1
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Baskakova KO, Kuzmichev PK, Karbyshev MS. Advanced applications of Nanodiscs-based platforms for antibodies discovery. Biophys Chem 2024; 313:107290. [PMID: 39002246 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2024.107290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Due to their fundamental biological importance, membrane proteins (MPs) are attractive targets for drug discovery, with cell surface receptors, transporters, ion channels, and membrane-bound enzymes being of particular interest. However, due to numerous challenges, these proteins present underutilized opportunities for discovering biotherapeutics. Antibodies hold the promise of exquisite specificity and adaptability, making them the ideal candidates for targeting complex membrane proteins. They can target specific conformations of a particular membrane protein and can be engineered into various formats. Generating specific and effective antibodies targeting these proteins is no easy task due to several factors. The antigen's design, antibody-generation strategies, lead optimization technologies, and antibody modalities can be modified to tackle these challenges. The rational employment of cutting-edge lipid nanoparticle systems for retrieving the membrane antigen has been successfully implemented to simplify the mechanism-based therapeutic antibody discovery approach. Despite the highlighted MP production challenges, this review unequivocally underscores the advantages of targeting complex membrane proteins with antibodies and designing membrane protein antigens. Selected examples of lipid nanoparticle success have been illustrated, emphasizing the potential of therapeutic antibody discovery in this regard. With further research and development, we can overcome these challenges and unlock the full potential of therapeutic antibodies directed to target complex MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina O Baskakova
- Laboratory of Molecular Therapy of Cancer, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russian Federation
| | - Pavel K Kuzmichev
- Research Сenter for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudniy, Russian Federation
| | - Mikhail S Karbyshev
- Laboratory of Molecular Therapy of Cancer, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russian Federation; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation.
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2
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Nourmohammadi S, Henderson S, Ramesh S, Yool A. Characterization of human aquaporin ion channels in a yeast expression system as a tool for novel ion channel discovery. Biosci Rep 2024; 44:BSR20240542. [PMID: 39069912 PMCID: PMC11358751 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20240542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Aquaporin (AQP) channels found in all domains of life are transmembrane proteins which mediate passive transport of water, glycerol, signaling molecules, metabolites, and charged solutes. Discovery of new classes of ion-conducting AQP channels has been slow, likely reflecting time- and labor-intensive methods required for traditional electrophysiology. Work here defines a sensitive mass-throughput system for detecting AQP ion channels, identified by rescue of cell growth in the K+-transport-defective yeast strain CY162 following genetic complementation with heterologously expressed cation-permeable channels, using the well characterized human AQP1 channel for proof of concept. Results showed AQP1 conferred transmembrane permeability to cations which rescued survival in CY162 yeast. Comprehensive testing showed that growth response properties fully recapitulated AQP1 pharmacological agonist and antagonist profiles for activation, inhibition, dose-dependence, and structure-function relationships, demonstrating validity of the yeast screening tool for AQP channel identification and drug discovery efforts. This method also provided new information on divalent cation blockers of AQP1, pH sensitivity of antagonists, and ion permeability of human AQP6. Site-directed mutagenesis of AQP1 channel regulatory domains confirmed that yeast growth rescue was mediated by the introduced channels. Optical monitoring with a lithium-sensitive photoswitchable probe in living cells independently demonstrated monovalent cation permeability of AQP1 channels in yeast plasma membrane. Ion channel properties of AQP1 expressed in yeast were consistent with those of AQP1 expressed in Xenopus laevis oocyte and K+-transport defective Escherichia coli. Outcomes here establish a powerful new approach for efficient screening of phylogenetically diverse AQPs for yet untested functions as cation channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Nourmohammadi
- School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, and the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Sam W. Henderson
- School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, and the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Sunita A. Ramesh
- Biological Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Andrea J. Yool
- School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, and the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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3
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Azimi Mohammadabadi M, Moazzeni A, Jafarzadeh L, Faraji F, Mansourabadi AH, Safari E. Aquaporins in colorectal cancer: exploring their role in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug response. Hum Cell 2024; 37:917-930. [PMID: 38806940 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-024-01078-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are small, integral proteins facilitating water transport across plasma cell membranes in response to osmotic gradients. This family has 13 unique members (AQP0-12), which can also transport glycerol, urea, gases, and other salute small molecules. AQPs play a crucial role in the regulation of different cellular processes, including metabolism, migration, immunity, barrier function, and angiogenesis. These proteins are found to aberrantly overexpress in various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Growing evidence has explored AQPs as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target in different cancers. However, there is no comprehensive review compiling the available information on the crucial role of AQPs in the context of colorectal cancer. This review highlights the significance of AQPs as the biomarker and regulator of tumor cells metabolism. In addition, the proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis of tumor cells related to AQPs expression as well as function are discussed. Understanding the AQPs prominent role in chemotherapy resistance is of great importance clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Azimi Mohammadabadi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ali Moazzeni
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Leila Jafarzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Faraji
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Mansourabadi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada, Ottawa, Canada
- University of Ottawa, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Elahe Safari
- Breast Health & Cancer Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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4
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Huang P, Åbacka H, Wilson CJ, Wind ML, Rűtzler M, Hagström-Andersson A, Gourdon P, de Groot BL, Venskutonytė R, Lindkvist-Petersson K. Molecular basis for human aquaporin inhibition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2319682121. [PMID: 38319972 PMCID: PMC10873552 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319682121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer invasion and metastasis are known to be potentiated by the expression of aquaporins (AQPs). Likewise, the expression levels of AQPs have been shown to be prognostic for survival in patients and have a role in tumor growth, edema, angiogenesis, and tumor cell migration. Thus, AQPs are key players in cancer biology and potential targets for drug development. Here, we present the single-particle cryo-EM structure of human AQP7 at 3.2-Å resolution in complex with the specific inhibitor compound Z433927330. The structure in combination with MD simulations shows that the inhibitor binds to the endofacial side of AQP7. In addition, cancer cells treated with Z433927330 show reduced proliferation. The data presented here serve as a framework for the development of AQP inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Huang
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund22184, Sweden
| | - Hannah Åbacka
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund22184, Sweden
| | - Carter J. Wilson
- Computational Biomolecular Dynamics Group, Department of Theoretical and Computational Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077Gottingen, Germany
| | - Malene Lykke Wind
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Copenhagen University, DK-2200Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Michael Rűtzler
- ApoGlyx, Lund22381, Sweden
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Lund22100, Sweden
| | - Anna Hagström-Andersson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Genetics, Lund University, Lund22184, Sweden
| | - Pontus Gourdon
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund22184, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Copenhagen University, DK-2200Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Bert L. de Groot
- Computational Biomolecular Dynamics Group, Department of Theoretical and Computational Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077Gottingen, Germany
| | - Raminta Venskutonytė
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund22184, Sweden
- Lund Institute of Advanced Neutron and X-Ray Science, Lund22370, Sweden
| | - Karin Lindkvist-Petersson
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund22184, Sweden
- Lund Institute of Advanced Neutron and X-Ray Science, Lund22370, Sweden
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5
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Kreida S, Roche JV, Missel JW, Al-Jubair T, Hagströmer CJ, Wittenbecher V, Linse S, Gourdon P, Törnroth-Horsefield S. The role of phosphorylation in calmodulin-mediated gating of human AQP0. Biochem J 2024; 481:17-32. [PMID: 38032258 PMCID: PMC10903448 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Aquaporin-0 (AQP0) is the main water channel in the mammalian lens and is involved in accommodation and maintaining lens transparency. AQP0 binds the Ca2+-sensing protein calmodulin (CaM) and this interaction is believed to gate its water permeability by closing the water-conducting pore. Here, we express recombinant and functional human AQP0 in Pichia pastoris and investigate how phosphorylation affects the interaction with CaM in vitro as well as the CaM-dependent water permeability of AQP0 in proteoliposomes. Using microscale thermophoresis and surface plasmon resonance technology we show that the introduction of the single phospho-mimicking mutations S229D and S235D in AQP0 reduces CaM binding. In contrast, CaM interacts with S231D with similar affinity as wild type, but in a different manner. Permeability studies of wild-type AQP0 showed that the water conductance was significantly reduced by CaM in a Ca2+-dependent manner, whereas AQP0 S229D, S231D and S235D were all locked in an open state, insensitive to CaM. We propose a model in which phosphorylation of AQP0 control CaM-mediated gating in two different ways (1) phosphorylation of S229 or S235 abolishes binding (the pore remains open) and (2) phosphorylation of S231 results in CaM binding without causing pore closure, the functional role of which remains to be elucidated. Our results suggest that site-dependent phosphorylation of AQP0 dynamically controls its CaM-mediated gating. Since the level of phosphorylation increases towards the lens inner cortex, AQP0 may become insensitive to CaM-dependent gating along this axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Kreida
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Julie Winkel Missel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tamim Al-Jubair
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | | | - Sara Linse
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Pontus Gourdon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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6
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Imaizumi G, Ushio K, Nishihara H, Braasch I, Watanabe E, Kumagai S, Furuta T, Matsuzaki K, Romero MF, Kato A, Nagashima A. Functional Divergence in Solute Permeability between Ray-Finned Fish-Specific Paralogs of aqp10. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evad221. [PMID: 38039384 PMCID: PMC10769510 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evad221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Aquaporin (Aqp) 10 is a member of the aquaglyceroporin subfamily of water channels, and human Aqp10 is permeable to solutes such as glycerol, urea, and boric acid. Tetrapods have a single aqp10 gene, whereas ray-finned fishes have paralogs of this gene through tandem duplication, whole-genome duplication, and subsequent deletion. A previous study on Aqps in the Japanese pufferfish Takifugu rubripes showed that one pufferfish paralog, Aqp10.2b, was permeable to water and glycerol, but not to urea and boric acid. To understand the functional differences of Aqp10s between humans and pufferfish from an evolutionary perspective, we analyzed Aqp10s from an amphibian (Xenopus laevis) and a lobe-finned fish (Protopterus annectens) and Aqp10.1 and Aqp10.2 from several ray-finned fishes (Polypterus senegalus, Lepisosteus oculatus, Danio rerio, and Clupea pallasii). The expression of tetrapod and lobe-finned fish Aqp10s and Aqp10.1-derived Aqps in ray-finned fishes in Xenopus oocytes increased the membrane permeabilities to water, glycerol, urea, and boric acid. In contrast, Aqp10.2-derived Aqps in ray-finned fishes increased water and glycerol permeabilities, whereas those of urea and boric acid were much weaker than those of Aqp10.1-derived Aqps. These results indicate that water, glycerol, urea, and boric acid permeabilities are plesiomorphic activities of Aqp10s and that the ray-finned fish-specific Aqp10.2 paralogs have secondarily reduced or lost urea and boric acid permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genki Imaizumi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Ushio
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hidenori Nishihara
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Advanced Bioscience, Faculty of Agriculture, Kindai University, Nara, Japan
| | - Ingo Braasch
- Department of Integrative Biology and Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Erika Watanabe
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Shiori Kumagai
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tadaomi Furuta
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Koji Matsuzaki
- Marine Science Museum, Fukushima Prefecture (Aquamarine Fukushima, AMF), Iwaki, Japan
| | - Michael F Romero
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Akira Kato
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Ayumi Nagashima
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
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7
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Pellavio G, Demichelis MP, Sommi P, Anselmi-Tamburini U, Scotti C, Laforenza U. Polyacrylic-Coated Solid Nanoparticles Increase the Aquaporin Permeability to Hydrogen Peroxide. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:372. [PMID: 38203543 PMCID: PMC10778986 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) allow the diffusion of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and act as ROS scavenging systems, which are important for controlling the redox state of cells. Recently, cerium oxide nanoparticles were found to increase the water and H2O2 permeability by modulating AQPs. To further analyze the action of nanoparticles (NPs) on AQP, we examined the effect of the NPs presenting different core compositions (CeO2, Gd2O3, Fe3O4, and TiO2), hydrodynamic sizes, and surface functionalization. The NPs produced an increase in H2O and H2O2 permeability as a general trend. The hydrodynamic sizes of the NPs in the range of 22-100 nm did not produce any significant effect. The chemical nature of the NPs' core did not modify the effect and its intensity. On the other hand, the NPs' functionalized surface plays a major role in influencing both water and H2O2 permeability. The results suggest that NPs can play a significant role in controlling oxidative stress in cells and might represent an innovative approach in the treatment of a number of pathologies associated with an increased oxidative status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Pellavio
- Human Physiology Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (G.P.); (P.S.)
| | | | - Patrizia Sommi
- Human Physiology Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (G.P.); (P.S.)
| | | | - Claudia Scotti
- Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Umberto Laforenza
- Human Physiology Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (G.P.); (P.S.)
- Center for Health Technologies (CHT), University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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8
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Kamegawa A, Suzuki S, Suzuki H, Nishikawa K, Numoto N, Fujiyoshi Y. Structural analysis of the water channel AQP2 by single-particle cryo-EM. J Struct Biol 2023; 215:107984. [PMID: 37315821 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2023.107984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Water channels, which are small membrane proteins almost entirely buried in lipid membranes, are challenging research targets for single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), a powerful technique routinely used to determine the structures of membrane proteins. Because the single-particle method enables structural analysis of a whole protein with flexible parts that interfere with crystallization, we have focused our efforts on analyzing water channel structures. Here, utilizing this system, we analyzed the structure of full-length aquaporin-2 (AQP2), a primary regulator of vasopressin-dependent reabsorption of water at the renal collecting ducts. The 2.9 Å resolution map revealed a cytoplasmic extension of the cryo-EM density that was presumed to be the highly flexible C-terminus at which the localization of AQP2 is regulated in the renal collecting duct cells. We also observed a continuous density along the common water pathway inside the channel pore and lipid-like molecules at the membrane interface. Observations of these constructions in the AQP2 structure analyzed without any fiducial markers (e.g., a rigidly bound antibody) indicate that single-particle cryo-EM will be useful for investigating water channels in native states as well as in complexes with chemical compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Kamegawa
- Cellular and Structural Physiology Laboratory (CeSPL), Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Shota Suzuki
- Cellular and Structural Physiology Laboratory (CeSPL), Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Suzuki
- Cellular and Structural Physiology Laboratory (CeSPL), Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Kouki Nishikawa
- Joint Research Course for Advanced Biomolecular Characterization, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Nobutaka Numoto
- Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8501, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Fujiyoshi
- Cellular and Structural Physiology Laboratory (CeSPL), Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
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Kirkegaard T, Riishede A, Tramm T, Nejsum LN. Aquaglyceroporins in Human Breast Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:2185. [PMID: 37681917 PMCID: PMC10486483 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins are water channels that facilitate passive water transport across cellular membranes following an osmotic gradient and are essential in the regulation of body water homeostasis. Several aquaporins are overexpressed in breast cancer, and AQP1, AQP3 and AQP5 have been linked to spread to lymph nodes and poor prognosis. The subgroup aquaglyceroporins also facilitate the transport of glycerol and are thus involved in cellular metabolism. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the three aquaglyceroporins, AQP3, AQP7 and AQP9, but not AQP10, are overexpressed in human breast cancer. It is, however, unknown if they are all expressed in the same cells or have a heterogeneous expression pattern. To investigate this, we employed immunohistochemical analysis of serial sections from human invasive ductal and lobular breast cancers. We found that AQP3, AQP7 and AQP9 are homogeneously expressed in almost all cells in both premalignant in situ lesions and invasive lesions. Thus, potential intervention strategies targeting cellular metabolism via the aquaglyceroporins should consider all three expressed aquaglyceroporins, namely AQP3, AQP7 and AQP9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Kirkegaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; (T.K.); (A.R.); (T.T.)
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Andreas Riishede
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; (T.K.); (A.R.); (T.T.)
| | - Trine Tramm
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; (T.K.); (A.R.); (T.T.)
- Department of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Lene N. Nejsum
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; (T.K.); (A.R.); (T.T.)
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10
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Ozu M, Galizia L, Alvear-Arias JJ, Fernández M, Caviglia A, Zimmermann R, Guastaferri F, Espinoza-Muñoz N, Sutka M, Sigaut L, Pietrasanta LI, González C, Amodeo G, Garate JA. Mechanosensitive aquaporins. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:497-513. [PMID: 37681084 PMCID: PMC10480384 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01098-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular systems must deal with mechanical forces to satisfy their physiological functions. In this context, proteins with mechanosensitive properties play a crucial role in sensing and responding to environmental changes. The discovery of aquaporins (AQPs) marked a significant breakthrough in the study of water transport. Their transport capacity and regulation features make them key players in cellular processes. To date, few AQPs have been reported to be mechanosensitive. Like mechanosensitive ion channels, AQPs respond to tension changes in the same range. However, unlike ion channels, the aquaporin's transport rate decreases as tension increases, and the molecular features of the mechanism are unknown. Nevertheless, some clues from mechanosensitive ion channels shed light on the AQP-membrane interaction. The GxxxG motif may play a critical role in the water permeation process associated with structural features in AQPs. Consequently, a possible gating mechanism triggered by membrane tension changes would involve a conformational change in the cytoplasmic extreme of the single file region of the water pathway, where glycine and histidine residues from loop B play a key role. In view of their transport capacity and their involvement in relevant processes related to mechanical forces, mechanosensitive AQPs are a fundamental piece of the puzzle for understanding cellular responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Ozu
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciano Galizia
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan José Alvear-Arias
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, 2360102 Valparaíso, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Santiago, Chile
| | - Miguel Fernández
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, 2360102 Valparaíso, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Santiago, Chile
| | - Agustín Caviglia
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rosario Zimmermann
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Florencia Guastaferri
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Present Address: Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR-CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Nicolás Espinoza-Muñoz
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, 2360102 Valparaíso, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Santiago, Chile
| | - Moira Sutka
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lorena Sigaut
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Física, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires (IFIBA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lía Isabel Pietrasanta
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Física, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires (IFIBA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos González
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Santiago, Chile
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136 USA
- Present Address: Molecular Bioscience Department, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712 USA
| | - Gabriela Amodeo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - José Antonio Garate
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, 2360102 Valparaíso, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Bellavista, Santiago, Chile
- Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia y Vida, Universidad San Sebastián, 7750000 Santiago, Chile
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11
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Zerbetto De Palma G, Recoulat Angelini AA, Vitali V, González Flecha FL, Alleva K. Cooperativity in regulation of membrane protein function: phenomenological analysis of the effects of pH and phospholipids. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:721-731. [PMID: 37681089 PMCID: PMC10480370 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01095-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Interaction between membrane proteins and ligands plays a key role in governing a wide spectrum of cellular processes. These interactions can provide a cooperative-type regulation of protein function. A wide variety of proteins, including enzymes, channels, transporters, and receptors, displays cooperative behavior in their interactions with ligands. Moreover, the ligands involved encompass a vast diversity and include specific molecules or ions that bind to specific binding sites. In this review, our particular focus is on the interaction between integral membrane proteins and ligands that can present multiple "binding sites", such as protons or membrane phospholipids. The study of the interaction that protons or lipids have with membrane proteins often presents challenges for classical mechanistic modeling approaches. In this regard, we show that, like Hill's pioneering work on hemoglobin regulation, phenomenological modeling constitutes a powerful tool for capturing essential features of these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Zerbetto De Palma
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Fisicomatemática, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional de Hurlingham, Villa Tesei, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológica (IQUIFIB), CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alvaro A. Recoulat Angelini
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológica (IQUIFIB), CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Victoria Vitali
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Fisicomatemática, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológica (IQUIFIB), CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - F. Luis. González Flecha
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológica (IQUIFIB), CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Karina Alleva
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Fisicomatemática, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológica (IQUIFIB), CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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12
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Paccetti-Alves I, Batista MSP, Pimpão C, Victor BL, Soveral G. Unraveling the Aquaporin-3 Inhibitory Effect of Rottlerin by Experimental and Computational Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24066004. [PMID: 36983077 PMCID: PMC10057066 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24066004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The natural polyphenolic compound Rottlerin (RoT) showed anticancer properties in a variety of human cancers through the inhibition of several target molecules implicated in tumorigenesis, revealing its potential as an anticancer agent. Aquaporins (AQPs) are found overexpressed in different types of cancers and have recently emerged as promising pharmacological targets. Increasing evidence suggests that the water/glycerol channel aquaporin-3 (AQP3) plays a key role in cancer and metastasis. Here, we report the ability of RoT to inhibit human AQP3 activity with an IC50 in the micromolar range (22.8 ± 5.82 µM for water and 6.7 ± 2.97 µM for glycerol permeability inhibition). Moreover, we have used molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations to understand the structural determinants of RoT that explain its ability to inhibit AQP3. Our results show that RoT blocks AQP3-glycerol permeation by establishing strong and stable interactions at the extracellular region of AQP3 pores interacting with residues essential for glycerol permeation. Altogether, our multidisciplinary approach unveiled RoT as an anticancer drug against tumors where AQP3 is highly expressed providing new information to aquaporin research that may boost future drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Paccetti-Alves
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta S P Batista
- Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina Pimpão
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Bruno L Victor
- Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Graça Soveral
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
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13
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Henderson SW, Nakayama Y, Whitelaw ML, Bruning JB, Anderson PA, Tyerman SD, Ramesh SA, Martinac B, Yool AJ. Proteoliposomes reconstituted with human aquaporin-1 reveal novel single-ion-channel properties. BIOPHYSICAL REPORTS 2023; 3:100100. [PMID: 36949749 PMCID: PMC10025285 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpr.2023.100100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Human aquaporin 1 (hAQP1) forms homotetrameric channels that facilitate fluxes of water and small solutes across cell membranes. In addition to water channel activity, hAQP1 displays non-selective monovalent cation-channel activity gated by intracellular cyclic GMP. Dual water and ion-channel activity of hAQP1, thought to regulate cell shape and volume, could offer a target for novel therapeutics relevant to controlling cancer cell invasiveness. This study probed properties of hAQP1 ion channels using proteoliposomes, which, unlike conventional cell-based systems such as Xenopus laevis oocytes, are relatively free of background ion channels. Histidine-tagged recombinant hAQP1 protein was synthesized and purified from the methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris, and reconstituted into proteoliposomes for biophysical analyses. Osmotic water channel activity confirmed correct folding and channel assembly. Ion-channel activity of hAQP1-Myc-His6 was recorded by patch-clamp electrophysiology with excised patches. In symmetrical potassium, the hAQP1-Myc-His6 channels displayed coordinated gating, a single-channel conductance of approximately 75 pS, and multiple subconductance states. Applicability of this method for structure-function analyses was tested using hAQP1-Myc-His6 D48A/D185A channels modified by site-directed mutations of charged Asp residues estimated to be adjacent to the central ion-conducting pore of the tetramer. No differences in conductance were detected between mutant and wild-type constructs, suggesting the open-state conformation could differ substantially from expectations based on crystal structures. Nonetheless, the method pioneered here for AQP1 demonstrates feasibility for future work defining structure-function relationships, screening pharmacological inhibitors, and testing other classes in the broad family of aquaporins for previously undiscovered ion-conducting capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam W. Henderson
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Yoshitaka Nakayama
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Lowy Packer Building, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, St Vincent’s Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Murray L. Whitelaw
- Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing, The School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - John B. Bruning
- Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing, The School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Peter A. Anderson
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Stephen D. Tyerman
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine & Waite Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia
| | - Sunita A. Ramesh
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Boris Martinac
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Lowy Packer Building, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, St Vincent’s Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Andrea J. Yool
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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14
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Amro Z, Ryan M, Collins-Praino LE, Yool AJ. Unexpected Classes of Aquaporin Channels Detected by Transcriptomic Analysis in Human Brain Are Associated with Both Patient Age and Alzheimer’s Disease Status. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030770. [PMID: 36979749 PMCID: PMC10045580 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The altered expression of known brain Aquaporin (AQP) channels 1, 4 and 9 has been correlated with neuropathological AD progression, but possible roles of other AQP classes in neurological disease remain understudied. The levels of transcripts of all thirteen human AQP subtypes were compared in healthy and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains by statistical analyses of microarray RNAseq expression data from the Allen Brain Atlas database. Previously unreported, AQPs 0, 6 and 10, are present in human brains at the transcript level. Three AD-affected brain regions, hippocampus (HIP), parietal cortex (PCx) and temporal cortex (TCx), were assessed in three subgroups: young controls (n = 6, aged 24–57); aged controls (n = 26, aged 78–99); and an AD cohort (n = 12, aged 79–99). A significant positive correlation (p < 10−10) was seen for AQP transcript levels as a function of the subject’s age in years. Differential expressions correlated with brain region, age, and AD diagnosis, particularly between the HIP and cortical regions. Interestingly, three classes of AQPs (0, 6 and 8) upregulated in AD compared to young controls are permeable to H2O2. Of these, AQPs 0 and 8 were increased in TCx and AQP6 in HIP, suggesting a role of AQPs in AD-related oxidative stress. The outcomes here are the first to demonstrate that the expression profile of AQP channels in the human brain is more diverse than previously thought, and transcript levels are influenced by both age and AD status. Associations between reactive oxygen stress and neurodegenerative disease risk highlight AQPs 0, 6, 8 and 10 as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zein Amro
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Matthew Ryan
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | | | - Andrea J. Yool
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
- Correspondence:
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15
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Increased Aquaporin-7 Expression Is Associated with Changes in Rat Brown Adipose Tissue Whitening in Obesity: Impact of Cold Exposure and Bariatric Surgery. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043412. [PMID: 36834823 PMCID: PMC9963055 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycerol is a key metabolite for lipid accumulation in insulin-sensitive tissues. We examined the role of aquaporin-7 (AQP7), the main glycerol channel in adipocytes, in the improvement of brown adipose tissue (BAT) whitening, a process whereby brown adipocytes differentiate into white-like unilocular cells, after cold exposure or bariatric surgery in male Wistar rats with diet-induced obesity (DIO) (n = 229). DIO promoted BAT whitening, evidenced by increased BAT hypertrophy, steatosis and upregulation of the lipogenic factors Pparg2, Mogat2 and Dgat1. AQP7 was detected in BAT capillary endothelial cells and brown adipocytes, and its expression was upregulated by DIO. Interestingly, AQP7 gene and protein expressions were downregulated after cold exposure (4 °C) for 1 week or one month after sleeve gastrectomy in parallel to the improvement of BAT whitening. Moreover, Aqp7 mRNA expression was positively associated with transcripts of the lipogenic factors Pparg2, Mogat2 and Dgat1 and regulated by lipogenic (ghrelin) and lipolytic (isoproterenol and leptin) signals. Together, the upregulation of AQP7 in DIO might contribute to glycerol influx used for triacylglycerol synthesis in brown adipocytes, and hence, BAT whitening. This process is reversible by cold exposure and bariatric surgery, thereby suggesting the potential of targeting BAT AQP7 as an anti-obesity therapy.
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16
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Cryo-EM structure supports a role of AQP7 as a junction protein. Nat Commun 2023; 14:600. [PMID: 36737436 PMCID: PMC9898259 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36272-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aquaglyceroporin 7 (AQP7) facilitates glycerol flux across the plasma membrane with a critical physiological role linked to metabolism, obesity, and associated diseases. Here, we present the single-particle cryo-EM structure of AQP7 determined at 2.55 Å resolution adopting two adhering tetramers, stabilized by extracellularly exposed loops, in a configuration like that of the well-characterized interaction of AQP0 tetramers. The central pore, in-between the four monomers, displays well-defined densities restricted by two leucine filters. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) results show that the AQP7 sample contains glycerol 3-phosphate (Gro3P), which is compatible with the identified features in the central pore. AQP7 is shown to be highly expressed in human pancreatic α- and β- cells suggesting that the identified AQP7 octamer assembly, in addition to its function as glycerol channel, may serve as junction proteins within the endocrine pancreas.
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17
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Endothelial Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032909. [PMID: 36769234 PMCID: PMC9918222 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebral vascular system stringently regulates cerebral blood flow (CBF). The components of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) protect the brain from pathogenic infections and harmful substances, efflux waste, and exchange substances; however, diseases develop in cases of blood vessel injuries and BBB dysregulation. Vascular pathology is concurrent with the mechanisms underlying aging, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD), which suggests its involvement in these mechanisms. Therefore, in the present study, we reviewed the role of vascular dysfunction in aging and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly AD and VaD. During the development of the aforementioned diseases, changes occur in the cerebral blood vessel morphology and local cells, which, in turn, alter CBF, fluid dynamics, and vascular integrity. Chronic vascular inflammation and blood vessel dysregulation further exacerbate vascular dysfunction. Multitudinous pathogenic processes affect the cerebrovascular system, whose dysfunction causes cognitive impairment. Knowledge regarding the pathophysiology of vascular dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases and the underlying molecular mechanisms may lead to the discovery of clinically relevant vascular biomarkers, which may facilitate vascular imaging for disease prevention and treatment.
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18
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Aquaporins Display a Diversity in their Substrates. J Membr Biol 2023; 256:1-23. [PMID: 35986775 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-022-00257-7] [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: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aquaporins constitute a family of transmembrane proteins that function to transport water and other small solutes across the cell membrane. Aquaporins family members are found in diverse life forms. Aquaporins share the common structural fold consisting of six transmembrane alpha helices with a central water-transporting channel. Four such monomers assemble together to form tetramers as their biological unit. Initially, aquaporins were discovered as water-transporting channels, but several studies supported their involvement in mediating the facilitated diffusion of different solutes. The so-called water channel is able to transport a variety of substrates ranging from a neutral molecule to a charged molecule or a small molecule to a bulky molecule or even a gas molecule. This article gives an overview of a diverse range of substrates conducted by aquaporin family members. Prime focus is on human aquaporins where aquaporins show a wide tissue distribution and substrate specificity leading to various physiological functions. This review also highlights the structural mechanisms leading to the transport of water and glycerol. More research is needed to understand how one common fold enables the aquaporins to transport an array of solutes.
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19
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Aquaporins and Ion Channels as Dual Targets in the Design of Novel Glioblastoma Therapeutics to Limit Invasiveness. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030849. [PMID: 36765806 PMCID: PMC9913334 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Current therapies for Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) focus on eradicating primary tumors using radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgical resection, but have limited success in controlling the invasive spread of glioma cells into a healthy brain, the major factor driving short survival times for patients post-diagnosis. Transcriptomic analyses of GBM biopsies reveal clusters of membrane signaling proteins that in combination serve as robust prognostic indicators, including aquaporins and ion channels, which are upregulated in GBM and implicated in enhanced glioblastoma motility. Accumulating evidence supports our proposal that the concurrent pharmacological targeting of selected subclasses of aquaporins and ion channels could impede glioblastoma invasiveness by impairing key cellular motility pathways. Optimal sets of channels to be selected as targets for combined therapies could be tailored to the GBM cancer subtype, taking advantage of differences in patterns of expression between channels that are characteristic of GBM subtypes, as well as distinguishing them from non-cancerous brain cells such as neurons and glia. Focusing agents on a unique channel fingerprint in GBM would further allow combined agents to be administered at near threshold doses, potentially reducing off-target toxicity. Adjunct therapies which confine GBM tumors to their primary sites during clinical treatments would offer profound advantages for treatment efficacy.
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20
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Rahimi Z, Lohrasebi A. Impacts of external electric fields on the permeation of glycerol and water molecules through aquaglyceroporin-7: molecular dynamics simulation approach. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2023; 46:3. [PMID: 36656387 DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-023-00261-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The aquaglyceroporin-7 (AQP7) protein channels facilitate the permeation of glycerol and water molecules through cell membranes by passive diffusion and play a crucial role in cell physiology. Considering the wide-spirit usage of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in our daily life, in this study, the effects of constant and GHz electric fields were investigated on the dynamics of glycerol and water molecules inside the AQP7. To this end, four different molecular simulation groups were carried out in the absence and presence of electric fields. The results reveal that the free energy profile of the glycerol permeation inside the channel is reduced in the presence of the field of 0.2 mV/nm and the oscillating field of 10 GHz. In addition, exposing the channel to the electric field of 0.2 mV/nm assisted the water transport through the channel with no considerable effect on channel stability. These observations provide a framework for understanding how such fields could alter normal operation of protein channels, which may lead to disease beginning or being used in disease treatment. Glycerol and water molecules permeation through the aquaglyceroporin-7 channel can be influenced by application of external electric fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Rahimi
- Department of Physics, University of Isfahan, P.O. Box 81746-73441, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Amir Lohrasebi
- Department of Physics, University of Isfahan, P.O. Box 81746-73441, Isfahan, Iran.
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21
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Xu L, Guo X, Wang W, Li C. Classification and Gene Structure of Aquaporins. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1398:1-13. [PMID: 36717483 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-7415-1_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of membrane water channels that basically function as regulators of intracellular and intercellular water flow. To date, 13 AQPs, distributed widely in specific cell types in various organs and tissues, have been characterized in humans. A pair of NPA boxes forming a pore is highly conserved among all aquaporins and is also key residues for the classification of AQP superfamily into four groups according to primary sequences. AQPs may also be classified based on their transport properties. So far, chromosome localization and gene structure of 13 human AQPs have been identified, which is definitely helpful for studying phenotypes and potential targets in naturally occurring and synthetic mutations in human or cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Xu
- Department of Physiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiangdong Guo
- Department of Physiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weidong Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Chunling Li
- Department of Physiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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22
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Xiong M, Li C, Wang W, Yang B. Protein Structure and Modification of Aquaporins. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1398:15-38. [PMID: 36717484 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-7415-1_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) allow water molecules and other small, neutral solutes to quickly pass through membrane. The protein structures of AQPs solved by crystallographic methods or cryo-electron microscopy technology show that AQP monomer consists of six membrane-spanning alpha-helices that form the central water-transporting pore. AQP monomers assemble to form tetramers, forming the functional units in the membrane, to transport water or other small molecules. The biological functions of AQPs are regulated by posttranslational modifications, e.g., phosphorylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, subcellular distribution, degradation and protein interactions. Modifications of AQP combined with structural properties contribute to a better functional mechanism of AQPs. Insight into the molecular mechanisms responsible for AQP modifications as well as gating and transport properties proved to be fundamental to the development of new therapeutic targets or reliable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyao Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chunling Li
- Institute of Hypertension and Kidney Research, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weidong Wang
- Institute of Hypertension and Kidney Research, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Baoxue Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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23
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Vold VA, Glanville S, Klaerke DA, Pedersen PA. pXOOY: A dual-function vector for expression of membrane proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Xenopus laevis oocytes. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281868. [PMID: 36809531 PMCID: PMC9942955 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
On the quest for solving structures of membrane proteins by X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM, large quantities of ultra-pure protein are a paramount prerequisite. Obtaining enough protein of such high standard is not a trivial task, especially for difficult-to-express membrane proteins. Producing membrane protein for structural studies is often performed in Escherichia coli or Saccharomyces cerevisiae and is frequently complemented with functional studies. Ion channels and electrogenic receptors are traditionally studied in terms of their electrophysiological behavior, which cannot be performed in neither E. coli nor yeast. Therefore, they are frequently characterized in mammalian cells or in Xenopus laevis oocytes. To avoid generating two different plasmids, we here describe the construction of a dual-function plasmid, pXOOY, for membrane protein production in yeast and for electrophysiology in oocytes. pXOOY was constructed such that all elements required for oocyte expression were copied from the dual Xenopus-mammalian vector pXOOM and meticulously introduced into the high-yield yeast expression vector pEMBLyex4. pXOOY is thus designed to preserve the high yield of protein from pEMBLyex4 while simultaneously permitting in vitro transcription for expression in oocytes. We evaluated the performance of pXOOY by comparing expression of two yeast codon optimized human potassium channels, ohERG and ohSlick (Slo2.1) from pXOOY to expression of these channels obtained from the reference vectors pEMBLyex4 and pXOOM. Our proof-of-concept study indicates that accumulation in PAP1500 yeast cells was higher when the channels were expressed from pXOOY, which was verified both qualitatively and quantitatively. Two-electrode voltage clamp measurements in oocytes showed that the pXOOY constructs encoding ohERG and ohSlick gave currents with full preservation of electrophysiological characteristics. Our results show that it is possible to design a dual-function Xenopus-yeast vector without compromising expression in yeast and simultaneously maintaining channel activity in oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Amstrup Vold
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Sebastian Glanville
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Dan Arne Klaerke
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- * E-mail: (PAP); (DAK)
| | - Per Amstrup Pedersen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
- * E-mail: (PAP); (DAK)
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24
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Zhang Q, Li P, Li H, Yi D, Guo S, Wang L, Zhao D, Wang C, Wu T, Hou Y. Multifaceted Effects and Mechanisms of N-Acetylcysteine on Intestinal Injury in a Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus-Infected Porcine Model. Mol Nutr Food Res 2022; 66:e2200369. [PMID: 36321532 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202200369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
SCOPE This study investigates the potential effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on intestinal injury in a porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV)-infected porcine model. METHODS AND RESULTS Thirty-two piglets are randomly assigned to one of four groups: the control, PEDV, NAC, and NAC+PEDV. Piglets in the NAC+PEDV group are orally administrated with NAC (100 mg (kg·BW)-1 day-1 ) for 4 consecutive days after 2 days of PEDV infection. The results show that NAC administration decreases the diarrhea rate and improves intestinal morphology. The concentration of diamine oxidase and intestinal fatty-acid binding protein, as well as IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α in the plasma, is decreased by NAC. Intriguingly, NAC administration significantly increases the viral load in the jejunum and ileum and down-regulates the expression of interferon-related genes. Microarray and proteomic analyses show that the differentially expressed genes/proteins between NAC+PEDV and PEDV groups are highly enriched in substance transport. Furthermore, aquaporin 8/10 expression is significantly increased by NAC upon PEDV infection. CONCLUSION NAC administration alleviates PEDV-induced intestinal injury by inhibiting inflammatory responses and improving substance transport, but promotes viral replication by inhibiting interferon signaling. These results suggest NAC exhibits multifaceted effects upon PEDV infection, and thus caution is required when using NAC as a dietary supplement to prevent viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, P. R. China
| | - Peng Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, P. R. China
| | - Hanbo Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, P. R. China
| | - Dan Yi
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, P. R. China
| | - Shuangshuang Guo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, P. R. China
| | - Lei Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, P. R. China
| | - Di Zhao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, P. R. China
| | - Chao Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, P. R. China
| | - Tao Wu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, P. R. China
| | - Yongqing Hou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, P. R. China
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25
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Toh H, Yang C, Formenti G, Raja K, Yan L, Tracey A, Chow W, Howe K, Bergeron LA, Zhang G, Haase B, Mountcastle J, Fedrigo O, Fogg J, Kirilenko B, Munegowda C, Hiller M, Jain A, Kihara D, Rhie A, Phillippy AM, Swanson SA, Jiang P, Clegg DO, Jarvis ED, Thomson JA, Stewart R, Chaisson MJP, Bukhman YV. A haplotype-resolved genome assembly of the Nile rat facilitates exploration of the genetic basis of diabetes. BMC Biol 2022; 20:245. [DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01427-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The Nile rat (Avicanthis niloticus) is an important animal model because of its robust diurnal rhythm, a cone-rich retina, and a propensity to develop diet-induced diabetes without chemical or genetic modifications. A closer similarity to humans in these aspects, compared to the widely used Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus models, holds the promise of better translation of research findings to the clinic.
Results
We report a 2.5 Gb, chromosome-level reference genome assembly with fully resolved parental haplotypes, generated with the Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP). The assembly is highly contiguous, with contig N50 of 11.1 Mb, scaffold N50 of 83 Mb, and 95.2% of the sequence assigned to chromosomes. We used a novel workflow to identify 3613 segmental duplications and quantify duplicated genes. Comparative analyses revealed unique genomic features of the Nile rat, including some that affect genes associated with type 2 diabetes and metabolic dysfunctions. We discuss 14 genes that are heterozygous in the Nile rat or highly diverged from the house mouse.
Conclusions
Our findings reflect the exceptional level of genomic resolution present in this assembly, which will greatly expand the potential of the Nile rat as a model organism.
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26
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Ozu M, Alvear-Arias JJ, Fernandez M, Caviglia A, Peña-Pichicoi A, Carrillo C, Carmona E, Otero-Gonzalez A, Garate JA, Amodeo G, Gonzalez C. Aquaporin Gating: A New Twist to Unravel Permeation through Water Channels. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12317. [PMID: 36293170 PMCID: PMC9604103 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are small transmembrane tetrameric proteins that facilitate water, solute and gas exchange. Their presence has been extensively reported in the biological membranes of almost all living organisms. Although their discovery is much more recent than ion transport systems, different biophysical approaches have contributed to confirm that permeation through each monomer is consistent with closed and open states, introducing the term gating mechanism into the field. The study of AQPs in their native membrane or overexpressed in heterologous systems have experimentally demonstrated that water membrane permeability can be reversibly modified in response to specific modulators. For some regulation mechanisms, such as pH changes, evidence for gating is also supported by high-resolution structures of the water channel in different configurations as well as molecular dynamics simulation. Both experimental and simulation approaches sustain that the rearrangement of conserved residues contributes to occlude the cavity of the channel restricting water permeation. Interestingly, specific charged and conserved residues are present in the environment of the pore and, thus, the tetrameric structure can be subjected to alter the positions of these charges to sustain gating. Thus, is it possible to explore whether the displacement of these charges (gating current) leads to conformational changes? To our knowledge, this question has not yet been addressed at all. In this review, we intend to analyze the suitability of this proposal for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Ozu
- Department of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, Faculty of Exact & Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1053, Argentina
- CONICET—Institute of Biodiversity and Experimental and Applied Biology CONICET (IBBEA), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1053, Argentina
| | - Juan José Alvear-Arias
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Scientific and Technologic Center of Excellence of Science and Life, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Miguel Fernandez
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Scientific and Technologic Center of Excellence of Science and Life, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Agustín Caviglia
- CONICET—Institute of Biodiversity and Experimental and Applied Biology CONICET (IBBEA), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1053, Argentina
| | - Antonio Peña-Pichicoi
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Scientific and Technologic Center of Excellence of Science and Life, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Christian Carrillo
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Scientific and Technologic Center of Excellence of Science and Life, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Emerson Carmona
- Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics Department and the Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Anselmo Otero-Gonzalez
- Center of Protein Study, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, La Habana 10400, Cuba
| | - José Antonio Garate
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Scientific and Technologic Center of Excellence of Science and Life, Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of San Sebastian, Santiago 8420524, Chile
| | - Gabriela Amodeo
- Department of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, Faculty of Exact & Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1053, Argentina
- CONICET—Institute of Biodiversity and Experimental and Applied Biology CONICET (IBBEA), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1053, Argentina
| | - Carlos Gonzalez
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Scientific and Technologic Center of Excellence of Science and Life, Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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27
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Pluhackova K, Schittny V, Bürkner P, Siligan C, Horner A. Multiple pore lining residues modulate water permeability of GlpF. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4431. [PMID: 36173178 PMCID: PMC9490802 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The water permeability of aquaporins (AQPs) varies by more than an order of magnitude even though the pore structure, geometry, as well as the channel lining residues are highly conserved. However, channel gating by pH, divalent ions or phosphorylation was only shown for a minority of AQPs. Structural and in silico indications of water flux modulation by flexible side chains of channel lining residues have not been experimentally confirmed yet. Hence, the aquaporin "open state" is still considered to be a continuously open pore with water molecules permeating in a single-file fashion. Using protein mutations outside the selectivity filter in the aqua(glycerol)facilitator GlpF of Escherichia coli we, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time, modulate the position of the highly conserved Arg in the selectivity filter. This in turn enhances or reduces the unitary water permeability of GlpF as shown in silico by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and in vitro with purified and reconstituted GlpF. This finding suggests that AQP water permeability can indeed be regulated by lipid bilayer asymmetry and the transmembrane potential. Strikingly, our long-term MD simulations reveal that not only the conserved Arg in the selectivity filter, but the position and dynamics of multiple other pore lining residues modulate water passage through GlpF. This finding is expected to trigger a wealth of future investigations on permeability and regulation of AQPs among others with the aim to tune water permeability for biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristyna Pluhackova
- Stuttgart Center for Simulation Science, Cluster of Excellence EXC 2075University of StuttgartStuttgartGermany
| | - Valentin Schittny
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringEidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) ZurichBaselSwitzerland
| | - Paul‐Christian Bürkner
- Stuttgart Center for Simulation Science, Cluster of Excellence EXC 2075University of StuttgartStuttgartGermany
| | | | - Andreas Horner
- Institute of BiophysicsJohannes Kepler UniversityLinzAustria
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28
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Charlestin V, Fulkerson D, Arias Matus CE, Walker ZT, Carthy K, Littlepage LE. Aquaporins: New players in breast cancer progression and treatment response. Front Oncol 2022; 12:988119. [PMID: 36212456 PMCID: PMC9532844 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.988119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of small transmembrane proteins that selectively transport water and other small molecules and ions following an osmotic gradient across cell plasma membranes. This enables them to regulate numerous functions including water homeostasis, fat metabolism, proliferation, migration, and adhesion. Previous structural and functional studies highlight a strong biological relationship between AQP protein expression, localization, and key biological functions in normal and cancer tissues, where aberrant AQP expression correlates with tumorigenesis and metastasis. In this review, we discuss the roles of AQP1, AQP3, AQP4, AQP5, and AQP7 in breast cancer progression and metastasis, including the role of AQPs in the tumor microenvironment, to highlight potential contributions of stromal-derived to epithelial-derived AQPs to breast cancer. Emerging evidence identifies AQPs as predictors of response to cancer therapy and as targets for increasing their sensitivity to treatment. However, these studies have not evaluated the requirements for protein structure on AQP function within the context of breast cancer. We also examine how AQPs contribute to a patient's response to cancer treatment, existing AQP inhibitors and how AQPs could serve as novel predictive biomarkers of therapy response in breast cancer. Future studies also should evaluate AQP redundancy and compensation as mechanisms used to overcome aberrant AQP function. This review highlights the need for additional research into how AQPs contribute molecularly to therapeutic resistance and by altering the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verodia Charlestin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, United States
| | - Daniel Fulkerson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, United States
| | - Carlos E. Arias Matus
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, United States
- Department of Biotechnology, Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla, Pue, Mexico
| | - Zachary T. Walker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, United States
| | - Kevin Carthy
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, United States
| | - Laurie E. Littlepage
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, United States
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29
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Yang L, Zeng H, Xia X, Wang H, Zhao B, He J. Natural phenylethanoid glycosides diuretics derived from Lagopsis supina: Biological activity, mechanism, molecular docking, and structure-activity relationship. Bioorg Chem 2022; 129:106165. [PMID: 36155092 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) and vasopressin type 2 receptor (V2R) play a crucial role in urine excretion and are widely used to explore novel diuretics. In this study, three phenylpropanoids including stachysoside A (L1), acteoside (L2), and glucopyranosyl (1 → 6) martynoside (L3) were isolated from Lagopsis supina (Steph. ex Willd.) lk. -Gal. ex Knorr. Their diuretic activity, mechanism, molecular docking, and structure-activity relationships were explored. The results suggest that L1, L2, and L3 exhibit acute (6 h) and prolonged (6 d) activities including increased urinary excretion volume, diuretic action, and diuretic activity, without affecting the urinary pH and minor altering the electrolyte balance in saline-loaded rats. Further, L1, L2, and L3 significantly reduced the levels of angiotensin II (Ang II), anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), and aldosterone (ALD), AQPs 1-4 and 7, and V2R, and remarkably elevated the atriopeptin (ANP) level. Besides, L1, L2, and L3 obviously suppressed mRNA and protein levels of AQPs 1-4 and 7, and V2R. The hypothetical binding modes of L1, L2, and L3 with these proteins were determined by molecular docking, and a tight structure-activity relationship was also proposed. Collectively, L1, L2, and L3 represent three natively novel phenylethanoid glycoside diuretics, which inhibit AQP and V2R-mediated molecular mechanisms. They are superior to furosemide as long-term diuretics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Huang Zeng
- Institute of Hakka Medicinal Bio-resources, Medical College, Jiaying University, Meizhou 514031, China
| | - Xiaoyi Xia
- Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Huilei Wang
- Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Boyuan Zhao
- Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Junwei He
- Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China.
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30
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Saitoh Y, Suga M. Structure and function of a silicic acid channel Lsi1. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:982068. [PMID: 36172553 PMCID: PMC9510833 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.982068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Silicon is a beneficial element for plant growth and production, especially in rice. Plant roots take up silicon in the form of silicic acid. Silicic acid channels, which belong to the NIP subfamily of aquaporins, are responsible for silicic acid uptake. Accumulated experimental results have deepened our understanding of the silicic acid channel for its uptake mechanism, physiological function, localization, and other aspects. However, how the silicic acid channel efficiently and selectively permeates silicic acid remains to be elucidated. Recently reported crystal structures of the silicic acid channel enabled us to discuss the mechanism of silicic acid uptake by plant roots at an atomic level. In this mini-review, we focus on the crystal structures of the silicic acid channel and provide a detailed description of the structural determinants of silicic acid permeation and its transport mechanism, which are crucial for the rational creation of secure and sustainable crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunori Saitoh
- Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Michihiro Suga
- Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
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31
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Gössweiner-Mohr N, Siligan C, Pluhackova K, Umlandt L, Koefler S, Trajkovska N, Horner A. The Hidden Intricacies of Aquaporins: Remarkable Details in a Common Structural Scaffold. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2202056. [PMID: 35802902 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202202056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Evolution turned aquaporins (AQPs) into the most efficient facilitators of passive water flow through cell membranes at no expense of solute discrimination. In spite of a plethora of solved AQP structures, many structural details remain hidden. Here, by combining extensive sequence- and structural-based analysis of a unique set of 20 non-redundant high-resolution structures and molecular dynamics simulations of four representatives, key aspects of AQP stability, gating, selectivity, pore geometry, and oligomerization, with a potential impact on channel functionality, are identified. The general view of AQPs possessing a continuous open water pore is challenged and it is depicted that AQPs' selectivity is not exclusively shaped by pore-lining residues but also by the relative arrangement of transmembrane helices. Moreover, this analysis reveals that hydrophobic interactions constitute the main determinant of protein thermal stability. Finally, a numbering scheme of the conserved AQP scaffold is established, facilitating direct comparison of, for example, disease-causing mutations and prediction of potential structural consequences. Additionally, the results pave the way for the design of optimized AQP water channels to be utilized in biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christine Siligan
- Institute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Gruberstr. 40, Linz, 4020, Austria
| | - Kristyna Pluhackova
- Stuttgart Center for Simulation Science, University of Stuttgart, Cluster of Excellence EXC 2075, Universitätsstr. 32, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Linnea Umlandt
- Institute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Gruberstr. 40, Linz, 4020, Austria
| | - Sabina Koefler
- Institute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Gruberstr. 40, Linz, 4020, Austria
| | - Natasha Trajkovska
- Institute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Gruberstr. 40, Linz, 4020, Austria
| | - Andreas Horner
- Institute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Gruberstr. 40, Linz, 4020, Austria
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32
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Markou A, Unger L, Abir-Awan M, Saadallah A, Halsey A, Balklava Z, Conner M, Törnroth-Horsefield S, Greenhill SD, Conner A, Bill RM, Salman MM, Kitchen P. Molecular mechanisms governing aquaporin relocalisation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2022; 1864:183853. [PMID: 34973181 PMCID: PMC8825993 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2021.183853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The aquaporins (AQPs) form a family of integral membrane proteins that facilitate the movement of water across biological membrane by osmosis, as well as facilitating the diffusion of small polar solutes. AQPs have been recognised as drug targets for a variety of disorders associated with disrupted water or solute transport, including brain oedema following stroke or trauma, epilepsy, cancer cell migration and tumour angiogenesis, metabolic disorders, and inflammation. Despite this, drug discovery for AQPs has made little progress due to a lack of reproducible high-throughput assays and difficulties with the druggability of AQP proteins. However, recent studies have suggested that targetting the trafficking of AQP proteins to the plasma membrane is a viable alternative drug target to direct inhibition of the water-conducting pore. Here we review the literature on the trafficking of mammalian AQPs with a view to highlighting potential new drug targets for a variety of conditions associated with disrupted water and solute homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Markou
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Lucas Unger
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Mohammed Abir-Awan
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Ahmed Saadallah
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Andrea Halsey
- MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Zita Balklava
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Matthew Conner
- School of Sciences, Research Institute in Healthcare Science, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK
| | | | - Stuart D Greenhill
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Alex Conner
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Roslyn M Bill
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Mootaz M Salman
- Department of Physiology Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK; Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK.
| | - Philip Kitchen
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK.
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Yoneda M, Aklima J, Ohsawa I, Ohta Y. Effects of proton pumping on the structural rigidity of cristae in mitochondria. Arch Biochem Biophys 2022; 720:109172. [PMID: 35276212 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2022.109172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria change their morphology and inner membrane structure depending on their activity. Since mitochondrial activity also depends on their structure, it is important to elucidate the interrelationship between the activity and structure of mitochondria. However, the mechanism by which mitochondrial activity affects the structure of cristae, the folded structure of the inner membrane, is not well understood. In this study, the effect of the mitochondrial activity on the cristae structure was investigated by examining the structural rigidity of cristae. Taking advantage of the fact that unfolding of cristae induces mitochondrial swelling, we investigated the relationship between mitochondrial activity and the susceptibility to swelling. The swelling of individual isolated mitochondria exposed to a hypotonic solution was observed with an optical microscope. The presence of respiratory substrates (malate and glutamate) increased the percentage of mitochondria that underwent swelling, and the further addition of rotenone or KCN (inhibitors of proton pumps) reversed the increase. In the absence of respiratory substrates, acidification of the buffer surrounding the mitochondria also increased the percentage of swollen mitochondria. These observations suggest that acidification of the outer surface of inner membranes, especially intracristal space, by proton translocation from the matrix to the intracristal space, decreases the structural rigidity of the cristae. This interpretation was verified by the observation that ADP or CCCP, which induces proton re-entry to the matrix, suppressed the mitochondrial swelling in the presence of respiratory substrates. The addition of CCCP to the cells induced a morphological change in mitochondria from an initial elongated structure to a largely curved structure at pH 7.4, but there were no morphological changes when the pH of the cytosol dropped to 6.2. These results suggest that a low pH in the intracristal space may be helpful in maintaining the elongated structure of mitochondria. The present study shows that proton pumping by the electron transfer chain is the mechanism underlying mitochondrial morphology and the flexibility of cristae structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayu Yoneda
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan
| | - Jannatul Aklima
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Ikuroh Ohsawa
- Biological Process of Aging, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Itabashi, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ohta
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan.
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Localization of aquaglyceroporins in human and murine white adipose tissue. Histochem Cell Biol 2022; 157:623-639. [PMID: 35235046 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-022-02090-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The glycerol channel AQP7 facilitates glycerol efflux from adipose tissue (AT), and AQP7 deficiency has been suggested to promote obesity. However, the release of glycerol from AT is not fully blocked in AQP7-deficient mice, which suggests that either alternative glycerol channels are present in AT or significant simple diffusion of glycerol occurs. Previous investigations of the expression of other aquaglyceroporins (AQP3, AQP9, AQP10) than AQP7 in AT are contradictory. Therefore, we here aim at determining the cellular localization of AQP3 and AQP9 in addition to AQP7 in human and mouse AT using well-characterized antibodies for immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunoblotting as well as available single-cell transcriptomic data from human and mouse AT. We confirm that AQP7 is expressed in endothelial cells and adipocytes in human AT and find ex vivo evidence for interaction between AQP7 and perilipin-1 in adipocytes. In addition, labeling for AQP7 in human AT also includes CD68-positive cells. No labeling for AQP3 or AQP9 was identified in endothelial cells or adipocytes in human or mouse AT using IHC. Instead, in human AT, AQP3 was predominantly found in erythrocytes, whereas AQP9 expression was observed in a small number of CD15-positive cells. The transcriptomic data revealed that AQP3 mRNA was found in a low number of cells in most of the identified cell clusters, whereas AQP9 mRNA was found in myeloid cell clusters as well as in clusters likely representing mesothelial progenitor cells. No AQP10 mRNA was identified in human AT. In conclusion, the presented results do not suggest a functional overlap between AQP3/AQP9/AQP10 and AQP7 in human or mouse white AT.
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Virolainen MS, Søltoft CL, Pedersen PA, Ellgaard L. Production of an Active, Human Membrane Protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Full-Length FICD. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052458. [PMID: 35269596 PMCID: PMC8910494 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The human Fic domain-containing protein (FICD) is a type II endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein that is important for the maintenance of ER proteostasis. Structural and in vitro biochemical characterisation of FICD AMPylase and deAMPylase activity have been restricted to the soluble ER-luminal domain produced in Escherichia coli. Information about potentially important features, such as structural motifs, modulator binding sites or other regulatory elements, is therefore missing for the approximately 100 N-terminal residues including the transmembrane region of FICD. Expressing and purifying the required quantity and quality of membrane proteins is demanding because of the low yields and poor stability often observed. Here, we produce full-length FICD by combining a Saccharomyces cerevisiae-based platform with green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagging to optimise the conditions for expression, solubilisation and purification. We subsequently employ these conditions to purify milligram quantities of His-tagged FICD per litre of culture, and show that the purified, detergent-solubilised membrane protein is an active deAMPylating enzyme. Our work provides a straightforward methodology for producing not only full-length FICD, but also other membrane proteins in S. cerevisiae for structural and biochemical characterisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minttu S. Virolainen
- Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.S.V.); (C.L.S.)
| | - Cecilie L. Søltoft
- Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.S.V.); (C.L.S.)
| | - Per A. Pedersen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: (P.A.P.); (L.E.)
| | - Lars Ellgaard
- Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.S.V.); (C.L.S.)
- Correspondence: (P.A.P.); (L.E.)
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36
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Pimpão C, Wragg D, da Silva IV, Casini A, Soveral G. Aquaglyceroporin Modulators as Emergent Pharmacological Molecules for Human Diseases. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:845237. [PMID: 35187089 PMCID: PMC8850838 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.845237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaglyceroporins, a sub-class of aquaporins that facilitate the diffusion of water, glycerol and other small uncharged solutes across cell membranes, have been recognized for their important role in human physiology and their involvement in multiple disorders, mostly related to disturbed energy homeostasis. Aquaglyceroporins dysfunction in a variety of pathological conditions highlighted their targeting as novel therapeutic strategies, boosting the search for potent and selective modulators with pharmacological properties. The identification of selective inhibitors with potential clinical applications has been challenging, relying on accurate assays to measure membrane glycerol permeability and validate effective functional blockers. Additionally, biologicals such as hormones and natural compounds have been revealed as alternative strategies to modulate aquaglyceroporins via their gene and protein expression. This review summarizes the current knowledge of aquaglyceroporins’ involvement in several pathologies and the experimental approaches used to evaluate glycerol permeability and aquaglyceroporin modulation. In addition, we provide an update on aquaglyceroporins modulators reported to impact disease, unveiling aquaglyceroporin pharmacological targeting as a promising approach for innovative therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Pimpão
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Darren Wragg
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Inês V. da Silva
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Angela Casini
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- *Correspondence: Angela Casini, ; Graça Soveral,
| | - Graça Soveral
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Angela Casini, ; Graça Soveral,
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Truelsen SF, Missel JW, Gotfryd K, Pedersen PA, Gourdon P, Lindorff-Larsen K, Hélix-Nielsen C. The role of water coordination in the pH-dependent gating of hAQP10. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2022; 1864:183809. [PMID: 34699768 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2021.183809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Human aquaporin 10 (hAQP10) is an aquaglyceroporin that assists in maintaining glycerol flux in adipocytes during lipolysis at low pH. Hence, a molecular understanding of the pH-sensitive glycerol conductance may open up for drug development in obesity and metabolically related disorders. Control of hAQP10-mediated glycerol flux has been linked to the cytoplasmic end of the channel, where a unique loop is regulated by the protonation status of histidine 80 (H80). Here, we performed unbiased molecular dynamics simulations of three protonation states of H80 to unravel channel gating. Strikingly, at neutral pH, we identified a water coordination pattern with an inverted orientation of the water molecules in vicinity of the loop. Protonation of H80 results in a more hydrophobic loop conformation, causing loss of water coordination and leaving the pore often dehydrated. Our results indicate that the loss of such water interaction network may be integral for the destabilization of the loop in the closed configuration at low pH. Additionally, a residue unique to hAQP10 (F85) reveals structural importance by flipping into the channel in correlation with loop movements, indicating a loop-stabilizing role in the closed configuration. Taken together, our simulations suggest a unique gating mechanism combining complex interaction networks between water molecules and protein residues at the loop interface. Considering the role of hAQP10 in adipocytes, the detailed molecular insights of pH-regulation presented here will help to understand glycerol pathways in these cells and may assist in drug discovery for better management of human adiposity and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigurd Friis Truelsen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Environmental Engineering, Bygningstorvet Building 115, DK-2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Julie Winkel Missel
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Kamil Gotfryd
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Per Amstrup Pedersen
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biology, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100 Copenhagen OE, Denmark
| | - Pontus Gourdon
- Lund University, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Sölvegatan 19, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden; Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory & Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kresten Lindorff-Larsen
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory & Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Claus Hélix-Nielsen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Environmental Engineering, Bygningstorvet Building 115, DK-2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark; University of Maribor, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Smetanova 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
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38
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Huang P, Hansen JS, Saba KH, Bergman A, Negoita F, Gourdon P, Hagström-Andersson A, Lindkvist-Petersson K. Aquaglyceroporins and orthodox aquaporins in human adipocytes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2022; 1864:183795. [PMID: 34627746 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2021.183795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Aquaporins play a crucial role in water homeostasis in the human body, and recently the physiological importance of aquaporins as glycerol channels have been demonstrated. The aquaglyceroporins (AQP3, AQP7, AQP9 and AQP10) represent key glycerol channels, enabling glycerol flux across the membranes of cells. Adipocytes are the major source of glycerol and during lipolysis, glycerol is released to be metabolized by other tissues through a well-orchestrated process. Here we show that both AQP3 and AQP7 bind to the lipid droplet protein perilipin 1 (PLIN1), suggesting that PLIN1 is involved in the coordination of the subcellular translocation of aquaglyceroporins in human adipocytes. Moreover, in addition to aquaglyceroporins, we discovered by transcriptome sequencing that AQP1 is expressed in human primary adipocytes. AQP1 is mainly a water channel and thus is thought to be involved in the response to hyper-osmotic stress by efflux of water during hyperglycemia. Thus, this data suggests a contribution of both orthodox aquaporin and aquaglyceroporin in human adipocytes to maintain the homeostasis of glycerol and water during fasting and feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Huang
- Experimental Medical Science, Medical Structural Biology, BMC C13, Lund University, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jesper S Hansen
- Experimental Medical Science, Medical Structural Biology, BMC C13, Lund University, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Karim H Saba
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Genetics, BMC C13, Lund University, 22184 SE Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna Bergman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Genetics, BMC C13, Lund University, 22184 SE Lund, Sweden
| | - Florentina Negoita
- Experimental Medical Science, BMC C11, Lund University, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Pontus Gourdon
- Experimental Medical Science, Medical Structural Biology, BMC C13, Lund University, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna Hagström-Andersson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Genetics, BMC C13, Lund University, 22184 SE Lund, Sweden
| | - Karin Lindkvist-Petersson
- Experimental Medical Science, Medical Structural Biology, BMC C13, Lund University, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden; LINXS-Lund Institute of Advanced Neutron and X-ray Science, Scheelevägen 19, SE-223 70 Lund, Sweden.
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39
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Wagner K, Unger L, Salman MM, Kitchen P, Bill RM, Yool AJ. Signaling Mechanisms and Pharmacological Modulators Governing Diverse Aquaporin Functions in Human Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1388. [PMID: 35163313 PMCID: PMC8836214 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of small integral membrane proteins that facilitate the bidirectional transport of water across biological membranes in response to osmotic pressure gradients as well as enable the transmembrane diffusion of small neutral solutes (such as urea, glycerol, and hydrogen peroxide) and ions. AQPs are expressed throughout the human body. Here, we review their key roles in fluid homeostasis, glandular secretions, signal transduction and sensation, barrier function, immunity and inflammation, cell migration, and angiogenesis. Evidence from a wide variety of studies now supports a view of the functions of AQPs being much more complex than simply mediating the passive flow of water across biological membranes. The discovery and development of small-molecule AQP inhibitors for research use and therapeutic development will lead to new insights into the basic biology of and novel treatments for the wide range of AQP-associated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Wagner
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
| | - Lucas Unger
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK; (L.U.); (P.K.)
| | - Mootaz M. Salman
- Department of Physiology Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK;
- Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Philip Kitchen
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK; (L.U.); (P.K.)
| | - Roslyn M. Bill
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK; (L.U.); (P.K.)
| | - Andrea J. Yool
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
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40
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Falato M, Chan R, Chen LY. Aquaglyceroporin AQP7's affinity for its substrate glycerol: Have we reached convergence in the computed values of glycerol-aquaglyceroporin affinity? RSC Adv 2022; 12:3128-3135. [PMID: 35222995 PMCID: PMC8870571 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra07367b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
AQP7 is one of the four human aquaglyceroporins that facilitate glycerol transport across the cell membrane, a biophysical process that is essential in human physiology. Therefore, it is interesting to compute AQP7's affinity for its substrate (glycerol) with reasonable certainty to compare with the experimental data suggesting high affinity in contrast with most computational studies predicting low affinity. In this study aimed at computing the AQP7-glycerol affinity with high confidence, we implemented a direct computation of the affinity from unbiased equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of three all-atom systems constituted with 0.16M, 4.32M, and 10.23M atoms, respectively. These three sets of simulations manifested a fundamental physics law that the intrinsic fluctuations of pressure in a system are inversely proportional to the system size (the number of atoms in it). These simulations showed that the computed values of glycerol-AQP7 affinity are dependent upon the system size (the inverse affinity estimations were, respectively, 47.3 mM, 1.6 mM, and 0.92 mM for the three model systems). In this, we obtained a lower bound for the AQP7-glycerol affinity (an upper bound for the dissociation constant). Namely, the AQP7-glycerol affinity is stronger than 1087/M (the dissociation constant is less than 0.92 mM). Additionally, we conducted hyper steered MD (hSMD) simulations to map out the Gibbs free-energy profile. From the free-energy profile, we produced an independent computation of the AQP7-glycerol dissociation constant being approximately 0.18 mM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Falato
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at San AntonioSan AntonioTexas 78249USA
| | - Ruth Chan
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at San AntonioSan AntonioTexas 78249USA
| | - Liao Y. Chen
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at San AntonioSan AntonioTexas 78249USA
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41
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Henderson SW, Nourmohammadi S, Ramesh SA, Yool AJ. Aquaporin ion conductance properties defined by membrane environment, protein structure, and cell physiology. Biophys Rev 2022; 14:181-198. [PMID: 35340612 PMCID: PMC8921385 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00925-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are multifunctional transmembrane channel proteins permeable to water and an expanding array of solutes. AQP-mediated ion channel activity was first observed when purified AQP0 from bovine lens was incorporated into lipid bilayers. Electrophysiological properties of ion-conducting AQPs since discovered in plants, invertebrates, and mammals have been assessed using native, reconstituted, and heterologously expressed channels. Accumulating evidence is defining amino acid residues that govern differential solute permeability through intrasubunit and central pores of AQP tetramers. Rings of charged and hydrophobic residues around pores influence AQP selectivity, and are candidates for further work to define motifs that distinguish ion conduction capability, versus strict water and glycerol permeability. Similarities between AQP ion channels thus far include large single channel conductances and long open times, but differences in ionic selectivity, permeability to divalent cations, and mechanisms of gating (e.g., by voltage, pH, and cyclic nucleotides) are unique to subtypes. Effects of lipid environments in modulating parameters such as single channel amplitude could explain in part the variations in AQP ion channel properties observed across preparations. Physiological roles of the ion-conducting AQP classes span diverse processes including regulation of cell motility, organellar pH, neural development, signaling, and nutrient acquisition. Advances in computational methods can generate testable predictions of AQP structure-function relationships, which combined with innovative high-throughput assays could revolutionize the field in defining essential properties of ion-conducting AQPs, discovering new AQP ion channels, and understanding the effects of AQP interactions with proteins, signaling cascades, and membrane lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam W. Henderson
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005 Australia
| | | | - Sunita A. Ramesh
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042 Australia
| | - Andrea J. Yool
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005 Australia
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42
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Salman MM, Kitchen P, Yool AJ, Bill RM. Recent breakthroughs and future directions in drugging aquaporins. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:30-42. [PMID: 34863533 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Aquaporins facilitate the passive transport of water, solutes, or ions across biological membranes. They are implicated in diverse pathologies including brain edema following stroke or trauma, epilepsy, cancer cell migration and tumor angiogenesis, metabolic disorders, and inflammation. Despite this, there is no aquaporin-targeted drug in the clinic and aquaporins have been perceived to be intrinsically non-druggable targets. Here we challenge this idea, as viable routes to inhibition of aquaporin function have recently been identified, including targeting their regulation or their roles as channels for unexpected substrates. Identifying new drug development frameworks for conditions associated with disrupted water and solute homeostasis will meet the urgent, unmet clinical need of millions of patients for whom no pharmacological interventions are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mootaz M Salman
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Kavli Institute for NanoScience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK; Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Philip Kitchen
- School of Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Andrea J Yool
- University of Adelaide, School of Biomedicine, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia.
| | - Roslyn M Bill
- School of Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK.
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43
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Ushio K, Watanabe E, Kamiya T, Nagashima A, Furuta T, Imaizumi G, Fujiwara T, Romero MF, Kato A. Boric acid transport activity of human aquaporins expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Physiol Rep 2022; 10:e15164. [PMID: 35014212 PMCID: PMC8749175 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Boric acid is a vital micronutrient that is toxic at high concentrations in animals. However, the mechanisms underlying boric acid transport in animal cells remain unclear. To identify the plasma membrane boric acid channels in animals, we analyzed the function of human aquaporins (AQPs), which are homologous to the nodulin-like intrinsic protein family of plant boric acid channels. When human AQPs were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, the results of the swelling assay showed that boric acid permeability significantly increased in oocytes expressing AQP3, 7, 8, 9, and 10, but not in those expressing AQP1, 2, 4, and 5. The boric acid influxes of these oocytes were also confirmed by elemental quantification. Electrophysiological analysis using a pH microelectrode showed that these AQPs transported boric acid (B(OH)3 ) but not borate ions (B(OH)4- ). These results indicate that AQP3, 7, 8, 9, and 10 act as boric acid transport systems, likely as channels in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazutaka Ushio
- School of Life Science and TechnologyTokyo Institute of TechnologyYokohamaJapan
| | - Erika Watanabe
- School of Life Science and TechnologyTokyo Institute of TechnologyYokohamaJapan
| | - Takehiro Kamiya
- Department of Applied Biological ChemistryGraduate School of Agricultural and Life SciencesThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Ayumi Nagashima
- School of Life Science and TechnologyTokyo Institute of TechnologyYokohamaJapan
| | - Tadaomi Furuta
- School of Life Science and TechnologyTokyo Institute of TechnologyYokohamaJapan
| | - Genki Imaizumi
- School of Life Science and TechnologyTokyo Institute of TechnologyYokohamaJapan
| | - Toru Fujiwara
- Department of Applied Biological ChemistryGraduate School of Agricultural and Life SciencesThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Michael F. Romero
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical EngineeringMayo Clinic College of Medicine & ScienceRochesterMinnesotaUSA
- Nephrology and HypertensionMayo Clinic College of Medicine & ScienceRochesterMinnesotaUSA
- O’Brien Urology Research CenterMayo Clinic College of Medicine & ScienceRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | - Akira Kato
- School of Life Science and TechnologyTokyo Institute of TechnologyYokohamaJapan
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical EngineeringMayo Clinic College of Medicine & ScienceRochesterMinnesotaUSA
- Center for Biological Resources and InformaticsTokyo Institute of TechnologyYokohamaJapan
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44
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Zhang H, Cai W, Shao X. Regulation of aquaporin-3 water permeability by hyaluronan. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:25706-25711. [PMID: 34755729 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp02867g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Hyaluronan (HA) is a major component in the extracellular matrix and is responsible for maintaining the water content of the skin. However, the function and moisturizing mechanism at the atomic level of HA remain only partially understood. Investigating the interactions of HA and other skin components can help us understand how the former moisturizes the skin. Considering that aquaporin-3 (AQP3) is a protein responsible for transmembrane water transport in the human skin, we have, therefore, investigated the interactions of AQP3 and HA with different molecular weights using molecular dynamics simulations in the present work. Our results indicate that HA can adsorb onto AQP3 and decrease water mobility around the latter. In addition, the permeation rate of water through AQP3 can also be decreased by HA, and this phenomenon is particularly obvious for small molecular HA. Moreover, we found that large molecular HA can link two adjacent membranes in the extracellular matrix, increasing the adhesion between the membranes in the periplasm. The results of the present study indicate that HA is a natural regulator of AQP3, revealing the synergetic function of HA and AQP3 in the extracellular matrix of the skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhang
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Tianjin 300071, China.
| | - Wensheng Cai
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Tianjin 300071, China.
| | - Xueguang Shao
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Tianjin 300071, China.
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45
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Structural basis for high selectivity of a rice silicon channel Lsi1. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6236. [PMID: 34716344 PMCID: PMC8556265 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26535-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Silicon (Si), the most abundant mineral element in the earth’s crust, is taken up by plant roots in the form of silicic acid through Low silicon rice 1 (Lsi1). Lsi1 belongs to the Nodulin 26-like intrinsic protein subfamily in aquaporin and shows high selectivity for silicic acid. To uncover the structural basis for this high selectivity, here we show the crystal structure of the rice Lsi1 at a resolution of 1.8 Å. The structure reveals transmembrane helical orientations different from other aquaporins, characterized by a unique, widely opened, and hydrophilic selectivity filter (SF) composed of five residues. Our structural, functional, and theoretical investigations provide a solid structural basis for the Si uptake mechanism in plants, which will contribute to secure and sustainable rice production by manipulating Lsi1 selectivity for different metalloids. The rice Lsi1 aquaporin mediates uptake of silicic acid via the roots. Here the authors show the crystal structure of rice Lsi1 and characterize a unique five residue hydrophilic selectivity filter providing a structural basis for the highly selective activity of Lsi1 in Si uptake.
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46
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van den Berg B, Pedebos C, Bolla JR, Robinson CV, Baslé A, Khalid S. Structural Basis for Silicic Acid Uptake by Higher Plants. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167226. [PMID: 34487790 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Many of the world's most important food crops such as rice, barley and maize accumulate silicon (Si) to high levels, resulting in better plant growth and crop yields. The first step in Si accumulation is the uptake of silicic acid by the roots, a process mediated by the structurally uncharacterised NIP subfamily of aquaporins, also named metalloid porins. Here, we present the X-ray crystal structure of the archetypal NIP family member from Oryza sativa (OsNIP2;1). The OsNIP2;1 channel is closed in the crystal structure by the cytoplasmic loop D, which is known to regulate channel opening in classical plant aquaporins. The structure further reveals a novel, five-residue extracellular selectivity filter with a large diameter. Unbiased molecular dynamics simulations show a rapid opening of the channel and visualise how silicic acid interacts with the selectivity filter prior to transmembrane diffusion. Our results will enable detailed structure-function studies of metalloid porins, including the basis of their substrate selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bert van den Berg
- Biosciences Institute, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK. https://twitter.com/ConradoPedebos
| | - Conrado Pedebos
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; The Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Jani R Bolla
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QZ, UK; The Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Carol V Robinson
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QZ, UK; The Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Arnaud Baslé
- Biosciences Institute, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Syma Khalid
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; The Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK. https://twitter.com/ProfSyk
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Pimpão C, Wragg D, Bonsignore R, Aikman B, Pedersen PA, Leoni S, Soveral G, Casini A. Mechanisms of irreversible aquaporin-10 inhibition by organogold compounds studied by combined biophysical methods and atomistic simulations. Metallomics 2021; 13:6360981. [PMID: 34468767 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfab053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
The inhibition of glycerol permeation via human aquaporin-10 (hAQP10) by organometallic gold complexes has been studied by stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy, and its mechanism has been described using molecular modelling and atomistic simulations. The most effective hAQP10 inhibitors are cyclometalated Au(III) C^N compounds known to efficiently react with cysteine residues leading to the formation of irreversible C-S bonds. Functional assays also demonstrate the irreversibility of the binding to hAQP10 by the organometallic complexes. The obtained computational results by metadynamics show that the local arylation of Cys209 in hAQP10 by one of the gold inhibitors is mapped into a global change of the overall free energy of glycerol translocation across the channel. Our study further pinpoints the need to understand the mechanism of glycerol and small molecule permeation as a combination of local structural motifs and global pore conformational changes, which are taking place on the scale of the translocation process and whose study, therefore, require sophisticated molecular dynamics strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Pimpão
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Darren Wragg
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, 85747 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Riccardo Bonsignore
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, 85747 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Brech Aikman
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, 85747 Garching bei München, Germany
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Per Amstrup Pedersen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100 Copenhagen OE, Denmark
| | - Stefano Leoni
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Graça Soveral
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Angela Casini
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, 85747 Garching bei München, Germany
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Preisler SS, Hansen KM, Nurup CN, Beich-Frandsen M, Pedersen PA. Recombinant production of membrane proteins in yeast. Methods Enzymol 2021; 660:21-52. [PMID: 34742390 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Biochemical pathways are compartmentalized in living cells. This permits each cell to maintain chemical compositions that differ between the cytosol, intracellular organelles and the external environment. Achieving this requires each compartment to be very selective in what is allowed to enter and leave. Nature has solved this by surrounding each cell and each organelle with a virtually solute impermeable lipid membrane, embedded with integral membrane proteins that mediate strictly controlled trans-membrane movement of matter and information. Access to pure and active integral membrane proteins is therefore required to comprehend membrane biology, ultimately through high-resolution structures of the membrane proteome and, therefore, also for our understanding of physiology. Unfortunately, apart from a few exceptions, membrane proteins cannot be purified from native tissue but need to be produced recombinantly, which is eminently challenging. This chapter shows how we have engineered yeast to provide high levels of prime quality membrane proteins of prokaryotic, archaeal or eukaryotic origin for structural biology.
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Zhang L, Yao D, Xia Y, Zhou F, Zhang Q, Wang Q, Qin A, Zhao J, Li D, Li Y, Zhou L, Cao Y. The structural basis for glycerol permeation by human AQP7. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2021; 66:1550-1558. [PMID: 36654284 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2020.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Human glycerol channel aquaporin 7 (AQP7) conducts glycerol release from adipocyte and enters the cells in pancreatic islets, muscles, and kidney tubules, and thus regulates glycerol metabolism in those tissues. Compared with other human aquaglyceroporins, AQP7 shows a less conserved "NPA" motif in the center cavity and a pair of aromatic residues at Ar/R selectivity filter. To understand the structural basis for the glycerol conductance, we crystallized the human AQP7 and determined the structure at 3.7 Å. A substrate binding pocket was found near the Ar/R filter where a glycerol molecule is bound and stabilized by R229. Glycerol uptake assay on human AQP7 as well as AQP3 and AQP10 demonstrated strong glycerol transportation activities at the physiological condition. The human AQP7 structure, in combination with the molecular dynamics simulation thereon, reveals a fully closed conformation with its permeation pathway strictly confined by the Ar/R filter at the exoplasmic side and the gate at the cytoplasmic side, and the binding of glycerol at the Ar/R filter plays a critical role in controlling the glycerol flux by driving the dislocation of the residues at narrowest parts of glycerol pathway in AQP7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- CAS Center for Excellence on Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Deqiang Yao
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China; iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ying Xia
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China; Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implant, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Fu Zhou
- CAS Center for Excellence on Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- CAS Center for Excellence on Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - An Qin
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implant, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implant, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Dianfan Li
- CAS Center for Excellence on Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Lu Zhou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Yu Cao
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China; Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implant, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China.
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50
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The gate to metabolic crossroads. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2021; 66:1488-1490. [PMID: 36654273 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2021.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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