Formation of ternary complex of human biliverdin reductase-protein kinase Cδ-ERK2 protein is essential for ERK2-mediated activation of Elk1 protein, nuclear factor-κB, and inducible nitric-oxidase synthase (iNOS)

Combined Proteomic and Phosphoproteomic Characterization of the Molecular Regulators and Functional Modules During Pancreatic Progenitor Cell Development

Differentiated multipotent pancreatic progenitors have major advantages for both modeling pancreas development and preventing or treating diabetes. Despite significant advancements in inducing the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into insulin-producing cells, the complete mechanism governing proliferation and differentiation remains poorly understood. This study used large-scale mass spectrometry to characterize molecular processes at various stages of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation toward pancreatic progenitors. hESCs were induced into pancreatic progenitor cells in a five-stage differentiation protocol. A high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry platform was used to undertake comprehensive proteome and phosphoproteome profiling of cells at different stages. A series of bioinformatic explorations, including coregulated modules, gene regulatory networks, and phosphosite enrichment analysis, were then conducted. A total of 27,077 unique phosphorylated sites and 8122 proteins were detected, including several cyclin-dependent kinases at the initial stage of cell differentiation. Furthermore, we discovered that ERK1, a member of the MAPK cascade, contributed to proliferation at an early stage. Finally, Western blotting confirmed that the phosphosites from SIRT1 and CHEK1 could inhibit the corresponding substrate abundance in the late stage. Thus, this study extends our understanding of the molecular mechanism during pancreatic cell development.

Dynamic Changes of BVRA Protein Levels Occur in Response to Insulin: A Pilot Study in Humans

Biliverdin reductase-A (BVRA) is involved in the regulation of insulin signaling and the maintenance of glucose homeostasis. Previous research showed that BVRA alterations are associated with the aberrant activation of insulin signaling in dysmetabolic conditions. However, whether BVRA protein levels change dynamically within the cells in response to insulin and/or glucose remains an open question. To this aim, we evaluated changes of intracellular BVRA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) collected during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in a group of subjects with different levels of insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, we looked for significant correlations with clinical measures. Our data show that BVRA levels change dynamically during the OGTT in response to insulin, and greater BVRA variations occur in those subjects with lower insulin sensitivity. Changes of BVRA significantly correlate with indexes of increased insulin resistance and insulin secretion (HOMA-IR, HOMA-β, and insulinogenic index). At the multivariate regression analysis, the insulinogenic index independently predicted increased BVRA area under curve (AUC) during the OGTT. This pilot study showed, for the first time, that intracellular BVRA protein levels change in response to insulin during OGTT and are greater in subjects with lower insulin sensitivity, supporting the role of BVR-A in the dynamic regulation of the insulin signaling pathway.

Prognostic value of the preoperative albumin-bilirubin score among patients with stages I-III gastric cancer undergoing radical resection: A retrospective study

The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score was originally used to accurately assess liver dysfunction and predict the prognoses of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Following its more recent application to patients with gastrointestinal tumors, this study analyzed the prognostic value of the ALBI score in Chinese patients with advanced resectable (tumor-node-metastasis [TNM] stages I-III) gastric cancer (GC). This study investigated 1185 patients with advanced GC, including 429 with TNM stage I. The patients were divided into training and verifications groups (593 and 592 patients, respectively) in which these patients were classified as high risk (ALBI score ≥ -2.65) or low risk (ALBI score < -2.65). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed, and a visual survival prediction model (nomogram) was created. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients who were low-risk and high-risk according to their ALBI scores had significantly different survival rates in both the training and verification groups (p < 0.01). The difference was also significant when analyzing only patients with TNM stage I GC (p = 0.031). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the ALBI score (p = 0.014), age (p < 0.001), Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 score (p = 0.024), sarcopenia (p = 0.049), tumor differentiation (p = 0.027), and TNM stage (p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for survival. Our survival prediction model that incorporated the ALBI score accurately predicted the 5-year survival rate of Chinese patients with GC. Therefore, the ALBI score is a valid clinical indicator and good predictor of survival after surgery for progressive GC. Moreover, this score is simple to derive and does not burden patients with additional costs.

Integrative multi-omics networks identify PKCδ and DNA-PK as master kinases of glioblastoma subtypes and guide targeted cancer therapy

Despite producing a panoply of potential cancer-specific targets, the proteogenomic characterization of human tumors has yet to demonstrate value for precision cancer medicine. Integrative multi-omics using a machine-learning network identified master kinases responsible for effecting phenotypic hallmarks of functional glioblastoma subtypes. In subtype-matched patient-derived models, we validated PKCδ and DNA-PK as master kinases of glycolytic/plurimetabolic and proliferative/progenitor subtypes, respectively, and qualified the kinases as potent and actionable glioblastoma subtype-specific therapeutic targets. Glioblastoma subtypes were associated with clinical and radiomics features, orthogonally validated by proteomics, phospho-proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics and acetylomics analyses, and recapitulated in pediatric glioma, breast and lung squamous cell carcinoma, including subtype specificity of PKCδ and DNA-PK activity. We developed a probabilistic classification tool that performs optimally with RNA from frozen and paraffin-embedded tissues, which can be used to evaluate the association of therapeutic response with glioblastoma subtypes and to inform patient selection in prospective clinical trials.

Role of Biliverdin Reductase A in the Regulation of Insulin Signaling in Metabolic and Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Update

Insulin signaling is a conserved pathway that orchestrates glucose and lipid metabolism, energy balance, and inflammation, and its dysregulation compromises the homeostasis of multiple systems. Insulin resistance is a shared hallmark of several metabolic diseases, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes, and has been associated with cognitive decline during aging and dementia. Numerous mechanisms promoting the development of peripheral and central insulin resistance have been described, although most of them were not completely clarified. In the last decades, several studies have highlighted that biliverdin reductase-A (BVR-A), over its canonical role in the degradation of heme, acts as a regulator of insulin signaling. Evidence from human and animal studies show that BVR-A alterations are associated with the aberrant activation of insulin signaling, metabolic syndrome, liver steatosis, and visceral adipose tissue inflammation in obese and diabetic individuals. In addition, recent findings demonstrated that reduced BVR-A levels or impaired BVR-A activation contribute to the development of brain insulin resistance and metabolic alterations in Alzheimer’s disease. In this narrative review, we will provide an overview on the literature by focusing on the role of BVR-A in the regulation of insulin signaling and how BVR-A alterations impact on cell dysfunctions in both metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders.

Biliverdin reductase as a target in drug research and development: Facts and hypotheses

Biliverdin reductase-A (BVR) catalyzes the reduction of heme-derived biliverdin into bilirubin, this latter being a powerful endogenous free radical scavenger. Furthermore, BVR is also endowed with both serine/threonine/tyrosine kinase and scaffold activities, through which it interacts with the insulin receptor kinase, conventional and atypical protein kinase C isoforms, mitogen-activated protein kinases as well as the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt system. By regulating this complex array of signal transduction pathways, BVR is involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative, metabolic, cardiovascular and immune-inflammatory diseases as well as in cancer. In addition, both BVR and BVR-B, this latter being an alternate isozyme predominant during fetal development but sometimes detectable through adulthood, have been studied as peripheral biomarkers for an early detection of Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis and some types of cancer. However, despite these interesting lines of evidence, to date BVR has not been considered as an appealing drug target. Only limited evidence supports the neuroprotective effects of atorvastatin and ferulic acid through BVR regulation in the aged canine brain and human neuroblastoma cells, whereas interesting results have been reported regarding the use of BVR-based peptides in preclinical models of cardiac diseases and cancer.

Reduced Biliverdin Reductase-A Expression in Visceral Adipose Tissue is Associated with Adipocyte Dysfunction and NAFLD in Human Obesity

Biliverdin reductase A (BVR-A) is an enzyme involved in the regulation of insulin signalling. Knockout (KO) mice for hepatic BVR-A, on a high-fat diet, develop more severe glucose impairment and hepato-steatosis than the wild type, whereas loss of adipocyte BVR-A is associated with increased visceral adipose tissue (VAT) inflammation and adipocyte size. However, BVR-A expression in human VAT has not been investigated. We evaluated BVR-A mRNA expression levels by real-time PCR in the intra-operative omental biopsy of 38 obese subjects and investigated the association with metabolic impairment, VAT dysfunction, and biopsy-proven non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Individuals with lower VAT BVR-A mRNA levels had significantly greater VAT IL-8 and Caspase 3 expression than those with higher BVR-A. Lower VAT BVR-A mRNA levels were associated with an increased adipocytes’ size. An association between lower VAT BVR-A expression and higher plasma gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was also observed. Reduced VAT BVR-A was associated with NAFLD with an odds ratio of 1.38 (95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.9; χ² test) and with AUROC = 0.89 (p = 0.002, 95% CI = 0.76–1.0). In conclusion, reduced BVR-A expression in omental adipose tissue is associated with VAT dysfunction and NAFLD, suggesting a possible involvement of BVR-A in the regulation of VAT homeostasis in presence of obesity.

Neuroprotective effects of natural compounds on neurotoxin-induced oxidative stress and cell apoptosis

OBJECTIVES

Overproduction of reactive species, notably reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species, along with the failure of balancing effects of endogenous antioxidant defenses result in destruction of cellular structures, lipids, proteins, and genetic material, which lead to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress-induced neuronal apoptosis plays a pivotal role in pathogenesis of neurodegeneration. Antioxidants represent one of the medical choice strategies for protecting against this unbalanced oxidation-antioxidation status. Recently, natural compounds with neuroprotective potential that can scavenge free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage have received extensive attention.

METHODS

In this review, we summarized the detailed research progress on the medicinal plants-derived natural compounds with potential anti-oxidation effects and their molecular mechanisms on modulating the neurotoxin (6-OHDA, H₂O₂, glutamate, Aβ)-induced oxidative stress and cell apoptosis.

RESULTS

The natural compounds that efficacious in modulating reactive species production and mitochondrial function include flavonoids, glucosides, alkaloids, polyphenols, lignans, coumarins, terpenoids, quinones and others. They decreased the neurotoxin-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis by (1) decreasing ROS/RNS generation, lipid peroxidation, caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities, LDH release, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, Ca²⁺ influx and cytochrome c release, (2) elevating MMP, and (3) restoring endogenous antioxidant enzymatic activities (CAT, GSH-Px, GSR, SOD). And they exerted neuroprotective effects against cell damages and apoptosis by modulating the oxidative cascades of different signaling pathways (Nrf2/HO-1, NF-κB, MAPKs, PI3K/Akt, GSK-3β) and preventing mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathways.

DISCUSSION

The present work reviews the role of oxidative stress in neurodegeneration, highlighting the potential anti-oxidation effects of natural compounds as a promising approach to develop innovative neuroprotective strategy.

BVR-A Deficiency Leads to Autophagy Impairment through the Dysregulation of AMPK/mTOR Axis in the Brain-Implications for Neurodegeneration

Biliverdin reductase-A (BVR-A) impairment is associated with increased accumulation of oxidatively-damaged proteins along with the impairment of autophagy in the brain during neurodegenerative disorders. Reduced autophagy inhibits the clearance of misfolded proteins, which then form neurotoxic aggregates promoting neuronal death. The aim of our study was to clarify the role for BVR-A in the regulation of the mTOR/autophagy axis by evaluating age-associated changes (2, 6 and 11 months) in cerebral cortex samples collected from BVR-A knock-out (BVR-A^−/−) and wild-type (WT) mice. Our results show that BVR-A deficiency leads to the accumulation of oxidatively-damaged proteins along with mTOR hyper-activation in the cortex. This process starts in juvenile mice and persists with aging. mTOR hyper-activation is associated with the impairment of autophagy as highlighted by reduced levels of Beclin-1, LC3β, LC3II/I ratio, Atg5–Atg12 complex and Atg7 in the cortex of BVR-A^−/− mice. Furthermore, we have identified the dysregulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as a critical event driving mTOR hyper-activation in the absence of BVR-A. Overall, our results suggest that BVR-A is a new player in the regulation of autophagy, which may be targeted to arrive at novel therapeutics for diseases involving impaired autophagy.

Heme-Derived Metabolic Signals Dictate Immune Responses

Heme is one of the most abundant molecules in the body acting as the functional core of hemoglobin/myoglobin involved in the O₂/CO₂ carrying in the blood and tissues, redox enzymes and cytochromes in mitochondria. However, free heme is toxic and therefore its removal is a significant priority for the host. Heme is a well-established danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), which binds to toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) to induce immune responses. Heme-derived metabolites including the bile pigments, biliverdin (BV) and bilirubin (BR), were first identified as toxic drivers of neonatal jaundice in 1800 but have only recently been appreciated as endogenous drivers of multiple signaling pathways involved in protection from oxidative stress and regulators of immune responses. The tissue concentration of heme, BV and BR is tightly controlled. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1, encoded by HMOX1) produces BV by heme degradation, while biliverdin reductase-A (BLVR-A) generates BR by the subsequent conversion of BV. BLVR-A is a fascinating protein that possesses a classical protein kinase domain, which is activated in response to BV binding to its enzymatic site and initiates the downstream mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways. This links BLVR-A activity to cell growth and survival pathways. BLVR-A also contains a bZip DNA binding domain and a nuclear export sequence (NES) and acts as a transcription factor to regulate the expression of immune modulatory genes. Here we will discuss the role of heme-related immune response and the potential for targeting the heme system for therapies directed toward hepatitis and cancer.

The compensatory antioxidant response system with a focus on neuroprogressive disorders

Major antioxidant responses to increased levels of inflammatory, oxidative and nitrosative stress (ONS) are detailed. In response to increasing levels of nitric oxide, S-nitrosylation of cysteine thiol groups leads to post-transcriptional modification of many cellular proteins and thereby regulates their activity and allows cellular adaptation to increased levels of ONS. S-nitrosylation inhibits the function of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, toll-like receptor-mediated signalling and the activity of several mitogen-activated protein kinases, while activating nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2 or NFE2L2); in turn, the redox-regulated activation of Nrf2 leads to increased levels and/or activity of key enzymes and transporter systems involved in the glutathione system. The Nrf2/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 axis is associated with upregulation of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, which in turn has anti-inflammatory effects. Increased Nrf2 transcriptional activity also leads to activation of haem oxygenase-1, which is associated with upregulation of bilirubin, biliverdin and biliverdin reductase as well as increased carbon monoxide signalling, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Associated transcriptional responses, which may be mediated by retrograde signalling owing to elevated hydrogen peroxide, include the unfolded protein response (UPR), mitohormesis and the mitochondrial UPR; the UPR also results from increasing levels of mitochondrial and cytosolic reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species leading to nitrosylation, glutathionylation, oxidation and nitration of crucial cysteine and tyrosine causing protein misfolding and the development of endoplasmic reticulum stress. It is shown how these mechanisms co-operate in forming a co-ordinated rapid and prolonged compensatory antioxidant response system.

Deletion of Biliverdin Reductase A in Myeloid Cells Promotes Chemokine Expression and Chemotaxis in Part via a Complement C5a--C5aR1 Pathway

Biliverdin reductase (BVR)-A is a pleotropic enzyme converting biliverdin to bilirubin and a signaling molecule that has cytoprotective and immunomodulatory effects. We recently showed that biliverdin inhibits the expression of complement activation fragment 5a receptor one (C5aR1) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. In this study, we investigated the role of BVR-A in determining macrophage inflammatory phenotype and function via regulation of C5aR1. We assessed expression of C5aR1, M1-like macrophage markers, including chemokines (RANTES, IP-10), as well as chemotaxis in response to LPS and C5a in bone marrow-derived macrophages from BVR ^fl/fl and LysM-Cre:BVR ^{fl / fl} mice (conditional deletion of BVR-A in myeloid cells). In response to LPS, macrophages isolated from LysM-Cre:BVR ^fl/fl showed significantly elevated levels of C5aR1 as well as chemokines (RANTES, IP10) but not proinflammatory markers, such as iNOS and TNF. An increase in C5aR1 expression was also observed in peritoneal macrophages and several tissues from LysM-Cre:BVR ^fl/fl mice in a model of endotoxemia. In addition, knockdown of BVR-A resulted in enhanced macrophage chemotaxis toward C5a. Part of the effects of BVR-A deletion on chemotaxis and RANTES expression were blocked in the presence of a C5aR1 neutralizing Ab, confirming the role of C5a-C5aR1 signaling in mediating the effects of BVR. In summary, BVR-A plays an important role in regulating macrophage chemotaxis in response to C5a via modulation of C5aR1 expression. In addition, macrophages lacking BVR-A are characterized by the expression of M1 polarization-associated chemokines, the levels of which depend in part on C5aR1 signaling.

Reduced biliverdin reductase-A levels are associated with early alterations of insulin signaling in obesity

Biliverdin reductase-A (BVR-A) is a serine/threonine/tyrosine kinase involved in the regulation of insulin signaling. In vitro studies have demonstrated that BVR-A is a substrate of the insulin receptor and regulates IRS1 by avoiding its aberrant activation, and in animal model of obesity the loss of hepatic BVR-A has been associated with glucose/insulin alterations and fatty liver disease. However, no studies exist in humans. Here, we evaluated BVR-A expression levels and activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from obese subjects and matched lean controls and we investigated the related molecular alterations of the insulin along with clinical correlates. We showed that BVR-A levels are significantly reduced in obese subjects and associated with a hyper-activation of the IR/IRS1/Akt/GSK-3β/AS160/GLUT4 pathway. Low BVR-A levels also associate with the presence of obesity, metabolic syndrome, NASH and visceral adipose tissue inflammation. These data suggest that the reduction of BVR-A may be responsible for early alterations of the insulin signaling pathway in obesity and in this context may represent a novel molecular target to be investigated for the comprehension of the process of insulin resistance development in obesity.

Loss of biliverdin reductase-A favors Tau hyper-phosphorylation in Alzheimer's disease

Hyper-active GSK-3β favors Tau phosphorylation during the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Akt is one of the main kinases inhibiting GSK-3β and its activation occurs in response to neurotoxic stimuli including, i.e., oxidative stress. Biliverdin reductase-A (BVR-A) is a scaffold protein favoring the Akt-mediated inhibition of GSK-3β. Reduced BVR-A levels along with increased oxidative stress were observed early in the hippocampus of 3xTg-AD mice (at 6 months), thus suggesting that loss of BVR-A could be a limiting factor in the oxidative stress-induced Akt-mediated inhibition of GSK-3β in AD. We evaluated changes of BVR-A, Akt, GSK-3β, oxidative stress and Tau phosphorylation levels: (a) in brain from young (6-months) and old (12-months) 3xTg-AD mice; and (b) in post-mortem inferior parietal lobule (IPL) samples from amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), from AD and from age-matched controls. Furthermore, similar analyses were performed in vitro in cells lacking BVR-A and treated with H₂O₂. Reduced BVR-A levels along with: (a) increased oxidative stress; (b) reduced GSK-3β inhibition; and (c) increased Tau Ser404 phosphorylation (target of GSK-3β activity) without changes of Akt activation in young mice, were observed. Similar findings were obtained in MCI, consistent with the notion that this is a molecular mechanism disrupted in humans. Interestingly, cells lacking BVR-A and treated with H₂O₂ showed reduced GSK-3β inhibition and increased Tau Ser404 phosphorylation, which resulted from a defect of Akt and GSK-3β physical interaction. Reduced levels of Akt/GSK-3β complex were confirmed in both young 3xTg-AD and MCI brain. We demonstrated that loss of BVR-A impairs the neuroprotective Akt-mediated inhibition of GSK-3β in response to oxidative stress, thus contributing to Tau hyper-phosphorylation in early stage AD. Such changes potential provide promising therapeutic targets for this devastating disorder.

Annexin A2-modulated proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells depends on caveolae and caveolin-1 in hepatopulmonary syndrome

We have established that annexin A2 (ANXA2) is an important factor in the experimental hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) serum-induced proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). However, the detailed mechanism remains unclear. ANXA2 translocated to the caveolin-enriched microdomains (caveolae) in PASMCs upon HPS serum stimulation. The disruption of caveolae by Methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) alleviated the caveolae recruitment of ANXA2 and the ANXA2-mediated activation of ERK1/2 and NF-κB, so that ANXA2-modulated PASMC proliferation was suppressed. The over-expression of Cav-1 resulted in the relocation of ANXA2 from caveolae and negatively regulated ERK1/2 and NF-κB activation, which inhibited the ANXA2-modulated PASMC proliferative behavior. These data indicate that caveolae function as a signaling platform for ANXA2-induced proliferative behavior and Cav-1 participates upstream of ANXA2 in the activation of ERK1/2 and NF-κB.

Interaction of human biliverdin reductase with Akt/protein kinase B and phosphatidylinositol-dependent kinase 1 regulates glycogen synthase kinase 3 activity: a novel mechanism of Akt activation

Biliverdin reductase A (BVR) and Akt isozymes have overlapping pleiotropic functions in the insulin/PI3K/MAPK pathway. Human BVR (hBVR) also reduces the hemeoxygenase activity product biliverdin to bilirubin and is directly activated by insulin receptor kinase (IRK). Akt isoenzymes (Akt1-3) are downstream of IRK and are activated by phosphatidylinositol-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) phosphorylating T(308) before S(473) autophosphorylation. Akt (RxRxxSF) and PDK1 (RFxFPxFS) binding motifs are present in hBVR. Phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) isoforms α/β by Akts inhibits their activity; nonphosphorylated GSK3β inhibits activation of various genes. We examined the role of hBVR in PDK1/Akt1/GSK3 signaling and Akt1 in hBVR phosphorylation. hBVR activates phosphorylation of Akt1 at S(473) independent of hBVR's kinase competency. hBVR and Akt1 coimmunoprecipitated, and in-cell Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and glutathione S-transferase pulldown analyses identified Akt1 pleckstrin homology domain as the interactive domain. hBVR activates phosphorylation of Akt1 at S(473) independent of hBVR's kinase competency. Site-directed mutagenesis, mass spectrometry, and kinetic analyses identified S(230) in hBVR (225)RNRYLSF sequence as the Akt1 target. Underlined amino acids are the essential residues of the signaling motifs. In cells, hBVR-activated Akt1 increased both GSK3α/β and forkhead box of the O class transcription class 3 (FoxO3) phosphorylation and inhibited total GSK3 activity; depletion of hBVR released inhibition and stimulated glucose uptake. Immunoprecipitation analysis showed that PDK1 and hBVR interact through hBVR's PDK1 binding (161)RFGFPAFS motif and formation of the PDK1/hBVR/Akt1 complex. sihBVR blocked complex formation. Findings identify hBVR as a previously unknown coactivator of Akt1 and as a key mediator of Akt1/GSK3 pathway, as well as define a key role for hBVR in Akt1 activation by PDK1.-Miralem, T., Lerner-Marmarosh, N., Gibbs, P. E. M., Jenkins, J. L., Heimiller, C., Maines, M. D. Interaction of human biliverdin reductase with Akt/protein kinase B and phosphatidylinositol-dependent kinase 1 regulates glycogen synthase kinase 3 activity: a novel mechanism of Akt activation.

Nanoparticle Delivered Human Biliverdin Reductase-Based Peptide Increases Glucose Uptake by Activating IRK/Akt/GSK3 Axis: The Peptide Is Effective in the Cell and Wild-Type and Diabetic Ob/Ob Mice

Insulin's stimulation of glucose uptake by binding to the IRK extracellular domain is compromised in diabetes. We have recently described an unprecedented approach to stimulating glucose uptake. KYCCSRK (P2) peptide, corresponding to the C-terminal segment of hBVR, was effective in binding to and inducing conformational change in the IRK intracellular kinase domain. Although myristoylated P2, made of L-amino acids, was effective in cell culture, its use for animal studies was unsuitable. We developed a peptidase-resistant formulation of the peptide that was efficient in both mice and cell culture systems. The peptide was constructed of D-amino acids, in reverse order, and blocked at both termini. Delivery of the encapsulated peptide to HepG2 and HSKM cells was confirmed by its prolonged effect on stimulation of glucose uptake (>6 h). The peptide improved glucose clearance in both wild-type and Ob/Ob mice; it lowered blood glucose levels and suppressed glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. IRK activity was stimulated in the liver of treated mice and in cultured cells. The peptide potentiated function of IRK's downstream effector, Akt-GSK3-(α, β) axis. Thus, P2-based approach can be used for improving glucose uptake by cells. Also, it allows for screening peptides in vitro and in animal models for treatment of diabetes.

Bach1 overexpression in Down syndrome correlates with the alteration of the HO-1/BVR-a system: insights for transition to Alzheimer's disease

Bach1, among the genes encoded on chromosome 21, is a transcription repressor, which binds to antioxidant response elements of DNA thus inhibiting the transcription of specific genes involved in the cell stress response including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). HO-1 and its partner, biliverdin reductase-A (BVR-A), are upregulated in response to oxidative stress in order to protect cells against further damage. Since oxidative stress is an early event in Down syndrome (DS) and might contribute to the development of multiple deleterious DS phenotypes, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, we investigated the status of the Bach1/HO-1/BVR-A axis in DS and its possible implications for the development of AD. In the present study, we showed increased total Bach1 protein levels in the brain of all DS cases coupled with reduced induction of brain HO-1. Furthermore, increased oxidative stress could, on one hand, overcome the inhibitory effects of Bach1 and, on the other hand, promote BVR-A impairment. Our data show that the development of AD in DS subjects is characterized by (i) increased Bach1 total and poly-ubiquitination; (ii) increased HO-1 protein levels; and (iii) increased nitration of BVR-A followed by reduced activity. To corroborate our findings, we analyzed Bach1, HO-1, and BVR-A status in the Ts65Dn mouse model at 3 (young) and 15 (old) months of age. The above data support the hypothesis that the dysregulation of HO-1/BVR-A system contributes to the early increase of oxidative stress in DS and provide potential mechanistic paths involved in the neurodegenerative process and AD development.

Basal brain oxidative and nitrative stress levels are finely regulated by the interplay between superoxide dismutase 2 and p53

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are the primary reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging enzymes of the cell and catalyze the dismutation of superoxide radicals O2- to H2O2 and molecular oxygen (O2). Among the three forms of SOD identified, manganese-containing SOD (MnSOD, SOD2) is a homotetramer located wholly in the mitochondrial matrix. Because of the SOD2 strategic location, it represents the first mechanism of defense against the augmentation of ROS/reactive nitrogen species levels in the mitochondria for preventing further damage. This study seeks to understand the effects that the partial lack (SOD2(-/+) ) or the overexpression (TgSOD2) of MnSOD produces on oxidative/nitrative stress basal levels in different brain isolated cellular fractions (i.e., mitochondrial, nuclear, cytosolic) as well as in the whole-brain homogenate. Furthermore, because of the known interaction between SOD2 and p53 protein, this study seeks to clarify the impact that the double mutation has on oxidative/nitrative stress levels in the brain of mice carrying the double mutation (p53(-/-) × SOD2(-/+) and p53(-/-) × TgSOD2). We show that each mutation affects mitochondrial, nuclear, and cytosolic oxidative/nitrative stress basal levels differently, but, overall, no change or reduction of oxidative/nitrative stress levels was found in the whole-brain homogenate. The analysis of well-known antioxidant systems such as thioredoxin-1 and Nrf2/HO-1/BVR-A suggests their potential role in the maintenance of the cellular redox homeostasis in the presence of changes of SOD2 and/or p53 protein levels.

Biliverdin reductase: a target for cancer therapy?

Biliverdin reductase (BVR) is a multifunctional protein that is the primary source of the potent antioxidant, bilirubin. BVR regulates activities/functions in the insulin/IGF-1/IRK/PI3K/MAPK pathways. Activation of certain kinases in these pathways is/are hallmark(s) of cancerous cells. The protein is a scaffold/bridge and intracellular transporter of kinases that regulate growth and proliferation of cells, including PKCs, ERK and Akt, and their targets including NF-κB, Elk1, HO-1, and iNOS. The scaffold and transport functions enable activated BVR to relocate from the cytosol to the nucleus or to the plasma membrane, depending on the activating stimulus. This enables the reductase to function in diverse signaling pathways. And, its expression at the transcript and protein levels are increased in human tumors and the infiltrating T-cells, monocytes and circulating lymphocytes, as well as the circulating and infiltrating macrophages. These functions suggest that the cytoprotective role of BVR may be permissive for cancer/tumor growth. In this review, we summarize the recent developments that define the pro-growth activities of BVR, particularly with respect to its input into the MAPK signaling pathway and present evidence that BVR-based peptides inhibit activation of protein kinases, including MEK, PKCδ, and ERK as well as downstream targets including Elk1 and iNOS, and thus offers a credible novel approach to reduce cancer cell proliferation.

Tissue proteomics of splenic marginal zone lymphoma

Splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) is a rare chronic B lymphoproliferative disease, whose molecular pathogenesis has still not been well established. For the first time, a proteomic approach was undertaken to analyse the protein profiles of SMZL tissue. 1D and 2D Western blot, immunohistochemical analysis, and functional data mining were also performed in order to validate results, investigate protein species specific regulation, classify proteins, and explore their potential relationships. We demonstrated that SMZL is characterized by modulation of protein species related to energetic metabolism and apoptosis pathways. We also reported specific protein species (such as biliverdin reductase A, manganese superoxide dismutase, beta-2 microglobulin, growth factor receptor-bound protein 2, acidic leucine-rich nuclear phosphoprotein 32 family member A, and Set nuclear oncogene) directly involved in NF-kB and BCR pathways, as well as in chromatin remodelling and cytoskeleton. Our findings shed new light on SMZL pathogenesis and provide a basis for the future development of novel biomarkers. The mass spectrometry proteomics data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium with the dataset identifier PXD001124.

Biliverdin reductase isozymes in metabolism

The biliverdin reductase (BVR) isozymes BVRA and BVRB are cell surface membrane receptors with pleiotropic functions. This review compares, for the first time, the structural and functional differences between the isozymes. They reduce biliverdin, a byproduct of heme catabolism, to bilirubin, display kinase activity, and BVRA, but not BVRB, can act as a transcription factor. The binding motifs present in the BVR isozymes allow a wide range of interactions with components of metabolically important signaling pathways such as the insulin receptor kinase cascades, protein kinases (PKs), and inflammatory mediators. In addition, serum bilirubin levels have been negatively associated with abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridemia. We discuss the roles of the BVR isozymes in metabolism and their potential as therapeutic targets.

Human biliverdin reductase-based peptides activate and inhibit glucose uptake through direct interaction with the kinase domain of insulin receptor

Insulin binding changes conformation of the insulin receptor kinase (IRK) domain and initiates glucose uptake through the insulin, IGF-1, phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and MAPK pathways; human biliverdin reductase (hBVR) is an IRK substrate and pathway effector. This is the first report on hBVR peptide-mediated IRK activation and conformational change. (290)KYCCSRK, which increased IRK V(max) without changing K(m), stimulated glucose uptake and potentiated insulin and IGF-1 stimulation in 4 cell lines. KYCCSRK in native hBVR was necessary for the hBVR and IRK cross-activation. Peptide treatment also activated PI3K downstream effectors, Akt and ERK, phosphorylation, and Elk transcriptional activity. In cells transfected with CMV-regulated EGFP-VP-peptide plasmid, C(292)→A mutant did not stimulate glucose uptake; K(296)→A decreased uptake and kinase activity. KEDQYMKMTV, corresponding to hBVR's SH2-binding domain, was a potent inhibitor of glucose uptake and IRK. The mechanism of action of peptides was examined using cells expressing IRK (aa 988-1263) activated by coexpressed KYCCSRK. Three active cys-mutants of IRK, with fluorophore coupled to cysteines, C(1056), C(1138), or C(1234), were examined for changes in fluorescence emission spectra in the presence of peptides. KYCCSRK and KEDQYMKMTV bound to different sites in IRK. The findings identify novel agents for activating or inhibiting insulin signaling and offer a new approach for treatment of type 2 diabetes and hypoglycemia.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) increases bilirubin formation but hampers quantitative hepatic conversion of biliverdin to bilirubin in rats with wild-type AH receptor

In haem degradation, haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) first cleaves haem to biliverdin, which is reduced to bilirubin by biliverdin IXα reductase (BVR-A). The environmental pollutant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) causes hepatic accumulation of biliverdin in moderately TCDD-resistant line B (Kuopio) rats. Using line B and two TCDD-sensitive rat strains, the present study set out to probe the dose-response and biochemical mechanisms of this accumulation. At 28 days after exposure to 3-300 μg/kg TCDD in line B rats, already the lowest dose of TCDD tested, 3 μg/kg, affected serum bilirubin conjugates, and after doses ≥100 μg/kg, the liver content of bilirubin, biliverdin and their conjugates (collectively 'bile pigments') as well as HO-1 was elevated. BVR-A activity and serum bile acids were increased only by the doses of 100 and 300 μg/kg TCDD, respectively. Biliverdin conjugates correlated best with biliverdin suggesting it to be their immediate precursor. TCDD (100 μg/kg, 10 days) increased hepatic bilirubin and biliverdin levels also in TCDD-sensitive Long-Evans (Turku/AB; L-E) rats. Hepatic bilirubin and bile acids, but not biliverdin, were increased in feed-restricted L-E control rats. In TCDD-sensitive line C (Kuopio) rats, 10 μg/kg of TCDD increased the body-weight-normalized biliary excretion of bilirubin. Altogether, the results suggest that at acutely toxic doses, TCDD induces the formation of bilirubin in rats. However, concurrently, TCDD seems to hamper the quantitative conversion of biliverdin to bilirubin in line B and L-E rats' liver. Biliverdin conjugates are most likely formed as secondary products of biliverdin.

Statins more than cholesterol lowering agents in Alzheimer disease: their pleiotropic functions as potential therapeutic targets

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe cognitive impairment, inability to perform activities of daily living and mood changes. Statins, long known to be beneficial in conditions where dyslipidemia occurs by lowering serum cholesterol levels, also have been proposed for use in neurodegenerative conditions, including AD. However, it is not clear that the purported effectiveness of statins in neurodegenerative disorders is directly related to cholesterol-lowering effects of these agents; rather, the pleiotropic functions of statins likely play critical roles. The aim of this review is to provide an overview on the new discoveries about the effects of statin therapy on the oxidative and nitrosative stress levels as well as on the modulation of the heme oxygenase/biliverdin reductase (HO/BVR) system in the brain. We propose a novel mechanism of action for atorvastatin which, through the activation of HO/BVR-A system, may contribute to the neuroprotective effects thus suggesting a potential therapeutic role in AD and potentially accounting for the observation of decreased AD incidence with persons on statin.

The Janus face of the heme oxygenase/biliverdin reductase system in Alzheimer disease: it's time for reconciliation

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among the elderly and is characterized by progressive loss of memory and cognition. These clinical features are due in part to the increase of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that mediate neurotoxic effects. The up-regulation of the heme oxygenase-1/biliverdin reductase-A (HO-1/BVR-A) system is one of the earlier events in the adaptive response to stress. HO-1/BVR-A reduces the intracellular levels of pro-oxidant heme and generates equimolar amounts of the free radical scavengers biliverdin-IX alpha (BV)/bilirubin-IX alpha (BR) as well as the pleiotropic gaseous neuromodulator carbon monoxide (CO) and ferrous iron. Two main and opposite hypotheses for a role of the HO-1/BVR-A system in AD propose that this system mediates neurotoxic and neuroprotective effects, respectively. This apparent controversy was mainly due to the fact that for over about 20years HO-1 was the only player on which all the analyses were focused, excluding the other important and essential component of the entire system, BVR. Following studies from the Butterfield laboratory that reported alterations in BVR activity along with decreased phosphorylation and increased oxidative/nitrosative post-translational modifications in the brain of subjects with AD and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects, a debate was opened on the real pathophysiological and clinical significance of BVR-A. In this paper we provide a review of the main discoveries about the HO/BVR system in AD and MCI, and propose a mechanism that reconciles these two hypotheses noted above of neurotoxic and the neuroprotective aspects of this important stress responsive system.

Biliverdin Reductase-A correlates with inducible nitric oxide synthasein in atorvastatin treated aged canine brain

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and neuropathology. Recent preclinical and epidemiological studies proposed statins as a possible therapeutic drug for Alzheimer's disease, but the exact mechanisms of action are still unknown. Biliverdin reductase-A is a pleiotropic enzyme involved in cellular stress responses. It not only transforms biliverdin-IX alpha into the antioxidant bilirubin-IX alpha but its serine/threonine/tyrosine kinase activity is able to modulate cell signaling networks. We previously reported the beneficial effects of atorvastatin treatment on biliverdin reductase-A and heme oxygenase-1 in the brains of a well characterized pre-clinical model of Alzheimer's disease, aged beagles, together with observed improvement in cognition. Here we extend our knowledge of the effects of atorvastatin on inducible nitric oxide synthase in parietal cortex, cerebellum and liver of the same animals. We demonstrated that atorvastatin treatment (80 mg/day for 14.5 months) to aged beagles selectively increased inducible nitric oxide synthase in the parietal cortex but not in the cerebellum. In contrast, inducible nitric oxide synthase protein levels were significantly decreased in the liver. Significant positive correlations were found between biliverdin reductase-A and inducible nitric oxide synthase as well as heme oxygenase-1 protein levels in the parietal cortex. The opposite was observed in the liver. Inducible nitric oxide synthase up-regulation in the parietal cortex was positively associated with improved biliverdin reductase-A functions, whereas the oxidative-induced impairment of biliverdin reductase-A in the liver negatively affected inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, thus suggesting a role for biliverdin reductase-A in atorvastatin-dependent inducible nitric oxide synthase changes. Interestingly, increased inducible nitric oxide synthase levels in the parietal cortex were not associated with higher oxidative/nitrosative stress levels. We hypothesize that biliverdin reductase-A-dependent inducible nitric oxide synthase regulation strongly contributes to the cognitive improvement observed following atorvastatin treatment.

The human biliverdin reductase-based peptide fragments and biliverdin regulate protein kinase Cδ activity: the peptides are inhibitors or substrate for the protein kinase C

PKCδ, a Ser/Thr kinase, promotes cell growth, tumorigenesis, and apoptosis. Human biliverdin reductase (hBVR), a Ser/Thr/Tyr kinase, inhibits apoptosis by reducing biliverdin-IX to antioxidant bilirubin. The enzymes are activated by similar stimuli. Reportedly, hBVR is a kinase-independent activator of PKCδ and is transactivated by the PKC (Gibbs, P. E., Miralem, T., Lerner-Marmarosh, N., Tudor, C., and Maines, M. D. (2012) J. Biol. Chem. 287, 1066-1079). Presently, we examined interactions between the two proteins in the context of regulation of their activities and defining targets of hBVR phosphorylation by PKCδ. LC-MS/MS analysis of PKCδ-activated intact hBVR identified phosphorylated serine positions 21, 33, 230, and 237, corresponding to the hBVR Src homology-2 domain motif (Ser(230) and Ser(237)), flanking the ATP-binding motif (Ser(21)) and in PHPS sequence (Ser(33)) as targets of PKCδ. Ser(21) and Ser(230) were also phosphorylated in hBVR-based peptides. The Ser(230)-containing peptide was a high affinity substrate for PKCδ in vitro and in cells; the relative affinity was PKCδ > PKCβII > PKCζ. Two overlapping peptides spanning this substrate, KRNRYLSF and SFHFKSGSL, were effective inhibitors of PKCδ kinase activity and PKCδ-supported activation of transcription factors Elk1 and NF-κB. Only SFHFKSGSL, in PKCδ-transfected phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated cells, caused membrane blebbing and cell loss. Biliverdin noncovalently inhibited PKCδ, whereas PKCδ potentiated hBVR reductase activity and accelerated the rate of bilirubin formation. This study, together with previous findings, reveals an unexpected regulatory interplay between PKCδ and hBVR in modulating cell death/survival in response to various activating stimuli. In addition, this study has identified novel substrates for and inhibitors of PKCδ. We suggest that hBVR-based technology may have utility to modulate PKCδ-mediated functions in the cell.

Go green: the anti-inflammatory effects of biliverdin reductase

Biliverdin (BV) has emerged as a cytoprotective and important anti-inflammatory molecule. Conversion of BV to bilirubin (BR) is catalyzed by biliverdin reductase (BVR) and is required for the downstream signaling and nuclear localization of BVR. Recent data by others and us make clear that BVR is a critical regulator of innate immune responses resulting from acute insult and injury and moreover, that a lack of BVR results in an enhanced proinflammatory phenotype. In macrophages, BVR is regulated by its substrate BV which leads to activation of the PI3K–Akt-IL-10 axis and inhibition of TLR4 expression via direct binding of BVR to the TLR4 promoter. In this review, we will summarize recent findings on the role of BVR and the bile pigments in inflammation in context with its activity as an enzyme, receptor, and transcriptional regulator.

Biliverdin reductase: more than a namesake - the reductase, its Peptide fragments, and biliverdin regulate activity of the three classes of protein kinase C

The expanse of human biliverdin reductase (hBVR) functions in the cells is arguably unmatched by any single protein. hBVR is a Ser/Thr/Tyr-kinase, a scaffold protein, a transcription factor, and an intracellular transporter of gene regulators. hBVR is an upstream activator of the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway and of protein kinase C (PKC) kinases in the two major arms of the pathway. In addition, it is the sole means for generating the antioxidant bilirubin-IXα. hBVR is essential for activation of ERK1/2 kinases by upstream MAPKK-MEK and by PKCδ, as well as the nuclear import and export of ERK1/2. Small fragments of hBVR are potent activators and inhibitors of the ERK kinases and PKCs: as such, they suggest the potential application of BVR-based technology in therapeutic settings. Presently, we have reviewed the function of hBVR in cell signaling with an emphasis on regulation of PKCδ activity.