Noradrenergic ß-Adrenoceptor-Mediated Intracellular Molecular Mechanism of Na-K ATPase Subunit Expression in C6 Cells.

Rapid eye movement sleep deprivation-associated elevated noradrenaline increases and decreases neuronal and glial Na-K ATPase activity, respectively. In this study, using C6 cell-line as a model, we investigated the possible intracellular molecular mechanism of noradrenaline-induced decreased glial Na-K ATPase activity. The cells were treated with noradrenaline in the presence or absence of adrenoceptor antagonists, modulators of extra- and intracellular Ca++ and modulators of intracellular signalling pathways. We observed that noradrenaline acting on ß-adrenoceptor decreased Na-K ATPase activity and mRNA expression of the catalytic α2-Na-K ATPase subunit in the C6 cells. Further, cAMP and protein kinase-A mediated release of intracellular Ca++ played a critical role in such decreased α2-Na-K ATPase expression. In contrast, noradrenaline acting on ß-adrenoceptor up-regulated the expression of regulatory ß2-Na-K ATPase subunit, which although was cAMP and Ca++ dependent, was independent of protein kinase-A and protein kinase-C. Combining these with previous findings (including ours) we have proposed a working model for noradrenaline-induced suppression of glial Na-K ATPase activity and alteration in its subunit expression. The findings help understanding noradrenaline-associated maintenance of brain excitability during health and altered states, particularly in relation to rapid eye movement sleep and its deprivation when the noradrenaline level is naturally altered.

The V-ATPase is expressed in the choroid plexus and mediates cAMP-induced intracellular pH alterations.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pH influences brain interstitial pH and, therefore, brain function. We hypothesized that the choroid plexus epithelium (CPE) expresses the vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) as an acid extrusion mechanism in the luminal membrane to counteract detrimental elevations in CSF pH. The expression of mRNA corresponding to several V-ATPase subunits was demonstrated by RT-PCR analysis of CPE cells (CPECs) isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Immunofluorescence and electron microscopy localized the V-ATPase primarily in intracellular vesicles with only a minor fraction in the luminal microvillus area. The vesicles did not translocate to the luminal membrane in two in vivo models of hypocapnia-induced alkalosis. The Na+-independent intracellular pH (pHi) recovery from acidification was studied in freshly isolated clusters of CPECs. At extracellular pH (pHo) 7.4, the cells failed to display significant concanamycin A-sensitive pHi recovery (i.e., V-ATPase activity). The recovery rate in the absence of Na+ amounted to <10% of the pHi recovery rate observed in the presence of Na+ Recovery of pHi was faster at pHo 7.8 and was abolished at pHo 7.0. The concanamycin A-sensitive pHi recovery was stimulated by cAMP at pH 7.4 in vitro, but intraventricular infusion of the membrane-permeant cAMP analog 8-CPT-cAMP did not result in trafficking of the V-ATPase. In conclusion, we find evidence for the expression of a minor fraction of V-ATPase in the luminal membrane of CPECs. This fraction does not contribute to enhanced acid extrusion at high extracellular pH, but seems to be activated by cAMP in a trafficking-independent manner.

Sensitive detection of intracellular RNA of human telomerase by using graphene oxide as a carrier to deliver the assembly element of hybridization chain reaction.

Since the level of human telomerase RNA (hTR) in tumor cells is higher than that in normal somatic cells, the quantitative assay of hTR is of significant importance in tumor diagnosis. Herein, graphene oxide (GO) was simultaneously exploited as a fluorescence quencher and a carrier of nucleic acid to successfully deliver two hairpin DNA probes of hybridization chain reaction (HCR) into the cancer cell for detecting telomerase RNA based on DNA nanoassembly of HCR. The sticky end of HCR probes could tightly absorb on the surface of GO, resulting in fluorescence quenching of the dye which was tagged at the sticky end of two hairpin probes. When faced with hTR, the fluorescence of DNA probes is subsequently recovered because hTR could trigger HCR to autonomous assembly of a DNA polymer which released from the GO and led to fluorescence recovery. Taking advantage of nucleic acid nanoassembly of HCR, this intracellular HCR strategy creates enormous signal amplification, and enables ultra-sensitive fluorescence imaging of hTR expression. By monitoring fluorescence change, human telomerase RNA could be specifically studied and this method can also be used for detecting single-base mutation. The GO-aided HCR strategy allowed us to sensitively detect hTR in a living cell, which holds great potential for analyzing other low-abundance biomolecules in living cells via HCR.

Mild mitochondrial metabolic deficits by α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase inhibition cause prominent changes in intracellular autophagic signaling: Potential role in the pathobiology of Alzheimer's disease.

Brain activities of the mitochondrial enzyme α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (KGDHC) are reduced in Alzheimer's disease and other age-related neurodegenerative disorders. The goal of the present study was to test the consequences of mild impairment of KGDHC on the structure, protein signaling and dynamics (mitophagy, fusion, fission, biogenesis) of the mitochondria. Inhibition of KGDHC reduced its in situ activity by 23-53% in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, but neither altered the mitochondrial membrane potential nor the ATP levels at any tested time-points. The attenuated KGDHC activity increased translocation of dynamin-related protein-1 (Drp1) and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) from the cytosol to the mitochondria, and promoted mitochondrial cytochrome c release. Inhibition of KGDHC also increased the negative surface charges (anionic phospholipids as assessed by Annexin V binding) on the mitochondria. Morphological assessments of the mitochondria revealed increased fission and mitophagy. Taken together, our results suggest the existence of the regulation of the mitochondrial dynamism including fission and fusion by the mitochondrial KGDHC activity via the involvement of the cytosolic and mitochondrial protein signaling molecules. A better understanding of the link among mild impairment of metabolism, induction of mitophagy/autophagy and altered protein signaling will help to identify new mechanisms of neurodegeneration and reveal potential new therapeutic approaches.

Differential expression of neuroblastoma cellular proteome due to AICD overexpression.

Amyloid-ß protein precursor intracellular domain (AICD), which exerts intracellular effects by interacting with proteins involved in a plethora of biological processes, is a key player behind the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Keeping in mind that overwhelming presence of AICD would mimic AD-like conditions in neuroblastoma cell lines, we hypothesized alteration in the proteomic expression pattern in these cells in the presence of AICD compared to their normal proteome. The rationale behind the study was to distinguish between symptomatic pathophysiological effects as opposed to any artifactual consequence due to protein overload in the cell lines. Using 2D-DIGE analysis and MALDI-MS identifications in neuro2A (mouse) and SHSY5Y (human) cell lines, we have identified several proteins belonging to different functional classes and involved in several biological pathways including protein folding, cytoskeletal dynamics, metabolism, and stress. Many of these were being upregulated or downregulated due to AICD effects and could be correlated directly with AD phenotypes.

Analysis of intracellular enzyme activity by surface enhanced Raman scattering.

Dysfunctional intracellular enzymatic activity is believed to be an underlying cause of a myriad of diseases. We present the first use of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) as a detection technique capable of reporting intracellular activity of a specific enzyme. Careful choice of reagents allowed the preparation of high resolution cellular activity maps highlighting the specific conversion of the commonly used ELISA reagent 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl ß-D-galactopyranoside (X-Gal), by wild type ß-galactosidase enzymes. Further, through co-addition of X-Gal substrate and inhibitors we were able to demonstrate that intracellular substrate conversion occurred predominantly through an enzymatically specific pathway. The data presented therefore supports the application of SERS probes as sensitive, specific sensors of biochemical activity and demonstrates the use of SERS probes for the first time as beacons capable of high resolution subcellular localisation of native enzymes.

Intracellular transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor by α1A-adrenoceptor is mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase independently of activation of extracellular signal regulated kinases 1/2 and serine-threonine kinases in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by α1-adrenoceptor (α1-AR) is implicated in contraction and hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle (VSM). We examine whether all α1-AR subtypes transactivate EGFR and explore the mechanism of transactivation. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably expressing one subtype of α1-AR were transiently transfected with EGFR. The transactivation mechanism was examined both by coexpression of a chimeric erythropoietin (EPO)-EGFR with an extracellular EPO and intracellular EGFR domain, and by pharmacologic inhibition of external and internal signaling routes. All three α1-AR subtypes transactivated EGFR, which was dependent on the increase in intracellular calcium. The EGFR kinase inhibitor AG1478 [4-(3'-chloroanilino)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline] abrogated α1A-AR and α1D-AR induced phosphorylation of EGFR, but both the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases by GM6001 [(R)-N4-hydroxy-N(1)-[(S)-2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-isobutyl-succinamide] or blockade of EGFR by cetuximab did not. Stimulation of α1A-AR and α1D-AR also induced phosphorylation of EPO-EGFR chimeric receptors. Moreover, α1A-AR stimulation enhanced phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and serine-threonine kinases (Akt), which were both unaffected by AG1478, indicating that ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation is independent of EGFR transactivation. Accordingly, inhibitors of ERK1/2 or Akt did not influence the α1A-AR-mediated EGFR transactivation. Inhibition of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and Src, however, did block EGFR transactivation by α1A-AR and α1D-AR. These findings demonstrate that all α1-AR subtypes transactivate EGFR, which is dependent on an intracellular signaling route involving an increase in calcium and activation of CaMKII, PI3K, and Src, but not the of ERK1/2 and Akt pathways.

[Biodegradation of decabromodiphenyl ether by intracellular enzyme obtained from Pseudomonas aeruginosa].

The degradation characteristics of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) by crude enzyme from Pseudomonas aeruginosa were investigated. The results revealed that the degradation efficiency of the intracellular enzyme excreted from this bacterial strain reached 69.22% after incubation with 1 mg x L(-1) BDE-209 for 12 h. Temperature, pH, enzyme concentration and BDE-209 concentration all influenced the ability of crude enzyme to degrade BDE-209. When the BDE-209 concentration was 1 mg x L(-1), the optimal condition for enzymatic degradation was temperature 30 degrees C and pH 7.5, and the degradation rate increased with increasing enzyme concentration. The degradation process of BDE-209 by intracellular enzyme of the strain conformed to the first-order kinetic model. The highest reaction rate was achieved when the initial concentration of BDE-209 was 1 mg x L(-1) and the half-life of this substrate was 6.9 h. In addition, the biodegradation of BDE-209 can be well described by enzymatic reaction of high concentration substrate inhibition, with a maximum substrate utilization rate of 0.133 mg x (L x h)(-1), a Michaelis-Menten constant of 0.642 mg x L(-1), and an inhibitory constant of 1.558 mg x L(-1), respectively.

Participation of 47C>T SNP (Ala-9Val polymorphism) of the SOD2 gene in the intracellular environment of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells with and without lipopolysaccharides.

The outcome of sepsis occurs due to influence of environmental and genetic factors besides genes variants whose expression support its outcome or not. Oxidative stress is associated to the pathogenicity of sepsis, occurring when there is a reactive species overproduction associated with inflammation. The aim of this study was to characterize the cellular redox status of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with either -9Ala (AA) or -9Val (VV) SOD2 genotypes and evaluate their response to oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The PBMCs were isolated from the blood of 30 healthy human volunteers (15 volunteers for each allele) and the following assays were performed: antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase; catalase; glutathione peroxidase), total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter, non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (total antioxidant reactivity), and quantification of conjugated dienes (lipid peroxidation). At basal conditions (i.e., not stimulated by LPS), cells from 47C allele carriers showed higher activities of CAT and SOD, as well as higher TAR compared to 47T allele. However, when 47CC cells were challenged with LPS, we observed a higher shift toward a pro-oxidant state compared to 47TT cells. The CAT activity and lipid peroxidation were increased in cells with both alleles, but SOD activity increased significantly only in 47TT cells. These results demonstrate that SOD2 polymorphisms are associated with different cellular redox environments at both basal and LPS-stimulated states, and identification of this polymorphism may be important for a better understanding of pro-inflammatory conditions.

Cutting edge: NADPH oxidase modulates MHC class II antigen presentation by B cells.

Phagocyte NADPH oxidase plays a key role in pathogen clearance via reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Defects in oxidase function result in chronic granulomatous disease with hallmark recurrent microbial infections and inflammation. The oxidase's role in the adaptive immune response is not well understood. Class II presentation of cytoplasmic and exogenous Ag to CD4(+) T cells was impaired in human B cells with reduced oxidase p40(phox) subunit expression. Naturally arising mutations, which compromise p40(phox) function in a chronic granulomatous disease patient, also perturbed class II Ag presentation and intracellular ROS production. Reconstitution of patient B cells with a wild-type, but not a mutant, p40(phox) allele restored exogenous Ag presentation and intracellular ROS generation. Remarkably, class II presentation of epitopes from membrane Ag was robust in p40(phox)-deficient B cells. These studies reveal a role for NADPH oxidase and p40(phox) in skewing epitope selection and T cell recognition of self Ag.

Adaptor protein APPL1 couples synaptic NMDA receptor with neuronal prosurvival phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway.

It is well known that NMDA receptors (NMDARs) can both induce neurotoxicity and promote neuronal survival under different circumstances. Recent studies show that such paradoxical responses are related to the receptor location: the former to the extrasynaptic and the latter to the synaptic. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt kinase cascade is a key pathway responsible for the synaptic NMDAR-dependent neuroprotection. However, it is still unknown how synaptic NMDARs are coupled with the PI3K/Akt pathway. Here, we explored the role of an adaptor protein-adaptor protein containing pH domain, PTB domain, and leucine zipper motif (APPL1)-in this signal coupling using rat cortical neurons. We found that APPL1 existed in postsynaptic densities and associated with the NMDAR complex through binding to PSD95 at its C-terminal PDZ-binding motif. NMDARs, APPL1, and the PI3K/Akt cascade formed a complex in rat cortical neurons. Synaptic NMDAR activity increased the association of this complex, induced activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, and consequently protected neurons against starvation-induced apoptosis. Perturbing APPL1 interaction with PSD95 by a peptide comprising the APPL1 C-terminal PDZ-binding motif dissociated the PI3K/Akt pathway from NMDARs. Either the peptide or lentiviral knockdown of APPL1 blocked synaptic NMDAR-dependent recruitment and activation of PI3K/Akt pathway, and consequently blocked synaptic NMDAR-dependent neuroprotection. These results suggest that APPL1 contributes to connecting synaptic NMDARs with the intracellular PI3K/Akt cascade and the downstream prosurvival signaling pathway in rat cortical neurons.

Doxorubicin induces the persistent activation of intracellular transglutaminase 2 that protects from cell death.

The activation of transglutaminase 2 (TG2), an enzyme that catalyzes post-translational modifications of proteins, has been implicated in apoptosis, cell adhesion and inflammatory responses. We previously reported that intracellular TG2 is activated under oxidative stress conditions, such as ultraviolet irradiation, ischemia-reperfusion, and hypoxia. In this study, we examined the effect of genotoxic stress on the intracellular activity of TG2 using doxorubicin which generates reactive oxygen species that lead to double-strand breakage of DNA. We demonstrated that doxorubicin elicits the persistent activation of TG2. Doxorubicin-induced TG2 activity was suppressed by treatment with caffeine at the early phase, N-acetylcysteine at the mid-phase, and EGTA at the late phase. However, treatment with a blocking antibody against TGFß or toll-like receptor 2 showed no effect on TG2 activity, indicating that at least three different signaling pathways may be involved in the process of TG2 activation. In addition, using MEF cells defective for TG2 and cells overexpressing an activesite mutant of TG2, we revealed that doxorubicin-induced cell death is inversely correlated with TG2 activity. Our findings indicate that the persistent activation of TG2 by doxorubicin contributes to cell survival, suggesting that the mechanism-based inhibition of TG2 may be a novel strategy to prevent drug-resistance in doxorubicin treatment.

Mutation of a positively charged cytoplasmic motif within CD1d results in multiple defects in antigen presentation to NKT cells.

CD1d is an MHC class I-like molecule that presents glycolipid Ags to types I and II NKT cells. The YxxI motif in the cytoplasmic tail of CD1d contributes to its intracellular localization to the endolysosomal compartment and is important for Ag presentation to type I NKT cells. In this study, we identified the (327-329)RRR motif in CD1d and showed that it is critical for the control of CD1d intracellular trafficking and Ag presentation. The replacement of the arginines in this motif with alanines resulted in the extensive accumulation of CD1d in lysosomes but did not affect the cell surface expression. The defect in its cellular localization was accompanied by defects in Ag presentation to both type I and type II NKT cells. These results demonstrated that the (327-329)RRR motif of CD1d is required for proper cellular distribution of CD1d and optimal Ag presentation to both type I and type II NKT cells.

CaMKII is involved in cadmium activation of MAPK and mTOR pathways leading to neuronal cell death.

Cadmium (Cd), a toxic environmental contaminant, induces neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, we have shown that Cd elevates intracellular free calcium ion ([Ca(2+) ](i) ) level, leading to neuronal apoptosis partly by activating mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this study, we show that the effects of Cd-elevated [Ca(2+) ](i) on MAPK and mTOR network as well as neuronal cell death are through stimulating phosphorylation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). This is supported by the findings that chelating intracellular Ca(2+) with 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy) ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetra(acetoxymethyl) ester or preventing Cd-induced [Ca(2+) ](i) elevation using 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate blocked Cd activation of CaMKII. Inhibiting CaMKII with KN93 or silencing CaMKII attenuated Cd activation of MAPK/mTOR pathways and cell death. Furthermore, inhibitors of mTOR (rapamycin), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SP600125) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (U0126), but not of p38 (PD169316), prevented Cd-induced neuronal cell death in part through inhibition of [Ca(2+) ](i) elevation and CaMKII phosphorylation. The results indicate that Cd activates MAPK/mTOR network triggering neuronal cell death, by stimulating CaMKII. Our findings underscore a central role of CaMKII in the neurotoxicology of Cd, and suggest that manipulation of intracellular Ca(2+) level or CaMKII activity may be exploited for prevention of Cd-induced neurodegenerative disorders.

Chlamydia protease-like activity factor (CPAF): characterization of proteolysis activity in vitro and development of a nanomolar affinity CPAF zymogen-derived inhibitor.

During infection of epithelial cells, the obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis secretes the serine protease Chlamydia protease-like activity factor (CPAF) into the host cytosol to regulate a range of host cellular processes through targeted proteolysis. Here we report the development of an in vitro assay for the enzyme and the discovery of a cell-permeable CPAF zymogen-based peptide inhibitor with nanomolar inhibitory affinity. Treating C. trachomatis-infected HeLa cells with this inhibitor prevented CPAF cleavage of the intermediate filament vimentin and led to the loss of vimentin cage surrounding the intracellular vacuole. Because Chlamydia is a genetically intractable organism, this inhibitor may serve as a tool for understanding the role of CPAF in pathogenesis.

Arsenic-induced alteration in intracellular calcium homeostasis induces head kidney macrophage apoptosis involving the activation of calpain-2 and ERK in Clarias batrachus.

We had earlier shown that exposure to arsenic (0.50 µM) caused caspase-3 mediated head kidney macrophage (HKM) apoptosis involving the p38-JNK pathway in Clarias batrachus. Here we examined the roles of calcium (Ca(2+)) and extra-cellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), the other member of MAPK-pathway on arsenic-induced HKM apoptosis. Arsenic-induced HKM apoptosis involved increased expression of ERK and calpain-2. Nifedipine, verapamil and EGTA pre-treatment inhibited the activation of calpain-2, ERK and reduced arsenic-induced HKM apoptosis as evidenced from reduced caspase-3 activity, Annexin V-FITC-propidium iodide and Hoechst 33342 staining. Pre-incubation with ERK inhibitor U 0126 inhibited the activation of calpain-2 and interfered with arsenic-induced HKM apoptosis. Additionally, pre-incubation with calpain-2 inhibitor also interfered with the activation of ERK and inhibited arsenic-induced HKM apoptosis. The NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin and diphenyleneiodonium chloride also inhibited ERK activation indicating activation of ERK in arsenic-exposed HKM also depends on signals from NADPH oxidase pathway. Our study demonstrates the critical role of Ca(2+) homeostasis on arsenic-induced HKM apoptosis. We suggest that arsenic-induced alteration in intracellular Ca(2+) levels initiates pro-apoptotic ERK and calpain-2; the two pathways influence each other positively and induce caspase-3 mediated HKM apoptosis. Besides, our study also indicates the role of ROS in the activation of ERK pathway in arsenic-induced HKM apoptosis in C. batrachus.

Colorectal cancer-specific cytochrome P450 2W1: intracellular localization, glycosylation, and catalytic activity.

Cytochrome P450 2W1 (CYP2W1) is expressed at high levels in colorectal cancer cells. Moreover, we have shown previously that a higher tumor expression is associated with less survival. In this study, we characterize post-translational modification, inverted endoplasmic reticulum (ER) topology, and catalytic activity of CYP2W1. The analysis of colorectal normal and cancer tissues and CYP2W1 overexpressing human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells showed that a fraction of CYP2W1 is modified by N-glycosylation. Bioinformatic analysis identified Asn177 as the only possible glycosylation site of CYP2W1, which was supported by the inability of an N177A mutant to be glycosylated in HEK 293 cells. Analysis of the membrane topology indicated that unlike other cytochromes P450, CYP2W1 in HEK 293-transfected cells and in nontransfected Caco2TC7 and HepG2 cells is oriented toward the lumen of the ER, a topology making CYP2W1 available to the ER glycosylation machinery. Immunofluorescence microscopy and cell surface biotinylation experiments revealed approximately 8% of the CYP2W1 on the cell surface. Despite the reverse orientation of CYP2W1 in the ER membrane, apparently making functional interactions with NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase impossible, CYP2W1 in HEK 293 cells was active in the metabolism of indoline substrates and was able to activate aflatoxin B1 into cytotoxic products. The study identifies for the first time a cytochrome P450 enzyme with a luminal ER orientation and still retaining catalytic activity. Together, these results suggest the possibility of using CYP2W1 as a drug target in the treatment of colon cancer using antibodies and/or specific CYP2W1 activated prodrugs.

Placental leucine aminopeptidase efficiently generates mature antigenic peptides in vitro but in patterns distinct from endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1.

All three members of the oxytocinase subfamily of M1 aminopeptidases, endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1), ERAP2, and placental leucine aminopeptidase (PLAP), also known as insulin-regulated aminopeptidase, have been implicated in the generation of MHC class I-presented peptides. ERAP1 and 2 trim peptides in the endoplasmic reticulum for direct presentation, whereas PLAP has been recently implicated in cross-presentation. The best characterized member of the family, ERAP1, has unique enzymatic properties that fit well with its role in Ag processing. ERAP1 can trim a large variety of long peptide sequences and efficiently accumulate mature antigenic epitopes of 8-9 aa long. In this study, we evaluate the ability of PLAP to process antigenic peptide precursors in vitro and compare it with ERAP1. We find that, similar to ERAP1, PLAP can trim a variety of long peptide sequences efficiently and, in most cases, accumulates appreciable amounts of correct length mature antigenic epitope. Again, similar to ERAP1, PLAP continued trimming some of the epitopes tested and accumulated smaller products effectively destroying the epitope. However, the intermediate accumulation properties of ERAP1 and PLAP are distinct and epitope dependent, suggesting that these two enzymes may impose different selective pressures on epitope generation. Overall, although PLAP has the necessary enzymatic properties to participate in generating or destroying MHC class I-presented peptides, its trimming behavior is distinct from that of ERAP1, something that supports a separate role for these two enzymes in Ag processing.

NKG2D costimulates human V gamma 9V delta 2 T cell antitumor cytotoxicity through protein kinase C theta-dependent modulation of early TCR-induced calcium and transduction signals.

Human Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells, a major innate-like peripheral T cell subset, are thought to play in vivo an important role in innate and adaptive immune responses to infection agents and tumors. However, the mechanisms regulating their broad effector functions, such as cytotoxicity and cytokine responses, remain poorly understood. In this study, we used single-cell calcium video imaging to analyze the early intracellular events associated with TCR-induced Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell functional responses. When compared with other human T cell subsets, including NKT and Vdelta2(neg) gammadelta T cells, TCR/CD3-activated Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells displayed an unusually delayed and sustained intracellular calcium mobilization, which was dramatically quickened and shortened on costimulation by NKG2D, a main activating NKR regulating gammadelta T cell tumor cytolysis. Importantly, the protein kinase C transduction pathway was identified as a main regulator of the NKG2D-mediated costimulation of antitumor Vgamma9Vdelta2 cytolytic responses. Therefore, this study identifies a new mechanism regulating Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell functional plasticity through fine-tuning of early signal transduction events.

Roles of COMM-domain-containing 1 in stability and recruitment of the copper-transporting ATPase in a mouse hepatoma cell line.

A novel function of COMMD1 {COMM [copper metabolism MURR1 (mouse U2af1-rs1 region 1)]-domain-containing 1}, a protein relevant to canine copper toxicosis, was examined in the mouse hepatoma cell line Hepa 1-6 with multi-disciplinary techniques consisting of molecular and cellular biological techniques, speciation and elemental imaging. To clarify the function of COMMD1, COMMD1-knockdown was accomplished by introducing siRNA (small interfering RNA) into the cells. Although COMMD1-knockdown did not affect copper incorporation, it inhibited copper excretion, resulting in copper accumulation, which predominantly existed in the form bound to MT (metallothionein). It is known that the liver copper transporter Atp7b (ATP-dependent copper transporter 7beta), localizes on the trans-Golgi network membrane under basal copper conditions and translocates to cytoplasmic vesicles to excrete copper when its concentration exceeds a certain threshold, with the vesicles dispersing in the periphery of the cell. COMMD1-knockdown reduced the expression of Atp7b, and abolished the relocation of Atp7b back from the periphery to the trans-Golgi network membrane when the copper concentration was reduced by treatment with a Cu(I) chelator. The same phenomena were observed during COMMD1-knockdown when another Atp7b substrate, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum, and its sequestrator, glutathione ethylester, were applied. These results suggest that COMMD1 maintains the amount of Atp7b and facilitates recruitment of Atp7b from cytoplasmic vesicles to the trans-Golgi network membrane, i.e. COMMD1 is required to shuttle Atp7b when the intracellular copper level returns below the threshold.