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Ampadu F, Awasthi V, Joshi AD. Role of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase Kinase 4 Signaling in Liver and Metabolic Diseases. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 390:233-239. [PMID: 38844365 PMCID: PMC11264251 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.124.002065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
MAP4K4 is a serine/threonine protein kinase belonging to the germinal center kinase subgroup of sterile 20 protein family of kinases. MAP4K4 has been involved in regulating multiple biologic processes and a plethora of pathologies, including systemic inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and metabolic and hepatic diseases. Recently, multiple reports have indicated the upregulation of MAP4K4 expression and signaling in hyperglycemia and liver diseases. This review provides an overview of our current knowledge of MAP4K4 structure and expression, as well as its regulation and signaling, specifically in metabolic and hepatic diseases. Reviewing these promising studies will enrich our understanding of MAP4K4 signaling pathways and, in the future, will help us design innovative therapeutic interventions against metabolic and liver diseases using MAP4K4 as a target. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Although most studies on the involvement of MAP4K4 in human pathologies are related to cancers, only recently its role in liver and other metabolic diseases is beginning to unravel. This mini review discusses recent advancements in MAP4K4 biology within the context of metabolic dysfunction and comprehensively characterizes MAP4K4 as a clinically relevant therapeutic target against liver and metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Ampadu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Vibhudutta Awasthi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Aditya D Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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2
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Juin A, Spence HJ, Machesky LM. Dichotomous role of the serine/threonine kinase MAP4K4 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma onset and metastasis through control of AKT and ERK pathways. J Pathol 2024; 262:454-466. [PMID: 38229581 DOI: 10.1002/path.6248] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
MAP4K4 is a serine/threonine kinase of the STE20 family involved in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics and cell motility. It has been proposed as a target of angiogenesis and inhibitors show potential in cardioprotection. MAP4K4 also mediates cell invasion in vitro, is overexpressed in various types of cancer, and is associated with poor patient prognosis. Recently, MAP4K4 has been shown to be overexpressed in pancreatic cancer, but its role in tumour initiation, progression, and metastasis is unknown. Here, using the KrasG12D Trp53R172H Pdx1-Cre (KPC) mouse model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), we show that deletion of Map4k4 drives tumour initiation and progression. Moreover, we report that the acceleration of tumour onset is also associated with an overactivation of ERK and AKT, two major downstream effectors of KRAS, in vitro and in vivo. In contrast to the accelerated tumour onset caused by loss of MAP4K4, we observed a reduction in metastatic burden with both the KPC model and in an intraperitoneal transplant assay indicating a major role of MAP4K4 in metastatic seeding. In summary, our study sheds light on the dichotomous role of MAP4K4 in the initiation of PDAC onset, progression, and metastatic dissemination. It also identifies MAP4K4 as a possible druggable target against pancreatic cancer spread, but with the caveat that targeting MAP4K4 might accelerate early tumorigenesis. © 2024 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laura M Machesky
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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3
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Lin TY, Ramsamooj S, Perrier T, Liberatore K, Lantier L, Vasan N, Karukurichi K, Hwang SK, Kesicki EA, Kastenhuber ER, Wiederhold T, Yaron TM, Huntsman EM, Zhu M, Ma Y, Paddock MN, Zhang G, Hopkins BD, McGuinness O, Schwartz RE, Ersoy BA, Cantley LC, Johnson JL, Goncalves MD. Epinephrine inhibits PI3Kα via the Hippo kinases. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113535. [PMID: 38060450 PMCID: PMC10809223 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113535] [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: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The phosphoinositide 3-kinase p110α is an essential mediator of insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis. We interrogated the human serine, threonine, and tyrosine kinome to search for novel regulators of p110α and found that the Hippo kinases phosphorylate p110α at T1061, which inhibits its activity. This inhibitory state corresponds to a conformational change of a membrane-binding domain on p110α, which impairs its ability to engage membranes. In human primary hepatocytes, cancer cell lines, and rodent tissues, activation of the Hippo kinases MST1/2 using forskolin or epinephrine is associated with phosphorylation of T1061 and inhibition of p110α, impairment of downstream insulin signaling, and suppression of glycolysis and glycogen synthesis. These changes are abrogated when MST1/2 are genetically deleted or inhibited with small molecules or if the T1061 is mutated to alanine. Our study defines an inhibitory pathway of PI3K signaling and a link between epinephrine and insulin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Yu Lin
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Shakti Ramsamooj
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Tiffany Perrier
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | | | - Louise Lantier
- Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Neil Vasan
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | | | - Seo-Kyoung Hwang
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | | | | | | | - Tomer M Yaron
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Emily M Huntsman
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mengmeng Zhu
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core Facility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Yilun Ma
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Marcia N Paddock
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Guoan Zhang
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core Facility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | | | - Owen McGuinness
- Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Robert E Schwartz
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Baran A Ersoy
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Lewis C Cantley
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Jared L Johnson
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Marcus D Goncalves
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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4
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George N, Bhandari P, Shruptha P, Jayaram P, Chaudhari S, Satyamoorthy K. Multidimensional outlook on the pathophysiology of cervical cancer invasion and metastasis. Mol Cell Biochem 2023; 478:2581-2606. [PMID: 36905477 PMCID: PMC10006576 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04686-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Cervical cancer being one of the primary causes of high mortality rates among women is an area of concern, especially with ineffective treatment strategies. Extensive studies are carried out to understand various aspects of cervical cancer initiation, development and progression; however, invasive cervical squamous cell carcinoma has poor outcomes. Moreover, the advanced stages of cervical cancer may involve lymphatic circulation with a high risk of tumor recurrence at distant metastatic sites. Dysregulation of the cervical microbiome by human papillomavirus (HPV) together with immune response modulation and the occurrence of novel mutations that trigger genomic instability causes malignant transformation at the cervix. In this review, we focus on the major risk factors as well as the functionally altered signaling pathways promoting the transformation of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia into invasive squamous cell carcinoma. We further elucidate genetic and epigenetic variations to highlight the complexity of causal factors of cervical cancer as well as the metastatic potential due to the changes in immune response, epigenetic regulation, DNA repair capacity, and cell cycle progression. Our bioinformatics analysis on metastatic and non-metastatic cervical cancer datasets identified various significantly and differentially expressed genes as well as the downregulation of potential tumor suppressor microRNA miR-28-5p. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the genomic landscape in invasive and metastatic cervical cancer will help in stratifying the patient groups and designing potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neena George
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Poonam Bhandari
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Padival Shruptha
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Pradyumna Jayaram
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Sima Chaudhari
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Kapaettu Satyamoorthy
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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5
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Patterson V, Ullah F, Bryant L, Griffin JN, Sidhu A, Saliganan S, Blaile M, Saenz MS, Smith R, Ellingwood S, Grange DK, Hu X, Mireguli M, Luo Y, Shen Y, Mulhern M, Zackai E, Ritter A, Izumi K, Hoefele J, Wagner M, Riedhammer KM, Seitz B, Robin NH, Goodloe D, Mignot C, Keren B, Cox H, Jarvis J, Hempel M, Gibson CF, Tran Mau-Them F, Vitobello A, Bruel AL, Sorlin A, Mehta S, Raymond FL, Gilmore K, Powell BC, Weck K, Li C, Vulto-van Silfhout AT, Giacomini T, Mancardi MM, Accogli A, Salpietro V, Zara F, Vora NL, Davis EE, Burdine R, Bhoj E. Abrogation of MAP4K4 protein function causes congenital anomalies in humans and zebrafish. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade0631. [PMID: 37126546 PMCID: PMC10132768 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade0631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
We report 21 families displaying neurodevelopmental differences and multiple congenital anomalies while bearing a series of rare variants in mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4). MAP4K4 has been implicated in many signaling pathways including c-Jun N-terminal and RAS kinases and is currently under investigation as a druggable target for multiple disorders. Using several zebrafish models, we demonstrate that these human variants are either loss-of-function or dominant-negative alleles and show that decreasing Map4k4 activity causes developmental defects. Furthermore, MAP4K4 can restrain hyperactive RAS signaling in early embryonic stages. Together, our data demonstrate that MAP4K4 negatively regulates RAS signaling in the early embryo and that variants identified in affected humans abrogate its function, establishing MAP4K4 as a causal locus for individuals with syndromic neurodevelopmental differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Patterson
- Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Farid Ullah
- Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Departments of Pediatrics and Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Laura Bryant
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John N. Griffin
- University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Alpa Sidhu
- The Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | | | - Mackenzie Blaile
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Margarita S. Saenz
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Rosemarie Smith
- Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall St, Portland, ME 04102, USA
| | - Sara Ellingwood
- Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall St, Portland, ME 04102, USA
| | - Dorothy K. Grange
- St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Xuyun Hu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetics of Birth Defects, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Genetics and Birth Defects Control Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing, China
| | - Maimaiti Mireguli
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Department of Pediatrics, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yanfei Luo
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Department of Pediatrics, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yiping Shen
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Maternal and Child Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi, Nanning, China
| | - Maureen Mulhern
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W. 168th St, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Elaine Zackai
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alyssa Ritter
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kosaki Izumi
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Julia Hoefele
- Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Matias Wagner
- Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Medicine and Social Pediatrics, University Hospital of Munich, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Korbinian M. Riedhammer
- Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Nephrology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Nathaniel H. Robin
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Dana Goodloe
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Cyril Mignot
- APHP-Sorbonne Université, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Boris Keren
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK
| | - Helen Cox
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK
| | - Joanna Jarvis
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK
| | - Maja Hempel
- University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Antonio Vitobello
- UMR1231 GAD, Inserm, Université Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
- Unité Fonctionnelle Innovation en Diagnostic génomique des maladies rares, FHU-TRANSLAD, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Kelly Gilmore
- Department of Ob/Gyn, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Bradford C. Powell
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Karen Weck
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Chumei Li
- McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | | | - Thea Giacomini
- Unit of Child Neuropsychiatry, University of Genova, EpiCARE Network, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Accogli
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Neeta L. Vora
- Department of Ob/Gyn, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Erica E. Davis
- Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Departments of Pediatrics and Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Bhoj
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Integrated exome and transcriptome analysis prioritizes MAP4K4 de novo frameshift variants in autism spectrum disorder as a novel disease-gene association. Hum Genet 2023; 142:343-350. [PMID: 36469137 PMCID: PMC9950172 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-022-02497-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) to clinical practice is still hampered by the ability to interpret the clinical relevance of novel variants and the difficulty of evaluating their effect in specific tissues. Here, we applied integrated genomic approaches for interrogating blood samples of two unrelated individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and identified a novel neuro-pathogenic role for the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 4 gene (MAP4K4). In particular, we identified two novel frameshift variants in coding exons expressed in the blood and neuronal isoforms. Both variants were predicted to generate non-sense-mediated decay. By transcriptome analysis, we simultaneously demonstrated the deleterious effect of the identified variants on the splicing activity and stability of MAP4K4 mRNA. Therefore, we propose MAP4K4 as a novel causative gene for non-syndromic and syndromic neurodevelopmental disorders. Altogether, we prove the efficacy of an integrated approach of exome and transcriptome sequencing in the resolution of undiagnosed cases by leveraging the analysis of variants in genes expressed in peripheral blood.
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Migliavacca J, Züllig B, Capdeville C, Grotzer MA, Baumgartner M. Cooperation of Striatin 3 and MAP4K4 promotes growth and tissue invasion. Commun Biol 2022; 5:795. [PMID: 35941177 PMCID: PMC9360036 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03708-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
MAP4K4 is associated with increased motility and reduced proliferation in tumor cells, but the regulation of this dichotomous functionality remained elusive. We find that MAP4K4 interacts with striatin 3 and 4 (STRN3/4) and that STRN3 and MAP4K4 exert opposing functions in Hippo signaling and clonal growth. However, depletion of either STRN3 or MAP4K4 in medulloblastoma cells reduces invasion, and loss of both proteins abrogates tumor cell growth in the cerebellar tissue. Mechanistically, STRN3 couples MAP4K4 to the protein phosphatase 2A, which inactivates growth repressing activities of MAP4K4. In parallel, STRN3 enables growth factor-induced PKCθ activation and direct phosphorylation of VASPS157 by MAP4K4, which both are necessary for efficient cell invasion. VASPS157 directed activity of MAP4K4 and STRN3 requires the CNH domain of MAP4K4, which mediates its interaction with striatins. Thus, STRN3 is a master regulator of MAP4K4 function, and disruption of its cooperation with MAP4K4 reactivates Hippo signaling and represses tissue invasion in medulloblastoma. Analysis of the MAP4K4-STRN3 cooperation in medulloblastoma reveals its opposing regulation of Hippo activation and tissue invasion in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Migliavacca
- Pediatric Molecular Neuro-Oncology Research, Division of Oncology, Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Buket Züllig
- Pediatric Molecular Neuro-Oncology Research, Division of Oncology, Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Charles Capdeville
- Pediatric Molecular Neuro-Oncology Research, Division of Oncology, Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michael A Grotzer
- Division of Oncology, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Baumgartner
- Pediatric Molecular Neuro-Oncology Research, Division of Oncology, Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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Anand SK, Caputo M, Xia Y, Andersson E, Cansby E, Kumari S, Henricsson M, Porosk R, Keuenhof KS, Höög JL, Nair S, Marschall HU, Blüher M, Mahlapuu M. Inhibition of MAP4K4 Signaling Initiaties Metabolic Reprogramming to Protect Hepatocytes from Lipotoxic Damage. J Lipid Res 2022; 63:100238. [PMID: 35679904 PMCID: PMC9293639 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2022.100238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary hepatic consequence of obesity is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), affecting about 25% of the global adult population. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe form of NAFLD characterized by liver lipid accumulation, inflammation, and hepatocyte ballooning, with a different degree of hepatic fibrosis. In the light of rapidly increasing prevalence of NAFLD and NASH, there is an urgent need for improved understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of these diseases. The aim of this study was to decipher the possible role of STE20-type kinase MAP4K4 in the regulation of hepatocellular lipotoxicity and susceptibility to NAFLD. We found that MAP4K4 mRNA expression in human liver biopsies was positively correlated with key hallmarks of NAFLD (i.e., liver steatosis, lobular inflammation, hepatocellular ballooning, and fibrosis). We also found that the silencing of MAP4K4 suppressed lipid deposition in human hepatocytes by stimulating β-oxidation and triacylglycerol secretion, while attenuating fatty acid influx and lipid synthesis. Furthermore, downregulation of MAP4K4 markedly reduced the glycolysis rate and lowered incidences of oxidative/endoplasmic reticulum stress. In parallel, we observed suppressed JNK and ERK and increased AKT phosphorylation in MAP4K4-deficient hepatocytes. Together, these results provide the first experimental evidence supporting the potential involvement of STE20-type kinase MAP4K4 as a component of the hepatocellular lipotoxic milieu promoting NAFLD susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Kumar Anand
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mara Caputo
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ying Xia
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Emma Andersson
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Emmelie Cansby
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sima Kumari
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marcus Henricsson
- Biomarker Discovery and Development, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Wallenberg Laboratory, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rando Porosk
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Katharina Susanne Keuenhof
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Johanna Louise Höög
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Syam Nair
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hanns-Ulrich Marschall
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Wallenberg Laboratory, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Matthias Blüher
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity, and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Zentrum München, University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Margit Mahlapuu
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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9
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Latorre J, Aroca A, Fernández-Real JM, Romero LC, Moreno-Navarrete JM. The Combined Partial Knockdown of CBS and MPST Genes Induces Inflammation, Impairs Adipocyte Function-Related Gene Expression and Disrupts Protein Persulfidation in Human Adipocytes. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11061095. [PMID: 35739994 PMCID: PMC9220337 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11061095] [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: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies in mice and humans demonstrated the relevance of H2S synthesising enzymes, such as CTH, CBS, and MPST, in the physiology of adipose tissue and the differentiation of preadipocyte into adipocytes. Here, our objective was to investigate the combined role of CTH, CBS, and MPST in the preservation of adipocyte protein persulfidation and adipogenesis. Combined partial CTH, CBS, and MPST gene knockdown was achieved treating fully human adipocytes with siRNAs against these transcripts (siRNA_MIX). Adipocyte protein persulfidation was analyzed using label-free quantitative mass spectrometry coupled with a dimedone-switch method for protein labeling and purification. Proteomic analysis quantified 216 proteins with statistically different levels of persulfidation in KD cells compared to control adipocytes. In fully differentiated adipocytes, CBS and MPST mRNA and protein levels were abundant, while CTH expression was very low. It is noteworthy that siRNA_MIX administration resulted in a significant decrease in CBS and MPST expression, without impacting on CTH. The combined partial knockdown of the CBS and MPST genes resulted in reduced cellular sulfide levels in parallel to decreased expression of relevant genes for adipocyte biology, including adipogenesis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and lipogenesis, but increased proinflammatory- and senescence-related genes. It should be noted that the combined partial knockdown of CBS and MPST genes also led to a significant disruption in the persulfidation pattern of the adipocyte proteins. Although among the less persulfidated proteins, we identified several relevant proteins for adipocyte adipogenesis and function, among the most persulfidated, key mediators of adipocyte inflammation and dysfunction as well as some proteins that might play a positive role in adipogenesis were found. In conclusion, the current study indicates that the combined partial elimination of CBS and MPST (but not CTH) in adipocytes affects the expression of genes related to the maintenance of adipocyte function and promotes inflammation, possibly by altering the pattern of protein persulfidation in these cells, suggesting that these enzymes were required for the functional maintenance of adipocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Latorre
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Girona (IdIBGi), 17190 Salt, Spain; (J.L.); (J.M.F.-R.)
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn, CB06/03/010), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Angeles Aroca
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones and Universidad de Sevilla, 41092 Seville, Spain; (A.A.); (L.C.R.)
| | - José Manuel Fernández-Real
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Girona (IdIBGi), 17190 Salt, Spain; (J.L.); (J.M.F.-R.)
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn, CB06/03/010), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universitat de Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Luis C. Romero
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones and Universidad de Sevilla, 41092 Seville, Spain; (A.A.); (L.C.R.)
| | - José María Moreno-Navarrete
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Girona (IdIBGi), 17190 Salt, Spain; (J.L.); (J.M.F.-R.)
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn, CB06/03/010), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-872-987087 (ext. 70)
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10
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Abstract
Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a classical, pleiotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine. It is also the first 'adipokine' described to be produced from adipose tissue, regulated in obesity and proposed to contribute to obesity-associated metabolic disease. In this review, we provide an overview of TNF in the context of metabolic inflammation or metaflammation, its discovery as a metabolic messenger, its sites and mechanisms of action and some critical considerations for future research. Although we focus on TNF and the studies that elucidated its immunometabolic actions, we highlight a conceptual framework, generated by these studies, that is equally applicable to the complex network of pro-inflammatory signals, their biological activity and their integration with metabolic regulation, and to the field of immunometabolism more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaswinder K Sethi
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
- National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
| | - Gökhan S Hotamisligil
- Sabri Ülker Center for Metabolic Research, Department of Molecular Metabolism, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard-MIT Broad Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- The Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA, USA.
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11
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Guilherme A, Yenilmez B, Bedard AH, Henriques F, Liu D, Lee A, Goldstein L, Kelly M, Nicoloro SM, Chen M, Weinstein L, Collins S, Czech MP. Control of Adipocyte Thermogenesis and Lipogenesis through β3-Adrenergic and Thyroid Hormone Signal Integration. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107598. [PMID: 32375048 PMCID: PMC7676427 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we show that β adrenergic signaling coordinately upregulates de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and thermogenesis in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT), and both effects are blocked in mice lacking the cAMP-generating G protein-coupled receptor Gs (Adipo-GsαKO) in adipocytes. However, UCP1 expression but not DNL activation requires rapamycin-sensitive mTORC1. Furthermore, β3-adrenergic agonist CL316243 readily upregulates thermogenic but not lipogenic genes in cultured adipocytes, indicating that additional regulators must operate on DNL in sWAT in vivo. We identify one such factor as thyroid hormone T3, which is elevated locally by adrenergic signaling. T3 administration to wild-type mice enhances both thermogenesis and DNL in sWAT. Mechanistically, T3 action on UCP1 expression in sWAT depends upon cAMP and is blocked in Adipo-GsαKO mice even as elevated DNL persists. Thus, T3 enhances sWAT thermogenesis by amplifying cAMP signaling, while its control of adipocyte DNL can be mediated independently of both cAMP and rapamycin-sensitive mTORC1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adilson Guilherme
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| | - Batuhan Yenilmez
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Alexander H Bedard
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Felipe Henriques
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Dianxin Liu
- Departments of Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine, and Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Alexandra Lee
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Lauren Goldstein
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Mark Kelly
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Sarah M Nicoloro
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Min Chen
- Metabolic Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-1752, USA
| | - Lee Weinstein
- Metabolic Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-1752, USA
| | - Sheila Collins
- Departments of Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine, and Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Michael P Czech
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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12
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Cruz-Pulido D, Boley PA, Ouma WZ, Alhamo MA, Saif LJ, Kenney SP. Comparative Transcriptome Profiling of Human and Pig Intestinal Epithelial Cells after Porcine Deltacoronavirus Infection. Viruses 2021; 13:v13020292. [PMID: 33668405 PMCID: PMC7918119 DOI: 10.3390/v13020292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is an emerging infectious disease of swine with zoonotic potential. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that PDCoV originated recently from a host-switching event between birds and mammals. Little is known about how PDCoV interacts with its differing hosts. Human-derived cell lines are susceptible to PDCoV infection. Herein, we compare the gene expression profiles of an established host swine cells to potential emerging host human cells after infection with PDCoV. Cell lines derived from intestinal lineages were used to reproduce the primary sites of viral infection in the host. Porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) and human intestinal epithelial cells (HIEC) were infected with PDCoV. RNA-sequencing was performed on total RNA extracted from infected cells. Human cells exhibited a more pronounced response to PDCoV infection in comparison to porcine cells with more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in human, 7486, in comparison to pig cells, 1134. On the transcriptional level, the adoptive host human cells exhibited more DEGs in response to PDCoV infection in comparison to the primary pig host cells, where different types of cytokines can control PDCoV replication and virus production. Key immune-associated DEGs and signaling pathways are shared between human and pig cells during PDCoV infection. These included genes related to the NF-kappa-B transcription factor family, the interferon (IFN) family, the protein-kinase family, and signaling pathways such as the apoptosis signaling pathway, JAK-STAT signaling pathway, inflammation/cytokine–cytokine receptor signaling pathway. MAP4K4 was unique in up-regulated DEGs in humans in the apoptosis signaling pathway. While similarities exist between human and pig cells in many pathways, our research suggests that the adaptation of PDCoV to the porcine host required the ability to down-regulate many response pathways including the interferon pathway. Our findings provide an important foundation that contributes to an understanding of the mechanisms of PDCoV infection across different hosts. To our knowledge, this is the first report of transcriptome analysis of human cells infected by PDCoV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Cruz-Pulido
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Food Animal Health Research Program (FAHRP), Wooster, OH 44691, USA; (D.C.-P.); (P.A.B.); (M.A.A.); (L.J.S.)
| | - Patricia A. Boley
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Food Animal Health Research Program (FAHRP), Wooster, OH 44691, USA; (D.C.-P.); (P.A.B.); (M.A.A.); (L.J.S.)
| | | | - Moyasar A. Alhamo
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Food Animal Health Research Program (FAHRP), Wooster, OH 44691, USA; (D.C.-P.); (P.A.B.); (M.A.A.); (L.J.S.)
| | - Linda J. Saif
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Food Animal Health Research Program (FAHRP), Wooster, OH 44691, USA; (D.C.-P.); (P.A.B.); (M.A.A.); (L.J.S.)
| | - Scott P. Kenney
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Food Animal Health Research Program (FAHRP), Wooster, OH 44691, USA; (D.C.-P.); (P.A.B.); (M.A.A.); (L.J.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-330-263-3747
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13
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Esen E, Sergin I, Jesudason R, Himmels P, Webster JD, Zhang H, Xu M, Piskol R, McNamara E, Gould S, Capietto AH, Delamarre L, Walsh K, Ye W. MAP4K4 negatively regulates CD8 T cell-mediated antitumor and antiviral immunity. Sci Immunol 2020; 5:5/45/eaay2245. [PMID: 32220977 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aay2245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
During cytotoxic T cell activation, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) engages its ligands on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) or target cells to enhance T cell priming or lytic activity. Inhibiting LFA-1 dampens T cell-dependent symptoms in inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and graft-versus-host disease. However, the therapeutic potential of augmenting LFA-1 function is less explored. Here, we show that genetic deletion or inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4) enhances LFA-1 activation on CD8 T cells and improves their adherence to APCs or LFA-1 ligand. In addition, loss of Map4k4 increases CD8 T cell priming, which culminates in enhanced antigen-dependent activation, proliferation, cytokine production, and cytotoxic activity, resulting in impaired tumor growth and improved response to viral infection. LFA-1 inhibition reverses these phenotypes. The ERM (ezrin, radixin, and moesin) proteins reportedly regulate T cell-APC conjugation, but the molecular regulator and effector of ERM proteins in T cells have not been defined. In this study, we demonstrate that the ERM proteins serve as mediators between MAP4K4 and LFA-1. Last, systematic analyses of many organs revealed that inducible whole-body deletion of Map4k4 in adult animals is tolerated under homeostatic conditions. Our results uncover MAP4K4 as a potential target to augment antitumor and antiviral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emel Esen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ismail Sergin
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rajiv Jesudason
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Patricia Himmels
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joshua D Webster
- Department of Research Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hua Zhang
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robert Piskol
- Department of Bioinformatics, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Erin McNamara
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Stephen Gould
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Lélia Delamarre
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kevin Walsh
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Weilan Ye
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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14
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Islam ABMMK, Mohammad E, Khan MAAK. Aberration of the modulatory functions of intronic microRNA hsa-miR-933 on its host gene ATF2 results in type II diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative disease development. Hum Genomics 2020; 14:34. [PMID: 32993798 PMCID: PMC7526404 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-020-00285-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs are ~ 22-nucleotide-long biological modifiers that act as the post-transcriptional modulator of gene expression. Some of them are identified to be embedded within the introns of protein-coding genes, these miRNAs are called the intronic miRNAs. Previous findings state that these intronic miRNAs are co-expressed with their host genes. This co-expression is necessary to maintain the robustness of the biological system. Till to date, only a few experiments are performed discretely to elucidate the functional relationship between few co-expressed intronic miRNAs and their associated host genes. RESULTS In this study, we have interpreted the underlying modulatory mechanisms of intronic miRNA hsa-miR-933 on its target host gene ATF2 and found that aberration can lead to several disease conditions. A protein-protein interaction network-based approach was adopted, and functional enrichment analysis was performed to elucidate the significantly over-represented biological functions and pathways of the common targets. Our approach delineated that hsa-miR-933 might control the hyperglycemic condition and hyperinsulinism by regulating ATF2 target genes MAP4K4, PRKCE, PEA15, BDNF, PRKACB, and GNAS which can otherwise lead to the development of type II diabetes mellitus. Moreover, we showed that hsa-miR-933 can regulate a target of ATF2, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), to modulate the optimal expression of ATF2 in neuron cells to render neuroprotection for the inhibition of neurodegenerative diseases. CONCLUSIONS Our in silico model provides interesting resources for experimentations in a model organism or cell line for further validation. These findings may extend the common perception of gene expression analysis with new regulatory functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eusra Mohammad
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Current Affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Md. Abdullah-Al-Kamran Khan
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Current Affiliation: Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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15
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Kim JW, Berrios C, Kim M, Schade AE, Adelmant G, Yeerna H, Damato E, Iniguez AB, Florens L, Washburn MP, Stegmaier K, Gray NS, Tamayo P, Gjoerup O, Marto JA, DeCaprio J, Hahn WC. STRIPAK directs PP2A activity toward MAP4K4 to promote oncogenic transformation of human cells. eLife 2020; 9:53003. [PMID: 31913126 PMCID: PMC6984821 DOI: 10.7554/elife.53003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations involving serine-threonine phosphatase PP2A subunits occur in a range of human cancers, and partial loss of PP2A function contributes to cell transformation. Displacement of regulatory B subunits by the SV40 Small T antigen (ST) or mutation/deletion of PP2A subunits alters the abundance and types of PP2A complexes in cells, leading to transformation. Here, we show that ST not only displaces common PP2A B subunits but also promotes A-C subunit interactions with alternative B subunits (B’’’, striatins) that are components of the Striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complex. We found that STRN4, a member of STRIPAK, is associated with ST and is required for ST-PP2A-induced cell transformation. ST recruitment of STRIPAK facilitates PP2A-mediated dephosphorylation of MAP4K4 and induces cell transformation through the activation of the Hippo pathway effector YAP1. These observations identify an unanticipated role of MAP4K4 in transformation and show that the STRIPAK complex regulates PP2A specificity and activity. Cells maintain a fine balance of signals that promote or counter cell growth and division. Two sets of enzymes – called kinases and phosphatases – contribute to this balance. In general, kinases “switch on” other proteins by tagging them with a phosphate molecule. This process is called phosphorylation. Phosphatases, on the other hand, dephosphorylate these proteins, switching them off. Cancer cells often have mutations that activate kinases to drive cancer growth. The same cells can have mutations that inactivate the phosphatases or reduce their abundance. The roles of phosphatases in cancer are still being studied. One major hurdle in this research is that it is not always clear how they recognize the proteins they dephosphorylate. Protein phosphatase 2A (or PP2A for short) is one of the phosphatases that is often mutated or deleted in human cancers. Even just reduced levels of PP2A can promote cancer. Kim, Berrios, Kim, Schade et al. used an experimental trick to decrease the phosphatase activity of PP2A in human cells growing in a dish. Biochemical analysis of these cells showed that, as expected, many proteins were now in their phosphorylated states. Unexpectedly, however, some proteins were dephosphorylated under these conditions. One of these proteins was called MAP4K4. In the case of MAP4K4, the dephosphorylated state contributes to the growth of the cancer cell. Kim et al. carried out further genetic and biochemical experiments to show that, in these cells, PP2A and MAP4K4 stay physically connected to one another. This connection was enabled by a group of proteins called the STRIPAK complex. The STRIPAK proteins directed the remaining PP2A towards MAP4K4. Low levels or activity of PP2A could, therefore, promote cancer in a different way. Taken together, PP2A is not a single phosphatase that always turns proteins off, but rather is a dual switch that turns off some proteins while turning on others. Future experiments will explore to what extent these findings also apply in tumors. Information about how mutations in PP2A affect human cancers could suggest new targets for cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Wook Kim
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, United States.,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Division of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - Christian Berrios
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Program in Virology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | - Miju Kim
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, United States.,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Amy E Schade
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Program in Virology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | - Guillaume Adelmant
- Department of Cancer Biology and Blais Proteomics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Huwate Yeerna
- Division of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - Emily Damato
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, United States
| | - Amanda Balboni Iniguez
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, United States.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Laurence Florens
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, United States
| | - Michael P Washburn
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, United States.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, United States
| | - Kim Stegmaier
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, United States.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology and Blais Proteomics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Pablo Tamayo
- Division of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - Ole Gjoerup
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Jarrod A Marto
- Department of Cancer Biology and Blais Proteomics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - James DeCaprio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Program in Virology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States.,Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - William C Hahn
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, United States.,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
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16
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Bos PH, Lowry ER, Costa J, Thams S, Garcia-Diaz A, Zask A, Wichterle H, Stockwell BR. Development of MAP4 Kinase Inhibitors as Motor Neuron-Protecting Agents. Cell Chem Biol 2019; 26:1703-1715.e37. [PMID: 31676236 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Disease-causing mutations in many neurodegenerative disorders lead to proteinopathies that trigger endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. However, few therapeutic options exist for patients with these diseases. Using an in vitro screening platform to identify compounds that protect human motor neurons from ER stress-mediated degeneration, we discovered that compounds targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase (MAP4K) family are neuroprotective. The kinase inhibitor URMC-099 (compound 1) stood out as a promising lead compound for further optimization. We coupled structure-based compound design with functional activity testing in neurons subjected to ER stress to develop a series of analogs with improved MAP4K inhibition and concomitant increases in potency and efficacy. Further structural modifications were performed to enhance the pharmacokinetic profiles of the compound 1 derivatives. Prostetin/12k emerged as an exceptionally potent, metabolically stable, and blood-brain barrier-penetrant compound that is well suited for future testing in animal models of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter H Bos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Emily R Lowry
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jonathon Costa
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Sebastian Thams
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Alejandro Garcia-Diaz
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Arie Zask
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Hynek Wichterle
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Brent R Stockwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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17
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Breher-Esch S, Sahini N, Trincone A, Wallstab C, Borlak J. Genomics of lipid-laden human hepatocyte cultures enables drug target screening for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. BMC Med Genomics 2018; 11:111. [PMID: 30547786 PMCID: PMC6295111 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-018-0438-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major health burden in need for new medication. To identify potential drug targets a genomic study was performed in lipid-laden primary human hepatocyte (PHH) and human hepatoma cell cultures. METHODS PHH, HuH7 and HepG2 hepatoma cell cultures were treated with lipids and/or TNFα. Intracellular lipid load was quantified with the ORO assay. The Affymetrix HG-U133+ array system was employed to perform transcriptome analysis. The lipid droplet (LD) growth and fusion was determined by fluorescence microscopy. LD associated proteins were imaged by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and confirmed by Western immunoblotting. Bioinformatics defined perturbed metabolic pathways. RESULTS Whole genome expression profiling identified 227, 1031 and 571 significant regulated genes. Likewise, the combined lipid and TNFα treatment of PHH, HuH7 and HepG2 cell cultures revealed 154, 1238 and 278 differentially expressed genes. Although genomic responses differed among in-vitro systems, commonalities were ascertained by filtering the data for LD associated gene regulations. Among others the LD-growth and fusion associated cell death inducing DFFA like effector C (CIDEC), perilipins (PLIN2, PLIN3), the synaptosome-associated-protein 23 and the vesicle associated membrane protein 3 were strongly up-regulated. Likewise, the PPAR targets pyruvate-dehydrogenase-kinase-4 and angiopoietin-like-4 were up-regulated as was hypoxia-inducible lipid droplet-associated (HILPDA), flotilin and FGF21. Their inhibition ameliorates triglyceride and cholesterol accumulation. TNFα treatment elicited strong induction of the chemokine CXCL8, the kinases MAP3K8, MAP4K4 and negative regulators of cytokine signaling, i.e. SOCS2&SOCS3. Live cell imaging of DsRED calreticulin plasmid transfected HuH7 cells permitted an assessment of LD growth and fusion and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy evidenced induced LD-associated PLIN2, CIDEC, HIF1α, HILPDA, JAK1, PDK4 and ROCK2 expression. Notwithstanding, CPT1A protein was repressed to protect mitochondria from lipid overload. Pharmacological inhibition of the GTPase-dynamin and the fatty acid transporter-2 reduced lipid uptake by 28.5 and 35%, respectively. Finally, a comparisons of in-vitro/NAFLD patient biopsy findings confirmed common gene regulations thus demonstrating clinical relevance. CONCLUSION The genomics of fat-laden hepatocytes revealed LD-associated gene regulations and perturbed metabolic pathways. Immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed expression of coded proteins to provide a rationale for therapeutic intervention strategies. Collectively, the in-vitro system permits testing of drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Breher-Esch
- Centre for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nishika Sahini
- Centre for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anna Trincone
- Centre for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christin Wallstab
- Institute of Biochemistry, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Borlak
- Centre for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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18
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Lee Y, Chakraborty S, Meininger CJ, Muthuchamy M. Insulin resistance disrupts cell integrity, mitochondrial function, and inflammatory signaling in lymphatic endothelium. Microcirculation 2018; 25:e12492. [PMID: 30025187 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lymphatic vessel dysfunction and increased lymph leakage have been directly associated with several metabolic diseases. However, the underlying cellular mechanisms causing lymphatic dysfunction have not been determined. Aberrant insulin signaling affects the metabolic function of cells and consequently impairs tissue function. We hypothesized that insulin resistance in LECs decreases eNOS activity, disrupts barrier integrity increases permeability, and activates mitochondrial dysfunction and pro-inflammatory signaling pathways. METHODS LECs were treated with insulin and/or glucose to determine the mechanisms leading to insulin resistance. RESULTS Acute insulin treatment increased eNOS phosphorylation and NO production in LECs via activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Prolonged hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia induced insulin resistance in LECs. Insulin-resistant LECs produced less NO due to a decrease in eNOS phosphorylation and showed a significant decrease in impedance across an LEC monolayer that was associated with disruption in the adherence junctional proteins. Additionally, insulin resistance in LECs impaired mitochondrial function by decreasing basal-, maximal-, and ATP-linked OCRs and activated NF-κB nuclear translocation coupled with increased pro-inflammatory signaling. CONCLUSION Our data provide the first evidence that insulin resistance disrupts endothelial barrier integrity, decreases eNOS phosphorylation and mitochondrial function, and activates inflammation in LECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Lee
- Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Sanjukta Chakraborty
- Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Cynthia J Meininger
- Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Mariappan Muthuchamy
- Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
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19
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Roth Flach RJ, DiStefano MT, Danai LV, Senol-Cosar O, Yawe JC, Kelly M, Garcia Menendez L, Czech MP. Map4k4 impairs energy metabolism in endothelial cells and promotes insulin resistance in obesity. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2017; 313:E303-E313. [PMID: 28611026 PMCID: PMC5625083 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00037.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The blood vasculature responds to insulin, influencing hemodynamic changes in the periphery, which promotes tissue nutrient and oxygen delivery and thus metabolic function. The lymphatic vasculature regulates fluid and lipid homeostasis, and impaired lymphatic function can contribute to atherosclerosis and obesity. Recent studies have suggested a role for endothelial cell (EC) mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (Map4k4) in developmental angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis as well as atherosclerosis. Here, we show that inducible EC Map4k4 deletion in adult mice ameliorates metabolic dysfunction in obesity despite the development of chylous ascites and a concomitant striking increase in adipose tissue lymphocyte content. Despite these defects, animals lacking endothelial Map4k4 were protected from skeletal muscle microvascular rarefaction in obesity, and primary ECs lacking Map4k4 displayed reduced senescence and increased metabolic capacity. Thus endothelial Map4k4 has complex and opposing functions in the blood and lymphatic endothelium postdevelopment. Whereas blood endothelial Map4k4 promotes vascular dysfunction and impairs glucose homeostasis in adult animals, lymphatic endothelial Map4k4 is required to maintain lymphatic vascular integrity and regulate immune cell trafficking in obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel J Roth Flach
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Marina T DiStefano
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Laura V Danai
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Ozlem Senol-Cosar
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph C Yawe
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Mark Kelly
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Lorena Garcia Menendez
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Michael P Czech
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
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20
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Guilherme A, Pedersen DJ, Henchey E, Henriques FS, Danai LV, Shen Y, Yenilmez B, Jung D, Kim JK, Lodhi IJ, Semenkovich CF, Czech MP. Adipocyte lipid synthesis coupled to neuronal control of thermogenic programming. Mol Metab 2017; 6:781-796. [PMID: 28752043 PMCID: PMC5518709 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2017.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The de novo biosynthesis of fatty acids (DNL) through fatty acid synthase (FASN) in adipocytes is exquisitely regulated by nutrients, hormones, fasting, and obesity in mice and humans. However, the functions of DNL in adipocyte biology and in the regulation of systemic glucose homeostasis are not fully understood. Methods & results Here we show adipocyte DNL controls crosstalk to localized sympathetic neurons that mediate expansion of beige/brite adipocytes within inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT). Induced deletion of FASN in white and brown adipocytes of mature mice (iAdFASNKO mice) enhanced glucose tolerance, UCP1 expression, and cAMP signaling in iWAT. Consistent with induction of adipose sympathetic nerve activity, iAdFASNKO mice displayed markedly increased neuronal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) content in iWAT. In contrast, brown adipose tissue (BAT) of iAdFASNKO mice showed no increase in TH or NPY, nor did FASN deletion selectively in brown adipocytes (UCP1-FASNKO mice) cause these effects in iWAT. Conclusions These results demonstrate that downregulation of fatty acid synthesis via FASN depletion in white adipocytes of mature mice can stimulate neuronal signaling to control thermogenic programming in iWAT. Inducible deletion of FASN in white adipocytes of mature mice enhances browning of iWAT. Inducible deletion of white adipocyte FASN in mature obese mice improves glucose tolerance. Loss of FASN in white adipocytes enhances sympathetic nerve outflow in iWAT. Crosstalk between adipocyte fat metabolism and neuronal stimulation of adipose tissue is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adilson Guilherme
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - David J Pedersen
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Elizabeth Henchey
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Felipe S Henriques
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Laura V Danai
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Yuefei Shen
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Batuhan Yenilmez
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - DaeYoung Jung
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Jason K Kim
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Irfan J Lodhi
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Clay F Semenkovich
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael P Czech
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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21
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Gao X, Gao C, Liu G, Hu J. MAP4K4: an emerging therapeutic target in cancer. Cell Biosci 2016; 6:56. [PMID: 27800153 PMCID: PMC5084373 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-016-0121-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The serine/threonine kinase MAP4K4 is a member of the Ste20p (sterile 20 protein) family. MAP4K4 was initially discovered in 1995 as a key kinase in the mating pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and was later found to be involved in many aspects of cell functions and many biological and pathological processes. The role of MAP4K4 in immunity, inflammation, metabolic and cardiovascular disease has been recognized. Information regarding MAP4K4 in cancers is extremely limited, but increasing evidence suggests that MAP4K4 also plays an important role in cancer and MAP4K4 may represent a novel actionable cancer therapeutic target. This review summarizes our current understanding of MAP4K4 regulation and MAP4K4 in cancer. MAP4K4-specific inhibitors have been recently developed. We hope that this review article would advocate more basic and preclinical research on MAP4K4 in cancer, which could ultimately provide biological and mechanistic justifications for preclinical and clinical test of MAP4K4 inhibitor in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Gao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China ; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA ; University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Hillman Cancer Center Research Pavilion, 2.42D, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
| | - Chenxi Gao
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA ; University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Hillman Cancer Center Research Pavilion, 2.42D, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
| | - Guoxiang Liu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA ; University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Hillman Cancer Center Research Pavilion, 2.42D, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
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22
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Böhm A, Hoffmann C, Irmler M, Schneeweiss P, Schnauder G, Sailer C, Schmid V, Hudemann J, Machann J, Schick F, Beckers J, Hrabě de Angelis M, Staiger H, Fritsche A, Stefan N, Nieß AM, Häring HU, Weigert C. TGF-β Contributes to Impaired Exercise Response by Suppression of Mitochondrial Key Regulators in Skeletal Muscle. Diabetes 2016; 65:2849-61. [PMID: 27358493 DOI: 10.2337/db15-1723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
A substantial number of people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes could not improve insulin sensitivity by physical training intervention. We studied the mechanisms of this impaired exercise response in 20 middle-aged individuals at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes who performed 8 weeks of controlled cycling and walking training at 80% individual Vo2 peak. Participants identified as nonresponders in insulin sensitivity (based on the Matsuda index) did not differ in preintervention parameters compared with high responders. The failure to increase insulin sensitivity after training correlates with impaired upregulation of mitochondrial fuel oxidation genes in skeletal muscle, and with the suppression of the upstream regulators PGC1α and AMPKα2. The muscle transcriptomes of the nonresponders are further characterized by the activation of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and TGF-β target genes, which is associated with increases in inflammatory and macrophage markers. TGF-β1 as inhibitor of mitochondrial regulators and insulin signaling is validated in human skeletal muscle cells. Activated TGF-β1 signaling downregulates the abundance of PGC1α, AMPKα2, the mitochondrial transcription factor TFAM, and mitochondrial enzymes. Thus, the data suggest that increased TGF-β activity in skeletal muscle can attenuate the improvement of mitochondrial fuel oxidation after training and contribute to the failure to increase insulin sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Böhm
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Angiology, Nephrology, Pathobiochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Zentrum München, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Hoffmann
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Angiology, Nephrology, Pathobiochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Irmler
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Patrick Schneeweiss
- Department of Sports Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Günter Schnauder
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Angiology, Nephrology, Pathobiochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Corinna Sailer
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Angiology, Nephrology, Pathobiochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Zentrum München, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Vera Schmid
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Angiology, Nephrology, Pathobiochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jens Hudemann
- Department of Sports Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Machann
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany Section on Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Fritz Schick
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany Section on Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Beckers
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany Institute of Experimental Genetics, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Martin Hrabě de Angelis
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany Institute of Experimental Genetics, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Harald Staiger
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Angiology, Nephrology, Pathobiochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Zentrum München, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Fritsche
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Angiology, Nephrology, Pathobiochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Zentrum München, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Norbert Stefan
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Angiology, Nephrology, Pathobiochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Zentrum München, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Andreas M Nieß
- Department of Sports Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Häring
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Angiology, Nephrology, Pathobiochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Zentrum München, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Cora Weigert
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Angiology, Nephrology, Pathobiochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Zentrum München, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
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23
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Roth Flach RJ, Danai LV, DiStefano MT, Kelly M, Menendez LG, Jurczyk A, Sharma RB, Jung DY, Kim JH, Kim JK, Bortell R, Alonso LC, Czech MP. Protein Kinase Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase Kinase 4 (MAP4K4) Promotes Obesity-induced Hyperinsulinemia. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:16221-30. [PMID: 27226575 PMCID: PMC4965570 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.718932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies revealed a paradox whereby mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (Map4k4) acted as a negative regulator of insulin sensitivity in chronically obese mice, yet systemic deletion of Map4k4 did not improve glucose tolerance. Here, we report markedly reduced glucose-responsive plasma insulin and C-peptide levels in whole body Map4k4-depleted mice (M4K4 iKO) as well as an impaired first phase of insulin secretion from islets derived from M4K4 iKO mice ex vivo After long-term high fat diet (HFD), M4K4 iKO mice pancreata also displayed reduced β cell mass, fewer proliferating β cells and reduced islet-specific gene mRNA expression compared with controls, although insulin content was normal. Interestingly, the reduced plasma insulin in M4K4 iKO mice exposed to chronic (16 weeks) HFD was not observed in response to acute HFD challenge or short term treatment with the insulin receptor antagonist S961. Furthermore, the improved insulin sensitivity in obese M4K4 iKO mice was abrogated by high exogenous insulin over the course of a euglycemic clamp study, indicating that hypoinsulinemia promotes insulin sensitivity in chronically obese M4K4 iKO mice. These results demonstrate that protein kinase Map4k4 drives obesity-induced hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in part by promoting insulin secretion from β cells in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mark Kelly
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605
| | | | | | - Rohit B Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, and
| | | | | | - Jason K Kim
- From the Program in Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, and
| | | | - Laura C Alonso
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, and
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24
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Virbasius JV, Czech MP. Map4k4 Signaling Nodes in Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2016; 27:484-492. [PMID: 27160798 PMCID: PMC4912878 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2016.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (Map4k4), originally identified in small interfering (si)RNA screens and characterized by tissue-specific gene deletions, is emerging as a regulator of glucose homeostasis and cardiovascular health. Recent studies have shown that Map4k4 gene ablation or inhibition of its kinase activity attenuates hyperglycemia and plaque formation in mouse models of insulin resistance and atherosclerosis, and suggest roles for Map4k4 in multiple signaling systems, including NFκB activation, small GTPase regulation, the Hippo cascade, and regulation of cell dynamics by FERM domain proteins. This new and promising area of inquiry raises key questions that need to be addressed, such as defining which of the above or other effectors mediate Map4k4 control of metabolic and vascular functions, and identifying upstream activators of Map4k4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph V Virbasius
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Michael P Czech
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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25
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Roth Flach RJ, Skoura A, Matevossian A, Danai LV, Zheng W, Cortes C, Bhattacharya SK, Aouadi M, Hagan N, Yawe JC, Vangala P, Menendez LG, Cooper MP, Fitzgibbons TP, Buckbinder L, Czech MP. Endothelial protein kinase MAP4K4 promotes vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8995. [PMID: 26688060 PMCID: PMC4703891 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Signalling pathways that control endothelial cell (EC) permeability, leukocyte adhesion and inflammation are pivotal for atherosclerosis initiation and progression. Here we demonstrate that the Sterile-20-like mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4), which has been implicated in inflammation, is abundantly expressed in ECs and in atherosclerotic plaques from mice and humans. On the basis of endothelial-specific MAP4K4 gene silencing and gene ablation experiments in Apoe(-/-) mice, we show that MAP4K4 in ECs markedly promotes Western diet-induced aortic macrophage accumulation and atherosclerotic plaque development. Treatment of Apoe(-/-) and Ldlr(-/-) mice with a selective small-molecule MAP4K4 inhibitor also markedly reduces atherosclerotic lesion area. MAP4K4 silencing in cultured ECs attenuates cell surface adhesion molecule expression while reducing nuclear localization and activity of NFκB, which is critical for promoting EC activation and atherosclerosis. Taken together, these results reveal that MAP4K4 is a key signalling node that promotes immune cell recruitment in atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Athanasia Skoura
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Unit, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | | | - Laura V. Danai
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
| | - Wei Zheng
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Unit, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Christian Cortes
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Unit, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | | | - Myriam Aouadi
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
| | - Nana Hagan
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
| | - Joseph C. Yawe
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
| | - Pranitha Vangala
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
| | | | - Marcus P. Cooper
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
| | - Timothy P. Fitzgibbons
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
| | - Leonard Buckbinder
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Unit, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Michael P. Czech
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
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