The PIDDosome, DNA-damage-induced apoptosis and beyond

Tetraploidy in normal tissues and diseases: mechanisms and consequences

Tetraploidisation plays a crucial role in evolution, development, stress adaptation, and disease, but its beneficial or pathological effects in different tissues remain unclear. This study aims to compare physiological and unphysiological tetraploidy in eight steps: 1) mechanisms of diploidy-to-tetraploidy transition, 2) induction and elimination of unphysiological tetraploidy, 3) tetraploid cell characteristics, 4) stress-induced unphysiological tetraploidy, 5) comparison of physiological vs. unphysiological tetraploidy, 6) consequences of unphysiological stress-induced tetraploidy, 7) nutritional or pharmacological prevention strategies of tetraploidisation, and 8) knowledge gaps and future perspectives. Unphysiological tetraploidy is an adaptive stress response at a given threshold, often involving mitotic slippage. If tetraploid cells evade elimination through apoptosis or immune surveillance, they may re-enter the cell cycle, causing genetic instability, micronuclei formation, aneuploidy, modification of the epigenome and the development of diseases. The potential contributions of unphysiological tetraploidy to neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and diabetes related diseases are summarized in schematic figures and contrasted with its role in cancer development. The mechanisms responsible for the transition from physiological to unphysiological tetraploidy and the tolerance to tetraploidisation in unphysiological tetraploidy are not fully understood. Understanding these mechanisms is of critical importance to allow the development of targeted nutritional and pharmacological prevention strategies and therapies.

YTHDF2 promotes arsenic-induced malignant phenotypes by degrading PIDD1 mRNA in human keratinocytes

Arsenic is a widespread environmental carcinogen, and its carcinogenic mechanism has been the focus of toxicology. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) binding protein YTH domain family protein 2 (YTHDF2) performs various biological functions by degrading m6A-modified mRNAs. However, the m6A-modified target mRNA of YTHDF2 in regulating arsenic carcinogenesis remains largely unknown. To explore the effect of YTHDF2 in regulating arsenic carcinogenicity, we exposed the human keratinocyte HaCaT cells to 1 μM sodium arsenite for 50 generations to create a cell model of arsenic carcinogenesis (HaCaT-T). Our results demonstrated that YTHDF2 protein levels were higher in HaCaT-T cells than HaCaT cells, and knockdown of YTHDF2 significantly inhibited arsenic-induced malignant phenotypes. In addition, m6A levels in HaCaT-T cells were remarkably elevated, accompanied by abnormal expression of m6A methyltransferases and m6A demethylases. Mechanistically, YTHDF2 bound to p53-induced death domain protein 1 (PIDD1) mRNA in an m6A-dependent manner, thereby promoting the degradation of PIDD1 mRNA. Moreover, the decay of PIDD1 mRNA inhibited the formation of PIDDosome complex that is essential for activating the apoptosis initiator caspase-2, leading to a decrease in caspase-2-dependent mitochondrial apoptosis and subsequently promoting the malignant phenotypes of HaCaT-T cells. Collectively, our study reveals the role of YTHDF2 in arsenic-induced malignant phenotypes of human keratinocytes through direct interaction with PIDD1 mRNA in an m6A-dependent manner, which provides new insight into the precise mechanism underlying arsenic-induced skin cancer.

Computational Characterization of the Interaction of CARD Domains in the Apoptosome

The apoptosome, a critical protein complex in apoptosis regulation, relies on intricate interactions between its components, particularly the proteins containing the Caspase Activation and Recruitment Domain (CARD). This work presents a thorough computational analysis of the stability and specificity of CARD-CARD interactions within the apoptosome. Departing from available crystal structures, we identify important residues for the interaction between the CARD domains of Apaf-1 and Caspase-9. Our results underscore the essential role of these residues in apoptosome activity, offering prospects for targeted intervention strategies. Available experimental complex structures were able to validate the protein-protein docking consensus approach used herein. We furthermore extended our analysis to explore the specificity of CARD-CARD interactions by cross-docking experiments between apoptosome and PIDDosome components, between which there should not be any interaction despite belonging to the same death fold subfamily. Our findings indicate that native interactions within individual complexes exhibit greater stability than the cross-docked complexes, emphasizing the specificity required for effective protein complex formation. This study enhances our understanding of apoptotic regulation and demonstrates the utility of computational approaches in elucidating intricate protein-protein interactions.

Dissecting caspase-2-mediated cell death: from intrinsic PIDDosome activation to chemical modulation

Caspase-2, a highly conserved member of the caspase family, is considered an initiator caspase that triggers apoptosis in response to some cellular stresses. Previous studies suggest that an intracellular multi-protein complex PIDDosome, induced by genotoxic stress, serves as a platform for caspase-2 activation. Due to caspase-2's inability to process effector caspases, however, the mechanism underlying caspase-2-mediated cell death upon PIDDosome activation remains unclear. Here, we conducted an unbiased genome-wide genetic screen and identified that the Bcl2 family protein BID is required for PIDDosome-induced, caspase-2-mediated apoptosis. PIDDosome-activated caspase-2 directly and functionally processes BID to signal the mitochondrial pathway for apoptosis induction. In addition, a designed chemical screen identified a compound, HUHS015, which specifically activates caspase-2-mediated apoptosis. HUHS015-stimulated apoptosis also requires BID but is independent of the PIDDosome. Through extensive structure-activity relationship efforts, we identified a derivative with a potency of ~60 nmol/L in activating caspase-2-mediated apoptosis. The HUHS015-series of compounds act as efficient agonists that directly target the interdomain linker in caspase-2, representing a new mode of initiator caspase activation. Human and mouse caspase-2 differ in two crucial residues in the linker, rendering a selectivity of the agonists for human caspase-2. The caspase-2 agonists are valuable tools to explore the physiological roles of caspase-2-mediated cell death and a base for developing small-molecule drugs for relevant diseases.

CRADD and cIAP1 antagonistically regulate caspase-9-mediated apoptosis in teleost

Caspase 9 (CASP9) is a well-known initiator caspase of intrinsic apoptosis. In humans, cIAP1 binds and induces degradation of the activated form of CASP9, but not pro-CASP9. In fish, the activity and regulation of CASP9 remain unknown. In this work, using flounder Paralichthys olivaceus as a representative species, we examined the regulatory mechanism of CASP9 in teleost. P. olivaceus CASP9 (PoCASP9) induced robust apoptosis, which was inhibited by P. olivaceus cIAP1 (PocIAP1). Unlike human cIAP1, PocIAP1 bound both pro- and active PoCASP9 and induced their degradation via the RING domain-involved proteasome pathway. In humans, the adaptor molecule CRADD cannot interact with CASP9. In contrast, P. olivaceus CRADD (PoCRADD) bound both pro- and active PoCASP9 via CARD-CARD interaction and enhanced apoptosis by promoting the cellular levels of pro- and active PoCASP9. Furthermore, PoCRADD abrogated the inhibition of PoCASP9 by PocIAP1 by preventing PocIAP1-PoCASP9 interaction. Together these results reveal a CASP9 regulation mechanism in teleost that differs from that in humans and demonstrate that teleost CASP9 is tightly and directly controlled by both negative and positive regulators that exert a regulation effect both before and after CASP9 activation. These findings advance our understanding of the regulation of CASP9-mediated apoptosis in vertebrates.

DJ-1: Potential target for treatment of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a significant global health concern, resulting in high rates of mortality and disability among patients. Although coronary blood flow reperfusion is a key treatment for IHD, it often leads to acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Current intervention strategies have limitations in providing adequate protection for the ischemic myocardium. DJ-1, originally known as a Parkinson's disease related protein, is a highly conserved cytoprotective protein. It is involved in enhancing mitochondrial function, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), regulating autophagy, inhibiting apoptosis, modulating anaerobic metabolism, and exerting anti-inflammatory effects. DJ-1 is also required for protective strategies, such as ischemic preconditioning, ischemic postconditioning, remote ischemic preconditioning and pharmacological conditioning. Therefore, DJ-1 emerges as a potential target for the treatment of myocardial IRI. Our comprehensive review delves into its protective mechanisms in myocardial IRI and the structural foundations underlying its functions.

Ketogenic diet induces p53-dependent cellular senescence in multiple organs

A ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that leads to the generation of ketones. While KDs improve certain health conditions and are popular for weight loss, detrimental effects have also been reported. Here, we show mice on two different KDs and, at different ages, induce cellular senescence in multiple organs, including the heart and kidney. This effect is mediated through adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inactivation of mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) by caspase-2, leading to p53 accumulation and p21 induction. This was established using p53 and caspase-2 knockout mice and inhibitors to AMPK, p21, and caspase-2. In addition, senescence-associated secretory phenotype biomarkers were elevated in serum from mice on a KD and in plasma samples from patients on a KD clinical trial. Cellular senescence was eliminated by a senolytic and prevented by an intermittent KD. These results have important clinical implications, suggesting that the effects of a KD are contextual and likely require individual optimization.

NLRP inflammasomes in health and disease

NLRP inflammasomes are a group of cytosolic multiprotein oligomer pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) involved in the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) produced by infected cells. They regulate innate immunity by triggering a protective inflammatory response. However, despite their protective role, aberrant NLPR inflammasome activation and gain-of-function mutations in NLRP sensor proteins are involved in occurrence and enhancement of non-communicating autoimmune, auto-inflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases. In the last few years, significant advances have been achieved in the understanding of the NLRP inflammasome physiological functions and their molecular mechanisms of activation, as well as therapeutics that target NLRP inflammasome activity in inflammatory diseases. Here, we provide the latest research progress on NLRP inflammasomes, including NLRP1, CARD8, NLRP3, NLRP6, NLRP7, NLRP2, NLRP9, NLRP10, and NLRP12 regarding their structural and assembling features, signaling transduction and molecular activation mechanisms. Importantly, we highlight the mechanisms associated with NLRP inflammasome dysregulation involved in numerous human auto-inflammatory, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases. Overall, we summarize the latest discoveries in NLRP biology, their forming inflammasomes, and their role in health and diseases, and provide therapeutic strategies and perspectives for future studies about NLRP inflammasomes.

Total recall: the role of PIDDosome components in neurodegeneration

The PIDDosome is a multiprotein complex that includes p53-induced protein with a death domain 1 (PIDD1), receptor-interacting protein-associated ICH-1/CED-3 homologous protein with a death domain (RAIDD), and caspase-2, the activation of which is driven by PIDDosome assembly. In addition to the key role of the PIDDosome in the regulation of cell differentiation, tissue homeostasis, and organogenesis and regeneration, caspase-2, RAIDD and PIDD1 engagement in neuronal development was shown. Here, we focus on the involvement of PIDDosome components in neurodegenerative disorders, including retinal neuropathies, different types of brain damage, and Alzheimer's disease (AD), Huntington's disease (HD), and Lewy body disease. We also discuss pathogenic variants of PIDD1, RAIDD, and caspase-2 that are associated with intellectual, behavioral, and psychological abnormalities, together with prospective PIDDosome inhibition strategies and their potential clinical application.

Extra centrosomes induce PIDD1-mediated inflammation and immunosurveillance

Unscheduled increases in ploidy underlie defects in tissue function, premature aging, and malignancy. A concomitant event to polyploidization is the amplification of centrosomes, the main microtubule organization centers in animal cells. Supernumerary centrosomes are frequent in tumors, correlating with higher aggressiveness and poor prognosis. However, extra centrosomes initially also exert an onco-protective effect by activating p53-induced cell cycle arrest. If additional signaling events initiated by centrosomes help prevent pathology is unknown. Here, we report that extra centrosomes, arising during unscheduled polyploidization or aberrant centriole biogenesis, induce activation of NF-κB signaling and sterile inflammation. This signaling requires the NEMO-PIDDosome, a multi-protein complex composed of PIDD1, RIPK1, and NEMO/IKKγ. Remarkably, the presence of supernumerary centrosomes suffices to induce a paracrine chemokine and cytokine profile, able to polarize macrophages into a pro-inflammatory phenotype. Furthermore, extra centrosomes increase the immunogenicity of cancer cells and render them more susceptible to NK-cell attack. Hence, the PIDDosome acts as a dual effector, able to engage not only the p53 network for cell cycle control but also NF-κB signaling to instruct innate immunity.

Antimicrobial Activity the Essential Oil from Croton pluriglandulosus Carn. Leaves against Microorganisms of Clinical Interest

Multiresistant pathogens pose a serious threat to human health. The genus Candida is one class of human pathogenic yeasts responsible for infections affecting healthy and immunocompromised patients. In this context, plant essential oils emerged as a future natural alternative to control the diseases caused by these pathogens. Based on that, the present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of essential oil from C. pluriglandulosus and understand the mechanism of action. Here, it highlighted antimicrobial activity and the mechanisms of action of the essential oil extracted from C. pluriglandulosus Carn.-Torres & Riina (CpEO) leaves on human pathogenic microorganisms in planktonic and biofilm lifestyles. In addition, for the first time, the oil composition was revealed by GC-MS analysis and the toxicity to human red blood cells (HRBC). Twenty-six chemical compounds were identified in CpEO, elemicin, bicyclogermacrene, caryophyllene, brevifolin, and 2,4,6-trimethoxy-styrene. Through hemolytic assay, it was shown that CpEO has no toxicity to human RBCs. At the concentration of 50 μg mL^-1, CpEO did not show great antibacterial potential. However, promising data were found for C. krusei and C. parapsilosis inhibiting by 89.3% and 80.7% of planktonic cell growth and 83.5% and 77.9% the biofilm formation, respectively. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action CpEO were elucidated by fluorescence. Scanning electron microscopy revealed damage to the cell membrane and pore formation, ROS overproduction, and induction of apoptosis in candida cells. Our results reinforce the potential of CpEO as an effective alternative molecule of pharmaceutical interest.

Antifungal Potential of Synthetic Peptides against Cryptococcus neoformans: Mechanism of Action Studies Reveal Synthetic Peptides Induce Membrane-Pore Formation, DNA Degradation, and Apoptosis

Cryptococcus neoformans is a human-pathogenic yeast responsible for pneumonia and meningitis, mainly in patients immunocompromised. Infections caused by C. neoformans are a global health concern. Synthetic antimicrobial peptides (SAMPs) have emerged as alternative molecules to cope with fungal infections, including C. neoformans. Here, eight SAMPs were tested regarding their antifungal potential against C. neoformans and had their mechanisms of action elucidated by fluorescence and scanning electron microscopies. Five SAMPs showed an inhibitory effect (MIC₅₀) on C. neoformans growth at low concentrations. Fluorescence microscope (FM) revealed that SAMPs induced 6-kDa pores in the C. neoformans membrane. Inhibitory assays in the presence of ergosterol revealed that some peptides lost their activity, suggesting interaction with it. Furthermore, FM analysis revealed that SAMPs induced caspase 3/7-mediated apoptosis and DNA degradation in C. neoformans cells. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that peptides induced many morphological alterations such as cell membrane, wall damage, and loss of internal content on C. neoformans cells. Our results strongly suggest synthetic peptides are potential alternative molecules to control C. neoformans growth and treat the cryptococcal infection.

The caspase-2 substrate p54nrb exhibits a multifaceted role in tumor cell death susceptibility via gene regulatory functions

Caspase-2 represents an evolutionary conserved caspase, which plays a role in genotoxic stress-induced apoptosis, ageing-related metabolic changes, and in deleting aneuploid cells in tumors. Genetic deletion of caspase-2 leads to increased tumor susceptibility in vivo. The exact downstream signaling mechanism by which caspase-2 accomplishes its specific tumor suppressor functions is not clear. Caspase-2, uniquely among caspases, resides in the nucleus and other cellular compartments. In this study, we identify a nuclear caspase-2 specific substrate, p54nrb, which is selectively cleaved by caspase-2 at D422, leading to disruption of the C-terminal site, the putative DNA binding region of the protein. P54nrb is an RNA and DNA binding protein, which plays a role in RNA editing, transport, and transcriptional regulation of genes. Overexpression of p54nrb is observed in several human tumor types, such as cervix adenocarcinoma, melanoma, and colon carcinoma. In contrast, the loss of p54nrb in tumor cell lines leads to increased cell death susceptibility and striking decrease in tumorigenic potential. By employing high resolution quantitative proteomics, we demonstrate that the loss/cleavage of p54nrb results in altered expression of oncogenic genes, among which the downregulation of the tumorigenic protease cathepsin-Z and the anti-apoptotic gelsolin can be detected universally across three tumor cell types, including adenocarcinoma, melanoma and colon carcinoma. Finally, we demonstrate that p54nrb interacts with cathepsin-Z and gelsolin DNA, but not RNA. Taken together, this study uncovers a so far not understood mechanism of caspase-2 tumor suppressor function in human tumor cells.

Neat1 decreases neuronal apoptosis after oxygen and glucose deprivation

Studies have shown that downregulation of nuclear-enriched autosomal transcript 1 (Neat1) may adversely affect the recovery of nerve function and the increased loss of hippocampal neurons in mice. Whether Neat1 has protective or inhibitory effects on neuronal cell apoptosis after secondary brain injury remains unclear. Therefore, the effects of Neat1 on neuronal apoptosis were observed. C57BL/6 primary neurons were obtained from the cortices of newborn mice and cultured in vitro, and an oxygen and glucose deprivation cell model was established to simulate the secondary brain injury that occurs after traumatic brain injury in vitro. The level of Neat1 expression in neuronal cells was regulated by constructing a recombinant adenovirus to infect neurons, and the effects of Neat1 expression on neuronal apoptosis after oxygen and glucose deprivation were observed. The experiment was divided into four groups: the control group, without any treatment, received normal culture; the oxygen and glucose deprivation group were subjected to the oxygen and glucose deprivation model protocol; the Neat1 overexpression and Neat1 downregulation groups were treated with Neat1 expression intervention techniques and were subjected to the in oxygen and glucose deprivation protocol. The protein expression levels of neurons p53-induced death domain protein 1 (PIDD1, a pro-apoptotic protein), caspase-2 (an apoptotic priming protein), cytochrome C (a pro-apoptotic protein), and cleaved caspase-3 (an apoptotic executive protein) were measured in each group using the western blot assay. To observe changes in the intracellular distribution of cytochrome C, the expression levels of cytochrome C in the cytoplasm and mitochondria of neurons from each group were detected by western blot assay. Differences in the cell viability and apoptosis rate between groups were detected by cell-counting kit 8 assay and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling assay, respectively. The results showed that the apoptosis rate, PIDD1, caspase-2, and cleaved caspase-3 expression levels significantly decreased, and cell viability significantly improved in the Neat1 overexpression group compared with the oxygen and glucose deprivation group; however, Neat1 downregulation reversed these changes. Compared with the Neat1 downregulation group, the cytosolic cytochrome C level in the Neat1 overexpression group significantly decreased, and the mitochondrial cytochrome C level significantly increased. These data indicate that Neat1 upregulation can reduce the release of cytochrome C from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm by inhibiting the PIDD1-caspase-2 pathway, reducing the activation of caspase-3, and preventing neuronal apoptosis after oxygen and glucose deprivation, which might reduce secondary brain injury after traumatic brain injury. All experiments were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China, on December 19, 2020 (approval No. 2020-895).

Pathogenic variants in PIDD1 lead to an autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder with pachygyria and psychiatric features

The PIDDosome is a multiprotein complex, composed by the p53-induced death domain protein 1 (PIDD1), the bipartite linker protein CRADD (also known as RAIDD) and the proform of caspase-2 that induces apoptosis in response to DNA damage. In the recent years, biallelic pathogenic variants in CRADD have been associated with a neurodevelopmental disorder (MRT34; MIM 614499) characterized by pachygyria with a predominant anterior gradient, megalencephaly, epilepsy and intellectual disability. More recently, biallelic pathogenic variants in PIDD1 have been described in a few families with apparently nonsydnromic intellectual disability. Here, we aim to delineate the genetic and radio-clinical features of PIDD1-related disorder. Exome sequencing was carried out in six consanguineous families. Thorough clinical and neuroradiological evaluation was performed for all the affected individuals as well as reviewing all the data from previously reported cases. We identified five distinct novel homozygous variants (c.2584C>T p.(Arg862Trp), c.1340G>A p.(Trp447*), c.2116_2120del p.(Val706Hisfs*30), c.1564_1565delCA p.(Gln522fs*44), and c.1804_1805del p.(Gly602fs*26) in eleven subjects displaying intellectual disability, behaviorial and psychiatric features, and a typical anterior-predominant pachygyria, remarkably resembling the CRADD-related neuroimaging pattern. In summary, we outlin`e the phenotypic and molecular spectrum of PIDD1 biallelic variants supporting the evidence that the PIDD1/CRADD/caspase-2 signaling is crucial for normal gyration of the developing human neocortex as well as cognition and behavior.

FANCI functions as a repair/apoptosis switch in response to DNA crosslinks

Cells counter DNA damage through repair or apoptosis, yet a direct mechanism for this choice has remained elusive. When facing interstrand crosslinks (ICLs), the ICL-repair protein FANCI heterodimerizes with FANCD2 to initiate ICL excision. We found that FANCI alternatively interacts with a pro-apoptotic factor, PIDD1, to enable PIDDosome (PIDD1-RAIDD-caspase-2) formation and apoptotic death. FANCI switches from FANCD2/repair to PIDD1/apoptosis signaling in the event of ICL-repair failure. Specifically, removing key endonucleases downstream of FANCI/FANCD2, increasing ICL levels, or allowing damaged cells into mitosis (when repair is suppressed) all suffice for switching. Reciprocally, apoptosis-committed FANCI reverts from PIDD1 to FANCD2 after a failed attempt to assemble the PIDDosome. Monoubiquitination and deubiquitination at FANCI K523 impact interactor selection. These data unveil a repair-or-apoptosis switch in eukaryotes. Beyond ensuring the removal of unrepaired genomes, the switch's bidirectionality reveals that damaged cells can offset apoptotic defects via de novo attempts at lesion repair.

Bacterial death and TRADD-N domains help define novel apoptosis and immunity mechanisms shared by prokaryotes and metazoans

Several homologous domains are shared by eukaryotic immunity and programmed cell-death systems and poorly understood bacterial proteins. Recent studies show these to be components of a network of highly regulated systems connecting apoptotic processes to counter-invader immunity, in prokaryotes with a multicellular habit. However, the provenance of key adaptor domains, namely those of the Death-like and TRADD-N superfamilies, a quintessential feature of metazoan apoptotic systems, remained murky. Here, we use sensitive sequence analysis and comparative genomics methods to identify unambiguous bacterial homologs of the Death-like and TRADD-N superfamilies. We show the former to have arisen as part of a radiation of effector-associated α-helical adaptor domains that likely mediate homotypic interactions bringing together diverse effector and signaling domains in predicted bacterial apoptosis- and counter-invader systems. Similarly, we show that the TRADD-N domain defines a key, widespread signaling bridge that links effector deployment to invader-sensing in multicellular bacterial and metazoan counter-invader systems. TRADD-N domains are expanded in aggregating marine invertebrates and point to distinctive diversifying immune strategies probably directed both at RNA and retroviruses and cellular pathogens that might infect such communities. These TRADD-N and Death-like domains helped identify several new bacterial and metazoan counter-invader systems featuring underappreciated, common functional principles: the use of intracellular invader-sensing lectin-like (NPCBM and FGS), transcription elongation GreA/B-C, glycosyltransferase-4 family, inactive NTPase (serving as nucleic acid receptors), and invader-sensing GTPase switch domains. Finally, these findings point to the possibility of multicellular bacteria-stem metazoan symbiosis in the emergence of the immune/apoptotic systems of the latter.

Structures and functions of the inflammasome engine

Inflammasomes are molecular machines that carry out inflammatory responses on challenges by pathogens and endogenous dangers. Dysregulation of inflammasome assembly and regulation is associated with numerous human diseases from autoimmunity to cancer. In recent years, significant advances have been made in understanding the mechanism of inflammasome signaling using structural approaches. Here, we review inflammasomes formed by the NLRP1, NLRP3, and NLRC4 sensors, which are well characterized structurally, and discuss the structural and functional diversity among them.

Mutant three-repeat tau expression initiates retinal ganglion cell death through Caspase-2

The microtubule-associated protein tau is implicated in multiple degenerative diseases including retinal diseases such as glaucoma; however, the way tau initiates retinopathy is unclear. Previous retinal assessments in mouse models of tauopathy suggest that mutations in four-repeat (4R) tau are associated with disease-induced retinal dysfunction, while shifting tau isoform ratio to favor three-repeat (3R) tau production enhanced photoreceptor function. To further understand how alterations in tau expression impact the retina, we analyzed the retinas of transgenic mice overexpressing mutant 3R tau (m3R tau-Tg), a model known to exhibit Pick's Disease pathology in the brain. Analysis of retinal cross-sections from young (3 month) and adult (9 month) mice detected asymmetric 3R tau immunoreactivity in m3R tau-Tg retina, concentrated in the retinal ganglion and amacrine cells of the dorsal retinal periphery. Accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau was detected specifically in the detergent insoluble fraction of the adult m3R tau-Tg retina. RNA-seq analysis highlighted biological pathways associated with tauopathy that were uniquely altered in m3R tau-Tg retina. The upregulation of transcript encoding apoptotic protease caspase-2 coincided with increased immunostaining in predominantly 3R tau positive retinal regions. In adult m3R tau-Tg, the dorsal peripheral retina of the adult m3R tau-Tg exhibited decreased cell density in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and reduced thickness of the inner plexiform layer (IPL) compared to the ventral peripheral retina. Together, these data indicate that mutant 3R tau may mediate toxicity in retinal ganglion cells (RGC) by promoting caspase-2 expression which results in RGC degeneration. The m3R tau-Tg line has the potential to be used to assess tau-mediated RGC degeneration and test novel therapeutics for degenerative diseases such as glaucoma.

Interplay between DNA replication stress, chromatin dynamics and DNA-damage response for the maintenance of genome stability

DNA replication stress is a major source of DNA damage, including double-stranded breaks that promote DNA damage response (DDR) signaling. Inefficient repair of such lesions can affect genome integrity. During DNA replication different factors act on chromatin remodeling in a coordinated way. While recent studies have highlighted individual molecular mechanisms of interaction, less is known about the orchestration of chromatin changes under replication stress. In this review we attempt to explore the complex relationship between DNA replication stress, DDR and genome integrity in mammalian cells, taking into account the role of chromatin disposition as an important modulator of DNA repair. Recent data on chromatin restoration and epigenetic re-establishment after DNA replication stress are reviewed.

A Switch in p53 Dynamics Marks Cells That Escape from DSB-Induced Cell Cycle Arrest

Cellular responses to stimuli can evolve over time, resulting in distinct early and late phases in response to a single signal. DNA damage induces a complex response that is largely orchestrated by the transcription factor p53, whose dynamics influence whether a damaged cell will arrest and repair the damage or will initiate cell death. How p53 responses and cellular outcomes evolve in the presence of continuous DNA damage remains unknown. Here, we have found that a subset of cells switches from oscillating to sustained p53 dynamics several days after undergoing damage. The switch results from cell cycle progression in the presence of damaged DNA, which activates the caspase-2-PIDDosome, a complex that stabilizes p53 by inactivating its negative regulator MDM2. This work defines a molecular pathway that is activated if the canonical checkpoints fail to halt mitosis in the presence of damaged DNA.

Uncovering the PIDDosome and caspase-2 as regulators of organogenesis and cellular differentiation

The PIDDosome is a multiprotein complex that drives activation of caspase-2, an endopeptidase originally implicated in apoptosis. Yet, unlike other caspases involved in cell death and inflammation, caspase-2 seems to exert additional versatile functions unrelated to cell death. These emerging roles range from control of transcription factor activity to ploidy surveillance. Thus, caspase-2 and the PIDDosome act as a critical regulatory unit controlling cellular differentiation processes during organogenesis and regeneration. These newly established functions of the PIDDosome and its downstream effector render its components attractive targets for drug-development aiming to prevent fatty liver diseases, neurodegenerative disorders or osteoporosis.

The expression and role of PIDD in retina after optic nerve crush

To examine the expression of P53-induced protein with a death domain (PIDD) at retina in animal model of optic nerve crush (ONC) and to investigate the role of PIDD in retinal glial activation and NF-κB activation induced by optic nerve damage, ONC animal model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats. PIDD has three isoforms (Isof); Western blot was performed to examine the expression of PIDD (Isof-1, Isof-2, and Isof-3, respectively) in retina at different time points after ONC. Retinal glial activation is closely associated with retinal neuronal death and is monitored by the expression of GFAP+ glial cells and IBA1+ microglia, then activated microglia leads to inflammatory cytokine production. NF-kB activation in glial cells also can promote neuronal death. In our study, the role of PIDD in retinal glial activation and NF-kB activation was investigated with PIDD inhibition selectively. PIDD expression (Isof-1 and Isof-3) was dramatically increased, and peaked at 3 days after ONC, while Isof-2 did not show any difference. In the ONC animal model, the number of GFAP+ glial cells and IBA1+ microglia in retinal layers was increased significantly, inflammatory cytokine production was upregulated, and NF-κB in glial cell was also activated. Moreover, those responses induced by optic nerve damage were attenuated with PIDD inhibition, which indicated that PIDD could regulate retinal glial activation, neuro-inflammation, and NF-κB activation. These results provided the direct demonstration that the PIDD (Isof-1and Isof-3) was overexpressed in retina after ONC, and PIDD may be involved in retinal neurodegenerative diseases by regulating retinal glial activation and NF-κB activation.

PIDD interaction with KEAP1 as a new mutation-independent mechanism to promote NRF2 stabilization and chemoresistance in NSCLC

Chemotherapy resistance is a major problem in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. A major mechanism of chemoresistance involves stabilization of the NRF2 transcription factor. NRF2 levels are normally tightly regulated through interaction with KEAP1, an adaptor that targets NRF2 to the CUL3 E3 ubiquitin ligase for proteolysis. In NSCLC, aberrant NRF2 stabilization is best understood through mutations in NRF2, KEAP1, or CUL3 that disrupt their interaction. Biochemical studies, however, have revealed that NRF2 can also be stabilized through expression of KEAP1-interacting proteins that competitively sequester KEAP1 away from NRF2. Here, we have identified PIDD, as a novel KEAP1-interactor in NSCLC that regulates NRF2. We show that this interaction allows PIDD to reduce NRF2 ubiquitination and increase its stability. We also demonstrate that PIDD promotes chemoresistance in NSCLC cells both in vitro and in vivo, and that this effect is dependent on NRF2. Finally, we report that NRF2 protein expression in a NSCLC cohort exceeds the typical incidence of combined NRF2, KEAP1, and CUL3 mutations, and that NRF2 expression in this cohort is correlated with PIDD levels. Our data identify PIDD as a new NRF2 regulator, and suggest that variations in PIDD levels contribute to differential chemosensitivities among NSCLC patients.

PIDD mediates the association of DNA-PKcs and ATR at stalled replication forks to facilitate the ATR signaling pathway

The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), consisting of the DNA binding Ku70/80 heterodimer and the catalytic subunit DNA-PKcs, has been well characterized in the non-homologous end-joining mechanism for DNA double strand break (DSB) repair and radiation resistance. Besides playing a role in DSB repair, DNA-PKcs is required for the cellular response to replication stress and participates in the ATR-Chk1 signaling pathway. However, the mechanism through which DNA-PKcs is recruited to stalled replication forks is still unclear. Here, we report that the apoptosis mediator p53-induced protein with a death domain (PIDD) is required to promote DNA-PKcs activity in response to replication stress. PIDD is known to interact with PCNA upon UV-induced replication stress. Our results demonstrate that PIDD is required to recruit DNA-PKcs to stalled replication forks through direct binding to DNA-PKcs at the N’ terminal region. Disruption of the interaction between DNA-PKcs and PIDD not only compromises the ATR association and regulation of DNA-PKcs, but also the ATR signaling pathway, intra-S-phase checkpoint and cellular resistance to replication stress. Taken together, our results indicate that PIDD, but not the Ku heterodimer, mediates the DNA-PKcs activity at stalled replication forks and facilitates the ATR signaling pathway in the cellular response to replication stress.

Bcl-2 Inhibition to Overcome Resistance to Chemo- and Immunotherapy

Abstract: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. The identification of novel targets for cancer treatment is an area of intense work that has led Bcl-2 over-expression to be proposed as one of the hallmarks of cancer and Bcl-2 inhibition as a promising strategy for cancer treatment. In this review, we describe the different pathways related to programmed cell death, the role of Bcl-2 family members in apoptosis resistance to anti-cancer treatments, and the potential utility of Bcl-2 inhibitors to overcome resistance to chemo- and immunotherapy.

Apoptosis regulation by subcellular relocation of caspases

The cleavage of nuclear proteins by caspases promotes nuclear breakdown and, therefore, plays a key role in apoptosis execution. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of these events remain unclear. To get more insights into the mechanisms of nuclear events during apoptosis we set up a rapid fractionation protocol for the separation of the cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions of cells undergoing cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Importantly, nuclear accumulation of effector caspase-3 as well as initiator caspase-2, -8 and -9 was observed using the developed protocol and immunofluorescence microscopy. The detection of caspases and their cleavage products in the nucleus occurred within the same time interval after cisplatin treatment and took place shortly before nuclear fragmentation. The entry of initiator caspases to the nucleus was independent of caspase-3. Given that all three initiator caspases had catalytic activity in the nuclei, our findings indicate that initiator caspases might participate in the proteolysis of nuclear components during apoptosis, promoting its disintegration and apoptotic cell death.

The resurrection of the PIDDosome - emerging roles in the DNA-damage response and centrosome surveillance

The PIDDosome is often used as the alias for a multi-protein complex that includes the p53-induced death domain protein 1 (PIDD1), the bipartite linker protein CRADD (also known as RAIDD) and the pro-form of an endopeptidase belonging to the caspase family, i.e. caspase-2. Yet, PIDD1 variants can also interact with a number of other proteins that include RIPK1 (also known as RIP1) and IKBKG (also known as NEMO), PCNA and RFC5, as well as nucleolar components such as NPM1 or NCL. This promiscuity in protein binding is facilitated mainly by autoprocessing of the full-length protein into various fragments that contain different structural domains. As a result, multiple responses can be mediated by protein complexes that contain a PIDD1 domain. This suggests that PIDD1 acts as an integrator for multiple types of stress that need instant attention. Examples are various types of DNA lesion but also the presence of extra centrosomes that can foster aneuploidy and, ultimately, promote DNA damage. Here, we review the role of PIDD1 in response to DNA damage and also highlight novel functions of PIDD1, such as in centrosome surveillance and scheduled polyploidisation as part of a cellular differentiation program during organogenesis.

NPM1 directs PIDDosome-dependent caspase-2 activation in the nucleolus

The PIDDosome (PIDD-RAIDD-caspase-2 complex) is considered to be the primary signaling platform for caspase-2 activation in response to genotoxic stress. Yet studies of PIDD-deficient mice show that caspase-2 activation can proceed in the absence of PIDD. Here we show that DNA damage induces the assembly of at least two distinct activation platforms for caspase-2: a cytoplasmic platform that is RAIDD dependent but PIDD independent, and a nucleolar platform that requires both PIDD and RAIDD. Furthermore, the nucleolar phosphoprotein nucleophosmin (NPM1) acts as a scaffold for PIDD and is essential for PIDDosome assembly in the nucleolus after DNA damage. Inhibition of NPM1 impairs caspase-2 processing, apoptosis, and caspase-2-dependent inhibition of cell growth, demonstrating that the NPM1-dependent nucleolar PIDDosome is a key initiator of the caspase-2 activation cascade. Thus we have identified the nucleolus as a novel site for caspase-2 activation and function.

DNA damage signalling in D. melanogaster requires non-apoptotic function of initiator caspase Dronc

ϒH2Av response constitutes an important signalling event in DNA damage sensing ensuring effective repair by recruiting DNA repair machinery. In contrast, the occurrence of ϒH2Av response has also been reported in dying cells where it is shown to require activation of CAD (caspase activated DNase). Moreover, caspases are known to be required downstream of DNA damage for cell death execution. We show, for the first time, that initiator caspase Dronc, independent of executioner caspases, acts as an upstream regulator of DNA Damage Response (DDR) by facilitating ϒH2Av signalling perhaps involving non-apoptotic function. Such ϒH2Av response is mediated by ATM rather than ATR, suggesting that Dronc function is required upstream of ATM. In contrast, ϒH2Av appearance during cell death requires effector caspase and is associated with fragmented nuclei. Our study uncovers a novel function of Dronc in response to DNA damage aimed at promoting DDR via ϒH2Av signalling in intact nuclei. We propose that Dronc plays a dual role that can either initiate DDR or apoptosis depending upon the level and the required threshold of its activation in damaged cells.

E1A enhances cellular sensitivity to DNA-damage-induced apoptosis through PIDD-dependent caspase-2 activation

Expression of the adenoviral protein, E1A, sensitizes mammalian cells to a wide variety of apoptosis-inducing agents through multiple cellular pathways. For example, E1A sensitizes cells to apoptosis induced by TNF-superfamily members by inhibiting NF-kappa B (NF-κB)-dependent gene expression. In contrast, E1A sensitization to nitric oxide, an inducer of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, is not dependent upon repression of NF-κB-dependent transcription but rather is dependent upon caspase-2 activation. The latter observation suggested that E1A-induced enhancement of caspase-2 activation might be a critical factor in cellular sensitization to other intrinsic apoptosis pathway-inducing agents. Etoposide and gemcitabine are two DNA damaging agents that induce intrinsic apoptosis. Here we report that E1A-induced sensitization to both of these agents, like NO, is independent of NF-κB activation but dependent on caspase-2 activation. The results show that caspase-2 is a key mitochondrial-injuring caspase during etoposide and gemcitabine-induced apoptosis of E1A-positive cells, and that caspase-2 is required for induction of caspase-3 activity by both chemotherapeutic agents. Expression of PIDD was required for caspase-2 activation, mitochondrial injury and enhanced apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, E1A-enhanced sensitivity to injury-induced apoptosis required PIDD cleavage to PIDD-CC. These results define the PIDD/caspase-2 pathway as a key apical, mitochondrial-injuring mechanism in E1A-induced sensitivity of mammalian cells to chemotherapeutic agents.

The DNA damage-induced cell death response: a roadmap to kill cancer cells

Upon massive DNA damage cells fail to undergo productive DNA repair and trigger the cell death response. Resistance to cell death is linked to cellular transformation and carcinogenesis as well as radio- and chemoresistance, making the underlying signaling pathways a promising target for therapeutic intervention. Diverse DNA damage-induced cell death pathways are operative in mammalian cells and finally culminate in the induction of programmed cell death via activation of apoptosis or necroptosis. These signaling routes affect nuclear, mitochondria- and plasma membrane-associated key molecules to activate the apoptotic or necroptotic response. In this review, we highlight the main signaling pathways, molecular players and mechanisms guiding the DNA damage-induced cell death response.

Molecular Cell Biology of Apoptosis and Necroptosis in Cancer

Cell death is a major mechanism to eliminate cells in which DNA is damaged, organelles are stressed, or oncogenes are overexpressed, all events that would otherwise predispose cells to oncogenic transformation. The pathways that initiate and execute cell death are complex, genetically encoded, and subject to significant regulation. Consequently, while these pathways are often mutated in malignancy, there is considerable interest in inducing cell death in tumor cells as therapy. This chapter addresses our current understanding of molecular mechanisms contributing to two cell death pathways, apoptotic cell death and necroptosis, a regulated form of necrotic cell death. Apoptosis can be induced by a wide variety of signals, leading to protease activation that dismantles the cell. We discuss the physiological importance of each apoptosis pathway and summarize their known roles in cancer suppression and the current efforts at targeting each pathway therapeutically. The intricate mechanistic link between death receptor-mediated apoptosis and necroptosis is described, as well as the potential opportunities for utilizing necroptosis in the treatment of malignancy.

Inhibition of NF-κB by deoxycholic acid induces miR-21/PDCD4-dependent hepatocellular apoptosis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are key regulators of liver metabolism, while toxic bile acids participate in the development of several liver diseases. We previously demonstrated that deoxycholic acid (DCA), a cytotoxic bile acid implicated in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, inhibits miR-21 expression in hepatocytes. Here, we investigated the mechanisms by which DCA modulates miR-21 and whether miR-21 contributes for DCA-induced cytotoxicity. DCA inhibited miR-21 expression in primary rat hepatocytes in a dose-dependent manner, and increased miR-21 pro-apoptotic target programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) and apoptosis. Both miR-21 overexpression and PDCD4 silencing hampered DCA-induced cell death. Further, DCA decreased NF-κB activity, shown to represent an upstream mechanism leading to modulation of the miR-21/PDCD4 pathway. In fact, NF-κB overexpression or constitutive activation halted miR-21-dependent apoptosis by DCA while opposite results were observed upon NF-κB inhibition. In turn, DCA-induced oxidative stress resulted in caspase-2 activation and NF-κB/miR-21 inhibition, in a PIDD-dependent manner. Finally, modulation of the NF-κB/miR-21/PDCD4 pro-apoptotic pathway by DCA was also shown to occur in the rat liver in vivo. These signalling circuits may constitute appealing targets for bile acid-associated liver pathologies.

The versatile roles of CARDs in regulating apoptosis, inflammation, and NF-κB signaling

CARD subfamily is the second largest subfamily in the DD superfamily that plays important roles in regulating various signaling pathways, including but not limited to NF-kB activation signaling, apoptosis signaling and inflammatory signaling. The CARD subfamily contains 33 human CARD-containing proteins, regulating the assembly of many signaling complexes, including apoptosome, inflammsome, nodosome, the CBM complex, PIDDosome, the TRAF2 complex, and the MAVS signalosome, by homotypic CARD-CARD interactions. The mechanism of how CARDs find the right binding partner to form a specific complex remains unclear. This review uses different classification schemes to update the classification of CARD-containing proteins. Combining the classification based on domain structures, functions, associated signaling complexes, and roles would help better understand the structural and function diversity of CARD-containing proteins. This review also summarizes recent structural studies on CARDs. Especially, the CARD-containing complexes can be divided into the homodimeric, heterodimeric, oligomeric, filamentous CARD complexes and the CARD-ubiquitin complex. This review will give an overview of the versatile roles of CARDs in regulating signaling transduction, as well as the therapeutic drugs targeting CARD-containing proteins.

IPO3-mediated Nonclassical Nuclear Import of NF-κB Essential Modulator (NEMO) Drives DNA Damage-dependent NF-κB Activation

Activation of IκB kinase (IKK) and NF-κB by genotoxic stresses modulates apoptotic responses and production of inflammatory mediators, thereby contributing to therapy resistance and premature aging. We previously reported that genotoxic agents induce nuclear localization of NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO) via an undefined mechanism to arbitrate subsequent DNA damage-dependent IKK/NF-κB signaling. Here we show that a nonclassical nuclear import pathway via IPO3 (importin 3, transportin 2) mediates stress-induced NEMO nuclear translocation. We found putative nuclear localization signals in NEMO whose mutations disrupted stress-inducible nuclear translocation of NEMO and IKK/NF-κB activation in stably reconstituted NEMO-deficient cells. RNAi screening of both importin α and β family members, as well as co-immunoprecipitation analyses, revealed that a nonclassical importin β family member, IPO3, was the only importin that was able to associate with NEMO and whose reduced expression prevented genotoxic stress-induced NEMO nuclear translocation, IKK/NF-κB activation, and inflammatory cytokine transcription. Recombinant IPO3 interacted with recombinant NEMO but not the nuclear localization signal mutant version and induced nuclear import of NEMO in digitonin-permeabilized cells. We also provide evidence that NEMO is disengaged from IKK complex following genotoxic stress induction. Thus, the IPO3 nuclear import pathway is an early and crucial determinant of the IKK/NF-κB signaling arm of the mammalian DNA damage response.

An Inhibitor of PIDDosome Formation

The PIDDosome-PIDD-RAIDD-caspase-2 complex-is a proapoptotic caspase-activation platform of elusive significance. DNA damage can initiate complex assembly via ATM phosphorylation of the PIDD death domain (DD), which enables RAIDD recruitment to PIDD. In contrast, the mechanisms limiting PIDDosome formation have remained unclear. We identify the mitotic checkpoint factor BubR1 as a direct PIDDosome inhibitor, acting in a noncanonical role independent of Mad2. Following its phosphorylation by ATM at DNA breaks, "primed" PIDD relocates to kinetochores via a direct interaction with BubR1. BubR1 binds the PIDD DD, competes with RAIDD recruitment, and negates PIDDosome-mediated apoptosis after ionizing radiation. The PIDDosome thus sequentially integrates DNA damage and mitotic checkpoint signals to decide cell fate in response to genotoxic stress. We further show that by sequestering PIDD at the kinetochore, BubR1 acts to delay PIDDosome formation until the next cycle, defining a new mechanism by which cells evade apoptosis during mitosis.

Cell death controlling complexes and their potential therapeutic role

Programmed cell death plays a central role in the regulation of homeostasis and development of multicellular organisms. Deregulation of programmed cell death is connected to a number of disorders, including cancer and autoimmune diseases. Initiation of cell death occurs in the multiprotein complexes or high molecular weight platforms. Composition, structure, and molecular interactions within these platforms influence the cellular decision toward life or death and, therefore, define the induction of a particular cell death program. Here, we discuss in detail the key cell-death complexes-including DISC, complex II, and TNFRI complex I/II, and the necrosome, RIPoptosome, apoptosome, and PIDDosome-that control apoptosis or necroptosis pathways as well as their regulation. The possibility of their pharmacological targeting leading to the development of new strategies of interference with cell death programs via control of the high molecular weight platforms will be discussed.

A systems biology analysis of apoptosome formation and apoptosis execution supports allosteric procaspase-9 activation

The protease caspase-9 is activated on the apoptosome, a multiprotein signal transduction platform that assembles in response to mitochondria-dependent apoptosis initiation. Despite extensive molecular research, the assembly of the holo-apoptosome and the process of caspase-9 activation remain incompletely understood. Here, we therefore integrated quantitative data on the molecular interactions and proteolytic processes during apoptosome formation and apoptosis execution and conducted mathematical simulations to investigate the resulting biochemical signaling, quantitatively and kinetically. Interestingly, when implementing the homodimerization of procaspase-9 as a prerequisite for activation, the calculated kinetics of apoptosis execution and the efficacy of caspase-3 activation failed to replicate experimental data. In contrast, assuming a scenario in which procaspase-9 is activated allosterically upon binding to the apoptosome backbone, the mathematical simulations quantitatively and kinetically reproduced all experimental data. These data included a XIAP threshold concentration at which apoptosis execution is suppressed in HeLa cervical cancer cells, half-times of procaspase-9 processing, as well as the molecular timer function of the apoptosome. Our study therefore provides novel mechanistic insight into apoptosome-dependent apoptosis execution and suggests that caspase-9 is activated allosterically by binding to the apoptosome backbone. Our findings challenge the currently prevailing dogma that all initiator procaspases require homodimerization for activation.

A nonapoptotic role for CASP2/caspase 2: modulation of autophagy

CASP2/caspase 2 plays a role in aging, neurodegeneration, and cancer. The contributions of CASP2 have been attributed to its regulatory role in apoptotic and nonapoptotic processes including the cell cycle, DNA repair, lipid biosynthesis, and regulation of oxidant levels in the cells. Previously, our lab demonstrated CASP2-mediated modulation of autophagy during oxidative stress. Here we report the novel finding that CASP2 is an endogenous repressor of autophagy. Knockout or knockdown of CASP2 resulted in upregulation of autophagy in a variety of cell types and tissues. Reinsertion of Caspase-2 gene (Casp2) in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEFs) lacking Casp2 (casp2(-/-)) suppresses autophagy, suggesting its role as a negative regulator of autophagy. Loss of CASP2-mediated autophagy involved AMP-activated protein kinase, mechanistic target of rapamycin, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and autophagy-related proteins, indicating the involvement of the canonical pathway of autophagy. The present study also demonstrates an important role for loss of CASP2-induced enhanced reactive oxygen species production as an upstream event in autophagy induction. Additionally, in response to a variety of stressors that induce CASP2-mediated apoptosis, casp2(-/-) cells demonstrate a further upregulation of autophagy compared with wild-type MEFs, and upregulated autophagy provides a survival advantage. In conclusion, we document a novel role for CASP2 as a negative regulator of autophagy, which may provide important insight into the role of CASP2 in various processes including aging, neurodegeneration, and cancer.

A nonapoptotic role for CASP2/caspase 2: modulation of autophagy

CASP2/caspase 2 plays a role in aging, neurodegeneration, and cancer. The contributions of CASP2 have been attributed to its regulatory role in apoptotic and nonapoptotic processes including the cell cycle, DNA repair, lipid biosynthesis, and regulation of oxidant levels in the cells. Previously, our lab demonstrated CASP2-mediated modulation of autophagy during oxidative stress. Here we report the novel finding that CASP2 is an endogenous repressor of autophagy. Knockout or knockdown of CASP2 resulted in upregulation of autophagy in a variety of cell types and tissues. Reinsertion of Caspase-2 gene (Casp2) in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEFs) lacking Casp2 (casp2(-/-)) suppresses autophagy, suggesting its role as a negative regulator of autophagy. Loss of CASP2-mediated autophagy involved AMP-activated protein kinase, mechanistic target of rapamycin, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and autophagy-related proteins, indicating the involvement of the canonical pathway of autophagy. The present study also demonstrates an important role for loss of CASP2-induced enhanced reactive oxygen species production as an upstream event in autophagy induction. Additionally, in response to a variety of stressors that induce CASP2-mediated apoptosis, casp2(-/-) cells demonstrate a further upregulation of autophagy compared with wild-type MEFs, and upregulated autophagy provides a survival advantage. In conclusion, we document a novel role for CASP2 as a negative regulator of autophagy, which may provide important insight into the role of CASP2 in various processes including aging, neurodegeneration, and cancer.

Actin-binding protein alpha-actinin 4 (ACTN4) is a transcriptional co-activator of RelA/p65 sub-unit of NF-kB

ACTN4 is an actin-binding protein that participates in cytoskeleton organisation. It resides both in the cytoplasm and nucleus and physically associates with various transcription factors. Here, we describe an effect of ACTN4 expression on transcriptional activity of the RelA/p65 subunit of NF-kB. We demonstrate that ACTN4 enhances RelA/p65-dependant expression of c-fos, MMP-3 and MMP-1 genes, but it does not affect TNC, ICAM1 and FN1 expression. Importantly, actin-binding domains of ACTN4 are not critical for the nuclear translocation and co-activation of RelA/p65-dependent transcription. Collectively, our data suggest that in the nucleus, ACTN4 functions as a selective transcriptional co-activator of RelA/p65.

Intrinsic caspase-8 activation mediates sensitization of erlotinib-resistant tumor cells to erlotinib/cell-cycle inhibitors combination treatment

Inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase activity of epidermal growth factor receptor, as erlotinib, have an established role in treating several cancer types. However, resistance to erlotinib, particularly in breast cancer cell lines, and erlotinib treatment-associated disorders have also been described. Also, methods and combination therapies that could reverse resistance and ameliorate non-desirable effects represent a clinical challenge. Here, we show that the ATP non-competitive CDK2/cyclin A inhibitor NBI1 sensitizes erlotinib-resistant tumor cells to the combination treatment (co-treatment) for apoptosis-mediated cell death. Furthermore, in erlotinib-sensitive cells, the effective dose of erlotinib was lower in the presence of NBI1. The analysis in the breast cancer MDA-MB-468 erlotinib-resistant and in lung cancer A549 cell lines of the molecular mechanism underlying the apoptosis induced by co-treatment highlighted that the accumulation of DNA defects and depletion of cIAP and XIAP activates the ripoptosome that ultimately activates caspases-8 and -10 and apoptosis. This finding could have significant implications for future treatment strategies in clinical settings.