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Mansueto G, Fusco G, Colonna G. A Tiny Viral Protein, SARS-CoV-2-ORF7b: Functional Molecular Mechanisms. Biomolecules 2024; 14:541. [PMID: 38785948 PMCID: PMC11118181 DOI: 10.3390/biom14050541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This study presents the interaction with the human host metabolism of SARS-CoV-2 ORF7b protein (43 aa), using a protein-protein interaction network analysis. After pruning, we selected from BioGRID the 51 most significant proteins among 2753 proven interactions and 1708 interactors specific to ORF7b. We used these proteins as functional seeds, and we obtained a significant network of 551 nodes via STRING. We performed topological analysis and calculated topological distributions by Cytoscape. By following a hub-and-spoke network architectural model, we were able to identify seven proteins that ranked high as hubs and an additional seven as bottlenecks. Through this interaction model, we identified significant GO-processes (5057 terms in 15 categories) induced in human metabolism by ORF7b. We discovered high statistical significance processes of dysregulated molecular cell mechanisms caused by acting ORF7b. We detected disease-related human proteins and their involvement in metabolic roles, how they relate in a distorted way to signaling and/or functional systems, in particular intra- and inter-cellular signaling systems, and the molecular mechanisms that supervise programmed cell death, with mechanisms similar to that of cancer metastasis diffusion. A cluster analysis showed 10 compact and significant functional clusters, where two of them overlap in a Giant Connected Component core of 206 total nodes. These two clusters contain most of the high-rank nodes. ORF7b acts through these two clusters, inducing most of the metabolic dysregulation. We conducted a co-regulation and transcriptional analysis by hub and bottleneck proteins. This analysis allowed us to define the transcription factors and miRNAs that control the high-ranking proteins and the dysregulated processes within the limits of the poor knowledge that these sectors still impose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gelsomina Mansueto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche Avanzate, Università della Campania, L. Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Colonna
- Medical Informatics AOU, Università della Campania, L. Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
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Lee SJ, Pak SW, Lee AY, Kim WI, Chae SW, Cho YK, Ko JW, Kim TW, Kim JC, Moon BC, Seo YS, Shin IS. Loranthus tanakae Franch. and Sav. Attenuates Respiratory Inflammation Caused by Asian Sand Dust. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:419. [PMID: 38671867 PMCID: PMC11047528 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13040419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Asian sand dust (ASD), generally produced in East Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea, directly leads to the development of pulmonary disease and exacerbates underlying pulmonary diseases. Loranthus tanakae Franch. and Sav. is a traditional herbal medicine applied to improve various inflammatory conditions. Here, we evaluated the curative properties of L. tanakae ethanol extract (LTE) against pulmonary inflammation caused by ASD. Additionally, to investigate the mechanism of action of LTE, we performed network pharmacological analysis. ASD was administrated on day 1, 3, and 5 by intranasal instillation, and LTE was orally administered for 6 days. Administration of LTE significantly decreased inflammatory cytokines and the number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, which was accompanied by a decrease in inflammatory cell accumulation in pulmonary tissue. Administration of LTE decreased the expression of cyclooxygenase2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in mice exposed to ASD with the decline in p65 phosphorylation. Additionally, administration of LTE significantly elevated hemeoxygenase (HO)-1 expression in the pulmonary tissue of mice exposed to ASD. These results were consistent with the data of network pharmacological analysis. This experiment showed that LTE attenuated pulmonary inflammation caused by ASD via inhibition of NF-κB and elevation of HO-1. Therefore, LTE may have potential as a therapeutic agent to treat pulmonary inflammation caused by ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Jin Lee
- BK21 FOUR Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea; (S.-J.L.); (S.-W.P.); (W.-I.K.); (J.-C.K.)
| | - So-Won Pak
- BK21 FOUR Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea; (S.-J.L.); (S.-W.P.); (W.-I.K.); (J.-C.K.)
| | - A Yeong Lee
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 177 Geonjae-ro, Naju-si 58245, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea; (A.Y.L.); (B.C.M.)
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, 43 Jibong-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si 14662, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical-Chemical Engineering, The Catholic University of Korea, 43 Jibong-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si 14662, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Woong-Il Kim
- BK21 FOUR Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea; (S.-J.L.); (S.-W.P.); (W.-I.K.); (J.-C.K.)
| | - Sung-Wook Chae
- KM Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34054, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea;
- Center for Companion Animal New Drug Development, Jeonbuk Branch, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), 30 Baekhak1-gil, Jeongeup-si 53212, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Kwon Cho
- College of Health Sciences, Cheongju University, 298 Daesung-ro, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si 28503, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea;
| | - Je-Won Ko
- BK21 FOUR Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34134, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea; (J.-W.K.); (T.-W.K.)
| | - Tae-Won Kim
- BK21 FOUR Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34134, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea; (J.-W.K.); (T.-W.K.)
| | - Jong-Choon Kim
- BK21 FOUR Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea; (S.-J.L.); (S.-W.P.); (W.-I.K.); (J.-C.K.)
| | - Byeong Cheol Moon
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 177 Geonjae-ro, Naju-si 58245, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea; (A.Y.L.); (B.C.M.)
| | - Yun-Soo Seo
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 177 Geonjae-ro, Naju-si 58245, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea; (A.Y.L.); (B.C.M.)
- Center for Companion Animal New Drug Development, Jeonbuk Branch, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), 30 Baekhak1-gil, Jeongeup-si 53212, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Sik Shin
- BK21 FOUR Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea; (S.-J.L.); (S.-W.P.); (W.-I.K.); (J.-C.K.)
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Murgia I, Morandini P. Plant Iron Research in African Countries: Current "Hot Spots", Approaches, and Potentialities. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:14. [PMID: 38202322 PMCID: PMC10780554 DOI: 10.3390/plants13010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Plant iron (Fe) nutrition and metabolism is a fascinating and challenging research topic; understanding the role of Fe in the life cycle of plants requires knowledge of Fe chemistry and biochemistry and their impact during development. Plant Fe nutritional status is dependent on several factors, including the surrounding biotic and abiotic environments, and influences crop yield and the nutritional quality of edible parts. The relevance of plant Fe research will further increase globally, particularly for Africa, which is expected to reach 2.5 billion people by 2050. The aim of this review is to provide an updated picture of plant Fe research conducted in African countries to favor its dissemination within the scientific community. Three main research hotspots have emerged, and all of them are related to the production of plants of superior quality, i.e., development of Fe-dense crops, development of varieties resilient to Fe toxicity, and alleviation of Fe deficiency, by means of Fe nanoparticles for sustainable agriculture. An intensification of research collaborations between the African research groups and plant Fe groups worldwide would be beneficial for the progression of the identified research topics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Murgia
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy;
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Marzorati F, Rossi R, Bernardo L, Mauri P, Silvestre DD, Lauber E, Noël LD, Murgia I, Morandini P. Arabidopsis thaliana Early Foliar Proteome Response to Root Exposure to the Rhizobacterium Pseudomonas simiae WCS417. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2023; 36:737-748. [PMID: 37470457 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-05-23-0071-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas simiae WCS417 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium that improves plant health and development. In this study, we investigate the early leaf responses of Arabidopsis thaliana to WCS417 exposure and the possible involvement of formate dehydrogenase (FDH) in such responses. In vitro-grown A. thaliana seedlings expressing an FDH::GUS reporter show a significant increase in FDH promoter activity in their roots and shoots after 7 days of indirect exposure (without contact) to WCS417. After root exposure to WCS417, the leaves of FDH::GUS plants grown in the soil also show an increased FDH promoter activity in hydathodes. To elucidate early foliar responses to WCS417 as well as FDH involvement, the roots of A. thaliana wild-type Col and atfdh1-5 knock-out mutant plants grown in soil were exposed to WCS417, and proteins from rosette leaves were subjected to proteomic analysis. The results reveal that chloroplasts, in particular several components of the photosystems PSI and PSII, as well as members of the glutathione S-transferase family, are among the early targets of the metabolic changes induced by WCS417. Taken together, the alterations in the foliar proteome, as observed in the atfdh1-5 mutant, especially after exposure to WCS417 and involving stress-responsive genes, suggest that FDH is a node in the early events triggered by the interactions between A. thaliana and the rhizobacterium WCS417. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Marzorati
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Rossana Rossi
- Proteomic and Metabolomic Laboratory, Institute for Biomedical Technologies-National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Segrate, Italy
| | - Letizia Bernardo
- Proteomic and Metabolomic Laboratory, Institute for Biomedical Technologies-National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Segrate, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Mauri
- Proteomic and Metabolomic Laboratory, Institute for Biomedical Technologies-National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Segrate, Italy
| | - Dario Di Silvestre
- Proteomic and Metabolomic Laboratory, Institute for Biomedical Technologies-National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Segrate, Italy
| | - Emmanuelle Lauber
- Laboratoire des interactions plantes-microbes-environnement CNRS-INRAE, University of Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Laurent D Noël
- Laboratoire des interactions plantes-microbes-environnement CNRS-INRAE, University of Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Irene Murgia
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Piero Morandini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Ozen M, Lopez CF. Data-driven structural analysis of small cell lung cancer transcription factor network suggests potential subtype regulators and transition pathways. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2023; 9:55. [PMID: 37907529 PMCID: PMC10618210 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-023-00316-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease and challenging to treat due to its mixture of transcriptional subtypes and subtype transitions. Transcription factor (TF) networks have been the focus of studies to identify SCLC subtype regulators via systems approaches. Yet, their structures, which can provide clues on subtype drivers and transitions, are barely investigated. Here, we analyze the structure of an SCLC TF network by using graph theory concepts and identify its structurally important components responsible for complex signal processing, called hubs. We show that the hubs of the network are regulators of different SCLC subtypes by analyzing first the unbiased network structure and then integrating RNA-seq data as weights assigned to each interaction. Data-driven analysis emphasizes MYC as a hub, consistent with recent reports. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the pathways connecting functionally distinct hubs may control subtype transitions and test this hypothesis via network simulations on a candidate pathway and observe subtype transition. Overall, structural analyses of complex networks can identify their functionally important components and pathways driving the network dynamics. Such analyses can be an initial step for generating hypotheses and can guide the discovery of target pathways whose perturbation may change the network dynamics phenotypically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Ozen
- Dept. of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Multiscale Modeling Group, SI3, Altos Labs, Redwood City, CA, USA
| | - Carlos F Lopez
- Dept. of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Multiscale Modeling Group, SI3, Altos Labs, Redwood City, CA, USA.
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Ozen M, Lopez CF. Data-driven structural analysis of Small Cell Lung Cancer transcription factor network suggests potential subtype regulators and transition pathways. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.01.535226. [PMID: 37066351 PMCID: PMC10104011 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.01.535226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease and challenging to treat due to its mixture of transcriptional subtypes and subtype transitions. Transcription factor (TF) networks have been the focus of studies to identify SCLC subtype regulators via systems approaches. Yet, their structures, which can provide clues on subtype drivers and transitions, are barely investigated. Here, we analyze the structure of an SCLC TF network by using graph theory concepts and identify its structurally important components responsible for complex signal processing, called hubs. We show that the hubs of the network are regulators of different SCLC subtypes by analyzing first the unbiased network structure and then integrating RNA-seq data as weights assigned to each interaction. Data-driven analysis emphasizes MYC as a hub, consistent with recent reports. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the pathways connecting functionally distinct hubs may control subtype transitions and test this hypothesis via network simulations on a candidate pathway and observe subtype transition. Overall, structural analyses of complex networks can identify their functionally important components and pathways driving the network dynamics. Such analyses can be an initial step for generating hypotheses and can guide the discovery of target pathways whose perturbation may change the network dynamics phenotypically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Ozen
- Dept. of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
- Currently at: Computational Innovation Hub, Multiscale Modeling Group, Altos Labs, Redwood City, CA 94065, USA
| | - Carlos F. Lopez
- Dept. of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
- Currently at: Computational Innovation Hub, Multiscale Modeling Group, Altos Labs, Redwood City, CA 94065, USA
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Li L, Zang X, Liu J, Ren J, Wang Z, Yang D. Integrated physiological and weighted gene co-expression network analysis reveals the hub genes engaged in nitrate-regulated alleviation of ammonium toxicity at the seedling stage in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1012966. [PMID: 36466221 PMCID: PMC9713819 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1012966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Wheat has a specific preference for NO3 - and shows toxicity symptoms under high NH4 + concentrations. Increasing the nitrate supply may alleviate ammonium stress. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying the nitrate regulation of wheat root growth to alleviate ammonium toxicity remain unclear. In this study, we integrated physiological and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify the hub genes involved in nitrate alleviation of ammonium toxicity at the wheat seedling stage. Five NH4 +/NO3 - ratio treatments, including 100/0 (Na), 75/25 (Nr1), 50/50 (Nr2), 25/75 (Nr3), and 0/100 (Nn) were tested in this study. The results showed that sole ammonium treatment (Na) increased the lateral root number but reduced root biomass. Increasing the nitrate supply significantly increased the root biomass. Increasing nitrate levels decreased abscisic acid (ABA) content and increased auxin (IAA) content. Furthermore, we identified two modules (blue and turquoise) using transcriptome data that were significantly related to root physiological growth indicators. TraesCS6A02G178000 and TraesCS2B02G056300 were identified as hub genes in the two modules which coded for plastidic ATP/ADP-transporter and WRKY62 transcription factors, respectively. Additionally, network analysis showed that in the blue module, TraesCS6A02G178000 interacts with downregulated genes that coded for indolin-2-one monooxygenase, SRG1, DETOXIFICATION, and wall-associated receptor kinase. In the turquoise module, TraesCS2B02G056300 was highly related to the genes that encoded ERD4, ERF109, CIGR2, and WD40 proteins, and transcription factors including WRKY24, WRKY22, MYB30, and JAMYB, which were all upregulated by increasing nitrate supply. These studies suggest that increasing the nitrate supply could improve root growth and alleviate ammonium toxicity through physiological and molecular regulation networks, including ROS, hormonal crosstalk, and transcription factors.
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Vdovenko D, Balbi C, Di Silvestre D, Passignani G, Puspitasari YM, Zarak-Crnkovic M, Mauri P, Camici GG, Lüscher TF, Eriksson U, Vassalli G. Microvesicles released from activated CD4 + T cells alter microvascular endothelial cell function. Eur J Clin Invest 2022; 52:e13769. [PMID: 35316536 PMCID: PMC9287044 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microvesicles are vesicles shed by plasma membranes following cell activation and apoptosis. The role of lymphocyte-derived microvesicles in endothelial function remains poorly understood. METHODS CD4+ T cells isolated from peripheral blood of healthy human donors were stimulated using anti-CD3/anti-CD28-coated beads. Proteomic profiling of microvesicles was performed using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) from activated T cells (MV.Act) and nonactivated T cells (MV.NAct). In addition, data processing analysis was performed using MaxQUANT workflow. Differentially expressed proteins found in MV.Act or MV.NAct samples with identification frequency = 100%, which were selected by both LDA (p < .01) and MaxQUANT (p < .01) workflows, were defined as "high-confidence" differentially expressed proteins. Functional effects of MV.Act on human primary microvascular endothelial cells were analysed. RESULTS T cells released large amounts of microvesicles upon stimulation. Proteomic profiling of microvesicles using LDA identified 2279 proteins (n = 2110 and n = 851 proteins in MV.Act and MV.NAct, respectively). Protein-protein interaction network models reconstructed from both differentially expressed proteins (n = 594; LDA p ≤ .01) and "high-confidence" differentially expressed proteins (n = 98; p ≤ .01) revealed that MV.Act were enriched with proteins related to immune responses, protein translation, cytoskeleton organisation and TNFα-induced apoptosis. For instance, MV.Act were highly enriched with IFN-γ, a key proinflammatory pathway related to effector CD4+ T cells. Endothelial cell incubation with MV.Act induced superoxide generation, apoptosis, endothelial wound healing impairment and endothelial monolayer barrier disruption. CONCLUSIONS T cell receptor-mediated activation of CD4+ T cells stimulates the release of microvesicles enriched with proteins involved in immune responses, inflammation and apoptosis. T cell-derived microvesicles alter microvascular endothelial function and barrier permeability, potentially promoting tissue inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Vdovenko
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Carolina Balbi
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland.,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Istituto Cardiocentro Ticino-EOC, Lugano, Switzerland.,Laboratories for Translational Research-EOC, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Giovanni G Camici
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Thomas F Lüscher
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland.,Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Urs Eriksson
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland.,Department of Medicine, GZO - Zurich Regional Health Center, Wetzikon, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppe Vassalli
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland.,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Istituto Cardiocentro Ticino-EOC, Lugano, Switzerland.,Laboratories for Translational Research-EOC, Bellinzona, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
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Zainal-Abidin RA, Afiqah-Aleng N, Abdullah-Zawawi MR, Harun S, Mohamed-Hussein ZA. Protein–Protein Interaction (PPI) Network of Zebrafish Oestrogen Receptors: A Bioinformatics Workflow. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12050650. [PMID: 35629318 PMCID: PMC9143887 DOI: 10.3390/life12050650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein–protein interaction (PPI) is involved in every biological process that occurs within an organism. The understanding of PPI is essential for deciphering the cellular behaviours in a particular organism. The experimental data from PPI methods have been used in constructing the PPI network. PPI network has been widely applied in biomedical research to understand the pathobiology of human diseases. It has also been used to understand the plant physiology that relates to crop improvement. However, the application of the PPI network in aquaculture is limited as compared to humans and plants. This review aims to demonstrate the workflow and step-by-step instructions for constructing a PPI network using bioinformatics tools and PPI databases that can help to predict potential interaction between proteins. We used zebrafish proteins, the oestrogen receptors (ERs) to build and analyse the PPI network. Thus, serving as a guide for future steps in exploring potential mechanisms on the organismal physiology of interest that ultimately benefit aquaculture research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nor Afiqah-Aleng
- Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus 21030, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (N.A.-A.); (Z.-A.M.-H.)
| | | | - Sarahani Harun
- Centre for Bioinformatics Research, Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia;
| | - Zeti-Azura Mohamed-Hussein
- Centre for Bioinformatics Research, Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia;
- Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (N.A.-A.); (Z.-A.M.-H.)
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Sági-Kazár M, Solymosi K, Solti Á. Iron in leaves: chemical forms, signalling, and in-cell distribution. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:1717-1734. [PMID: 35104334 PMCID: PMC9486929 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Iron (Fe) is an essential transition metal. Based on its redox-active nature under biological conditions, various Fe compounds serve as cofactors in redox enzymes. In plants, the photosynthetic machinery has the highest demand for Fe. In consequence, the delivery and incorporation of Fe into cofactors of the photosynthetic apparatus is the focus of Fe metabolism in leaves. Disturbance of foliar Fe homeostasis leads to impaired biosynthesis of chlorophylls and composition of the photosynthetic machinery. Nevertheless, mitochondrial function also has a significant demand for Fe. The proper incorporation of Fe into proteins and cofactors as well as a balanced intracellular Fe status in leaf cells require the ability to sense Fe, but may also rely on indirect signals that report on the physiological processes connected to Fe homeostasis. Although multiple pieces of information have been gained on Fe signalling in roots, the regulation of Fe status in leaves has not yet been clarified in detail. In this review, we give an overview on current knowledge of foliar Fe homeostasis, from the chemical forms to the allocation and sensing of Fe in leaves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Máté Sági-Kazár
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary
| | - Katalin Solymosi
- Department of Plant Anatomy, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary
| | - Ádám Solti
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary
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Murgia I, Marzorati F, Vigani G, Morandini P. Plant iron nutrition: the long road from soil to seeds. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:1809-1824. [PMID: 34864996 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Iron (Fe) is an essential plant micronutrient since many cellular processes including photosynthesis, respiration, and the scavenging of reactive oxygen species depend on adequate Fe levels; however, non-complexed Fe ions can be dangerous for cells, as they can act as pro-oxidants. Hence, plants possess a complex homeostatic control system for safely taking up Fe from the soil and transporting it to its various cellular destinations, and for its subcellular compartmentalization. At the end of the plant's life cycle, maturing seeds are loaded with the required amount of Fe needed for germination and early seedling establishment. In this review, we discuss recent findings on how the microbiota in the rhizosphere influence and interact with the strategies adopted by plants to take up iron from the soil. We also focus on the process of seed-loading with Fe, and for crop species we also consider its associated metabolism in wild relatives. These two aspects of plant Fe nutrition may provide promising avenues for a better comprehension of the long pathway of Fe from soil to seeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Murgia
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Marzorati
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Gianpiero Vigani
- Plant Physiology Unit, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Piero Morandini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
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Di Silvestre D, Passignani G, Rossi R, Ciuffo M, Turina M, Vigani G, Mauri PL. Presence of a Mitovirus Is Associated with Alteration of the Mitochondrial Proteome, as Revealed by Protein–Protein Interaction (PPI) and Co-Expression Network Models in Chenopodium quinoa Plants. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11010095. [PMID: 35053093 PMCID: PMC8773257 DOI: 10.3390/biology11010095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Plants often harbor persistent plant virus infection transmitted only vertically through seeds, resulting in no obvious symptoms (cryptic infections). Several studies have shown that such cryptic infections provide resilience against abiotic (and biotic) stress. We have recently discovered a new group of cryptic plant viruses infecting mitochondria (plant mitovirus). Mitochondria are cellular organelles displaying a pivotal role in protecting cells from the stress of nature . Here, we look at the proteomic alterations caused by the mitovirus cryptic infection of Chenopodium quinoa by Systems Biology approaches allowing one to evaluate data at holistic level. Quinoa is a domesticated plant species with many exciting features of abiotic stress resistance, and it is distinguished by its exceptional nutritional characteristics, such as the content and quality of proteins, minerals, lipids, and tocopherols. These features determined the growing interest for the quinoa crop by the scientific community and international organizations since they provide opportunities to produce high-value grains in arid, high-salt and high-UV agroecological environments. We discovered that quinoa lines hosting mitovirus activate some metabolic processes that might help them face drought. These findings present a new perspective for breeding crop plants through the augmented genome provided by accessory cryptic viruses to be investigated in the future. Abstract Plant mitoviruses belong to Mitoviridae family and consist of positive single-stranded RNA genomes replicating exclusively in host mitochondria. We previously reported the biological characterization of a replicating plant mitovirus, designated Chenopodium quinoa mitovirus 1 (CqMV1), in some Chenopodium quinoa accessions. In this study, we analyzed the mitochondrial proteome from leaves of quinoa, infected and not infected by CqMV1. Furthermore, by protein–protein interaction and co-expression network models, we provided a system perspective of how CqMV1 affects mitochondrial functionality. We found that CqMV1 is associated with changes in mitochondrial protein expression in a mild but well-defined way. In quinoa-infected plants, we observed up-regulation of functional modules involved in amino acid catabolism, mitochondrial respiratory chain, proteolysis, folding/stress response and redox homeostasis. In this context, some proteins, including BCE2 (lipoamide acyltransferase component of branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex), DELTA-OAT (ornithine aminotransferase) and GR-RBP2 (glycine-rich RNA-binding protein 2) were interesting because all up-regulated and network hubs in infected plants; together with other hubs, including CAT (catalase) and APX3 (L-ascorbate peroxidase 3), they play a role in stress response and redox homeostasis. These proteins could be related to the higher tolerance degree to drought we observed in CqMV1-infected plants. Although a specific causative link could not be established by our experimental approach at this stage, the results suggest a new mechanistic hypothesis that demands further in-depth functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Di Silvestre
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Metabolomics, Institute for Biomedical Technologies (ITB), Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Research Council (CNR), 20054 Milan, Italy; (G.P.); (R.R.); (P.L.M.)
- Correspondence: (D.D.S.); (G.V.)
| | - Giulia Passignani
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Metabolomics, Institute for Biomedical Technologies (ITB), Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Research Council (CNR), 20054 Milan, Italy; (G.P.); (R.R.); (P.L.M.)
| | - Rossana Rossi
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Metabolomics, Institute for Biomedical Technologies (ITB), Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Research Council (CNR), 20054 Milan, Italy; (G.P.); (R.R.); (P.L.M.)
| | - Marina Ciuffo
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, Department of Bio-Food Sciences, National Research Council (CNR), 10135 Turin, Italy; (M.C.); (M.T.)
| | - Massimo Turina
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, Department of Bio-Food Sciences, National Research Council (CNR), 10135 Turin, Italy; (M.C.); (M.T.)
| | - Gianpiero Vigani
- Plant Physiology Unit, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10135 Turin, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.D.S.); (G.V.)
| | - Pier Luigi Mauri
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Metabolomics, Institute for Biomedical Technologies (ITB), Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Research Council (CNR), 20054 Milan, Italy; (G.P.); (R.R.); (P.L.M.)
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13
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Arjmand B, Jahani Sherafat S, Rezaei Tavirani M, Hamzeloo Moghadam M, Khodadoost M. Evaluation of cellular response to Clostridium difficile toxin-A: a network analysis. GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY FROM BED TO BENCH 2022; 15:421-425. [PMID: 36762215 PMCID: PMC9876764 DOI: 10.22037/ghfbb.v15i4.2634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Aim The current study aimed to determine crucial genes targeted by toxin-A through network analysis. Background Clostridium difficile (C difficile) produces toxin-A and toxin-B and is known as a risk factor for hospital infection, especially after broad spectrum antibiotic therapy. Bioinformatics findings have led to the introduction of a set of genes and biological terms that are targeted by toxin-B in colon epithelia. Methods The significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of human intestinal Caco-2 cells treated by toxin-A versus control were retrieved from gene expression omnibus (GEO). The queried DEGs were analyzed using by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis through STRING database and Cytoscape software v.3.7.2. Results Among 157 significant DEGs, JUN, VEGFA, CDKN1A, ATF3, SNAI1, DUSP1, HSPB1, MCL1, KLF4, FOSL1, HSPA1A, and SQSTM1 were determined as hubs and JUN, DUSP1, DUSP5, EZR, MAP1LC3B, and SQSTM1 were highlighted as bottlenecks. Conclusion JUN, DUSP1, and SQSTM1 are possible drug targets to prevent and treat C difficile infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Arjmand
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Jahani Sherafat
- Laser Application in Medical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Rezaei Tavirani
- Proteomics research center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Hamzeloo Moghadam
- Traditional Medicine and Materia Medica Research Center, School of Traditional Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Khodadoost
- Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Di Silvestre D, Garavelli S, Procaccini C, Prattichizzo F, Passignani G, De Rosa V, Mauri P, Matarese G, de Candia P. CD4 + T-Cell Activation Prompts Suppressive Function by Extracellular Vesicle-Associated MicroRNAs. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:753884. [PMID: 34778265 PMCID: PMC8580371 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.753884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding molecules targeting messenger RNAs and inhibiting protein translation, modulate key biological processes, including cell growth and development, energy utilization, and homeostasis. In particular, miRNAs control the differentiation, survival, and activation of CD4 + T conventional (Tconv) cells, key players of the adaptive immunity, and regulate the physiological response to infections and the pathological loss of immune homeostasis in autoimmunity. Upon T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, the described global miRNA quantitative decrease occurring in T cells is believed to promote the acquisition of effector functions by relaxing the post-transcriptional repression of genes associated with proliferation and cell activity. MiRNAs were initially thought to get downregulated uniquely by intracellular degradation; on the other hand, miRNA secretion via extracellular vesicles (EVs) represents an additional mechanism of rapid downregulation. By focusing on molecular interactions by means of graph theory, we have found that miRNAs released by TCR-stimulated Tconv cells are significantly enriched for targeting transcripts upregulated upon stimulation, including those encoding for crucial proteins associated with Tconv cell activation and function. Based on this computational approach, we present our perspective based on the following hypothesis: a stimulated Tconv cell will release miRNAs targeting genes associated with the effector function in the extracellular space in association with EVs, which will thus possess a suppressive potential toward other Tconv cells in the paracrine environment. We also propose possible future directions of investigation aimed at taking advantage of these phenomena to control Tconv cell effector function in health and autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Di Silvestre
- Istituto di Tecnologie Biomediche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ITB-CNR), Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Garavelli
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Procaccini
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), Naples, Italy.,Unitá di Neuroimmunologia, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Passignani
- Istituto di Tecnologie Biomediche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ITB-CNR), Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica De Rosa
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), Naples, Italy.,Unitá di Neuroimmunologia, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Roma, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Mauri
- Istituto di Tecnologie Biomediche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ITB-CNR), Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Matarese
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), Naples, Italy.,Treg Cell Laboratory, Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Universitá Degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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Equine Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Freeze-Dried Secretome (Lyosecretome) for the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Diseases: Production Process Validation and Batch Release Test for Clinical Use. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14060553. [PMID: 34200627 PMCID: PMC8226765 DOI: 10.3390/ph14060553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last decades, it has been demonstrated that the regenerative therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stromal cells is primarily due to the secretion of soluble factors and extracellular vesicles, collectively known as secretome. In this context, our work described the preparation and characterization of a freeze-dried secretome (Lyosecretome) from adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells for the therapy of equine musculoskeletal disorder. An intraarticular injectable pharmaceutical powder has been formulated, and the technological process has been validated in an authorized facility for veterinary clinical-use medicinal production. Critical parameters for quality control and batch release have been identified regarding (i) physicochemical properties; (ii) extracellular vesicle morphology, size distribution, and surface biomarker; (iii) protein and lipid content; (iv) requirements for injectable pharmaceutical dosage forms such as sterility, bacterial endotoxin, and Mycoplasma; and (v) in vitro potency tests, as anti-elastase activity and proliferative activity on musculoskeletal cell lines (tenocytes and chondrocytes) and mesenchymal stromal cells. Finally, proteins putatively responsible for the biological effects have been identified by Lyosecretome proteomic investigation: IL10RA, MXRA5, RARRES2, and ANXA1 modulate the inflammatory process RARRES2, NOD1, SERPINE1, and SERPINB9 with antibacterial activity. The work provides a proof-of-concept for the manufacturing of clinical-grade equine freeze-dried secretome, and prototypes are now available for safety and efficacy clinical trials in the treatment of equine musculoskeletal diseases
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