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Šoln K, Klemenčič M. Determination of Caspase-Like Activities in Roots by the Use of Fluorogenic Substrates. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2447:119-126. [PMID: 35583777 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2079-3_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Activity of proteases in tissues can be influenced by various intrinsic and extrinsic factors. One of the activities that is regularly monitored in organisms ranging from prokaryotes to metazoans is the -aspase-like activity: activity of proteases, which cleave their substrates after the negatively charged amino acid residues, especially the aspartic acid. This activity is also known as the caspase-like activity, since the caspases, metazoan cysteine proteases, are one of the best characterized proteases with Asp-directed activities. Plants do not contain caspases; however, various plant proteases have been shown to exhibit caspase-like activity including saspases, phytaspases, and legumains (VPEs). The activity of these proteases can change in plants in response to stress. Here we present a simple method for monitoring of the caspase-like protease activity in roots, which have been treated with allelopathic extracts, using a set of commercially available caspase substrates. We show that activity towards some, but not all, caspase substrates is upregulated in treated but not control samples. The protocol can be used also for other plant tissues as well as for other stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Šoln
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marina Klemenčič
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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2
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The Role of Histone Acetylation-/Methylation-Mediated Apoptotic Gene Regulation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21238894. [PMID: 33255318 PMCID: PMC7727670 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics, an inheritable phenomenon, which influences the expression of gene without altering the DNA sequence, offers a new perspective on the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is projected to account for a significant share of HCC incidence due to the growing prevalence of various metabolic disorders. One of the major molecular mechanisms involved in epigenetic regulation, post-translational histone modification seems to coordinate various aspects of NASH which will further progress to HCC. Mounting evidence suggests that the orchestrated events of cellular and nuclear changes during apoptosis can be regulated by histone modifications. This review focuses on the current advances in the study of acetylation-/methylation-mediated histone modification in apoptosis and the implication of these epigenetic regulations in HCC. The reversibility of epigenetic alterations and the agents that can target these alterations offers novel therapeutic approaches and strategies for drug development. Further molecular mechanistic studies are required to enhance information governing these epigenetic modulators, which will facilitate the design of more effective diagnosis and treatment options.
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Akintade DD, Chaudhuri B. Apoptosis, Induced by Human α-Synuclein in Yeast, Can Occur Independent of Functional Mitochondria. Cells 2020; 9:cells9102203. [PMID: 33003464 PMCID: PMC7601298 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human α-synuclein expression in baker’s yeast reportedly induces mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Surprisingly, we find that, under de-repressing conditions of the inducible MET25/GAL1 promoters, yeast cells expressing chromosomally-integrated copies of the human α-synuclein gene are not killed, but spontaneously form respiration-deficient rho-minus (ρ−) petites. Although yeast cells can undergo cell death (apoptosis) from loss of mitochondrial function, they can also survive without functional mitochondria. Such cells are referred to as ρ0 or ρ− petites. This study reports that minimal expression of human α-synuclein in yeast, from MET25/GAL1 promoter, gives rise to ρ− petites. Interestingly, the full expression of α-synuclein, from the same promoters, in α-synuclein-triggered ρ− petites and also in ρ0 petites (produced by treating ρ+ cells with the mutagen ethidium bromide) initiates apoptosis. The percentages of petites increase with increasing α-synuclein gene copy-number. ρ− petites expressing α-synuclein from fully-induced MET25/GAL1 promoters exhibit increased ROS levels, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and nuclear DNA fragmentation, with increasing copies of α-synuclein. Our results indicate that, for the first time in yeast, α-synuclein-triggered apoptosis can occur independently of functional mitochondria. The observation that α-synuclein naturally forms petites and that they can undergo apoptosis may have important implications in understanding the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damilare D. Akintade
- School of Life Sciences, Medical School, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-07712452922
| | - Bhabatosh Chaudhuri
- Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK;
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4
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Nanosecond duration pulsed electric field together with formic acid triggers caspase-dependent apoptosis in pathogenic yeasts. Bioelectrochemistry 2019; 128:148-154. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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5
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Hofer S, Kainz K, Zimmermann A, Bauer MA, Pendl T, Poglitsch M, Madeo F, Carmona-Gutierrez D. Studying Huntington's Disease in Yeast: From Mechanisms to Pharmacological Approaches. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:318. [PMID: 30233317 PMCID: PMC6131589 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that leads to progressive neuronal loss, provoking impaired motor control, cognitive decline, and dementia. So far, HD remains incurable, and available drugs are effective only for symptomatic management. HD is caused by a mutant form of the huntingtin protein, which harbors an elongated polyglutamine domain and is highly prone to aggregation. However, many aspects underlying the cytotoxicity of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) remain elusive, hindering the efficient development of applicable interventions to counteract HD. An important strategy to obtain molecular insights into human disorders in general is the use of eukaryotic model organisms, which are easy to genetically manipulate and display a high degree of conservation regarding disease-relevant cellular processes. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has a long-standing and successful history in modeling a plethora of human maladies and has recently emerged as an effective tool to study neurodegenerative disorders, including HD. Here, we summarize some of the most important contributions of yeast to HD research, specifically concerning the elucidation of mechanistic features of mHTT cytotoxicity and the potential of yeast as a platform to screen for pharmacological agents against HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Hofer
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Katharina Kainz
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Zimmermann
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Maria A. Bauer
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Tobias Pendl
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Michael Poglitsch
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Frank Madeo
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
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6
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Smethurst DGJ, Cooper KF. ER fatalities-The role of ER-mitochondrial contact sites in yeast life and death decisions. Mech Ageing Dev 2016; 161:225-233. [PMID: 27507669 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2016.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Following extracellular stress signals, all eukaryotic cells choose whether to elicit a pro-survival or pro-death response. The decision over which path to take is governed by the severity and duration of the damage. In response to mild stress, pro-survival programs are initiated (unfolded protein response, autophagy, mitophagy) whereas severe or chronic stress forces the cell to abandon these adaptive programs and shift towards regulated cell death to remove irreversibly damaged cells. Both pro-survival and pro-death programs involve regulated communication between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. In yeast, recent data suggest this inter-organelle contact is facilitated by the endoplasmic reticulum mitochondria encounter structure (ERMES). These membrane contacts are not only important for the exchange of cellular signals, but also play a role in mitochondrial tethering during mitophagy, mitochondrial fission and mitochondrial inheritance. This review focuses on recent findings in yeast that shed light on how ER-mitochondrial communication mediates critical cell fate decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G J Smethurst
- Department of Molecular Biology, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, 08055 USA
| | - Katrina F Cooper
- Department of Molecular Biology, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, 08055 USA.
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Abstract
Apoptosis or programmed cell death (PCD) was initially described in metazoans as a genetically controlled process leading to intracellular breakdown and engulfment by a neighboring cell . This process was distinguished from other forms of cell death like necrosis by maintenance of plasma membrane integrity prior to engulfment and the well-defined genetic system controlling this process. Apoptosis was originally described as a mechanism to reshape tissues during development. Given this context, the assumption was made that this process would not be found in simpler eukaryotes such as budding yeast. Although basic components of the apoptotic pathway were identified in yeast, initial observations suggested that it was devoid of prosurvival and prodeath regulatory proteins identified in mammalian cells. However, as apoptosis became extensively linked to the elimination of damaged cells, key PCD regulatory proteins were identified in yeast that play similar roles in mammals. This review highlights recent discoveries that have permitted information regarding PCD regulation in yeast to now inform experiments in animals.
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Carraro M, Bernardi P. Calcium and reactive oxygen species in regulation of the mitochondrial permeability transition and of programmed cell death in yeast. Cell Calcium 2016; 60:102-7. [PMID: 26995056 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2016.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria-dependent programmed cell death (PCD) in yeast shares many features with the intrinsic apoptotic pathway of mammals. With many stimuli, increased cytosolic [Ca(2+)] and ROS generation are the triggering signals that lead to mitochondrial permeabilization and release of proapoptotic factors, which initiates yeast PCD. While in mammals the permeability transition pore (PTP), a high-conductance inner membrane channel activated by increased matrix Ca(2+) and oxidative stress, is recognized as part of this signaling cascade, whether a similar process occurs in yeast is still debated. The potential role of the PTP in yeast PCD has generally been overlooked because yeast mitochondria lack the Ca(2+) uniporter, which in mammals allows rapid equilibration of cytosolic Ca(2+) with the matrix. In this short review we discuss the nature of the yeast permeability transition and reevaluate its potential role in the effector phase of yeast PCD triggered by Ca(2+) and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Carraro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and CNR Neuroscience Institute, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Bernardi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and CNR Neuroscience Institute, University of Padova, Italy.
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Fahrenkrog B. Histone modifications as regulators of life and death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. MICROBIAL CELL 2015; 3:1-13. [PMID: 28357312 PMCID: PMC5354586 DOI: 10.15698/mic2016.01.472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Apoptosis or programmed cell death is an integrated, genetically controlled
suicide program that not only regulates tissue homeostasis of multicellular
organisms, but also the fate of damaged and aged cells of lower eukaryotes, such
as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Recent years have
revealed key apoptosis regulatory proteins in yeast that play similar roles in
mammalian cells. Apoptosis is a process largely defined by characteristic
structural rearrangements in the dying cell that include chromatin condensation
and DNA fragmentation. The mechanism by which chromosomes restructure during
apoptosis is still poorly understood, but it is becoming increasingly clear that
altered epigenetic histone modifications are fundamental parameters that
influence the chromatin state and the nuclear rearrangements within apoptotic
cells. The present review will highlight recent work on the epigenetic
regulation of programmed cell death in budding yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birthe Fahrenkrog
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Rue Profs. Jeener et Brachet 12; 6041 Charleroi, Belgium
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Kasuba KC, Vavilala SL, D'Souza JS. Apoptosis-like cell death in unicellular photosynthetic organisms — A review. ALGAL RES 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2015.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Jones NK, Arab NT, Eid R, Gharib N, Sheibani S, Vali H, Khoury C, Murray A, Boucher E, Mandato CA, Young PG, Greenwood MT. Human Thyroid Cancer-1 (TC-1) is a vertebrate specific oncogenic protein that protects against copper and pro-apoptotic genes in yeast. MICROBIAL CELL 2015; 2:247-255. [PMID: 28357300 PMCID: PMC5349172 DOI: 10.15698/mic2015.07.213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The human Thyroid Cancer-1 (hTC-1) protein, also known as C8orf4 was initially identified as a gene that was up-regulated in human thyroid cancer. Here we show that hTC-1 is a peptide that prevents the effects of over-expressing Bax in yeast. Analysis of the 106 residues of hTC-1 in available protein databases revealed direct orthologues in jawed-vertebrates, including mammals, frogs, fish and sharks. No TC-1 orthologue was detected in lower organisms, including yeast. Here we show that TC-1 is a general pro-survival peptide since it prevents the growth- and cell death-inducing effects of copper in yeast. Human TC-1 also prevented the deleterious effects that occur due to the over-expression of a number of key pro-apoptotic peptides, including YCA1, YBH3, NUC1, and AIF1. Even though the protective effects were more pronounced with the over-expression of YBH3 and YCA1, hTC-1 could still protect yeast mutants lacking YBH3 and YCA1 from the effects of copper sulfate. This suggests that the protective effects of TC-1 are not limited to specific pathways or processes. Taken together, our results indicate that hTC-1 is a pro-survival protein that retains its function when heterologously expressed in yeast. Thus yeast is a useful model to characterize the potential roles in cell death and survival of cancer related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie K Jones
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. ; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ; Present address: Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nagla T Arab
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. ; Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rawan Eid
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. ; Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nada Gharib
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. ; Present address: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sara Sheibani
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. ; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ; Present address: Defence Research and Development Canada, Alberta, Canada
| | - Hojatollah Vali
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Chamel Khoury
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alistair Murray
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. ; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Eric Boucher
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Craig A Mandato
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Paul G Young
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael T Greenwood
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Georgieva M, Moyankova D, Djilianov D, Uzunova K, Miloshev G. Methanol extracts from the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis ameliorate cellular vitality in chronologically ageing Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. Biogerontology 2015; 16:461-72. [PMID: 25758774 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-015-9566-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Bioactive substances that are found in many natural plant extracts are very important for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical industry and biotechnology. Especially interesting for these industries are the substances that possess cell revitalizing and anti-ageing properties. The endemic plant Haberlea rhodopensis is known for its ability to withstand drought and to revitalize when returned to optimal conditions after a long time in desiccation. It is a mere fact that this plant not only can completely resurrect from a dried state but is also able to bring back the natural biochemical compositions of its cells. As a result H. rhodopensis offers a wide field for investigation of the exact mechanisms of the revitalization process as well as broadens the search for unique bioactive chemical substances in its cells. Here, by using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model we have demonstrated that methanol extracts from the plant H. rhodopensis hold specific properties to revitalize and ameliorate cellular growth as well as to balance intracellular metabolic states. Our results add valuable knowledge on the effects of natural compounds on ageing and reinforce the idea of using yeast as a model organism in the development of rapid tests for studying the efficacy of different bioactive substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Georgieva
- Laboratory of Yeast Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Biology "Roumen Tzanev", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria
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