Bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay in low volume.

The BCA assay is a colorimetric method for estimating protein concentration. In 96-well plates, the relationship between protein content and absorbance is nearly linear over a wide range; however, performance is reduced in lower volume. To overcome this limitation, we performed the BCA assays in opaque, white 384-well plates. These plates emit fluorescence between 450-600 nm when excited at 430 nm; thus, their fluorescence is quenched by the BCA chromophore (λ(max) 562 nm). This arrangement allowed accurate determination of protein content using only 2 µL of sample. Moreover, soluble flourescein could replace the white plates, creating a homogenous format.

The HDAC-Associated Sin3B Protein Represses DREAM Complex Targets and Cooperates with APC/C to Promote Quiescence.

The mammalian DREAM complex is responsible for the transcriptional repression of hundreds of cell-cycle-related genes in quiescence. How the DREAM complex recruits chromatin-modifying entities to aid in its repression remains unknown. Using unbiased proteomics analysis, we have uncovered a robust association between the chromatin-associated Sin3B protein and the DREAM complex. We have determined that genetic inactivation of Sin3B results in the de-repression of DREAM target genes during quiescence but is insufficient to allow quiescent cells to resume proliferation. However, inactivation of APC/CCDH1 was sufficient for Sin3B-/- cells, but not parental cells, to re-enter the cell cycle. These studies identify Sin3B as a transcriptional corepressor associated with the DREAM complex in quiescence and reveals a functional cooperation between E2F target repression and APC/CCDH1 in the negative regulation of cell-cycle progression.

Chromatin-Associated Protein SIN3B Prevents Prostate Cancer Progression by Inducing Senescence.

Distinguishing between indolent and aggressive prostate adenocarcinoma remains a priority to accurately identify patients who need therapeutic intervention. SIN3B has been implicated in the initiation of senescence in vitro Here we show that in a mouse model of prostate cancer, SIN3B provides a barrier to malignant progression. SIN3B was required for PTEN-induced cellular senescence and prevented progression to invasive prostate adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, SIN3B was downregulated in human prostate adenocarcinoma correlating with upregulation of its target genes. Our results suggest a tumor suppressor function for SIN3B that limits prostate adenocarcinoma progression, with potential implications for the use of SIN3B and its target genes as candidate diagnostic markers to distinguish indolent from aggressive disease. Cancer Res; 77(19); 5339-48. ©2017 AACR.

Transcriptional repression of Sin3B by Bmi-1 prevents cellular senescence and is relieved by oncogene activation.

The Polycomb group protein Bmi-1 is an essential regulator of cellular senescence and is believed to function largely through the direct repression of the Ink4a/Arf locus. However, concurrent deletion of Ink4a/Arf does not fully rescue the defects detected in Bmi-1(-/-) mice, indicating that additional Bmi-1 targets remain to be identified. The expression of the chromatin-associated Sin3B protein is stimulated by oncogenic stress, and is required for oncogene-induced senescence. Here we demonstrate that oncogenic stress leads to the dissociation of Bmi-1 from the Sin3B locus, resulting in increased Sin3B expression and subsequent entry into cellular senescence. Furthermore, Sin3B is required for the senescent phenotype and elevated levels of reactive oxygen species elicited upon Bmi-1 depletion. Altogether, these results identify Sin3B as a novel direct target of Bmi-1, and establish Bmi-1-driven repression of Sin3B as an essential regulator of cellular senescence.

High-throughput screen for Escherichia coli heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70/DnaK): ATPase assay in low volume by exploiting energy transfer.

Members of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) family of molecular chaperones are emerging as potential therapeutic targets. Their ATPase activity has classically been measured using colorimetric phosphate detection reagents, such as quinaldine red (QR). Although such assays are suitable for 96-well plate formats, they typically lose sensitivity when attempted in lower volume due to path length and meniscus effects. These limitations and Hsp70's weak enzymatic activity have combined to create significant challenges in high-throughput screening. To overcome these difficulties, the authors have adopted an energy transfer strategy that was originally reported by Zuck et al. (Anal Biochem 2005;342:254-259). Briefly, white 384-well plates emit fluorescence when irradiated at 430 nm. In turn, this intrinsic fluorescence can be quenched by energy transfer with the QR-based chromophore. Using this more sensitive approach, the authors tested 55,400 compounds against DnaK, a prokaryotic member of the Hsp70 family. The assay performance was good (Z' ~0.6, coefficient of variation ~8%), and at least one promising new inhibitor was identified. In secondary assays, this compound specifically blocked stimulation of DnaK by its co-chaperone, DnaJ. Thus, this simple and inexpensive adaptation of a colorimetric method might be suitable for screening against Hsp70 family members.