Optineurin: A Coordinator of Membrane-Associated Cargo Trafficking and Autophagy

Secondary interactions in ubiquitin-binding domains achieve linkage or substrate specificity

Small ubiquitin-binding domains (UBDs) recognize small surface patches on ubiquitin with weak affinity, and it remains a conundrum how specific cellular responses may be achieved. Npl4-type zinc-finger (NZF) domains are ∼30 amino acid, compact UBDs that can provide two ubiquitin-binding interfaces, imposing linkage specificity to explain signaling outcomes. We here comprehensively characterize the linkage preference of human NZF domains. TAB2 prefers Lys6 and Lys63 linkages phosphorylated on Ser65, explaining why TAB2 recognizes depolarized mitochondria. Surprisingly, most NZF domains do not display chain linkage preference, despite conserved, secondary interaction surfaces. This suggests that some NZF domains may specifically bind ubiquitinated substrates by simultaneously recognizing substrate and an attached ubiquitin. We show biochemically and structurally that the NZF1 domain of the E3 ligase HOIPbinds preferentially to site-specifically ubiquitinated forms of NEMO and optineurin. Thus, despite their small size, UBDs may impose signaling specificity via multivalent interactions with ubiquitinated substrates.

Molecular Insights into Aggrephagy: Their Cellular Functions in the Context of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Protein homeostasis or proteostasis is an equilibrium of biosynthetic production, folding and transport of proteins, and their timely and efficient degradation. Proteostasis is guaranteed by a network of protein quality control systems aimed at maintaining the proteome function and avoiding accumulation of potentially cytotoxic proteins. Terminal unfolded and dysfunctional proteins can be directly turned over by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) or first amassed into aggregates prior to degradation. Aggregates can also be disposed into lysosomes by a selective type of autophagy known as aggrephagy, which relies on a set of so-called selective autophagy receptors (SARs) and adaptor proteins. Failure in eliminating aggregates, also due to defects in aggrephagy, can have devastating effects as underscored by several neurodegenerative diseases or proteinopathies, which are characterized by the accumulation of aggregates mostly formed by a specific disease-associated, aggregate-prone protein depending on the clinical pathology. Despite its medical relevance, however, the process of aggrephagy is far from being understood. Here we review the findings that have helped in assigning a possible function to specific SARs and adaptor proteins in aggrephagy in the context of proteinopathies, and also highlight the interplay between aggrephagy and the pathogenesis of proteinopathies.

A cytoprotective role for optineurin during mycobacterial infection of macrophages

Autophagy has emerged as a critical innate immune mechanism for host elimination of intracellular pathogens, however, the role of the autophagy receptor Optineurin during mycobacterial infection is not fully understood. To address this lacuna, we infected bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) derived from Optn+/+ and Optn-/- mice with Mycobacterium smegmatis, and observed the infection outcome at sequential time points. While low multiplicity of infection (MOI) did not show any significant difference between BMDMs from the two groups, at high MOI Optn-/- mice-derived BMDMs showed significantly lower colony forming unit counts, as well as lower cell counts at 12 h and 24 h post-infection. Quantification of cell numbers and nuclear morphologies at various time points post-infection indicated a markedly higher cell death in the Optineurin-deficient macrophages. Optineurin-deficient BMDMs showed significantly lower levels of the autophagosomal protein LC3-II upon infection, indicating a potential role for Optineurin in regulating autophagy during mycobacterial infection. Moreover, when stimulated by bacterial LPS, Optineurin deficient macrophages, showed altered levels of the inflammatory cytokine pro-IL-1β. These observations taken together suggest a novel regulatory role for Optineurin during mycobacterial infection. Its deficiency leads to an impairment in macrophage responses, directly impacting the pathophysiology of infection.

MicroRNA-142-3p alleviated high salt-induced cardiac fibrosis via downregulating optineurin-mediated mitophagy

High salt can induce cardiac damage. The aim of this present study was to explore the effect and the mechanism of microRNA (miR)-142-3p on the cardiac fibrosis induced by high salt. Rats received high salt diet to induce cardiac fibrosis in vivo, and neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (NRCF) treated with sodium chloride (NaCl) to induce fibrosis in vitro. The fibrosis and mitochondrial autophagy levels were increased the heart and NRCF treated with NaCl, which were alleviated by miR-142-3p upregulation. The fibrosis and mitochondrial autophagy levels were elevated in NRCF after treating with miR-142-3p antagomiR. Optineurin (OPTN) expression was increased in the mitochondria of NRCF induced by NaCl, which was attenuated by miR-142-3p agomiR. OPTN downregulation inhibited the increases of fibrosis and mitochondrial autophagy levels induced by NaCl in NRCF. These results miR-142-3p could alleviate high salt-induced cardiac fibrosis via downregulation of OPTN to reduce mitophagy.

Optineurin-facilitated axonal mitochondria delivery promotes neuroprotection and axon regeneration

Optineurin (OPTN) mutations are linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG), but a relevant animal model is lacking, and the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration are unknown. We found that OPTN C-terminus truncation (OPTN∆C) causes late-onset neurodegeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), optic nerve (ON), and spinal cord motor neurons, preceded by a striking decrease of axonal mitochondria. Surprisingly, we discover that OPTN directly interacts with both microtubules and the mitochondrial transport complex TRAK1/KIF5B, stabilizing them for proper anterograde axonal mitochondrial transport, in a C-terminus dependent manner. Encouragingly, overexpressing OPTN/TRAK1/KIF5B reverses not only OPTN truncation-induced, but also ocular hypertension-induced neurodegeneration, and promotes striking ON regeneration. Therefore, in addition to generating new animal models for NTG and ALS, our results establish OPTN as a novel facilitator of the microtubule-dependent mitochondrial transport necessary for adequate axonal mitochondria delivery, and its loss as the likely molecular mechanism of neurodegeneration.

Seneca Valley virus 3C protease cleaves OPTN (optineurin) to Impair selective autophagy and type I interferon signaling

Seneca Valley virus (SVV) causes vesicular disease in pigs, posing a threat to global pork production. OPTN (optineurin) is a macroautophagy/autophagy receptor that restricts microbial propagation by targeting specific viral or bacterial proteins for degradation. OPTN is degraded and cleaved at glutamine 513 following SVV infection via the activity of viral 3C protease (3C[pro]), resulting in N-terminal and a C-terminal OPTN fragments. Moreover, OPTN interacts with VP1 and targets VP1 for degradation to inhibit viral replication. The N-terminal cleaved OPTN sustained its interaction with VP1, whereas the degradation capacity targeting VP1 decreased. The inhibitory effect of N-terminal OPTN against SVV infection was significantly reduced, C-terminal OPTN failed to inhibit viral replication, and degradation of VP1 was blocked. The knockdown of OPTN resulted in reduced TBK1 activation and phosphorylation of IRF3, whereas overexpression of OPTN led to increased TBK1-IRF3 signaling. Additionally, the N-terminal OPTN diminished the activation of the type I IFN (interferon) pathway. These results show that SVV 3C[pro] targets OPTN because its cleavage impairs its function in selective autophagy and type I IFN production, revealing a novel model in which the virus develops diverse strategies for evading host autophagic machinery and type I IFN response for survival.Abbreviations: Co-IP: co-immunoprecipitation; GFP-green fluorescent protein; hpi: hours post-infection; HRP: horseradish peroxidase; IFN: interferon; IFNB/IFN-β: interferon beta; IRF3: interferon regulatory factor 3; LIR: LC3-interacting region; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; MOI: multiplicity of infection; OPTN: optineurin; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; SVV: Seneca Valley virus; SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; TAX1BP1: Tax1 binding protein 1; TBK1: TANK binding kinase 1; TCID50: 50% tissue culture infectious doses; UBAN: ubiquitin binding in TNIP/ABIN (TNFAIP3/A20 and inhibitor of NFKB/NF-kB) and IKBKG/NEMO; UBD: ubiquitin-binding domain; ZnF: zinc finger.

Rodent genetically modified models of glaucoma

Glaucoma, one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide, is a complex and heterogenous disease. While environmental factors are important, it is well-recognized that the disease has a strong heritable component. With the advent of large-cohort genome wide association studies, a myriad of genetic risk loci has been linked to different forms of glaucoma. Animal models have been an indispensable tool in characterizing these loci, especially if they lie within coding regions in the genome. Not only do these models connect genotype to phenotype, advancing our understanding of glaucoma pathogenesis in the process, they also have valuable utility as a platform for the pre-clinical testing of potential therapies. In this review, we will outline genetic models used for studying the major forms of glaucoma, including primary open angle glaucoma, normal tension glaucoma, primary angle closure glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, and early onset glaucoma, including congenital and developmental glaucoma, and how studying these models have helped shed light on human glaucoma.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mechanism: Insights from the Caenorhabditis elegans Models

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating neurodegenerative condition characterized by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons. Despite extensive research in various model animals, the cellular signal mechanisms of ALS remain elusive, impeding the development of efficacious treatments. Among these models, a well-characterized and diminutive organism, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), has emerged as a potent tool for investigating the molecular and cellular dimensions of ALS pathogenesis. This review summarizes the contributions of C. elegans models to our comprehension of ALS, emphasizing pivotal findings pertaining to genetics, protein aggregation, cellular pathways, and potential therapeutic strategies. We analyze both the merits and constraints of the C. elegans system in the realm of ALS research and point towards future investigations that could bridge the chasm between C. elegans foundational discoveries and clinical applications.

Optineurin tunes outside-in signaling to regulate lysosome biogenesis and phagocytic clearance in the retina

Balancing the competing demands of phagolysosomal degradation and autophagy is a significant challenge for phagocytic tissues. Yet how this plasticity is accomplished in health and disease is poorly understood. In the retina, circadian phagocytosis and degradation of photoreceptor outer segments by the postmitotic retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) are essential for healthy vision. Disrupted autophagy due to mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) overactivation in the RPE is associated with blinding macular degenerations; however, outer segment degradation is unaffected in these diseases, indicating that distinct mechanisms regulate these clearance mechanisms. Here, using advanced imaging and mouse models, we identify optineurin as a key regulator that tunes phagocytosis and lysosomal capacity to meet circadian demands and helps prioritize outer segment clearance by the RPE in macular degenerations. High-resolution live-cell imaging implicates optineurin in scissioning outer segment tips prior to engulfment, analogous to microglial trogocytosis of neuronal processes. Optineurin is essential for recruiting light chain 3 (LC3), which anchors outer segment phagosomes to microtubules and facilitates phagosome maturation and fusion with lysosomes. This dynamically activates transcription factor EB (TFEB) to induce lysosome biogenesis in an mTOR-independent, transient receptor potential-mucolipin 1 (TRPML1)-dependent manner. RNA-seq analyses show that expression of TFEB target genes temporally tracks with optineurin recruitment and that lysosomal and autophagy genes are controlled by distinct transcriptional programs in the RPE. The unconventional plasma membrane-to-nucleus signaling mediated by optineurin ensures outer segment degradation under conditions of impaired autophagy in macular degeneration models. Independent regulation of these critical clearance mechanisms would help safeguard the metabolic fitness of the RPE throughout the organismal lifespan.

Melatonin Attenuates Sepsis-Induced Acute Lung Injury via Inhibiting Excessive Mitophagy

Background

Epidemiological studies have indicated that lung injury is a frequent complication of sepsis. Mitophagy is vital to multiple pathological processes and diseases; however, its influence on sepsis-induced acute lung injury remains elusive. Melatonin has multiple antioxidant action and anti-inflammatory effects, including regulating mitophagy and inflammatory cytokine expression. Whereas, little is known about the affection of melatonin and mitophagy on CLP-induced ALI.

Methods

The in vivo effect of melatonin on OPTN-mediated mitophagy was studied by CLP-induced ALI in a mouse model using C57BL/6 followed by treatment with vehicle and melatonin (30 mg/kg/d, intraperitoneal injection). ALI was assayed by lung wet /dry ratio, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemical staining. Signaling pathway changes were subsequently determined by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. The effects of melatonin on STAT3 activation and TNF-α production were detected by Western blotting, PCR, and immunohistochemical staining.

Results

Our results indicated that OPTN, mitophagy adaptors were significantly repressed in CLP-induced ALI, accompanied by overactivation of mitophagy and inflammation. At the same time, we found that melatonin treatment alleviated ALI caused by CLP, and the effect was highly correlated with OPTN-related mitophagy. Furthermore, we demonstrated that OPTN-related mitophagy, which was normalized by melatonin, blocked STAT3 involved epithelial barrier and inflammation in vivo.

Conclusion

Overall, our results confirm that mitophagy is adjusted by melatonin in the CLP-induced ALI. Moreover, manipulation of mitophagy through melatonin could be a possible treatment to reduce sepsis-associated lung injury.

Chlorpromazine affects autophagy in association with altered Rag GTPase-mTORC1-TFEB signaling

Autophagy is a critical protein and organelle quality control system, which regulates cellular homeostasis and survival. Growing pieces of evidence suggest that autophagic dysfunction is strongly associated with many human diseases, including neurological diseases and cancer. Among various autophagic regulators, microphthalmia (MiT)/TFE transcription factors, including transcription factor EB (TFEB), have been shown to act as the master regulators of autophagosome and lysosome biogenesis in both physiological and pathological conditions. According to the previous studies, chlorpromazine (CPZ), an FDA-approved antipsychotic drug, affects autophagy in diverse cell lines, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In our present study, we find that CPZ treatment induces TFEB nuclear translocation through Rag GTPases, the upstream regulators of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling. Meanwhile, CPZ treatment also blocks autophagosome-lysosome fusion. Notably, we find a significant accumulation of immature autophagosome vesicles in CPZ-treated cells, which may impede cellular homeostasis due to the dysfunction of the autophagy-lysosome pathway. Interestingly and importantly, our data suggest that the expression of the active form of Rag GTPase heterodimers helps in reducing the accumulation of autophagosomes in CPZ-treated cells, further suggesting a major contribution of the Rag GTPase-mTORC1-TFEB signaling axis in CPZ-induced autophagic impairment.

Familial normal tension glaucoma genetics

Glaucoma is defined by characteristic optic nerve damage and corresponding visual field defects and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a strong risk factor for developing glaucoma. However, glaucoma can occur at any IOP. Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) arises with IOPs that are within what has been defined as a normal range, i.e., 21 mm Hg or less, which may present challenges in its diagnosis and management. Identifying inheritance patterns and genetic mutations in families with NTG has helped elucidate mechanisms of NTG, however the pathophysiology is complex and not fully understood. Approximately 2% of NTG cases are caused primarily by mutations in single genes, optineurin (OPTN), TANK binding kinase 1 (TKB1), or myocilin (MYOC). Herein, we review pedigree studies of NTG and autosomal dominant NTG caused by OPTN, TBK1, and MYOC mutations. We review identified mutations and resulting clinical features of OPTN-associated and TBK1-associated NTG, including long-term follow up of these patients with NTG. In addition, we report a new four-generation pedigree of NTG caused by a Glu50Lys OPTN mutation, including six family members with a mean follow up of 17 years. Common features of OPTN -associated NTG due to Glu50Lys mutation included early onset of disease with an IOP <21 mm Hg, marked optic disc cupping, and progressive visual field loss which appeared to stabilize once an IOP of less than 10 mm Hg was achieved. Lastly, we review risk factor genes which have been identified to contribute to the complex inheritance of NTG.

A rare optineurin mutation in an Indian family with coexistence of JOAG and PCG

Purpose

This study focused on the genetic screening of Myocilin (MYOC), Cytochrome P450 family 1 subfamily B member 1 (CYP1B1), Optineurin (OPTN), and SIX homeobox 6 (SIX6) genes in a family with coexistence of primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG).

Methods

Sanger sequencing was used to examine the coding region of all four genes. Six different online available algorithms were used for the pathogenicity prediction of missense variant. Structural analysis was done using Garnier-Osguthorpe-Robson (GOR), PyMol, ChimeraX, and Molecular Dynamic (MD) Simulations (using Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)-enabled Desmond module of Schrödinger).

Results

There were a total of three sequence variants within the family. All seven algorithms determined that a single mutation, G538E, in the OPTN gene is pathogenic. The loops connecting the strands became more flexible, as predicted structurally and functionally by pathogenic mutations. Mutations create perturbations and conformational rearrangements in proteins, hence impairing their functioning.

Conclusion

In this study, we describe a North Indian family in which members were having JOAG and PCG due to a rare homozygous/heterozygous mutation in OPTN. The coexistence of two types of glaucoma within a single pedigree suggests that certain OPTN mutations may be responsible for the onset of different glaucoma phenotypes.

Liver lipophagy ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis through extracellular lipid secretion

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive disorder with aberrant lipid accumulation and subsequent inflammatory and profibrotic response. Therapeutic efforts at lipid reduction via increasing cytoplasmic lipolysis unfortunately worsens hepatitis due to toxicity of liberated fatty acid. An alternative approach could be lipid reduction through autophagic disposal, i.e., lipophagy. We engineered a synthetic adaptor protein to induce lipophagy, combining a lipid droplet-targeting signal with optimized LC3-interacting domain. Activating hepatocyte lipophagy in vivo strongly mitigated both steatosis and hepatitis in a diet-induced mouse NASH model. Mechanistically, activated lipophagy promoted the excretion of lipid from hepatocytes, thereby suppressing harmful intracellular accumulation of nonesterified fatty acid. A high-content compound screen identified alpelisib and digoxin, clinically-approved compounds, as effective activators of lipophagy. Administration of alpelisib or digoxin in vivo strongly inhibited the transition to steatohepatitis. These data thus identify lipophagy as a promising therapeutic approach to prevent NASH progression.

Optineurin deficiency impairs autophagy to cause interferon beta overproduction and increased survival of mice following viral infection

BACKGROUND

Optineurin (OPTN) is associated with several human diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and is involved in various cellular processes, including autophagy. Optineurin regulates the expression of interferon beta (IFNβ), which plays a central role in the innate immune response to viral infection. However, the role of optineurin in response to viral infection has not been fully clarified. It is known that optineurin-deficient cells produce more IFNβ than wild-type cells following viral infection. In this study, we investigate the reasons for, and effects of, IFNβ overproduction during optineurin deficiency both in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

To investigate the mechanism of IFNβ overproduction, viral nucleic acids in infected cells were quantified by RT-qPCR and the autophagic activity of optineurin-deficient cells was determined to understand the basis for the intracellular accumulation of viral nucleic acids. Moreover, viral infection experiments using optineurin-disrupted (Optn-KO) animals were performed with several viruses.

RESULTS

IFNβ overproduction following viral infection was observed not only in several types of optineurin-deficient cell lines but also in Optn-KO mice and human ALS patient cells carrying mutations in OPTN. IFNβ overproduction in Optn-KO cells was revealed to be caused by excessive accumulation of viral nucleic acids, which was a consequence of reduced autophagic activity caused by the loss of optineurin. Additionally, IFNβ overproduction in Optn-KO mice suppressed viral proliferation, resulting in increased mouse survival following viral challenge.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that the combination of optineurin deficiency and viral infection leads to IFNβ overproduction in vitro and in vivo. The effects of optineurin deficiency are elicited by viral infection, therefore, viral infection may be implicated in the development of optineurin-related diseases.

Ocular protein optineurin shows reversibility from unfolded states and exhibits chaperone-like activity

Optineurin (OPTN) is a multifunctional, ubiquitously expressed cytoplasmic protein, mutants of which are associated with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The most abundant heat shock protein crystallin, known for its remarkable thermodynamic stability and chaperoning activity, allows ocular tissues to withstand stress. The presence of OPTN in ocular tissues is intriguing. Interestingly, OPTN also harbors heat shock elements in its promoter region. Sequence analysis of OPTN exhibits intrinsically disordered regions and nucleic acid binding domains. These properties hinted that OPTN might be endowed with sufficient thermodynamic stability and chaperoning activity. However, these attributes of OPTN have not yet been explored. Here, we studied these properties through thermal and chemical denaturation experiments and monitored the processes using CD, fluorimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic light scattering. We found that upon heating, OPTN reversibly forms higher-order multimers. OPTN also displayed a chaperone-like function by reducing the thermal aggregation of bovine carbonic anhydrase. It regains its native secondary structure, RNA-binding property, and melting temperature (T _m) after refolding from a thermally as well as chemically denatured state. From our data, we conclude that OPTN, with its unique ability to revert from the stress-mediated unfolded state and its unique chaperoning function, is a valuable protein of the ocular tissues.

Regulation of transferrin receptor trafficking by optineurin and its disease-associated mutants

Transferrin receptor (TFRC) is a transmembrane protein that plays a crucial role in mediating homeostasis of iron in the cell. The binding of transferrin (that is bound to iron) to TFRC at the cell membrane generally starts endocytosis of TFRC-transferrin complex, which leads to formation of vesicles that are positive for TFRC. These vesicles travel to the early endosomes and later to the endocytic recycling compartment. Release of iron occurs in the early endosomes because of acidic pH. Major fraction of the transferrin and TFRC is transported back to the cell membrane; however, a minor fraction of it is transported to lysosomes through the process of autophagy. Optineurin (OPTN) is a multi-functional adaptor protein that plays a pivotal role in the control of TFRC trafficking, recycling and autophagy dependent degradation. Optineurin also plays a role in cargo-selective and non-selective autophagy. Here, we review our understanding of the function of OPTN in regulating TFRC trafficking, recycling and autophagy dependent degradation. We also discuss the mechanisms by which certain disease-associated mutations of OPTN alter these processes.

The exploitation of host autophagy and ubiquitin machinery by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in shaping immune responses and host defense during infection

Intracellular pathogens have evolved various efficient molecular armaments to subvert innate defenses. Cellular ubiquitination, a normal physiological process to maintain homeostasis, is emerging one such exploited mechanism. Ubiquitin (Ub), a small protein modifier, is conjugated to diverse protein substrates to regulate many functions. Structurally diverse linkages of poly-Ub to target proteins allow enormous functional diversity with specificity being governed by evolutionarily conserved enzymes (E3-Ub ligases). The Ub-binding domain (UBD) and LC3-interacting region (LIR) are critical features of macroautophagy/autophagy receptors that recognize Ub-conjugated on protein substrates. Emerging evidence suggests that E3-Ub ligases unexpectedly protect against intracellular pathogens by tagging poly-Ub on their surfaces and targeting them to phagophores. Two E3-Ub ligases, PRKN and SMURF1, provide immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb). Both enzymes conjugate K63 and K48-linked poly-Ub to M. tb for successful delivery to phagophores. Intriguingly, M. tb exploits virulence factors to effectively dampen host-directed autophagy utilizing diverse mechanisms. Autophagy receptors contain LIR-motifs that interact with conserved Atg8-family proteins to modulate phagophore biogenesis and fusion to the lysosome. Intracellular pathogens have evolved a vast repertoire of virulence effectors to subdue host-immunity via hijacking the host ubiquitination process. This review highlights the xenophagy-mediated clearance of M. tb involving host E3-Ub ligases and counter-strategy of autophagy inhibition by M. tb using virulence factors. The role of Ub-binding receptors and their mode of autophagy regulation is also explained. We also discuss the co-opting and utilization of the host Ub system by M. tb for its survival and virulence.Abbreviations: APC: anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome; ATG5: autophagy related 5; BCG: bacille Calmette-Guerin; C2: Ca²⁺-binding motif; CALCOCO2: calcium binding and coiled-coil domain 2; CUE: coupling of ubiquitin conjugation to ER degradation domains; DUB: deubiquitinating enzyme; GABARAP: GABA type A receptor-associated protein; HECT: homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus; IBR: in-between-ring fingers; IFN: interferon; IL1B: interleukin 1 beta; KEAP1: kelch like ECH associated protein 1; LAMP1: lysosomal associated membrane protein 1; LGALS: galectin; LIR: LC3-interacting region; MAPK11/p38: mitogen-activated protein kinase 11; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; MAP3K7/TAK1: mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7; MAPK8/JNK: mitogen-activated protein kinase 8; MHC-II: major histocompatibility complex-II; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; NBR1: NBR1 autophagy cargo receptor; NFKB1/p50: nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1; OPTN: optineurin; PB1: phox and bem 1; PE/PPE: proline-glutamic acid/proline-proline-glutamic acid; PknG: serine/threonine-protein kinase PknG; PRKN: parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase; RBR: RING-in between RING; RING: really interesting new gene; RNF166: RING finger protein 166; ROS: reactive oxygen species; SMURF1: SMAD specific E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1; SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; STING1: stimulator of interferon response cGAMP interactor 1; TAX1BP1: Tax1 binding protein 1; TBK1: TANK binding kinase 1; TNF: tumor necrosis factor; TRAF6: TNF receptor associated factor 6; Ub: ubiquitin; UBA: ubiquitin-associated; UBAN: ubiquitin-binding domain in ABIN proteins and NEMO; UBD: ubiquitin-binding domain; UBL: ubiquitin-like; ULK1: unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1.

Mitochondria: how eminent in ageing and neurodegenerative disorders?

Numerous factors are implicated in the onset and progression of ageing and neurodegenerative disorders, with defects in cell energy supply and free radicals regulation designated as being the main functions of mitochondria and highly accentuated in plentiful studies. Hence, analysing the role of mitochondria as one of the main factors implicated in these disorders could undoubtedly come in handy with respect to disease prevention and treatment. In this review, first, we will explore how mitochondria account for neurodegenerative disorders and ageing and later will draw the various pathways contributing to mitochondrial dysfunction in their distinct way. Also, we will discuss the deviation-countering mechanisms, particularly mitophagy, a subset of autophagy known as a much larger cellular defence mechanism and regulatory system, along with its potential therapeutic effects. Last but not least, we will be highlighting the mitochondrial transfer experiments with animal models of neurodegenerative disorders.

Interplay between Autophagy and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1: ICP34.5, One of the Main Actors

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a neurotropic virus that occasionally may spread to the central nervous system (CNS), being the most common cause of sporadic encephalitis. One of the main neurovirulence factors of HSV-1 is the protein ICP34.5, which although it initially seems to be relevant only in neuronal infections, it can also promote viral replication in non-neuronal cells. New ICP34.5 functions have been discovered during recent years, and some of them have been questioned. This review describes the mechanisms of ICP34.5 to control cellular antiviral responses and debates its most controversial functions. One of the most discussed roles of ICP34.5 is autophagy inhibition. Although autophagy is considered a defense mechanism against viral infections, current evidence suggests that this antiviral function is only one side of the coin. Different types of autophagic pathways interact with HSV-1 impairing or enhancing the infection, and both the virus and the host cell modulate these pathways to tip the scales in its favor. In this review, we summarize the recent progress on the interplay between autophagy and HSV-1, focusing on the intricate role of ICP34.5 in the modulation of this pathway to fight the battle against cellular defenses.

The relationship of alpha-synuclein to mitochondrial dynamics and quality control

Maintenance of mitochondrial health is essential for neuronal survival and relies upon dynamic changes in the mitochondrial network and effective mitochondrial quality control mechanisms including the mitochondrial-derived vesicle pathway and mitophagy. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in driving the pathology of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD) where dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra are selectively degenerated. In addition, many genes with PD-associated mutations have defined functions in organelle quality control, indicating that dysregulation in mitochondrial quality control may represent a key element of pathology. The most well-characterized aspect of PD pathology relates to alpha-synuclein; an aggregation-prone protein that forms intracellular Lewy-body inclusions. Details of how alpha-synuclein exerts its toxicity in PD is not completely known, however, dysfunctional mitochondria have been observed in both PD patients and models of alpha-synuclein pathology. Accordingly, an association between alpha-synuclein and mitochondrial function has been established. This relates to alpha-synuclein’s role in mitochondrial transport, dynamics, and quality control. Despite these relationships, there is limited research defining the direct mechanisms linking alpha-synuclein to mitochondrial dynamics and quality control. In this review, we will discuss the current literature addressing this association and provide insight into the proposed mechanisms promoting these functional relationships. We will also consider some of the alternative mechanisms linking alpha-synuclein with mitochondrial dynamics and speculate what the relationship between alpha-synuclein and mitochondria might mean both physiologically and in relation to PD.

Update on the pathogenesis and genetics of Paget’s disease of bone

Studies over the past two decades have led to major advances in the pathogenesis of Paget’s disease of bone (PDB) and particularly on the role of genetic factors. Germline mutations of different genes have been identified, as a possible cause of this disorder, and most of the underlying pathways are implicated in the regulation of osteoclast differentiation and function, whereas other are involved in cell autophagy mechanisms. In particular, about 30 different germline mutations of the Sequestosome 1 gene (SQSTM1) have been described in a significant proportion of familial and sporadic PDB cases. The majority of SQSTM1 mutations affect the ubiquitin-binding domain of the protein and are associated to a more severe clinical expression of the disease. Also, germline mutations in the ZNF687 and PFN1 genes have been associated to severe, early onset, polyostotic PDB with increased susceptibly to neoplastic degeneration, particularly giant cell tumor. Mutations in the VCP (Valosin Containing Protein) gene cause the autosomal dominant syndrome “Inclusion Body Myopathy, PDB, Fronto-temporal Dementia,” characterized by pagetic manifestations, associated with myopathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and fronto-temporal dementia. Moreover, germline mutations in the TNFRSF11A gene, which encodes for RANK, were associated with rare syndromes showing some histopathological, radiological, and clinical overlap with PDB and in two cases of early onset PDB-like disease. Likewise, genome wide association studies performed in unrelated PDB cases identified other potential predisposition genes and/or susceptibility loci. Thus, it is likely that polygenic factors are involved in the PDB pathogenesis in many individuals and that modifying genes may contribute in refining the clinical phenotype. Moreover, the contribution of somatic mutations of SQSTM1 gene and/or epigenetic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of skeletal pagetic abnormalities and eventually neoplastic degeneration, cannot be excluded. Indeed, clinical and experimental observations indicate that genetic susceptibility might not be a sufficient condition for the clinical development of PDB without the concomitant intervention of viral infection, in primis paramixoviruses, and/or other environmental factors (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals or tobacco exposure), at least in a subset of cases. This review summarizes the most important advances that have been made in the field of cellular and molecular biology PDB over the past decades.

Therapeutic Aspects and Molecular Targets of Autophagy to Control Pancreatic Cancer Management

Pancreatic cancer (PC) begins within the organ of the pancreas, which produces digestive enzymes, and is one of the formidable cancers for which appropriate treatment strategies are urgently needed. Autophagy occurs in the many chambers of PC tissue, including cancer cells, cancer-related fibroblasts, and immune cells, and can be fine-tuned by various promotive and suppressive signals. Consequently, the impacts of autophagy on pancreatic carcinogenesis and progression depend greatly on its stage and conditions. Autophagy inhibits the progress of preneoplastic damage during the initial phase. However, autophagy encourages tumor formation during the development phase. Several studies have reported that both a tumor-promoting and a tumor-suppressing function of autophagy in cancer that is likely cell-type dependent. However, autophagy is dispensable for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) growth, and clinical trials with autophagy inhibitors, either alone or in combination with other therapies, have had limited success. Autophagy's dual mode of action makes it therapeutically challenging despite autophagy inhibitors providing increased longevity in medical studies, highlighting the need for a more rigorous review of current findings and more precise targeting strategies. Indeed, the role of autophagy in PC is complicated, and numerous factors must be considered when transitioning from bench to bedside. In this review, we summarize the evidence for the tumorigenic and protective role of autophagy in PC tumorigenesis and describe recent advances in the understanding of how autophagy may be regulated and controlled in PDAC.

Multisystem Proteinopathy Due to VCP Mutations: A Review of Clinical Heterogeneity and Genetic Diagnosis

In this work, we review clinical features and genetic diagnosis of diseases caused by mutations in the gene encoding valosin-containing protein (VCP/p97), the functionally diverse AAA-ATPase. VCP is crucial to a multitude of cellular functions including protein quality control, stress granule formation and clearance, and genomic integrity functions, among others. Pathogenic mutations in VCP cause multisystem proteinopathy (VCP-MSP), an autosomal dominant, adult-onset disorder causing dysfunction in several tissue types. It can result in complex neurodegenerative conditions including inclusion body myopathy, frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or combinations of these. There is also an association with other neurodegenerative phenotypes such as Alzheimer-type dementia and Parkinsonism. Non-neurological presentations include Paget disease of bone and may also include cardiac dysfunction. We provide a detailed discussion of genotype-phenotype correlations, recommendations for genetic diagnosis, and genetic counselling implications of VCP-MSP.

Nuclear and Cytoplasmatic Players in Mitochondria-Related CNS Disorders: Chromatin Modifications and Subcellular Trafficking

Aberrant mitochondrial phenotypes are common to many central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases. Mitochondrial function and homeostasis depend on proper control of several biological processes such as chromatin remodeling and transcriptional control, post-transcriptional events, vesicle and organelle subcellular trafficking, fusion, and morphogenesis. Mutation or impaired regulation of major players that orchestrate such processes can disrupt cellular and mitochondrial dynamics, contributing to neurological disorders. The first part of this review provides an overview of a functional relationship between chromatin players and mitochondria. Specifically, we relied on specific monogenic CNS disorders which share features with mitochondrial diseases. On the other hand, subcellular trafficking is coordinated directly or indirectly through evolutionarily conserved domains and proteins that regulate the dynamics of membrane compartments and organelles, including mitochondria. Among these “building blocks”, longin domains and small GTPases are involved in autophagy and mitophagy, cell reshaping, and organelle fusion. Impairments in those processes significantly impact CNS as well and are discussed in the second part of the review. Hopefully, in filling the functional gap between the nucleus and cytoplasmic organelles new routes for therapy could be disclosed.

The spectrum of neurodevelopmental, neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders due to defective autophagy

Primary dysfunction of autophagy due to Mendelian defects affecting core components of the autophagy machinery or closely related proteins have recently emerged as an important cause of genetic disease. This novel group of human disorders may present throughout life and comprises severe early-onset neurodevelopmental and more common adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders. Early-onset (or congenital) disorders of autophagy often share a recognizable "clinical signature," including variable combinations of neurological, neuromuscular and multisystem manifestations. Structural CNS abnormalities, cerebellar involvement, spasticity and peripheral nerve pathology are prominent neurological features, indicating a specific vulnerability of certain neuronal populations to autophagic disturbance. A typically biphasic disease course of late-onset neurodegeneration occurring on the background of a neurodevelopmental disorder further supports a role of autophagy in both neuronal development and maintenance. Additionally, an associated myopathy has been characterized in several conditions. The differential diagnosis comprises a wide range of other multisystem disorders, including mitochondrial, glycogen and lysosomal storage disorders, as well as ciliopathies, glycosylation and vesicular trafficking defects. The clinical overlap between the congenital disorders of autophagy and these conditions reflects the multiple roles of the proteins and/or emerging molecular connections between the pathways implicated and suggests an exciting area for future research. Therapy development for congenital disorders of autophagy is still in its infancy but may result in the identification of molecules that target autophagy more specifically than currently available compounds. The close connection with adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders highlights the relevance of research into rare early-onset neurodevelopmental conditions for much more common, age-related human diseases.Abbreviations: AC: anterior commissure; AD: Alzheimer disease; ALR: autophagic lysosomal reformation; ALS: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; AMBRA1: autophagy and beclin 1 regulator 1; AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase; ASD: autism spectrum disorder; ATG: autophagy related; BIN1: bridging integrator 1; BPAN: beta-propeller protein associated neurodegeneration; CC: corpus callosum; CHMP2B: charged multivesicular body protein 2B; CHS: Chediak-Higashi syndrome; CMA: chaperone-mediated autophagy; CMT: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease; CNM: centronuclear myopathy; CNS: central nervous system; DNM2: dynamin 2; DPR: dipeptide repeat protein; DVL3: disheveled segment polarity protein 3; EPG5: ectopic P-granules autophagy protein 5 homolog; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; ESCRT: homotypic fusion and protein sorting complex; FIG4: FIG4 phosphoinositide 5-phosphatase; FTD: frontotemporal dementia; GBA: glucocerebrosidase; GD: Gaucher disease; GRN: progranulin; GSD: glycogen storage disorder; HC: hippocampal commissure; HD: Huntington disease; HOPS: homotypic fusion and protein sorting complex; HSPP: hereditary spastic paraparesis; LAMP2A: lysosomal associated membrane protein 2A; MEAX: X-linked myopathy with excessive autophagy; mHTT: mutant huntingtin; MSS: Marinesco-Sjoegren syndrome; MTM1: myotubularin 1; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; NBIA: neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation; NCL: neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis; NPC1: Niemann-Pick disease type 1; PD: Parkinson disease; PtdIns3P: phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate; RAB3GAP1: RAB3 GTPase activating protein catalytic subunit 1; RAB3GAP2: RAB3 GTPase activating non-catalytic protein subunit 2; RB1: RB1-inducible coiled-coil protein 1; RHEB: ras homolog, mTORC1 binding; SCAR20: SNX14-related ataxia; SENDA: static encephalopathy of childhood with neurodegeneration in adulthood; SNX14: sorting nexin 14; SPG11: SPG11 vesicle trafficking associated, spatacsin; SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; TBC1D20: TBC1 domain family member 20; TECPR2: tectonin beta-propeller repeat containing 2; TSC1: TSC complex subunit 1; TSC2: TSC complex subunit 2; UBQLN2: ubiquilin 2; VCP: valosin-containing protein; VMA21: vacuolar ATPase assembly factor VMA21; WDFY3/ALFY: WD repeat and FYVE domain containing protein 3; WDR45: WD repeat domain 45; WDR47: WD repeat domain 47; WMS: Warburg Micro syndrome; XLMTM: X-linked myotubular myopathy; ZFYVE26: zinc finger FYVE-type containing 26.

Acute exercise rapidly activates hepatic mitophagic flux

Exercise is critical for improving metabolic health and putatively maintains or enhances mitochondrial quality control in metabolic tissues. Although previous work has shown that exercise elicits hepatic mitochondrial biogenesis, it is unknown if acute exercise activates hepatic mitophagy, the selective degradation of damaged or low-functioning mitochondria. We tested if an acute bout of treadmill running increased hepatic mitophagic flux both right after and 2-h postexercise in 15- to 24-wk-old C57BL/6J female mice. Acute exercise did not significantly increase markers of autophagic flux, however, mitophagic flux was activated 2-h post-treadmill running as measured by accumulation of both LC3-II and p62 in isolated mitochondria in the presence of leupeptin, an inhibitor of autophagosome degradation. Furthermore, mitochondrial-associated ubiquitin, which recruits the autophagy receptor protein p62, was also significantly increased at 2 h. Further examination via Western blot and proteomics analysis revealed that acute exercise elicits a time-dependent, dynamic activation of mitophagy pathways. Moreover, the results suggest that exercise-induced hepatic mitophagy is likely mediated by both polyubiquitination and receptor-mediated signaling pathways. Overall, we provide evidence that acute exercise activates hepatic mitophagic flux while also revealing specific receptor-mediated proteins by which exercise maintains mitochondrial quality control in the liver.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study provides evidence that acute exercise activates hepatic mitophagic flux and mitochondrial polyubiquitination while additionally revealing specific receptor-mediated proteins by which exercise maintains mitochondrial quality control in the liver.

The Biogenesis of miRNAs and Their Role in the Development of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects upper and lower motor neurons. As there is no effective treatment for ALS, it is particularly important to screen key gene therapy targets. The identifications of microRNAs (miRNAs) have completely changed the traditional view of gene regulation. miRNAs are small noncoding single-stranded RNA molecules involved in the regulation of post-transcriptional gene expression. Recent advances also indicate that miRNAs are biomarkers in many diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we summarize recent advances regarding the mechanisms underlying the role of miRNAs in ALS pathogenesis and its application to gene therapy for ALS. The potential of miRNAs to target diverse pathways opens a new avenue for ALS therapy.

The complex interplay between autophagy and cell death pathways

Autophagy is a universal cellular homeostatic process, required for the clearance of dysfunctional macromolecules or organelles. This self-digestion mechanism modulates cell survival, either directly by targeting cell death players, or indirectly by maintaining cellular balance and bioenergetics. Nevertheless, under acute or accumulated stress, autophagy can also contribute to promote different modes of cell death, either through highly regulated signalling events, or in a more uncontrolled inflammatory manner. Conversely, apoptotic or necroptotic factors have also been implicated in the regulation of autophagy, while specific factors regulate both processes. Here, we survey both earlier and recent findings, highlighting the intricate interaction of autophagic and cell death pathways. We, Furthermore, discuss paradigms, where this cross-talk is disrupted, in the context of disease.

Novel molecular insights into the autophagy-virus arms race

Autophagy can restrict virus replication so efficiently that viruses have evolved means to avoid or oppose the autophagic response. Two recent studies (Ames et al. and Martin-Sancho et al.) have revealed that the autophagy receptor optineurin restricts HSV-1 replication in neurons and have elucidated how the M2 protein of IAV inhibits the completion of autophagy.

Methionine oxidation of CLK4 promotes the metabolic switch and redox homeostasis in esophageal carcinoma via inhibiting MITF selective autophagy

BACKGROUND

Metabolic reprogramming and redox homeostasis contribute to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). CDC-like kinase 4 (CLK4) is a dual-specificity kinase that can phosphorylate substrates' tyrosine or serine/threonine residue. However, the role and mechanism of CLK4 in ESCC remain unknown.

METHODS

CLK4 expression was analysed using publicly available datasets and confirmed in ESCC tissues and cell lines. The biological roles of CLK4 were studied with gain and loss-of-function experiments. Mass spectrometry was employed to examine the effects of CLK4 on metabolic profiling. In vitro kinase assay, co-immunoprecipitation, glutathione S-transferase pulldown, chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter were used to elucidate the relationship among CLK4, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), COP1 and ZRANB1.

RESULTS

CLK4 down-regulation was observed in ESCC cell lines and clinical samples and associated with the methylation of its promoter. Low levels of CLK4 promoted ESCC development by affecting the purine synthesis pathway and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+ ) ratio. Interestingly, CLK4 inhibited ESCC development by blocking MITF-enhanced de novo purine synthesis and redox balance. Mechanistically, wild type CLK4 (WT-CLK4) but not kinase-dead CLK4-K189R mutant phosphorylated MITF at Y360. This modification promoted its interaction with E3 ligase COP1 and its K63-linked ubiquitination at K308/K372, leading to sequestosome 1 recognition and autophagic degradation. However, the deubiquitinase ZRANB1 rescued MITF ubiquitination and degradation. In turn, MITF bound to E- rather than M-boxes in CLK4 promoter and transcriptionally down-regulated its expression in ESCC. Clinically, the negative correlations were observed between CLK4, MITF, and purine metabolic markers, which predicts a poor clinical outcome of ESCC patients. Notably, CLK4 itself was a redox-sensitive kinase, and its methionine oxidation at M307 impaired kinase activity, enhanced mitochondria length and inhibited lipid peroxidation, contributing to ESCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data highlight the potential role of CLK4 in modulating redox status and nucleotide metabolism, suggesting potential therapeutic targets in ESCC treatment.

Mitochondrial Quality Control Strategies: Potential Therapeutic Targets for Neurodegenerative Diseases?

Many lines of evidence have indicated the therapeutic potential of rescuing mitochondrial integrity by targeting specific mitochondrial quality control pathways in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. In addition to ATP synthesis, mitochondria are critical regulators of ROS production, lipid metabolism, calcium buffering, and cell death. The mitochondrial unfolded protein response, mitochondrial dynamics, and mitophagy are the three main quality control mechanisms responsible for maintaining mitochondrial proteostasis and bioenergetics. The proper functioning of these complex processes is necessary to surveil and restore mitochondrial homeostasis and the healthy pool of mitochondria in cells. Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs early and causally in disease pathogenesis. A significant accumulation of mitochondrial damage resulting from compromised quality control pathways leads to the development of neuropathology. Moreover, genetic or pharmaceutical manipulation targeting the mitochondrial quality control mechanisms can sufficiently rescue mitochondrial integrity and ameliorate disease progression. Thus, therapies that can improve mitochondrial quality control have great promise for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the field that underscores the essential role of impaired mitochondrial quality control pathways in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. We also discuss the translational approaches targeting mitochondrial function, with a focus on the restoration of mitochondrial integrity, including mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy, and mitochondrial proteostasis.

Macroautophagy and Mitophagy in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Focus on Therapeutic Interventions

Macroautophagy, a quality control mechanism, is an evolutionarily conserved pathway of lysosomal degradation of protein aggregates, pathogens, and damaged organelles. As part of its vital homeostatic role, macroautophagy deregulation is associated with various human disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. There are several lines of evidence that associate protein misfolding and mitochondrial dysfunction in the etiology of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases. Macroautophagy has been implicated in the degradation of different protein aggregates such as Aβ, tau, alpha-synuclein (α-syn), and mutant huntingtin (mHtt) and in the clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria. Taking these into consideration, targeting autophagy might represent an effective therapeutic strategy to eliminate protein aggregates and to improve mitochondrial function in these disorders. The present review describes our current understanding on the role of macroautophagy in neurodegenerative disorders and focuses on possible strategies for its therapeutic modulation.

Autophagy and Aging: Roles in Skeletal Muscle, Eye, Brain and Hepatic Tissue

Autophagy is an evolutionary conserved degradative process contributing to cytoplasm quality control, metabolic recycling and cell defense. Aging is a universal phenomenon characterized by the progressive accumulation of impaired molecular and reduced turnover of cellular components. Recent evidence suggests a unique role for autophagy in aging and age-related disease. Indeed, autophagic activity declines with age and enhanced autophagy may prevent the progression of many age-related diseases and prolong life span. All tissues experience changes during aging, while the role of autophagy in different tissues varies. This review summarizes the links between autophagy and aging in the whole organism and discusses the physiological and pathological roles of autophagy in the aging process in tissues such as skeletal muscle, eye, brain, and liver.

Optineurin modulates the maturation of dendritic cells to regulate autoimmunity through JAK2-STAT3 signaling

Optineurin (OPTN) has important functions in diverse biological processes and diseases, but its effect on dendritic cell (DC) differentiation and functionality remains elusive. Here we show that OPTN is upregulated in human and mouse DC maturation, and that deletion of Optn in mice via CD11c-Cre attenuates DC maturation and impairs the priming of CD4⁺ T cells, thus ameliorating autoimmune symptoms such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Mechanistically, OPTN binds to the JH1 domain of JAK2 and inhibits JAK2 dimerization and phosphorylation, thereby preventing JAK2-STAT3 interaction and inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation to suppress downstream transcription of IL-10. Without such a negative regulation, Optn-deficient DCs eventually induce an IL-10/JAK2/STAT3/IL-10 positive feedback loop to suppress DC maturation. Finally, the natural product, Saikosaponin D, is identified as an OPTN inhibitor, effectively inhibiting the immune-stimulatory function of DCs and the disease progression of EAE in mice. Our findings thus highlight a pivotal function of OPTN for the regulation of DC functions and autoimmune disorders.

Inhibition of the SEC61 translocon by mycolactone induces a protective autophagic response controlled by EIF2S1-dependent translation that does not require ULK1 activity

The Mycobacterium ulcerans exotoxin, mycolactone, is responsible for the immunosuppression and tissue necrosis that characterizes Buruli ulcer. Mycolactone inhibits SEC61-dependent co-translational translocation of proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum and the resultant cytosolic translation triggers degradation of mislocalized proteins by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Inhibition of SEC61 by mycolactone also activates multiple EIF2S1/eIF2α kinases in the integrated stress response (ISR). Here we show mycolactone increased canonical markers of selective macroautophagy/autophagy LC3B-II, ubiquitin and SQSTM1/p62 in diverse disease-relevant primary cells and cell lines. Increased formation of puncta positive for the early autophagy markers WIPI2, RB1CC1/FIP200 and ATG16L1 indicates increased initiation of autophagy. The mycolactone response was SEC61A1-dependent and involved a pathway that required RB1CC1 but not ULK. Deletion of Sqstm1 reduced cell survival in the presence of mycolactone, suggesting this response protects against the increased cytosolic protein burden caused by the toxin. However, reconstitution of baseline SQSTM1 expression in cells lacking all autophagy receptor proteins could not rescue viability. Translational regulation by EIF2S1 in the ISR plays a key role in the autophagic response to mycolactone. Mycolactone-dependent induction of SQSTM1 was reduced in eif2ak3^−/-/perk^−/- cells while the p-EIF2S1 antagonist ISRIB reversed the upregulation of SQSTM1 and reduced RB1CC1, WIPI2 and LC3B puncta formation. Increased SQSTM1 staining could be seen in Buruli ulcer patient skin biopsy samples, reinforcing genetic data that suggests autophagy is relevant to disease pathology. Since selective autophagy and the ISR are both implicated in neurodegeneration, cancer and inflammation, the pathway uncovered here may have a broad relevance to human disease.

Abbreviations: ATF4: activating transcription factor 4; ATG: autophagy related; BAF: bafilomycin A₁; ATG16L1: autophagy related 16 like 1; BU: Buruli ulcer; CQ: chloroquine; EIF2AK3: eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 3; CALCOCO2: calcium binding and coiled-coil domain 2; DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide; EIF2S1: eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit alpha; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; GFP: green fluorescent protein; HDMEC: human dermal microvascular endothelial cells; HFFF: human fetal foreskin fibroblasts; ISR: integrated stress response; ISRIB: integrated stress response inhibitor; MAP1LC3B/LC3B: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; MEF: mouse embryonic fibroblast; Myco: mycolactone; NBR1: NBR1 autophagy cargo receptor; NFE2L2: nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2; OPTN: optineurin; PFA: paraformaldehyde; PtdIns3P: phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate; RB1CC1: RB1-inducible coiled coil 1; SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; TAX1BP1: Tax1 binding protein 1; ULK: unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase; UPS: ubiquitin-proteasome system; WIPI: WD repeat domain, phosphoinositide interacting; WT: wild type.

The Skeletal Muscle Emerges as a New Disease Target in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that leads to progressive degeneration of motor neurons (MNs) and severe muscle atrophy without effective treatment. Most research on ALS has been focused on the study of MNs and supporting cells of the central nervous system. Strikingly, the recent observations of pathological changes in muscle occurring before disease onset and independent from MN degeneration have bolstered the interest for the study of muscle tissue as a potential target for delivery of therapies for ALS. Skeletal muscle has just been described as a tissue with an important secretory function that is toxic to MNs in the context of ALS. Moreover, a fine-tuning balance between biosynthetic and atrophic pathways is necessary to induce myogenesis for muscle tissue repair. Compromising this response due to primary metabolic abnormalities in the muscle could trigger defective muscle regeneration and neuromuscular junction restoration, with deleterious consequences for MNs and thereby hastening the development of ALS. However, it remains puzzling how backward signaling from the muscle could impinge on MN death. This review provides a comprehensive analysis on the current state-of-the-art of the role of the skeletal muscle in ALS, highlighting its contribution to the neurodegeneration in ALS through backward-signaling processes as a newly uncovered mechanism for a peripheral etiopathogenesis of the disease.

Autophagy receptors as viral targets

Activation of autophagy is part of the innate immune response during viral infections. Autophagy involves the sequestration of endogenous or foreign components from the cytosol within double-membraned vesicles and the delivery of their content to the lysosomes for degradation. As part of innate immune responses, this autophagic elimination of foreign components is selective and requires specialized cargo receptors that function as links between a tagged foreign component and the autophagic machinery. Pathogens have evolved ways to evade their autophagic degradation to promote their replication, and recent research has shown autophagic receptors to be an important and perhaps previously overlooked target of viral autophagy inhibition. This is a brief summary of the recent progress in knowledge of virus-host interaction in the context of autophagy receptors.

Making the Most of the Host; Targeting the Autophagy Pathway Facilitates Staphylococcus aureus Intracellular Survival in Neutrophils

The success of Staphylococcus aureus as a human commensal and an opportunistic pathogen relies on its ability to adapt to several niches within the host. The innate immune response plays a key role in protecting the host against S. aureus infection; however, S. aureus adeptness at evading the innate immune system is indisputably evident. The “Trojan horse” theory has been postulated to describe a mechanism by which S. aureus takes advantage of phagocytes as a survival niche within the host to facilitate dissemination of S. aureus to secondary sites during systemic infection. Several studies have determined that S. aureus can parasitize both professional and non-professional phagocytes by manipulating the host autophagy pathway in order to create an intracellular survival niche. Neutrophils represent a critical cell type in S. aureus infection as demonstrated by the increased risk of infection among patients with congenital neutrophil disorders. However, S. aureus has been repeatedly shown to survive intracellularly within neutrophils with evidence now supporting a pathogenic role of host autophagy. By manipulating this pathway, S. aureus can also alter the apoptotic fate of the neutrophil and potentially skew other important signalling pathways for its own gain. Understanding these critical host-pathogen interactions could lead to the development of new host directed therapeutics for the treatment of S. aureus infection by removing its intracellular niche and restoring host bactericidal functions. This review discusses the current findings surrounding intracellular survival of S. aureus within neutrophils, the pathogenic role autophagy plays in this process and considers the therapeutic potential for targeting this immune evasion mechanism.

Inhibition of the IFN Response by Bluetongue Virus: The Story So Far

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is the prototypical orbivirus that belongs to the Reoviridae family. BTV infection produces a disease in ruminants, particularly in sheep, that results in economic losses through reduced productivity. BTV is transmitted by the bite of Culicoides spp. midges and is nowadays distributed globally throughout subtropical and even temperate regions. As most viruses, BTV is susceptible to the IFN response, the first line of defense employed by the immune system to combat viral infections. In turn, BTV has evolved strategies to counter the IFN response and promote its replication. The present review we will revise the works describing how BTV interferes with the IFN response.

Dexamethasone Downregulates Autophagy through Accelerated Turn-Over of the Ulk-1 Complex in a Trabecular Meshwork Cells Strain: Insights on Steroid-Induced Glaucoma Pathogenesis

Steroid-induced glaucoma is a severe pathological condition, sustained by a rapidly progressive increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), which is diagnosed in a subset of subjects who adhere to a glucocorticoid (GC)-based therapy. Molecular and clinical studies suggest that either natural or synthetic GCs induce a severe metabolic dysregulation of Trabecular Meshwork Cells (TMCs), an endothelial-derived histotype with phagocytic and secretive functions which lay at the iridocorneal angle in the anterior segment of the eye. Since TMCs physiologically regulate the composition and architecture of trabecular meshwork (TM), which is the main outflow pathway of aqueous humor, a fluid which shapes the eye globe and nourishes the lining cell types, GCs are supposed to trigger a pathological remodeling of the TM, inducing an IOP increase and retina mechanical compression. The metabolic dysregulation of TMCs induced by GCs exposure has never been characterized at the molecular detail. Herein, we report that, upon dexamethasone exposure, a TMCs strain develops a marked inhibition of the autophagosome biogenesis pathway through an enhanced turnover of two members of the Ulk-1 complex, the main platform for autophagy induction, through the Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS).

Parkin is downregulated among autophagy-related proteins prior to hyperphosphorylation of Tau in TS65DN mice

Autophagy is a pathway through which cells execute a plethora of functions, such as macromolecules and organelles quality control, recycling of building blocks and apoptosis. Numerous studies have shown in the past that autophagy is an important mechanism associated with the pathology of various neurodegenerative diseases, whose impairment may lead to several disease-characteristic phenotypes (e.g. misfolded protein and defective organelles accumulation). With this in mind, we aimed to investigate whether alterations in expression of autophagy-related proteins would show before hyperphosphorylation of Tau, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). After analyzing 7 different proteins, we observed that, while Pink1 and p62 show an age-related reduction in the Ts65Dn mice respectively in the locus coeruleus and hippocampus, Parkin shows an age-genotype interaction-associated reduction in both brain areas. This suggests potential outcomes in pathways associated with Parkin that could relate to later stages of the disease development.

Conformational stabilization of optineurin by the dynamic interaction of linear polyubiquitin

Optineurin produces intracellular multi-functions involving autophagy, vesicular trafficking, and negative regulation of inflammation signaling through interaction with various proteins such as ATG8/LC3, Rab8, and polyubiquitin. Optineurin is a component of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IBs) in motor neurons from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and its mutation E478G, has been identified in patients with ALS. However, the mechanism by which polyubiquitin binding modulates the interaction partners of OPTN and ALS-associated IB formation is still unclear. To address this issue, we analyzed the interaction of Optineurin with Rab8 and LC3 in the absence and presence of linear polyubiquitin chains using fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy and IB formation efficiency of the E478G mutant of Optineurin during Rab8 depletion using fluorescence microscopy. Here, we hypothesize that linear polyubiquitin binding to Optineurin dynamically induces LC3 association and Rab8 dissociation, likely through a conformational change of Optineurin, and the dynamic conformational change may prevent the aggregate formation of mutant Optineurin.

The Links between ALS and NF-κB

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease wherein motor neuron degeneration leads to muscle weakness, progressive paralysis, and death within 3-5 years of diagnosis. Currently, the cause of ALS is unknown but, as with several neurodegenerative diseases, the potential role of neuroinflammation has become an increasingly popular hypothesis in ALS research. Indeed, upregulation of neuroinflammatory factors have been observed in both ALS patients and animal models. One such factor is the inflammatory inducer NF-κB. Besides its connection to inflammation, NF-κB activity can be linked to several genes associated to familial forms of ALS, and many of the environmental risk factors of the disease stimulate NF-κB activation. Collectively, this has led many to hypothesize that NF-κB proteins may play a role in ALS pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss the genetic and environmental connections between NF-κB and ALS, as well as how this pathway may affect different CNS cell types, and finally how this may lead to motor neuron degeneration.

Drebrin controls scar formation and astrocyte reactivity upon traumatic brain injury by regulating membrane trafficking

The brain of mammals lacks a significant ability to regenerate neurons and is thus particularly vulnerable. To protect the brain from injury and disease, damage control by astrocytes through astrogliosis and scar formation is vital. Here, we show that brain injury in mice triggers an immediate upregulation of the actin-binding protein Drebrin (DBN) in astrocytes, which is essential for scar formation and maintenance of astrocyte reactivity. In turn, DBN loss leads to defective astrocyte scar formation and excessive neurodegeneration following brain injuries. At the cellular level, we show that DBN switches actin homeostasis from ARP2/3-dependent arrays to microtubule-compatible scaffolds, facilitating the formation of RAB8-positive membrane tubules. This injury-specific RAB8 membrane compartment serves as hub for the trafficking of surface proteins involved in astrogliosis and adhesion mediators, such as β1-integrin. Our work shows that DBN-mediated membrane trafficking in astrocytes is an important neuroprotective mechanism following traumatic brain injury in mice.

The Role of Autophagy in Eye Diseases

Autophagy is a catabolic process that ensures homeostasis in the cells of our organism. It plays a crucial role in protecting eye cells against oxidative damage and external stress factors. Ocular pathologies of high incidence, such as age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy are of multifactorial origin and are associated with genetic, environmental factors, age, and oxidative stress, among others; the latter factor is one of the most influential in ocular diseases, directly affecting the processes of autophagy activity. Alteration of the normal functioning of autophagy processes can interrupt organelle turnover, leading to the accumulation of cellular debris and causing physiological dysfunction of the eye. The aim of this study is to review research on the role of autophagy processes in the main ocular pathologies, which have a high incidence and result in high costs for the health system. Considering the role of autophagy processes in cell homeostasis and cell viability, the control and modulation of autophagy processes in ocular pathologies could constitute a new therapeutic approach.

Glaucoma and neuroinflammation: An overview

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy characterized by well-defined optic disc morphological changes (i.e., cup enlargement, neuroretinal border thinning, and notching, papillary vessel modifications) consequent to retinal ganglion cell loss, axonal degeneration, and lamina cribrosa remodeling. These modifications tend to be progressive and are the main cause of functional damage in glaucoma. Despite the latest findings about the pathophysiology of the disease, the exact trigger mechanisms and the mechanism of degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and their axons have not been completely elucidated. Neuroinflammation may play a role in both the development and the progression of the disease as a result of its effects on retinal environment and retinal ganglion cells. We summarize the latest findings about neuroinflammation in glaucoma and examine the connection between risk factors, neuroinflammation, and retinal ganglion cell degeneration.

Pro-Tumoral Functions of Autophagy Receptors in the Modulation of Cancer Progression

Cancer progression involves a variety of pro-tumorigenic biological processes including cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and survival. A cellular pathway implicated in these pro-tumorigenic processes is autophagy, a catabolic route used for recycling of cytoplasmic components to generate macromolecular building blocks and energy, under stress conditions, to remove damaged cellular constituents to adapt to changing nutrient conditions and to maintain cellular homeostasis. During autophagy, cells form a double-membrane sequestering a compartment termed the phagophore, which matures into an autophagosome. Following fusion with the lysosome, the cargo is degraded inside the autolysosomes and the resulting macromolecules released back into the cytosol for reuse. Cancer cells use this recycling system during cancer progression, however the key autophagy players involved in this disease is unclear. Accumulative evidences show that autophagy receptors, crucial players for selective autophagy, are overexpressed during cancer progression, yet the mechanisms whereby pro-tumorigenic biological processes are modulated by these receptors remains unknown. In this review, we summarized the most important findings related with the pro-tumorigenic role of autophagy receptors p62/SQSTM1, NBR1, NDP52, and OPTN in cancer progression. In addition, we showed the most relevant cargos degraded by these receptors that have been shown to function as critical regulators of pro-tumorigenic processes. Finally, we discussed the role of autophagy receptors in the context of the cellular pathways implicated in this disease, such as growth factors signaling, oxidative stress response and apoptosis. In summary, we highlight that autophagy receptors should be considered important players of cancer progression, which could offer a niche for the development of novel diagnosis and cancer treatment strategies.

The Dawn of Mitophagy: What Do We Know by Now?

Mitochondria are essential organelles for healthy eukaryotic cells. They produce energyrich phosphate bond molecules (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation using ionic gradients. The presence of mitophagy pathways in healthy cells enhances cell protection during mitochondrial damage. The PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin-dependent pathway is the most studied for mitophage. In addition, there are other mechanisms leading to mitophagy (FKBP8, NIX, BNIP3, FUNDC1, BCL2L13). Each of these provides tethering of a mitochondrion to an autophagy apparatus via the interaction between receptor proteins (Optineurin, p62, NDP52, NBR1) or the proteins of the outer mitochondrial membrane with ATG9-like proteins (LC3A, LC3B, GABARAP, GABARAPL1, GATE16). Another pathogenesis of mitochondrial damage is mitochondrial depolarization. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) antioxidant responsive elements (AREs) along with antioxidant genes, including pro-autophagic genes, are all involved in mitochondrial depolarization. On the other hand, mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) and AMP-dependent kinase (AMPK) are the major regulatory factors modulating mitophagy at the post-translational level. Protein-protein interactions are involved in controlling other mitophagy processes. The objective of the present review is to analyze research findings regarding the main pathways of mitophagy induction, recruitment of the autophagy machinery, and their regulations at the levels of transcription, post-translational modification and protein-protein interaction that appeared to be the main target during the development and maturation of neurodegenerative disorders.