Conserved actin cysteine residues are oxidative stress sensors that can regulate cell death in yeast

Redox signaling in cell fate: Beyond damage

This review explores the nuanced role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cell fate, challenging the traditional view that equates ROS with cellular damage. Through significant technological advancements in detecting localized redox states and identifying oxidized cysteines, a paradigm shift has emerged: from ROS as merely damaging agents to crucial players in redox signaling. We delve into the intricacies of redox mechanisms, which, although confined, exert profound influences on cellular physiological responses. Our analysis extends to both the positive and negative impacts of these mechanisms on cell death processes, including uncontrolled and programmed pathways. By unraveling these complex interactions, we argue against the oversimplified notion of a 'stress response', advocating for a more nuanced understanding of redox signaling. This review underscores the importance of localized redox states in determining cell fate, highlighting the sophistication and subtlety of ROS functions beyond mere damage.

Actin dynamics in protein homeostasis

Cell homeostasis is maintained in all organisms by the constant adjustment of cell constituents and organisation to account for environmental context. Fine-tuning of the optimal balance of proteins for the conditions, or protein homeostasis, is critical to maintaining cell homeostasis. Actin, a major constituent of the cytoskeleton, forms many different structures which are acutely sensitive to the cell environment. Furthermore, actin structures interact with and are critically important for the function and regulation of multiple factors involved with mRNA and protein production and degradation, and protein regulation. Altogether, actin is a key, if often overlooked, regulator of protein homeostasis across eukaryotes. In this review, we highlight these roles and how they are altered following cell stress, from mRNA transcription to protein degradation.

Identifying conserved polychaete molecular markers of metal exposure: Comparative analyses using the Alitta virens (Annelida, Lophotrochozoa) transcriptome

Polychaetes are vital for evaluating the effects of toxic metals in marine systems, and sensitive molecular biomarkers should be integral to monitoring efforts. However, the few polychaete markers that exist are inconsistent, even within the same species, failing to identify gene expression changes in metal-exposed animals incurring clear metabolic costs. Comparing previously characterised polychaete metal-responsive genes with those of another carefully selected species could identify biomarkers applicable across polychaetes. The ragworm Alitta virens (Sars, 1835) is particularly suited for such comparisons due to its dominance of fully saline coastal areas, widespread distribution, large biomass, and its phylogenetic position relative to other polychaete 'omic' resources. A transcriptome atlas for A. virens was generated and an RNASeq-qPCR screening approach was used to characterise the response to chronic exposures of environmentally relevant concentrations of copper and zinc in controlled mesocosms. Genes presenting dramatic expression changes in A. virens were compared with known metal-responsive genes in other polychaetes to identify new possible biomarkers and assess those currently used. This revealed some current markers should probably be abandoned (e.g. Atox1), while others, such as GST-Omega, should be used with caution, as different polychaete species appear to upregulate distinct GST-Omega orthologues. In addition, the comparisons give some indication of genes that are induced by metal exposure across phylogenetically divergent polychaetes, including a suite of haemoglobin subunits and linker chains that could play conserved roles in metal-stress response. Although such newly identified markers need further characterisation, they offer alternatives to current markers that are plainly insufficient.

Self-Incompatibility Triggers Irreversible Oxidative Modification of Proteins in Incompatible Pollen

Self-incompatibility (SI) is used by many angiosperms to prevent self-fertilization and inbreeding. In common poppy (Papaver rhoeas), interaction of cognate pollen and pistil S-determinants triggers programmed cell death (PCD) of incompatible pollen. We previously identified that reactive oxygen species (ROS) signal to SI-PCD. ROS-induced oxidative posttranslational modifications (oxPTMs) can regulate protein structure and function. Here, we have identified and mapped oxPTMs triggered by SI in incompatible pollen. Notably, SI-induced pollen had numerous irreversible oxidative modifications, while untreated pollen had virtually none. Our data provide a valuable analysis of the protein targets of ROS in the context of SI-induction and comprise a benchmark because currently there are few reports of irreversible oxPTMs in plants. Strikingly, cytoskeletal proteins and enzymes involved in energy metabolism are a prominent target of ROS. Oxidative modifications to a phosphomimic form of a pyrophosphatase result in a reduction of its activity. Therefore, our results demonstrate irreversible oxidation of pollen proteins during SI and provide evidence that this modification can affect protein function. We suggest that this reduction in cellular activity could lead to PCD.

Serine catabolism produces ROS, sensitizes cells to actin dysfunction, and suppresses cell growth in fission yeast

Serine is an essential component in organisms as a building block of biomolecules, a precursor of metabolites, an allosteric regulator of an enzyme, etc. This amino acid is thought to be a key metabolite in human diseases including cancers and infectious diseases. To understand the consequence of serine catabolism, we screened natural products to identify a fungal metabolite chaetoglobosin D (ChD) as a specific inhibitor of fission yeast cell growth when cultivated with serine as a sole nitrogen source. ChD targets actin, and actin mutant cells showed severe growth defect on serine medium. ROS accumulated in cells when cultivated in serine medium, while actin mutant cells showed increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. ROS production is a new aspect of serine metabolism, which might be involved in disease progression, and actin could be the drug target for curing serine-dependent symptoms.

Cardioprotective effects of α-cardiac actin on oxidative stress in a dilated cardiomyopathy mouse model

The expression of α-cardiac actin, a major constituent of the cytoskeleton of cardiomyocytes, is dramatically decreased in a mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy triggered by inducible cardiac-specific serum response factor (Srf) gene disruption that could mimic some forms of human dilated cardiomyopathy. To investigate the consequences of the maintenance of α-cardiac actin expression in this model, we developed a new transgenic mouse based on Cre/LoxP strategy, allowing together the induction of SRF loss and a compensatory expression of α-cardiac actin. Here, we report that maintenance of α-cardiac actin within cardiomyocytes temporally preserved cytoarchitecture from adverse cardiac remodeling through a positive impact on both structural and transcriptional levels. These protective effects were accompanied in vivo by the decrease of ROS generation and protein carbonylation and the downregulation of NADPH oxidases NOX2 and NOX4. We also show that ectopic expression of α-cardiac actin protects HEK293 cells against oxidative stress induced by H₂ O₂ . Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of cardiac remodeling and contributes also to the pathogenesis of heart failure. Taken together, these findings indicate that α-cardiac actin could be involved in the regulation of oxidative stress that is a leading cause of adverse remodeling during dilated cardiomyopathy development.

Glutaredoxin1 Diminishes Amyloid Beta-Mediated Oxidation of F-Actin and Reverses Cognitive Deficits in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model

Aims: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis through multiple sources are implicated in synaptic pathology observed in the disease. We have previously shown F-actin disassembly in dendritic spines in early AD (34). The actin cytoskeleton can be oxidatively modified resulting in altered F-actin dynamics. Therefore, we investigated whether disruption of redox signaling could contribute to actin network disassembly and downstream effects in the amyloid precursor protein/presenilin-1 double transgenic (APP/PS1) mouse model of AD. Results: Synaptosomal preparations from 1-month-old APP/PS1 mice showed an increase in ROS levels, coupled with a decrease in the reduced form of F-actin and increase in glutathionylated synaptosomal actin. Furthermore, synaptic glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1) and thioredoxin levels were found to be lowered. Overexpressing Grx1 in the brains of these mice not only reversed F-actin loss seen in APP/PS1 mice but also restored memory recall after contextual fear conditioning. F-actin levels and F-actin nanoarchitecture in spines were also stabilized by Grx1 overexpression in APP/PS1 primary cortical neurons, indicating that glutathionylation of F-actin is a critical event in early pathogenesis of AD, which leads to spine loss. Innovation: Loss of thiol/disulfide oxidoreductases in the synapse along with increase in ROS can render F-actin nanoarchitecture susceptible to oxidative modifications in AD. Conclusions: Our findings provide novel evidence that altered redox signaling in the form of S-glutathionylation and reduced Grx1 levels can lead to synaptic dysfunction during AD pathogenesis by directly disrupting the F-actin nanoarchitecture in spines. Increasing Grx1 levels is a potential target for novel disease-modifying therapies for AD.

Natural allelic variations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae impact stuck fermentation due to the combined effect of ethanol and temperature; a QTL-mapping study

BACKGROUND

Fermentation completion is a major prerequisite in many industrial processes involving the bakery yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Stuck fermentations can be due to the combination of many environmental stresses. Among them, high temperature and ethanol content are particularly deleterious especially in bioethanol and red wine production. Although the genetic causes of temperature and/or ethanol tolerance were widely investigated in laboratory conditions, few studies investigated natural genetic variations related to stuck fermentations in high gravity matrixes.

RESULTS

In this study, three QTLs linked to stuck fermentation in winemaking conditions were identified by using a selective genotyping strategy carried out on a backcrossed population. The precision of mapping allows the identification of two causative genes VHS1 and OYE2 characterized by stop-codon insertion. The phenotypic effect of these allelic variations was validated by Reciprocal Hemyzygous Assay in high gravity fermentations (> 240 g/L of sugar) carried out at high temperatures (> 28 °C). Phenotypes impacted were mostly related to the late stage of alcoholic fermentation during the stationary growth phase of yeast.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings illustrate the complex genetic determinism of stuck fermentation and open new avenues for better understanding yeast resistance mechanisms involved in high gravity fermentations.

Molecular and Macromolecular Changes in Bottle-Aged White Wines Reflect Oxidative Evolution-Impact of Must Clarification and Bottle Closure

Chardonnay wines from Burgundy, obtained from musts with three levels of clarification (Low, Medium and High) during two consecutive vintages (2009 and 2010) and for two kinds of closures (screw caps and synthetic coextruded closures) were analyzed chemically and sensorially. Three bottles per turbidity level were opened in 2015 in order to assess the intensity of the reductive and/or oxidative aromas (REDOX sensory scores) by a trained sensory panel. The chemical analyses consisted in polyphenols and colloids quantification, followed by a proteomic characterization. For the two vintages, the REDOX sensory scores appeared to be driven both by the type of closure and to a lesser extent by the level of must clarification. Vintages and must racking prefermentative operations were also distinguished by chemical analyses. All white wines from the lowest must turbidity had the lowest REDOX sensory scores. Such wines exhibited lower concentrations in tyrosol and grape reaction product and higher concentrations in colloids with relatively low molecular weights. Among these macromolecules, grape proteins were also quantified, two of them exhibiting concentrations in bottled wines, which were statistically correlated to oxidative evolution in white wines.

Diacylglycerol triggers Rim101 pathway-dependent necrosis in yeast: a model for lipotoxicity

The loss of lipid homeostasis can lead to lipid overload and is associated with a variety of disease states. However, little is known as to how the disruption of lipid regulation or lipid overload affects cell survival. In this study we investigated how excess diacylglycerol (DG), a cardinal metabolite suspected to mediate lipotoxicity, compromises the survival of yeast cells. We reveal that increased DG achieved by either genetic manipulation or pharmacological administration of 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol (DOG) triggers necrotic cell death. The toxic effects of DG are linked to glucose metabolism and require a functional Rim101 signaling cascade involving the Rim21-dependent sensing complex and the activation of a calpain-like protease. The Rim101 cascade is an established pathway that triggers a transcriptional response to alkaline or lipid stress. We propose that the Rim101 pathway senses DG-induced lipid perturbation and conducts a signaling response that either facilitates cellular adaptation or triggers lipotoxic cell death. Using established models of lipotoxicity, i.e., high-fat diet in Drosophila and palmitic acid administration in cultured human endothelial cells, we present evidence that the core mechanism underlying this calpain-dependent lipotoxic cell death pathway is phylogenetically conserved.

Proteomic Analysis of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene Degrading Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica

2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is a common component of many explosives. The overproduction and extensive usage of TNT significantly contaminates the environment. TNT accumulates in soils and aquatic ecosystems and can primarily be destroyed by microorganisms. Current work is devoted to investigation of Yarrowia lipolytica proteins responsible for TNT transformation through the pathway leading to protonated Meisenheimer complexes and nitrite release. Here, we identified a unique set of upregulated membrane and cytosolic proteins of Y. lipolytica, which biosynthesis increased during TNT transformation through TNT-monohydride-Meisenheimer complexes in the first step of TNT degradation, through TNT-dihydride-Meisenheimer complexes in the second step, and the aromatic ring denitration and degradation in the last step. We established that the production of oxidoreductases, namely, NADH flavin oxidoreductases and NAD(P)+-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenases, as well as transferases was enhanced at all stages of the TNT transformation by Y. lipolytica. The up-regulation of several stress response proteins (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase) was also detected. The involvement of intracellular nitric oxide dioxygenase in NO formation during nitrite oxidation was shown. Our results present at the first time the full proteome analysis of Y. lipolytica yeast, destructor of TNT.

Proteomic response to linoleic acid hydroperoxide in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Yeast AP-1 transcription factor (Yap1p) and the enigmatic oxidoreductases Oye2p and Oye3p are involved in counteracting lipid oxidants and their unsaturated breakdown products. In order to uncover the response to linoleic acid hydroperoxide (LoaOOH) and the roles of Oye2p, Oye3p and Yap1p, we carried out proteomic analysis of the homozygous deletion mutants oye3Δ, oye2Δ and yap1Δ alongside the diploid parent strain BY4743. The findings demonstrate that deletion of YAP1 narrowed the response to LoaOOH, as the number of proteins differentially expressed in yap1Δ was 70% of that observed in BY4743. The role of Yap1p in regulating the major yeast peroxiredoxin Tsa1p was demonstrated by the decreased expression of Tsa1p in yap1Δ. The levels of Ahp1p and Hsp31p, previously shown to be regulated by Yap1p, were increased in LoaOOH-treated yap1Δ, indicating their expression is also regulated by another transcription factor(s). Relative to BY4743, protein expression differed in oye3Δ and oye2Δ under LoaOOH, underscored by superoxide dismutase (Sod1p), multiple heat shock proteins (Hsp60p, Ssa1p, and Sse1p), the flavodoxin-like protein Pst2p and the actin stabiliser tropomyosin (Tpm1p). Proteins associated with glycolysis were increased in all strains following treatment with LoaOOH. Together, the dataset reveals, for the first time, the yeast proteomic response to LoaOOH, highlighting the significance of carbohydrate metabolism, as well as distinction between the roles of Oye3p, Oye2p and Yap1p.

Redox Proteomics and Platelet Activation: Understanding the Redox Proteome to Improve Platelet Quality for Transfusion

Blood banks use pathogen inactivation (PI) technologies to increase the safety of platelet concentrates (PCs). The characteristics of PI-treated PCs slightly differ from those of untreated PCs, but the underlying reasons are not well understood. One possible cause is the generation of oxidative stress during the PI process. This is of great interest since reactive oxygen species (ROS) act as second messengers in platelet functions. Furthermore, there are links between protein oxidation and phosphorylation, another mechanism that is critical for cell regulation. Current research efforts focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms and identifying new target proteins. Proteomics technologies represent powerful tools for investigating signaling pathways involving ROS and post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation, while quantitative techniques enable the comparison of the platelet resting state versus the stimulated state. In particular, redox cysteine is a key player in platelet activation upon stimulation by different agonists. This review highlights the experiments that have provided insights into the roles of ROS in platelet function and the implications for platelet transfusion, and potentially in diseases such as inflammation and platelet hyperactivity. The review also describes the implication of redox mechanism in platelet storage considerations.

Cylindrospermopsin effects on protein profile of HepG2 cells

Human hepatoma cells (HepG2) were exposed to purified cylindrospermopsin (CYN), a potent toxicant for eukaryotic cells produced by several cyanobacteria. Exposure to 10 μg l^-1 of CYN for 24 h resulted in alteration of expression of 48 proteins, from which 26 were identified through mass spectrometry. Exposure to 100 μg l^-1 of CYN for 24 h affected nuclear area and actin filaments intensity, which can be associated with cell proliferation and toxicity. The proteins are implicated in different biological processes: protein folding, xenobiotic efflux, antioxidant defense, energy metabolism and cell anabolism, cell signaling, tumorigenic potential, and cytoskeleton structure. Protein profile indicates that CYN exposure may lead to alteration of glucose metabolism that can be associated with the supply of useful energy to cells respond to chemical stress and proliferate. Increase of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNP), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels observed in HepG2 cells can associate with cell proliferation and resistance. Increase of MRP3 and glutathione peroxidase can protect cells against some chemicals and ROS. CYN exposure also led to alteration of the expression of cytoskeleton proteins, which may be associated with cell proliferation and toxicity.

Cell-cycle involvement in autophagy and apoptosis in yeast

Regulation of the cell cycle and apoptosis are two eukaryotic processes required to ensure maintenance of genomic integrity, especially in response to DNA damage. The ease with which yeast, amongst other eukaryotes, can switch from cellular proliferation to cell death may be the result of a common set of biochemical factors which play dual roles depending on the cell's physiological state. A wide variety of homologues are shared between different yeasts and metazoans and this conservation confirms their importance. This review gives an overview of key molecular players involved in yeast cell-cycle regulation, and those involved in mechanisms which are induced by cell-cycle dysregulation. One such mechanism is autophagy which, depending on the severity and type of DNA damage, may either contribute to the cell's survival or death. Cell-cycle dysregulation due to checkpoint deficiency leads to mitotic catastrophe which in turn leads to programmed cell death. Molecular players implicated in the yeast apoptotic pathway were shown to play important roles in the cell cycle. These include the metacaspase Yca1p, the caspase-like protein Esp1p, the cohesin subunit Mcd1p, as well as the inhibitor of apoptosis protein Bir1p. The roles of these molecular players are discussed.

Meiotic chromosome mobility in fission yeast is resistant to environmental stress

The formation of healthy gametes requires pairing of homologous chromosomes (homologs) as a prerequisite for their correct segregation during meiosis. Initially, homolog alignment is promoted by meiotic chromosome movements feeding into intimate homolog pairing by homologous recombination and/or synaptonemal complex formation. Meiotic chromosome movements in the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, depend on astral microtubule dynamics that drag the nucleus through the zygote; known as horsetail movement. The response of microtubule-led meiotic chromosome movements to environmental stresses such as ionizing irradiation (IR) and associated reactive oxygen species (ROS) is not known. Here, we show that, in contrast to budding yeast, the horsetail movement is largely radiation-resistant, which is likely mediated by a potent antioxidant defense. IR exposure of sporulating S. pombe cells induced misrepair and irreparable DNA double strand breaks causing chromosome fragmentation, missegregation and gamete death. Comparing radiation outcome in fission and budding yeast, and studying meiosis with poisoned microtubules indicates that the increased gamete death after IR is innate to fission yeast. Inhibition of meiotic chromosome mobility in the face of IR failed to influence the course of DSB repair, indicating that paralysis of meiotic chromosome mobility in a genotoxic environment is not a universal response among species.

Characterization of Three New Glutaredoxin Genes in the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Rhizophagus irregularis: Putative Role of RiGRX4 and RiGRX5 in Iron Homeostasis

Glutaredoxins (GRXs) are small ubiquitous oxidoreductases involved in the regulation of the redox state in living cells. In an attempt to identify the full complement of GRXs in the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Rhizophagus irregularis, three additional GRX homologs, besides the formerly characterized GintGRX1 (renamed here as RiGRX1), were identified. The three new GRXs (RiGRX4, RiGRX5 and RiGRX6) contain the CXXS domain of monothiol GRXs, but whereas RiGRX4 and RiGRX5 belong to class II GRXs, RiGRX6 belongs to class I together with RiGRX1. By using a yeast expression system, we observed that the newly identified homologs partially reverted sensitivity of the GRX deletion yeast strains to external oxidants. Furthermore, our results indicated that RiGRX4 and RiGRX5 play a role in iron homeostasis in yeast. Gene expression analyses revealed that RiGRX1 and RiGRX6 were more highly expressed in the intraradical (IRM) than in the extraradical mycelium (ERM). Exposure of the ERM to hydrogen peroxide induced up-regulation of RiGRX1, RiGRX4 and RiGRX5 gene expression. RiGRX4 expression was also up-regulated in the ERM when the fungus was grown in media supplemented with a high iron concentration. These data indicate the two monothiol class II GRXs, RiGRX4 and RiGRX5, might be involved in oxidative stress protection and in the regulation of fungal iron homeostasis. Increased expression of RiGRX1 and RiGRX6 in the IRM suggests that these GRXs should play a key role in oxidative stress protection of R. irregularis during its in planta phase.

DNA damage induces nuclear actin filament assembly by Formin -2 and Spire-½ that promotes efficient DNA repair. [corrected]

Actin filaments assemble inside the nucleus in response to multiple cellular perturbations, including heat shock, protein misfolding, integrin engagement, and serum stimulation. We find that DNA damage also generates nuclear actin filaments-detectable by phalloidin and live-cell actin probes-with three characteristic morphologies: (i) long, nucleoplasmic filaments; (ii) short, nucleolus-associated filaments; and (iii) dense, nucleoplasmic clusters. This DNA damage-induced nuclear actin assembly requires two biologically and physically linked nucleation factors: Formin-2 and Spire-1/Spire-2. Formin-2 accumulates in the nucleus after DNA damage, and depletion of either Formin-2 or actin's nuclear import factor, importin-9, increases the number of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), linking nuclear actin filaments to efficient DSB clearance. Nuclear actin filaments are also required for nuclear oxidation induced by acute genotoxic stress. Our results reveal a previously unknown role for nuclear actin filaments in DNA repair and identify the molecular mechanisms creating these nuclear filaments.

Cell periphery-related proteins as major genomic targets behind the adaptive evolution of an industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain to combined heat and hydrolysate stress

BACKGROUND

Laboratory evolution is an important tool for developing robust yeast strains for bioethanol production since the biological basis behind combined tolerance requires complex alterations whose proper regulation is difficult to achieve by rational metabolic engineering. Previously, we reported on the evolved industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain ISO12 that had acquired improved tolerance to grow and ferment in the presence of lignocellulose-derived inhibitors at high temperature (39 °C). In the current study, we used comparative genomics to uncover the extent of the genomic alterations that occurred during the evolution process and investigated possible associations between the mutations and the phenotypic traits in ISO12.

RESULTS

Through whole-genome sequencing and variant calling we identified a high number of strain-unique SNPs and INDELs in both ISO12 and the parental strain Ethanol Red. The variants were predicted to have 760 non-synonymous effects in both strains combined and were significantly enriched in Gene Ontology terms related to cell periphery, membranes and cell wall. Eleven genes, including MTL1, FLO9/FLO11, and CYC3 were found to be under positive selection in ISO12. Additionally, the FLO genes exhibited changes in copy number, and the alterations to this gene family were correlated with experimental results of multicellularity and invasive growth in the adapted strain. An independent lipidomic analysis revealed further differences between the strains in the content of nine lipid species. Finally, ISO12 displayed improved viability in undiluted spruce hydrolysate that was unrelated to reduction of inhibitors and changes in cell wall integrity, as shown by HPLC and lyticase assays.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, the results of the sequence comparison and the physiological characterisations indicate that cell-periphery proteins (e.g. extracellular sensors such as MTL1) and peripheral lipids/membranes are important evolutionary targets in the process of adaptation to the combined stresses. The capacity of ISO12 to develop complex colony formation also revealed multicellularity as a possible evolutionary strategy to improve competitiveness and tolerance to environmental stresses (also reflected by the FLO genes). Although a panel of altered genes with high relevance to the novel phenotype was detected, this study also demonstrates that the observed long-term molecular effects of thermal and inhibitor stress have polygenetic basis.

TOR complex 2-Ypk1 signaling regulates actin polarization via reactive oxygen species

The evolutionarily conserved mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2) signaling pathway is an important regulator of actin cytoskeletal architecture and, as such, is a candidate target for preventing cancer cell motility and invasion. Remarkably, the precise mechanism(s) by which mTORC2 regulates the actin cytoskeleton have remained elusive. Here we show that in budding yeast, TORC2 and its downstream kinase Ypk1 regulate actin polarization by controlling reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Specifically, we find that TORC2-Ypk1 regulates actin polarization both by vacuole-related ROS, controlled by the phospholipid flippase kinase Fpk1 and sphingolipids, and by mitochondria-mediated ROS, controlled by the PKA subunit Tpk3. In addition, we find that the protein kinase C (Pkc1)/MAPK cascade, a well-established regulator of actin, acts downstream of Ypk1 to regulate ROS, in part by promoting degradation of the oxidative stress responsive repressor, cyclin C. Furthermore, we show that Ypk1 regulates Pkc1 activity through proper localization of Rom2 at the plasma membrane, which is also dependent on Fpk1 and sphingolipids. Together these findings demonstrate important links between TORC2/Ypk1 signaling, Fpk1, sphingolipids, Pkc1, and ROS as regulators of actin and suggest that ROS may play an important role in mTORC2-dependent dysregulation of the actin cytoskeleton in cancer cells.

Loss of the m-AAA protease subunit AFG₃L₂ causes mitochondrial transport defects and tau hyperphosphorylation

The m-AAA protease subunit AFG₃L₂ is involved in degradation and processing of substrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Mutations in AFG₃L₂ are associated with spinocerebellar ataxia SCA28 in humans and impair axonal development and neuronal survival in mice. The loss of AFG₃L₂ causes fragmentation of the mitochondrial network. However, the pathogenic mechanism of neurodegeneration in the absence of AFG₃L₂ is still unclear. Here, we show that depletion of AFG₃L₂ leads to a specific defect of anterograde transport of mitochondria in murine cortical neurons. We observe similar transport deficiencies upon loss of AFG₃L₂ in OMA1-deficient neurons, indicating that they are not caused by OMA1-mediated degradation of the dynamin-like GTPase OPA1 and inhibition of mitochondrial fusion. Treatment of neurons with antioxidants, such as N-acetylcysteine or vitamin E, or decreasing tau levels in axons restored mitochondrial transport in AFG₃L₂-depleted neurons. Consistently, tau hyperphosphorylation and activation of ERK kinases are detected in mouse neurons postnatally deleted for Afg3l2. We propose that reactive oxygen species signaling leads to cytoskeletal modifications that impair mitochondrial transport in neurons lacking AFG₃L₂.

Redox molecular machines involved in tumor progression

SIGNIFICANCE

We herein review recent advances on the role exerted by protein redox machines engaged in tumor progression, focusing on cell adhesion and migration, regulation of transcriptional response, and tumor metabolic reprogramming, all features belonging to the new hallmarks of cancer.

RECENT ADVANCES

Several recent insights have reported that oxidative stress, either due to intracellular sources of oxidants, which are frequently deregulated in cancers or to microenvironment factors as hypoxia or stromal cell contact, plays a key role in tumor malignancy, as well as in metabolic pathways control. Indeed, many proteins behave as sensors of intracellular oxidative stress, including protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases, transcription factors as p53, forkhead box class-Os, nuclear respiratory factor-2, nuclear factor-kB, hypoxia inducible factor, enzymes involved in glycolysis or penthose phosphate pathway as pyruvate kinase-M2 and adenylate monophosphate kinase, or DNA repair enzymes as Ataxia Teleangectasia Mutated. All these proteins have been reported to play essential roles during cancer progression and their sensitivity to oxidative stress has added new levels of complexity to the cancer field.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Main significant issues that need to be addressed in redox cancer biology are (i) sensitivity to a different level of oxidative stress of sensors, that is, they can respond to different oxidative insults/signals, and (ii) the real susceptibility of cancer cells to redox-based therapies due to the acknowledged plasticity of cancer cells to develop adoptive strategies.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Definitely, redox machines have the potentiality to develop into novel biomarkers and related target therapies should attain the goal of personalized medicine in the fight against cancer.

Ionizing irradiation-induced radical stress stalls live meiotic chromosome movements by altering the actin cytoskeleton

Meiosis generates haploid cells or spores for sexual reproduction. As a prelude to haploidization, homologous chromosomes pair and recombine to undergo segregation during the first meiotic division. During the entire meiotic prophase of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, chromosomes perform rapid movements that are suspected to contribute to the regulation of recombination. Here, we investigated the impact of ionizing radiation (IR) on movements of GFP-tagged bivalents in live pachytene cells. We find that exposure of sporulating cultures with >40 Gy (4-krad) X-rays stalls pachytene chromosome movements. This identifies a previously undescribed acute radiation response in yeast meiosis, which contrasts with its reported radioresistance of up to 1,000 Gy in survival assays. A modified 3'-end labeling assay disclosed IR-induced dsDNA breaks (DSBs) in pachytene cells at a linear dose relationship of one IR-induced DSB per cell per 5 Gy. Dihydroethidium staining revealed formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in irradiated cells. Immobility of fuzzy-appearing irradiated bivalents was rescued by addition of radical scavengers. Hydrogen peroxide-induced ROS did reduce bivalent mobility similar to 40 Gy X IR, while they failed to induce DSBs. IR- and H2O2-induced ROS were found to decompose actin cables that are driving meiotic chromosome mobility, an effect that could be rescued by antioxidant treatment. Hence, it appears that the meiotic actin cytoskeleton is a radical-sensitive system that inhibits bivalent movements in response to IR- and oxidant-induced ROS. This may be important to prevent motility-driven unfavorable chromosome interactions when meiotic recombination has to proceed in genotoxic environments.

Cysteine oxidative posttranslational modifications: emerging regulation in the cardiovascular system

In the cardiovascular system, changes in oxidative balance can affect many aspects of cellular physiology through redox-signaling. Depending on the magnitude, fluctuations in the cell's production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species can regulate normal metabolic processes, activate protective mechanisms, or be cytotoxic. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species can have many effects including the posttranslational modification of proteins at critical cysteine thiols. A subset can act as redox-switches, which elicit functional effects in response to changes in oxidative state. Although the general concepts of redox-signaling have been established, the identity and function of many regulatory switches remains unclear. Characterizing the effects of individual modifications is the key to understand how the cell interprets oxidative signals under physiological and pathological conditions. Here, we review the various cysteine oxidative posttranslational modifications and their ability to function as redox-switches that regulate the cell's response to oxidative stimuli. In addition, we discuss how these modifications have the potential to influence other posttranslational modifications' signaling pathways though cross-talk. Finally, we review the increasing number of tools being developed to identify and quantify the various cysteine oxidative posttranslational modifications and how this will advance our understanding of redox-regulation.

Oxidative stress and programmed cell death in yeast

Yeasts, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, have long served as useful models for the study of oxidative stress, an event associated with cell death and severe human pathologies. This review will discuss oxidative stress in yeast, in terms of sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS), their molecular targets, and the metabolic responses elicited by cellular ROS accumulation. Responses of yeast to accumulated ROS include upregulation of antioxidants mediated by complex transcriptional changes, activation of pro-survival pathways such as mitophagy, and programmed cell death (PCD) which, apart from apoptosis, includes pathways such as autophagy and necrosis, a form of cell death long considered accidental and uncoordinated. The role of ROS in yeast aging will also be discussed.

Transfer of a Redox-Signal through the Cytosol by Redox-Dependent Microcompartmentation of Glycolytic Enzymes at Mitochondria and Actin Cytoskeleton

The cytosolic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH, EC 1.2.1.12, GapC) plays an important role in glycolysis by providing the cell with ATP and NADH. Interestingly, despite its glycolytic function in the cytosol, GAPDH was reported to possess additional non-glycolytic activities, correlating with its nuclear, or cytoskeletal localization in animal cells. In transiently transformed mesophyll protoplasts from Arabidopsis thaliana colocalization and interaction of the glycolytic enzymes with the mitochondria and with the actin cytoskeleton was visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy (cLSM) using fluorescent protein fusions and by bimolecular fluorescence complementation, respectively. Yeast two-hybrid screens, dot-blot overlay assays, and co-sedimentation assays were used to identify potential protein-protein interactions between two cytosolic GAPDH isoforms (GapC1, At3g04120; GapC2, At1g13440) from A. thaliana with the neighboring glycolytic enzyme, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA6, At2g36460), the mitochondrial porin (VDAC3; At5g15090), and actin in vitro. From these experiments, a mitochondrial association is suggested for both glycolytic enzymes, GAPDH and aldolase, which appear to bind to the outer mitochondrial membrane, in a redox-dependent manner. In addition, both glycolytic enzymes were found to bind to F-actin in co-sedimentation assays, and lead to bundling of purified rabbit actin, as visualized by cLSM. Actin-binding and bundling occurred reversibly under oxidizing conditions. We speculate that such dynamic formation of microcompartments is part of a redox-dependent retrograde signal transduction network for adaptation upon oxidative stress.

Proteomic analysis of early-responsive redox-sensitive proteins in Arabidopsis

Regulation of protein function through oxidative modification has emerged as an important molecular mechanism modulating various biological processes. Here, we report a proteomic study of redox-sensitive proteins in Arabidopsis cells subjected to H₂O₂ treatment. Four gel-based approaches were employed, leading to the identification of four partially overlapping sets of proteins whose thiols underwent oxidative modification in the H₂O₂-treated cells. Using a method based on differential labeling of thiols followed by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting, five of the six selected putative redox-sensitive proteins were confirmed to undergo oxidative modification following the oxidant treatment in Arabidopsis leaves. Another method, which is based on differential labeling of thiols coupled with protein electrophoretic mobility shift assay, was adopted to reveal that one of the H₂O₂-sensitive proteins, a homologue of cytokine-induced apoptosis inhibitor 1 (AtCIAPIN1), also underwent oxidative modification in Arabidopsis leaves after treatments with salicylic acid or the peptide elicitor flg22, two inducers of defense signaling. The redox-sensitive proteins identified from the proteomic study are involved in various biological processes such as metabolism, the antioxidant system, protein biosynthesis and processing, and cytoskeleton organization. The identification of novel redox-sensitive proteins will be helpful toward understanding of cellular components or pathways previously unknown to be redox-regulated.

Through four redox proteomic methods, we identified a number of Arabidopsis proteins that underwent rapid oxidative modifications in Arabidopsis cells upon H₂O₂ treatment. We also established two methods for detailed analysis of individual putative redox-sensitive proteins. The identification of the oxidant-sensitive proteins would be greatly helpful toward in-depth characterization of other signaling pathways previously unknown to be redox-regulated.

Hydrogen peroxide modulates the dynamic microtubule cytoskeleton during the defence responses to Verticillium dahliae toxins in Arabidopsis

The molecular mechanisms of signal transduction of plants in response to infection by Verticillium dahliae (VD) are not well understood. We previously showed that NO may act as an upstream signalling molecule to trigger the depolymerization of cortical microtubules in Arabidopsis. In the present study, we used the wild-type, and atrbohD and atrbohF mutants of Arabidopsis to explore the mechanisms of action of H(2)O(2) signals and the dynamic microtubule cytoskeleton in defence responses. We demonstrated that H(2)O(2) may also act as an upstream signalling molecule to regulate cortical microtubule depolymerization. The depolymerization of the cortical microtubules played a functional role in the signalling pathway to mediate the expression of defence genes. The results indicate that H(2)O(2) modulates the dynamic microtubule cytoskeleton to trigger the expression of defence genes against V. dahliae toxins (VD-toxins) in Arabidopsis.

Rice A20/AN1 zinc-finger containing stress-associated proteins (SAP1/11) and a receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase (OsRLCK253) interact via A20 zinc-finger and confer abiotic stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants

• The inbuilt mechanisms of plant survival have been exploited for improving tolerance to abiotic stresses. Stress-associated proteins (SAPs), containing A20/AN1 zinc-finger domains, confer abiotic stress tolerance in different plants, however, their interacting partners and downstream targets remain to be identified. • In this study, we have investigated the subcellular interactions of rice SAPs and their interacting partner using yeast two-hybrid and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) approaches. Their efficacy in improving abiotic stress tolerance was analysed in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Regulation of gene expression by genome-wide microarray in transgenics was used to identify downstream targets. • It was found that the A20 domain mediates the interaction of OsSAP1 with self, its close homolog OsSAP11 and a rice receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase, OsRLCK253. Such interactions between OsSAP1/11 and with OsRLCK253 occur at nuclear membrane, plasma membrane and in nucleus. Functionally, both OsSAP11 and OsRLCK253 could improve the water-deficit and salt stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants via a signaling pathway affecting the expression of several common endogenous genes. • Components of a novel stress-responsive pathway have been identified. Their stress-inducible expression provided the protection against yield loss in transgenic plants, indicating the agronomic relevance of OsSAP11 and OsRLCK253 in conferring abiotic stress tolerance.

The Antifungal Plant Defensin HsAFP1 from Heuchera sanguinea Induces Apoptosis in Candida albicans

Plant defensins are active against plant and human pathogenic fungi (such as Candida albicans) and baker's yeast. However, they are non-toxic to human cells, providing a possible source for treatment of fungal infections. In this study, we characterized the mode of action of the antifungal plant defensin HsAFP1 from coral bells by screening the Saccharomyces cerevisiae deletion mutant library for mutants with altered HsAFP1 sensitivity and verified the obtained genetic data by biochemical assays in S. cerevisiae and C. albicans. We identified 84 genes, which when deleted conferred at least fourfold hypersensitivity or resistance to HsAFP1. A considerable part of these genes were found to be implicated in mitochondrial functionality. In line, sodium azide, which blocks the respiratory electron transport chain, antagonized HsAFP1 antifungal activity, suggesting that a functional respiratory chain is indispensable for HsAFP1 antifungal action. Since mitochondria are the main source of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), we investigated the ROS-inducing nature of HsAFP1. We showed that HsAFP1 treatment of C. albicans resulted in ROS accumulation. As ROS accumulation is one of the phenotypic markers of apoptosis in yeast, we could further demonstrate that HsAFP1 induced apoptosis in C. albicans. These data provide novel mechanistic insights in the mode of action of a plant defensin.

Redox sensing: orthogonal control in cell cycle and apoptosis signalling

Living systems have three major types of cell signalling systems that are dependent upon high-energy chemicals, redox environment and transmembranal ion-gating mechanisms. Development of integrated systems biology descriptions of cell signalling require conceptual models incorporating all three. Recent advances in redox biology show that thiol-disulphide redox systems are regulated under dynamic, nonequilibrium conditions, progressively oxidized with the life cycle of cells and distinct in terms of redox potentials amongst subcellular compartments. This article uses these observations as a basis to distinguish 'redox-sensing' mechanisms, which are more global biologic redox control mechanisms, from 'redox signalling', which involves conveyance of discrete activating or inactivating signals. Both redox sensing and redox signalling use sulphur switches, especially cysteine (Cys) residues in proteins which are sensitive to reversible oxidation, nitrosylation, glutathionylation, acylation, sulfhydration or metal binding. Unlike specific signalling mechanisms, the redox-sensing mechanisms provide means to globally affect the rates and activities of the high-energy, ion-gating and redox-signalling systems by controlling sensitivity, distribution, macromolecular interactions and mobility of signalling proteins. Effects mediated through Cys residues not directly involved in signalling means redox-sensing control can be orthogonal to the signalling mechanisms. This provides a capability to integrate signals according to cell cycle and physiologic state without fundamentally altering the signalling mechanisms. Recent findings that thiol-disulphide pools in humans are oxidized with age, environmental exposures and disease risk suggest that redox-sensing thiols could provide a central mechanistic link in disease development and progression.

Glutaredoxins Grx4 and Grx3 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae play a role in actin dynamics through their Trx domains, which contributes to oxidative stress resistance

Grx3 and Grx4 are two monothiol glutaredoxins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that have previously been characterized as regulators of Aft1 localization and therefore of iron homeostasis. In this study, we present data showing that both Grx3 and Grx4 have new roles in actin cytoskeleton remodeling and in cellular defenses against oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. The Grx4 protein plays a unique role in the maintenance of actin cable integrity, which is independent of its role in the transcriptional regulation of Aft1. Grx3 plays an additive and redundant role, in combination with Grx4, in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton, both under normal conditions and in response to external oxidative stress. Each Grx3 and Grx4 protein contains a thioredoxin domain sequence (Trx), followed by a glutaredoxin domain (Grx). We performed functional analyses of each of the two domains and characterized different functions for them. Each of the two Grx domains plays a role in ROS detoxification and cell viability. However, the Trx domain of each Grx4 and Grx3 protein acts independently of its respective Grx domain in a novel function that involves the polarization of the actin cytoskeleton, which also determines cell resistance against oxidative conditions. Finally, we present experimental evidence demonstrating that Grx4 behaves as an antioxidant protein increasing cell survival under conditions of oxidative stress.

Ultra-low-level laser therapy

A growing number of laboratory and clinical studies over the past 10 years have shown that low-level laser stimulation (633 or 670 nm) at extremely low power densities (about 0.15 mW/cm(2)), when administered through a particular emission mode, is capable of eliciting significant biological effects. Studies on cell cultures and animal models as well as clinical trials give support to a novel therapeutic modality, which may be referred to as ultra low level laser therapy (ULLLT). In cultured neural cells, pulsed irradiation (670 nm, 0.45 mJ/cm(2)) has shown to stimulate NGF-induced neurite elongation and to protect cells against oxidative stress. In rats, anti-edema and anti-hyperalgesia effects following ULLL irradiation were found. Clinical studies have reported beneficial effects (also revealed through sonography) in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. The present paper reviews the existing experimental evidence available on ULLLT. Furthermore, the puzzling issue of the biophysical mechanisms that lie at the basis of the method is explored and some hypotheses are proposed. Besides presenting the state-of-the-art about this novel photobiostimulation therapy, the present paper aims to open up an interdisciplinary discussion and stimulate new research on this subject.

Cytotoxic Effects on HL-60 Cells of Myosin Light Chain Kinase Inhibitor ML-7 Alone and in Combination with Flavonoids

Uncontrolled cell growth and increased cell proliferation are major features of cancer that are dependent on the stable structure and dynamics of the cytoskeleton. Since stable cytoskeleton structure and dynamics are partly regulated by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), many current studies focused on MLCK inhibition as a chemotherapeutic target. As a potent and selective MLCK inhibitor, ML-7 [1-(5-iodonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-1H-hexahydro-1,4-diazapine hydrochloride] is a promising candidate for an anticancer agent, which would induce apoptosis as well as prevents invasion and metastasis in certain types of cancer cells. This study assessed cytotoxic effects of ML-7 against HL-60 cells and therapeutic efficacy of ML-7 as a potential antileukemia agent. Trypan-blue exclusion assays showed dose- and time- dependent decreases in ML-7 treated HL-60 cells (p < 0.05). Comet assays revealed a significant increase in DNA damage in HL-60 cells after treatment with 40 µM ML-7 for 2 h. Sub-G1 fractions, analyzed by flow cytometry increased in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that ML-7 can induce apoptotic cell death in HL-60 cells. ML-7 was selectively cytotoxic towards HL-60 cells; not affecting normal human lymphocytes. That selective effect makes it a promising potential anti-leukemia agent. In addition, anticancer efficacy of ML-7 in combination with flavonoids (genistein or quercetin) or anticancer drugs (cisplatin or AraC) against HL-60 cells was assessed. Combination of ML-7 with flavonoids increased the anticancer effect of ML-7 to a greater extent than combination with the anticancer drugs. This implies that ML-7 in combination with flavonoids could increase the efficacy of anticancer treatment, while avoiding side effects cansed by conventional anticancer drug-containing combination chemotherapy.

Reversible and irreversible modifications of skeletal muscle proteins in a rat model of acute oxidative stress

Oxidative stress caused by an imbalance of the production of "reactive oxygen species" (ROS) and cellular scavenging systems is known to a play a key role in the development of various diseases and aging processes. Such elevated ROS levels can damage all components of cells, including proteins, lipids and DNA. Here, we study the influence of highly reactive ROS species on skeletal muscle proteins in a rat model of acute oxidative stress caused by X-ray irradiation at different time points. Protein preparations depleted for functional actin by polymerization were separated by gel electrophoresis in two dimensions by applying first non-reductive and then reductive conditions in SDS-PAGE. This diagonal redox SDS-PAGE revealed significant alterations to intra- and inter-molecular disulfide bridges for several proteins, but especially actin, creatine kinase and different isoforms of the myosin light chain. Though the levels of these reversible modifications were increased by oxidative stress, all proteins followed different kinetics. Moreover, a significant degree of protein was irreversibly oxidized (carbonylated), as revealed by western blot analyses performed at different time points.

Nitric oxide modulates dynamic actin cytoskeleton and vesicle trafficking in a cell type-specific manner in root apices

NO is an important regulatory molecule in eukaryotes. Much of its effect is ascribed to the action of NO as a signalling molecule. However, NO can also directly modify proteins thus affecting their activities. Although the signalling functions of NO are relatively well recognized in plants, very little is known about its potential influence on the structural integrity of plant cells. In this study, the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, and the recycling of wall polysaccharides in plants via the endocytic pathway in the presence of NO or NO-modulating substances were analysed. The actin cytoskeleton and endocytosis in maize (Zea mays) root apices were visualized with fluorescence immunocytochemistry. The organization of the actin cytoskeleton is modulated via NO levels and the extent of such modulation is cell-type specific. In endodermis cells, actin cables change their orientation from longitudinal to oblique and cellular cross-wall domains become actin-depleted/depolymerized. The reaction is reversible and depends on the type of NO donor. Actin-dependent vesicle trafficking is also affected. This was demonstrated through the analysis of recycled wall material transported to newly-formed cell plates and BFA compartments. Therefore, it is concluded that, in plant cells, NO affects the functioning of the actin cytoskeleton and actin-dependent processes. Mechanisms for the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton are cell-type specific, and such rearrangements might selectively impinge on the functioning of various cellular domains. Thus, the dynamic actin cytoskeleton could be considered as a downstream effector of NO signalling in cells of root apices.

Human initiator caspases trigger apoptotic and autophagic phenotypes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Caspases are a family of proteases that participate in the progression and execution of the apoptotic program. However, regulation of the caspase activation and their substrates has not yet been fully elucidated. Here we explore the effect of the ectopic expression of the human initiator caspases-8 and -10 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our results showed that the expression of human CASP10 and CASP8 triggers certain apoptotic markers such as a massive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), chromatin condensation and phosphatidylserine externalization, finally leading to cell death. In response to hydroxyurea (HU), yeast cells expressing caspase-10 did not reduce the replication of DNA and escaped to the intra-S checkpoint of the cell cycle. In addition, caspase-10 expression induced yeast vacuolization and a vacuole-associated phenotype resembling autophagy. Other intracellular alterations such as disorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, cell wall damage, and aberrations within the endoplasmic reticulum lumen were also associated with caspase-10 expression. Furthermore, caspase-induced cell death was completely dependent on the proteolytic activation of the enzyme but, in contrast, was not dependent on either of the endogenous yeast apoptotic proteins Aif1 and Mca1 or the mitochondria.

Antioxidant small molecules confer variable protection against oxidative damage in yeast mutants

To assess the capacity of small molecules to function as antioxidants in pathologic conditions, a set of yeast assays utilizing strains deficient in the antioxidant machinery was applied with measurements of reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH/GSSG), and induction of the stress responsive proteins oye2 and oye3. Yeast strains deficient in superoxide dismutase (Delta sod1), catalase A (Delta cta1), and double-deficient in Old Yellow enzyme 2 and glutathione reductase 1 (Delta oye2 glr1) were supplemented with ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, caffeic acid, or quercetin, subjected to pro-oxidant insult, and monitored for growth recovery. Ascorbic acid and caffeic acid protected cells under most circumstances, whereas beta-carotene and quercetin protection was highly context dependent, exhibiting protection in some cases and inhibition in others. Beta-carotene and quercetin elevated substantially endogenous levels of ROS in some yeast mutants. Quercetin supplementation increased significantly GSH and GSSG levels but could not maintain GSH levels in H(2)O(2)-exposed cells. Induction of the stress response machinery was manifested by the strong up-regulation of a chromosomally encoded OYE2-GFP fusion. In the case of quercetin, there was simultaneous induction of OYE3-GFP, which was previously shown to sensitize cells to H(2)O(2)-induced programmed cell death (PCD). Taken together, the results show that mutations in the antioxidant machinery affect significantly the capacity of dietary antioxidants to protect cells.

A role for actin in regulating apoptosis/programmed cell death: evidence spanning yeast, plants and animals

Achieving an understanding of how apoptosis/PCD (programmed cell death) is integrated within cellular responses to environmental and intracellular signals is a daunting task. From the sensation of a stimulus to the point of no return, a programme of cell death must engage specific pro-death components, whose effects can in turn be enhanced or repressed by downstream regulatory factors. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in our understanding of how components involved in these processes function. We now know that some of the factors involved in PCD networks have ancient origins that pre-date multicellularity and, indeed, eukaryotes themselves. A subject attracting much attention is the role that the actin cytoskeleton, itself a cellular component with ancient origins, plays in cell death regulation. Actin, a key cellular component, has an established role as a cellular sensor, with reorganization and alterations in actin dynamics being a well known consequence of signalling. A range of studies have revealed that actin also plays a key role in apoptosis/PCD regulation. Evidence implicating actin as a regulator of eukaryotic cell death has emerged from studies from the Animal, Plant and Fungal Kingdoms. Here we review recent data that provide evidence for an active, functional role for actin in determining whether PCD is triggered and executed, and discuss these findings within the context of regulation of actin dynamics.

Oxidative damage mediated by herbicides on yeast cells

Agricultural herbicides are among the most commonly used pesticides worldwide, posing serious concerns for both humans, exposed to these chemicals through many routes, and the environment. To clarify the effects of three herbicides as commercial formulations (namely, Pointer, Silglif, and Proper Energy), parameters related to oxidative issues were investigated on an autochthonous wine yeast strain. It was demonstrated that herbicides were able to affect the enzymatic activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase, as well as to induce carbonylation and thiol oxidation as post-translational modifications of proteins. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an optimal model system to study responses to xenobiotics and oxidative stress. Thus, the results obtained could further the understanding of mechanisms underlying the toxicity of herbicides.