1
|
Osterli E, Ellenbecker M, Wang X, Terzo M, Jacobson K, Cuello D, Voronina E. COP9 signalosome component CSN-5 stabilizes PUF proteins FBF-1 and FBF-2 in Caenorhabditis elegans germline stem and progenitor cells. Genetics 2024; 227:iyae033. [PMID: 38427913 PMCID: PMC11075551 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyae033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins FBF-1 and FBF-2 (FBFs) are required for germline stem cell maintenance and the sperm/oocyte switch in Caenorhabditis elegans, although the mechanisms controlling FBF protein levels remain unknown. We identified an interaction between both FBFs and CSN-5), a component of the constitutive photomorphogenesis 9 (COP9) signalosome best known for its role in regulating protein degradation. Here, we find that the Mpr1/Pad1 N-terminal metalloprotease domain of CSN-5 interacts with the Pumilio and FBF RNA-binding domain of FBFs and the interaction is conserved for human homologs CSN5 and PUM1. The interaction between FBF-2 and CSN-5 can be detected in vivo by proximity ligation. csn-5 mutation results in the destabilization of FBF proteins, which may explain previously observed decrease in the numbers of germline stem and progenitor cells, and disruption of oogenesis. The loss of csn-5 does not decrease the levels of a related PUF protein PUF-3, and csn-5(lf) phenotype is not enhanced by fbf-1/2 knockdown, suggesting that the effect is specific to FBFs. The effect of csn-5 on oogenesis is largely independent of the COP9 signalosome and is cell autonomous. Surprisingly, the regulation of FBF protein levels involves a combination of COP9-dependent and COP9-independent mechanisms differentially affecting FBF-1 and FBF-2. This work supports a previously unappreciated role for CSN-5 in the stabilization of germline stem cell regulatory proteins FBF-1 and FBF-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Osterli
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Mary Ellenbecker
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Mikaya Terzo
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Ketch Jacobson
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - DeAnna Cuello
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Ekaterina Voronina
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Faria-Reis A, Santos-Araújo S, Pereira J, Rios T, Majerowicz D, Gondim KC, Ramos I. Silencing of the 20S proteasomal subunit-α6 triggers full oogenesis arrest and increased mRNA levels of the selective autophagy adaptor protein p62/SQSTM1 in the ovary of the vector Rhodnius prolixus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011380. [PMID: 37267415 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The high reproductive rates of insects contribute significantly to their ability to act as vectors of a variety of vector-borne diseases. Therefore, it is strategically critical to find molecular targets with biotechnological potential through the functional study of genes essential for insect reproduction. The ubiquitin-proteasome system is a vital degradative pathway that contributes to the maintenance of regular eukaryotic cell proteostasis. This mechanism involves the action of enzymes to covalently link ubiquitin to proteins that are meant to be delivered to the 26S proteasome and broken down. The 26S proteasome is a large protease complex (including the 20S and 19S subcomplexes) that binds, deubiquitylates, unfolds, and degrades its substrates. Here, we used bioinformatics to identify the genes that encode the seven α and β subunits of the 20S proteasome in the genome of R. prolixus and learned that those transcripts are accumulated into mature oocytes. To access proteasome function during oogenesis, we conducted RNAi functional tests employing one of the 20S proteasome subunits (Prosα6) as a tool to suppress 20S proteasomal activity. We found that Prosα6 silencing resulted in no changes in TAG buildup in the fat body and unaffected availability of yolk proteins in the hemolymph of vitellogenic females. Despite this, the silencing of Prosα6 culminated in the impairment of oocyte maturation at the early stages of oogenesis. Overall, we discovered that proteasome activity is especially important for the signals that initiate oogenesis in R. prolixus and discuss in what manner further investigations on the regulation of proteasome assembly and activity might contribute to the unraveling of oogenesis molecular mechanisms and oocyte maturation in this vector.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allana Faria-Reis
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Samara Santos-Araújo
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Pereira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thamara Rios
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - David Majerowicz
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular-INCT-EM/CNPq
| | - Katia C Gondim
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular-INCT-EM/CNPq
| | - Isabela Ramos
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular-INCT-EM/CNPq
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Park Y, Gaddy M, Hyun M, Jones ME, Aslam HM, Lee MH. Genetic and Chemical Controls of Sperm Fate and Spermatocyte Dedifferentiation via PUF-8 and MPK-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030434. [PMID: 36766775 PMCID: PMC9913519 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Using the nematode C. elegans germline as a model system, we previously reported that PUF-8 (a PUF RNA-binding protein) and LIP-1 (a dual-specificity phosphatase) repress sperm fate at 20 °C and the dedifferentiation of spermatocytes into mitotic cells (termed "spermatocyte dedifferentiation") at 25 °C. Thus, double mutants lacking both PUF-8 and LIP-1 produce excess sperm at 20 °C, and their spermatocytes return to mitotically dividing cells via dedifferentiation at 25 °C, resulting in germline tumors. To gain insight into the molecular competence for spermatocyte dedifferentiation, we compared the germline phenotypes of three mutant strains that produce excess sperm-fem-3(q20gf), puf-8(q725); fem-3(q20gf), and puf-8(q725); lip-1(zh15). Spermatocyte dedifferentiation was not observed in fem-3(q20gf) mutants, but it was more severe in puf-8(q725); lip-1(zh15) than in puf-8(q725); fem-3(q20gf) mutants. These results suggest that MPK-1 (the C. elegans ERK1/2 MAPK ortholog) activation in the absence of PUF-8 is required to promote spermatocyte dedifferentiation. This idea was confirmed using Resveratrol (RSV), a potential activator of MPK-1 and ERK1/2 in C. elegans and human cells, respectively. Notably, spermatocyte dedifferentiation was significantly enhanced by RSV treatment in the absence of PUF-8, and its effect was blocked by mpk-1 RNAi. We, therefore, conclude that PUF-8 and MPK-1 are essential regulators for spermatocyte dedifferentiation and tumorigenesis. Since these regulators are broadly conserved, we suggest that similar regulatory circuitry may control cellular dedifferentiation and tumorigenesis in other organisms, including humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youngyong Park
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Matthew Gaddy
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Moonjung Hyun
- Biological Resources Research Group, Bioenvironmental Science & Toxicology Division, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Jinju 52834, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Mariah E. Jones
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Hafiz M. Aslam
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Myon Hee Lee
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vanden Broek K, Han X, Hansen D. Redundant mechanisms regulating the proliferation vs. differentiation balance in the C. elegans germline. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:960999. [PMID: 36120589 PMCID: PMC9479330 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.960999] [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: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The proper production of gametes over an extended portion of the life of an organism is essential for a high level of fitness. The balance between germline stem cell (GSC) proliferation (self-renewal) and differentiation (production of gametes) must be tightly regulated to ensure proper gamete production and overall fitness. Therefore, organisms have evolved robust regulatory systems to control this balance. Here we discuss the redundancy in the regulatory system that controls the proliferation vs. differentiation balance in the C. elegans hermaphrodite germline, and how this redundancy may contribute to robustness. We focus on the various types of redundancy utilized to regulate this balance, as well as the approaches that have enabled these redundant mechanisms to be uncovered.
Collapse
|
5
|
Sologova SS, Zavadskiy SP, Mokhosoev IM, Moldogazieva NT. Short Linear Motifs Orchestrate Functioning of Human Proteins during Embryonic Development, Redox Regulation, and Cancer. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12050464. [PMID: 35629968 PMCID: PMC9144484 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12050464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Short linear motifs (SLiMs) are evolutionarily conserved functional modules of proteins that represent amino acid stretches composed of 3 to 10 residues. The biological activities of two short peptide segments of human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a major embryo-specific and cancer-related protein, have been confirmed experimentally. This is a heptapeptide segment LDSYQCT in domain I designated as AFP14–20 and a nonapeptide segment EMTPVNPGV in domain III designated as GIP-9. In our work, we searched the UniprotKB database for human proteins that contain SLiMs with sequence similarity to the both segments of human AFP and undertook gene ontology (GO)-based functional categorization of retrieved proteins. Gene set enrichment analysis included GO terms for biological process, molecular function, metabolic pathway, KEGG pathway, and protein–protein interaction (PPI) categories. We identified the SLiMs of interest in a variety of non-homologous proteins involved in multiple cellular processes underlying embryonic development, cancer progression, and, unexpectedly, the regulation of redox homeostasis. These included transcription factors, cell adhesion proteins, ubiquitin-activating and conjugating enzymes, cell signaling proteins, and oxidoreductase enzymes. They function by regulating cell proliferation and differentiation, cell cycle, DNA replication/repair/recombination, metabolism, immune/inflammatory response, and apoptosis. In addition to the retrieved genes, new interacting genes were identified. Our data support the hypothesis that conserved SLiMs are incorporated into non-homologous proteins to serve as functional blocks for their orchestrated functioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanna S. Sologova
- Nelyubin Institute of Pharmacy, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia; (S.S.S.); (S.P.Z.)
| | - Sergey P. Zavadskiy
- Nelyubin Institute of Pharmacy, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia; (S.S.S.); (S.P.Z.)
| | - Innokenty M. Mokhosoev
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Nurbubu T. Moldogazieva
- Nelyubin Institute of Pharmacy, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia; (S.S.S.); (S.P.Z.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|