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Liu F, Xu F, Zhang Y, Qian Y, Zhang G, Shi L, Peng L. Comparative Analyses of Reproductive Caste Types Reveal Vitellogenin Genes Involved in Queen Fertility in Solenopsis invicta. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17130. [PMID: 38138959 PMCID: PMC10743176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417130] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren) is a social pest species with a robust reproductive ability that causes extensive damage. Identification of the genes involved in queen fertility is critical in order to better understand the reproductive biology and screening for the potential molecular targets in S. invicta. Here, we used the mRNA deep sequencing (RNA-seq) approach to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the transcriptomes of three reproductive caste types of S. invicta, including queen (QA) and winged female (FA) and male (MA) ants. The genes that were specific to and highly expressed in the queens were then screened, and the Vg2 and Vg3 genes were chosen as targets to explore their functions in oogenesis and fertility. A minimum of 6.08 giga bases (Gb) of clean reads was obtained from all samples, with a mapping rate > 89.78%. There were 7524, 7133, and 977 DEGs identified in the MA vs. QA, MA vs. FA, and FA vs. QA comparisons, respectively. qRT-PCR was used to validate 10 randomly selected DEGs, including vitellogenin 2 (Vg2) and 3 (Vg3), and their expression patterns were mostly consistent with the RNA-seq data. The S. invicta Vgs included conserved domains and motifs that are commonly found in most insect Vgs. SiVg2 and SiVg3 were highly expressed in queens and winged females and were most highly expressed in the thorax, followed by the fat body, head, and epidermis. Evaluation based on a loss-of-function-based knockdown analysis showed that the downregulation of either or both of these genes resulted in smaller ovaries, less oogenesis, and less egg production. The results of transcriptional sequencing provide a foundation for clarifying the regulators of queen fertility in S. invicta. The functions of SiVg2 and SiVg3 as regulators of oogenesis highlight their importance in queen fecundity and their potential as targets of reproductive disruption in S. invicta control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenghao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (F.L.); (F.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Q.); (G.Z.)
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Fengchao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (F.L.); (F.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Q.); (G.Z.)
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yikun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (F.L.); (F.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Q.); (G.Z.)
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yurui Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (F.L.); (F.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Q.); (G.Z.)
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Guofeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (F.L.); (F.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Q.); (G.Z.)
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Longqing Shi
- Rice Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350018, China;
| | - Lu Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (F.L.); (F.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Q.); (G.Z.)
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
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2
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Agudo-Rios C, Rogers A, King I, Bhagat V, Nguyen LMT, Córdova-Fletes C, Krapf D, Strauss JF, Arévalo L, Merges GE, Schorle H, Roldan ERS, Teves ME. SPAG17 mediates nuclear translocation of protamines during spermiogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1125096. [PMID: 37766963 PMCID: PMC10520709 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1125096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Protamines (PRM1 and PRM2) are small, arginine-rich, nuclear proteins that replace histones in the final stages of spermiogenesis, ensuring chromatin compaction and nuclear remodeling. Defects in protamination lead to increased DNA fragmentation and reduced male fertility. Since efficient sperm production requires the translocation of protamines from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, we investigated whether SPAG17, a protein crucial for intracellular protein trafficking during spermiogenesis, participates in protamine transport. Initially, we assessed the protein-protein interaction between SPAG17 and protamines using proximity ligation assays, revealing a significant interaction originating in the cytoplasm and persisting within the nucleus. Subsequently, immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry (IP/MS) assays validated this initial observation. Sperm and spermatids from Spag17 knockout mice exhibited abnormal protamination, as revealed by chromomycin A3 staining, suggesting defects in protamine content. However, no differences were observed in the expression of Prm1 and Prm2 mRNA or in protein levels between testes of wild-type and Spag17 knockout mice. Conversely, immunofluorescence studies conducted on isolated mouse spermatids unveiled reduced nuclear/cytoplasm ratios of protamines in Spag17 knockout spermatids compared to wild-type controls, implying transport defects of protamines into the spermatid nucleus. In alignment with these findings, in vitro experiments involving somatic cells, including mouse embryonic fibroblasts, exhibited compromised nuclear translocation of PRM1 and PRM2 in the absence of SPAG17. Collectively, our results present compelling evidence that SPAG17 facilitates the transport of protamines from the cytoplasm to the nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Agudo-Rios
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Amber Rogers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Isaiah King
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Virali Bhagat
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Le My Tu Nguyen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Carlos Córdova-Fletes
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Diego Krapf
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Jerome F. Strauss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lena Arévalo
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gina Esther Merges
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Eduardo R. S. Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Eugenia Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
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Wang W, Miyamoto Y, Chen B, Shi J, Diao F, Zheng W, Li Q, Yu L, Li L, Xu Y, Wu L, Mao X, Fu J, Li B, Yan Z, Shi R, Xue X, Mu J, Zhang Z, Wu T, Zhao L, Wang W, Zhou Z, Dong J, Li Q, Jin L, He L, Sun X, Lin G, Kuang Y, Wang L, Sang Q. Karyopherin α deficiency contributes to human preimplantation embryo arrest. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:159951. [PMID: 36647821 PMCID: PMC9843055 DOI: 10.1172/jci159951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Preimplantation embryo arrest (PREMBA) is a common cause of female infertility and recurrent failure of assisted reproductive technology. However, the genetic basis of PREMBA is largely unrevealed. Here, using whole-exome sequencing data from 606 women experiencing PREMBA compared with 2,813 controls, we performed a population and gene-based burden test and identified a candidate gene, karyopherin subunit α7 (KPNA7). In vitro studies showed that identified sequence variants reduced KPNA7 protein levels, impaired KPNA7 capacity for binding to its substrate ribosomal L1 domain-containing protein 1 (RSL1D1), and affected KPNA7 nuclear transport activity. Comparison between humans and mice suggested that mouse KPNA2, rather than mouse KPNA7, acts as an essential karyopherin in embryonic development. Kpna2-/- female mice showed embryo arrest due to zygotic genome activation defects, recapitulating the phenotype of human PREMBA. In addition, female mice with an oocyte-specific knockout of Rsl1d1 recapitulated the phenotype of Kpna2-/- mice, demonstrating the vital role of substrate RSL1D1. Finally, complementary RNA (cRNA) microinjection of human KPNA7, but not mouse Kpna7, was able to rescue the embryo arrest phenotype in Kpna2-/- mice, suggesting mouse KPNA2 might be a homologue of human KPNA7. Our findings uncovered a mechanistic understanding for the pathogenesis of PREMBA, which acts by impairing nuclear protein transport, and provide a diagnostic marker for PREMBA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Wang
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yoichi Miyamoto
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Biaobang Chen
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai, China
| | - Juanzi Shi
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, China
| | - Feiyang Diao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Zheng
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Qun Li
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lan Yu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lin Li
- Key Laboratory of Human Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Nanchang Reproductive Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Yao Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai Ninth Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyan Mao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai Ninth Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Fu
- Shanghai Ji’ai Genetics and IVF Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, and
| | - Bin Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai Ninth Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Yan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai Ninth Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Shi
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, China
| | - Xia Xue
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, China
| | - Jian Mu
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhihua Zhang
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianyu Wu
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Zhao
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijie Wang
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhou Zhou
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Dong
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiaoli Li
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin He
- Bio-X Center, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoxi Sun
- Shanghai Ji’ai Genetics and IVF Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, and
| | - Ge Lin
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Yanping Kuang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai Ninth Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Sang
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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4
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Nakanishi A, Okumura H, Hashita T, Yamashita A, Nishimura Y, Watanabe C, Kamimura S, Hayashi S, Murakami S, Ito K, Iwao T, Ikeda A, Hirose T, Sunazuka T, Tanaka Y, Matsunaga T. Ivermectin Inhibits HBV Entry into the Nucleus by Suppressing KPNA2. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112468. [PMID: 36366568 PMCID: PMC9695645 DOI: 10.3390/v14112468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) specifically infects human hepatocytes and increases the risks of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Currently, nucleic acid analogs are the main therapeutics for chronic hepatitis caused by HBV infection. Although nucleic acid analogs can eliminate HBV DNA by inhibiting HBV reverse transcriptase, they cannot lead to negative conversion of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). In this study, we revealed that the antifilarial drug ivermectin suppresses HBV production by a different mechanism from the nucleic acid analog entecavir or Na+ taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide-mediated entry inhibitor cyclosporin A. Ivermectin reduced the levels of several HBV markers, including HBsAg, in HBV-infected human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2-hNTCP-C4 cells) and humanized mouse hepatocytes (PXB hepatocytes). In addition, ivermectin significantly decreased the expression of HBV core protein and the nuclear transporter karyopherin α2 (KPNA2) in the nuclei of HepG2-hNTCP-C4 cells. Furthermore, depletion of KPNA1-6 suppressed the production of cccDNA. These results suggest that KPNA1-6 is involved in the nuclear import of HBV and that ivermectin suppresses the nuclear import of HBV by inhibiting KPNA2. This study demonstrates the potential of ivermectin as a novel treatment for hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nakanishi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan
| | - Hiroki Okumura
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan
| | - Tadahiro Hashita
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan
- Educational Research Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan
- Correspondence: (T.H.); (Y.T.)
| | - Aya Yamashita
- Educational Research Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan
| | - Yuka Nishimura
- Educational Research Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan
| | - Chihiro Watanabe
- Educational Research Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan
| | - Sakina Kamimura
- Educational Research Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan
| | - Sanae Hayashi
- Department of Virology and Liver Unit, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Shuko Murakami
- Department of Virology and Liver Unit, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Kyoko Ito
- Department of Virology and Liver Unit, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Takahiro Iwao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan
- Educational Research Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan
| | - Akari Ikeda
- Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Tomoyasu Hirose
- Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Sunazuka
- Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Virology and Liver Unit, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
- Correspondence: (T.H.); (Y.T.)
| | - Tamihide Matsunaga
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan
- Educational Research Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan
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5
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SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 disrupts nucleocytoplasmic trafficking to advance viral replication. Commun Biol 2022; 5:483. [PMID: 35590097 PMCID: PMC9120032 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03427-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ORF6 is an antagonist of interferon (IFN)-mediated antiviral signaling, achieved through the prevention of STAT1 nuclear localization. However, the exact mechanism through which ORF6 prevents STAT1 nuclear trafficking remains unclear. Herein, we demonstrate that ORF6 directly binds to STAT1 with or without IFN stimulation, resulting in the nuclear exclusion of STAT1. ORF6 also recognizes importin α subtypes with different modes, in particular, high affinity to importin α1 but a low affinity to importin α5. Although ORF6 potentially disrupts the importin α/importin β1-mediated nuclear transport, thereby suppressing the nuclear translocation of the other classical nuclear localization signal-containing cargo proteins, the inhibitory effect of ORF6 is modest when compared with that of STAT1. The results indicate that the drastic nuclear exclusion of STAT1 is attributed to the specific binding with ORF6, which is a distinct strategy for the importin α1-mediated pathway. Combined with the results from a newly-produced replicon system and a hamster model, we conclude that SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 acts as a virulence factor via regulation of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking to accelerate viral replication, resulting in disease progression.
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Liu N, Qadri F, Busch H, Huegel S, Sihn G, Chuykin I, Hartmann E, Bader M, Rother F. Kpna6 deficiency causes infertility in male mice by disrupting spermatogenesis. Development 2021; 148:272018. [PMID: 34473250 PMCID: PMC8513612 DOI: 10.1242/dev.198374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is driven by an ordered series of events, which rely on trafficking of specific proteins between nucleus and cytoplasm. The karyopherin α family of proteins mediates movement of specific cargo proteins when bound to karyopherin β. Karyopherin α genes have distinct expression patterns in mouse testis, implying they may have unique roles during mammalian spermatogenesis. Here, we use a loss-of-function approach to determine specifically the role of Kpna6 in spermatogenesis and male fertility. We show that ablation of Kpna6 in male mice leads to infertility and has multiple cumulative effects on both germ cells and Sertoli cells. Kpna6-deficient mice exhibit impaired Sertoli cell function, including loss of Sertoli cells and a compromised nuclear localization of the androgen receptor. Furthermore, our data demonstrate devastating defects on spermiogenesis, including incomplete sperm maturation and a massive reduction in sperm number, accompanied by disturbed histone-protamine exchange, differential localization of the transcriptional regulator BRWD1 and altered expression of RFX2 target genes. Our work uncovers an essential role of Kpna6 in spermatogenesis and, hence, in male fertility. Summary: Two different mouse models delineate the morphological and functional impact of Kpna6 on spermatogenesis and Sertoli cell function and show that this protein is crucial for fertility in male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Liu
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin 13125, Germany
| | | | - Hauke Busch
- Medical Systems Biology Division, Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck 23562, Germany
| | - Stefanie Huegel
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin 13125, Germany.,Institute for Biology, Center for Structural and Cellular Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck 23562, Germany
| | - Gabin Sihn
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin 13125, Germany
| | - Ilya Chuykin
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin 13125, Germany.,Department of Cell Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA
| | - Enno Hartmann
- Institute for Biology, Center for Structural and Cellular Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck 23562, Germany
| | - Michael Bader
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin 13125, Germany.,Institute for Biology, Center for Structural and Cellular Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck 23562, Germany
| | - Franziska Rother
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin 13125, Germany.,Institute for Biology, Center for Structural and Cellular Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck 23562, Germany
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7
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Liu X, Wang H, Liu B, Qi Z, Li J, Xu B, Liu W, Xu Z, Deng Y. The Latest Research Progress of m 6A Modification and Its Writers, Erasers, Readers in Infertility: A Review. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:681238. [PMID: 34568313 PMCID: PMC8461070 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.681238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic messenger mRNAs contain many RNA methyl chemical modifications, in which N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays a very important role. The modification process of RNA methylation is a dynamic reversible regulatory process that is mainly catalyzed by "Writer" m6A methyltransferase, removed by "Eraser" m6A demethylase, and recognized by the m6A binding protein, thereby, linking m6A modification with other mRNA pathways. At various stages of the life cycle, m6A modification plays an extremely important role in regulating mRNA splicing, processing, translation, as well as degradation, and is associated with gametogenesis and fertility for both sexes. Normal gametogenesis is a basic guarantee of fertility. Infertility leads to trauma, affects harmony in the family and seriously affects the quality of life. We review the roles and mechanisms of RNA m6A methylation modification in infertility and provide a potential target for infertility treatment, which can be used for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuda Liu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Haiying Wang
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bingchen Liu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhipeng Qi
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jiashuo Li
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhaofa Xu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu Deng
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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8
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Jibiki K, Kodama TS, Suenaga A, Kawase Y, Shibazaki N, Nomoto S, Nagasawa S, Nagashima M, Shimodan S, Kikuchi R, Okayasu M, Takashita R, Mehmood R, Saitoh N, Yoneda Y, Akagi KI, Yasuhara N. Importin α2 association with chromatin: Direct DNA binding via a novel DNA-binding domain. Genes Cells 2021; 26:945-966. [PMID: 34519142 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear transport of proteins is important for facilitating appropriate nuclear functions. The importin α family proteins play key roles in nuclear transport as transport receptors for copious nuclear proteins. Additionally, these proteins possess other functions, including chromatin association and gene regulation. However, these nontransport functions of importin α are not yet fully understood, especially their molecular-level mechanisms and consequences for functioning with chromatin. Here, we report the novel molecular characteristics of importin α binding to diverse DNA sequences in chromatin. We newly identified and characterized a DNA-binding domain-the Nucleic Acid Associating Trolley pole domain (NAAT domain)-in the N-terminal region of importin α within the conventional importin β binding (IBB) domain that is necessary for nuclear transport of cargo proteins. Furthermore, we found that the DNA binding of importin α synergistically coupled the recruitment of its cargo protein to DNA. This is the first study to delineate the interaction between importin α and chromatin DNA via the NAAT domain, indicating the bifunctionality of the importin α N-terminal region for nuclear transport and chromatin association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Jibiki
- Graduate School of Integrated Basic Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi S Kodama
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Suenaga
- Graduate School of Integrated Basic Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Biosciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yota Kawase
- Graduate School of Integrated Basic Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noriko Shibazaki
- Department of Biosciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin Nomoto
- Graduate School of Integrated Basic Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seiya Nagasawa
- Department of Biosciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Misaki Nagashima
- Department of Biosciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shieri Shimodan
- Department of Biosciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Renan Kikuchi
- Department of Biosciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mina Okayasu
- Department of Biosciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ruka Takashita
- Department of Biosciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rashid Mehmood
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Science and General Studies, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Noriko Saitoh
- Division of Cancer Biology, The Cancer Institute of JFCR, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yoneda
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Akagi
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan.,Environmental Metabolic Analysis Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Noriko Yasuhara
- Graduate School of Integrated Basic Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Biosciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
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9
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Importins: Diverse roles in male fertility. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 121:82-98. [PMID: 34426066 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Regulated nucleocytoplasmic transport is central to the changes in gene expression that underpin cellular development and homeostasis, including in the testis, and proteins in the importin family are the predominant facilitators of cargo transport through the nuclear envelope. Reports documenting cell-specific profiles of importin transcripts and proteins during spermatogenesis led us to hypothesize that importins facilitate developmental switches in the testis. More recently, importins have been shown to serve additional functions, both inside and outside the nucleus; these include acting as subcellular scaffolding, mediating cellular stress responses, and controlling transcription. This paper seeks to provide an overview and update on the functions of importin proteins, with a focus on testis development and spermatogenesis. We present an extended survey of importins by combining published single cell RNAseq data with immunohistochemistry on developing and adult mouse testes. This approach reinforces and broadens knowledge of importins in biological processes, including in spermatogenesis and during testis development, revealing additional avenues for impactful investigations.
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10
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Chen GQ, Li P, Yan Q, Wu YH, Wang HR, Chao SF, Wu LJ, Chen L, Feng GZ. Identification of Spodoptera frugiperda importin alphas that facilitate the nuclear import of Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus DNA polymerase. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 30:400-409. [PMID: 33837597 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Proteins containing nuclear localization signals (NLSs) are actively transported into the nucleus via the classic importin-α/β-mediated pathway, and NLSs are recognized by members of the importin-α family. Most studies of insect importin-αs have focused on Drosophila to date, little is known about the importin-α proteins in Lepidoptera insects. In this study, we identified four putative importin-α homologues, Spodoptera frugiperda importin-α1 (SfIMA1), SfIMA2, SfIMA4 and SfIMA7, from Sf9 cells. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that SfIMA2, SfIMA4 and SfIMA7 localized to the nucleus, while SfIMA1 distributed in cytoplasm. Additionally, SfIMA4 and SfIMA7 were also detected in the nuclear membrane of Sf9 cells. SfIMA1, SfIMA4 and SfIMA7, but not SfIMA2, were found to associate with the C terminus of AcMNPV DNA polymerase (DNApol) that harbours a typical monopartite NLS and a classic bipartite NLS. Further analysis of protein-protein interactions revealed that SfIMA1 specifically recognizes the bipartite NLS, while SfIMA4 and SfIMA7 bind to both monopartite and bipartite NLSs. Together, our results suggested that SfIMA1, SfIMA4 and SfIMA7 play important roles in the nuclear import of AcMNPV DNApol C terminus in Sf9 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Qing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China
- College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Qing Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Hong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China
- College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Hao-Ran Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Fen Chao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li-Juan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China
| | - Long Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guo-Zhong Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China
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11
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Membrane association of importin α facilitates viral entry into salivary gland cells of vector insects. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2103393118. [PMID: 34290144 PMCID: PMC8325321 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2103393118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The importin α family belongs to the conserved nuclear transport pathway in eukaryotes. However, the biological functions of importin α in the plasma membrane are still elusive. Here, we report that importin α, as a plasma membrane-associated protein, is exploited by the rice stripe virus (RSV) to enter vector insect cells, especially salivary gland cells. When the expression of three importin α genes was simultaneously knocked down, few virions entered the salivary glands of the small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus Through hemocoel inoculation of virions, only importin α2 was found to efficiently regulate viral entry into insect salivary-gland cells. Importin α2 bound the nucleocapsid protein of RSV with a relatively high affinity through its importin β-binding (IBB) domain, with a dissociation constant K D of 9.1 μM. Furthermore, importin α2 and its IBB domain showed a distinct distribution in the plasma membrane through binding to heparin in heparan sulfate proteoglycan. When the expression of importin α2 was knocked down in viruliferous planthoppers or in nonviruliferous planthoppers before they acquired virions, the viral transmission efficiency of the vector insects in terms of the viral amount and disease incidence in rice was dramatically decreased. These findings not only reveal the specific function of the importin α family in the plasma membrane utilized by viruses, but also provide a promising target gene in vector insects for manipulation to efficiently control outbreaks of rice stripe disease.
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12
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Chen T, Peng J, Yin X, Li M, Xiang G, Wang Y, Lei Y, Xu Y. Importin-αs are required for the nuclear localization and function of the Plasmopara viticola effector PvAVH53. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2021; 8:46. [PMID: 33642571 PMCID: PMC7917100 DOI: 10.1038/s41438-021-00482-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Plant pathogenic oomycetes deliver a troop of effector proteins into the nucleus of host cells to manipulate plant cellular immunity and promote colonization. Recently, researchers have focused on identifying how effectors are transferred into the host cell nucleus, as well as the identity of the nuclear targets. In this study, we found that the RxLR effector PvAVH53 from the grapevine (Vitis vinifera) oomycete pathogen Plasmopara viticola physically interacts with grapevine nuclear import factor importin alphas (VvImpα and VvImpα4), localizes to the nucleus and triggers cell death when transiently expressed in tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) cells. Deletion of a nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequence from PvAVH53 or addition of a nuclear export signal (NES) sequence disrupted the nuclear localization of PvAVH53 and attenuated its ability to trigger cell death. Suppression of two tobacco importin-α genes, namely, NbImp-α1 and NbImp-α2, by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) also disrupted the nuclear localization and ability of PvAVH53 to induce cell death. Likewise, we transiently silenced the expression of VvImpα/α4 in grape through CRISPR/Cas13a, which has been reported to target RNA in vivo. Finally, we found that attenuating the expression of the Importin-αs genes resulted in increased susceptibility to the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora capsici in N. benthamiana and P. viticola in V. vinifera. Our results demonstrate that importin-αs are required for the nuclear localization and function of PvAVH53 and are essential for host innate immunity. The findings provide insight into the functions of importin-αs in grapevine against downy mildew.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas (Northwest A&F University), Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Jing Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas (Northwest A&F University), Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas (Northwest A&F University), Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Meijie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas (Northwest A&F University), Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Gaoqing Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas (Northwest A&F University), Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Yuejin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas (Northwest A&F University), Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Yan Lei
- Fruit Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 350013, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas (Northwest A&F University), Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China.
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China.
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China.
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13
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Miyamoto Y, Sasaki M, Miyata H, Monobe Y, Nagai M, Otani M, Whiley PAF, Morohoshi A, Oki S, Matsuda J, Akagi KI, Adachi J, Okabe M, Ikawa M, Yoneda Y, Loveland KL, Oka M. Genetic loss of importin α4 causes abnormal sperm morphology and impacts on male fertility in mouse. FASEB J 2020; 34:16224-16242. [PMID: 33058343 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000768rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Importin α proteins play a central role in the transport of cargo from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. In this study, we observed that male knock-out mice for importin α4, which is encoded by the Kpna4 gene (Kpna4-/- ), were subfertile and yielded smaller litter sizes than those of wild-type (WT) males. In contrast, mice lacking the closely related importin α3 (Kpna3-/- ) were fertile. In vitro fertilization and sperm motility assays demonstrated that sperm from Kpna4-/- mice had significantly reduced quality and motility. In addition, acrosome reaction was also impaired in Kpna4-/- mice. Transmission electron microscopy revealed striking defects, including abnormal head morphology and multiple axoneme structures in the flagella of Kpna4-/- mice. A five-fold increase in the frequency of abnormalities in Kpna4-/- mice compared to WT mice indicates the functional importance of importin α4 in normal sperm development. Moreover, Nesprin-2, which is a component of the linker of nucleus and cytoskeleton complex, was expressed at lower levels in sperm from Kpna4-/- mice and was localized with abnormal axonemes, suggesting incorrect formation of the nuclear membrane-cytoskeleton structure during spermiogenesis. Proteomics analysis of Kpna4-/- testis showed significantly altered expression of proteins related to sperm formation, which provided evidence that genetic loss of importin α4 perturbed chromatin status. Collectively, these findings indicate that importin α4 is critical for establishing normal sperm morphology in mice, providing new insights into male germ cell development by highlighting the requirement of importin α4 for normal fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoichi Miyamoto
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Mitsuho Sasaki
- Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Miyata
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoko Monobe
- Section of Laboratory Equipment, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nagai
- Department of Frontier Bioscience, Graduate School of Frontier Bioscience, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mayumi Otani
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Penny A F Whiley
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Akane Morohoshi
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shinya Oki
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Junichiro Matsuda
- Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Akagi
- Section of Laboratory Equipment, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Jun Adachi
- Laboratory of Proteome Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Masaru Okabe
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yoneda
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Masahiro Oka
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
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14
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Characterization of the Importin-β binding domain in nuclear import receptor KPNA7. Biochem J 2020; 476:3413-3434. [PMID: 31642884 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20190717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The KPNA family of mammalian nuclear import receptors are encoded by seven genes that generate isoforms with 42-86% identity. KPNA isoforms have the same protein architecture and share the functional property of nuclear localization signal (NLS) recognition, however, the tissue and developmental expression patterns of these receptors raise the question of whether subtle differences in KPNA isoforms might be important in specific biological contexts. Here, we show that KPNA7, an isoform with expression mostly limited to early development, can bind Importin-β (Imp-β) in the absence of NLS cargo. This result contrasts with Imp-β interactions with other KPNA family members, where affinity is regulated by NLS cargo as part of a cooperative binding mechanism. The Imp-β binding (IBB) domain, which is highly conserved in all KPNA family members, generally serves to occlude the NLS binding groove and maintain the receptor in an auto-inhibited 'closed' state prior to NLS contact. Cooperative binding of NLS cargo and Imp-β to KPNA results in an 'open'state. Characterization of KPNA2-KPNA7 chimeric proteins suggests that features of both the IBB domain and the core structure of the receptor contribute to the extent of IBB domain accessibility for Imp-β binding, which likely reflects an 'open' state. We also provide evidence that KPNA7 maintains an open-state in the nucleus. We speculate that KPNA7 could function within the nucleus by interacting with NLS-containing proteins.
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15
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Yamashita T, Kwak S. Cell death cascade and molecular therapy in ADAR2-deficient motor neurons of ALS. Neurosci Res 2018; 144:4-13. [PMID: 29944911 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) pathology in the motor neurons is the most reliable pathological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and motor neurons bearing TDP-43 pathology invariably exhibit failure in RNA editing at the GluA2 glutamine/arginine (Q/R) site due to down-regulation of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 2 (ADAR2). Conditional ADAR2 knockout (AR2) mice display ALS-like phenotype, including progressive motor dysfunction due to loss of motor neurons. Motor neurons devoid of ADAR2 express Q/R site-unedited GluA2, and AMPA receptors with unedited GluA2 in their subunit assembly are abnormally permeable to Ca2+, which results in progressive neuronal death. Moreover, analysis of AR2 mice has demonstrated that exaggerated Ca2+ influx through the abnormal AMPA receptors overactivates calpain, a Ca2+-dependent protease, that cleaves TDP-43 into aggregation-prone fragments, which serve as seeds for TDP-43 pathology. Activated calpain also disrupts nucleo-cytoplasmic transport and gene expression by cleaving molecules involved in nucleocytoplasmic transport, including nucleoporins. These lines of evidence prompted us to develop molecular targeting therapy for ALS by normalization of disrupted intracellular environment due to ADAR2 down-regulation. In this review, we have summarized the work from our group on the cell death cascade in sporadic ALS and discussed a potential therapeutic strategy for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takenari Yamashita
- Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Shin Kwak
- Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan; Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan.
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16
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OKA M, YONEDA Y. Importin α: functions as a nuclear transport factor and beyond. PROCEEDINGS OF THE JAPAN ACADEMY. SERIES B, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2018; 94:259-274. [PMID: 30078827 PMCID: PMC6117492 DOI: 10.2183/pjab.94.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Nucleocytoplasmic transport is an essential process in eukaryotes. The molecular mechanisms underlying nuclear transport that involve the nuclear transport receptor, small GTPase Ran, and the nuclear pore complex are highly conserved from yeast to humans. On the other hand, it has become clear that the nuclear transport system diverged during evolution to achieve various physiological functions in multicellular eukaryotes. In this review, we first summarize the molecular mechanisms of nuclear transport and how these were elucidated. Then, we focus on the diverse functions of importin α, which acts not merely an import factor but also as a multi-functional protein contributing to a variety of cellular functions in higher eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro OKA
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro YONEDA
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
- Correspondence should be addressed: Y. Yoneda, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan (e-mail: )
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17
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Reprint of: Importins in the maintenance and lineage commitment of ES cells. Neurochem Int 2017; 106:14-23. [PMID: 28550879 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The nucleus of a eukaryotic cell is separated from the cytoplasm by a nuclear envelope, and nuclear pores within the envelope facilitate nucleocytoplasmic transport and the exchange of information. Gene regulation is a key component of biological activity regulation in the cell. Transcription factors control the expression levels of various genes that are necessary for the maintenance or conversion of cellular states during animal development. Because transcription factor activities determine the extent of transcription of target genes, the number of active transcription factors must be tightly regulated. In this regard, the nuclear translocation of a transcription factor is an important determinant of its activity. Therefore, it is becoming clear that the nucleocytoplasmic transport machinery is involved in cell differentiation and organism development. This review examines the regulation of transcription factors by the nucleocytoplasmic transport machinery in ES cells.
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18
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Cui Z, Sharma R, Agarwal A. Proteomic analysis of mature and immature ejaculated spermatozoa from fertile men. Asian J Androl 2017; 18:735-46. [PMID: 26510506 PMCID: PMC5000797 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.164924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunctional spermatozoa maturation is the main reason for the decrease in sperm motility and morphology in infertile men. Ejaculated spermatozoa from healthy fertile men were separated into four fractions using three-layer density gradient. Proteins were extracted and bands were digested on a LTQ-Orbitrap Elite hybrid mass spectrometer system. Functional annotations of proteins were obtained using bioinformatics tools and pathway databases. Western blotting was performed to verify the expression levels of the proteins of interest. 1469 proteins were identified in four fractions of spermatozoa. The number of detected proteins decreased according to the maturation level of spermatozoa. During spermatozoa maturation, proteins involved in gamete generation, cell motility, energy metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation processes showed increasing expression levels and those involved in protein biosynthesis, protein transport, protein ubiquitination, and response to oxidative stress processes showed decreasing expression levels. We validated four proteins (HSP 70 1A, clusterin, tektin 2 and tektin 3) by Western blotting. The study shows protein markers that may provide insight into the ejaculated spermatozoa proteins in different stages of sperm maturation that may be altered or modified in infertile men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong Cui
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Institute of Toxicology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China,
| | - Rakesh Sharma
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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19
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Development of a pipeline for automated, high-throughput analysis of paraspeckle proteins reveals specific roles for importin α proteins. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43323. [PMID: 28240251 DOI: 10.1038/srep43323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed a large-scale, unbiased analysis method to measure how functional variations in importin (IMP) α2, IMPα4 and IMPα6 each influence PSPC1 and SFPQ nuclear accumulation and their localization to paraspeckles. This addresses the hypothesis that individual IMP protein activities determine cargo nuclear access to influence cell fate outcomes. We previously demonstrated that modulating IMPα2 levels alters paraspeckle protein 1 (PSPC1) nuclear accumulation and affects its localization into a subnuclear domain that affects RNA metabolism and cell survival, the paraspeckle. An automated, high throughput, image analysis pipeline with customisable outputs was created using Imaris software coupled with Python and R scripts; this allowed non-subjective identification of nuclear foci, nuclei and cells. HeLa cells transfected to express exogenous full-length and transport-deficient IMPs were examined using SFPQ and PSPC1 as paraspeckle markers. Thousands of cells and >100,000 nuclear foci were analysed in samples with modulated IMPα functionality. This analysis scale enabled discrimination of significant differences between samples where paraspeckles inherently display broad biological variability. The relative abundance of paraspeckle cargo protein(s) and individual IMPs each influenced nuclear foci numbers and size. This method provides a generalizable high throughput analysis platform for investigating how regulated nuclear protein transport controls cellular activities.
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20
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Importins in the maintenance and lineage commitment of ES cells. Neurochem Int 2017; 105:32-41. [PMID: 28163061 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The nucleus of a eukaryotic cell is separated from the cytoplasm by a nuclear envelope, and nuclear pores within the envelope facilitate nucleocytoplasmic transport and the exchange of information. Gene regulation is a key component of biological activity regulation in the cell. Transcription factors control the expression levels of various genes that are necessary for the maintenance or conversion of cellular states during animal development. Because transcription factor activities determine the extent of transcription of target genes, the number of active transcription factors must be tightly regulated. In this regard, the nuclear translocation of a transcription factor is an important determinant of its activity. Therefore, it is becoming clear that the nucleocytoplasmic transport machinery is involved in cell differentiation and organism development. This review examines the regulation of transcription factors by the nucleocytoplasmic transport machinery in ES cells.
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Yamashita T, Aizawa H, Teramoto S, Akamatsu M, Kwak S. Calpain-dependent disruption of nucleo-cytoplasmic transport in ALS motor neurons. Sci Rep 2017; 7:39994. [PMID: 28045133 PMCID: PMC5206745 DOI: 10.1038/srep39994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear dysfunction in motor neurons has been hypothesized to be a principal cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which the nuclear pore complex (NPC) is disrupted in dying motor neurons in a mechanistic ALS mouse model (adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 2 (ADAR2) conditional knockout (AR2) mice) and in ALS patients. We showed that nucleoporins (Nups) that constituted the NPC were cleaved by activated calpain via a Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptor-mediated mechanism in dying motor neurons lacking ADAR2 expression in AR2 mice. In these neurons, nucleo-cytoplasmic transport was disrupted, and the level of the transcript elongation enzyme RNA polymerase II phosphorylated at Ser2 was significantly decreased. Analogous changes were observed in motor neurons lacking ADAR2 immunoreactivity in sporadic ALS patients. Therefore, calpain-dependent NPC disruption may participate in ALS pathogenesis, and inhibiting Ca2+-mediated cell death signals may be a therapeutic strategy for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takenari Yamashita
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Aizawa
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
| | - Sayaka Teramoto
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Megumi Akamatsu
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Shin Kwak
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.,Clinical Research Center for Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, 6-1-14 Konodai, Ichikawa, Chiba 272-0827, Japan
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22
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Miyamoto Y, Yamada K, Yoneda Y. Importin α: a key molecule in nuclear transport and non-transport functions. J Biochem 2016; 160:69-75. [DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvw036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
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23
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Loveland KL, Major AT, Butler R, Young JC, Jans DA, Miyamoto Y. Putting things in place for fertilization: discovering roles for importin proteins in cell fate and spermatogenesis. Asian J Androl 2016; 17:537-44. [PMID: 25994647 PMCID: PMC4492042 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.154310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Importin proteins were originally characterized for their central role in protein transport through the nuclear pores, the only intracellular entry to the nucleus. This vital function must be tightly regulated to control access by transcription factors and other nuclear proteins to genomic DNA, to achieve appropriate modulation of cellular behaviors affecting cell fate. Importin-mediated nucleocytoplasmic transport relies on their specific recognition of cargoes, with each importin binding to distinct and overlapping protein subsets. Knowledge of importin function has expanded substantially in regard to three key developmental systems: embryonic stem cells, muscle cells and the germ line. In the decade since the potential for regulated nucleocytoplasmic transport to contribute to spermatogenesis was proposed, we and others have shown that the importins that ferry transcription factors into the nucleus perform additional roles, which control cell fate. This review presents key findings from studies of mammalian spermatogenesis that reveal potential new pathways by which male fertility and infertility arise. These studies of germline genesis illuminate new ways in which importin proteins govern cellular differentiation, including via directing proteins to distinct intracellular compartments and by determining cellular stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate L Loveland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology;Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University; Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre; School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia,
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24
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Yamada K, Miyamoto Y, Tsujii A, Moriyama T, Ikuno Y, Shiromizu T, Serada S, Fujimoto M, Tomonaga T, Naka T, Yoneda Y, Oka M. Cell surface localization of importin α1/KPNA2 affects cancer cell proliferation by regulating FGF1 signalling. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21410. [PMID: 26887791 PMCID: PMC4757827 DOI: 10.1038/srep21410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Importin α1 is involved in nuclear import as a receptor for proteins with a classical nuclear localization signal (cNLS). Here, we report that importin α1 is localized to the cell surface in several cancer cell lines and detected in their cultured medium. We also found that exogenously added importin α1 is associated with the cell membrane via interaction with heparan sulfate. Furthermore, we revealed that the cell surface importin α1 recognizes cNLS-containing substrates. More particularly, importin α1 bound directly to FGF1 and FGF2, secreted cNLS-containing growth factors, and addition of exogenous importin α1 enhanced the activation of ERK1/2, downstream targets of FGF1 signalling, in FGF1-stimulated cancer cells. Additionally, anti-importin α1 antibody treatment suppressed the importin α1-FGF1 complex formation and ERK1/2 activation, resulting in decreased cell growth. This study provides novel evidence that functional importin α1 is located at the cell surface, where it accelerates the proliferation of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohji Yamada
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Yoichi Miyamoto
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Akira Tsujii
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan.,Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tetsuji Moriyama
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Yudai Ikuno
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Takashi Shiromizu
- Laboratory of Proteome Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Satoshi Serada
- Laboratory of Immune Signal, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Minoru Fujimoto
- Laboratory of Immune Signal, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Takeshi Tomonaga
- Laboratory of Proteome Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Tetsuji Naka
- Laboratory of Immune Signal, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yoneda
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan.,Laboratory of Biomedical Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Masahiro Oka
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan.,Laboratory of Biomedical Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
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25
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Mihalas BP, Western PS, Loveland KL, McLaughlin EA, Holt JE. Changing expression and subcellular distribution of karyopherins during murine oogenesis. Reproduction 2015; 150:485-96. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-14-0585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian oocyte growth and development is driven by a strict program of gene expression that relies on the timely presence of transcriptional regulators via nuclear pores. By targeting specific cargos for nucleo-cytoplasmic transport, karyopherin (KPN) proteins are key to the relocation of essential transcription factors and chromatin-remodelling factors into and out of the nucleus. Using multiple complementary techniques, here we establish that KPNA genes and proteins are dynamically expressed and relocalised throughout mouse oogenesis and folliculogenesis. Of the KPNAs examined (Kpna1, Kpna2, Kpna3, Kpna4, Kpna6, Kpna7, Kpnb1, Ipo5 and Xpo1), all were expressed in the embryonic ovary with up-regulation of protein levels concomitant with meiotic entry for KPNA2, accompanied by the redistribution of the cellular localisation of KPNA2 and XPO1. In contrast, postnatal folliculogenesis revealed significant up-regulation of Kpna1, Kpna2, Kpna4, Kpna6 and Ipo5 and down-regulation of Kpnb1, Kpna7 and Xpo1 at the primordial to primary follicle transition. KPNAs exhibited different localisation patterns in both oocytes and granulosa cells during folliculogenesis, with three KPNAs – KPNA1, KPNA2 and IPO5 – displaying marked enrichment in the nucleus by antral follicle stage. Remarkably, varied subcellular expression profiles were also identified in isolated pre-ovulatory oocytes with KPNAs KPNA2, KPNB1 and IPO5 detected in the cytoplasm and at the nuclear rim and XPO1 in cytoplasmic aggregates. Intriguingly, meiotic spindle staining was also observed for KPNB1 and XPO1 in meiosis II eggs, implying roles for KPNAs outside of nucleo-cytoplasmic transport. Thus, we propose that KPNAs, by targeting specific cargoes, are likely to be key regulators of oocyte development.
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26
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Tsujii A, Miyamoto Y, Moriyama T, Tsuchiya Y, Obuse C, Mizuguchi K, Oka M, Yoneda Y. Retinoblastoma-binding Protein 4-regulated Classical Nuclear Transport Is Involved in Cellular Senescence. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:29375-88. [PMID: 26491019 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.681908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleocytoplasmic trafficking is a fundamental cellular process in eukaryotic cells. Here, we demonstrated that retinoblastoma-binding protein 4 (RBBP4) functions as a novel regulatory factor to increase the efficiency of importin α/β-mediated nuclear import. RBBP4 accelerates the release of importin β1 from importin α via competitive binding to the importin β-binding domain of importin α in the presence of RanGTP. Therefore, it facilitates importin α/β-mediated nuclear import. We showed that the importin α/β pathway is down-regulated in replicative senescent cells, concomitant with a decrease in RBBP4 level. Knockdown of RBBP4 caused both suppression of nuclear transport and induction of cellular senescence. This is the first report to identify a factor that competes with importin β1 to bind to importin α, and it demonstrates that the loss of this factor can trigger cellular senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Tsujii
- From the Graduate School of Medicine and the Laboratories of Nuclear Transport Dynamics and
| | | | | | | | - Chikashi Obuse
- the Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0021, Japan
| | | | - Masahiro Oka
- the Laboratories of Nuclear Transport Dynamics and Laboratory of Biomedical Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871,
| | - Yoshihiro Yoneda
- Laboratory of Biomedical Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, and
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27
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Kimoto C, Moriyama T, Tsujii A, Igarashi Y, Obuse C, Miyamoto Y, Oka M, Yoneda Y. Functional characterization of importin α8 as a classical nuclear localization signal receptor. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2015.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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28
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Major AT, Hogarth CA, Miyamoto Y, Sarraj MA, Smith CL, Koopman P, Kurihara Y, Jans DA, Loveland KL. Specific interaction with the nuclear transporter importin α2 can modulate paraspeckle protein 1 delivery to nuclear paraspeckles. Mol Biol Cell 2015; 26:1543-58. [PMID: 25694451 PMCID: PMC4395133 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e14-01-0678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Paraspeckle protein 1 (PSPC1), a component of nuclear paraspeckles, is identified as an importin α2 (IMPα2) binding partner in mouse spermatogenic cells. PSPC1-IMPα2 binding modulates PSPC1 delivery to paraspeckles, highlighting the potential for regulated importin synthesis to direct RNA metabolism and cellular differentiation. Importin (IMP) superfamily members mediate regulated nucleocytoplasmic transport, which is central to key cellular processes. Although individual IMPα proteins exhibit dynamic synthesis and subcellular localization during cellular differentiation, including during spermatogenesis, little is known of how this affects cell fate. To investigate how IMPαs control cellular development, we conducted a yeast two-hybrid screen for IMPα2 cargoes in embryonic day 12.5 mouse testis, a site of peak IMPα2 expression coincident with germ-line masculization. We identified paraspeckle protein 1 (PSPC1), the original defining component of nuclear paraspeckles, as an IMPα2-binding partner. PSPC1-IMPα2 binding in testis was confirmed in immunoprecipitations and pull downs, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay–based assay demonstrated direct, high-affinity PSPC1 binding to either IMPα2/IMPβ1 or IMPα6/IMPβ1. Coexpression of full-length PSPC1 and IMPα2 in HeLa cells yielded increased PSPC1 localization in nuclear paraspeckles. High-throughput image analysis of >3500 cells indicated IMPα2 levels can directly determine PSPC1-positive nuclear speckle numbers and size; a transport-deficient IMPα2 isoform or small interfering RNA knockdown of IMPα2 each reduced endogenous PSPC1 accumulation in speckles. This first validation of an IMPα2 nuclear import cargo in fetal testis provides novel evidence that PSPC1 delivery to paraspeckles, and consequently paraspeckle function, may be controlled by modulated synthesis of specific IMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Major
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Australia
| | - Cathryn A Hogarth
- Center for Reproductive Biology and School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163
| | - Yoichi Miyamoto
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Australia Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Mai A Sarraj
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Australia MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Monash Health Translation Precinct, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Catherine L Smith
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Australia Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Yasuyuki Kurihara
- Faculty of Engineering Science, Yokohama National University, Yokohama 2408501, Japan
| | - David A Jans
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Australia Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Australia Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Health Translation Precinct, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
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29
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Arjomand A, Baker MA, Li C, Buckle AM, Jans DA, Loveland KL, Miyamoto Y. The α-importome of mammalian germ cell maturation provides novel insights for importin biology. FASEB J 2014; 28:3480-93. [PMID: 24790034 DOI: 10.1096/fj.13-244913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Importin α proteins function as adaptors to connect a cargo protein and importin β1 in the classical nuclear import pathway. Here we measure for the first time the stoichiometry of importins α2, α3, α4, and β1 in primary cells corresponding to 2 successive stages of rat spermatogenesis: meiotic spermatocytes and haploid round spermatids. Importin α2 levels were more than 2-fold higher in spermatocytes than in spermatids, while importins α4 and β1 levels did not differ significantly. We performed a comprehensive proteomics analysis to identify binding proteins in spermatocytes and spermatids using recombinant importin α2 and α4 proteins. Among the 100 candidate partners, 42 contained a strong classical nuclear localization signal (cNLS; score of>6 by cNLS Mapper), while 8 nuclear proteins lacked any cNLS. In addition, we developed a new strategy to predict which cargoes bind to importin α through the conserved C-terminal acidic domain (ARM repeats 9-10), and provided functional validation of a predicted importin α C-terminal binding segment in Senataxin and Smarca4. Evaluation of this set of candidate binding partners from spermatogenic cells using several bioinformatics approaches provides new evidence that individual importin αs may serve unique and nonredundant roles in mediating cellular differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Arjomand
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia; and
| | - Mark A Baker
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia; and Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and
| | | | - David A Jans
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia; and
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia; and
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Young JC, Ly-Huynh JD, Lescesen H, Miyamoto Y, Browne C, Yoneda Y, Koopman P, Loveland KL, Jans DA. The nuclear import factor importin α4 can protect against oxidative stress. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2013; 1833:2348-56. [PMID: 23773962 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2013.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Revised: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 06/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The importin (IMP) superfamily of nuclear transport proteins is essential to key developmental pathways, including in the murine testis where expression of the 6 distinct IMPα proteins is highly dynamic. Present predominantly from the spermatocyte stage onwards, IMPα4 is unique in showing a striking nuclear localization, a property we previously found to be linked to maintenance of pluripotency in embryonic stem cells and to the cellular stress response in cultured cells. Here we examine the role of IMPα4 in vivo for the first time using a novel transgenic mouse model in which we overexpress an IMPα4-EGFP fusion protein from the protamine 1 promoter to recapitulate endogenous testicular germ cell IMPα4 expression in spermatids. IMPα4 overexpression did not affect overall fertility, testis morphology/weight or spermatogenic progression under normal conditions, but conferred significantly (>30%) increased resistance to oxidative stress specifically in the spermatid subpopulation expressing the transgene. Consistent with a cell-specific role for IMPα4 in protecting against oxidative stress, haploid germ cells from IMPα4 null mice were significantly (c. 30%) less resistant to oxidative stress than wild type controls. These results from two unique and complementary mouse models demonstrate a novel protective role for IMPα4 in stress responses specifically within haploid male germline cells, with implications for male fertility and genetic integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia C Young
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Australia
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31
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Miyamoto Y, Baker MA, Whiley PA, Arjomand A, Ludeman J, Wong C, Jans DA, Loveland KL. Towards delineation of a developmental α-importome in the mammalian male germline. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2012; 1833:731-42. [PMID: 23159777 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2012.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2012] [Revised: 11/03/2012] [Accepted: 11/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Nucleocytoplasmic transport mediated by importin proteins is central to many developmental processes, such as precisely regulated germ cell differentiation during spermatogenesis. Here we examine for the first time the dynamic association of importins with cargo during two successive spermatogenic stages: meiotic pachytene spermatocytes and haploid round spermatids of the adult rat testis. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry yielded the first non-biased identification of proteins selectively interacting with importin α2, α3 and α4 in each of these cell types. Amongst the 22 novel importin binding proteins identified, 11 contain a predicted classical nuclear localization signal (cNLS) for importin α binding using a new algorithm (Kosugi et al. [22]), although only 6 of these have known nuclear functions. An importin α2-immunoprecipitated protein with a key nuclear role in meiosis, structural maintenance of chromosomes 6 (SMC6), contained a predicted bipartite NLS that was shown to be preferentially recognized by importin α together with importin β1. In contrast, the predicted cNLS of synovial sarcoma, X breakpoint 2 interacting protein (SSX2IP) was found not to confer either nuclear accumulation or direct binding to importin αs, implying that NLS prediction algorithms may identify cryptic importin binding sites or require additional refinement to increase their accuracy. Unbiased identification of importin α binding proteins in cellular differentiation represents a powerful tool to help identify the functional roles of importin αs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoichi Miyamoto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
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