New insights into an old protein: the functional diversity of mammalian glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

Identification of proteins whose expression is up- or down-regulated in the mushroom bodies in the honeybee brain using proteomics

To identify protein(s) with different expression patterns in the mushroom bodies (MBs) in the honeybee brain, we compared the protein profiles of MBs and optic lobes (OLs) using proteomics. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed that five and three spots were selectively expressed in the MBs or OLs, respectively. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis identified juvenile hormone diol kinase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase as MB- and OL-selective proteins, respectively. In situ hybridization revealed that jhdk expression was upregulated in MB neuron subsets, whereas gapdh expression was downregulated, indicating that MBs have a distinct gene and protein expression profile in the honeybee brain.

A prolyl oligopeptidase inhibitor, Z-Pro-Prolinal, inhibits glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase translocation and production of reactive oxygen species in CV1-P cells exposed to 6-hydroxydopamine

We studied the ability of prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) inhibitors, Z-Pro-Prolinal and JTP-4819, to prevent translocation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) treated monkey fibroblast (CV1-P) and human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells. The cells were pretreated with POP inhibitors (30 min) before addition of toxicants. GAPDH was analyzed by Western hybridization, ROS by fluorescent 2'7'-dichlorodihydro-fluorescein diacetate, and viability by the MTT method. Both toxicants induced GAPDH translocation to the particulate fraction (mitochondria and nuclei). Z-Pro-Prolinal was able to inhibit the translocation in 6-OHDA-exposed CV1-P cells. In SH-SY5Y cells and in JTP-4819 pretreated cells, no prevention of translocation was seen. However, the intensity of GAPDH in cytosolic fraction increased. Both inhibitors blocked 6-OHDA-induced ROS-production to the control level in CV1-P but, not in SH-SY5Y cells, without affecting their viability. In conclusion, POP inhibitors are able to prevent certain cell stress related factors such as ROS production or GAPDH translocation.

The macrophage cell surface glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is a novel transferrin receptor

The reticuloendothelial system plays a major role in iron metabolism. Despite this, the manner in which macrophages handle iron remains poorly understood. Mammalian cells utilize transferrin-dependent mechanisms to acquire iron via transferrin receptors 1 and 2 (TfR1 and TfR2) by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Here, we show for the first time that the glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is localized on human and murine macrophage cell surface. The expression of this surface GAPDH is regulated by the availability of iron in the medium. We further demonstrate that this GAPDH interacts with transferrin and the GAPDH-transferrin complex is subsequently internalized into the early endosomes. Our work sheds new light on the mechanisms involved in regulation of iron, vital for controlling numerous diseases and maintaining normal immune function. Thus, we propose an entirely new avenue for investigation with respect to transferrin uptake and regulation mechanisms in macrophages.

Forward chemical genetic approach identifies new role for GAPDH in insulin signaling

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor have an essential role in growth, development and the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis, including glucose uptake from the bloodstream. Researchers have identified mutations in insulin receptors that cause severe insulin resistance, and a temperature-sensitive daf-2 (a gene encoding an insulin receptor-like protein) mutant in Caenorhabditis elegans has served as an insulin resistance model. Here we report a forward chemical genetic approach with a tagged library that we used to identify a small molecule, GAPDH segregator (GAPDS), that suppresses the dauer formation induced by the daf-2 mutant. Like insulin, GAPDS increased both glucose uptake and the concentration of phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3)) in mammalian preadipocytes. Using affinity matrices and RNA interference, we identified glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as a GAPDS target. We discovered that GAPDH stimulates phosphatase activity against not only PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3) but also PtdIns(4,5)P(2). These results suggest that GAPDH is both an active regulator in the phosphoinositide-mediated signaling pathway and a potential new target for insulin resistance treatment.

The Crystal and Solution Structures of Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase Reveal Different Quaternary Structures

The presence of an isoform of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (kmGAPDH1p) associated with the cell wall of a flocculent strain of Kluyveromyces marxianus was the first report of a non-cytosolic localization of a glycolytic enzyme, but the mechanism by which the protein is transported to the cell surface is not known. To identify structural features that could account for the multiple localizations of the protein, the three-dimensional structure of kmGAPDH1p was determined by x-ray crystallography and small angle x-ray scattering. The x-ray crystallographic structure of kmGAPDH1p revealed a dimer, although all GAPDH homologs studied thus far have a tetrameric structure with 222 symmetry. Interestingly, the structure of kmGAPDH1p in solution revealed a tetramer with a 70 degrees tilt angle between the dimers. Moreover, the separation between the centers of the dimers composing the kmGAPDH1p tetramer diminished from 34 to 30 A upon NAD(+) binding, this latter value being similar to the observed in the crystallographic models of GAPDH homologs. The less compact structure of apo-kmGAPDH1p could already be the first image of the transition intermediate between the tetramer observed in solution and the dimeric form found in the crystal structure, which we postulate to exist in vivo because of the protein's multiple subcellular localizations in this yeast species.

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase mediates anoxia response and survival in Caenorhabditis elegans

Oxygen deprivation has a role in the pathology of many human diseases. Thus it is of interest in understanding the genetic and cellular responses to hypoxia or anoxia in oxygen-deprivation-tolerant organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans. In C. elegans the DAF-2/DAF-16 pathway, an IGF-1/insulin-like signaling pathway, is involved with dauer formation, longevity, and stress resistance. In this report we compared the response of wild-type and daf-2(e1370) animals to anoxia. Unlike wild-type animals, the daf-2(e1370) animals have an enhanced anoxia-survival phenotype in that they survive long-term anoxia and high-temperature anoxia, do not accumulate significant tissue damage in either of these conditions, and are motile after 24 hr of anoxia. RNA interference was used to screen DAF-16-regulated genes that suppress the daf-2(e1370)-enhanced anoxia-survival phenotype. We identified gpd-2 and gpd-3, two nearly identical genes in an operon that encode the glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. We found that not only is the daf-2(e1370)-enhanced anoxia phenotype dependent upon gpd-2 and gpd-3, but also the motility of animals exposed to brief periods of anoxia is prematurely arrested in gpd-2/3(RNAi) and daf-2(e1370);gpd-2/3(RNAi) animals. These data suggest that gpd-2 and gpd-3 may serve a protective role in tissue exposed to oxygen deprivation.

Sensitization to the conditioned rewarding effects of morphine modulates gene expression in rat hippocampus

Opiates addiction is characterized by its long-term persistence. In order to study the enduring changes in long-term memory in hippocampus, a pivotal region for this process, we used suppression subtractive hybridization to compare hippocampal gene expression in morphine and saline-treated rats. Animals were subjected to an extended place preference paradigm consisting of four conditioning phases. Sensitization to the reinforcing effects of the drug occurred after three conditioning phases. After 25 days of treatment rats were euthanized and the complementary DNA (cDNA) from the hippocampus of morphine-dependent and saline-treated animals were then screened for differentially expressed cDNAs. The selected 177 clones were then subjected to a microarray procedure and 20 clones were found differentially regulated. The pattern of regulated genes suggests impairments in neurotransmitter release and the activation of neuroprotective pathways.

Stem Cells and Experimental Leukemia Can Be Distinguished by Lipid Raft Protein Composition

The stable transfection of the canine CD34(-) multipotent cell line DO64 with retroviral constructs containing the cDNA for the canine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II DR genes led to the cell clone DO64#14, which is characterized by malignant transformation and tumor growth in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice. The additional expression of p27(kip-1) in the transformed cell clone partially reversed the malignant phenotype. Because several proteins associated with lipid rafts are involved in signal transduction and because changes of lipid raft composition are linked to the pathogenesis of leukemias, raft-associated proteins in DO64 cells and the deduced transformed cell clones were compared using a proteomic approach. Raft-associated proteins were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. Here we show that the stem cell line DO64 and the deduced cell clones can clearly be distinguished by differences in the expression of a number of raft-associated proteins, namely caveolin-1, flotillin- 1, vimentin, galectin-3, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. All identified proteins play an important role in cellular functions and may therefore participate in raft-mediated leukemic transformation. Therefore, our study suggests that the analysis of lipid raft protein composition may be useful for the identification of molecular markers of the transformation process.

wasted away, a Drosophila mutation in triosephosphate isomerase, causes paralysis, neurodegeneration, and early death

To identify genes required for maintaining neuronal viability, we screened our collection of Drosophila temperature-sensitive paralytic mutants for those exhibiting shortened lifespan and neurodegeneration. Here, we describe the characterization of wasted away (wstd), a recessive, hypomorphic mutation that causes progressive motor impairment, vacuolar neuropathology, and severely reduced lifespan. We demonstrate that the affected gene encodes the glycolytic enzyme, triosephosphate isomerase (Tpi). Mutations causing Tpi deficiency in humans are also characterized by progressive neurological dysfunction, neurodegeneration, and early death. In Tpi-deficient flies and humans, a decrease in ATP levels did not appear to cause the observed phenotypes because ATP levels remained normal. We also found no genetic evidence that the mutant Drosophila Tpi was misfolded or involved in aberrant protein-protein associations. Instead, we favor the hypothesis that mutations in Tpi lead to an accumulation of methylglyoxal and the consequent enhanced production of advanced glycation end products, which are ultimately responsible for the death and dysfunction of Tpi-deficient neurons. Our results highlight an essential protective role of Tpi and support the idea that advanced glycation end products may also contribute to pathogenesis of other neurological disorders.

Interaction of TPPP/p25 protein with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and their co-localization in Lewy bodies

TPPP/p25, a flexible unstructured protein, binds to tubulin and induces aberrant microtubule assemblies. We identified hereby glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as a new interacting partner of TPPP/p25. The immunoprecipitation and affinity chromatographic experiments with bovine brain cell-free extract revealed that the interaction was salt and NAD(+) sensitive while ELISA showed resistant and firm association of the two isolated proteins. In transfected HeLa cells at low expression level of EGFP-TPPP/p25, while the green fusion protein aligned at the microtubular network, GAPDH distributed uniformly in the cytosol. However, at high expression level, GAPDH co-localized with TPPP/p25 in the aggresome-like aggregate. Immunohistochemistry showed enrichment of TPPP/p25 and GAPDH within the alpha-synuclein positive Lewy body.

Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomic discovery in aging and Alzheimer's disease

Systems biology offers enormous potential to understand the complexity of human brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Proteomics has an important role in these investigations because of its unique strengths and because of the potential central pathogenic contribution of pathological protein to several of these diseases. Here we have reviewed the methods and presented some examples of liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomics, with and without quantification using isotope-coded affinity tags, in the investigation of aging and Alzheimer's disease. As protocols and methods for improved quantitative high-throughput proteomics constantly improve, this approach will likely continue to provide deeper insight into human brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

Oxidative stress in glaucomatous neurodegeneration: mechanisms and consequences

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated as by-products of cellular metabolism, primarily in the mitochondria. Although ROS are essential participants in cell signaling and regulation, when their cellular production overwhelms the intrinsic antioxidant capacity, damage to cellular macromolecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids ensues. Such a state of "oxidative stress" is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of a number of neurodegenerative diseases. Growing evidence supports the involvement of oxidative stress as a common component of glaucomatous neurodegeneration in different subcellular compartments of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Besides the evidence of direct cytotoxic consequences leading to RGC death, it also seems highly possible that ROS are involved in signaling RGC death by acting as a second messenger and/or modulating protein function by redox modifications of downstream effectors through enzymatic oxidation of specific amino acid residues. Different studies provide cumulating evidence, which supports the association of ROS with different aspects of the neurodegenerative process. Oxidative protein modifications during glaucomatous neurodegeneration increase neuronal susceptibility to damage and also lead to glial dysfunction. Oxidative stress-induced dysfunction of glial cells may contribute to spreading neuronal damage by secondary degeneration. Oxidative stress also promotes the accumulation of advanced glycation end products in glaucomatous tissues. In addition, oxidative stress takes part in the activation of immune response during glaucomatous neurodegeneration, as ROS stimulate the antigen presenting ability of glial cells and also function as co-stimulatory molecules during antigen presentation. By discussing current evidence, this review provides a broad perspective on cellular mechanisms and potential consequences of oxidative stress in glaucoma.

RanBP2 modulates Cox11 and hexokinase I activities and haploinsufficiency of RanBP2 causes deficits in glucose metabolism

The Ran-binding protein 2 (RanBP2) is a large multimodular and pleiotropic protein. Several molecular partners with distinct functions interacting specifically with selective modules of RanBP2 have been identified. Yet, the significance of these interactions with RanBP2 and the genetic and physiological role(s) of RanBP2 in a whole-animal model remain elusive. Here, we report the identification of two novel partners of RanBP2 and a novel physiological role of RanBP2 in a mouse model. RanBP2 associates in vitro and in vivo and colocalizes with the mitochondrial metallochaperone, Cox11, and the pacemaker of glycolysis, hexokinase type I (HKI) via its leucine-rich domain. The leucine-rich domain of RanBP2 also exhibits strong chaperone activity toward intermediate and mature folding species of Cox11 supporting a chaperone role of RanBP2 in the cytosol during Cox11 biogenesis. Cox11 partially colocalizes with HKI, thus supporting additional and distinct roles in cell function. Cox11 is a strong inhibitor of HKI, and RanBP2 suppresses the inhibitory activity of Cox11 over HKI. To probe the physiological role of RanBP2 and its role in HKI function, a mouse model harboring a genetically disrupted RanBP2 locus was generated. RanBP2^−/− are embryonically lethal, and haploinsufficiency of RanBP2 in an inbred strain causes a pronounced decrease of HKI and ATP levels selectively in the central nervous system. Inbred RanBP2^+/− mice also exhibit deficits in growth rates and glucose catabolism without impairment of glucose uptake and gluconeogenesis. These phenotypes are accompanied by a decrease in the electrophysiological responses of photosensory and postreceptoral neurons. Hence, RanBP2 and its partners emerge as critical modulators of neuronal HKI, glucose catabolism, energy homeostasis, and targets for metabolic, aging disorders and allied neuropathies.

The Ran-binding protein 2 (RanBP2) is a large protein with several domains. Although several protein partners were found to interact with selective domains of RanBP2, none to this date were found toward its large leucine-rich domain (LD). Cell-based experiments support several roles of RanBP2 in cell function, such as the production of functional proteins, control of protein trafficking between the nuclear and cytosol compartments, and control of multiple facets underlying cell division. Still, the genetic and physiological implications of the interactions between RanBP2 and its partners and of the function of RanBP2 in a whole-animal model remain elusive. The authors report the identification of two novel mitochondrial partners of the LD of RanBP2, Cox11 and hexokinase type I (HKI); and with multidisciplinary approaches probe the role of RanBP2 and its LD on Cox11, HKI, and functions allied to these. The authors found that RanBP2 exhibits chaperone activity toward HKI and Cox11. RanBP2 and Cox11 profoundly modulate HKI activity. Moreover, partial loss-of-function of RanBP2 in a mouse model induces deficits in growth rates and breakdown of glucose, promotes the down-regulation of HKI and ATP levels selectively in the central nervous system, and impairs visual function. These findings support a critical role of RanBP2 and its partners in metabolic processes and allied disease states.

Novel interaction of selenium-binding protein with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and fructose-bisphosphate aldolase of Arabidopsis thaliana

The metabolic role and regulation of selenium, particularly in plants, is poorly understood. One of the proteins probably involved in the metabolic regulation of this element is the selenium-binding protein (SBP) with homologues present across prokaryotic and eukaryotic species. The high degree of conservation of SBP in different organisms suggests that this protein may play a role in fundamental biological processes. In order to gain insight into the biochemical function of SBP in plants we used the yeast two-hybrid system to identify proteins that potentially interact with an Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. homologue. Among the putative binding partners of SBP, a NADP-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and a fructose-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA) were found as reliable positive candidates. The interaction of these proteins with SBP was confirmed by in vitro binding assays. Previous findings in Escherichia coli, demonstrated the direct binding of selenium to both GAPDH and aldolase. Therefore our results reveal the interaction, at least in pairs, of three proteins that are possibly linked to selenium and suggest the existence of a protein network consisting of at least SBP, GAPDH and FBA, triggered by or regulating selenium metabolism in plant cells.

Thioredoxins, glutaredoxins, and glutathionylation: new crosstalks to explore

Oxidants are widely considered as toxic molecules that cells have to scavenge and detoxify efficiently and continuously. However, emerging evidence suggests that these oxidants can play an important role in redox signaling, mainly through a set of reversible post-translational modifications of thiol residues on proteins. The most studied redox system in photosynthetic organisms is the thioredoxin (TRX) system, involved in the regulation of a growing number of target proteins via thiol/disulfide exchanges. In addition, recent studies suggest that glutaredoxins (GRX) could also play an important role in redox signaling especially by regulating protein glutathionylation, a post-translational modification whose importance begins to be recognized in mammals while much less is known in photosynthetic organisms. This review focuses on oxidants and redox signaling with particular emphasis on recent developments in the study of functions, regulation mechanisms and targets of TRX, GRX and glutathionylation. This review will also present the complex emerging interplay between these three components of redox-signaling networks.

Proteins differentially expressed in response to nicotine in five rat brain regions: identification using a 2-DE/MS-based proteomics approach

To determine protein expression patterns within the central nervous system (CNS) in response to nicotine, 2-DE/MS was performed on samples from five brain regions of rats that had received nicotine bitartrate by osmotic minipump infusion at a dose of 3.15 mg/kg/day for 7 days. After spot matching and statistical analysis, 41 spots in the amygdala, 49 in the nucleus accumbens (NA), 46 in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), 36 in the striatum, and 28 in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) showed significant differences in the nicotine-treated compared with control samples. Using MALDI-TOF MS peptide fingerprinting, 14 proteins in the amygdala, 11 in the NA, 19 in the PFC, 13 in the striatum, and 19 in the VTA were identified. Several proteins (e.g. dynamin 1, laminin receptors, aldolase A, enolase 1 alpha, Hsc70-ps1, and N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein) were differentially expressed in multiple brain regions. By gene ontology analysis, these differentially expressed proteins were grouped into biological process categories, such as energy metabolism, synaptic function, and oxidative stress metabolism. These data, in combination with microarray analysis of mRNA transcripts, have the potential to identify the CNS gene products that show coordinated changes in expression at both the RNA and protein levels in response to nicotine.

Interaction between mammalian glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and L-lactate dehydrogenase from heart and muscle

The exceptionally high protein concentration in living cells can favor functional protein-protein interactions that can be difficult to detect with purified proteins. In this study we describe specific interactions between mammalian D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isozymes from heart and muscle. We use poly(ethylene-glycol) (PEG)-induced coprecipitation and native agarose electrophoresis as two independent methods uniquely suited to mimic some of the conditions that can favor protein-protein interaction in living cells. We found that GAPDH interacts with heart or muscle isozymes of LDH with approximately one-to-one stoichiometry. The interaction is specific; GAPDH shows interaction with two LDH isozymes that have very different net charge and solubility in PEG solution, while no interaction is observed with GAPDH from other species, other NAD(H) dehydrogenases, or other proteins that have very similar net charge and molecular mass. Analytical ultracentrifugation showed that the LDH and GAPDH complex is insoluble in PEG solution. The interaction is abolished by saturation with NADH, but not by saturation with NAD(+) in correlation with GAPDH solubility in PEG solution. The crystal structures show that GAPDH and LDH isozymes share complementary size, shape, and electric potential surrounding the active sites. The presented results suggest that GAPDH and LDH have a functional interaction that can affect NAD(+)/NADH metabolism and glycolysis in living cells.

Reversible post-translational modification of proteins by nitrated fatty acids in vivo

Nitric oxide ((*)NO)-derived reactive species nitrate unsaturated fatty acids, yielding nitroalkene derivatives, including the clinically abundant nitrated oleic and linoleic acids. The olefinic nitro group renders these derivatives electrophilic at the carbon beta to the nitro group, thus competent for Michael addition reactions with cysteine and histidine. By using chromatographic and mass spectrometric approaches, we characterized this reactivity by using in vitro reaction systems, and we demonstrated that nitroalkene-protein and GSH adducts are present in vivo under basal conditions in healthy human red cells. Nitro-linoleic acid (9-, 10-, 12-, and 13-nitro-9,12-octadecadienoic acids) (m/z 324.2) and nitro-oleic acid (9- and 10-nitro-9-octadecaenoic acids) (m/z 326.2) reacted with GSH (m/z 306.1), yielding adducts with m/z of 631.3 and 633.3, respectively. At physiological concentrations, nitroalkenes inhibited glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), which contains a critical catalytic Cys (Cys-149). GAPDH inhibition displayed an IC(50) of approximately 3 microM for both nitroalkenes, an IC(50) equivalent to the potent thiol oxidant peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) and an IC(50) 30-fold less than H(2)O(2), indicating that nitroalkenes are potent thiol-reactive species. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed covalent adducts between fatty acid nitroalkene derivatives and GAPDH, including at the catalytic Cys-149. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of human red cells confirmed that nitroalkenes readily undergo covalent, thiol-reversible post-translational modification of nucleophilic amino acids in GSH and GAPDH in vivo. The adduction of GAPDH and GSH by nitroalkenes significantly increased the hydrophobicity of these molecules, both inducing translocation to membranes and suggesting why these abundant derivatives had not been detected previously via traditional high pressure liquid chromatography analysis. The occurrence of these electrophilic nitroalkylation reactions in vivo indicates that this reversible post-translational protein modification represents a new pathway for redox regulation of enzyme function, cell signaling, and protein trafficking.

A Porphyromonas gingivalis haloacid dehalogenase family phosphatase interacts with human phosphoproteins and is important for invasion

Haloacid dehalogenase (HAD) family phosphatases are widespread in prokaryotes and are generally involved in metabolic processes. Porphyromonas gingivalis, an invasive periodontal pathogen, secretes the HAD family phosphoserine phosphatase SerB653 when in contact with gingival epithelial cells. Here we characterize the structure and enzymatic activity of SerB653 and show that a SerB653 allelic replacement mutant of P. gingivalis is deficient in internalization and persistence in gingival epithelial cells. In contrast, mutation of a second HAD family serine phosphatase of P. gingivalis (SerB1170), or of a serine transporter, did not affect invasion. A pull-down assay identified GAPDH and heat-shock protein 90 as potential substrates for SerB653. Furthermore, exogenous phosphatase regulated microtubule dynamics in host cells. These data indicate that P. gingivalis has adapted a formerly metabolic enzyme to facilitate entry into host cells by modulating host cytoskeletal architecture. Our findings define a virulence-related role of a HAD family phosphatase and reveal an invasin of an important periodontal pathogen.

The recombinant beta subunit of C-phycocyanin inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis

C-Phycocyanin (C-PC) from blue-green algae has been reported to have various pharmacological characteristics, including anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. In this study, we expressed the beta-subunit of C-PC (ref to as C-PC/beta) in Escherichia coli. We found that the recombinant C-PC/beta has anti-cancer properties. Under the treatment of 5 microM of the recombinant C-PC/beta, four different cancer cell lines accrued high proliferation inhibition and apoptotic induction. Substantially, a lower response occurred in non-cancer cells. We investigated the mechanism by which C-PC/beta inhibits cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. We found that the C-PC/beta interacts with membrane-associated beta-tubulin and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Under the treatment of the C-PC/beta, depolymerization of microtubules and actin-filaments were observed. The cells underwent apoptosis with an increase in caspase-3, and caspase-8 activities. The cell cycle was arrested at the G0/G1 phase under the treatment of C-PC/beta. In addition, the nuclear level of GAPDH decreased significantly. Decrease in the nuclear level of GAPDH prevents the cell cycle from entering into the S phase. Inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis may potentate the C-PC/beta as a promising cancer prevention or therapy agent.

Mitochondrial Localization and Putative Signaling Function of Sucrose Synthase in Maize

In many organisms, an increasing number of proteins seem to play two or more unrelated roles. Here we report that maize sucrose synthase (SUS) is distributed in organelles not involved in sucrose metabolism and may have novel roles beyond sucrose degradation. Bioinformatics analysis predicts that among the three maize SUS isoforms, SH1 protein has a putative mitochondrial targeting peptide (mTP). We validated this prediction by the immunodetection of SUS in mitochondria. Analysis with isoform-specific antisera revealed that both SH1 and SUS1 are represented in mitochondria, although the latter lacks a canonical mTP. The SUS2 isoform is not detectable in mitochondria, despite its presence in the cytosol. In maize primary roots, the mitochondrion-associated SUS (mtSUS; which includes SH1 and SUS1) is present mostly in the root tip, indicating tissue-specific regulation of SUS compartmentation. Unlike the glycolytic enzymes that occur attached to the outside of mitochondria, SH1 and SUS1 are intramitochondrial. The low abundance of SUS in mitochondria, its high Km value for sucrose, and the lack of sucrose in mitochondria suggest that mtSUS plays a non-sucrolytic role. Co-immunoprecipitation studies indicate that SUS interacts with the voltage-dependent anion channel in an isoform-specific and anoxia-enhanced manner and may be involved in the regulation of solute fluxes into and out of mitochondria. In several plant species, at least one of the SUS proteins possesses a putative mTP, indicating the conservation of the noncatalytic function across plant species. Taken together, these observations suggest that SUS has a novel noncatalytic function in plant cells.

The identification of myocilin-associated proteins in the human trabecular meshwork

Myocilin forms high molecular weight complexes in vivo presumably due to interaction with itself and other myocilin binding proteins. To identify myocilin interacting proteins, yeast 2-hybrid analysis was performed on >1x10(6) human trabecular meshwork cDNA clones. Coimmunoprecipitation and Far Western analysis were also performed on cell lysates obtained from fresh human trabecular meshworks or cultured human monolayer trabecular cell lines. Among the different methods, 46 candidate myocilin-associated proteins were identified, including molecules associated with the extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton, signaling, and metabolism. The most consistent interaction was myocilin-myocilin binding. Yeast-2 hybrid and Far Western analysis also found an association between myocilin and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). None of the other candidate myocilin interacting proteins were identified in more than one method. Characterization of these potential interacting proteins may help to better understand the function of myocilin in the trabecular meshwork and aqueous outflow pathway.

Antibodies to inactive conformations of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase inactivate the apo-and holoforms of the enzyme

Polyclonal antibodies produced after the immunization of a rabbit with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) from Bacillus stearothermophilus were used to isolate two types of antibodies interacting with different non-native forms of the antigen. Type I antibodies were purified using Sepharose-bound apo-GAPDH that was treated with glutaraldehyde to stabilize the enzyme in the tetrameric form. Type II antibodies were isolated using immobilized denatured monomers of the enzyme. It was shown that the type I antibodies bound to the native holo- and apoforms of the enzyme with the ratio of one antibody molecule per GAPDH tetramer. While interacting with the native holoenzyme, the type I antibodies induce a time-dependent decrease in its activity by 80-90%. In the case of the apoenzyme, the decrease in the activity constitutes only 25%, this indicating that only one subunit of the tetramer is inactivated. Differential scanning calorimetry experiments showed that the formation of the complex between both forms of the enzyme and the type I antibodies resulted in a shift of the maximum of the thermal capacity curves (T(m) value) to lower temperatures. The extremely stable holoenzyme was affected to the greatest extent, the shift of the T(m) value constituting approximately 20 degrees C. We assume that the formation of the complex between the holo- or apo-GAPDH and the type I antibody results in time-dependent conformational changes in the enzyme molecule. Thus, the antibodies induce the structural rearrangements yielding the conformation that is identical to the structure of the antigen used for the selection of the antibodies (i.e., inactive). The interaction of the antibodies with the apo-GAPDH results in the inactivation of the subunit directly bound to the antibody. Virtually complete inactivation of the holoenzyme by the antibodies is likely due to the transmission of the conformational changes through the intersubunit contacts. The type II antibodies, which were selected using the immunosorbent with unfolded enzyme form, do not affect the activity of native holo- and apo-GAPDH, but prevent the reactivation of the denatured GAPDH, binding the denatured forms of the enzyme.

Gene expression profiling of individual bovine nuclear transfer blastocysts

During somatic cell nuclear transfer the gene expression profile of the donor cell has to be changed or reprogrammed extensively to reflect that of a normal embryo. In this study we focused on the switching on of embryonic genes by screening with a microarray consisting of 5000 independent cDNA isolates derived from a bovine blastocyst library which we constructed for this purpose. Expression profiling was performed using linearly amplified RNA from individual day 7 nuclear transfer (NT) and genetically half-identicalin vitroproduced (IVP) blastocysts. We identified 92 genes expressed at lower levels in NT embryos whereas transcripts of 43 genes were more abundant in NT embryos (P≤ 0.05, ≥ 1.5-fold change). A range of functional categories was represented among the identified genes, with a preponderance of constitutively expressed genes required for the maintenance of basal cellular function. Using a stringent quantitative SYBR-green real time RT-PCR based approach we found, when comparing the means of the expression levels of a larger set of individual embryos, that differences were small (< 2-fold) and only significant for two of the seven analysed genes (KRT18,SLC16A1). Notably, examination of transcript levels of a single gene in individual embryos could not distinguish an NT from a control embryo. This unpredictability of individual gene expression on a global background of multiple gene expression changes argues for a predominantly stochastic nature of reprogramming errors.

Crystal structure of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from Plasmodium falciparum at 2.25 A resolution reveals intriguing extra electron density in the active site

The crystal structure of D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (PfGAPDH) from the major malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is solved at 2.25 A resolution. The structure of PfGAPDH is of interest due to the dependence of the malaria parasite in infected human erythrocytes on the glycolytic pathway for its energy generation. Recent evidence suggests that PfGAPDH may also be required for other critical activities such as apical complex formation. The cofactor NAD(+) is bound to all four subunits of the tetrameric enzyme displaying excellent electron densities. In addition, in all four subunits a completely unexpected large island of extra electron density in the active site is observed, approaching closely the nicotinamide ribose of the NAD(+). This density is most likely the protease inhibitor AEBSF, found in maps from two different crystals. This putative AEBSF molecule is positioned in a crucial location and hence our structure, with expected and unexpected ligands bound, can be of assistance in lead development and design of novel antimalarials.

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase versus toluidine blue as a marker for infarct volume estimation following permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice

Infarct size is a good predictor of the neurological outcome following stroke. Estimation of infarct size in the early phase following experimental stroke depends on the availability of reliable techniques that can distinguish ischemic from nonischemic tissue. The objective of this study was to provide a simple and robust method for reliable delineation of the ischemic infarct area in fresh frozen cryosections from mice subjected to focal cerebral ischemia. Mice were subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion and euthanised after 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 h. The size of the developing infarct was compared in parallel series of sections in situ hybridized for mRNA encoding the enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) or stained with toluidine blue (TB). The infarct was clearly delineated in GAPDH mRNA in situ hybridized sections as soon as 4 h after MCA occlusion. Infarct size was similar at 4 and 6 h in GAPDH mRNA in situ hybridized sections. Sections hybridized for GAPDH mRNA showed significantly larger infarcts than sections stained with TB after 6 h but not after 24 h of ischemia. Analysis of in situ hybridized sections revealed changes in neuronal GAPDH mRNA in areas prone to undergo degeneration 30 min to 1 h after MCA occlusion, thereby preceding visible pycnosis in TB-stained sections. The results showed that in situ hybridization for GAPDH mRNA was a reliable method and superior to TB staining for precise infarct delineation prior to 6 h of permanent MCA occlusion.

A new 5' terminal murine GAPDH exon identified using 5'RACE LaNe

In this work, a ligation-independent, fully gene-specific, nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the elucidation of 5' cDNA sequence is described and demonstrated for the first time. Two manifestations of the method, rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) by lariat-dependent nested PCR 5' (RACE LaNe), at least as simple to perform as conventional RACE, were successfully applied to the murine housekeeping genes phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1), beta-actin (beta-ACT), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and the alpha thalassemia mental retardation Y homolog (ATRY) gene of the marsupial, Macropus eugenii. Significantly, a new murine GAPDH 5' exon, separated by 365 kb of intronic sequence from previously annotated GAPDH sequence, was discovered using 5'RACE LaNe.

Early, sustained efficacy of adeno-associated virus vector-mediated gene therapy in glycogen storage disease type Ia

The deficiency of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) underlies life-threatening hypoglycemia and growth retardation in glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD-Ia). An adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector encoding G6Pase was pseudotyped as AAV8 and administered to 2-week-old GSD-Ia mice (n = 9). Median survival was prolonged to 7 months following vector administration, in contrast to untreated GSD-Ia mice that survived for only 2 weeks. Although GSD-Ia mice were initially growth-retarded, treated mice increased fourfold in weight to normal size. Blood glucose was partially corrected by 2 weeks following treatment, whereas blood cholesterol normalized. Glucose-6-phosphatase activity was partially corrected to 25% of the normal level at 7 months of age in treated mice, and blood glucose during fasting remained lower in treated, affected mice than in normal mice. Glycogen storage was partially corrected in the liver by 2 weeks following treatment, but reaccumulated to pre-treatment levels by 7 months old (m.o.). Vector genome DNA decreased between 3 days and 3 weeks in the liver following vector administration, mainly through the loss of single-stranded genomes; however, double-stranded vector genomes were more stable. Although CD8+ lymphocytic infiltrates were present in the liver, partial biochemical correction was sustained at 7 m.o. The development of efficacious AAV vector-mediated gene therapy could significantly reduce the impact of long-term complications in GSD-Ia, including hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia and growth failure.

Potential protein markers for nutritional health effects on colorectal cancer in the mouse as revealed by proteomics analysis

It is suggested that colorectal cancer might be prevented by changes in diet, and vegetable consumption has been demonstrated to have a protective effect. Until now, little is known about the effects of vegetable consumption at the proteome level. Therefore, the effect of increased vegetable intake on the protein expression in the colonic mucosa of healthy mice was studied. Aim was to identify the proteins that are differentially expressed by increased vegetable consumption and to discriminate their possible role in the protection against colorectal cancer. Mice were fed four different vegetable diets, which was followed by analysis of total cellular protein from colonic mucosal cells by a combination of 2-DE and MS. We found 30 proteins that were differentially expressed in one or more diets as compared to the control diet. Six could be identified by MALDI-TOF MS: myosin regulatory light chain 2, carbonic anhydrase I, high-mobility group protein 1, pancreatitis-associated protein 3, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and ATP synthase oligomycin sensitivity conferral protein. Alterations in the levels of these proteins agree with a role in the protection against colon cancer. We conclude that these proteins are suitable markers for the health effect of food on cancer. The observed altered protein levels therefore provide support for the protective effects of vegetables against colorectal cancer.

Molecular identification and expression of differentially regulated genes of the European flounder, Platichthys flesus, submitted to pesticide exposure

Effects of pesticide exposure on the European flounder, Platichthys flesus, were investigated using a suppression subtractive hybridization method (SSH) to identify up- and down-regulated genes after a 30-day exposure to herbicides (a cocktail of atrazine, diuron, and isoproturon, and a single herbicide, glyphosate). A total of 256 expressed gene sequences were identified as having the potential for being differentially expressed, of which 116 could be identified by homology with databased sequences. The metabolic functions with which they are associated include energy production, general metabolism, signaling, transport, immune system, and structure. Expression of 14 of these genes was analyzed in liver, muscle, and gills by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) under experimental conditions (0, 15, and 30 days of exposure) and under field conditions (sampling in two estuaries displaying different levels of pesticide contamination). This study provides a first basis for studying the response of fish to pesticide exposure and allows the characterization of new potential genetic markers of pesticide contamination in the field.

Enolase Activates Homotypic Vacuole Fusion and Protein Transport to the Vacuole in Yeast

Membrane fusion and protein trafficking to the vacuole are complex processes involving many proteins and lipids. Cytosol from Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains a high Mr activity, which stimulates the in vitro homotypic fusion of isolated yeast vacuoles. Here we purify this activity and identify it as enolase (Eno1p and Eno2p). Enolase is a cytosolic glycolytic enzyme, but a small portion of enolase is bound to vacuoles. Recombinant Eno1p or Eno2p stimulates in vitro vacuole fusion, as does a catalytically inactive mutant enolase, suggesting a role for enolase in fusion that is separate from its glycolytic function. Either deletion of the non-essential ENO1 gene or diminished expression of the essential ENO2 gene causes vacuole fragmentation in vivo, reflecting reduced fusion. Combining an ENO1 deletion with ENO2-deficient expression causes a more severe fragmentation phenotype. Vacuoles from enolase 1 and 2-deficient cells are unable to fuse in vitro. Immunoblots of vacuoles from wild type and mutant strains reveal that enolase deficiency also prevents normal protein sorting to the vacuole, exacerbating the fusion defect. Band 3 has been shown to bind glycolytic enzymes to membranes of mammalian erythrocytes. Bor1p, the yeast band 3 homolog, localizes to the vacuole. Its loss results in the mislocalization of enolase and other vacuole fusion proteins. These studies show that enolase stimulates vacuole fusion and that enolase and Bor1p regulate selective protein trafficking to the vacuole.

Messages on the move: the role of the cytoskeleton in mRNA localization and translation in plant cellsThis review is one of a selection of papers published in the Special Issue on Plant Cell Biology

The cytoskeleton plays an important role in numerous cellular processes, including subcellular mRNA localization and translation. Several examples of mRNA localization have emerged in plant cells, and these appear to function in protein targeting, the establishment of polarity, and cell-to-cell trafficking. The identification of several cytoskeleton-associated RNA-binding proteins in plant cells has made available candidate proteins that mediate the interaction between mRNA and the cytoskeleton, and possibly play a role in mRNA localization and translational control. We propose a model that links mRNA–microtubule interactions to translational autoregulation, a process that may assist in the efficient and regulated binding of proteins to microtubules.

Expanding the protein catalogue in the proteome reference map of human breast cancer cells

In this report we present a catalogue of 162 proteins (including isoforms and variants) identified in a prototype of proteomic map of breast cancer cells. This work represents the prosecution of previous studies describing the protein complement of breast cancer cells of the line 8701-BC, which has been well characterized for several parameters, providing to be a useful model for the study of breast cancer-associated candidate biomarkers. In particular, 110 spots were identified ex novo by PMF, or validated following previous gel matching identification method; 30 were identified by N-terminal microsequencing and the remaining by gel matching with maps available from our former work. As a consequence of the expanded number of proteins, we have updated our previous classification extending the number of protein groups from 4 to 13. In order to facilitate comparative proteome studies of different kinds of breast cancers, in this report we provide the whole complement of proteins so far identified and grouped into the new classification. A consistent number of them were not described before in other proteomic maps of breast cancer cells or tissues, and therefore they represent a valuable contribution for breast cancer protein databases and for future application in basic and clinical researches.

S-(2-Succinyl)cysteine: a novel chemical modification of tissue proteins by a Krebs cycle intermediate

S-(2-Succinyl)cysteine (2SC) has been identified as a chemical modification in plasma proteins, in the non-mercaptalbumin fraction of human plasma albumin, in human skin collagen, and in rat skeletal muscle proteins and urine. 2SC increases in human skin collagen with age and is increased in muscle protein of diabetic vs. control rats. The concentration of 2SC in skin collagen and muscle protein correlated strongly with that of the advanced glycation/lipoxidation end-product (AGE/ALE), N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML). 2SC is formed by a Michael addition reaction of cysteine sulfhydryl groups with fumarate at physiological pH. Fumarate, but not succinate, inactivates the sulfhydryl enzyme, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in vitro, in concert with formation of 2SC. 2SC is the first example of spontaneous chemical modification of protein by a metabolic intermediate in the Krebs cycle. These observations identify fumarate as an endogenous electrophile and suggest a role for fumarate in regulation of metabolism.

GAPDH as a sensor of NO stress

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a classic glycolytic enzyme, and accumulating evidence has suggested that GAPDH is a multi-functional protein. In particular, its role as a mediator for cell death has been highlighted. For the last decade, many groups reported that a pool of GAPDH translocates to the nucleus under a variety of stressors, most of which are associated with oxidative stress. At the molecular level, sequential steps lead to nuclear translocation of GAPDH during cell death as follows: first, a catalytic cysteine in GAPDH (C150 in rat GAPDH) is S-nitrosylated by nitric oxide (NO) that is generated from inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and/or neuronal NOS (nNOS); second, the modified GAPDH becomes capable of binding with Siah1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, and stabilizes it; third, the GAPDH-Siah protein complex translocates to the nucleus, dependent on Siah1's nuclear localization signal, and degrades Siah1's substrates in the nucleus, which results in cytotoxicity. A recent report suggests that GAPDH may be genetically associated with late-onset of Alzheimer's disease. (-)-deprenyl, which has originally been used as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor for Parkinson's disease, binds to GAPDH and displays neuroprotective actions, but its molecular mechanism is still unclear. The NO/GAPDH/Siah1 death cascade will contribute to the molecular understanding of a role of GAPDH in neurodegenerative disorders and help to establish novel therapeutic strategies.

Neuroprotection by pharmacologic blockade of the GAPDH death cascade

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) participates in a cell death cascade wherein a variety of stimuli activate nitric oxide (NO) synthases with NO nitrosylating GAPDH, conferring on it the ability to bind to Siah, an E3-ubiquitin-ligase, whose nuclear localization signal enables the GAPDH/Siah protein complex to translocate to the nucleus where degradation of Siah targets elicits cell death. R-(-)-Deprenyl (deprenyl) ameliorates the progression of disability in early Parkinson's disease and also has neuroprotective actions. We show that deprenyl and a related agent, TCH346, in subnanomolar concentrations, prevent S-nitrosylation of GAPDH, the binding of GAPDH to Siah, and nuclear translocation of GAPDH. In mice treated with the dopamine neuronal toxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), low doses of deprenyl prevent binding of GAPDH and Siah1 in the dopamine-enriched corpus striatum.

The effect of bisphosphonates on gene expression: GAPDH as a housekeeping or a new target gene?

BACKGROUND

RT-PCR has been widely used for the analysis of gene expression in many systems, including tumor samples. GAPDH (Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) has been frequently considered as a constitutive housekeeping gene and used to normalize changes in specific gene expression. However, GAPDH has been shown to be up-regulated in many cancers and down-regulated by chemotherapic drugs. Bisphosphonates, potent inhibitors of bone resorption, have recently shown a direct and indirect antitumor effect in vitro and in animal models. They exert their effects mainly by inhibiting the mevalonate pathway but also by modulating the expression of many genes not only in osteoclasts but also in cancer cells.

METHODS

We evaluated GAPDH gene expression by real time RT PCR in breast (MCF-7 and T47D) and prostate (PC3 and DU-145) cancer cell lines treated with amino and non-amino bisphosphonates.

RESULTS

Our results showed that amino-bisphosphonates significantly decrease in a dose-dependent manner the expression of GAPDH gene.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, GAPDH is inaccurate to normalize mRNA levels in studies investigating the effect of bisphosphonates on gene expression and it should be avoided. On the other hand, this gene could be considered a potential target to observe the effects of bisphosphonates on cancer cells.

A proteomic analysis of 14-3-3 binding proteins from developing barley grains

14-3-3 proteins are important eukaryotic regulatory proteins. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) 14-3-3A was over-expressed, immobilised and used to affinity purify 14-3-3 binding proteins from developing barley grains. Binding was shown to be phosphorylation-dependent. These proteins were fractionated by PAGE and identified by MALDI-TOF MS. In total, 54 14-3-3 binding proteins were identified, 49 of these interactions are novel to plants. These proteins fell into a number of functional categories. The largest category was for carbohydrate metabolism, including plastidic enzymes for starch synthesis and modification. 14-3-3 was shown to be present in isolated plastids. Four of five enzymes involved in sucrose biosynthesis from triose phosphates were identified, suggesting co-ordinated regulation of this pathway. Invertase and sucrose synthase, which break down sucrose to hexoses, were found. Sucrose synthase activity was shown to be inhibited by exogenous 14-3-3 in a dosage-dependent manner. The second-largest functional group was for proteins involved in stress and defence responses; for example, RGH2A, closely related to the MLA powdery mildew resistance protein, was found. This work illustrates the broad range of processes in which 14-3-3 may be involved, and augments previous data demonstrating key roles in carbohydrate metabolism and plant defence.

Nuclear translocation and overexpression of GAPDH by the hyper-pressure in retinal ganglion cell

To investigate the effect of hyper-pressure on retinal ganglion cells (RGC-5), RGC-5 cells were exposed to an ambient hydrostatic pressure of 100 mmHg. Upon treatment, the proliferation of RGC-5 cells was inhibited and neuronal apoptosis was detected by specific apoptosis marker TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling). To probe into the mechanism mediating the apoptosis of RGC-5 cells in 100 mmHg, protein profile alterations following hyper-pressure treatment were examined using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by MALDI-TOF. Out of the 400 protein spots of RGC-5 cells detected on 2-DE gels, 37 differentially expressed protein spots were further identified using in gel tryptic digestion and mass spectrometry. Among these proteins, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was significantly expressed 10 times more in 100 mmHg than in normal pressure. The accumulation of GAPDH in the nucleus and its translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus in 100 mmHg were observed using a microscope. These results suggest that the hyper-pressure-induced apoptosis in RGC-5 cells may be involved with not only the increase of GAPDH expression, but also the accumulation and the translocalization of GAPDH to the nucleus.

Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase is a SET-binding protein and regulates cyclin B-cdk1 activity

We report here that glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) interacts in vitro and in vivo with the protein SET. This interaction is performed through the acidic domain of SET located at the carboxy terminal region. On analysing the functional relevance of SET-GAPDH interaction, we observed that GAPDH reverses in a dose-dependent manner, the inhibition of cyclin B-cdk1 activity produced by SET. Similarly to SET, GAPDH associates with cyclin B, suggesting that the regulation of cyclin B-cdk1 activity might be mediated not only by the interaction of GAPDH with SET but also with cyclin B. To analyse the putative role of GAPDH on cell cycle progression, HCT116 cells were transfected with a GAPDH expression vector. Results indicate that overexpression of GAPDH does not affect the timing of DNA replication but induces an increase in the number of mitosis, an advancement of the peak of cyclin B-cdk1 activity and an acceleration of cell cycle progression. All these results suggest that GAPDH might be involved in cell cycle regulation by modulating cyclin B-cdk1 activity.

Evaluation of various housekeeping genes for their applicability for normalization of mRNA expression in dioxin-treated rats

Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is an extremely sensitive, convenient and rapid method to measure mRNA levels in cells and tissues, and is gaining popularity in toxicology. To correct for sample-to-sample variation, normalization of the expression data is required. The conventional way to perform normalization is to select a reference gene whose expression is believed to remain stable across all experimental conditions, then relate the concentrations of gene(s) of interest to those of this housekeeping gene. Since recent evidence shows that some housekeeping genes are actually not as refractory to experimental manipulations as previously thought, we validated a large number (18) of commonly used housekeeping genes for acute toxicity studies of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), an extremely potent environmental toxin known to regulate a wide variety of genes. Microarray and qRT-PCR analyses coherently demonstrated that about 50% of the housekeeping genes examined were responsive to TCDD in rat liver with the magnitudes of change up to nearly 10-fold. Extension of the study to spleen and hypothalamus verified that phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (Pgk1) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) retained their basal expression levels in all experimental settings, although body weight loss-generated repression may mask a slight induction of GAPDH by TCDD in liver. These findings show that normalization genes for qRT-PCR must be carefully validated in advance, especially if the study involves a potent modifier of gene expression.

Nuclear beta-catenin and Ki-67 expression in choriocarcinoma and its pre-malignant form

OBJECTIVE

To study the expression of nuclear beta-catenin and Ki-67 in patients with normal gestation products (NGP), complete hydatidiform moles (CHM), and choriocarcinoma to elucidate their roles in carcinogenesis and their interrelations.

METHODS

Expression of nuclear beta-catenin and Ki-67 was studied by immunohistochemistry using paraffin embedded blocks. Sixty NGP, 60 CHM, and 10 choriocarcinomas were analysed. In addition, approximately 400 trophoblasts each in 40 NGP, 40 CHM, and 10 choriocarcinomas from the same batch of samples were microdissected for quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (Q-RT-PCR) to compare beta-catenin mRNA concentration among them.

RESULTS

In the chorionic villi of NGP, beta-catenin was consistently expressed in the nuclei of cytotrophoblasts but not syncytiotrophoblasts. Nuclear beta-catenin expression was comparatively reduced in CHM trophoblasts and was absent in choriocarcinoma. By contrast, Ki-67 expression was increased from cytotrophoblasts but not in syncytiotrophoblasts in the chorionic villi of NGP to CHM trophoblasts and choriocarcinoma. Using Q-RT-PCR, beta-catenin mRNA was detected in 10 NGP, 13 CHM, and three choriocarcinoma specimens, with median copy numbers of 43,230, 18,229, and 17,334 per 400 trophoblasts, respectively. A housekeeping gene glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA was detected as a control in the NGP, CHM, and choriocarcinoma specimens, with median copy numbers of 51,300, 54,270, and 97,150 per 400 trophoblasts, respectively. Thus median beta-catenin mRNA values after normalisation were 0.85 in NGP (n = 10), 0.31 in CHM (n = 13), and 0.16 in choriocarcinoma (n = 3).

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased nuclear beta-catenin expression and increased Ki-67 expression may be involved in choriocarcinoma carcinogenesis. The findings also suggest that nuclear beta-catenin may play a role in trophoblast differentiation during normal placental development.

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a cell surface protein involved in fungal adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins and interaction with cells

The pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis causes paracoccidioidomycosis, a pulmonary mycosis acquired by inhalation of fungal airborne propagules, which may disseminate to several organs and tissues, leading to a severe form of the disease. Adhesion to and invasion of host cells are essential steps involved in the infection and dissemination of pathogens. Furthermore, pathogens use their surface molecules to bind to host extracellular matrix components to establish infection. Here, we report the characterization of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) of P. brasiliensis as an adhesin, which can be related to fungus adhesion and invasion. The P. brasiliensis GAPDH was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and polyclonal antibody against this protein was obtained. By immunoelectron microscopy and Western blot analysis, GAPDH was detected in the cytoplasm and the cell wall of the yeast phase of P. brasiliensis. The recombinant GAPDH was found to bind to fibronectin, laminin, and type I collagen in ligand far-Western blot assays. Of special note, the treatment of P. brasiliensis yeast cells with anti-GAPDH polyclonal antibody and the incubation of pneumocytes with the recombinant protein promoted inhibition of adherence and internalization of P. brasiliensis to those in vitro-cultured cells. These observations indicate that the cell wall-associated form of the GAPDH in P. brasiliensis could be involved in mediating binding of fungal cells to fibronectin, type I collagen, and laminin, thus contributing to the adhesion of the microorganism to host tissues and to the dissemination of infection.

Maurer's clefts: A novel multi-functional organelle in the cytoplasm of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes

Discovered in 1902 by Georg Maurer as a peculiar dotted staining pattern observable by light microscopy in the cytoplasm of erythrocytes infected with the human malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the function of Maurer's clefts have remained obscure for more than a century. The growing interest in protein sorting and trafficking processes in malarial parasites has recently aroused the Maurer's clefts from their deep slumber. Mounting evidence suggests that Maurer's clefts are a secretory organelle, which the parasite establishes within its host erythrocyte, but outside its own confines, to route parasite proteins across the host cell cytoplasm to the erythrocyte surface where they play a role in nutrient uptake and immune evasion processes. Moreover, Maurer's clefts seem to play a role in cell signaling, merozoite egress, phospholipid biosynthesis and, possibly, other biochemical pathways. Here, we review our current knowledge of the ultrastructure of Maurer's clefts, their proteinaceous composition and their function in protein trafficking.

Differential protein expression in the prefrontal white matter of human alcoholics: a proteomics study

Neuroimaging and post-mortem studies indicate that chronic alcohol use induces global changes in brain morphology, such as cortical and subcortical atrophy. Recent studies have shown that frontal lobe structures are specifically susceptible to alcohol-related brain damage and shrinkage in this area is largely due to a loss of white matter. This may explain the high incidence of cognitive dysfunction observed in alcoholics. Using a proteomics-based approach, changes in protein expression in the dorsolateral prefrontal region (BA9) white matter were identified in human alcoholic brains. Protein extracts from the BA9 white matter of 25 human brains (10 controls; eight uncomplicated alcoholics; six alcoholics complicated with hepatic cirrhosis; one reformed alcoholic) were separated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Overall, changes in the relative expression of 60 proteins were identified (P<0.05, ANOVA) in the alcoholic BA9 white matter. In total, 18 protein spots have been identified using MALDI-TOF; including hNP22, alpha-internexin, transketolase, creatine kinase chain B, ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Several of these proteins have been previously implicated in alcohol-related disorders and brain damage. By identifying changes in protein expression in this region from alcoholics, hypotheses may draw upon more mechanistic explanations as to how chronic ethanol consumption causes white matter damage.

Proteomic characterization of Yersinia pestis virulence

The Yersinia pestis proteome was studied as a function of temperature and calcium by two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis. Over 4,100 individual protein spots were detected, of which hundreds were differentially expressed. A total of 43 differentially expressed protein spots, representing 24 unique proteins, were identified by mass spectrometry. Differences in expression were observed for several virulence-associated factors, including catalase-peroxidase (KatY), murine toxin (Ymt), plasminogen activator (Pla), and F1 capsule antigen (Caf1), as well as several putative virulence factors and membrane-bound and metabolic proteins. Differentially expressed proteins not previously reported to contribute to virulence are candidates for more detailed mechanistic studies, representing potential new virulence determinants.

Interaction of Polyanions with Basic Proteins, 2

The ability of synthetic polyanions to suppress thermo-aggregation of the oligomeric enzymes (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase) has been established. The ability of the polyanions to reduce the thermo-aggregation increased in the order poly(methacrylic acid) < poly(acrylic acid) < sodium poly(styrene sulphonate), which agreed well with the increase, in the same order, of the charge density of the chains. The lengthening of the chains, as well as the rise in their relative content, resulted in an increase of the ability to reduce thermo-aggregation, mentioned above. Complete prevention of the enzyme aggregation was achieved when highly charged polyanions of a relatively high degree of polymerization were used in a concentration sufficient to solubilize the protein. Complexing with the polyanions prevented thermo-aggregation of the enzymes, but not their thermo-denaturation. The adverse effect of the complexing polyanions on the catalytic activity was reduced by the addition of a synthetic polycation, which resulted in a significant reactivation (up to 40%) of the enzyme. The possibility of preventing the thermo-aggregation of enzyme molecules and then partly restoring the enzyme activity, appears to be of particular interest when studying the aggregation mechanism of proteins that are prone to form the amyloid structures responsible for the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy and Huntington disease. This finding can also be considered as an important step in the creation of artificial chaperones.

Proteomics profiling of nuclear proteins for kidney fibroblasts suggests hypoxia, meiosis, and cancer may meet in the nucleus

Proteomics methods were used to characterize proteins that change their form or abundance in the nucleus of NRK49F rat kidney fibroblasts during prolonged hypoxia (1% O(2), 12 h). Of the 791 proteins that were monitored, about 20% showed detectable changes. The 51 most abundant proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. Changes in nuclear receptor transcription factors (THRalpha1, RORalpha4, HNF4alpha, NUR77), other transcription factors (GATA1, AP-2alpha, OCT1, ATF6alpha, ZFP161, ZNF354A, PDCD2), and transcription cofactors (PC4, PCAF, MTA1, TCEA1, JMY) are indicative of major, co-ordinated changes in transcription. Proteins involved in DNA repair/recombination, ribosomal RNA synthesis, RNA processing, nuclear transport, nuclear organization, protein translation, glycolysis, lipid metabolism, several protein kinases (PKCdelta, MAP3K4, GRK3), as well as proteins with no established functional role were also observed. The observed proteins suggest nuclear regulatory roles for proteins involved in cytosolic processes such as glycolysis and fatty acid metabolism, and roles in overall nuclear structure/organization for proteins previously associated with meiosis and/or spermatogenesis (synaptonemal complex proteins 1 and 2 (SYCP1, SYCP2), meiosis-specific nuclear structural protein 1 (MNS1), LMNC2, zinc finger protein 99 (ZFP99)). Proteins associated with cytoplasmic membrane functions (ACTN4, hyaluronan mediated motility receptor (RHAMM), VLDLR, GRK3) and/or endocytosis (DNM2) were also seen. For 30% of the identified proteins, new isoforms indicative of alternative transcription were detected (e.g., GATA1, ATF6alpha, MTA1, MLH1, MYO1C, UBF, SYCP2, EIF3S10, MAP3K4, ZFP99). Comparison with proteins involved in cell death, cancer, and testis/meiosis/spermatogenesis suggests commonalities, which may reflect fundamental mechanisms for down-regulation of cellular function.

Nuclear localization of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is not involved in the initiation of apoptosis induced by 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-pyridium iodide (MPP+)

Nuclear localization of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is implicated in the process of apoptosis. To study the function of GAPDH, we expressed GAPDH C-terminally fused with or without nuclear localization signal (NLS) in SH-SY5Y and NB41A3 cells using a retrovirus expression system. GAPDH carrying NLS (GAPDH-NLS) was expressed mainly in the nucleus. However, expression of GAPDH-NLS did not cause any difference in cell survival rate as compared to that of the vector alone or GAPDH without NLS. Treatment with 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-pyridium iodide (MPP+) caused no difference in the cell survival rate or in the pattern or extent of apoptosis among the three transductants. In the cells expressing GAPDH without NLS, MPP+ did not cause visible translocation of GAPDH into nucleus before the onset of apoptosis. Since GAPDH is known to comprise a CRM1-mediated nuclear export signal, we blocked the nuclear export of GAPDH by treatment with leptomycin B, an inhibitor of CRM1-mediated nuclear export. The treatment did not cause any difference in apoptosis among the three transductants. An additional treatment with MPP+ induced no apoptotic difference in these cells. Thus, we have concluded that a simple nuclear localization of GAPDH does not induce apoptosis, and that MPP+-induced apoptosis is not caused by nuclear translocation of GAPDH.