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Lim D, Tapella L, Dematteis G, Talmon M, Genazzani AA. Calcineurin Signalling in Astrocytes: From Pathology to Physiology and Control of Neuronal Functions. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:1077-1090. [PMID: 36083398 PMCID: PMC10030417 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03744-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Calcineurin (CaN), a Ca2+/calmodulin-activated serine/threonine phosphatase, acts as a Ca2+-sensitive switch regulating cellular functions through protein dephosphorylation and activation of gene transcription. In astrocytes, the principal homeostatic cells in the CNS, over-activation of CaN is known to drive pathological transcriptional remodelling, associated with neuroinflammation in diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy and brain trauma. Recent reports suggest that, in physiological conditions, the activity of CaN in astrocytes is transcription-independent and is required for maintenance of basal protein synthesis rate and activation of astrocytic Na+/K+ pump thereby contributing to neuronal functions such as neuronal excitability and memory formation. In this contribution we overview the role of Ca2+ and CaN signalling in astroglial pathophysiology focusing on the emerging physiological role of CaN in astrocytes. We propose a model for the context-dependent switch of CaN activity from the post-transcriptional regulation of cell proteostasis in healthy astrocytes to the CaN-dependent transcriptional activation in neuroinflammation-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Lim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "Amedeo Avogadro", Via Bovio 6, 28100, Novara, Italy.
| | - Laura Tapella
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "Amedeo Avogadro", Via Bovio 6, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Giulia Dematteis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "Amedeo Avogadro", Via Bovio 6, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Maria Talmon
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale "Amedeo Avogadro", Via Solaroli 17, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Armando A Genazzani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "Amedeo Avogadro", Via Bovio 6, 28100, Novara, Italy.
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2
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Ross A, Sauce-Guevara MA, Alarcon EI, Mendez-Rojas MA. Peptide Biomaterials for Tissue Regeneration. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:893936. [PMID: 35992354 PMCID: PMC9388858 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.893936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Expanding the toolbox of therapeutic materials for soft tissue and organ repair has become a critical component of tissue engineering. While animal- and plant-derived proteins are the foundation for developing biomimetic tissue constructs, using peptides as either constituents or frameworks for the materials has gained increasing momentum in recent years. This mini review discusses recent advances in peptide-based biomaterials’ design and application. We also discuss some of the future challenges posed and opportunities opened by peptide-based structures in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Ross
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mildred A. Sauce-Guevara
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Universidad de Las Américas Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Emilio I. Alarcon
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Emilio I. Alarcon, ; Miguel A. Mendez-Rojas,
| | - Miguel A. Mendez-Rojas
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Universidad de Las Américas Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Emilio I. Alarcon, ; Miguel A. Mendez-Rojas,
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3
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Kaminska J, Soczewka P, Rzepnikowska W, Zoladek T. Yeast as a Model to Find New Drugs and Drug Targets for VPS13-Dependent Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095106. [PMID: 35563497 PMCID: PMC9104724 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in human VPS13A-D genes result in rare neurological diseases, including chorea-acanthocytosis. The pathogenesis of these diseases is poorly understood, and no effective treatment is available. As VPS13 genes are evolutionarily conserved, the effects of the pathogenic mutations could be studied in model organisms, including yeast, where one VPS13 gene is present. In this review, we summarize advancements obtained using yeast. In recent studies, vps13Δ and vps13-I2749 yeast mutants, which are models of chorea-acanthocytosis, were used to screen for multicopy and chemical suppressors. Two of the suppressors, a fragment of the MYO3 and RCN2 genes, act by downregulating calcineurin activity. In addition, vps13Δ suppression was achieved by using calcineurin inhibitors. The other group of multicopy suppressors were genes: FET4, encoding iron transporter, and CTR1, CTR3 and CCC2, encoding copper transporters. Mechanisms of their suppression rely on causing an increase in the intracellular iron content. Moreover, among the identified chemical suppressors were copper ionophores, which require a functional iron uptake system for activity, and flavonoids, which bind iron. These findings point at areas for further investigation in a higher eukaryotic model of VPS13-related diseases and to new therapeutic targets: calcium signalling and copper and iron homeostasis. Furthermore, the identified drugs are interesting candidates for drug repurposing for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kaminska
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (J.K.); (P.S.)
| | - Piotr Soczewka
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (J.K.); (P.S.)
| | - Weronika Rzepnikowska
- Neuromuscular Unit, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Teresa Zoladek
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (J.K.); (P.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Wang P, Li W, Yang Y, Cheng N, Zhang Y, Zhang N, Yin Y, Tong L, Li Z, Luo J. A polypeptide inhibitor of calcineurin blocks the calcineurin-NFAT signalling pathway in vivo and in vitro. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2021; 37:202-210. [PMID: 34894973 PMCID: PMC8667882 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2021.1998024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcineurin (CN) controls the immune response by regulating nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). Inhibition of CN function is an effective treatment for immune diseases. The PVIVIT peptide is an artificial peptide based on the NFAT-PxIxIT motif, which exhibits stronger binding to CN. A bioactive peptide (named pep4) that inhibits the CN/NFAT interaction was designed. Pep4 contains a segment of A238L as the linker and the LxVP motif and PVIVIT motif as CN binding sites. Pep4 has strong binding capacity to CN and inhibits CN activity competitively. 11-arginine-modified pep4 (11 R-pep4) inhibits the nuclear translocation of NFAT and reduces the expression of IL-2. 11 R-pep4 improves the pathological characteristics of asthmatic mice to a certain extent. The above results indicated that pep4 is a high-affinity CN inhibitor. These findings will contribute to the discovery of new CN inhibitors and promising immunosuppressive drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 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, 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, China
| | - Na Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 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, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 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, 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, China
| | - Zhimei Li
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, 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, China
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Ellert-Miklaszewska A, Szymczyk A, Poleszak K, Kaminska B. Delivery of the VIVIT Peptide to Human Glioma Cells to Interfere with Calcineurin-NFAT Signaling. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26164785. [PMID: 34443374 PMCID: PMC8400789 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26164785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The activation of NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) transcription factors by calcium-dependent phosphatase calcineurin is a key step in controlling T cell activation and plays a vital role during carcinogenesis. NFATs are overexpressed in many cancers, including the most common primary brain tumor, gliomas. In the present study, we demonstrate the expression of NFATs and NFAT-driven transcription in several human glioma cells. We used a VIVIT peptide for interference in calcineurin binding to NFAT via a conserved PxIxIT motif. VIVIT was expressed as a fusion protein with a green fluorescent protein (VIVIT-GFP) or conjugated to cell-penetrating peptides (CPP), Sim-2 or 11R. We analyzed the NFAT expression, phosphorylation, subcellular localization and their transcriptional activity in cells treated with peptides. Overexpression of VIVIT-GFP decreased the NFAT-driven activity and inhibited the transcription of endogenous NFAT-target genes. These effects were not reproduced with synthetic peptides: Sim2-VIVIT did not show any activity, and 11R-VIVIT did not inhibit NFAT signaling in glioma cells. The presence of two calcineurin docking sites in NFATc3 might require dual-specificity blocking peptides. The cell-penetrating peptides Sim-2 or 11R linked to VIVIT did not improve its action making it unsuitable for evaluating NFAT dependent events in glioma cells with high expression of NFATc3.
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Duque Escobar J, Kutschenko A, Schröder S, Blume R, Köster KA, Painer C, Lemcke T, Maison W, Oetjen E. Regulation of dual leucine zipper kinase activity through its interaction with calcineurin. Cell Signal 2021; 82:109953. [PMID: 33600948 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.109953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Hyperglycemia enhancing the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to dysfunction and progressive loss of beta cells and thereby to diabetes mellitus. The oxidation sensitive calcium/calmodulin dependent phosphatase calcineurin promotes pancreatic beta cell function and survival whereas the dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) induces apoptosis. Therefore, it was studied whether calcineurin interferes with DLK action. In a beta cell line similar concentrations of H2O2 decreased calcineurin activity and activated DLK. DLK interacted via its φLxVP motif (aa 362-365) with the interface of the calcineurin subunits A and B. Mutation of the Val prevented this protein protein interaction, hinting at a distinct φLxVP motif. Indeed, mutational analysis revealed an ordered structure of DLK's φLxVP motif whereby Val mediates the interaction with calcineurin and Leu maintains an enzymatically active conformation. Overexpression of DLK wild-type but not the DLK mutant unable to bind calcineurin diminished calcineurin-induced nuclear localisation of the nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT), suggesting that both, DLK and NFAT compete for the substrate binding site of calcineurin. The calcineurin binding-deficient DLK mutant exhibited increased DLK activity measured as phosphorylation of the downstream c-Jun N-terminal kinase, inhibition of CRE-dependent gene transcription and induction of apoptosis. These findings show that calcineurin interacts with DLK; and inhibition of calcineurin increases DLK activity. Hence, this study demonstrates a novel mechanism regulating DLK action. These findings suggest that ROS through inhibition of calcineurin enhance DLK activity and thereby lead to beta cell dysfunction and loss and ultimately diabetes mellitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Duque Escobar
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; DZHK Standort Hamburg, Kiel, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Anna Kutschenko
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37099 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sabine Schröder
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Roland Blume
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37099 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kyra-Alexandra Köster
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; DZHK Standort Hamburg, Kiel, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christina Painer
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Hamburg, Bundesstr. 45, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Lemcke
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Hamburg, Bundesstr. 45, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Maison
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Hamburg, Bundesstr. 45, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elke Oetjen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; DZHK Standort Hamburg, Kiel, Lübeck, Germany; Department of Pharmacology, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37099 Göttingen, Germany; Institute of Pharmacy, University of Hamburg, Bundesstr. 45, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
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7
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Wardaszka P, Soczewka P, Sienko M, Zoladek T, Kaminska J. Partial Inhibition of Calcineurin Activity by Rcn2 as a Potential Remedy for Vps13 Deficiency. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031193. [PMID: 33530471 PMCID: PMC7865597 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of calcineurin, a Ca2+/calmodulin-regulated phosphatase, is important for the nervous system, and its abnormal activity is associated with various pathologies, including neurodegenerative disorders. In yeast cells lacking the VPS13 gene (vps13Δ), a model of VPS13-linked neurological diseases, we recently demonstrated that calcineurin is activated, and its downregulation reduces the negative effects associated with vps13Δ mutation. Here, we show that overexpression of the RCN2 gene, which encodes a negative regulator of calcineurin, is beneficial for vps13Δ cells. We studied the molecular mechanism underlying this effect through site-directed mutagenesis of RCN2. The interaction of the resulting Rcn2 variants with a MAPK kinase, Slt2, and subunits of calcineurin was tested. We show that Rcn2 binds preferentially to Cmp2, one of two alternative catalytic subunits of calcineurin, and partially inhibits calcineurin. Rcn2 ability to bind to and reduce the activity of calcineurin was important for the suppression. The binding of Rcn2 to Cmp2 requires two motifs in Rcn2: the previously characterized C-terminal motif and a new N-terminal motif that was discovered in this study. Altogether, our findings can help to better understand calcineurin regulation and to develop new therapeutic strategies against neurodegenerative diseases based on modulation of the activity of selected calcineurin isoforms.
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Omar MH, Scott JD. AKAP Signaling Islands: Venues for Precision Pharmacology. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2020; 41:933-946. [PMID: 33082006 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2020.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory enzymes often have different roles in distinct subcellular compartments. Yet, most drugs indiscriminately saturate the cell. Thus, subcellular drug-delivery holds promise as a means to reduce off-target pharmacological effects. A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) sequester combinations of signaling enzymes within subcellular microdomains. Targeting drugs to these 'signaling islands' offers an opportunity for more precise delivery of therapeutics. Here, we review mechanisms that bestow protein kinase A (PKA) versatility inside the cell, appraise recent advances in exploiting AKAPs as platforms for precision pharmacology, and explore the impact of methodological innovations on AKAP research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell H Omar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - John D Scott
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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Abstract
The serine/threonine phosphatase calcineurin acts as a crucial connection between calcium signaling the phosphorylation states of numerous important substrates. These substrates include, but are not limited to, transcription factors, receptors and channels, proteins associated with mitochondria, and proteins associated with microtubules. Calcineurin is activated by increases in intracellular calcium concentrations, a process that requires the calcium sensing protein calmodulin binding to an intrinsically disordered regulatory domain in the phosphatase. Despite having been studied for around four decades, the activation of calcineurin is not fully understood. This review largely focuses on what is known about the activation process and highlights aspects that are currently not understood. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor P Creamer
- Center for Structural Biology, Department of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry, 741 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA.
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