1
|
Baglini E, Poggetti V, Cavallini C, Petroni D, Forini F, Nicolini G, Barresi E, Salerno S, Costa B, Iozzo P, Neglia D, Menichetti L, Taliani S, Da Settimo F. Targeting the Translocator Protein (18 kDa) in Cardiac Diseases: State of the Art and Future Opportunities. J Med Chem 2024; 67:17-37. [PMID: 38113353 PMCID: PMC10911791 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria dysfunctions are typical hallmarks of cardiac disorders (CDs). The multiple tasks of this energy-producing organelle are well documented, but its pathophysiologic involvement in several manifestations of heart diseases, such as altered electromechanical coupling, excitability, and arrhythmias, is still under investigation. The human 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is a protein located on the outer mitochondrial membrane whose expression is altered in different pathological conditions, including CDs, making it an attractive therapeutic and diagnostic target. Currently, only a few TSPO ligands are employed in CDs and cardiac imaging. In this Perspective, we report an overview of the emerging role of TSPO at the heart level, focusing on the recent literature concerning the development of TSPO ligands used for fighting and imaging heart-related disease conditions. Accordingly, targeting TSPO might represent a successful strategy to achieve novel therapeutic and diagnostic strategies to unravel the fundamental mechanisms and to provide solutions to still unanswered questions in CDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Baglini
- Institute
of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, CNR Research Area, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Valeria Poggetti
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Chiara Cavallini
- Institute
of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, CNR Research Area, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Debora Petroni
- Institute
of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, CNR Research Area, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Francesca Forini
- Institute
of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, CNR Research Area, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Nicolini
- Institute
of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, CNR Research Area, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Barresi
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Silvia Salerno
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Barbara Costa
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Patricia Iozzo
- Institute
of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, CNR Research Area, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Danilo Neglia
- Fondazione
CNR/Regione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Cardiovascular and Imaging
Departments, CNR Research Area, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute
of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, CNR Research Area, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Sabrina Taliani
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Federico Da Settimo
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Everson JL, Eberhart JK. Gene-alcohol interactions in birth defects. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 152:77-113. [PMID: 36707215 PMCID: PMC9897481 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Most human birth defects are thought to result from complex interactions between combinations of genetic and environmental factors. This is true even for conditions that, at face value, may appear simple and straightforward, like fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD describe the full range of structural and neurological disruptions that result from prenatal alcohol exposure. While FASD require alcohol exposure, evidence from human and animal model studies demonstrate that additional genetic and/or environmental factors can influence the embryo's susceptibility to alcohol. Only a limited number of alcohol interactions in birth defects have been identified, with many sensitizing genetic and environmental factors likely yet to be identified. Because of this, while unsatisfying, there is no definitively "safe" dose of alcohol for all pregnancies. Determining these other factors, as well as mechanistically characterizing known interactions, is critical for better understanding and preventing FASD and requires combined scrutiny of human and model organism studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua L Everson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.
| | - Johann K Eberhart
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jia H, Xie T. Tracers progress for positron emission tomography imaging of glial-related disease. J Biomed Res 2022; 36:321-335. [PMID: 36131689 PMCID: PMC9548440 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.36.20220017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Glial cells play an essential part in the neuron system. They can not only serve as structural blocks in the human brain but also participate in many biological processes. Extensive studies have shown that astrocytes and microglia play an important role in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, as well as glioma, epilepsy, ischemic stroke, and infections. Positron emission tomography is a functional imaging technique providing molecular-level information before anatomic changes are visible and has been widely used in many above-mentioned diseases. In this review, we focus on the positron emission tomography tracers used in pathologies related to glial cells, such as glioma, Alzheimer's disease, and neuroinflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Jia
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Tianwu Xie
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Tianwu Xie, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Fudan University, 2094 Xietu Road, Shanghai 200032, China. Tel: +86-21-64048363, E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang L, Hu K, Shao T, Hou L, Zhang S, Ye W, Josephson L, Meyer JH, Zhang MR, Vasdev N, Wang J, Xu H, Wang L, Liang SH. Recent developments on PET radiotracers for TSPO and their applications in neuroimaging. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:373-393. [PMID: 33643818 PMCID: PMC7893127 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO), previously known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, is predominately localized to the outer mitochondrial membrane in steroidogenic cells. Brain TSPO expression is relatively low under physiological conditions, but is upregulated in response to glial cell activation. As the primary index of neuroinflammation, TSPO is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of numerous neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In this context, numerous TSPO-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) tracers have been developed. Among them, several radioligands have advanced to clinical research studies. In this review, we will overview the recent development of TSPO PET tracers, focusing on the radioligand design, radioisotope labeling, pharmacokinetics, and PET imaging evaluation. Additionally, we will consider current limitations, as well as translational potential for future application of TSPO radiopharmaceuticals. This review aims to not only present the challenges in current TSPO PET imaging, but to also provide a new perspective on TSPO targeted PET tracer discovery efforts. Addressing these challenges will facilitate the translation of TSPO in clinical studies of neuroinflammation associated with central nervous system diseases.
Collapse
Key Words
- AD, Alzheimer's disease
- ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- AMPA, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid
- ANT, adenine nucleotide transporter
- Am, molar activities
- BBB, blood‒brain barrier
- BMSC, bone marrow stromal cells
- BP, binding potential
- BPND, non-displaceable binding potential
- BcTSPO, Bacillus cereus TSPO
- CBD, corticobasal degeneration
- CNS disorders
- CNS, central nervous system
- CRAC, cholesterol recognition amino acid consensus sequence
- DLB, Lewy body dementias
- EP, epilepsy
- FTD, frontotemporal dementia
- HAB, high-affinity binding
- HD, Huntington's disease
- HSE, herpes simplex encephalitis
- IMM, inner mitochondrial membrane
- KA, kainic acid
- LAB, low-affinity binding
- LPS, lipopolysaccharide
- MAB, mixed-affinity binding
- MAO-B, monoamine oxidase B
- MCI, mild cognitive impairment
- MDD, major depressive disorder
- MMSE, mini-mental state examination
- MRI, magnetic resonance imaging
- MS, multiple sclerosis
- MSA, multiple system atrophy
- Microglial activation
- NAA/Cr, N-acetylaspartate/creatine
- Neuroinflammation
- OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder
- OMM, outer mitochondrial membrane
- P2X7R, purinergic receptor P2X7
- PAP7, RIa-associated protein
- PBR, peripheral benzodiazepine receptor
- PCA, posterior cortical atrophy
- PD, Parkinson's disease
- PDD, PD dementia
- PET, positron emission tomography
- PKA, protein kinase A
- PRAX-1, PBR-associated protein 1
- PSP, progressive supranuclear palsy
- Positron emission tomography (PET)
- PpIX, protoporphyrin IX
- QA, quinolinic acid
- RCYs, radiochemical yields
- ROS, reactive oxygen species
- RRMS, relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis
- SA, specific activity
- SAH, subarachnoid hemorrhage
- SAR, structure–activity relationship
- SCIDY, spirocyclic iodonium ylide
- SNL, selective neuronal loss
- SNR, signal to noise ratio
- SUV, standard uptake volume
- SUVR, standard uptake volume ratio
- TBAH, tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide
- TBI, traumatic brain injury
- TLE, temporal lobe epilepsy
- TSPO
- TSPO, translocator protein
- VDAC, voltage-dependent anion channel
- VT, distribution volume
- d.c. RCYs, decay-corrected radiochemical yields
- dMCAO, distal middle cerebral artery occlusion
- fP, plasma free fraction
- n.d.c. RCYs, non-decay-corrected radiochemical yields
- p.i., post-injection
Collapse
|
5
|
Jaremko Ł, Jaremko M, Giller K, Becker S, Zweckstetter M. Conformational Flexibility in the Transmembrane Protein TSPO. Chemistry 2015; 21:16555-63. [PMID: 26394723 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201502314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The translocator protein (TSPO) is an integral membrane protein that interacts with a wide variety of endogenous ligands, such as cholesterol and porphyrins, and is also the target for several small molecules with substantial in vivo efficacy. When complexed with the TSPO-specific radioligand (R)-PK11195, TSPO folds into a rigid five-helix bundle. However, little is known about the structure and dynamics of TSPO in the absence of high-affinity ligands. By means of NMR spectroscopy, we show that TSPO exchanges between multiple conformations in the absence of (R)-PK11195. Extensive motions on time scales from pico- to microseconds occur all along the primary sequence of the protein, leading to a loss of stable tertiary interactions and local unfolding of the helical structure in the vicinity of the ligand-binding site. The flexible nature of TSPO highlights the importance of conformational plasticity in integral membrane proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Jaremko
- Department for NMR-Based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen (Germany).,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen (Germany)
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- Department for NMR-Based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen (Germany)
| | - Karin Giller
- Department for NMR-Based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen (Germany)
| | - Stefan Becker
- Department for NMR-Based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen (Germany)
| | - Markus Zweckstetter
- Department for NMR-Based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen (Germany). .,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen (Germany). .,Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center, Göttingen (Germany).
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Green ML, Pisano MM, Prough RA, Knudsen TB. Release of targeted p53 from the mitochondrion as an early signal during mitochondrial dysfunction. Cell Signal 2013; 25:2383-90. [PMID: 23899557 PMCID: PMC3826263 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2013.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2013] [Revised: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Increased accumulation of p53 tumor suppressor protein is an early response to low-level stressors. To investigate the fate of mitochondrial-sequestered p53, mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (MEFs) on a p53-deficient genetic background were transfected with p53-EGFP fusion protein led by a sense (m53-EGFP) or antisense (c53-EGFP) mitochondrial import signal. Rotenone exposure (100nM, 1h) triggered the translocation of m53-EGFP from the mitochondrion to the nucleus, thus shifting the transfected cells from a mitochondrial p53 to a nuclear p53 state. Antibodies for p53 serine phosphorylation or lysine acetylation indicated a different post-translational status of recombinant p53 in the nucleus and mitochondrion, respectively. These data suggest that cycling of p53 through the mitochondria may establish a direct pathway for p53 signaling from the mitochondria to the nucleus during mitochondrial dysfunction. PK11195, a pharmacological ligand of mitochondrial TSPO (formerly known as the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor), partially suppressed the release of mitochondria-sequestered p53. These findings support the notion that p53 function mediates a direct signaling pathway from the mitochondria to nucleus during mitochondrial dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M L Green
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Craniofacial Biology, University of Louisville, 501 S. Preston St., Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hansen JM, Harris C. Redox control of teratogenesis. Reprod Toxicol 2013; 35:165-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2012.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2012] [Revised: 09/17/2012] [Accepted: 09/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
|
8
|
Balsemão-Pires E, Jaillais Y, Olson BJSC, Andrade LR, Umen JG, Chory J, Sachetto-Martins G. The Arabidopsis translocator protein (AtTSPO) is regulated at multiple levels in response to salt stress and perturbations in tetrapyrrole metabolism. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2011; 11:108. [PMID: 21689410 PMCID: PMC3141639 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2229-11-108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2011] [Accepted: 06/20/2011] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO), previously known as the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), is important for many cellular functions in mammals and bacteria, such as steroid biosynthesis, cellular respiration, cell proliferation, apoptosis, immunomodulation, transport of porphyrins and anions. Arabidopsis thaliana contains a single TSPO/PBR-related gene with a 40 amino acid N-terminal extension compared to its homologs in bacteria or mammals suggesting it might be chloroplast or mitochondrial localized. RESULTS To test if the TSPO N-terminal extension targets it to organelles, we fused three potential translational start sites in the TSPO cDNA to the N-terminus of GFP (AtTSPO:eGFP). The location of the AtTSPO:eGFP fusion protein was found to depend on the translational start position and the conditions under which plants were grown. Full-length AtTSPO:eGFP fusion protein was found in the endoplasmic reticulum and in vesicles of unknown identity when plants were grown in standard conditions. However, full length AtTSPO:eGFP localized to chloroplasts when grown in the presence of 150 mM NaCl, conditions of salt stress. In contrast, when AtTSPO:eGFP was truncated to the second or third start codon at amino acid position 21 or 42, the fusion protein co-localized with a mitochondrial marker in standard conditions. Using promoter GUS fusions, qRT-PCR, fluorescent protein tagging, and chloroplast fractionation approaches, we demonstrate that AtTSPO levels are regulated at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational levels in response to abiotic stress conditions. Salt-responsive genes are increased in a tspo-1 knock-down mutant compared to wild type under conditions of salt stress, while they are decreased when AtTSPO is overexpressed. Mutations in tetrapyrrole biosynthesis genes and the application of chlorophyll or carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitors also affect AtTSPO expression. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that AtTSPO plays a role in the response of Arabidopsis to high salt stress. Salt stress leads to re-localization of the AtTSPO from the ER to chloroplasts through its N-terminal extension. In addition, our results show that AtTSPO is regulated at the transcriptional level in tetrapyrrole biosynthetic mutants. Thus, we propose that AtTSPO may play a role in transporting tetrapyrrole intermediates during salt stress and other conditions in which tetrapyrrole metabolism is compromised.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Balsemão-Pires
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Transdução de Sinal, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Plant Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yvon Jaillais
- Plant Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute 4000 Jones Bridge RoadChevy Chase, MD 20815-6789, USA
| | - Bradley JSC Olson
- Plant Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Leonardo R Andrade
- Laboratório de Biomineralização, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - James G Umen
- Plant Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Joanne Chory
- Plant Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute 4000 Jones Bridge RoadChevy Chase, MD 20815-6789, USA
| | - Gilberto Sachetto-Martins
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Transdução de Sinal, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Vidau C, González-Polo RA, Niso-Santano M, Gómez-Sánchez R, Bravo-San Pedro JM, Pizarro-Estrella E, Blasco R, Brunet JL, Belzunces LP, Fuentes JM. Fipronil is a powerful uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation that triggers apoptosis in human neuronal cell line SHSY5Y. Neurotoxicology 2011; 32:935-43. [PMID: 21621551 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2011.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2011] [Revised: 03/04/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Fipronil is a phenylpyrazole insecticide known to elicit neurotoxicity via an interaction with ionotropic receptors, namely GABA and glutamate receptors. Recently, we showed that fipronil and other phenylpyrazole compounds trigger cell death in Caco-2 cells. In this study, we investigated the mode of action and the type of cell death induced by fipronil in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Flow cytometric and western blot analyses demonstrated that fipronil induces cellular events belonging to the apoptosis process, such as mitochondrial potential collapse, cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activation, nuclear condensation and phosphatidylserine externalization. In addition, fipronil induces a rapid ATP depletion with concomitant activation of anaerobic glycolysis. This cellular response is characteristic of mitochondrial injury associated with a defect of the respiration process. Therefore, we also investigated the effect of fipronil on the oxygen consumption in isolated mitochondria. Interestingly, we show for the first time that fipronil is a strong uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation at relative low concentrations. Thus in this study, we report a new mode of action by which the insecticide fipronil could triggers apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Vidau
- INRA, Laboratoire de toxicologie environnementale, UMR 406, Abeille et environnement, 84914 Avignon Cedex 9, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Knudsen TB, Houck KA, Sipes NS, Singh AV, Judson RS, Martin MT, Weissman A, Kleinstreuer NC, Mortensen HM, Reif DM, Rabinowitz JR, Setzer RW, Richard AM, Dix DJ, Kavlock RJ. Activity profiles of 309 ToxCast™ chemicals evaluated across 292 biochemical targets. Toxicology 2011; 282:1-15. [PMID: 21251949 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2010.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2010] [Revised: 12/10/2010] [Accepted: 12/21/2010] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the potential health risks posed by environmental chemicals is a significant challenge elevated by the large number of diverse chemicals with generally uncharacterized exposures, mechanisms, and toxicities. The present study is a performance evaluation and critical analysis of assay results for an array of 292 high-throughput cell-free assays aimed at preliminary toxicity evaluation of 320 environmental chemicals in EPA's ToxCast™ project (Phase I). The chemicals (309 unique, 11 replicates) were mainly precursors or the active agent of commercial pesticides, for which a wealth of in vivo toxicity data is available. Biochemical HTS (high-throughput screening) profiled cell and tissue extracts using semi-automated biochemical and pharmacological methodologies to evaluate a subset of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), CYP450 enzymes (CYPs), kinases, phosphatases, proteases, HDACs, nuclear receptors, ion channels, and transporters. The primary screen tested all chemicals at a relatively high concentration 25 μM concentration (or 10 μM for CYP assays), and a secondary screen re-tested 9132 chemical-assay pairs in 8-point concentration series from 0.023 to 50 μM (or 0.009-20 μM for CYPs). Mapping relationships across 93,440 chemical-assay pairs based on half-maximal activity concentration (AC50) revealed both known and novel targets in signaling and metabolic pathways. The primary dataset, summary data and details on quality control checks are available for download at http://www.epa.gov/ncct/toxcast/.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas B Knudsen
- National Center for Computational Toxicology (B205-01), Office of Research & Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Three-dimensional structure of TspO by electron cryomicroscopy of helical crystals. Structure 2010; 18:677-87. [PMID: 20541505 PMCID: PMC2911597 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2010.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2009] [Revised: 02/08/2010] [Accepted: 03/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The 18 kDa TSPO protein is a polytopic mitochondrial outer membrane protein involved in a wide range of physiological functions and pathologies, including neurodegeneration and cancer. The pharmacology of TSPO has been extensively studied, but little is known about its biochemistry, oligomeric state, and structure. We have expressed, purified, and characterized a homologous protein, TspO from Rhodobacter sphaeroides, and reconstituted it as helical crystals. Using electron cryomicroscopy and single-particle helical reconstruction, we have determined a three-dimensional structure of TspO at 10 Å resolution. The structure suggests that monomeric TspO comprises five transmembrane α helices that form a homodimer, which is consistent with the dimeric state observed in detergent solution. Furthermore, the arrangement of transmembrane domains of individual TspO subunits indicates a possibility of two substrate translocation pathways per dimer. The structure provides the first insight into the molecular architecture of TSPO/PBR protein family that will serve as a framework for future studies.
Collapse
|
12
|
Mason MJ, Fan G, Plath K, Zhou Q, Horvath S. Signed weighted gene co-expression network analysis of transcriptional regulation in murine embryonic stem cells. BMC Genomics 2009; 10:327. [PMID: 19619308 PMCID: PMC2727539 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-10-327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2009] [Accepted: 07/20/2009] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recent work has revealed that a core group of transcription factors (TFs) regulates the key characteristics of embryonic stem (ES) cells: pluripotency and self-renewal. Current efforts focus on identifying genes that play important roles in maintaining pluripotency and self-renewal in ES cells and aim to understand the interactions among these genes. To that end, we investigated the use of unsigned and signed network analysis to identify pluripotency and differentiation related genes. Results We show that signed networks provide a better systems level understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of ES cells than unsigned networks, using two independent murine ES cell expression data sets. Specifically, using signed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we found a pluripotency module and a differentiation module, which are not identified in unsigned networks. We confirmed the importance of these modules by incorporating genome-wide TF binding data for key ES cell regulators. Interestingly, we find that the pluripotency module is enriched with genes related to DNA damage repair and mitochondrial function in addition to transcriptional regulation. Using a connectivity measure of module membership, we not only identify known regulators of ES cells but also show that Mrpl15, Msh6, Nrf1, Nup133, Ppif, Rbpj, Sh3gl2, and Zfp39, among other genes, have important roles in maintaining ES cell pluripotency and self-renewal. We also report highly significant relationships between module membership and epigenetic modifications (histone modifications and promoter CpG methylation status), which are known to play a role in controlling gene expression during ES cell self-renewal and differentiation. Conclusion Our systems biologic re-analysis of gene expression, transcription factor binding, epigenetic and gene ontology data provides a novel integrative view of ES cell biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mike J Mason
- Statistics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Soustiel JF, Palzur E, Vlodavsky E, Veenman L, Gavish M. The effect of oxygenation level on cerebral post-traumatic apoptotsis is modulated by the 18-kDa translocator protein (also known as peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor) in a rat model of cortical contusion. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2007; 34:412-23. [PMID: 17973904 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2990.2007.00906.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Hyperbaric hyperoxia has been shown to reduce apoptosis in brain injury. As the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO), also known as peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor, is closely associated with the mitochondrial transition pore and because of its role in mitochondrial respiration and apoptosis, we hypothesized that reduction of apoptosis by hyperoxia may involve the TSPO. METHODS TSPO and transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) immunopositivity was first assessed in cortical contusion, created by dynamic cortical deformation, by immunohistochemistry in rats exposed to normoxia [(dynamic cortical deformation (DCD)], normobaric hyperoxia or hyperbaric hyperoxia [hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO)]. In a second step, transmembrane mitochondrial potential (Deltapsi(M)) and caspase 9 activity were assessed in the injured area in comparison with the noninjured hemisphere. Measurements were performed in DCD and HBO groups. A third group receiving both HBO and the TSPO ligand PK11195 was investigated as well. RESULTS TSPO correlated quantitatively and regionally with TUNEL immunopositivity in the perilesional area. Hyperoxia reduced both the number of TSPO expressing and TUNEL positive cells in the perilesional area, and this effect proved to be pressure dependent. After contusion, we demonstrated a dissipation of Deltapsi(M) in isolated mitochondria and an elevation of caspase 9 activity in tissue homogenates from the contused area, both of which could be substantially reversed by hyperbaric hyperoxia. This protective effect of hyperoxia was reversed by PK11195. CONCLUSIONS The present findings suggest that the protective effect of hyperoxia may be due to a negative regulation of the proapoptotic function of mitochondrial TSPO, including conservation of the mitochondrial membrane potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J F Soustiel
- Acute Brain Injury Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Green ML, Singh AV, Zhang Y, Nemeth KA, Sulik KK, Knudsen TB. Reprogramming of genetic networks during initiation of the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Dev Dyn 2007; 236:613-31. [PMID: 17200951 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.21048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are birth defects that result from maternal alcohol use. We used a non a priori approach to prioritize candidate pathways during alcohol-induced teratogenicity in early mouse embryos. Two C57BL/6 substrains (B6J, B6N) served as the basis for study. Dosing pregnant dams with alcohol (2x 2.9 g/kg ethanol spaced 4 hr on day 8) induced FASD in B6J at a higher incidence than B6N embryos. Counter-exposure to PK11195 (4 mg/kg) significantly protected B6J embryos but slightly promoted FASD in B6N embryos. Microarray transcript profiling was performed on the embryonic headfold 3 hr after the first maternal alcohol injection (GEO data series accession GSE1074). This analysis revealed metabolic and cellular reprogramming that was substrain-specific and/or PK11195-dependent. Mapping ethanol-responsive KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways revealed down-regulation of ribosomal proteins and proteasome, and up-regulation of glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway in B6N embryos; and significant up-regulation of tight junction, focal adhesion, adherens junction, and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton (and near-significant up-regulation of Wnt signaling and apoptosis) pathways in both substrains. Expression networks constructed computationally from these altered genes identified entry points for EtOH at several hubs (MAPK1, ALDH3A2, CD14, PFKM, TNFRSF1A, RPS6, IGF1, EGFR, PTEN) and for PK11195 at AKT1. Our findings are consistent with the growing view that developmental exposure to alcohol alters common signaling pathways linking receptor activation to cytoskeletal reorganization. The programmatic shift in cell motility and metabolic capacity further implies cell signals and responses that are integrated by the mitochondrial recognition site for PK11195.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maia L Green
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Affiliation(s)
- George P Daston
- Miami Valley Innovation Center, Procter & Gamble, PO Box 538707, Cincinnati, Ohio 45253, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Papadopoulos V, Baraldi M, Guilarte TR, Knudsen TB, Lacapère JJ, Lindemann P, Norenberg MD, Nutt D, Weizman A, Zhang MR, Gavish M. Translocator protein (18kDa): new nomenclature for the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor based on its structure and molecular function. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2006; 27:402-9. [PMID: 16822554 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2006.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1074] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2005] [Revised: 04/21/2006] [Accepted: 06/19/2006] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor or recognition site (PBR) is a widely distributed transmembrane protein that is located mainly in the outer mitochondrial membrane. The PBR binds to high-affinity drug ligands and cholesterol. Many functions are associated directly or indirectly with the PBR, including the regulation of cholesterol transport and the synthesis of steroid hormones, porphyrin transport and heme synthesis, apoptosis, cell proliferation, anion transport, regulation of mitochondrial functions and immunomodulation. Based on these functions, there are many potential clinical applications of PBR modulation, such as in oncologic, endocrine, neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Although "PBR" is a widely used and accepted name in the scientific community, recent data regarding the structure and molecular function of this protein increasingly support renaming it to represent more accurately its subcellular role (or roles) and putative tissue-specific function (or functions). Translocator protein (18kDa) is proposed as a new name, regardless of the subcellular localization of the protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vassilios Papadopoulos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Nemeth KA, Singh AV, Knudsen TB. Searching for biomarkers of developmental toxicity with microarrays: normal eye morphogenesis in rodent embryos. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2005; 206:219-28. [PMID: 15967212 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2004.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2004] [Revised: 12/28/2004] [Accepted: 12/30/2004] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Gene expression arrays reveal the potential linkage of altered gene expression with specific adverse effects leading to disease phenotypes. But how closely do microarray data reflect early physiological or pharmacological measures that predict toxic event(s)? To explore this issue, we have undertaken experiments in early mouse embryos exposed to various teratogens during neurulation stages with the aim of correlating large-scale changes in gene expression across the critical period during exposure. This study reports some of the large-scale changes in gene expression that can be detected in the optic rudiment of the developing mouse and rat embryo across the window of development during which the eye is exceedingly sensitive to teratogen-induced micro-/anophthalmia. Microarray analysis was performed on RNA from the headfold or ocular region at the optic vesicle and optic cup stages when the ocular primordium is enriched for Pax-6, a master control gene for eye morphogenesis. Statistical selection of differentially regulated genes and various clustering techniques identified groups of genes in upward or downward trajectories in the normal optic primordium during early eye development in mouse and rat species. We identified 165 genes with significant differential expression during eye development, and a smaller subset of 58 genes that showed a tight correlation between mouse-rat development. Significantly over-represented functional categories included fatty acid metabolism (up-regulated) and glycolysis (down-regulated). From studies such as these that benchmark large-scale gene expression during normal embryonic development, we may be able to identify the panel of biomarkers that best correlate with species differences and the risks for developmental toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Nemeth
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Knudsen TB, Green ML. Response characteristics of the mitochondrial DNA genome in developmental health and disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 72:313-29. [PMID: 15662705 DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.20028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on mitochondrial biology in mammalian development; specifically, the dynamics of information transfer from nucleus to mitochondrion in the regulation of mitochondrial DNA genomic expression, and the reverse signaling of mitochondrion to nucleus as an adaptive response to the environment. Data from recent studies suggest that the capacity of embryonic cells to react to oxygenation involves a tradeoff between factors that influence prenatal growth/development and postnatal growth/function. For example, mitochondrial DNA replication and metabolic set points in nematodes may be determined by mitochondrial activity early in life. The mitochondrial drug PK11195, a ligand of the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, has antiteratogenic and antidisease action in several developmental contexts in mice. Protein malnutrition during early life in rats can program mitochondrial DNA levels in adult tissues and, in humans, epidemiological data suggest an association between impaired fetal growth and insulin resistance. Taken together, these findings raise the provocative hypothesis that environmental programming of mitochondrial status during early life may be linked with diseases that manifest during adulthood. Genetic defects that affect mitochondrial function may involve the mitochondrial DNA genome directly (maternal inheritance) or indirectly (Mendelian inheritance) through nuclear-coded mitochondrial proteins. In a growing number of cases, the depletion of, or deletion in, mitochondrial DNA is seen to be secondary to mutation of key nuclear-coded mitochondrial proteins that affect mitochondrial DNA replication, expression, or stability. These defects of intergenomic regulation may disrupt the normal cross-talk or structural compartmentation of signals that ultimately regulate mitochondrial DNA integrity and copy number, leading to depletion of mitochondrial DNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas B Knudsen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Craniofacial Biology, School of Dentistry, Birth Defects Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|