Effect of methylglyoxal modification on the structure and properties of human small heat shock protein HspB6 (Hsp20)

Bacteria suppress immune responses in Arabidopsis by inducing methylglyoxal accumulation and promoting H2O2 scavenging

Various reactive small molecules, naturally produced via cellular metabolism, function in plant immunity. However, how pathogens use plant metabolites to promote their infection is poorly understood. Here, we identified that infection with a virulent bacterial strain represses glyoxalase I (GLYI) activity, leading to elevated levels of methylglyoxal (MG) in Arabidopsis. Genetic analysis of GLYIs further supports that MG promotes bacterial infection. Mechanistically, MG modifies TRIPHOSPHATE TUNNEL METALLOENZYME2 (TTM2) at Arg-351, facilitating its interaction with CATALASE2 (CAT2), resulting in higher CAT2 activity and lower hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation. Taken together, we demonstrate that the bacterial pathogen harnesses the plant metabolite MG to promote its infection by scavenging H2O2.

Celastrol regulates the oligomeric state and chaperone activity of αB-crystallin linked with protein homeostasis in the lens

Protein misfolding and aggregation are crucial pathogenic factors for cataracts, which are the leading cause of visual impairment worldwide. α-crystallin, as a small molecular chaperone, is involved in preventing protein misfolding and maintaining lens transparency. The chaperone activity of α-crystallin depends on its oligomeric state. Our previous work identified a natural compound, celastrol, which could regulate the oligomeric state of αB-crystallin. In this work, based on the UNcle and SEC analysis, we found that celastrol induced αB-crystallin to form large oligomers. Large oligomer formation enhanced the chaperone activity of αB-crystallin and prevented aggregation of the cataract-causing mutant βA3-G91del. The interactions between αB-crystallin and celastrol were detected by the FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer) technique, and verified by molecular docking. At least 9 binding patterns were recognized, and some binding sites covered the groove structure of αB-crystallin. Interestingly, αB-R120G, a cataract-causing mutation located at the groove structure, and celastrol can decrease the aggregates of αB-R120G. Overall, our results suggested celastrol not only promoted the formation of large αB-crystallin oligomers, which enhanced its chaperone activity, but also bound to the groove structure of its α-crystallin domain to maintain its structural stability. Celastrol might serve as a chemical and pharmacological chaperone for cataract treatment.

Cellular functions of heat shock protein 20 (HSPB6) in cancer: A review

Heat shock proteins (HSP) are a large family of peptide proteins that are widely found in cells. Studies have shown that the expression and function of HSPs in cells are very complex, and they can participate in cellular physiological and pathological processes through multiple pathways. Multiple heat shock proteins are associated with cancer cell growth, proliferation, metastasis, and resistance to anticancer drugs, and they play a key role in cancer development by ensuring the correct folding or degradation of proteins in cancer cells. As research hotspots, HSP90, HSP70 and HSP27 have been extensively studied in cancer so far. However, HSP20, also referred to as HSPB6, as a member of the small heat shock protein family, has been shown to play an important role in the cardiovascular system, but little research has been conducted on HSP20 in cancer. This review summarizes the current cellular functions of HSP20 in different cancer types, as well as its effects on cancer proliferation, progression, prognosis, and its other functions in cancer, to illustrate the close association between HSP20 and cancer. We show that, unlike most HSPs, HSP20 mainly plays an active anticancer role in cancer development, which is expected to provide new ideas and help for cancer diagnosis and treatment and research.

Methylglyoxal and Its Adducts: Induction, Repair, and Association with Disease

Metabolism is an essential part of life that provides energy for cell growth. During metabolic flux, reactive electrophiles are produced that covalently modify macromolecules, leading to detrimental cellular effects. Methylglyoxal (MG) is an abundant electrophile formed from lipid, protein, and glucose metabolism at intracellular levels of 1-4 μM. MG covalently modifies DNA, RNA, and protein, forming advanced glycation end products (MG-AGEs). MG and MG-AGEs are associated with the onset and progression of many pathologies including diabetes, cancer, and liver and kidney disease. Regulating MG and MG-AGEs is a potential strategy to prevent disease, and they may also have utility as biomarkers to predict disease risk, onset, and progression. Here, we review recent advances and knowledge surrounding MG, including its production and elimination, mechanisms of MG-AGEs formation, the physiological impact of MG and MG-AGEs in disease onset and progression, and the latter in the context of its receptor RAGE. We also discuss methods for measuring MG and MG-AGEs and their clinical application as prognostic biomarkers to allow for early detection and intervention prior to disease onset. Finally, we consider relevant clinical applications and current therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting MG, MG-AGEs, and RAGE to ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Proteasomal degradation of glycated proteins depends on substrate unfolding: Preferred degradation of moderately modified myoglobin

The Maillard reaction generates protein modifications which can accumulate during hyperglycemia or aging and may have inflammatory consequences. The proteasome is one of the major intracellular systems involved in the proteolytic degradation of modified proteins but its role in the degradation of glycated proteins is scarcely studied. In this study, chemical and structural changes of glycated myoglobin were analyzed and its degradation by 20S proteasome was studied. Myoglobin was incubated with physiological (5-10 mM), moderate (50-100 mM) and severe levels (300 mM) of glucose or methylglyoxal (MGO, 50 mM). Glycation increased myoglobin's fluorescence and surface hydrophobicity. Severe glycation generated crosslinked proteins as shown by gel electrophoresis. The concentration of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) N-ε-carboxymethyl lysine (CML), N-ε-carboxyethyl lysine (CEL), methylglyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone-1 (MG-H1), pentosidine and pyrraline was analyzed after enzymatic hydrolysis followed by UPLC-MS/MS. Higher concentrations of glucose increased all analyzed AGEs and incubation with MGO led to a pronounced increase of CEL and MG-H1. The binding of the heme group to apo-myoglobin was decreased with increasing glycation indicating the loss of tertiary protein structure. Proteasomal degradation of modified myoglobin compared to native myoglobin depends on the degree of glycation: physiological conditions decreased proteasomal degradation whereas moderate glycation increased degradation. Severe glycation again decreased proteolytic cleavage which might be due to crosslinking of protein monomers. The activity of the proteasomal subunit β5 is influenced by the presence of glycated myoglobin. In conclusion, the role of the proteasome in the degradation of glycated proteins is highly dependent on the level of glycation and consequent protein unfolding.

Methylglyoxal, a Highly Reactive Dicarbonyl Compound, in Diabetes, Its Vascular Complications, and Other Age-Related Diseases

The formation and accumulation of methylglyoxal (MGO), a highly reactive dicarbonyl compound, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, vascular complications of diabetes, and several other age-related chronic inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and disorders of the central nervous system. MGO is mainly formed as a byproduct of glycolysis and, under physiological circumstances, detoxified by the glyoxalase system. MGO is the major precursor of nonenzymatic glycation of proteins and DNA, subsequently leading to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). MGO and MGO-derived AGEs can impact on organs and tissues affecting their functions and structure. In this review we summarize the formation of MGO, the detoxification of MGO by the glyoxalase system, and the biochemical pathways through which MGO is linked to the development of diabetes, vascular complications of diabetes, and other age-related diseases. Although interventions to treat MGO-associated complications are not yet available in the clinical setting, several strategies to lower MGO have been developed over the years. We will summarize several new directions to target MGO stress including glyoxalase inducers and MGO scavengers. Targeting MGO burden may provide new therapeutic applications to mitigate diseases in which MGO plays a crucial role.

Flavorings-Related Lung Disease: A Brief Review and New Mechanistic Data

Flavorings-related lung disease is a potentially disabling and sometimes fatal lung disease of workers making or using flavorings. First identified almost 20 years ago in microwave popcorn workers exposed to butter-flavoring vapors, flavorings-related lung disease remains a concern today. In some cases, workers develop bronchiolitis obliterans, a severe form of fixed airways disease. Affected workers have been reported in microwave popcorn, flavorings, and coffee production workplaces. Volatile α-dicarbonyl compounds, particularly diacetyl (2,3-butanedione) and 2,3-pentanedione, are implicated in the etiology. Published studies on diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione document their ability to cause airway epithelial necrosis, damage biological molecules, and perturb protein homeostasis. With chronic exposure in rats, they produce airway fibrosis resembling bronchiolitis obliterans. To add to this knowledge, we recently evaluated airway toxicity of the 3-carbon α-dicarbonyl compound, methylglyoxal. Methylglyoxal inhalation causes epithelial necrosis at even lower concentrations than diacetyl. In addition, we investigated airway toxicity of mixtures of diacetyl, acetoin, and acetic acid, common volatiles in butter flavoring. At ratios comparable to workplace scenarios, the mixtures or diacetyl alone, but not acetic acid or acetoin, cause airway epithelial necrosis. These new findings add to existing data to implicate α-dicarbonyl compounds in airway injury and flavorings-related lung disease.

Modification by glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate prevents amyloid transformation of alpha-synuclein

Numerous investigations point to the relation between diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders. Alpha-synuclein is a protein involved in the development of synucleinopathies including Parkinson's disease. In the present work, alpha-synuclein was for the first time modified by the intermediate product of glycolysis, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (GA-3-P). The resulting product was compared with the alpha-synuclein modified by methylglyoxal (MGO). The efficiency of the modification by the aldehydes was evaluated by decrease in free amino group content. The modification products were detected using fluorescence spectroscopy. The effect of modification by two glycating agents on the amyloid transformation of alpha-synuclein was investigated. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the aggregates produced by the native alpha-synuclein under fibrillation conditions revealed the presence of 355-441-nm fibrils. In the aggregates produced by the modified alpha-synuclein, short fibrils of 65-230 nm or 85-260 nm were detected in the case of the protein treated with MGO and GA-3-P, respectively. Investigation of the aggregates by the fluorescence assay with Thioflavin T and CD spectroscopy showed that, in contrast to native alpha-synuclein, alpha-synuclein treated with GA-3-P does not produce real amyloid structures. Consequently, modification of alpha-synuclein by GA-3-P, the metabolite whose concentration is determined by the activity of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, prevents its amyloid transformation.

Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome: identification of the molecular mechanisms, key signaling pathways and transcription factors aimed to reveal new therapeutical targets

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a socially important disease with only symptomatic therapy developed due to lack of knowledge about its pathogenesis and underlying mechanism. Insulin resistance (IR) is the first link of T2DM pathogenesis and results in decrease of ability of insulin to stimulate glucose uptake by target cells. Development of IR involves genetic predisposition, excessive nutrition, stress, obesity or chronic inflammation due to disruption of insulin signaling within cells. Molecular mechanisms and markers of IR are characterized rather poorly, which prevents early diagnosis and creation of preventive therapy. Euglycemic clamp test is still a golden standard for IR diagnosis in clinic. Hyperglycemia is a distant consequence of IR in which damaging effect of oxidative and carbonyl stress is realized and diagnosis of T2DM is stipulated. Molecular chaperones and small heat-shock proteins have a protective effect at the early stages of T2DM pathogenesis, preventing development of reticulum stress and apoptosis. Endothelial dysfunction is related to T2DM and its cardiovascular complications, however, it is unknown on which stage of pathogenesis these changes occur and what are their molecular inductors. Finally, transcriptional activity and adipogenic differentiation play an important role in formation of new fat depots from predecessor cells and activation of brown and beige fat demonstrating hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties. The aim of this study was investigation of pathophysiological mechanisms of development of IR and endothelial dysfunction, role of transcription factor Prep1 and small heat shock proteins, evaluation of novel methods of diagnostics of IR and therapeutic potential of brown and beige fat, determination of biotargets for new antidiabetic drugs.

Methylglyoxal and Small Heat Shock Proteins

Methylglyoxal is a highly reactive dicarbonyl compound formed during glucose metabolism and able to modify phospholipids, nucleic acids, and proteins belonging to the so-called dicarbonyl proteome. Small heat shock proteins participating in protection of the cell against different unfavorable conditions can be modified by methylglyoxal. The probability of methylglyoxal modification is increased in the case of distortion of glucose metabolism (diabetes), in the case of utilization of glycolysis as the main source of energy (malignancy), and/or at low rate of modified protein turnover. We have analyzed data on modification of small heat shock protein HspB1 in different tumors and under distortion of carbohydrate metabolism. Data on the effect of methylglyoxal modification on stability, chaperone-like activity, and antiapoptotic activity of HspB1 were analyzed. We discuss data on methylglyoxal modifications of lens α-crystallins. The mutual dependence and mutual effects of methylglyoxal modification and other posttranslational modifications of lens crystallins are analyzed. We conclude that although there is no doubt that the small heat shock proteins undergo methylglyoxal modification, the physiological significance of this process remains enigmatic, and new experimental approaches should be developed for understanding how this type of modification affects functioning of small heat shock proteins in the cell.