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Nelson N. Investigating the Balance between Structural Conservation and Functional Flexibility in Photosystem I. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5073. [PMID: 38791114 PMCID: PMC11121529 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105073] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Photosynthesis, as the primary source of energy for all life forms, plays a crucial role in maintaining the global balance of energy, entropy, and enthalpy in living organisms. Among its various building blocks, photosystem I (PSI) is responsible for light-driven electron transfer, crucial for generating cellular reducing power. PSI acts as a light-driven plastocyanin-ferredoxin oxidoreductase and is situated in the thylakoid membranes of cyanobacteria and the chloroplasts of eukaryotic photosynthetic organisms. Comprehending the structure and function of the photosynthetic machinery is essential for understanding its mode of action. New insights are offered into the structure and function of PSI and its associated light-harvesting proteins, with a specific focus on the remarkable structural conservation of the core complex and high plasticity of the peripheral light-harvesting complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Nelson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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2
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Docampo R. Advances in the cellular biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology of acidocalcisomes. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0004223. [PMID: 38099688 PMCID: PMC10966946 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00042-23] [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] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYAcidocalcisomes are organelles conserved during evolution and closely related to the so-called volutin granules of bacteria and archaea, to the acidocalcisome-like vacuoles of yeasts, and to the lysosome-related organelles of animal species. All these organelles have in common their acidity and high content of polyphosphate and calcium. They are characterized by a variety of functions from storage of phosphorus and calcium to roles in Ca2+ signaling, osmoregulation, blood coagulation, and inflammation. They interact with other organelles through membrane contact sites or by fusion, and have several enzymes, pumps, transporters, and channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Docampo
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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3
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Deng S, Wang WX. Dynamic Regulation of Intracellular Labile Cu(I)/Cu(II) Cycle in Microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: Disrupting the Balance by Cu Stress. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:5255-5266. [PMID: 38471003 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
The labile metal pool involved in intracellular trafficking and homeostasis is the portion susceptible to environmental stress. Herein, we visualized the different intracellular distributions of labile Cu(I) and Cu(II) pools in the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We first demonstrated that labile Cu(I) predominantly accumulated in the granules within the cytoplasmic matrix, whereas the labile Cu(II) pool primarily localized in the pyrenoid and chloroplast. The cell cycle played an integral role in balancing the labile Cu(I)/Cu(II) pools. Specifically, the labile Cu(II) pool primarily accumulated during the SM phase following cell division, while the labile Cu(I) pool dynamically changed during the G phase as cell size increased. Notably, the labile Cu(II) pool in algae at the SM stage exhibited heightened sensitivity to environmental Cu stress. Exogenous Cu stress disrupted the intracellular labile Cu(I)/Cu(II) cycle and balance, causing a shift toward the labile Cu(II) pool. Our proteomic analysis further identified a putative cupric reductase, potentially capable of reducing Cu(II) to Cu(I), and four putative multicopper oxidases, potentially capable of oxidizing Cu(I) to Cu(II), which may be involved in the conversion between the labile Cu(I) pool and labile Cu(II) pool. Our study elucidated a dynamic cycle of the intracellular labile Cu(I)/Cu(II) pools, which were accessible and responsive to environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoxi Deng
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Wen-Xiong Wang
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
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4
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Strenkert D, Schmollinger S, Paruthiyil S, Brown BC, Green S, Shafer CM, Salomé P, Nelson H, Blaby-Haas CE, Moseley JL, Merchant SS. Distinct function of Chlamydomonas CTRA-CTR transporters in Cu assimilation and intracellular mobilization. Metallomics 2024; 16:mfae013. [PMID: 38439674 PMCID: PMC10959442 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfae013] [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: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Successful acclimation to copper (Cu) deficiency involves a fine balance between Cu import and export. In the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Cu import is dependent on a transcription factor, Copper Response Regulator 1 (CRR1), responsible for activating genes in Cu-deficient cells. Among CRR1 target genes are two Cu transporters belonging to the CTR/COPT gene family (CTR1 and CTR2) and a related soluble protein (CTR3). The ancestor of these green algal proteins was likely acquired from an ancient chytrid and contained conserved cysteine-rich domains (named the CTR-associated domains, CTRA) that are predicted to be involved in Cu acquisition. We show by reverse genetics that Chlamydomonas CTR1 and CTR2 are canonical Cu importers albeit with distinct affinities, while loss of CTR3 did not result in an observable phenotype under the conditions tested. Mutation of CTR1, but not CTR2, recapitulates the poor growth of crr1 in Cu-deficient medium, consistent with a dominant role for CTR1 in high-affinity Cu(I) uptake. On the other hand, the overaccumulation of Cu(I) (20 times the quota) in zinc (Zn) deficiency depends on CRR1 and both CTR1 and CTR2. CRR1-dependent activation of CTR gene expression needed for Cu over-accumulation can be bypassed by the provision of excess Cu in the growth medium. Over-accumulated Cu is sequestered into the acidocalcisome but can become remobilized by restoring Zn nutrition. This mobilization is also CRR1-dependent, and requires activation of CTR2 expression, again distinguishing CTR2 from CTR1 and consistent with the lower substrate affinity of CTR2. ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY Regulation of Cu uptake and sequestration by members of the CTR family of proteins in Chlamydomonas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Strenkert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Stefan Schmollinger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Srinand Paruthiyil
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Bonnie C Brown
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sydnee Green
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Catherine M Shafer
- Molecular Toxicology Inter-departmental Ph.D. program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Patrice Salomé
- Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Hosea Nelson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Crysten E Blaby-Haas
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Moseley
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Sabeeha S Merchant
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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5
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Deng S, Wang WX. A surge of copper accumulation in cell division revealed its cyclical kinetics in synchronized green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 899:165566. [PMID: 37474058 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165566] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Trace transition metal uptake is tightly associated with cellular biological processes. Herein, we demonstrated that copper (Cu) bioaccumulation and uptake were controlled by the cell cycle. A cyclical kinetics of Cu bioaccumulation and surge in S/M phase were observed in the synchronized green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The labile Cu(I) content also increased in the S/M phase, although the increase was moderate. Based on the comparative analysis of bioaccumulation and transcriptome data, we found the CRR1-mediated Cu uptake pathway, and CTR1 and CTR2 transporters were regulated by the intracellular Cu quota and suppressed during cell division with high Cu content. In contrast, we hypothesized a novel intracellular Cu-quota-independent Cu(I) uptake pathway in which the transporter COPT1 might be responsible for the Cu influx during cell division. Besides, a plunge of ATX1 expression level was also observed during cell division, which indicated an inhibition of the secretory pathway of Cu with the participation of ATX1 in terms of transcriptome level, probably resulting in reduced Cu efflux. Additionally, both fluorometric probe staining and transcriptomic data demonstrated that mitochondria were the dominant destination for the extra Cu content in S/M phase. Finally, some cytotoxic responses were also observed in S/M phase. Pathways related to reactive oxygen species and glutamine metabolic process were enriched in GO term and KEGG enrichment analysis, and glutathione content and cell membrane permeability determined by fluorometric probes also increased during cell division. This study showed a sharp increase of Cu uptake in cell division and revealed the genetic regulation mechanisms for the cell cycle control of Cu uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoxi Deng
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Wen-Xiong Wang
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China.
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6
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Caccamo A, Vega de Luna F, Wahni K, Volkov AN, Przybyla-Toscano J, Amelii A, Kriznik A, Rouhier N, Messens J, Remacle C. Ascorbate Peroxidase 2 (APX2) of Chlamydomonas Binds Copper and Modulates the Copper Insertion into Plastocyanin. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1946. [PMID: 38001799 PMCID: PMC10669542 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12111946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent phylogenetic studies have unveiled a novel class of ascorbate peroxidases called "ascorbate peroxidase-related" (APX-R). These enzymes, found in green photosynthetic eukaryotes, lack the amino acids necessary for ascorbate binding. This study focuses on the sole APX-R from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii referred to as ascorbate peroxidase 2 (APX2). We used immunoblotting to locate APX2 within the chloroplasts and in silico analysis to identify key structural motifs, such as the twin-arginine transport (TAT) motif for lumen translocation and the metal-binding MxxM motif. We also successfully expressed recombinant APX2 in Escherichia coli. Our in vitro results showed that the peroxidase activity of APX2 was detected with guaiacol but not with ascorbate as an electron donor. Furthermore, APX2 can bind both copper and heme, as evidenced by spectroscopic, and fluorescence experiments. These findings suggest a potential interaction between APX2 and plastocyanin, the primary copper-containing enzyme within the thylakoid lumen of the chloroplasts. Predictions from structural models and evidence from 1H-NMR experiments suggest a potential interaction between APX2 and plastocyanin, emphasizing the influence of APX2 on the copper-binding abilities of plastocyanin. In summary, our results propose a significant role for APX2 as a regulator in copper transfer to plastocyanin. This study sheds light on the unique properties of APX-R enzymes and their potential contributions to the complex processes of photosynthesis in green algae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Caccamo
- Genetics and Physiology of Microalgae, InBios/Phytosystems Research Unit, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.C.); (F.V.d.L.); (J.P.-T.); (A.A.)
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (K.W.); (A.N.V.)
- Brussels Center for Redox Biology, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Félix Vega de Luna
- Genetics and Physiology of Microalgae, InBios/Phytosystems Research Unit, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.C.); (F.V.d.L.); (J.P.-T.); (A.A.)
| | - Khadija Wahni
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (K.W.); (A.N.V.)
- Brussels Center for Redox Biology, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alexander N. Volkov
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (K.W.); (A.N.V.)
- Jean Jeener NMR Centre, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Przybyla-Toscano
- Genetics and Physiology of Microalgae, InBios/Phytosystems Research Unit, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.C.); (F.V.d.L.); (J.P.-T.); (A.A.)
| | - Antonello Amelii
- Genetics and Physiology of Microalgae, InBios/Phytosystems Research Unit, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.C.); (F.V.d.L.); (J.P.-T.); (A.A.)
| | - Alexandre Kriznik
- CNRS, IMoPA and IBSLor, Université de Lorraine, F-54000 Nancy, France;
| | | | - Joris Messens
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (K.W.); (A.N.V.)
- Brussels Center for Redox Biology, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Claire Remacle
- Genetics and Physiology of Microalgae, InBios/Phytosystems Research Unit, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.C.); (F.V.d.L.); (J.P.-T.); (A.A.)
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7
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Strenkert D, Schmollinger S, Paruthiyil S, Brown BC, Green S, Shafer CM, Salomé P, Nelson H, Blaby-Haas CE, Moseley JL, Merchant SS. Distinct function of Chlamydomonas CTRA-CTR transporters in Cu assimilation and intracellular mobilization. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.19.563170. [PMID: 37905083 PMCID: PMC10614975 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.19.563170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Successful acclimation to copper (Cu) deficiency involves a fine balance between Cu import and export. In the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii , Cu import is dependent on C opper R esponse R egulator 1 (CRR1), the master regulator of Cu homeostasis. Among CRR1 target genes are two Cu transporters belonging to the CTR/COPT gene family ( CTR1 and CTR2 ) and a related soluble cysteine-rich protein (CTR3). The ancestor of these green algal proteins was likely acquired from an ancient chytrid and contained conserved cysteine-rich domains (named the CTR-associated domains, CTRA) that are predicted to be involved in Cu acquisition. We show by reverse genetics that Chlamydomonas CTR1 and CTR2 are canonical Cu importers albeit with distinct affinities, while loss of CTR3 did not result in an observable phenotype under the conditions tested. Mutation of CTR1 , but not CTR2 , recapitulate the poor growth of crr1 in Cu-deficient medium, consistent with a dominant role for CTR1 in high affinity Cu(I) uptake. Notably, the over-accumulation of Cu(I) in Zinc (Zn)-deficiency (20 times the quota) depends on CRR1 and both CTR1 and CTR2. CRR1-dependent activation of CTR gene expression needed for Cu over-accumulation can be bypassed by the provision of excess Cu in the growth medium. Over-accumulated Cu is sequestered into the acidocalcisome but can become remobilized by restoring Zn nutrition. This mobilization is also CRR1-dependent, and requires activation of CTR2 expression, again distinguishing CTR2 from CTR1 and is consistent with the lower substrate affinity of CTR2.
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8
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Strenkert D, Schmollinger S, Hu Y, Hofmann C, Holbrook K, Liu HW, Purvine SO, Nicora CD, Chen S, Lipton MS, Northen TR, Clemens S, Merchant SS. Zn deficiency disrupts Cu and S homeostasis in Chlamydomonas resulting in over accumulation of Cu and Cysteine. Metallomics 2023; 15:mfad043. [PMID: 37422438 PMCID: PMC10357957 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfad043] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Growth of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in zinc (Zn) limited medium leads to disruption of copper (Cu) homeostasis, resulting in up to 40-fold Cu over-accumulation relative to its typical Cu quota. We show that Chlamydomonas controls its Cu quota by balancing Cu import and export, which is disrupted in a Zn deficient cell, thus establishing a mechanistic connection between Cu and Zn homeostasis. Transcriptomics, proteomics and elemental profiling revealed that Zn-limited Chlamydomonas cells up-regulate a subset of genes encoding "first responder" proteins involved in sulfur (S) assimilation and consequently accumulate more intracellular S, which is incorporated into L-cysteine, γ-glutamylcysteine, and homocysteine. Most prominently, in the absence of Zn, free L-cysteine is increased ∼80-fold, corresponding to ∼2.8 × 109 molecules/cell. Interestingly, classic S-containing metal binding ligands like glutathione and phytochelatins do not increase. X-ray fluorescence microscopy showed foci of S accumulation in Zn-limited cells that co-localize with Cu, phosphorus and calcium, consistent with Cu-thiol complexes in the acidocalcisome, the site of Cu(I) accumulation. Notably, cells that have been previously starved for Cu do not accumulate S or Cys, causally connecting cysteine synthesis with Cu accumulation. We suggest that cysteine is an in vivo Cu(I) ligand, perhaps ancestral, that buffers cytosolic Cu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Strenkert
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Stefan Schmollinger
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yuntao Hu
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryBerkeley CAUSA
| | | | - Kristen Holbrook
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Helen W Liu
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Samuel O Purvine
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Carrie D Nicora
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Si Chen
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Mary S Lipton
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Trent R Northen
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryBerkeley CAUSA
- Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley CAUSA
| | - Stephan Clemens
- Department of Plant Physiology, University of Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Sabeeha S Merchant
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryBerkeley CAUSA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
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9
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Schmollinger S, Chen S, Merchant SS. Quantitative elemental imaging in eukaryotic algae. Metallomics 2023; 15:mfad025. [PMID: 37186252 PMCID: PMC10209819 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfad025] [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: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
All organisms, fundamentally, are made from the same raw material, namely the elements of the periodic table. Biochemical diversity is achieved by how these elements are utilized, for what purpose, and in which physical location. Determining elemental distributions, especially those of trace elements that facilitate metabolism as cofactors in the active centers of essential enzymes, can determine the state of metabolism, the nutritional status, or the developmental stage of an organism. Photosynthetic eukaryotes, especially algae, are excellent subjects for quantitative analysis of elemental distribution. These microbes utilize unique metabolic pathways that require various trace nutrients at their core to enable their operation. Photosynthetic microbes also have important environmental roles as primary producers in habitats with limited nutrient supplies or toxin contaminations. Accordingly, photosynthetic eukaryotes are of great interest for biotechnological exploitation, carbon sequestration, and bioremediation, with many of the applications involving various trace elements and consequently affecting their quota and intracellular distribution. A number of diverse applications were developed for elemental imaging, allowing subcellular resolution, with X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM, XRF) being at the forefront, enabling quantitative descriptions of intact cells in a non-destructive method. This Tutorial Review summarizes the workflow of a quantitative, single-cell elemental distribution analysis of a eukaryotic alga using XFM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schmollinger
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Departments of Molecular and Cell Biology and Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Si Chen
- X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Sabeeha S Merchant
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Departments of Molecular and Cell Biology and Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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10
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Strenkert D, Schmollinger S, Hu Y, Hofmann C, Holbrook K, Liu HW, Purvine SO, Nicora CD, Chen S, Lipton MS, Northen TR, Clemens S, Merchant SS. Cysteine: an ancestral Cu binding ligand in green algae? BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.15.532757. [PMID: 36993560 PMCID: PMC10055113 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.15.532757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Growth of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in zinc (Zn) limited medium leads to disruption of copper (Cu) homeostasis, resulting in up to 40-fold Cu over-accumulation relative to its typical Cu quota. We show that Chlamydomonas controls its Cu quota by balancing Cu import and export, which is disrupted in a Zn deficient cell, thus establishing a mechanistic connection between Cu and Zn homeostasis. Transcriptomics, proteomics and elemental profiling revealed that Zn-limited Chlamydomonas cells up-regulate a subset of genes encoding "first responder" proteins involved in sulfur (S) assimilation and consequently accumulate more intracellular S, which is incorporated into L-cysteine, γ-glutamylcysteine and homocysteine. Most prominently, in the absence of Zn, free L-cysteine is increased ~80-fold, corresponding to ~ 2.8 × 10 9 molecules/cell. Interestingly, classic S-containing metal binding ligands like glutathione and phytochelatins do not increase. X-ray fluorescence microscopy showed foci of S accumulation in Zn-limited cells that co-localize with Cu, phosphorus and calcium, consistent with Cu-thiol complexes in the acidocalcisome, the site of Cu(I) accumulation. Notably, cells that have been previously starved for Cu do not accumulate S or Cys, causally connecting cysteine synthesis with Cu accumulation. We suggest that cysteine is an in vivo Cu(I) ligand, perhaps ancestral, that buffers cytosolic Cu.
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11
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Wang X, Wang WX. Cell cycle-dependent Cu uptake explained the heterogenous responses of Chlamydomonas to Cu exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 319:121013. [PMID: 36608730 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121013] [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: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggested that microorganisms exhibited heterogeneous sensitivity to toxicants, but their underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. The asynchronous cell cycle progression in natural population implies the connection between cell cycle and heterogeneity. Here, the heterogenous responses of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii upon Cu stress were confirmed with the aid of a fluorometric probe for imaging Cu(I), implying the connection with cell cycle. Our results further indicated that the increase of labile Cu(I) was related to the cell division, leading to the fluctuation of labile Cu(I) with diurnal cycle and cell cycle, respectively. However, lack of Cu mainly influenced the cell division. We demonstrated that G2/M phase was the critical stage requiring high Cu quota during cell division. Specifically, algae at G2/M phase required 10-fold of Cu quota compared with that at G1 phase, which was related to the mitochondrial replication. Eventually, the heterogeneous Cu uptake ability of algae at different cell phases led to the heterogeneous responses to Cu exposure. Overall, Cu could influence the cell cycle through mediating the cell division, and in turn algae at different cell phases exhibited different Cu sensitivities. This study firstly uncovered the underlying mechanisms of heterogeneous Cu sensitivity for phytoplankton, which could help to evaluate the potential ecological risks of Cu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangrui Wang
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Wen-Xiong Wang
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China.
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12
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Akhyar O, Mashio AS, Kato Y, Hayashi S, Wong KH, Kosugi C, Hasegawa H. Element pattern in two dominant species of seaweed from Betsukari coastline - Mashike, Hokkaido, Japan. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120473. [PMID: 36273694 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120473] [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: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated the monthly of element accumulation in seaweeds. Patterns of As, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn concentrations in dominant species of Phaeophyceae and Rhodophyceae, namely Saccharina japonica and Pterocladiella tenuis respectively, collected from the Betsukari coastline-Mashike, Hokkaido, Japan, were investigated. Our results indicated that element accumulation was more related to specific seaweed species than to their supply in seawater concentration. S. japonica was found to be an accumulator of As, whereas P. tenuis notably accumulated Mn. The accumulation of specific elements also affects the coupled patterns between closely related elements. The monthly pattern of Cd was similar to that of As in S. japonica, and it is an element with unknown biological function in the seaweed. The monthly accumulation pattern of Fe and Mn, a well-known closely related element that forms the extracellular surface in seaweed, was found to be similar in P. tenuis. A similar transport mechanism affected the antagonistic pattern of Cd and Zn accumulation in S. japonica. Our data can be employed in the assessment of biomonitoring of element cycles in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Okviyoandra Akhyar
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan; Department of Chemistry Education, Islamic University of Kalimantan Muhammad Arsyad Al Banjari, Jl. Adhyaksa No. 2 Kayu Tangi, Banjarmasin, 70123, Indonesia
| | - Asami Suzuki Mashio
- Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Kato
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Syuhei Hayashi
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Kuo Hong Wong
- Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Chika Kosugi
- Advanced Technology Research Laboratories, Nippon Steel Corporation, 20-1 Shintomi, Futtsu City, Chiba, 293-8511, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hasegawa
- Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan.
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13
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Yang Y, Hao C, Du J, Xu L, Guo Z, Li D, Cai H, Guo H, Li L. The carboxy terminal transmembrane domain of SPL7 mediates interaction with RAN1 at the endoplasmic reticulum to regulate ethylene signalling in Arabidopsis. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 236:878-892. [PMID: 35832006 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18376] [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: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In Arabidopsis, copper (Cu) transport to the ethylene receptor ETR1 mediated using RAN1, a Cu transporter located at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and Cu homeostasis mediated using SPL7, the key Cu-responsive transcription factor, are two deeply conserved vital processes. However, whether and how the two processes interact to regulate plant development remain elusive. We found that its C-terminal transmembrane domain (TMD) anchors SPL7 to the ER, resulting in dual compartmentalisation of the transcription factor. Immunoprecipitation coupled mass spectrometry, yeast-two-hybrid assay, luciferase complementation imaging and subcellular co-localisation analyses indicate that SPL7 interacts with RAN1 at the ER via the TMD. Genetic analysis revealed that the ethylene-induced triple response was significantly compromised in the spl7 mutant, a phenotype rescuable by RAN1 overexpression but not by SPL7 without the TMD. The genetic interaction was corroborated by molecular analysis showing that SPL7 modulates RAN1 abundance in a TMD-dependent manner. Moreover, SPL7 is feedback regulated by ethylene signalling via EIN3, which binds the SPL7 promoter and represses its transcription. These results demonstrate that ER-anchored SPL7 constitutes a cellular mechanism to regulate RAN1 in ethylene signalling and lay the foundation for investigating how Cu homeostasis conditions ethylene sensitivity in the developmental context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzhi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences and School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chen Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences and School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jianmei Du
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Lei Xu
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Zhonglong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences and School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Dong Li
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Huaqing Cai
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Hongwei Guo
- Department of Biology, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Lei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences and School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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14
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Hui C, Schmollinger S, Strenkert D, Holbrook K, Montgomery HR, Chen S, Nelson HM, Weber PK, Merchant SS. Simple steps to enable reproducibility: culture conditions affecting Chlamydomonas growth and elemental composition. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 111:995-1014. [PMID: 35699388 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Even subtle modifications in growth conditions elicit acclimation responses affecting the molecular and elemental makeup of organisms, both in the laboratory and in natural habitats. We systematically explored the effect of temperature, pH, nutrient availability, culture density, and access to CO2 and O2 in laboratory-grown algal cultures on growth rate, the ionome, and the ability to accumulate Fe. We found algal cells accumulate Fe in alkaline conditions, even more so when excess Fe is present, coinciding with a reduced growth rate. Using a combination of Fe-specific dyes, X-ray fluorescence microscopy, and NanoSIMS, we show that the alkaline-accumulated Fe was intracellularly sequestered into acidocalcisomes, which are localized towards the periphery of the cells. At high photon flux densities, Zn and Ca specifically over-accumulate, while Zn alone accumulates at low temperatures. The impact of aeration was probed by reducing shaking speeds and changing vessel fill levels; the former increased the Cu quota of cultures, the latter resulted in a reduction in P, Ca, and Mn at low fill levels. Trace element quotas were also affected in the stationary phase, where specifically Fe, Cu, and Zn accumulate. Cu accumulation here depends inversely on the Fe concentration of the medium. Individual laboratory strains accumulate Ca, P, and Cu to different levels. All together, we identified a set of specific changes to growth rate, elemental composition, and the capacity to store Fe in response to subtle differences in culturing conditions of Chlamydomonas, affecting experimental reproducibility. Accordingly, we recommend that these variables be recorded and reported as associated metadata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen Hui
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Stefan Schmollinger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Daniela Strenkert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Kristen Holbrook
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Hayden R Montgomery
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Si Chen
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, 60439, USA
| | - Hosea M Nelson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Peter K Weber
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA
| | - Sabeeha S Merchant
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
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15
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Kochoni E, Doose C, Gonzalez P, Fortin C. Role of iron in gene expression and in the modulation of copper uptake in a freshwater alga: Insights on Cu and Fe assimilation pathways. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 305:119311. [PMID: 35439593 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Metal uptake and toxicity can generally be related to its aqueous speciation and to the presence of competitive ions as described by the biotic ligand model. Beyond these simple chemical interactions at the surface of aquatic organisms, several internal biological feedback mechanisms can also modulate metal uptake. This is particularly important for essential elements for which specific transport systems were developed over the course of evolution. Based on the results of short-term Cu2+ uptake experiments and on the analysis of the expression of certain genes involved in Cu and Fe homeostasis, we studied the effects of Fe3+ on Cu2+ uptake by the freshwater green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We observed a significant increase in Cu2+ uptake rate in algal cells acclimated to a low Fe3+ medium up to 4.7 times greater compared to non-acclimated algal cells. The overexpression of the ferroxidase FOX1 and permease FTR1 genes suggests an activation of the high affinity Fe3+ assimilation system, which could constitute a plausible explanation for the increase in Cu2+ uptake rate in acclimatized algae. We show that Fe availability can have a significant impact on Cu uptake. Our observations reinforce the importance of considering physiological factors to better predict metal bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeric Kochoni
- EcotoQ, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 de la Couronne, Québec, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Caroline Doose
- Laboratoire de Biologie des Organismes et des écosystèmes Aquatiques, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Station Marine Concarneau, 29900, Concarneau, France
| | - Patrice Gonzalez
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, UMR 5805, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Claude Fortin
- EcotoQ, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 de la Couronne, Québec, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada.
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16
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Kochoni E, Aharchaou I, Ohlund L, Rosabal M, Sleno L, Fortin C. New insights in copper handling strategies in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under low-iron condition. Metallomics 2022; 14:6582230. [PMID: 35524697 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfac033] [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: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Copper (Cu) is a redox-active transition element critical to various metabolic processes. These functions are accomplished in tandem with Cu binding ligands, mainly proteins. The main goal of this work was to understand the mechanisms that govern the intracellular fate of Cu in the freshwater green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and more specifically to understand the mechanisms underlying Cu detoxification by algal cells in low-Fe conditions. We show that Cu accumulation was up to 51-fold greater for algae exposed to Cu in low-Fe medium as compared to the replete-Fe growth medium. Using the stable isotope 65Cu as a tracer, we studied the subcellular distribution of Cu within the various cell compartments of C. reinhardtii. These data were coupled with metallomic and proteomic approaches to identify potential Cu-binding ligands in the heat-stable protein and peptide fractions of the cytosol. Cu was mostly found in the organelles (78%), and in the heat-stable proteins and peptides (21%) fractions. The organelle fraction appeared to also be the main target compartment of Cu accumulation in Fe-depleted cells. As Fe levels in the medium were shown to influence Cu homeostasis, we found that C. reinhardtii can cope with this additional stress by utilizing different Cu-binding ligands. Indeed, in addition to expected Cu-binding ligands such as glutathione and phytochelatins, 25 proteins were detected that may also play a role in the Cu detoxification processes in C. reinhardtii. Our results shed new light on the coping mechanisms of C. reinhardtii when exposed to environmental conditions that induce high rates of Cu accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeric Kochoni
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490, rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada.,EcotoQ, 490, rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Imad Aharchaou
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490, rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada.,EcotoQ, 490, rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Leanne Ohlund
- Département de Chimie, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), 2101, rue Jeanne-Mance, Montréal, QC, H2×2J6, Canada
| | - Maikel Rosabal
- EcotoQ, 490, rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada.,Département des Sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), 141 Avenue du Président-Kennedy, Montréal, QC, H2×1Y4, Canada
| | - Lekha Sleno
- EcotoQ, 490, rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada.,Département de Chimie, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), 2101, rue Jeanne-Mance, Montréal, QC, H2×2J6, Canada
| | - Claude Fortin
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490, rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada.,EcotoQ, 490, rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada
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17
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Abstract
Nutrients are scarce and valuable resources, so plants developed sophisticated mechanisms to optimize nutrient use efficiency. A crucial part of this is monitoring external and internal nutrient levels to adjust processes such as uptake, redistribution, and cellular compartmentation. Measurement of nutrient levels is carried out by primary sensors that typically involve either transceptors or transcription factors. Primary sensors are only now starting to be identified in plants for some nutrients. In particular, for nitrate, there is detailed insight concerning how the external nitrate status is sensed by members of the nitrate transporter 1 (NRT1) family. Potential sensors for other macronutrients such as potassium and sodium have also been identified recently, whereas for micronutrients such as zinc and iron, transcription factor type sensors have been reported. This review provides an overview that interprets and evaluates our current understanding of how plants sense macro and micronutrients in the rhizosphere and root symplast.
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18
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Cutolo EA, Mandalà G, Dall’Osto L, Bassi R. Harnessing the Algal Chloroplast for Heterologous Protein Production. Microorganisms 2022; 10:743. [PMID: 35456794 PMCID: PMC9025058 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10040743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Photosynthetic microbes are gaining increasing attention as heterologous hosts for the light-driven, low-cost production of high-value recombinant proteins. Recent advances in the manipulation of unicellular algal genomes offer the opportunity to establish engineered strains as safe and viable alternatives to conventional heterotrophic expression systems, including for their use in the feed, food, and biopharmaceutical industries. Due to the relatively small size of their genomes, algal chloroplasts are excellent targets for synthetic biology approaches, and are convenient subcellular sites for the compartmentalized accumulation and storage of products. Different classes of recombinant proteins, including enzymes and peptides with therapeutical applications, have been successfully expressed in the plastid of the model organism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and of a few other species, highlighting the emerging potential of transplastomic algal biotechnology. In this review, we provide a unified view on the state-of-the-art tools that are available to introduce protein-encoding transgenes in microalgal plastids, and discuss the main (bio)technological bottlenecks that still need to be addressed to develop robust and sustainable green cell biofactories.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Roberto Bassi
- Laboratory of Photosynthesis and Bioenergy, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy; (E.A.C.); (G.M.); (L.D.)
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19
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Perea-García A, Puig S, Peñarrubia L. The role of post-transcriptional modulators of metalloproteins in response to metal deficiencies. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:1735-1750. [PMID: 34849747 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Copper and iron proteins have a wide range of functions in living organisms. Metal assembly into metalloproteins is a complex process, where mismetalation is detrimental and energy consuming to cells. Under metal deficiency, metal distribution is expected to reach a metalation ranking, prioritizing essential versus dispensable metalloproteins, while avoiding interference with other metals and protecting metal-sensitive processes. In this review, we propose that post-transcriptional modulators of metalloprotein mRNA (ModMeR) are good candidates in metal prioritization under metal-limited conditions. ModMeR target high quota or redundant metalloproteins and, by adjusting their synthesis, ModMeR act as internal metal distribution valves. Inappropriate metalation of ModMeR targets could compete with metal delivery to essential metalloproteins and interfere with metal-sensitive processes, such as chloroplastic photosynthesis and mitochondrial respiration. Regulation of ModMeR targets could increase or decrease the metal flow through interconnected pathways in cellular metal distribution, helping to achieve adequate differential metal requirements. Here, we describe and compare ModMeR that function in response to copper and iron deficiencies. Specifically, we describe copper-miRNAs from Arabidopsis thaliana and diverse iron ModMeR from yeast, mammals, and bacteria under copper and iron deficiencies, as well as the influence of oxidative stress. Putative functions derived from their role as ModMeR are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Perea-García
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut Universitari de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sergi Puig
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Lola Peñarrubia
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut Universitari de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
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20
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Ranjbar S, Malcata FX. Is Genetic Engineering a Route to Enhance Microalgae-Mediated Bioremediation of Heavy Metal-Containing Effluents? Molecules 2022; 27:1473. [PMID: 35268582 PMCID: PMC8911655 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27051473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Contamination of the biosphere by heavy metals has been rising, due to accelerated anthropogenic activities, and is nowadays, a matter of serious global concern. Removal of such inorganic pollutants from aquatic environments via biological processes has earned great popularity, for its cost-effectiveness and high efficiency, compared to conventional physicochemical methods. Among candidate organisms, microalgae offer several competitive advantages; phycoremediation has even been claimed as the next generation of wastewater treatment technologies. Furthermore, integration of microalgae-mediated wastewater treatment and bioenergy production adds favorably to the economic feasibility of the former process-with energy security coming along with environmental sustainability. However, poor biomass productivity under abiotic stress conditions has hindered the large-scale deployment of microalgae. Recent advances encompassing molecular tools for genome editing, together with the advent of multiomics technologies and computational approaches, have permitted the design of tailor-made microalgal cell factories, which encompass multiple beneficial traits, while circumventing those associated with the bioaccumulation of unfavorable chemicals. Previous studies unfolded several routes through which genetic engineering-mediated improvements appear feasible (encompassing sequestration/uptake capacity and specificity for heavy metals); they can be categorized as metal transportation, chelation, or biotransformation, with regulation of metal- and oxidative stress response, as well as cell surface engineering playing a crucial role therein. This review covers the state-of-the-art metal stress mitigation mechanisms prevalent in microalgae, and discusses putative and tested metabolic engineering approaches, aimed at further improvement of those biological processes. Finally, current research gaps and future prospects arising from use of transgenic microalgae for heavy metal phycoremediation are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Ranjbar
- LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisco Xavier Malcata
- LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
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21
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Pham KLJ, Schmollinger S, Merchant SS, Strenkert D. Chlamydomonas ATX1 is essential for Cu distribution to multiple cupro-enzymes and maintenance of biomass in conditions demanding cupro-enzyme-dependent metabolic pathways. PLANT DIRECT 2022; 6:e383. [PMID: 35141461 PMCID: PMC8814560 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Copper (Cu) chaperones, of which yeast ATX1 is a prototype, are small proteins with a Cu(I) binding MxCxxC motif and are responsible for directing intracellular Cu toward specific client protein targets that use Cu as a cofactor. The Chlamydomonas reinhardtii ATX1 (CrATX1) was identified by its high sequence similarity with yeast ATX1. Like the yeast homologue, CrATX1 accumulates in iron-deficient cells (but is not impacted by other metal-deficiencies). N- and C-terminally YFP-ATX1 fusion proteins are distributed in the cytoplasm. Reverse genetic analysis using artificial microRNA (amiRNA) to generate lines with reduced CrATX1 abundance and CRISPR/Cpf1 to generate atx1 knockout lines validated a function for ATX1 in iron-poor cells, again reminiscent of yeast ATX1, most likely because of an impact on metalation of the multicopper oxidase FOX1, which is an important component in high-affinity iron uptake. We further identify other candidate ATX1 targets owing to reduced growth of atx1 mutant lines on guanine as a sole nitrogen source, which we attribute to loss of function of UOX1, encoding a urate oxidase, a cupro-enzyme involved in guanine assimilation. An impact of ATX1 on Cu distribution in atx1 mutants is strikingly evident by a reduced amount of intracellular Cu in all conditions probed in this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keegan L. J. Pham
- Department of Plant and Microbial BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Stefan Schmollinger
- California Institute for Quantitative BiosciencesUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sabeeha S. Merchant
- Department of Plant and Microbial BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
- California Institute for Quantitative BiosciencesUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Molecular & Cell BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Daniela Strenkert
- California Institute for Quantitative BiosciencesUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
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22
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Hao C, Yang Y, Du J, Deng XW, Li L. The PCY-SAG14 phytocyanin module regulated by PIFs and miR408 promotes dark-induced leaf senescence in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2116623119. [PMID: 35022242 PMCID: PMC8784109 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2116623119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Leaf senescence is a critical process in plants and has a direct impact on many important agronomic traits. Despite decades of research on senescence-altered mutants via forward genetics and functional assessment of senescence-associated genes (SAGs) via reverse genetics, the senescence signal and the molecular mechanism that perceives and transduces the signal remain elusive. Here, using dark-induced senescence (DIS) of Arabidopsis leaf as the experimental system, we show that exogenous copper induces the senescence syndrome and transcriptomic changes in light-grown plants parallel to those in DIS. By profiling the transcriptomes and tracking the subcellular copper distribution, we found that reciprocal regulation of plastocyanin, the thylakoid lumen mobile electron carrier in the Z scheme of photosynthetic electron transport, and SAG14 and plantacyanin (PCY), a pair of interacting small blue copper proteins located on the endomembrane, is a common thread in different leaf senescence scenarios, including DIS. Genetic and molecular experiments confirmed that the PCY-SAG14 module is necessary and sufficient for promoting DIS. We also found that the PCY-SAG14 module is repressed by a conserved microRNA, miR408, which in turn is repressed by phytochrome interacting factor 3/4/5 (PIF3/4/5), the key trio of transcription factors promoting DIS. Together, these findings indicate that intracellular copper redistribution mediated by PCY-SAG14 has a regulatory role in DIS. Further deciphering the copper homeostasis mechanism and its interaction with other senescence-regulating pathways should provide insights into our understanding of the fundamental question of how plants age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yanzhi Yang
- School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jianmei Du
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xing Wang Deng
- School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China;
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Lei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China;
- School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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Foster AW, Young TR, Chivers PT, Robinson NJ. Protein metalation in biology. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2021; 66:102095. [PMID: 34763208 PMCID: PMC8867077 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.102095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Inorganic metals supplement the chemical repertoire of organic molecules, especially proteins. This requires the correct metals to associate with proteins at metalation. Protein mismetalation typically occurs when excesses of unbound metals compete for a binding site ex vivo. However, in biology, excesses of metal-binding sites typically compete for limiting amounts of exchangeable metals. Here, we summarise mechanisms of metal homeostasis that sustain optimal metal availabilities in biology. We describe recent progress to understand metalation by comparing the strength of metal binding to a protein versus the strength of binding to competing sites inside cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W Foster
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK; Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Tessa R Young
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK; Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Peter T Chivers
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK; Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Nigel J Robinson
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK; Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
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24
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Castell C, Rodríguez-Lumbreras LA, Hervás M, Fernández-Recio J, Navarro JA. New Insights into the Evolution of the Electron Transfer from Cytochrome f to Photosystem I in the Green and Red Branches of Photosynthetic Eukaryotes. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 62:1082-1093. [PMID: 33772595 PMCID: PMC8557733 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcab044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
In cyanobacteria and most green algae of the eukaryotic green lineage, the copper-protein plastocyanin (Pc) alternatively replaces the heme-protein cytochrome c6 (Cc6) as the soluble electron carrier from cytochrome f (Cf) to photosystem I (PSI). The functional and structural equivalence of 'green' Pc and Cc6 has been well established, representing an example of convergent evolution of two unrelated proteins. However, plants only produce Pc, despite having evolved from green algae. On the other hand, Cc6 is the only soluble donor available in most species of the red lineage of photosynthetic organisms, which includes, among others, red algae and diatoms. Interestingly, Pc genes have been identified in oceanic diatoms, probably acquired by horizontal gene transfer from green algae. However, the mechanisms that regulate the expression of a functional Pc in diatoms are still unclear. In the green eukaryotic lineage, the transfer of electrons from Cf to PSI has been characterized in depth. The conclusion is that in the green lineage, this process involves strong electrostatic interactions between partners, which ensure a high affinity and an efficient electron transfer (ET) at the cost of limiting the turnover of the process. In the red lineage, recent kinetic and structural modeling data suggest a different strategy, based on weaker electrostatic interactions between partners, with lower affinity and less efficient ET, but favoring instead the protein exchange and the turnover of the process. Finally, in diatoms the interaction of the acquired green-type Pc with both Cf and PSI may not yet be optimized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Castell
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC and Universidad de Sevilla, cicCartuja, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Luis A Rodríguez-Lumbreras
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (ICVV), CSIC—Universidad de La Rioja—Gobierno de La Rioja, Logroño, Spain
| | - Manuel Hervás
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC and Universidad de Sevilla, cicCartuja, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Juan Fernández-Recio
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (ICVV), CSIC—Universidad de La Rioja—Gobierno de La Rioja, Logroño, Spain
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25
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Perea-García A, Andrés-Bordería A, Huijser P, Peñarrubia L. The Copper-microRNA Pathway Is Integrated with Developmental and Environmental Stress Responses in Arabidopsis thaliana. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9547. [PMID: 34502449 PMCID: PMC8430956 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
As an essential nutrient, copper (Cu) scarcity causes a decrease in agricultural production. Cu deficiency responses include the induction of several microRNAs, known as Cu-miRNAs, which are responsible for degrading mRNAs from abundant and dispensable cuproproteins to economize copper when scarce. Cu-miRNAs, such as miR398 and miR408 are conserved, as well as the signal transduction pathway to induce them under Cu deficiency. The Arabidopsis thaliana SQUAMOSA-PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) family member SPL7 binds to the cis-regulatory motifs present in the promoter regions of genes expressed under Cu deficiency, including Cu-miRNAs. The expression of several other SPL transcription factor family members is regulated by miR156. This regulatory miR156-SPL module plays a crucial role in developmental phase transitions while integrating internal and external cues. Here, we show that Cu deficiency also affects miR156 expression and that SPL3 overexpressing plants, resistant to miR156 regulation, show a severe decrease in SPL7-mediated Cu deficiency responses. These include the expression of Cu-miRNAs and their targets and is probably due to competition between SPL7 and miR156-regulated SPL3 in binding to cis-regulatory elements in Cu-miRNA promoters. Thus, the conserved SPL7-mediated Cu-miRNA pathway could generally be affected by the miR156-SPL module, thereby underscoring the integration of the Cu-miRNA pathway with developmental and environmental stress responses in Arabidopsis thaliana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Perea-García
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut Universitari de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain; (A.P.-G.); (A.A.-B.)
| | - Amparo Andrés-Bordería
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut Universitari de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain; (A.P.-G.); (A.A.-B.)
| | - Peter Huijser
- Department of Comparative Development and Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Carl-von-Linné-Weg 10, 50829 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Lola Peñarrubia
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut Universitari de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain; (A.P.-G.); (A.A.-B.)
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26
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Kuo MT, Huang YF, Chou CY, Chen HHW. Targeting the Copper Transport System to Improve Treatment Efficacies of Platinum-Containing Drugs in Cancer Chemotherapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14060549. [PMID: 34201235 PMCID: PMC8227247 DOI: 10.3390/ph14060549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The platinum (Pt)-containing antitumor drugs including cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II, cDDP), carboplatin, and oxaliplatin, have been the mainstay of cancer chemotherapy. These drugs are effective in treating many human malignancies. The major cell-killing target of Pt drugs is DNA. Recent findings underscored the important roles of Pt drug transport system in cancer therapy. While many mechanisms have been proposed for Pt-drug transport, the high-affinity copper transporter (hCtr1), Cu chaperone (Atox1), and Cu exporters (ATP7A and ATP7B) are also involved in cDDP transport, highlighting Cu homeostasis regulation in Pt-based cancer therapy. It was demonstrated that by reducing cellular Cu bioavailable levels by Cu chelators, hCtr1 is transcriptionally upregulated by transcription factor Sp1, which binds the promoters of Sp1 and hCtr1. In contrast, elevated Cu poisons Sp1, resulting in suppression of hCtr1 and Sp1, constituting the Cu-Sp1-hCtr1 mutually regulatory loop. Clinical investigations using copper chelator (trientine) in carboplatin treatment have been conducted for overcoming Pt drug resistance due in part to defective transport. While results are encouraging, future development may include targeting multiple steps in Cu transport system for improving the efficacies of Pt-based cancer chemotherapy. The focus of this review is to delineate the mechanistic interrelationships between Cu homeostasis regulation and antitumor efficacy of Pt drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macus Tien Kuo
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Yu-Fang Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
| | - Cheng-Yang Chou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: (C.-Y.C.); (H.H.W.C.)
| | - Helen H. W. Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
- Center of Applied Nanomedicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-Y.C.); (H.H.W.C.)
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27
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Single-cell visualization and quantification of trace metals in Chlamydomonas lysosome-related organelles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2026811118. [PMID: 33879572 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2026811118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The acidocalcisome is an acidic organelle in the cytosol of eukaryotes, defined by its low pH and high calcium and polyphosphate content. It is visualized as an electron-dense object by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) or described with mass spectrometry (MS)-based imaging techniques or multimodal X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) based on its unique elemental composition. Compared with MS-based imaging techniques, XFM offers the additional advantage of absolute quantification of trace metal content, since sectioning of the cell is not required and metabolic states can be preserved rapidly by either vitrification or chemical fixation. We employed XFM in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to determine single-cell and organelle trace metal quotas within algal cells in situations of trace metal overaccumulation (Fe and Cu). We found up to 70% of the cellular Cu and 80% of Fe sequestered in acidocalcisomes in these conditions and identified two distinct populations of acidocalcisomes, defined by their unique trace elemental makeup. We utilized the vtc1 mutant, defective in polyphosphate synthesis and failing to accumulate Ca, to show that Fe sequestration is not dependent on either. Finally, quantitation of the Fe and Cu contents of individual cells and compartments via XFM, over a range of cellular metal quotas created by nutritional and genetic perturbations, indicated excellent correlation with bulk data from corresponding cell cultures, establishing a framework to distinguish the nutritional status of single cells.
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