Proteasome activator PA28 and its interaction with 20 S proteasomes

Targeting immunoproteasome in neurodegeneration: A glance to the future

The immunoproteasome is a specialized form of proteasome equipped with modified catalytic subunits that was initially discovered to play a pivotal role in MHC class I antigen processing and immune system modulation. However, over the last years, this proteolytic complex has been uncovered to serve additional functions unrelated to antigen presentation. Accordingly, it has been proposed that immunoproteasome synergizes with canonical proteasome in different cell types of the nervous system, regulating neurotransmission, metabolic pathways and adaptation of the cells to redox or inflammatory insults. Hence, studying the alterations of immunoproteasome expression and activity is gaining research interest to define the dynamics of neuroinflammation as well as the early and late molecular events that are likely involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of neurological disorders. Furthermore, these novel functions foster the perspective of immunoproteasome as a potential therapeutic target for neurodegeneration. In this review, we provide a brain and retina-wide overview, trying to correlate present knowledge on structure-function relationships of immunoproteasome with the variety of observed neuro-modulatory functions.

The Functional and Mechanistic Roles of Immunoproteasome Subunits in Cancer

Cell-mediated immunity is driven by antigenic peptide presentation on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Specialized proteasome complexes called immunoproteasomes process viral, bacterial, and tumor antigens for presentation on MHC class I molecules, which can induce CD8 T cells to mount effective immune responses. Immunoproteasomes are distinguished by three subunits that alter the catalytic activity of the proteasome and are inducible by inflammatory stimuli such as interferon-γ (IFN-γ). This inducible activity places them in central roles in cancer, autoimmunity, and inflammation. While accelerated proteasomal degradation is an important tumorigenic mechanism deployed by several cancers, there is some ambiguity regarding the role of immunoproteasome induction in neoplastic transformation. Understanding the mechanistic and functional relevance of the immunoproteasome provides essential insights into developing targeted therapies, including overcoming resistance to standard proteasome inhibition and immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we discuss the roles of the immunoproteasome in different cancers.

PA28γ-20S proteasome is a proteolytic complex committed to degrade unfolded proteins

PA28γ is a nuclear activator of the 20S proteasome that, unlike the 19S regulatory particle, stimulates hydrolysis of several substrates in an ATP- and ubiquitin-independent manner and whose exact biological functions and molecular mechanism of action still remain elusive. In an effort to shed light on these important issues, we investigated the stimulatory effect of PA28γ on the hydrolysis of different fluorogenic peptides and folded or denatured full-length proteins by the 20S proteasome. Importantly, PA28γ was found to dramatically enhance breakdown rates by 20S proteasomes of several naturally or artificially unstructured proteins, but not of their native, folded counterparts. Furthermore, these data were corroborated by experiments in cell lines with a nucleus-tagged myelin basic protein. Finally, mass spectrometry analysis of the products generated during proteasomal degradation of two proteins demonstrated that PA28γ does not increase, but rather decreases, the variability of peptides that are potentially suitable for MHC class I antigen presentation. These unexpected findings indicate that global stimulation of the degradation of unfolded proteins may represent a more general feature of PA28γ and suggests that this proteasomal activator might play a broader role in the pathway of protein degradation than previously believed.

Bottom-up fabrication of a proteasome-nanopore that unravels and processes single proteins

The precise assembly and engineering of molecular machines capable of handling biomolecules play crucial roles in most single-molecule methods. In this work we use components from all three domains of life to fabricate an integrated multiprotein complex that controls the unfolding and threading of individual proteins across a nanopore. This 900 kDa multicomponent device was made in two steps. First, we designed a stable and low-noise β-barrel nanopore sensor by linking the transmembrane region of bacterial protective antigen to a mammalian proteasome activator. An archaeal 20S proteasome was then built into the artificial nanopore to control the unfolding and linearized transport of proteins across the nanopore. This multicomponent molecular machine opens the door to two approaches in single-molecule protein analysis, in which selected substrate proteins are unfolded, fed to into the proteasomal chamber and then addressed either as fragmented peptides or intact polypeptides.

PA28γ: New Insights on an Ancient Proteasome Activator

PA28 (also known as 11S, REG or PSME) is a family of proteasome regulators whose members are widely present in many of the eukaryotic supergroups. In jawed vertebrates they are represented by three paralogs, PA28α, PA28β, and PA28γ, which assemble as heptameric hetero (PA28αβ) or homo (PA28γ) rings on one or both extremities of the 20S proteasome cylindrical structure. While they share high sequence and structural similarities, the three isoforms significantly differ in terms of their biochemical and biological properties. In fact, PA28α and PA28β seem to have appeared more recently and to have evolved very rapidly to perform new functions that are specifically aimed at optimizing the process of MHC class I antigen presentation. In line with this, PA28αβ favors release of peptide products by proteasomes and is particularly suited to support adaptive immune responses without, however, affecting hydrolysis rates of protein substrates. On the contrary, PA28γ seems to be a slow-evolving gene that is most similar to the common ancestor of the PA28 activators family, and very likely retains its original functions. Notably, PA28γ has a prevalent nuclear localization and is involved in the regulation of several essential cellular processes including cell growth and proliferation, apoptosis, chromatin structure and organization, and response to DNA damage. In striking contrast with the activity of PA28αβ, most of these diverse biological functions of PA28γ seem to depend on its ability to markedly enhance degradation rates of regulatory protein by 20S proteasome. The present review will focus on the molecular mechanisms and biochemical properties of PA28γ, which are likely to account for its various and complex biological functions and highlight the common features with the PA28αβ paralog.

Proteasome Inhibitors in Cancer Therapy and their Relation to Redox Regulation

Redox homeostasis is important for the maintenance of cell survival. Under physiological conditions, redox system works in a balance and involves activation of many signaling molecules. Regulation of redox balance via signaling molecules is achieved by different pathways and proteasomal system is a key pathway in this process. Importance of proteasomal system on signaling pathways has been investigated for many years. In this direction, many proteasome targeting molecules have been developed. Some of them are already in the clinic for cancer treatment and some are still under investigation to highlight underlying mechanisms. Although there are many studies done, molecular mechanisms of proteasome inhibitors and related signaling pathways need more detailed explanations. This review aims to discuss redox status and proteasomal system related signaling pathways. In addition, cancer therapies targeting proteasomal system and their effects on redox-related pathways have been summarized.

Proteostasis, oxidative stress and aging

The production of reactive species is an inevitable by-product of metabolism and thus, life itself. Since reactive species are able to damage cellular structures, especially proteins, as the most abundant macromolecule of mammalian cells, systems are necessary which regulate and preserve a functional cellular protein pool, in a process termed “proteostasis”. Not only the mammalian protein pool is subject of a constant turnover, organelles are also degraded and rebuild. The most important systems for these removal processes are the “ubiquitin-proteasomal system” (UPS), the central proteolytic machinery of mammalian cells, mainly responsible for proteostasis, as well as the “autophagy-lysosomal system”, which mediates the turnover of organelles and large aggregates.

Many age-related pathologies and the aging process itself are accompanied by a dysregulation of UPS, autophagy and the cross-talk between both systems. This review will describe the sources and effects of oxidative stress, preservation of cellular protein- and organelle-homeostasis and the effects of aging on proteostasis in mammalian cells.

PA28 modulates antigen processing and viral replication during coxsackievirus B3 infection

The function of the proteasome is modulated at the level of subunit expression and by association with its regulatory complexes. During coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) myocarditis, IFN-induced formation of immunoproteasomes (ip) is known to be critical for regulating immune modulating molecules. The function of the IFN-γ-inducible proteasome regulator subunits PA28 α and β, however, in this context was unknown. During viral myocarditis, we found an increased abundance of PA28β subunits in heart tissue. PA28α/β exists in PA28-20S-PA28 and PA700-20S-PA28 hybrid proteasome complexes in cells both with either predominant ip and standard proteasome (sp) expression. Being in line with reduced proteasome activity in PA28α/β-deficient cells, we observed increased levels of oxidized and poly-ubiquitinated proteins upon TLR3-activation in these cells. Moreover, PA28α/β is capable to interfere directly with viral replication of CVB3 and facilitates the generation of CVB3-derived MHC class I epitopes by the proteasome. In contrast to a distinct function of PA28α/β in vitro, gene ablation of PA28α/β in mice being on a genetic background with resistance towards the development of severe infection had no significant impact on disease progression. Other than reported for the ip, in this host PA28α/β is dispensable to meet the demand of increased peptide hydrolysis capacity by the proteasome during viral myocarditis.

The proteasome immunosubunits, PA28 and ER-aminopeptidase 1 protect melanoma cells from efficient MART-126-35 -specific T-cell recognition

The immunodominant MART-1(26(27)-35) epitope, liberated from the differentiation antigen melanoma antigen recognized by T cells/melanoma antigen A (MART-1/Melan-A), has been frequently targeted in melanoma immunotherapy, but with limited clinical success. Previous studies suggested that this is in part due to an insufficient peptide supply and epitope presentation, since proteasomes containing the immunosubunits β5i/LMP7 (LMP, low molecular weight protein) or β1i/LMP2 and β5i/LMP7 interfere with MART-1(26-35) epitope generation in tumor cells. Here, we demonstrate that in addition the IFN-γ-inducible proteasome subunit β2i/MECL-1 (multicatalytic endopeptidase complex-like 1), proteasome activator 28 (PA28), and ER-resident aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) impair MART-1(26-35) epitope generation. β2i/MECL-1 and PA28 negatively affect C- and N-terminal cleavage and therefore epitope liberation from the proteasome, whereas ERAP1 destroys the MART-1(26-35) epitope by overtrimming activity. Constitutive expression of PA28 and ERAP1 in melanoma cells indicate that both interfere with MART-1(26-35) epitope generation even in the absence of IFN-γ. In summary, our results provide first evidence that activities of different antigen-processing components contribute to an inefficient MART-1(26-35) epitope presentation, suggesting the tumor cell's proteolytic machinery might have an important impact on the outcome of epitope-specific immunotherapies.

PA28αβ: the enigmatic magic ring of the proteasome?

PA28αβ is a γ-interferon-induced 11S complex that associates with the ends of the 20S proteasome and stimulates in vitro breakdown of small peptide substrates, but not proteins or ubiquitin-conjugated proteins. In cells, PA28 also exists in larger complexes along with the 19S particle, which allows ATP-dependent degradation of proteins; although in vivo a large fraction of PA28 is present as PA28αβ-20S particles whose exact biological functions are largely unknown. Although several lines of evidence strongly indicate that PA28αβ plays a role in MHC class I antigen presentation, the exact molecular mechanisms of this activity are still poorly understood. Herein, we review current knowledge about the biochemical and biological properties of PA28αβ and discuss recent findings concerning its role in modifying the spectrum of proteasome's peptide products, which are important to better understand the molecular mechanisms and biological consequences of PA28αβ activity.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection down-modulates the immunoproteasome biosynthesis and the MHC class I cell surface expression in HeLa cells

Generally, Trypanosoma cruzi infection in human is persistent and tends to chronicity, suggesting that the parasite evade the immune surveillance by down regulating the intracellular antigen processing routes. Within the MHC class I pathway, the majority of antigenic peptides are generated by the proteasome. However, upon IFN-γ stimulation, the catalytic constitutive subunits of the proteasome are replaced by the subunits β1i/LMP2, β2i/MECL-1 and β5i/LMP7 to form the immunoproteasome. In this scenario, we analyzed whether the expression and activity of the constitutive and the immunoproteasome as well as the expression of other components of the MHC class I pathway are altered during the infection of HeLa cells with T. cruzi. By RT-PCR and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis, we showed that the expression and composition of the constitutive proteasome is not affected by the parasite. In contrast, the biosynthesis of the β1i, β2i, β5i immunosubunits, PA28β, TAP1 and the MHC class I molecule as well as the proteasomal proteolytic activities were down-regulated in infected-IFN-γ-treated cell cultures. Taken together, our results provide evidence that the protozoan T. cruzi specifically modulates its infection through an unknown posttranscriptional mechanism that inhibits the expression of the MHC class I pathway components.

Genomic structural characterization and transcriptional expression analysis of proteasome activator PA28α and PA28β subunits from Oplegnathus fasciatus

Proteasomes are multicatalytic subunit complexes involved in the degradation of cytosolic proteins and antigen presentation. In this study, we have characterized the alpha and beta subunits of proteasome activator complex from rock bream at the molecular level. RbPA28α and RbPA28β possessed the characteristic features of the subunits identified from mammals and teleosts. The RbPA28α and RbPA28β proteasome subunits contained a proline-rich motif (Region A), subunit-specific insert in the region corresponding to the KEKE motif of the known PA28α (Region B), conserved activation loop (Region C), a potential protein kinase C recognition site (Region D) and a highly homologous C-terminal region (Region E) among all three PA28 subunits. Multiple sequence alignment and pairwise alignment revealed that RbPA28α and RbPA28β proteins shared high homology with the teleosts and mammals. RbPA28α and RbPA28β genome possessed 11 exons interrupted by 10 introns. In silico promoter analysis of RbPA28α and RbPA28β revealed various transcription factor-binding sites displaying their regulation under various stress conditions. Tissue distribution profiling showed a higher expression in blood and gills. Transcriptional expression analysis of RbPA28α and RbPA28β showed up-regulation in the immune tissues following LPS and poly I:C challenges, providing further evidence for the immunological role of RbPA28α and RbPA28β.

The proteasome and the degradation of oxidized proteins: Part I-structure of proteasomes

The main machinery responsible for cellular protein maintenance is the ubiquitin-proteasomal system, with its core particle the 20S proteasome. The main task of the system is a fast and efficient degradation of proteins not needed anymore in cellular metabolism. For this aim a complex system of regulators evolved, modifying the function of the 20S core proteasome. Here we summarize shortly the structure of the 20S proteasome as well as its associated regulator proteins.

Distinct proteasome subpopulations in the alveolar space of patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome

There is increasing evidence that proteasomes have a biological role in the extracellular alveolar space, but inflammation could change their composition. We tested whether immunoproteasome protein-containing subpopulations are present in the alveolar space of patients with lung inflammation evoking the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) supernatants and cell pellet lysate from ARDS patients (n = 28) and healthy subjects (n = 10) were analyzed for the presence of immunoproteasome proteins (LMP2 and LMP7) and proteasome subtypes by western blot, chromatographic purification, and 2D-dimensional gelelectrophoresis. In all ARDS patients but not in healthy subjects LMP7 and LMP2 were observed in BAL supernatants. Proteasomes purified from pooled ARDS BAL supernatant showed an altered enzyme activity ratio. Chromatography revealed a distinct pattern with 7 proteasome subtype peaks in BAL supernatant of ARDS patients that differed from healthy subjects. Total proteasome concentration in BAL supernatant was increased in ARDS (971 ng/mL ± 1116 versus 59 ± 25; P < 0.001), and all fluorogenic substrates were hydrolyzed, albeit to a lesser extent, with inhibition by epoxomicin (P = 0.0001). Thus, we identified for the first time immunoproteasome proteins and a distinct proteasomal subtype pattern in the alveolar space of ARDS patients, presumably in response to inflammation.

Structure of the proteasome

The ubiquitin-proteasomal system is an essential element of the protein quality control machinery in cells. The central part of this system is the 20S proteasome. The proteasome is a barrel-shaped multienzyme complex, containing several active centers hidden at the inner surface of the hollow cylinder. So, the regulation of the substrate entry toward the inner proteasomal surface is a key control mechanism of the activity of this protease. This chapter outlines the knowledge on the structure of the subunits of the 20S proteasome, the binding and structure of some proteasomal regulators and inducible proteasomal subunits. Therefore, this chapter imparts the knowledge on proteasomal structure which is required for the understanding of the following chapters.

The N-terminal flanking region of the TRP2360-368 melanoma antigen determines proteasome activator PA28 requirement for epitope liberation

Proteasomes are known to produce major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I ligands from endogenous antigens. The interferon-gamma-inducible proteasome activator PA28 plays an important role in the generation of MHC ligands by proteasomes. Generation of the HLA-A(*)0201 restricted melanoma antigen TRP2(360-368) by the proteasome has been shown to be dependent on the function of PA28 in vitro and in vivo (Sun, Y., Sijts, A. J., Song, M., Janek, K., Nussbaum, A. K., Kral, S., Schirle, M., Stevanovic, S., Paschen, A., Schild, H., Kloetzel, P. M., and Schadendorf, D. (2002) Cancer Res. 62, 2875-2882). Here we analyzed the role of the epitope sequence environment in determining this PA28 dependence. Experiments using the melanoma TRP2(288-296) epitope and the murine cytomegalovirus-derived pp89 epitope precursor peptide for epitope replacement revealed that the TRP2(360-368) flanking sequences can transfer PA28 dependence onto otherwise PA28 independent epitopes. Moreover, the N-terminal flanking sequence is sufficient to establish PA28 dependence of an epitope by allowing PA28-induced coordinated dual cleavages. These results show that N-terminal flanking sequences strongly influence epitope generation efficiency and that PA28 function is particularly relevant for the generation of normally poorly excised peptide products.

Peroxynitrite alters the catalytic activity of rodent liver proteasome in vitro and in vivo

The proteasome is an important multicatalytic enzyme complex that degrades misfolded and oxidized proteins, signal transduction factors, and antigenic peptides for presentation. We investigated the in vitro effects of peroxynitrite (PN) on the peptidase activity of both crude 20S and 26S and purified 20S proteasome preparations from rat liver as well as proteasome activity in Hep G2 cells and in mouse liver. Crude and purified proteasome preparations were exposed to PN or to the PN donor, 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1), and then assayed for chymotrypsin-like activity. For in vivo experiments, mice were treated with molsidomine, which is metabolized to SIN-1 in liver. PN and SIN-1 dose-dependently modulated the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome: lower concentrations enhanced proteasome activity, and higher concentrations caused its decline. The NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), at all concentrations, suppressed 20S proteasome activity. We observed similar results when liver soluble fractions (S-100) were treated with PN, SIN-1, or SNAP, except that enzyme activity in S-100 fractions was less sensitive than the purified enzymes to these agents. Treatment of Hep G2 cells with 0.01 or 0.1 mmol/L SIN-1 stimulated in situ proteasome activity in these cells, while 1 mmol/L SIN-1 suppressed it. SNAP treatment did not affect proteasome activity in Hep G2 cells. Mice treated with molsidomine had enhanced liver proteasome activity 6 hours after treatment, but after 24 hours enzyme activity declined below control levels. In conclusion, PN dose-dependently modulated proteasome activity, regulating protein degradation by the proteasome in liver cells.

Post-translationally modified S12, absent in transformed breast epithelial cells, is not associated with the 26S proteasome and is induced by proteasome inhibitor

The 26S proteasome, consisting of the 20S core and 19S regulatory complexes, regulates intracellular protein concentration through proteolytic degradation of targeted substrates. Composition of the 19S regulatory complex as well as posttranslational modifications of the 19S subunits can effectively regulate the activity of the 26S proteasome. Aberrant activity of the 26S proteasome affects the cell cycle, apoptosis and other cellular processes related to cancer. Recent data show an additional proteasome-independent role of 19S subunits in transcriptional regulation. S12 (Rpn8), the human homologue of mouse Mov-34, is a non-ATPase 19S regulatory subunit of the 26S proteasome. Previous studies have identified phosphorylated S12. In our study, we identify a modified S12 isoform (S12-M) with distinct biochemical properties. The S12-M isoform was found in 6 normal, but not 4 transformed, breast epithelial cell lines. Modification of S12 protein can be induced in vitro by addition of the proteasome inhibitor PSI. Modified and unmodified S12 have similar mass, but different isoelectric points, consistent with phosphorylation. In normal cells, unmodified S12 associates with the 26S proteasome, while modified S12-M does not. Whereas transformed cell line nuclei contain neither S12 isoform, S12-M is predominantly cytosolic in normal cells, with the unmodified S12 present in both the nuclei and cytosol. Together with the role of 19S subunits in transcriptional regulation, homology between S12 and eIF3 and TFIIH subunits, coelution with immunoproteasome subunits, and differential posttranslational modification and nuclear localization, these data suggest a differential nuclear function of modified and unmodified S12 in cancer.

MEKK3 interacts with the PA28 gamma regulatory subunit of the proteasome

The proteasome is a multisubunit proteolytic enzyme comprising activator complexes bound to the 20 S catalytic core. The functions of the proteasomal activator (PA) 700 in ubiquitin/ATP-dependent protein degradation and of the PA28 alpha/beta activators in antigen presentation are well defined. However, the function of a third PA, PA28 gamma, remains elusive. We now show that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase kinase 3 (MEKK3), a MAPK kinase kinase (MAPKKK) involved in MAPK kinase 7 (MKK7)-c-Jun N-terminal kinase ('JNK') and MKK6-p38 signalling, can bind PA28 gamma but not PA28 alpha. In contrast, B-Raf, a MAPKKK specific for the MAPK/ERK kinase ('MEK')-ERK module, binds PA28 gamma and alpha. The PA28 gamma-binding domain of MEKK3 is located within its N-terminal regulatory domain (amino acids 1-178). Expression of MEKK3 in Cos-7 cells led to an increase in endogenous and co-expressed PA28 gamma protein levels, whereas kinase-deficient MEKK3 had no effect on PA28 gamma expression. Furthermore, in vitro assays indicated that PA28 gamma was a MEKK3 substrate. MEKK3 represents the first protein kinase capable of binding and phosphorylating a PA, and provides a potential mechanism to link stress-activated protein kinase signalling with the PA28 gamma-dependent proteasome.

Alteration of 20S proteasome-subtypes and proteasome activator PA28 in skeletal muscle of rat after induction of diabetes mellitus

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is known to go along with enhanced muscle protein breakdown. Since evidence has been presented that the ubiquitin-proteasome system is significantly involved in muscle wasting under this condition, we have investigated, whether this biological role goes along with alterations of the proteasome system in skeletal muscle of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Previously, we have found a drop of overall proteasome activity in muscle extracts of rats after induction of diabetes but no change in total amount of 20S proteasome was detected. In the present investigation under the same diabetic conditions we have measured a significant decrease in the amount of proteasome activator PA28, a finding that explains the loss of total proteasome activity. Since increased mRNA levels of proteasome subunits have been measured in muscle tissue of rats after induction of diabetes, we have isolated and purified 20S proteasomes from muscle tissue of control and 6 days diabetic rats. The specific chymotrypsin-like, trypsin-like, and peptidylglutamylpeptide-hydrolysing activities of proteasomes from diabetic and control rats were found to be not significantly different. Therefore, we have fractionated 20S proteasomes into their subtypes and detected that induction of diabetes mellitus effects a redistribution of subtypes of all three proteasome populations but only the increase in subtype V (immuno-subtype) was statistically significant. This altered subtype pattern obviously meets the requirements to the system under wasting conditions. Since this process goes along with de novo biogenesis of 20S proteasomes, it most likely explains the phenomenon of elevated mRNA concentrations of proteasome subunits after induction of diabetes mellitus.

Human platelet 20S proteasome: inhibition of its chymotrypsin-like activity and identification of the proteasome activator PA28. A preliminary report

Earlier studies have demonstrated that human platelets contain the 20S proteasome, and its protein activator. However, understanding the potential role of the proteasome in human platelets requires a detailed knowledge about its chymotryptic-like activity, a crucial one for protein degradation in all eukaryotic cells. In this communication we have shown that human platelet 20S proteasome exhibited chymotryptic-like activity towards succinyl-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin as substrate at a broad pH range, with optimum between pH 7.5-8.0 and 5.0-5.5. These two activities were markedly inhibited by a 10 micromol/l concentration of two structurally unrelated proteasome inhibitors: lactacystin/beta-lactone or benzyloxycarbonyl-Ile-Glu(O-tert.-butyl)-Ala-leucinal, but not by ebelactone B, an inhibitor of lysosomal cathepsin A/deamidase. The chymotryptic-like activity of the 20S proteasome against succinyl-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin was also significantly inhibited in platelets, after exposure of platelet-rich plasma to 10 micromol/l lactacystin and benzyloxycarbonyl-Ile-Glu(O-tert.-butyl)-Ala-leucinal for up to 60 min. This indicates that these inhibitors can enter platelets and selectively inhibit 20S proteasome activity. We also demonstrated for the first time by Western blot analysis that human platelets contain a proteasome activator, PA28, which is known to play a key role in antigen processing by significant stimulation of the proteasomal chymotryptic-like activity. Since the platelet 20S proteasome was also present in a latent form, this suggests that its activity may be regulated in vivo in human platelets. All these results can therefore be beneficial in future studies on the role of the 20S proteasome in platelet biology.

The 11S regulators of 20S proteasome activity

Although substantial progress has been made in understanding the biochemical properties of 11S regulators since their discovery in 1992, we still only have a rudimentary understanding of their biological role. As discussed above, we have proposed a model in which the alpha/beta complex promotes the production of antigenic peptides by opening the exit port of the 20S proteasome (Whitby et al. 2000). There are other possibilities, however, that are not exclusive of the exit port hypothesis. For example the alpha/beta complex may promote assembly of immunoproteasome as suggested by Preckel et al. 1999, or it may function as a docking module and conduit for the delivery of peptides to the ER lumen (Realini et al. 1994b). There are also unanswered structural and mechanistic questions. Higher resolution data are needed to discern important structural details of the PA26/20S proteasome complex. The models for binding and activation that are suggested from the structural data have to be tested by mutagenesis and biochemical analysis. What is the role of homolog-specific inserts? Will cognate regulator/proteasome complexes show conformational changes that are not apparent in the currently available crystal structures, including perhaps signs of allosteric communication between the regulator and the proteasome active sites?

Properties of the hybrid form of the 26S proteasome containing both 19S and PA28 complexes

PA28 is a gamma-interferon-induced complex that associates with the 20S proteasome and stimulates breakdown of small peptides. Recent immunoprecipitation studies indicate that, in vivo, PA28 also exists in larger complexes that also contain the 19S particle, which is required for ATP-ubiquitin-dependent degradation of proteins. However, because of its lability, the structure and properties of this larger complex remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that, in vitro, PA28 can associate with 'singly capped' 26S (i.e. 19S-20S) proteasomes. Electron microscopy of the resulting structures revealed one PA28 ring at one end of the 20S particle and a 19S complex at the other. These hybrid complexes show enhanced hydrolysis of small peptides, but no significant increase in rates of protein breakdown. Nevertheless, during breakdown of proteins, the complexes containing PA28alphabeta or PA28alpha generated a pattern of peptides different from those generated by 26S proteasomes, without altering mean product length. Presumably, this change in peptides produced accounts for the capacity of PA28 to enhance antigen presentation.

Pronounced up-regulation of the PA28alpha/beta proteasome regulator but little increase in the steady-state content of immunoproteasome during dendritic cell maturation

Dendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen-presenting cells that activate CTL by presenting MHC class I-restricted peptides that are processed through the proteasome pathway. Previously, we reported that upon DC maturation the synthesis is switched towards the exclusive production of immunoproteasomes containing the active site subunits LMP2, LMP7 and MECL-1. In this study we investigated the mechanism by which proteasome assembly is regulated in mature DC. Quantitative analysis of mRNA expression showed very limited transcriptional induction of LMP7, MECL-1 and UMP1 in mature DC and a moderate mRNA increment for LMP2 and PA28alpha and beta. We investigated a role of PA28alpha/beta in regulating proteasome assembly in DC. PA28alpha/beta coprecipitated with 13S/16S proteasome precursor complexes but associated with mature constitutive and immunoproteasomes to the same extent. Furthermore, we determined the steady-state proteasome subunit composition in DC. Replacement of constitutive proteasomes by immunoproteasomes in maturing DC was very slow and occurred only to a minor extent. Our data suggest that the limited turnover of 20S proteasomes in mature DC probably contributes little to recently reported marked differences in antigen presentation between immature and mature DC and that alternative mechanisms may be responsible for this phenomenon.

Reconstitution of hybrid proteasomes from purified PA700-20 S complexes and PA28alphabeta activator: ultrastructure and peptidase activities

The activity of the proteasome, the major non-lysosomal proteinase in eukaryotes, is stimulated by two activator complexes, PA700 and PA28. PA700-20 S-PA700 proteasome complexes, generally designated as 26 S proteasomes, degrade proteins, whereas complexes of the type PA28-20 S-PA28 degrade only peptides. We report, for the first time, the in vitro reconstitution of previously identified hybrid proteasomes (PA700-20 S-PA28) from purified PA700-20 S proteasome complexes and PA28 activator. In electron micrographs, the hybrid appears as a corkscrew-shaped particle with a PA700 and a PA28 activator each bound to a terminal alpha-disk of the 20 S core proteasome. The multiple peptidase activities of hybrid proteasomes are not different from those of PA28-20 S-PA28 or PA700-20 S-PA700 complexes.

Kinetic evidences for facilitation of peptide channelling by the proteasome activator PA28

The activation kinetics of constitutive and IFNgamma-stimulated 20S proteasomes obtained with homomeric (recPA28alpha, recPA28beta) and heteromeric (recPA28alphabeta) forms of recombinant 11S regulator PA28 was analysed by means of kinetic modelling. The activation curves obtained with increasing concentrations of the individual PA28 subunits (RecP28alpha/RecP28beta/RecP28alpha + RecP28beta) exhibit biphasic characteristics which can be attributed to a low-level activation by PA28 monomers and full proteasome activation by assembled activator complexes. The dissociation constants do not reveal significant differences between the constitutive and the immunoproteasome. Intriguingly, the affinity of the proteasome towards the recPA28alphabeta complex is about two orders of magnitude higher than towards the homomeric PA28alpha and PA28beta complexes. Striking similarities can been revealed in the way how PA28 mediates the kinetics of latent proteasomes with respect to three different fluorogenic peptides probing the chymotrypsin-like, trypsin-like and peptidylglutamyl-peptide hydrolyzing like activity: (a) positive cooperativity disappears as indicated by a lack of sigmoid initial parts of the kinetic curves, (b) substrate affinity is increased, whereby (c), the maximal activity remains virtually constant. As these kinetic features are independent of the peptide substrates, we conclude that PA28 exerts its activating influence on the proteasome by enhancing the uptake (and release) of shorter peptides.

Protein degradation by the proteasome and its implications in aging

Free radical damage to cellular components is believed to contribute to the aging process. Studies on proteins have shown both an age-related decline in several enzyme activities and an age-related accumulation of oxidized forms of protein. Oxidized forms of protein are generally degraded more rapidly than their native counterparts. Indeed, the normal functions of the cell involve the regular elimination of these altered molecules. The proteasome, a multienzymatic proteolytic complex, is the major enzymatic system in charge of cellular "cleansing" and plays a key role in the degradation of damaged proteins. Consequently, proteasome function is very important in controlling the level of altered proteins in eukaryotic cells. Because the steady-state level of oxidized protein reflects the balance between the rate of protein oxidation and the rate of protein degradation, age-related accumulation of altered protein can be due to an increase of free radical-mediated damage, a loss of protease activity, or the combination of both mechanisms. One of the hypotheses put forward to explain the accumulation of altered proteins is the decrease of proteasome activity with age. In this paper, the importance of oxidative damage to proteins and that of their elimination by the proteasome are first described. Then, evidence for a decline of proteasome activity upon aging and upon oxidative stress is provided by studies from our and other laboratories.

The proteasome activator 11 S REG (PA28) and class I antigen presentation

There are two immune responses in vertebrates: humoral immunity is mediated by circulating antibodies, whereas cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) confer cellular immunity. CTL lyse infected cells upon recognition of cell-surface MHC Class I molecules complexed with foreign peptides. The displayed peptides are produced in the cytosol by degradation of host proteins or proteins from intracellular pathogens that might be present. Proteasomes are cylindrical multisubunit proteases that generate many of the peptides eventually transferred to the cell surface for immune surveillance. In mammalian proteasomes, six active sites face a central chamber. As this chamber is sealed off from the enzyme's surface, there must be mechanisms to promote entry of substrates. Two protein complexes have been found to bind the ends of the proteasome and activate it. One of the activators is the 19 S regulatory complex of the 26 S proteasome; the other activator is '11 S REG' [Dubiel, Pratt, Ferrell and Rechsteiner (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 22369-22377] or 'PA28' [Ma, Slaughter and DeMartino (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 10515-10523]. During the past 7 years, our understanding of the structure of REG molecules has increased significantly, but much less is known about their biological functions. There are three REG subunits, namely alpha, beta and gamma. Recombinant REGalpha forms a ring-shaped heptamer of known crystal structure. 11 S REG is a heteroheptamer of alpha and beta subunits. REGgamma is also presumably a heptameric ring, and it is found in the nuclei of the nematode work Caenorhabditis elegans and higher organisms, where it may couple proteasomes to other nuclear components. REGalpha and REGbeta, which are abundant in vertebrate immune tissues, are located mostly in the cytoplasm. Synthesis of REG alpha and beta subunits is induced by interferon-gamma, and this has led to the prevalent hypothesis that REG alpha/beta hetero-oligomers play an important role in Class I antigen presentation. In the present review we focus on the structural properties of REG molecules and on the evidence that REGalpha/beta functions in the Class I immune response.

PA28alphabeta double and PA28beta single transfectant mouse B8 cell lines reveal enhanced presentation of a mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) pp89 MHC class I epitope

PA28 is an interferon-gamma inducible modulator of proteasome function composed of two subunits, i.e. PA28alpha and PA28beta. Previously we showed that stabile overexpression of the PA28alpha subunit alone supported MHC class I antigen presentation of two viral epitopes. However, no information was obtained on the consequences when PA28alpha and PA28beta function in concert or when PA28beta is overexpressed on its own. Here we demonstrate that overexpression of PA28alpha and beta together is similarly efficient in supporting MHC class I antigen presentation of the MCMV pp89 9mer epitope as PA28alpha alone, excluding a potentially potentiating role of PA28beta. Surprisingly, and despite the fact that PA28beta alone was thought to be inactive and to only stabilize PA28 activity, overexpression of PA28beta also resulted in improved antigen presentation. However, by northernblot and immunoprecipitation experiments we show that while PA28alpha is able to act alone the observed effect in the PA28beta and PA28alphabeta transfectant cell lines is due to increased levels of PA28alphabeta complexes.

Conformational changes in the 20S proteasome upon macromolecular ligand binding analyzed with monoclonal antibodies

Proteasomes interact with a variety of macromolecular ligands that modulate their ability to degrade peptide and protein substrates. The effector PA28 increases the peptidase activities of proteasomes whereas HSP90 and alpha-crystallin inhibit a peptide-hydrolyzing activity. Four monoclonal antibodies were used as probes to detect conformational changes of proteasome subunits. Conformational changes in alpha- or beta-subunits were found upon binding PA28, HSP90, alpha-crystallin, and the substrate casein but not with the peptide substrate analogs calpain inhibitor 1 (Ac-Leu-Leu-norleucinal), calpain inhibitor 2 (Ac-Leu-Leu-methioninal), or MG 132 (N-Cbz-Leu-Leu-leucinal).

Invasion by Salmonella typhimurium induces increased expression of the LMP, MECL, and PA28 proteasome genes and changes in the peptide repertoire of HLA-B27

We have analyzed proteasomal adaptation and associated changes in the B27-bound peptide repertoire in response to cellular invasion with Salmonella. The peptide repertoire of HLA-B27 complexes was analyzed by two different methods: (i) high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) profiles of newly synthesized peptides eluted from B27 following metabolic labeling with arginine and (ii) reactivities with two B27 monoclonal antibodies, Ye-2 and B27.M2, sensitive to peptide-induced conformational changes. LMP, MECL, and PA28 expression was analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) of mRNA and by Western blot analysis for LMP2. Invasion of HLA-B27-transfected HeLa cells by Salmonella typhimurium induced significant changes in the reactivities of HLA-B27 with these two antibodies, which was accompanied by significant quantitative and qualitative changes in the HPLC profile of peptides eluted from HLA-B27. We also observed increases in the RT-PCR values for the LMP2, LMP7, and MECL proteasome subunit genes, as well as the proteasomal activator PA28alpha and -beta genes, and increased expression of the LMP2 protein by Western blotting. Upregulation of LMP2, but not LMP7, gene expression showed a close correlation with the changes in antibody reactivities observed upon bacterial invasion. We observed similar changes in reactivity with the Ye-2 or the B27.M2 antibody of lymphoblastoid cells upon gamma interferon treatment, which significantly correlated with the increased RT-PCR values for the LMP2 gene. This was accompanied by consistent HPLC profile changes for eluted peptides. Thus, Salmonella invasion leads to serologically recognizable changes in the B27-bound peptide repertoire, which may include peptides of host origin potentially through modulation of proteasome LMP2 subunit expression and, as a consequence, proteasomal activities.

Proteasome activator (PA28) subunits, alpha, beta and gamma (Ki antigen) in NT2 neuronal precursor cells and HeLa S3 cells

The catalytic activity of the 20S proteasome can be modulated by endogenous proteins. A proteasome activator protein termed PA28 or 11S regulator, composed of two homologous subunits (alpha and beta) and a separate but related protein termed Ki antigen or PA28gamma have been characterized. To explore the functional relationship of these proteins, NT2 clone D1 human neuronal precursor cells, as well as HeLa S3 cells were labeled by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy with three different antisera directed against peptides derived from their sequences. It was found that both PA28alpha and PA28beta antisera label the cytoplasm and the nucleoli. In contrast, the PA28gamma antiserum labels the nucleus but not the nucleoli while in the cytoplasm it labels two different classes of structures identified as microtubular-like extensions and inclusion bodies that are most likely autophagosomes. The latter do not contain proteasome delta subunit antigen. The microtubular-like structures colocalize with beta-tubulin, are dispersed by nocodazole and are not affected by brefeldin A treatment. PA28alpha and PA28beta are co-localized in the cell whereas PA28gamma has a different distribution. PA28gamma complexed with the proteasome may serve a function other than or in addition to activation and may also have a proteasome-independent function.

Intracellular proteinases of invertebrates: calcium-dependent and proteasome/ubiquitin-dependent systems

Cytosolic proteinases carry out a variety of regulatory functions by controlling protein levels and/or activities within cells. Calcium-dependent and ubiquitin/proteasome-dependent pathways are common to all eukaryotes. The former pathway consists of a diverse group of Ca(2+)-dependent cysteine proteinases (CDPs; calpains in vertebrate tissues). The latter pathway is highly conserved and consists of ubiquitin, ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes, deubiquitinases, and the proteasome. This review summarizes the biochemical properties and genetics of invertebrate CDPs and proteasomes and their roles in programmed cell death, stress responses (heat shock and anoxia), skeletal muscle atrophy, gametogenesis and fertilization, development and pattern formation, cell-cell recognition, signal transduction and learning, and photoreceptor light adaptation. These pathways carry out bulk protein degradation in the programmed death of the intersegmental and flight muscles of insects and of individuals in a colonial ascidian; molt-induced atrophy of crustacean claw muscle; and responses of brine shrimp, mussels, and insects to environmental stress. Selective proteolysis occurs in response to specific signals, such as in modulating protein kinase A activity in sea hare and fruit fly associated with learning; gametogenesis, differentiation, and development in sponge, echinoderms, nematode, ascidian, and insects; and in light adaptation of photoreceptors in the eyes of squid, insects, and crustaceans. Proteolytic activities and specificities are regulated through proteinase gene expression (CDP isozymes and proteasomal subunits), allosteric regulators, and posttranslational modifications, as well as through specific targeting of protein substrates by a diverse assemblage of ubiquitin-conjugases and deubiquitinases. Thus, the regulation of intracellular proteolysis approaches the complexity and versatility of transcriptional and translational mechanisms.

Simultaneous binding of PA28 and PA700 activators to 20 S proteasomes

Two activators, named PA700 and PA28, are known to bind to 20 S proteasomes, forming two different complexes. The PA700-proteasome complex, also known as the 26 S proteasome, can degrade intact proteins, whereas complexes with PA28 can degrade only peptides. Monoclonal antibodies to 20 S proteasomes or the p45 ATPase subunit (Trip1, Sug1) of PA700 precipitated the same set of proteins from HeLa extracts, including six different ATPase subunits of PA700. This shows that p45 is not present in other protein complexes and suggests that all 26 S proteasome particles contain the same set of ATPase subunits. Interferons alpha and gamma had no effect on the composition of the 26 S proteasome, except for the replacement of subunits delta, MB1 and Z with Lmp2, Lmp7 and MECL1 respectively. Surprisingly, antibodies to PA28 precipitated p42, a component of PA700. Conversely, anti-p45 antibodies precipitated not only 26 S proteasomes but also PA28 alpha, beta and gamma, indicating that 20 S proteasomes can simultaneously bind both PA700 and PA28. PA28 alpha beta is known to be involved in antigen presentation. Conceivably, intact substrate proteins are recognized by PA700 and fed into proteasomes whose cleavage specificity is optimized for antigen presentation on MHC class I by PA28 and three interferon inducible proteasome subunits.

Characterization of recombinant REGalpha, REGbeta, and REGgamma proteasome activators

Full-length cDNAs for three human proteasome activator subunits, called REGalpha, REGbeta, and REGgamma, have been expressed in Escherichia coli, and the purified recombinant proteins have been characterized. Recombinant alpha or gamma subunits form heptameric species; recombinant beta subunits are found largely as monomers or small multimers. Each recombinant REG stimulates cleavage of fluorogenic peptides by human red cell proteasomes. The pattern of activated peptide hydrolysis is virtually identical for REGalpha and REGbeta. These two subunits, alone or in combination, stimulate cleavage after basic, acidic, and most hydrophobic residues in many peptides. Recombinant alpha and beta subunits bind each other with high affinity, and the REGalpha/beta heteromeric complex activates hydrolysis of LLVY-methylcoumaryl-7-amide (LLVY-MCA) and LLE-beta-nitroanilide (LLE-betaNA) more than REGalpha or REGbeta alone. Using filter binding and gel filtration assays, recombinant REGgamma subunits were shown to bind themselves but not alpha or beta subunits. REGgamma differs from REGalpha and REGbeta in that it markedly stimulates hydrolysis of peptides with basic residues in the P1 position but only modestly activates cleavage of LLVY-MCA or LLE-betaNA by the proteasome. REGgamma binds the proteasome with higher affinity than REGalpha or REGbeta yet with lower affinity than complexes containing both REGalpha and REGbeta. In summary, each of the three REG homologs is a proteasome activator with unique biochemical properties.

Expression and subcellular localization of mouse 20S proteasome activator complex PA28

We have cloned the mouse PA28 proteasome activator cDNAs. Northern blot demonstrates high PA28 mRNA levels in liver, kidney and lung. mRNA levels are low in thymus, spleen and brain. In contrast, PA28 protein levels vary little between these tissues. Immunocytological analysis and cell fractionation experiments demonstrate that both subunits are almost equally distributed between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Interestingly, PA28alpha spares nucleoli, while PA28beta is strongly enhanced in the nucleolus. This indicates for the first time that the PA28alpha and PA28beta subunits may serve nuclear functions which may be different from and independent of each other.

Characterization of a multicatalytic proteinase complex (20S proteasome) from Trypanosoma brucei brucei

African trypanosomes are tsetse-transmitted protozoan parasites that cause sleeping sickness in humans and 'Nagana' in animals. A high relative molecular mass multicatalytic proteinase complex (MCP) was purified and biochemically characterized from the cytosolic fraction of Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The isolation procedure consisted of fractionation of the lysate by high speed centrifugation, chromatography on Q-sepharose molecular sieve filtration on Sephacryl S-300, chromatography on HA-Ultrogel and glycerol density gradient centrifugation (10-40%). The final enzyme preparation yielded a single protein band corresponding to a relative molecular mass of 630 kDa on a non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel. The enzyme hydrolyses a wide range of peptide substrates characteristic of chymotrypsin-like, trypsin-like, peptidylglutamylpeptide-hydrolysing activities determined by fluorogenic peptides, Z-Gly-Gly-Leu-NHMec, Z-Arg-Arg-NHMec and Z-Leu-Leu-Glu-beta NA, respectively. The enzyme was found to have a wide variation in pH optimal activity profile, with optimum activity against Z-Gly-Gly-Leu-NHMec at 7.8, Z-Arg-Arg-NHMec at pH 10.5 and Z-Leu-Leu-Glu-beta NA at pH 8.0, showing that the different activities are distinct. The enzyme hydrolysed oxidized proteins. In addition, the chymotryptic and trypsin-like activities were susceptible to inhibition by peptide aldehyde inhibitors with variable inhibition effects. The study demonstrates the presence of a non-lysosomal proteasome pathway of intracellular protein degradation in the bloodstream form of T. b. brucei. Further, the ability of the enzyme to hydrolyse most oxidized proteins, and the high immunogenicity exhibited suggests a possible involvement of the enzyme in pathogenesis of the disease.

Structural and functional properties of proteasome activator PA28

The proteasome activator PA28 or 11S regulator is a protein complex composed of two different but homologous polypeptides, termed PA28alpha and PA28beta. The purified activator protein (approximately 200 kDa) is a ring-shaped heteromultimer containing the two polypeptides, possibly with an (alpha3beta3 stoichiometry. The activator, which by itself shows no hydrolytic activity elicits activation of the proteasome's multiple peptidase activities by binding to the terminal rings of the proteinase. In vitro, active PA28 can be reconstituted from isolated alpha and beta subunits, yielding two different oligomers: with the single alpha subunit, PA28alpha homomultimers with moderate stimulatory activity toward 20S proteasomes are obtained whereas isolated beta-subunits are unable to form oligomers and are devoid of stimulatory activity. However, in the presence of both subunits, alphabeta heteromultimers form, concomitant with restoration of full stimulatory activity. The recent finding that PA28 modulates the proteasome-catalyzed production of antigenic peptides presented to the immune system on MHC class I molecules indicates a cellular function of the activator in antigen processing.

Reconstitution of proteasome activator PA28 from isolated subunits: optimal activity is associated with an alpha,beta-heteromultimer

PA28, a 200 kDa activator of 20S proteasomes, was purified from human placenta and was gel electrophoretically resolved into two different subunits, alpha and beta. In reconstitution experiments, alpha-subunits alone were found to re-associate forming homooligomers with an M(r) of about 200 kDa, which elicit a stimulatory effect on proteasomal peptide-hydrolyzing activity, albeit at a moderate level. Under the same conditions, isolated beta-subunits were neither found to associate nor did they display stimulatory activity. Significantly, when both alpha- and beta-subunits were present in the reconstitution assay, heteromultimers formed, concomitant with a marked increase in stimulatory activity when compared with that of alpha-homooligomers. The reconstituted PA28alpha,beta protein is indistinguishable from purified PA28 by several criteria: it displays the same molecular mass, shows the same abundance of alpha- and beta-subunits and has a similar stimulatory activity toward 20S proteasomes. These results indicate that optimal PA28 activity is associated with a heteromultimeric structure which contains the alpha- and beta-subunits in fixed stoichiometry, most likely as an alpha3beta3-heterohexamer.

Coordinated dual cleavages induced by the proteasome regulator PA28 lead to dominant MHC ligands

The eukaryotic 20S proteasome is known to associate with the IFN gamma-inducible regulator PA28. We analyzed the kinetics of product generation by 20S proteasomes with and without PA28. In the absence of PA28, the 20S proteasome rapidly generates peptides that have been cleaved only once, while internal fragments accumulate only slowly. In the presence of PA28, products generated by two flanking cleavages appear immediately as main products while the generation of single-cleavage products is strongly reduced. Kinetic data support a PA28-induced, coordinated double-cleavage mechanism. In particular, degradation of peptides derived from mouse cytomegalovirus pp89 and JAK1 kinase in the presence of PA28 leads to strongly enhanced production of the respective major histocompatibility complex ligands and potential precursors. These results show that PA28 profoundly alters the cleavage mechanism of the proteasome and appears to optimize the generation of dominant T-cell epitopes.