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Mackiewicz J, Lisek M, Boczek T. Targeting CaN/NFAT in Alzheimer's brain degeneration. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1281882. [PMID: 38077352 PMCID: PMC10701682 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1281882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive functions. While the exact causes of this debilitating disorder remain elusive, numerous investigations have characterized its two core pathologies: the presence of β-amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Additionally, multiple studies of postmortem brain tissue, as well as results from AD preclinical models, have consistently demonstrated the presence of a sustained inflammatory response. As the persistent immune response is associated with neurodegeneration, it became clear that it may also exacerbate other AD pathologies, providing a link between the initial deposition of β-amyloid plaques and the later development of neurofibrillary tangles. Initially discovered in T cells, the nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) is one of the main transcription factors driving the expression of inflammatory genes and thus regulating immune responses. NFAT-dependent production of inflammatory mediators is controlled by Ca2+-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin (CaN), which dephosphorylates NFAT and promotes its transcriptional activity. A substantial body of evidence has demonstrated that aberrant CaN/NFAT signaling is linked to several pathologies observed in AD, including neuronal apoptosis, synaptic deficits, and glia activation. In view of this, the role of NFAT isoforms in AD has been linked to disease progression at different stages, some of which are paralleled to diminished cognitive status. The use of classical inhibitors of CaN/NFAT signaling, such as tacrolimus or cyclosporine, or adeno-associated viruses to specifically inhibit astrocytic NFAT activation, has alleviated some symptoms of AD by diminishing β-amyloid neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation. In this article, we discuss the recent findings related to the contribution of CaN/NFAT signaling to the progression of AD and highlight the possible benefits of targeting this pathway in AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tomasz Boczek
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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2
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Zöphel S, Schäfer G, Nazarieh M, Konetzki V, Hoxha C, Meese E, Hoth M, Helms V, Hamed M, Schwarz EC. Identification of molecular candidates which regulate calcium-dependent CD8 + T-cell cytotoxicity. Mol Immunol 2023; 157:202-213. [PMID: 37075611 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes (CTL) eliminate infected cells or transformed tumor cells by releasing perforin-containing cytotoxic granules at the immunological synapse. The secretion of such granules depends on Ca2+-influx through store operated Ca2+ channels, formed by STIM (stromal interaction molecule)-activated Orai proteins. Whereas molecular mechanisms of the secretion machinery are well understood, much less is known about the molecular machinery that regulates the efficiency of Ca2+-dependent target cell killing. CTL killing efficiency is of high interest considering the number of studies on CD8+ T lymphocytes modified for clinical use. Here, we isolated total RNA from primary human cells: natural killer (NK) cells, non-stimulated CD8+ T-cells, and from Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin A (SEA) stimulated CD8+ T-cells (SEA-CTL) and conducted whole genome expression profiling by microarray experiments. Based on differential expression analysis of the transcriptome data and analysis of master regulator genes, we identified 31 candidates which potentially regulate Ca2+-homeostasis in CTL. To investigate a putative function of these candidates in CTL cytotoxicity, we transfected either SEA-stimulated CTL (SEA-CTL) or antigen specific CD8+ T-cell clones (CTL-MART-1) with siRNAs specific against the identified candidates and analyzed the killing capacity using a real-time killing assay. In addition, we complemented the analysis by studying the effect of inhibitory substances acting on the candidate proteins if available. Finally, to unmask their involvement in Ca2+ dependent cytotoxicity, candidates were also analyzed under Ca2+-limiting conditions. Overall, we identified four hits, CCR5 (C-C chemokine receptor type five), KCNN4 (potassium calcium-activated channel subfamily N), RCAN3 (regulator of calcineurin) and BCL (B-cell lymphoma) 2 which clearly affect the efficiency of Ca2+ dependent cytotoxicity in CTL-MART-1 cells, CCR5, BCL2, and KCNN4 in a positive manner, and RCAN3 in a negative way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Zöphel
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, Building 48, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Gertrud Schäfer
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, Building 48, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Maryam Nazarieh
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland Informatics Campus, Saarland University, 66041 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Verena Konetzki
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, Building 48, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Cora Hoxha
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, Building 48, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Eckart Meese
- Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Saarland University, Building 60, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Markus Hoth
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, Building 48, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Volkhard Helms
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland Informatics Campus, Saarland University, 66041 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Mohamed Hamed
- Institute for Biostatistics and Informatics in Medicine and Ageing Research, Rostock University Medical Centre, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Eva C Schwarz
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, Building 48, 66421 Homburg, Germany.
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3
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Fernandez CA. Pharmacological strategies for mitigating anti-TNF biologic immunogenicity in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2023; 68:102320. [PMID: 36580770 PMCID: PMC10540078 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2022.102320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) inhibitors are a mainstay of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients after failed responses to conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Despite the clinical efficacy of TNFα inhibitors (TNFi), many RA patients experience TNFi treatment failure due to the development of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) that can neutralize drug levels and lead to RA disease relapse. Methotrexate (MTX) therapy with concomitant TNFα inhibitors decreases the risk of TNFi immunogenicity, but additional and/or alternative strategies are needed to reduce MTX-associated toxicities and to further increase its potency for preventing TNFα inhibitor immunogenicity. In this review, we highlight the limitations of MTX for mitigating TNFα inhibitor immunogenicity, and we discuss potential alternative pharmacological targets for decreasing the risk of immunogenicity during TNFα inhibitor therapy based on the key kinases, second messengers, and shared signaling mechanisms of lymphocyte receptor signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian A Fernandez
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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4
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The Overexpression of miR-377 Aggravates Sepsis-Induced Myocardial Hypertrophy by Binding to Rcan2 and Mediating CaN Activity. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:6659183. [PMID: 36267816 PMCID: PMC9578796 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6659183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Sepsis remains a complicated and incompletely understood syndrome, and myocardial dysfunction is one of the main complications contributing to poor clinical outcomes. Accumulating evidence has revealed the critical involvement of the deregulated expression of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in cardiac pathologies caused by sepsis. Intriguingly, miR-377 has been correlated with cardiomyocyte apoptosis, whereas its effect on myocardial hypertrophy remains to be illustrated. Thus, the current study sets out to explore the impact and underlying mechanism of miR-377 on myocardial hypertrophy induced by sepsis. The expression pattern of miR-377 was detected in myocardial tissues of septic mice induced by cecal ligation-perforation (CLP). We found that miR-377 was highly expressed in myocardial tissues of CLP-induced septic mice with cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Besides, miR-377 inhibition could relieve cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and reduce inflammation in septic mice. Further, mechanistic studies found that miR-377 could target Rcan2 and then regulate calcineurin (CaN) activity via Ca2+/CaN signaling pathway. Collectively, our findings illuminate that miR-377 enhances myocardial hypertrophy caused by sepsis, by targeting Rcan2 and further regulating the Ca2+/CaN signaling pathway. This work highlights downregulation of miR-377 as a novel target for the management of sepsis-induced myocardial hypertrophy.
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Sánchez-Morales A, Biçer A, Panagiotopoulos V, Crecente-Garcia S, Benaiges C, Bayod S, Luís Hernández J, Busqué F, Matsoukas MT, Pérez-Riba M, Alibés R. Design and synthesis of a novel non peptide CN-NFATc signaling inhibitor for tumor suppression in triple negative breast cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 238:114514. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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6
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Biçer A, López-Henares P, Feu-Llauradó A, Sabariego M, Bayod S, Padilla L, Taco MR, Larriba Bartolomé S, Pérez-Riba M, Serrano-Candelas E. The PxIxIT motif of the RCAN3 Inhibits angiogenesis and tumor progression in Triple Negative Breast Cancer in Immunocompetent Mice. Carcinogenesis 2022; 43:808-812. [PMID: 35640493 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgac049] [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: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
RCAN proteins are endogenous regulators of the calcineurin- cytosolic nuclear factor of activated T-cells (CN- NFATc) pathway that bind CN through similar conserved motifs PxIxIT and LxVP of the NFATc family. It has been reported that RCAN1 and RCAN3 protein levels correlate with overall survival of breast cancer patients. We have additionally provided supporting results about RCAN3 role on cancer showing that overexpression of the native PxIxIT sequence of RCAN3-derived R3 peptide (PSVVVH, EGFP-R3178-210) dramatically inhibits tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis in an orthotopic mouse model of Triple Negative breast cancer (TNBC). On the other hand, RCAN3 protein and its derived peptide EGFP-R3 178-210 bind to CN and inhibit NFAT-mediated cytokine gene expression without affecting CN phosphatase activity suggesting that RCAN3 and EGFP-R3 178-210 peptide have tumor suppressor and immunosuppressant activity. Due to the known relationship between tumor development and immune system, as well as the relevance of CN-NFATc in the regulation of the immune system, we decided to study the effect of EGFP-R3 178-210 peptide in a syngeneic TNBC model, in order to ensure that the role of RCAN3 as immunosuppressant do not override its tumor suppressor activity. Our results evidence that EGFP-R3 178-210 peptide displays an inhibitory potential on tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis similar to those obtained in the previous orthotopic TNBC model. These results highlight the importance of the RCAN3 peptide as a tumor suppressor protein and totally complement our previous results, indicating that this antitumor activity role is maintained in the presence of a complete functional immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atilla Biçer
- Genes, Disease and Therapy Program, Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.,Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Systems Biology Programme. Aiguader 88, Barcelona, 08003 Spain
| | | | - Andrea Feu-Llauradó
- Bellvitge University Hospital, Pathology Department. L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalunya, ES
| | - Miguel Sabariego
- Genes, Disease and Therapy Program, Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.,Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Systems Biology Programme. Aiguader 88, Barcelona, 08003 Spain
| | - Sergi Bayod
- Health & Biomedicine Department of LEITAT Technological Center, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Hèlix building. Baldiri Reixach 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Padilla
- Health & Biomedicine Department of LEITAT Technological Center, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Hèlix building. Baldiri Reixach 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mª Rosario Taco
- Bellvitge University Hospital, Pathology Department. L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalunya, ES
| | - Sara Larriba Bartolomé
- Genes, Disease and Therapy Program, Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Mercè Pérez-Riba
- Genes, Disease and Therapy Program, Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Eva Serrano-Candelas
- Genes, Disease and Therapy Program, Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.,ProtoQSAR SL, Centro Europeo de Empresas Innovadoras (CEEI), Parque Tecnológico de Valencia, 46980 Paterna (Valencia), Spain
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7
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Zhang N, Liu Y, Shi X, Zhang Y, Li W, Yang Y, Chen L, Yin Y, Tong L, Yang J, Luo J. Microscale thermophoresis and fluorescence polarization assays of calcineurin-peptide interactions. Anal Biochem 2022; 646:114626. [PMID: 35218735 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2022.114626] [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: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Calcineurin is a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase. It is very important to study the affinity between calcineurin and its substrate or other interacting proteins. Two conserved motifs have been reported on the interactive proteins of calcineurin, namely, the PxIxIT motif and the LxVP motif. Here, we used 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein to fluorescently label the N-terminus of the short peptides derived from the two motifs and then determined the affinity between the protein and polypeptides. Microscale thermophoresis (MST) is very suitable for determining calcineurin with peptides containing the LxVP motif. The Kd values of the binding of calcineurin with NFATc1-YLAVP, NHE1-YLTVP, and A238L-FLCVK peptides were 6.72 ± 0.19 μM, 17.14 ± 0.35 μM, and 15.57 ± 0.10 μM, respectively. The GST pull-down results further confirmed the binding trend of the three peptides to calcineurin. However, fluorescently labeled PxIxIT polypeptides are not suitable for MST due to their own aggregation. We determined the binding affinity of the RCAN1-PSVVVH polypeptide to calcineurin by the fluorescence polarization (FP) method. MST and FP assays are fast and accurate in determining the affinity between protein-peptide interactions. Our research laid the foundation for screening the molecules that affect the binding between calcineurin and its substrates in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yueyang Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 111016, China
| | - Xiaoyu Shi
- College of Life Sciences, Langfang Normal University, Hebei, 065000, China
| | - Yuchen Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Wenying Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yumeng Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Limin Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yanxia Yin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Li Tong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Jingyu Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 111016, China.
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
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Bai X, Gao M, Li Y, Chen H, Ma X, Bai H, Liu Y, Hu X, Suo Z. Upregulation of RCAN1.4 in spinal dorsal horn is involved in inflammatory pain hypersensitivity. Neurosci Lett 2022; 775:136538. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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9
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Hou C, Wang X, Jiang W, Bian Z, Zhu L, Li M. Peptide 11R‑VIVIT promotes fracture healing in osteoporotic rats. Int J Mol Med 2021; 48:162. [PMID: 34278442 PMCID: PMC8262658 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2021.4995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoporotic fracture healing is a complex clinical issue. The present study was conducted to investigate the repair properties of 11R‑VIVIT on osteoporotic fractures and to examine the potential effects of 11R‑VIVIT on osteoporotic bone marrow‑derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), A rat model of osteoporotic femoral fracture was established, and the effects of the daily local injection of 11R‑VIVIT or saline on fracture repairing were evaluated by micro‑CT scans and H&E staining. Moreover, BMSCs from osteoporotic rats were treated with 11R‑VIVIT, and the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs was evaluated. The results revealed that 11R‑VIVIT promoted bone formation and increased fracture healing. In addition, 11R‑VIVIT promoted the differentiation of osteoporotic BMSCs into osteoblasts rather than adipocytes. Furthermore, mechanistic analysis revealed that 11R‑VIVIT promoted autophagy by blocking the protein kinase B (AKT)/nuclear factor of activated T‑cells (NFATc1) signaling pathway. Consistently, the activation and inhibition of autophagy using rapamycin and LY294002 confirmed the regulatory effects of 11R‑VIVIT on autophagy. On the whole, the findings of the present study demonstrate that 11R‑VIVIT promotes fracture healing in osteoporotic rats and enhances the osteogenic differentiation of osteoporotic BMSCs by dysregulating the AKT/NFATc1 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changju Hou
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Xuepeng Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Wu Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Zhenyu Bian
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Liulong Zhu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Maoqiang Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
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Sompol P, Gollihue JL, Kraner SD, Artiushin IA, Cloyd RA, Chishti EA, Koren SA, Nation GK, Abisambra JF, Huzian O, Nagy LI, Santha M, Hackler L, Puskas LG, Norris CM. Q134R: Small chemical compound with NFAT inhibitory properties improves behavioral performance and synapse function in mouse models of amyloid pathology. Aging Cell 2021; 20:e13416. [PMID: 34117818 PMCID: PMC8282246 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of the protein phosphatase calcineurin (CN) ameliorates pathophysiologic and cognitive changes in aging rodents and mice with aging-related Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like pathology. However, concerns over adverse effects have slowed the transition of common CN-inhibiting drugs to the clinic for the treatment of AD and AD-related disorders. Targeting substrates of CN, like the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATs), has been suggested as an alternative, safer approach to CN inhibitors. However, small chemical inhibitors of NFATs have only rarely been described. Here, we investigate a newly developed neuroprotective hydroxyquinoline derivative (Q134R) that suppresses NFAT signaling, without inhibiting CN activity. Q134R partially inhibited NFAT activity in primary rat astrocytes, but did not prevent CN-mediated dephosphorylation of a non-NFAT target, either in vivo, or in vitro. Acute (≤1 week) oral delivery of Q134R to APP/PS1 (12 months old) or wild-type mice (3-4 months old) infused with oligomeric Aβ peptides led to improved Y maze performance. Chronic (≥3 months) oral delivery of Q134R appeared to be safe, and, in fact, promoted survival in wild-type (WT) mice when given for many months beyond middle age. Finally, chronic delivery of Q134R to APP/PS1 mice during the early stages of amyloid pathology (i.e., between 6 and 9 months) tended to reduce signs of glial reactivity, prevented the upregulation of astrocytic NFAT4, and ameliorated deficits in synaptic strength and plasticity, without noticeably altering parenchymal Aβ plaque pathology. The results suggest that Q134R is a promising drug for treating AD and aging-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradoldej Sompol
- Sanders‐Brown Center on Aging University of Kentucky College of Medicine Lexington KY USA
| | - Jenna L. Gollihue
- Sanders‐Brown Center on Aging University of Kentucky College of Medicine Lexington KY USA
| | - Susan D. Kraner
- Sanders‐Brown Center on Aging University of Kentucky College of Medicine Lexington KY USA
| | - Irina A. Artiushin
- Sanders‐Brown Center on Aging University of Kentucky College of Medicine Lexington KY USA
| | - Ryan A. Cloyd
- Sanders‐Brown Center on Aging University of Kentucky College of Medicine Lexington KY USA
| | - Emad A. Chishti
- Sanders‐Brown Center on Aging University of Kentucky College of Medicine Lexington KY USA
| | - Shon A. Koren
- Sanders‐Brown Center on Aging University of Kentucky College of Medicine Lexington KY USA
| | - Grant K. Nation
- Sanders‐Brown Center on Aging University of Kentucky College of Medicine Lexington KY USA
| | - Jose F. Abisambra
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Christopher M. Norris
- Sanders‐Brown Center on Aging University of Kentucky College of Medicine Lexington KY USA
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Li Y, Sheftic SR, Grigoriu S, Schwieters CD, Page R, Peti W. The structure of the RCAN1:CN complex explains the inhibition of and substrate recruitment by calcineurin. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:6/27/eaba3681. [PMID: 32936779 PMCID: PMC7458460 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba3681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) is an endogenous inhibitor of the Ser/Thr phosphatase calcineurin (CN). It has been shown that excessive inhibition of CN is a critical factor for Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. Here, we determined RCAN1's mode of action. Using a combination of structural, biophysical, and biochemical studies, we show that RCAN1 inhibits CN via multiple routes: first, by blocking essential substrate recruitment sites and, second, by blocking the CN active site using two distinct mechanisms. We also show that phosphorylation either inhibits RCAN1-CN assembly or converts RCAN1 into a weak inhibitor, which can be reversed by CN via dephosphorylation. This highlights the interplay between posttranslational modifications in regulating CN activity. Last, this work advances our understanding of how active site inhibition of CN can be achieved in a highly specific manner. Together, these data provide the necessary road map for targeting multiple neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1041 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Sarah R Sheftic
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1041 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Simina Grigoriu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, 185 Meeting St., Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Charles D Schwieters
- Imaging Sciences Laboratory, Center for Information Technology, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Rebecca Page
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1041 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Wolfgang Peti
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1041 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
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Yu F, Wu F, Li F, Liao X, Wang Y, Li X, Wang C, Shi Y, Ye L. Wnt7b-induced Sox11 functions enhance self-renewal and osteogenic commitment of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Stem Cells 2020; 38:1020-1033. [PMID: 32346881 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
As a profoundly anabolic regulator of bone, Wnt7b is well acknowledged to enhance osteoblast activities. Here, we report that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are another important population responding to Wnt7b. In this study, we systematically investigated the in vivo role of Wnt7b in BMSCs using transgenic mice, high-throughput RNA-seq, immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, and in situ hybridization. These methods led us to uncover that Sox11 is induced via Wnt7b in BMSCs. Colony formation assay, flow cytometry, EdU incorporation labeling, RT-qPCR, and Western blot were conducted to detect the self-renewal capacity of BMSCs. Alkaline phosphatase staining, alizarin red staining, and ex vivo BMSCs transplantation were utilized to detect the osteogenic ability of BMSCs. ChIP-qPCR, shRNAs, and immunofluorescence staining were utilized to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Consequently, bone-derived Wnt7b was found to decrease in osteoporosis and elevate in bone fracture healing. During bone fracture healing, Wnt7b was particularly expressed in the mesenchymal cells residing within healing frontiers. RNA-seq data of Wnt7b-overexpressed bones uncovered the significant upregulation of Sox11. Histological results further unveiled that Sox11 is specifically increased in BMSCs. Wnt7b-induced Sox11 was demonstrated to reinforce both self-renewal and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Mechanistically, Wnt7b activates the Ca2+ -dependent Nfatc1 signaling to directly induce Sox11 transcription, which in turn activates the transcriptions of both proliferation-related transcription factors (Ccnb1 and Sox2) and osteogenesis-related factors (Runx2, Sp7) in BMSCs. It is intriguing that this Wnt7b-Sox11 signaling in BMSCs is β-Catenin-independent. Overall, this study provides brand new insights of Wnt7b in bone formation, namely, Wnt7b can enhance both self-renewal and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs via inducing Sox11. These findings present a new crosstalk between Wnt and Sox signaling in BMSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanyuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Endodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Fanzi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Feifei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueyang Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pediatric Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yitian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenglin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Endodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Endodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
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13
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Wang L, Cheng N, Wang P, Li J, Jia A, Li W, Zhang N, Yin Y, Tong L, Wei Q, Liu G, Li Z, Luo J. A novel peptide exerts potent immunosuppression by blocking the two-site interaction of NFAT with calcineurin. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:2760-2770. [PMID: 31941790 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cell (CN/NFAT) signaling pathway plays a critical role in the immune response. Therefore, inhibition of the CN/NFAT pathway is an important target for inflammatory disease. The conserved PXIXIT and LXVP motifs of CN substrates and targeting proteins have been recognized. Based on the affinity ability and inhibitory effect of these docking sequences on CN, we designed a bioactive peptide (named pep3) against the CN/NFAT interaction, which has two binding sites derived from the RCAN1-PXIXIT motif and the NFATc1-LXVP motif. The shortest linker between the two binding sites in pep3 is derived from A238L, a physiological binding partner of CN. Microscale thermophoresis revealed that pep3 has two docking sites on CN. Pep3 also has the most potent inhibitory effect on CN. It is suggested that pep3 contains an NFATc1-LXVP-substrate recognition motif and RCAN1-PXIXIT-mediated anchoring to CN. Expression of this peptide significantly suppresses CN/NFAT signaling. Cell-permeable 11-arginine-modified pep3 (11R-pep3) blocks the NFAT downstream signaling pathway. Intranasal administration of the 11R-pep3 peptide inhibits airway inflammation in an ovalbumin-induced asthma model. Our results suggest that pep3 is promising as an immunosuppressive agent and can be used in topical remedies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Na Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Anna Jia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Wenying Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yanxia Yin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Li Tong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Qun Wei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Guangwei Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Zhimei Li
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
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14
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Gang W, Yu-Zhu W, Yang Y, Feng S, Xing-Li F, Heng Z. The critical role of calcineurin/NFAT (C/N) pathways and effective antitumor prospect for colorectal cancers. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:19254-19273. [PMID: 31489709 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) like a nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) and its controller calcineurin are highly expressed in primary intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) due to delamination, damage by tumor-associated flora and selective activation in the intestinal tract tumor are crucial in the progression and growth of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study sought to summarize the current findings concerning the dysregulated calcineurin/NFAT (C/N) signaling involved in CRC initiation and progression. These signalings include proliferation, T-cell functions, and glycolysis with high lactate production that remodels the acidosis, which genes in tumor cells provide an evolutionary advantage, or even increased their attack phenotype. Moreover, the relationship between C/N and gut microbiome in CRC, especially role of NFAT and toll-like receptor signaling in regulating intestinal microbiota are also discussed. Furthermore, this review will discuss the proteins and genes relating to C/N induced acidosis in CRC, which includes ASIC2 regulated C/N1 and TFs associated with the glycolytic by-product that affect T-cell functions and CRC cell growth. It is revealed that calcineurin or NFAT targeting to antitumor, selective calcineurin inhibition or targets in NFAT signaling may be useful for clinical treatment of CRC. This can further aid in the identification of specific targets via cancer patient-personalized approach. Future studies should be focused on targeting to C/N or TLR signaling by the combination of therapeutic agents to regulate T-cell functions and gut microbiome for activating potent anticancer property with the prospect of potentiating the antitumor therapy for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Gang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Eight People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wang Yu-Zhu
- Department of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu Yang
- Department of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shi Feng
- Department of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fu Xing-Li
- Department of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhang Heng
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Lishui District People's Hospital, Zhongda Hospital Lishui Branch, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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15
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Nguyen HQ, Roy J, Harink B, Damle NP, Latorraca NR, Baxter BC, Brower K, Longwell SA, Kortemme T, Thorn KS, Cyert MS, Fordyce PM. Quantitative mapping of protein-peptide affinity landscapes using spectrally encoded beads. eLife 2019; 8:e40499. [PMID: 31282865 PMCID: PMC6728138 DOI: 10.7554/elife.40499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Transient, regulated binding of globular protein domains to Short Linear Motifs (SLiMs) in disordered regions of other proteins drives cellular signaling. Mapping the energy landscapes of these interactions is essential for deciphering and perturbing signaling networks but is challenging due to their weak affinities. We present a powerful technology (MRBLE-pep) that simultaneously quantifies protein binding to a library of peptides directly synthesized on beads containing unique spectral codes. Using MRBLE-pep, we systematically probe binding of calcineurin (CN), a conserved protein phosphatase essential for the immune response and target of immunosuppressants, to the PxIxIT SLiM. We discover that flanking residues and post-translational modifications critically contribute to PxIxIT-CN affinity and identify CN-binding peptides based on multiple scaffolds with a wide range of affinities. The quantitative biophysical data provided by this approach will improve computational modeling efforts, elucidate a broad range of weak protein-SLiM interactions, and revolutionize our understanding of signaling networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huy Quoc Nguyen
- Department of GeneticsStanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Jagoree Roy
- Department of BiologyStanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Björn Harink
- Department of GeneticsStanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Nikhil P Damle
- Department of BiologyStanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | | | - Brian C Baxter
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Kara Brower
- Department of BioengineeringStanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Scott A Longwell
- Department of BioengineeringStanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Tanja Kortemme
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic SciencesUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Chan Zuckerberg BiohubSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Kurt S Thorn
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Martha S Cyert
- Department of BiologyStanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Polly Morrell Fordyce
- Department of GeneticsStanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Department of BioengineeringStanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Chan Zuckerberg BiohubSan FranciscoUnited States
- ChEM-H InstituteStanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
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16
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ILC3-derived OX40L is essential for homeostasis of intestinal Tregs in immunodeficient mice. Cell Mol Immunol 2019; 17:163-177. [PMID: 30760919 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-019-0200-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OX40L is one of the co-stimulatory molecules that can be expressed by splenic lymphoid tissue inducer (Lti) cells, a subset of group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s). OX40L expression in subsets of intestinal ILC3s and the molecular regulation of OX40L expression in ILC3s are unknown. Here, we showed intestinal ILC3s marked as an OX40Lhigh population among all the intestinal leukocytes and were the dominant source of OX40L in Rag1-/- mice. All ILC3 subsets expressed OX40L, and NCR-ILC3s were the most abundant source of OX40L. The expression of OX40L in ILC3s could be upregulated during inflammation. In addition to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like cytokine 1A (TL1A), which has been known as a trigger for OX40L, we found that Poly (I:C) representing viral stimulus promoted OX40L expression in ILC3s via a cell-autonomous manner. Furthermore, we demonstrated that IL-7-STAT5 signaling sustained OX40L expression by ILC3s. Intestinal regulatory T cells (Tregs), most of which expressed OX40, had defective expansion in chimeric mice, in which ILC3s were specifically deficient for OX40L expression. Consistently, co-localization of Tregs and ILC3s was found in the cryptopatches of the intestine, which suggests the close interaction between ILC3s and Tregs. Our study has unveiled the crosstalk between Tregs and ILC3s in mucosal tissues through OX40-OX40L signaling, which is crucial for the homeostasis of intestinal Tregs.
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17
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Hattori Y, Sentani K, Shinmei S, Oo HZ, Hattori T, Imai T, Sekino Y, Sakamoto N, Oue N, Niitsu H, Hinoi T, Ohdan H, Yasui W. Clinicopathological significance of RCAN2 production in gastric carcinoma. Histopathology 2019; 74:430-442. [DOI: 10.1111/his.13764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yui Hattori
- Department of Molecular Pathology; Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences; Hiroshima University; Hiroshima Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Sentani
- Department of Molecular Pathology; Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences; Hiroshima University; Hiroshima Japan
| | - Shunsuke Shinmei
- Department of Urology; Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences; Hiroshima University; Hiroshima Japan
| | - Htoo Zarni Oo
- Department of Urologic Sciences; University of British Columbia; Vancouver Prostate Centre; Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Takuya Hattori
- Department of Molecular Pathology; Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences; Hiroshima University; Hiroshima Japan
| | - Takeharu Imai
- Department of Surgical Oncology; Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine; Gifu Japan
| | - Yohei Sekino
- Department of Molecular Pathology; Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences; Hiroshima University; Hiroshima Japan
- Department of Urology; Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences; Hiroshima University; Hiroshima Japan
| | - Naoya Sakamoto
- Department of Molecular Pathology; Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences; Hiroshima University; Hiroshima Japan
| | - Naohide Oue
- Department of Molecular Pathology; Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences; Hiroshima University; Hiroshima Japan
| | - Hiroaki Niitsu
- Department of Gastroenterological Transplant Surgery; Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences; Hiroshima University; Hiroshima Japan
| | - Takao Hinoi
- Department of Gastroenterological Transplant Surgery; Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences; Hiroshima University; Hiroshima Japan
- Department of Surgery; National Hospital Organisation Kure Medical Centre; Kure Japan
| | - Hideki Ohdan
- Department of Gastroenterological Transplant Surgery; Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences; Hiroshima University; Hiroshima Japan
| | - Wataru Yasui
- Department of Molecular Pathology; Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences; Hiroshima University; Hiroshima Japan
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18
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Bulbule SR, Aravind P, Hemalatha N, Devaraju KS. Modeling, Synthesis and Characterization of Phospho–Penta–Peptide derived from PKA RII Sub Unit: A Candidate Substrate for CaN Assay. Int J Pept Res Ther 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-018-9770-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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19
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20
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Regulator of Calcineurin 3 Ameliorates Autoimmune Arthritis by Suppressing Th17 Cell Differentiation. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2017; 187:2034-2045. [PMID: 28704638 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Regulator of calcineurin 3 (RCAN3), an endogenous regulator of the calcineurin-nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) signaling pathway, inhibits the phosphatase activity of calcineurin, the nuclear translocation of NFAT, and the NFAT downstream pathway. To investigate the effects of RCAN3 on T-cell regulatory function and the development and progression of inflammatory arthritis, we studied the effects of RCAN3 transfection on regulation of Th17 cell differentiation in a murine T-lymphoma cell line and primary splenic CD4+ T cells. Overexpression of RCAN3 suppressed Th17 cell differentiation through the down-regulation of RAR receptor orphan receptor γT mRNA and up-regulation of forkhead box P3 mRNA. In mice with collagen-induced arthritis, injection of an RCAN3-overexpression vector controlled arthritis development in vivo. Injection of RCAN3 reduced the formation of osteoclasts and expression of inflammatory cytokines in vivo. Antioxidants stimulated the expression of RCAN3 in vitro, and combination therapy with pcDNA-RCAN3 had a synergistic suppressive effect on the development of arthritis. These data suggest that RCAN3 may be an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
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21
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Amphotericin B, an Anti-Fungal Medication, Directly Increases the Cytotoxicity of NK Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18061262. [PMID: 28608807 PMCID: PMC5486084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18061262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) present one example of immunomodulatory agents that improve cancer immunotherapy. Based on the cytotoxic activity of natural killer (NK) cells against cancer cells, a high throughput screening method for the identification of novel immunomodulatory molecules with the potential to stimulate NK cell cytotoxicity against cancer cells was designed and tested using an approved drug library. Among the primary hit compounds, the anti-fungal drug amphotericin B (AMP-B) increased the cytotoxicity of NK cell line and human primary NK cells in a direct manner. The increase in NK cell activity was related to increased formation of NK-target cell conjugates and the subsequent granule polarization toward target cells. The results of the present study indicate that AMP-B could serve a dual function as an anti-fungal and immunomodulatory drug.
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22
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RCAN-11R peptide provides immunosuppression for fully mismatched islet allografts in mice. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3043. [PMID: 28596584 PMCID: PMC5465209 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02934-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcineurin inhibitors have been used for transplant therapy. However, the inhibition of calcineurin outside the immune system has a number of side effects. We previously developed a cell-permeable inhibitor of NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) using the polyarginine peptide delivery system. This peptide (11R-VIVIT) selectively interferes with calcineurin-NFAT interaction without affecting the activity of calcineurin phosphatase and provides immunosuppression for fully mismatched islet allografts in mice. However, our recent study showed that 11R-VIVIT affected cell viability in vitro when it was used at higher concentration because of the VIVIT sequence. The aim of this study is to develop a safer NFAT inhibitor (RCAN-11R) that does not affect cell viability, and which is less toxic than calcineurin inhibitors. The minimal sequence of the protein family of regulators of calcineurin (RCAN) that is responsible for the inhibition of calcineurin-NFAT signaling was recently characterized. The peptide could selectively interfere with the calcineurin-NFAT interaction without affecting the activity of calcineurin phosphatase, similar to 11R-VIVIT. RCAN-11R did not affect cell viability when it was used at a higher concentration than the toxic concentration of 11R-VIVIT. RCAN-11R could therefore be useful as a therapeutic agent that is less toxic than current drugs or 11R-VIVIT.
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23
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Sharma S, Meena LS. Potential of Ca 2+ in Mycobacterium tuberculosis H 37Rv Pathogenesis and Survival. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2016; 181:762-771. [PMID: 27660000 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-016-2247-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The host-pathogen interaction and involvement of calcium (Ca2+) signaling in tuberculosis infection is crucial and plays a significant role in pathogenesis. Ca2+ is known as a ubiquitous second messenger that could control multiple processes and is included in cellular activities like division, motility, stress response, and signaling. However, Ca2+ is thought to be a regulative molecule in terms of TB infection but its binding relation with proteins/substrates molecules which are influenced with Ca2+ concentrations in host-pathogen interaction requires attention. So, in this review, our primary goal is to focus on some Ca2+ substrates/proteins and their imperative involvement in pathogenesis, which is unclear. We have discussed several Ca2+-binding substrate and protein that affect intracellular mechanism of infected host cell. The major involvement of these proteins/substrates including calmodulin (CaM), calpain, annexin, surfactant protein A (SP-A), surfactant protein D (SP-D), calprotectin (MRP8/14), and PE_PGRS family protein are considered to be significant; however, their detailed understanding in mycobacterium infection is limited. In this aspect, this study will help in adding up our understanding in TB biology and additionally in the development of new therapeutic approach to reduce TB pandemic worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somya Sharma
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Mall Road, Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Laxman S Meena
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Mall Road, Delhi, 110007, India.
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24
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Johnson SA, Spurney RF. Twenty years after ACEIs and ARBs: emerging treatment strategies for diabetic nephropathy. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2015; 309:F807-20. [PMID: 26336162 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00266.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The disease is now the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in developed countries, and both the incidence and prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide. Current treatments are directed at controlling hyperglycemia and hypertension, as well as blockade of the renin angiotensin system with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), and angiotensin receptor blockers. Despite these therapies, DN progresses to ESKD in many patients. As a result, much interest is focused on developing new therapies. It has been over two decades since ACEIs were shown to have beneficial effects in DN independent of their blood pressure-lowering actions. Since that time, our understanding of disease mechanisms in DN has evolved. In this review, we summarize major cell signaling pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease, as well as emerging treatment strategies. The goal is to identify promising targets that might be translated into therapies for the treatment of patients with diabetic kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy A Johnson
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University and Durham VA Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Robert F Spurney
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University and Durham VA Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina
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25
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Guasch A, Aranguren-Ibáñez Á, Pérez-Luque R, Aparicio D, Martínez-Høyer S, Mulero MC, Serrano-Candelas E, Pérez-Riba M, Fita I. Calcineurin Undergoes a Conformational Switch Evoked via Peptidyl-Prolyl Isomerization. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0134569. [PMID: 26248042 PMCID: PMC4527731 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A limited repertoire of PPP family of serine/threonine phosphatases with a highly conserved catalytic domain acts on thousands of protein targets to orchestrate myriad central biological roles. A major structural reorganization of human calcineurin, a ubiquitous Ser/Thr PPP regulated by calcium and calmodulin and targeted by immunosuppressant drugs cyclosporin A and FK506, is unveiled here. The new conformation involves trans- to cis-isomerization of proline in the SAPNY sequence, highly conserved across PPPs, and remodels the main regulatory site where NFATc transcription factors bind. Transitions between cis- and trans-conformations may involve peptidyl prolyl isomerases such as cyclophilin A and FKBP12, which are known to physically interact with and modulate calcineurin even in the absence of immunosuppressant drugs. Alternative conformations in PPPs provide a new perspective on interactions with substrates and other protein partners and may foster development of more specific inhibitors as drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Guasch
- Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (IBMB-CSIC), Parc Científic, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Álvaro Aranguren-Ibáñez
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Gran Via de L’Hospitalet 199, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa Pérez-Luque
- Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (IBMB-CSIC), Parc Científic, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Aparicio
- Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (IBMB-CSIC), Parc Científic, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergio Martínez-Høyer
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Gran Via de L’Hospitalet 199, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M. Carmen Mulero
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Gran Via de L’Hospitalet 199, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Serrano-Candelas
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Gran Via de L’Hospitalet 199, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Pérez-Riba
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Gran Via de L’Hospitalet 199, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail: (IF); (MPR)
| | - Ignacio Fita
- Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (IBMB-CSIC), Parc Científic, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail: (IF); (MPR)
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Matsoukas MT, Aranguren-Ibáñez Á, Lozano T, Nunes V, Lasarte JJ, Pardo L, Pérez-Riba M. Identification of small-molecule inhibitors of calcineurin-NFATc signaling that mimic the PxIxIT motif of calcineurin binding partners. Sci Signal 2015; 8:ra63. [PMID: 26106221 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2005918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Calcineurin (CN), a serine and threonine protein phosphatase that depends on Ca(2+) and calmodulin for its activity, is the target of the immunosuppressant drugs cyclosporin A (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK506). CN dephosphorylates and activates members of the NFATc (nuclear factor of activated T cells) family of transcription factors in T cells by binding to their conserved PxIxIT motif. Upon dephosphorylation, NFATc proteins translocate to the nucleus, where they stimulate the expression of genes encoding cytokines and chemokines that are required for T cell proliferation and the immune response. We performed a pharmacophore-based virtual screening of ~5.5 million commercially available, "drug-like" compounds to identify nonpeptidic compounds that inhibited the CN-dependent activation of NFATc signaling and that could serve as potential drug candidates for immunosuppressive therapy. Of 32 compounds that mimicked the PxIxIT motif, 7 competed with NFATc for binding to CN in vitro without interfering with the phosphatase activity of CN. Furthermore, in activated human CD4(+) T cells, four of the seven compounds inhibited the expression of NFATc-dependent genes, cytokine production, and cell proliferation, suggesting that these may have therapeutic potential as immunosuppressive agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minos-Timotheos Matsoukas
- Laboratori de Medicina Computacional, Unitat de Bioestadística, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Álvaro Aranguren-Ibáñez
- Cellular Signalling Group, Laboratori de Genètica Molecular, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Teresa Lozano
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada - CIMA, Universidad de Navarra, IDISNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Navarra, Spain
| | - Virginia Nunes
- Laboratori de Genètica Molecular, IDIBELL, U-730, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), and Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques II, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, 08908 Hospitalet del Llobregat, Spain
| | - Juan José Lasarte
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada - CIMA, Universidad de Navarra, IDISNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Navarra, Spain
| | - Leonardo Pardo
- Laboratori de Medicina Computacional, Unitat de Bioestadística, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
| | - Mercè Pérez-Riba
- Cellular Signalling Group, Laboratori de Genètica Molecular, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
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Renauer P, Coit P, Sawalha AH. Epigenetics and Vasculitis: a Comprehensive Review. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2015; 50:357-66. [DOI: 10.1007/s12016-015-8495-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Martínez-Høyer S, Solé-Sánchez S, Aguado F, Martínez-Martínez S, Serrano-Candelas E, Hernández JL, Iglesias M, Redondo JM, Casanovas O, Messeguer R, Pérez-Riba M. A novel role for an RCAN3-derived peptide as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer. Carcinogenesis 2015; 36:792-9. [PMID: 25916653 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgv056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The members of the human regulators of calcineurin (RCAN) protein family are endogenous regulators of the calcineurin (CN)-cytosolic nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFATc) pathway activation. This function is explained by the presence of a highly conserved calcipressin inhibitor of calcineurin (CIC) motif in RCAN proteins, which has been shown to compete with NFATc for the binding to CN and therefore are able to inhibit NFATc dephosphorylation and activation by CN. Very recently, emerging roles for NFATc proteins in transformation, tumor angiogenesis and metastasis have been described in different cancer cell types. In this work, we report that the overexpression of RCAN3 dramatically inhibits tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis in an orthotopic human breast cancer model. We suggest that RCAN3 exerts these effects in a CN-dependent manner, as mutation of the CIC motif in RCAN3 abolishes the tumor suppressor effect. Moreover, the expression of the EGFP-R3(178-210) peptide, spanning the CIC motif of RCAN3, is able to reproduce all the antitumor effects of RCAN3 full-length protein. Finally, we show that RCAN3 and the EGFP-R3(178-210) peptide inhibit the CN-NFATc signaling pathway and the induction of the NFATc-dependent gene cyclooxygenase-2. Our work suggests that the EGFP-R3(178-210) peptide possess potent tumor suppressor properties and therefore constitutes a novel lead for the development of potent and specific antitumoral agents. Moreover, we propose the targeting of the CN-NFATc pathway in the tumor cells constitutes an effective way to hamper tumor progression by impairing the paracrine network among tumor, endothelial and polymorphonucleated cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Martínez-Høyer
- Cellular Signaling Unit, Human Molecular Genetics Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute - IDIBELL. L'Hospitalet de Llobregat 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sònia Solé-Sánchez
- Cellular Signaling Unit, Human Molecular Genetics Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute - IDIBELL. L'Hospitalet de Llobregat 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernando Aguado
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Martínez-Martínez
- Departamento de Biología Vascular e Inflamación, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Serrano-Candelas
- Cellular Signaling Unit, Human Molecular Genetics Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute - IDIBELL. L'Hospitalet de Llobregat 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Luis Hernández
- Biomed Division, LEITAT Technological Center, Parc Cientific de Barcelona, Edifici Hèlix, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mar Iglesias
- Department of Pathology, Hospital del Mar (Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques), Autonomous University of Barcelona 08004, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Miguel Redondo
- Departamento de Biología Vascular e Inflamación, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Oriol Casanovas
- Tumor Angiogenesis Group, Translational Research Laboratory, Catalan Institute of Oncology - Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute - IDIBELL. L'Hospitalet de Llobregat 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Messeguer
- Biomed Division, LEITAT Technological Center, Parc Cientific de Barcelona, Edifici Hèlix, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Pérez-Riba
- Cellular Signaling Unit, Human Molecular Genetics Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute - IDIBELL. L'Hospitalet de Llobregat 08908 Barcelona, Spain,
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Serrano-Candelas E, Alemán-Muench G, Solé-Sánchez S, Aubareda A, Martínez-Høyer S, Adán J, Aranguren-Ibáñez Á, Pritchard MA, Soldevila G, Pérez-Riba M. RCAN 1 and 3 proteins regulate thymic positive selection. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2015; 460:295-301. [PMID: 25783055 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Cooperation between calcineurin (CN)-NFATc and RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathways is essential in thymocyte positive selection. It is known that the Regulators of Calcineurin (RCAN) proteins can act either facilitating or suppressing CN-dependent signaling events. Here, we show that RCAN genes are expressed in lymphoid tissues, and address the role of RCAN proteins in T cell development. Overexpression of human RCAN3 and RCAN1 can modulate T cell development by increasing positive selection-related surface markers, as well as the "Erk(hi) competence state" in double positive thymocytes, a characteristic molecular signature of positive selection, without affecting CN activity. We also found that RCAN1/3 interact with RAF kinases and CN in a non-exclusive manner. Our data suggests that the balance of RCAN interactions with CN and/or RAF kinases may influence T cell positive selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Serrano-Candelas
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Cell Signaling Unit, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona 08908, Spain
| | - Germán Alemán-Muench
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México DF 04510, Mexico
| | - Sònia Solé-Sánchez
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Cell Signaling Unit, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona 08908, Spain
| | - Anna Aubareda
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Cell Signaling Unit, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona 08908, Spain
| | - Sergio Martínez-Høyer
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Cell Signaling Unit, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona 08908, Spain
| | - Jaume Adán
- LEITAT Technological Center, Biomed Divison, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Álvaro Aranguren-Ibáñez
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Cell Signaling Unit, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona 08908, Spain
| | - Melanie A Pritchard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Gloria Soldevila
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México DF 04510, Mexico.
| | - Mercè Pérez-Riba
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Cell Signaling Unit, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona 08908, Spain.
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Juvvadi PR, Ma Y, Richards AD, Soderblom EJ, Moseley MA, Lamoth F, Steinbach WJ. Identification and mutational analyses of phosphorylation sites of the calcineurin-binding protein CbpA and the identification of domains required for calcineurin binding in Aspergillus fumigatus. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:175. [PMID: 25821446 PMCID: PMC4358225 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcineurin is a key protein phosphatase required for hyphal growth and virulence in Aspergillus fumigatus, making it an attractive antifungal target. However, currently available calcineurin inhibitors, FK506 and cyclosporine A, are immunosuppressive, limiting usage in the treatment of patients with invasive aspergillosis. Therefore, the identification of endogenous inhibitors of calcineurin belonging to the calcipressin family is an important parallel strategy. We previously identified the gene cbpA as the A. fumigatus calcipressin member and showed its involvement in hyphal growth and calcium homeostasis. However, the mechanism of its activation/inhibition through phosphorylation and its interaction with calcineurin remains unknown. Here we show that A. fumigatus CbpA is phosphorylated at three distinct domains, including the conserved SP repeat motif (phosphorylated domain-I; PD-I), a filamentous fungal-specific domain (PD-II), and the C-terminal CIC motif (Calcipressin Inhibitor of Calcineurin; PD-III). While mutation of three phosphorylated residues (Ser208, Ser217, Ser223) in the PD-II did not affect CbpA function in vivo, mutation of the two phosphorylated serines (Ser156, Ser160) in the SP repeat motif caused reduced hyphal growth and sensitivity to oxidative stress. Mutational analysis in the key domains in calcineurin A (CnaA) and proteomic interaction studies confirmed the requirement of PxIxIT motif-binding residues (352-NIR-354) and the calcineurin B (CnaB)-binding helix residue (V371) for the binding of CbpA to CnaA. Additionally, while the calmodulin-binding residues (442-RVF-444) did not affect CbpA binding to CnaA, three mutations (T359P, H361L, and L365S) clustered between the CnaA catalytic and the CnaB-binding helix were also required for CbpA binding. This is the first study to analyze the phosphorylation status of calcipressin in filamentous fungi and identify the domains required for binding to calcineurin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen R Juvvadi
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Amber D Richards
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Erik J Soderblom
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - M Arthur Moseley
- Duke Proteomics and Metabolomics Core Facility, Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Durham, NC, USA
| | - Frédéric Lamoth
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC, USA ; Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital Lausanne, Switzerland ; Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - William J Steinbach
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC, USA ; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC, USA
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Ma Y, Jiang G, Wang Q, Sun Y, Zhao Y, Tong L, Luo J. Enzymatic and thermodynamic analysis of calcineurin inhibition by RCAN1. Int J Biol Macromol 2014; 72:254-60. [PMID: 25193101 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.08.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Revised: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Calcineurin (CN) is the target of the immunophilin-immunosuppressant complex, cyclophilin/cyclosporin A (CyP/CsA). RCAN1 has recently been shown to be an endogenous regulator of CN activity. We determined the enzymatic and thermodynamic aspects of CN inhibition by RCAN1. The IC50 values of isoforms RCAN1-1L and RCAN1-4 for CN were 2.7 μM and 2.6 μM, respectively. Two deletions in the CN catalytic subunit, one a deletion of Val314 in the Loop7 domain (ΔV314) and the other in the autoinhibitory domain (CNAabc), increased the sensitivity of CN to inhibition by RCAN1-1L. The IC50s of RCAN1-1L and RCAN1-4 for CN in homogenates of mouse brain were 141 nM and 100 nM, respectively. Using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), we found that the RCAN1-1L/CN or CyP/CsA/CN interactions were exothermic with a dissociation constant of 0.46 μM or 0.17 μM, respectively. Our ITC results show that the interactions between CN and its two inhibitors were both characterized by a favorable binding enthalpy change. We also confirmed that overexpression of RCAN1-1L could inhibit the transcriptional activation of an NFAT-dependent promoter in response to PMA and ionomycin by inhibiting CN activity in HEK293T cells. Our data should contribute to our understanding of the regulation of CN activity by endogenous inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yipeng Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Guohua Jiang
- Analytical and Testing Center, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Qianru Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yue Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yane Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Li Tong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, Beijing 100875, China.
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So JS, Kim GC, Song M, Lee CG, Park E, Kim HJ, Kim YS, Jun CD, Im SH. 6-Methoxyflavone inhibits NFAT translocation into the nucleus and suppresses T cell activation. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 193:2772-83. [PMID: 25114106 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
NFAT plays a crucial role in the immune system by regulating the transcription of inducible genes during immune responses. In T cells, NFAT proteins govern various cellular events related to T cell development, activation, tolerance induction, and differentiation. We previously reported the NFAT1-dependent enhancer activity of conserved noncoding sequence (CNS)-9, a distal cis-acting element, in the regulation of IL-10 transcription in T cells. In this study, we developed a T cell-based reporter system to identify compounds that modulate the regulatory activity of CNS-9. Among the identified candidates, 6-methoxyflavone (6-MF) significantly inhibited the enhancer activity of CNS-9, thereby reducing IL-10 expression in T cells without affecting cell viability. 6-MF also downregulated the transcription of NFAT1 target genes such as IL-4, IL-13, and IFN-γ. Treatment of 6-MF inhibited the translocation of NFAT1 into the nucleus, which consequently interrupted NFAT1 binding to the target loci, without affecting the expression or dephosphorylation of NFAT1. Treatment of 6-MF to CD4(+) T cells or B cells isolated from mice with atopic dermatitis significantly reduced disease-associated cytokine production, as well as the levels of IgE. In addition, oral administration of 6-MF to atopic dermatitis mice ameliorated disease symptoms by reducing serum IgE levels and infiltrating lymphocytes. Conclusively, our results suggest that 6-MF can be a potential candidate for the development of an effective immunomodulator via the suppression of NFAT-mediated T cell activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Seon So
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021
| | - Gi-Cheon Kim
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea; Academy of Immunology and Microbiology, Institute for Basic Science, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Minkyung Song
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea; Graduate Program in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021
| | - Choong-Gu Lee
- Academy of Immunology and Microbiology, Institute for Basic Science, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunbee Park
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea; Academy of Immunology and Microbiology, Institute for Basic Science, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Jin Kim
- National Cancer Center, Korea, Goyang 410-769, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Sup Kim
- Division of Drug Discovery Research, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 305-600, Republic of Korea; and
| | - Chang-Duk Jun
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea
| | - Sin-Hyeog Im
- Academy of Immunology and Microbiology, Institute for Basic Science, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea; Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
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Itakura M, Watanabe I, Sugaya T, Takahashi M. Direct association of the unique C-terminal tail of transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory protein γ-8 with calcineurin. FEBS J 2014; 281:1366-1378. [PMID: 24418105 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Revised: 12/15/2013] [Accepted: 12/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Transmembrane α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) receptor regulatory proteins (TARPs) are auxiliary subunits that regulate AMPA receptor trafficking to the plasma membrane and localization to postsynaptic sites. The classical TARP family consists of four members: stargazin/γ-2, γ-3, γ-4 and γ-8. The TARP γ-8 isoform, which is highly expressed in the hippocampus, has a unique, long C-terminal domain with five distinct regions: two glycine-rich regions, a serine/arginine-rich region, a proline/alanine (P/A) rich region, and a PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ) binding motif. We performed mass spectrometry and immunoprecipitation assays to identify specific binding partners for the γ-8 C-terminal tail and found that γ-8, but not stargazin/γ-2, co-immunoprecipitated with calcineurin/PP2B, a Ca(2+) /calmodulin-dependent Ser/Thr phosphatase. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analyses of lysates from COS-7 cells co-transfected with calcineurin and either wild type or chimeric γ-8 revealed that a section of the C-terminal tail (residues 356-421) can bind calcineurin. Futhermore, γ-8 lacking the P/A-rich region (residues 383-399) did not bind to calcineurin. In addition, the GST-γ-8 C-terminal tail (residues 353-414) fusion protein containing the P/A-rich region bound to purified calcineurin in a Ca(2+) /calmodulin-dependent manner, whereas GST-γ-8 with a deletion of the P/A-rich region did not. Peptide competition assays demonstrated that γ-8 may interact with the hydrophobic pocket defined by β-sheet 14 and/or adjacent regions of the catalytic A subunit of calcineurin. These results indicate that the γ-8 P/A-rich region is essential for binding calcineurin, suggesting that the γ-8/calcineurin complex may regulate AMPA receptor phosphorylation and trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Itakura
- Department of Biochemistry, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
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Serrano-Candelas E, Farré D, Aranguren-Ibáñez Á, Martínez-Høyer S, Pérez-Riba M. The vertebrate RCAN gene family: novel insights into evolution, structure and regulation. PLoS One 2014; 9:e85539. [PMID: 24465593 PMCID: PMC3896409 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently there has been much interest in the Regulators of Calcineurin (RCAN) proteins which are important endogenous modulators of the calcineurin-NFATc signalling pathway. They have been shown to have a crucial role in cellular programmes such as the immune response, muscle fibre remodelling and memory, but also in pathological processes such as cardiac hypertrophy and neurodegenerative diseases. In vertebrates, the RCAN family form a functional subfamily of three members RCAN1, RCAN2 and RCAN3 whereas only one RCAN is present in the rest of Eukarya. In addition, RCAN genes have been shown to collocate with RUNX and CLIC genes in ACD clusters (ACD21, ACD6 and ACD1). How the RCAN genes and their clustering in ACDs evolved is still unknown. After analysing RCAN gene family evolution using bioinformatic tools, we propose that the three RCAN vertebrate genes within the ACD clusters, which evolved from single copy genes present in invertebrates and lower eukaryotes, are the result of two rounds of whole genome duplication, followed by a segmental duplication. This evolutionary scenario involves the loss or gain of some RCAN genes during evolution. In addition, we have analysed RCAN gene structure and identified the existence of several characteristic features that can be involved in RCAN evolution and gene expression regulation. These included: several transposable elements, CpG islands in the 5′ region of the genes, the existence of antisense transcripts (NAT) associated with the three human genes, and considerable evidence for bidirectional promoters that regulate RCAN gene expression. Furthermore, we show that the CpG island associated with the RCAN3 gene promoter is unmethylated and transcriptionally active. All these results provide timely new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying RCAN function and a more in depth knowledge of this gene family whose members are obvious candidates for the development of future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Serrano-Candelas
- Cancer and Human Molecular Genetics Department, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute – IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Domènec Farré
- Biological Aggression and Response Mechanisms Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer – IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Álvaro Aranguren-Ibáñez
- Cancer and Human Molecular Genetics Department, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute – IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergio Martínez-Høyer
- Cancer and Human Molecular Genetics Department, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute – IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Pérez-Riba
- Cancer and Human Molecular Genetics Department, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute – IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Martínez-Høyer S, Aranguren-Ibáñez Á, García-García J, Serrano-Candelas E, Vilardell J, Nunes V, Aguado F, Oliva B, Itarte E, Pérez-Riba M. Protein kinase CK2-dependent phosphorylation of the human Regulators of Calcineurin reveals a novel mechanism regulating the calcineurin–NFATc signaling pathway. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2013; 1833:2311-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2013.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2012] [Revised: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Markopoulou A, Kyttaris VC. Small molecules in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Immunol 2013; 148:359-68. [PMID: 23158694 PMCID: PMC3587286 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2012.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2012] [Revised: 09/18/2012] [Accepted: 09/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Advances in the understanding of the cellular biological events that underlie systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have led to the identification of key molecules and signaling pathways that are aberrantly expressed. The parallel development of small molecule drugs that inhibit or interfere with the specific perturbations identified, offers perspective for more rational, effective and less toxic therapy. In this review, we present data from preclinical and clinical studies of such emerging novel therapies with a particular focus on kinase inhibitors and other compounds that modulate signal transduction. Moreover, we highlight the use of chromatin-modifying medications, bringing attention to the central role of epigenetics in SLE pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Markopoulou
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Sobrado M, Ramirez BG, Neria F, Lizasoain I, Arbones ML, Minami T, Redondo JM, Moro MA, Cano E. Regulator of calcineurin 1 (Rcan1) has a protective role in brain ischemia/reperfusion injury. J Neuroinflammation 2012; 9:48. [PMID: 22397398 PMCID: PMC3325863 DOI: 10.1186/1742-2094-9-48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2011] [Accepted: 03/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background An increase in intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]i is one of the first events to take place after brain ischemia. A key [Ca2+]i-regulated signaling molecule is the phosphatase calcineurin (CN), which plays important roles in the modulation of inflammatory cascades. Here, we have analyzed the role of endogenous regulator of CN 1 (Rcan1) in response to experimental ischemic stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Methods Animals were subjected to focal cerebral ischemia with reperfusion. To assess the role of Rcan1 after stroke, we measured infarct volume after 48 h of reperfusion in Rcan1 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. In vitro studies were performed in astrocyte-enriched cortical primary cultures subjected to 3% oxygen (hypoxia) and glucose deprivation (HGD). Adenoviral vectors were used to analyze the effect of overexpression of Rcan1-4 protein. Protein expression was examined by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting and expression of mRNA by quantitative real-time Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (real time qRT-PCR). Results Brain ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in vivo increased mRNA and protein expression of the calcium-inducible Rcan1 isoform (Rcan1-4). I/R-inducible expression of Rcan1 protein occurred mainly in astroglial cells, and in an in vitro model of ischemia, HGD treatment of primary murine astrocyte cultures induced Rcan1-4 mRNA and protein expression. Exogenous Rcan1-4 overexpression inhibited production of the inflammatory marker cyclo-oxygenase 2. Mice lacking Rcan1 had higher expression of inflammation associated genes, resulting in larger infarct volumes. Conclusions Our results support a protective role for Rcan1 during the inflammatory response to stroke, and underline the importance of the glial compartment in the inflammatory reaction that takes place after ischemia. Improved understanding of non-neuronal mechanisms in ischemic injury promises novel approaches to the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Sobrado
- Unidad de Investigación Neurovascular, Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Jung MS, Park JH, Ryu YS, Choi SH, Yoon SH, Kwen MY, Oh JY, Song WJ, Chung SH. Regulation of RCAN1 protein activity by Dyrk1A protein-mediated phosphorylation. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:40401-12. [PMID: 21965663 PMCID: PMC3220559 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.253971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2011] [Revised: 09/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Two genes on chromosome 21, namely dual specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (Dyrk1A) and regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1), have been implicated in some of the phenotypic characteristics of Down syndrome, including the early onset of Alzheimer disease. Although a link between Dyrk1A and RCAN1 and the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) pathway has been reported, it remains unclear whether Dyrk1A directly interacts with RCAN1. In the present study, Dyrk1A is shown to directly interact with and phosphorylate RCAN1 at Ser(112) and Thr(192) residues. Dyrk1A-mediated phosphorylation of RCAN1 at Ser(112) primes the protein for the GSK3β-mediated phosphorylation of Ser(108). Phosphorylation of RCAN1 at Thr(192) by Dyrk1A enhances the ability of RCAN1 to inhibit the phosphatase activity of calcineurin (Caln), leading to reduced NFAT transcriptional activity and enhanced Tau phosphorylation. These effects are mediated by the enhanced binding of RCAN1 to Caln and its extended half-life caused by Dyrk1A-mediated phosphorylation. Furthermore, an increased expression of phospho-Thr(192)-RCAN1 was observed in the brains of transgenic mice overexpressing the Dyrk1A protein. These results suggest a direct link between Dyrk1A and RCAN1 in the Caln-NFAT signaling and Tau hyperphosphorylation pathways, supporting the notion that the synergistic interaction between the chromosome 21 genes RCAN1 and Dyrk1A is associated with a variety of pathological features associated with DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Su Jung
- From the Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Institute for Brain Science and Technology, FIRST Research Group, Inje University, 633-146 Gaegeum-2-Dong, Busanjin-Gu, Busan 614-735, South Korea
| | - Jung-Hwa Park
- From the Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Institute for Brain Science and Technology, FIRST Research Group, Inje University, 633-146 Gaegeum-2-Dong, Busanjin-Gu, Busan 614-735, South Korea
| | - Young Shin Ryu
- From the Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Institute for Brain Science and Technology, FIRST Research Group, Inje University, 633-146 Gaegeum-2-Dong, Busanjin-Gu, Busan 614-735, South Korea
| | - Sun-Hee Choi
- From the Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Institute for Brain Science and Technology, FIRST Research Group, Inje University, 633-146 Gaegeum-2-Dong, Busanjin-Gu, Busan 614-735, South Korea
| | - Song-Hee Yoon
- From the Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Institute for Brain Science and Technology, FIRST Research Group, Inje University, 633-146 Gaegeum-2-Dong, Busanjin-Gu, Busan 614-735, South Korea
| | - Mi-Yang Kwen
- From the Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Institute for Brain Science and Technology, FIRST Research Group, Inje University, 633-146 Gaegeum-2-Dong, Busanjin-Gu, Busan 614-735, South Korea
| | - Ji Youn Oh
- From the Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Institute for Brain Science and Technology, FIRST Research Group, Inje University, 633-146 Gaegeum-2-Dong, Busanjin-Gu, Busan 614-735, South Korea
| | - Woo-Joo Song
- From the Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Institute for Brain Science and Technology, FIRST Research Group, Inje University, 633-146 Gaegeum-2-Dong, Busanjin-Gu, Busan 614-735, South Korea
| | - Sul-Hee Chung
- From the Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Institute for Brain Science and Technology, FIRST Research Group, Inje University, 633-146 Gaegeum-2-Dong, Busanjin-Gu, Busan 614-735, South Korea
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Kyttaris VC, Zhang Z, Kampagianni O, Tsokos GC. Calcium signaling in systemic lupus erythematosus T cells: a treatment target. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 63:2058-66. [PMID: 21437870 DOI: 10.1002/art.30353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) T cells display a hyperactive calcineurin/NF-AT pathway. The aim of this study was to determine whether this pathway is responsible for the aberrant SLE T cell function and to test the effectiveness of the recently recognized calcineurin inhibitor dipyridamole in limiting SLE-related pathology. METHODS T cells and mononuclear cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of SLE patients and healthy individuals. Murine cells were isolated from the spleens and lymph nodes of lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice and control MRL/MpJ mice. Cells were treated in vitro with tacrolimus, dipyridamole, or control. MRL/lpr mice were injected intraperitoneally with 50 mg/kg of dipyridamole 3 times a week for 3 weeks. RESULTS MRL/lpr T cells, especially CD3+CD4-CD8- cells, displayed a robust calcium influx upon activation and increased levels of NF-ATc1. MRL/lpr T cells (both CD4+ and CD3+CD4-CD8- cells) provided help to B cells to produce immunoglobulin in a calcineurin-dependent manner. Dipyridamole treatment of SLE T cells significantly inhibited CD154 expression, interferon-γ, interleukin-17 (IL-17), and IL-6 production, and T cell-dependent B cell immunoglobulin secretion. Treatment of MRL/lpr mice with dipyridamole alleviated lupus nephritis and prevented the appearance of skin ulcers. CONCLUSION NF-AT activation is a key step in the activation of SLE T cells and the production of immunoglobulin. Dipyridamole inhibits SLE T cell function and improves pathologic changes of the disease in lupus-prone mice. We propose that dipyridamole can be used in treatment regimens for patients with SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios C Kyttaris
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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Qi X, Nishida J, Chaves L, Ohmori K, Huang H. CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha) is critical for interleukin-4 expression in response to FcepsilonRI receptor cross-linking. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:16063-73. [PMID: 21454593 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.213389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Basophils mediate many of their biological functions by producing IL-4. However, it is unknown how the Il4 gene is regulated in basophils. Here, we report that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), a major myeloid transcription factor, was highly expressed in basophils. We show that C/EBPα selectively activated Il4 promoter-luciferase reporter gene transcription in response to IgE cross-linking, but C/EBPα did not activate other known Th2 or mast cell enhancers. We found that the PI3K pathway and calcineurin were essential in C/EBPα-driven Il4 promoter-luciferase gene transcription. Our mutation analyses revealed that C/EBPα drove Il4 promoter-luciferase activity depending on its DNA binding domain. Mutation of the C/EBPα-binding site in the Il4 promoter region abolished C/EBPα-driven Il4 promoter-luciferase activity. Our results further showed that a mutation in nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)-binding sites in the Il4 promoter also negated C/EBPα-driven Il4 promoter-luciferase activity. Our study demonstrates that C/EBPα, in cooperation with NFAT, directly regulates Il4 gene transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Qi
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado 80206, USA
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Zhou CL, Lu R, Lin G, Yao Z. The latest developments in synthetic peptides with immunoregulatory activities. Peptides 2011; 32:408-14. [PMID: 20979984 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2009] [Revised: 10/11/2010] [Accepted: 10/18/2010] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
In the past few years, many researches have provided us with much data demonstrating the abilities of synthetic peptides to impact immune response in vitro and in vivo. These peptides were designed according to the structure of some important protein molecules which play a key role in immune response, so they act with specific targets. The class I and II MHC-derived peptides inhibit the TCR recognition of antigen peptide-MHC complex. Rationally designed CD80 and CD154-binding peptides block the interaction between cell surface costimulatory molecules on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and T cells. Some peptides were designed to inhibit the activities of cell signal proteins, including JNK, NF-κB and NFAT. Some peptide antagonists competitively bind to important cytokines and inhibit their activities, such as TNF-α, TGF-β and IL-1β inhibitory peptides. Adhesion molecule ICAM-1 derived peptides block the T cell adhesion and activation. These immunoregulatory peptides showed therapeutic effect in several animal models, including collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), autoimmune cystitis model, murine skin transplant model and cardiac allograft model. These results give us important implications for the development of a novel therapy for immune mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-lei Zhou
- Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
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Li H, Rao A, Hogan PG. Interaction of calcineurin with substrates and targeting proteins. Trends Cell Biol 2011; 21:91-103. [PMID: 21115349 PMCID: PMC3244350 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2010.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 277] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2010] [Revised: 09/15/2010] [Accepted: 09/27/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Calcineurin is a calcium activated protein phosphatase with a major role in calcium signaling in diverse cells and organs and clinical importance as the target of the immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporin A and tacrolimus (FK506). Cell biology studies have focused mainly on the role of calcineurin in transcriptional signaling. Calcium entry in response to extracellular stimuli results in calcineurin activation, and signal transmission from the cytosol into the nucleus through dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation of the transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). This initiates a cascade of transcriptional events involved in physiological and developmental processes. Molecular analyses of the calcineurin-NFAT interaction have been extended recently to encompass the interaction of calcineurin with other substrates, targeting proteins and regulators of calcineurin activity. These studies have increased our understanding of how this essential calcium activated enzyme orchestrates intracellular events in cooperation with other signaling pathways, and have suggested a link between altered calcineurin signaling and the developmental anomalies of Down syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiming Li
- Immune Disease Institute and Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Carme Mulero M, Orzáez M, Messeguer J, Messeguer Á, Pérez-Payá E, Pérez-Riba M. A fluorescent polarization-based assay for the identification of disruptors of the RCAN1–calcineurin A protein complex. Anal Biochem 2010; 398:99-103. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2009.10.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2009] [Revised: 10/29/2009] [Accepted: 10/30/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Sieber M, Baumgrass R. Novel inhibitors of the calcineurin/NFATc hub - alternatives to CsA and FK506? Cell Commun Signal 2009; 7:25. [PMID: 19860902 PMCID: PMC2774854 DOI: 10.1186/1478-811x-7-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2009] [Accepted: 10/27/2009] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The drugs cyclosporine A (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK506) revolutionized organ transplantation. Both compounds are still widely used in the clinic as well as for basic research, even though they have dramatic side effects and modulate other pathways than calcineurin-NFATc, too. To answer the major open question - whether the adverse side effects are secondary to the actions of the drugs on the calcineurin-NFATc pathway - alternative inhibitors were developed. Ideal inhibitors should discriminate between the inhibition of (i) calcineurin and peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerases (PPIases; the matchmaker proteins of CsA and FK506), (ii) calcineurin and the other Ser/Thr protein phosphatases, and (iii) NFATc and other transcription factors. In this review we summarize the current knowledge about novel inhibitors, synthesized or identified in the last decades, and focus on their mode of action, specificity, and biological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Sieber
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, D-10117 Berlin, Germany.
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Elucidating the Candida albicans calcineurin signaling cascade controlling stress response and virulence. Fungal Genet Biol 2009; 47:107-16. [PMID: 19755168 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2009.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2009] [Revised: 08/31/2009] [Accepted: 09/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The protein phosphatase calcineurin is a key mediator of virulence and antifungal susceptibility of multiple fungal pathogens including Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus, and has clinical potential as a therapeutic target to increase the efficacy of the current antifungal armamentarium. Despite the importance of this signaling pathway, few components of the calcineurin-signaling pathway are known in C. albicans. Here we identified and analyzed additional components of the C. albicans calcineurin cascade, including the RCN1 (regulator of calcineurin1), MID1, and CCH1 genes, which mediate calcineurin functions in other species. When heterologously expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, C. albicans Rcn1 inhibited calcineurin function. Although rcn1/rcn1, mid1/mid1, and cch1/cch1 mutant strains share some phenotypes with calcineurin mutants, they do not completely recapitulate the phenotypes of a calcineurin mutant strain. These studies extend our understanding of the C. albicans calcineurin signaling cascade and its host-niche specific role in virulence.
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Regulator of calcineurin 1 modulates cancer cell migration in vitro. Clin Exp Metastasis 2009; 26:517-26. [PMID: 19306109 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-009-9251-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2009] [Accepted: 03/10/2009] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis suppressors and other regulators of cell motility play an important role in tumor invasion and metastases. We previously identified that activation of the G protein coupled receptor 54 (GPR54) by the metastasis suppressor metastin inhibits cell migration in association with overexpression of Regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1), an endogenous regulator of calcineurin. Calcineurin inhibitors also blocked cell migration in vitro and RCAN1 protein levels were reduced in nodal metastases in thyroid cancer. The purpose of the current study was to determine directly if RCAN1 functions as a motility suppressor in vitro. Several cancer cell lines derived from different cancer types with different motility rates were evaluated for RCAN1 expression levels. Using these systems we determined that reduction of endogenous RCAN1 using siRNA resulted in an increase in cancer cell motility while expression of exogenous RCAN1 reduced cell motility. In one cell line with a high migratory rate, the stability of exogenously expressed RCAN1 protein was reduced and was rescued by treatment with a proteasome inhibitor. Finally, overexpression of RCAN1 was associated with an increase in cell adhesion to collagen IV and reduced calcineurin activity. In summary, we have demonstrated that the expression of exogenous RCAN1 reduces migration and alters adhesion; and that the loss of endogenous RCAN1 leads to an increase in migration in the examined cancer cell lines. These results are consistent with a regulatory role for RCAN1 in cancer cell motility in vitro.
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