Centrosome Movements Are TUBG1-Dependent

The centrosome of mammalian cells is in constant movement and its motion plays a part in cell differentiation and cell division. The purpose of this study was to establish the involvement of the TUBG meshwork in centrosomal motility. In live cells, we used a monomeric red-fluorescence-protein-tagged centrin 2 gene and a green-fluorescence-protein-tagged TUBG1 gene for labeling the centrosome and the TUBG1 meshwork, respectively. We found that centrosome movements occurred in cellular sites rich in GTPase TUBG1 and single-guide RNA mediated a reduction in the expression of TUBG1, altering the motility pattern of centrosomes. We propose that the TUBG1 meshwork enables the centrosomes to move by providing them with an interacting platform that mediates positional changes. These findings uncover a novel regulatory mechanism that controls the behavior of centrosomes.

Optimization of production of recombinant gamma-tubulin in bacteria

Production of a protein of interest in bacteria and its purification from bacterial lysates are valuable tools for the purification of larger amounts of recombinant proteins. The low cost of culturing, and the rapid cell growth of bacteria make this host a good choice for protein production, but the folding and function of the purified protein might be altered due to the production of a eukaryotic protein in a prokaryotic host. Here, we provide a purification method for the purification of gamma (γ)-tubulin (TUBG) from soluble fractions of Escherichia (E.) coli lysates using affinity tags.•

This protocol describes a method that purifies soluble GST-TUBG1 from bacteria.

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Of the three tested induction conditions, the highest yield of recombinant GST-TUBG1 was obtained after the induction of E. coli with isopropyl-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) for 1 h at 37 °C followed by overnight incubation at room temperature.

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In comparison with other methodologies (Hoog et al., 2011), the technique described here retrieves larger amounts of recombinant TUBG1 from small-scale expression cultures.

Non-Canonical Functions of the Gamma-Tubulin Meshwork in the Regulation of the Nuclear Architecture

Simple Summary

The appearance of a cell is connected to its function. For example, the fusiform of smooth muscle cells is adapted to facilitate muscle contraction, the lobed nucleus in white blood cells assists with the migratory behavior of these immune cells, and the condensed nucleus in sperm aids in their swimming efficiency. Thus, changes in appearance have been used for decades by doctors as a diagnostic method for human cancers. Here, we summarize our knowledge of how a cell maintains the shape of the nuclear compartment. Specifically, we discuss the role of a novel protein meshwork, the gamma-tubulin meshwork, in the regulation of nuclear morphology and as a therapeutic target against cancer.

Abstract

The nuclear architecture describes the organization of the various compartments in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, where a plethora of processes such as nucleocytoplasmic transport, gene expression, and assembly of ribosomal subunits occur in a dynamic manner. During the different phases of the cell cycle, in post-mitotic cells and after oncogenic transformation, rearrangements of the nuclear architecture take place, and, among other things, these alterations result in reorganization of the chromatin and changes in gene expression. A member of the tubulin family, γtubulin, was first identified as part of a multiprotein complex that allows nucleation of microtubules. However, more than a decade ago, γtubulin was also characterized as a nuclear protein that modulates several crucial processes that affect the architecture of the nucleus. This review presents the latest knowledge regarding changes that arise in the nuclear architecture of healthy cells and under pathological conditions and, more specifically, considers the particular involvement of γtubulin in the modulation of the biology of the nuclear compartment.

Choreography of the centrosome

More than a century ago, the centrosome was discovered and described as “the true division organ of the cell”. Electron microscopy revealed that a centrosome is an amorphous structure or pericentriolar protein matrix that surrounds a pair of well-organized centrioles. Today, the importance of the centrosome as a microtubule-organizing center and coordinator of the mitotic spindle is questioned, because centrioles are absent in up to half of all known eukaryotic species, and various mechanisms for acentrosomal microtubule nucleation have been described. This review recapitulates the known functions of centrosome movements in cellular homeostasis and discusses knowledge gaps in this field.

The Biology of the Nuclear Envelope and Its Implications in Cancer Biology

The formation of the nuclear envelope and the subsequent compartmentalization of the genome is a defining feature of eukaryotes. Traditionally, the nuclear envelope was purely viewed as a physical barrier to preserve genetic material in eukaryotic cells. However, in the last few decades, it has been revealed to be a critical cellular component in controlling gene expression and has been implicated in several human diseases. In cancer, the relevance of the cell nucleus was first reported in the mid-1800s when an altered nuclear morphology was observed in tumor cells. This review aims to give a current and comprehensive view of the role of the nuclear envelope on cancer first by recapitulating the changes of the nuclear envelope during cell division, second, by reviewing the role of the nuclear envelope in cell cycle regulation, signaling, and the regulation of the genome, and finally, by addressing the nuclear envelope link to cell migration and metastasis and its use in cancer prognosis.

γ-tubulin as a signal-transducing molecule and meshwork with therapeutic potential

Knowledge of γ-tubulin is increasing with regard to the cellular functions of this protein beyond its participation in microtubule nucleation. γ-Tubulin expression is altered in various malignancies, and changes in the TUBG1 gene have been found in patients suffering from brain malformations. This review recapitulates the known functions of γ-tubulin in cellular homeostasis and discusses the possible influence of the protein on disease development and cancer.

Helicobacter pylori Outer Membrane Vesicles Protect the Pathogen From Reactive Oxygen Species of the Respiratory Burst

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) play an important role in the persistence of Helicobacter pylori infection. Helicobacter OMVs carry a plethora of virulence factors, including catalase (KatA), an antioxidant enzyme that counteracts the host respiratory burst. We found KatA to be enriched and surface-associated in OMVs compared to bacterial cells. This conferred OMV-dependent KatA activity resulting in neutralization of H₂O₂ and NaClO, and rescue of surrounding bacteria from oxidative damage. The antioxidant activity of OMVs was abolished by deletion of KatA. In conclusion, enrichment of antioxidative KatA in OMVs is highly important for efficient immune evasion.

The GTPase domain of gamma-tubulin is required for normal mitochondrial function and spatial organization

In the cell, γ-tubulin establishes a cellular network of threads named the γ-string meshwork. However, the functions of this meshwork remain to be determined. We investigated the traits of the meshwork and show that γ-strings have the ability to connect the cytoplasm and the mitochondrial DNA together. We also show that γ-tubulin has a role in the maintenance of the mitochondrial network and functions as reduced levels of γ-tubulin or impairment of its GTPase domain disrupts the mitochondrial network and alters both their respiratory capacity and the expression of mitochondrial-related genes. By contrast, reduced mitochondrial number or increased protein levels of γ-tubulin DNA-binding domain enhanced the association of γ-tubulin with mitochondria. Our results demonstrate that γ-tubulin is an important mitochondrial structural component that maintains the mitochondrial network, providing mitochondria with a cellular infrastructure. We propose that γ-tubulin provides a cytoskeletal element that gives form to the mitochondrial network.

Lisa Lindström et al. find that the gamma-tubulin cellular network is required to maintain mitochondrial function and organization in the cell. Knockdown of gamma-tubulin or loss of its GTPase domain disrupts the mitochondrial network and alters respiratory capacity and expression of mitochondrial genes.

A potential anti-tumor effect of leukotriene C4 through the induction of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase expression in colon cancer cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Cyclooxygenase-2, which plays a key role in the biosynthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), is often up-regulated in CRC and in other types of cancer. PGE2 induces angiogenesis and tumor cell survival, proliferation and migration. The tumor suppressor 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) is a key enzyme in PGE2 catabolism, converting it into its inactive metabolite 15-keto-PGE2, and is often down-regulated in cancer. Interestingly, CRC patients expressing high levels of the cysteinyl leukotriene 2 (CysLT2) receptor have a good prognosis; therefore, we investigated a potential link between CysLT2 signaling and the tumor suppressor 15-PGDH in colon cancer cells.We observed a significant up-regulation of 15-PGDH after treatment with LTC4, a CysLT2 ligand, in colon cancer cells at both the mRNA and protein levels, which could be reduced by a CysLT2 antagonist or a JNK inhibitor. LTC4 induced 15-PGDH promoter activity via JNK/AP-1 phosphorylation. Furthermore, we also observed that LTC4, via the CysLT2/JNK signaling pathway, increased the expression of the differentiation markers sucrase-isomaltase and mucin-2 in colon cancer cells and that down-regulation of 15-PGDH totally abolished the observed increase in these markers.In conclusion, the restoration of 15-PGDH expression through CysLT2 signaling promotes the differentiation of colon cancer cells, indicating an anti-tumor effect of CysLT2 signaling.

Gamma-tubulin coordinates nuclear envelope assembly around chromatin

The cytosolic role of γ-tubulin as a microtubule organizer has been studied thoroughly, but its nuclear function is poorly understood. Here, we show that γ-tubulin is located throughout the chromatin of demembranated Xenopus laevis sperm and, as the nucleus is formed, γ-tubulin recruits lamin B3 and nuclear membranes. Immunodepletion of γ-tubulin impairs X. laevis assembly of both the lamina and the nuclear membrane. During nuclear formation in mammalian cell lines, γ-tubulin establishes a cellular protein boundary around chromatin that coordinates nuclear assembly of the daughter nuclei. Furthermore, expression of a γ-tubulin mutant that lacks the DNA-binding domain forms chromatin-empty nuclear like structures and demonstrate that a constant interplay between the chromatin-associated and the cytosolic pools of γ-tubulin is required and, when the balance between pools is impaired, aberrant nuclei are formed. We therefore propose that the nuclear protein meshwork formed by γ-tubulin around chromatin coordinates nuclear formation in eukaryotic cells.

Therapeutic Targeting of Nuclear γ-Tubulin in RB1-Negative Tumors

In addition to its cytosolic function, γ-tubulin is a chromatin-associated protein. Reduced levels of nuclear γ-tubulin increase the activity of E2 promoter-binding factors (E2F) and raise the levels of retinoblastoma (RB1) tumor suppressor protein. In tumor cells lacking RB1 expression, decreased γ-tubulin levels induce cell death. Consequently, impairment of the nuclear activity of γ-tubulin has been suggested as a strategy for targeted chemotherapy of RB1-deficient tumors; thus, tubulin inhibitors were tested to identify compounds that interfere with γ-tubulin. Interestingly, citral increased E2F activity but impaired microtubule dynamics while citral analogues, such citral dimethyl acetal (CDA), increased E2F activity without affecting microtubules. The cytotoxic effect of CDA on tumor cells was attenuated by increased expression of either RB1 or γ-tubulin, and increased by reduced levels of either RB1 or γ-tubulin. Mechanistic study, in silico and in vitro, demonstrated that CDA prevents GTP binding to γ-tubulin and suggested that the FDA-approved drug dimethyl fumarate is also a γ-tubulin inhibitor. Finally, in vivo growth of xenograft tumors carrying defects in the RB1 signaling pathway were inhibited by CDA treatment. These results demonstrate that inhibition of γ-tubulin has the potential to specifically target tumor cells and may aid in the design of safer and more efficient chemotherapeutic regimes.

IMPLICATIONS

The in vivo antitumorigenic activity of γ-tubulin inhibitors paves the way for the development of a novel broad range targeted anticancer therapy that causes fewer side effects.

The nuclear localization of γ-tubulin is regulated by SadB-mediated phosphorylation

γ-Tubulin is an important cell division regulator that arranges microtubule assembly and mitotic spindle formation. Cytosolic γ-tubulin nucleates α- and β-tubulin in a growing microtubule by forming the ring-shaped protein complex γTuRC. Nuclear γ-tubulin also regulates S-phase progression by moderating the activities of E2 promoter-binding factors. The mechanism that regulates localization of γ-tubulin is currently unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the human Ser/Thr kinase SadB short localizes to chromatin and centrosomes. We found that SadB-mediated phosphorylation of γ-tubulin on Ser(385) formed chromatin-associated γ-tubulin complexes that moderate gene expression. In this way, the C-terminal region of γ-tubulin regulates S-phase progression. In addition, chromatin levels of γ-tubulin were decreased by the reduction of SadB levels or expression of a non-phosphorylatable Ala(385)-γ-tubulin but were enhanced by expression of SadB, wild-type γ-tubulin, or a phosphomimetic Asp(385)-γ-tubulin mutant. Our results demonstrate that SadB kinases regulate the cellular localization of γ-tubulin and thereby control S-phase progression.

Tumors with nonfunctional retinoblastoma protein are killed by reduced γ-tubulin levels

In various tumors inactivation of growth control is achieved by interfering with the RB1 signaling pathway. Here, we describe that RB1 and γ-tubulin proteins moderate each other's expression by binding to their respective gene promoters. Simultaneous reduction of RB1 and γ-tubulin protein levels results in an E2F1-dependent up-regulation of apoptotic genes such as caspase 3. We report that in various tumors types, there is an inverse correlation between the expression levels of γ-tubulin and RB1 and that in tumor cell lines with a nonfunctioning RB1, reduction of γ-tubulin protein levels leads to induction of apoptosis. Thus, the RB1/γ-tubulin signal network can be considered as a new target for cancer treatment.

Nuclear localization of γ-tubulin affects E2F transcriptional activity and S-phase progression

We show that the centrosome- and microtubule-regulating protein γ-tubulin interacts with E2 promoter binding factors (E2Fs) to modulate E2F transcriptional activity and thereby control cell cycle progression. γ-Tubulin contains a C-terminal signal that results in its translocation to the nucleus during late G₁ to early S phase. γ-Tubulin mutants showed that the C terminus interacts with the transcription factor E2F1 and that the E2F1–γ-tubulin complex is formed during the G₁/S transition, when E2F1 is transcriptionally active. Furthermore, E2F transcriptional activity is altered by reduced expression of γ-tubulin or by complex formation between γ-tubulin and E2F1, E2F2, or E2F3, but not E2F6. In addition, the γ-tubulin C terminus encodes a DNA-binding domain that interacts with E2F-regulated promoters, resulting in γ-tubulin-mediated transient activation of E2Fs. Thus, we report a novel mechanism regulating the activity of E2Fs, which can help explain how these proteins affect cell cycle progression in mammalian cells.—Höög, G., Zarrizi, R., von Stedingk, K., Jonsson, K., Alvarado-Kristensson, M. Nuclear localization of γ-tubulin affects E2F transcriptional activity and S-phase progression.

Expression of the RNA-binding protein RBM3 is associated with a favourable prognosis and cisplatin sensitivity in epithelial ovarian cancer

Background

We recently demonstrated that increased expression of the RNA-binding protein RBM3 is associated with a favourable prognosis in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic value of RBM3 mRNA and protein expression in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and the cisplatin response upon RBM3 depletion in a cisplatin-sensitive ovarian cancer cell line.

Methods

RBM3 mRNA expression was analysed in tumors from a cohort of 267 EOC cases (Cohort I) and RBM3 protein expression was analysed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) in an independent cohort of 154 prospectively collected EOC cases (Cohort II). Kaplan Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards modelling were applied to assess the relationship between RBM3 and recurrence free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Immunoblotting and IHC were used to examine the expression of RBM3 in a cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell line A2780-Cp70 and its cisplatin-responsive parental cell line A2780. The impact of RBM3 on cisplatin response in EOC was assessed using siRNA-mediated silencing of RBM3 in A2780 cells followed by cell viability assay and cell cycle analysis.

Results

Increased RBM3 mRNA expression was associated with a prolonged RFS (HR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.47-0.86, p = 0.003) and OS (HR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.44-0.95, p = 0.024) in Cohort I. Multivariate analysis confirmed that RBM3 mRNA expression was an independent predictor of a prolonged RFS, (HR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.44-0.84, p = 0.003) and OS (HR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.41-0.95; p = 0.028) in Cohort I. In Cohort II, RBM3 protein expression was associated with a prolonged OS (HR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.35-0.79, p = 0.002) confirmed by multivariate analysis (HR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.40-0.92, p = 0.017). RBM3 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly higher in the cisplatin sensitive A2780 cell line compared to the cisplatin resistant A2780-Cp70 derivative. siRNA-mediated silencing of RBM3 expression in the A2780 cells resulted in a decreased sensitivity to cisplatin as demonstrated by increased cell viability and reduced proportion of cells arrested in the G2/M-phase.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that RBM3 expression is associated with cisplatin sensitivity in vitro and with a good prognosis in EOC. Taken together these findings suggest that RBM3 may be a useful prognostic and treatment predictive marker in EOC.

PTEN Regulation, a Novel Function for the p85 Subunit of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase

Timely regulation of phosphatidylinositol-3,4-bisphosphate [PI(3,4)P2] and phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate [PI(3,4,5)P3] abundance in cells is essential for the control of cellular homeostasis. The concentrations of these lipids are low in quiescent cells but rapidly and transiently increase following growth factor receptor (GFR) stimulation, which triggers cellular metabolic changes, proliferation, survival, and motility. Class I(A) phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), which is composed of a p85 (regulatory) and p110 (catalytic) subunits, is the enzyme generating PI(3,4)P2 and PI(3,4,5)P3 following GFR stimulation. Although the steps in GFR-induced activation of PI3K , are relatively well known, the mechanisms for subsequent 3-polyphospho-PI down-regulation are less understood. Examination of frequent genetic alterations in human cancer showed that PTEN (phosphatase with tensin homology on chromosome 10) is the major enzyme that decreases PI(3,4)P2 and PI(3,4,5)P3 cell content. Nonetheless, interpretation of the complexity of PTEN regulation remains a matter of debate. The recent description of diminished PTEN activity in liver-conditional knockout mice lacking the p85alpha PI3K regulatory subunit reveals a previously unknown p85alpha-dependent negative-feedback pathway that controls PI(3,4)P2 and PI(3,4,5)P3 half-life by regulating PTEN.

Protein phosphatase 2A regulates apoptosis in neutrophils by dephosphorylating both p38 MAPK and its substrate caspase 3

The induction of apoptosis in neutrophils is an essential event in the resolution of an inflammatory process. We found recently that the reduction of the activity of the neutrophil survival factor p38 MAPK and dephosphorylation and thus activation of caspases must occur to initiate such cell death in these leukocytes. Here, we report a previously undetected early and transient activation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in neutrophils undergoing apoptosis. The pharmacological inhibition of this phosphatase during Fas-induced apoptosis augmented the levels of phosphorylation of both p38 MAPK and caspase 3, resulting in a decreased activity of caspase 3 and an increased neutrophil survival. The complementary finding of a time-dependent association among PP2A, p38 MAPK, and caspase 3 in intact neutrophils indicated that there is a direct regulatory link among these signaling enzymes during Fas-provoked apoptosis. Moreover, immunoprecipitated active p38 MAPK and recombinant phosphorylated caspase 3 were dephosphorylated by exposure to purified PP2A in vitro. Consequently, the early and temporary activation of PP2A in neutrophils impaired not only the p38 MAPK-mediated inhibition of caspase 3 but also restored the activity to caspase 3 that had already been phosphorylated and thereby inactivated. These findings indicate that PP2A plays a pivotal dual role in the induction of neutrophil apoptosis and therefore also in the resolution of inflammation.

p38-MAPK signals survival by phosphorylation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 in human neutrophils

Neutrophil apoptosis occurs both in the bloodstream and in the tissue and is considered essential for the resolution of an inflammatory process. Here, we show that p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) associates to caspase-8 and caspase-3 during neutrophil apoptosis and that p38-MAPK activity, previously shown to be a survival signal in these primary cells, correlates with the levels of caspase-8 and caspase-3 phosphorylation. In in vitro experiments, immunoprecipitated active p38-MAPK phosphorylated and inhibited the activity of the active p20 subunits of caspase-8 and caspase-3. Phosphopeptide mapping revealed that these phosphorylations occurred on serine-364 and serine-150, respectively. Introduction of mutated (S150A), but not wild-type, TAT-tagged caspase-3 into primary neutrophils made the Fas-induced apoptotic response insensitive to p38-MAPK inhibition. Consequently, p38-MAPK can directly phosphorylate and inhibit the activities of caspase-8 and caspase-3 and thereby hinder neutrophil apoptosis, and, in so doing, regulate the inflammatory response.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate antagonizes human neutrophil apoptosis via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (SPP) is associated with the regulation of apoptosis, although its role in neutrophil apoptosis remains poorly investigated. Here, we show that exogenous SPP antagonizes spontaneous and anti-Fas-induced apoptosis in neutrophils. Pre-treatment with pertussis toxin clearly reduced the apoptosis-inhibiting capacity of SPP. Consequently, we investigated the involvement of potential modulators of apoptosis that are activated downstream of Gi/G0-coupled receptors. Neither Akt activity nor change in basal activity of c-Jun N-terminal kinases was detected during apoptosis or after adding SPP. In contrast, there was a transient decrease in phosphorylation of both extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) during both spontaneous and anti-Fas-induced apoptosis. Although exogenous SPP reversed these reductions in kinase activity, experiments with inhibitors of ERK (PD98059) and p38 MAPK (SB203580) revealed that only SB203580 counteracted the effect of SPP. Thus, SPP counteracts neutrophil apoptosis via a Gi/G0 protein survival-signalling pathway that includes modulation of p38 MAPK activity.

p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activities have opposite effects on human neutrophil apoptosis

Neutrophil apoptosis is essential for resolution of inflammatory reactions. Here, we studied the role of two apoptosis/survival-associated protein kinases in this process. We discovered a previously undetected early and transient inhibition of the activity of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) during both spontaneous and Fas-induced apoptosis. Pharmacological inhibition of this enzyme augmented the activation of caspases and the apoptotic response, which suggests that the p38 MAPK signals survival in neutrophils. Our finding that caspase-3 activity was initiated during the transient inhibition of p38 MAPK suggests that apoptosis is initiated during this inhibition. Furthermore, such transient inhibition was counteracted by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, which elicits survival. We also found that neither this inhibition of p38 MAPK nor the spontaneous apoptotic response depended on Fas. Instead, the early inhibition of p38 MAPK concurred with a Fas-induced activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, inhibition of which reduced apoptosis. Thus, the Fas-induced augmentation of spontaneous apoptosis can be explained by its activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. We conclude that p38 MAPK activity represents a survival signal that is inactivated transiently during both spontaneous and Fas-induced apoptosis, whereas Fas-induced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity is a proapoptotic signal in isolated human neutrophils.