1
|
Mendes CB, da Rocha LS, de Carvalho Fraga CA, Ximenes-da-Silva A. Homeostatic status of thyroid hormones and brain water movement as determinant factors in biology of cerebral gliomas: a pilot study using a bioinformatics approach. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1349421. [PMID: 38476871 PMCID: PMC10927765 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1349421] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The expression and localization of the water channel transporters, aquaporins (AQPs), in the brain are substantially modified in gliomas during tumorigenesis, cell migration, edema formation, and resolution. We hypothesized that the molecular changes associated with AQP1 and AQP4 in the brain may potentially be anticancer therapeutic targets. To test this hypothesis, a bioinformatics analysis of publicly available data from international consortia was performed. Methods We used RNA-seq as an experimental strategy and identified the number of differential AQP1 and AQP4 transcript expressions in glioma tissue compared to normal brain tissue. Results AQPs genes are overexpressed in patients with glioma. Among the glioma subtypes, AQP1 and AQP4 were overexpressed in astrocytoma (low-grade glioma) and classical (high-grade glioma). Overall survival analysis demonstrated that both AQP genes can be used as prognostic factors for patients with low-grade glioma. Additionally, we observed a correlation between the expression of genes involved in the tyrosine and thyroid hormone pathways and AQPs, namely: PNMT, ALDH1A3, AOC2, HGDATP1B1, ADCY5, PLCB4, ITPR1, ATP1A3, LRP2, HDAC1, MED24, MTOR, and ACTB1 (Spearman's coefficient = geq 0.20 and p-value = ≤ 0.05). Conclusion Our findings indicate that the thyroid hormone pathways and AQPs 1 and 4 are potential targets for new anti-tumor drugs and therapeutic biomarkers for malignant gliomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmelita Bastos Mendes
- Laboratório de Eletrofisiologia e Metabolismo Cerebral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - Lanni Sarmento da Rocha
- Laboratório de Eletrofisiologia e Metabolismo Cerebral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | | | - Adriana Ximenes-da-Silva
- Laboratório de Eletrofisiologia e Metabolismo Cerebral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Toader C, Tataru CP, Florian IA, Covache-Busuioc RA, Dumitrascu DI, Glavan LA, Costin HP, Bratu BG, Ciurea AV. From Homeostasis to Pathology: Decoding the Multifaceted Impact of Aquaporins in the Central Nervous System. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14340. [PMID: 37762642 PMCID: PMC10531540 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814340] [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: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs), integral membrane proteins facilitating selective water and solute transport across cell membranes, have been the focus of extensive research over the past few decades. Particularly noteworthy is their role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and fluid balance in neural compartments, as dysregulated AQP expression is implicated in various degenerative and acute brain pathologies. This article provides an exhaustive review on the evolutionary history, molecular classification, and physiological relevance of aquaporins, emphasizing their significance in the central nervous system (CNS). The paper journeys through the early studies of water transport to the groundbreaking discovery of Aquaporin 1, charting the molecular intricacies that make AQPs unique. It delves into AQP distribution in mammalian systems, detailing their selective permeability through permeability assays. The article provides an in-depth exploration of AQP4 and AQP1 in the brain, examining their contribution to fluid homeostasis. Furthermore, it elucidates the interplay between AQPs and the glymphatic system, a critical framework for waste clearance and fluid balance in the brain. The dysregulation of AQP-mediated processes in this system hints at a strong association with neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's Disease, idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus, and Alzheimer's Disease. This relationship is further explored in the context of acute cerebral events such as stroke and autoimmune conditions such as neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Moreover, the article scrutinizes AQPs at the intersection of oncology and neurology, exploring their role in tumorigenesis, cell migration, invasiveness, and angiogenesis. Lastly, the article outlines emerging aquaporin-targeted therapies, offering a glimpse into future directions in combatting CNS malignancies and neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corneliu Toader
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.T.); (R.-A.C.-B.); (D.-I.D.); (L.A.G.); (H.P.C.); (B.-G.B.); (A.V.C.)
- Department of Vascular Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases, 077160 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Calin Petru Tataru
- Department of Opthamology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Central Military Emergency Hospital “Dr. Carol Davila”, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ioan-Alexandru Florian
- Department of Neurosciences, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Razvan-Adrian Covache-Busuioc
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.T.); (R.-A.C.-B.); (D.-I.D.); (L.A.G.); (H.P.C.); (B.-G.B.); (A.V.C.)
| | - David-Ioan Dumitrascu
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.T.); (R.-A.C.-B.); (D.-I.D.); (L.A.G.); (H.P.C.); (B.-G.B.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Luca Andrei Glavan
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.T.); (R.-A.C.-B.); (D.-I.D.); (L.A.G.); (H.P.C.); (B.-G.B.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Horia Petre Costin
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.T.); (R.-A.C.-B.); (D.-I.D.); (L.A.G.); (H.P.C.); (B.-G.B.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Bogdan-Gabriel Bratu
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.T.); (R.-A.C.-B.); (D.-I.D.); (L.A.G.); (H.P.C.); (B.-G.B.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Alexandru Vlad Ciurea
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.T.); (R.-A.C.-B.); (D.-I.D.); (L.A.G.); (H.P.C.); (B.-G.B.); (A.V.C.)
- Neurosurgery Department, Sanador Clinical Hospital, 010991 Bucharest, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li C, Tao L, Guan G, Guan Z, Perry AM, Hu T, Bing J, Xu M, Nobile CJ, Huang G. Atmospheric humidity regulates same-sex mating in Candida albicans through the trehalose and osmotic signaling pathways. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 66:1915-1929. [PMID: 37118508 PMCID: PMC10631464 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2309-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction is prevalent in eukaryotic organisms and plays a critical role in the evolution of new traits and in the generation of genetic diversity. Environmental factors often have a direct impact on the occurrence and frequency of sexual reproduction in fungi. The regulatory effects of atmospheric relative humidity (RH) on sexual reproduction and pathogenesis in plant fungal pathogens and in soil fungi have been extensively investigated. However, the knowledge of how RH regulates the lifecycles of human fungal pathogens is limited. In this study, we report that low atmospheric RH promotes the development of mating projections and same-sex (homothallic) mating in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Low RH causes water loss in C. albicans cells, which results in osmotic stress and the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and trehalose. The water transporting aquaporin Aqy1, and the G-protein coupled receptor Gpr1 function as cell surface sensors of changes in atmospheric humidity. Perturbation of the trehalose metabolic pathway by inactivating trehalose synthase or trehalase promotes same-sex mating in C. albicans by increasing osmotic or ROS stresses, respectively. Intracellular trehalose and ROS signal the Hog1-osmotic and Hsf1-Hsp90 signaling pathways to regulate the mating response. We, therefore, propose that the cell surface sensors Aqy1 and Gpr1, intracellular trehalose and ROS, and the Hog1-osmotic and Hsf1-Hsp90 signaling pathways function coordinately to regulate sexual mating in response to low atmospheric RH conditions in C. albicans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Li Tao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Guobo Guan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhangyue Guan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Austin M Perry
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Tianren Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Jian Bing
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Ming Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Clarissa J Nobile
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Guanghua Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Shanghai, 200438, China.
- Shanghai Huashen Institute of Microbes and Infections, Shanghai, 200052, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Laothanachareon T, Asin-Garcia E, Volkers RJM, Tamayo-Ramos JA, Martins Dos Santos VAP, Schaap PJ. Identification of Aspergillus niger Aquaporins Involved in Hydrogen Peroxide Signaling. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9040499. [PMID: 37108953 PMCID: PMC10144872 DOI: 10.3390/jof9040499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus niger is a robust microbial cell factory for organic acid production. However, the regulation of many industrially important pathways is still poorly understood. The regulation of the glucose oxidase (Gox) expression system, involved in the biosynthesis of gluconic acid, has recently been uncovered. The results of that study show hydrogen peroxide, a by-product of the extracellular conversion of glucose to gluconate, has a pivotal role as a signaling molecule in the induction of this system. In this study, the facilitated diffusion of hydrogen peroxide via aquaporin water channels (AQPs) was studied. AQPs are transmembrane proteins of the major intrinsic proteins (MIPs) superfamily. In addition to water and glycerol, they may also transport small solutes such as hydrogen peroxide. The genome sequence of A. niger N402 was screened for putative AQPs. Seven AQPs were found and could be classified into three main groups. One protein (AQPA) belonged to orthodox AQP, three (AQPB, AQPD, and AQPE) were grouped in aquaglyceroporins (AQGP), two (AQPC and AQPF) were in X-intrinsic proteins (XIPs), and the other (AQPG) could not be classified. Their ability to facilitate diffusion of hydrogen peroxide was identified using yeast phenotypic growth assays and by studying AQP gene knock-outs in A. niger. The X-intrinsic protein AQPF appears to play roles in facilitating hydrogen peroxide transport across the cellular membrane in both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and A. niger experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thanaporn Laothanachareon
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Enzyme Technology Laboratory, Biorefinery and Bioproduct Technology Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Khlong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Enrique Asin-Garcia
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Biomanufacturing and Digital Twins, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rita J M Volkers
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Juan Antonio Tamayo-Ramos
- ITENE Research Center, Industrial Biotechnology Area, C/Albert Einstein 1, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Peter J Schaap
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
- UNLOCK Large Scale Infrastructure for Microbial Communities, Wageningen University & Research, Delft University of Technology, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lin R, Zheng J, Pu L, Wang Z, Mei Q, Zhang M, Jian S. Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of aquaporin family in Canavalia rosea and their roles in the adaptation to saline-alkaline soils and drought stress. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 21:333. [PMID: 34256694 PMCID: PMC8278772 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-021-03034-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC. (bay bean) is an extremophile halophyte that is widely distributed in coastal areas of the tropics and subtropics. Seawater and drought tolerance in this species may be facilitated by aquaporins (AQPs), channel proteins that transport water and small molecules across cell membranes and thereby maintain cellular water homeostasis in the face of abiotic stress. In C. rosea, AQP diversity, protein features, and their biological functions are still largely unknown. RESULTS We describe the action of AQPs in C. rosea using evolutionary analyses coupled with promoter and expression analyses. A total of 37 AQPs were identified in the C. rosea genome and classified into five subgroups: 11 plasma membrane intrinsic proteins, 10 tonoplast intrinsic proteins, 11 Nod26-like intrinsic proteins, 4 small and basic intrinsic proteins, and 1 X-intrinsic protein. Analysis of RNA-Seq data and targeted qPCR revealed organ-specific expression of aquaporin genes and the involvement of some AQP members in adaptation of C. rosea to extreme coral reef environments. We also analyzed C. rosea sequences for phylogeny reconstruction, protein modeling, cellular localizations, and promoter analysis. Furthermore, one of PIP1 gene, CrPIP1;5, was identified as functional using a yeast expression system and transgenic overexpression in Arabidopsis. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that AQPs play an important role in C. rosea responses to saline-alkaline soils and drought stress. These findings not only increase our understanding of the role AQPs play in mediating C. rosea adaptation to extreme environments, but also improve our knowledge of plant aquaporin evolution more generally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyi Lin
- Guangdong, Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany & Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Jiexuan Zheng
- Guangdong, Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany & Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Lin Pu
- Guangdong, Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany & Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Zhengfeng Wang
- Guangdong, Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany & Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, Center for Plant Ecology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Qiming Mei
- Guangdong, Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany & Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, Center for Plant Ecology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Mei Zhang
- Guangdong, Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany & Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China.
- Center of Economic Botany, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China.
| | - Shuguang Jian
- Guangdong, Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany & Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China.
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, Center for Plant Ecology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China.
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China.
- CAS Engineering Laboratory for Vegetation Ecosystem Restoration On Islands and Coastal Zones, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nakov T, Judy KJ, Downey KM, Ruck EC, Alverson AJ. Transcriptional Response of Osmolyte Synthetic Pathways and Membrane Transporters in a Euryhaline Diatom During Long-term Acclimation to a Salinity Gradient. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2020; 56:1712-1728. [PMID: 32750159 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
How diatoms respond to fluctuations in osmotic pressure is important from both ecological and applied perspectives. It is well known that osmotic stress affects photosynthesis and can result in the accumulation of compounds desirable in pharmaceutical and alternative fuel industries. Gene expression responses to osmotic stress have been studied in short-term trials, but it is unclear whether the same mechanisms are recruited during long-term acclimation. We used RNA-seq to study the genome-wide transcription patterns in the euryhaline diatom, Cyclotella cryptica, following long-term acclimation to salinity that spanned the natural range of fresh to oceanic water. Long-term acclimated C. cryptica exhibited induced synthesis or repressed degradation of the osmolytes glycine betaine, taurine and dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP). Although changes in proline concentration is one of the main responses in short-term osmotic stress, we did not detect a transcriptional change in proline biosynthetic pathways in our long-term experiment. Expression of membrane transporters showed a general tendency for increased import of potassium and export of sodium, consistent with the electrochemical gradients and dependence on co-transported molecules. Our results show substantial between-genotype differences in growth and gene expression reaction norms and suggest that the regulation of proline synthesis important in short-term osmotic stress might not be maintained in long-term acclimation. Further examination using time-course gene expression experiments, metabolomics and genetic validation of gene functions would reinforce patterns inferred from RNA-seq data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teofil Nakov
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72701, USA
| | - Kathryn J Judy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72701, USA
| | - Kala M Downey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72701, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Ruck
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72701, USA
| | - Andrew J Alverson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72701, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kalampokis IF, Erban A, Amillis S, Diallinas G, Kopka J, Aliferis KA. Untargeted metabolomics as a hypothesis-generation tool in plant protection product discovery: Highlighting the potential of trehalose and glycerol metabolism of fungal conidiospores as novel targets. Metabolomics 2020; 16:79. [PMID: 32601735 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-020-01699-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The production of high quality and safe food represents a main priority for the agri-food sector in the effort to sustain the exponentially growing human population. Nonetheless, there are major challenges that require the discovery of new, alternative, and improved plant protection products (PPPs). Focusing on fungal plant pathogens, the dissection of mechanisms that are essential for their survival provides insights that could be exploited towards the achievement of the aforementioned aim. In this context, the germination of fungal spores, which are essential structures for their dispersal, survival, and pathogenesis, represents a target of high potential for PPPs. To the best of our knowledge, no PPPs that target the germination of fungal spores currently exist. OBJECTIVES Within this context, we have mined for changes in the metabolite profiles of the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4 conidiospores during germination, in an effort to discover key metabolites and reactions that could potentially become targets of PPPs. METHODS Untargeted GC/EI-TOF/MS metabolomics and multivariate analyses were employed to monitor time-resolved changes in the metabolomes of germinating A. nidulans conidiospores. RESULTS Analyses revealed that trehalose hydrolysis plays a pivotal role in conidiospore germination and highlighted the osmoregulating role of the sugar alcohols, glycerol, and mannitol. CONCLUSION The ineffectiveness to introduce active ingredients that exhibit new mode(s)-of-action as fungicides, dictates the urge for the discovery of PPPs, which could be exploited to combat major plant protection issues. Based on the crucial role of trehalose hydrolysis in conidiospore dormancy breakage, and the subsequent involvement of glycerol in their germination, it is plausible to suggest their biosynthesis pathways as potential novel targets for the next-generation antifungal PPPs. Our study confirmed the applicability of untargeted metabolomics as a hypothesis-generation tool in PPPs' research and discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis F Kalampokis
- Laboratory of Pesticide Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexander Erban
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Wissenschaftspark Golm, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sotirios Amillis
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784, Panepistimioupolis, Athens, Greece
| | - George Diallinas
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784, Panepistimioupolis, Athens, Greece
| | - Joachim Kopka
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Wissenschaftspark Golm, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Konstantinos A Aliferis
- Laboratory of Pesticide Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece.
- Department of Plant Science, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Montréal, H9X 3V9, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Šoltésová M, Elicharová H, Srb P, Růžička M, Janisova L, Sychrová H, Lang J. Nuclear magnetic resonance investigation of water transport through the plasma membrane of various yeast species. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2019; 366:5645394. [PMID: 31778539 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnz220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A specific technique of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, filter-exchange spectroscopy (FEXSY), was employed to investigate water transport through the plasma membrane in intact yeast cells. This technique allows water transport to be monitored directly, thus avoiding the necessity to subject the cells to any rapid change in the external conditions, e.g. osmotic shock. We established a sample preparation protocol, a data analysis procedure and verified the applicability of FEXSY experiments. We recorded the exchange rates in the temperature range 10-40°C for Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The resulting activation energy of 29 kJ mol-1 supports the hypothesis that water exchange is facilitated by water channels-aquaporins. Furthermore, we measured for the first time water exchange rates in three other phylogenetically unrelated yeast species (Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Candida albicans and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii) and observed remarkably different water exchange rates between these species. Findings of our work contribute to a better understanding of as fundamental a cell process as the control of water transport through the plasma membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mária Šoltésová
- Department of Low Temperature Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, V Holešovičkách 2, CZ-18000 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Elicharová
- Department of Membrane Transport, Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Srb
- Department of Low Temperature Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, V Holešovičkách 2, CZ-18000 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Růžička
- Department of Membrane Transport, Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Larisa Janisova
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, CZ-16206 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Sychrová
- Department of Membrane Transport, Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Lang
- Department of Low Temperature Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, V Holešovičkách 2, CZ-18000 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Dikicioglu D, Dereli Eke E, Eraslan S, Oliver SG, Kirdar B. Saccharomyces cerevisiae adapted to grow in the presence of low-dose rapamycin exhibit altered amino acid metabolism. Cell Commun Signal 2018; 16:85. [PMID: 30458881 PMCID: PMC6245637 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-018-0298-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapamycin is a potent inhibitor of the highly conserved TOR kinase, the nutrient-sensitive controller of growth and aging. It has been utilised as a chemotherapeutic agent due to its anti-proliferative properties and as an immunosuppressive drug, and is also known to extend lifespan in a range of eukaryotes from yeast to mammals. However, the mechanisms through which eukaryotic cells adapt to sustained exposure to rapamycin have not yet been thoroughly investigated. METHODS Here, S. cerevisiae response to long-term rapamycin exposure was investigated by identifying the physiological, transcriptomic and metabolic differences observed for yeast populations inoculated into low-dose rapamycin-containing environment. The effect of oxygen availability and acidity of extracellular environment on this response was further deliberated by controlling or monitoring the dissolved oxygen level and pH of the culture. RESULTS Yeast populations grown in the presence of rapamycin reached higher cell densities complemented by an increase in their chronological lifespan, and these physiological adaptations were associated with a rewiring of the amino acid metabolism, particularly that of arginine. The ability to synthesise amino acids emerges as the key factor leading to the major mechanistic differences between mammalian and microbial TOR signalling pathways in relation to nutrient recognition. CONCLUSION Oxygen levels and extracellular acidity of the culture were observed to conjointly affect yeast populations, virtually acting as coupled physiological effectors; cells were best adapted when maximal oxygenation of the culture was maintained in slightly acidic pH, any deviation necessitated more extensive readjustment to additional stress factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duygu Dikicioglu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. .,Cambridge Systems Biology Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. .,Department of Chemical Engineering, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Elif Dereli Eke
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Present address: Unit of Blood Diseases and Stem Cells Transplantation, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Serpil Eraslan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Present address: Diagnostic Centre for Genetic Diseases, Koc University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Stephen G Oliver
- Cambridge Systems Biology Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Betul Kirdar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhou Y, Li L, Qian J, Jia H, Cui Y. Identification of three aquaporin subgroups from Blomia tropicalis by transcriptomics. Int J Mol Med 2018; 42:3551-3561. [PMID: 30221673 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs), or water channel proteins, are highly conserved across species. These transmembrane proteins promote water and solute transport across cell membranes. No AQP‑related proteins have been identified in mites to date. The present study used transcriptomics (RNA‑sequencing) to identify potential AQPs in the mite species Blomia tropicalis. Molecular cloning techniques were then used to obtain the full‑length gene sequences encoding these AQP family members, and bioinformatics analyses were used to categorize them based on similarity to AQPs in other species. This approach led to the identification of 5 putative AQP‑coding sequences, known as BlotAQP1‑5 (GenBank accession numbers: KX655540, KX655541, KX655542, KX655543 and KX655544, respectively), which were indexed into all three subgroups, i.e., AQPs, aquaglyceroporins and superAQPs. To the best of our knowledge, these represent the first known AQPs in any mite species. Further studies are required to investigate their functional roles in water transport and their potential as drug targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhou
- Department of Pediatric Laboratory, Wuxi Children's Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, P.R. China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Wuxi Children's Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, P.R. China
| | - Jun Qian
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Wuxi Children's Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, P.R. China
| | - Haoyuan Jia
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, P.R. China
| | - Yubao Cui
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
MIP diversity from Trichoderma: Structural considerations and transcriptional modulation during mycoparasitic association with Fusarium solani olive trees. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193760. [PMID: 29543834 PMCID: PMC5854309 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Major intrinsic proteins (MIP) are characterized by a transmembrane pore-type architecture that facilitates transport across biomembranes of water and a variety of low molecular weight solutes. They are found in all parts of life, with remarkable protein diversity. Very little is known about MIP from fungi. And yet, it can legitimately be stated that MIP are pivotal molecular components in the privileged relationships fungi enjoy with plants or soil fauna in various environments. To date, MIP have never been studied in a mycoparasitism situation. In this study, the diversity, expression and functional prediction of MIP from the genus Trichoderma were investigated. Trichoderma spp. genomes have at least seven aquaporin genes. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of the translated sequences, members were assigned to the AQP, AQGP and XIP subfamilies. In in vitro and in planta assays with T. harzianum strain Ths97, expression analyses showed that four genes were constitutively expressed. In a mycoparasitic context with Fusarium solani, the causative agent of fusarium dieback on olive tree roots, these genes were up-regulated. This response is of particular interest in analyzing the MIP promoter cis-regulatory motifs, most of which are involved in various carbon and nitrogen metabolisms. Structural analyses provide new insights into the possible role of structural checkpoints by which these members transport water, H2O2, glycerol and, more generally, linear polyols across the membranes. Taken together, these results provide the first evidence that MIP may play a key role in Trichoderma mycoparasitism lifestyle.
Collapse
|
12
|
Tunuguntla RH, Henley RY, Yao YC, Pham TA, Wanunu M, Noy A. Enhanced water permeability and tunable ion selectivity in subnanometer carbon nanotube porins. Science 2017; 357:792-796. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aan2438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 409] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
13
|
Rodrigues C, Tartaro Bujak I, Mihaljević B, Soveral G, Cipak Gasparovic A. Yeast aquaporin regulation by 4-hydroxynonenal is implicated in oxidative stress response. IUBMB Life 2017; 69:355-362. [PMID: 28337841 DOI: 10.1002/iub.1624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species, especially hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ), contribute to functional molecular impairment and cellular damage, but also are necessary in normal cellular metabolism, and in low doses play stimulatory role in cell proliferation and stress resistance. In parallel, reactive aldehydes such as 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), are lipid peroxidation breakdown products which also contribute to regulation of numerous cellular processes. Recently, channeling of H2 O2 by some mammalian aquaporin isoforms has been reported and suggested to contribute to aquaporin involvement in cancer malignancies, although the mechanism by which these membrane water channels are implicated in oxidative stress is not clear. In this study, two yeast models with increased levels of membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and aquaporin AQY1 overexpression, respectively, were used to evaluate their interplay in cell's oxidative status. In particular, the aim of the study was to investigate if HNE accumulation could affect aquaporin function with an outcome in oxidative stress response. The data showed that induction of aquaporin expression by PUFAs results in increased water permeability in yeast membranes and that AQY1 activity is impaired by HNE. Moreover, AQY1 expression increases cellular sensitivity to oxidative stress by facilitating H2 O2 influx. On the other hand, AQY1 expression has no influence on the cellular antioxidant GSH levels and catalase activity. These results strongly suggest that aquaporins are important players in oxidative stress response and could contribute to regulation of cellular processes by regulation of H2 O2 influx. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(5):355-362, 2017.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | | | - Graça Soveral
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Direito I, Madeira A, Brito MA, Soveral G. Aquaporin-5: from structure to function and dysfunction in cancer. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:1623-40. [PMID: 26837927 PMCID: PMC11108570 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2142-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Revised: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Aquaporins, a highly conserved group of membrane proteins, are involved in the bidirectional transfer of water and small solutes across cell membranes taking part in many biological functions all over the human body. In view of the wide range of cancer malignancies in which aquaporin-5 (AQP5) has been detected, an increasing interest in its implication in carcinogenesis has emerged. Recent publications suggest that this isoform may enhance cancer cell proliferation, migration and survival in a variety of malignancies, with strong evidences pointing to AQP5 as a promising drug target and as a novel biomarker for cancer aggressiveness with high translational potential for therapeutics and diagnostics. This review addresses the structural and functional features of AQP5, detailing its tissue distribution and functions in human body, its expression pattern in a variety of tumors, and highlighting the underlying mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis. Finally, the actual progress of AQP5 research, implications in cancer biology and potential for cancer detection and prognosis are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inês Direito
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Madeira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria Alexandra Brito
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Graça Soveral
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sabir F, Loureiro-Dias MC, Prista C. Comparative analysis of sequences, polymorphisms and topology of yeasts aquaporins and aquaglyceroporins. FEMS Yeast Res 2016; 16:fow025. [DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/fow025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
|
16
|
Madeira A, Moura TF, Soveral G. Detecting Aquaporin Function and Regulation. Front Chem 2016; 4:3. [PMID: 26870725 PMCID: PMC4734071 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2016.00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Water is the major component of cells and tissues throughout all forms of life. Fluxes of water and solutes through cell membranes and epithelia are essential for osmoregulation and energy homeostasis. Aquaporins are membrane channels expressed in almost every organism and involved in the bidirectional transfer of water and small solutes across cell membranes. Aquaporins have important biological roles and have been implicated in several pathophysiological conditions suggesting a great translational potential in aquaporin-based diagnostics and therapeutics. Detecting aquaporin function is critical for assessing regulation and screening for new activity modulators that can prompt the development of efficient medicines. Appropriate methods for functional analysis comprising suitable cell models and techniques to accurately evaluate water and solute membrane permeability are essential to validate aquaporin function and assess short-term regulation. The present review describes established assays commonly used to assess aquaporin function in cells and tissues, as well as the experimental biophysical strategies required to reveal functional regulation and identify modulators, the first step for aquaporin drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Madeira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Teresa F Moura
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de LisboaLisboa, Portugal; Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de LisboaCaparica, Portugal
| | - Graça Soveral
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de LisboaLisboa, Portugal; Departamento Bioquimica e Biologia Humana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de LisboaLisboa, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Sabir F, Prista C, Madeira A, Moura T, Loureiro-Dias MC, Soveral G. Water Transport in Yeasts. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 892:107-124. [PMID: 26721272 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-25304-6_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Water moves across membranes through the lipid bilayer and through aquaporins, in this case in a regulated manner. Aquaporins belong to the MIP superfamily and two subfamilies are represented in yeasts: orthodox aquaporins considered to be specific water channels and aquaglyceroporins (heterodox aquaporins). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome, four aquaporin isoforms were identified, two of which are genetically close to orthodox aquaporins (ScAqy1 and ScAqy2) and the other two are more closely related to the aquaglyceroporins (ScFps1 and ScAqy3). Advances in the establishment of water channels structure are reviewed in this chapter in relation with the mechanisms of selectivity, conductance and gating. Aquaporins are important for key aspects of yeast physiology. They have been shown to be involved in sporulation, rapid freeze-thaw tolerance, osmo-sensitivity, and modulation of cell surface properties and colony morphology, although the underlying exact mechanisms are still unknown.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farzana Sabir
- LEAF, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisbon, Portugal. .,Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Catarina Prista
- LEAF, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Madeira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Teresa Moura
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria C Loureiro-Dias
- LEAF, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Graça Soveral
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Madeira A, Moura TF, Soveral G. Aquaglyceroporins: implications in adipose biology and obesity. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:759-71. [PMID: 25359234 PMCID: PMC11113391 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-014-1773-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Revised: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are membrane water/glycerol channels that are involved in many physiological processes. Their primary function is to facilitate the bidirectional transfer of water and small solutes across biological membranes in response to osmotic gradients. Aquaglyceroporins, a subset of the AQP family, are the only mammalian proteins with the ability to permeate glycerol. For a long time, AQP7 has been the only aquaglyceroporin associated with the adipose tissue, which is the major source of circulating glycerol in response to the energy demand. AQP7 dysregulation was positively correlated with obesity onset and adipocyte glycerol permeation through AQP7 was appointed as a novel regulator of adipocyte metabolism and whole-body fat mass. Recently, AQP3, AQP9, AQP10 and AQP11 were additionally identified in human adipocytes and proposed as additional glycerol pathways in these cells. This review contextualizes the importance of aquaglyceroporins in adipose tissue biology and highlights aquaglyceroporins' unique structural features which are relevant for the design of effective therapeutic compounds. We also refer to the latest advances in the identification and characterization of novel aquaporin isoforms in adipose tissue. Finally, considerations on the actual progress of aquaporin research and its implications on obesity therapy are suggested.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Madeira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, Lisbon, 1649-003 Portugal
- Department of Bioquimica e Biologia Humana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Teresa F. Moura
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, Lisbon, 1649-003 Portugal
- FCT-UNL, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Graça Soveral
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, Lisbon, 1649-003 Portugal
- Department of Bioquimica e Biologia Humana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Nehls U, Dietz S. Fungal aquaporins: cellular functions and ecophysiological perspectives. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 98:8835-51. [PMID: 25213914 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-6049-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Revised: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 08/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Three aspects have to be taken into consideration when discussing cellular water and solute permeability of fungal cells: cell wall properties, membrane permeability, and transport through proteinaceous pores (the main focus of this review). Yet, characterized major intrinsic proteins (MIPs) can be grouped into three functional categories: (mainly) water transporting aquaporins, aquaglyceroporins that confer preferentially solute permeability (e.g., glycerol and ammonia), and bifunctional aquaglyceroporins that can facilitate efficient water and solute transfer. Two ancestor proteins, a water (orthodox aquaporin) and a solute facilitator (aquaglyceroporin), are supposed to give rise to today's MIPs. Based on primary sequences of fungal MIPs, orthodox aquaporins/X-intrinsic proteins (XIPs) and FPS1-like/Yfl054-like/other aquaglyceroporins are supposed to be respective sister groups. However, at least within the fungal kingdom, no easy functional conclusion can be drawn from the phylogenetic position of a given protein within the MIP pedigree. In consequence, ecophysiological prediction of MIP relevance is not feasible without detailed functional analysis of the respective protein and expression studies. To illuminate the diverse MIP implications in fungal lifestyle, our current knowledge about protein function in two organisms, baker's yeast and the Basidiomycotic Laccaria bicolor, an ectomycorrhizal model fungus, was exemplarily summarized in this review. MIP function has been investigated in such a depth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that a system-wide view is possible. Yeast lifestyle, however, is special in many circumstances. Therefore, L. bicolor as filamentous Basidiomycete was added and allows insight into a very different way of life. Special emphasis was laid in this review onto ecophysiological interpretation of MIP function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Nehls
- Botany, University of Bremen, Leobenerstr. 2, 28359, Bremen, Germany,
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
de Almeida A, Oliveira BL, Correia JD, Soveral G, Casini A. Emerging protein targets for metal-based pharmaceutical agents: An update. Coord Chem Rev 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2013.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
21
|
Ahmadpour D, Geijer C, Tamás MJ, Lindkvist-Petersson K, Hohmann S. Yeast reveals unexpected roles and regulatory features of aquaporins and aquaglyceroporins. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2013; 1840:1482-91. [PMID: 24076236 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2013.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Revised: 09/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae provides unique opportunities to study roles and regulation of aqua/glyceroporins using frontline tools of genetics and genomics as well as molecular cell and systems biology. SCOPE OF REVIEW S. cerevisiae has two similar orthodox aquaporins. Based on phenotypes mediated by gene deletion or overexpression as well as on their expression pattern, the yeast aquaporins play important roles in key aspects of yeast biology: establishment of freeze tolerance, during spore formation as well as determination of cell surface properties for substrate adhesion and colony formation. Exactly how the aquaporins perform those roles and the mechanisms that regulate their function under such conditions remain to be elucidated. S. cerevisiae also has two different aquaglyceroporins. While the role of one of them, Yfl054c, remains to be determined, Fps1 plays critical roles in osmoregulation by controlling the accumulation of the osmolyte glycerol. Fps1 communicates with two osmo-sensing MAPK signalling pathways to perform its functions but the details of Fps1 regulation remain to be determined. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Several phenotypes associated with aqua/glyceroporin function in yeasts have been established. However, how water and glycerol transport contribute to the observed effects is not understood in detail. Also many of the basic principles of regulation of yeast aqua/glyceroporins remain to be elucidated. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Studying the yeast aquaporins and aquaglyceroporins offers rich insight into the life style, evolution and adaptive responses of yeast and rewards us with discoveries of unexpected roles and regulatory mechanisms of members of this ancient protein family. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Aquaporins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doryaneh Ahmadpour
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Geijer
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Markus J Tamás
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Stefan Hohmann
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Abstract
The aquaporins (AQPs) are plasma membrane water-transporting proteins. AQP4 is the principal member of this protein family in the CNS, where it is expressed in astrocytes and is involved in water movement, cell migration and neuroexcitation. AQP1 is expressed in the choroid plexus, where it facilitates cerebrospinal fluid secretion, and in dorsal root ganglion neurons, where it tunes pain perception. The AQPs are potential drug targets for several neurological conditions. Astrocytoma cells strongly express AQP4, which may facilitate their infiltration into the brain, and the neuroinflammatory disease neuromyelitis optica is caused by AQP4-specific autoantibodies that produce complement-mediated astrocytic damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marios C Papadopoulos
- Academic Neurosurgery Unit, St. George's, University of London, Tooting, London, SW17 0RE, UK. mpapadop@sgul. ac.uk
| | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Baumgart F, Rossi A, Verkman AS. Light inactivation of water transport and protein-protein interactions of aquaporin-Killer Red chimeras. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 139:83-91. [PMID: 22200949 PMCID: PMC3250104 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201110712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) have a broad range of cellular and organ functions; however, nontoxic inhibitors of AQP water transport are not available. Here, we applied chromophore-assisted light inactivation (CALI) to inhibit the water permeability of AQP1, and of two AQP4 isoforms (M1 and M23), one of which (M23) forms aggregates at the cell plasma membrane. Chimeras containing Killer Red (KR) and AQPs were generated with linkers of different lengths. Osmotic water permeability of cells expressing KR/AQP chimeras was measured from osmotic swelling-induced dilution of cytoplasmic chloride, which was detected using a genetically encoded chloride-sensing fluorescent protein. KR-AQP1 red fluorescence was bleached rapidly (~10% per second) by wide-field epifluorescence microscopy. After KR bleaching, KR-AQP1 water permeability was reduced by up to 80% for the chimera with the shortest linker. Remarkably, CALI-induced reduction in AQP4-KR water permeability was approximately twice as efficient for the aggregate-forming M23 isoform; this suggests intermolecular CALI, which was confirmed by native gel electrophoresis on cells coexpressing M23-AQP4-KR and myc-tagged M23-AQP4. CALI also disrupted the interaction of AQP4 with a neuromyelitis optica autoantibody directed against an extracellular epitope on AQP4. CALI thus permits rapid, spatially targeted and irreversible reduction in AQP water permeability and interactions in live cells. Our data also support the utility of CALI to study protein-protein interactions as well as other membrane transporters and receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Baumgart
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Leitão L, Prista C, Moura TF, Loureiro-Dias MC, Soveral G. Grapevine aquaporins: gating of a tonoplast intrinsic protein (TIP2;1) by cytosolic pH. PLoS One 2012; 7:e33219. [PMID: 22427995 PMCID: PMC3299758 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2011] [Accepted: 02/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the oldest and most important perennial crops being considered as a fruit ligneous tree model system in which the water status appears crucial for high fruit and wine quality, controlling productivity and alcohol level. V. vinifera genome contains 28 genes coding for aquaporins, which acting in a concerted and regulated manner appear relevant for plant withstanding extremely unfavorable drought conditions essential for the quality of berries and wine. Several Vv aquaporins have been reported to be expressed in roots, shoots, berries and leaves with clear cultivar differences in their expression level, making their in vivo biochemical characterization a difficult task. In this work V. vinifera cv. Touriga nacional VvTnPIP1;1, VvTnPIP2;2 and VvTnTIP2;1 were expressed in yeast and water transport activity was characterized in intact cells of the transformants. The three aquaporins were localized in the yeast plasma membrane but only VvTnTIP2;1 expression enhanced the water permeability with a concomitant decrease of the activation energy of water transport. Acidification of yeast cytosol resulted in loss of VvTnTIP2;1 activity. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of a His(131) residue, unusual in TIPs. By site directed mutagenesis, replacement of this residue by aspartic acid or alanine resulted in loss of pH(in) dependence while replacement by lysine resulted in total loss of activity. In addition to characterization of VvTn aquaporins, these results shed light on the gating of a specific tonoplast aquaporin by cytosolic pH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luís Leitão
- CBAA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- UMR Bioemco, équipe IBIOS, Université Paris Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Catarina Prista
- CBAA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - Graça Soveral
- REQUIMTE, Dep. Química, FCT-UNL, Caparica, Portugal
- Dep. Bioquímica e Biologia Humana, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Tosha T, Behera RK, Ng HL, Bhattasali O, Alber T, Theil EC. Ferritin protein nanocage ion channels: gating by N-terminal extensions. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:13016-25. [PMID: 22362775 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.332734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ferritin protein nanocages, self-assembled from four-α-helix bundle subunits, use Fe(2+) and oxygen to synthesize encapsulated, ferric oxide minerals. Ferritin minerals are iron concentrates stored for cell growth. Ferritins are also antioxidants, scavenging Fenton chemistry reactants. Channels for iron entry and exit consist of helical hairpin segments surrounding the 3-fold symmetry axes of the ferritin nanocages. We now report structural differences caused by amino acid substitutions in the Fe(2+) ion entry and exit channels and at the cytoplasmic pores, from high resolution (1.3-1.8 Å) protein crystal structures of the eukaryotic model ferritin, frog M. Mutations that eliminate conserved ionic or hydrophobic interactions between Arg-72 and Asp-122 and between Leu-110 and Leu-134 increase flexibility in the ion channels, cytoplasmic pores, and/or the N-terminal extensions of the helix bundles. Decreased ion binding in the channels and changes in ordered water are also observed. Protein structural changes coincide with increased Fe(2+) exit from dissolved, ferric minerals inside ferritin protein cages; Fe(2+) exit from ferritin cages depends on a complex, surface-limited process to reduce and dissolve the ferric mineral. High concentrations of bovine serum albumin or lysozyme (protein crowders) to mimic the cytoplasm restored Fe(2+) exit in the variants to wild type. The data suggest that fluctuations in pore structure control gating. The newly identified role of the ferritin subunit N-terminal extensions in gating Fe(2+) exit from the cytoplasmic pores strengthens the structural and functional analogies between ferritin ion channels in the water-soluble protein assembly and membrane protein ion channels gated by cytoplasmic N-terminal peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takehiko Tosha
- Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California 94609, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|