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Vallée M. Advances in steroid research from the pioneering neurosteroid concept to metabolomics: New insights into pregnenolone function. Front Neuroendocrinol 2024; 72:101113. [PMID: 37993022 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Advances in neuroendocrinology have led to major discoveries since the 19th century, identifying adaptive loops for maintaining homeostasis. One of the most remarkable discoveries was the concept of neurosteroids, according to which the brain is not only a target but also a source of steroid production. The identification of new membrane steroid targets now underpins the neuromodulatory effects of neurosteroids such as pregnenolone, which is involved in functions mediated by the GPCR CB1 receptor. Structural analysis of steroids is a key feature of their interactions with the phospholipid membrane, receptors and resulting activity. Therefore, mass spectrometry-based methods have been developed to elucidate the metabolic pathways of steroids, the ultimate approach being metabolomics, which allows the identification of a large number of metabolites in a single sample. This approach should enable us to make progress in understanding the role of neurosteroids in the functioning of physiological and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Vallée
- University Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, F-33000 Bordeaux, France.
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2
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Roy S, Roy S, Mahata B, Pramanik J, Hennrich ML, Gavin AC, Teichmann SA. CLICK-chemoproteomics and molecular dynamics simulation reveals pregnenolone targets and their binding conformations in Th2 cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1229703. [PMID: 38022565 PMCID: PMC10644475 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1229703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnenolone (P5) is synthesized as the first bioactive steroid in the mitochondria from cholesterol. Clusters of differentiation 4 (CD4+) and Clusters of differentiation 8 (CD8+) immune cells synthesize P5 de novo; P5, in turn, play important role in immune homeostasis and regulation. However, P5's biochemical mode of action in immune cells is still emerging. We envisage that revealing the complete spectrum of P5 target proteins in immune cells would have multifold applications, not only in basic understanding of steroids biochemistry in immune cells but also in developing new therapeutic applications. We employed a CLICK-enabled probe to capture P5-binding proteins in live T helper cell type 2 (Th2) cells. Subsequently, using high-throughput quantitative proteomics, we identified the P5 interactome in CD4+ Th2 cells. Our study revealed P5's mode of action in CD4+ immune cells. We identified novel proteins from mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum membranes to be the primary mediators of P5's biochemistry in CD4+ and to concur with our earlier finding in CD8+ immune cells. Applying advanced computational algorithms and molecular simulations, we were able to generate near-native maps of P5-protein key molecular interactions. We showed bonds and interactions between key amino acids and P5, which revealed the importance of ionic bond, hydrophobic interactions, and water channels. We point out that our results can lead to designing of novel molecular therapeutics strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sougata Roy
- Department of Biology, Ashoka University, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonipat, Haryana, India
| | - Sudeep Roy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czechia
| | - Bidesh Mahata
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jhuma Pramanik
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Marco L. Hennrich
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBL, Heidelberg, Germany
- Cellzome, a GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) company, Genomic Sciences, Pharma R&D, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anne-Claude Gavin
- Department for Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Centre Medical Universitaire, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Diabetes Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sarah A. Teichmann
- Cellular Genetics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Theory of Condensed Matter, Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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3
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Song H, Kim EH, Hong J, Gwon D, Kim JW, Bae GU, Jang CY. Hornerin mediates phosphorylation of the polo-box domain in Plk1 by Chk1 to induce death in mitosis. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:2151-2166. [PMID: 37596441 PMCID: PMC10482915 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01208-y] [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: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The centrosome assembles a bipolar spindle for faithful chromosome segregation during mitosis. To prevent the inheritance of DNA damage, the DNA damage response (DDR) triggers programmed spindle multipolarity and concomitant death in mitosis through a poorly understood mechanism. We identified hornerin, which forms a complex with checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) and polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) to mediate phosphorylation at the polo-box domain (PBD) of Plk1, as the link between the DDR and death in mitosis. We demonstrate that hornerin mediates DDR-induced precocious centriole disengagement through a dichotomous mechanism that includes sequestration of Sgo1 and Plk1 in the cytoplasm through phosphorylation of the PBD in Plk1 by Chk1. Phosphorylation of the PBD in Plk1 abolishes the interaction with Sgo1 and phosphorylation-dependent Sgo1 translocation to the centrosome, leading to precocious centriole disengagement and spindle multipolarity. Mechanistically, hornerin traps phosphorylated Plk1 in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, PBD phosphorylation inactivates Plk1 and disrupts Cep192::Aurora A::Plk1 complex translocation to the centrosome and concurrent centrosome maturation. Remarkably, hornerin depletion leads to chemoresistance against DNA damaging agents by attenuating DDR-induced death in mitosis. These results reveal how the DDR eradicates mitotic cells harboring DNA damage to ensure genome integrity during cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyu Song
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04310, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Ho Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, 42472, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihee Hong
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04310, Republic of Korea
| | - Dasom Gwon
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04310, Republic of Korea
| | - Jee Won Kim
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04310, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyu-Un Bae
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04310, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chang-Young Jang
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04310, Republic of Korea.
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4
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Yuan Y, Wang J, Zhang D, Tang L, Duan L, Jiang X. Deciphering the Role of Shugoshin-Like Protein 1 in Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Comprehensive Analysis and In Vitro Study. Front Oncol 2022; 12:898920. [PMID: 35592680 PMCID: PMC9110828 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.898920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Shugoshin-like protein 1 (SGO1) has been characterized in its function in correct cell division and its role in centrosome cohesion in the nucleus. However, the underlying biological function and potential mechanisms of SGO1 driving the progression of lung adenocarcinoma remain unclear. In this study, we found that SGO1 was increased in LUAD tissues and cell lines. Upregulation of SGO1 expression was correlated with poor overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DSS), and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with LUAD. ROC curve analysis suggested that the AUC value of SGO1 was 0.983. Correlation analysis showed that SGO1 expression was related to immune infiltration in LUAD. Meanwhile, a potential ceRNA network was constructed to identify the lncRNA-MIR4435-2HG/miR-125a-5p/SGO1 regulatory axis in LUAD. Finally, we determine that SGO1 regulated the cell proliferation and cell apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma in vitro. In conclusion, our data suggested that SGO1 could be a novel prognostic biomarker for lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiao Yuan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Dahang Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Lin Tang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Lincan Duan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Xiulin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
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5
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Huang W, Ray P, Ji W, Wang Z, Nancarrow D, Chen G, Galbán S, Lawrence TS, Beer DG, Rehemtulla A, Ramnath N, Ray D. The cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP24A1 increases proliferation of mutant KRAS-dependent lung adenocarcinoma independent of its catalytic activity. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:5906-5917. [PMID: 32165494 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011869] [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: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that overexpression of cytochrome P450 family 24 subfamily A member 1 (CYP24A1) increases lung cancer cell proliferation by activating RAS signaling and that CYP24A1 knockdown inhibits tumor growth. However, the mechanism of CYP24A1-mediated cancer cell proliferation remains unclear. Here, we conducted cell synchronization and biochemical experiments in lung adenocarcinoma cells, revealing a link between CYP24A1 and anaphase-promoting complex (APC), a key cell cycle regulator. We demonstrate that CYP24A1 expression is cell cycle-dependent; it was higher in the G2-M phase and diminished upon G1 entry. CYP24A1 has a functional destruction box (D-box) motif that allows binding with two APC adaptors, CDC20-homologue 1 (CDH1) and cell division cycle 20 (CDC20). Unlike other APC substrates, however, CYP24A1 acted as a pseudo-substrate, inhibiting CDH1 activity and promoting mitotic progression. Conversely, overexpression of a CYP24A1 D-box mutant compromised CDH1 binding, allowing CDH1 hyperactivation, thereby hastening degradation of its substrates cyclin B1 and CDC20, and accumulation of the CDC20 substrate p21, prolonging mitotic exit. These activities also occurred with a CYP24A1 isoform 2 lacking the catalytic cysteine (Cys-462), suggesting that CYP24A1's oncogenic potential is independent of its catalytic activity. CYP24A1 degradation reduced clonogenic survival of mutant KRAS-driven lung cancer cells, and calcitriol treatment increased CYP24A1 levels and tumor burden in Lsl-KRASG12D mice. These results disclose a catalytic activity-independent growth-promoting role of CYP24A1 in mutant KRAS-driven lung cancer. This suggests that CYP24A1 could be therapeutically targeted in lung cancers in which its expression is high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Paramita Ray
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Wenbin Ji
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Zhuwen Wang
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Derek Nancarrow
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Guoan Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Stefanie Galbán
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Theodore S Lawrence
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - David G Beer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109; Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Alnawaz Rehemtulla
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Nithya Ramnath
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109; Veterans Administration, Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105.
| | - Dipankar Ray
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109.
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6
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McManus JM, Bohn K, Alyamani M, Chung YM, Klein EA, Sharifi N. Rapid and structure-specific cellular uptake of selected steroids. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224081. [PMID: 31622417 PMCID: PMC6797172 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid hormones and their respective nuclear receptors are essential mediators in numerous physiologic and pathophysiologic processes, ranging from regulation of metabolism, immune function, and reproductive processes to the development of hormone-dependent cancers such as those of the breast and prostate. Because steroids must enter cells before activating nuclear receptors, understanding the mechanisms by which cellular uptake occurs is critical, yet a clear understanding of these mechanisms has been elusive. It is generally assumed that diffusion-driven uptake is similar across various steroids whereas an elevated cellular concentration is thought to reflect active uptake, but these assumptions have not been directly tested. Here we show that intact cells rapidly accumulate free steroids to markedly elevated concentrations. This effect varies widely depending on steroid structure; more lipophilic steroids reach more elevated concentrations. Strong preferences exist for 3β-OH, Δ5-steroids vs. 3-keto, Δ4-structural features and for progestogens vs. androgens. Surprisingly, steroid-structure-specific preferences do not require cell viability, implying a passive mechanism, and occur across cells derived from multiple tissue types. Physiologic relevance is suggested by structure-specific preferences in human prostate tissue compared with serum. On the other hand, the presence of serum proteins in vitro blocks much, but not all, of the passive accumulation, while still permitting a substantial amount of active accumulation for certain steroids. Our findings suggest that both passive and active uptake mechanisms make important contributions to the cellular steroid uptake process. The role of passive, lipophilicity-driven accumulation has previously been largely unappreciated, and its existence provides important context to studies on steroid transport and action both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M. McManus
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Kelsey Bohn
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Mohammad Alyamani
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Yoon-Mi Chung
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Eric A. Klein
- Department of Urology, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Nima Sharifi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Urology, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
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7
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Abstract
Cell division is a highly regulated and carefully orchestrated process. Understanding the mechanisms that promote proper cell division is an important step toward unraveling important questions in cell biology and human health. Early studies seeking to dissect the mechanisms of cell division used classical genetics approaches to identify genes involved in mitosis and deployed biochemical approaches to isolate and identify proteins critical for cell division. These studies underscored that post-translational modifications and cyclin-kinase complexes play roles at the heart of the cell division program. Modern approaches for examining the mechanisms of cell division, including the use of high-throughput methods to study the effects of RNAi, cDNA, and chemical libraries, have evolved to encompass a larger biological and chemical space. Here, we outline some of the classical studies that established a foundation for the field and provide an overview of recent approaches that have advanced the study of cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Y Ong
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Jorge Z Torres
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095 .,The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095.,Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095
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8
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Sun C, Huang S, Ju W, Hou Y, Wang Z, Liu Y, Wu L, He X. Elevated DSN1 expression is associated with poor survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Hum Pathol 2018; 81:113-120. [PMID: 30136646 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2018.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Dosage suppressor of Nnf1 (DSN1) is a component of the kinetochore protein complex that is required for proper chromosome segregation. Some studies have explored that DSN1 is related to colorectal cancer progression. However, the role of DSN1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. This study aimed to explore DSN1 expression in HCC tissues. We obtained data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus to analyze DSN1 expression in HCC. DSN1 mRNA expression was assessed in 30 pairs of HCC samples via reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemical analysis of 95 HCC tissue specimens was performed to assess DSN1 expression and examine the clinicopathological characteristics of DSN1 in HCC. Results showed that DSN1 was upregulated in HCC tissues and was strongly associated with sex (P = .031), α-fetoprotein (P < .001), tumor size (P = .032), tumor nodule number (P = .028), cancer embolus (P = .011), and differentiation grade (P = .001). Moreover, Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional-hazards analyses indicated that high DSN1 expression was related to poor HCC patient survival and that DSN1 can serve as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival and disease-free survival. In conclusion, our findings indicate that DSN1 could serve as a novel prognostic biomarker for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengjun Sun
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shanzhou Huang
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Weiqiang Ju
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yuchen Hou
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ziming Wang
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Youjie Liu
- Basic Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Linwei Wu
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Xiaoshun He
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
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9
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Kumar R. Separase: Function Beyond Cohesion Cleavage and an Emerging Oncogene. J Cell Biochem 2017; 118:1283-1299. [PMID: 27966791 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Proper and timely segregation of genetic endowment is necessary for survival and perpetuation of every species. Mis-segregation of chromosomes and resulting aneuploidy leads to genetic instability, which can jeopardize the survival of an individual or population as a whole. Abnormality with segregation of genetic contents has been associated with several medical consequences including cancer, sterility, mental retardation, spontaneous abortion, miscarriages, and other birth related defects. Separase, by irreversible cleavage of cohesin complex subunit, paves the way for metaphase/anaphase transition during the cell cycle. Both over or reduced expression and altered level of separase have been associated with several medical consequences including cancer, as a result separase now emerges as an important oncogene and potential molecular target for medical intervenes. Recently, separase is also found to be essential in separation and duplication of centrioles. Here, I review the role of separase in mitosis, meiosis, non-canonical roles of separase, separase regulation, as a regulator of centriole disengagement, nonproteolytic roles, diverse substrates, structural insights, and association of separase with cancer. At the ends, I proposed a model which showed that separase is active throughout the cell cycle and there is a mere increase in separase activity during metaphase contrary to the common believes that separase is inactive throughout cell cycle except for metaphase. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1283-1299, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, 400 076, Maharashtra, India
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Weng JH, Chung BC. Nongenomic actions of neurosteroid pregnenolone and its metabolites. Steroids 2016; 111:54-59. [PMID: 26844377 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2016.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Steroids have been widely used in the clinical setting. They bind and activate nuclear receptors to regulate gene expression. In addition to activating genomic transcription, steroids also exert nongenomic actions. The current article focuses on the nongenomic actions of neurosteroids, including pregnenolone (P5), 7α-hydroxypregnenolone, pregnenolone sulfate and allopregnanolone. Pregnenolone and its derivatives promote neuronal activity by enhancing learning and memory, relieving depression, enhancing locomotor activity, and promoting neuronal cell survival. They exert these effects by activating various target proteins located in the cytoplasm or cell membrane. Pregnenolone and its metabolites bind to receptors such as microtubule-associated proteins and neurotransmitter receptors to elicit a series of reactions including stabilization of microtubules, increase of ion flux into cells, and dopamine release. The wide actions of neurosteroids indicate that pregnenolone derivatives have great potential in future treatment of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jui-Hsia Weng
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bon-Chu Chung
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan.
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