Tex19.1 inhibits the N-end rule pathway and maintains acetylated SMC3 cohesin and sister chromatid cohesion in oocytes.

Age-dependent oocyte aneuploidy, a major cause of Down syndrome, is associated with declining sister chromatid cohesion in postnatal oocytes. Here we show that cohesion in postnatal mouse oocytes is regulated by Tex19.1. We show Tex19.1-/- oocytes have defects maintaining chiasmata, missegregate their chromosomes during meiosis, and transmit aneuploidies to the next generation. Furthermore, we show that mouse Tex19.1 inhibits N-end rule protein degradation mediated by its interacting partner UBR2, and that Ubr2 itself has a previously undescribed role in negatively regulating the acetylated SMC3 subpopulation of cohesin in mitotic somatic cells. Lastly, we show that acetylated SMC3 is associated with meiotic chromosome axes in mouse oocytes, and that this population of cohesin is specifically depleted in the absence of Tex19.1. These findings indicate that Tex19.1 regulates UBR protein activity to maintain acetylated SMC3 and sister chromatid cohesion in postnatal oocytes and prevent aneuploidy from arising in the female germline.

Mobilization of LINE-1 retrotransposons is restricted by Tex19.1 in mouse embryonic stem cells.

Mobilization of retrotransposons to new genomic locations is a significant driver of mammalian genome evolution, but these mutagenic events can also cause genetic disorders. In humans, retrotransposon mobilization is mediated primarily by proteins encoded by LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposons, which mobilize in pluripotent cells early in development. Here we show that TEX19.1, which is induced by developmentally programmed DNA hypomethylation, can directly interact with the L1-encoded protein L1-ORF1p, stimulate its polyubiquitylation and degradation, and restrict L1 mobilization. We also show that TEX19.1 likely acts, at least in part, through promoting the activity of the E3 ubiquitin ligase UBR2 towards L1-ORF1p. Moreover, loss of Tex19.1 increases L1-ORF1p levels and L1 mobilization in pluripotent mouse embryonic stem cells, implying that Tex19.1 prevents de novo retrotransposition in the pluripotent phase of the germline cycle. These data show that post-translational regulation of L1 retrotransposons plays a key role in maintaining trans-generational genome stability in mammals.

Differential effects of wild-type and A53T mutant isoform of alpha-synuclein on the mitochondrial proteome of differentiated SH-SY5Y cells.

Increased levels of wild-type (WT) alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) and mutant A53T alpha-syn are associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), a disease linked to abnormal mitochondrial function. This study compared mitochondria prepared from differentiated SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing WT or A53T alpha-syn with control cells, using 2-D difference in-gel electrophoresis. Statistical analysis was carried out primarily using ANOVA (p < 0.01; Host:WT:A53T) and subsequently using independent t tests (host vs WT, host vs A53T). Of the protein spots found to be differentially expressed (n = 71; p < 0.01, >1.8/<-1.8 fold change), 63 proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS, with the majority (77%) significantly altered in WT samples only. Twenty-three proteins known to be integral components of the mitochondria were abnormally expressed including those with roles in ATP synthesis, oxidoreduction, motor activity, carbohydrate metabolism, protein transcription, and protein folding. Thirteen forms of cytoskeletal proteins were also found to be overexpressed in the mitochondrial preparations from WT alpha-syn cells, suggesting an increased interaction of mitochondria with the cytoskeletal network. Altered levels of four mitochondrial proteins (HSPA9 (mortalin), NDUFS1, DLAT, ATP5A1) were confirmed using Western blot analysis. Furthermore, a significant reduction in OXPHOS 1 activity was observed in the WT alpha-syn cells, suggesting that there are functional consequences of the observed altered protein expression changes in the mitochondria.

alpha-Synuclein modulation of Ca2+ signaling in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized in part by the presence of alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) rich intracellular inclusions (Lewy bodies). Mutations and multiplication of the alpha-synuclein gene (SNCA) are associated with familial PD. Since Ca2+ dyshomeostasis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD, we used fluorimetry in fura-2 loaded SH-SY5Y cells to monitor Ca2+ homeostasis in cells stably transfected with either wild-type alpha-syn, the A53T mutant form, the S129D phosphomimetic mutant or with empty vector (which served as control). Voltage-gated Ca2+ influx evoked by exposure of cells to 50 mM K+ was enhanced in cells expressing all three forms of alpha-syn, an effect which was due specifically to increased Ca2+ entry via L-type Ca2+ channels. Mobilization of Ca2+ by muscarine was not strikingly modified by any of the alpha-syn forms, but they all reduced capacitative Ca2+ entry following store depletion caused either by muscarine or thapsigargin. Emptying of stores with cyclopiazonic acid caused similar rises of [Ca2+](i) in all cells tested (with the exception of the S129D mutant), and mitochondrial Ca2+ content was unaffected by any form of alpha-synuclein. However, only WT alpha-syn transfected cells displayed significantly impaired viability. Our findings suggest that alpha-syn regulates Ca2+ entry pathways and, consequently, that abnormal alpha-syn levels may promote neuronal damage through dysregulation of Ca2+ homeostasis.

Proteomic analysis of increased Parkin expression and its interactants provides evidence for a role in modulation of mitochondrial function.

Parkin is an ubiquitin-protein ligase (E3), mutations of which cause juvenile onset - autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease, and result in reduced enzymic activity. In contrast, increased levels are protective against mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegeneration, the mechanism of which is largely unknown. In this study, 2-DE and MS proteomic techniques were utilised to investigate the effects of increased Parkin levels on protein expression in whole cell lysates using in an inducible Parkin expression system in HEK293 cells, and also to isolate potential interactants of Parkin using tandem affinity purification and MS. Nine proteins were significantly differentially expressed (+/-2-fold change; p<0.05) using 2-DE analysis. MS revealed the identity of these proteins to be ACAT2, HNRNPK, HSPD1, PGK1, PRDX6, VCL, VIM, TPI1, and IMPDH2. The first seven of these were reduced in expression. Western blot analysis confirmed the reduction in one of these proteins (HNRNPK), and that its levels were dependent on 26S proteasomal activity. Tandem affinity purification/MS revealed 14 potential interactants of Parkin; CKB, DBT, HSPD1, HSPA9, LRPPRC, NDUFS2, PRDX6, SLC25A5, TPI1, UCHL1, UQCRC1, VCL, YWHAZ, YWHAE. Nine of these are directly involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism and glycolysis; four were also identified in the 2-DE study (HSP60, PRDX6, TPI1, and VCL). This study provides further evidence for a role for Parkin in regulating mitochondrial activity within cells.

The aggravating role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in neurodegeneration.

Association of protein inclusions or aggregates within brain tissues of patients with neurodegenerative disorders has been widely reported. These inclusions are commonly characterised both by the presence of ubiquitylated proteins and the sequestration of components of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Such observations have led to the proposition that the UPS has a direct role in their formation. Indeed, the presence of ubiquitylated proteins and UPS components in inclusions may reflect unsuccessful attempts by the UPS to remove aggregating proteins. Whether the physical presence of inclusions causes cell death or, conversely, whether they are non-toxic and their presence reflects a cellular protective mechanism remains highly controversial.

No association of a dodecamer duplication in the human opposite paired (HOPA) gene with mental retardation and schizophrenia in Chinese patients from Taiwan.

The human opposite paired-containing (HOPA) gene is believed to be a co-activator of the thyroid hormone receptor and involved in thyroid hormone signal transduction. The gene consists of 45 exons and includes a dodecamer duplication in exon 43, which has been reported to be associated with mental retardation, autism, psychiatric disorders and hypothyroidism. We were interested to know if the 12-bp duplication variant of the HOPA gene is a risk factor for mental retardation and schizophrenia in the Chinese population. We investigated the prevalence of the 12-bp variant in a sample of Chinese mental retardation and schizophrenic patients from Taiwan by PCR-based genotyping. None of the mentally retarded and schizophrenic patients were found to have this dodecamer duplication variant. Our results indicate that the HOPA polymorphism might be very rare in our population and is unlikely to be a major risk factor for mental retardation and schizophrenia in the Chinese population.

Systematic mutation analysis of the human glutamate receptor, ionotropic, N-methyl-D-aspartate 1 gene(GRIN1) in schizophrenic patients.

Schizophrenia is a severe, complex mental disorder with unknown etiology. Abnormal glutamate neurotransmission has been proposed as one of the hypotheses of the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Mohn recently reported that transgenic mice with the reduced glutamate receptor, ionotropic, -methyl-D-aspartate 1 gene (GRIN1) (formerly referred to as NMDAR1) expression display schizophrenia-like behaviors, which can be ameliorated by antipsychotic drug treatment. Their report promoted us to examine whether mutations in the human GRIN1 gene may convey genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia. To test this possibility, we systematically screened mutations in the promoter region and in all the exons of the human GRIN1 gene in a cohort of Chinese schizophrenic patients from Taiwan. Using single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and autosequencing, we identified two single nucleotide polymorphisms, designated g.-1140G>A and g.-855G>C, respectively, at the 5'-untranslated region of the human GRIN1 gene. Genetic association study, however, revealed no association of these two single nucleotide polymorphisms with schizophrenia in our patients. Besides, no other mutations of the human GRIN1 gene were detected in this study. Our data suggest that the human GRIN1 gene may not contribute substantially to the genetic etiology of schizophrenia in our population.

Mutation analysis of synapsin III gene in schizophrenia.

Synapsin III is a new synapsin family gene with the putative function of synaptogenesis regulation and neurotransmitter release in the brain. The gene was mapped to 22q12-q13, a schizophrenia susceptible region gene as suggested by several linkage studies. Hence, the synapsin III gene is considered a candidate gene of schizophrenia. We systematically sequenced the protein coding and 5'-promoter regions of the synapsin III gene to look for mutations in 62 Han Chinese schizophrenic patients from Taiwan with positive family history. Further case-control association study was performed among 163 patients and 151 controls using the genetic polymorphic markers identified from these 62 patients. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified: g.-631C > G and g.-196G>A at 5'-promoter region, and g.69G>A at exon 1. Besides, no other mutations were identified in these patients. The g.69G>A polymorphism does not alter the amino acid threonine at codon 23 (ACG>ACA). Further case-control association studies also did not find significant differences of genotype or allele frequency distributions of these three polymorphisms between 163 patients and 151 non-psychotic comparison individuals. Hence, our data are not in favor of a large effect of synapsin III gene in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.