Suppression of Ca2+ signaling enhances melanoma progression.

The role of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) in melanoma metastasis is highly controversial. To address this, we here examined UV-dependent metastasis, revealing a critical role for SOCE suppression in melanoma progression. UV-induced cholesterol biosynthesis was critical for UV-induced SOCE suppression and subsequent metastasis, although SOCE suppression alone was both necessary and sufficient for metastasis to occur. Further, SOCE suppression was responsible for UV-dependent differences in gene expression associated with both increased invasion and reduced glucose metabolism. Functional analyses further established that increased glucose uptake leads to a metabolic shift towards biosynthetic pathways critical for melanoma metastasis. Finally, examination of fresh surgically isolated human melanoma explants revealed cholesterol biosynthesis-dependent reduced SOCE. Invasiveness could be reversed with either cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors or pharmacological SOCE potentiation. Collectively, we provide evidence that, contrary to current thinking, Ca2+ signals can block invasive behavior, and suppression of these signals promotes invasion and metastasis.

Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uniporter Is a Mitochondrial Luminal Redox Sensor that Augments MCU Channel Activity.

Ca2+ dynamics and oxidative signaling are fundamental mechanisms for mitochondrial bioenergetics and cell function. The MCU complex is the major pathway by which these signals are integrated in mitochondria. Whether and how these coactive elements interact with MCU have not been established. As an approach toward understanding the regulation of MCU channel by oxidative milieu, we adapted inflammatory and hypoxia models. We identified the conserved cysteine 97 (Cys-97) to be the only reactive thiol in human MCU that undergoes S-glutathionylation. Furthermore, biochemical, structural, and superresolution imaging analysis revealed that MCU oxidation promotes MCU higher order oligomer formation. Both oxidation and mutation of MCU Cys-97 exhibited persistent MCU channel activity with higher [Ca2+]m uptake rate, elevated mROS, and enhanced [Ca2+]m overload-induced cell death. In contrast, these effects were largely independent of MCU interaction with its regulators. These findings reveal a distinct functional role for Cys-97 in ROS sensing and regulation of MCU activity.

SPG7 Is an Essential and Conserved Component of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore.

Mitochondrial permeability transition is a phenomenon in which the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) abruptly opens, resulting in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) dissipation, loss of ATP production, and cell death. Several genetic candidates have been proposed to form the PTP complex, however, the core component is unknown. We identified a necessary and conserved role for spastic paraplegia 7 (SPG7) in Ca(2+)- and ROS-induced PTP opening using RNAi-based screening. Loss of SPG7 resulted in higher mitochondrial Ca(2+) retention, similar to cyclophilin D (CypD, PPIF) knockdown with sustained ΔΨm during both Ca(2+) and ROS stress. Biochemical analyses revealed that the PTP is a heterooligomeric complex composed of VDAC, SPG7, and CypD. Silencing or disruption of SPG7-CypD binding prevented Ca(2+)- and ROS-induced ΔΨm depolarization and cell death. This study identifies an ubiquitously expressed IMM integral protein, SPG7, as a core component of the PTP at the OMM and IMM contact site.

MCUB Regulates the Molecular Composition of the Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter Channel to Limit Mitochondrial Calcium Overload During Stress.

BACKGROUND: The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (mtCU) is an ≈700-kD multisubunit channel residing in the inner mitochondrial membrane required for mitochondrial Ca2+ (mCa2+) uptake. Here, we detail the contribution of MCUB, a paralog of the pore-forming subunit MCU, in mtCU regulation and function and for the first time investigate the relevance of MCUB to cardiac physiology. METHODS: We created a stable MCUB knockout cell line (MCUB-/-) using CRISPR-Cas9n technology and generated a cardiac-specific, tamoxifen-inducible MCUB mutant mouse (CAG-CAT-MCUB x MCM; MCUB-Tg) for in vivo assessment of cardiac physiology and response to ischemia/reperfusion injury. Live-cell imaging and high-resolution spectrofluorometery were used to determine intracellular Ca2+ exchange and size-exclusion chromatography; blue native page and immunoprecipitation studies were used to determine the molecular function and impact of MCUB on the high-molecular-weight mtCU complex. RESULTS: Using genetic gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we show that MCUB expression displaces MCU from the functional mtCU complex and thereby decreases the association of mitochondrial calcium uptake 1 and 2 (MICU1/2) to alter channel gating. These molecular changes decrease MICU1/2-dependent cooperative activation of the mtCU, thereby decreasing mCa2+ uptake. Furthermore, we show that MCUB incorporation into the mtCU is a stress-responsive mechanism to limit mCa2+ overload during cardiac injury. Indeed, overexpression of MCUB is sufficient to decrease infarct size after ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, MCUB incorporation into the mtCU does come at a cost; acute decreases in mCa2+ uptake impair mitochondrial energetics and contractile function. CONCLUSIONS: We detail a new regulatory mechanism to modulate mtCU function and mCa2+ uptake. Our results suggest that MCUB-dependent changes in mtCU stoichiometry are a prominent regulatory mechanism to modulate mCa2+ uptake and cellular physiology.

Novel BAG3 Variants in African American Patients With Cardiomyopathy: Reduced ß-Adrenergic Responsiveness in Excitation-Contraction.

BACKGROUND: We reported 3 novel nonsynonymous single nucleotide variants of Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) in African Americans with heart failure (HF) that are associated with a 2-fold increase in cardiac events (HF hospitalization, heart transplantation, or death). METHODS AND RESULTS: We expressed BAG3 variants (P63A, P380S, and A479V) via adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in adult left ventricular myocytes isolated from either wild-type (WT) or cardiac-specific BAG3 haploinsufficient (cBAG3+/-) mice: the latter to simulate the clinical situation in which BAG3 variants are only found on 1 allele. Compared with WT myocytes, cBAG3+/- myocytes expressed approximately 50% of endogenous BAG3 levels and exhibited decreased [Ca2+]i and contraction amplitudes after isoproterenol owing to decreased L-type Ca2+ current. BAG3 repletion with WT BAG3 but not P380S, A479V, or P63A/P380S variants restored contraction amplitudes in cBAG3+/- myocytes to those measured in WT myocytes, suggesting excitation-contraction abnormalities partly account for HF in patients harboring these mutants. Because P63A is near the WW domain (residues 21-55) and A479V is in the BAG domain (residues 420-499), we expressed BAG3 deletion mutants (Δ1-61 and Δ421-575) in WT myocytes and demonstrated that the BAG but not the WW domain was involved in enhancement of excitation-contraction by isoproterenol. CONCLUSIONS: The BAG3 variants contribute to HF in African American patients partly by decreasing myocyte excitation-contraction under stress, and that both the BAG and PXXP domains are involved in mediating ß-adrenergic responsiveness in myocytes.

Cardiomyocyte-GSK-3α promotes mPTP opening and heart failure in mice with chronic pressure overload.

Chronic pressure-overload (PO)- induced cardiomyopathy is one of the leading causes of left ventricular (LV) remodeling and heart failure. The role of the α isoform of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3α) in PO-induced cardiac remodeling is unclear and its downstream molecular targets are largely unknown. To investigate the potential roles of GSK-3α, cardiomyocyte-specific GSK-3α conditional knockout (cKO) and control mice underwent trans-aortic constriction (TAC) or sham surgeries. Cardiac function in the cKOs and littermate controls declined equally up to 2 weeks of TAC. At 4 week, cKO animals retained concentric LV remodeling and showed significantly less decline in contractile function both at systole and diastole, vs. controls which remained same until the end of the study (6 wk). Histological analysis confirmed preservation of LV chamber and protection against TAC-induced cellular hypertrophy in the cKO. Consistent with attenuated hypertrophy, significantly lower level of cardiomyocyte apoptosis was observed in the cKO. Mechanistically, GSK-3α was found to regulate mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening and GSK-3α-deficient mitochondria showed delayed mPTP opening in response to Ca2+ overload. Consistently, overexpression of GSK-3α in cardiomyocytes resulted in elevated Bax expression, increased apoptosis, as well as a reduction of maximum respiration capacity and cell viability. Taken together, we show for the first time that GSK-3α regulates mPTP opening under pathological conditions, likely through Bax overexpression. Genetic ablation of cardiomyocyte GSK-3α protects against chronic PO-induced cardiomyopathy and adverse LV remodeling, and preserves contractile function. Selective inhibition of GSK-3α using isoform-specific inhibitors could be a viable therapeutic strategy to limit PO-induced heart failure.

Chemically synthesized Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (LGM2605) improves mitochondrial function in cardiac myocytes and alleviates septic cardiomyopathy.

Sepsis is the overwhelming systemic immune response to infection, which can result in multiple organ dysfunction and septic shock. Myocardial dysfunction during sepsis is associated with advanced disease and significantly increased in-hospital mortality. Our group has shown that energetic failure and excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation constitute major components of myocardial dysfunction in sepsis. Because ROS production is central to cellular metabolic health, we tested if the synthetic anti-oxidant lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG; LGM2605) would alleviate septic cardiac dysfunction and investigated the underlying mechanism. Using the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) mouse model of peritonitis-induced sepsis, we observed impairment of cardiac function beginning at 4 h post-CLP surgery. Treatment of mice with LGM2605 (100 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) 6 h post-CLP surgery reduced cardiac ROS accumulation and restored cardiac function. Assessment of mitochondrial respiration (Seahorse XF) in primary cardiomyocytes obtained from adult C57BL/6 mice that had undergone CLP and treatment with LGM2605 showed restored basal and maximal respiration, as well as preserved oxygen consumption rate (OCR) associated with spare capacity. Further analyses aiming to identify the cellular mechanisms that may account for improved cardiac function showed that LGM2605 restored mitochondria abundance, increased mitochondrial calcium uptake and preserved mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition to protecting against cardiac dysfunction, daily treatment with LGM2605 and antibiotic ertapenem (70 mg/kg) protected against CLP-associated mortality and reversed hypothermia when compared against mice receiving ertapenem and saline. Therefore, treatment of septic mice with LGM2605 emerges as a novel pharmacological approach that reduces cardiac ROS accumulation, protects cardiac mitochondrial function, alleviates cardiac dysfunction, and improves survival.

Trpm2 enhances physiological bioenergetics and protects against pathological oxidative cardiac injury: Role of Pyk2 phosphorylation.

The mechanisms by which Trpm2 channels enhance mitochondrial bioenergetics and protect against oxidative stress-induced cardiac injury remain unclear. Here, the role of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) in Trpm2 signaling is explored. Activation of Trpm2 in adult myocytes with H2 O2 resulted in 10- to 21-fold increases in Pyk2 phosphorylation in wild-type (WT) myocytes which was significantly lower (~40%) in Trpm2 knockout (KO) myocytes. Pyk2 phosphorylation was inhibited (~54%) by the Trpm2 blocker clotrimazole. Buffering Trpm2-mediated Ca2+ increase with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) resulted in significantly reduced pPyk2 in WT but not in KO myocytes, indicating Ca2+ influx through activated Trpm2 channels phosphorylated Pyk2. Part of phosphorylated Pyk2 translocated from cytosol to mitochondria which has been previously shown to augment mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and enhance adenosine triphosphate generation. Although Trpm2-mediated Ca2+ influx phosphorylated Ca2+ -calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII), the CaMKII inhibitor KN93 did not significantly affect Pyk2 phosphorylation in H2 O2 -treated WT myocytes. After ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), Pyk2 phosphorylation and its downstream prosurvival signaling molecules (pERK1/2 and pAkt) were significantly lower in KO-I/R when compared with WT-I/R hearts. After hypoxia/reoxygenation, mitochondrial membrane potential was lower and superoxide level was higher in KO myocytes, and were restored to WT values by the mitochondria-targeted superoxide scavenger MitoTempo. Our results suggested that Ca2+ influx via tonically activated Trpm2 phosphorylated Pyk2, part of which translocated to mitochondria, resulting in better mitochondrial bioenergetics to maintain cardiac health. After I/R, Pyk2 activated prosurvival signaling molecules and prevented excessive increases in reactive oxygen species, thereby affording protection from I/R injury.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in human immunodeficiency virus-1 transgenic mouse cardiac myocytes.

The pathophysiology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated cardiomyopathy remains uncertain. We used HIV-1 transgenic (Tg26) mice to explore mechanisms by which HIV-related proteins impacted on myocyte function. Compared to adult ventricular myocytes isolated from nontransgenic (wild type [WT]) littermates, Tg26 myocytes had similar mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ m ) under normoxic conditions but lower Δ Ψ m after hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). In addition, Δ Ψ m in Tg26 myocytes failed to recover after Ca 2+ challenge. Functionally, mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake was severely impaired in Tg26 myocytes. Basal and maximal oxygen consumption rates (OCR) were lower in normoxic Tg26 myocytes, and further reduced after H/R. Complex I subunit and ATP levels were lower in Tg26 hearts. Post-H/R, mitochondrial superoxide (O 2•- ) levels were higher in Tg26 compared to WT myocytes. Overexpression of B-cell lymphoma 2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) reduced O 2•- levels in hypoxic WT and Tg26 myocytes back to normal. Under normoxic conditions, single myocyte contraction dynamics were similar between WT and Tg26 myocytes. Post-H/R and in the presence of isoproterenol, myocyte contraction amplitudes were lower in Tg26 myocytes. BAG3 overexpression restored Tg26 myocyte contraction amplitudes to those measured in WT myocytes post-H/R. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated physical association of BAG3 and the HIV protein Tat. We conclude: (a) Under basal conditions, mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake, OCR, and ATP levels were lower in Tg26 myocytes; (b) post-H/R, Δ Ψ m was lower, mitochondrial O 2•- levels were higher, and contraction amplitudes were reduced in Tg26 myocytes; and (c) BAG3 overexpression decreased O 2•- levels and restored contraction amplitudes to normal in Tg26 myocytes post-H/R in the presence of isoproterenol.

The relationship between DJ-1 and S100A8 in human primary alveolar type II cells in emphysema.

Pulmonary emphysema is characterized by alveolar type II (ATII) cell death, destruction of alveolar wall septa, and irreversible airflow limitation. Cigarette smoke induces oxidative stress and is the main risk factor for this disease development. ATII cells isolated from nonsmokers, smokers, and patients with emphysema were used for this study. ATII cell apoptosis in individuals with this disease was detected. DJ-1 and S100A8 have cytoprotective functions against oxidative stress-induced cell injury. Reduced DJ-1 and S100A8 interaction was found in ATII cells in patients with emphysema. The molecular function of S100A8 was determined by an analysis of the oxidation status of its cysteine residues using chemoselective probes. Decreased S100A8 sulfination was observed in emphysema patients. In addition, its lower levels correlated with higher cell apoptosis induced by cigarette smoke extract in vitro. Cysteine at position 106 within DJ-1 is a central redox-sensitive residue. DJ-1 C106A mutant construct abolished the cytoprotective activity of DJ-1 against cell injury induced by cigarette smoke extract. Furthermore, a molecular and complementary relationship between DJ-1 and S100A8 was detected using gain- and loss-of-function studies. DJ-1 knockdown sensitized cells to apoptosis induced by cigarette smoke extract, and S100A8 overexpression provided cytoprotection in the absence of DJ-1. DJ-1 knockout mice were more susceptible to ATII cell apoptosis induced by cigarette smoke compared with wild-type mice. Our results indicate that the impairment of DJ-1 and S100A8 function may contribute to cigarette smoke-induced ATII cell injury and emphysema pathogenesis.

The role of DJ-1 in human primary alveolar type II cell injury induced by e-cigarette aerosol.

The alveolus participates in gas exchange, which can be impaired by environmental factors and toxins. There is an increase in using electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes); however, their effect on human primary alveolar epithelial cells is unknown. Human lungs were obtained from nonsmoker organ donors to isolate alveolar type II (ATII) cells. ATII cells produce and secrete pulmonary surfactant and restore the epithelium after damage, and mitochondrial function is important for their metabolism. Our data indicate that human ATII cell exposure to e-cigarette aerosol increased IL-8 levels and induced DNA damage and apoptosis. We also studied the cytoprotective effect of DJ-1 against ATII cell injury. DJ-1 knockdown in human primary ATII cells sensitized cells to mitochondrial dysfunction as detected by high mitochondrial superoxide production, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and calcium elevation. DJ-1 knockout (KO) mice were more susceptible to ATII cell apoptosis and lung injury induced by e-cigarette aerosol compared with wild-type mice. Regulation of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is important for mitochondrial function and protection against oxidative stress. Major subunits of the OXPHOS system are encoded by both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. We found dysregulation of OXPHOS complexes in DJ-1 KO mice after exposure to e-cigarette aerosol, which could disrupt the nuclear/mitochondrial stoichiometry, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction. Together, our results indicate that DJ-1 deficiency sensitizes ATII cells to damage induced by e-cigarette aerosol leading to lung injury.

Platelet microparticles infiltrating solid tumors transfer miRNAs that suppress tumor growth.

Platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) are associated with enhancement of metastasis and poor cancer outcomes. Circulating PMPs transfer platelet microRNAs (miRNAs) to vascular cells. Solid tumor vasculature is highly permeable, allowing the possibility of PMP-tumor cell interaction. Here, we show that PMPs infiltrate solid tumors in humans and mice and transfer platelet-derived RNA, including miRNAs, to tumor cells in vivo and in vitro, resulting in tumor cell apoptosis. MiR-24 was a major species in this transfer. PMP transfusion inhibited growth of both lung and colon carcinoma ectopic tumors, whereas blockade of miR-24 in tumor cells accelerated tumor growth in vivo, and prevented tumor growth inhibition by PMPs. Conversely, Par4-deleted mice, which had reduced circulating microparticles (MPs), supported accelerated tumor growth which was halted by PMP transfusion. PMP targeting was associated with tumor cell apoptosis in vivo. We identified direct RNA targets of platelet-derived miR-24 in tumor cells, which included mitochondrial mt-Nd2, and Snora75, a noncoding small nucleolar RNA. These RNAs were suppressed in PMP-treated tumor cells, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction and growth inhibition, in an miR-24-dependent manner. Thus, platelet-derived miRNAs transfer in vivo to tumor cells in solid tumors via infiltrating MPs, regulate tumor cell gene expression, and modulate tumor progression. These findings provide novel insight into mechanisms of horizontal RNA transfer and add multiple layers to the regulatory roles of miRNAs and PMPs in tumor progression. Plasma MP-mediated transfer of regulatory RNAs and modulation of gene expression may be a common feature with important outcomes in contexts of enhanced vascular permeability.

Egr-1 mediated cardiac miR-99 family expression diverges physiological hypertrophy from pathological hypertrophy.

The physiological cardiac hypertrophy is an adaptive condition without myocyte cell death, while pathological hypertrophy is a maladaptive condition associated with myocyte cell death. This study explores the miRNome of α-2M-induced physiologically hypertrophied cardiomyocytes and the role of miRNA-99 family during cardiac hypertrophy. Physiological and pathological cardiac hypertrophy was induced in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cell lines using α-2M and isoproterenol respectively. Total RNA isolation and small RNA sequencing were executed for physiological hypertrophy model. The differentially expressed miRNAs and its target mRNAs were validated in animal models. Transcription factor binding sites were predicted in the promoter of specific miRNAs and validated by ChIP-PCR. Subsequently, the selected miRNA was functionally characterized by overexpression and silencing. The effects of silencing of upstream regulator and downstream target gene were studied. Analysis of small RNA reads revealed the differential expression of a large set of miRNAs during hypertrophy, of which miR-99 family was highly downregulated upon α-2M treatment. However, this miR-99 family expression was upregulated during pathological hypertrophy and confirmed in animal models. ChIP-PCR confirms the binding of Egr-1 transcription factor to the miR-99 promoter. Further, silencing of Egr-1 decreased the expression of miR-99. The overexpression or silencing of miR-99 diverges the physiological hypertrophy to pathological hypertrophy and vice versa by regulating Akt-1 pathway. Silencing of Akt-1 replicates the effect of overexpression of miR-99. CONCLUSION: The results proved Egr-1 mediated regulation of miR-99 family that plays a key role in determining the fate of cardiac hypertrophy by regulating Akt-1 signaling.

Haplo-insufficiency of Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 in mice results in progressive left ventricular dysfunction, ß-adrenergic insensitivity, and increased apoptosis.

Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) is a 575 amino acid protein that is found predominantly in the heart, skeletal muscle, and many cancers. Deletions and truncations in BAG3 that result in haplo-insufficiency have been associated with the development of dilated cardiomyopathy. To study the cellular and molecular events attributable to BAG3 haplo-insufficiency we generated a mouse in which one allele of BAG3 was flanked by loxP recombination sites (BAG3fl/+ ). Mice were crossed with α-MHC-Cre mice in order to generate mice with cardiac-specific haplo-insufficiency (cBAG3+/-) and underwent bi-weekly echocardiography to assess their cardiac phenotype. By 10 weeks of age, cBAG3+/- mice demonstrated increased heart size and diminished left ventricular ejection fraction when compared with non-transgenic littermates (Cre-/- BAG3fl/+ ). Contractility in adult myocytes isolated from cBAG3+/- mice were similar to those isolated from control mice at baseline, but showed a significantly decreased response to adrenergic stimulation. Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+ ]i ) transient amplitudes in myocytes isolated from cBAG3+/- mice were also similar to myocytes isolated from control mice at baseline but were significantly lower than myocytes from control mice in their response to isoproterenol. BAG3 haplo-insufficiency was also associated with decreased autophagy flux and increased apoptosis. Taken together, these results suggest that mice in which BAG3 has been deleted from a single allele provide a model that mirrors the biology seen in patients with heart failure and BAG3 haplo-insufficiency.

BAG3 regulates contractility and Ca(2+) homeostasis in adult mouse ventricular myocytes.

Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) is a 575 amino acid anti-apoptotic protein that is constitutively expressed in the heart. BAG3 mutations, including mutations leading to loss of protein, are associated with familial cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, BAG3 levels have been found to be reduced in end-stage non-familial failing myocardium. In contrast to neonatal myocytes in which BAG3 is found in the cytoplasm and involved in protein quality control and apoptosis, in adult mouse left ventricular (LV) myocytes BAG3 co-localized with Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and L-type Ca(2+) channels in the sarcolemma and t-tubules. BAG3 co-immunoprecipitated with ß1-adrenergic receptor, L-type Ca(2+) channels and phospholemman. To simulate decreased BAG3 protein levels observed in human heart failure, we targeted BAG3 by shRNA (shBAG3) in adult LV myocytes. Reducing BAG3 by 55% resulted in reduced contraction and [Ca(2+)]i transient amplitudes in LV myocytes stimulated with isoproterenol. L-type Ca(2+) current (ICa) and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) content but not Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange current (INaCa) or SR Ca(2+) uptake were reduced in isoproterenol-treated shBAG3 myocytes. Forskolin or dibutyryl cAMP restored ICa amplitude in shBAG3 myocytes to that observed in WT myocytes, consistent with BAG3 having effects upstream and at the level of the receptor. Resting membrane potential and action potential amplitude were unaffected but APD50 and APD90 were prolonged in shBAG3 myocytes. Protein levels of Ca(2+) entry molecules and other important excitation-contraction proteins were unchanged in myocytes with lower BAG3. Our findings that BAG3 is localized at the sarcolemma and t-tubules while modulating myocyte contraction and action potential duration through specific interaction with the ß1-adrenergic receptor and L-type Ca(2+) channel provide novel insight into the role of BAG3 in cardiomyopathies and increased arrhythmia risks in heart failure.

NLRX1 acts as tumor suppressor by regulating TNF-α induced apoptosis and metabolism in cancer cells.

Chronic inflammation in tumor microenvironment plays an important role at different stages of tumor development. The specific mechanisms of the association and its role in providing a survival advantage to the tumor cells are not well understood. Mitochondria are emerging as a central platform for the assembly of signaling complexes regulating inflammatory pathways, including the activation of type-I IFN and NF-κB. These complexes in turn may affect metabolic functions of mitochondria and promote tumorigenesis. NLRX1, a mitochondrial NOD-like receptor protein, regulate inflammatory pathways, however its role in regulation of cross talk of cell death and metabolism and its implication in tumorigenesis is not well understood. Here we demonstrate that NLRX1 sensitizes cells to TNF-α induced cell death by activating Caspase-8. In the presence of TNF-α, NLRX1 and active subunits of Caspase-8 are preferentially localized to mitochondria and regulate the mitochondrial ROS generation. NLRX1 regulates mitochondrial Complex I and Complex III activities to maintain ATP levels in the presence of TNF-α. The expression of NLRX1 compromises clonogenicity, anchorage-independent growth, migration of cancer cells in vitro and suppresses tumorigenicity in vivo in nude mice. We conclude that NLRX1 acts as a potential tumor suppressor by regulating the TNF-α induced cell death and metabolism.

TRIM family proteins: emerging class of RING E3 ligases as regulator of NF-κB pathway.

The nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) transcription factor family plays a key role in regulation of the inflammatory pathway in response to different physiological stimuli starting from development to ageing. The dysregulation of NF-κB has been associated with many pathological conditions like inflammatory diseases, neurodegeneration, metabolic diseases and various kinds of malignancies. The NF-κB pathway is regulated by number of post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation and ubiquitination. Ubiquitin (Ub) E3 ligases are key regulators of the process of ubiquitination and provide specificity to the pathway as they recognise the substrate and determine the topology of ubiquitination. TRIMs, members of RING family of Ub E3 ligases, are characterised by the presence of three conserved domains, RING, B-Box and coiled-coil (RBCC). Emerging evidence suggests that TRIMs regulate innate immune signalling during infection and different pathological conditions. The studies have demonstrated the role of TRIMs in regulation of inflammatory pathways including NF-κB. Recent reports suggest that TRIMs play a critical role in regulation of the NF-κB pathway by ubiquitinating proteins at different steps. In the current review, we discuss the role of TRIMs as novel NF-κB regulators and their role in different pathophysiological conditions.

Antiviral signaling protein MITA acts as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer by regulating NF-κB induced cell death.

Emerging evidences suggest that chronic inflammation is one of the major causes of tumorigenesis. The role of inflammation in regulation of breast cancer progression is not well established. Recently Mediator of IRF3 Activation (MITA) protein has been identified that regulates NF-κB and IFN pathways. Role of MITA in the context of inflammation and cancer progression has not been investigated. In the current report, we studied the role of MITA in the regulation of cross talk between cell death and inflammation in breast cancer cells. The expression of MITA was significantly lower on in estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer cells than ER negative cells. Similarly, it was significantly down regulated in tumor tissue as compared to the normal tissue. The overexpression of MITA in MCF-7 and T47D decreases the cell proliferation and increases the cell death by activation of caspases. MITA positively regulates NF-κB transcription factor, which is essential for MITA induced cell death. The activation of NF-κB induces TNF-α production which further sensitizes MITA induced cell death by activation of death receptor pathway through capsase-8. MITA expression decreases the colony forming units and migration ability of MCF-7 cells. Thus, our finding suggests that MITA acts as a tumor suppressor which is down regulated during tumorigenesis providing survival advantage to tumor cell.

TRIM13 regulates caspase-8 ubiquitination, translocation to autophagosomes and activation during ER stress induced cell death.

The emerging evidences suggest that endoplasmic (ER) stress is involved in onset of many pathological conditions like cancer and neurodegeneration. The persistent ER stress results in misfolded protein aggregates, which are degraded through the process of autophagy or lead to cell death through activation of caspases. The regulation of crosstalk of autophagy and cell death during ER stress is emerging. Ubiquitination plays regulatory role in crosstalk of autophagy and cell death. In the current study, we describe the role of TRIM13, RING E3 ubiquitin ligase, in regulation of ER stress induced cell death. The expression of TRIM13 sensitizes cells to ER stress induced death. TRIM13 induced autophagy is essential for ER stress induced caspase activation and cell death. TRIM13 induces K63 linked poly-ubiquitination of caspase-8, which results in its stabilization and activation during ER stress. TRIM13 regulates translocation of caspase-8 to autophagosome and its fusion with lysosome during ER stress. This study first time demonstrated the role of TRIM13 as novel regulator of caspase-8 activation and cell death during ER stress.

MICU1's calcium sensing beyond mitochondrial calcium uptake.

The discovery of MICU1 as gatekeeper of mitochondrial calcium (mCa2+) entry has transformed our understanding of mCa2+ flux. Recent studies revealed an additional role of MICU1 as a Ca2+ sensor at MICOS (mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system). MICU1's presence at MICOS suggests its involvement in coordinating Ca2+ signaling and mitochondrial ultrastructure. Besides its role in Ca2+ regulation, MICU1 influences cellular signaling pathways including transcription, epigenetic regulation, metabolism, and cell death, thereby affecting human health. Here, we summarize recent findings on MICU1's canonical and noncanonical functions, and its relevance to human health and diseases.