ABSTRACT
In this paper, the 4E assessment (Energetic, Exergetic, Exergoeconomic and Exergoenvironmental) of a low-temperature ORC activated by two different alternatives is presented. The first alternative (S1) contemplates the activation of the ORC through the recovery of waste heat from a flash-binary geothermal power plant. The second alternative (S2) contemplates the activation of the ORC using direct heat from a geothermal well. For both alternatives, the energetic and exergetic models were established. At the same time, the economic and environmental impact models were developed. Finally, based on the combination of the exergy concepts and the economic and ecological indicators, the exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental performances of the ORC were obtained. The results show higher economic, exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental profitability for S1. Besides, for the alternative S1, the ORC cycle has an acceptable economic profitability for a net power of 358.4 kW at a temperature of 110 °C, while for S2, this profitability starts being attractive for a power 2.65 times greater than S1 and with a temperature higher than 135 °C. In conclusion, the above represents an area of opportunity and a considerable advantage for the implementation of the ORC in the recovery of waste heat from flash-binary geothermal power plants.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The dismal clinical outcome of relapsed/refractory (R/R) T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) highlights the need for innovative targeted therapies. Although chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells have revolutionized the treatment of B cell malignancies, their clinical implementation in T-ALL is in its infancy. CD1a represents a safe target for cortical T-ALL (coT-ALL) patients, and fratricide-resistant CD1a-directed CAR T cells have been preclinically validated as an immunotherapeutic strategy for R/R coT-ALL. Nonetheless, T-ALL relapses are commonly very aggressive and hyperleukocytic, posing a challenge to recover sufficient non-leukemic effector T cells from leukapheresis in R/R T-ALL patients. METHODS: We carried out a comprehensive study using robust in vitro and in vivo assays comparing the efficacy of engineered T cells either expressing a second-generation CD1a-CAR or secreting CD1a x CD3 T cell-engaging Antibodies (CD1a-STAb). RESULTS: We show that CD1a-T cell engagers bind to cell surface expressed CD1a and CD3 and induce specific T cell activation. Recruitment of bystander T cells endows CD1a-STAbs with an enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity than CD1a-CAR T cells at lower effector:target ratios. CD1a-STAb T cells are as effective as CD1a-CAR T cells in cutting-edge in vivo T-ALL patient-derived xenograft models. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that CD1a-STAb T cells could be an alternative to CD1a-CAR T cells in coT-ALL patients with aggressive and hyperleukocytic relapses with limited numbers of non-leukemic effector T cells.
Subject(s)
Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma , T-Lymphocytes , Humans , Immunotherapy, Adoptive , Antibodies , RecurrenceABSTRACT
CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have yielded impressive response rates in refractory/relapse B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL); however, most patients ultimately relapse due to poor CAR T cell persistence or resistance of either CD19+ or CD19- B-ALL clones. CD22 is a pan-B marker whose expression is maintained in both CD19+ and CD19- relapses. CD22-CAR T cells have been clinically used in B-ALL patients, although relapse also occurs. T cells engineered with a tandem CAR (Tan-CAR) containing in a single construct both CD19 and CD22 scFvs may be advantageous in achieving higher remission rates and/or preventing antigen loss. We have generated and functionally validated using cutting-edge assays a 4-1BB-based CD22/CD19 Tan-CAR using in-house-developed novel CD19 and CD22 scFvs. Tan-CAR-expressing T cells showed similar in vitro expansion to CD19-CAR T cells with no increase in tonic signaling. CRISPR-Cas9-edited B-ALL cells confirmed the bispecificity of the Tan-CAR. Tan-CAR was as efficient as CD19-CAR in vitro and in vivo using B-ALL cell lines, patient samples, and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). Strikingly, the robust antileukemic activity of the Tan-CAR was slightly more effective in controlling the disease in long-term follow-up PDX models. This Tan-CAR construct warrants a clinical appraisal to test whether simultaneous targeting of CD19 and CD22 enhances leukemia eradication and reduces/delays relapse rates and antigen loss.
Subject(s)
Receptors, Chimeric Antigen , Antigens, CD19 , B-Lymphocytes , Humans , Immunotherapy, Adoptive , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism , Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 2/genetics , T-LymphocytesABSTRACT
Chemical descriptors encode the physicochemical and structural properties of small molecules, and they are at the core of chemoinformatics. The broad release of bioactivity data has prompted enriched representations of compounds, reaching beyond chemical structures and capturing their known biological properties. Unfortunately, bioactivity descriptors are not available for most small molecules, which limits their applicability to a few thousand well characterized compounds. Here we present a collection of deep neural networks able to infer bioactivity signatures for any compound of interest, even when little or no experimental information is available for them. Our signaturizers relate to bioactivities of 25 different types (including target profiles, cellular response and clinical outcomes) and can be used as drop-in replacements for chemical descriptors in day-to-day chemoinformatics tasks. Indeed, we illustrate how inferred bioactivity signatures are useful to navigate the chemical space in a biologically relevant manner, unveiling higher-order organization in natural product collections, and to enrich mostly uncharacterized chemical libraries for activity against the drug-orphan target Snail1. Moreover, we implement a battery of signature-activity relationship (SigAR) models and show a substantial improvement in performance, with respect to chemistry-based classifiers, across a series of biophysics and physiology activity prediction benchmarks.
Subject(s)
Small Molecule Libraries/chemistry , Small Molecule Libraries/pharmacology , Structure-Activity Relationship , Cell Line, Tumor , Databases, Pharmaceutical , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods , Humans , Snail Family Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors , Snail Family Transcription Factors/genetics , Snail Family Transcription Factors/metabolismABSTRACT
Resumen Determinar la prevalencia de parasitismo de Giardia duodenalis, en el centro de bienestar "CEIBA", del municipio de Rionegro, Colombia durante junio 2017. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal, no experimental, aleatorio, fueron evaluados 112 coprológicos de caninos del centro de bienestar "CEIBA", de ambos sexos, todas las edades y alimentación comercial. Fueron sometidos a evaluación coprológica, por extracción directa de ampolla rectal y evaluada en el Laboratorio Clínico de la Corporación Universitaria Lasallista "Hermano Marco Antonio Serna f.s.c", fueron realizados dos métodos diagnósticos, flotación con solución salina saturada (Willys Molloy) y frotis directo. La presencia de Giardia duodenalis fue categorizado en escala de cruces de 0-3. Se encontraron 60 (55%) muestras con presencia de parásitos, de los cuales 10 (8,92%) estaban infestados por Giardia duodenalis, representando 16,66% de la parasitosis total, para una cruz 2 (20%), con dos cruces 5 (50%) y con tres 3 (30%). La prevalencia de Giardia duodenalis en el centro de bienestar CEIBA, es baja con respecto a datos de prevalencia en otros albergues o centros caninos, lo cual puede estar influenciado por las medidas de prevención y control de la enfermedad.
Abstract To determine the prevalence of Giardia duodenalis parasitism at the CEIBA wellness center in the municipality of Rionegro, Colombia, during June 2017. A descriptive cross-sectional, non-experimental, randomized study was carried out. 112 coprological evaluations of canines of the "CEIBA" wellness center of both sexes, all ages and commercial feeding were evaluated. They were submitted to a cochrological evaluation, by direct extraction of rectal ampulla and evaluated in the Clinical Laboratory of the University of Lasallian Hospital "Hno Marco Antonio Serna, fsc", two diagnostic methods were carried out, flotation with saturated saline solution (Willys Molloy) and direct smears. The presence of Giardia duodenalis was categorized as 0-3 crosses. A total of 60 (55%) samples were present, with 10 (8.92%) infested by Giardia duodenalis, accounting for 16.66% of the total parasite, for a cross 2 (20%), with two crosses 5 (50%) and three 3 (30%). The prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in the CEIBA well-being center is low with respect to prevalence data in other canines or hostels, which may be influenced by disease prevention and control measures.
Resumo Determinar a prevalência do parasitismo de Giardia duodenalis no centro de bem-estar CEIBA no município de Rionegro, Colômbia, em junho de 2017. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo transversal, não experimental, randomizado. Foram avaliadas as avaliações coprológicas dos caninos do centro de bem estar "CEIBA" de ambos os sexos, todasas idades e alimentação comercial. Eles foram submetidos a avaliação cochrológica, por extração direta de ampola retal e avaliada no Laboratório Clínico do Hospital Universitário das Ilhas "Hno Marco Antonio Serna, fsc", foram realizados dois métodos de diagnóstico, flotação com solução salina saturada (Willys Molloy) e esfregaços diretos. A presença de Giardia duodenalis foi categorizada como 0-3 cruzamentos. Um total de 60 (55%) amostras estavam presentes, com 10 (8,92%) infestadas por Giardia duodenalis, representando 16,66% do parasita total, para uma cruz 2 (20%), com duas cruza 5 (50%) e três 3 (30%). A prevalência de Giardia duodenalis no centro de bem-estar da CEIBA é baixa em relação aos dados de prevalência em outros caninos ou albergues, o que pode ser influenciado por medidas de prevenção e controle de doenças.
ABSTRACT
Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE1) activates the endothelin-1 peptide, which upregulates pathways that are related to diverse hallmarks of cancer. ECE1 is expressed as four isoforms differing in their N-terminal domains. Protein kinase CK2 phosphorylates the N-terminus of isoform ECE1c, enhancing its stability and promoting invasiveness of colorectal cancer cells. However, the specific residues in ECE1c that are phosphorylated by CK2 and how this phosphorylation promotes invasiveness was unknown. Here we demonstrate that Ser-18 and Ser-20 are the bona fide residues phosphorylated by CK2 in ECE1c. Thus, biphospho-mimetic ECE1cDD and biphospho-resistant ECE1cAA mutants were constructed and stably expressed in different colorectal cancer cells through lentiviral transduction. Biphospho-mimetic ECE1cDD displayed the highest stability in cells, even in the presence of the specific CK2 inhibitor silmitasertib. Concordantly, ECE1cDD-expressing cells showed enhanced hallmarks of cancer, such as proliferation, migration, invasiveness, and self-renewal capacities. Conversely, cells expressing the less-stable biphospho-resistant ECE1cAA showed a reduction in these features, but also displayed an important sensitization to 5-fluorouracil, an antineoplastic agent traditionally used as therapy in colorectal cancer patients. Altogether, these findings suggest that phosphorylation of ECE1c at Ser-18 and Ser-20 by CK2 promotes aggressiveness in colorectal cancer cells. Therefore, phospho-ECE1c may constitute a novel biomarker of poor prognosis and CK2 inhibition may be envisioned as a potential therapy for colorectal cancer patients.
ABSTRACT
Cell migration is a multifactorial/multistep process that requires the concerted action of growth and transcriptional factors, motor proteins, extracellular matrix remodeling and proteases. In this review, we focus on the role of transcription factors modulating Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT-TFs), a fundamental process supporting both physiological and pathological cell migration. These EMT-TFs (Snail1/2, Twist1/2 and Zeb1/2) are labile proteins which should be stabilized to initiate EMT and provide full migratory and invasive properties. We present here a family of enzymes, the deubiquitinases (DUBs) which have a crucial role in counteracting polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of EMT-TFs after their induction by TGFß, inflammatory cytokines and hypoxia. We also describe the DUBs promoting the stabilization of Smads, TGFß receptors and other key proteins involved in transduction pathways controlling EMT.
Subject(s)
Cell Movement/physiology , Deubiquitinating Enzymes/metabolism , Animals , Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/physiology , Gene Expression Regulation/physiology , Humans , Oncogene Proteins/metabolism , Signal Transduction/physiology , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/metabolismABSTRACT
Snail1 transcriptional factor plays a key role in the control of epithelial to mesenchymal transition and fibroblast activation. As a consequence, Snail1 expression and function is regulated at multiple levels from gene transcription to protein modifications, affecting its interaction with specific cofactors. In this review, we describe the different elements that control Snail1 expression and its activity both as transcriptional repressor or activator.
ABSTRACT
In cancer cells, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is controlled by Snail1, a transcriptional factor also required for the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). Snail1 is short-lived in normal epithelial cells as a consequence of its coordinated and continuous ubiquitination by several F-box-specific E3 ligases, but its degradation is prevented in cancer cells and in activated fibroblasts. Here, we performed an siRNA screen and identified USP27X as a deubiquitinase that increases Snail1 stability. Expression of USP27X in breast and pancreatic cancer cell lines and tumors positively correlated with Snail1 expression levels. Accordingly, downregulation of USP27X decreased Snail1 protein in several tumor cell lines. USP27X depletion impaired Snail1-dependent cell migration and invasion and metastasis formation and increased cellular sensitivity to cisplatin. USP27X was upregulated by TGFß during EMT and was required for TGFß-induced expression of Snail1 and other mesenchymal markers in epithelial cells and CAF. In agreement with this, depletion of USP27X prevented TGFß-induced EMT and fibroblast activation. Collectively, these results indicate that USP27X is an essential protein controlling Snail1 expression and function and may serve as a target for inhibition of Snail1-dependent tumoral invasion and chemoresistance. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings show that inhibition of USP27X destabilizes Snail1 to impair EMT and renders tumor cells sensitive to chemotherapy, thus opening new strategies for the inhibition of Snail1 expression and its protumoral actions.Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/79/1/33/F1.large.jpg.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Cell Movement , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm , Snail Family Transcription Factors/chemistry , Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism , Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases/metabolism , Ubiquitin/metabolism , Animals , Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Breast Neoplasms/metabolism , Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts , Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition , Female , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Humans , Mice , Mice, Inbred NOD , Mice, SCID , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Protein Stability , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , Snail Family Transcription Factors/genetics , Snail Family Transcription Factors/metabolism , Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics , Tumor Cells, Cultured , Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases/antagonists & inhibitors , Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases/genetics , Xenograft Model Antitumor AssaysABSTRACT
Methylation of histone H3 lysine 4 is linked to active transcription and can be removed by LSD1 or the JmjC domain-containing proteins by amino-oxidation or hydroxylation, respectively. Here we describe that its deamination can be catalyzed by lysyl oxidase-like 2 protein (LOXL2), presenting an unconventional chemical mechanism for H3K4 modification. Infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry analyses demonstrated that recombinant LOXL2 specifically deaminates trimethylated H3K4. Moreover, by regulating H3K4me3 deamination, LOXL2 activity is linked with the transcriptional control of the CDH1 gene. These results reveal the existence of further H3 modification as well as a novel mechanism for H3K4me3 demethylation. DATABASE: The GEO accession number for the data referred to this paper is GSE35600.
Subject(s)
Amino Acid Oxidoreductases/metabolism , Histones/metabolism , Lysine/metabolism , Amino Acid Oxidoreductases/genetics , Antigens, CD , Blotting, Western , Cadherins/genetics , Cadherins/metabolism , Cell Line , Cell Line, Tumor , Gene Expression Profiling , Gene Expression Regulation , Humans , Methylation , Oxidation-Reduction , RNA Interference , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization , Spectrophotometry, InfraredABSTRACT
F-box proteins are the key recognition subunit of multimeric E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes that participate in the proteasome degradation of specific substrates. In the last years, a discrete number of F-box proteins have been shown to regulate the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process defined by a rapid change of cell phenotype, the loss of epithelial characteristics and the acquisition of a more invasive phenotype. Specific EMT transcription factors (EMT-TFs), such as Snail, Slug, Twist and Zeb, control EMT induction both during development and in cancer. These EMT-TFs are short-lived proteins that are targeted to the proteasome system by specific F-box proteins, keeping them at low levels. F-box proteins also indirectly regulate the EMT process by controlling EMT inducers, such as Notch, c-Myc or mTOR. Here we summarize the role that these F-box proteins (Fbxw1, Fbxw7, Fbxl14, Fbxl5, Fbxo11 and Fbxo45) play in controlling EMT during development and cancer progression, a process dependent on post-translational modifications that govern their interaction with target proteins.
Subject(s)
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/genetics , F-Box Proteins/genetics , F-Box Proteins/metabolism , Animals , Cullin Proteins/chemistry , Cullin Proteins/genetics , Cullin Proteins/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation , Humans , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/chemistry , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Multiprotein Complexes , Neoplasms/etiology , Neoplasms/metabolism , Protein Binding , Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/chemistry , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Snail Family Transcription Factors/metabolism , Twist-Related Protein 1/metabolism , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism , Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1/metabolismABSTRACT
Notch activation in aortic endothelial cells (ECs) takes place at embryonic stages during cardiac valve formation and induces endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). Using aortic ECs, we show here that active Notch expression promotes EndMT, resulting in downregulation of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) and upregulation of mesenchymal genes such as those for fibronectin and Snail1/2. In these cells, transforming growth factor ß1 exacerbates Notch effects by increasing Snail1 and fibronectin activation. When Notch-downstream pathways were analyzed, we detected an increase in glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK-3ß) phosphorylation and inactivation that facilitates Snail1 nuclear retention and protein stabilization. However, the total activity of Akt was downregulated. The discrepancy between Akt activity and GSK-3ß phosphorylation is explained by a Notch-induced switch in the Akt isoforms, whereby Akt1, the predominant isoform expressed in ECs, is decreased and Akt2 transcription is upregulated. Mechanistically, Akt2 induction requires the stimulation of the ß-catenin/TCF4 transcriptional complex, which activates the Akt2 promoter. Active, phosphorylated Akt2 translocates to the nucleus in Notch-expressing cells, resulting in GSK-3ß inactivation in this compartment. Akt2, but not Akt1, colocalizes in the nucleus with lamin B in the nuclear envelope. In addition to promoting GSK-3ß inactivation, Notch downregulates Forkhead box O1 (FoxO1), another Akt2 nuclear substrate. Moreover, Notch protects ECs from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis through an Akt2- and Snail1-dependent mechanism.
Subject(s)
Cell Death , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , Receptors, Notch/metabolism , Transcription Factors/genetics , Animals , Aorta/cytology , Cell Line , Endothelial Cells/cytology , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition , Gene Expression Regulation , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3/metabolism , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Mice , Oxidative Stress , Protein Isoforms/analysis , Protein Isoforms/genetics , Protein Isoforms/metabolism , Protein Stability , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/analysis , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics , Snail Family Transcription Factors , Swine , Transcription Factors/analysis , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Up-Regulation , beta Catenin/metabolismABSTRACT
In this report we have analyzed the role of antisense transcription in the control of LEF1 transcription factor expression. A natural antisense transcript (NAT) is transcribed from a promoter present in the first intron of LEF1 gene and undergoes splicing in mesenchymal cells. Although this locus is silent in epithelial cells, and neither NAT transcript nor LEF1 mRNA are expressed, in cell lines with an intermediate epithelial-mesenchymal phenotype presenting low LEF1 expression, the NAT is synthesized and remains unprocessed. Contrarily to the spliced NAT, this unspliced NAT down-regulates the main LEF1 promoter activity and attenuates LEF1 mRNA transcription. Unspliced LEF1 NAT interacts with LEF1 promoter and facilitates PRC2 binding to the LEF1 promoter and trimethylation of lysine 27 in histone 3. Expression of the spliced form of LEF1 NAT in trans prevents the action of unspliced NAT by competing for interaction with the promoter. Thus, these results indicate that LEF1 gene expression is attenuated by an antisense non-coding RNA and that this NAT function is regulated by the balance between its spliced and unspliced forms.
Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation , Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1/genetics , RNA Splicing , RNA, Antisense/metabolism , Cell Line , Epithelial Cells/metabolism , Humans , Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1/biosynthesis , Polycomb Repressive Complex 2/metabolism , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Transcription, GeneticABSTRACT
The zinc finger transcription factor Snail1 regulates epithelial to mesenchymal transition, repressing epithelial markers and activating mesenchymal genes. Snail1 is an extremely labile protein degraded by the cytoplasmic ubiquitin-ligases ß-TrCP1/FBXW1 and Ppa/FBXL14. Using a short hairpin RNA screening, we have identified FBXL5 as a novel Snail1 ubiquitin ligase. FBXL5 is located in the nucleus where it interacts with Snail1 promoting its polyubiquitination and affecting Snail1 protein stability and function by impairing DNA binding. Snail1 downregulation by FBXL5 is prevented by Lats2, a protein kinase that phosphorylates Snail1 precluding its nuclear export but not its polyubiquitination. Actually, although polyubiquitination by FBXL5 takes place in the nucleus, Snail1 is degraded in the cytosol. Finally, FBXL5 is highly sensitive to stress conditions and is downregulated by iron depletion and γ-irradiation, explaining Snail1 stabilization in these conditions. These results characterize a novel nuclear ubiquitin ligase controlling Snail1 protein stability and provide the molecular basis for understanding how radiotherapy upregulates the epithelial to mesenchymal transition-inducer Snail1.
Subject(s)
Cell Nucleus/enzymology , F-Box Proteins/metabolism , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism , Ubiquitination , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Nucleus/metabolism , DNA/metabolism , Gamma Rays , Humans , Protein Binding , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Protein Stability , RNA, Small Interfering , Snail Family Transcription Factors , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase ComplexesABSTRACT
The HoxB cluster expression is activated by retinoic acid and transcribed in a collinear manner. The DNA-binding Pknox1-Pbx1 complex modulates Hox protein activity. Here, NT2-D1 teratocarcinoma cells -a model of Hox gene expression- were used to show that upon retinoic acid induction, Pknox1 co-localizes with polymeric nuclear actin. We have found that globular actin aggregates, polymeric actin, the elongating RNA polymerase II and THOC match euchromatic regions corresponding to nuclear speckles. Moreover, RNA polymerase II, N-WASP, and transcription/splicing factors p54(nrb) and PSF were validated as Pknox1 interactors by tandem affinity purification. PSF pulled down with THOC and nuclear actin, both of which co-localize in nuclear speckles. Although latrunculin A slightly decreases the general level of HoxB gene expression, inhibition of nuclear actin polymerization by cytochalasin D blocks the expression of HoxB transcripts in a collinear manner. Thus, our results support the hypothesis that nuclear actin polymerization is involved in the activation of HoxB gene expression by means of nuclear speckles.
Subject(s)
Actins/chemistry , Actins/metabolism , Cell Nucleus/genetics , Cell Nucleus/metabolism , Genes, Homeobox/genetics , Transcription, Genetic/genetics , Humans , Polymerization , Tumor Cells, CulturedABSTRACT
Methylation of lysine 4 (K4) within histone H3 has been linked to active transcription and is removed by LSD1 and the JmjC domain-containing proteins by amino-oxidation or hydroxylation, respectively. Here, we describe the deamination catalyzed by Lysyl oxidase-like 2 protein (LOXL2) as an unconventional chemical mechanism for H3K4 modification. Infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry analyses demonstrated that recombinant LOXL2 specifically deaminates trimethylated H3K4. Moreover, LOXL2 activity is linked with the transcriptional control of CDH1 gene by regulating H3K4me3 deamination. These results reveal another H3 modification and provide a different mechanism for H3K4 modification.
Subject(s)
Amino Acid Oxidoreductases/physiology , Histones/metabolism , Antigens, CD , Cadherins/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Deamination , Gene Expression Regulation , Humans , Lysine/metabolism , MethylationABSTRACT
Prep1 is a developmentally essential TALE class homeodomain transcription factor. In zebrafish and mouse, Prep1 is already ubiquitously expressed at the earliest stages of development, with important tissue-specific peculiarities. The Prep1 gene in mouse is developmentally essential and has haploinsufficient tumor suppressor activity [1]. We have determined the human Prep1 transcription start site (TSS) by primer extension analysis and identified, within 20 bp, the transcription start region (TSR) of the zebrafish Prep1.1 promoter. The functions of the zebrafish 5' upstream sequences were analyzed both by transient transfections in Hela Cells and by injection in zebrafish embryos. This analysis revealed a complex promoter with regulatory sequences extending up to -1.8, possibly -5.0 Kb, responsible for tissue specific expression. Moreover, the first intron contains a conserved tissue-specific enhancer both in zebrafish and in human cells. Finally, a two nucleotides mutation of an EGR-1 site, conserved in all species including human and zebrafish and located at a short distance from the TSS, destroyed the promoter activity of the -5.0 Kb promoter. A transgenic fish expressing GFP under the -1.8 Kb zebrafish promoter/enhancer co-expressed GFP and endogenous Prep1.1 during embryonic development. In the adult fish, GFP was expressed in hematopoietic regions like the kidney, in agreement with the essential function of Prep1 in mouse hematopoiesis. Sequence comparison showed conservation from man to fish of the sequences around the TSS, within the first intron enhancer. Moreover, about 40% of the sequences spread throughout the 5 Kbof the zebrafish promoter are concentrated in the -3 to -5 Kb of the human upstream region.
Subject(s)
Homeodomain Proteins/genetics , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid , Transcription Factors/genetics , Zebrafish Proteins/genetics , Animals , Binding Sites , Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism , Humans , Mice , Models, Genetic , Mutation , Nucleotides/chemistry , Protein Structure, Tertiary , Transcription Factors/chemistry , Transcription Initiation Site , Zebrafish , Zebrafish Proteins/chemistryABSTRACT
The transcription factor SNAIL1 is a master regulator of epithelial to mesenchymal transition. SNAIL1 is a very unstable protein, and its levels are regulated by the E3 ubiquitin ligase beta-TrCP1 that interacts with SNAIL1 upon its phosphorylation by GSK-3beta. Here we show that SNAIL1 polyubiquitylation and degradation may occur in conditions precluding SNAIL1 phosphorylation by GSK-3beta, suggesting that additional E3 ligases participate in the control of SNAIL1 protein stability. In particular, we demonstrate that the F-box E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXl14 interacts with SNAIL1 and promotes its ubiquitylation and proteasome degradation independently of phosphorylation by GSK-3beta. In vivo, inhibition of FBXl14 using short hairpin RNA stabilizes both ectopically expressed and endogenous SNAIL1. Moreover, the expression of FBXl14 is potently down-regulated during hypoxia, a condition that increases the levels of SNAIL1 protein but not SNAIL1 mRNA. FBXL14 mRNA is decreased in tumors with a high expression of two proteins up-regulated in hypoxia, carbonic anhydrase 9 and TWIST1. In addition, Twist1 small interfering RNA prevents hypoxia-induced Fbxl14 down-regulation and SNAIL1 stabilization in NMuMG cells. Altogether, these results demonstrate the existence of an alternative mechanism controlling SNAIL1 protein levels relevant for the induction of SNAIL1 during hypoxia.