1
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Wang S, Sun S. Translation dysregulation in neurodegenerative diseases: a focus on ALS. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:58. [PMID: 37626421 PMCID: PMC10464328 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00642-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA translation is tightly controlled in eukaryotic cells to regulate gene expression and maintain proteome homeostasis. RNA binding proteins, translation factors, and cell signaling pathways all modulate the translation process. Defective translation is involved in multiple neurological diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and poses a major public health challenge worldwide. Over the past few years, tremendous advances have been made in the understanding of the genetics and pathogenesis of ALS. Dysfunction of RNA metabolisms, including RNA translation, has been closely associated with ALS. Here, we first introduce the general mechanisms of translational regulation under physiological and stress conditions and review well-known examples of translation defects in neurodegenerative diseases. We then focus on ALS-linked genes and discuss the recent progress on how translation is affected by various mutant genes and the repeat expansion-mediated non-canonical translation in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaopeng Wang
- Department of Physiology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Shuying Sun
- Department of Physiology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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2
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Weng C, Dong H, Bai R, Sheng J, Chen G, Ding K, Lin W, Chen J, Xu Z. Angiogenin promotes angiogenesis via the endonucleolytic decay of miR-141 in colorectal cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 27:1010-1022. [PMID: 35228896 PMCID: PMC8844805 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Mature microRNA (miRNA) decay is a key step in miRNA turnover and gene expression regulation. Angiogenin (ANG), the first human tumor-derived angiogenic protein and also a member of the RNase A superfamily, can promote tumor growth and metastasis by regulating rRNA biogenesis and tiRNA production. However, its effect on miRNA has not been explored. In this study, we find that ANG exclusively downregulates mature miR-141 in human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) via its ribonuclease activity and preferably cleaves single-stranded miR-141 at the A5/C6, U7/G8, and U14/A15 sites via endonucleolytic digestion. By downregulating miR-141, ANG promotes HUVECs proliferation, migration, tube formation, and angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, downregulated ANG inhibits ANG-mediated miR-141 decay, thus decreasing the angiogenesis process of HUVECs. We also find an inverse correlation between ANG and miR-141 expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues. Our study indicates that ANG regulates CRC progression by disrupting miR-141 and its regulation on angiogenesis-related target genes, not only revealing a new mechanism of ANG action but also newly identifying miR-141 as a substrate of ANG. This study suggests that targeting ANG nuclease activity might be valuable in treating angiogenesis-related diseases through coordinately regulating the metabolism of rRNA, tiRNA, and miRNA.
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3
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Chen J, Huang X, Geng R, Zhu D, Wang W, Liu H. Ribonuclease1 contributes to the antibacterial response and immune defense in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 172:309-320. [PMID: 33454323 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.01.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ribonuclease 1 (RNase1) is a vertebrate-specific enzyme that mainly performs digestive activity in herbivorous mammals. Here we used bacterial viability assays to explore its antimicrobial activity in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). The results showed that Ma-RNase1 rapidly killed Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria at micromolar concentrations. Ma-RNase1 increased the permeability of bacterial outer and inner membranes, thus reducing the integrity of bacterial cell wall and membrane. Moreover, Ma-RNase1 effectively counteracted the tissue damage and apoptosis caused by Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblot analysis indicated that RNase1 mRNA and protein were up-regulated in the kidney and gut during infection. Furthermore, A. hydrophila infection significantly induced Tnf-α and Il-1β mRNA expression in liver, but not in the RNase1 pre-treatment group. In addition, a significant increase in the expression of immune-related genes (Nf-κb and Tlr4) was found in liver, kidney and gut of A. hydrophila-infected fish, while a decrease in Myd88 and Tlr4 levels was found in liver, spleen, kidney and gut in the group pre-treated with RNase1. Collectively, these data suggest that Ma-RNase1 has antimicrobial function both in vitro and in vivo, and contributes to the protective effect and immune defense of blunt snout bream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- College of Fisheries, Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education/Key laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xin Huang
- College of Fisheries, Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education/Key laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ruijing Geng
- College of Fisheries, Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education/Key laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Dongmei Zhu
- College of Fisheries, Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education/Key laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Weimin Wang
- College of Fisheries, Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education/Key laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Han Liu
- College of Fisheries, Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education/Key laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
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4
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Mironova N, Vlassov V. Surveillance of Tumour Development: The Relationship Between Tumour-Associated RNAs and Ribonucleases. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1019. [PMID: 31572192 PMCID: PMC6753386 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumour progression is accompanied by rapid cell proliferation, loss of differentiation, the reprogramming of energy metabolism, loss of adhesion, escape of immune surveillance, induction of angiogenesis, and metastasis. Both coding and regulatory RNAs expressed by tumour cells and circulating in the blood are involved in all stages of tumour progression. Among the important tumour-associated RNAs are intracellular coding RNAs that determine the routes of metabolic pathways, cell cycle control, angiogenesis, adhesion, apoptosis and pathways responsible for transformation, and intracellular and extracellular non-coding RNAs involved in regulation of the expression of their proto-oncogenic and oncosuppressing mRNAs. Considering the diversity/variability of biological functions of RNAs, it becomes evident that extracellular RNAs represent important regulators of cell-to-cell communication and intracellular cascades that maintain cell proliferation and differentiation. In connection with the elucidation of such an important role for RNA, a surge in interest in RNA-degrading enzymes has increased. Natural ribonucleases (RNases) participate in various cellular processes including miRNA biogenesis, RNA decay and degradation that has determined their principal role in the sustention of RNA homeostasis in cells. Findings were obtained on the contribution of some endogenous ribonucleases in the maintenance of normal cell RNA homeostasis, which thus prevents cell transformation. These findings directed attention to exogenous ribonucleases as tools to compensate for the malfunction of endogenous ones. Recently a number of proteins with ribonuclease activity were discovered whose intracellular function remains unknown. Thus, the comprehensive investigation of physiological roles of RNases is still required. In this review we focused on the control mechanisms of cell transformation by endogenous ribonucleases, and the possibility of replacing malfunctioning enzymes with exogenous ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezhda Mironova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Valentin Vlassov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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5
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Ferguson R, Holloway DE, Chandrasekhar A, Acharya KR, Subramanian V. The catalytic activity and secretion of zebrafish RNases are essential for their in vivo function in motor neurons and vasculature. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1107. [PMID: 30710110 PMCID: PMC6358602 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37140-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenin (hANG), a member of the Ribonuclease A superfamily has angiogenic, neurotrophic and neuroprotective activities. Mutations in hANG have been found in patients with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The zebrafish (Danio rerio) rnasel-1, 2 and 3 are orthologues of hANG and of these only Rnasel-1 and Rnasel-2 have been shown to be angiogenic. Herein we show that NCI-65828, a potent and specific small molecule inhibitor of hANG inhibits Rnasel-1 to a similar extent. Treatment of early zebrafish embryos with NCI-65828, or with terrein, a fungal metabolite which prevents the secretion of hANG, resulted in spinal neuron aberrations as well defects in trunk vasculature. Our detailed expression analysis and inhibitor studies suggest that Rnasel-1 plays important roles in neuronal migration and pathfinding as well as in angiogenesis in zebrafish. Our studies suggest the usefulness of the zebrafish as a model to dissect the molecular consequences of the ANG ALS variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross Ferguson
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Daniel E Holloway
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Anand Chandrasekhar
- Division of Biological Sciences and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211-7310, USA
| | - K Ravi Acharya
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Vasanta Subramanian
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
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6
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Lu L, Li J, Moussaoui M, Boix E. Immune Modulation by Human Secreted RNases at the Extracellular Space. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1012. [PMID: 29867984 PMCID: PMC5964141 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The ribonuclease A superfamily is a vertebrate-specific family of proteins that encompasses eight functional members in humans. The proteins are secreted by diverse innate immune cells, from blood cells to epithelial cells and their levels in our body fluids correlate with infection and inflammation processes. Recent studies ascribe a prominent role to secretory RNases in the extracellular space. Extracellular RNases endowed with immuno-modulatory and antimicrobial properties can participate in a wide variety of host defense tasks, from performing cellular housekeeping to maintaining body fluid sterility. Their expression and secretion are induced in response to a variety of injury stimuli. The secreted proteins can target damaged cells and facilitate their removal from the focus of infection or inflammation. Following tissue damage, RNases can participate in clearing RNA from cellular debris or work as signaling molecules to regulate the host response and contribute to tissue remodeling and repair. We provide here an overall perspective on the current knowledge of human RNases’ biological properties and their role in health and disease. The review also includes a brief description of other vertebrate family members and unrelated extracellular RNases that share common mechanisms of action. A better knowledge of RNase mechanism of actions and an understanding of their physiological roles should facilitate the development of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Jiarui Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Mohammed Moussaoui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Ester Boix
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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7
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Zhai Y, Zhao X, Hu GF, Sheng J, Xu Z. Pro-angiogenic effect of ribonuclease like 1 in zebrafish embryo development. GENE REPORTS 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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8
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Expression Patterns and Functional Novelty of Ribonuclease 1 in Herbivorous Megalobrama amblycephala. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17050786. [PMID: 27213364 PMCID: PMC4881602 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17050786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribonuclease 1 (RNase1) is an important digestive enzyme that has been used to study the molecular evolutionary and plant-feeding adaptation of mammals. However, the expression patterns and potential biological function of RNase1 in herbivorous fish is not known. Here, we identified RNase1 from five fish species and illuminated the functional diversification and expression of RNase1 in herbivorous Megalobrama amblycephala. The five identified fish RNase1 genes all have the signature motifs of the RNase A superfamily. No expression of Ma-RNase1 was detected in early developmental stages but a weak expression was detected at 120 and 144 hours post-fertilization (hpf). Ma-RNase1 was only expressed in the liver and heart of one-year-old fish but strongly expressed in the liver, spleen, gut, kidney and testis of two-year-old fish. Moreover, the immunostaining localized RNase1 production to multiple tissues of two-year-old fish. A biological functional analysis of the recombinant protein demonstrated that M. amblycephala RNase1 had a relatively strong ribonuclease activity at its optimal pH 6.1, which is consistent with the pH of its intestinal microenvironment. Collectively, these results clearly show that Ma-RNase1 protein has ribonuclease activity and the expression patterns of Ma-RNase1 are dramatically different in one year and two-year-old fish, suggesting the functional differentiation during fish growing.
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9
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Sheng J, Xu Z. Three decades of research on angiogenin: a review and perspective. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2016; 48:399-410. [PMID: 26705141 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmv131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
As a member of the vertebrate-specific secreted ribonucleases, angiogenin (ANG) was first isolated and identified solely by its ability to induce new blood vessel formation, and now, it has been recognized to play important roles in various physiological and pathological processes through regulating cell proliferation, survival, migration, invasion, and/or differentiation. ANG exhibits very weak ribonucleolytic activity that is critical for its biological functions, and exerts its functions through activating different signaling transduction pathways in different target cells. A series of recent studies have indicated that ANG contributes to cellular nucleic acid metabolism. Here, we comprehensively review the results of studies regarding the structure, mechanism, and function of ANG over the past three decades. Moreover, current problems and future research directions of ANG are discussed. The understanding of the function and mechanism of ANG in a wide context will help to better delineate its roles in diseases, especially in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghao Sheng
- Institute of Environmental Health, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou 310058, China Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China Program in Molecular Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhengping Xu
- Institute of Environmental Health, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou 310058, China Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China Program in Molecular Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
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10
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Ribonuclease like 5 regulates zebrafish yolk extension by suppressing a p53-dependent DNA damage response pathway. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2015; 65:12-9. [PMID: 25980932 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2015.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Ribonuclease like 5 (Rnasel5) is a novel member of the zebrafish ribonuclease A family and its expression is increased during early embryogenesis. However, the in vivo biological function of Rnasel5 remains to be elucidated. Here, we report that knockdown of Rnasel5 by morhpolinos caused shrunken yolk extension as well as increased DNA damage at yolk syncytial layer and external tissue layers via the activation of p53 pathway. In addition, the morphological defects caused by Rnasel5 knockdown can be partially rescued by mRNA injection. Our findings provide the first functional characterization of Rnasel5 in zebrafish development and reveal its critical role in yolk extension by modulation of the p53 pathway.
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Del Giudice R, Monti DM, Sarcinelli C, Arciello A, Piccoli R, Hu GF. Amyloidogenic variant of apolipoprotein A-I elicits cellular stress by attenuating the protective activity of angiogenin. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1097. [PMID: 24603325 PMCID: PMC3973227 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2013] [Revised: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Amyloidogenic ‘gain-of-function' mutations in apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) gene (APOA1) result in systemic amyloidosis characterized by aggregate deposition and eventually cell death. However, how amyloidogenic variants of ApoA-I induce cell death is unknown. Here we report that one of the mechanisms by which amyloidogenic ApoA-I induces cell death is through attenuating anti-stress activity of angiogenin (ANG), a homeostatic protein having both pro-growth and pro-survival functions. Under growth conditions, ANG is located in nucleolus where it promotes ribosomal RNA (rRNA) transcription thereby stimulating cell growth. In adverse conditions, ANG is relocated to cytoplasm to promote damage repairs and cell survival. We find that in cells overexpressing the L75P-APOA1 mutant ANG expression is decreased and normal cellular localization of ANG is altered in response to stress and growth signals. In particular, ANG does not relocate to cytoplasm under stress conditions but is rather retained in the nucleolus where it continues promoting rRNA transcription, thus imposing a ribotoxic effect while simultaneously compromising its pro-survival activity. Consistently, we also find that addition of exogenous ANG protects cells from L75P-ApoA-I-induced apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Del Giudice
- 1] Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 4, Naples 80126, Italy [2] Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - D M Monti
- 1] Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 4, Naples 80126, Italy [2] National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems (INBB), Rome, Italy
| | - C Sarcinelli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 4, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - A Arciello
- 1] Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 4, Naples 80126, Italy [2] National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems (INBB), Rome, Italy
| | - R Piccoli
- 1] Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 4, Naples 80126, Italy [2] National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems (INBB), Rome, Italy
| | - G-F Hu
- Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA
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Oehlers SH, Flores MV, Chen T, Hall CJ, Crosier KE, Crosier PS. Topographical distribution of antimicrobial genes in the zebrafish intestine. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2011; 35:385-91. [PMID: 21093479 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2010.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2010] [Revised: 11/09/2010] [Accepted: 11/09/2010] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish is increasingly being utilized to study aspects of the conserved innate intestinal immunity of vertebrates. In mammals, some antimicrobial proteins are synthesised by specialised immune cells that appear to have no equivalent in zebrafish. To delineate foci of antimicrobial protein production along the zebrafish intestine, we examined the antero-posterior expression gradients of antimicrobial genes. Quantitative PCR revealed distinct expression gradient profiles, with the mid-intestine exhibiting elevated expression of several genes such as dual oxidase and the defensin beta-like and peptidoglycan recognition protein families. This region also presented with the most numbers of leukocytes and endocytic cells, supporting a specialised immunological role. Conversely, expression of the Dr-RNase family was prominent in the anterior intestine. Expression of the zebrafish β-defensin family was examined in adult zebrafish tissues. Strong expression of defensin beta-like 1 was detected in the swim bladder of zebrafish from the larval stage of development through to adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan H Oehlers
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
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13
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Abstract
Recently, extracellular RNases of the RNase A superfamily, with the characteristic CKxxNTF sequence signature, have been identified in fish. This has led to the recognition that these RNases are present in the whole vertebrate subphylum. In fact, they comprise the only enzyme family unique to vertebrates. Four RNases from zebrafish (Danio rerio) have been previously reported and have a very low RNase activity; some of these are endowed, like human angiogenin, with powerful angiogenic and bactericidal activities. In the present paper, we report the three-dimensional structure, the thermodynamic behaviour and the biological properties of a novel zebrafish RNase, ZF-RNase-5. The investigation of its structural and functional properties, extended to all other subfamily members, provides an inclusive description of the whole zebrafish RNase subfamily.
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