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Hao Y, Yang Y, Tu H, Guo Z, Chen P, Chao X, Yuan Y, Wang Z, Miao X, Zou S, Li D, Yang Y, Wu C, Li B, Li L, Cai H. A transcription factor complex in Dictyostelium enables adaptive changes in macropinocytosis during the growth-to-development transition. Dev Cell 2024; 59:645-660.e8. [PMID: 38325371 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Macropinocytosis, an evolutionarily conserved endocytic pathway, mediates nonselective bulk uptake of extracellular fluid. It is the primary route for axenic Dictyostelium cells to obtain nutrients and has also emerged as a nutrient-scavenging pathway for mammalian cells. How cells adjust macropinocytic activity in various physiological or developmental contexts remains to be elucidated. We discovered that, in Dictyostelium cells, the transcription factors Hbx5 and MybG form a functional complex in the nucleus to maintain macropinocytic activity during the growth stage. In contrast, during starvation-induced multicellular development, the transcription factor complex undergoes nucleocytoplasmic shuttling in response to oscillatory cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) signals, which leads to increased cytoplasmic retention of the complex and progressive downregulation of macropinocytosis. Therefore, by coupling macropinocytosis-related gene expression to the cAMP oscillation system, which facilitates long-range cell-cell communication, the dynamic translocation of the Hbx5-MybG complex orchestrates a population-level adjustment of macropinocytic activity to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazhou Hao
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yihong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hui Tu
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhonglong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Pengcheng Chen
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiaoting Chao
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ye Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhimeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xilin Miao
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Songlin Zou
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dong Li
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yanzhi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Congying Wu
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Huaqing Cai
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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2
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Hadwiger JA, Aranda RG, Fatima S. Atypical MAP kinases - new insights and directions from amoeba. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:jcs261447. [PMID: 37850857 PMCID: PMC10617611 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261447] [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: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) have been the focus of many studies over the past several decades, but the understanding of one subgroup of MAPKs, orthologs of MAPK15, known as atypical MAPKs, has lagged behind others. In most organisms, specific activating signals or downstream responses of atypical MAPK signaling pathways have not yet been identified even though these MAPKs are associated with many eukaryotic processes, including cancer and embryonic development. In this Review, we discuss recent studies that are shedding new light on both the regulation and function of atypical MAPKs in different organisms. In particular, the analysis of the atypical MAPK in the amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum has revealed important roles in chemotactic responses and gene regulation. The rapid and transient phosphorylation of the atypical MAPK in these responses suggest a highly regulated activation mechanism in vivo despite the ability of atypical MAPKs to autophosphorylate in vitro. Atypical MAPK function can also impact the activation of other MAPKs in amoeba. These advances are providing new perspectives on possible MAPK roles in animals that have not been previously considered, and this might lead to the identification of potential targets for regulating cell movement in the treatment of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A. Hadwiger
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-3020, USA
| | - Ramee G. Aranda
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-3020, USA
| | - Saher Fatima
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-3020, USA
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3
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Boland AW, Gas-Pascual E, van der Wel H, Kim HW, West CM. Synergy between a cytoplasmic vWFA/VIT protein and a WD40-repeat F-box protein controls development in Dictyostelium. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1259844. [PMID: 37779900 PMCID: PMC10539598 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1259844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Like most eukaryotes, the pre-metazoan social amoeba Dictyostelium depends on the SCF (Skp1/cullin-1/F-box protein) family of E3 ubiquitin ligases to regulate its proteome. In Dictyostelium, starvation induces a transition from unicellular feeding to a multicellular slug that responds to external signals to culminate into a fruiting body containing terminally differentiated stalk and spore cells. These transitions are subject to regulation by F-box proteins and O2-dependent posttranslational modifications of Skp1. Here we examine in greater depth the essential role of FbxwD and Vwa1, an intracellular vault protein inter-alpha-trypsin (VIT) and von Willebrand factor-A (vWFA) domain containing protein that was found in the FbxwD interactome by co-immunoprecipitation. Reciprocal co-IPs using gene-tagged strains confirmed the interaction and similar changes in protein levels during multicellular development suggested co-functioning. FbxwD overexpression and proteasome inhibitors did not affect Vwa1 levels suggesting a non-substrate relationship. Forced FbxwD overexpression in slug tip cells where it is normally enriched interfered with terminal cell differentiation by a mechanism that depended on its F-box and RING domains, and on Vwa1 expression itself. Whereas vwa1-disruption alone did not affect development, overexpression of either of its three conserved domains arrested development but the effect depended on Vwa1 expression. Based on structure predictions, we propose that the Vwa1 domains exert their negative effect by artificially activating Vwa1 from an autoinhibited state, which in turn imbalances its synergistic function with FbxwD. Autoinhibition or homodimerization might be relevant to the poorly understood tumor suppressor role of the evolutionarily related VWA5A/BCSC-1 in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W. Boland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Elisabet Gas-Pascual
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Hanke van der Wel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Hyun W. Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Christopher M. West
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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4
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Hadwiger JA, Cai H, Aranda RG, Fatima S. An atypical MAPK regulates translocation of a GATA transcription factor in response to chemoattractant stimulation. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:jcs260148. [PMID: 35916164 PMCID: PMC9481928 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Dictyostelium atypical mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Erk2 is required for chemotactic responses to cAMP as amoeba undergo multicellular development. In this study, Erk2 was found to be essential for the cAMP-stimulated translocation of the GATA transcription factor GtaC as indicated by the distribution of a GFP-GtaC reporter. Erk2 was also found to be essential for the translocation of GtaC in response to external folate, a foraging signal that directs the chemotaxis of amoeba to bacteria. Erk1, the only other Dictyostelium MAPK, was not required for the GtaC translocation to either chemoattractant, indicating that GFP-GtaC is a kinase translocation reporter specific for atypical MAPKs. The translocation of GFP-GtaC in response to folate was absent in mutants lacking the folate receptor Far1 or the coupled G-protein subunit Gα4. Loss of GtaC function resulted in enhanced chemotactic movement to folate, suggesting that GtaC suppresses responses to folate. The alteration of four Erk2-preferred phosphorylation sites in GtaC impacted the translocation of GFP-GtaC in response to folate and the GFP-GtaC-mediated rescue of aggregation and development of gtaC- cells. The ability of different chemoattractants to stimulate Erk2-regulated GtaC translocation suggests that atypical MAPK-mediated regulation of transcription factors can contribute to different cell fates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A. Hadwiger
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-3020, USA
| | - Huaqing Cai
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Ramee G. Aranda
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-3020, USA
| | - Saher Fatima
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-3020, USA
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Adhikari N, McGill IN, Hadwiger JA. MAPK docking motif in the Dictyostelium Gα2 subunit is required for aggregation and transcription factor translocation. Cell Signal 2021; 87:110117. [PMID: 34418534 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Some G protein alpha subunits contain a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) docking motif (D-motif) near the amino terminus that can impact cellular responses to external signals. The Dictyostelium Gα2 G protein subunit is required for chemotaxis to cAMP during the onset of multicellular development and this subunit contains a putative D-motif near the amino terminus. The Gα2 subunit D-motif was altered to examine its potential role in chemotaxis and multicellular development. In gα2- cells the expression of the D-motif mutant (Gα2D-) or wild-type subunit from high copy number vectors rescued cell aggregation but blocked the transition of mounds into slugs. This phenotype was also observed in parental strains with a wild-type gα2 locus indicating that the heterologous Gα2 subunit expression interferes with multicellular morphogenesis. Expression of the Gα2D- subunit from a low copy number vectors in gα2- cells did not rescue aggregation whereas the wild-type Gα2 subunit rescued aggregation efficiently and allowed wild-type morphological development. The Gα2D- and Gα2 subunit were both capable of restoring comparable levels of cAMP stimulated motility and the ability to co-aggregate with wild-type cells implying that the aggregation defect of Gα2D- expressing cells is due to insufficient intercellular signaling. Expression of the Gα2 subunit but not the Gα2D- subunit fully restored the ability of cAMP to stimulate the translocation of the GtaC transcription factor suggesting the D-motif is important for transcription factor regulation. These results suggest that the D-motif of Gα2 plays a role in aggregation and other developmental responses involved with cAMP signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirakar Adhikari
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-3020, United States of America
| | - Imani N McGill
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-3020, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey A Hadwiger
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-3020, United States of America.
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6
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Katoh-Kurasawa M, Hrovatin K, Hirose S, Webb A, Ho HI, Zupan B, Shaulsky G. Transcriptional milestones in Dictyostelium development. Genome Res 2021; 31:1498-1511. [PMID: 34183452 PMCID: PMC8327917 DOI: 10.1101/gr.275496.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Dictyostelium development begins with single-cell starvation and ends with multicellular fruiting bodies. Developmental morphogenesis is accompanied by sweeping transcriptional changes, encompassing nearly half of the 13,000 genes in the genome. We performed time-series RNA-sequencing analyses of the wild type and 20 mutants to explore the relationships between transcription and morphogenesis. These strains show developmental arrest at different stages, accelerated development, or atypical morphologies. Considering eight major morphological transitions, we identified 1371 milestone genes whose expression changes sharply between consecutive transitions. We also identified 1099 genes as members of 21 regulons, which are groups of genes that remain coordinately regulated despite the genetic, temporal, and developmental perturbations. The gene annotations in these groups validate known transitions and reveal new developmental events. For example, DNA replication genes are tightly coregulated with cell division genes, so they are expressed in mid-development although chromosomal DNA is not replicated. Our data set includes 486 transcriptional profiles that can help identify new relationships between transcription and development and improve gene annotations. We show its utility by showing that cycles of aggregation and disaggregation in allorecognition-defective mutants involve dedifferentiation. We also show sensitivity to genetic and developmental conditions in two commonly used actin genes, act6 and act15, and robustness of the coaA gene. Finally, we propose that gpdA is a better mRNA quantitation standard because it is less sensitive to external conditions than commonly used standards. The data set is available for democratized exploration through the web application dictyExpress and the data mining environment Orange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Katoh-Kurasawa
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Karin Hrovatin
- Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Shigenori Hirose
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Amanda Webb
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Hsing-I Ho
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Blaž Zupan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gad Shaulsky
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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7
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Filić V, Mijanović L, Putar D, Talajić A, Ćetković H, Weber I. Regulation of the Actin Cytoskeleton via Rho GTPase Signalling in Dictyostelium and Mammalian Cells: A Parallel Slalom. Cells 2021; 10:1592. [PMID: 34202767 PMCID: PMC8305917 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Both Dictyostelium amoebae and mammalian cells are endowed with an elaborate actin cytoskeleton that enables them to perform a multitude of tasks essential for survival. Although these organisms diverged more than a billion years ago, their cells share the capability of chemotactic migration, large-scale endocytosis, binary division effected by actomyosin contraction, and various types of adhesions to other cells and to the extracellular environment. The composition and dynamics of the transient actin-based structures that are engaged in these processes are also astonishingly similar in these evolutionary distant organisms. The question arises whether this remarkable resemblance in the cellular motility hardware is accompanied by a similar correspondence in matching software, the signalling networks that govern the assembly of the actin cytoskeleton. Small GTPases from the Rho family play pivotal roles in the control of the actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Indicatively, Dictyostelium matches mammals in the number of these proteins. We give an overview of the Rho signalling pathways that regulate the actin dynamics in Dictyostelium and compare them with similar signalling networks in mammals. We also provide a phylogeny of Rho GTPases in Amoebozoa, which shows a variability of the Rho inventories across different clades found also in Metazoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vedrana Filić
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.M.); (D.P.); (A.T.); (H.Ć.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Igor Weber
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.M.); (D.P.); (A.T.); (H.Ć.)
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Wang SY, Pollina EA, Wang IH, Pino LK, Bushnell HL, Takashima K, Fritsche C, Sabin G, Garcia BA, Greer PL, Greer EL. Role of epigenetics in unicellular to multicellular transition in Dictyostelium. Genome Biol 2021; 22:134. [PMID: 33947439 PMCID: PMC8094536 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02360-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evolution of multicellularity is a critical event that remains incompletely understood. We use the social amoeba, Dictyostelium discoideum, one of the rare organisms that readily transits back and forth between both unicellular and multicellular stages, to examine the role of epigenetics in regulating multicellularity. RESULTS While transitioning to multicellular states, patterns of H3K4 methylation and H3K27 acetylation significantly change. By combining transcriptomics, epigenomics, chromatin accessibility, and orthologous gene analyses with other unicellular and multicellular organisms, we identify 52 conserved genes, which are specifically accessible and expressed during multicellular states. We validated that four of these genes, including the H3K27 deacetylase hdaD, are necessary and that an SMC-like gene, smcl1, is sufficient for multicellularity in Dictyostelium. CONCLUSIONS These results highlight the importance of epigenetics in reorganizing chromatin architecture to facilitate multicellularity in Dictyostelium discoideum and raise exciting possibilities about the role of epigenetics in the evolution of multicellularity more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Yuan Wang
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | | | - I-Hao Wang
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Lindsay Kristina Pino
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Henry L Bushnell
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ken Takashima
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Colette Fritsche
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - George Sabin
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Benjamin Aaron Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Paul Lieberman Greer
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Eric Lieberman Greer
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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9
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Cocorocchio M, Baldwin AJ, Stewart B, Kim L, Harwood AJ, Thompson CRL, Andrews PLR, Williams RSB. Curcumin and derivatives function through protein phosphatase 2A and presenilin orthologues in Dictyostelium discoideum. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm.032375. [PMID: 29361519 PMCID: PMC5818083 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.032375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural compounds often have complex molecular structures and unknown molecular targets. These characteristics make them difficult to analyse using a classical pharmacological approach. Curcumin, the main curcuminoid of turmeric, is a complex molecule possessing wide-ranging biological activities, cellular mechanisms and roles in potential therapeutic treatment, including Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Here, we investigate the physiological effects and molecular targets of curcumin in Dictyostelium discoideum. We show that curcumin exerts acute effects on cell behaviour, reduces cell growth and slows multicellular development. We employed a range of structurally related compounds to show the distinct role of different structural groups in curcumin's effects on cell behaviour, growth and development, highlighting active moieties in cell function, and showing that these cellular effects are unrelated to the well-known antioxidant activity of curcumin. Molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of curcumin and one synthetic analogue (EF24) were then investigated to identify a curcumin-resistant mutant lacking the protein phosphatase 2A regulatory subunit (PsrA) and an EF24-resistant mutant lacking the presenilin 1 orthologue (PsenB). Using in silico docking analysis, we then showed that curcumin might function through direct binding to a key regulatory region of PsrA. These findings reveal novel cellular and molecular mechanisms for the function of curcumin and related compounds. Summary: To unlock the therapeutic potential of curcumin and related compounds, we employ a tractable model system to characterise their cellular and molecular effects and propose novel targets implicated in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Cocorocchio
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, TW20 0EX UK
| | - Amy J Baldwin
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Balint Stewart
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Lou Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Adrian J Harwood
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Christopher R L Thompson
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Paul L R Andrews
- Division of Biomedical Science, St George's University of London, SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Robin S B Williams
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, TW20 0EX UK
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10
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Curcumin affects gene expression and reactive oxygen species via a PKA dependent mechanism in Dictyostelium discoideum. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187562. [PMID: 29135990 PMCID: PMC5685611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Botanicals are widely used as dietary supplements and for the prevention and treatment of disease. Despite a long history of use, there is generally little evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of these preparations. Curcumin has been used to treat a myriad of human diseases and is widely advertised and marketed for its ability to improve health, but there is no clear understanding how curcumin interacts with cells and affects cell physiology. D. discoideum is a simple eukaryotic lead system that allows both tractable genetic and biochemical studies. The studies reported here show novel effects of curcumin on cell proliferation and physiology, and a pleiotropic effect on gene transcription. Transcriptome analysis showed that the effect is two-phased with an early transient effect on the transcription of approximately 5% of the genome, and demonstrates that cells respond to curcumin through a variety of previously unknown molecular pathways. This is followed by later unique transcriptional changes and a protein kinase A dependent decrease in catalase A and three superoxide dismutase enzymes. Although this results in an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS; superoxide and H2O2), the effects of curcumin on transcription do not appear to be the direct result of oxidation. This study opens the door to future explorations of the effect of curcumin on cell physiology.
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11
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Stajdohar M, Rosengarten RD, Kokosar J, Jeran L, Blenkus D, Shaulsky G, Zupan B. dictyExpress: a web-based platform for sequence data management and analytics in Dictyostelium and beyond. BMC Bioinformatics 2017; 18:291. [PMID: 28578698 PMCID: PMC5457571 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-017-1706-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dictyostelium discoideum, a soil-dwelling social amoeba, is a model for the study of numerous biological processes. Research in the field has benefited mightily from the adoption of next-generation sequencing for genomics and transcriptomics. Dictyostelium biologists now face the widespread challenges of analyzing and exploring high dimensional data sets to generate hypotheses and discovering novel insights. RESULTS We present dictyExpress (2.0), a web application designed for exploratory analysis of gene expression data, as well as data from related experiments such as Chromatin Immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq). The application features visualization modules that include time course expression profiles, clustering, gene ontology enrichment analysis, differential expression analysis and comparison of experiments. All visualizations are interactive and interconnected, such that the selection of genes in one module propagates instantly to visualizations in other modules. dictyExpress currently stores the data from over 800 Dictyostelium experiments and is embedded within a general-purpose software framework for management of next-generation sequencing data. dictyExpress allows users to explore their data in a broader context by reciprocal linking with dictyBase-a repository of Dictyostelium genomic data. In addition, we introduce a companion application called GenBoard, an intuitive graphic user interface for data management and bioinformatics analysis. CONCLUSIONS dictyExpress and GenBoard enable broad adoption of next generation sequencing based inquiries by the Dictyostelium research community. Labs without the means to undertake deep sequencing projects can mine the data available to the public. The entire information flow, from raw sequence data to hypothesis testing, can be accomplished in an efficient workspace. The software framework is generalizable and represents a useful approach for any research community. To encourage more wide usage, the backend is open-source, available for extension and further development by bioinformaticians and data scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miha Stajdohar
- Genialis d.o.o., Trzaska cesta 315, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | | | - Janez Kokosar
- Genialis d.o.o., Trzaska cesta 315, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | - Luka Jeran
- Genialis d.o.o., Trzaska cesta 315, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | - Domen Blenkus
- Genialis d.o.o., Trzaska cesta 315, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | - Gad Shaulsky
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, 77030, TX, USA
| | - Blaz Zupan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, 77030, TX, USA.,Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
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12
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The Long Noncoding RNA Transcriptome of Dictyostelium discoideum Development. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2017; 7:387-398. [PMID: 27932387 PMCID: PMC5295588 DOI: 10.1534/g3.116.037150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Dictyostelium discoideum live in the soil as single cells, engulfing bacteria and growing vegetatively. Upon starvation, tens of thousands of amoebae enter a developmental program that includes aggregation, multicellular differentiation, and sporulation. Major shifts across the protein-coding transcriptome accompany these developmental changes. However, no study has presented a global survey of long noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in D. discoideum To characterize the antisense and long intergenic noncoding RNA (lncRNA) transcriptome, we analyzed previously published developmental time course samples using an RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) library preparation method that selectively depletes ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). We detected the accumulation of transcripts for 9833 protein-coding messenger RNAs (mRNAs), 621 lncRNAs, and 162 putative antisense RNAs (asRNAs). The noncoding RNAs were interspersed throughout the genome, and were distinct in expression level, length, and nucleotide composition. The noncoding transcriptome displayed a temporal profile similar to the coding transcriptome, with stages of gradual change interspersed with larger leaps. The transcription profiles of some noncoding RNAs were strongly correlated with known differentially expressed coding RNAs, hinting at a functional role for these molecules during development. Examining the mitochondrial transcriptome, we modeled two novel antisense transcripts. We applied yet another ribosomal depletion method to a subset of the samples to better retain transfer RNA (tRNA) transcripts. We observed polymorphisms in tRNA anticodons that suggested a post-transcriptional means by which D. discoideum compensates for codons missing in the genomic complement of tRNAs. We concluded that the prevalence and characteristics of long ncRNAs indicate that these molecules are relevant to the progression of molecular and cellular phenotypes during development.
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13
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Li CLF, Santhanam B, Webb AN, Zupan B, Shaulsky G. Gene discovery by chemical mutagenesis and whole-genome sequencing in Dictyostelium. Genome Res 2016; 26:1268-76. [PMID: 27307293 PMCID: PMC5052037 DOI: 10.1101/gr.205682.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Whole-genome sequencing is a useful approach for identification of chemical-induced lesions, but previous applications involved tedious genetic mapping to pinpoint the causative mutations. We propose that saturation mutagenesis under low mutagenic loads, followed by whole-genome sequencing, should allow direct implication of genes by identifying multiple independent alleles of each relevant gene. We tested the hypothesis by performing three genetic screens with chemical mutagenesis in the social soil amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum Through genome sequencing, we successfully identified mutant genes with multiple alleles in near-saturation screens, including resistance to intense illumination and strong suppressors of defects in an allorecognition pathway. We tested the causality of the mutations by comparison to published data and by direct complementation tests, finding both dominant and recessive causative mutations. Therefore, our strategy provides a cost- and time-efficient approach to gene discovery by integrating chemical mutagenesis and whole-genome sequencing. The method should be applicable to many microbial systems, and it is expected to revolutionize the field of functional genomics in Dictyostelium by greatly expanding the mutation spectrum relative to other common mutagenesis methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Lin Frank Li
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Balaji Santhanam
- Graduate Program in Structural Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Amanda Nicole Webb
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Blaž Zupan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA; Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gad Shaulsky
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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14
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Pan M, Xu X, Chen Y, Jin T. Identification of a Chemoattractant G-Protein-Coupled Receptor for Folic Acid that Controls Both Chemotaxis and Phagocytosis. Dev Cell 2016; 36:428-39. [PMID: 26906738 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2016.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Revised: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic phagocytes search and destroy invading microorganisms via chemotaxis and phagocytosis. The social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum is a professional phagocyte that chases bacteria through chemotaxis and engulfs them as food via phagocytosis. G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are known for detecting chemoattractants and directing cell migration, but their roles in phagocytosis are not clear. Here, we developed a quantitative phosphoproteomic technique to discover signaling components. Using this approach, we discovered the long sought after folic acid receptor, fAR1, in D. discoideum. We showed that the seven-transmembrane receptor fAR1 is required for folic acid-mediated signaling events. Significantly, we discovered that fAR1 is essential for both chemotaxis and phagocytosis of bacteria, thereby representing a chemoattractant GPCR that mediates not only chasing but also ingesting bacteria. We revealed that a phagocyte is able to internalize particles via a chemoattractant-mediated engulfment process. We propose that mammalian phagocytes may also use this mechanism to engulf and ingest bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Pan
- Chemotaxis Signal Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, NIH, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
| | - Xuehua Xu
- Chemotaxis Signal Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, NIH, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Yong Chen
- Proteomics Core Facility, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tian Jin
- Chemotaxis Signal Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, NIH, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
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Katoh-Kurasawa M, Santhanam B, Shaulsky G. The GATA transcription factor gene gtaG is required for terminal differentiation in Dictyostelium. J Cell Sci 2016; 129:1722-1733. [PMID: 26962009 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.181545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The GATA transcription factor GtaG is conserved in Dictyostelids and essential for terminal differentiation in Dictyostelium discoideum, but its function is not well understood. Here we show that gtaG is expressed in prestalk cells at the anterior region of fingers and in the extending stalk during culmination. The gtaG- phenotype is cell-autonomous in prestalk cells and non-cell-autonomous in prespore cells. Transcriptome analyses reveal that GtaG regulates prestalk gene expression during cell differentiation before culmination and is required for progression into culmination. GtaG-dependent genes include genetic suppressors of the Dd-STATa-defective phenotype as well as Dd-STATa target-genes, including extra cellular matrix genes. We show that GtaG may be involved in the production of two culmination-signaling molecules, cyclic di-GMP and the spore differentiation factor SDF-1 and that addition of c-di-GMP rescues the gtaG- culmination and spore formation deficiencies. We propose that GtaG is a regulator of terminal differentiation that functions in concert with Dd-STATa and controls culmination through regulating c-di-GMP and SDF-1 production in prestalk cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Katoh-Kurasawa
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston TX 77030, USA
| | - Balaji Santhanam
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston TX 77030, USA
| | - Gad Shaulsky
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston TX 77030, USA
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