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Nhieu J, Miller MC, Lerdall TA, Mayo KH, Wei LN. Molecular basis for cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 1 in modulating CaMKII activation. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1268843. [PMID: 37822422 PMCID: PMC10562560 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1268843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Cellular retinoic acid (RA)-binding protein 1 (CRABP1) is a highly conserved protein comprised of an anti-parallel, beta-barrel, and a helix-turn-helix segment outside this barrel. Functionally, CRABP1 is thought to bind and sequester cytosolic RA. Recently, CRABP1 has been established as a major mediator of rapid, non-genomic activity of RA in the cytosol, referred to as "non-canonical" activity. Previously, we have reported that CRABP1 interacts with and dampens the activation of calcium-calmodulin (Ca2+-CaM)-dependent kinase 2 (CaMKII), a major effector of Ca2+ signaling. Through biophysical, molecular, and cellular assays, we, herein, elucidate the molecular and structural mechanisms underlying the action of CRABP1 in dampening CaMKII activation. Results: We identify an interaction surface on CRABP1 for CaMKII binding, located on the beta-sheet surface of the barrel, and an allosteric region within the helix segment outside the barrel, where both are important for interacting with CaMKII. Molecular studies reveal that CRABP1 preferentially associates with the inactive form of CaMKII, thereby dampening CaMKII activation. Alanine mutagenesis of residues implicated in the CaMKII interaction results in either a loss of this preference or a shift of CRABP1 from associating with the inactive CaMKII to associating with the active CaMKII, which corresponds to changes in CRABP1's effect in modulating CaMKII activation. Conclusions: This is the first study to elucidate the molecular and structural basis for CRABP1's function in modulating CaMKII activation. These results further shed insights into CRABP1's functional involvement in multiple signaling pathways, as well as its extremely high sequence conservation across species and over evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Nhieu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Michelle C. Miller
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Thomas A. Lerdall
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Kevin H. Mayo
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Li-Na Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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Lin YL, Nhieu J, Lerdall T, Milbauer L, Wei CW, Lee DJ, Oh SH, Thayer S, Wei LN. A novel 3D bilayer hydrogel tri-culture system for studying functional motor units. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:168. [PMID: 37700376 PMCID: PMC10496371 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01115-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A motor unit (MU) is formed by a single alpha motor neuron (MN) and the muscle fibers it innervates. The MU is essential for all voluntary movements. Functional deficits in the MU result in neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). The pathological mechanisms underlying most NMDs remain poorly understood, in part due to the lack of in vitro models that can comprehensively recapitulate multistage intercellular interactions and physiological function of the MU. RESULTS We have designed a novel three-dimensional (3D) bilayer hydrogel tri-culture system where architecturally organized MUs can form in vitro. A sequential co-culture procedure using the three cell types of a MU, MN, myoblast, and Schwann cell was designed to construct a co-differentiating tri-culture on a bilayer hydrogel matrix. We utilized a µ-molded hydrogel with an additional Matrigel layer to form the bilayer hydrogel device. The µ-molded hydrogel layer provides the topological cues for myoblast differentiation. The Matrigel layer, with embedded Schwann cells, not only separates the MNs from myoblasts but also provides a proper micro-environment for MU development. The completed model shows key MU features including an organized MU structure, myelinated nerves, aligned myotubes innervated on clustered neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), MN-driven myotube contractions, and increases in cytosolic Ca2+ upon stimulation. CONCLUSIONS This organized and functional in vitro MU model provides an opportunity to study pathological events involved in NMDs and peripheral neuropathies, and can serve as a platform for physiological and pharmacological studies such as modeling and drug screening. Technically, the rational of this 3D bilayer hydrogel co-culture system exploits multiple distinct properties of hydrogels, facilitating effective and efficient co-culturing of diverse cell types for tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Lung Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Sciences and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jennifer Nhieu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Thomas Lerdall
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Liming Milbauer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Chin-Wen Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Dong Jun Lee
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Sang-Hyun Oh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Stanley Thayer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Li-Na Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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Nhieu J, Milbauer L, Lerdall T, Najjar F, Wei CW, Ishida R, Ma Y, Kagechika H, Wei LN. Targeting Cellular Retinoic Acid Binding Protein 1 with Retinoic Acid-like Compounds to Mitigate Motor Neuron Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:4980. [PMID: 36902410 PMCID: PMC10002585 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
All-trans-retinoic Acid (atRA) is the principal active metabolite of Vitamin A, essential for various biological processes. The activities of atRA are mediated by nuclear RA receptors (RARs) to alter gene expression (canonical activities) or by cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1 (CRABP1) to rapidly (minutes) modulate cytosolic kinase signaling, including calcium calmodulin-activated kinase 2 (CaMKII) (non-canonical activities). Clinically, atRA-like compounds have been extensively studied for therapeutic applications; however, RAR-mediated toxicity severely hindered the progress. It is highly desirable to identify CRABP1-binding ligands that lack RAR activity. Studies of CRABP1 knockout (CKO) mice revealed CRABP1 to be a new therapeutic target, especially for motor neuron (MN) degenerative diseases where CaMKII signaling in MN is critical. This study reports a P19-MN differentiation system, enabling studies of CRABP1 ligands in various stages of MN differentiation, and identifies a new CRABP1-binding ligand C32. Using the P19-MN differentiation system, the study establishes C32 and previously reported C4 as CRABP1 ligands that can modulate CaMKII activation in the P19-MN differentiation process. Further, in committed MN cells, elevating CRABP1 reduces excitotoxicity-triggered MN death, supporting a protective role for CRABP1 signaling in MN survival. C32 and C4 CRABP1 ligands were also protective against excitotoxicity-triggered MN death. The results provide insight into the potential of signaling pathway-selective, CRABP1-binding, atRA-like ligands in mitigating MN degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Nhieu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Liming Milbauer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Thomas Lerdall
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Fatimah Najjar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Chin-Wen Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Ryosuke Ishida
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Yue Ma
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kagechika
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Li-Na Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Lin YL, Nhieu J, Liu PY, Le G, Lee DJ, Wei CW, Lin YW, Oh SH, Lowe D, Wei LN. CRABP1-CaMKII-Agrn regulates the maintenance of neuromuscular junction in spinal motor neuron. Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:1744-1756. [PMID: 35217789 PMCID: PMC9433400 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-00959-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 1 (CRABP1) binds retinoic acid (RA) specifically in the cytoplasm with unclear functions. CRABP1 is highly and specifically expressed in spinal motor neurons (MNs). Clinical and pre-clinical data reveal a potential link between CRABP1 and MN diseases, including the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We established a sequenced MN-muscle co-differentiation system to engineer an in vitro functional 3D NMJ model for molecular studies and demonstrated that CRABP1 in MNs contributes to NMJ formation and maintenance. Consistently, Crabp1 knockout (CKO) mice exhibited an adult-onset ALS-like phenotype with progressively deteriorated NMJs, characterized with behavioral, EchoMRI, electrophysiological, histological, and immunohistochemical studies at 2-20-months old. Mechanistically, CRABP1 suppresses CaMKII activation to regulate neural Agrn expression and downstream muscle LRP4-MuSK signaling, thereby maintaining NMJ. A proof-of-concept was provided by specific re-expression of CRABP1 to rescue Agrn expression and the phenotype. This study identifies CRABP1-CaMKII-Agrn signaling as a physiological pre-synaptic regulator in the NMJ. This study also highlights a potential protective role of CRABP1 in the progression of NMJ deficits in MN diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Lung Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Jennifer Nhieu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Pei-Yao Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Gengyun Le
- Divisions of Rehabilitation Science and Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Dong Jun Lee
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Chin-Wen Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Yi-Wei Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Sang-Hyun Oh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Dawn Lowe
- Divisions of Rehabilitation Science and Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Li-Na Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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Nhieu J, Lin YL, Wei LN. CRABP1 in Non-Canonical Activities of Retinoic Acid in Health and Diseases. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14071528. [PMID: 35406141 PMCID: PMC9003107 DOI: 10.3390/nu14071528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we discuss the emerging role of Cellular Retinoic Acid Binding Protein 1 (CRABP1) as a mediator of non-canonical activities of retinoic acid (RA) and relevance to human diseases. We first discuss the role of CRABP1 in regulating MAPK activities and its implication in stem cell proliferation, cancers, adipocyte health, and neuro-immune regulation. We then discuss an additional role of CRABP1 in regulating CaMKII activities, and its implication in heart and motor neuron diseases. Through molecular and genetic studies of Crabp1 knockout (CKO) mouse and culture models, it is established that CRABP1 forms complexes with specific signaling molecules to function as RA-regulated signalsomes in a cell context-dependent manner. Gene expression data and CRABP1 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of human cancer, neurodegeneration, and immune disease patients implicate the potential association of abnormality in CRABP1 with human diseases. Finally, therapeutic strategies for managing certain human diseases by targeting CRABP1 are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Li-Na Wei
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-612-6259-402
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Lin YL, Wei CW, Lerdall TA, Nhieu J, Wei LN. Crabp1 Modulates HPA Axis Homeostasis and Anxiety-like Behaviors by Altering FKBP5 Expression. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12240. [PMID: 34830120 PMCID: PMC8619219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA), the principal active metabolite of vitamin A, is known to be involved in stress-related disorders. However, its mechanism of action in this regard remains unclear. This study reports that, in mice, endogenous cellular RA binding protein 1 (Crabp1) is highly expressed in the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. Crabp1 knockout (CKO) mice exhibit reduced anxiety-like behaviors accompanied by a lowered stress induced-corticosterone level. Furthermore, CRH/DEX tests show an increased sensitivity (hypersensitivity) of their feedback inhibition in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Gene expression studies show reduced FKBP5 expression in CKO mice; this would decrease the suppression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling thereby enhancing their feedback inhibition, consistent with their dampened corticosterone level and anxiety-like behaviors upon stress induction. In AtT20, a pituitary gland adenoma cell line elevating or reducing Crabp1 level correspondingly increases or decreases FKBP5 expression, and its endogenous Crabp1 level is elevated by GR agonist dexamethasone or RA treatment. This study shows, for the first time, that Crabp1 regulates feedback inhibition of the the HPA axis by modulating FKBP5 expression. Furthermore, RA and stress can increase Crabp1 level, which would up-regulate FKBP5 thereby de-sensitizing feedback inhibition of HPA axis (by decreasing GR signaling) and increasing the risk of stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Li-Na Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (Y.-L.L.); (C.-W.W.); (T.A.L.); (J.N.)
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Lin YW, Nhieu J, Wei CW, Lin YL, Kagechika H, Wei LN. Regulation of exosome secretion by cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1 contributes to systemic anti-inflammation. Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:69. [PMID: 34193153 PMCID: PMC8247179 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-021-00751-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Intercellular communications are important for maintaining normal physiological processes. An important intercellular communication is mediated by the exchange of membrane-enclosed extracellular vesicles. Among various vesicles, exosomes can be detected in a wide variety of biological systems, but the regulation and biological implication of exosome secretion/uptake remains largely unclear. Methods Cellular retinoic acid (RA) binding protein 1 (Crabp1) knockout (CKO) mice were used for in vivo studies. Extracellular exosomes were monitored in CKO mice and relevant cell cultures including embryonic stem cell (CJ7), macrophage (Raw 264.7) and hippocampal cell (HT22) using Western blot and flow cytometry. Receptor Interacting Protein 140 (RIP140) was depleted by Crispr/Cas9-mediated gene editing. Anti-inflammatory maker was analyzed using qRT-PCR. Clinical relevance was accessed by mining multiple clinical datasets. Results This study uncovers Crabp1 as a negative regulator of exosome secretion from neurons. Specifically, RIP140, a pro-inflammatory regulator, can be transferred from neurons, via Crabp1-regulated exosome secretion, into macrophages to promote their inflammatory polarization. Consistently, CKO mice, defected in the negative control of exosome secretion, have significantly elevated RIP140-containing exosomes in their blood and cerebrospinal fluid, and exhibit an increased vulnerability to systemic inflammation. Clinical relevance of this pathway is supported by patients’ data of multiple inflammatory diseases. Further, the action of Crabp1 in regulating exosome secretion involves its ligand and is mediated by its downstream target, the MAPK signaling pathway. Conclusions This study presents the first evidence for the regulation of exosome secretion, which mediates intercellular communication, by RA-Crabp1 signaling. This novel mechanism can contribute to the control of systemic inflammation by transferring an inflammatory regulator, RIP140, between cells. This represents a new mechanism of vitamin A action that can modulate the homeostasis of system-wide innate immunity without involving gene regulation.![]() Video Abstract
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12964-021-00751-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Wei Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, 6-120 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Jennifer Nhieu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, 6-120 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Chin-Wen Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, 6-120 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Yu-Lung Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, 6-120 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Kagechika
- Institute of Biomaterials and, Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 01-0062, Japan
| | - Li-Na Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, 6-120 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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Lin YL, Lin YW, Nhieu J, Zhang X, Wei LN. Sonic Hedgehog-Gli1 Signaling and Cellular Retinoic Acid Binding Protein 1 Gene Regulation in Motor Neuron Differentiation and Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114125. [PMID: 32527063 PMCID: PMC7312406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 1 (CRABP1) is highly expressed in motor neurons. Degenerated motor neuron-like MN1 cells are engineered by introducing SODG93A or AR-65Q to model degenerated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spinal bulbar muscular atrophy neurons. Retinoic acid (RA)/sonic hedgehog (Shh)-induced embryonic stem cells differentiation into motor neurons are employed to study up-regulation of Crabp1 by Shh. In SODG93A or AR-65Q MN1 neurons, CRABP1 level is reduced, revealing a correlation of motor neuron degeneration with Crabp1 down-regulation. Up-regulation of Crabp1 by Shh is mediated by glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1) that binds the Gli target sequence in Crabp1′s neuron-specific regulatory region upstream of minimal promoter. Gli1 binding triggers chromatin juxtaposition with minimal promoter, activating transcription. Motor neuron differentiation and Crabp1 up-regulation are both inhibited by blunting Shh with Gli inhibitor GANT61. Expression data mining of ALS and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) motor neurons shows reduced CRABP1, coincided with reduction in Shh-Gli1 signaling components. This study reports motor neuron degeneration correlated with down-regulation in Crabp1 and Shh-Gli signaling. Shh-Gli up-regulation of Crabp1 involves specific chromatin remodeling. The physiological and pathological implication of this regulatory pathway in motor neuron degeneration is supported by gene expression data of ALS and SMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Li-Na Wei
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-612-6259402
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Park SW, Nhieu J, Persaud SD, Miller MC, Xia Y, Lin YW, Lin YL, Kagechika H, Mayo KH, Wei LN. A new regulatory mechanism for Raf kinase activation, retinoic acid-bound Crabp1. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10929. [PMID: 31358819 PMCID: PMC6662813 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47354-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (Raf) kinase is canonically activated by growth factors that regulate multiple cellular processes. In this kinase cascade Raf activation ultimately results in extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) activation, which requires Ras binding to the Ras binding domain (RBD) of Raf. We recently reported that all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) rapidly (within minutes) activates Erk1/2 to modulate cell cycle progression in stem cells, which is mediated by cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1 (Crabp1). But how atRA-bound Crabp1 regulated Erk1/2 activity remained unclear. We now report Raf kinase as the direct target of atRA-Crabp1. Molecularly, Crabp1 acts as a novel atRA-inducible scaffold protein for Raf/Mek/Erk in cells without growth factor stimulation. However, Crabp1 can also compete with Ras for direct interaction with the RBD of Raf, thereby negatively modulating growth factor-stimulated Raf activation, which can be enhanced by atRA binding to Crabp1. NMR heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) analyses reveal the 6-strand β-sheet face of Crabp1 as its Raf-interaction surface. We identify a new atRA-mimicking and Crabp1-selective compound, C3, that can also elicit such an activity. This study uncovers a new signal crosstalk between endocrine (atRA-Crabp1) and growth factor (Ras-Raf) pathways, providing evidence for atRA-Crabp1 as a novel modulator of cell growth. The study also suggests a new therapeutic strategy by employing Crabp1-selective compounds to dampen growth factor stimulation while circumventing RAR-mediated retinoid toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Wook Park
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Jennifer Nhieu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Shawna D Persaud
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Michelle C Miller
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Youlin Xia
- Minnesota NMR Center, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, USA
| | - Yi-Wei Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Yu-Lung Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Kagechika
- Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kevin H Mayo
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Li-Na Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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Lin YL, Persaud SD, Nhieu J, Wei LN. Cellular Retinoic Acid-Binding Protein 1 Modulates Stem Cell Proliferation to Affect Learning and Memory in Male Mice. Endocrinology 2017; 158:3004-3014. [PMID: 28911165 PMCID: PMC5659671 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA) is the active ingredient of vitamin A. It exerts its canonical activity by binding to nuclear RA receptors (RARs) to regulate gene expression. Increasingly, RA is also known to elicit nongenomic RAR-independent activities, most widely detected in activating extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)1/2. This study validated the functional role of cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 1 (Crabp1) in mediating nongenomic activity in RA, specifically activating ERK1/2 to rapidly augment the cell cycle by expanding the growth 1 phase and slowing down embryonic stem cell and neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation. The study further uncovered the physiological activity of Crabp1 in modulating NSC proliferation and animal behavior. In the Crabp1 knockout mouse hippocampus, where Crabp1 is otherwise detected in the subgranular zone, neurogenesis and NSC proliferation increased and hippocampus-dependent brain functions such as learning and memory correspondingly improved. This study established the physiological role of Crabp1 in modulating stem cell proliferation and hippocampus-dependent brain activities such as learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Lung Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Shawna D. Persaud
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Jennifer Nhieu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Li-Na Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
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