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Peng L, He Y, Wang W, Dai J, Li Q, Ju S. PAK1-Dependent Regulation of Microtubule Organization and Spindle Migration Is Essential for the Metaphase I-Metaphase II Transition in Porcine Oocytes. Biomolecules 2024; 14:237. [PMID: 38397472 PMCID: PMC10886677 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020237] [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: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
P21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is a critical downstream target that mediates the effect of small Rho GTPase on the regulation of cytoskeletal kinetics, cell proliferation, and cell migration. PAK1 has been identified as a crucial regulator of spindle assembly during the first meiotic division; however, its roles during the metaphase I (MI) to metaphase II (MII) transition in oocytes remain unclear. In the present study, the potential function of PAK1 in regulating microtubule organization and spindle positioning during the MI-MII transition was addressed in porcine oocytes. The results showed that activated PAK1 was co-localized with α-tubulin, and its expression was increased from the MI to MII stage (p < 0.001). However, inhibiting PAK1 activity with an inhibitor targeting PAK1 activation-3 (IPA-3) at the MI stage decreased the first polar body (PB1) extrusion rate (p < 0.05), with most oocytes arrested at the anaphase-telophase (ATI) stage. IPA-3-treated oocytes displayed a decrease in actin distribution in the plasma membrane (p < 0.001) and an increase in the rate of defects in MII spindle reassembly with abnormal spindle positioning (p < 0.001). Nevertheless, these adverse effects of IPA-3 on oocytes were reversed when the disulfide bond between PAK1 and IPA-3 was reduced by dithiothreitol (DTT). Co-immunoprecipitation revealed that PAK1 could recruit activated Aurora A and transform acidic coiled-coil 3 (TACC3) to regulate spindle assembly and interact with LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1) to facilitate actin filament-mediated spindle migration. Together, PAK1 is essential for microtubule organization and spindle migration during the MI-MII transition in porcine oocytes, which is associated with the activity of p-Aurora A, p-TACC3 and p-LIMK1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Peng
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (L.P.); (Y.H.); (W.W.)
| | - Yijing He
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (L.P.); (Y.H.); (W.W.)
| | - Weihan Wang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (L.P.); (Y.H.); (W.W.)
| | - Jianjun Dai
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Resources (Pig) Evaluation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201106, China;
| | - Qiao Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (L.P.); (Y.H.); (W.W.)
| | - Shiqiang Ju
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (L.P.); (Y.H.); (W.W.)
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Balakrishnan R, Garcia PA, Veluthakal R, Huss JM, Hoolachan JM, Thurmond DC. Toward Ameliorating Insulin Resistance: Targeting a Novel PAK1 Signaling Pathway Required for Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Function. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1658. [PMID: 37759961 PMCID: PMC10525748 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12091658] [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: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is required for insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells. However, whether PAK1 regulates skeletal muscle mitochondrial function, which is a central determinant of insulin sensitivity, is unknown. Here, the effect of modulating PAK1 levels (knockdown via siRNA, overexpression via adenoviral transduction, and/or inhibition of activation via IPA3) on mitochondrial function was assessed in normal and/or insulin-resistant rat L6.GLUT4myc and human muscle (LHCN-M2) myotubes. Human type 2 diabetes (T2D) and non-diabetic (ND) skeletal muscle samples were also used for validation of the identified signaling elements. PAK1 depletion in myotubes decreased mitochondrial copy number, respiration, altered mitochondrial structure, downregulated PGC1α (a core regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative metabolism) and PGC1α activators, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2). PAK1 enrichment in insulin-resistant myotubes improved mitochondrial function and rescued PGC1α expression levels. Activated PAK1 was localized to the cytoplasm, and PAK1 enrichment concurrent with p38MAPK inhibition did not increase PGC1α levels. PAK1 inhibition and enrichment also modified nuclear phosphorylated-ATF2 levels. T2D human samples showed a deficit for PGC1α, and PAK1 depletion in LHCN-M2 cells led to reduced mitochondrial respiration. Overall, the results suggest that PAK1 regulates muscle mitochondrial function upstream of the p38MAPK/ATF2/PGC1α-axis pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rekha Balakrishnan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (R.B.); (R.V.)
| | - Pablo A. Garcia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (R.B.); (R.V.)
| | - Rajakrishnan Veluthakal
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (R.B.); (R.V.)
| | - Janice M. Huss
- School of Medicine, Washington University, 660 S Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | - Joseph M. Hoolachan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (R.B.); (R.V.)
| | - Debbie C. Thurmond
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (R.B.); (R.V.)
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Peng L, He Y, Wang W, Chu Y, Lin Q, Rui R, Li Q, Ju S. PAK1 Is Involved in the Spindle Assembly during the First Meiotic Division in Porcine Oocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021123. [PMID: 36674642 PMCID: PMC9866149 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
P21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), as a member of the PAK family, has been implicated in various functions during somatic mitosis; however, less is known about its role during oocyte meiosis. Herein, we highlight the indispensable role of PAK1 in regulating spindle assembly and cell cycle progression during the first meiotic division of porcine oocytes. First, we found that the activated PAK1 expressed dynamically, and its subcellular localization was tightly associated with the spindle dynamics during meiosis in porcine oocytes. Specific inhibition of PAK1 activity by inhibitor targeting PAK1 activation-3 (IPA-3) led to impaired extrusion of the first polar body (PB1); with most of the IPA-3-treated oocytes arrested at germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and subjected to failure of bipolar spindle formation. However, the adverse effects caused by IPA-3 on oocytes could be restored by reducing disulfide bonds between PAK1 and IPA-3 with dithiothreitol (DTT) treatment. Furthermore, the co-immunoprecipitation assay revealed that PAK1 interacted directly with Aurora A and transforming acidic coiled coil 3 (TACC3), providing an additional explanation for the similar localization of Aurora A and activated PAK1. Additionally, inhibiting the activity of PAK1 decreased the expression of p-Aurora A and p-TACC3; however, the reduced activity of Aurora A and TACC3 could be restored by DTT. In conclusion, PAK1 plays a crucial role in the proper assembly of the spindle during the first meiotic division of porcine oocytes, and the regulation of PAK1 is associated with its effects on p-Aurora A and p-TACC3 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Qiao Li
- Correspondence: (Q.L.); (S.J.)
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Homans C, Yalcin EB, Tong M, Gallucci G, Bautista D, Moriel N, de la Monte S. Therapeutic Effects of Myriocin in Experimental Alcohol-Related Neurobehavioral Dysfunction and Frontal Lobe White Matter Biochemical Pathology. JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN SCIENCE 2022; 12:23-42. [PMID: 36815096 PMCID: PMC9942847 DOI: 10.4236/jbbs.2022.122003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background & Objective Chronic excessive alcohol consumption causes white matter degeneration with myelin loss and impaired neuronal conductivity. Subsequent rarefaction of myelin accounts for the sustained deficits in cognition, learning, and memory. Correspondingly, chronic heavy or repeated binge alcohol exposures in humans and experimental models alter myelin lipid composition leading to build-up of ceramides which can be neurotoxic and broadly inhibitory to brain functions. Methods This study examined the effects of chronic + binge alcohol exposures (8 weeks) and intervention with myriocin, a ceramide inhibitor, on neurobehavioral functions (Open Field, Novel Object Recognition, and Morris Water Maze tests) and frontal lobe white matter myelin lipid biochemical pathology in an adult Long-Evans rat model. Results The ethanol-exposed group had significant deficits in executive functions with increased indices of anxiety and impairments in spatial learning acquisition. Myriocin partially remediated these effects of ethanol while not impacting behavior in the control group. Ethanol-fed rats had significantly smaller brains with broadly reduced expression of sulfatides and reduced expression of two of the three sphingomyelins detected in frontal white matter. Myriocin partially resolved these effects corresponding with improvements in neurobehavioral function. Conclusion Therapeutic strategies that support cerebral white matter myelin expression of sulfatide and sphingomyelin may help remediate cognitive-behavioral dysfunction following chronic heavy alcohol consumption in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Homans
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Emine B. Yalcin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA,Liver Research Center, Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Ming Tong
- Liver Research Center, Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Gina Gallucci
- Liver Research Center, Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - David Bautista
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA,Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Natalia Moriel
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Suzanne de la Monte
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA,Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA,
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Mei Q, Li H, Liu Y, Wang X, Xiang W. Advances in the study of CDC42 in the female reproductive system. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 26:16-24. [PMID: 34859585 PMCID: PMC8742232 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
CDC42 is a member of the Rho‐GTPase family and is involved in a variety of cellular functions including regulation of cell cycle progression, constitution of the actin backbone and membrane transport. In particular, CDC42 plays a key role in the establishment of polarity in female vertebrate oocytes, and essential to this major regulatory role is its local occupation of specific regions of the cell to ensure that the contractile ring is assembled at the right time and place to ensure proper gametogenesis. The multifactor controlled ‘inactivation‐activation’ process of CDC42 also allows it to play an important role in the multilevel signalling network, and the synergistic regulation of multiple genes ensures maximum precision during gametogenesis. The purpose of this paper is to review the role of CDC42 in the control of gametogenesis and to explore its related mechanisms, with the aim of further understanding the great research potential of CDC42 in female vertebrate germ cells and its future clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaojuan Mei
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huiying Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenpei Xiang
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Yao D, Li C, Rajoka MSR, He Z, Huang J, Wang J, Zhang J. P21-Activated Kinase 1: Emerging biological functions and potential therapeutic targets in Cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:9741-9766. [PMID: 32863957 PMCID: PMC7449905 DOI: 10.7150/thno.46913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The p21-Activated kinase 1 (PAK1), a member of serine-threonine kinases family, was initially identified as an interactor of the Rho GTPases RAC1 and CDC42, which affect a wide range of processes associated with cell motility, survival, metabolism, cell cycle, proliferation, transformation, stress, inflammation, and gene expression. Recently, the PAK1 has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in cancer due to its role in many oncogenic signaling pathways. Many PAK1 inhibitors have been developed as potential preclinical agents for cancer therapy. Here, we provide an overview of essential roles that PAK1 plays in cancer, including its structure and autoactivation mechanism, its crucial function from onset to progression to metastasis, metabolism, immune escape and even drug resistance in cancer; endogenous regulators; and cancer-related pathways. We also summarize the reported PAK1 small-molecule inhibitors based on their structure types and their potential application in cancer. In addition, we provide overviews on current progress and future challenges of PAK1 in cancer, hoping to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
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