1
|
De Geyter I, Kowalewski MP, Tavares Pereira M. Applying a novel kinomics approach to study decidualization and the effects of antigestagens using a canine model†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:583-598. [PMID: 38079525 PMCID: PMC10941090 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad170] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Maternal decidual cells are crucial for the maintenance of canine pregnancy as they are the only cells expressing the nuclear progesterone (P4) receptor (PGR) in the placenta. Interfering with P4/PGR signaling adversely affects decidual cells and terminates pregnancy. Although immortalized dog uterine stromal (DUS) cells can be decidualized in vitro using cAMP, the involvement of cAMP-dependent kinases in canine decidualization had not been investigated. Therefore, the present project investigated changes in the kinome of DUS cells following in vitro decidualization, using the serine/threonine kinase (STK) PamChip assay (PamGene). Decidualization led to a predicted activation of 85 STKs in DUS cells, including protein kinase (PK) A, PKC, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and other mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (CAMKs), and Akt1/2. In addition, blocking PGR with type 2 antigestagens (aglepristone or mifepristone) decreased the activity of virtually all kinases modulated by decidualization. The underlying transcriptional effects were inferred from comparison with available transcriptomic data on antigestagen-mediated effects in DUS cells. In targeted studies, interfering with PKA or MAPK kinase (MEK)1/2 resulted in downregulation of important decidualization markers (e.g., insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), prostaglandin E2 synthase (PTGES), prolactin receptor (PRLR), PGR, and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2/COX2)). Conversely, blocking of PKC decreased the mRNA availability of IGF1, PGR, and PTGS2, but not of PTGES and PRLR. Moreover, suppressing PKA decreased the phosphorylation of the transcription factors cJUN and CREB, whereas blocking of PKC affected only cJUN. This first kinomics analysis to target decidualization showed an increased activity of a wide range of STKs, which could be hindered by disrupting P4/PGR signaling. Decidualization appears to be regulated in a kinase-dependent manner, with PKA and PKC evoking different effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle De Geyter
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mariusz P Kowalewski
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Miguel Tavares Pereira
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhuang L, Gao W, Chen Y, Fang W, Lo H, Dai X, Zhang J, Chen W, Ye Q, Chen X, Zhang J. LHPP in Glutamatergic Neurons of the Ventral Hippocampus Mediates Depression-like Behavior by Dephosphorylating CaMKIIα and ERK. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:389-402. [PMID: 37678540 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND LHPP was recently shown to be a risk gene for major depressive disorder. LHPP has been proven to dephosphorylate the residues of histidine, serine, threonine, and tyrosine. However, much remains unknown about how LHPP contributes to depression. METHODS In the current study, we addressed this issue by integrating approaches of genetics, molecular biology, behavioral testing, and electrophysiology. RESULTS We found that levels of LHPP were upregulated in glutamatergic neurons of the ventral hippocampus in mice that displayed stress-induced depression-like behaviors. Knockout of LHPP in glutamatergic neurons of the brain improved the spontaneous activity of LHPPflox/flox·CaMKIIαCre+ (conditional knockout) mice. Adeno-associated virus-mediated LHPP knockdown in the ventral hippocampus enhanced resistance against chronic social defeat stress in mice. Manipulations of LHPP levels impacted the density of dendritic spines and excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons by mediating the expressions of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and PSD95 via the modulation of the dephosphorylation of CaMKIIα and ERK. Notably, compared with wild-type LHPP, human mutant LHPP (E56K, S57L) significantly increased the activity of the CaMKIIα/ERK-BDNF/PSD95 signaling pathway. Finally, esketamine, not fluoxetine, markedly alleviated the LHPP upregulation-induced depression-like behaviors. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide evidence that LHPP contributes to the pathogenesis of depression via threonine and serine hydrolases, thereby identifying LHPP as a potential therapeutic target in treating patients with major depressive disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lvping Zhuang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Weijie Gao
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yanbing Chen
- Institute of Neurosciences, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Wenting Fang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hsuan Lo
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaoman Dai
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Institute of Neurosciences, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Wanjing Chen
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qinyong Ye
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaochun Chen
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhuang LP, Gao WJ, Fang LL, Zeng GR, Ye QY, Dai XM, Zhang J, Chen XC. HnRNPK is involved in stress-induced depression-like behavior via ERK-BDNF pathway in mice. Neurochem Int 2023; 169:105589. [PMID: 37543308 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105589] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
As a ubiquitous RNA-binding protein, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNPK) interacts with numerous nucleic acids and proteins and is involved in various cellular functions. Available literature indicates that it can regulate dendritic spine density through the extracellular signal-regulating kinase (ERK) - brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway, which is crucial to retain the synaptic plasticity in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and mouse depression models. However, ERK upstream regulatory kinase has not been fully elucidated. Furthermore, it remains unexplored whether hnRNPK may impact the depressive condition via the ERK pathway. The present study addressed this issue by integrating approaches of genetics, molecular biology, behavioral testing. We found that hnRNPK in the brain was mainly distributed in the hippocampal neurons; that it was significantly downregulated in mice that displayed stress-induced depression-like behaviors; and that the level of hnRNPK markedly decreased in MDD patients from the GEO database. Further in vivo and in vitro analyses revealed that the changes in the expressions of BDNF and PSD95 and in the phosphorylation of ERK (Thr202/Tyr204) paralleled the variation of hnRNPK levels in the ventral hippocampal neurons in mice with depression-like behaviors. Finally, esketamine treatment significantly increased the level of hnRNPK in mice. These findings evidence that hnRNPK involved in the pathogenesis of depression via the ERK-BDNF pathway, pinpointing hnRNPK as a potential therapeutic target in treating MDD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lv-Ping Zhuang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University; Fuzhou, China
| | - Wei-Jie Gao
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University; Fuzhou, China
| | - Liu-Lv Fang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University; Fuzhou, China
| | - Gui-Rong Zeng
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University; Fuzhou, China
| | - Qin-Yong Ye
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University; Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Man Dai
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University; Fuzhou, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University; Fuzhou, China.
| | - Xiao-Chun Chen
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University; Fuzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Malale K, Fu J, Qiu L, Zhan K, Gan X, Mei Z. Hypoxia-Induced Aquaporin-3 Changes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Sensitivity to Sorafenib by Activating the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:4321-4333. [PMID: 32606928 PMCID: PMC7294049 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s243918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Hypoxia-induced changes are primarily activated in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and long-term sorafenib exposure, thereby reducing the sensitivity to the drug. Aquaporin-3 (AQP3), a member of the aquaporin family, is a hypoxia-induced substance that affects the chemosensitivity of non-hepatocellular tumors. However, its expression and role in the sensitivity of hypoxic HCC cells to sorafenib-induced apoptosis remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to detect changes in AQP3 expression in hypoxic HCC cells and to determine whether these changes alter the sensitivity of these cells to sorafenib. Materials and Methods Huh7 and HepG2 hypoxic cell models were established and AQP3 expression was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blotting. Furthermore, the role of AQP3 in cell sensitivity to sorafenib was evaluated via flow cytometry, Western blotting, and a CCK-8 assay. Results The results of qPCR and Western blotting showed that AQP3 was overexpressed in the Huh7 and HepG2 hypoxic cell models. Furthermore, AQP3 protein levels were positively correlated with hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) levels. Compared with cells transfected with lentivirus-GFP (Lv-GFP), hypoxic cells transfected with lentivirus-AQP3 (Lv-AQP3) were less sensitive to sorafenib-induced apoptosis. However, the sensitivity to the drug increased in cells transfected with lentivirus-AQP3RNAi (Lv-AQP3RNAi). Akt and Erk phosphorylation was enhanced in Lv-AQP3-transfected cells. Compared with UO126 (a Mek1/2 inhibitor), LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor) attenuated the AQP3-induced insensitivity to sorafenib observed in hypoxic cells transfected with Lv-AQP3. Combined with LY294002-treated cells, hypoxic cells transfected with Lv-AQP3RNAi were more sensitive to sorafenib. Conclusion The study results show that AQP3 is a potential therapeutic target for improving the sensitivity of hypoxic HCC cells to sorafenib.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kija Malale
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jili Fu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Liewang Qiu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke Zhan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuni Gan
- Department of Nursing, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhechuan Mei
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Stepanenko AA, Dmitrenko VV. Pitfalls of the MTT assay: Direct and off-target effects of inhibitors can result in over/underestimation of cell viability. Gene 2015; 574:193-203. [PMID: 26260013 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Revised: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The MTT assay (to a less degree MTS, XTT or WST) is a widely exploited approach for measuring cell viability/drug cytotoxicity. MTT reduction occurs throughout a cell and can be significantly affected by a number of factors, including metabolic and energy perturbations, changes in the activity of oxidoreductases, endo-/exocytosis and intracellular trafficking. Over/underestimation of cell viability by the MTT assay may be due to both adaptive metabolic and mitochondrial reprogramming of cells subjected to drug treatment-mediated stress and inhibitor off-target effects. Previously, imatinib, rottlerin, ursolic acid, verapamil, resveratrol, genistein nanoparticles and some polypeptides were shown to interfere with MTT reduction rate resulting in inconsistent results between the MTT assay and alternative assays. Here, to test the under/overestimation of viability by the MTT assay, we compared results derived from the MTT assay with the trypan blue exclusion assay after treatment of glioblastoma U251, T98G and C6 cells with three widely used inhibitors with the known direct and side effects on energy and metabolic homeostasis - temozolomide (TMZ), a DNA-methylating agent, temsirolimus (TEM), an inhibitor of mTOR kinase, and U0126, an inhibitor of MEK1/2 kinases. Inhibitors were applied shortly as in IC50 evaluating studies or long as in studies focusing on drug resistance acquisition. We showed that over/underestimation of cell viability by the MTT assay and its significance depends on a cell line, a time point of viability measurement and other experimental parameters. Furthermore, we provided a comprehensive survey of factors that should be accounted in the MTT assay. To avoid result misinterpretation, supplementation of the tetrazolium salt-based assays with other non-metabolic assays is recommended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A A Stepanenko
- Department of Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Zabolotnogo str. 150, Kyiv 03680, Ukraine.
| | - V V Dmitrenko
- Department of Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Zabolotnogo str. 150, Kyiv 03680, Ukraine
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ströbele S, Schneider M, Schneele L, Siegelin MD, Nonnenmacher L, Zhou S, Karpel-Massle G, Westhoff MA, Halatsch ME, Debatin KM. A Potential Role for the Inhibition of PI3K Signaling in Glioblastoma Therapy. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131670. [PMID: 26121251 PMCID: PMC4488267 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor and among the most difficult to treat malignancies per se. In almost 90% of all GBM alterations in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR have been found, making this survival cascade a promising therapeutic target, particular for combination therapy that combines an apoptosis sensitizer, such as a pharmacological inhibitor of PI3K, with an apoptosis inducer, such as radio- or chemotherapy. However, while in vitro data focusing mainly on established cell lines has appeared rather promising, this has not translated well to a clinical setting. In this study, we analyze the effects of the dual kinase inhibitor PI-103, which blocks PI3K and mTOR activity, on three matched pairs of GBM stem cells/differentiated cells. While blocking PI3K-mediated signaling has a profound effect on cellular proliferation, in contrast to data presented on two GBM cell lines (A172 and U87) PI-103 actually counteracts the effect of chemotherapy. While we found no indications for a potential role of the PI3K signaling cascade in differentiation, we saw a clear and strong contribution to cellular motility and, by extension, invasion. While blocking PI3K-mediated signaling concurrently with application of chemotherapy does not appear to be a valid treatment option, pharmacological inhibitors, such as PI-103, nevertheless have an important place in future therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Ströbele
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Matthias Schneider
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Lukas Schneele
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Markus D. Siegelin
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Lisa Nonnenmacher
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Shaoxia Zhou
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Georg Karpel-Massle
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Mike-Andrew Westhoff
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Klaus-Michael Debatin
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ong Q, Guo S, Zhang K, Cui B. U0126 protects cells against oxidative stress independent of its function as a MEK inhibitor. ACS Chem Neurosci 2015; 6:130-7. [PMID: 25544156 PMCID: PMC4304487 DOI: 10.1021/cn500288n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
U0126 is a potent
and selective inhibitor of MEK1 and MEK2 kinases.
It has been widely used as an inhibitor for the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling
pathway with over 5000 references on the NCBI PubMed database. In
particular, U0126 has been used in a number of studies to show that
inhibition of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway protects neuronal cells against
oxidative stress. Here, we report that U0126 can function as an antioxidant
that protects PC12 cells against a number of different oxidative-stress
inducers. This protective effect of U0126 is independent of its function
as a MEK inhibitor, as several other MEK inhibitors failed to show
similar protective effects. U0126 reduces reactive oxygen species
(ROS) in cells. We further demonstrate that U0126 is a direct ROS
scavenger in vitro, and the oxidation products of U0126 exhibit fluorescence.
Our finding that U0126 is a strong antioxidant signals caution for
its future usage as a MEK inhibitor and for interpreting some previous
results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qunxiang Ong
- Department
of Chemistry, Stanford University, 380 Roth Way, Palo Alto, California 94305, United States
| | - Shunling Guo
- Department
of Chemistry, Stanford University, 380 Roth Way, Palo Alto, California 94305, United States
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department
of Chemistry, Stanford University, 380 Roth Way, Palo Alto, California 94305, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, 600 South Mathews, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Bianxiao Cui
- Department
of Chemistry, Stanford University, 380 Roth Way, Palo Alto, California 94305, United States
| |
Collapse
|