Neutrophil elastase remodels mammary tumors to facilitate lung metastasis.

Metastatic disease remains the leading cause of death due to cancer, yet the mechanism(s) of metastasis and its timely detection remain to be elucidated. Neutrophil elastase (NE), a serine protease secreted by neutrophils, is a crucial mediator of chronic inflammation and tumor progression. In this study, we used the PyMT model (NE+/+ and NE-/-) of breast cancer to interrogate the tumor-intrinsic and -extrinsic mechanisms by which NE can promote metastasis. Our results showed that genetic ablation of NE significantly reduced lung metastasis and improved metastasis-free survival. RNA-sequencing analysis of primary tumors indicated differential regulation of tumor-intrinsic actin cytoskeleton signaling pathways by NE. These NE-regulated pathways are critical for cell-to-cell contact and motility and consistent with the delay in metastasis in NE-/- mice. To evaluate whether pharmacological inhibition of NE inhibited pulmonary metastasis and phenotypically mimicked PyMT NE-/- mice, we utilized AZD9668, a clinically available and specific NE inhibitor. We found AZD9668 treated PyMT-NE+/+ mice showed significantly reduced lung metastases, improved recurrence-free, metastasis-free and overall survival, and their tumors showed similar molecular alterations as those observed in PyMT-NE-/- tumors. Lastly, we identified a NE-specific signature that predicts recurrence and metastasis in breast cancer patients. Collectively, our studies suggest that genetic ablation and pharmacological inhibition of NE reduces metastasis and extends survival of mouse models of breast cancer, providing rationale to examine NE inhibitors as a treatment strategy for the clinical management of metastatic breast cancer patients.

Loss of PPARγ activity characterizes early protumorigenic stromal reprogramming and dictates the therapeutic window of opportunity.

Although robustly expressed in the disease-free (DF) breast stroma, CD36 is consistently absent from the stroma surrounding invasive breast cancers (IBCs). In this study, we primarily observed CD36 expression in adipocytes and intralobular capillaries within the DF breast. Larger vessels concentrated in interlobular regions lacked CD36 and were instead marked by the expression of CD31. When evaluated in perilesional capillaries surrounding ductal carcinoma in situ, a nonobligate IBC precursor, CD36 loss was more commonly observed in lesions associated with subsequent IBC. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) governs the expression of CD36 and genes involved in differentiation, metabolism, angiogenesis, and inflammation. Coincident with CD36 loss, we observed a dramatic suppression of PPARγ and its target genes in capillary endothelial cells (ECs) and pericytes, which typically surround and support the stability of the capillary endothelium. Factors present in conditioned media from malignant cells repressed PPARγ and its target genes not only in cultured ECs and pericytes but also in adipocytes, which require PPARγ for proper differentiation. In addition, we identified a role for PPARγ in opposing the transition of pericytes toward a tumor-supportive myofibroblast phenotype. In mouse xenograft models, early intervention with rosiglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, demonstrated significant antitumor effects; however, following the development of a palpable tumor, the antitumor effects of rosiglitazone were negated by the repression of PPARγ in the mouse stroma. In summary, PPARγ activity in healthy tissues places several stromal cell types in an antitumorigenic state, directly inhibiting EC proliferation, maintaining adipocyte differentiation, and suppressing the transition of pericytes into tumor-supportive myofibroblasts.

Mapping hormone-regulated cell-cell interaction networks in the human breast at single-cell resolution.

The rise and fall of estrogen and progesterone across menstrual cycles and during pregnancy regulates breast development and modifies cancer risk. How these hormones impact each cell type in the breast remains poorly understood because they act indirectly through paracrine networks. Using single-cell analysis of premenopausal breast tissue, we reveal a network of coordinated transcriptional programs representing the tissue-level response to changing hormone levels. Our computational approach, DECIPHER-seq, leverages person-to-person variability in breast composition and cell state to uncover programs that co-vary across individuals. We use differences in cell-type proportions to infer a subset of programs that arise from direct cell-cell interactions regulated by hormones. Further, we demonstrate that prior pregnancy and obesity modify hormone responsiveness through distinct mechanisms: obesity reduces the proportion of hormone-responsive cells, whereas pregnancy dampens the direct response of these cells to hormones. Together, these results provide a comprehensive map of the cycling human breast.

The human type 2 diabetes-specific visceral adipose tissue proteome and transcriptome in obesity.

Dysfunctional visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in obesity is associated with type 2 diabetes (DM) but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Our objective in this discovery analysis was to identify genes and proteins regulated by DM to elucidate aberrant cellular metabolic and signaling mediators. We performed label-free proteomics and RNA-sequencing analysis of VAT from female bariatric surgery subjects with DM and without DM (NDM). We quantified 1965 protein groups, 23 proteins, and 372 genes that were differently abundant in DM vs. NDM VAT. Proteins downregulated in DM were related to fatty acid synthesis and mitochondrial function (fatty acid synthase, FASN; dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase, mitochondrial, E3 component, DLD; succinate dehydrogenase-α, SDHA) while proteins upregulated in DM were associated with innate immunity and transcriptional regulation (vitronectin, VTN; endothelial protein C receptor, EPCR; signal transducer and activator of transcription 5B, STAT5B). Transcriptome indicated defects in innate inflammation, lipid metabolism, and extracellular matrix (ECM) function, and components of complement classical and alternative cascades. The VAT proteome and transcriptome shared 13 biological processes impacted by DM, related to complement activation, cell proliferation and migration, ECM organization, lipid metabolism, and gluconeogenesis. Our data revealed a marked effect of DM in downregulating FASN. We also demonstrate enrichment of complement factor B (CFB), coagulation factor XIII A chain (F13A1), thrombospondin 1 (THBS1), and integrins at mRNA and protein levels, albeit with lower q-values and lack of Western blot or PCR confirmation. Our findings suggest putative mechanisms of VAT dysfunction in DM.

The USP10-HDAC6 axis confers cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer lacking wild-type p53.

Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 10 (USP10) stabilizes both tumor suppressors and oncogenes in a context-dependent manner. However, the nature of USP10's role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. By analyzing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we have shown that high levels of USP10 are associated with poor overall survival in NSCLC with mutant p53, but not with wild-type p53. Consistently, genetic depletion or pharmacological inhibition of USP10 dramatically reduces the growth of lung cancer xenografts lacking wild-type p53 and sensitizes them to cisplatin. Mechanistically, USP10 interacts with, deubiquitinates, and stabilizes oncogenic protein histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6). Furthermore, reintroducing either USP10 or HDAC6 into a USP10-knockdown NSCLC H1299 cell line with null-p53 renders cisplatin resistance. This result suggests the existence of a "USP10-HDAC6-cisplatin resistance" axis. Clinically, we have found a positive correlation between USP10 and HDAC6 expression in a cohort of NSCLC patient samples. Moreover, we have shown that high levels of USP10 mRNA correlate with poor overall survival in a cohort of advanced NSCLC patients who received platinum-based chemotherapy. Overall, our studies suggest that USP10 could be a potential biomarker for predicting patient response to platinum, and that targeting USP10 could sensitize lung cancer patients lacking wild-type p53 to platinum-based therapy.

Developmental Expression of SULT1C4 Transcript Variants in Human Liver: Implications for Discordance Between SULT1C4 mRNA and Protein Levels.

The cytosolic sulfotransferases (SULTs) metabolize a variety of xenobiotic and endogenous substrates. Several SULTs are expressed in the fetus, implying that these enzymes have important functions during human development. We recently reported that while SULT1C4 mRNA is abundant in prenatal human liver specimens, SULT1C4 protein is barely detectable. Two coding transcript variants (TVs) of SULT1C4 are indexed in GenBank, TV1 (full-length) and TV2 (lacking exons 3 and 4). The purpose of this study was to evaluate expression of the individual TVs as a clue for understanding the discordance between mRNA and protein levels. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was initially performed to identify TVs expressed in intestinal and hepatic cell lines. This analysis generated fragments corresponding to TV1, TV2, and a third variant that lacked exon 3 (E3DEL). Using reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays designed to quantify TV1, TV2, or E3DEL individually, all three TVs were more highly expressed in prenatal than postnatal specimens. TV2 levels were ∼fivefold greater than TV1, while E3DEL levels were minimal. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of another set of liver specimens confirmed that TV1 and TV2 levels were highest in prenatal liver, with TV2 higher than TV1. RNA-seq also detected a noncoding RNA, which was also more abundant in prenatal liver. Transfection of HEK293T cells with plasmids expressing individual Asp-Tyr-Lys-Asp-Asp-Asp-Asp-Lys-tagged SULT1C4 isoforms demonstrated that TV1 produced much more protein than did TV2. These data suggest that the lack of correspondence between SULT1C4 mRNA and protein levels in human liver is likely attributable to the inability of the more abundant TV2 to produce stable protein. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Cytosolic sulfotransferases (SULTs) metabolize a variety of xenobiotic and endogenous substrates, and several SULTs are highly expressed in the fetus, implying that they have important functions during human development. SULT1C4 is highly expressed in prenatal liver at the mRNA level but not the protein level. This study provides an explanation for this discordance by demonstrating that the predominant SULT1C4 transcript is a variant that produces relatively little protein.

Cytoplasmic Cyclin E Is an Independent Marker of Aggressive Tumor Biology and Breast Cancer-Specific Mortality in Women over 70 Years of Age.

Multi-cohort analysis demonstrated that cytoplasmic cyclin E expression in primary breast tumors predicts aggressive disease. However, compared to their younger counterparts, older patients have favorable tumor biology and are less likely to die of breast cancer. Biomarkers therefore require interpretation in this specific context. Here, we assess data on cytoplasmic cyclin E from a UK cohort of older women alongside a panel of >20 biomarkers. Between 1973 and 2010, 813 women ≥70 years of age underwent initial surgery for early breast cancer, from which a tissue microarray was constructed (n = 517). Biomarker expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Multivariate analysis of breast cancer-specific survival was performed using Cox's proportional hazards. We found that cytoplasmic cyclin E was the only biological factor independently predictive of breast cancer-specific survival in this cohort of older women (hazard ratio (HR) = 6.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.93-20.14; p = 0.002). At ten years, 42% of older patients with cytoplasmic cyclin E-positive tumors had died of breast cancer versus 8% of negative cases (p < 0.0005). We conclude that cytoplasmic cyclin E is an exquisite marker of aggressive tumor biology in older women. Patients with cytoplasmic cyclin E-negative tumors are unlikely to die of breast cancer. These data have the potential to influence treatment strategy in older patients.

TLR7 activation in epilepsy of tuberous sclerosis complex.

BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation and toll-like receptors (TLR) of the innate immune system have been implicated in epilepsy. We previously reported high levels of microRNAs miR-142-3p and miR-223-3p in epileptogenic brain tissue resected for the treatment of intractable epilepsy in children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). As miR-142-3p has recently been reported to be a ligand and activator of TLR7, a detector of exogenous and endogenous single-stranded RNA, we evaluated TLR7 expression and downstream IL23A activation in surgically resected TSC brain tissue. METHODS: Gene expression analysis was performed on cortical tissue obtained from surgery of TSC children with pharmacoresistent epilepsy. Expression of TLRs 2, 4 and 7 was measured using NanoString nCounter assays. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to confirm TLR7 expression and compare TLR7 activation, indicated by IL-23A levels, to levels of miR-142-3p. Protein markers characteristic for TLR7 activation were assessed using data from our existing quantitative proteomics dataset of TSC tissue. Capillary electrophoresis Western blots were used to confirm TLR7 protein expression in a subset of samples. RESULTS: TLR7 transcript expression was present in all TSC specimens. The signaling competent form of TLR7 protein was detected in the membrane fraction of each sample tested. Downstream activation of TLR7 was found in epileptogenic lesions having elevated neuroinflammation indicated by clinical neuroimaging. TLR7 activity was significantly associated with tissue levels of miR-142-3p. CONCLUSION: TLR7 activation by microRNAs may contribute to the neuroinflammatory cascade in epilepsy in TSC. Further characterization of this mechanism may enable the combined of use of neuroimaging and TLR7 inhibitors in a personalized approach towards the treatment of intractable epilepsy.

Developmental Expression of the Cytosolic Sulfotransferases in Human Liver.

The liver is the predominant organ of metabolism for many endogenous and foreign chemicals. Cytosolic sulfotransferases (SULTs) catalyze the sulfonation of drugs and other xenobiotics, as well as hormones, neurotransmitters, and sterols, with consequences that include enhanced drug elimination, hormone inactivation, and procarcinogen bioactivation. SULTs are classified into six gene families, but only SULT1 and SULT2 enzymes are expressed in human liver. We characterized the developmental expression patterns of SULT1 and SULT2 mRNAs and proteins in human liver samples using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), RNA sequencing, and targeted quantitative proteomics. Using a set of prenatal, infant, and adult liver specimens, RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that SULT1A1 (transcript variant 1) expression did not vary appreciably during development; SULT1C2, 1C4, and 1E1 mRNA levels were highest in prenatal and/or infant liver, and 1A2, 1B1, and 2A1 mRNA levels were highest in infant and/or adult. Hepatic SULT1A1 (transcript variant 5), 1C3, and 2B1 mRNA levels were low regardless of developmental stage. Results obtained with RNA sequencing of a different set of liver specimens (prenatal and pediatric) were generally comparable results to those of the RT-qPCR analysis, with the additional finding that SULT1A3 expression was highest during gestation. Analysis of SULT protein content in a library of human liver cytosols demonstrated that protein levels generally corresponded to the mRNAs, with the major exception that SULT1C4 protein levels were much lower than expected based on mRNA levels. These findings further support the concept that hepatic SULTs play important metabolic roles throughout the human life course, including early development.

Urine proteomic profiling in patients with nephrolithiasis and cystinuria.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to assess the differences in the concentration and function of urinary proteins between patients with cystine stones (CYS) and healthy controls (HC). We postulated that CYS and HC groups would demonstrate different proteomic profiles. METHODS: A pilot study was performed comparing urinary proteomes of 10 patients with CYS and 10 age- and gender-matched HC, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Proteins which met the selection criteria (i) ≥ 2 unique peptide identifications; (ii) ≥ twofold difference in protein abundance; and (iii) ≤ 0.05 p value for the Fisher's Exact Test were analyzed using Gene Ontology classifications. RESULTS: Of the 2097 proteins identified by proteomic analysis, 398 proteins were significantly different between CYS and HC. Of those, 191 were involved in transport processes and 61 in inflammatory responses. The majority were vesicle-mediated transport proteins (78.5%), and 1/3 of them were down-regulated; of those, 12 proteins were involved in endosomal transport (including 6 charged multivesicular body proteins (CHMP) and 3 vacuolar sorting-associated proteins) and 9 in transmembrane transport. Myosin-2 and two actin-related proteins were significantly up-regulated in the vesicle-mediated transport group. CONCLUSION: We provide proteomic evidence of impaired endocytosis, dysregulation of actin and myosin cytoskeleton, and inflammation in CYS. Endosomal transport proteins were down-regulated mainly through defective CHMP. These findings may contribute to further understanding of the pathogenesis of CYS, potentially affecting its management.

Low-Molecular-Weight Cyclin E in Human Cancer: Cellular Consequences and Opportunities for Targeted Therapies.

Cyclin E, a regulatory subunit of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), is central to the initiation of DNA replication at the G1/S checkpoint. Tight temporal control of cyclin E is essential to the coordination of cell-cycle processes and the maintenance of genome integrity. Overexpression of cyclin E in human tumors was first observed in the 1990s and led to the identification of oncogenic roles for deregulated cyclin E in experimental models. A decade later, low-molecular-weight cyclin E (LMW-E) isoforms were observed in aggressive tumor subtypes. Compared with full-length cyclin E, LMW-E hyperactivates CDK2 through increased complex stability and resistance to the endogenous inhibitors p21CIP1 and p27KIP1 LMW-E is predominantly generated by neutrophil elastase-mediated proteolytic cleavage, which eliminates the N-terminal cyclin E nuclear localization signal and promotes cyclin E's accumulation in the cytoplasm. Compared with full-length cyclin E, the aberrant localization and unique stereochemistry of LMW-E dramatically alters the substrate specificity and selectivity of CDK2, increasing tumorigenicity in experimental models. Cytoplasmic LMW-E, which can be assessed by IHC, is prognostic of poor survival and predicts resistance to standard therapies in patients with cancer. These patients may benefit from therapeutic modalities targeting the altered biochemistry of LMW-E or its associated vulnerabilities. Cancer Res; 78(19); 5481-91. ©2018 AACR.

Urinary proteomics reveals association between pediatric nephrolithiasis and cardiovascular disease.

PURPOSE: To study (1) the differences in the relative abundance of urinary proteins between children with kidney stones (RS) and hypercalciuria, hypocitraturia, normal metabolic work-up, and healthy controls (HC); (2) the association of these proteins with various diseases. METHODS: Quantitative proteomic comparison of pooled urine from RS (N = 30, 24 females, mean age 12.95 ± 4.03 years) versus age- and gender-matched HC, using mass spectrometry. Relative protein abundance was estimated using spectral counting. Proteins of interest were selected using the following criteria: (1) ≥ 5 spectral counts; (2) ≥ twofold difference in spectral counts; and (3) ≤ 0.05 p value for the Fisher's Exact Test. RESULTS: Of the 1813 proteins identified, 229 met the above criteria, with 162 proteins up-regulated in the RS group and 67 up-regulated in HC. The largest group of proteins (30 out of 229) was found to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Of those, 16 were involved in coagulation, fibrinolysis, and adhesion, 10 in inflammation, 5 in lipid transport and metabolism, and 4 in oxidative stress. All except two were exclusively found in children with hypercalciuria and hypocitraturia, and were not seen in children with normal metabolic work-up. CONCLUSION: Using a proteomic approach, we found a significant association between hypercalciuric and hypocitraturic nephrolithiasis and CVD in children. The shared risk factors among both diseases are endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis caused by abnormal coagulation, adhesion, disturbance of lipid transport and metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammation. Further understanding of the pathophysiological link between nephrolithiasis and CVD is necessary for developing new therapeutic targets.

Global Signaling Profiling in a Human Model of Tumorigenic Progression Indicates a Role for Alternative RNA Splicing in Cellular Reprogramming.

Intracellular signaling is controlled to a large extent by the phosphorylation status of proteins. To determine how human breast cells can be reprogrammed during tumorigenic progression, we profiled cell lines in the MCF10A lineage by phosphoproteomic analyses. A large cluster of proteins involved in RNA splicing were hypophosphorylated as cells progressed to a hyperplastic state, and then hyperphosphorylated after progression to a fully metastatic phenotype. A comprehensive transcriptomic approach was used to determine whether alterations in splicing factor phosphorylation status would be reflected in changes in mRNA splicing. Results indicated that the degree of mRNA splicing trended with the degree of tumorigenicity of the 4 cell lines tested. That is, highly metastatic cell cultures had the greatest number of genes with splice variants, and these genes had greater fluctuations in expression intensities. Genes with high splicing indices were mapped against gene ontology terms to determine whether they have known roles in cancer. This group showed highly significant associations for angiogenesis, cytokine-mediated signaling, cell migration, programmed cell death and epithelial cell differentiation. In summary, data from global profiling of a human model of breast cancer development suggest that therapeutics should be developed which target signaling pathways that regulate RNA splicing.

Molecular architecture of mouse and human pancreatic zymogen granules: protein components and their copy numbers.

A molecular model of pancreatic zymogen granule (ZG) is critical for understanding its functions. We have extensively characterized the composition and membrane topology of rat ZG proteins. In this study, we report the development of targeted proteomics approaches to quantify representative mouse and human ZG proteins using LC-SRM and heavy isotope-labeled synthetic peptides. The absolute quantities of mouse Rab3D and VAMP8 were determined as 1242 ± 218 and 2039 ± 151 (mean ± SEM) copies per ZG. The size distribution and the averaged diameter of ZGs 750 ± 23 nm (mean ± SEM) were determined by atomic force microscopy. The absolute quantification of Rab3D was then validated using semi-quantitative Western blotting with purified GST-Rab3D proteins as an internal standard. To extend our proteomics analysis to human pancreas, ZGs were purified using human acini obtained from pancreatic islet transplantation center. One hundred and eighty human ZG proteins were identified for the first time including both the membrane and the content proteins. Furthermore, the copy number per ZG of human Rab3D and VAMP8 were determined to be 1182 ± 45 and 485 ± 15 (mean ± SEM). The comprehensive proteomic analyses of mouse and human pancreatic ZGs have the potential to identify species-specific ZG proteins. The determination of protein copy numbers on pancreatic ZGs represents a significant advance towards building a quantitative molecular model of a prototypical secretory vesicle using targeted proteomics approaches. The identification of human ZG proteins lays a foundation for subsequent studies of altered ZG compositions and secretion in pancreatic diseases.

A feasible method for As speciation in several types of seafood by LC-ICP-MS/MS.

A method for arsenic speciation in shark, shrimp, squid, oyster and scallop using liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-ICP-MS/MS) was proposed. Suitable sensitivity and selectivity by LC-ICP-MS/MS were obtained using 10 mmol L-1 (NH4)2HPO4 diluted in 1% methanol (pH 8.65) as mobile phase. Recoveries from 90 to 104% for arsenobetaine (AsB), arsenite [As(III)], dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and arsenate [As(V)] were obtained for all samples. A certificated reference material was also analyzed and the sum of As species was in agreement with the total As concentration. Limits of quantification (LOQ) for AsB, As(III), DMA, MMA, and As(V) were 6, 30, 6, 12 and 26 ng g-1, respectively. Higher concentration of AsB was found in all seafood, while As(III) and DMA were found only in oyster. Arsenate was found in squid and scallops, and MMA was below the LOQ in all samples.

Low level Hg2+ exposure modulates the B-cell cytoskeletal phosphoproteome.

Exposure of Wehi-231 B-cells to Hg2+ for 5min resulted in concentration dependent changes in protein phosphorylations. Phosphorylation was quantified using mass spectrometry to analyze TiO2 and anti-pTyr antibody selected phosphopeptides from Wehi-231 digests. The most frequent and largest amplitude responses to Hg2+ exposure were increased phosphorylation although a decrease was observed for 1% of phosphoproteins detected in the untreated cells. A subset of proteins responded with an increase in phosphorylation to Hg2+ exposure at low micromolar concentrations. The majority of proteins required Hg2+ over 20µM in order to increase phosphorylation. Ser/Thr phosphorylations are prominent in the cytoskeletal organization and the GTPase signaling systems and these systems are notable as the primary ones responding to the lowest concentrations of Hg2+. Systems that required higher concentrations of Hg2+ to increase phosphorylation included immune receptor signaling. The proteins for which an increase in phosphorylation occurred at Hg2+ above 20µM have a higher proportion of pTyr sites. Anti Ig stimulation of Wehi-231 cells confirmed that cytoskeletal protein phosphorylation and GTPase signaling are modulated in physiologically relevant B-cell receptor activation. Candidate kinases that respond to Hg2+ exposure at the low µM concentrations include MAP Kinase 1, CaM Kinase II delta and PAK2. SIGNIFICANCE: Mercury (Hg) is a wide spread environmental toxicant. Epidemiological and laboratory studies suggest that exposure to environmental Hg at current levels, which have been perceived to be non-toxic, may contribute to immune system dysfunction and autoimmune disease in humans and animals respectively. While we have previously shown that exposure of B lymphocytes to low levels of mercury interferes with B-cell receptor signaling mediated by post transcriptional phosphorylation events, overall the mechanism that is responsible for increased autoimmunity in mercury exposed human or animal populations is not well understood. The current study evaluated the dose dependent actions of mercury to change phosphorylation in the Wehi-231 cell line, an immature B-cell model in which actions of mercury on development of cell function can be evaluated. The study identified the cytoskeletal proteins as the most sensitive to modulation by mercury with changes in Ser/Thr phosphorylation being observed at the lowest concentrations of mercury. These findings indicate that the actions of mercury on B-cell immune function and development are at least in part likely mediated through changes in cytoskeletal protein phosphorylation.

Mercury alters endogenous phosphorylation profiles of SYK in murine B cells.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological evidence and animal models suggest that exposure to low and non-neurotoxic concentrations of mercury may contribute to idiosyncratic autoimmune disease. Since defects in function and signaling in B cells are often associated with autoimmunity, we investigated whether mercury exposure might alter B cell responsiveness to self-antigens by interfering with B cell receptor (BCR) signal transduction. In this study we determined the effects of mercury on the protein tyrosine kinase SYK, a critical protein involved in regulation of the BCR signaling pathway. METHODS: Phosphorylation sites of murine SYK were mapped before and after treatment of WEHI cell cultures with mercury, or with anti-IgM antibody (positive control) or pervanadate (a potent phosphatase inhibitor). Phosphopeptides were enriched by either titanium dioxide chromatography or anti-phosphotyrosine immunoaffinity, and analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Select SYK phosphosite cluster regions were profiled for responsiveness to treatments using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) methodology. RESULTS: A total of 23 phosphosites were identified with high probability in endogenous SYK, including 19 tyrosine and 4 serine residues. For 10 of these sites phosphorylation levels were increased following BCR activation. Using MRM to profile changes in phosphorylation status we found that 4 cluster regions, encompassing 8 phosphosites, were activated by mercury and differentially responsive to all 3 treatments. Phosphorylation of tyrosine-342 and -346 residues were most sensitive to mercury exposure. This cluster is known to propagate normal BCR signal transduction by recruiting adaptor proteins such as PLC-γ and Vav-1 to SYK during formation of the BCR signalosome. CONCLUSIONS: Our data shows that mercury alters the phosphorylation status of SYK on tyrosine sites known to have a role in promoting BCR signals. Considering the importance of SYK in the BCR signaling pathway, these data suggest that mercury can alter BCR signaling in B cells, which might affect B cell responsiveness to self-antigen and have implications with respect to autoimmunity and autoimmune disease.

Marked increase in urinary excretion of apolipoproteins in children with nephrolithiasis associated with hypercalciuria.

BACKGROUND: Using a proteomic approach, we aimed to identify and compare the urinary excretion of proteins involved in lipid transport and metabolism in children with kidney stones and hypercalciuria (CAL), hypocitraturia (CIT), and normal metabolic work-up (NM), and in healthy controls (HCs). Additionally, we aimed to confirm these results using ELISA, and to examine the relationship between the urinary excretion of selected proteins with demographic, dietary, blood, and urinary parameters. METHODS: Prospective, controlled, pilot study of pooled urine from CAL, CIT, and NM versus age- and gender-matched HCs, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Relative protein abundance was estimated using spectral counting. Results were confirmed by ELISA performed on individual samples. RESULTS: Of the 1,813 proteins identified, 230 met the above criteria. Of those, 5 proteins (apolipoprotein A-II [APOA2]; apolipoprotein A-IV [APOA4]; apolipoprotein C-III [APOA3]; fatty acid-binding protein, liver [FABPL]; fatty acid-binding protein, adipocyte [FABP4]) involved in lipid metabolism and transport were found in the CAL group, with significant differences compared with HCs. ELISA analysis indicated statistically significant differences in the urinary excretion of APOC3, APOA4, and FABPL in the CAL group compared with HCs. Twenty-four-hour urinary calcium excretion correlated significantly with concentrations of ApoC3 (r = 0.77, p < 0.001), and FABPL (r = 0.80, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: We provide proteomic data showing increased urinary excretion of lipid metabolism/transport-related proteins in children with kidney stones and hypercalciuria. These findings suggest that abnormalities in lipid metabolism might play a role in kidney stone formation.

Proteomic profile of embryonic stem cells with low survival motor neuron protein is consistent with developmental dysfunction.

Spinal muscular atrophy is an autosomal recessive motor neuron disease caused by a genetic defect carried by as many as one in 75 people. Unlike most neurological disorders, we know exactly what the genetic basis is of the disorder, but in spite of this, have little understanding of why the low levels of one protein, survival motor neuron protein, results in the specific progressive die back of only one cell type in the body, the motor neuron. Given the fact that all cells in the body of a patient with spinal muscular atrophy share the same low abundance of the protein throughout development, an appropriate approach is to ask how lower levels of survival motor neuron protein affects the proteome of embryonic stem cells prior to development. Convergent biostatistical analyses of a discovery proteomic analysis of these cells provide results that are consistent with the pathomechanistic fate of the developed motor neuron.