Long non-coding RNA MEG3 mediates the miR-149-3p/FOXP3 axis by reducing p53 ubiquitination to exert a suppressive effect on regulatory T cell differentiation and immune escape in esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) has been implicated in the progression of esophageal cancer (EC). However, the specific mechanism of the involvement of MEG3 in EC development in relation to the regulation of immune escape remains uncertain. Thus, the aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of MEG3 on EC via microRNA-149-3p (miR-149-3p). METHODS: Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were initially performed in EC cells in addition to the establishment of a 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide-induced EC mouse model aimed at evaluating the respective roles of forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), MEG3, miR-149-3p, mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) and p53 in T cell differentiation and immune escape observed in EC. RESULTS: EC tissues were found to exhibit upregulated FOXP3 and MDM2 while MEG3, p53 and miR-149-3p were all downregulated. FOXP3 was confirmed to be a target gene of miR-149-3p with our data suggesting it reduced p53 ubiquitination and degradation by means of inhibiting MDM2. P53 was enriched in the promoter of miR-149-3p to upregulate miR-149-3p. The overexpression of MEG3, p53 or miR-149-3p or silencing FOXP3 was associated with a decline in CD25+FOXP3+CD4+ T cells, IL-10+CD4+ T cells and IL-4+CD4+ T cells in spleen tissues, IL-4, and IL-10 levels as well as C-myc, N-myc and Ki-67 expression in EC mice. CONCLUSION: Collectively, MEG3 decreased FOXP3 expression and resulted in repressed regulatory T cell differentiation and immune escape in EC mice by upregulating miR-149-3p via MDM2-mediated p53.

Expression and processing of fluorescent fusion proteins of amyloid precursor protein (APP).

Processing of ß-amyloid precursor protein (APP) by ß- and γ-secretases in neurons produces amyloid-ß (Aß), whose excess accumulation leads to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Knowledge on subcellular trafficking pathways of APP and its fragments is important for the understanding of AD pathogenesis. We designed fusion proteins comprising a C-terminal fragment of APP (app) and fluorescent proteins GFP (G) and DsRed (D) to permit the tracking of the fusion proteins and fragments in cells. CAD cells expressing these proteins emitted colocalized green and red fluorescence and produce ectodomains, sGapp and sRapp, and Aß, whose level was reduced by inhibitors of ß- and γ-secretases. The presence of GappR in endosomes was observed via colocalization with Rab5. These observations indicated that the fusion proteins were membrane inserted, transported in vesicles and proteolytically processed by the same mechanism for APP. By attenuating fusion protein synthesis with cycloheximide, individual fluorescent colors from the C-terminus of the fusion proteins appeared in the cytosol which was strongly suppressed by ß-secretase inhibitor, suggesting that the ectodomains exit the cell rapidly (t1/2 about 20min) while the C-terminal fragments were retained longer in cells. In live cells, we observed the fluorescence of the ectodomains located between parental fusion proteins and plasma membrane, suggesting that these ectodomain positions are part of their secretion pathway. Our results indicate that the native ectodomain does not play a decisive role for the key features of APP trafficking and processing and the new fusion proteins may lead to novel insights in intracellular activities of APP.

Long non-coding RNA NCK1-AS1 functions as a ceRNA to regulate cell viability and invasion in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via microRNA-133b/ENPEP axis.

This study is designed to explore the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) NCK1-AS1 in proliferative and invasive activities of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells by binding to microRNA-133b (miR-133b) to regulate ENPEP. Differentially expressed lncRNAs, miRs, genes and their targeting relationships were screened on ESCC-related gene expression datasets GSE17351 and GSE6188. The targeting relationships among NCK1-AS1, miR-133b, and ENPEP were verified using functional assays. Loss- and gain- of function assays were carried out to examine the roles of NCK1-AS1, miR-133b, and ENPEP in ESCC cell proliferative, invasive, migrative and apoptotic abilities as well as tumorigenesis in vivo. Elevated NCK1-AS1 and ENPEP but reduced miR-133b expression were found in ESCC. NCK1-AS1 knockdown or miR-133b overexpression inhibited the malignant properties of ESCC cells as well as tumorigenesis in vivo. NCK1-AS1 regulated the ENPEP expression by competitively binding to miR-133b. ENPEP overexpression reversed inhibition of NCK1-AS1 knockdown on the function of ESCC cells. This study provides evidence that silencing NCK1-AS1 inhibits expression of ENPEP by sponging miR-133b, thereby suppressing ESCC.

The Effect and Mechanism of Curcumin Combined with Carboplatin Chemotherapy Promoting on Apoptosis of Lung Cancer HCC827 Cells.

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of curcumin (CUR) killing lung cancer HCC827 cell spheres. Method: HCC827 cell spheres were cultured in serum-free medium, and the protein expression of CD133, SOX2, EpCAM, and ABCG2 was detected by western blot. MTT was used to evaluate the cell viability of HCC827 cell spheres and HCC827 cell after they were treated by 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 mg/mL carboplatin (CBP) for 48 h. The inhibitory effects of 10 µM, 50 µM, 100 µM, and 200 µM CUR on GST (glutathione S-transferase) activity in HCC827 cell spheres were determined by colorimetry. The flow cytometry (FCM), western blot, qPCR, luciferase assay, and microscopy were used to detect the ROS levels, cell pelletization ability, ß-catenin, SOX2, and ABCG2 mRNA and the promoter activity of ß-catenin upon of HCC827 cell spheres treated with 200 µM CUR for 48 h. The HCC827 cell spheres were infected with ß-catenin adenovirus, and then cells were treated with 200 µM CUR (and/or no 5 mg/mL CBP) for 24 h. The mRNA and protein expression of ß-catenin, SOX2, and ABCG2 was detected by qPCR and western blot, and cell growth inhibition of HCC827 cell spheres was evaluated by MTT. Result: The expression of stem cells marker CD133, SOX2, EpCAM, and drug resistance-related gene ABCG2 mRNA is higher in HCC827 cell spheres, and HCC827 cell spheres resisted the killing effect of difference doses of CBP. The activity of GST of HCC827 cell spheres was inhibited by 10 µM, 50 µM, 100 µM, and 200 µM CUR. It was a dose-dependent manner. After 200 µM CUR had treated HCC827 cell spheres for 48 h, the level of ROS was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the mRNA and protein expression of ß-catenin, SOX2, and ABCG2 and promoter activity of ß-catenin were notably decreased (P < 0.05), compared to the control group. Furthermore, the formed-sphere ability of HCC827 sphere was inhibited after cells were treated with 200 µM CUR. 200 µM CUR could suppress the proliferation of HCC827 cell spheres and induced cell apoptosis. The proliferation of HCC827 cell spheres was significantly inhibited, and cell apoptosis rate was increased by 200 µM CUR combined with 5 mg/mL CBP than by 200 µM CUR alone. Upregulation of ß-catenin by adenovirus partly reversed the effect of CUR inhibition of the expression of ß-catenin, SOX2, and ABCG2, compared to empty vector adenovirus group. Additionally, overexpression of ß-catenin significantly remitted the inhibitory effect of 200 µM CUR combined with 5 mg/mL CBP on the proliferation of HCC827 cell spheres. Conclusion: CUR inhibited the cell proliferation and stem cell trait and induced apoptosis in HCC827 cell spheres by the inhibition of GST activity and ß-catenin expression. CUR is expected to become a treatment for lung cancer and lung cancer stem cells.

Apolipoprotein receptor 2 and X11 alpha/beta mediate apolipoprotein E-induced endocytosis of amyloid-beta precursor protein and beta-secretase, leading to amyloid-beta production.

The homeostasis of amyloid-beta (Abeta) in the brain is critical to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Abeta is a fragment of amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP) generated in neurons by two proteases, beta- and gamma-secretases. APP and beta-secretase, both present on cell surface, are endocytosed into endosomes to produce Abeta. The molecular mechanism by which neurons trigger the production of Abeta is poorly understood. We describe here evidence that the binding of lipid-carrying apolipoprotein E (ApoE) to receptor apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2) triggers the endocytosis of APP, beta-secretase, and ApoER2 in neuroblastoma cells, leading to the production of Abeta. This mechanism, mediated by adaptor protein X11alpha or X11beta (X11alpha/beta), whose PTB (phosphotyrosine-binding) domain binds to APP and a newly recognized motif in the cytosolic domain of ApoER2. Isomorphic form ApoE4 triggers the production of more Abeta than by ApoE2 or ApoE3; thus, it may play a role in the genetic risk of ApoE4 for the sporadic AD. The mechanism, which functions independently from Reelin-ApoER2 interaction, also provides a link between lipid uptake and Abeta production, which may be important for the regulation of neuronal activity.

Analysis of the interaction between GGA1 GAT domain and Rabaptin-5.

GGAs are a family of adaptor proteins involved in vesicular transport. As an effector of the small GTPase Arf, GGA interacts using its GAT domain with the GTP-bound form of Arf. The GAT domain is also found to interact with ubiquitin and rabaptin-5. Rabaptin-5 is, in turn, an effector of another small GTPase, Rab5, which regulates early endosome fusion. The interaction between GGAs and rabaptin-5 is likely to take place in a pathway between the trans-Golgi network and early endosomes. This chapter describes in vitro biochemical characterization of the interaction between the GGA1 GAT domain and rabaptin-5. Combining with the complex crystal structure, we reveal that the binding mode is helix bundle-to-helix bundle in nature.

Stabilin-1 localizes to endosomes and the trans-Golgi network in human macrophages and interacts with GGA adaptors.

Stabilin-1 and stabilin-2 constitute a novel family of fasciclin domain-containing hyaluronan receptor homologues recently described by us. Whereas stabilin-1 is expressed in sinusoidal endothelial cells and in macrophages in vivo, stabilin-2 is absent from the latter. In the present study, we analyzed the subcellular distribution of stabilin-1 in primary human macrophages. Using flow cytometry, expression of stabilin-1 was demonstrated on the surface of interleukin-4/dexamethasone-stimulated macrophages (MPhi2). By immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, we established that stabilin-1 is preferentially localized in early endosome antigen-1-positive early/sorting endosomes and in recycling endosomes identified by transferrin endocytosis. Association of stabilin-1 was infrequently seen with p62 lck ligand-positive late endosomes and with CD63-positive lysosomes but not in lysosome-associated membrane protein-1-positive lysosomes. Stabilin-1 was also found in the trans-Golgi network (TGN) but not in Golgi stack structures. Glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay revealed that the cytoplasmic tail of stabilin-1 but not stabilin-2 binds to recently discovered Golgi-localized, gamma-ear-containing, adenosine 5'-diphosphate-ribosylation factor-binding (GGA) adaptors GGA1, GGA2, and GGA3 long, mediating traffic between Golgi and endosomal/lysosomal compartments. Stabilin-1 did not bind to GGA3 short, which lacks a part of the Vps27p/Hrs/STAM domain. Deletion of DDSLL and LL amino acid motifs resulted in decreased binding of stabilin-1 with GGAs. A small portion of stabilin-1 colocalized with GGA2 and GGA3 in the TGN in MPhi2. Treatment with brefeldin A resulted in accumulation of stabilin-1 in the TGN. Our results suggest that stabilin-1 is involved in the GGA-mediated sorting processes at the interface of the biosynthetic and endosomal pathways; similarly to other GGA-interacting proteins, stabilin-1 may thus function in endocytic and secretory processes of human macrophages.

Memapsin 2 (beta-secretase) cytosolic domain binds to the VHS domains of GGA1 and GGA2: implications on the endocytosis mechanism of memapsin 2.

Memapsin 2, or beta-secretase, is a membrane-anchored aspartic protease that initiates the cleavage of beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) leading to the production of beta-amyloid peptide in the brain and the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Memapsin 2 and APP are both endocytosed into endosomes for cleavage. Here we show that the cytosolic domain of memapsin 2, but not that of memapsin 1, binds the VHS domains of GGA1 and GGA2. Gel-immobilized VHS domains of GGA1 and GGA2 also bound to full-length memapsin 2 from cell mammalian lysates. Mutagenesis studies established that Asp(496), Leu(499) and Leu(500) were essential for the binding. The spacing of these three residues in memapsin 2 is identical to those in the cytosolic domains of mannose-6-phosphate receptors, sortilin and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 3. These observations suggest that the endocytosis and intracellular transport of memapsin 2, mediated by its cytosolic domain, may involve the binding of GGA1 and GGA2.

Crystal structure of GGA2 VHS domain and its implication in plasticity in the ligand binding pocket.

Golgi-localized, gamma-ear-containing, ARF binding (GGA) proteins regulate intracellular vesicle transport by recognizing sorting signals on the cargo surface in the initial step of the budding process. The VHS (VPS27, Hrs, and STAM) domain of GGA binds with the signal peptides. Here, a crystal structure of the VHS domain of GGA2 is reported at 2.2 A resolution, which permits a direct comparison with that of homologous proteins, GGA1 and GGA3. Significant structural difference is present in the loop between helices 6 and 7, which forms part of the ligand binding pocket. Intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopic study indicates that this loop undergoes a conformational change upon ligand binding. Thus, the current structure suggests that a conformational change induced by ligand binding occurs in this part of the ligand pocket.

GGA proteins mediate the recycling pathway of memapsin 2 (BACE).

Memapsin 2 (BACE, beta-secretase) is a membrane-associated aspartic protease that initiates the hydrolysis of beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) leading to the production of amyloid-beta (A beta) and the progression of Alzheimer disease. Both memapsin 2 and APP are transported from the cell surface to endosomes where APP is cleaved by memapsin 2. We described previously that the cytosolic domain of memapsin 2 contains an acid cluster-dileucine motif (ACDL) that binds the VHS (Vps-27, Hrs, and STAM) domain of Golgi-localized gamma-ear-containing ARF-binding (GGA) proteins (He, X., Zhu, G., Koelsch, G., Rodgers, K. K., Zhang, X. C., and Tang, J. (2003) Biochemistry 42, 12174-12180). Here we report that GGA proteins colocalize in the trans-Golgi network and endosomes with memapsin 2 and a memapsin 2 chimera containing a cytosolic domain of a mannose-6-phosphate receptor. Depleting cellular GGA proteins with RNA interference or mutation of serine 498 to stop the phosphorylation of ACDL resulted in the accumulation of memapsin 2 in early endosomes. A similar change of memapsin 2 localization also was observed when a retromer subunit, VPS26, was depleted. These observations suggest that GGA proteins function with the phosphorylated ACDL in the memapsin 2-recycling pathway from endosomes to trans-Golgi on the way back to the cell surface.

Biochemical and structural characterization of the interaction of memapsin 2 (beta-secretase) cytosolic domain with the VHS domain of GGA proteins.

Memapsin 2 (beta-secretase) is a membrane-associated aspartic protease that initiates the hydrolysis of beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) leading to the production of amyloid-beta and the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Both memapsin 2 and APP are transported from the cell surface to endosomes where APP hydrolysis takes place. Thus, the intracellular transport mechanism of memapsin 2 is important for understanding the pathogenesis of AD. We have previously shown that the cytosolic domain of memapsin 2 contains an acid-cluster-dileucine (ACDL) motif that binds the VHS domain of GGA proteins (He et al. (2002) FEBS Lett. 524, 183-187). This mechanism is the presumed recognition step for the vesicular packaging of memapsin 2 for its transport to endosomes. The phosphorylation of a serine residue within the ACDL motif has been reported to regulate the recycling of memapsin 2 from early endosomes back to the cell surface. Here, we report a study on the memapsin 2/VHS domain interaction. Using isothermal titration calorimetry, the dissociation constant, K(d), values are 4.0 x 10(-4), 4.1 x 10(-4), and 3.1 x 10(-4) M for VHS domains from GGA1, GGA2, and GGA3, respectively. With the serine residue replaced by phosphoserine, the K(d) decreased about 10-, 4-, and 14-fold for the same three VHS domains. A crystal structure of the complex between memapsin 2 phosphoserine peptide and GGA1 VHS was solved at 2.6 A resolution. The side chain of the phosphoserine group does not interact with the VHS domain but forms an ionic interaction with the side chain of the C-terminal lysine of the ligand peptide. Energy calculation of the binding of native and phosphorylated peptides to VHS domains suggests that this intrapeptide ionic bond in solution may reduce the change in binding entropy and thus increase binding affinity.

Structural features of human memapsin 2 (beta-secretase) and their biological and pathological implications.

Memapsin 2 (beta-secretase) is the membrane-anchored aspartic protease that initiates the cleavage of beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) leading to the production of amyloid-beta (Abeta), a major factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since memapsin 2 is a major target for the development of inhibitor drugs for AD, it has been intensively studied during the past five years. Here we discuss the structural features of the catalytic/specificity apparatus, transmembrane domain, cytosolic domain and the implications of these features in the physiological and pathological roles of this protease.

Structural basis for thermostability of beta-glycosidase from the thermophilic eubacterium Thermus nonproteolyticus HG102.

The three-dimensional structure of a thermostable beta-glycosidase (Gly(Tn)) from the thermophilic eubacterium Thermus nonproteolyticus HG102 was determined at a resolution of 2.4 A. The core of the structure adopts the (betaalpha)(8) barrel fold. The sequence alignments and the positions of the two Glu residues in the active center indicate that Gly(Tn) belongs to the glycosyl hydrolases of retaining family 1. We have analyzed the structural features of Gly(Tn) related to the thermostability and compared its structure with those of other mesophilic glycosidases from plants, eubacteria, and hyperthermophilic enzymes from archaea. Several possible features contributing to the thermostability of Gly(Tn) were elucidated.

[Cloning and expression of a thermostable beta-glycosidase gene from Thermus nonproteolyticus HG102].

The gene coding for beta-glycosidase (EC3.2.1.21) from Thermus nonproteolyticus HG102 has been cloned and expressed in E. coli. The gene open reading frame was 1311 bp and it codes for 436 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of the enzyme showed identity with members of glycosyl hydrolase family I. The enzyme had high content of hydrophobic amino acid (Ala 12.8%, Leu 10.9%), Arg(9.6%), Glu(9.4%) and Pro(8.0%), but low content Cys(0.45%) and Met (0.9%). From the alignment of enzyme amino acid sequence with other glycosyl hydrolase family I members, Glu164 and Glu338 were predicated as the proton donor and nucleophile group. The DNASTAR program was used to predict the secondary structure. According to the Chou-Fasman model, the enzyme has 41.4% of alpha-helics, 16.2%, beta-strands, 14.4%, beta-turns. 14 of the 35 Pro were located at the second sites of beta-turns. Hydrophobic interaction, ion bond, alpha-helics and Pro had important contribution to Tn-gly thermostability.

The interaction of the human GGA1 GAT domain with rabaptin-5 is mediated by residues on its three-helix bundle.

GGA proteins regulate clathrin-coated vesicle trafficking by interacting with multiple proteins during vesicle assembly. As part of this process, the GAT domain of GGA is known to interact with both ARF and Rabaptin-5. Particularly, the GAT domains of GGA1 and -2, but not of GGA3, specifically bind with a coiled-coil region of Rabaptin-5. Rabaptin-5 interacts with Rab5 and is an essential component of the fusion machinery for targeting endocytic vesicles to early endosomes. The recently determined crystal structure of the GGA1 GAT domain has provided insights into its interactions with partner proteins. Here, we describe mutagenesis studies on the GAT-Rabaptin-5 interaction. The results demonstrate that a hydrophobic surface patch on the C-terminal three-helix bundle motif of the GAT domain is directly involved in Rabaptin-5 binding. A GGA3-like mutation, N284S, in this Rabaptin-5 binding patch of GGA1 led to a reduced level of Rabaptin-5 binding. Furthermore, a reversed mutation, S293N, in GGA3 partially establishes Rabaptin-5 binding ability in its GAT domain. These results provide a structural explanation for the binding affinity difference among GGA proteins. The current results also suggest that the binding of GAT to Rabaptin-5 is independent of its interaction with ARF.

Crystal structure of the human GGA1 GAT domain.

GGAs are a family of vesicle-coating regulatory proteins that function in intracellular protein transport. A GGA molecule contains four domains, each mediating interaction with other proteins in carrying out intracellular transport. The GAT domain of GGAs has been identified as the structural entity that binds membrane-bound ARF, a molecular switch regulating vesicle-coat assembly. It also directly interacts with rabaptin5, an essential component of endosome fusion. A 2.8 A resolution crystal structure of the human GGA1 GAT domain is reported here. The GAT domain contains four helices and has an elongated shape with the longest dimension exceeding 80 A. Its longest helix is involved in two structural motifs: an N-terminal helix-loop-helix motif and a C-terminal three-helix bundle. The N-terminal motif harbors the most conservative amino acid sequence in the GGA GAT domains. Within this conserved region, a cluster of residues previously implicated in ARF binding forms a hydrophobic surface patch, which is likely to be the ARF-binding site. In addition, a structure-based mutagenesis-biochemical analysis demonstrates that the C-terminal three-helix bundle of this GAT domain is responsible for the rabaptin5 binding. These structural characteristics are consistent with a model supporting multiple functional roles for the GAT domain.

Crystal structure of human GGA1 GAT domain complexed with the GAT-binding domain of Rabaptin5.

GGA proteins coordinate the intracellular trafficking of clathrin-coated vesicles through their interaction with several other proteins. The GAT domain of GGA proteins interacts with ARF, ubiquitin, and Rabaptin5. The GGA-Rabaptin5 interaction is believed to function in the fusion of trans-Golgi-derived vesicles to endosomes. We determined the crystal structure of a human GGA1 GAT domain fragment in complex with the Rabaptin5 GAT-binding domain. In this structure, the Rabaptin5 domain is a 90-residue-long helix. At the N-terminal end, it forms a parallel coiled-coil homodimer, which binds one GAT domain of GGA1. In the C-terminal region, it further assembles into a four-helix bundle tetramer. The Rabaptin5-binding motif of the GGA1 GAT domain consists of a three-helix bundle. Thus, the binding between Rabaptin5 and GGA1 GAT domain is based on a helix bundle-helix bundle interaction. The current structural observation is consistent with previously reported mutagenesis data, and its biological relevance is further confirmed by new mutagenesis studies and affinity analysis. The four-helix bundle structure of Rabaptin5 suggests a functional role in tethering organelles.