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Peggion C, Massimino ML, Pereira D, Granuzzo S, Righetto F, Bortolotto R, Agostini J, Sartori G, Bertoli A, Lopreiato R. Structural Integrity of Nucleolin Is Required to Suppress TDP-43-Mediated Cytotoxicity in Yeast and Human Cell Models. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17466. [PMID: 38139294 PMCID: PMC10744044 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417466] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The Transactivating response (TAR) element DNA-binding of 43 kDa (TDP-43) is mainly implicated in the regulation of gene expression, playing multiple roles in RNA metabolism. Pathologically, it is implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and in a class of neurodegenerative diseases broadly going under the name of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). A common hallmark of most forms of such diseases is the presence of TDP-43 insoluble inclusions in the cell cytosol. The molecular mechanisms of TDP-43-related cell toxicity are still unclear, and the contribution to cell damage from either loss of normal TDP-43 function or acquired toxic properties of protein aggregates is yet to be established. Here, we investigate the effects on cell viability of FTLD-related TDP-43 mutations in both yeast and mammalian cell models. Moreover, we focus on nucleolin (NCL) gene, recently identified as a genetic suppressor of TDP-43 toxicity, through a thorough structure/function characterization aimed at understanding the role of NCL domains in rescuing TDP-43-induced cytotoxicity. Using functional and biochemical assays, our data demonstrate that the N-terminus of NCL is necessary, but not sufficient, to exert its antagonizing effects on TDP-43, and further support the relevance of the DNA/RNA binding central region of the protein. Concurrently, data suggest the importance of the NCL nuclear localization for TDP-43 trafficking, possibly related to both TDP-43 physiology and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Peggion
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | | | - Daniel Pereira
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Department of Bioengineering, iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Granuzzo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Francesca Righetto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Raissa Bortolotto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Jessica Agostini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Geppo Sartori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bertoli
- Neuroscience Institute, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Raffaele Lopreiato
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
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Grima-Reyes M, Vandenberghe A, Nemazanyy I, Meola P, Paul R, Reverso-Meinietti J, Martinez-Turtos A, Nottet N, Chan WK, Lorenzi PL, Marchetti S, Ricci JE, Chiche J. Tumoral microenvironment prevents de novo asparagine biosynthesis in B cell lymphoma, regardless of ASNS expression. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn6491. [PMID: 35857457 PMCID: PMC9258813 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn6491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Depletion of circulating asparagine with l-asparaginase (ASNase) is a mainstay of leukemia treatment and is under investigation in many cancers. Expression levels of asparagine synthetase (ASNS), which catalyzes asparagine synthesis, were considered predictive of cancer cell sensitivity to ASNase treatment, a notion recently challenged. Using [U-13C5]-l-glutamine in vitro and in vivo in a mouse model of B cell lymphomas (BCLs), we demonstrated that supraphysiological or physiological concentrations of asparagine prevent de novo asparagine biosynthesis, regardless of ASNS expression levels. Overexpressing ASNS in ASNase-sensitive BCL was insufficient to confer resistance to ASNase treatment in vivo. Moreover, we showed that ASNase's glutaminase activity enables its maximal anticancer effect. Together, our results indicate that baseline ASNS expression (low or high) cannot dictate BCL dependence on de novo asparagine biosynthesis and predict BCL sensitivity to dual ASNase activity. Thus, except for ASNS-deficient cancer cells, ASNase's glutaminase activity should be considered in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Grima-Reyes
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | - Ashaina Vandenberghe
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | - Ivan Nemazanyy
- Plateforme d’étude du métabolisme SFR-Necker, Inserm US 24–CNRS UAR, 3633 Paris, France
| | - Pauline Meola
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | - Rachel Paul
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | - Julie Reverso-Meinietti
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | - Adriana Martinez-Turtos
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | | | - Wai-Kin Chan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Philip L. Lorenzi
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sandrine Marchetti
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | - Jean-Ehrland Ricci
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | - Johanna Chiche
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
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Peggion C, Massimino ML, Stella R, Bortolotto R, Agostini J, Maldi A, Sartori G, Tonello F, Bertoli A, Lopreiato R. Nucleolin Rescues TDP-43 Toxicity in Yeast and Human Cell Models. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:625665. [PMID: 33912014 PMCID: PMC8072491 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.625665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
TDP-43 is a nuclear protein involved in pivotal processes, extensively studied for its implication in neurodegenerative disorders. TDP-43 cytosolic inclusions are a common neuropathologic hallmark in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and related diseases, and it is now established that TDP-43 misfolding and aggregation play a key role in their etiopathology. TDP-43 neurotoxic mechanisms are not yet clarified, but the identification of proteins able to modulate TDP-43-mediated damage may be promising therapeutic targets for TDP-43 proteinopathies. Here we show by the use of refined yeast models that the nucleolar protein nucleolin (NCL) acts as a potent suppressor of TDP-43 toxicity, restoring cell viability. We provide evidence that NCL co-expression is able to alleviate TDP-43-induced damage also in human cells, further supporting its beneficial effects in a more consistent pathophysiological context. Presented data suggest that NCL could promote TDP-43 nuclear retention, reducing the formation of toxic cytosolic TDP-43 inclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Peggion
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Stella
- Food Safety Division, Department of Chemistry, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Raissa Bortolotto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Jessica Agostini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Arianna Maldi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Geppo Sartori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Bertoli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,CNR - Neuroscience Institute, Padova, Italy.,Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Surasiang T, Noree C. Effects of A6E Mutation on Protein Expression and Supramolecular Assembly of Yeast Asparagine Synthetase. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10040294. [PMID: 33916846 PMCID: PMC8065433 DOI: 10.3390/biology10040294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Certain mutations causing extremely low abundance of asparagine synthetase (the enzyme responsible for producing asparagine, one of the amino acids required for normal growth and development) have been identified in humans with neurological problems and small head and brain size. Currently, yeast is becoming more popular in modeling many human diseases. In this study, we incorporate a mutation, associated with human asparagine synthetase deficiency, into the yeast asparagine synthetase gene to demonstrate that this mutation can also show similar effects as those observed in humans, leading to very low abundance of yeast asparagine synthetase and slower yeast growth rate. This suggests that our yeast system can be alternatively used to initially screen for any drugs that can help rescue the protein levels of asparagine synthetase before applying them to further studies in mammals and humans. Furthermore, this mutation might specifically be introduced into the asparagine synthetase gene of the target cancer cells in order to suppress the overproduction of asparagine synthetase within these abnormal cells, therefore inhibiting the growth of cancer, which might be helpful for patients with blood cancer to prevent them developing any resistance to the conventional asparaginase treatment. Abstract Asparagine synthetase deficiency (ASD) has been found to be caused by certain mutations in the gene encoding human asparagine synthetase (ASNS). Among reported mutations, A6E mutation showed the greatest reduction in ASNS abundance. However, the effect of A6E mutation has not yet been tested with yeast asparagine synthetase (Asn1/2p). Here, we constructed a yeast strain by deleting ASN2 from its genome, introducing the A6E mutation codon to ASN1, along with GFP downstream of ASN1. Our mutant yeast construct showed a noticeable decrease of Asn1p(A6E)-GFP levels as compared to the control yeast expressing Asn1p(WT)-GFP. At the stationary phase, the A6E mutation also markedly lowered the assembly frequency of the enzyme. In contrast to Asn1p(WT)-GFP, Asn1p(A6E)-GFP was insensitive to changes in the intracellular energy levels upon treatment with sodium azide during the log phase or fresh glucose at the stationary phase. Our study has confirmed that the effect of A6E mutation on protein expression levels of asparagine synthetase is common in both unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes, suggesting that yeast could be a model of ASD. Furthermore, A6E mutation could be introduced to the ASNS gene of acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients to inhibit the upregulation of ASNS by cancer cells, reducing the risk of developing resistance to the asparaginase treatment.
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