenko
- Allgemeine und Molekulare Botanik, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Ines Teichert
- Allgemeine und Molekulare Botanik, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
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36
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Rao MC. Physiology of Electrolyte Transport in the Gut: Implications for Disease. Compr Physiol 2019; 9:947-1023. [PMID: 31187895 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c180011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We now have an increased understanding of the genetics, cell biology, and physiology of electrolyte transport processes in the mammalian intestine, due to the availability of sophisticated methodologies ranging from genome wide association studies to CRISPR-CAS technology, stem cell-derived organoids, 3D microscopy, electron cryomicroscopy, single cell RNA sequencing, transgenic methodologies, and tools to manipulate cellular processes at a molecular level. This knowledge has simultaneously underscored the complexity of biological systems and the interdependence of multiple regulatory systems. In addition to the plethora of mammalian neurohumoral factors and their cross talk, advances in pyrosequencing and metagenomic analyses have highlighted the relevance of the microbiome to intestinal regulation. This article provides an overview of our current understanding of electrolyte transport processes in the small and large intestine, their regulation in health and how dysregulation at multiple levels can result in disease. Intestinal electrolyte transport is a balance of ion secretory and ion absorptive processes, all exquisitely dependent on the basolateral Na+ /K+ ATPase; when this balance goes awry, it can result in diarrhea or in constipation. The key transporters involved in secretion are the apical membrane Cl- channels and the basolateral Na+ -K+ -2Cl- cotransporter, NKCC1 and K+ channels. Absorption chiefly involves apical membrane Na+ /H+ exchangers and Cl- /HCO3 - exchangers in the small intestine and proximal colon and Na+ channels in the distal colon. Key examples of our current understanding of infectious, inflammatory, and genetic diarrheal diseases and of constipation are provided. © 2019 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 9:947-1023, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinalini C Rao
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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37
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Pelaseyed T, Bretscher A. Regulation of actin-based apical structures on epithelial cells. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:131/20/jcs221853. [PMID: 30333133 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.221853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells of transporting epithelia are characterized by the presence of abundant F-actin-based microvilli on their apical surfaces. Likewise, auditory hair cells have highly reproducible rows of apical stereocilia (giant microvilli) that convert mechanical sound into an electrical signal. Analysis of mutations in deaf patients has highlighted the critical components of tip links between stereocilia, and related structures that contribute to the organization of microvilli on epithelial cells have been found. Ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) proteins, which are activated by phosphorylation, provide a critical link between the plasma membrane and underlying actin cytoskeleton in surface structures. Here, we outline recent insights into how microvilli and stereocilia are built, and the roles of tip links. Furthermore, we highlight how ezrin is locally regulated by phosphorylation, and that this is necessary to maintain polarity. Localized phosphorylation is achieved through an intricate coincidence detection mechanism that requires the membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] and the apically localized ezrin kinase, lymphocyte-oriented kinase (LOK, also known as STK10) or Ste20-like kinase (SLK). We also discuss how ezrin-binding scaffolding proteins regulate microvilli and how, despite these significant advances, it remains to be discovered how the cell polarity program ultimately interfaces with these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaher Pelaseyed
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anthony Bretscher
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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Shin H, Kaplan REW, Duong T, Fakieh R, Reiner DJ. Ral Signals through a MAP4 Kinase-p38 MAP Kinase Cascade in C. elegans Cell Fate Patterning. Cell Rep 2018; 24:2669-2681.e5. [PMID: 30184501 PMCID: PMC6484852 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
C. elegans vulval precursor cell (VPC) fates are patterned by an epidermal growth factor (EGF) gradient. High-dose EGF induces 1° VPC fate, and lower dose EGF contributes to 2° fate in support of LIN-12/Notch. We previously showed that the EGF 2°-promoting signal is mediated by LET-60/Ras switching effectors, from the canonical Raf-MEK-ERK mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade that promotes 1° fate to the non-canonical RalGEF-Ral that promotes 2° fate. Of oncogenic Ras effectors, RalGEF-Ral is by far the least well understood. We use genetic analysis to identify an effector cascade downstream of C. elegans RAL-1/Ral, starting with an established Ral binding partner, Exo84 of the exocyst complex. Additionally, RAL-1 signals through GCK-2, a citron-N-terminal-homology-domain-containing MAP4 kinase, and PMK-1/p38 MAP kinase cascade to promote 2° fate. Our study delineates a Ral-dependent developmental signaling cascade in vivo, thus providing the mechanism by which lower EGF dose is transduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Shin
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rebecca E W Kaplan
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Tam Duong
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Razan Fakieh
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - David J Reiner
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Radchenko D, Teichert I, Pöggeler S, Kück U. A Hippo Pathway-Related GCK Controls Both Sexual and Vegetative Developmental Processes in the Fungus Sordaria macrospora. Genetics 2018; 210:137-153. [PMID: 30012560 PMCID: PMC6116960 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.118.301261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The supramolecular striatin-interacting phosphatases and kinases (STRIPAK) complex is conserved from yeast to human, and regulates a variety of key biological processes. In animals, this complex consists of the scaffold protein striatin, the protein phosphatase 2A, and kinases, such as germinal center kinase (GCK) III and GCKIV family members, as well as other associated proteins. The STRIPAK complex was identified as a negative regulator of the Hippo pathway, a large eukaryotic signaling network with a core composed of a GCK and a nuclear Dbf2-related kinase. The signaling architecture of the Hippo core resembles the fungal septation initiation network (SIN) that regulates cytokinesis in fission yeast as well as septation in filamentous fungi. In the filamentous model fungus Sordaria macrospora, core components of the STRIPAK complex have been functionally described and the striatin homolog PRO11 has been shown to interact with the GCK SmKIN3. However, the exact role of SmKIN3 in fungal development has not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we provide comprehensive genetic and functional analysis of SmKIN3 from S. macrospora Using deletion mutants and site-directed mutagenesis, along with phenotypic and phylogenetic analysis, we provide compelling evidence that SmKIN3 is involved in fruiting body formation, hyphal fusion, and septation. Strains carrying the ATP-binding mutant SmKIN3K39R, as well as a double-deletion strain lacking SmKIN3 and the core STRIPAK subunit PRO11, also revealed severe developmental defects. Collectively, this study suggests that SmKIN3 links both the SIN and STRIPAK complex, thereby regulating multiple key cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Radchenko
- Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine und Molekulare Botanik, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780, Germany
| | - Ines Teichert
- Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine und Molekulare Botanik, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780, Germany
| | - Stefanie Pöggeler
- Genetik Eukaryotischer Mikroorganismen, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Universität Göttingen, 37077, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kück
- Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine und Molekulare Botanik, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780, Germany
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Fu Y, Liu X, Chen Q, Liu T, Lu C, Yu J, Miao Y, Wei J. Downregulated miR-98-5p promotes PDAC proliferation and metastasis by reversely regulating MAP4K4. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2018; 37:130. [PMID: 29970191 PMCID: PMC6029016 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0807-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has emerged as important hallmarks of cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the differences of miRNA expression remain unclear. Many studies have reported that miR-98-5p plays vital functions in the development and progression of multiple cancers. However, its role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unknown. METHODS The expression of miR-98-5p and its specific target gene were determined in human PDAC specimens and cell lines by miRNA qRT-PCR, qRT-PCR and western blot. The effects of miR-98-5p depletion or ectopic expression on PDAC proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated in vitro using CCK-8 proliferation assays, colony formation assays, wound healing assays and transwell assays. Furthermore, the in vivo effects were investigated using the mouse subcutaneous xenotransplantation and pancreatic tail xenotransplantation models. Luciferase reporter assays were employed to identify interactions between miR-98-5p and its specific target gene. RESULTS MiR-98-5p expression was significantly lower in cancerous tissues and associated with tumor size, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and survival. Notably, a series of gain- and loss-of-function assays elucidated that miR-98-5p suppressed PDAC cell proliferation, migration and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. Luciferase reporter assays, western blot and qRT-PCR revealed MAP4K4 to be a direct target of miR-98-5p. The effects of ectopic miR-98-5p were rescued by MAP4K4 overexpression. In contrast, the effects of miR-98-5p depletion were impaired by MAP4K4 knockdown. Furthermore, miR-98-5p suppressed the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway through downregulation of MAP4K4. In addition, the expression level of miR-98-5p was negatively correlated with MAP4K4 expression in PDAC tissues and cell lines. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that downregulation of miR-98-5p promotes tumor development by downregulation of MAP4K4 and inhibition of the downstream MAPK/ERK signaling, thus, highlighting the potential of miR-98-5p as a therapeutic target for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Fu
- Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou NO.2 People’s Hospital With Nanjing Medical University, 68 Gehu Road, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinchun Liu
- Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiuyang Chen
- Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tongtai Liu
- Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cheng Lu
- Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Yu
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 600 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Yi Miao
- Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jishu Wei
- Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
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Li Q, Nirala NK, Nie Y, Chen HJ, Ostroff G, Mao J, Wang Q, Xu L, Ip YT. Ingestion of Food Particles Regulates the Mechanosensing Misshapen-Yorkie Pathway in Drosophila Intestinal Growth. Dev Cell 2018; 45:433-449.e6. [PMID: 29754801 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The intestinal epithelium has a high cell turnover rate and is an excellent system to study stem cell-mediated adaptive growth. In the Drosophila midgut, the Ste20 kinase Misshapen, which is distally related to Hippo, has a niche function to restrict intestinal stem cell activity. We show here that, under low growth conditions, Misshapen is localized near the cytoplasmic membrane, is phosphorylated at the threonine 194 by the upstream kinase Tao, and is more active toward Warts, which in turn inhibits Yorkie. Ingestion of yeast particles causes a midgut distention and a reduction of Misshapen membrane association and activity. Moreover, Misshapen phosphorylation is regulated by the stiffness of cell culture substrate, changing of actin cytoskeleton, and ingestion of inert particles. These results together suggest that dynamic membrane association and Tao phosphorylation of Misshapen are steps that link the mechanosensing of intestinal stretching after food particle ingestion to control adaptive growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Li
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Niraj K Nirala
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Yingchao Nie
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Hsi-Ju Chen
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Gary Ostroff
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Junhao Mao
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Qi Wang
- Neuroscience Research Unit, Pfizer, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lan Xu
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Y Tony Ip
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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Delpire E, Gagnon KB. Na + -K + -2Cl - Cotransporter (NKCC) Physiological Function in Nonpolarized Cells and Transporting Epithelia. Compr Physiol 2018; 8:871-901. [PMID: 29687903 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c170018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Two genes encode the Na+ -K+ -2Cl- cotransporters, NKCC1 and NKCC2, that mediate the tightly coupled movement of 1Na+ , 1K+ , and 2Cl- across the plasma membrane of cells. Na+ -K+ -2Cl- cotransport is driven by the chemical gradient of the three ionic species across the membrane, two of them maintained by the action of the Na+ /K+ pump. In many cells, NKCC1 accumulates Cl- above its electrochemical potential equilibrium, thereby facilitating Cl- channel-mediated membrane depolarization. In smooth muscle cells, this depolarization facilitates the opening of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels, leading to Ca2+ influx, and cell contraction. In immature neurons, the depolarization due to a GABA-mediated Cl- conductance produces an excitatory rather than inhibitory response. In many cell types that have lost water, NKCC is activated to help the cells recover their volume. This is specially the case if the cells have also lost Cl- . In combination with the Na+ /K+ pump, the NKCC's move ions across various specialized epithelia. NKCC1 is involved in Cl- -driven fluid secretion in many exocrine glands, such as sweat, lacrimal, salivary, stomach, pancreas, and intestine. NKCC1 is also involved in K+ -driven fluid secretion in inner ear, and possibly in Na+ -driven fluid secretion in choroid plexus. In the thick ascending limb of Henle, NKCC2 activity in combination with the Na+ /K+ pump participates in reabsorbing 30% of the glomerular-filtered Na+ . Overall, many critical physiological functions are maintained by the activity of the two Na+ -K+ -2Cl- cotransporters. In this overview article, we focus on the functional roles of the cotransporters in nonpolarized cells and in epithelia. © 2018 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 8:871-901, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Delpire
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical School, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kenneth B Gagnon
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Keystone, USA
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Cybulsky AV, Papillon J, Guillemette J, Belkina N, Patino-Lopez G, Torban E. Ste20-like kinase, SLK, a novel mediator of podocyte integrity. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2017; 315:F186-F198. [PMID: 29187370 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00238.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
SLK is essential for embryonic development and may play a key role in wound healing, tumor growth, and metastasis. Expression and activation of SLK are increased in kidney development and during recovery from ischemic acute kidney injury. Overexpression of SLK in glomerular epithelial cells/podocytes in vivo induces injury and proteinuria. Conversely, reduced SLK expression leads to abnormalities in cell adhesion, spreading, and motility. Tight regulation of SLK expression thus may be critical for normal renal structure and function. We produced podocyte-specific SLK-knockout mice to address the functional role of SLK in podocytes. Mice with podocyte-specific deletion of SLK showed reduced glomerular SLK expression and activity compared with control. Podocyte-specific deletion of SLK resulted in albuminuria at 4-5 mo of age in male mice and 8-9 mo in female mice, which persisted for up to 13 mo. At 11-12 mo, knockout mice showed ultrastructural changes, including focal foot process effacement and microvillous transformation of podocyte plasma membranes. Mean foot process width was approximately twofold greater in knockout mice compared with control. Podocyte number was reduced by 35% in knockout mice compared with control, and expression of nephrin, synaptopodin, and podocalyxin was reduced in knockout mice by 20-30%. In summary, podocyte-specific deletion of SLK leads to albuminuria, loss of podocytes, and morphological evidence of podocyte injury. Thus, SLK is essential to the maintenance of podocyte integrity as mice age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey V Cybulsky
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, McGill University , Montreal, Quebec , Canada
| | - Joan Papillon
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, McGill University , Montreal, Quebec , Canada
| | - Julie Guillemette
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, McGill University , Montreal, Quebec , Canada
| | - Natalya Belkina
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Genaro Patino-Lopez
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Elena Torban
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, McGill University , Montreal, Quebec , Canada
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Zhao CS, Huang D, Peng T, Huang MZ, Xie CY, Chen J, Kong JR, Xie RC, Liu Y, Wang WN. Molecular cloning, characterization and function of a germinal center kinase MST4 gene from Litopenaeus vannamei in response to Vibrio alginolyticus challenge in TLR-TRAF6 signaling pathway. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 73:206-219. [PMID: 28377200 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The serine/threonine protein kinase MST4 plays multiple roles in the regulation of signaling pathways that govern cellular processes including mitosis, migration, homeostasis, polarity, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Here we report the identification and characterization of the full-length sequence of LvMST4 from the shrimp L. vannamei, and investigations into its role in the shrimp's immune response to infection by the pathogenic bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus. Subcellular localization assays demonstrated the enzyme's presence in the shrimp's cytoplasm, and tissue-specific expression analysis revealed that it is expressed ubiquitously but at different levels in different tissues. Infection with V. alginolyticus increased LvMST4 expression and induced a rapid response via the TLR-TRAF6 signaling pathway, causing a decline in the total hemocyte count (THC) and an increase in respiratory burst (RB) activity. In non-infected shrimp, RNAi silencing of LvMST4 with dsRNA had no significant effect on THC but seemed to activate the TRAF6-MKK6-p38 pathway and reduced RB activity. In shrimp challenged with V. alginolyticus, LvMST4 silencing reduced bacterial clearance and increased the initial upregulation of LvTRAF6 while reducing the expression of LvMKK6 and Lvp38. LvMST4 silencing also slightly reduced the THC but caused pronounced increases in RB activity and cumulative mortality. These findings suggest that LvMST4 contributes to antimicrobial responses via the TLR-TRAF6 signal pathway, and helps maintain immunological homeostasis in L. vannamei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Sheng Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Science in Guangdong Higher Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Healthy and Safe Aquaculture, College of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, PR China
| | - Di Huang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Science in Guangdong Higher Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Healthy and Safe Aquaculture, College of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, PR China
| | - Ting Peng
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Science in Guangdong Higher Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Healthy and Safe Aquaculture, College of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, PR China
| | - Ming-Zhu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Science in Guangdong Higher Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Healthy and Safe Aquaculture, College of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, PR China
| | - Chen-Ying Xie
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Science in Guangdong Higher Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Healthy and Safe Aquaculture, College of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, PR China
| | - Jun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Science in Guangdong Higher Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Healthy and Safe Aquaculture, College of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, PR China
| | - Jing-Rong Kong
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Science in Guangdong Higher Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Healthy and Safe Aquaculture, College of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, PR China
| | - Ren-Chong Xie
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Science in Guangdong Higher Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Healthy and Safe Aquaculture, College of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, PR China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Science in Guangdong Higher Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Healthy and Safe Aquaculture, College of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, PR China
| | - Wei-Na Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Science in Guangdong Higher Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Healthy and Safe Aquaculture, College of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, PR China.
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Zhang J, Karimy JK, Delpire E, Kahle KT. Pharmacological targeting of SPAK kinase in disorders of impaired epithelial transport. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2017; 21:795-804. [PMID: 28679296 PMCID: PMC6081737 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2017.1351949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich serine-threonine kinase SPAK (STK39) modulates ion transport across and between epithelial cells in response to environmental stimuli such osmotic stress and inflammation. Research over the last decade has established a central role for SPAK in the regulation of ion and water transport in the distal nephron, colonic crypts, and pancreatic ducts, and has implicated deregulated SPAK signaling in NaCl-sensitive hypertension, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and cystic fibrosis. Areas covered: We review recent advances in our understanding of the role of SPAK kinase in the regulation of epithelial transport. We highlight how SPAK signaling - including its upstream Cl- sensitive activators, the WNK kinases, and its downstream ion transport targets, the cation- Cl- cotransporters contribute to human disease. We discuss prospects for the pharmacotherapeutic targeting of SPAK kinase in specific human disorders that feature impaired epithelial homeostasis. Expert opinion: The development of novel drugs that antagonize the SPAK-WNK interaction, inhibit SPAK kinase activity, or disrupt SPAK kinase activation by interfering with its binding to MO25α/β could be useful adjuncts in essential hypertension, inflammatory colitis, and cystic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwei Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Hatherly Laboratory, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK
| | - Jason K. Karimy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Eric Delpire
- Department of Anesthesiolgy, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Kristopher T. Kahle
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Pediatrics, and Cellular & Molecular Physiology; and Centers for Mendelian Genomics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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Cybulsky AV, Guillemette J, Papillon J, Abouelazm NT. Regulation of Ste20-like kinase, SLK, activity: Dimerization and activation segment phosphorylation. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177226. [PMID: 28475647 PMCID: PMC5419656 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ste20-like kinase, SLK, has diverse cellular functions. SLK mediates organ development, cell cycle progression, cytoskeletal remodeling, cytokinesis, and cell survival. Expression and activity of SLK are enhanced in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, and overexpression of SLK was shown to induce apoptosis in cultured glomerular epithelial cells (GECs) and renal tubular cells, as well as GEC/podocyte injury in vivo. The SLK protein consists of a N-terminal catalytic domain and an extensive C-terminal domain, which contains coiled-coils. The present study addresses the regulation of SLK activity. Controlled dimerization of the SLK catalytic domain enhanced autophosphorylation of SLK at T183 and S189, which are located in the activation segment. The full-length ectopically- and endogenously-expressed SLK was also autophosphorylated at T183 and S189. Using ezrin as a model SLK substrate (to address exogenous kinase activity), we demonstrate that dimerized SLK 1–373 or full-length SLK can effectively induce activation-specific phosphorylation of ezrin. Mutations in SLK, including T183A, S189A or T193A reduced T183 or S189 autophosphorylation, and showed a greater reduction in ezrin phosphorylation. Mutations in the coiled-coil region of full-length SLK that impair dimerization, in particular I848G, significantly reduced ezrin phosphorylation and tended to reduce autophosphorylation of SLK at T183. In experimental membranous nephropathy in rats, proteinuria and GEC/podocyte injury were associated with increased glomerular SLK activity and ezrin phosphorylation. In conclusion, dimerization via coiled-coils and phosphorylation of T183, S189 and T193 play key roles in the activation and signaling of SLK, and provide targets for novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey V. Cybulsky
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Julie Guillemette
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Joan Papillon
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nihad T. Abouelazm
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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Association of MAP4K4 gene single nucleotide polymorphism with mastitis and milk traits in Chinese Holstein cattle. J DAIRY RES 2017; 84:76-79. [PMID: 28252361 DOI: 10.1017/s0022029916000832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the studies presented in this Research Communication was to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms present in the MAP4K4 gene with different milk traits in dairy cows. Based on previous QTL fine mapping results on bovine chromosome 11, the MAP4K4 gene was selected as a candidate gene to evaluate its effect on somatic cell count and milk traits in ChineseHolstein cows. Milk production traits including milk yield, fat percentage, and protein percentage of each cow were collected using 305 d lactation records. Association between MAP4K4 genotype and different traits and Somatic Cell Score (SCS) was performed using General Linear Regression Model of R. Two SNPs at exon 18 (c.2061T > G and c.2196T > C) with genotype TT in both SNPs were found significantly higher for somatic SCS. We found the significant effect of exon 18 (c.2061T > G) on protein percentage, milk yield and SCS. We identified SNPs at different location of MAP4K4 gene of the cattle and several of them were significantly associated with the somatic cell score and other different milk traits. Thus, MAP4K4 gene could be a useful candidate gene for selection of dairy cattle against mastitis and the identified polymorphisms might potentially be strong genetic markers.
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Gao X, Gao C, Liu G, Hu J. MAP4K4: an emerging therapeutic target in cancer. Cell Biosci 2016; 6:56. [PMID: 27800153 PMCID: PMC5084373 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-016-0121-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The serine/threonine kinase MAP4K4 is a member of the Ste20p (sterile 20 protein) family. MAP4K4 was initially discovered in 1995 as a key kinase in the mating pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and was later found to be involved in many aspects of cell functions and many biological and pathological processes. The role of MAP4K4 in immunity, inflammation, metabolic and cardiovascular disease has been recognized. Information regarding MAP4K4 in cancers is extremely limited, but increasing evidence suggests that MAP4K4 also plays an important role in cancer and MAP4K4 may represent a novel actionable cancer therapeutic target. This review summarizes our current understanding of MAP4K4 regulation and MAP4K4 in cancer. MAP4K4-specific inhibitors have been recently developed. We hope that this review article would advocate more basic and preclinical research on MAP4K4 in cancer, which could ultimately provide biological and mechanistic justifications for preclinical and clinical test of MAP4K4 inhibitor in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Gao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China ; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA ; University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Hillman Cancer Center Research Pavilion, 2.42D, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
| | - Chenxi Gao
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA ; University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Hillman Cancer Center Research Pavilion, 2.42D, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
| | - Guoxiang Liu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA ; University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Hillman Cancer Center Research Pavilion, 2.42D, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
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Cybulsky AV, Guillemette J, Papillon J. Ste20-like kinase, SLK, activates the heat shock factor 1 - Hsp70 pathway. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2016; 1863:2147-55. [PMID: 27216364 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2016.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Expression and activation of SLK increases during renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. When highly expressed, SLK signals via c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 to induce apoptosis, and it exacerbates apoptosis induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury. Overexpression of SLK in glomerular epithelial cells (GECs)/podocytes in vivo induces injury and proteinuria. In response to various stresses, cells enhance expression of chaperones or heat shock proteins (e.g. Hsp70), which are involved in the folding and maturation of newly synthesized proteins, and can refold denatured or misfolded proteins. We address the interaction of SLK with the heat shock factor 1 (HSF1)-Hsp70 pathway. Increased expression of SLK in GECs (following transfection) induced HSF1 transcriptional activity. Moreover, HSF1 transcriptional activity was increased by in vitro ischemia-reperfusion injury (chemical anoxia/recovery) and heat shock, and in both instances was amplified further by SLK overexpression. HSF1 binds to promoters of target genes, such as Hsp70 and induces their transcription. By analogy to HSF1, SLK stimulated Hsp70 expression. Hsp70 was also enhanced by anoxia/recovery and was further amplified by SLK overexpression. Induction of HSF1 and Hsp70 was dependent on the kinase activity of SLK, and was mediated via polo-like kinase-1. Transfection of constitutively active HSF1 enhanced Hsp70 expression and inhibited SLK-induced apoptosis. Conversely, the proapoptotic action of SLK was augmented by HSF1 shRNA, or the Hsp70 inhibitor, pifithrin-μ. In conclusion, increased expression/activity of SLK activates the HSF1-Hsp70 pathway. Hsp70 attenuates the primary proapoptotic effect of SLK. Modulation of chaperone expression may potentially be harnessed as cytoprotective therapy in renal cell injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey V Cybulsky
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Julie Guillemette
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Joan Papillon
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Koumangoye R, Delpire E. The Ste20 kinases SPAK and OSR1 travel between cells through exosomes. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2016; 311:C43-53. [PMID: 27122160 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00080.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Proteomics studies have identified Ste20-related proline/alanine-rich kinase (SPAK) and oxidative stress response 1 (OSR1) in exosomes isolated from body fluids such as blood, saliva, and urine. Because proteomics studies likely overestimate the number of exosome proteins, we sought to confirm and extend this observation using traditional biochemical and cell biology methods. We utilized HEK293 cells in culture to verify the packaging of these Ste20 kinases in exosomes. Using a series of centrifugation and filtration steps of conditioned culture medium isolated from HEK293 cells, we isolated nanovesicles in the range of 40-100 nm. We show that these small vesicles express the tetraspanin protein CD63 and lack endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi markers, consistent with these being exosomes. We show by Western blot and immunogold analyses that these exosomes express SPAK, OSR1, and Na-K-Cl cotransporter 1 (NKCC1). We show that exosomes are not only secreted by cells, but also accumulated by adjacent cells. Indeed, exposing cultured cells to exosomes produced by other cells expressing a fluorescently labeled kinase resulted in the kinase finding its way into the cytoplasm of these cells, consistent with the idea of exosomes serving as cell-to-cell communication vessels. Similarly, coculturing cells expressing different fluorescently tagged proteins resulted in the exchange of proteins between cells. In addition, we show that both SPAK and OSR1 kinases entering cells through exosomes are preferentially expressed at the plasma membrane and that the kinases in exosomes are functional and maintain NKCC1 in a phosphorylated state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainelli Koumangoye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Eric Delpire
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
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