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Papanikolaou NA, Kakavoulia M, Ladias C, Papavassiliou AG. The ras-related protein RAB22A interacts with hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in hypoxia. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:564. [PMID: 38647725 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09516-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies suggest that hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) and the small GTPase protein Ras-related protein Rab-22 A (RAB22A) may be colocalized in the cytoplasm and that as a conequence they may enhance the formation of microvesicles in breast cancer cells under hypoxia. Therefore, we sought to determine whether these two proteins are present in intracellular complexes in breast carcinoma cells. METHODS AND RESULTS Evaluation using molecular docking indicated that HIF-1α and RAB22A interact with each other. Co-immunoprecipitation of endogenous or ectopically expressed HIF-1α and RAB22A proteins in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells or HEK-293T cells demonstrated that endogenous HIF-1α and RAB22A can form an intracellular complex; however, transiently expressed HIF-1α and RAB22A failed to interact. Investigating RAB22A and HIF-1α interactions in various cancer cell lines under hypoxia may shed light on their roles in cancer cell survival and progression through regulation of intracellular trafficking by HIF-1α under hypoxic conditions. CONCLUSIONS Our study is the first to reveal the potential involvement of HIF-1α in intracellular trafficking through physical interactions with the small GTPase protein RAB22A. We discuss the implications of our work on the role of exosomes and microvesicles in tumor invasiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos A Papanikolaou
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece.
| | - Maria Kakavoulia
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Christos Ladias
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Epirus, Greece
| | - Athanasios G Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
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Hashemi Karoii D, Azizi H, Skutella T. Altered G-Protein Transduction Protein Gene Expression in the Testis of Infertile Patients with Nonobstructive Azoospermia. DNA Cell Biol 2023; 42:617-637. [PMID: 37610843 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2023.0189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that several members of the G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) superfamily play crucial roles in the maintenance of ion-water homeostasis of the sperm and Sertoli cells, development of the germ cells, formation of the blood barrier, and maturation of sperm. The GPCR, guanyl-nucleotide exchange factor, membrane traffic protein, and small GTPase genes were analyzed by microarray and bioinformatics (3513 sperm and Sertoli cell genes). In the microarray analyses of three human cases with different nonobstructive azoospermia sperm, the expression of GOLGA8IP, OR2AT4, PHKA1, A2M, OR56A1, SEMA3G, LRRC17, APP, ARHGAP33, RABGEF1, NPY2R, GHRHR, LTB4R2, GRIK5, OR6K6, NAPG, OR6C65, VPS35, FPR3, and ARL4A was upregulated, while expression of MARS, SIRPG, OGFR, GPR150, LRRK1, and NGEF was downregulated. There was an increase in GBP3, GBP3, TNF, TGFB3, and CLTC expression in the Sertoli cells of three human cases with NOA, whereas expression of PAQR4, RRAGD, RAC2, SERPINB8, IRPB1, MRGPRF, RASA2, SIRPG, RGS2, RAP2A, RAB2B, ARL17, SERINC4, XIAP, DENND4C, ANKRA2, CSTA, STX18, and SNAP23 were downregulated. A combined analysis of Enrich Shiny Gene Ontology (GO), STRING, and Cytoscape was used to predict proteins' molecular interactions and then to recognize master pathways. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the biological process (BP), regulation of protein metabolic process, regulation of small GTPase-mediated signal transduction were significantly expressed in up-/downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in sperm. In molecular function (MF) experiments of DEGs that were up-/downregulated, it was found that GPCR activity, guanyl ribonucleotide binding, GTPase activity and nucleoside-triphosphatase activity were overexpressed. An analysis of GO enrichment findings of Sertoli cells showed BP and MF to be common DEGs. When these gene mutations have been validated, they can be used to create new GPCR antagonists or agonists that are receptor-selective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danial Hashemi Karoii
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran
| | - Hossein Azizi
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran
| | - Thomas Skutella
- Medical Faculty, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Buzzatto MV, Berberián MV, Di Bartolo AL, Masone D, Tomes CN. α-Synuclein is required for sperm exocytosis at a post-fusion stage. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1125988. [PMID: 37287458 PMCID: PMC10242118 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1125988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The sperm acrosome is a large dense-core granule whose contents are secreted by regulated exocytosis at fertilization through the opening of numerous fusion pores between the acrosomal and plasma membranes. In other cells, the nascent pore generated when the membrane surrounding a secretory vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane may have different fates. In sperm, pore dilation leads to the vesiculation and release of these membranes, together with the granule contents. α-Synuclein is a small cytosolic protein claimed to exhibit different roles in exocytic pathways in neurons and neuroendocrine cells. Here, we scrutinized its function in human sperm. Western blot revealed the presence of α-synuclein and indirect immunofluorescence its localization to the acrosomal domain of human sperm. Despite its small size, the protein was retained following permeabilization of the plasma membrane with streptolysin O. α-Synuclein was required for acrosomal release, as demonstrated by the inability of an inducer to elicit exocytosis when permeabilized human sperm were loaded with inhibitory antibodies to human α-synuclein. The antibodies halted calcium-induced secretion when introduced after the acrosome docked to the cell membrane. Two functional assays, fluorescence and transmission electron microscopies revealed that the stabilization of open fusion pores was responsible for the secretion blockage. Interestingly, synaptobrevin was insensitive to neurotoxin cleavage at this point, an indication of its engagement in cis SNARE complexes. The very existence of such complexes during AE reflects a new paradigm. Recombinant α-synuclein rescued the inhibitory effects of the anti-α-synuclein antibodies and of a chimeric Rab3A-22A protein that also inhibits AE after fusion pore opening. We applied restrained molecular dynamics simulations to compare the energy cost of expanding a nascent fusion pore between two model membranes and found it higher in the absence than in the presence of α-synuclein. Hence, our results suggest that α-synuclein is essential for expanding fusion pores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela Vanina Buzzatto
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM)-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María Victoria Berberián
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM)-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Instituto de Ciencias Básicas (ICB)-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Ary Lautaro Di Bartolo
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Diego Masone
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM)-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Claudia Nora Tomes
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM)-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
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Izumida M, Kakoki K, Hayashi H, Matsuyama T, Kubo Y. Rab3a, a small GTP-binding protein, is required for the stabilization of the murine leukaemia virus Gag protein. Small GTPases 2022; 13:162-182. [PMID: 34180342 PMCID: PMC9707528 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2021.1939631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We recently identified a CD63-interacting protein to understand the role of CD63 in virion production of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1, and we have found that Rab3a forms a complex with CD63. In this study, we analysed the effect of Rab3a on virion production of the murine leukaemia virus (MLV), which is another member of the retrovirus family. We found that Rab3a silencing induced lysosomal degradation of the MLV Gag protein, and recovery of the Rab3a expression restored the level of the Gag protein through a complex formation of MLV Gag and Rab3a, indicating that Rab3a is required for MLV Gag protein expression. In contrast, CD63 silencing decreased the infectivity of released virions but had no effect on virion production, indicating that CD63 facilitates the infectivity of released MLV particles. Although Rab3a induced CD63 degradation in uninfected cells, the complex of MLV Gag and Rab3a suppressed the Rab3a-mediated CD63 degradation in MLV-infected cells. Finally, we found that the MLV Gag protein interacts with Rab3a to stabilize its own protein and CD63 that facilitates the infectivity of released MLV particles. Considering the involvement of Rab3a in lysosome trafficking to the plasma membrane, it may also induce cell surface transport of the MLV Gag protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Izumida
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Katsura Kakoki
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan,Japan Association for Development of Community Medicine, Urology Department, Omura Municipal Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hideki Hayashi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan,Medical University Research Administrator, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Matsuyama
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan,Department of Cancer Stem Cell, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Yoshinao Kubo
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan,Program for Nurturing Global Leaders in Tropical and Emerging Communicable Diseases, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan,CONTACT Yoshinao Kubo Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki852-8523, Japan
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Shan MM, Sun SC. The multiple roles of RAB GTPases in female and male meiosis. Hum Reprod Update 2021; 27:1013-1029. [PMID: 34227671 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmab019] [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: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RAB GTPases constitute the largest family of small GTPases and are found in all eukaryotes. RAB GTPases regulate components of the endomembrane system, the nucleus and the plasma membrane, and are involved in intracellular actin/tubulin-dependent vesicle movement, membrane fusion and cell growth in mitosis. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE RAB GTPases play multiple critical roles during both female and male meiosis. This review summarizes the progress made in our understanding of the role of RAB GTPases in female and male meiosis in different species. We also discuss the potential relationship between RAB GTPases and oocyte/sperm quality, which may help in understanding the mechanisms underlying oogenesis and spermatogenesis and potential genetic causes of infertility. SEARCH METHODS The PubMed database was searched for articles published between 1991 and 2020 using the following terms: 'RAB', 'RAB oocyte', 'RAB sperm' and 'RAB meiosis'. OUTCOMES An analysis of 126 relevant articles indicated that RAB GTPases are present in all eukaryotes, and ten subfamilies (almost 70 members) are expressed in human cells. The roles of 25 RAB proteins and orthologues in female meiosis and 12 in male meiosis have been reported. RAB proteins are essential for the accurate continuity of genetic material, successful fertilization and the normal growth of offspring. Distinct and crucial functions of RAB GTPases in meiosis have been reported. In oocytes, RAB GTPases are involved in spindle organization, kinetochore-microtubule attachment, chromosome alignment, actin filament-mediated spindle migration, cytokinesis, cell cycle and oocyte-embryo transition. RAB GTPases function in mitochondrial processes and Golgi-mediated vesicular transport during female meiosis, and are critical for cortical granule transport during fertilization and oocyte-embryo transition. In sperm, RAB GTPases are vital for cytoskeletal organization and successful cytokinesis, and are associated with Golgi-mediated acrosome formation, membrane trafficking and morphological changes of sperm cells, as well as the exocytosis-related acrosome reaction and zona reaction during fertilization. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Abnormal expression of RAB GTPases disrupts intracellular systems, which may induce diverse diseases. The roles of RAB proteins in female and male reproductive systems, thus, need to be considered. The mechanisms underlying the function of RAB GTPases and the binding specificity of their effectors during oogenesis, spermatogenesis and fertilization remain to be studied. This review should contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of oogenesis and spermatogenesis and potential genetic causes of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Meng Shan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shao-Chen Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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Dominguez EM, Moreno-Irusta A, Rodriguez MB, Salamone DF, de Arruda RP, Losinno L, Giojalas LC. Chemotactic selection of frozen-thawed stallion sperm improves sperm quality and heterologous binding to oocytes. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 221:106582. [PMID: 32889407 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The successful use of assisted reproduction techniques (ART) depends in part on the sperm physiological status. Several sperm selection procedures have been applied to improve quality of sperm population when using the ART. There has previously been development of a Sperm Selection Assay (SSA) for humans which is based on the attraction of capacitated sperm by chemotaxis towards progesterone (P), resulting in an enriched sperm population with an optimal physiological status similar to capacitated spermatozoa, with these cells having very little DNA fragmentation and optimal concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, the aim was to adapt the SSA for frozen-thawed stallion semen samples and evaluate the functional status of those sperm selected using the SSA procedure, and to determine whether this enriched sperm population has a greater capacity to bind to the zona pellucida of cattle oocytes. There were experimental conditions developed to conduct the SSA with stallion sperm. Using these conditions, the indexes of induced acrosome reaction, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial and cytoplasmic reactive oxygen species, and number of sperm bound to the zona pellucida of cattle were greater when the sperm population was selected using the SSA. Consistently, the DNA fragmentation and phospholipase C zeta indexes were less for the selected sperm. In conclusion, stallion sperm selected using chemotaxis utilizing the SSA provides a sperm population of greater quality, which when used may improve the outcomes with use of the ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Mauricio Dominguez
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ayelen Moreno-Irusta
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Belén Rodriguez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Animal, FAUBA/INPA- CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel F Salamone
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Animal, FAUBA/INPA- CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rubens Paes de Arruda
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia do Sêmen e Andrologia - LBSA, Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Ciência Animal, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Luis Losinno
- Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto (UNRC), Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria, Catedra de Producción Equina I y II, Rio Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina; Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto (UNRC), Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria, Laboratorio de Producción Equina, Rio Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Cecilia Giojalas
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, Córdoba, Argentina.
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Quevedo MF, Bustos MA, Masone D, Roggero CM, Bustos DM, Tomes CN. Grab recruitment by Rab27A-Rabphilin3a triggers Rab3A activation in human sperm exocytosis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2019; 1866:612-622. [PMID: 30599141 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sperm must undergo the regulated exocytosis of its dense core granule (the acrosome reaction, AR) to fertilize the egg. We have previously described that Rabs3 and 27 are organized in a RabGEF cascade within the signaling pathway elicited by exocytosis stimuli in human sperm. Here, we report the identity and the role of two molecules that link these secretory Rabs in the RabGEF cascade: Rabphilin3a and GRAB. Like Rab3 and Rab27, GRAB and Rabphilin3a are present, localize to the acrosomal region and are required for calcium-triggered exocytosis in human sperm. Sequestration of either protein with specific antibodies introduced into streptolysin O-permeabilized sperm impairs the activation of Rab3 in the acrosomal region elicited by calcium, but not that of Rab27. Biochemical and functional assays indicate that Rabphilin3a behaves as a Rab27 effector during the AR and that GRAB exhibits GEF activity toward Rab3A. Recombinant, active Rab27A pulls down Rabphilin3a and GRAB from human sperm extracts. Conversely, immobilized Rabphilin3a recruits Rab27 and GRAB; the latter promotes Rab3A activation. The enzymatic activity of GRAB toward Rab3A was also suggested by in silico and in vitro assays with purified proteins. In summary, we describe here a signaling module where Rab27A-GTP interacts with Rabphilin3a, which in turn recruits a guanine nucleotide-exchange activity toward Rab3A. This is the first description of the interaction of Rabphilin3a with a GEF. Because the machinery that drives exocytosis is highly conserved, it is tempting to hypothesize that the RabGEF cascade unveiled here might be part of the molecular mechanisms that drive exocytosis in other secretory systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Florencia Quevedo
- Instituto de Histologia y Embriologia de Mendoza (IHEM) Dr. Mario H. Burgos-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Matías Alberto Bustos
- Instituto de Histologia y Embriologia de Mendoza (IHEM) Dr. Mario H. Burgos-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Diego Masone
- Instituto de Histologia y Embriologia de Mendoza (IHEM) Dr. Mario H. Burgos-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina
| | | | - Diego Martín Bustos
- Instituto de Histologia y Embriologia de Mendoza (IHEM) Dr. Mario H. Burgos-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina
| | - Claudia Nora Tomes
- Instituto de Histologia y Embriologia de Mendoza (IHEM) Dr. Mario H. Burgos-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina.
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Bustos MA, Lucchesi O, Ruete MC, Tomes CN. Membrane-permeable Rab27A is a regulator of the acrosome reaction: Role of geranylgeranylation and guanine nucleotides. Cell Signal 2018; 44:72-81. [PMID: 29337043 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2018.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The acrosome reaction is the regulated exocytosis of mammalian sperm's single secretory granule, essential for fertilization. It relies on small GTPases, the cAMP binding protein Epac, and the SNARE complex, among other components. Here, we describe a novel tool to investigate Rab27-related signaling pathways: a hybrid recombinant protein consisting of human Rab27A fused to TAT, a cell penetrating peptide. With this tool, we aimed to unravel the connection between Rab3, Rab27 and Rap1 in sperm exocytosis and to deepen our understanding about how isoprenylation and guanine nucleotides influence the behaviour of Rab27 in exocytosis. Our results show that TAT-Rab27A-GTP-γ-S permeated into live sperm and triggered acrosomal exocytosis per se when geraylgeranylated but inhibited it when not lipid-modified. Likewise, an impermeant version of Rab27A elicited exocytosis in streptolysin O-permeabilized - but not in non-permeabilized - cells when geranylgeranylated and active. When GDP-β-S substituted for GTP-γ-S, isoprenylated TAT-Rab27A inhibited the acrosome reaction triggered by progesterone and an Epac-selective cAMP analogue, whereas the non-isoprenylated protein did not. Geranylgeranylated TAT-Rab27A-GTP-γ-S promoted the exchange of GDP for GTP on Rab3 and Rap1 detected by far-immunofluorescence with Rab3-GTP and Rap1-GTP binding cassettes. In contrast, TAT-Rab27A lacking isoprenylation or loaded with GDP-β-S prevented the activation of Rab3 and Rap1 elicited by progesterone. Challenging streptolysin O-permeabilized human sperm with calcium increased the population of sperm with Rap1-GTP, Rab3-GTP and Rab27-GTP in the acrosomal region; pretreatment with anti-Rab27 antibodies prevented the activation of all three. The novel findings reported here include: the description of membrane permeant TAT-Rab27A as a trustworthy tool to unveil the regulation of the human sperm acrosome reaction by Rab27 under physiological conditions; that the activation of endogenous Rab27 is required for that of Rab3 and Rap1; and the connection between Epac and Rab27 and between Rab27 and the configuration of the SNARE complex. Moreover, we present direct evidence that Rab27A's lipid modification, and activation/inactivation status correlate with its stimulatory or inhibitory roles in exocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matías A Bustos
- Instituto de Histologia y Embriologia de Mendoza (IHEM) Dr. Mario H. Burgos-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, casilla de correo 56, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Ornella Lucchesi
- Instituto de Histologia y Embriologia de Mendoza (IHEM) Dr. Mario H. Burgos-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, casilla de correo 56, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María C Ruete
- Instituto de Histologia y Embriologia de Mendoza (IHEM) Dr. Mario H. Burgos-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, casilla de correo 56, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Claudia N Tomes
- Instituto de Histologia y Embriologia de Mendoza (IHEM) Dr. Mario H. Burgos-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, casilla de correo 56, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina.
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Tang X, Chen J, Wang Y, Wang X. Gene cloning, expression and polyclonal antibody preparation of Rab3A for protein interaction analysis. SPRINGERPLUS 2016; 5:1705. [PMID: 27795879 PMCID: PMC5052235 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-3330-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Rab3A is a GTP-binding protein and plays critical roles in the regulation of synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Up to date, how Rab3A participates in such a regulatory process is not completely clear. Results In this report the Rab3A gene from Rattus norvegicus was cloned and heterologously expressed in E. coli using pCold-TF expression vector with folding capacity. Due to the presence of His-tag sequence on the N-terminal side, Rab3A fusion protein was purified to greater than 95 % purity with a single Ni-affinity purification step. After the Rab3A fusion protein was used to immunize mice, an anti-serum against Rab3A with a titer of about 6000 was generated. Western blot analysis indicated that the prepared polyclonal antibody could recognize both Rab3A fusion protein and native Rab3A protein. To remove the tag sequence, thrombin was used to cleave the Rab3A fusion protein, followed by SDS-PAGE to separate the cleavage products. Using the gel protein recovery strategy with a Micro Protein PAGE Recovery Kit, the de-tagged Rab3A protein of electrophoretic purity was prepared. Conclusions The present work not only prepared the ground for the study on Rab3A-mediated protein interactions, but also provided systematic experimental methods referable for the similar studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Tang
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081 Hunan China
| | - Jia Chen
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081 Hunan China
| | - Ying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081 Hunan China
| | - Xianchun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081 Hunan China
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Quevedo MF, Lucchesi O, Bustos MA, Pocognoni CA, De la Iglesia PX, Tomes CN. The Rab3A-22A Chimera Prevents Sperm Exocytosis by Stabilizing Open Fusion Pores. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:23101-23111. [PMID: 27613869 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.729954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
At the final stage of exocytotis, a fusion pore opens between the plasma and a secretory vesicle membranes; typically, when the pore dilates the vesicle releases its cargo. Sperm contain a large dense-core secretory granule (the acrosome) whose contents are secreted by regulated exocytosis at fertilization. Minutes after the arrival of the triggering signal, the acrosomal and plasma membranes dock at multiple sites and fusion pores open at the contact points. It is believed that immediately afterward, fusion pores dilate spontaneously. Rab3A is an essential component of human sperm exocytotic machinery. Yet, recombinant, persistently active Rab3A halts calcium-triggered secretion when introduced after docking into streptolysin O-permeabilized cells; so does a Rab3A-22A chimera. Here, we applied functional assays, electron and confocal microscopy to show that the secretion blockage is due to the stabilization of open fusion pores. Other novel findings are that sperm SNAREs engage in α-SNAP/NSF-sensitive complexes at a post-fusion stage. Complexes are disentangled by these chaperons to achieve vesiculation and acrosomal contents release. Thus, post-fusion regulation of the pores determines their expansion and the success of the acrosome reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- María F Quevedo
- From the IHEM, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, CC56. 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Ornella Lucchesi
- From the IHEM, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, CC56. 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Matías A Bustos
- From the IHEM, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, CC56. 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Cristian A Pocognoni
- From the IHEM, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, CC56. 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Paola X De la Iglesia
- From the IHEM, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, CC56. 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Claudia N Tomes
- From the IHEM, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, CC56. 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
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Belmonte SA, Mayorga LS, Tomes CN. The Molecules of Sperm Exocytosis. ADVANCES IN ANATOMY EMBRYOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY 2016; 220:71-92. [PMID: 27194350 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-30567-7_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Exocytosis is a fundamental process used by eukaryotic cells to release biological compounds and to insert lipids and proteins in the plasma membrane. Specialized secretory cells undergo regulated exocytosis in response to physiological signals. Sperm exocytosis or acrosome reaction (AR) is essentially a regulated secretion with special characteristics. We will focus here on some of these unique features, covering the topology, kinetics, and molecular mechanisms that prepare, drive, and regulate membrane fusion during the AR. Last, we will compare acrosomal release with exocytosis in other model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia A Belmonte
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Histología y Embriología, IHEM-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500, Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Luis S Mayorga
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Histología y Embriología, IHEM-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500, Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Claudia N Tomes
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Histología y Embriología, IHEM-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500, Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina.
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12
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Bello OD, Cappa AI, de Paola M, Zanetti MN, Fukuda M, Fissore RA, Mayorga LS, Michaut MA. Rab3A, a possible marker of cortical granules, participates in cortical granule exocytosis in mouse eggs. Exp Cell Res 2016; 347:42-51. [PMID: 27423421 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2016.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Fusion of cortical granules with the oocyte plasma membrane is the most significant event to prevent polyspermy. This particular exocytosis, also known as cortical reaction, is regulated by calcium and its molecular mechanism is still not known. Rab3A, a member of the small GTP-binding protein superfamily, has been implicated in calcium-dependent exocytosis and is not yet clear whether Rab3A participates in cortical granules exocytosis. Here, we examine the involvement of Rab3A in the physiology of cortical granules, particularly, in their distribution during oocyte maturation and activation, and their participation in membrane fusion during cortical granule exocytosis. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis showed that Rab3A and cortical granules have a similar migration pattern during oocyte maturation, and that Rab3A is no longer detected after cortical granule exocytosis. These results suggested that Rab3A might be a marker of cortical granules. Overexpression of EGFP-Rab3A colocalized with cortical granules with a Pearson correlation coefficient of +0.967, indicating that Rab3A and cortical granules have almost a perfect colocalization in the egg cortical region. Using a functional assay, we demonstrated that microinjection of recombinant, prenylated and active GST-Rab3A triggered cortical granule exocytosis, indicating that Rab3A has an active role in this secretory pathway. To confirm this active role, we inhibited the function of endogenous Rab3A by microinjecting a polyclonal antibody raised against Rab3A prior to parthenogenetic activation. Our results showed that Rab3A antibody microinjection abolished cortical granule exocytosis in parthenogenetically activated oocytes. Altogether, our findings confirm that Rab3A might function as a marker of cortical granules and participates in cortical granule exocytosis in mouse eggs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Daniel Bello
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología, CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Av. Libertador 80, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Andrea Isabel Cappa
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología, CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Av. Libertador 80, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Matilde de Paola
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología, CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Av. Libertador 80, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María Natalia Zanetti
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología, CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Av. Libertador 80, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Mitsunori Fukuda
- Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan
| | - Rafael A Fissore
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 661 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Luis S Mayorga
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología, CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Av. Libertador 80, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Marcela A Michaut
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología, CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Av. Libertador 80, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina.
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13
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Bustos MA, Lucchesi O, Ruete MC, Mayorga LS, Tomes CN. Small GTPases in acrosomal exocytosis. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1298:141-60. [PMID: 25800839 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2569-8_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Regulated exocytosis employs a conserved molecular machinery in all secretory cells. Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) and Rab superfamilies are members of this machinery. Rab proteins are small GTPases that organize membrane microdomains on organelles by recruiting specific effectors that strongly influence the movement, fusion and fission dynamics of intracellular compartments. Rab3 and Rab27 are the prevalent exocytotic isoforms. Many events occur in mammalian spermatozoa before they can fertilize the egg, one of them is the acrosome reaction (AR), a type of regulated exocytosis. The AR relies on the same fusion machinery as all other cell types, which includes members of the exocytotic SNARE and Rab superfamilies. Here, we describe in depth two protocols designed to determine the activation status of small G proteins. One of them also serves to determine the subcellular localization of active Rabs, something not achievable with other methods. By means of these techniques, we have reported that Rab27 and Rab3 act sequentially and are organized in a RabGEF cascade during the AR. Although we developed them to scrutinize the exocytosis of the acrosome in human sperm, the protocols can potentially be extended to study other Ras-related proteins in virtually any cellular model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matias A Bustos
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología (IHEM, CONICET/UNCuyo), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, CC56, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
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Coleman WL, Kulp AC, Venditti JJ. Functional distribution of synapsin I in human sperm. FEBS Open Bio 2015; 5:801-8. [PMID: 26566474 PMCID: PMC4600850 DOI: 10.1016/j.fob.2015.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapsin I was localized in the human sperm equatorial segment. Presence of synapsin I was confirmed by dot and Western blotting techniques. Treatment of sperm with anti-synapsin antibodies significantly decreased motility.
Proteins known to function during cell–cell communication and exocytosis in neurons and other secretory cells have recently been reported in human sperm. Synapsins are a group of proteins that have been very well characterized in neurons, but little is known about synapsin function in other cell types. Based upon previous findings and the known function of synapsin, we tested the hypothesis that synapsin I was present in human sperm. Washed, capacitated, and acrosome induced sperm preparations were used to evaluate the functional distribution of synapsin I using immunocytochemistry. Protein extracts from mouse brain, mouse testis/epididymis, and human semen were used for protein blotting techniques. Immunolocalization revealed synapsin I was enriched in the sperm equatorial segment. Protein extracts from mouse brain, mouse testis/epididymis, and human semen were positive for synapsin I using several different antibodies, and dot blot results were confirmed by Western blot analyses. Finally, treatment of capacitated and acrosome reaction induced samples with anti-synapsin antibodies significantly reduced sperm motility. Localization of synapsin I in human sperm is a novel finding. The association of synapsin I with the sperm equatorial segment and effects on motility are suggestive of a role associated with capacitation and/or acrosome reaction, processes that render sperm capable of fertilizing an oocyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- William L Coleman
- Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, PA, United States
| | - Adam C Kulp
- Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, PA, United States
| | - Jennifer J Venditti
- Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, PA, United States
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15
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Abstract
Exocytosis is a highly regulated process that consists of multiple functionally, kinetically and/or morphologically definable stages such as recruitment, targeting, tethering and docking of secretory vesicles with the plasma membrane, priming of the fusion machinery and calcium-triggered membrane fusion. After fusion, the membrane around the secretory vesicle is incorporated into the plasma membrane and the granule releases its contents. The proteins involved in these processes belong to several highly conserved families: Rab GTPases, SNAREs (soluble NSF-attachment protein receptors), α-SNAP (α-NSF attachment protein), NSF (N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor), Munc13 and -18, complexins and synaptotagmins. In the present article, the molecules of exocytosis are reviewed, using human sperm as a model system. Sperm exocytosis is driven by isoforms of the same proteinaceous fusion machinery mentioned above, with their functions orchestrated in a hierarchically organized and unidirectional signalling cascade. In addition to the universal exocytosis regulator calcium, this cascade includes other second messengers such as diacylglycerol, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and cAMP, as well as the enzymes that synthesize them and their target proteins. Of special interest is the cAMP-binding protein Epac (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP) due in part to its enzymatic activity towards Rap. The activation of Epac and Rap leads to a highly localized calcium signal which, together with assembly of the SNARE complex, governs the final stages of exocytosis. The source of this releasable calcium is the secretory granule itself.
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