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The Bcl-2 Family: Ancient Origins, Conserved Structures, and Divergent Mechanisms. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10010128. [PMID: 31940915 PMCID: PMC7022251 DOI: 10.3390/biom10010128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsic apoptosis, the response to intracellular cell death stimuli, is regulated by the interplay of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family and their membrane interactions. Bcl-2 proteins mediate a number of processes including development, homeostasis, autophagy, and innate and adaptive immune responses and their dysregulation underpins a host of diseases including cancer. The Bcl-2 family is characterized by the presence of conserved sequence motifs called Bcl-2 homology motifs, as well as a transmembrane region, which form the interaction sites and intracellular location mechanism, respectively. Bcl-2 proteins have been recognized in the earliest metazoans including Porifera (sponges), Placozoans, and Cnidarians (e.g., Hydra). A number of viruses have gained Bcl-2 homologs and subvert innate immunity and cellular apoptosis for their replication, but they frequently have very different sequences to their host Bcl-2 analogs. Though most mechanisms of apoptosis initiation converge on activation of caspases that destroy the cell from within, the numerous gene insertions, deletions, and duplications during evolution have led to a divergence in mechanisms of intrinsic apoptosis. Currently, the action of the Bcl-2 family is best understood in vertebrates and nematodes but new insights are emerging from evolutionarily earlier organisms. This review focuses on the mechanisms underpinning the activity of Bcl-2 proteins including their structures and interactions, and how they have changed over the course of evolution.
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Wang RY, Lin XJ, Yang GY, Gao PJ, Shen GX. Effect of hirulog-like peptide on middle cerebral artery occlusion-induced brain injury in mice. Neuroscience 2014; 277:568-76. [PMID: 25065624 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2014] [Revised: 07/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Hirulog-like peptide (HLP) and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) are thrombin inhibitor peptides. Our previous study demonstrated that HLP could reduce vascular neointimal formation or restenosis in animals undergoing balloon catheter injury in the carotid artery. However, the function of HLP during ischemic stroke is largely unknown. The present study investigated the effect of HLP on brain injury, which was induced by suture of middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice. Mice were divided into four groups, which included a sham group and three treatment groups. Ischemia was induced by transient suture insertion into the middle cerebral artery for 90 min, and mice were either treated with saline, HLP or LMWH. Infarct volume, neurologic deficits and apoptotic factors were measured following 1-14 days of ischemia. We demonstrated that HLP intravenous injection alleviated brain infarct volume and improved neurologic outcomes (p<0.05). HLP decreased levels of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), caspase-3, malondialdehyde (MDA) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), increased the activities of catalase and B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and improved the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax compared with the control (p<0.05). This study indicates that HLP and LMWH reduced infarct volume and improved neurobehavioral outcomes induced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). In addition, HLP had a beneficial effect on the regulation of the thrombin receptor and key apoptosis regulators in the mouse brain. These results suggest that HLP may be a potential alternative therapy for arterial occlusion-induced cerebral ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- R-Y Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension and Department of Hypertension, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai 200025, China; The Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - X-J Lin
- Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China; Med-X Research Institute and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - G-Y Yang
- Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China; Med-X Research Institute and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China.
| | - P-J Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension and Department of Hypertension, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai 200025, China; The Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
| | - G X Shen
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Physiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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Rautureau GJP, Yabal M, Yang H, Huang DCS, Kvansakul M, Hinds MG. The restricted binding repertoire of Bcl-B leaves Bim as the universal BH3-only prosurvival Bcl-2 protein antagonist. Cell Death Dis 2012; 3:e443. [PMID: 23235460 PMCID: PMC3542614 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2012.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) proteins mediate intrinsic-, or mitochondrial-, initiated apoptosis. We have investigated the structure and function of the least characterized Bcl-2 family member, Bcl-B, solving the crystal structure of a Bcl-B:Bim complex to 1.9 Å resolution. Bcl-B is distinguished from other Bcl-2 family members through an insertion of an unstructured loop between helices α5 and α6. Probing Bcl-B interactions with Bcl-2 homology (BH)3 motifs using a combination of biophysical- and cell-based assays revealed a unique BH3-only protein binding profile. Bcl-B has high-affinity interactions with Bim and Bik only. Our results not only delineate the mode of action of Bcl-B but also complete our understanding of the specific interactions between BH3-only proteins and their prosurvival Bcl-2 counterparts. Notably, we conclude that Bim is the universal prosurvival antagonist as no other BH3-only protein binds all six prosurvival proteins and that Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL form a distinct prosurvival dyad.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J P Rautureau
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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Feng CY, Rise ML. Characterization and expression analyses of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2-like genes NR-13, Mcl-1, Bcl-X1, and Bcl-X2 in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Mol Immunol 2010; 47:763-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2009.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2009] [Revised: 10/07/2009] [Accepted: 10/13/2009] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Mehta SL, Manhas N, Raghubir R. Molecular targets in cerebral ischemia for developing novel therapeutics. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 54:34-66. [PMID: 17222914 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2006.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 532] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2006] [Revised: 11/09/2006] [Accepted: 11/10/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral ischemia (stroke) triggers a complex series of biochemical and molecular mechanisms that impairs the neurologic functions through breakdown of cellular integrity mediated by excitotoxic glutamatergic signalling, ionic imbalance, free-radical reactions, etc. These intricate processes lead to activation of signalling mechanisms involving calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinases (CaMKs) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). The distribution of these transducers bring them in contact with appropriate molecular targets leading to altered gene expression, e.g. ERK and JNK mediated early gene induction, responsible for activation of cell survival/damaging mechanisms. Moreover, inflammatory reactions initiated at the neurovascular interface and alterations in the dynamic communication between the endothelial cells, astrocytes and neurons are thought to substantially contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. The damaging mechanisms may proceed through rapid nonspecific cell lysis (necrosis) or by active form of cell demise (apoptosis or necroptosis), depending upon the severity and duration of the ischemic insult. A systematic understanding of these molecular mechanisms with prospect of modulating the chain of events leading to cellular survival/damage may help to generate the potential strategies for neuroprotection. This review briefly covers the current status on the molecular mechanisms of stroke pathophysiology with an endeavour to identify potential molecular targets such as targeting postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95)/N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor interaction, certain key proteins involved in oxidative stress, CaMKs and MAPKs (ERK, p38 and JNK) signalling, inflammation (cytokines, adhesion molecules, etc.) and cell death pathways (caspases, Bcl-2 family proteins, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), receptor interacting protein (RIP), etc., besides targeting directly the genes itself. However, selecting promising targets from various signalling cascades, for drug discovery and development is very challenging, nevertheless such novel approaches may lead to the emergence of new avenues for therapeutic intervention in cerebral ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh L Mehta
- Division of Pharmacology, Central Drug Research Institute, Chatter Manzil Palace, POB-173, Lucknow-226001, India
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Nouvion AL, Thibaut J, Lohez OD, Venet S, Colas P, Gillet G, Lalle P. Modulation of Nr-13 antideath activity by peptide aptamers. Oncogene 2006; 26:701-10. [PMID: 16909120 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1209832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Tumor cells are characterized by deregulated proliferation and resistance to proapoptotic stimuli. The Bcl-2 family of antiapoptotic proteins is overexpressed in a large number of chemoresistant tumors. Downregulation or inhibition of antiapoptotic proteins might result in the sensitization of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents. In the present study, we took advantage of the peptide aptamer strategy to target Nr-13, a Bcl-2 antiapoptotic protein involved in neoplastic transformation by the Rous sarcoma virus. We isolated peptide aptamers that behave as Nr-13 regulators, in vitro and in mammalian cells in culture. Some of these aptamers have potential proapoptotic activities. These data suggest that peptide aptamers targeting the Bcl-2 family of apoptosis inhibitors may be useful for the development of anticancer molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- A-L Nouvion
- Equipe Apoptose et Oncogenèse, Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines (IBCP UMR 5086 CNRS/Université claude Bernard Lyon 1), IFR128 BioSciences Lyon-Gerland, Lyon, France
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Cartron PF, Arokium H, Oliver L, Meflah K, Manon S, Vallette FM. Distinct Domains Control the Addressing and the Insertion of Bax into Mitochondria. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:10587-98. [PMID: 15590655 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m409714200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The translocation of Bax from the cytosol into the mitochondrial outer membrane is a central event during apoptosis. We report that beyond the addressing step, which involves its first alpha-helix (halpha1), the helices alpha5 and alpha6 (halpha5alpha6) are responsible for the insertion of Bax into mitochondrial outer membrane bilayer. The translocation of Bax to mitochondria is associated with specific changes in the conformation of the protein that are under the control of two prolines: Pro-13, which controls the unfolding of halpha1, and Pro-168, a proline located immediately before the hydrophobic carboxyl-terminal end (i.e. helix alpha9, halpha9), which controls the disclosure of halpha5alpha6. An additional step, the disruption of an electrostatic bond formed between Asp-33 (halpha1) and Lys-64 (BH3), allows the mitochondria addressing of Bax. We conclude that, although the intramolecular interactions of halpha1 with the BH3 region control the addressing of Bax to mitochondria, the Pro-168 is involved in the control of its membrane insertion through halpha5alpha6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-François Cartron
- Unité Mixte de Recherche 601 INSERM/Université de Nantes, Institut Fédératif de Recherche 26, Equipe 4, Apoptosis & Tumor Progression (Equipe Labellisée Ligue) 9, Quai Moncousu, 44035 Nantes, Cedex 01, France
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Girard-Egrot A, Chauvet JP, Gillet G, Moradi-Améli M. Specific interaction of the antiapoptotic protein Nr-13 with phospholipid monolayers is prevented by the BH3 domain of Bax. J Mol Biol 2004; 335:321-31. [PMID: 14659760 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2003.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Members of the Bcl-2 protein family regulate apoptosis by controlling the release of apoptogenic proteins such as cytochrome c from the mitochondrial intermembrane space. Proapoptotic members induce release by increasing outer membrane permeability, while antiapoptotic members prevent this. The activity of Bcl-2 proteins depends mostly on their insertion into the mitochondrial membrane, which is reported to occur via putative channels formed by the two central hydrophobic helices. The pro- and antiapoptotic activity of Bcl-2 proteins can also be modulated by heterodimerization between antagonists through the BH3 domain of proapoptotic members, though the position of the heterodimer with respect to the membrane has never been elucidated. In this work, the membrane insertion capacity of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 related protein Nr-13 was explored, using monolayer expansion measurements. Nr-13 penetrates into the monolayer with a molecular cross-section of 1100A(2), thereby implicating almost all alpha-helical domains of the molecule in this process. A mutant protein, bearing neutral instead of acidic residues in the loop between the two putative channel-forming fifth and sixth alpha-helices, retained the ability to interact with the lipid monolayer, suggesting that the membrane insertion of Nr-13 is not exclusively alpha5-alpha6-dependent. In contrast, the specific interaction of Nr-13 with the monolayer was prevented by heterodimer formation with the BH3 domain of proapoptotic Bax. These findings are discussed in terms of a model for monolayer insertion in which the antiapoptotic Nr-13 and proapoptotic proteins exert their antagonistic effects by preventing each other from reaching the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnès Girard-Egrot
- Laboratoire de Génie Enzymatique et Biomoléculaire, CNRS-UCBL UMR 5013, 43, Bd du 11 November 1918, 69622 cedex, Villeubanne, France
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