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Wu Y, Jensen N, Rossner MJ, Wehr MC. Exploiting Cell-Based Assays to Accelerate Drug Development for G Protein-Coupled Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5474. [PMID: 38791511 PMCID: PMC11121687 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are relevant targets for health and disease as they regulate various aspects of metabolism, proliferation, differentiation, and immune pathways. They are implicated in several disease areas, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mental disorders. It is worth noting that about a third of all marketed drugs target GPCRs, making them prime pharmacological targets for drug discovery. Numerous functional assays have been developed to assess GPCR activity and GPCR signaling in living cells. Here, we review the current literature of genetically encoded cell-based assays to measure GPCR activation and downstream signaling at different hierarchical levels of signaling, from the receptor to transcription, via transducers, effectors, and second messengers. Singleplex assay formats provide one data point per experimental condition. Typical examples are bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assays and protease cleavage assays (e.g., Tango or split TEV). By contrast, multiplex assay formats allow for the parallel measurement of multiple receptors and pathways and typically use molecular barcodes as transcriptional reporters in barcoded assays. This enables the efficient identification of desired on-target and on-pathway effects as well as detrimental off-target and off-pathway effects. Multiplex assays are anticipated to accelerate drug discovery for GPCRs as they provide a comprehensive and broad identification of compound effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Wu
- Research Group Cell Signalling, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Systasy Bioscience GmbH, Balanstr. 6, 81669 Munich, Germany
| | - Niels Jensen
- Systasy Bioscience GmbH, Balanstr. 6, 81669 Munich, Germany
- Section of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Moritz J. Rossner
- Systasy Bioscience GmbH, Balanstr. 6, 81669 Munich, Germany
- Section of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Michael C. Wehr
- Research Group Cell Signalling, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Systasy Bioscience GmbH, Balanstr. 6, 81669 Munich, Germany
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2
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Nguyen TP, Otani T, Tsutsumi M, Kinoshita N, Fujiwara S, Nemoto T, Fujimori T, Furuse M. Tight junction membrane proteins regulate the mechanical resistance of the apical junctional complex. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202307104. [PMID: 38517380 PMCID: PMC10959758 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202307104] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Epithelia must be able to resist mechanical force to preserve tissue integrity. While intercellular junctions are known to be important for the mechanical resistance of epithelia, the roles of tight junctions (TJs) remain to be established. We previously demonstrated that epithelial cells devoid of the TJ membrane proteins claudins and JAM-A completely lack TJs and exhibit focal breakages of their apical junctions. Here, we demonstrate that apical junctions fracture when claudin/JAM-A-deficient cells undergo spontaneous cell stretching. The junction fracture was accompanied by actin disorganization, and actin polymerization was required for apical junction integrity in the claudin/JAM-A-deficient cells. Further deletion of CAR resulted in the disruption of ZO-1 molecule ordering at cell junctions, accompanied by severe defects in apical junction integrity. These results demonstrate that TJ membrane proteins regulate the mechanical resistance of the apical junctional complex in epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh Phuong Nguyen
- Division of Cell Structure, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
- Physiological Sciences Program, Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Tetsuhisa Otani
- Division of Cell Structure, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
- Physiological Sciences Program, Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Okazaki, Japan
- Japan Science and Technology Agency, Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology, Kawaguchi, Japan
| | - Motosuke Tsutsumi
- Division of Biophotonics, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
- Biophotonics Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Kinoshita
- Division of Embryology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Basic Biology Program, Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Sachiko Fujiwara
- Division of Cell Structure, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
- Physiological Sciences Program, Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Tomomi Nemoto
- Physiological Sciences Program, Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Okazaki, Japan
- Division of Biophotonics, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
- Biophotonics Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Fujimori
- Division of Embryology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Basic Biology Program, Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Mikio Furuse
- Division of Cell Structure, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
- Physiological Sciences Program, Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Okazaki, Japan
- Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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3
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Husser MC, Pham NP, Law C, Araujo FRB, Martin VJJ, Piekny A. Endogenous tagging using split mNeonGreen in human iPSCs for live imaging studies. eLife 2024; 12:RP92819. [PMID: 38652106 PMCID: PMC11037917 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92819] [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] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Endogenous tags have become invaluable tools to visualize and study native proteins in live cells. However, generating human cell lines carrying endogenous tags is difficult due to the low efficiency of homology-directed repair. Recently, an engineered split mNeonGreen protein was used to generate a large-scale endogenous tag library in HEK293 cells. Using split mNeonGreen for large-scale endogenous tagging in human iPSCs would open the door to studying protein function in healthy cells and across differentiated cell types. We engineered an iPS cell line to express the large fragment of the split mNeonGreen protein (mNG21-10) and showed that it enables fast and efficient endogenous tagging of proteins with the short fragment (mNG211). We also demonstrate that neural network-based image restoration enables live imaging studies of highly dynamic cellular processes such as cytokinesis in iPSCs. This work represents the first step towards a genome-wide endogenous tag library in human stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nhat P Pham
- Biology Department, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Chris Law
- Biology Department, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
- Center for Microscopy and Cellular Imaging, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Flavia R B Araujo
- Center for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Vincent J J Martin
- Biology Department, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
- Center for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Alisa Piekny
- Biology Department, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
- Center for Microscopy and Cellular Imaging, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
- Center for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
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4
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Hooglugt A, van der Stoel MM, Shapeti A, Neep BF, de Haan A, van Oosterwyck H, Boon RA, Huveneers S. DLC1 promotes mechanotransductive feedback for YAP via RhoGAP-mediated focal adhesion turnover. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs261687. [PMID: 38563084 PMCID: PMC11112125 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261687] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a tightly controlled dynamic process demanding a delicate equilibrium between pro-angiogenic signals and factors that promote vascular stability. The spatiotemporal activation of the transcriptional co-factors YAP (herein referring to YAP1) and TAZ (also known WWTR1), collectively denoted YAP/TAZ, is crucial to allow for efficient collective endothelial migration in angiogenesis. The focal adhesion protein deleted-in-liver-cancer-1 (DLC1) was recently described as a transcriptional downstream target of YAP/TAZ in endothelial cells. In this study, we uncover a negative feedback loop between DLC1 expression and YAP activity during collective migration and sprouting angiogenesis. In particular, our study demonstrates that signaling via the RhoGAP domain of DLC1 reduces nuclear localization of YAP and its transcriptional activity. Moreover, the RhoGAP activity of DLC1 is essential for YAP-mediated cellular processes, including the regulation of focal adhesion turnover, traction forces, and sprouting angiogenesis. We show that DLC1 restricts intracellular cytoskeletal tension by inhibiting Rho signaling at the basal adhesion plane, consequently reducing nuclear YAP localization. Collectively, these findings underscore the significance of DLC1 expression levels and its function in mitigating intracellular tension as a pivotal mechanotransductive feedback mechanism that finely tunes YAP activity throughout the process of sprouting angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aukie Hooglugt
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Department of Physiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, 1081HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Miesje M. van der Stoel
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Apeksha Shapeti
- KU Leuven, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Biomechanics section, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Beau F. Neep
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, 1081HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Annett de Haan
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hans van Oosterwyck
- KU Leuven, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Biomechanics section, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Reinier A. Boon
- Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Department of Physiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, 1081HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhein-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Goethe University, Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stephan Huveneers
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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5
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Bement WM, Goryachev AB, Miller AL, von Dassow G. Patterning of the cell cortex by Rho GTPases. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024; 25:290-308. [PMID: 38172611 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-023-00682-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The Rho GTPases - RHOA, RAC1 and CDC42 - are small GTP binding proteins that regulate basic biological processes such as cell locomotion, cell division and morphogenesis by promoting cytoskeleton-based changes in the cell cortex. This regulation results from active (GTP-bound) Rho GTPases stimulating target proteins that, in turn, promote actin assembly and myosin 2-based contraction to organize the cortex. This basic regulatory scheme, well supported by in vitro studies, led to the natural assumption that Rho GTPases function in vivo in an essentially linear matter, with a given process being initiated by GTPase activation and terminated by GTPase inactivation. However, a growing body of evidence based on live cell imaging, modelling and experimental manipulation indicates that Rho GTPase activation and inactivation are often tightly coupled in space and time via signalling circuits and networks based on positive and negative feedback. In this Review, we present and discuss this evidence, and we address one of the fundamental consequences of coupled activation and inactivation: the ability of the Rho GTPases to self-organize, that is, direct their own transition from states of low order to states of high order. We discuss how Rho GTPase self-organization results in the formation of diverse spatiotemporal cortical patterns such as static clusters, oscillatory pulses, travelling wave trains and ring-like waves. Finally, we discuss the advantages of Rho GTPase self-organization and pattern formation for cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- William M Bement
- Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging, Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Andrew B Goryachev
- Center for Engineering Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Ann L Miller
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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6
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Goupil E, Lacroix L, Brière J, Guga S, Saba-El-Leil MK, Meloche S, Labbé JC. OSGN-1 is a conserved flavin-containing monooxygenase required to stabilize the intercellular bridge in late cytokinesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2308570121. [PMID: 38442170 PMCID: PMC10945809 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2308570121] [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: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytokinesis is the last step of cell division and is regulated by the small GTPase RhoA. RhoA activity is required for all steps of cytokinesis, including prior to abscission when daughter cells are ultimately physically separated. Like germ cells in all animals, the Caenorhabditis elegans embryonic germline founder cell initiates cytokinesis but does not complete abscission, leaving a stable intercellular bridge between the two daughter cells. Here, we identify and characterize C. elegans OSGN-1 as a cytokinetic regulator that promotes RhoA activity during late cytokinesis. Sequence analyses and biochemical reconstitutions reveal that OSGN-1 is a flavin-containing monooxygenase (MO). Genetic analyses indicate that the MO activity of OSGN-1 is required to maintain active RhoA at the end of cytokinesis in the germline founder cell and to stabilize the intercellular bridge. Deletion of OSGIN1 in human cells results in an increase in binucleation as a result of cytokinetic furrow regression, and this phenotype can be rescued by expressing a catalytically active form of C. elegans OSGN-1, indicating that OSGN-1 and OSGIN1 are functional orthologs. We propose that OSGN-1 and OSGIN1 are conserved MO enzymes required to maintain RhoA activity at the intercellular bridge during late cytokinesis and thus favor its stability, enabling proper abscission in human cells and bridge stabilization in C. elegans germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugénie Goupil
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QCH3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Léa Lacroix
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QCH3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Jonathan Brière
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QCH3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Sandra Guga
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QCH3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Marc K. Saba-El-Leil
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QCH3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Sylvain Meloche
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QCH3C 3J7, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QCH3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Jean-Claude Labbé
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QCH3C 3J7, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QCH3C 3J7, Canada
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7
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Ubeysinghe S, Kankanamge D, Thotamune W, Wijayaratna D, Mohan TM, Karunarathne A. Spatiotemporal Optical Control of Gαq-PLCβ Interactions. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:242-258. [PMID: 38092428 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00490] [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] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Cells experience time-varying and spatially heterogeneous chemokine signals in vivo, activating cell surface proteins including G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The Gαq pathway activation by GPCRs is a major signaling axis with broad physiological and pathological significance. Compared with other Gα members, GαqGTP activates many crucial effectors, including PLCβ (Phospholipase Cβ) and Rho GEFs (Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors). PLCβ regulates many key processes, such as hematopoiesis, synaptogenesis, and cell cycle, and is therefore implicated in terminal-debilitating diseases, including cancer, epilepsy, Huntington's Disease, and Alzheimer's Disease. However, due to a lack of genetic and pharmacological tools, examining how the dynamic regulation of PLCβ signaling controls cellular physiology has been difficult. Since activated PLCβ induces several abrupt cellular changes, including cell morphology, examining how the other pathways downstream of Gq-GPCRs contribute to the overall signaling has also been difficult. Here we show the engineering, validation, and application of a highly selective and efficient optogenetic inhibitor (Opto-dHTH) to completely disrupt GαqGTP-PLCβ interactions reversibly in user-defined cellular-subcellular regions on optical command. Using this newly gained PLCβ signaling control, our data indicate that the molecular competition between RhoGEFs and PLCβ for GαqGTP determines the potency of Gq-GPCR-governed directional cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sithurandi Ubeysinghe
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Dinesh Kankanamge
- Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Waruna Thotamune
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Dhanushan Wijayaratna
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Thomas M Mohan
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Ajith Karunarathne
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
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8
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Arslan FN, Hannezo É, Merrin J, Loose M, Heisenberg CP. Adhesion-induced cortical flows pattern E-cadherin-mediated cell contacts. Curr Biol 2024; 34:171-182.e8. [PMID: 38134934 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.11.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Metazoan development relies on the formation and remodeling of cell-cell contacts. Dynamic reorganization of adhesion receptors and the actomyosin cell cortex in space and time plays a central role in cell-cell contact formation and maturation. Nevertheless, how this process is mechanistically achieved when new contacts are formed remains unclear. Here, by building a biomimetic assay composed of progenitor cells adhering to supported lipid bilayers functionalized with E-cadherin ectodomains, we show that cortical F-actin flows, driven by the depletion of myosin-2 at the cell contact center, mediate the dynamic reorganization of adhesion receptors and cell cortex at the contact. E-cadherin-dependent downregulation of the small GTPase RhoA at the forming contact leads to both a depletion of myosin-2 and a decrease of F-actin at the contact center. At the contact rim, in contrast, myosin-2 becomes enriched by the retraction of bleb-like protrusions, resulting in a cortical tension gradient from the contact rim to its center. This tension gradient, in turn, triggers centrifugal F-actin flows, leading to further accumulation of F-actin at the contact rim and the progressive redistribution of E-cadherin from the contact center to the rim. Eventually, this combination of actomyosin downregulation and flows at the contact determines the characteristic molecular organization, with E-cadherin and F-actin accumulating at the contact rim, where they are needed to mechanically link the contractile cortices of the adhering cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feyza Nur Arslan
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria; Institute of Bioengineering, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Édouard Hannezo
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | - Jack Merrin
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | - Martin Loose
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
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9
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Roh SH, Mendez-Vazquez H, Sathler MF, Doolittle MJ, Zaytseva A, Brown H, Sainsbury M, Kim S. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid reduces synaptic δ-catenin levels and disrupts ultrasonic vocalization in neonates. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.14.571709. [PMID: 38168404 PMCID: PMC10760095 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.14.571709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is an effective and commonly prescribed drug for epilepsy and bipolar disorder. However, children born from mothers treated with VPA during pregnancy exhibit an increased incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although VPA may impair brain development at the cellular level, the mechanism of VPA-induced ASD has not been completely addressed. A previous study has found that VPA treatment strongly reduces δ-catenin mRNA levels in cultured human neurons. δ-catenin is important for the control of glutamatergic synapses and is strongly associated with ASD. VPA inhibits dendritic morphogenesis in developing neurons, an effect that is also found in neurons lacking δ-catenin expression. We thus hypothesize that prenatal exposure to VPA significantly reduces δ-catenin levels in the brain, which impairs glutamatergic synapses to cause ASD. Here, we found that prenatal exposure to VPA markedly reduced δ-catenin levels in the brain of mouse pups. VPA treatment also impaired dendritic branching in developing mouse cortical neurons, which was reversed by elevating δ-catenin expression. Prenatal VPA exposure significantly reduced synaptic AMPA receptor levels and postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95) in the brain of mouse pups, indicating dysfunctions in glutamatergic synaptic transmission. VPA exposure also significantly altered ultrasonic vocalization (USV) in newly born pups when they were isolated from their nest. Moreover, VPA-exposed pups show impaired hypothalamic response to isolation, which is required to produce animals' USVs following isolation from the nest. Therefore, these results suggest that VPA-induced ASD pathology can be mediated by the loss of δ-catenin functions. Highlights Prenatal exposure of valproic acid (VPA) in mice significantly reduces synaptic δ-catenin protein and AMPA receptor levels in the pups' brains.VPA treatment significantly impairs dendritic branching in cultured cortical neurons, which is reversed by increased δ-catenin expression.VPA exposed pups exhibit impaired communication such as ultrasonic vocalization.Neuronal activation linked to ultrasonic vocalization is absent in VPA-exposed pups.The loss of δ-catenin functions underlies VPA-induced autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in early childhood.
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10
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Nanda S, Calderon A, Sachan A, Duong TT, Koch J, Xin X, Solouk-Stahlberg D, Wu YW, Nalbant P, Dehmelt L. Rho GTPase activity crosstalk mediated by Arhgef11 and Arhgef12 coordinates cell protrusion-retraction cycles. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8356. [PMID: 38102112 PMCID: PMC10724141 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43875-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Rho GTPases play a key role in the spatio-temporal coordination of cytoskeletal dynamics during cell migration. Here, we directly investigate crosstalk between the major Rho GTPases Rho, Rac and Cdc42 by combining rapid activity perturbation with activity measurements in mammalian cells. These studies reveal that Rac stimulates Rho activity. Direct measurement of spatio-temporal activity patterns show that Rac activity is tightly and precisely coupled to local cell protrusions, followed by Rho activation during retraction. Furthermore, we find that the Rho-activating Lbc-type GEFs Arhgef11 and Arhgef12 are enriched at transient cell protrusions and retractions and recruited to the plasma membrane by active Rac. In addition, their depletion reduces activity crosstalk, cell protrusion-retraction dynamics and migration distance and increases migration directionality. Thus, our study shows that Arhgef11 and Arhgef12 facilitate exploratory cell migration by coordinating cell protrusion and retraction by coupling the activity of the associated regulators Rac and Rho.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchet Nanda
- Fakultät für Chemie und Chemische Biologie, TU Dortmund University, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Systemic Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Abram Calderon
- Fakultät für Chemie und Chemische Biologie, TU Dortmund University, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Systemic Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Arya Sachan
- Fakultät für Chemie und Chemische Biologie, TU Dortmund University, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Thanh-Thuy Duong
- Fakultät für Chemie und Chemische Biologie, TU Dortmund University, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Systemic Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Johannes Koch
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Center of Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141, Essen, Germany
| | - Xiaoyi Xin
- SciLifeLab and Department of Chemistry, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Djamschid Solouk-Stahlberg
- Fakultät für Chemie und Chemische Biologie, TU Dortmund University, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Systemic Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Yao-Wen Wu
- SciLifeLab and Department of Chemistry, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Perihan Nalbant
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Center of Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141, Essen, Germany.
| | - Leif Dehmelt
- Fakultät für Chemie und Chemische Biologie, TU Dortmund University, 44227, Dortmund, Germany.
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11
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Wang C, Ding J, Wei Q, Du S, Gong X, Chew TG. Mechanosensitive accumulation of non-muscle myosin IIB during mitosis requires its translocation activity. iScience 2023; 26:107773. [PMID: 37720093 PMCID: PMC10504539 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-muscle myosin II (NMII) is a force-generating mechanosensitive enzyme that responds to mechanical forces. NMIIs mechanoaccumulate at the cell cortex in response to mechanical forces. It is essential for cells to mechanically adapt to the physical environment, failure of which results in mitotic defects when dividing in confined environment. Much less is known about how NMII mechanoaccumulation is regulated during mitosis. We show that mitotic cells respond to compressive stress by promoting accumulation of active RhoA at the cell cortex as in interphase cells. RhoA mechanoresponse during mitosis activates and stabilizes NMIIB via ROCK signaling, leading to NMIIB mechanoaccumulation at the cell cortex. Using disease-related myosin II mutations, we found that NMIIB mechanoaccumulation requires its motor activity that translocates actin filaments, but not just its actin-binding function. Thus, the motor activity coordinates structural movement and nucleotide state changes to fine-tune actin-binding affinity optimal for NMIIs to generate and respond to forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- The Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China
| | - Jingjing Ding
- Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- The Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China
| | - Qiaodong Wei
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Civil Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Shoukang Du
- Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- The Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China
| | - Xiaobo Gong
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Civil Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ting Gang Chew
- Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- The Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China
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12
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Ubeysinghe S, Kankanamge D, Thotamune W, Wijayaratna D, Mohan TM, Karunarathne A. Spatiotemporal optical control of Gαq-PLCβ interactions. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.10.552801. [PMID: 37609229 PMCID: PMC10441412 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.10.552801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Cells experience time-varying and spatially heterogeneous chemokine signals in vivo, activating cell surface proteins, including G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The Gαq pathway activation by GPCRs is a major signaling axis with a broad physiological and pathological significance. Compared to other Gα members, GαqGTP activates many crucial effectors, including PLCβ (Phospholipase Cβ) and Rho GEFs (Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors). PLCβ regulates many key processes, such as hematopoiesis, synaptogenesis, and cell cycle, and is therefore implicated in terminal - debilitating diseases, including cancer, epilepsy, Huntington's Disease, and Alzheimer's Disease. However, due to a lack of genetic and pharmacological tools, examining how the dynamic regulation of PLCβ signaling controls cellular physiology has been difficult. Since activated PLCβ induces several abrupt cellular changes, including cell morphology, examining how the other pathways downstream of Gq-GPCRs contribute to the overall signaling has also been difficult. Here we show the engineering, validation, and application of a highly selective and efficient optogenetic inhibitor (Opto-dHTH) to completely disrupt GαqGTP-PLCβ interactions reversibly in user-defined cellular-subcellular regions on optical command. Using this newly gained PLCβ signaling control, our data indicate that the molecular competition between RhoGEFs and PLCβ for GαqGTP determines the potency of Gq-GPCR-governed directional cell migration.
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13
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Mahlandt EK, Palacios Martínez S, Arts JJG, Tol S, van Buul JD, Goedhart J. Opto-RhoGEFs, an optimized optogenetic toolbox to reversibly control Rho GTPase activity on a global to subcellular scale, enabling precise control over vascular endothelial barrier strength. eLife 2023; 12:RP84364. [PMID: 37449837 PMCID: PMC10393062 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84364] [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] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The inner layer of blood vessels consists of endothelial cells, which form the physical barrier between blood and tissue. This vascular barrier is tightly regulated and is defined by cell-cell contacts through adherens and tight junctions. To investigate the signaling that regulates vascular barrier strength, we focused on Rho GTPases, regulators of the actin cytoskeleton and known to control junction integrity. To manipulate Rho GTPase signaling in a temporal and spatial manner we applied optogenetics. Guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) domains from ITSN1, TIAM1, and p63RhoGEF, activating Cdc42, Rac, and Rho, respectively, were integrated into the optogenetic recruitment tool improved light-induced dimer (iLID). This tool allows for Rho GTPase activation at the subcellular level in a reversible and non-invasive manner by recruiting a GEF to a specific area at the plasma membrane, The membrane tag of iLID was optimized and a HaloTag was applied to gain more flexibility for multiplex imaging. The resulting optogenetically recruitable RhoGEFs (Opto-RhoGEFs) were tested in an endothelial cell monolayer and demonstrated precise temporal control of vascular barrier strength by a cell-cell overlap-dependent, VE-cadherin-independent, mechanism. Furthermore, Opto-RhoGEFs enabled precise optogenetic control in endothelial cells over morphological features such as cell size, cell roundness, local extension, and cell contraction. In conclusion, we have optimized and applied the optogenetic iLID GEF recruitment tool, that is Opto-RhoGEFs, to study the role of Rho GTPases in the vascular barrier of the endothelium and found that membrane protrusions at the junction region can rapidly increase barrier integrity independent of VE-cadherin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike K Mahlandt
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sebastián Palacios Martínez
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Janine J G Arts
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Molecular Cell Biology Lab at Dept. Molecular Hematology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Simon Tol
- Molecular Cell Biology Lab at Dept. Molecular Hematology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jaap D van Buul
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Molecular Cell Biology Lab at Dept. Molecular Hematology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Joachim Goedhart
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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14
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Mahlandt EK, Kreider-Letterman G, Chertkova AO, Garcia-Mata R, Goedhart J. Cell-based optimization and characterization of genetically encoded location-based biosensors for Cdc42 or Rac activity. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:jcs260802. [PMID: 37226883 PMCID: PMC10234108 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Rac (herein referring to the Rac family) and Cdc42 are Rho GTPases that regulate the formation of lamellipoda and filopodia, and are therefore crucial in processes such as cell migration. Relocation-based biosensors for Rac and Cdc42 have not been characterized well in terms of their specificity or affinity. In this study, we identify relocation sensor candidates for both Rac and Cdc42. We compared their (1) ability to bind the constitutively active Rho GTPases, (2) specificity for Rac and Cdc42, and (3) relocation efficiency in cell-based assays. Subsequently, the relocation efficiency was improved by a multi-domain approach. For Rac1, we found a sensor candidate with low relocation efficiency. For Cdc42, we found several sensors with sufficient relocation efficiency and specificity. These optimized sensors enable the wider application of Rho GTPase relocation sensors, which was showcased by the detection of local endogenous Cdc42 activity at assembling invadopodia. Moreover, we tested several fluorescent proteins and HaloTag for their influence on the recruitment efficiency of the Rho location sensor, to find optimal conditions for a multiplexing experiment. This characterization and optimization of relocation sensors will broaden their application and acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike K. Mahlandt
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Anna O. Chertkova
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rafael Garcia-Mata
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Joachim Goedhart
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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15
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de Seze J, Gatin J, Coppey M. RhoA regulation in space and time. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:836-849. [PMID: 36658753 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
RhoGTPases are well known for being controllers of cell cytoskeleton and share common features in the way they act and are controlled. These include their switch from GDP to GTP states, their regulations by different guanine exchange factors (GEFs), GTPase-activating proteins and guanosine dissociation inhibitors (GDIs), and their similar structure of active sites/membrane anchors. These very similar features often lead to the common consideration that the differences in their biological effects mainly arise from the different types of regulators and specific effectors associated with each GTPase. Focusing on data obtained through biosensors, live cell microscopy and recent optogenetic approaches, we highlight in this review that the regulation of RhoA appears to depart from Cdc42 and Rac1 modes of regulation through its enhanced lability at the plasma membrane. RhoA presents a high dynamic turnover at the membrane that is regulated not only by GDIs but also by GEFs, effectors and a possible soluble conformational state. This peculiarity of RhoA regulation may be important for the specificities of its functions, such as the existence of activity waves or its putative dual role in the initiation of protrusions and contractions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean de Seze
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR168, Laboratoire Physico-Chimie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Joséphine Gatin
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR168, Laboratoire Physico-Chimie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Coppey
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR168, Laboratoire Physico-Chimie Curie, Paris, France
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16
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Kreider-Letterman G, Castillo A, Mahlandt EK, Goedhart J, Rabino A, Goicoechea S, Garcia-Mata R. ARHGAP17 regulates the spatiotemporal activity of Cdc42 at invadopodia. J Cell Biol 2022; 222:213782. [PMID: 36571786 PMCID: PMC9794838 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202207020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Invadopodia formation is regulated by Rho GTPases. However, the molecular mechanisms that control Rho GTPase signaling at invadopodia remain poorly understood. Here, we have identified ARHGAP17, a Cdc42-specific RhoGAP, as a key regulator of invadopodia in breast cancer cells and characterized a novel ARHGAP17-mediated signaling pathway that controls the spatiotemporal activity of Cdc42 during invadopodia turnover. Our results show that during invadopodia assembly, ARHGAP17 localizes to the invadopodia ring and restricts the activity of Cdc42 to the invadopodia core, where it promotes invadopodia growth. Invadopodia disassembly starts when ARHGAP17 translocates from the invadopodia ring to the core, in a process that is mediated by its interaction with the Cdc42 effector CIP4. Once at the core, ARHGAP17 inactivates Cdc42 to promote invadopodia disassembly. Our results in invadopodia provide new insights into the coordinated transition between the activation and inactivation of Rho GTPases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abel Castillo
- https://ror.org/01pbdzh19Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Eike K. Mahlandt
- https://ror.org/04dkp9463Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joachim Goedhart
- https://ror.org/04dkp9463Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Agustin Rabino
- https://ror.org/01pbdzh19Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Silvia Goicoechea
- https://ror.org/01pbdzh19Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Rafael Garcia-Mata
- https://ror.org/01pbdzh19Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA,Correspondence to Rafael Garcia-Mata:
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17
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Ineveld RL, Vliet EJ, Wehrens EJ, Alieva M, Rios AC. 3D imaging for driving cancer discovery. EMBO J 2022; 41:e109675. [PMID: 35403737 PMCID: PMC9108604 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021109675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of the cellular composition and architecture of cancer has primarily advanced using 2D models and thin slice samples. This has granted spatial information on fundamental cancer biology and treatment response. However, tissues contain a variety of interconnected cells with different functional states and shapes, and this complex organization is impossible to capture in a single plane. Furthermore, tumours have been shown to be highly heterogenous, requiring large-scale spatial analysis to reliably profile their cellular and structural composition. Volumetric imaging permits the visualization of intact biological samples, thereby revealing the spatio-phenotypic and dynamic traits of cancer. This review focuses on new insights into cancer biology uniquely brought to light by 3D imaging and concomitant progress in cancer modelling and quantitative analysis. 3D imaging has the potential to generate broad knowledge advance from major mechanisms of tumour progression to new strategies for cancer treatment and patient diagnosis. We discuss the expected future contributions of the newest imaging trends towards these goals and the challenges faced for reaching their full application in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravian L Ineveld
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Esmée J Vliet
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Ellen J Wehrens
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Maria Alieva
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Anne C Rios
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute Utrecht The Netherlands
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18
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Quantitative live-cell imaging of GPCR downstream signaling dynamics. Biochem J 2022; 479:883-900. [PMID: 35383830 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20220021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play an important role in sensing various extracellular stimuli, such as neurotransmitters, hormones, and tastants, and transducing the input information into the cell. While the human genome encodes more than 800 GPCR genes, only four Gα-proteins (Gαs, Gαi/o, Gαq/11, and Gα12/13) are known to couple with GPCRs. It remains unclear how such divergent GPCR information is translated into the downstream G-protein signaling dynamics. To answer this question, we report a live-cell fluorescence imaging system for monitoring GPCR downstream signaling dynamics. Genetically encoded biosensors for cAMP, Ca2+, RhoA, and ERK were selected as markers for GPCR downstream signaling, and were stably expressed in HeLa cells. GPCR was further transiently overexpressed in the cells. As a proof-of-concept, we visualized GPCR signaling dynamics of 5 dopamine receptors and 12 serotonin receptors, and found heterogeneity between GPCRs and between cells. Even when the same Gα proteins were known to be coupled, the patterns of dynamics in GPCR downstream signaling, including the signal strength and duration, were substantially distinct among GPCRs. These results suggest the importance of dynamical encoding in GPCR signaling.
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First person – Eike Mahlandt. J Cell Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Journal of Cell Science, helping early-career researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Eike Mahlandt is first author on ‘ Visualizing endogenous Rho activity with an improved localization-based, genetically encoded biosensor’, published in JCS. Eike is a PhD candidate in the lab of Joachim Goedhart at Department Molecular Cytology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, where she develops molecular tools to study protein activity in real-time in vascular endothelial cells using fluorescent microscopy.
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