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Lee GG, Zeng K, Duffy CM, Sriharsha Y, Yoo S, Park JH. In vivo characterization of the maturation steps of a pigment dispersing factor neuropeptide precursor in the Drosophila circadian pacemaker neurons. Genetics 2023; 225:iyad118. [PMID: 37364299 PMCID: PMC10471210 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad118] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pigment dispersing factor (PDF) is a key signaling molecule coordinating the neuronal network associated with the circadian rhythms in Drosophila. The precursor (proPDF) of the mature PDF (mPDF) consists of 2 motifs, a larger PDF-associated peptide (PAP) and PDF. Through cleavage and amidation, the proPDF is predicted to produce cleaved-PAP (cPAP) and mPDF. To delve into the in vivo mechanisms underlying proPDF maturation, we generated various mutations that eliminate putative processing sites and then analyzed the effect of each mutation on the production of cPAP and mPDF by 4 different antibodies in both ectopic and endogenous conditions. We also assessed the knockdown effects of processing enzymes on the proPDF maturation. At the functional level, circadian phenotypes were measured for all mutants and knockdown lines. As results, we confirm the roles of key enzymes and their target residues: Amontillado (Amon) for the cleavage at the consensus dibasic KR site, Silver (Svr) for the removal of C-terminal basic residues from the intermediates, PAP-KR and PDF-GK, derived from proPDF, and PHM (peptidylglycine-α-hydroxylating monooxygenase) for the amidation of PDF. Our results suggest that the C-terminal amidation occurs independently of proPDF cleavage. Moreover, the PAP domain is important for the proPDF trafficking into the secretory vesicles and a close association between cPAP and mPDF following cleavage seems required for their stability within the vesicles. These studies highlight the biological significance of individual processing steps and the roles of the PAP for the stability and function of mPDF which is essential for the circadian clockworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyunghee G Lee
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Kevin Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Cole M Duffy
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Yadali Sriharsha
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Siuk Yoo
- Department of Life Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541, Korea
| | - Jae H Park
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
- Genome Science and Technology Graduate Program, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
- NeuroNET Research Center, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
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2
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Preza M, Van Bael S, Temmerman L, Guarnaschelli I, Castillo E, Koziol U. Global analysis of neuropeptides in cestodes identifies Attachin, a SIFamide homolog, as a stimulant of parasite motility and attachment. J Neurochem 2022; 162:467-482. [PMID: 35689626 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15654] [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: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Many anthelmintics target the neuromuscular system, in particular by interfering with signaling mediated by classical neurotransmitters. Although peptidergic signaling has been proposed as a novel target for anthelmintics, current knowledge of the neuropeptide complement of many helminth groups is still limited, especially for parasitic flatworms (cestodes, trematodes, and monogeneans). In this work, we have characterized the neuropeptide complement of the model cestode Hymenolepis microstoma. Peptidomic characterization of adults of H. microstoma validated many of the neuropeptide precursor (npp) genes previously predicted in silico, and identified novel neuropeptides that are conserved in parasitic flatworms. Most neuropeptides from parasitic flatworms lack significant similarity to those from other animals, confirming the uniqueness of their peptidergic signaling. Analysis of gene expression of ten npp genes by in situ hybridization confirmed that all of them are expressed in the nervous system and identified cryptic features, including the first evidence of dorsoventral asymmetry, as well as a new population of peripheral peptidergic cells that appears to be conserved in the trematode Schistosoma mansoni. Finally, we characterized in greater detail Attachin, an SIFamide homolog. Although its expression is largely restricted to the longitudinal nerve cords and cerebral commissure in H. microstoma, it shows widespread localization in the larval nervous system of Echinococcus multilocularis and Mesocestoides corti. Exogenous addition of a peptide corresponding to the highly conserved C-terminus of Attachin stimulated motility and attachment of M. corti larvae. Altogether, this work provides a robust experimental foothold for the characterization of peptidergic signaling in parasitic flatworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matías Preza
- Sección Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Sven Van Bael
- Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liesbet Temmerman
- Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Inés Guarnaschelli
- Sección Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Estela Castillo
- Laboratorio de Biología Parasitaria, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Uriel Koziol
- Sección Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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3
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Barranco N, Plá V, Alcolea D, Sánchez-Domínguez I, Fischer-Colbrie R, Ferrer I, Lleó A, Aguado F. Dense core vesicle markers in CSF and cortical tissues of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Transl Neurodegener 2021; 10:37. [PMID: 34565482 PMCID: PMC8466657 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-021-00263-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background New fluid biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) that reveal synaptic and neural network dysfunctions are needed for clinical practice and therapeutic trial design. Dense core vesicle (DCV) cargos are promising cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) indicators of synaptic failure in AD patients. However, their value as biomarkers has not yet been determined. Methods Immunoassays were performed to analyze the secretory proteins prohormone convertases PC1/3 and PC2, carboxypeptidase E (CPE), secretogranins SgIII and SgII, and Cystatin C in the cerebral cortex (n = 45, provided by Bellvitge University Hospital) and CSF samples (n = 66, provided by The Sant Pau Initiative on Neurodegeneration cohort) from AD patients (n = 56) and age-matched controls (n = 55).
Results In AD tissues, most DCV proteins were aberrantly accumulated in dystrophic neurites and activated astrocytes, whereas PC1/3, PC2 and CPE were also specifically accumulated in hippocampal granulovacuolar degeneration bodies. AD individuals displayed an overall decline of secretory proteins in the CSF. Interestingly, in AD patients, the CSF levels of prohormone convertases strongly correlated inversely with those of neurodegeneration markers and directly with cognitive impairment status. Conclusions These results demonstrate marked alterations of neuronal-specific prohormone convertases in CSF and cortical tissues of AD patients. The neuronal DCV cargos are biomarker candidates for synaptic dysfunction and neurodegeneration in AD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40035-021-00263-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neus Barranco
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Virginia Plá
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Daniel Alcolea
- Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Sant Pau Biomedical Research Institute. Sant Pau Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08041, Barcelona, Spain.,Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), 28031, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Sánchez-Domínguez
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Isidro Ferrer
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), 28031, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Barcelona, and Bellvitge University Hospital, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Alberto Lleó
- Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Sant Pau Biomedical Research Institute. Sant Pau Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08041, Barcelona, Spain.,Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), 28031, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Aguado
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain. .,Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
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4
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Fritzsche S, Hunnekuhl VS. Cell-specific expression and individual function of prohormone convertase PC1/3 in Tribolium larval growth highlights major evolutionary changes between beetle and fly neuroendocrine systems. EvoDevo 2021; 12:9. [PMID: 34187565 PMCID: PMC8244231 DOI: 10.1186/s13227-021-00179-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The insect neuroendocrine system acts in the regulation of physiology, development and growth. Molecular evolution of this system hence has the potential to allow for major biological differences between insect groups. Two prohormone convertases, PC1/3 and PC2, are found in animals and both function in the processing of neuropeptide precursors in the vertebrate neurosecretory pathway. Whereas PC2-function is conserved between the fly Drosophila and vertebrates, ancestral PC1/3 was lost in the fly lineage and has not been functionally studied in any protostome. Results In order to understand its original functions and the changes accompanying the gene loss in the fly, we investigated PC1/3 and PC2 expression and function in the beetle Tribolium castaneum. We found that PC2 is broadly expressed in the nervous system, whereas surprisingly, PC1/3 expression is restricted to specific cell groups in the posterior brain and suboesophageal ganglion. Both proteases have parallel but non-redundant functions in adult beetles’ viability and fertility. Female infertility following RNAi is caused by a failure to deposit sufficient yolk to the developing oocytes. Larval RNAi against PC2 produced moulting defects where the larvae were not able to shed their old cuticle. This ecdysis phenotype was also observed in a small subset of PC1/3 knockdown larvae and was strongest in a double knockdown. Unexpectedly, most PC1/3-RNAi larvae showed strongly reduced growth, but went through larval moults despite minimal to zero weight gain. Conclusions The cell type-specific expression of PC1/3 and its essential requirement for larval growth highlight the important role of this gene within the insect neuroendocrine system. Genomic conservation in most insect groups suggests that it has a comparable individual function in other insects as well, which has been replaced by alternative mechanisms in flies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13227-021-00179-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Fritzsche
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute, GZMB, Göttingen University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Vera S Hunnekuhl
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute, GZMB, Göttingen University, Göttingen, Germany.
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5
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Fricker LD, Margolis EB, Gomes I, Devi LA. Five Decades of Research on Opioid Peptides: Current Knowledge and Unanswered Questions. Mol Pharmacol 2020; 98:96-108. [PMID: 32487735 DOI: 10.1124/mol.120.119388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the mid-1970s, an intense race to identify endogenous substances that activated the same receptors as opiates resulted in the identification of the first endogenous opioid peptides. Since then, >20 peptides with opioid receptor activity have been discovered, all of which are generated from three precursors, proenkephalin, prodynorphin, and proopiomelanocortin, by sequential proteolytic processing by prohormone convertases and carboxypeptidase E. Each of these peptides binds to all three of the opioid receptor types (μ, δ, or κ), albeit with differing affinities. Peptides derived from proenkephalin and prodynorphin are broadly distributed in the brain, and mRNA encoding all three precursors are highly expressed in some peripheral tissues. Various approaches have been used to explore the functions of the opioid peptides in specific behaviors and brain circuits. These methods include directly administering the peptides ex vivo (i.e., to excised tissue) or in vivo (in animals), using antagonists of opioid receptors to infer endogenous peptide activity, and genetic knockout of opioid peptide precursors. Collectively, these studies add to our current understanding of the function of endogenous opioids, especially when similar results are found using different approaches. We briefly review the history of identification of opioid peptides, highlight the major findings, address several myths that are widely accepted but not supported by recent data, and discuss unanswered questions and future directions for research. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Activation of the opioid receptors by opiates and synthetic drugs leads to central and peripheral biological effects, including analgesia and respiratory depression, but these may not be the primary functions of the endogenous opioid peptides. Instead, the opioid peptides play complex and overlapping roles in a variety of systems, including reward pathways, and an important direction for research is the delineation of the role of individual peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lloyd D Fricker
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York (L.D.F.); Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, San Francisco, California (E.B.M.); and Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York (I.G., L.A.D.)
| | - Elyssa B Margolis
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York (L.D.F.); Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, San Francisco, California (E.B.M.); and Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York (I.G., L.A.D.)
| | - Ivone Gomes
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York (L.D.F.); Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, San Francisco, California (E.B.M.); and Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York (I.G., L.A.D.)
| | - Lakshmi A Devi
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York (L.D.F.); Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, San Francisco, California (E.B.M.); and Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York (I.G., L.A.D.)
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6
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Scudiero O, Pero R, Ranieri A, Terracciano D, Fimiani F, Cesaro A, Gentile L, Leggiero E, Laneri S, Moscarella E, Mazzaccara C, Frisso G, D'Alicandro G, Limongelli G, Pastore L, Calabrò P, Lombardo B. Childhood obesity: an overview of laboratory medicine, exercise and microbiome. Clin Chem Lab Med 2019; 58:1385-1406. [PMID: 31821163 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2019-0789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In the last few years, a significant increase of childhood obesity incidence unequally distributed within countries and population groups has been observed, thus representing an important public health problem associated with several health and social consequences. Obese children have more than a 50% probability of becoming obese adults, and to develop pathologies typical of obese adults, that include type 2-diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension. Also environmental factors, such as reduced physical activity and increased sedentary activities, may also result in increased caloric intake and/or decreased caloric expenditure. In the present review, we aimed to identify and describe a specific panel of parameters in order to evaluate and characterize the childhood obesity status useful in setting up a preventive diagnostic approach directed at improving health-related behaviors and identifying predisposing risk factors. An early identification of risk factors for childhood obesity could definitely help in setting up adequate and specific clinical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Scudiero
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Naples "Federico II", Napoli, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaela Pero
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Naples "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Annaluisa Ranieri
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Naples "Federico II", Napoli, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Terracciano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università degli Studi di Naples "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Fabio Fimiani
- Divisione di Cardiologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiotoraciche e Respiratorie, Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Arturo Cesaro
- Divisione di Cardiologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiotoraciche e Respiratorie, Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Sonia Laneri
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Naples "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Moscarella
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy.,Unità di Cardiologia, Ospedale "Sant'Anna e San Sebastiano", Caserta, Italy
| | - Cristina Mazzaccara
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Naples "Federico II", Napoli, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia Frisso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Naples "Federico II", Napoli, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni D'Alicandro
- Centro di Medicina dello Sport e delle Disabilità, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze e Riabilitazione, AORN, Santobono-Pausillipon, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Limongelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Lucio Pastore
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Naples "Federico II", Napoli, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Calabrò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy.,Unità di Cardiologia, Ospedale "Sant'Anna e San Sebastiano", Caserta, Italy
| | - Barbara Lombardo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Naples "Federico II", Napoli, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
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7
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Hayakawa E, Watanabe H, Menschaert G, Holstein TW, Baggerman G, Schoofs L. A combined strategy of neuropeptide prediction and tandem mass spectrometry identifies evolutionarily conserved ancient neuropeptides in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215185. [PMID: 31545805 PMCID: PMC6756747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides are a class of bioactive peptides shown to be involved in various physiological processes, including metabolism, development, and reproduction. Although neuropeptide candidates have been predicted from genomic and transcriptomic data, comprehensive characterization of neuropeptide repertoires remains a challenge owing to their small size and variable sequences. De novo prediction of neuropeptides from genome or transcriptome data is difficult and usually only efficient for those peptides that have identified orthologs in other animal species. Recent peptidomics technology has enabled systematic structural identification of neuropeptides by using the combination of liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. However, reliable identification of naturally occurring peptides using a conventional tandem mass spectrometry approach, scanning spectra against a protein database, remains difficult because a large search space must be scanned due to the absence of a cleavage enzyme specification. We developed a pipeline consisting of in silico prediction of candidate neuropeptides followed by peptide-spectrum matching. This approach enables highly sensitive and reliable neuropeptide identification, as the search space for peptide-spectrum matching is highly reduced. Nematostella vectensis is a basal eumetazoan with one of the most ancient nervous systems. We scanned the Nematostella protein database for sequences displaying structural hallmarks typical of eumetazoan neuropeptide precursors, including amino- and carboxyterminal motifs and associated modifications. Peptide-spectrum matching was performed against a dataset of peptides that are cleaved in silico from these putative peptide precursors. The dozens of newly identified neuropeptides display structural similarities to bilaterian neuropeptides including tachykinin, myoinhibitory peptide, and neuromedin-U/pyrokinin, suggesting these neuropeptides occurred in the eumetazoan ancestor of all animal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eisuke Hayakawa
- Research Group of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Evolutionary Neurobiology Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology, Okinawa, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Hiroshi Watanabe
- Evolutionary Neurobiology Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology, Okinawa, Japan
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gerben Menschaert
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Laboratory for Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thomas W. Holstein
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Geert Baggerman
- CFP/Ceproma, University Antwerpen, Antwerpen, Belgium
- VITO, Applied Bio & molecular Systems (ABS), Mol, Belgium
| | - Liliane Schoofs
- Research Group of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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8
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da Fonseca ACP, Mastronardi C, Johar A, Arcos-Burgos M, Paz-Filho G. Genetics of non-syndromic childhood obesity and the use of high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies. J Diabetes Complications 2017; 31:1549-1561. [PMID: 28735903 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2017.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood obesity is a serious public health problem associated with the development of several chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The elevated prevalence of obesity is mostly due to inadequate diet and lifestyle, but it is also influenced by genetic factors. OBJECTIVES To review recent advances in the field of the genetics of obesity. We summarize the list of genes associated with the rare non-syndromic forms of obesity, and explain their function. Furthermore, we discuss the technologies that are available for the genetic diagnosis of obesity. RESULTS Several studies reported that single gene variants cause Mendelian forms of obesity, determined by mutations of major effect in single genes. Rare, non-syndromic forms of obesity are a result of loss-of-function mutations in genes that act on the development and function of the hypothalamus or the leptin-melanocortin pathway. These variants disrupt enzymes and receptors that play a role in energy homeostasis, resulting in severe early-onset obesity and endocrine dysfunctions. Different approaches and technologies have been used to understand the genetic background of obesity. Currently, whole genome and whole exome sequencing are important diagnostic tools to identify new genes and variants associated with severe obesity, but other approaches are also useful at individual or population levels, such as linkage analysis, candidate gene sequencing, chromosomal microarray analysis, and genome-wide association studies. CONCLUSIONS The understanding of the genetic causes of obesity and the usefulness and limitations of the genetic diagnostic approaches can contribute to the development of new personalized therapeutic targets against obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudio Mastronardi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Angad Johar
- Department of Genome Sciences, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Australia.
| | | | - Gilberto Paz-Filho
- Department of Genome Sciences, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Australia.
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9
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Blanco EH, Peinado JR, Martín MG, Lindberg I. Biochemical and cell biological properties of the human prohormone convertase 1/3 Ser357Gly mutation: a PC1/3 hypermorph. Endocrinology 2014; 155:3434-47. [PMID: 24932808 PMCID: PMC4138575 DOI: 10.1210/en.2013-2151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Satiety and appetite signaling are accomplished by circulating peptide hormones. These peptide hormones require processing from larger precursors to become bioactive, often by the proprotein convertase 1/3 (PC1/3). Several subcellular maturation steps are necessary for PC1/3 to achieve its optimal enzymatic activity. Certain PC1/3 variants found in the general population slightly attenuate its enzymatic activity and are associated with obesity and diabetes. However, mutations that increase PC1/3 activity and/or affect its specificity could also have physiological consequences. We here present data showing that the known human Ser357Gly PC1/3 mutant (PC1/3(S357G)) represents a PC1/3 hypermorph. Conditioned media from human embryonic kidney-293 cells transfected with PC1/3(WT) and PC1/3(S357G) were collected and enzymatic activity characterized. PC1/3(S357G) exhibited a lower calcium dependence; a higher pH optimum (neutral); and a higher resistance to peptide inhibitors than the wild-type enzyme. PC1/3(S357G) exhibited increased cleavage to the C-terminally truncated form, and kinetic parameters of the full-length and truncated mutant enzymes were also altered. Lastly, the S357G mutation broadened the specificity of the enzyme; we detected PC2-like specificity on the substrate proCART, the precursor of the cocaine- and amphetamine regulated transcript neuropeptide known to be associated with obesity. The production of another anorexigenic peptide normally synthesized only by PC2, αMSH, was increased when proopiomelanocortin was coexpressed with PC1/3(S357G). Considering the aberrant enzymatic profile of PC1/3(S357G), we hypothesize that this enzyme possesses unusual processing activity that may significantly change the profile of circulating peptide hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias H Blanco
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (E.H.B., J.R.P., I.L.), University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, Maryland 21201; and Department of Pediatrics (M.G.M.), Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Mattel Children's Hospital and the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
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10
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Wardman JH, Fricker LD. ProSAAS-derived peptides are differentially processed and sorted in mouse brain and AtT-20 cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104232. [PMID: 25148519 PMCID: PMC4141687 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
ProSAAS is the precursor for some of the most abundant peptides found in mouse brain and other tissues, including peptides named SAAS, PEN, and LEN. Both SAAS and LEN are found in big and little forms due to differential processing. Initial processing of proSAAS is mediated by furin (and/or furin-like enzymes) and carboxypeptidase D, while the smaller forms are generated by secretory granule prohormone convertases and carboxypeptidase E. In mouse hypothalamus, PEN and big LEN colocalize with neuropeptide Y. In the present study, little LEN and SAAS were detected in mouse hypothalamus but not in cell bodies of neuropeptide Y-expressing neurons. PEN and big LEN show substantial colocalization in hypothalamus, but big LEN and little LEN do not. An antiserum to SAAS that detects both big and little forms of this peptide did not show substantial colocalization with PEN or big LEN. To further study this, the AtT-20 cells mouse pituitary corticotrophic cell line was transfected with rat proSAAS and the distribution of peptides examined. As found in mouse hypothalamus, only some of the proSAAS-derived peptides colocalized with each other in AtT-20 cells. The two sites within proSAAS that are known to be efficiently cleaved by furin were altered by site-directed mutagenesis to convert the P4 Arg into Lys; this change converts the sequences from furin consensus sites into prohormone convertase consensus sites. Upon expression of the mutated form of proSAAS in AtT-20 cells, there was significantly more colocalization of proSAAS-derived peptides PEN and SAAS. Taken together, these results indicate that proSAAS is initially cleaved in the Golgi or trans-Golgi network by furin and/or furin-like enzymes and the resulting fragments are sorted into distinct vesicles and further processed by additional enzymes into the mature peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan H. Wardman
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Lloyd D. Fricker
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Pauls D, Chen J, Reiher W, Vanselow JT, Schlosser A, Kahnt J, Wegener C. Peptidomics and processing of regulatory peptides in the fruit fly Drosophila. EUPA OPEN PROTEOMICS 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.euprot.2014.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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12
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Yongye AB, Vivoli M, Lindberg I, Appel JR, Houghten RA, Martinez-Mayorga K. Identification of a small molecule that selectively inhibits mouse PC2 over mouse PC1/3: a computational and experimental study. PLoS One 2013; 8:e56957. [PMID: 23451118 PMCID: PMC3579927 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The calcium-dependent serine endoproteases prohormone convertase 1/3 (PC1/3) and prohormone convertase 2 (PC2) play important roles in the homeostatic regulation of blood glucose levels, hence implicated in diabetes mellitus. Specifically, the absence of PC2 has been associated with chronic hypoglycemia. Since there is a reasonably good conservation of the catalytic domain between species translation of inhibitory effects is likely. In fact, similar results have been found using both mouse and human recombinant enzymes. Here, we employed computational structure-based approaches to screen 14,400 compounds from the Maybridge small molecule library towards mouse PC2. Our most remarkable finding was the identification of a potent and selective PC2 inhibitor. Kinetic data showed the compound to be an allosteric inhibitor. The compound identified is one of the few reported selective, small-molecule inhibitors of PC2. In addition, this new PC2 inhibitor is structurally different and of smaller size than those reported previously. This is advantageous for future studies where structural analogues can be built upon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin B. Yongye
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St Lucie, Florida, United States of America
| | - Mirella Vivoli
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jon R. Appel
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Richard A. Houghten
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St Lucie, Florida, United States of America
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Karina Martinez-Mayorga
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St Lucie, Florida, United States of America
- Instituto de Química, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
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Pickett LA, Yourshaw M, Albornoz V, Chen Z, Solorzano-Vargas RS, Nelson SF, Martín MG, Lindberg I. Functional consequences of a novel variant of PCSK1. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55065. [PMID: 23383060 PMCID: PMC3557230 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 with modest effects on PC1/3 in vitro have been associated with obesity in five genome-wide association studies and with diabetes in one genome-wide association study. We here present a novel SNP and compare its biosynthesis, secretion and catalytic activity to wild-type enzyme and to SNPs that have been linked to obesity. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A novel PC1/3 variant introducing an Arg to Gln amino acid substitution at residue 80 (within the secondary cleavage site of the prodomain) (rs1799904) was studied. This novel variant was selected for analysis from the 1000 Genomes sequencing project based on its predicted deleterious effect on enzyme function and its comparatively more frequent allele frequency. The actual existence of the R80Q (rs1799904) variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. The effects of this novel variant on the biosynthesis, secretion, and catalytic activity were determined; the previously-described obesity risk SNPs N221D (rs6232), Q665E/S690T (rs6234/rs6235), and the Q665E and S690T SNPs (analyzed separately) were included for comparative purposes. The novel R80Q (rs1799904) variant described in this study resulted in significantly detrimental effects on both the maturation and in vitro catalytic activity of PC1/3. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE Our findings that this novel R80Q (rs1799904) variant both exhibits adverse effects on PC1/3 activity and is prevalent in the population suggests that further biochemical and genetic analysis to assess its contribution to the risk of metabolic disease within the general population is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay A. Pickett
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Michael Yourshaw
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Valeria Albornoz
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Zijun Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Mattel Children's Hospital and David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - R. Sergio Solorzano-Vargas
- Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Mattel Children's Hospital and David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Stanley F. Nelson
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles California, United States of America
| | - Martín G. Martín
- Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Mattel Children's Hospital and David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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