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Reiterer M, Bruce L, Milton S. Differential Responses of Methionine Sulfoxide Reductases A and B to Anoxia and Oxidative Stress in the Freshwater Turtle Trachemys scripta. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11070458. [PMID: 34357352 PMCID: PMC8304764 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11070458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress has been acknowledged as a major factor in aging, senescence and neurodegenerative conditions. Mammalian models are susceptible to these stresses following the restoration of oxygen after anoxia; however, some organisms including the freshwater turtle Trachemys scripta can withstand repeated anoxia and reoxygenation without apparent pathology. T. scripta thus provides us with an alternate vertebrate model to investigate physiological mechanisms of neuroprotection. The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant methionine sulfoxide reductase system (Msr) in turtle neuronal tissue. We examined brain transcript and protein levels of MsrA and MsrB and examined the potential for the transcription factor FOXO3a to regulate the oxygen-responsive changes in Msr in vitro. We found that Msr mRNA and protein levels are differentially upregulated during anoxia and reoxygenation, and when cells were exposed to chemical oxidative stress. However, while MsrA and MsrB3 levels increased when cell cultures were exposed to chemical oxidative stress, this induction was not enhanced by treatment with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has previously been shown to enhance FOXO3a levels in the turtle. These results suggest that FOXO3a and Msr protect the cells from oxidative stress through different molecular pathways, and that both the Msr pathway and EGCG may be therapeutic targets to treat diseases related to oxidative damage.
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Hand SC, Denlinger DL, Podrabsky JE, Roy R. Mechanisms of animal diapause: recent developments from nematodes, crustaceans, insects, and fish. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2016; 310:R1193-211. [PMID: 27053646 PMCID: PMC4935499 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00250.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Life cycle delays are beneficial for opportunistic species encountering suboptimal environments. Many animals display a programmed arrest of development (diapause) at some stage(s) of their development, and the diapause state may or may not be associated with some degree of metabolic depression. In this review, we will evaluate current advancements in our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the remarkable phenotype, as well as environmental cues that signal entry and termination of the state. The developmental stage at which diapause occurs dictates and constrains the mechanisms governing diapause. Considerable progress has been made in clarifying proximal mechanisms of metabolic arrest and the signaling pathways like insulin/Foxo that control gene expression patterns. Overlapping themes are also seen in mechanisms that control cell cycle arrest. Evidence is emerging for epigenetic contributions to diapause regulation via small RNAs in nematodes, crustaceans, insects, and fish. Knockdown of circadian clock genes in selected insect species supports the importance of clock genes in the photoperiodic response that cues diapause. A large suite of chaperone-like proteins, expressed during diapause, protects biological structures during long periods of energy-limited stasis. More information is needed to paint a complete picture of how environmental cues are coupled to the signal transduction that initiates the complex diapause phenotype, as well as molecular explanations for how the state is terminated. Excellent examples of molecular memory in post-dauer animals have been documented in Caenorhabditis elegans It is clear that a single suite of mechanisms does not regulate diapause across all species and developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven C Hand
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana;
| | - David L Denlinger
- Departments of Entomology and Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jason E Podrabsky
- Department of Biology, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon; and
| | - Richard Roy
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Kumar S, Bhatia S. Isolation of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don Nuclei and Measurement of Rate of Tryptophan decarboxylase Gene Transcription Using Nuclear Run-On Transcription Assay. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127892. [PMID: 26024519 PMCID: PMC4449189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background An accurate assessment of transcription ‘rate’ is often desired to describe the promoter activity. In plants, isolation of transcriptionally active nuclei and their subsequent use in nuclear run-on assays has been challenging and therefore limit an accurate measurement of gene transcription ‘rate’. Catharanthus roseus has emerged as a model medicinal plant as it exhibits an unsurpassed spectrum of chemodiversity, producing over 130 alkaloids through the terpenoid indole alkaloid (TIA) pathway and therefore serves as a ‘molecular hub’ to understand gene expression profiles. Results The protocols presented here streamline, adapt and optimize the existing methods of nuclear run-on assay for use in C. roseus. Here, we fully describe all the steps to isolate transcriptionally active nuclei from C. roseus leaves and utilize them to perform nuclear run-on transcription assay. Nuclei isolated by this method transcribed at a level consistent with their response to external stimuli, as transcription rate of TDC gene was found to be higher in response to external stimuli i.e. when seedlings were subjected to UV-B light or to methyl jasmonate (MeJA). However, the relative transcript abundance measured parallel through qRT-PCR was found to be inconsistent with the synthesis rate indicating that some post transcriptional events might have a role in transcript stability in response to stimuli. Conclusions Our study provides an optimized, efficient and inexpensive method of isolation of intact nuclei and nuclear ‘run-on’ transcription assay to carry out in-situ measurement of gene transcription rate in Catharanthus roseus. This would be valuable in investigating the transcriptional and post transcriptional response of other TIA pathway genes in C. roseus. Isolated nuclei may also provide a resource that could be used for performing the chip assay as well as serve as the source of nuclear proteins for in-vitro EMSA studies. Moreover, nascent nuclear run-on transcript could be further subjected to RNA-Seq for global nuclear run-on assay (GNRO-Seq) for genome wide in-situ measurement of transcription rate of plant genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, PO Box 10531, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Sabhyata Bhatia
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, PO Box 10531, New Delhi, 110067, India
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
For many animals, survival of severe environmental stress (e.g. to extremes of heat or cold, drought, oxygen limitation, food deprivation) is aided by entry into a hypometabolic state. Strong depression of metabolic rate, often to only 1–20% of normal resting rate, is a core survival strategy of multiple forms of hypometabolism across the animal kingdom, including hibernation, anaerobiosis, aestivation and freeze tolerance. Global biochemical controls are needed to suppress and reprioritize energy use; one such well-studied control is reversible protein phosphorylation. Recently, we turned our attention to the idea that mechanisms previously associated mainly with epigenetic regulation can also contribute to reversible suppression of gene expression in hypometabolic states. Indeed, situations as diverse as mammalian hibernation and turtle anoxia tolerance show coordinated changes in histone post-translational modifications (acetylation, phosphorylation) and activities of histone deacetylases, consistent with their use as mechanisms for suppressing gene expression during hypometabolism. Other potential mechanisms of gene silencing in hypometabolic states include altered expression of miRNAs that can provide post-transcriptional suppression of mRNA translation and the formation of ribonuclear protein bodies in the nucleus and cytoplasm to allow storage of mRNA transcripts until animals rouse themselves again. Furthermore, mechanisms first identified in epigenetic regulation (e.g. protein acetylation) are now proving to apply to many central metabolic enzymes (e.g. lactate dehydrogenase), suggesting a new layer of regulatory control that can contribute to coordinating the depression of metabolic rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth B. Storey
- Institute of Biochemistry and Departments of Biology and Chemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
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Ye X, Zhao Y, Zhao LL, Sun YX, Yang JS, Yang WJ. Characterization of PHB1 and its role in mitochondrial maturation and yolk platelet degradation during development of Artemia embryos. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109152. [PMID: 25310573 PMCID: PMC4195616 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To cope with harsh environments, crustaceans such as Artemia produce diapause gastrula embryos (cysts) with suppressed metabolism. Metabolism and development resume during post-diapause development, but the mechanism behind these cellular events remains largely unknown. PRINCIPAL FINDING Our study investigated the role of prohibitin 1 (PHB1) in metabolic reinitiation during post-diapause development. We found that PHB1 was developmentally regulated via changes in phosphorylation status and localization. Results from RNA interference experiments demonstrated PHB1 to be critical for mitochondrial maturation and yolk degradation during development. In addition, PHB1 was present in yolk platelets, and it underwent ubiquitin-mediated degradation during the proteolysis of yolk protein. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE PHB1 has an indispensable role in coordinating mitochondrial maturation and yolk platelet degradation during development in Artemia. This novel function of PHB1 provides new clues to comprehend the roles of PHB1 in metabolism and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Ye
- Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife of the Ministry of Education and College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Ling-Ling Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife of the Ministry of Education and College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Xia Sun
- Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife of the Ministry of Education and College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Shu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife of the Ministry of Education and College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Jun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife of the Ministry of Education and College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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Boswell LC, Hand SC. Intracellular localization of group 3 LEA proteins in embryos of Artemia franciscana. Tissue Cell 2014; 46:514-9. [PMID: 25311474 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Revised: 09/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are accumulated by anhydrobiotic organisms in response to desiccation and improve survivorship during water stress. In this study we provide the first direct evidence for the subcellular localizations of AfrLEA2 and AfrLEA3m (and its subforms) in anhydrobiotic embryos of Artemia franciscana. Immunohistochemistry shows AfrLEA2 to reside in the cytoplasm and nucleus, and the four AfrLEA3m proteins to be localized to the mitochondrion. Cellular locations are supported by Western blots of mitochondrial, nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions. The presence of LEA proteins in multiple subcellular compartments of A. franciscana embryos suggests the need to protect biological structures in many areas of a cell in order for an organism to survive desiccation stress, and may explain in part why a multitude of different LEA proteins are expressed by a single organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leaf C Boswell
- Division of Cellular, Developmental and Integrative Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States.
| | - Steven C Hand
- Division of Cellular, Developmental and Integrative Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Nikinmaa
- Department of Biology; University of Turku; Turku; Finland
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Clark MS, Denekamp NY, Thorne MAS, Reinhardt R, Drungowski M, Albrecht MW, Klages S, Beck A, Kube M, Lubzens E. Long-term survival of hydrated resting eggs from Brachionus plicatilis. PLoS One 2012; 7:e29365. [PMID: 22253713 PMCID: PMC3253786 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2011] [Accepted: 11/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Several organisms display dormancy and developmental arrest at embryonic stages. Long-term survival in the dormant form is usually associated with desiccation, orthodox plant seeds and Artemia cysts being well documented examples. Several aquatic invertebrates display dormancy during embryonic development and survive for tens or even hundreds of years in a hydrated form, raising the question of whether survival in the non-desiccated form of embryonic development depends on pathways similar to those occurring in desiccation tolerant forms. Methodology/Principal Findings To address this question, Illumina short read sequencing was used to generate transcription profiles from the resting and amictic eggs of an aquatic invertebrate, the rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis. These two types of egg have very different life histories, with the dormant or diapausing resting eggs, the result of the sexual cycle and amictic eggs, the non-dormant products of the asexual cycle. Significant transcriptional differences were found between the two types of egg, with amictic eggs rich in genes involved in the morphological development into a juvenile rotifer. In contrast, representatives of classical “stress” proteins: a small heat shock protein, ferritin and Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins were identified in resting eggs. More importantly however, was the identification of transcripts for messenger ribonucleoprotein particles which stabilise RNA. These inhibit translation and provide a valuable source of useful RNAs which can be rapidly activated on the exit from dormancy. Apoptotic genes were also present. Although apoptosis is inconsistent with maintenance of prolonged dormancy, an altered apoptotic pathway has been proposed for Artemia, and this may be the case with the rotifer. Conclusions These data represent the first transcriptional profiling of molecular processes associated with dormancy in a non-desiccated form and indicate important similarities in the molecular pathways activated in resting eggs compared with desiccated dormant forms, specifically plant seeds and Artemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody S. Clark
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Michael A. S. Thorne
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mario Drungowski
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin-Dahlem, Germany
| | | | - Sven Klages
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin-Dahlem, Germany
| | - Alfred Beck
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin-Dahlem, Germany
| | - Michael Kube
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin-Dahlem, Germany
| | - Esther Lubzens
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Haifa, Israel
- * E-mail:
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Nikinmaa M, Rytkönen KT. Functional genomics in aquatic toxicology-do not forget the function. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2011; 105:16-24. [PMID: 22099341 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2011.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2011] [Accepted: 05/28/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Toxicological responses of an organism are disturbances of function. This as a starting point we review and discuss issues that we consider important in applying functional genomics to aquatic toxicology. Functional genomics includes all the steps in gene expression pathway. Thus, ultimately the goal is to relate genome information to protein activity. In ecotoxicogenomics the toxicological responses must further be combined with responses to natural environmental changes. We focus on fish, but also consider commonly used invertebrates, mainly Daphnia. We first go through the toxicologically important features of genomes of aquatic animals, and then review the reference gene approach to quantify transcript amount. Thereafter we emphasize the need to relate the mRNA and protein levels, and protein activity of individual genes. Finally we discuss how functional genomic investigations may be important in resolving current environmental problems and give our views of valuable future research topics.
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Hand SC, Menze MA, Borcar A, Patil Y, Covi JA, Reynolds JA, Toner M. Metabolic restructuring during energy-limited states: insights from Artemia franciscana embryos and other animals. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2011; 57:584-94. [PMID: 21335009 PMCID: PMC3104064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2011.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Revised: 02/07/2011] [Accepted: 02/09/2011] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Many life history stages of animals that experience environmental insults enter developmental arrested states that are characterized by reduced cellular proliferation, with or without a concurrent reduction in overall metabolism. In the case of the most profound metabolic arrest reported in invertebrates, i.e., anaerobic quiescence in Artemia franciscana embryos, acidification of the intracellular milieu is a major factor governing catabolic and anabolic downregulation. Release of ions from intracellular compartments is the source for approximately 50% of the proton equivalents needed for the 1.5 unit acidification that is observed. Recovery from the metabolic arrest requires re-sequestration of the protons with a vacuolar-type ATPase (V-ATPase). The remarkable facet of this mechanism is the ability of embryonic cells to survive the dissipation of intracellular ion gradients. Across many diapause-like states, the metabolic reduction and subsequent matching of energy demand is accomplished by shifting energy metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis. Molecular pathways that are activated to induce these resilient hypometabolic states include stimulation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and insulin signaling via suite of daf (dauer formation) genes for diapause-like states in nematodes and insects. Contributing factors for other metabolically depressed states involve hypoxia-inducible factor-1 and downregulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Metabolic similarities between natural states of stasis and some cancer phenotypes are noteworthy. Reduction of flux through oxidative phosphorylation helps prevent cell death in certain cancer types, similar to the way it increases viability of dauer stages in Caenorhabditis elegans. Mechanisms that underlie natural stasis are being used to pre-condition mammalian cells prior to cell biostabilization and storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven C Hand
- Division of Cellular, Developmental and Integrative Biology, Department of Biological, Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
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Hu Y, Bojikova-Fournier S, King AM, MacRae TH. The structural stability and chaperone activity of artemin, a ferritin homologue from diapause-destined Artemia embryos, depend on different cysteine residues. Cell Stress Chaperones 2011; 16:133-41. [PMID: 20878295 PMCID: PMC3059798 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-010-0225-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2010] [Revised: 08/31/2010] [Accepted: 09/01/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Diapause-destined embryos of the crustacean, Artemia franciscana, accumulate large amounts of an oligomeric, heat-stable, molecular chaperone termed artemin, a cysteine-enriched ferritin homologue. In this study, cysteines 22, 61, 166, and 172 of artemin were substituted with alanines, respectively yielding ArtC22A, ArtC61A, ArtC166A, and ArtC172A. Wild-type and modified artemins were synthesized in transformed bacteria and purified. As measured by heat-induced denaturation of citrate synthase in vitro, each substitution reduced chaperone activity, with ArtC172A the least active. Protein modeling indicated that C172 is close to a region of surface hydrophobicity, also present in ferritin, suggesting that this site contributes to chaperone activity. Only slight differences in oligomer molecular mass were apparent between artemin variants, but ArtC22A and ArtC61A displayed significantly reduced thermostability, perhaps due to the disruption of an inter-subunit disulphide bridge. In contrast, ArtC172A was thermostable, reflecting the location of C172 on the oligomer surface and that it contributes minimally to artemin stabilization. To our knowledge, this is the initial study of structure/function relationships within a ferritin homologue of importance in diapause and the first to indicate that a defined region of hydrophobicity contributes to artemin and ferritin chaperoning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Hu
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS Canada B3H 4J1
| | | | - Allison M. King
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS Canada B3H 4J1
| | - Thomas H. MacRae
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS Canada B3H 4J1
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Fähling M. Cellular oxygen sensing, signalling and how to survive translational arrest in hypoxia. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2009; 195:205-30. [PMID: 18764866 DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.2008.01894.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxia is a consequence of inadequate oxygen availability. At the cellular level, lowered oxygen concentration activates signal cascades including numerous receptors, ion channels, second messengers, as well as several protein kinases and phosphatases. This, in turn, activates trans-factors like transcription factors, RNA-binding proteins and miRNAs, mediating an alteration in gene expression control. Each cell type has its unique constellation of oxygen sensors, couplers and effectors that determine the activation and predominance of several independent hypoxia-sensitive pathways. Hence, altered gene expression patterns in hypoxia result from a complex regulatory network with multiple divergences and convergences. Although hundreds of genes are activated by transcriptional control in hypoxia, metabolic rate depression, as a consequence of reduced ATP level, causes inhibition of mRNA translation. In a multi-phase response to hypoxia, global protein synthesis is suppressed, mainly by phosphorylation of eIF2-alpha by PERK and inhibition of mTOR, causing suppression of 5'-cap-dependent mRNA translation. Growing evidence suggests that mRNAs undergo sorting at stress granules, which determines the fate of mRNA as to whether being translated, stored, or degraded. Data indicate that translation is suppressed only at 'free' polysomes, but is active at subsets of membrane-bound ribosomes. The recruitment of specific mRNAs into subcellular compartments seems to be crucial for local mRNA translation in prolonged hypoxia. Furthermore, ribosomes themselves may play a significant role in targeting mRNAs for translation. This review summarizes the multiple facets of the cellular adaptation to hypoxia observed in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fähling
- Institut für Vegetative Physiologie, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Hand SC, Menze MA. Mitochondria in energy-limited states: mechanisms that blunt the signaling of cell death. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 211:1829-40. [PMID: 18515712 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.000299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cellular conditions experienced during energy-limited states--elevated calcium, shifts in cellular adenylate status, compromised mitochondrial membrane potential--are precisely those that trigger, at least in mammals, the mitochondrion to initiate opening of the permeability transition pore, to assemble additional protein release channels, and to release pro-apoptotic factors. These pro-apototic factors in turn activate initiator and executer caspases. How is activation of mitochondria-based pathways for the signaling of apoptotic and necrotic cell death avoided under conditions of hypoxia, anoxia, diapause, estivation and anhydrobiosis? Functional trade-offs in environmental tolerance may have occurred in parallel with the evolution of diversified pathways for the signaling of cell death in eukaryotic organisms. Embryos of the brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana, survive extended periods of anoxia and diapause, and evidence indicates that opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and release of cytochrome c (cyt-c) do not occur. Further, caspase activation in this crustacean is not dependent on cyt-c. Its caspases display regulation by nucleotides that is consistent with ;applying the brakes' to cell death during energy limitation. Unraveling the mechanisms by which organisms in extreme environments avoid cell death may suggest possible interventions during disease states and biostabilization of mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven C Hand
- Division of Cellular, Developmental and Integrative Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
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Storey KB, Storey JM. Tribute to P. L. Lutz: putting life on 'pause'--molecular regulation of hypometabolism. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 210:1700-14. [PMID: 17488933 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.02716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Entry into a hypometabolic state is an important survival strategy for many organisms when challenged by environmental stress, including low oxygen, cold temperatures and lack of food or water. The molecular mechanisms that regulate transitions to and from hypometabolic states, and stabilize long-term viability during dormancy, are proving to be highly conserved across phylogenic lines. A number of these mechanisms were identified and explored using anoxia-tolerant turtles as the model system, particularly from the research contributions made by Dr Peter L. Lutz in his explorations of the mechanisms of neuronal suppression in anoxic brain. Here we review some recent advances in understanding the biochemical mechanisms of metabolic arrest with a focus on ideas such as the strategies used to reorganize metabolic priorities for ATP expenditure, molecular controls that suppress cell functions (e.g. ion pumping, transcription, translation, cell cycle arrest), changes in gene expression that support hypometabolism, and enhancement of defense mechanisms (e.g. antioxidants, chaperone proteins, protease inhibitors) that stabilize macromolecules and promote long-term viability in the hypometabolic state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth B Storey
- Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada.
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Abstract
Crystallins are the predominant structural proteins in the lens that are evolutionarily related to stress proteins. They were first discovered outside the vertebrate eye lens by Bhat and colleagues in 1989 who found alphaB-crystallin expression in the retina, heart, skeletal muscles, skin, brain and other tissues. With the advent of microarray and proteome analysis, there is a clearer demonstration that crystallins are prominent proteins both in the normal retina and in retinal pathologies, emphasizing the importance of understanding crystallin functions outside of the lens. There are two main crystallin gene families: alpha-crystallins, and betagamma-crystallins. alpha-crystallins are molecular chaperones that prevent aberrant protein interactions. The chaperone properties of alpha-crystallin are thought to allow the lens to tolerate aging-induced deterioration of the lens proteins without showing signs of cataracts until older age. alpha-crystallins not only possess chaperone-like activity in vitro, but can also remodel and protect the cytoskeleton, inhibit apoptosis, and enhance the resistance of cells to stress. Recent advances in the field of structure-function relationships of alpha-crystallins have provided the first clues to their underlying roles in tissues outside the lens. Proteins of the betagamma-crystallin family have been suggested to affect lens development, and are also expressed in tissues outside the lens. The goal of this paper is to highlight recent work with lens epithelial cells from alphaA- and alphaB-crystallin knockout mice. The use of lens epithelial cells suggests that crystallins have important cellular functions in the lens epithelium and not just the lens fiber cells as previously thought. These studies may be directly relevant to understanding the general cellular functions of crystallins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usha P Andley
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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Langenbuch M, Bock C, Leibfritz D, Pörtner HO. Effects of environmental hypercapnia on animal physiology: A 13C NMR study of protein synthesis rates in the marine invertebrate Sipunculus nudus. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2006; 144:479-84. [PMID: 16753322 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2006.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2005] [Revised: 04/18/2006] [Accepted: 04/18/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Global climate change is associated with a progressive rise in ocean CO(2) concentrations (hypercapnia) and, consequently, a drop in seawater pH. However, a comprehensive picture of the physiological mechanisms affected by chronic CO(2) stress in marine biota is still lacking. Here we present an analysis of protein biosynthesis rates in isolated muscle of the marine invertebrate Sipunculus nudus, a sediment dwelling worm living at various water depths. We followed the incorporation of (13)C-labelled phenylalanine into muscular protein via high-resolution NMR spectroscopy. Protein synthesis decreased by about 60% at a medium pH of 6.70 and a consequently lowered intracellular pH (pHi). The decrease in protein synthesis rates is much stronger than the concomitant suppression of protein degradation (60% versus 10-15%) possibly posing a threat to the cellular homeostasis of structural as well as functional proteins. Considering the progressive rise in ocean CO(2) concentrations, permanent disturbances of cellular protein turnover might seriously affect growth and reproductive performance in many marine organisms with as yet unexplored impacts on species density and composition in marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Langenbuch
- Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Science, Marine Animal Ecophysiology, Am Handelshafen 12, D-27570 Bremerhaven, FRG
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Menze MA, Hutchinson K, Laborde SM, Hand SC. Mitochondrial permeability transition in the crustaceanArtemia franciscana: absence of a calcium-regulated pore in the face of profound calcium storage. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2005; 289:R68-76. [PMID: 15718386 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00844.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
When mammalian mitochondria are exposed to high calcium and phosphate, a massive swelling, uncoupling of respiration, and release of cytochrome c occur. These changes are mediated by opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP). Activation of the MPTP in vivo in response to hypoxic and oxidative stress leads to necrotic and apoptotic cell death. Considering that embryos of the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana tolerate anoxia for years, we investigated the MPTP in this crustacean to reveal whether pore opening occurs. Minimum molecular constituents of the regulated MPTP in mammals are believed to be the voltage-dependent anion channel, the adenine nucleotide translocators, and cyclophilin D. Western blot analysis revealed that mitochondria from A. franciscana possess all three required components. When measured with a calcium-sensitive fluorescent probe, rat liver mitochondria are shown to release matrix calcium after addition of ≥100 μM extramitochondrial calcium (MPTP opening), whereas brine shrimp mitochondria continue to take up extramitochondrial calcium and do not release internal stores even up to 1.0 mM exogenously added calcium (no MPTP opening). Furthermore, no swelling of A. franciscana mitochondria in response to added calcium was observed, and no release of cytochrome c could be detected. HgCl2-dependent swelling and cytochrome c release were readily confirmed, which is consistent with the presence of an “unregulated pore.” Although the absence of a regulated MPTP in A. franciscana mitochondria could contribute to the extreme hypoxia tolerance in this species, we speculate that absence of the regulated MPTP may be a general feature of invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Menze
- Division of Cellular, Developmental and Integrative Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, 202 Life Sciences Bldg., Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
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Pörtner HO. Synergistic effects of temperature extremes, hypoxia, and increases in CO2on marine animals: From Earth history to global change. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.1029/2004jc002561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 296] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Storey KB, Storey JM. Metabolic rate depression in animals: transcriptional and translational controls. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2004; 79:207-33. [PMID: 15005178 DOI: 10.1017/s1464793103006195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 427] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic rate depression is an important survival strategy for many animal species and a common element of hibernation, torpor, aestivation, anaerobiosis, diapause, and anhydrobiosis. Studies of the biochemical mechanisms that regulate reversible transitions to and from hypometabolic states are identifying principles of regulatory control that are conserved across phylogenetic lines and that are broadly applied to the control of multiple cell functions. One such mechanism is reversible protein phosphorylation which is now known to contribute to the regulation of fuel metabolism, to ion channel arrest, and to the suppression of protein synthesis during hypometabolism. The present review focuses on two new areas of research in hypometabolism: (1) the role of differential gene expression in supplying protein products that adjust metabolism or protect cell functions for long-term survival, and (2) the mechanisms of protein life extension in hypometabolism involving inhibitory controls of transcription, translation and protein degradation. Control of translation examines reversible phosphorylation regulation of ribosomal initiation and elongation factors, the dissociation of polysomes and storage of mRNA transcripts during hypometabolism, and control over the translation of different mRNA types by differential sequestering of mRNA into polysome versus monosome fractions. The analysis draws primarily from current research on two animal models, hibernating mammals and anoxia-tolerant molluscs, with selected examples from multiple other sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth B Storey
- College of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6.
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Langenbuch M, Pörtner HO. Energy budget of hepatocytes from Antarctic fish (Pachycara brachycephalumandLepidonotothen kempi) as a function of ambient CO2: pH-dependent limitations of cellular protein biosynthesis? J Exp Biol 2003; 206:3895-903. [PMID: 14555731 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.00620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYScenarios of rising CO2 concentration in surface waters due to atmospheric accumulation of anthropogenic CO2, or in the deep sea due to anticipated industrial dumping of CO2, suggest that hypercapnia (elevated partial pressure of CO2) will become a general stress factor in aquatic environments, with largely unknown effects on species survival and well being, especially in cold and deep waters. For an analysis of CO2 effects at the cellular level, isolated hepatocytes were prepared from two representatives of the Antarctic fish fauna, Pachycara brachycephalum and Lepidonotothen kempi. Correlated changes in energy and protein metabolism were investigated by determining the rates of oxygen consumption at various levels of PCO2, of intra- and extracellular pH, and after inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide. A decrease in extracellular pH (pHe) from control levels (pHe 7.90) to pHe 6.50 caused a reduction in aerobic metabolic rate of 34-37% under both normocapnic and hypercapnic conditions. Concomitantly, protein biosynthesis was inhibited by about 80%under conditions of severe acidosis in hepatocytes from both species. A parallel drop in intracellular pH probably mediates this effect. In conclusion, the present data indicate that elevated PCO2 may limit the functional integrity of the liver due to a pronounced depression in protein anabolism. This process may contribute to the limits of whole-animal tolerance to raised CO2levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Langenbuch
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Okophysiologie und Okotoxikologie, Postfach 120161, D-27515 Bremerhaven, Germany
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Abstract
Embryos of the brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana, either develop directly into swimming larvae or are released from females as encysted gastrulae (cysts) which enter diapause, a reversible state of dormancy. Metabolic activity in diapause cysts is very low and these embryos are remarkably resistant to physiological stresses. Encysting embryos, but not those undergoing uninterrupted development, synthesize large amounts of two proteins, namely p26 and artemin. Cloning and sequencing demonstrated p26 is a small heat shock/alpha-crystallin protein while artemin has structural similarity to ferritin. p26 exhibits molecular chaperone activity in vitro, moves reversibly into nuclei during stress and confers thermotolerance on transformed organisms, suggesting critical roles in cyst development. The function of artemin is unknown. Encysted Artemia also contain an abundance of trehalose, a disaccharide capable of protecting embryos. Artemia represent a novel experimental system where the developmental functions of small heat shock/alpha-crystallin proteins and other stress response elements can be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas H MacRae
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 4J1.
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Martinez-Lamparero A, Casero MC, Ortiz-Caro J, Sastre L. Regulation of promoter occupancy during activation of cryptobiotic embryos from the crustacean Artemia franciscana. J Exp Biol 2003; 206:1565-73. [PMID: 12654895 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.00285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Artemia franciscana embryos can suspend their development and metabolism at the gastrula stage to enter a state of cryptobiosis, forming cysts. Embryonic development and metabolism can be resumed under favorable environmental conditions to give rise to free-swimming larvae or nauplii. The mechanisms that mediate these processes are not completely known. Here, we report our studies of the mechanisms that regulate transcriptional activation upon exiting cryptobiosis. Regulatory regions of several A. franciscana gene promoters were identified. Functional analyses in mammalian cells allowed the identification of transcriptional activator regions in the Actin302 promoter and in promoter 2 of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase-encoding gene. These regions were shown to specifically bind protein factors from nuclear extracts of A. franciscana nauplii by means of electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Several protein-binding regions were also detected by DNase I protection analysis in the promoters of the genes encoding the alpha1 subunit of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, actin 302 and sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase. Specific DNA-binding proteins in nauplius nuclear extracts were detected for all the promoter regions analyzed. These proteins were either not present in cyst nuclear extracts or were present in much smaller concentrations. Three of the five regions analyzed also bound proteins present in cyst nuclear extracts. These data indicate that transcriptional activation upon exiting cryptobiosis in A. franciscana involves the expression/activation of DNA-binding transcription factors that are not present in cyst nuclei
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martinez-Lamparero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas CSIC/UAM, C/ Arturo Duperier No. 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Eads BD, Hand SC. Transcriptional initiation under conditions of anoxia-induced quiescence in mitochondria from Artemia franciscana embryos. J Exp Biol 2003; 206:577-89. [PMID: 12502778 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.00110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In response to anoxia, embryos of the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana are able coordinately to downregulate metabolism to levels low enough to permit survival for several years at room temperature. In addition to dramatic decreases in free ATP levels and heat production, intracellular pH drops from 7.8 to 6.3 overnight. Use of isolated mitochondria to study transcriptional responses to anoxia offers several advantages: (1). the localized nature of transcript initiation, processing and degradation, all of which may be followed in organello; (2). the relatively simple cis- and trans-machinery involved and (3). the ability to provide relevant physiological treatments in vitro. In response to anoxic incubation of embryos in vivo for 4 h followed by anoxic mitochondrial isolation and anoxic transcription assay at pH 6.4, a significant decrease in overall UTP incorporation (77%) was seen after 30 min relative to normoxic, pH 7.9 controls. A less severe inhibition of transcription under anoxia (52%) was observed compared with controls when pH was raised to 7.9. Similarly, under normoxia, the incubation at low pH (6.4) reduced transcription by 59%. Ribonuclease protection assays showed that the contribution of in vitro initiation during the assay fell from 78% at pH 7.9 to approximately 32% at pH 6.4 under either normoxic or anoxic conditions. DNA footprinting of putative transcriptional promoters revealed proteins at regular intervals upstream of the 12S rRNA in the control region, which previously had been indirectly inferred to contain promoters for H-strand transcription. The area between 1230 and 12065 contains a sequence in the tRNA(leu) gene believed to bind the transcription termination factor mTERF or TERM, and we provide the first evidence that this sequence is protein-bound in A. franciscana. However, our hypothesis that initiation is reduced at low pH because of a change in DNA binding by mitochondrial transcription factors was not confirmed. We propose that regulation of initiation may be mediated by covalent modification or by protein-protein interactions not detected by footprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D Eads
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
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Langenbuch M, Pörtner HO. Changes in metabolic rate and N excretion in the marine invertebrateSipunculus nudusunder conditions of environmental hypercapnia. J Exp Biol 2002; 205:1153-60. [PMID: 11919274 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.205.8.1153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYIncreased CO2 partial pressures (hypercapnia) as well as hypoxia are natural features of marine environments like the intertidal zone. Nevertheless little is known about the specific effects of CO2 on metabolism, except for the well-described effects on acid—base variables and regulation. Accordingly, the sediment-dwelling worm Sipunculus nudus was used as an experimental model to investigate the correlation of acid—base-induced metabolic depression and protein/amino acid catabolism, by determining the rates of oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion and O/N ratios in non-perfused preparations of body wall musculature at various levels of extra- and intracellular pH, PCO2 and [HCO3-]. A decrease in extracellular pH from control level (7.9) to 6.7 caused a reduction in aerobic metabolic rate of both normocapnic and hypercapnic tissues by 40-45 %. O/N ratios of 4.0-4.5 under control conditions indicate that amino acid catabolism meets the largest fraction of aerobic energy demand. A significant 10-15 % drop in ammonia excretion, a simultaneous reduction of O/N ratios and a transient accumulation of intracellular bicarbonate during transition to extreme acidosis suggest a reduction in net amino acid catabolism and a shift in the selection of amino acids used,favouring monoamino dicarboxylic acids and their amines (asparagine,glutamine, aspartic and glutamic acids). A drop in intracellular pH was identified as mediating this effect. In conclusion, the present data provide evidence for a regulatory role of intracellular pH in the selection of amino acids used by catabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Langenbuch
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Okophysiologie und Okotoxikologie, Postfach 120161, D-27515 Bremerhaven, Germany
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Willsie JK, Clegg JS. Small heat shock protein p26 associates with nuclear lamins and HSP70 in nuclei and nuclear matrix fractions from stressed cells. J Cell Biochem 2002. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.10040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Willsie JK, Clegg JS. Nuclear p26, a small heat shock/α-crystallin protein, and its relationship to stress resistance in Artemia franciscana embryos. J Exp Biol 2001; 204:2339-50. [PMID: 11507116 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.204.13.2339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY
The role of the small heat shock/α-crystallin protein, p26, in transcription in Artemia franciscana embryos was examined using isolated nuclei, containing either control or elevated levels of p26, in transcription run-on assays. Heat shock or anoxia in vivo and acid pH in vitro were used to transfer p26 into nuclei. The results suggest that parameters other than, or in addition to, p26 are responsible for the reduced transcription rates observed and that decreases in pHi are involved. In vivo experiments indicate that RNA synthesis and, to a lesser extent, protein synthesis are downregulated in intact embryos recovering from heat shock and that the precursor pool is not limiting. Confocal microscopy confirmed that p26 moves into nuclei in response to heat shock and anoxia in vivo, and to low pH in vitro, and indicated that the nuclear distribution of p26 is similar under all three conditions. We present evidence that unstressed (control) embryos containing p26 in all their nuclei will not hatch, even under permissive conditions, and propose that they are unable to terminate diapause.
Potential nuclear targets of p26 chaperone activity are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J K Willsie
- Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Bodega Marine Laboratory, University of California (Davis), Bodega Bay, CA 94923, USA
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Casero MC, Sastre L. Characterization of a functional serum response element in the Actin403 gene promoter from the crustacean Artemia franciscana. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY 2001; 268:2587-92. [PMID: 11322877 DOI: 10.1046/j.1432-1327.2001.02143.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The serum response factor (SRF) activates expression of several genes in response to growth factors present in serum. SRF also regulates the expression of tissue-specific genes, including those in vertebrate muscles. An SRF-binding site (CArG box) present in the Artemia franciscana Actin403 promoter was shown to be necessary for transcriptional activity in cultured cells from Drosophila melanogaster and mammals. This DNA region bound mammalian and Drosophila SRFs in vitro and mediated transcriptional activation of the Actin403 promoter in response to serum, phorbol esters and lysophosphatidic acid in transfected cultured mammalian cells. Mutations in the CArG box greatly reduced promoter activity and stimulation by extracellular compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Casero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas CSIC/UAM, Madrid, Spain
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Abstract
David Keilin (Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. B, 150, 1959, 149-191) coined the term 'cryptobiosis' (hidden life) and defined it as 'the state of an organism when it shows no visible signs of life and when its metabolic activity becomes hardly measurable, or comes reversibly to a standstill.' I consider selected aspects of the 300 year history of research on this unusual state of biological organization. Cryptobiosis is peculiar in the sense that organisms capable of achieving it exhibit characteristics that differ dramatically from those of living ones, yet they are not dead either, so one may propose that cryptobiosis is a unique state of biological organization. I focus chiefly on animal anhydrobiosis, achieved by the reversible loss of almost all the organism's water. The adaptive biochemical and biophysical mechanisms allowing this to take place involve the participation of large concentrations of polyhydroxy compounds, chiefly the disaccharides trehalose or sucrose. Stress (heat shock) proteins might also be involved, although the details are poorly understood and seem to be organism-specific. Whether the removal of molecular oxygen (anoxybiosis) results in the reversible cessation of metabolism in adapted organisms is considered, with the result being 'yes and no', depending on how one defines metabolism. Basic research on cryptobiosis has resulted in unpredicted applications that are of substantial benefit to the human condition and a few of these are described briefly.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Clegg
- Bodega Marine Laboratory and Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California (Davis), Bodega Bay, CA 94923, USA.
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