Correction: Y-box-binding protein 1 supports the early and late steps of HIV replication.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200080.].

The interplay between chemical speciation and physiology determines the bioaccumulation and toxicity of Cu(II) and Cd(II) to Caenorhabditis elegans.

Using the well-documented model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, a combined analysis of metal speciation in the exposure medium and body burdens of metals (Zn, Cu and Cd) was performed, and factors that are predictive of toxicological endpoints in single metal and mixed metal exposures were identified. Cu, and to a lesser extent Cd, is found to associate with Escherichia coli in the exposure medium (the food source for C. elegans) as evidenced by the observed decrease in both their dissolved and free metal ion concentrations. Together with a critical analysis of literature data, our results suggest that free metal ion concentrations and thus aqueous uptake routes are the best predictor of internal concentrations under all conditions considered, and of metal toxicity in single metal exposures. Additional factors are involved in determining the toxicity of metal mixtures. In general, the eventual adverse effects of metals on biota are expected to be a consequence of the interplay between chemical speciation in the exposure medium, timescale of exposure, exposure route as well as the nature and timescale of the biotic handling pathways.

Transcriptome profiling of HepG2 cells exposed to the flame retardant 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene 10-oxide (DOPO).

The flame retardant, 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene 10-oxide (DOPO), has been receiving great interest given its superior fire protection properties, and its predicted low level of persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. However, empirical toxicological data that are essential for a complete hazard assessment are severely lacking. In this study, we attempted to identify the potential toxicological modes of action by transcriptome (RNA-seq) profiling of the human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2. Such insight may help in identifying compounds of concern and potential toxicological phenotypes. DOPO was found to have little cytotoxic potential, with lower effective concentrations compared to other flame retardants studied in the same cell line. Differentially expressed genes revealed a wide range of molecular effects including changes in protein, energy, DNA, and lipid metabolism, along with changes in cellular stress response pathways. In response to 250 µM DOPO, the most perturbed biological processes were fatty acid metabolism, androgen metabolism, glucose transport, and renal function and development, which is in agreement with other studies that observed similar effects of other flame retardants in other species. However, treatment with 2.5 µM DOPO resulted in very few differentially expressed genes and failed to indicate any potential effects on biology, despite such concentrations likely being orders of magnitude greater than would be encountered in the environment. This, together with the low levels of cytotoxicity, supports the potential replacement of the current flame retardants by DOPO, although further studies are needed to establish the nephrotoxicity and endocrine disruption of DOPO.

Y-box-binding protein 1 supports the early and late steps of HIV replication.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) depends on cellular proteins, so-called cofactors, to complete its replication cycle. In search for new therapeutic targets we identified the DNA and RNA binding protein Y-box-binding Protein 1 (YB-1) as a cofactor supporting early and late steps of HIV replication. YB-1 depletion resulted in a 10-fold decrease in HIV-1 replication in different cell lines. Dissection of the replication defects revealed that knockdown of YB-1 is associated with a 2- to 5-fold decrease in virion production due to interference with the viral RNA metabolism. Using single-round virus infection experiments we demonstrated that early HIV-1 replication also depends on the cellular YB-1 levels. More precisely, using quantitative PCR and an in vivo nuclear import assay with fluorescently labeled viral particles, we showed that YB-1 knockdown leads to a block between reverse transcription and nuclear import of HIV-1. Interaction studies revealed that YB-1 associates with integrase, although a direct interaction with HIV integrase could not be unambiguously proven. In conclusion, our results indicate that YB-1 affects multiple stages of HIV replication. Future research on the interaction between YB-1 and the virus will reveal whether this protein qualifies as a new antiviral target.

Mass spectrometric evidence for neuropeptide-amidating enzymes in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Neuropeptides constitute a vast and functionally diverse family of neurochemical signaling molecules and are widely involved in the regulation of various physiological processes. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is well-suited for the study of neuropeptide biochemistry and function, as neuropeptide biosynthesis enzymes are not essential for C. elegans viability. This permits the study of neuropeptide biosynthesis in mutants lacking certain neuropeptide-processing enzymes. Mass spectrometry has been used to study the effects of proprotein convertase and carboxypeptidase mutations on proteolytic processing of neuropeptide precursors and on the peptidome in C. elegans However, the enzymes required for the last step in the production of many bioactive peptides, the carboxyl-terminal amidation reaction, have not been characterized in this manner. Here, we describe three genes that encode homologs of neuropeptide amidation enzymes in C. elegans and used tandem LC-MS to compare neuropeptides in WT animals with those in newly generated mutants for these putative amidation enzymes. We report that mutants lacking both a functional peptidylglycine α-hydroxylating monooxygenase and a peptidylglycine α-amidating monooxygenase had a severely altered neuropeptide profile and also a decreased number of offspring. Interestingly, single mutants of the amidation enzymes still expressed some fully processed amidated neuropeptides, indicating the existence of a redundant amidation mechanism in C. elegans All MS data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD008942. In summary, the key steps in neuropeptide processing in C. elegans seem to be executed by redundant enzymes, and loss of these enzymes severely affects brood size, supporting the need of amidated peptides for C. elegans reproduction.

Rhodopsin optogenetic toolbox v2.0 for light-sensitive excitation and inhibition in Caenorhabditis elegans.

In optogenetics, rhodopsins were established as light-driven tools to manipulate neuronal activity. However, during long-term photostimulation using channelrhodopsin (ChR), desensitization can reduce effects. Furthermore, requirement for continuous presence of the chromophore all-trans retinal (ATR) in model systems lacking sufficient endogenous concentrations limits its applicability. We tested known, and engineered and characterized new variants of de- and hyperpolarizing rhodopsins in Caenorhabditis elegans. ChR2 variants combined previously described point mutations that may synergize to enable prolonged stimulation. Following brief light pulses ChR2(C128S;H134R) induced muscle activation for minutes or even for hours ('Quint': ChR2(C128S;L132C;H134R;D156A;T159C)), thus featuring longer open state lifetime than previously described variants. Furthermore, stability after ATR removal was increased compared to the step-function opsin ChR2(C128S). The double mutants C128S;H134R and H134R;D156C enabled increased effects during repetitive stimulation. We also tested new hyperpolarizers (ACR1, ACR2, ACR1(C102A), ZipACR). Particularly ACR1 and ACR2 showed strong effects in behavioral assays and very large currents with fast kinetics. In sum, we introduce highly light-sensitive optogenetic tools, bypassing previous shortcomings, and thus constituting new tools that feature high effectiveness and fast kinetics, allowing better repetitive stimulation or investigating prolonged neuronal activity states in C. elegans and, possibly, other systems.

Neuropeptidomic Analysis of Zebrafish Brain.

A wide variety of bioactive peptides are present in all metazoan species where they govern diverse functions as small messenger molecules. In the last 15 years, mass spectrometry-based methods have identified endogenous peptides in diverse species. Mass spectrometry enables the precise peptide sequences to be determined, including the potential existence of truncated versions or the presence of post-translational modifications. Because small modifications can have a large effect on biological activity, knowledge of the actual peptide sequences paves the way for further functional studies such as analysis of neuropeptidergic signaling cascades. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an important animal model that is commonly used in a wide range of studies. Here we provide a detailed description of the peptide extraction procedure and peptidomics workflow for zebrafish.

Identification of Endogenous Neuropeptides in the Nematode C. elegans Using Mass Spectrometry.

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans lends itself as an excellent model organism for peptidomics studies. Its ease of cultivation and quick generation time make it suitable for high-throughput studies. Adult hermaphrodites contain 959 somatic nuclei that are ordered in defined, differentiated tissues. The nervous system, with its 302 neurons, is probably the most known and studied endocrine tissue. Moreover, its neuropeptidergic signaling pathways display a large number of similarities with those observed in other metazoans. However, various other tissues have also been shown to express several neuropeptides. This includes the hypodermis, gonad, gut, and even muscle. Hence, whole mount peptidomics of C. elegans cultures provides an integral overview of peptidergic signaling between the different tissues of the entire organism. Here, we describe a peptidomics approach used for the identification of endogenous (neuro)peptides in C. elegans. Starting from a detailed peptide extraction procedure, we will outline the setup for an online liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis and describe subsequent data analysis approaches.

Mixture effects of copper, cadmium, and zinc on mortality and behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans.

The toxicity effects of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and cadmium (Cd), both as single metals and in combination, were examined in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Metal effects on lethality were analyzed in a time-dependent manner using different concentrations in K-medium. To investigate the effects on locomotion and chemosensation, lethal concentration at 20% (LC20) values were used. The results showed that Cu toxicity was higher compared with Cd and Zn, resulting in higher mortality rates and a more reduced locomotion. Lethality increased over time for all metals. When Cd was added to Cu, and vice versa, significant increases in toxicity were noted. Different interaction effects were observed for the mixtures ZnCd, ZnCu, CuCd, and ZnCuCd. Zinc seemed to have a neutral toxic effect on Cd, while in combination with Cu, a similar additive effect was seen as for the CuCd combination. Binary and tertiary metal mixtures caused a strong decrease in locomotion, except for the ZnCd combination, where Zn seemed to have a neutral effect. After LC2024 h exposure, reduced crawling speed (except for Zn) and reduced thrashing behavior (except for Zn and the ZnCd mixture) were observed. Almost no significant effects were observed on chemosensation. Because the same trend of mixture effects was noted in locomotion and in lethality tests, locomotion can probably be considered a sensitive endpoint for metal toxicities. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:145-159. © 2017 SETAC.

A toxicogenomics approach to screen chlorinated flame retardants tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate and tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate for potential health effects.

Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) is a pervasive flame retardant that has been identified as a chemical of concern given its health effects and therefore its use has since been tightly regulated. Tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP), an analogue of TCEP, is believed to be its replacement. However, compared to TCEP, little is known of the toxicological impacts of TCIPP. We used RNA sequencing as unbiased and sensitive tool to identify and compare effects on a transcriptome level of TCEP and TCIPP in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2. We identified that compared to other flame retardants, TCEP and TCIPP had little cytotoxicity. Treatment with sub-cytotoxic concentrations of the two compounds revealed that both chemicals elicited similar effects; both compounds were found to affect genes involved in immune responses and steroid hormone biosynthesis, while also affecting xenobiotic metabolism pathways in a similar manner. Specifically for effects on immune responses, both compounds were shown to alter the expression of the receptor of the potent and pleiotropic complement component, C5a. Additionally, expression of genes encoding for effector proteins involved in the complement cascade along with other potent inflammatory regulators were found altered in response to TCEP and TCIPP, further emphasizing their potential effects on immune function. Taken together, given that TCIPP elicited similar effects compared to TCEP, and at lower concentrations, the potential health effects of TCIPP need to be further studied for a complete risk assessment of the compound.

Toxicogenomics of the flame retardant tris (2-butoxyethyl) phosphate in HepG2 cells using RNA-seq.

Tris (2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP) is a compound produced at high volume that is used as both a flame retardant and a plasticizer. It is persistent and bioaccumulative, yet little is known of its toxicological modes of action. Such insight may aid risk assessment in a weight-of-evidence approach supplementing current testing strategies. We used an RNA sequencing approach as an unbiased and sensitive tool to explore potential negative health effects of sub-cytotoxic concentrations of TBOEP on the transcriptome of the human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2, with the lowest concentration used potentially holding relevance to human physiological levels. Over-representation and gene set enrichment analysis corresponded well and revealed that TBOEP treatments resulted in an upregulation of genes involved in protein and energy metabolism, along with DNA replication. Such increases in cell and macromolecule metabolism could explain the increase in mitochondrial activity at lower TBOEP concentrations. In addition, TBOEP affected a wide variety of biological processes, the most notable one being the general stress response, wound healing. Finally, TBOEP showed effects on steroid hormone biosynthesis and activation, regulation, and potentiation of immune responses, in agreement with other studies. As such, this study is the first study investigating genome-wide changes in gene transcription in response to TBOEP in human cells.

Peptidomics of the zebrafish Danio rerio: In search for neuropeptides.

(Neuro)peptides are small messenger molecules that are derived from larger, inactive precursor proteins by the highly controlled action of processing enzymes. These biologically active peptides can be found in all metazoan species where they orchestrate a wide variety of physiological processes. Obviously, detailed knowledge on the actual peptide sequences, including the potential existence of truncated versions or presence of post-translation modifications, is of high importance when studying their function. A peptidomics approach therefore aims to identify and characterize the endogenously present peptide complement of a defined tissue or organism using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. While the zebrafish Danio rerio is considered as an important aquatic model for medical research, neuroscience, development and ecotoxicology, very little is known about their peptidergic signaling cascades. We therefore set out to biochemically characterize endogenously present (neuro)peptides from the zebrafish brain. This peptidomics setup yielded >60 different peptides in addition to various truncated versions. SIGNIFICANCE: Though the zebrafish is a well-established model organism to study vertebrate biology and gene functions in either a medical or (eco)toxicological context, very little knowledge about neuropeptidergic signaling cascades is available. We therefore set out to characterize endogenously present peptides from the zebrafish brain using a peptidomics setup yielding a total number of 105 peptide identifications. To our knowledge, it is the first attempt to biochemically isolate and characterize neuropeptides from a fish species in a high-throughput manner. This archive of identified endogenous peptides is likely to aid further functional elucidation of defined neuropeptidergic signaling systems (e.g. characterization of cognate G-protein coupled receptors). Furthermore, our methodology allows studying the changes in peptide expression in response to changes in the organism or the environment using differential peptidomics.

Assessing in-vitro estrogenic effects of currently-used flame retardants.

Flame retardants are chemicals that are added to nearly all manufactured materials. Additionally, there has been a steady increase in diseases resulting from endocrine-disruption with an aligned increase in use of chemicals. Given the persistence, potential bioaccumulation, limited toxicological understanding, and vast use of flame retardants, there is a need to investigate potential endocrine-disruptive activity associated with these compounds in an effort for better risk assessment. We therefore used the MCF-7 flow-cytometric proliferation assay in an effort to establish potential estrogen-disrupting effects of twelve currently-used flame retardants. Triphenyl phosphate, tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate, tris(butyl) phosphate, hexabromocyclododecane, and tetrabromobisphenol A showed statistically significant estrogenic activity, with hexabromocyclododecane being the most potent of the five (EC20 of 5.5 µM). Tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate, tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate, tri(2-chloroethyl) phosphate, tris(butyl) phosphate, hexabromocyclododecane, tetrabromobisphenol A, and tris(2,3,-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate harboured anti-estrogenic activity when co-treating with 17ß-estradiol, with hexabromocyclododecane showing the highest potency (IC20 of 17.6 µM). Interestingly, some compounds showed both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects, indicating both receptor-dependant and -independent mechanisms attributed to some of these compounds, in line with other studies. Multiple currently-used flame retardants may therefore act as xenoestrogens and anti-estrogens, or alter estrogen homeostasis, which could affect endocrine function.

Proteomics applications in Caenorhabditis elegans research.

The free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is one of the most studied models in a wide variety of research fields with applications in agro- or pharmaceutical industries. It has been used for the development of new anthelminthic drugs and was proven to yield key insights in neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic syndromes. Due to its suitability for high-throughput genetic screens, efficiency for RNA interference approaches and the availability of thousands of mutants, most studies were carried out at the genetic level. However, determining the cellular function of each gene product remains an unfinished goal in this post-genomic era. A systems biology approach focusing on the actual gene products (i.e. proteins) can help unraveling this puzzle. A fundamental pillar in this research is mass spectrometry-based proteomics. We here provide an in-depth overview of proteomics-related studies in C. elegans research, with special emphasis on the methodologies and biological applications.

Elucidating toxicological mechanisms of current flame retardants using a bacterial gene profiling assay.

Flame retardants are ubiquitously used chemicals that have been shown to contaminate environments. Toxicological data is largely limited, with little insight into their molecular modes of action that may give rise to their toxic phenotypes. Such insight would aid more effective risk assessments concerning these compounds, while also improving molecular design. We therefore used a bacterial stress-gene profiling assay to screen twelve currently-used flame retardants to obtain mechanistic insights of toxicity. Both brominated and organophosphate flame retardants were tested. All compounds showed statistically significant inductions of several stress genes when compared to control treatments. Triphenyl phosphate, tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate, tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate, tris(butyl)phosphate, and tetrabromobisphenol A elicited (at least) two-fold inductions for any of the stress genes. When looking at absolute induction levels, the promoters induced are indicative of protein perturbation, DNA integrity and membrane integrity. However, normalising for the different induction potentials of the different stress genes and clustering using hierarchical and k-means algorithms indicated that in addition to protein and DNA damage, some compounds also resulted in growth arrest and oxidative damage. This research shows that this assay allows for the determination of toxicological modes-of-action while clustering and accounting for induction potentials of the different genes aids better risk assessment.

Caenorhabditis elegans nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are required for nociception.

Polymodal nociceptors sense and integrate information on injurious mechanical, thermal, and chemical stimuli. Chemical signals either activate nociceptors or modulate their responses to other stimuli. One chemical known to activate or modulate responses of nociceptors is acetylcholine (ACh). Across evolution nociceptors express subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) family, a family of ACh-gated ion channels. The roles of ACh and nAChRs in nociceptor function are, however, poorly understood. Caenorhabditis elegans polymodal nociceptors, PVD, express nAChR subunits on their sensory arbor. Here we show that mutations reducing ACh synthesis and mutations in nAChR subunits lead to defects in PVD function and morphology. A likely cause for these defects is a reduction in cytosolic calcium measured in ACh and nAChR mutants. Indeed, overexpression of a calcium pump in PVD mimics defects in PVD function and morphology found in nAChR mutants. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, a central role for nAChRs and ACh in nociceptor function and suggest that calcium permeating via nAChRs facilitates activity of several signaling pathways within this neuron.

The BET family of proteins targets moloney murine leukemia virus integration near transcription start sites.

A hallmark of retroviral replication is integration of the viral genome into host cell DNA. This characteristic makes retrovirus-based vectors attractive delivery vehicles for gene therapy. However, adverse events in gene therapeutic trials, caused by activation of proto-oncogenes due to murine leukemia virus (MLV)-derived vector integration, hamper their application. Here, we show that bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins (BRD2, BRD3, and BRD4) and MLV integrase specifically interact and colocalize within the nucleus of the cell. Inhibition of the BET proteins' chromatin interaction via specific bromodomain inhibitors blocks MLV virus replication at the integration step. MLV integration site distribution parallels the chromatin binding profile of BET proteins, and expression of an artificial fusion protein of the BET integrase binding domain with the chromatin interaction domain of the lentiviral targeting factor LEDGF/p75 retargets MLV integration away from transcription start sites and into the body of actively transcribed genes, conforming to the HIV integration pattern. Together, these data validate BET proteins as MLV integration targeting factors.

Sensory neuron fates are distinguished by a transcriptional switch that regulates dendrite branch stabilization.

Sensory neurons adopt distinct morphologies and functional modalities to mediate responses to specific stimuli. Transcription factors and their downstream effectors orchestrate this outcome but are incompletely defined. Here, we show that different classes of mechanosensory neurons in C. elegans are distinguished by the combined action of the transcription factors MEC-3, AHR-1, and ZAG-1. Low levels of MEC-3 specify the elaborate branching pattern of PVD nociceptors, whereas high MEC-3 is correlated with the simple morphology of AVM and PVM touch neurons. AHR-1 specifies AVM touch neuron fate by elevating MEC-3 while simultaneously blocking expression of nociceptive genes such as the MEC-3 target, the claudin-like membrane protein HPO-30, that promotes the complex dendritic branching pattern of PVD. ZAG-1 exercises a parallel role to prevent PVM from adopting the PVD fate. The conserved dendritic branching function of the Drosophila AHR-1 homolog, Spineless, argues for similar pathways in mammals.

Optogenetic manipulation of neural activity in C. elegans: from synapse to circuits and behaviour.

The emerging field of optogenetics allows for optical activation or inhibition of excitable cells. In 2005, optogenetic proteins were expressed in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans for the first time. Since then, C. elegans has served as a powerful platform upon which to conduct optogenetic investigations of synaptic function, circuit dynamics and the neuronal basis of behaviour. The C. elegans nervous system, consisting of 302 neurons, whose connectivity and morphology has been mapped completely, drives a rich repertoire of behaviours that are quantifiable by video microscopy. This model organism's compact nervous system, quantifiable behaviour, genetic tractability and optical accessibility make it especially amenable to optogenetic interrogation. Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2), halorhodopsin (NpHR/Halo) and other common optogenetic proteins have all been expressed in C. elegans. Moreover, recent advances leveraging molecular genetics and patterned light illumination have now made it possible to target photoactivation and inhibition to single cells and to do so in worms as they behave freely. Here, we describe techniques and methods for optogenetic manipulation in C. elegans. We review recent work using optogenetics and C. elegans for neuroscience investigations at the level of synapses, circuits and behaviour.

Keeping track of worm trackers.

C. elegans is used extensively as a model system in the neurosciences due to its well defined nervous system. However, the seeming simplicity of this nervous system in anatomical structure and neuronal connectivity, at least compared to higher animals, underlies a rich diversity of behaviors. The usefulness of the worm in genome-wide mutagenesis or RNAi screens, where thousands of strains are assessed for phenotype, emphasizes the need for computational methods for automated parameterization of generated behaviors. In addition, behaviors can be modulated upon external cues like temperature, O(subscript)2(/subscript) and CO(subscript)2(/subscript) concentrations, mechanosensory and chemosensory inputs. Different machine vision tools have been developed to aid researchers in their efforts to inventory and characterize defined behavioral "outputs". Here we aim at providing an overview of different worm-tracking packages or video analysis tools designed to quantify different aspects of locomotion such as the occurrence of directional changes (turns, omega bends), curvature of the sinusoidal shape (amplitude, body bend angles) and velocity (speed, backward or forward movement).