Akt-mediated phosphorylation of argonaute 2 downregulates cleavage and upregulates translational repression of MicroRNA targets.

A high-throughput RNA interference (RNAi) screen targeting 542 genes of the human kinome was used to discover regulators of RNAi. Here we report that the proto-oncogene Akt-3/PKBγ (Akt3) phosphorylates Argonaute 2 (Ago2) at S387, which downregulates cleavage and upregulates translational repression of endogenous microRNA (miRNA)-targeted messenger RNAs (mRNAs). We further demonstrate that Akt3 coimmunoprecipitates with Ago2 and phosphorylation of Ago2 at S387 facilitates its interaction with GW182 and localization to cytoplasmic processing bodies (P bodies), where miRNA-targeted mRNAs are thought to be stored and degraded. Therefore, Akt3-mediated phosphorylation of Ago2 is a molecular switch between target mRNA cleavage and translational repression activities of Ago2.

Function of Metallothionein-3 in Neuronal Cells: Do Metal Ions Alter Expression Levels of MT3?

A study of factors proposed to affect metallothionein-3 (MT3) function was carried out to elucidate the opaque role MT3 plays in human metalloneurochemistry. Gene expression of Mt2 and Mt3 was examined in tissues extracted from the dentate gyrus of mouse brains and in human neuronal cell cultures. The whole-genome gene expression analysis identified significant variations in the mRNA levels of genes associated with zinc homeostasis, including Mt2 and Mt3. Mt3 was found to be the most differentially expressed gene in the identified groups, pointing to the existence of a factor, not yet identified, that differentially controls Mt3 expression. To examine the expression of the human metallothioneins in neurons, mRNA levels of MT3 and MT2 were compared in BE(2)C and SH-SY5Y cell cultures treated with lead, zinc, cobalt, and lithium. MT2 was highly upregulated by Zn2+ in both cell cultures, while MT3 was not affected, and no other metal had an effect on either MT2 or MT3.

Dual regulation of hepatitis C viral RNA by cellular RNAi requires partitioning of Ago2 to lipid droplets and P-bodies.

The antiviral role of RNA interference (RNAi) in humans remains to be better understood. In RNAi, Ago2 proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs) or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) form endonucleolytically active complexes which down-regulate expression of target mRNAs. P-bodies, cytoplasmic centers of mRNA decay, are involved in these pathways. Evidence exists that hepatitis C virus (HCV) utilizes host cellular RNAi machinery, including miRNA-122, Ago1-4, and Dicer proteins for replication and viral genome translation in Huh7 cells by, so far, nebulous mechanisms. Conversely, synthetic siRNAs have been used to suppress HCV replication. Here, using a combination of biochemical, transfection, confocal imaging, and digital image analysis approaches, we reveal that replication of HCV RNA depends on recruitment of Ago2 and miRNA-122 to lipid droplets, while suppression of HCV RNA by siRNA and Ago2 involves interaction with P-bodies. Such partitioning of Ago2 proteins into different complexes and separate subcellular domains likely results in modulation of their activity by different reaction partners. We propose a model in which partitioning of host RNAi and viral factors into physically and functionally distinct subcellular compartments emerges as a mechanism regulating the dual interaction of cellular RNAi with HCV RNA.

Absorption spectroscopy and binding constants for first-row transition metal complexes of a DOPA-containing peptide.

A diverse array of biological systems incorporate 3,4-dihydroxyphenlyalanine (DOPA) into proteins and small molecules for cross-linking and material generation. Marine worm eggshells, sea squirt wound plugs, and marine mussel adhesives may all be formed by combining DOPA-containing molecules with high levels of metals. In order to provide model systems for characterizing these biomaterials, we carried out a study on metal binding to a DOPA-containing peptide. Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra are presented for the AdopaTP peptide binding to Fe3+, V3+, VO2+, Mn3+, Ti4+, Cu2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ in mono, bis, and where applicable, tris coordination modes. Association constants were determined for selected metal ions binding to the peptide. In general, the spectroscopic and binding properties of this DOPA-containing peptide were found to be similar to those of catechol.

EPR investigation and spectral simulations of iron-catecholate complexes and iron-peptide models of marine adhesive cross-links.

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra are presented for iron complexes of catecholate, tironate, and a 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA)-containing peptide of sequence Ac-Ala-DOPA-Thr-Pro-CONH2 ("AdopaTP"). This peptide was prepared to model potential metal-protein cross-links in the adhesive used by marine mussels, Mytilus edulis, for affixing themselves to surfaces. Spectra are shown for iron bound to each ligand in mono, bis, and tris coordination environments. For example, the catecholate complexes {Fe(cat)}, {Fe(cat)2}, and [Fe(cat)3]3- are provided. Detailed simulations are presented to describe the origin of spectra for the iron-catecholate and iron-peptide species, which show that the spectral features can be accounted for only with the inclusion of D- and E-strain. The spectroscopy of each compound is shown under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. When exposed to air, the high-spin Fe3+ signal of [Fe(AdopaTP)3]3- decreases and an organic radical is formed. No other sample exhibited an appreciable radical signal. These data are discussed in light of the biomaterial synthesis carried out by marine mussels.

Visible absorption spectra of metal-catecholate and metal-tironate complexes.

Interactions between metals and catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) or other ortho-dihydroxy moieties are being found in an increasing number of biological systems with functions ranging from metal ion internalization to biomaterial synthesis. Although metal-catecholate interactions have been studied in the past, we present the first systematic study of an array of these compounds, all prepared under identical conditions. We report the ultraviolet-visible absorption (UV-vis) spectra for catecholate and tironate complexes of the first row transition elements. Generation and identification of these species were accomplished by preparing aqueous solutions with varied ligand:metal ratios and subsequently titrating with base (NaOH). Controlled ligand deprotonation and metal binding resulted in sequential formation of complexes with one, two, and sometimes three catecholate or tironate ligands bound to a metal ion. We prepared the mono-, bis- and tris-catecholates and -tironates of Fe(3+), V(3+), V(4+)and Mn(3+), the mono- and bis-catecholates and -tironates of Cu(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cr(2+) and Mn(2+), and several Ti(4+) and Cr(3+) species. The UV-vis spectra of each complex are described, some of which have not been reported previously. These data can now be applied to characterization of biological metal-catecholate systems.