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Taslimi A, Fields KM, Dahl KD, Liu Q, Tucker CL. Spatiotemporal control of necroptotic cell death and plasma membrane recruitment using engineered MLKL domains. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:469. [PMID: 36446770 PMCID: PMC9709077 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01258-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Necroptosis is a form of programmed necrotic cell death in which a signaling cascade induces oligomerization of mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) protein, leading to plasma membrane rupture. Necroptotic cell death is recognized as important for protection against viral infection and has roles in a variety of diseases, including cancer and diabetes. Despite its relevance to health and disease states, many questions remain about the precise mechanism of necroptotic cell death, cellular factors that can protect cells from necroptosis, and the role of necroptosis in disease models. In this study, we engineered a light-activated version of MLKL that rapidly oligomerizes and is recruited to the plasma membrane in cells exposed to light, inducing rapid cell death. We demonstrate this tool can be controlled spatially and temporally, used in a chemical genetic screen to identify chemicals and pathways that protect cells from MLKL-induced cell death, and used to study signaling responses of non-dying bystander cells. In additional studies, we re-engineered MLKL to block its cell-killing capacity but retain light-mediated membrane recruitment, developing a new single-component optogenetic tool that allows modulation of protein function at the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Taslimi
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Pharmacology, Box 8303, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Kaiah M. Fields
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Pharmacology, Box 8303, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Kristin D. Dahl
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Pharmacology, Box 8303, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Qi Liu
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Pharmacology, Box 8303, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Chandra L. Tucker
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Pharmacology, Box 8303, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
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2
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PPARγ phase separates with RXRα at PPREs to regulate target gene expression. Cell Discov 2022; 8:37. [PMID: 35473936 PMCID: PMC9043196 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-022-00388-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ is a key transcription activator controlling adipogenesis and lipid metabolism. PPARγ binds PPAR response elements (PPREs) as the obligate heterodimer with retinoid X receptor (RXR) α, but exactly how PPARγ orchestrates the transcriptional response is unknown. This study demonstrates that PPARγ forms phase-separated droplets in vitro and solid-like nuclear condensates in cell, which is intriguingly mediated by its DNA binding domain characterized by the zinc finger motif. Furthermore, PPARγ forms nuclear condensates at PPREs sites through phase separation to compartmentalize its heterodimer partner RXRα to initiate PPARγ-specific transcriptional activation. Finally, using an optogenetic approach, the enforced formation of PPARγ/RXRα condensates leads to preferential enrichment at PPREs sites and significantly promotes the expression of PPARγ target genes. These results define a novel mechanism by which PPARγ engages the phase separation principles for efficient and specific transcriptional activation.
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Petersen J, Rredhi A, Szyttenholm J, Oldemeyer S, Kottke T, Mittag M. The World of Algae Reveals a Broad Variety of Cryptochrome Properties and Functions. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:766509. [PMID: 34790217 PMCID: PMC8591175 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.766509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Algae are photosynthetic eukaryotic (micro-)organisms, lacking roots, leaves, and other organs that are typical for land plants. They live in freshwater, marine, or terrestrial habitats. Together with the cyanobacteria they contribute to about half of global carbon fixation. As primary producers, they are at the basis of many food webs and they are involved in biogeochemical processes. Algae are evolutionarily distinct and are derived either by primary (e.g., green and red algae) or secondary endosymbiosis (e.g., diatoms, dinoflagellates, and brown algae). Light is a key abiotic factor needed to maintain the fitness of algae as it delivers energy for photosynthesis, regulates algal cell- and life cycles, and entrains their biological clocks. However, excess light can also be harmful, especially in the ultraviolet range. Among the variety of receptors perceiving light information, the cryptochromes originally evolved as UV-A and blue-light receptors and have been found in all studied algal genomes so far. Yet, the classification, biophysical properties, wavelength range of absorbance, and biological functions of cryptochromes are remarkably diverse among algal species, especially when compared to cryptochromes from land plants or animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Petersen
- Matthias Schleiden Institute of Genetics, Bioinformatics and Molecular Botany, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Anxhela Rredhi
- Matthias Schleiden Institute of Genetics, Bioinformatics and Molecular Botany, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Julie Szyttenholm
- Matthias Schleiden Institute of Genetics, Bioinformatics and Molecular Botany, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Sabine Oldemeyer
- Experimental Molecular Biophysics, Department of Physics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tilman Kottke
- Department of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Biophysical Chemistry and Diagnostics, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Maria Mittag
- Matthias Schleiden Institute of Genetics, Bioinformatics and Molecular Botany, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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Hernández-Candia CN, Pearce S, Tucker CL. A modular tool to query and inducibly disrupt biomolecular condensates. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1809. [PMID: 33753744 PMCID: PMC7985322 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22096-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Dynamic membraneless compartments formed by protein condensates have multifunctional roles in cellular biology. Tools that inducibly trigger condensate formation have been useful for exploring their cellular function, however, there are few tools that provide inducible control over condensate disruption. To address this need we developed DisCo (Disassembly of Condensates), which relies on the use of chemical dimerizers to inducibly recruit a ligand to the condensate-forming protein, triggering condensate dissociation. We demonstrate use of DisCo to disrupt condensates of FUS, associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and to prevent formation of polyglutamine-containing huntingtin condensates, associated with Huntington's disease. In addition, we combined DisCo with a tool to induce condensates with light, CRY2olig, achieving bidirectional control of condensate formation and disassembly using orthogonal inputs of light and rapamycin. Our results demonstrate a method to manipulate condensate states that will have broad utility, enabling better understanding of the biological role of condensates in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Pearce
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Chandra L Tucker
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Carrasco-López C, García-Echauri SA, Kichuk T, Avalos JL. Optogenetics and biosensors set the stage for metabolic cybergenetics. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 65:296-309. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2020.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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de Mena L, Rincon-Limas DE. PhotoGal4: A Versatile Light-Dependent Switch for Spatiotemporal Control of Gene Expression in Drosophila Explants. iScience 2020; 23:101308. [PMID: 32652492 PMCID: PMC7347995 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
We present here PhotoGal4, a phytochrome B-based optogenetic switch for fine-tuned spatiotemporal control of gene expression in Drosophila explants. This switch integrates the light-dependent interaction between phytochrome B and PIF6 from plants with regulatory elements from the yeast Gal4/UAS system. We found that PhotoGal4 efficiently activates and deactivates gene expression upon red- or far-red-light irradiation, respectively. In addition, this optogenetic tool reacts to different illumination conditions, allowing for fine modulation of the light-dependent response. Importantly, by simply focusing a laser beam, PhotoGal4 induces intricate patterns of expression in a customized manner. For instance, we successfully sketched personalized patterns of GFP fluorescence such as emoji-like shapes or letterform logos in Drosophila explants, which illustrates the exquisite precision and versatility of this tool. Hence, we anticipate that PhotoGal4 will expand the powerful Drosophila toolbox and will provide a new avenue to investigate intricate and complex problems in biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena de Mena
- Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain Institute, and Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
| | - Diego E Rincon-Limas
- Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain Institute, and Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
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Banerjee S, Mitra D. Structural Basis of Design and Engineering for Advanced Plant Optogenetics. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 25:35-65. [PMID: 31699521 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2019.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In optogenetics, light-sensitive proteins are specifically expressed in target cells and light is used to precisely control the activity of these proteins at high spatiotemporal resolution. Optogenetics initially used naturally occurring photoreceptors to control neural circuits, but has expanded to include carefully designed and engineered photoreceptors. Several optogenetic constructs are based on plant photoreceptors, but their application to plant systems has been limited. Here, we present perspectives on the development of plant optogenetics, considering different levels of design complexity. We discuss how general principles of light-driven signal transduction can be coupled with approaches for engineering protein folding to develop novel optogenetic tools. Finally, we explore how the use of computation, networks, circular permutation, and directed evolution could enrich optogenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudakshina Banerjee
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073, India
| | - Devrani Mitra
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073, India.
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Optogenetic Control of Gene Expression Using Cryptochrome 2 and a Light-Activated Degron. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2173:151-158. [PMID: 32651916 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0755-8_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Optogenetic tools allow for use of light as an external input to control cellular processes. When applied to regulate the function of transcription factors, optogenetic approaches provide a tunable, reversible, and bidirectional method to control gene expression. Herein, we present a detailed method to induce gene expression in mammalian cells using the light dependent dimerization of cryptochrome 2 (CRY2) and CIB1 to complement a split transcription factor. We also describe a protocol to disrupt gene expression with light by fusing a dimeric transcription factor to CRY2. When combined with a light-induced degron attached to the gene product, this method allows for rapid modulation of target protein abundance.
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