Modulation of nuclear protein import: a novel means of regulating gene expression

MK2 nonenzymatically promotes nuclear translocation of caspase-3 and resultant apoptosis

We have previously identified mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) is required for caspase-3 nuclear translocation in the execution of apoptosis; however, little is known of the underlying mechanisms. Therefore, we sought to determine the role of kinase and nonkinase functions of MK2 in promoting nuclear translocation of caspase-3. We identified two non-small cell lung cancer cell lines for use in these experiments based on low MK2 expression. Wild-type, enzymatic and cellular localization mutant MK2 constructs were expressed using adenoviral infection. Cell death was evaluated by flow cytometry. In addition, cell lysates were harvested for protein analyses. Phosphorylation of caspase-3 was determined using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting and in vitro kinase assay. Association between MK2 and caspase-3 was evaluated using proximity-based biotin ligation assays and co-immunoprecipitation. Overexpression of MK2 resulted in nuclear translocation of caspase-3 and caspase-3-mediated apoptosis. MK2 directly phosphorylates caspase-3; however, phosphorylation status of caspase-3 or MK2-dependent phosphorylation of caspase-3 did not alter caspase-3 activity. The enzymatic function of MK2 was dispensable in nuclear translocation of caspase-3. MK2 and caspase-3 associated together and a nonenzymatic function of MK2, chaperoned nuclear trafficking, is required for caspase-3-mediated apoptosis. Taken together, our results demonstrate a nonenzymatic role for MK2 in the nuclear translocation of caspase-3. Furthermore, MK2 may function as a molecular switch in regulating the transition between the cytosolic and nuclear functions of caspase-3.

Go in! Go out! Inducible control of nuclear localization

Cells have evolved a variety of mechanisms to regulate the enormous complexity of processes taking place inside them. One mechanism consists in tightly controlling the localization of macromolecules, keeping them away from their place of action until needed. Since a large fraction of the cellular response to external stimuli is mediated by gene expression, it is not surprising that transcriptional regulators are often subject to stimulus-induced nuclear import or export. Here we review recent methods in chemical biology and optogenetics for controlling the nuclear localization of proteins of interest inside living cells. These methods allow researchers to regulate protein activity with exquisite spatiotemporal control, and open up new possibilities for studying the roles of proteins in a broad array of cellular processes and biological functions.

Molecular mechanisms of green tea polyphenols

Tea, next to water, is the most popular beverage in the world. It has been suggested that tea consumption has the cancer-preventive effects. Epidemiological studies have indicated decreased cancer occurrence in people who regularly drink green tea. Research has also discovered numerous mechanisms of action to explain the biological effects of tea. The most abundant and popular compound studied in tea research is (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate or (-)-EGCG, which is a powerful antioxidant and can inhibit a number of tumor cell proliferation and survival pathways. Tea polyphenols are known to inhibit metaloproteonases, various protein kinases, and proteins that regulate DNA replication and transformation. We also reported that ester bond-containing tea polyphenols, for example, (-)-EGCG, potently and specifically inhibited the tumor proteasomal activity. We further demonstrated that methylation on green tea polyphenols under physiological conditions decreased their proteasome-inhibitory activity, contributing to decreased cancer-preventive effects of tea consumption. Since (-)-EGCG is unstable under physiological conditions, we also developed the peracetate-protected or prodrug form of (-)-EGCG, Pro-EGCG (1), and showed that Pro-EGCG (1) increases the bioavailability, stability, and proteasome-inhibitory and anticancer activities of (-)-EGCG in human breast cancer cells and tumors, demonstrating its potential use for cancer prevention and treatment.

Predicting Nuclear Localization

Nuclear localization of proteins is a crucial element in the dynamic life of the cell. It is complicated by the massive diversity of targeting signals and the existence of proteins that shuttle between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Nevertheless, a majority of subcellular localization tools that predict nuclear proteins have been developed without involving dual localized proteins in the data sets. Hence, in general, the existing models are focused on predicting statically nuclear proteins, rather than nuclear localization itself. We present an independent analysis of existing nuclear localization predictors, using a nonredundant data set extracted from Swiss-Prot R50.0. We demonstrate that accuracy on truly novel proteins is lower than that of previous estimations, and that existing models generalize poorly to dual localized proteins. We have developed a model trained to identify nuclear proteins including dual localized proteins. The results suggest that using more recent data and including dual localized proteins improves the overall prediction. The final predictor NUCLEO operates with a realistic success rate of 0.70 and a correlation coefficient of 0.38, as established on the independent test set. (NUCLEO is available at: http://pprowler.itee.uq.edu.au.).

Glycoprotein Isolated fromSolanum nigrumL. Kills HT-29 Cells Through Apoptosis

Solanum nigrum L. (SNL) has been used in folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory activity. We previously isolated glycoprotein from SNL and observed that it decreased viable HT-29 cell numbers at a low concentration (60 microg/mL). This study investigated the apoptotic signal pathway triggered by glycoprotein isolated from SNL in HT-29 cells. Treatment of HT-29 cells with SNL glycoprotein (60 microg/mL) for 4 hours resulted in a cytotoxic effect of more than 60%, compared with the control. To explain the apoptotic effects of SNL glycoprotein, we investigated its effects on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated protein kinase C (PKC) alpha activity and DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor (NF) kappaB in HT-29 cells, using western blot analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Results from these experiments showed that SNL glycoprotein has remarkable inhibitory effects on the activities of TPA (100 nM)-stimulated PKCalpha and NF-kappaB in HT-29 cells. They also substantiated that PKCalpha is a part of the TPA-activated upstream signal pathway of NF-kappaB, since NF-kappaB activity was inhibited by staurosporine (a PKC inhibitor) and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (an NF-kappaB inhibitor) in a western blot analysis. Furthermore, to verify the triggering of apoptosis by the SNL glycoprotein, we performed DNA fragmentation, nuclear staining, and protein expression assays of apoptotic-related proteins. The amount of DNA fragmentation and apoptotic cell numbers increased in a dose-dependent manner after treatment with SNL glycoprotein. Apoptosis-related protein assays demonstrated that SNL glycoprotein-induced apoptosis is associated with the regulation of bcl-2 and Bax expression. Taken together, the results of this study showed that the activation of PKCalpha, NF-kappaB, and Bax expression by SNL glycoprotein is possibly involved in the apoptotic process. Consequently, these results indicate that SNL glycoprotein causes HT-29 cell death through apoptosis by its ability to modulate anti-apoptotic signals. We suggest that SNL glycoprotein is a natural anti-cancer agent due to its potential to induce apoptosis in HT-29 cells.

Evidence of nuclear localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in cultured astrocytes of rats

With immunocytochemistry, we have observed the nuclear localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in cultured cerebral cortical astrocytes of rats. During the early six days in the subcultures of these cells, nNOS-immunoreactivity was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm. However, nNOS-immunoreactivity was mainly distributed in the nucleus at day 7, and this nuclear localization lasted about ten hours. Meanwhile, inducible nitric oxide synthase expression was significantly inhibited in these cells. Thereafter, nNOS-immunoreactivity was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm again. By confocal microscopy and western blot analysis, the phenomenon of nNOS nuclear localization was further confirmed; and the activity of nNOS in nuclear protein extracts from astrocytes of day 7-subculture could be detected using electron spin resonance (ESR) technique. These results may represent a new pathway of nitric oxide/nNOS participating in inducible nitric oxide synthase gene transcription regulation.

Inhibition of cell growth through inactivation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) by deoxyspergualin

The mechanism of inhibition of cell growth by deoxyspergualin was studied using mouse mammary carcinoma FM3A cells. Results of studies using deoxyspergualin analogues showed that both the guanidinoheptanate amide and glyoxyspermidine moieties of deoxyspergualin were necessary to cause inhibition of cell growth. When deoxyspergualin was added to the medium, there was a strong inhibition of cell growth and formation of active eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) at the third day of culture. There was also a marked decrease in cellular putrescine content and a small decrease in spermidine content. Accumulation of decapped mRNA, which is typically associated with eIF5A deficiency in yeast, was also observed. The inhibition of cell growth and the formation of active eIF5A was not reversed by addition of spermidine. The activity of deoxyhypusine synthase, the first enzyme in the formation of active eIF5A, was inhibited by deoxyspergualin in a cell-free system. These results, taken together, indicate that inhibition of active eIF5A formation is strongly involved in the inhibition of cell growth by deoxyspergualin.

A photoregulated ligand for the nuclear import receptor karyopherin alpha

The ability to orchestrate the transport of proteins between nucleus and cytoplasm provides cells with a powerful regulatory mechanism. Selective translocation between these compartments is often used to propagate cellular signals, and it is an intimate part of the processes that control cell division, viral replication, and other cellular events. Therefore, precise experimental control over protein localization, through the agency of light, would provide a powerful tool for the study and manipulation of these events. To this end, a prototype photoregulated nuclear localization signal (NLS) was derived from a native NLS. A library of 30 mutants of the bipartite NLS from Xenopus laevis nucleoplasmin containing a novel, photoisomerizable amino acid was prepared by parallel, solid-phase synthesis and screened in vitro for binding to the nuclear import receptor karyopherin alpha, which mediates the nuclear import of cellular proteins. A single peptide was identified in which the cis and trans photoisomers bind the receptor differentially. The strategy used to obtain this peptide is systematic and empirical; therefore, it is potentially applicable to any peptide-receptor system.

The nuclear protein import assay in vascular smooth muscle cells

Nuclear protein import plays a critical role in both proliferation and apoptosis. Both actions are of great importance in vascular development and pathology. Consequently, a technique that would allow us to characterize import and identify novel cofactors important in modulating the process in smooth muscle cells is of great applicability. In this article, we describe a simple and reliable nuclear protein import assay that we have modified for use on aortic smooth muscle cells in culture. Briefly, the procedure permeabilizes the cells and analyzes the nuclear retention of a fluorescent import marker. Using this method, we are able to analyze the effect of agents on nuclear protein import. Most importantly, we are able to treat the cytosol, nucleus or the whole cell independently. This technique will allow for the identification and development of drugs to inhibit or stimulate the process and, potentially, to identify mechanistic insight into disease processes.

A D-amino acid peptide inhibitor of NF-kappa B nuclear localization is efficacious in models of inflammatory disease

The transcription factor NF-kappa B regulates many genes involved in proinflammatory and immune responses. The transport of NF-kappa B into the nucleus is essential for its biologic activity. We describe a novel, potent, and selective NF-kappa B inhibitor composed of a cell-permeable peptide carrying two nuclear localization sequences (NLS). This peptide blocks NF-kappa B nuclear localization, resulting in inhibition of cell surface protein expression, cytokine production, and T cell proliferation. The peptide is efficacious in vivo in a mouse septic shock model as well as a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease, demonstrating that NF-kappa B nuclear import plays a role in these acute inflammatory disease models.

A simple, solid-phase binding assay for the nuclear import receptor karyopherin alpha. Part 1: direct binding

The nuclear import receptor karyopherin alpha recognizes nuclear localization signals (NLSs), peptides that direct the transport of proteins into the nucleus. A simple, colorimetric assay has been developed to facilitate the identification and comparison of karyopherin ligands by direct and competitive binding using NLSs immobilized on the solid phase (TentaGel resin).

Cancer chemoprevention by tea polyphenols through mitotic signal transduction blockade

Tea is a popular beverage. The consumption of green tea is associated with a lower risk of several types of cancer, including stomach, esophagus, and lung. The cancer chemopreventive effect of tea has been attributed to its major phytopolyphenols. The tea polyphenols comprise about one-third of the weight of the dried leaf, and they show profound biochemical and pharmacological activities including antioxidant activities, modulation of carcinogen metabolism, inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of cell apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest. They intervene in the biochemical and molecular processes of multistep carcinogenesis, comprising tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. Several studies demonstrate that most tea polyphenols exert their scavenging effects against reactive oxygen species (ROS); excessive production of ROS has been implicated for the development of cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Recently, we have found that the major tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) suppresses extracellular signals and cell proliferation through epidermal growth factor receptor binding in human A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells; EGCG also blocks the induction of nitric oxide synthase by down-regulating lipopolysaccharide-induced activity of the transcription factor NFKB in macrophages. Furthermore, EGCG blocks the cell cycle at the G1 phase in MCF-7 cells. We have demonstrated that EGCG inhibits the activities of cyclin-dependent kinases 2 and 4; meanwhile, EGCG induces the expression of the Cdk inhibitors p21 and p27. These results suggest that tumor promotion can be enhanced by ROS and oxidative mitotic signal transduction, and this enhancement can be suppressed by EGCG or other tea polyphenols.

Intranuclear targeted delivery of functional NF-kappaB by 70 kDa heat shock protein

The 70 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70) is a highly conserved, ubiquitous protein involved in chaperoning proteins to various cellular organelles. Here we show that when added exogenously to cells, Hsp70 is readily imported into both cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments in a cell-type-specific fashion. We exploited this ability of Hsp70 to deliver NF-kappaB, a key transcriptional regulator of inflammatory responses. We demonstrate that a fusion protein composed of a C-terminal Hsp70 peptide and the p50 subunit of NF-kappaB was directed into the nucleus of cells, could bind DNA specifically, and activated Igkappa expression and TNFalpha production. We therefore propose that Hsp70 can be used as a vehicle for intracytoplasmic and intranuclear delivery of proteins or DNA to modulate gene expression and thereby control immune responses.