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Prabhu KS, Ahmad F, Kuttikrishnan S, Leo R, Ali TA, Izadi M, Mateo JM, Alam M, Ahmad A, Al-Shabeeb Akil AS, Bhat AA, Buddenkotte J, Pourkarimi E, Steinhoff M, Uddin S. Bortezomib exerts its anti-cancer activity through the regulation of Skp2/p53 axis in non-melanoma skin cancer cells and C. elegans. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:225. [PMID: 38724504 PMCID: PMC11082213 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01992-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), encompassing basal and squamous cell carcinoma, is the most prevalent cancer in the United States. While surgical removal remains the conventional therapy with a 95% 5-year cure rate, there is a growing interest in exploring alternative treatment strategies. In this study, we investigated the role of Bortezomib (BTZ), a proteasome inhibitor, in NMSC. Using two NMSC cell lines (A431 and A388), we examined the effects of BTZ treatment. Our results demonstrated that 48 h of BTZ treatment led to downregulating Skp2 expression in both A431 and A388 cells while upregulating p53 expression, specifically in A388 cells. These alterations resulted in impaired cellular growth and caspase-dependent cell death. Silencing Skp2 in A388 cells with siRNA confirmed the upregulation of p53 as a direct target. Furthermore, BTZ treatment increased the Bax to Bcl-2 ratio, promoting mitochondrial permeability and the subsequent release of cytochrome C, thereby activating caspases. We also found that BTZ exerted its antitumor effects by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), as blocking ROS production significantly reduced BTZ-induced apoptotic cell death. Interestingly, BTZ treatment induced autophagy, which is evident from the increased expression of microtubule-associated proteins nucleoporin p62 and LC-3A/B. In addition to cell lines, we assessed the impact of BTZ in an in vivo setting using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Our findings demonstrated that BTZ induced germline apoptosis in worms even at low concentrations. Notably, this increased apoptosis was mediated through the activity of CEP-1, the worm's counterpart to mammalian p53. In summary, our study elucidated the molecular mechanism underlying BTZ-induced apoptosis in NMSC cell lines and C. elegans. By targeting the skp2/p53 axis, inducing mitochondrial permeability, generating ROS, and promoting autophagy, BTZ demonstrates promising anti-cancer activity in NMSC. These findings provide novel insights into potential therapeutic strategies for controlling the unregulated growth of NMSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirti S Prabhu
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
| | - Fareed Ahmad
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
- Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
| | - Shilpa Kuttikrishnan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
| | - Rari Leo
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
| | - Tayyiba Akbar Ali
- Division of Genomics and Translational Medicine, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, 34110, Qatar
| | - Mahmoud Izadi
- Division of Genomics and Translational Medicine, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, 34110, Qatar
| | - Jericha M Mateo
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
| | - Majid Alam
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
- Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
| | - Aamir Ahmad
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
- Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
| | - Ammira S Al-Shabeeb Akil
- Population Genetic and Genomics, Genetics and Metabolic Disorders Clinical Research Program, Precision Medicine of Diabetes Obesity and Cancer laboratory, Sidra Medicine, Doha, 26999, Qatar
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Population Genetic and Genomics, Genetics and Metabolic Disorders Clinical Research Program, Precision Medicine of Diabetes Obesity and Cancer laboratory, Sidra Medicine, Doha, 26999, Qatar
| | - Joerg Buddenkotte
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
- Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
| | - Ehsan Pourkarimi
- Division of Genomics and Translational Medicine, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, 34110, Qatar
| | - Martin Steinhoff
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
- Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, 24144, Qatar
- College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, 2713, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, 34110, Qatar
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar.
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar.
- Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar.
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, 2713, Qatar.
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Venz R, Goyala A, Soto-Gamez A, Yenice T, Demaria M, Ewald CY. In-vivo screening implicates endoribonuclease Regnase-1 in modulating senescence-associated lysosomal changes. GeroScience 2024; 46:1499-1514. [PMID: 37644339 PMCID: PMC10828269 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00909-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of senescent cells accelerates aging and age-related diseases, whereas preventing this accumulation extends the lifespan in mice. A characteristic of senescent cells is increased staining with β-galactosidase (β-gal) ex vivo. Here, we describe a progressive accumulation of β-gal staining in the model organism C. elegans during aging. We show that distinct pharmacological and genetic interventions targeting the mitochondria and the mTORC1 to the nuclear core complex axis, the non-canonical apoptotic, and lysosomal-autophagy pathways slow the age-dependent accumulation of β-gal. We identify a novel gene, rege-1/Regnase-1/ZC3H12A/MCPIP1, modulating β-gal staining via the transcription factor ets-4/SPDEF. We demonstrate that knocking down Regnase-1 in human cell culture prevents senescence-associated β-gal accumulation. Our data provide a screening pipeline to identify genes and drugs modulating senescence-associated lysosomal phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Venz
- Laboratory of Extracellular Matrix Regeneration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, CH-8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Anita Goyala
- Laboratory of Extracellular Matrix Regeneration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, CH-8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Abel Soto-Gamez
- European Institute for the Biology of Aging (ERIBA)/University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tugce Yenice
- Laboratory of Extracellular Matrix Regeneration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, CH-8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Marco Demaria
- European Institute for the Biology of Aging (ERIBA)/University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Collin Y Ewald
- Laboratory of Extracellular Matrix Regeneration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, CH-8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
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3
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Shao Y, Hua X, Li Y, Wang D. Comparison of reproductive toxicity between pristine and aged polylactic acid microplastics in Caenorhabditis elegans. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 466:133545. [PMID: 38244453 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans was employed as model to compare reproductive toxicity between pristine and aged polylactic acid microplastics (PLA-MPs). Aged PLA-MPs induced by UV irradiation showed degradation reflected by decrease in size and alteration in morphological surface. Aged PLA-MPs also exhibited some certain changes of chemical properties compared to pristine PLA-MP. Compared with pristine PLA-MPs, more severe toxicity on reproductive capacity and gonad development was detected in 1-100 μg/L aged PLA-MPs. Meanwhile, aged PLA-MPs caused more severe enhancement in germline apoptosis and alterations in expressions of ced-9, ced-4, ced-3, and egl-1 governing cell apoptosis. In addition, aged PLA-MPs resulted in more severe increase in expression of DNA damage related genes (cep-1, mrt-2, hus-1, and clk-2) compared to pristine PLA-MPs, and the alterations in expression of ced-9, ced-4, ced-3, and egl-1 in pristine and aged PLA-MPs could be reversed by RNAi of cep-1, mrt-2, hus-1, and clk-2. Besides this, enhanced germline apoptosis in pristine and aged PLA-MPs exposed animals was also suppressed by RNAi of cep-1, mrt-2, hus-1, and clk-2. Therefore, our results suggested the more severe exposure risk of aged PLA-MPs than pristine PLA-MPs in causing reproductive toxicity, which was associated with the changed physicochemical properties and DNA damage induced germline apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Shao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Hua
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunhui Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Dayong Wang
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Shenzhen Ruipuxun Academy for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shenzhen, China.
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Tian L, Li Y, Shi Y. Dark and Dronc activation in Drosophila melanogaster. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2312784121. [PMID: 38381783 PMCID: PMC10907274 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312784121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The onset of apoptosis is characterized by a cascade of caspase activation, where initiator caspases are activated by a multimeric adaptor complex known as the apoptosome. In Drosophila melanogaster, the initiator caspase Dronc undergoes autocatalytic activation in the presence of the Dark apoptosome. Despite rigorous investigations, the activation mechanism for Dronc remains elusive. Here, we report the cryo-EM structures of an auto-inhibited Dark monomer and a single-layered, multimeric Dark/Dronc complex. Our biochemical analysis suggests that the auto-inhibited Dark oligomerizes upon binding to Dronc, which is sufficient for the activation of both Dark and Dronc. In contrast, the previously observed double-ring Dark apoptosome may represent a non-functional or "off-pathway" conformation. These findings expand our understanding on the molecular mechanism of apoptosis in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Tian
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structures, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Yini Li
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structures, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Yigong Shi
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structures, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou310024, China
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou310024, China
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5
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Jiang Y, Conradt B. A genetic screen identifies C. elegans eif-3.H and hrpr-1 as pro-apoptotic genes and potential activators of egl-1 expression. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2024; 2024:10.17912/micropub.biology.001126. [PMID: 38434221 PMCID: PMC10905296 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.001126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
During C. elegans development, 1090 somatic cells are generated of which 131 reproducibly die, many through apoptosis. The C. elegans BH3-only gene egl-1 is the key activator of apoptosis in somatic tissues, and it is predominantly expressed in 'cell death' lineages i.e. lineages in which apoptotic cell death occurs. egl-1 expression is regulated at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level. For example, we previously showed that the miR-35 and miR-58 families of miRNAs repress egl-1 expression in mothers of 'unwanted' cells by binding to the 3' UTR of egl-1 mRNA, thereby increasing egl-1 mRNA turnover. In a screen for RNA-binding proteins with a role in the post-transcriptional control of egl-1 expression, we identified EIF-3.H (ortholog of human eIF3H) and HRPR-1 (ortholog human hnRNP R/Q) as potential activators of egl-1 expression. In addition, we demonstrate that the knockdown of the eif-3.H or hrpr-1 gene by RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) results in the inappropriate survival of unwanted cells during C. elegans development. Our study provides novel insight into how egl-1 expression is controlled to cause the reproducible pattern of cell death observed during C. elegans development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwen Jiang
- Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London
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Hua X, Feng X, Liang G, Chao J, Wang D. Long-term exposure to 6-PPD quinone reduces reproductive capacity by enhancing germline apoptosis associated with activation of both DNA damage and cell corpse engulfment in Caenorhabditis elegans. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 454:131495. [PMID: 37119572 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Recently, 6-PPD quinone (6-PPDQ), a derivative of tire antioxidant 6-PPD, was reported to have acute toxicity for organisms. However, the possible reproductive toxicity of 6-PPDQ is still largely unclear. In this study, the reproductive toxicity of 6-PPDQ after long-term exposure was further investigated in Caenorhabditis elegans. Exposure to 1 and 10 μg/L 6-PPDQ reduced the reproductive capacity. Meanwhile, exposure to 1 and 10 μg/L 6-PPDQ enhanced the germline apoptosis, which was accompanied by upregulation of ced-3, ced-4, and egl-1 expressions and downregulation of ced-9 expression. The observed increase in germline apoptosis in 1 and 10 μg/L 6-PPDQ exposed nematodes was associated with the enhancement in DNA damage and increase in expressions of related genes of cep-1, clk-2, hus-1, and mrt-2. The detected enhancement in germline apoptosis in 1 and 10 μg/L 6-PPDQ exposed nematodes was further associated with the increase in expressions of ced-1 and ced-6 governing the cell corpse engulfment process. Molecular docking analysis indicated the binding potentials of 6-PPDQ with three DNA damage checkpoints (CLK-2, HUS-1, and MRT-2) and corpse-recognizing phagocytic receptor CED-1. Therefore, our data suggested the toxicity on reproductive capacity by 6-PPDQ at environmentally relevant concentrations by enhancing DNA damage- and cell corpse engulfment-induced germline apoptosis in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Hua
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiao Feng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Geyu Liang
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jie Chao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Shao Y, Wang Y, Hua X, Li Y, Wang D. Polylactic acid microparticles in the range of μg/L reduce reproductive capacity by affecting the gonad development and the germline apoptosis in Caenorhabditis elegans. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 336:139193. [PMID: 37315859 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Polylactic acid (PLA) accounts for approximately 45% of the global market of biodegradable plastics. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as an animal model, we examined the effect of long-term exposure to PLA microplastic (MP) on reproductive capacity and the underlying mechanism. Brood size, number of fertilized eggs in uterus, and number of hatched eggs were significantly reduced by exposure to 10 and 100 μg/L PLA MP. Number of mitotic cells per gonad, area of gonad arm, and length of gonad arm were further significantly decreased by exposure to 10 and 100 μg/L PLA MP. In addition, exposure to 10 and 100 μg/L PLA MP enhanced germline apoptosis in the gonad. Accompanied with the enhancement in germline apoptosis, exposure to 10 and 100 μg/L PLA MP decreased expression of ced-9 and increased expressions of ced-3, ced-4, and egl-1. Moreover, the induction of germline apoptosis in PLA MP exposed nematodes was suppressed by RNAi of ced-3, ced-4, and egl-1, and strengthened by RNAi of ced-9. Meanwhile, we did not detect the obvious effect of leachate of 10 and 100 μg/L PLA MPs on reproductive capacity, gonad development, germline apoptosis, and expression of apoptosis related genes. Therefore, exposure to 10 and 100 μg/L PLA MPs potentially reduces the reproductive capacity by influencing the gonad development and enhancing the germline apoptosis in nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Shao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxing Wang
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Hua
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunhui Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Dayong Wang
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Shenzhen Ruipuxun Academy for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shenzhen, China.
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Ma C, Feng Y, Li X, Sun L, He Z, Gan J, He M, Zhang X, Chen X. Potential Therapeutic Effects of Policosanol from Insect Wax on Caenorhabditis elegans Models of Parkinson's Disease. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2023; 18:127-144. [PMID: 36637699 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-022-10057-4] [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: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. The standard treatments for PD focus on symptom relief rather than attempting to address the underlying degenerative processes completely. This study aimed to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of policosanol derived from insect wax (PIW) by investigating improvements in disease symptoms represented in Caenorhabditis elegans models of PD. For our assessments, we used the following three models: NL5901, which is a transgenic model for α-synuclein aggregation; wild-type N2 induced with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA); and 6-OHDA-induced BZ555 as a model for loss of dopaminergic neurons (DNs). Specifically, we examined the effects of PIW treatment on α-synuclein aggregation, the loss of DNs, lipid abundance, and the lifespan of treated organisms. Further, we examined treatment-related changes in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as the mRNA production profiles of relevant genes. A 10 µg/mL dose of PIW reduced the aggregation of α-synuclein in NL5901 and suppressed the loss of DNs in 6-OHDA-induced BZ555. Overall, PIW treatment decreased ROS and MDA levels, restored lipid abundance, and prolonged the lifespans of worms in all the three models, which may be associated with changes in the expression profiles of genes related to cell survival and oxidative stress response pathways. Our findings show that PIW alleviated the symptoms of PD in these models, possibly by regulating the stress responses initiated by injuries such as α-synuclein aggregation or 6-OHDA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenjing Ma
- Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Panlong District, Kunming, 650224, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Ying Feng
- Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Panlong District, Kunming, 650224, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Xian Li
- Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Panlong District, Kunming, 650224, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Long Sun
- Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Panlong District, Kunming, 650224, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Zhao He
- Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Panlong District, Kunming, 650224, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Jin Gan
- Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Panlong District, Kunming, 650224, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Minjie He
- Health Management Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650000, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Panlong District, Kunming, 650224, Yunnan Province, China.
| | - Xiaoming Chen
- Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Panlong District, Kunming, 650224, Yunnan Province, China
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Hua X, Feng X, Hua Y, Wang D. Paeoniflorin attenuates polystyrene nanoparticle-induced reduction in reproductive capacity and increase in germline apoptosis through suppressing DNA damage checkpoints in Caenorhabditis elegans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 871:162189. [PMID: 36775158 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Due to high sensitivity to environmental exposures, Caenorhabditis elegans is helpful for toxicity evaluation and toxicological study of pollutants. Using this animal model, we investigated the reproductive toxicity of 20 nm polystyrene nanoparticle (PS-NP) in the range of μg/L and the following pharmacological intervention of paeoniflorin. After exposure from L1-larvae to young adults, 10-100 μg/L PS-NP could cause the reduction in reproductive capacity reflected by the endpoints of brood size and number of fertilized eggs in uterus. Meanwhile, the enhancements in germline apoptosis analyzed by AO staining and germline DNA damage as shown by alteration in HUS-1::GFP signals were detected in 10-100 μg/L PS-NP exposed nematodes, suggesting the role of DNA damage-induced germline apoptosis in mediating PS-NP toxicity on reproductive capacity. Following the exposure to 100 μg/L PS-NP, posttreatment with 25-100 mg/L paeoniflorin increased the reproductive capacity and inhibited both germline apoptosis and DNA damage. In addition, in 100 μg/L PS-NP exposed nematodes, treatment with 100 mg/L paeoniflorin modulated the expressions of genes governing germline apoptosis as indicated by the decrease in ced-3, ced-4, an egl-1 expressions and the increase in ced-9 expression. After exposure to 100 μg/L PS-NP, treatment with 100 mg/L paeoniflorin also decreased expressions of genes (cep-1, clk-2, hus-1, and mrt-2) governing germline DNA damage. Molecular docking analysis further demonstrated the binding potential of paeoniflorin with three DNA damage checkpoints (CLK-2, HUS-1, and MRT-2). Therefore, our data suggested the toxicity of PS-NP in the range of μg/L on reproductive capacity after exposure from L1-larvae to young adults, which was associated with the enhancement in DNA damage-induced germline apoptosis. More importantly, the PS-NP-induced reproductive toxicity on nematodes could be inhibited by the following paeoniflorin treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Hua
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiao Feng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yingshun Hua
- Lintao Maternity and Child Health Center, Lintao 730500, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Shenzhen Ruipuxun Academy for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shenzhen 518122, China.
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10
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Zhang D, Yang H, Jiang L, Zhao C, Wang M, Hu B, Yu C, Wei Z, Tse YC. Interaction between DLC-1 and SAO-1 facilitates CED-4 translocation during apoptosis in the Caenorhabditis elegans germline. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:441. [PMID: 36323675 PMCID: PMC9630320 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01233-9] [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: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Apoptosis is one of the major forms of programmed cell death, and it serves vital biological functions in multicellular animal and plant cells. The core mechanism of apoptosis is highly conserved in metazoans, where the translocation of CED-4/Apaf-1 from mitochondria to the nuclear membrane is required to initiate and execute apoptosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this translocation are poorly understood. In this study, we showed that SAO-1 binds DLC-1 and prevents its degradation to promote apoptosis in C. elegans germ cells. We demonstrated that SAO-1 and DLC-1 regulate CED-4/Apaf-1 nuclear membrane accumulation during apoptosis. Isothermal titration calorimetry-based assay and high-resolution crystal structure analysis further revealed that SAO-1 interacted with DLC-1 to form a 2:4 complex: each of the two β-sheets in the SAO-1 peptide interacted with two DLC-1 dimers. Point mutations at the SAO-1-DLC-1 binding interface significantly inhibited apoptotic corpse formation and CED-4 nuclear membrane accumulation within C. elegans germ cells. In conclusion, our study provides a new perspective on the regulation of CED-4-mediated apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Zhang
- grid.19373.3f0000 0001 0193 3564School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001 China ,grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790School of Life Sciences, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Haibin Yang
- grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790School of Life Sciences, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Ling Jiang
- grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790School of Life Sciences, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.194645.b0000000121742757School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chan Zhao
- grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790School of Life Sciences, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Mengjun Wang
- grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790School of Life Sciences, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Boyi Hu
- grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790School of Life Sciences, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.221309.b0000 0004 1764 5980Department of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cong Yu
- grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790School of Life Sciences, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Zhiyi Wei
- grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790School of Life Sciences, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Yu Chung Tse
- grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790Core Research Facilities, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China
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11
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Loss of MTCH-1 suppresses age-related proteostasis collapse through the inhibition of programmed cell death factors. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111690. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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12
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Jiang HS, Ghose P, Han HF, Wu YZ, Tsai YY, Lin HC, Tseng WC, Wu JC, Shaham S, Wu YC. BLMP-1 promotes developmental cell death in C. elegans by timely repression of ced-9 transcription. Development 2021; 148:dev193995. [PMID: 34541605 PMCID: PMC8572009 DOI: 10.1242/dev.193995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Programmed cell death (PCD) is a common cell fate in metazoan development. PCD effectors are extensively studied, but how they are temporally regulated is less understood. Here, we report a mechanism controlling tail-spike cell death onset during Caenorhabditis elegans development. We show that the zinc-finger transcription factor BLMP-1, which controls larval development timing, also regulates embryonic tail-spike cell death initiation. BLMP-1 functions upstream of CED-9 and in parallel to DRE-1, another CED-9 and tail-spike cell death regulator. BLMP-1 expression is detected in the tail-spike cell shortly after the cell is born, and blmp-1 mutations promote ced-9-dependent tail-spike cell survival. BLMP-1 binds ced-9 gene regulatory sequences, and inhibits ced-9 transcription just before cell-death onset. BLMP-1 and DRE-1 function together to regulate developmental timing, and their mammalian homologs regulate B-lymphocyte fate. Our results, therefore, identify roles for developmental timing genes in cell-death initiation, and suggest conservation of these functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang-Shiang Jiang
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106216, Taiwan
| | - Piya Ghose
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
| | - Hsiao-Fen Han
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106216, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Zhe Wu
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106216, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Yin Tsai
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106216, Taiwan
| | - Huang-Chin Lin
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106216, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chin Tseng
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106216, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Ching Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100229, Taiwan
| | - Shai Shaham
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yi-Chun Wu
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106216, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, Center for Systems Biology, and Research Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106216, Taiwan
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 106216, Taiwan
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13
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Jia H, Xue S, Lei L, Fan M, Peng S, Li T, Nagarajan R, Carver B, Ma Z, Deng J, Yan L. A semi-dominant NLR allele causes whole-seedling necrosis in wheat. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 186:483-496. [PMID: 33576803 PMCID: PMC8154059 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Programmed cell death (PCD) and apoptosis have key functions in development and disease resistance in diverse organisms; however, the induction of necrosis remains poorly understood. Here, we identified a semi-dominant mutant allele that causes the necrotic death of the entire seedling (DES) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the absence of any pathogen or external stimulus. Positional cloning of the lethal allele mDES1 revealed that this premature death via necrosis was caused by a point mutation from Asp to Asn at amino acid 441 in a nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat protein containing nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeats. The overexpression of mDES1 triggered necrosis and PCD in transgenic plants. However, transgenic wheat harboring truncated wild-type DES1 proteins produced through gene editing that exhibited no significant developmental defects. The point mutation in mDES1 did not cause changes in this protein in the oligomeric state, but mDES1 failed to interact with replication protein A leading to abnormal mitotic cell division. DES1 is an ortholog of Sr35, which recognizes a Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici stem rust disease effector in wheat, but mDES1 gained function as a direct inducer of plant death. These findings shed light on the intersection of necrosis, apoptosis, and autoimmunity in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Jia
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
- Crop Genomics and Bioinformatics Center and National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Shulin Xue
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
- Crop Genomics and Bioinformatics Center and National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Lei Lei
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Min Fan
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
- Crop Genomics and Bioinformatics Center and National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Shuxia Peng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Tian Li
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Ragupathi Nagarajan
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Brett Carver
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Zhengqiang Ma
- Crop Genomics and Bioinformatics Center and National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Junpeng Deng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Liuling Yan
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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14
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Gartner A, Engebrecht J. DNA repair, recombination, and damage signaling. Genetics 2021; 220:6522877. [PMID: 35137093 PMCID: PMC9097270 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA must be accurately copied and propagated from one cell division to the next, and from one generation to the next. To ensure the faithful transmission of the genome, a plethora of distinct as well as overlapping DNA repair and recombination pathways have evolved. These pathways repair a large variety of lesions, including alterations to single nucleotides and DNA single and double-strand breaks, that are generated as a consequence of normal cellular function or by external DNA damaging agents. In addition to the proteins that mediate DNA repair, checkpoint pathways have also evolved to monitor the genome and coordinate the action of various repair pathways. Checkpoints facilitate repair by mediating a transient cell cycle arrest, or through initiation of cell suicide if DNA damage has overwhelmed repair capacity. In this chapter, we describe the attributes of Caenorhabditis elegans that facilitate analyses of DNA repair, recombination, and checkpoint signaling in the context of a whole animal. We review the current knowledge of C. elegans DNA repair, recombination, and DNA damage response pathways, and their role during development, growth, and in the germ line. We also discuss how the analysis of mutational signatures in C. elegans is helping to inform cancer mutational signatures in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Gartner
- Department for Biological Sciences, IBS Center for Genomic Integrity, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea,Corresponding author: (A.G.); (J.E.)
| | - JoAnne Engebrecht
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA,Corresponding author: (A.G.); (J.E.)
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15
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Santonicola P, Germoglio M, d'Abbusco DS, Adamo A. Functional characterization of Caenorhabditis elegans cbs-2 gene during meiosis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20913. [PMID: 33262405 PMCID: PMC7708620 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78006-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) is a eukaryotic enzyme that maintains the cellular homocysteine homeostasis and catalyzes the conversion of homocysteine to L-cystathionine and Hydrogen sulfide, via the trans-sulfuration pathway. In Caenorhabditis elegans, two cbs genes are present: cbs-1 functions similarly as to human CBS, and cbs-2, whose roles are instead unknown. In the present study we performed a phenotypic characterization of the cbs-2 mutant. The null cbs-2 mutant is viable, fertile and shows the wild-type complement of six bivalents in most oocyte nuclei, which is indicative of a correct formation of crossover recombination. In absence of synaptonemal complex formation (syp-2 mutant), loss of cbs-2 leads to chromosome fragmentation, suggesting that cbs-2 is essential during inter-sister repair. Interestingly, although proficient in the activation of the DNA damage checkpoint after exposure to genotoxic stress, the cbs-2 mutant is defective in DNA damage-induced apoptosis in meiotic germ cells. These results suggest possible functions for CBS-2 in meiosis, distinct from a role in the trans-sulfuration pathway. We propose that the C. elegans CBS-2 protein is required for both inter-sister repair and execution of DNA damage-induced apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Santonicola
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, National Research Council, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Marcello Germoglio
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, National Research Council, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Scotto d'Abbusco
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, National Research Council, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Adele Adamo
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, National Research Council, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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16
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Lindenboim L, Zohar H, Worman HJ, Stein R. The nuclear envelope: target and mediator of the apoptotic process. Cell Death Discov 2020; 6:29. [PMID: 32351716 PMCID: PMC7184752 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-020-0256-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis is characterized by the destruction of essential cell organelles, including the cell nucleus. The nuclear envelope (NE) separates the nuclear interior from the cytosol. During apoptosis, the apoptotic machinery, in particular caspases, increases NE permeability by cleaving its proteins, such as those of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and the nuclear lamina. This in turns leads to passive diffusion of cytosolic apoptogenic proteins, such as caspases and nucleases, through NPCs into the nucleus and the subsequent breakdown of the NE and destruction of the nucleus. However, NE leakiness at early stages of the apoptotic process can also occur in a caspase-independent manner, where Bax, by a non-canonical action, promotes transient and repetitive localized generation and subsequent rupture of nuclear protein-filled nuclear bubbles. This NE rupture leads to discharge of apoptogenic nuclear proteins from the nucleus to the cytosol, a process that can contribute to the death process. Therefore, the NE may play a role as mediator of cell death at early stages of apoptosis. The NE can also serve as a platform for assembly of complexes that regulate the death process. Thus, the NE should be viewed as both a mediator of the cell death process and a target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liora Lindenboim
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Hila Zohar
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Howard J. Worman
- Department of Medicine and Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Reuven Stein
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Ramat Aviv, Israel
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17
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Activity-Dependent Regulation of the Proapoptotic BH3-Only Gene egl-1 in a Living Neuron Pair in Caenorhabditis elegans. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2019; 9:3703-3714. [PMID: 31519744 PMCID: PMC6829140 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The BH3-only family of proteins is key for initiating apoptosis in a variety of contexts, and may also contribute to non-apoptotic cellular processes. Historically, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has provided a powerful system for studying and identifying conserved regulators of BH3-only proteins. In C. elegans, the BH3-only protein egl-1 is expressed during development to cell-autonomously trigger most developmental cell deaths. Here we provide evidence that egl-1 is also transcribed after development in the sensory neuron pair URX without inducing apoptosis. We used genetic screening and epistasis analysis to determine that its transcription is regulated in URX by neuronal activity and/or in parallel by orthologs of Protein Kinase G and the Salt-Inducible Kinase family. Because several BH3-only family proteins are also expressed in the adult nervous system of mammals, we suggest that studying egl-1 expression in URX may shed light on mechanisms that regulate conserved family members in higher organisms.
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18
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Cullin-4B E3 ubiquitin ligase mediates Apaf-1 ubiquitination to regulate caspase-9 activity. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219782. [PMID: 31329620 PMCID: PMC6645535 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1) is a component of apoptosome, which regulates caspase-9 activity. In addition to apoptosis, Apaf-1 plays critical roles in the intra-S-phase checkpoint; therefore, impaired expression of Apaf-1 has been demonstrated in chemotherapy-resistant malignant melanoma and nuclear translocation of Apaf-1 has represented a favorable prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. In contrast, increased levels of Apaf-1 protein are observed in the brain in Huntington’s disease. The regulation of Apaf-1 protein is not yet fully understood. In this study, we show that etoposide triggers the interaction of Apaf-1 with Cullin-4B, resulting in enhanced Apaf-1 ubiquitination. Ubiquitinated Apaf-1, which was degraded in healthy cells, binds p62 and forms aggregates in the cytosol. This complex of ubiquitinated Apaf-1 and p62 induces caspase-9 activation following MG132 treatment of HEK293T cells that stably express bcl-xl. These results show that ubiquitinated Apaf-1 may activate caspase-9 under conditions of proteasome impairment.
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19
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Koopman M, Seinstra RI, Nollen EAA. C. elegans as a Model for Synucleinopathies and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases: Tools and Techniques. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1948:93-112. [PMID: 30771173 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9124-2_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans is widely used to investigate biological processes related to health and disease. Multiple C. elegans models for human neurodegenerative diseases do exist, including those expressing human α-synuclein. Even though these models do not feature all pathological and molecular hallmarks of the disease they mimic, they allow for the identification and dissection of molecular pathways that are involved. In line with this, genetic screens have yielded multiple modifiers of proteotoxicity in C. elegans models for neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we describe a set of common screening approaches and tools that can be used to study synucleinopathies and other neurodegenerative diseases in C. elegans. RNA interference and mutagenesis screens can be used to find genes that affect proteotoxicity, while relatively simple molecular, cellular (fractionation studies), metabolic (respiration studies), and behavioral (thrashing and crawling) readouts can be used to study the effects of disease proteins and modifiers more closely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Koopman
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, European Research Institute for the Biology of Aging, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Renée I Seinstra
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, European Research Institute for the Biology of Aging, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen A A Nollen
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, European Research Institute for the Biology of Aging, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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20
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Harders RH, Morthorst TH, Lande AD, Hesselager MO, Mandrup OA, Bendixen E, Stensballe A, Olsen A. Dynein links engulfment and execution of apoptosis via CED-4/Apaf1 in C. elegans. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:1012. [PMID: 30262881 PMCID: PMC6160458 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-1067-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Apoptosis ensures removal of damaged cells and helps shape organs during development by removing excessive cells. To prevent the intracellular content of the apoptotic cells causing damage to surrounding cells, apoptotic cells are quickly cleared by engulfment. Tight regulation of apoptosis and engulfment is needed to prevent several pathologies such as cancer, neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. There is increasing evidence that the engulfment machinery can regulate the execution of apoptosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. We show that dynein mediates cell non-autonomous cross-talk between the engulfment and apoptotic programs in the Caenorhabditis elegans germline. Dynein is an ATP-powered microtubule-based molecular motor, built from several subunits. Dynein has many diverse functions including transport of cargo around the cell. We show that both dynein light chain 1 (DLC-1) and dynein heavy chain 1 (DHC-1) localize to the nuclear membrane inside apoptotic germ cells in C. elegans. Strikingly, lack of either DLC-1 or DHC-1 at the nuclear membrane inhibits physiological apoptosis specifically in mutants defective in engulfment. This suggests that a cell fate determining dialogue takes place between engulfing somatic sheath cells and apoptotic germ cells. The underlying mechanism involves the core apoptotic protein CED-4/Apaf1, as we find that DLC-1 and the engulfment protein CED-6/GULP are required for the localization of CED-4 to the nuclear membrane of germ cells. A better understanding of the communication between the engulfment machinery and the apoptotic program is essential for identifying novel therapeutic targets in diseases caused by inappropriate engulfment or apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikke Hindsgaul Harders
- Department of Chemistry and Biosciences, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, Aalborg, DK-9220, Denmark
| | - Tine Hørning Morthorst
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, Aarhus C, DK-8000, Denmark
| | - Anna Dippel Lande
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, Aarhus C, DK-8000, Denmark
| | | | - Ole Aalund Mandrup
- Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, Aarhus C, DK-8000, Denmark
| | - Emøke Bendixen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, Aarhus C, DK-8000, Denmark
| | - Allan Stensballe
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7E, Aalborg, DK-9220, Denmark
| | - Anders Olsen
- Department of Chemistry and Biosciences, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, Aalborg, DK-9220, Denmark.
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21
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Germoglio M, Adamo A. A Role in Apoptosis Regulation for the rad-51 Gene of Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 2018; 209:1017-1028. [PMID: 29884745 PMCID: PMC6063241 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.118.301152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolutionarily conserved RAD-51 protein is essential for homologous recombination in the germ line as well as homologous repair of DNA double-strand breaks in all eukaryotic cells. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the rad-51 gene is transcribed into messenger RNAs potentially coding three alternative protein isoforms. Null rad-51 alleles display embryonic lethality, severe defects in chromosome structure, and high levels of germ line apoptosis. To dissect its functions, we genetically modified the C. elegans rad-51 gene by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 genome-editing technology, obtaining a separation-of-function (sfi-) mutant allele that only disrupts the long-transcript isoform. This mutant shows no defects in an otherwise wild-type meiosis and is able to activate physiological germ cell death, which occurs at the late pachytene stage. However, although the mutant is competent in DNA damage checkpoint activation after exposure to ionizing radiation, it is defective for induction of DNA damage-induced apoptosis in meiotic germ cells. These results suggest that RAD-51 plays a novel role in germ line apoptosis independent of RAD-51-mediated strand invasion for homologous recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Germoglio
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, National Research Council, 80131 Naples, Italy
- University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Adele Adamo
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, National Research Council, 80131 Naples, Italy
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22
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Mata-Cabana A, Sin O, Seinstra RI, Nollen EAA. Nuclear/Cytoplasmic Fractionation of Proteins from Caenorhabditis elegans. Bio Protoc 2018; 8:e3053. [PMID: 30467549 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
C. elegans is widely used to investigate biological processes related to health and disease. To study protein localization, fluorescently-tagged proteins can be used in vivo or immunohistochemistry can be performed in whole worms. Here, we describe a technique to localize a protein of interest at a subcellular level in C. elegans lysates, which can give insight into the location, function and/or toxicity of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olga Sin
- Max Planck Research Group for RNA Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany.,Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Renée I Seinstra
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ellen A A Nollen
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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23
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The Bcl-2 Family in Host-Virus Interactions. Viruses 2017; 9:v9100290. [PMID: 28984827 PMCID: PMC5691641 DOI: 10.3390/v9100290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family are pivotal arbiters of mitochondrially mediated apoptosis, a process of fundamental importance during tissue development, homeostasis, and disease. At the structural and mechanistic level, the mammalian members of the Bcl-2 family are increasingly well understood, with their interplay ultimately deciding the fate of a cell. Dysregulation of Bcl-2-mediated apoptosis underlies a plethora of diseases, and numerous viruses have acquired homologs of Bcl-2 to subvert host cell apoptosis and autophagy to prevent premature death of an infected cell. Here we review the structural biology, interactions, and mechanisms of action of virus-encoded Bcl-2 proteins, and how they impact on host-virus interactions to ultimately enable successful establishment and propagation of viral infections.
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Presumptive TRP channel CED-11 promotes cell volume decrease and facilitates degradation of apoptotic cells in Caenorhabditis elegans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:8806-8811. [PMID: 28760991 PMCID: PMC5565440 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1705084114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptotic cells undergo a series of morphological changes. These changes are dependent on caspase cleavage of downstream targets, but which targets are significant and how they facilitate the death process are not well understood. In Caenorhabditis elegans an increase in the refractility of the dying cell is a hallmark morphological change that is caspase dependent. We identify a presumptive transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channel, CED-11, that acts in the dying cell to promote the increase in apoptotic cell refractility. CED-11 is required for multiple other morphological changes during apoptosis, including an increase in electron density as visualized by electron microscopy and a decrease in cell volume. In ced-11 mutants, the degradation of apoptotic cells is delayed. Mutation of ced-11 does not cause an increase in cell survival but can enhance cell survival in other cell-death mutants, indicating that ced-11 facilitates the death process. In short, ced-11 acts downstream of caspase activation to promote the shrinkage, death, and degradation of apoptotic cells.
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Programmed Cell Death During Caenorhabditis elegans Development. Genetics 2017; 203:1533-62. [PMID: 27516615 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.115.186247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed cell death is an integral component of Caenorhabditis elegans development. Genetic and reverse genetic studies in C. elegans have led to the identification of many genes and conserved cell death pathways that are important for the specification of which cells should live or die, the activation of the suicide program, and the dismantling and removal of dying cells. Molecular, cell biological, and biochemical studies have revealed the underlying mechanisms that control these three phases of programmed cell death. In particular, the interplay of transcriptional regulatory cascades and networks involving multiple transcriptional regulators is crucial in activating the expression of the key death-inducing gene egl-1 and, in some cases, the ced-3 gene in cells destined to die. A protein interaction cascade involving EGL-1, CED-9, CED-4, and CED-3 results in the activation of the key cell death protease CED-3, which is tightly controlled by multiple positive and negative regulators. The activation of the CED-3 caspase then initiates the cell disassembly process by cleaving and activating or inactivating crucial CED-3 substrates; leading to activation of multiple cell death execution events, including nuclear DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial elimination, phosphatidylserine externalization, inactivation of survival signals, and clearance of apoptotic cells. Further studies of programmed cell death in C. elegans will continue to advance our understanding of how programmed cell death is regulated, activated, and executed in general.
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Birkinshaw RW, Czabotar PE. The BCL-2 family of proteins and mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilisation. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 72:152-162. [PMID: 28396106 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death critical for the development and homeostasis of multicellular organisms. A key event within the mitochondrial pathway to apoptosis is the permeabilisation of the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM), a point of no return in apoptotic progression. This event is governed by a complex interplay of interactions between BCL-2 family members. Here we discuss the roles of opposing factions within the family. We focus on the structural details of these interactions, how they promote or prevent apoptosis and recent developments towards understanding the conformational changes of BAK and BAX that lead to MOM permeabilisation. These interactions and structural insights are of particular interest for drug discovery, as highlighted by the development of therapeutics that target pro-survival family members and restore apoptosis in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard W Birkinshaw
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Peter E Czabotar
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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Sin O, de Jong T, Mata-Cabana A, Kudron M, Zaini MA, Aprile FA, Seinstra RI, Stroo E, Prins RW, Martineau CN, Wang HH, Hogewerf W, Steinhof A, Wanker EE, Vendruscolo M, Calkhoven CF, Reinke V, Guryev V, Nollen EAA. Identification of an RNA Polymerase III Regulator Linked to Disease-Associated Protein Aggregation. Mol Cell 2017; 65:1096-1108.e6. [PMID: 28306505 PMCID: PMC5364375 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2017.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Protein aggregation is associated with age-related neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and polyglutamine diseases. As a causal relationship between protein aggregation and neurodegeneration remains elusive, understanding the cellular mechanisms regulating protein aggregation will help develop future treatments. To identify such mechanisms, we conducted a forward genetic screen in a C. elegans model of polyglutamine aggregation and identified the protein MOAG-2/LIR-3 as a driver of protein aggregation. In the absence of polyglutamine, MOAG-2/LIR-3 regulates the RNA polymerase III-associated transcription of small non-coding RNAs. This regulation is lost in the presence of polyglutamine, which mislocalizes MOAG-2/LIR-3 from the nucleus to the cytosol. We then show biochemically that MOAG-2/LIR-3 can also catalyze the aggregation of polyglutamine-expanded huntingtin. These results suggest that polyglutamine can induce an aggregation-promoting activity of MOAG-2/LIR-3 in the cytosol. The concept that certain aggregation-prone proteins can convert other endogenous proteins into drivers of aggregation and toxicity adds to the understanding of how cellular homeostasis can be deteriorated in protein misfolding diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Sin
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands; Graduate Program in Areas of Basic and Applied Biology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Tristan de Jong
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Mata-Cabana
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Michelle Kudron
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Mohamad Amr Zaini
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Renée I Seinstra
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Esther Stroo
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Roméo Willinge Prins
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Céline N Martineau
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hai Hui Wang
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Wytse Hogewerf
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Anne Steinhof
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Erich E Wanker
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Cornelis F Calkhoven
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Valerie Reinke
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Victor Guryev
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Ellen A A Nollen
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Abstract
Intramembrane proteases catalyze peptide bond hydrolysis in the lipid bilayer and play a key role in numerous cellular processes. These integral membrane enzymes consist of four classes: site-2 protease (S2P), rhomboid serine protease, Rce1-type glutamyl protease, and aspartyl protease exemplified by presenilin and signal peptide peptidase (SPP). Structural elucidation of these enzymes is important for mechanistic understanding of their functions, particularly their roles in cell signaling and debilitating diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. In the past decade, rigorous effort has led to determination of the crystal structures of S2P from archaebacterium, rhomboid serine protease from E. coli (GlpG), and presenilin/SPP from archaebacterium (PSH). A novel method has been developed to express well-behaved human γ-secretase, which facilitated its structure determination by cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM). In this chapter, we will discuss the expression and purification of intramembrane proteases including human γ-secretase and describe the enzymatic activity assays for these intramembrane proteases.
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Regulation of CED-3 caspase localization and activation by C. elegans nuclear-membrane protein NPP-14. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2016; 23:958-964. [PMID: 27723735 DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.3308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Caspases are cysteine proteases with critical roles in apoptosis. The Caenorhabditis elegans caspase CED-3 is activated by autocatalytic cleavage, a process enhanced by CED-4. Here we report that the CED-3 zymogen localizes to the perinuclear region in C. elegans germ cells and that CED-3 autocatalytic cleavage is held in check by C. elegans nuclei and activated by CED-4. The nuclear-pore protein NPP-14 interacts with the CED-3 zymogen prodomain, colocalizes with CED-3 in vivo and inhibits CED-3 autoactivation in vitro. Several missense mutations in the CED-3 prodomain result in stronger association with NPP-14 and decreased CED-3 activation by CED-4 in the presence of nuclei or NPP-14, thus leading to cell-death defects. Those same mutations enhance autocatalytic cleavage of CED-3 in vitro and increase apoptosis in vivo in the absence of npp-14. Our results reveal a critical role of nuclei and nuclear-membrane proteins in regulating the activation and localization of CED-3.
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Glab JA, Mbogo GW, Puthalakath H. BH3-Only Proteins in Health and Disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 328:163-196. [PMID: 28069133 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2016.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BH3-only proteins are proapoptotic members of the broader Bcl-2 family, which promote cell death by directly or indirectly activating Bax and Bak. The expression of BH3-only proteins is regulated both transcriptionally and posttranscriptionally in a cell type-specific and a tissue-specific manner. Research over the last 20 years has provided significant insights into their roles in tissue homeostasis and various pathologies, which in turn has led to the development of novel therapeutics for numerous diseases. In this review, a snapshot of the progress over this period is given, including our current understanding of their regulation, mode of action, role in mammalian development, and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Glab
- Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - G W Mbogo
- Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - H Puthalakath
- Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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Wang X, Yang C. Programmed cell death and clearance of cell corpses in Caenorhabditis elegans. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:2221-36. [PMID: 27048817 PMCID: PMC11108496 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2196-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Programmed cell death is critical to the development of diverse animal species from C. elegans to humans. In C. elegans, the cell death program has three genetically distinguishable phases. During the cell suicide phase, the core cell death machinery is activated through a protein interaction cascade. This activates the caspase CED-3, which promotes numerous pro-apoptotic activities including DNA degradation and exposure of the phosphatidylserine "eat me" signal on the cell corpse surface. Specification of the cell death fate involves transcriptional activation of the cell death initiator EGL-1 or the caspase CED-3 by coordinated actions of specific transcription factors in distinct cell types. In the cell corpse clearance stage, recognition of cell corpses by phagocytes triggers several signaling pathways to induce phagocytosis of apoptotic cell corpses. Cell corpse-enclosing phagosomes ultimately fuse with lysosomes for digestion of phagosomal contents. This article summarizes our current knowledge about programmed cell death and clearance of cell corpses in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, No. 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China.
| | - Chonglin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 West Beichen Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China.
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Kaczanowski S. Apoptosis: its origin, history, maintenance and the medical implications for cancer and aging. Phys Biol 2016; 13:031001. [DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/13/3/031001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Gaffney CJ, Shephard F, Chu J, Baillie DL, Rose A, Constantin-Teodosiu D, Greenhaff PL, Szewczyk NJ. Degenerin channel activation causes caspase-mediated protein degradation and mitochondrial dysfunction in adult C. elegans muscle. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2016; 7:181-92. [PMID: 27493871 PMCID: PMC4864282 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Declines in skeletal muscle structure and function are found in various clinical populations, but the intramuscular proteolytic pathways that govern declines in these individuals remain relatively poorly understood. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been developed into a model for identifying and understanding these pathways. Recently, it was reported that UNC-105/degenerin channel activation produced muscle protein degradation via an unknown mechanism. METHODS Generation of transgenic and double mutant C. elegans, RNAi, and drug treatments were utilized to assess molecular events governing protein degradation. Western blots were used to measure protein content. Cationic dyes and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production assays were utilized to measure mitochondrial function. RESULTS unc-105 gain-of-function mutants display aberrant muscle protein degradation and a movement defect; both are reduced in intragenic revertants and in let-2 mutants that gate the hyperactive UNC-105 channel. Degradation is not suppressed by interventions suppressing proteasome-mediated, autophagy-mediated, or calpain-mediated degradation nor by suppressors of degenerin-induced neurodegeneration. Protein degradation, but not the movement defect, is decreased by treatment with caspase inhibitors or RNAi against ced-3 or ced-4. Adult unc-105 muscles display a time-dependent fragmentation of the mitochondrial reticulum that is associated with impaired mitochondrial membrane potential and that correlates with decreased rates of maximal ATP production. Reduced levels of CED-4, which is sufficient to activate CED-3 in vitro, are observed in unc-105 mitochondrial isolations. CONCLUSIONS Constitutive cationic influx into muscle appears to cause caspase degradation of cytosolic proteins as the result of mitochondrial dysfunction, which may be relevant to ageing and sarcopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Gaffney
- MRC/ARUK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Nottingham Nottingham NG7 2UH UK
| | - Freya Shephard
- MRC/ARUK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Nottingham Nottingham NG7 2UH UK
| | - Jeff Chu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Simon Fraser University Burnaby BCV5A 1S6 Canada; Department of Medical Genetics University of British Columbia Vancouver BCV6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - David L Baillie
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Simon Fraser University Burnaby BC V5A 1S6 Canada
| | - Ann Rose
- Department of Medical Genetics University of British Columbia Vancouver BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - Dumitru Constantin-Teodosiu
- MRC/ARUK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Nottingham Nottingham NG7 2UH UK
| | - Paul L Greenhaff
- MRC/ARUK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Nottingham Nottingham NG7 2UH UK
| | - Nathaniel J Szewczyk
- MRC/ARUK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Nottingham Nottingham NG7 2UH UK
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Expanded polyglutamine embedded in the endoplasmic reticulum causes membrane distortion and coincides with Bax insertion. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 474:259-263. [PMID: 27079237 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is important in various cellular functions, such as secretary and membrane protein biosynthesis, lipid synthesis, and calcium storage. ER stress, including membrane distortion, is associated with many diseases such as Huntington's disease. In particular, nuclear envelope distortion is related to neuronal cell death associated with polyglutamine. However, the mechanism by which polyglutamine causes ER membrane distortion remains unclear. We used electron microscopy, fluorescence protease protection assay, and alkaline treatment to analyze the localization of polyglutamine in cells. We characterized polyglutamine embedded in the ER membrane and noted an effect on morphology, including the dilation of ER luminal space and elongation of ER-mitochondria contact sites, in addition to the distortion of the nuclear envelope. The polyglutamine embedded in the ER membrane was observed at the same time as Bax insertion. These results demonstrated that the ER membrane may be a target of polyglutamine, which triggers cell death through Bax.
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Aram L, Braun T, Braverman C, Kaplan Y, Ravid L, Levin-Zaidman S, Arama E. A Krebs Cycle Component Limits Caspase Activation Rate through Mitochondrial Surface Restriction of CRL Activation. Dev Cell 2016; 37:15-33. [PMID: 27052834 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2016.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Revised: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
How cells avoid excessive caspase activity and unwanted cell death during apoptotic caspase-mediated removal of large cellular structures is poorly understood. We investigate caspase-mediated extrusion of spermatid cytoplasmic contents in Drosophila during spermatid individualization. We show that a Krebs cycle component, the ATP-specific form of the succinyl-CoA synthetase β subunit (A-Sβ), binds to and activates the Cullin-3-based ubiquitin ligase (CRL3) complex required for caspase activation in spermatids. In vitro and in vivo evidence suggests that this interaction occurs on the mitochondrial surface, thereby limiting the source of CRL3 complex activation to the vicinity of this organelle and reducing the potential rate of caspase activation by at least 60%. Domain swapping between A-Sβ and the GTP-specific SCSβ (G-Sβ), which functions redundantly in the Krebs cycle, show that the metabolic and structural roles of A-Sβ in spermatids can be uncoupled, highlighting a moonlighting function of this Krebs cycle component in CRL activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lior Aram
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Tslil Braun
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Carmel Braverman
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Yosef Kaplan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Liat Ravid
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | | | - Eli Arama
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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Sakaguchi A, Sato M, Sato K, Gengyo-Ando K, Yorimitsu T, Nakai J, Hara T, Sato K, Sato K. REI-1 Is a Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor Regulating RAB-11 Localization and Function in C. elegans Embryos. Dev Cell 2016; 35:211-21. [PMID: 26506309 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2015.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The small GTPase Rab11 dynamically changes its location to regulate various cellular processes such as endocytic recycling, secretion, and cytokinesis. However, our knowledge of its upstream regulators is still limited. Here, we identify the RAB-11-interacting protein-1 (REI-1) as a unique family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) for RAB-11 in Caenorhabditis elegans. Although REI-1 and its human homolog SH3-binding protein 5 do not contain any known Rab-GEF domains, they exhibited strong GEF activity toward Rab11 in vitro. In C. elegans, REI-1 is expressed in the germline and co-localizes with RAB-11 on the late-Golgi membranes. The loss of REI-1 specifically impaired the targeting of RAB-11 to the late-Golgi compartment and the recycling endosomes in embryos and further reduced the RAB-11 distribution to the cleavage furrow, which resulted in cytokinesis delay. These results suggest that REI-1 is a GEF specifically regulating the RAB-11 localization and functions in early embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisa Sakaguchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Traffic, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8512, Japan
| | - Miyuki Sato
- Laboratory of Molecular Membrane Biology, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8512, Japan
| | - Katsuya Sato
- Laboratory of Molecular Membrane Biology, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8512, Japan
| | - Keiko Gengyo-Ando
- Brain Science Institute, Saitama University, Saitama, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Yorimitsu
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Junichi Nakai
- Brain Science Institute, Saitama University, Saitama, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Taichi Hara
- Laboratory of Molecular Traffic, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8512, Japan
| | - Ken Sato
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Ken Sato
- Laboratory of Molecular Traffic, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8512, Japan.
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Characterization of innate immunity genes in the parasitic nematode Brugia malayi. Symbiosis 2016; 68:145-155. [PMID: 27110057 PMCID: PMC4826884 DOI: 10.1007/s13199-015-0374-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The filarial nematode Brugia malayi is one of the causative agents of lymphatic filariasis, a neglected tropical disease that affects 120 million people worldwide. The limited effectiveness of available anthelmintics and the absence of a vaccine have prompted extensive research on the interaction between Brugia and its obligate bacterial endosymbiont, Wolbachia. Recent studies suggest that Wolbachia is able to manipulate its nematode host immunity but relatively little is known about the immune system of filarial nematodes. Therefore, elucidation of the mechanisms underlying the immune system of B. malayi may be useful for understanding how the symbiotic relationship is maintained and help in the identification of new drug targets. In order to characterize the main genetic pathways involved in B. malayi immunity, we exposed adult female worms to two bacterial lysates (Escherichia coli and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens), dsRNA and dsDNA. We performed transcriptome sequencing of worms exposed to each immune elicitor at two different timepoints. Gene expression analysis of untreated and immune-challenged worms was performed to characterize gene expression patterns associated with each type of immune stimulation. Our results indicate that different immune elicitors produced distinct expression patterns in B. malayi, with changes in the expression of orthologs of well-characterized C. elegans immune pathways such as insulin, TGF-β, and p38 MAPK pathways, as well as C-type lectins and several stress-response genes.
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Wang MX, Itoh M, Li S, Hida Y, Ohta K, Hayakawa M, Nishida E, Ueda M, Islam S, Tana, Nakagawa T. CED-4 is an mRNA-binding protein that delivers ced-3 mRNA to ribosomes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2015; 470:48-53. [PMID: 26740177 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.12.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Cell death abnormal (ced)-3 and ced-4 genes regulate apoptosis to maintain tissue homeostasis in Caenorhabditis elegans. Apoptosome formation and CED-4 translocation drive CED-3 activation. However, the precise role of CED-4 translocation is not yet fully understood. In this study, using a combination of immunoprecipitation and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction methods in cells and a glutathione-S-transferase pull down assay in a cell-free system, we show that CED-4 binds ced-3 mRNA. In the presence of ced-3 mRNA, CED-4 protein is enriched in the microsomal fraction and interacts with ribosomal protein L10a in mammalian cells, increasing the levels of CED-3. These results suggest that CED-4 forms a complex with ced-3 mRNA and delivers it to ribosomes for translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao-Xing Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Masanori Itoh
- Department of Neurobiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Shimo Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Yoko Hida
- Department of Neurobiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Kazunori Ohta
- Department of Neurobiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Miki Hayakawa
- Department of Neurobiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Emika Nishida
- Department of Neurobiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Masashi Ueda
- Department of Neurobiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Saiful Islam
- Department of Neurobiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Tana
- Department of Neurobiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Nakagawa
- Department of Neurobiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan.
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39
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Abstract
Cell death is a common and important feature of animal development, and cell death defects underlie many human disease states. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has proven fertile ground for uncovering molecular and cellular processes controlling programmed cell death. A core pathway consisting of the conserved proteins EGL-1/BH3-only, CED-9/BCL2, CED-4/APAF1, and CED-3/caspase promotes most cell death in the nematode, and a conserved set of proteins ensures the engulfment and degradation of dying cells. Multiple regulatory pathways control cell death onset in C. elegans, and many reveal similarities with tumor formation pathways in mammals, supporting the idea that cell death plays key roles in malignant progression. Nonetheless, a number of observations suggest that our understanding of developmental cell death in C. elegans is incomplete. The interaction between dying and engulfing cells seems to be more complex than originally appreciated, and it appears that key aspects of cell death initiation are not fully understood. It has also become apparent that the conserved apoptotic pathway is dispensable for the demise of the C. elegans linker cell, leading to the discovery of a previously unexplored gene program promoting cell death. Here, we review studies that formed the foundation of cell death research in C. elegans and describe new observations that expand, and in some cases remodel, this edifice. We raise the possibility that, in some cells, more than one death program may be needed to ensure cell death fidelity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shai Shaham
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, USA.
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40
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Hansen JM, Chavez DR, Stanfield GM. COMP-1 promotes competitive advantage of nematode sperm. eLife 2015; 4:e05423. [PMID: 25789512 PMCID: PMC4400581 DOI: 10.7554/elife.05423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Competition among sperm to fertilize oocytes is a ubiquitous feature of sexual reproduction as well as a profoundly important aspect of sexual selection. However, little is known about the cellular mechanisms sperm use to gain competitive advantage or how these mechanisms are regulated genetically. In this study, we utilize a forward genetic screen in Caenorhabditis elegans to identify a gene, comp-1, whose function is specifically required in competitive contexts. We show that comp-1 functions in sperm to modulate their migration through and localization within the reproductive tract, thereby promoting their access to oocytes. Contrary to previously described models, comp-1 mutant sperm show no defects in size or velocity, thereby defining a novel pathway for preferential usage. Our results indicate not only that sperm functional traits can influence the outcome of sperm competition, but also that these traits can be modulated in a context-dependent manner depending on the presence of competing sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jody M Hansen
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States
| | - Daniela R Chavez
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States
| | - Gillian M Stanfield
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States
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41
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Doerflinger M, Glab JA, Puthalakath H. BH3-only proteins: a 20-year stock-take. FEBS J 2015; 282:1006-16. [PMID: 25565426 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Revised: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BH3-only proteins are the sentinels of cellular stress, and their activation commits cells to apoptosis. Since the discovery of the first BH3-only protein BAD almost 20 years ago, at least seven more BH3-only proteins have been identified in mammals. They are regulated by a variety of environmental stimuli or by developmental cues, and play a crucial role in cellular homeostasis. Some are considered to be tumor suppressors, and also play a significant role in other pathologies. Their non-apoptotic functions are controversial, but there is broad consensus emerging regarding their role in apoptosis, which may help in designing better therapeutic agents for treating a variety of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Doerflinger
- Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
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42
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43
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LIN-3/EGF promotes the programmed cell death of specific cells in Caenorhabditis elegans by transcriptional activation of the pro-apoptotic gene egl-1. PLoS Genet 2014; 10:e1004513. [PMID: 25144461 PMCID: PMC4140636 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed cell death (PCD) is the physiological death of a cell mediated by an intracellular suicide program. Although key components of the PCD execution pathway have been identified, how PCD is regulated during development is poorly understood. Here, we report that the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like ligand LIN-3 acts as an extrinsic signal to promote the death of specific cells in Caenorhabditis elegans. The loss of LIN-3 or its receptor, LET-23, reduced the death of these cells, while excess LIN-3 or LET-23 signaling resulted in an increase in cell deaths. Our molecular and genetic data support the model that the LIN-3 signal is transduced through LET-23 to activate the LET-60/RAS-MPK-1/ERK MAPK pathway and the downstream ETS domain-containing transcription factor LIN-1. LIN-1 binds to, and activates transcription of, the key pro-apoptotic gene egl-1, which leads to the death of specific cells. Our results provide the first evidence that EGF induces PCD at the whole organism level and reveal the molecular basis for the death-promoting function of LIN-3/EGF. In addition, the level of LIN-3/EGF signaling is important for the precise fine-tuning of the life-versus-death fate. Our data and the previous cell culture studies that say EGF triggers apoptosis in some cell lines suggest that the EGF-mediated modulation of PCD is likely conserved in C. elegans and humans. Programmed cell death (PCD) is an evolutionarily conserved cellular process that is important for metazoan development and homeostasis. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) promotes cell proliferation, differentiation and survival during animal development. Surprisingly, we found that the EGF-like ligand LIN-3 also promotes the death of specific cells in Caenorhabditis elegans. We found that the LIN-3/EGF signal can be secreted from a cell to facilitate the demise of cells at a distance by activating the transcription of the PCD-promoting gene egl-1 in the doomed cells through the transcription factor LIN-1. LIN-1 binds to the egl-1 promoter in vitro and is positively regulated by the LIN-3/EGF, LET-23/EGF receptor, and the downstream MAPK signaling pathway. To our knowledge, LIN-3/EGF is the first extrinsic signal that has been shown to regulate the intrinsic PCD machinery during C. elegans development. In addition, the transcription factor LIN-31, which binds to LIN-1 and acts downstream of LIN-3/EGF, LET-23/EGF receptor, and the MAPK signaling pathway during vulval development, is dispensable for PCD. Thus, LIN-3/EGF promotes cell proliferation, differentiation, and PCD through common downstream signaling molecules but acts via distinct sets of transcription factors for different target gene expression.
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44
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Dispersed crude oil amplifies germ cell apoptosis in Caenorhabditis elegans, followed a CEP-1-dependent pathway. Arch Toxicol 2014; 88:543-51. [PMID: 24496467 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-014-1198-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is among the most severe environmental disasters in US history. The extent of crude oil released and the subsequent dispersant used for cleanup was unprecedented. The dispersed crude oil represents a unique form of environmental contaminant that warrants investigations of its environmental and human health impacts. Lines of evidence have demonstrated that dispersed oil affects reproduction in various organisms, in a more potent manner than oil- and dispersant-only exposures. However, the action mechanism of dispersed oil remains largely unknown. In this study, we utilized the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to investigate impacts of dispersed oil exposure on sex cell apoptosis and related gene expressions. Worms were exposed to different diluted levels of crude oil-dispersant (oil-dis) mixtures (20:1, v/v; at 500×, 2,000×, and 5,000× dilutions). The dispersed crude oil significantly increases the number of apoptotic germ cells in treated worms when compared with control at all exposure levels (p < 0.05). Genes involved in the apoptosis pathway were dysregulated, which include ced-13, ced-3, ced-4, ced-9, cep-1, dpl-1, efl-1, efl-2, egl-1, egl-38, lin-35, pax-2, and sir-2.1. Many aberrant expressed genes encoding for core components in apoptosis machinery (cep-1/p53, ced-13/BH3, ced-9/Bcl-2, ced-4/Apaf-1, and ced-3/caspase) displayed consistent expression patterns across all exposure levels. Significantly ced-3/caspase was upregulated at all dispersed oil-treated groups, consistent with the observed apoptosis phenotype. Given cep-1/p53 was activated at all dispersed oil treatments and the germ cell apoptosis was suppressed in the CEP-1 loss of function mutant, the increased apoptosis is likely CEP-1 dependent. In addition, the anti-apoptotic ced-9/Bcl-2 was activated in response to the increase in cell death. This study provides a mechanism understanding of dispersed crude oil-induced reproductive toxicity.
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45
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Chai J, Shi Y. Apoptosome and inflammasome: conserved machineries for caspase activation. Natl Sci Rev 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwt025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Apoptosome and inflammasome are multimeric protein complexes that mediate the activation of specific caspases at the onset of apoptosis and inflammation. The central component of apoptosome or inflammasome is a tripartite scaffold protein, exemplified by Apaf-1 and NLRC4, which contains an amino-terminal homotypic interaction motif, a central nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain and a carboxyl-terminal ligand-sensing domain. In the absence of death cue or an inflammatory signal, Apaf-1 or NLRC4 exists in an auto-inhibited, monomeric state, which is stabilized by adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Binding to an apoptosis- or inflammation-inducing ligand, together with replacement of ADP by adenosine triphosphate (ATP), results in the formation of a multimeric apoptosome or inflammasome. The assembled apoptosome and inflammasome serve as dedicated machineries to facilitate the activation of specific caspases. In this review, we describe the structure and functional mechanisms of mammalian inflammasome and apoptosomes from three representative organisms. Emphasis is placed on the molecular mechanism of caspase activation and the shared features of apoptosomes and inflammasomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jijie Chai
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yigong Shi
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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46
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Polyglutamine expansion disturbs the endoplasmic reticulum formation, leading to caspase-7 activation through Bax. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 443:1232-8. [PMID: 24388981 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.12.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a pivotal role in cellular functions such as the ER stress response. However, the effect of the ER membrane on caspase activation remains unclear. This study reveals that polyglutamine oligomers augmented at ER induce insertion of Bax into the ER membrane, thereby activating caspase-7. In line with the role of ER in cell death induced by polyglutamine expansion, the ER membrane was found to be disrupted and dilated in the brain of a murine model of Huntington's disease. We can conclude that polyglutamine expansion may drive caspase-7 activation by disrupting the ER membrane.
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47
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Huang W, Jiang T, Choi W, Qi S, Pang Y, Hu Q, Xu Y, Gong X, Jeffrey PD, Wang J, Shi Y. Mechanistic insights into CED-4-mediated activation of CED-3. Genes Dev 2013; 27:2039-48. [PMID: 24065769 PMCID: PMC3792479 DOI: 10.1101/gad.224428.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Programmed cell death in C. elegans requires caspase CED-3 activation. The CED-4 apoptosome facilitates CED-3 activation, yet how CED-4 recognizes CED-3 is unknown. Huang et al. now show that CED-3 directly binds CED-4 and plays a pivotal role in forming an active CED-4–CED-3 holoenzyme. Structural and biochemical analyses suggest a model whereby two CED-3 molecules are forced into the CED-4 apoptosome, which then undergoes dimerization and autocatalytic maturation. This work provides a major revision of the prevailing model for initiator caspase activation. Programmed cell death in Caenorhabditis elegans requires activation of the caspase CED-3, which strictly depends on CED-4. CED-4 forms an octameric apoptosome, which binds the CED-3 zymogen and facilitates its autocatalytic maturation. Despite recent advances, major questions remain unanswered. Importantly, how CED-4 recognizes CED-3 and how such binding facilitates CED-3 activation remain completely unknown. Here we demonstrate that the L2′ loop of CED-3 directly binds CED-4 and plays a major role in the formation of an active CED-4–CED-3 holoenzyme. The crystal structure of the CED-4 apoptosome bound to the L2′ loop fragment of CED-3, determined at 3.2 Å resolution, reveals specific interactions between a stretch of five hydrophobic amino acids from CED-3 and a shallow surface pocket within the hutch of the funnel-shaped CED-4 apoptosome. Structure-guided biochemical analysis confirms the functional importance of the observed CED-4–CED-3 interface. Structural analysis together with published evidence strongly suggest a working model in which two molecules of CED-3 zymogen, through specific recognition, are forced into the hutch of the CED-4 apoptosome, consequently undergoing dimerization and autocatalytic maturation. The mechanism of CED-3 activation represents a major revision of the prevailing model for initiator caspase activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijiao Huang
- Ministry of Education Protein Science Laboratory, Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences
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48
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Silva N, Adamo A, Santonicola P, Martinez-Perez E, La Volpe A. Pro-crossover factors regulate damage-dependent apoptosis in the Caenorhabditis elegans germ line. Cell Death Differ 2013; 20:1209-18. [PMID: 23832114 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2013.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Revised: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
During meiosis, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are physiologically induced to start the recombination process and promote the formation of interhomologue crossovers (COs), which are required to ensure faithful chromosome segregation into the gametes. The timely repair of DSBs is an essential part of the meiotic programme, as accumulation of unprocessed DSBs during the pachytene stage of meiotic prophase triggers a DNA damage checkpoint response that induces apoptosis of damaged cells. We show that CO-promoting factors MSH-4, MSH-5, and ZHP-3, but not COSA-1, are required for the apoptotic response of the meiotic DNA damage checkpoint. Lack of MSH-4 or MSH-5 suppresses the apoptotic response observed in some DNA repair-defective mutants such as fcd-2 and brc-1 (orthologues of FANCD2 and BRCA1), irrespectively of the amount of DSBs present in pachytene nuclei. Although ionizing radiation fails to induce apoptosis in msh-4/5-mutant backgrounds, it induces transcriptional activation of the apoptosis-activator egl-1, which is controlled by the Caenorhabditis elegans p53 orthologue CEP-1. This finding suggests that MSH-4/5 involvement in the apoptotic response occurs downstream or independently of damage sensing and checkpoint activation. This study establishes a role for pro-CO factors MSH-4/5 and ZHP-3 in the execution of apoptosis at late meiotic prophase following the accumulation of exogenous or endogenous DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Silva
- CNR, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, Adriano Buzzati-Traverso, Via Pietro Castellino 111, Napels 80131, Italy
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49
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Rothballer A, Kutay U. The diverse functional LINCs of the nuclear envelope to the cytoskeleton and chromatin. Chromosoma 2013; 122:415-29. [PMID: 23736899 PMCID: PMC3777164 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-013-0417-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Revised: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear envelope (NE) is connected to the different types of cytoskeletal elements by linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complexes. LINC complexes exist from yeast to humans, and have preserved their general architecture throughout evolution. They are composed of SUN and KASH domain proteins of the inner and the outer nuclear membrane, respectively. These SUN–KASH bridges are used for the transmission of forces across the NE and support diverse biological processes. Here, we review the function of SUN and KASH domain proteins in various unicellular and multicellular species. Specifically, we discuss their influence on nuclear morphology and cytoskeletal organization. Further, emphasis is given on the role of LINC complexes in nuclear anchorage and migration as well as in genome organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rothballer
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Schafmattstrasse 18, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Kutay
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Schafmattstrasse 18, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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50
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Lant B, Derry WB. Methods for detection and analysis of apoptosis signaling in the C. elegans germline. Methods 2013; 61:174-82. [PMID: 23643851 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2013.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2012] [Revised: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This review assesses current and emerging methods for the detection, and analysis of apoptosis in the Caenorhabditis elegans germline. The nematode worm C. elegans is highly tractable to genetic manipulation, making it an excellent model for elucidating mechanisms of apoptosis signaling in a multicellular setting. Here we profile the most efficacious fluorescent tools to visualize and quantify germline apoptosis. We focus specifically on the application of fluorescent markers to screen by RNAi for genes and pathways that regulate germline apoptosis under normal conditions or in response to genotoxic stress. We also present the limitations of these methods, and suggest complimentary techniques in order that researchers new to the field can comprehensively assess apoptosis phenotypes in the C. elegans germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Lant
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 1X8
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