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Gentili HG, Pignataro MF, Olmos J, Pavan MF, Ibañez LI, Santos J, Velazquez Duarte F. CRISPR/Cas9-based edition of frataxin gene in Dictyostelium discoideum. Biochem J 2023; 480:1533-1551. [PMID: 37721041 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we describe the development of a Dictyostelium discoideum strain deficient in frataxin protein (FXN). We investigated the conservation of function between humans and D. discoideum and showed that DdFXN can substitute the human version in the interaction and activation of the Fe-S assembly supercomplex. We edited the D. discoideum fxn locus and isolated a defective mutant, clone 8, which presents landmarks of frataxin deficiency, such as a decrease in Fe-S cluster-dependent enzymatic functions, growth rate reduction, and increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. In addition, the multicellular development is affected as well as growing on bacterial lawn. We also assessed the rescuing capacity of DdFXN-G122V, a version that mimics a human variant present in some FA patients. While the expression of DdFXN-G122V rescues growth and enzymatic activity defects, as DdFXN does, multicellular development defects were only partially rescued. The results of the study suggest that this new D. discoideum strain offers a wide range of possibilities to easily explore diverse FA FXN variants. This can facilitate the development of straightforward drug screenings to look for new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hernan G Gentili
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Departamento de Fisiología y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Florencia Pignataro
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Departamento de Fisiología y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Justo Olmos
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Departamento de Fisiología y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Florencia Pavan
- Instituto de Química Física de los Materiales, Medio Ambiente y Energía (INQUIMAE), CONICET, FCEN, UBA, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lorena Itatí Ibañez
- Instituto de Química Física de los Materiales, Medio Ambiente y Energía (INQUIMAE), CONICET, FCEN, UBA, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Javier Santos
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Departamento de Fisiología y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Francisco Velazquez Duarte
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Departamento de Fisiología y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Belli V, Maiello D, Di Lorenzo C, Furia M, Vicidomini R, Turano M. New Insights into Dyskerin-CypA Interaction: Implications for X-Linked Dyskeratosis Congenita and Beyond. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1766. [PMID: 37761906 PMCID: PMC10531313 DOI: 10.3390/genes14091766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The highly conserved family of cyclophilins comprises multifunctional chaperones that interact with proteins and RNAs, facilitating the dynamic assembly of multimolecular complexes involved in various cellular processes. Cyclophilin A (CypA), the predominant member of this family, exhibits peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity. This enzymatic function aids with the folding and activation of protein structures and often serves as a molecular regulatory switch for large multimolecular complexes, ensuring appropriate inter- and intra-molecular interactions. Here, we investigated the involvement of CypA in the nucleus, where it plays a crucial role in supporting the assembly and trafficking of heterogeneous ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). We reveal that CypA is enriched in the nucleolus, where it colocalizes with the pseudouridine synthase dyskerin, the catalytic component of the multifunctional H/ACA RNPs involved in the modification of cellular RNAs and telomere stability. We show that dyskerin, whose mutations cause the X-linked dyskeratosis (X-DC) and the Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson congenital ribosomopathies, can directly interact with CypA. These findings, together with the remark that substitution of four dyskerin prolines are known to cause X-DC pathogenic mutations, lead us to indicate this protein as a CypA client. The data presented here suggest that this chaperone can modulate dyskerin activity influencing all its partecipated RNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Belli
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori—IRCSS—Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Daniela Maiello
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (D.M.); (C.D.L.); (M.F.)
| | - Concetta Di Lorenzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (D.M.); (C.D.L.); (M.F.)
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Furia
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (D.M.); (C.D.L.); (M.F.)
| | - Rosario Vicidomini
- Section on Cellular Communication, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mimmo Turano
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (D.M.); (C.D.L.); (M.F.)
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Aging, Physical Exercise, Telomeres, and Sarcopenia: A Narrative Review. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020598. [PMID: 36831134 PMCID: PMC9952920 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Human aging is a gradual and adaptive process characterized by a decrease in the homeostatic response, leading to biochemical and molecular changes that are driven by hallmarks of aging, such as oxidative stress (OxS), chronic inflammation, and telomere shortening. One of the diseases associated with the hallmarks of aging, which has a great impact on functionality and quality of life, is sarcopenia. However, the relationship between telomere length, sarcopenia, and age-related mortality has not been extensively studied. Moderate physical exercise has been shown to have a positive effect on sarcopenia, decreasing OxS and inflammation, and inducing protective effects on telomeric DNA. This results in decreased DNA strand breaks, reduced OxS and IA, and activation of repair pathways. Higher levels of physical activity are associated with an apparent increase in telomere length. This review aims to present the current state of the art of knowledge on the effect of physical exercise on telomeric maintenance and activation of repair mechanisms in sarcopenia.
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Multisystemic Manifestations in Rare Diseases: The Experience of Dyskeratosis Congenita. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13030496. [PMID: 35328050 PMCID: PMC8953471 DOI: 10.3390/genes13030496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Dyskeratosis congenital (DC) is the first genetic syndrome described among telomeropathies. Its classical phenotype is characterized by the mucocutaneous triad of reticulated pigmentation of skin lace, nail dystrophy and oral leukoplakia. The clinical presentation, however, is heterogeneous and serious clinical complications include bone marrow failure, hematological and solid tumors. It may also involve immunodeficiencies, dental, pulmonary and liver disorders, and other minor complication. Dyskeratosis congenita shows marked genetic heterogeneity, as at least 14 genes are responsible for the shortening of telomeres characteristic of this disease. This review discusses clinical characteristics, molecular genetics, disease evolution, available therapeutic options and differential diagnosis of dyskeratosis congenita to provide an interdisciplinary and personalized medical assessment that includes family genetic counseling.
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Asano Y, Yamashita K, Hasegawa A, Ogasawara T, Iriki H, Muramoto T. Knock-in and precise nucleotide substitution using near-PAMless engineered Cas9 variants in Dictyostelium discoideum. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11163. [PMID: 34045481 PMCID: PMC8159936 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89546-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The powerful genome editing tool Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) requires the trinucleotide NGG as a protospacer adjacent motif (PAM). The PAM requirement is limitation for precise genome editing such as single amino-acid substitutions and knock-ins at specific genomic loci since it occurs in narrow editing window. Recently, SpCas9 variants (i.e., xCas9 3.7, SpCas9-NG, and SpRY) were developed that recognise the NG dinucleotide or almost any other PAM sequences in human cell lines. In this study, we evaluated these variants in Dictyostelium discoideum. In the context of targeted mutagenesis at an NG PAM site, we found that SpCas9-NG and SpRY were more efficient than xCas9 3.7. In the context of NA, NT, NG, and NC PAM sites, the editing efficiency of SpRY was approximately 60% at NR (R = A and G) but less than 22% at NY (Y = T and C). We successfully used SpRY to generate knock-ins at specific gene loci using donor DNA flanked by 60 bp homology arms. In addition, we achieved point mutations with efficiencies as high as 97.7%. This work provides tools that will significantly expand the gene loci that can be targeted for knock-out, knock-in, and precise point mutation in D. discoideum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuu Asano
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba, 274-8510, Japan
| | - Kensuke Yamashita
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba, 274-8510, Japan
| | - Aoi Hasegawa
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba, 274-8510, Japan
| | - Takanori Ogasawara
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba, 274-8510, Japan
| | - Hoshie Iriki
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba, 274-8510, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Muramoto
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba, 274-8510, Japan.
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Kamal S, Junaid M, Ejaz A, Bibi I, Akash MSH, Rehman K. The secrets of telomerase: Retrospective analysis and future prospects. Life Sci 2020; 257:118115. [PMID: 32698073 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase plays a significant role to maintain and regulate the telomere length, cellular immortality and senescence by the addition of guanine-rich repetitive sequences. Chronic inflammation or oxidative stress-induced infection downregulates TERT gene modifying telomerase activity thus contributing to the early steps of gastric carcinogenesis process. Furthermore, telomere-telomerase system performs fundamental role in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetes mellitus as well as in its vascular intricacy. The cessation of cell proliferation in cultured cells by inhibiting the telomerase activity of transformed cells renders the rationale for culling of telomerase as a target therapy for the treatment of metabolic disorders and various types of cancers. In this article, we have briefly described the role of immune system and malignant cells in the expression of telomerase with critical analysis on the gaps and potential for future studies. The key findings regarding the secrets of the telomerase summarized in this article will help in future treatment modalities for the prevention of various types of cancers and metabolic disorders notably diabetes mellitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shagufta Kamal
- Department of Biochemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- Department of Biochemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Arslan Ejaz
- Department of Biochemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Ismat Bibi
- Department of Chemistry, Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | | | - Kanwal Rehman
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
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