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Riley AK, Grant M, Snell A, Cromwell E, Vichas A, Moorthi S, Rominger C, Modukuri SP, Urisman A, Castel P, Wan L, Berger AH. The deubiquitinase USP9X regulates RIT1 protein abundance and oncogenic phenotypes. iScience 2024; 27:110499. [PMID: 39161959 PMCID: PMC11332844 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
RIT1 is a rare and understudied oncogene in lung cancer. Despite structural similarity to other RAS GTPase proteins such as KRAS, oncogenic RIT1 activity does not appear to be tightly regulated by nucleotide exchange or hydrolysis. Instead, there is a growing understanding that the protein abundance of RIT1 is important for its regulation and function. We previously identified the deubiquitinase USP9X as a RIT1 dependency in RIT1-mutant cells. Here, we demonstrate that both wild-type and mutant forms of RIT1 are substrates of USP9X. Depletion of USP9X leads to decreased RIT1 protein stability and abundance and resensitizes cells to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. Our work expands upon the current understanding of RIT1 protein regulation and presents USP9X as a key regulator of RIT1-driven oncogenic phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K. Riley
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael Grant
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Aidan Snell
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Elizabeth Cromwell
- Preclinical Modeling Shared Resource, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Athea Vichas
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sitapriya Moorthi
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Callie Rominger
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Shrikar P. Modukuri
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Anatoly Urisman
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Pau Castel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lixin Wan
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Alice H. Berger
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Herbold Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Kundu S, Rohokale R, Lin C, Chen S, Biswas S, Guo Z. Bifunctional glycosphingolipid (GSL) probes to investigate GSL-interacting proteins in cell membranes. J Lipid Res 2024; 65:100570. [PMID: 38795858 PMCID: PMC11261293 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are abundant glycolipids on cells and essential for cell recognition, adhesion, signal transduction, and so on. However, their lipid anchors are not long enough to cross the membrane bilayer. To transduce transmembrane signals, GSLs must interact with other membrane components, whereas such interactions are difficult to investigate. To overcome this difficulty, bifunctional derivatives of II3-β-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-GA2 (GalNAc-GA2) and β-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-ceramide (GlcNAc-Cer) were synthesized as probes to explore GSL-interacting membrane proteins in live cells. Both probes contain photoreactive diazirine in the lipid moiety, which can crosslink with proximal membrane proteins upon photoactivation, and clickable alkyne in the glycan to facilitate affinity tag addition for crosslinked protein pull-down and characterization. The synthesis is highlighted by the efficient assembly of simple glycolipid precursors followed by on-site lipid remodeling. These probes were employed to profile GSL-interacting membrane proteins in HEK293 cells. The GalNAc-GA2 probe revealed 312 distinct proteins, with GlcNAc-Cer probe-crosslinked proteins as controls, suggesting the potential influence of the glycan on GSL functions. Many of the proteins identified with the GalNAc-GA2 probe are associated with GSLs, and some have been validated as being specific to this probe. The versatile probe design and experimental protocols are anticipated to be widely applicable to GSL research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayan Kundu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Rajendra Rohokale
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Chuwei Lin
- Department of Biology, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sixue Chen
- Department of Biology, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA
| | - Shayak Biswas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Zhongwu Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Riley AK, Grant M, Snell A, Vichas A, Moorthi S, Urisman A, Castel P, Wan L, Berger AH. The deubiquitinase USP9X regulates RIT1 protein abundance and oncogenic phenotypes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.30.569313. [PMID: 38077017 PMCID: PMC10705424 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.30.569313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
RIT1 is a rare and understudied oncogene in lung cancer. Despite structural similarity to other RAS GTPase proteins such as KRAS, oncogenic RIT1 activity does not appear to be tightly regulated by nucleotide exchange or hydrolysis. Instead, there is a growing understanding that the protein abundance of RIT1 is important for its regulation and function. We previously identified the deubiquitinase USP9X as a RIT1 dependency in RIT1-mutant cells. Here, we demonstrate that both wild-type and mutant forms of RIT1 are substrates of USP9X. Depletion of USP9X leads to decreased RIT1 protein stability and abundance and resensitizes cells to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Our work expands upon the current understanding of RIT1 protein regulation and presents USP9X as a key regulator of RIT1-driven oncogenic phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K. Riley
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael Grant
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Aidan Snell
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Athea Vichas
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sitapriya Moorthi
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Anatoly Urisman
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Pau Castel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lixin Wan
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Alice H. Berger
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Herbold Computational Biology Program, Public Health Science Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Lead contact:
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Su Y, Lin H, Yu J, Mao L, Jin W, Liu T, Jiang S, Wu Y, Zhang S, Geng Q, Ge C, Zhao F, Chen T, Cui Y, Li J, Hou H, Zhou X, Li H. RIT1 regulates mitosis and promotes proliferation by interacting with SMC3 and PDS5 in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:326. [PMID: 38017479 PMCID: PMC10685607 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02892-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a small G protein of Ras family, Ras-like-without-CAAX-1 (RIT1) plays a critical role in various tumors. Our previous study has demonstrated the involvement of RIT1 in promoting malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. METHODS Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted in the TCGA LIHC cohort to investigate the underlying biological mechanism of RIT1. Live cell imaging, immunofluorescence (IF) and flow cytometry assays were used to verify biological function of RIT1 in HCC mitosis. Subcutaneous xenografting of human HCC cells in BALB/c nude mice was utilized to assess tumor proliferation in vivo. RNA-seq, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), mass spectrometry analyses, western blot and IF assays were employed to elucidate the mechanisms by which RIT1 regulates mitosis and promotes proliferation in HCC. RESULTS Our findings demonstrate that RIT1 plays a crucial role in regulating mitosis in HCC. Knockdown of RIT1 disrupts cell division, leading to G2/M phase arrest, mitotic catastrophe, and apoptosis in HCC cells. SMC3 is found to interact with RIT1 and knockdown of SMC3 attenuates the proliferative effects mediated by RIT1 both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, RIT1 protects and maintains SMC3 acetylation by binding to SMC3 and PDS5 during mitosis, thereby promoting rapid cell division and proliferation in HCC. Notably, we have observed an upregulation of SMC3 expression in HCC tissues, which is associated with poor patient survival and promotion of HCC cell proliferation. Furthermore, there is a significant positive correlation between the expression levels of RIT1, SMC3, and PDS5. Importantly, HCC patients with high expression of both RIT1 and SMC3 exhibit worse prognosis compared to those with high RIT1 but low SMC3 expression. CONCLUSIONS Our findings underscore the crucial role of RIT1 in regulating mitosis in HCC and further demonstrate its potential as a promising therapeutic target for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Su
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hechun Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Junming Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lin Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wenjiao Jin
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Tengfei Liu
- Department of Oncology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Shuqing Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yunyu Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Saihua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qin Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chao Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Fangyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Taoyang Chen
- Qidong Liver Cancer Institute, Qidong, 226200, China
| | - Ying Cui
- Cancer Institute of Guangxi, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Jinjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Helei Hou
- Precision Medicine Center of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - Xinli Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Hong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Cuevas-Navarro A, Wagner M, Van R, Swain M, Mo S, Columbus J, Allison MR, Cheng A, Messing S, Turbyville TJ, Simanshu DK, Sale MJ, McCormick F, Stephen AG, Castel P. RAS-dependent RAF-MAPK hyperactivation by pathogenic RIT1 is a therapeutic target in Noonan syndrome-associated cardiac hypertrophy. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf4766. [PMID: 37450595 PMCID: PMC10348673 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf4766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
RIT1 is a RAS guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) that regulates different aspects of signal transduction and is mutated in lung cancer, leukemia, and in the germline of individuals with Noonan syndrome. Pathogenic RIT1 proteins promote mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) hyperactivation; however, this mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we show that RAF kinases are direct effectors of membrane-bound mutant RIT1 necessary for MAPK activation. We identify critical residues in RIT1 that facilitate interaction with membrane lipids and show that these are necessary for association with RAF kinases and MAPK activation. Although mutant RIT1 binds to RAF kinases directly, it fails to activate MAPK signaling in the absence of classical RAS proteins. Consistent with aberrant RAF/MAPK activation as a driver of disease, we show that pathway inhibition alleviates cardiac hypertrophy in a mouse model of RIT1 mutant Noonan syndrome. These data shed light on the function of pathogenic RIT1 and identify avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Cuevas-Navarro
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Morgan Wagner
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Richard Van
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Monalisa Swain
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Stephanie Mo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - John Columbus
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Madeline R. Allison
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Alice Cheng
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Simon Messing
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Thomas J. Turbyville
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Dhirendra K. Simanshu
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Matthew J. Sale
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Frank McCormick
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Andrew G. Stephen
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Pau Castel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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Lopez J, Bonsor DA, Sale MJ, Urisman A, Mehalko JL, Cabanski-Dunning M, Castel P, Simanshu DK, McCormick F. The Ribosomal S6 Kinase 2 (RSK2)-SPRED2 complex regulates phosphorylation of RSK substrates and MAPK signaling. J Biol Chem 2023:104789. [PMID: 37149146 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sprouty-related EVH-1 domain-containing (SPRED) proteins are a family of proteins that negatively regulate the RAS-MAPK pathway, which is involved in the regulation of the mitogenic response and cell proliferation. However, the mechanism by which these proteins affect RAS-MAPK signaling has not been fully elucidated. Patients with mutations in SPRED give rise to unique disease phenotypes, thus we hypothesized that distinct interactions across SPRED proteins may account for alternative nodes of regulation. To characterize the SPRED interactome and evaluate how members of the SPRED family function through unique binding partners, here we performed affinity purification mass spectrometry. We identified 90-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) as a specific interactor of SPRED2, but not SPRED1 or SPRED3. We identified that the N-terminal kinase domain of RSK2 mediates interaction between amino acids 123-201 of SPRED2. Using X-ray crystallography, we determined the structure of the SPRED2-RSK2 complex and identified the SPRED2 motif, F145A, as critical for interaction. Additionally, we found that formation of this interaction is regulated by MAPK signaling events. We also find that that this interaction between SPRED2 and RSK2 has functional consequences, whereby knockdown of SPRED2 resulted in increased phosphorylation of RSK substrates, YB1 and CREB. Furthermore, SPRED2 knockdown hindered phospho-RSK membrane and nuclear subcellular localization. Lastly, we report that disruption of the SPRED2-RSK complex has effects on RAS-MAPK signaling dynamics. Overall, our analysis reveals that members of the SPRED family have unique protein binding partners and describes the molecular and functional determinants of SPRED2-RSK2 complex dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyne Lopez
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, 1450 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Daniel A Bonsor
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Matthew J Sale
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, 1450 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Anatoly Urisman
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jennifer L Mehalko
- Protein Expression Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. PO Box B, Frederick, MD 21702, United States
| | - Miranda Cabanski-Dunning
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, 1450 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Pau Castel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University, 450 E 29(th) Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Dhirendra K Simanshu
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Frank McCormick
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, 1450 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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Liu Y, Cai H, Guo X, Aierken A, Hua J, Ma B, Peng S. Melatonin alleviates heat stress-induced testicular damage in dairy goats by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. STRESS BIOLOGY 2022; 2:47. [PMID: 37676539 PMCID: PMC10441922 DOI: 10.1007/s44154-022-00068-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Current measures mainly focus on how melatonin reduces physiological heat stress in animals, but its effects on reproductive damage to male dairy goats have been neglected. This study aimed to determine the protective effect of melatonin on male reproduction during heat stress in dairy goats and to further explore its mechanisms. A natural heat stress model of Saanen dairy goats was used to assess testicular tissue damage 7 days after heat stress and to examine semen quality changes during a spermatogenic cycle. RNA-seq, Western blot, RT-qPCR, and immunofluorescence staining were used to explore the mechanism by which melatonin protects against heat stress-induced reproductive damage and to validate the results. The data suggested that melatonin significantly alleviated the heat stress-induced decrease in sperm quality, protected varicose tubule structure, reduced the levels of heat shock proteins and apoptotic proteins and protected the spermatocytes and round spermatozoa, which are mainly affected by heat stress. RNA-seq results suggest that melatonin inhibits the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, reduces the level of p-AKT, and promotes elevated BCL-2. In addition, melatonin treatment could upregulate the gene expression of MT2 which was downregulated by heat stress and improve the change in extracellular matrix components and restore serum testosterone levels. Our results suggest that melatonin can protect against testicular and spermatogenic cell damage and improve semen quality in male dairy goats under heat stress. This study provides an important reference for subsequent studies on the molecular mechanisms of melatonin in protecting male reproductive processes under heat stress and using exogenous melatonin to prevent heat stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yundie Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University of Science and Technology, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Cai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University of Science and Technology, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xinrui Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University of Science and Technology, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Aili Aierken
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University of Science and Technology, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jinlian Hua
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University of Science and Technology, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Baohua Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University of Science and Technology, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Sha Peng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University of Science and Technology, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
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8
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Castel P. Defective protein degradation in genetic disorders. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022; 1868:166366. [PMID: 35158019 PMCID: PMC8977116 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie different human pathologies is necessary to develop novel therapeutic strategies. An emerging mechanism of pathogenesis in many genetic disorders is the dysregulation of protein degradation, which leads to the accumulation of proteins that are responsible for the disease phenotype. Among the different cellular pathways that regulate active proteolysis, the Cullin RING E3 ligases represent an important group of sophisticated enzymatic complexes that mediate substrate ubiquitination through the interaction with specific adaptors. However, pathogenic variants in these adaptors affect the physiological ubiquitination of their substrates. This review discusses our current understanding of this emerging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pau Castel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NY, 10016, United States of America.
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9
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Prince JP, Martinez-Perez E. Functions and Regulation of Meiotic HORMA-Domain Proteins. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:777. [PMID: 35627161 PMCID: PMC9141381 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
During meiosis, homologous chromosomes must recognize, pair, and recombine with one another to ensure the formation of inter-homologue crossover events, which, together with sister chromatid cohesion, promote correct chromosome orientation on the first meiotic spindle. Crossover formation requires the assembly of axial elements, proteinaceous structures that assemble along the length of each chromosome during early meiosis, as well as checkpoint mechanisms that control meiotic progression by monitoring pairing and recombination intermediates. A conserved family of proteins defined by the presence of a HORMA (HOp1, Rev7, MAd2) domain, referred to as HORMADs, associate with axial elements to control key events of meiotic prophase. The highly conserved HORMA domain comprises a flexible safety belt sequence, enabling it to adopt at least two of the following protein conformations: one closed, where the safety belt encircles a small peptide motif present within an interacting protein, causing its topological entrapment, and the other open, where the safety belt is reorganized and no interactor is trapped. Although functional studies in multiple organisms have revealed that HORMADs are crucial regulators of meiosis, the mechanisms by which HORMADs implement key meiotic events remain poorly understood. In this review, we summarize protein complexes formed by HORMADs, discuss their roles during meiosis in different organisms, draw comparisons to better characterize non-meiotic HORMADs (MAD2 and REV7), and highlight possible areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh P. Prince
- Meiosis Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London W12 0NN, UK;
| | - Enrique Martinez-Perez
- Meiosis Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London W12 0NN, UK;
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
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10
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Cuevas-Navarro A, Rodriguez-Muñoz L, Grego-Bessa J, Cheng A, Rauen KA, Urisman A, McCormick F, Jimenez G, Castel P. Cross-species analysis of LZTR1 loss-of-function mutants demonstrates dependency to RIT1 orthologs. eLife 2022; 11:e76495. [PMID: 35467524 PMCID: PMC9068208 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
RAS GTPases are highly conserved proteins involved in the regulation of mitogenic signaling. We have previously described a novel Cullin 3 RING E3 ubiquitin ligase complex formed by the substrate adaptor protein LZTR1 that binds, ubiquitinates, and promotes proteasomal degradation of the RAS GTPase RIT1. In addition, others have described that this complex is also responsible for the ubiquitination of classical RAS GTPases. Here, we have analyzed the phenotypes of Lztr1 loss-of-function mutants in both fruit flies and mice and have demonstrated a biochemical preference for their RIT1 orthologs. Moreover, we show that Lztr1 is haplosufficient in mice and that embryonic lethality of the homozygous null allele can be rescued by deletion of Rit1. Overall, our results indicate that, in model organisms, RIT1 orthologs are the preferred substrates of LZTR1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Cuevas-Navarro
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Laura Rodriguez-Muñoz
- Institute for Molecular Biology of Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasBarcelonaSpain
| | | | - Alice Cheng
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Katherine A Rauen
- UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California DavisSacramentoUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California DavisSacramentoUnited States
| | - Anatoly Urisman
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Frank McCormick
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Gerardo Jimenez
- Institute for Molecular Biology of Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasBarcelonaSpain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Pau Castel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
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11
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Abstract
In this review, I provide a brief history of the discovery of RAS and the GAPs and GEFs that regulate its activity from a personal perspective. Much of this history has been driven by technological breakthroughs that occurred concurrently, such as molecular cloning, cDNA expression to analyze RAS proteins and their structures, and application of PCR to detect mutations. I discuss the RAS superfamily and RAS proteins as therapeutic targets, including recent advances in developing RAS inhibitors. I also describe the role of the RAS Initiative at Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in advancing development of RAS inhibitors and providing new insights into signaling complexes and interaction of RAS proteins with the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank McCormick
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States; Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, United States.
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12
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Vichas A, Riley AK, Nkinsi NT, Kamlapurkar S, Parrish PCR, Lo A, Duke F, Chen J, Fung I, Watson J, Rees M, Gabel AM, Thomas JD, Bradley RK, Lee JK, Hatch EM, Baine MK, Rekhtman N, Ladanyi M, Piccioni F, Berger AH. Integrative oncogene-dependency mapping identifies RIT1 vulnerabilities and synergies in lung cancer. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4789. [PMID: 34373451 PMCID: PMC8352964 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24841-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-based cancer dependency maps are accelerating advances in cancer precision medicine, but adequate functional maps are limited to the most common oncogenes. To identify opportunities for therapeutic intervention in other rarer subsets of cancer, we investigate the oncogene-specific dependencies conferred by the lung cancer oncogene, RIT1. Here, genome-wide CRISPR screening in KRAS, EGFR, and RIT1-mutant isogenic lung cancer cells identifies shared and unique vulnerabilities of each oncogene. Combining this genetic data with small-molecule sensitivity profiling, we identify a unique vulnerability of RIT1-mutant cells to loss of spindle assembly checkpoint regulators. Oncogenic RIT1M90I weakens the spindle assembly checkpoint and perturbs mitotic timing, resulting in sensitivity to Aurora A inhibition. In addition, we observe synergy between mutant RIT1 and activation of YAP1 in multiple models and frequent nuclear overexpression of YAP1 in human primary RIT1-mutant lung tumors. These results provide a genome-wide atlas of oncogenic RIT1 functional interactions and identify components of the RAS pathway, spindle assembly checkpoint, and Hippo/YAP1 network as candidate therapeutic targets in RIT1-mutant lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athea Vichas
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Amanda K Riley
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Naomi T Nkinsi
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Shriya Kamlapurkar
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Phoebe C R Parrish
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - April Lo
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Fujiko Duke
- Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Chen
- Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Iris Fung
- Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Matthew Rees
- Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Austin M Gabel
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - James D Thomas
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Robert K Bradley
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - John K Lee
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Emily M Hatch
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Marina K Baine
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Natasha Rekhtman
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Marc Ladanyi
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Federica Piccioni
- Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Merck Research Laboratories, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alice H Berger
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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