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Fontana CM, Terrin F, Facchinello N, Meneghetti G, Dinarello A, Gambarotto L, Zuccarotto A, Caichiolo M, Brocca G, Verin R, Nazio F, Carnevali O, Cecconi F, Bonaldo P, Dalla Valle L. Zebrafish ambra1b knockout reveals a novel role for Ambra1 in primordial germ cells survival, sex differentiation and reproduction. Biol Res 2023; 56:19. [PMID: 37106439 PMCID: PMC10142490 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-023-00430-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AMBRA1 is an intrinsically disordered protein, working as a scaffold molecule to coordinate, by protein-protein interaction, many cellular processes, including autophagy, mitophagy, apoptosis and cell cycle progression. The zebrafish genome contains two ambra1 paralogous genes (a and b), both involved in development and expressed at high levels in the gonads. Characterization of the zebrafish paralogous genes mutant lines generated by CRISPR/Cas9 approach showed that ambra1b knockout leads to an all-male population. RESULTS We demonstrated that the silencing of the ambra1b gene determines a reduction of primordial germ cells (PGCs), a condition that, in the zebrafish, leads to the development of all-male progeny. PGC reduction was confirmed by knockdown experiments and rescued by injection of ambra1b and human AMBRA1 mRNAs, but not ambra1a mRNA. Moreover, PGC loss was not rescued by injection with human AMBRA1 mRNA mutated in the CUL4-DDB1 binding region, thus suggesting that interaction with this complex is involved in PGC protection from loss. Results from zebrafish embryos injected with murine Stat3 mRNA and stat3 morpholino suggest that Ambra1b could indirectly regulate this protein through CUL4-DDB1 interaction. According to this, Ambra1+/- mice showed a reduced Stat3 expression in the ovary together with a low number of antral follicles and an increase of atretic follicles, indicating a function of Ambra1 in the ovary of mammals as well. Moreover, in agreement with the high expression of these genes in the testis and ovary, we found significant impairment of the reproductive process and pathological alterations, including tumors, mainly limited to the gonads. CONCLUSIONS By exploiting ambra1a and ambra1b knockout zebrafish lines, we prove the sub-functionalization between the two paralogous zebrafish genes and uncover a novel function of Ambra1 in the protection from excessive PGC loss, which seems to require binding with the CUL4-DDB1 complex. Both genes seem to play a role in the regulation of reproductive physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Maria Fontana
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | | | | | | | - Alberto Dinarello
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Denver, USA
| | - Lisa Gambarotto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Annalisa Zuccarotto
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Zoological Station Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Ginevra Brocca
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), University of Padova, Legnaro, PD, Italy
- Aquatic Diagnostic Services, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | - Ranieri Verin
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), University of Padova, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Francesca Nazio
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Oliana Carnevali
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Cecconi
- Cell Stress and Survival Unit, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonaldo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Mo C, Lin S, Li Z, Liu X, Ye S, Liang H, Ma H, Shen C, Fan W, Wang Y, Liu K, He Q. Qilong Capsule Alleviated MPTP-Induced Neuronal Defects by Inhibiting Apoptosis, Regulating Autophagy in Zebrafish Embryo Model. Chem Biodivers 2023; 20:e202200926. [PMID: 36661244 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202200926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Qilong capsule (QLC) originates from the famous "Buyang Huanwu decoction" prescription. It is representative of drugs used in China during recovery from stroke, but its neuroprotective mechanism of action remains obscure. HPLC was used to evaluate the similarity of 10 batches of QLC samples. Then we used a zebrafish model to study the neuroprotective effect of QLC. At 24 hpf, embryos were treated with QLC and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), and zebrafish were observed the neuronal length and the number of apoptotic cells in the brain at 72 hpf. At 120 hpf, we conduct zebrafish behavioural tests. We then also used qPCR to detect the expression of genes related to autophagy and apoptosis. The results showed that QLC significantly reduced the damage of dopaminergic neurons, the number of apoptotic cells in the brain, and alleviated motor disturbances induced by MPTP. We found that the mechanism of QLC activity involved decreased neuron cell death by inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis and autophagy, promoting autophagy, degradation of alpha-synuclein, and neuron cell growth, and rescuing the function of neurons damaged by MPTP. The results indicated that QLC protected against MPTP-induced neuron injury and provided pharmacological evidence for clinical use of QLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cailian Mo
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jingshidong Road No. 28789, Licheng District, Jinan, 250103, Shandong, China
| | - Shenghua Lin
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jingshidong Road No. 28789, Licheng District, Jinan, 250103, Shandong, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Shandong Jining Huaneng Pharmaceutical Factory, 272000, Jining, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jingshidong Road No. 28789, Licheng District, Jinan, 250103, Shandong, China
| | - Suyan Ye
- Shandong Jining Huaneng Pharmaceutical Factory, 272000, Jining, China
| | - Huiliang Liang
- Shandong Jining Huaneng Pharmaceutical Factory, 272000, Jining, China
| | - Honglin Ma
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jingshidong Road No. 28789, Licheng District, Jinan, 250103, Shandong, China
| | - Chuanlin Shen
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jingshidong Road No. 28789, Licheng District, Jinan, 250103, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Fan
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jingshidong Road No. 28789, Licheng District, Jinan, 250103, Shandong, China
| | - Yuying Wang
- Shandong Jining Huaneng Pharmaceutical Factory, 272000, Jining, China
| | - Kechun Liu
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jingshidong Road No. 28789, Licheng District, Jinan, 250103, Shandong, China
| | - Qiuxia He
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jingshidong Road No. 28789, Licheng District, Jinan, 250103, Shandong, China
- Science and technology service platform, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), 250353, Jinan, China
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Wang Y, Ren Y, Ning X, Li G, Sang N. Environmental exposure to triazole fungicide causes left-right asymmetry defects and contributes to abnormal heart development in zebrafish embryos by activating PPARγ-coupled Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 859:160286. [PMID: 36403845 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Triazole fungicides have been widely used all over the world. However, their potential ecological safety and health risks remain unclear, especially their cardiac developmental toxicity. This study systematically investigated whether and how triazole fungicides could activate peroxisome proliferative activity receptor γ (PPARγ) to cause abnormal heart development. Among ten triazole fungicides, difenoconazole (DIF) exhibited the strongest agonistic activity and caused severe pericardial edema in zebrafish embryos, accompanied by a reduction in heart rate, blood flow and cardiac function. In vitro transcriptomic profile implicated that DIF inhibited the Wnt signaling pathway, and in vivo DIF exposure significantly increased the phosphorylation of β-catenin (p = 0.0002) and altered the expression of related genes in zebrafish embryos. Importantly, exposure to DIF could activate PPARγ and inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which changed the size of Kupffer's vesicle (KV) (p = 0.02), altered the expression of left-right (LR) asymmetry-related genes, caused cardiac LR asymmetry defect, and eventually led to abnormal heart development. These findings provide evidence for potential developmental toxicity of triazole fungicides and highlight the necessity of assessing their ecological safety and human health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, PR China
| | - Ying Ren
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, PR China
| | - Xia Ning
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, PR China
| | - Guangke Li
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, PR China.
| | - Nan Sang
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, PR China
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Gambarotto L, Metti S, Chrisam M, Cerqua C, Sabatelli P, Armani A, Zanon C, Spizzotin M, Castagnaro S, Strappazzon F, Grumati P, Cescon M, Braghetta P, Trevisson E, Cecconi F, Bonaldo P. Ambra1 deficiency impairs mitophagy in skeletal muscle. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2022; 13:2211-2224. [PMID: 35593053 PMCID: PMC9434724 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.13010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maintaining healthy mitochondria is mandatory for muscle viability and function. An essential surveillance mechanism targeting defective and harmful mitochondria to degradation is the selective form of autophagy called mitophagy. Ambra1 is a multifaceted protein with well-known autophagic and mitophagic functions. However, the study of its role in adult tissues has been extremely limited due to the embryonic lethality caused by full-body Ambra1 deficiency. METHODS To establish the role of Ambra1 as a positive regulator of mitophagy, we exploited in vivo overexpression of a mitochondria-targeted form of Ambra1 in skeletal muscle. To dissect the consequence of Ambra1 inactivation in skeletal muscle, we generated muscle-specific Ambra1 knockout (Ambra1fl/fl :Mlc1f-Cre) mice. Mitochondria-enriched fractions were obtained from muscles of fed and starved animals to investigate the dynamics of the mitophagic flux. RESULTS Our data show that Ambra1 has a critical role in the mitophagic flux of adult murine skeletal muscle and that its genetic inactivation leads to mitochondria alterations and myofibre remodelling. Ambra1 overexpression in wild-type muscles is sufficient to enhance mitochondria clearance through the autophagy-lysosome system. Consistently with this, Ambra1-deficient muscles display an abnormal accumulation of the mitochondrial marker TOMM20 by +76% (n = 6-7; P < 0.05), a higher presence of myofibres with swollen mitochondria by +173% (n = 4; P < 0.05), and an alteration in the maintenance of the mitochondrial membrane potential and a 34% reduction in the mitochondrial respiratory complex I activity (n = 4; P < 0.05). Lack of Ambra1 in skeletal muscle leads to impaired mitophagic flux, without affecting the bulk autophagic process. This is due to a significantly decreased recruitment of DRP1 (n = 6-7 mice; P < 0.01) and Parkin (n = 6-7 mice; P < 0.05) to the mitochondrial compartment, when compared with controls. Ambra1-deficient muscles also show a marked dysregulation of the endolysosome compartment, as the incidence of myofibres with lysosomal accumulation is 20 times higher than wild-type muscles (n = 4; P < 0.05). Histologically, Ambra1-deficient muscles of both 3- and 6-month-old animals display a significant decrease of myofibre cross-sectional area and a 52% reduction in oxidative fibres (n = 6-7; P < 0.05), thus highlighting a role for Ambra1 in the proper structure and activity of skeletal muscle. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that Ambra1 is critical for skeletal muscle mitophagy and for the proper maintenance of functional mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Gambarotto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Samuele Metti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Martina Chrisam
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Cristina Cerqua
- Institute of Pediatric Research IRP, Fondazione Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Patrizia Sabatelli
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy.,CNR - Institute of Molecular Genetics "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Unit of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Armani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata, VIMM, Padova, Italy
| | - Carlo Zanon
- Institute of Pediatric Research IRP, Fondazione Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Castagnaro
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Flavie Strappazzon
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Institut NeuroMyogène, CNRS UMR5261 - INSERM U1315, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Paolo Grumati
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Matilde Cescon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Paola Braghetta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Eva Trevisson
- Institute of Pediatric Research IRP, Fondazione Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy.,Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Bonaldo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Sergienko NM, Donner DG, Delbridge LMD, McMullen JR, Weeks KL. Protein phosphatase 2A in the healthy and failing heart: New insights and therapeutic opportunities. Cell Signal 2021; 91:110213. [PMID: 34902541 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Protein phosphatases have emerged as critical regulators of phosphoprotein homeostasis in settings of health and disease. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) encompasses a large subfamily of enzymes that remove phosphate groups from serine/threonine residues within phosphoproteins. The heterogeneity in PP2A structure, which arises from the grouping of different catalytic, scaffolding and regulatory subunit isoforms, creates distinct populations of catalytically active enzymes (i.e. holoenzymes) that localise to different parts of the cell. This structural complexity, combined with other regulatory mechanisms, such as interaction of PP2A heterotrimers with accessory proteins and post-translational modification of the catalytic and/or regulatory subunits, enables PP2A holoenzymes to target phosphoprotein substrates in a highly specific manner. In this review, we summarise the roles of PP2A in cardiac physiology and disease. PP2A modulates numerous processes that are vital for heart function including calcium handling, contractility, β-adrenergic signalling, metabolism and transcription. Dysregulation of PP2A has been observed in human cardiac disease settings, including heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Efforts are underway, particularly in the cancer field, to develop therapeutics targeting PP2A activity. The development of small molecule activators of PP2A (SMAPs) and other compounds that selectively target specific PP2A holoenzymes (e.g. PP2A/B56α and PP2A/B56ε) will improve understanding of the function of different PP2A species in the heart, and may lead to the development of therapeutics for normalising aberrant protein phosphorylation in settings of cardiac remodelling and dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola M Sergienko
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Daniel G Donner
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia; Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Lea M D Delbridge
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Julie R McMullen
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia; Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Physiology and Department of Medicine Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Clayton VIC 3800, Australia; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora VIC 3086, Australia; Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - Kate L Weeks
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia; Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton VIC 3800, Australia.
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Blondelle J, Biju A, Lange S. The Role of Cullin-RING Ligases in Striated Muscle Development, Function, and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7936. [PMID: 33114658 PMCID: PMC7672578 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21217936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The well-orchestrated turnover of proteins in cross-striated muscles is one of the fundamental processes required for muscle cell function and survival. Dysfunction of the intricate protein degradation machinery is often associated with development of cardiac and skeletal muscle myopathies. Most muscle proteins are degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). The UPS involves a number of enzymes, including E3-ligases, which tightly control which protein substrates are marked for degradation by the proteasome. Recent data reveal that E3-ligases of the cullin family play more diverse and crucial roles in cross striated muscles than previously anticipated. This review highlights some of the findings on the multifaceted functions of cullin-RING E3-ligases, their substrate adapters, muscle protein substrates, and regulatory proteins, such as the Cop9 signalosome, for the development of cross striated muscles, and their roles in the etiology of myopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Blondelle
- Department of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Andrea Biju
- Department of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Stephan Lange
- Department of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
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