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Berkholz J, Karle W. Unravelling the molecular interplay: SUMOylation, PML nuclear bodies and vascular cell activity in health and disease. Cell Signal 2024; 119:111156. [PMID: 38574938 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
In the seemingly well-researched field of vascular research, there are still many underestimated factors and molecular mechanisms. In recent years, SUMOylation has become increasingly important. SUMOylation is a post-translational modification in which small ubiquitin-related modifiers (SUMO) are covalently attached to target proteins. Sites where these SUMO modification processes take place in the cell nucleus are PML nuclear bodies (PML-NBs) - multiprotein complexes with their essential main component and organizer, the PML protein. PML and SUMO, either alone or as partners, influence a variety of cellular processes, including regulation of transcription, senescence, DNA damage response and defence against microorganisms, and are involved in innate immunity and inflammatory responses. They also play an important role in maintaining homeostasis in the vascular system and in pathological processes leading to the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. This review summarizes information about the function of SUMO(ylation) and PML(-NBs) in the human vasculature from angiogenesis to disease and highlights their clinical potential as drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Berkholz
- Institute of Physiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany.
| | - Weronika Karle
- Institute of Physiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
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Berkholz J, Schmitt A, Fragasso A, Schmid AC, Munz B. Smyd1: Implications for novel approaches in rhabdomyosarcoma therapy. Exp Cell Res 2024; 434:113863. [PMID: 38097153 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a tumor that consists of poorly differentiated skeletal muscle cells, is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children. Despite considerable progress within the last decades, therapeutic options are still limited, warranting the need for novel approaches. Recent data suggest deregulation of the Smyd1 protein, a sumoylation target as well as H3K4me2/3 methyltransferase and transcriptional regulator in myogenesis, and its binding partner skNAC, in RMS cells. Here, we show that despite the fact that most RMS cells express at least low levels of Smyd1 and skNAC, failure to upregulate expression of these genes in reaction to differentiation-promoting signals can always be observed. While overexpression of the Smyd1 gene enhances many aspects of RMS cell differentiation and inhibits proliferation rate and metastatic potential of these cells, functional integrity of the putative Smyd1 sumoylation motif and its SET domain, the latter being crucial for HMT activity, appear to be prerequisites for most of these effects. Based on these findings, we explored the potential for novel RMS therapeutic strategies, employing small-molecule compounds to enhance Smyd1 activity. In particular, we tested manipulation of (a) Smyd1 sumoylation, (b) stability of H3K4me2/3 marks, and (c) calpain activity, with calpains being important targets of Smyd1 in myogenesis. We found that specifically the last strategy might represent a promising approach, given that suitable small-molecule compounds will be available for clinical use in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Berkholz
- Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Charitéplatz 1, D-10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angelika Schmitt
- University Hospital Tübingen, Medical Clinic, Department of Sports Medicine, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 6, D-72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Annunziata Fragasso
- University Hospital Tübingen, Medical Clinic, Department of Sports Medicine, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 6, D-72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anna-Celina Schmid
- University Hospital Tübingen, Medical Clinic, Department of Sports Medicine, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 6, D-72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Barbara Munz
- University Hospital Tübingen, Medical Clinic, Department of Sports Medicine, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 6, D-72076, Tübingen, Germany; Interfaculty Research Institute for Sport and Physical Activity, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, D-72074 / D-72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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Roos K, Berkholz J. LDL Affects the Immunomodulatory Response of Endothelial Cells by Modulation of the Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein (PML) Expression via PKC. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087306. [PMID: 37108469 PMCID: PMC10138343 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to its function as an intravascular lipid transporter, LDL also triggers signal transduction in endothelial cells (ECs), which, among other things, trigger immunomodulatory cascades, e.g., IL-6 upregulation. However, the molecular mechanisms of how these LDL-triggered immunological responses in ECs are realized are not fully understood. Since promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) plays a role in promoting inflammatory processes, we examined the relationship between LDL, PML, and IL-6 in human ECs (HUVECs and EA.hy926 cells). RT-qPCR, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence analyses showed that LDL but not HDL induced higher PML expression and higher numbers of PML-nuclear bodies (PML-NBs). Transfection of the ECs with a PML gene-encoding vector or PML-specific siRNAs demonstrated PML-regulated IL-6 and IL-8 expression and secretion after LDL exposure. Moreover, incubation with the PKC inhibitor sc-3088 or the PKC activator PMA showed that LDL-induced PKC activity leads to the upregulation of PML mRNA and PML protein. In summary, our experimental data suggest that high LDL concentrations trigger PKC activity in ECs to upregulate PML expression, which then increases production and secretion of IL-6 and IL-8. This molecular cascade represents a novel cellular signaling pathway with immunomodulatory effects in ECs in response to LDL exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerrin Roos
- Institute of Physiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Janine Berkholz
- Institute of Physiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, 10785 Berlin, Germany
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Vargas-Medrano J, Carcoba LM, Vidal Martinez G, Mulla ZD, Diaz V, Ruiz-Velasco A, Alvarez-Primo F, Colina G, Iñiguez SD, Thompson PM, O’Dell LE, Gadad BS. Sex and diet-dependent gene alterations in human and rat brains with a history of nicotine exposure. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1104563. [PMID: 36846236 PMCID: PMC9950561 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1104563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chronic nicotine exposure induces changes in the expression of key regulatory genes associated with metabolic function and neuronal alterations in the brain. Many bioregulatory genes have been associated with exposure to nicotine, but the modulating effects of sex and diet on gene expression in nicotine-exposed brains have been largely unexplored. Both humans and rodents display motivation for nicotine use and the emergence of withdrawal symptoms during abstinence. Research comparing pre-clinical models with human subjects provides an important opportunity to understand common biomarkers of the harmful effects of nicotine as well as information that may help guide the development of more effective interventions for nicotine cessation. Methods Human postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dLPFC) tissue BA9 was collected from female and male subjects, smokers and non-smokers (N = 12 per group). Rat frontal lobes were collected from female and male rats that received a regular diet (RD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) (N = 12 per group) for 14 days following implantation of a osmotic mini-pump (Alzet) that delivered nicotine continuously. Controls (control-s) received a sham surgical procedure. RNA was extracted from tissue from human and rat samples and reversed-transcribed to cDNA. Gene expression of CHRNA10 (Cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 10), CERKL (Ceramide Kinase-Like), SMYD1 (SET and MYD Domin Containing 1), and FA2H (Fatty Acid 2-Hydrolase) in humans was compared to rats in each subset of groups and quantified by qPCR methods. Additionally, protein expression of FA2H was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in human dLPFC. Results Humans with a history of smoking displayed decreased CHRNA10 (p = 0.0005), CERKL (p ≤ 0.0001), and SMYD1 (p = 0.0005) expression and increased FA2H (p = 0.0097) expression compared to non-smokers (p < 0.05). Similar patterns of results were observed in nicotine exposed vs. control rats. Interestingly, sex-related differences in gene expression for CERKL and FA2H were observed. In addition, ANCOVA analysis showed a significant effect of nicotine in a sex-different manner, including an increase in CERKL in male and female rats with RD or HFD. In rats exposed to an HFD, FA2H gene expression was lower in nicotine-treated rats compared to RD rats treated with nicotine. Protein expression of FA2H (p = 0.001) by IHC was significantly higher in smokers compared to non-smokers. Conclusion These results suggest that a history of long-term nicotine exposure in humans alters the expression of sphingolipid metabolism-related (CERKL, SMYD1, and FA2H) and neuronal (CHRNA10) marker genes similarly as compared to rats. Sex- and diet-dependent differences appear in nicotine-exposed rats, critical in regulating sphingolipid metabolism and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. This research enhances the construct validity of rat models of nicotine usage by showing a similar pattern of changes in gene expression in human subjects with a smoking history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Vargas-Medrano
- Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
- Southwest Brain Bank, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Luis M. Carcoba
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Guadalupe Vidal Martinez
- Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
- Southwest Brain Bank, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Zuber D. Mulla
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Victoria Diaz
- Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
- Southwest Brain Bank, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Alejandra Ruiz-Velasco
- Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
- Southwest Brain Bank, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Fabian Alvarez-Primo
- Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
- Southwest Brain Bank, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Gabriela Colina
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Sergio D. Iñiguez
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Peter M. Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
- Southwest Brain Bank, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Laura E. O’Dell
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Bharathi S. Gadad
- Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
- Southwest Brain Bank, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, United States
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The Methyltransferase Smyd1 Mediates LPS-Triggered Up-Regulation of IL-6 in Endothelial Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123515. [PMID: 34944023 PMCID: PMC8700543 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The lysine methyltransferase Smyd1 with its characteristic catalytic SET-domain is highly enriched in the embryonic heart and skeletal muscles, participating in cardiomyogenesis, sarcomere assembly and chromatin remodeling. Recently, significant Smyd1 levels were discovered in endothelial cells (ECs) that responded to inflammatory cytokines. Based on these biochemical properties, we hypothesized that Smyd1 is involved in inflammation-triggered signaling in ECs and therefore, investigated its role within the LPS-induced signaling cascade. Human endothelial cells (HUVECs and EA.hy926 cells) responded to LPS stimulation with higher intrinsic Smyd1 expression. By transfection with expression vectors containing gene inserts encoding either intact Smyd1, a catalytically inactive Smyd1-mutant or Smyd1-specific siRNAs, we show that Smyd1 contributes to LPS-triggered expression and secretion of IL-6 in EA.hy926 cells. Further molecular analysis revealed this process to be based on two signaling pathways: Smyd1 increased the activity of NF-κB and promoted the trimethylation of lysine-4 of histone-3 (H3K4me3) within the IL-6 promoter, as shown by ChIP-RT-qPCR combined with IL-6-promoter-driven luciferase reporter gene assays. In summary, our experimental analysis revealed that LPS-binding to ECs leads to the up-regulation of Smyd1 expression to transduce the signal for IL-6 up-regulation via activation of the established NF-κB pathway as well as via epigenetic trimethylation of H3K4.
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Rueda-Robles A, Audano M, Álvarez-Mercado AI, Rubio-Tomás T. Functions of SMYD proteins in biological processes: What do we know? An updated review. Arch Biochem Biophys 2021; 712:109040. [PMID: 34555372 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2021.109040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic modifiers, such as methyltransferases, play crucial roles in the regulation of many biological processes, including development, cancer and multiple physiopathological conditions. SUMMARY The Su(Var)3-9, Enhancer-of-zeste and Trithorax (SET) and Myeloid, Nervy, and DEAF-1 (MYND) domain-containing (SMYD) protein family consists of five members in humans and mice (i.e. SMYD1, SMYD2, SMYD3, SMYD4 and SMYD5), which are known or predicted to have methyltransferase activity on histone and non-histone substrates. The abundance of information concerning SMYD2 and SMYD3 is of note, whereas the other members of the SMYD family have not been so thoroughly studied CONCLUSION: Here we review the literature regarding SMYD proteins published in the last five years, including basic molecular biology mechanistic studies using in vitro systems and animal models, as well as human studies with a more translational or clinical approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ascensión Rueda-Robles
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix", Center of Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Avda. del Conocimiento s/n, 18016, Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Matteo Audano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Ana I Álvarez-Mercado
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix", Center of Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Avda. del Conocimiento s/n, 18016, Armilla, Granada, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, Granada, 18014, Spain.
| | - Teresa Rubio-Tomás
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036, Barcelona, Spain; School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013, Herakleion, Crete, Greece.
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Rydzynska Z, Pawlik B, Krzyzanowski D, Mlynarski W, Madzio J. Neutrophil Elastase Defects in Congenital Neutropenia. Front Immunol 2021; 12:653932. [PMID: 33968054 PMCID: PMC8100030 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.653932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) is a rare hematological condition with heterogenous genetic background. Neutrophil elastase (NE) encoded by ELANE gene is mutated in over half of the SCN cases. The role of NE defects in myelocytes maturation arrest in bone marrow is widely investigated; however, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon has still remained unclear. In this review, we sum up the studies exploring mechanisms of neutrophil deficiency, biological role of NE in neutrophil and the effects of ELANE mutation and neutropenia pathogenesis. We also explain the hypotheses presented so far and summarize options of neutropenia therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Rydzynska
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Bartlomiej Pawlik
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.,Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Damian Krzyzanowski
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.,Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodz, Poland
| | - Wojciech Mlynarski
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Joanna Madzio
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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Promyelocytic leukemia protein promotes the phenotypic switch of smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic plaques of human coronary arteries. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:887-905. [PMID: 33764440 DOI: 10.1042/cs20201399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) is a constitutive component of PML nuclear bodies (PML-NBs), which function as stress-regulated SUMOylation factories. Since PML can also act as a regulator of the inflammatory and fibroproliferative responses characteristic of atherosclerosis, we investigated whether PML is implicated in this disease. Immunoblotting, ELISA and immunohistochemistry showed a stronger expression of PML in segments of human atherosclerotic coronary arteries and sections compared with non-atherosclerotic ones. In particular, PML was concentrated in PML-NBs from α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-immunoreactive cells in plaque areas. To identify possible functional consequences of PML-accumulation in this cell type, differentiated human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (dHCASMCs) were transfected with a vector containing the intact PML-gene. These PML-transfected dHCASMCs showed higher levels of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-1-dependent SUMOylated proteins, but lower levels of markers for smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation and revealed more proliferation and migration activities than dHCASMCs transfected with the vector lacking a specific gene insert or with the vector containing a mutated PML-gene coding for a PML-form without SUMOylation activity. When dHCASMCs were incubated with different cytokines, higher PML-levels were observed only after interferon γ (IFN-γ) stimulation, while the expression of differentiation markers was lower. However, these phenotypic changes were not observed in dHCASMCs treated with small interfering RNA (siRNA) suppressing PML-expression prior to IFN-γ stimulation. Taken together, our results imply that PML is a previously unknown functional factor in the molecular cascades associated with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and is positioned in vascular SMCs (VSMCs) between upstream IFN-γ activation and downstream SUMOylation.
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