RESUMO
We have previously shown that the long-acting ß2-adrenergic receptor (ß2-AR) agonist formoterol induced recovery from acute kidney injury in mice. To determine whether formoterol protected against diabetic nephropathy, the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), we used a high-fat diet (HFD), a murine type 2 diabetes model, and streptozotocin, a murine type 1 diabetes model. Following formoterol treatment, there was a marked recovery from and reversal of diabetic nephropathy in HFD mice compared with those treated with vehicle alone at the ultrastructural, histological, and functional levels. Similar results were seen after formoterol treatment in mice receiving streptozotocin. To investigate effects in humans, we performed a competing risk regression analysis with death as a competing risk to examine the association between Veterans with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), who use ß2-AR agonists, and Veterans with CKD but no COPD, and progression to ESKD in a large national cohort of Veterans with stage 4 CKD between 2011 and 2013. Veterans were followed until 2016 or death. ESKD was defined as the initiation of dialysis and/or receipt of kidney transplant. We found that COPD was associated with a 25.6% reduction in progression from stage 4 CKD to ESKD compared with no COPD after adjusting for age, diabetes, sex, race-ethnicity, comorbidities, and medication use. Sensitivity analysis showed a 33.2% reduction in ESKD in Veterans with COPD taking long-acting formoterol and a 20.8% reduction in ESKD in Veterans taking other ß2-AR agonists compared with those with no COPD. These data indicate that ß2-AR agonists, especially formoterol, could be a treatment for diabetic nephropathy and perhaps other forms of CKD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of ESKD. Formoterol, a long-acting ß2-adrenergic receptor (ß2-AR) agonist, reversed diabetic nephropathy in murine models of type 1 and 2 diabetes. In humans, there was an association with protection from progression of CKD in patients with COPD, by means of ß2-AR agonist intake, compared with those without COPD. These data indicate that ß2-AR agonists, especially formoterol, could be a new treatment for diabetic nephropathy and other forms of CKD.
Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1 , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Nefropatias Diabéticas , Falência Renal Crônica , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica , Humanos , Animais , Camundongos , Nefropatias Diabéticas/tratamento farmacológico , Agonistas de Receptores Adrenérgicos beta 2/uso terapêutico , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/tratamento farmacológico , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/complicações , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamento farmacológico , Estreptozocina , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica/tratamento farmacológico , Fumarato de Formoterol/uso terapêutico , Falência Renal Crônica/tratamento farmacológico , Falência Renal Crônica/etiologia , Receptores Adrenérgicos/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are the first-line treatment for hypertension; they act by inhibiting signaling through the angiotensin 1 receptor (AT1R). Recently, a novel biased AT1R agonist, TRV120027 (TRV), which selectively activates the ß-arrestin cascade and blocks the G-protein-coupled receptor pathway has been proposed as a potential blood pressure medication. Here, we explored the effects of TRV and associated ß-arrestin signaling in podocytes, essential cells of the kidney filter. We used human podocyte cell lines to determine ß-arrestin's involvement in calcium signaling and cytoskeletal reorganization and Dahl SS rats to investigate the chronic effects of TRV administration on glomerular health. Our experiments indicate that the TRV-activated ß-arrestin pathway promotes the rapid elevation of intracellular Ca2+ in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, the amplitude of ß-arrestin-mediated Ca2+ influx was significantly higher than the response to similar Ang II concentrations. Single-channel analyses show rapid activation of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels following acute TRV application. Furthermore, the pharmacological blockade of TRPC6 significantly attenuated the ß-arrestin-mediated Ca2+ influx. Additionally, prolonged activation of the ß-arrestin pathway in podocytes resulted in pathological actin cytoskeleton rearrangements, higher apoptotic cell markers, and augmented glomerular damage. TRV-activated ß-arrestin signaling in podocytes may promote TRPC6 channel-mediated Ca2+ influx, foot process effacement, and apoptosis, possibly leading to severe defects in glomerular filtration barrier integrity and kidney health. Under these circumstances, the potential therapeutic application of TRV for hypertension treatment requires further investigation to assess the balance of the benefits versus possible deleterious effects and off-target damage.
Assuntos
Hipertensão , Nefropatias , Podócitos , Ratos , Animais , Humanos , Podócitos/metabolismo , Canal de Cátion TRPC6/metabolismo , Cálcio/metabolismo , beta-Arrestinas/metabolismo , Antagonistas de Receptores de Angiotensina/farmacologia , Ratos Endogâmicos Dahl , Inibidores da Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina/farmacologia , Nefropatias/metabolismo , Hipertensão/metabolismo , Canais de Cátion TRPC/metabolismo , Canais de Cátion TRPC/farmacologiaRESUMO
Phosphorylation (activation) and dephosphorylation (deactivation) of the slit diaphragm proteins NEPHRIN and NEPH1 are critical for maintaining the kidney epithelial podocyte actin cytoskeleton and, therefore, proper glomerular filtration. However, the mechanisms underlying these events remain largely unknown. Here we show that NEPHRIN and NEPH1 are novel receptor proteins for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and can be phosphorylated independently of the mesenchymal epithelial transition receptor in a ligand-dependent fashion through engagement of their extracellular domains by HGF. Furthermore, we demonstrate SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2-dependent dephosphorylation of these proteins. To establish HGF as a ligand, purified baculovirus-expressed NEPHRIN and NEPH1 recombinant proteins were used in surface plasma resonance binding experiments. We report high-affinity interactions of NEPHRIN and NEPH1 with HGF, although NEPHRIN binding was 20-fold higher than that of NEPH1. In addition, using molecular modeling we constructed peptides that were used to map specific HGF-binding regions in the extracellular domains of NEPHRIN and NEPH1. Finally, using an in vitro model of cultured podocytes and an ex vivo model of Drosophila nephrocytes, as well as chemically induced injury models, we demonstrated that HGF-induced phosphorylation of NEPHRIN and NEPH1 is centrally involved in podocyte repair. Taken together, this is the first study demonstrating a receptor-based function for NEPHRIN and NEPH1. This has important biological and clinical implications for the repair of injured podocytes and the maintenance of podocyte integrity.
Assuntos
Fator de Crescimento de Hepatócito/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Animais , Linhagem Celular , Taxa de Filtração Glomerular/fisiologia , Fator de Crescimento de Hepatócito/fisiologia , Humanos , Junções Intercelulares/metabolismo , Rim/patologia , Glomérulos Renais/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Camundongos , Peptídeos/metabolismo , Fosforilação , Podócitos/metabolismo , Ligação Proteica/fisiologia , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologiaRESUMO
Myosin 1c (Myo1c) is an unconventional myosin that modulates signaling pathways involved in tissue injury and repair. In this study, we observed that Myo1c expression is significantly upregulated in human chronic liver disease such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and in animal models of liver fibrosis. High throughput data from the GEO-database identified similar Myo1c upregulation in mice and human liver fibrosis. Notably, transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) stimulation to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the liver pericyte and key cell type responsible for the deposition of extracellular matrix, upregulates Myo1c expression, whereas genetic depletion or pharmacological inhibition of Myo1c blunted TGF-ß-induced fibrogenic responses, resulting in repression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I α 1 chain (Col1α1) mRNA. Myo1c deletion also decreased fibrogenic processes such as cell proliferation, wound healing response, and contractility when compared with vehicle-treated HSCs. Importantly, phosphorylation of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 (SMAD2) and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (SMAD3) were significantly blunted upon Myo1c inhibition in GRX cells as well as Myo1c knockout (Myo1c-KO) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) upon TGF-ß stimulation. Using the genetic Myo1c-KO mice, we confirmed that Myo1c is critical for fibrogenesis, as Myo1c-KO mice were resistant to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. Histological and immunostaining analysis of liver sections showed that deposition of collagen fibers and α-SMA expression were significantly reduced in Myo1c-KO mice upon liver injury. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Myo1c mediates hepatic fibrogenesis by modulating TGF-ß signaling and suggest that inhibiting this process may have clinical application in treating liver fibrosis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The incidences of liver fibrosis are growing at a rapid pace and have become one of the leading causes of end-stage liver disease. Although TGF-ß1 is known to play a prominent role in transforming cells to produce excessive extracellular matrix that lead to hepatic fibrosis, the therapies targeting TGF-ß1 have achieved very limited clinical impact. This study highlights motor protein myosin-1c-mediated mechanisms that serve as novel regulators of TGF-ß1 signaling and fibrosis.
Assuntos
Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Cirrose Hepática/metabolismo , Fígado/metabolismo , Miosina Tipo I/metabolismo , Animais , Cadeia alfa 1 do Colágeno Tipo I , Fibroblastos/patologia , Células Estreladas do Fígado/metabolismo , Células Estreladas do Fígado/patologia , Fígado/patologia , Cirrose Hepática/genética , Cirrose Hepática/patologia , Camundongos , Miosina Tipo I/genética , Fosforilação , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologia , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/metabolismoRESUMO
Although the slit diaphragm proteins in podocytes are uniquely organized to maintain glomerular filtration assembly and function, little is known about the underlying mechanisms that participate in trafficking these proteins to the correct location for development and homeostasis. Identifying these mechanisms will likely provide novel targets for therapeutic intervention to preserve podocyte function following glomerular injury. Analysis of structural variation in cases of human nephrotic syndrome identified rare heterozygous deletions of EXOC4 in two patients. This suggested that disruption of the highly-conserved eight-protein exocyst trafficking complex could have a role in podocyte dysfunction. Indeed, mRNA profiling of injured podocytes identified significant exocyst down-regulation. To test the hypothesis that the exocyst is centrally involved in podocyte development/function, we generated homozygous podocyte-specific Exoc5 (a central exocyst component that interacts with Exoc4) knockout mice that showed massive proteinuria and died within 4 weeks of birth. Histological and ultrastructural analysis of these mice showed severe glomerular defects with increased fibrosis, proteinaceous casts, effaced podocytes, and loss of the slit diaphragm. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that Neph1 and Nephrin, major slit diaphragm constituents, were mislocalized and/or lost. mRNA profiling of Exoc5 knockdown podocytes showed that vesicular trafficking was the most affected cellular event. Mapping of signaling pathways and Western blot analysis revealed significant up-regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and transforming growth factor-ß pathways in Exoc5 knockdown podocytes and in the glomeruli of podocyte-specific Exoc5 KO mice. Based on these data, we propose that exocyst-based mechanisms regulate Neph1 and Nephrin signaling and trafficking, and thus podocyte development and function.
Assuntos
Deleção de Genes , Glomérulos Renais/patologia , Síndrome Nefrótica/patologia , Podócitos/patologia , Proteínas de Transporte Vesicular/fisiologia , Animais , Apoptose , Movimento Celular , Exocitose , Humanos , Glomérulos Renais/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , Síndrome Nefrótica/genética , Fosforilação , Podócitos/metabolismo , Transporte Proteico , Proteinúria/etiologia , Proteinúria/patologia , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
Definitive diagnosis of glomerular disease requires a kidney biopsy, an invasive procedure that may not be safe or feasible to perform in all patients. We developed a noninvasive, accurate, and economical diagnostic assay with easy commercial adaptability to detect recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (rFSGS) after kidney transplant. Since FSGS involves podocyte damage and death, our approach involved mRNA profiling of cultured podocytes treated with plasma from patients with rFSGS to identify upregulated genes involved in podocyte damage. For concept validation, three upregulated pro-apoptotic candidate genes (IL1ß, BMF, and IGFBP3) were selected, and their promoter regions were cloned into a luciferase-based reporter vector and transfected into podocytes to generate stable podocyte cell lines. Strikingly, when exposed to rFSGS patient plasma, these cell lines showed increased reporter activity; in contrast, no reporter activity was noted with plasma from patients with non-recurrent FSGS or membranous nephropathy. Area under the receiver operating characteristics curves (AUCs) for models discriminating between rFSGS and other nephropathies (non-recurrent FSGS and membranous nephropathy) and between rFSGS and non-recurrent FSGS ranged from 0.81 to 0.86, respectively. Estimated sensitivities and specificities for the diagnosis of rFSGS were greater than 80% for the IL1ß and BMF cell lines, and were slightly lower for the IGFBP3 cell line. Importantly, the novel approach outlined here for the diagnosis of rFSGS is widely applicable to the design of sensitive and specific diagnostic/prognostic assays for other glomerular diseases.
Assuntos
Bioensaio/métodos , Glomerulosclerose Segmentar e Focal/diagnóstico , Podócitos/metabolismo , Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/genética , Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Genes Reporter , Glomerulosclerose Segmentar e Focal/sangue , Glomerulosclerose Segmentar e Focal/complicações , Humanos , Proteína 3 de Ligação a Fator de Crescimento Semelhante à Insulina/genética , Proteína 3 de Ligação a Fator de Crescimento Semelhante à Insulina/metabolismo , Interleucina-1beta/genética , Interleucina-1beta/metabolismo , Falência Renal Crônica/etiologia , Falência Renal Crônica/cirurgia , Transplante de Rim , Luciferases/genética , Plasma/metabolismo , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas/genética , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , RNA-Seq , Curva ROC , RecidivaRESUMO
Podocytes have limited ability to recover from injury. Here, we demonstrate that increased mitochondrial biogenesis, to meet the metabolic and energy demand of a cell, accelerates podocyte recovery from injury. Analysis of events induced during podocyte injury and recovery showed marked upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), a transcriptional co-activator of mitochondrial biogenesis, and key components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. To evaluate our hypothesis that increasing mitochondrial biogenesis enhanced podocyte recovery from injury, we treated injured podocytes with formoterol, a potent, specific, and long-acting ß2-adrenergic receptor agonist that induces mitochondrial biogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Formoterol increased mitochondrial biogenesis and restored mitochondrial morphology and the injury-induced changes to the organization of the actin cytoskeleton in podocytes. Importantly, ß2-adrenergic receptors were found to be present on podocyte membranes. Their knockdown attenuated formoterol-induced mitochondrial biogenesis. To determine the potential clinical relevance of these findings, mouse models of acute nephrotoxic serum nephritis and chronic (Adriamycin [doxorubicin]) glomerulopathy were used. Mice were treated with formoterol post-injury when glomerular dysfunction was established. Strikingly, formoterol accelerated the recovery of glomerular function by reducing proteinuria and ameliorating kidney pathology. Furthermore, formoterol treatment reduced cellular apoptosis and increased the expression of the mitochondrial biogenesis marker PGC-1α and multiple electron transport chain proteins. Thus, our results support ß2-adrenergic receptors as novel therapeutic targets and formoterol as a therapeutic compound for treating podocytopathies.
Assuntos
Agonistas de Receptores Adrenérgicos beta 2/farmacologia , Fumarato de Formoterol/farmacologia , Glomerulonefrite/tratamento farmacológico , Mitocôndrias/efeitos dos fármacos , Podócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Agonistas de Receptores Adrenérgicos beta 2/uso terapêutico , Animais , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Doxorrubicina/toxicidade , Fumarato de Formoterol/uso terapêutico , Técnicas de Silenciamento de Genes , Glomerulonefrite/induzido quimicamente , Glomerulonefrite/patologia , Humanos , Camundongos , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Biogênese de Organelas , Coativador 1-alfa do Receptor gama Ativado por Proliferador de Peroxissomo/metabolismo , Podócitos/citologia , Podócitos/patologia , Receptores Adrenérgicos beta 2/genética , Receptores Adrenérgicos beta 2/metabolismo , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is known to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of many progressive podocyte diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating TGF-ß signaling in podocytes remain unclear. Using a podocyte-specific myosin (Myo)1c knockout, we demonstrate whether Myo1c is critical for TGF-ß-signaling in podocyte disease pathogenesis. Specifically, podocyte-specific Myo1c knockout mice were resistant to fibrotic injury induced by Adriamycin or nephrotoxic serum. Further, loss of Myo1c also protected from injury in the TGF-ß-dependent unilateral ureteral obstruction mouse model of renal interstitial fibrosis. Mechanistic analyses showed that loss of Myo1c significantly blunted TGF-ß signaling through downregulation of canonical and non-canonical TGF-ß pathways. Interestingly, nuclear rather than the cytoplasmic Myo1c was found to play a central role in controlling TGF-ß signaling through transcriptional regulation. Differential expression analysis of nuclear Myo1c-associated gene promoters showed that nuclear Myo1c targeted the TGF-ß responsive gene growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15 and directly bound to the GDF-15 promoter. Importantly, GDF15 was found to be involved in podocyte pathogenesis, where GDF15 was upregulated in glomeruli of patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Thus, Myo1c-mediated regulation of TGF-ß-responsive genes is central to the pathogenesis of podocyte injury. Hence, inhibiting this process may have clinical application in treating podocytopathies.
Assuntos
Fator 15 de Diferenciação de Crescimento/genética , Nefropatias/patologia , Miosina Tipo I/metabolismo , Podócitos/patologia , Transdução de Sinais/genética , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/metabolismo , Animais , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Doxorrubicina/toxicidade , Feminino , Fibrose , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Nefropatias/induzido quimicamente , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , Miosina Tipo I/genética , Podócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas , Transcrição GênicaRESUMO
Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome is a frequent cause of chronic kidney disease almost inevitably progressing to end-stage renal disease. More than 58 monogenic causes of SRNS have been discovered and majority of known steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome causing genes are predominantly expressed in glomerular podocytes, placing them at the center of disease pathogenesis. Herein, we describe two unrelated families with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome with homozygous mutations in the KIRREL1 gene. One mutation showed high frequency in the European population (minor allele frequency 0.0011) and this patient achieved complete remission following treatment, but later progressed to chronic kidney disease. We found that mutant KIRREL1 proteins failed to localize to the podocyte cell membrane, indicating defective trafficking and impaired podocytes function. Thus, the KIRREL1 gene product has an important role in modulating the integrity of the slit diaphragm and maintaining glomerular filtration function.
Assuntos
Resistência a Medicamentos/genética , Glucocorticoides/farmacologia , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Síndrome Nefrótica/genética , Insuficiência Renal Crônica/genética , Adolescente , Idade de Início , Linhagem Celular , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Consanguinidade , Análise Mutacional de DNA , Progressão da Doença , Feminino , Seguimentos , Frequência do Gene , Membrana Basal Glomerular/patologia , Membrana Basal Glomerular/ultraestrutura , Glucocorticoides/uso terapêutico , Homozigoto , Humanos , Masculino , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão , Mutação , Síndrome Nefrótica/tratamento farmacológico , Síndrome Nefrótica/patologia , Linhagem , Podócitos , Insuficiência Renal Crônica/patologia , Sequenciamento do ExomaRESUMO
Podocytes have a unique structure that supports glomerular filtration function, and many glomerular diseases result in loss of this structure, leading to podocyte dysfunction and ESRD (end stage renal disease). These structural and functional changes involve a complex set of molecular and cellular mechanisms that remain poorly understood. To understand the molecular signature of podocyte injury, we performed transcriptome analysis of cultured human podocytes injured either with PAN (puromycin aminonucleoside) or doxorubicin/adriamycin (ADR). The pathway analysis through DE (differential expression) and gene-enrichment analysis of the injured podocytes showed Tumor protein p53 (P53) as one of the major signaling pathways that was significantly upregulated upon podocyte injury. Accordingly, P53 expression was also up-regulated in the glomeruli of nephrotoxic serum (NTS) and ADR-injured mice. To further confirm these observations, cultured podocytes were treated with the P53 inhibitor pifithrin-α, which showed significant protection from ADR-induced actin cytoskeleton damage. In conclusion, signaling pathways that are involved in podocyte pathogenesis and can be therapeutically targeted were identified by high-throughput transcriptomic analysis of injured podocytes.
Assuntos
Doxorrubicina/efeitos adversos , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Nefropatias/metabolismo , Podócitos/metabolismo , Puromicina Aminonucleosídeo/efeitos adversos , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Transcriptoma/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Doxorrubicina/farmacologia , Humanos , Nefropatias/induzido quimicamente , Nefropatias/patologia , Camundongos , Fosforilação/efeitos dos fármacos , Podócitos/patologia , Puromicina Aminonucleosídeo/farmacologiaRESUMO
Asymmetric disposition of Fab arms in the structures solved for the broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody (nmAb) IgG1 b12 raised the question of whether the unusual shape observed for b12 is common for all IgG1 mAbs or if there is a difference in the overall shape of nmAbs versus non-nmAbs. We compared small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) data-based models and limited proteolysis profiles of some IgG1 mAbs known to be having and lacking HIV-1 neutralizing potency. In non-nmAbs, the Fab arms were found to be symmetrically disposed in space relative to central Fc, but in most nmAbs, the Fab arms were asymmetrically disposed, as seen for IgG1 b12. The only exceptions were 2G12 and 4E10, where both Fab arms were closed above Fc, suggesting some Fab-Fc and/or Fab-Fab interaction in the nmAbs that constrained extension of the Fab-Fc linker. Interestingly, these observations were correlated with differential proteolysis profiles of the mAbs by papain. Under conditions when papain could cut both Fab arms of non-nmAbs, only one Fab arm could be removed from neutralizing ones (except for 2G12 and 4E10). Chromatography and small angle x-ray scattering results of papain-digested products revealed that 1) the Fab-Fc or Fab-Fab interactions in unliganded mAbs are retained in digested products, and 2) whereas anti-gp120 non-nmAbs could bind two gp120 molecules, nmAbs could bind only one gp120. Additional experiments showed that except for 2G12 and 4E10, unopen shapes of nmAbs remain uninfluenced by ionic strength but can be reversibly opened by low pH of buffer accompanied by loss of ligand binding ability.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Neutralizantes/química , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , HIV-1/imunologia , Anticorpos Monoclonais/química , Anticorpos Monoclonais/imunologia , Anticorpos Monoclonais/metabolismo , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/metabolismo , Fragmentos Fab das Imunoglobulinas/química , Fragmentos Fab das Imunoglobulinas/imunologia , Fragmentos Fab das Imunoglobulinas/metabolismo , Ligantes , Modelos Moleculares , Papaína/metabolismo , Conformação Proteica , ProteóliseRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Podocytes have a remarkable ability to recover from injury; however, little is known about the recovery mechanisms involved in this process. We recently showed that formoterol, a long-acting ß2-adrenergic receptor (ß2-AR) agonist, induced mitochondrial biogenesis (MB) in podocytes and led to renoprotection in mice. However, it is not clear whether this effect was mediated by formoterol acting through the ß2-AR or if it occurred through "off-target" effects. METHODS: We genetically deleted the ß2-AR specifically in murine podocytes and used these mice to determine whether formoterol acting through the podocyte ß2-AR alone is sufficient for recovery of renal filtration function following injury. The podocyte-specific ß2-AR knockout mice (ß2-ARfl/fl/PodCre) were generated by crossing ß2-AR floxed mice with podocin Cre (B6.Cg-Tg(NPHS2-cre)295Lbh/J) mice. These mice were then subjected to both acute and chronic glomerular injury using nephrotoxic serum (NTS) and adriamycin (ADR), respectively. The extent of injury was evaluated by measuring albuminuria and histological and immunostaining analysis of the murine kidney sections. RESULTS: A similar level of injury was observed in ß2-AR knockout and control mice; however, the ß2-ARfl/fl/PodCre mice failed to recover in response to formoterol. Functional evaluation of the ß2-ARfl/fl/PodCre mice following injury plus formoterol showed similar albuminuria and glomerular injury to control mice that were not treated with formoterol. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the podocyte ß2-AR is a critical component of the recovery mechanism and may serve as a novel therapeutic target for treating podocytopathies.
Assuntos
Agonistas de Receptores Adrenérgicos beta 2 , Doxorrubicina , Fumarato de Formoterol , Camundongos Knockout , Podócitos , Receptores Adrenérgicos beta 2 , Animais , Podócitos/metabolismo , Podócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Podócitos/patologia , Receptores Adrenérgicos beta 2/metabolismo , Camundongos , Fumarato de Formoterol/farmacologia , Agonistas de Receptores Adrenérgicos beta 2/farmacologia , Doxorrubicina/farmacologia , Doxorrubicina/toxicidade , Masculino , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Albuminúria/metabolismo , Injúria Renal Aguda/metabolismo , Injúria Renal Aguda/patologiaRESUMO
Though biochemical data upholds that ATP hydrolysis induces an opening of the nucleotide binding cleft, crystal structures of the G-actin in the absence of profillin represent the closed structure, regardless of the bound ATP/ADP. Analysis of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) intensities confirmed that ATP hydrolysis increases the radius of gyration (R(G)) and maximum linear dimension (D(max)) of G-actin molecules from 22.3 to 23.7 Ǻ and 70 to 78 Å, respectively. Kratky analysis confirmed that G-actin molecules behave like globular scattering particles regardless of the bound nucleotide state. Shape reconstruction using dummy residues and inertial axes overlay with known crystal structures confirmed that the ATP or AMP-PNP bound G-actin adopts a compact shape, and the nucleotide binding site opens up with ATP hydrolysis. Importantly, our ADP-state model resembled the open shape seen for ß-actin and hexokinase.
Assuntos
Actinas/ultraestrutura , Cristalografia por Raios X/métodos , Modelos Moleculares , Espalhamento a Baixo Ângulo , Simulação por Computador , Conformação Proteica , SoluçõesRESUMO
The distribution of dietary vitamin A/all-trans retinol/ROL throughout the body is critical for maintaining retinoid function in peripheral tissues and for retinoid delivery to the eye in the support of visual function. In the circulation, all-trans-retinol bound to the RBP4 protein is transported and sequestered into target tissues for long-term storage. Two membrane receptors that facilitate all-trans retinol uptake from RBP4 have been proposed. While it is well established that the membrane receptor, STRA6, binds to circulatory RBP4 for ROL transport into the eye, the second vitamin A receptor, RBPR2, which is expressed in non-ocular tissues, is less characterized. Based on the structural homology between these two RBP4 receptors, published literature, and from our recent work in Rbpr2 -/- deficient mice, we hypothesized that RBPR2 might also have high-binding affinity for RBP4 and this mechanism facilitates ROL transport. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the membrane topology and putative RBP4 binding residues on RBPR2 to understand its physiological function for retinoid homeostasis. Using in silico analysis and site-directed mutagenesis, we identified a potential RBP4 binding domain on RBPR2. We employed an in vitro cell-based system and confirmed that mutations of these residues on RBPR2 affected its binding to exogenous RBP4 and subsequently vitamin A uptake. Using Surface Plasmon Resonance assays, we analyzed both the binding affinities and kinetic parameters of wild-type RBPR2 and individual mutants affecting the RBPR2-RBP4 binding domain with its physiological ligand RBP4. These studies not only revealed a putative RBP4 binding domain on RBPR2 but also provided new structural, biochemical, and critical information on its proposed role in RBP4 binding for ROL transport and retinoid homeostasis.
RESUMO
HapR has been recognized as a quorum-sensing master regulator in Vibrio cholerae. Because it controls a plethora of disparate cellular events, the absence of a functional HapR affects the physiology of V. cholerae to a great extent. In the current study, we pursued an understanding of an observation of a natural protease-deficient non-O1, non-O139 variant V. cholerae strain V2. Intriguingly, a nonfunctional HapR (henceforth designated as HapR(V2)) harboring a substitution of glycine to aspartate at position 39 of the N-terminal hinge region has been identified. An in vitro gel shift assay clearly suggested the inability of HapR(V2) to interact with various cognate promoters. Reinstatement of glycine at position 39 restores DNA binding ability of HapR(V2) (HapR(V2G)), thereby rescuing the protease-negative phenotype of this strain. The elution profile of HapR(V2) and HapR(V2G) proteins in size-exclusion chromatography and their circular dichroism spectra did not reflect any significant differences to explain the functional discrepancies between the two proteins. To gain insight into the structure-function relationship of these two proteins, we acquired small/wide angle x-ray scattering data from samples of the native and G39D mutant. Although Guinier analysis and indirect Fourier transformation of scattering indicated only a slight difference in the shape parameters, structure reconstruction using dummy amino acids concluded that although HapR adopts a "Y" shape similar to its crystal structure, the G39D mutation in hinge drastically altered the DNA binding domains by bringing them in close proximity. This altered spatial orientation of the helix-turn-helix domains in this natural variant provides the first structural evidence on the functional role of the hinge region in quorum sensing-related DNA-binding regulatory proteins of Vibrio spp.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Proteínas de Bactérias/fisiologia , DNA/metabolismo , Glicina/fisiologia , Percepção de Quorum/genética , Vibrio cholerae/fisiologia , Proteínas de Bactérias/química , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA , Variação Genética , Estrutura Secundária de Proteína/fisiologiaRESUMO
Voltage dependent anion channels (VDAC) control the flux of most anionic respiratory substrates, ATP, ADP, and small cations, crossing the outer mitochondrial membrane. VDAC closure contributes to the partial suppression of mitochondrial metabolism that favors the Warburg phenotype of cancer cells. Recently, it has been shown that NADH binds to a specific pocket in the inner surface of VDAC1, also conserved in VDAC2 and 3, closing the channel. We hypothesized that binding of small molecules to the NADH pocket, maintain VDAC in an open configuration by preventing closure induced by NADH and possible other endogenous regulators. We screened in silico, the South Carolina Compound Collection SC3 (~100,000 proprietary molecules), using shape-based queries of the NADH binding region of VDAC. After molecular docking of selected compounds, we physically screened candidates using mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), as an overall readout of mitochondrial metabolism. We identified SC18, as the most potent compound. SC18 bound to VDAC1, as assessed by a thermal shift assay. Short-term treatment with SC18 decreased ΔΨm in SNU-449 and HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cells. Mitochondrial depolarization was similar in wild type, VDAC1/2, 1/3, and 2/3 double KO HepG2 cells indicating that the effect of SC18 was not VDAC isoform-dependent. In addition, SC18 decreased mitochondrial NADH and cellular ATP production; and increased basal respiration. Long-term exposure to SC18, decreased cell proliferation as determined by wound-healing and cell viability assays. In summary, SC18 is a novel VDAC-targeting small molecule that induces mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibits cell proliferation.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Hepáticas , NAD , Trifosfato de Adenosina/metabolismo , Humanos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/patologia , Mitocôndrias , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , NAD/metabolismo , Canais de Ânion Dependentes de Voltagem/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Rods and cones are photoreceptor neurons in the retina that are required for visual sensation in vertebrates, wherein the perception of vision is initiated when these neurons respond to photons in the light stimuli. The photoreceptor cell is structurally studied as outer segments (OS) and inner segments (IS) where proper protein sorting, localization, and compartmentalization are critical for phototransduction, visual function, and survival. In human retinal diseases, improper protein transport to the OS or mislocalization of proteins to the IS and other cellular compartments could lead to impaired visual responses and photoreceptor cell degeneration that ultimately cause loss of visual function. RESULTS: Therefore, studying and identifying mechanisms involved in facilitating and maintaining proper protein transport in photoreceptor cells would help our understanding of pathologies involving retinal cell degeneration in inherited retinal dystrophies, age-related macular degeneration, and Usher Syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Our mini-review will discuss mechanisms of protein transport within photoreceptors and introduce a novel role for an unconventional motor protein, MYO1C, in actin-based motor transport of the visual chromophore Rhodopsin to the OS, in support of phototransduction and visual function.
Assuntos
Degeneração Retiniana , Visão Ocular , Animais , Humanos , Transporte Proteico/fisiologia , Retina , Células Fotorreceptoras Retinianas Cones/metabolismo , Células Fotorreceptoras Retinianas Bastonetes/metabolismoAssuntos
Doxorrubicina/toxicidade , Glomerulonefrite/induzido quimicamente , Glomérulos Renais/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Glomerulonefrite/genética , Glomerulonefrite/patologia , Glomérulos Renais/ultraestrutura , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Especificidade da EspécieRESUMO
This communication describes SAXS data based global structures of tetravalent antibody CD4-IgG2 and its dimeric to pentameric complexes with gp120s. Comparison of models brought forth that while the two CD4s grafted on each arm remain tightly packed in the unliganded antibody, they enable binding of first two gp120s preferentially to the same Fab arm in an asymmetric manner. Retention of residues in the CD4-Fab linker earlier reasoned to enable bi-fold collapse of gp120-bound soluble CD4, and observed asymmetry of the (CD4-IgG2)/(gp120)(2) complex suggest that encoded flexibility in CD4-Fab linker is a critical structure-function factor for this broad spectrum neutralizing antibody.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Neutralizantes/química , Imunoadesinas CD4/química , Proteína gp120 do Envelope de HIV/imunologia , HIV-1/imunologia , Fragmentos Fab das Imunoglobulinas/química , Modelos Químicos , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , Imunoadesinas CD4/imunologia , Humanos , Fragmentos Fab das Imunoglobulinas/imunologia , Espalhamento a Baixo Ângulo , Difração de Raios XRESUMO
Unconventional myosins, linked to deafness, are also proposed to play a role in retinal cell physiology. However, their direct role in photoreceptor function remains unclear. We demonstrate that systemic loss of the unconventional myosin MYO1C in mice, specifically causes rhodopsin mislocalization, leading to impaired visual function. Electroretinogram analysis of Myo1c knockout (Myo1c-KO) mice showed a progressive loss of photoreceptor function. Immunohistochemistry and binding assays demonstrated MYO1C localization to photoreceptor inner and outer segments (OS) and identified a direct interaction of rhodopsin with MYO1C. In Myo1c-KO retinas, rhodopsin mislocalized to rod inner segments (IS) and cell bodies, while cone opsins in OS showed punctate staining. In aged mice, the histological and ultrastructural examination of the phenotype of Myo1c-KO retinas showed progressively shorter photoreceptor OS. These results demonstrate that MYO1C is important for rhodopsin localization to the photoreceptor OS, and for normal visual function.