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Tan RL, Sciandra F, Hübner W, Bozzi M, Reimann J, Schoch S, Brancaccio A, Blaess S. Missense mutation (C667F) in murine β-dystroglycan causes embryonic lethality, myopathy and blood-brain barrier destabilization. Dis Model Mech 2024:dmm.050594. [PMID: 38616731 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Dystroglycan (DG) is an extracellular matrix receptor consisting of an α- and a β-DG subunit encoded by the DAG1 gene. The homozygous mutation (c.2006G>T, p.Cys669Phe) in β-DG causes Muscle-Eye-Brain disease with multicystic leukodystrophy in humans. In a mouse model of this primary dystroglycanopathy, approximately two-thirds of homozygous embryos fail to develop to term. Mutant mice that are born undergo a normal postnatal development but show a late-onset myopathy with partially penetrant histopathological changes and an impaired performance on an activity wheel. Their brains and eyes are structurally normal, but the localization of mutant β-DG is altered in the glial perivascular endfeet resulting in a perturbed protein composition of the blood-brain and blood-retina barrier. In addition, α- and β-DG protein levels are significantly reduced in muscle and brain of mutant mice. Due to the partially penetrant developmental phenotype of the C669F-β-DG mice, they represent a novel and highly valuable mouse model to study the molecular effects of β-DG functional alterations both during embryogenesis and in mature muscle, brain and eye, and to gain insight into the pathogenesis of primary dystroglycanopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Lois Tan
- Neurodevelopmental Genetics, Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Francesca Sciandra
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC)-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Wolfgang Hübner
- Biomolecular Photonics, Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Manuela Bozzi
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC)-CNR, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie. Sezione di Biochimica. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Roma, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Jens Reimann
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Diseases Section, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Susanne Schoch
- Synaptic Neuroscience Team, Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC)-CNR, Rome, Italy
- School of Biochemistry, University Walk, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Sandra Blaess
- Neurodevelopmental Genetics, Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Sciandra F, Desiderio C, Vincenzoni F, Viscuso S, Bozzi M, Hübner W, Jimenez-Gutierrez GE, Cisneros B, Brancaccio A. Analysis of the GFP-labelled β-dystroglycan interactome in HEK-293 transfected cells reveals novel intracellular networks. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 703:149656. [PMID: 38364681 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Dystroglycan (DG) is a cell adhesion complex that is widely expressed in tissues. It is composed by two subunits, α-DG, a highly glycosylated protein that interacts with several extracellular matrix proteins, and transmembrane β-DG whose, cytodomain binds to the actin cytoskeleton. Glycosylation of α-DG is crucial for functioning as a receptor for its multiple extracellular binding partners. Perturbation of α-DG glycosylation is the central event in the pathogenesis of severe pathologies such as muscular dystrophy and cancer. β-DG acts as a scaffold for several cytoskeletal and nuclear proteins and very little is known about the fine regulation of some of these intracellular interactions and how they are perturbed in diseases. To start filling this gap by identifying uncharacterized intracellular networks preferentially associated with β-DG, HEK-293 cells were transiently transfected with a plasmid carrying the β-DG subunit with GFP fused at its C-terminus. With this strategy, we aimed at forcing β-DG to occupy multiple intracellular locations instead of sitting tightly at its canonical plasma membrane milieu, where it is commonly found in association with α-DG. Immunoprecipitation by anti-GFP antibodies followed by shotgun proteomic analysis led to the identification of an interactome formed by 313 exclusive protein matches for β-DG binding. A series of already known β-DG interactors have been found, including ezrin and emerin, whilst significant new matches, which include potential novel β-DG interactors and their related networks, were identified in diverse subcellular compartments, such as cytoskeleton, endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi, mitochondria, nuclear membrane and the nucleus itself. Of particular interest amongst the novel identified matches, Lamina-Associated Polypeptide-1B (LAP1B), an inner nuclear membrane protein, whose mutations are known to cause nuclear envelopathies characterized by muscular dystrophy, was found to interact with β-DG in HEK-293 cells. This evidence was confirmed by immunoprecipitation, Western blotting and immunofluorescence experiments. We also found by immunofluorescence experiments that LAP1B looses its nuclear envelope localization in C2C12 DG-knock-out cells, suggesting that LAP1B requires β-DG for a proper nuclear localization. These results expand the role of β-DG as a nuclear scaffolding protein and provide novel evidence of a possible link between dystroglycanopathies and nuclear envelopathies displaying with muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Sciandra
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta"- SCITEC (CNR), Largo F. Vito, 00168, Roma, Italy
| | - Claudia Desiderio
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta"- SCITEC (CNR), Largo F. Vito, 00168, Roma, Italy
| | - Federica Vincenzoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze biotecnologiche di base, cliniche intensivologiche e perioperatorie, Sezione di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Simona Viscuso
- Dipartimento di Scienze biotecnologiche di base, cliniche intensivologiche e perioperatorie, Sezione di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Roma, Italy
| | - Manuela Bozzi
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta"- SCITEC (CNR), Largo F. Vito, 00168, Roma, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze biotecnologiche di base, cliniche intensivologiche e perioperatorie, Sezione di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Roma, Italy
| | - Wolfgang Hübner
- Biomolecular Photonics, University of Bielefeld, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Bulmaro Cisneros
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, CINVESTAV Zacatenco IPN, Ciudad de México, 07360, Mexico
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta"- SCITEC (CNR), Largo F. Vito, 00168, Roma, Italy; School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
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3
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Bigotti MG, Klein K, Gan ES, Anastasina M, Andersson S, Vapalahti O, Katajisto P, Erdmann M, Davidson AD, Butcher SJ, Collinson I, Ooi EE, Balistreri G, Brancaccio A, Yamauchi Y. The α-dystroglycan N-terminus is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 and enveloped viruses. Antiviral Res 2024; 224:105837. [PMID: 38387750 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the need to develop effective therapeutics in preparedness for further epidemics of virus infections that pose a significant threat to human health. As a natural compound antiviral candidate, we focused on α-dystroglycan, a highly glycosylated basement membrane protein that links the extracellular matrix to the intracellular cytoskeleton. Here we show that the N-terminal fragment of α-dystroglycan (α-DGN), as produced in E. coli in the absence of post-translational modifications, blocks infection of SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture, human primary gut organoids and the lungs of transgenic mice expressing the human receptor angiotensin I-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2). Prophylactic and therapeutic administration of α-DGN reduced SARS-CoV-2 lung titres and protected the mice from respiratory symptoms and death. Recombinant α-DGN also blocked infection of a wide range of enveloped viruses including the four Dengue virus serotypes, influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, but not human adenovirus, a non-enveloped virus in vitro. This study establishes soluble recombinant α-DGN as a broad-band, natural compound candidate therapeutic against enveloped viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giulia Bigotti
- Bristol Heart Institute, Research Floor Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol BS2 8HW, UK; School of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.
| | - Katja Klein
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.
| | - Esther S Gan
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Maria Anastasina
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences-Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Simon Andersson
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Virology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pekka Katajisto
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences-Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Solna, Sweden
| | - Maximilian Erdmann
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Andrew D Davidson
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Sarah J Butcher
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences-Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ian Collinson
- School of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Eng Eong Ooi
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore; Viral Research and Experimental Medicine Centre, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, 20 College Road, Singapore, 169856, Singapore; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Singapore
| | - Giuseppe Balistreri
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences-Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- School of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK; Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC)-CNR, Rome, Italy.
| | - Yohei Yamauchi
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences (D-CHAB), ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland; Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan.
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de Chiusole D, Spinoso M, Anselmi P, Bacherini A, Balboni G, Mazzoni N, Brancaccio A, Epifania OM, Orsoni M, Giovagnoli S, Garofalo S, Benassi M, Robusto E, Stefanutti L, Pierluigi I. PsycAssist: A Web-Based Artificial Intelligence System Designed for Adaptive Neuropsychological Assessment and Training. Brain Sci 2024; 14:122. [PMID: 38391697 PMCID: PMC10886469 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14020122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Assessing executive functions in individuals with disorders or clinical conditions can be challenging, as they may lack the abilities needed for conventional test formats. The use of more personalized test versions, such as adaptive assessments, might be helpful in evaluating individuals with specific needs. This paper introduces PsycAssist, a web-based artificial intelligence system designed for neuropsychological adaptive assessment and training. PsycAssist is a highly flexible and scalable system based on procedural knowledge space theory and may be used potentially with many types of tests. We present the architecture and adaptive assessment engine of PsycAssist and the two currently available tests: Adap-ToL, an adaptive version of the Tower of London-like test to assess planning skills, and MatriKS, a Raven-like test to evaluate fluid intelligence. Finally, we describe the results of an investigation of the usability of Adap-ToL and MatriKS: the evaluators perceived these tools as appropriate and well-suited for their intended purposes, and the test-takers perceived the assessment as a positive experience. To sum up, PsycAssist represents an innovative and promising tool to tailor evaluation and training to the specific characteristics of the individual, useful for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora de Chiusole
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Matilde Spinoso
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Pasquale Anselmi
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Alice Bacherini
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Piazza G. Ermini 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giulia Balboni
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Piazza G. Ermini 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Noemi Mazzoni
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Ottavia M Epifania
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Matteo Orsoni
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Sara Garofalo
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Benassi
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Egidio Robusto
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Luca Stefanutti
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Irene Pierluigi
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Piazza G. Ermini 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
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Buzzard E, McLaren M, Bragoszewski P, Brancaccio A, Ford H, Daum B, Kuwabara P, Collinson I, Gold V. The consequence of ATP synthase dimer angle on mitochondrial morphology studied by cryo-electron tomography. Biochem J 2024; 481:BCJ20230450. [PMID: 38164968 PMCID: PMC10903453 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondrial ATP synthases form rows of dimers, which induce membrane curvature to give cristae their characteristic lamellar or tubular morphology. The angle formed between the central stalks of ATP synthase dimers varies between species. Using cryo-electron tomography and sub-tomogram averaging, we determined the structure of the ATP synthase dimer from the nematode worm C. elegans and show that the dimer angle differs from previously determined structures. The consequences of this species-specific difference at the dimer interface were investigated by comparing C. elegans and S. cerevisiae mitochondrial morphology. We reveal that C. elegans has a larger ATP synthase dimer angle with more lamellar (flatter) cristae when compared to yeast. The underlying cause of this difference was investigated by generating an atomic model of the C. elegans ATP synthase dimer by homology modelling. A comparison of our C. elegans model to an existing S. cerevisiae structure reveals the presence of extensions and rearrangements in C. elegans subunits associated with maintaining the dimer interface. We speculate that increasing dimer angles could provide an advantage for species that inhabit variable-oxygen environments by forming flatter more energetically efficient cristae.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Piotr Bragoszewski
- Instytut Biologii Doswiadczalnej im Marcelego Nenckiego Polskiej Akademii Nauk, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Holly Ford
- University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Vicki Gold
- University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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Sciandra F, Bottoni P, De Leo M, Braca A, Brancaccio A, Bozzi M. Verbascoside Elicits Its Beneficial Effects by Enhancing Mitochondrial Spare Respiratory Capacity and the Nrf2/HO-1 Mediated Antioxidant System in a Murine Skeletal Muscle Cell Line. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15276. [PMID: 37894956 PMCID: PMC10607197 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscle weakness and muscle loss characterize many physio-pathological conditions, including sarcopenia and many forms of muscular dystrophy, which are often also associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Verbascoside, a phenylethanoid glycoside of plant origin, also named acteoside, has shown strong antioxidant and anti-fatigue activity in different animal models, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are not completely understood. This study aimed to investigate the influence of verbascoside on mitochondrial function and its protective role against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in murine C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes pre-treated with verbascoside for 24 h and exposed to H2O2. We examined the effects of verbascoside on cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial function through high-resolution respirometry. Moreover, we verified whether verbascoside was able to stimulate nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) activity through Western blotting and confocal fluorescence microscopy, and to modulate the transcription of its target genes, such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), by Real Time PCR. We found that verbascoside (1) improved mitochondrial function by increasing mitochondrial spare respiratory capacity; (2) mitigated the decrease in cell viability induced by H2O2 and reduced ROS levels; (3) promoted the phosphorylation of Nrf2 and its nuclear translocation; (4) increased the transcription levels of HO-1 and, in myoblasts but not in myotubes, those of PGC-1α. These findings contribute to explaining verbascoside's ability to relieve muscular fatigue and could have positive repercussions for the development of therapies aimed at counteracting muscle weakness and mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Sciandra
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche “Giulio Natta”—SCITEC Sede di Roma, Largo F. Vito, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Patrizia Bottoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Sezione di Biochimica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Roma, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Marinella De Leo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno 33, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Braca
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno 33, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche “Giulio Natta”—SCITEC Sede di Roma, Largo F. Vito, 00168 Roma, Italy
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Manuela Bozzi
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche “Giulio Natta”—SCITEC Sede di Roma, Largo F. Vito, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Sezione di Biochimica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Roma, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Roma, Italy
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Brancaccio A, de Chiusole D, Stefanutti L. Algorithms for the adaptive assessment of procedural knowledge and skills. Behav Res Methods 2023; 55:3929-3951. [PMID: 36526887 PMCID: PMC10616228 DOI: 10.3758/s13428-022-01998-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Procedural knowledge space theory (PKST) was recently proposed by Stefanutti (British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology, 72(2) 185-218, 2019) for the assessment of human problem-solving skills. In PKST, the problem space formally represents how a family of problems can be solved and the knowledge space represents the skills required for solving those problems. The Markov solution process model (MSPM) by Stefanutti et al. (Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 103, 102552, 2021) provides a probabilistic framework for modeling the solution process of a task, via PKST. In this article, three adaptive procedures for the assessment of problem-solving skills are proposed that are based on the MSPM. Beside execution correctness, they also consider the sequence of moves observed in the solution of a problem with the aim of increasing efficiency and accuracy of assessments. The three procedures differ from one another in the assumption underlying the solution process, named pre-planning, interim-planning, and mixed-planning. In two simulation studies, the three adaptive procedures have been compared to one another and to the continuous Markov procedure (CMP) by Doignon and Falmagne (1988a). The last one accounts for dichotomous correct/wrong answers only. Results show that all the MSP-based adaptive procedures outperform the CMP in both accuracy and efficiency. These results have been obtained in the framework of the Tower of London test but the procedures can also be applied to all psychological and neuropsychological tests that have a problem space. Thus, the adaptive procedures presented in this paper pave the way to the adaptive assessment in the area of neuropsychological tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Brancaccio
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy, and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia, 14, 35131, Padova, Italy.
| | - Debora de Chiusole
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy, and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia, 14, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Luca Stefanutti
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy, and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia, 14, 35131, Padova, Italy
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8
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Skeffington KL, Jones FP, Suleiman MS, Caputo M, Brancaccio A, Bigotti MG. Determination of Agrin and Related Proteins Levels as a Function of Age in Human Hearts. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:813904. [PMID: 35355976 PMCID: PMC8959542 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.813904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mature cardiomyocytes are unable to proliferate, preventing the injured adult heart from repairing itself. Studies in rodents have suggested that the extracellular matrix protein agrin promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation in the developing heart and that agrin expression is downregulated shortly after birth, resulting in the cessation of proliferation. Agrin based therapies have proven successful at inducing repair in animal models of cardiac injury, however whether similar pathways exist in the human heart is unknown. Methods Right ventricular (RV) biopsies were collected from 40 patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease and the expression of agrin and associated proteins was investigated. Results Agrin transcripts were found in all samples and their levels were significantly negatively correlated to age (p = 0.026), as were laminin transcripts (p = 0.023), whereas no such correlation was found for the other proteins analyzed. No significant correlations for any of the proteins were found when grouping patients by their gender or pathology. Immunohistochemistry and western blots to detect and localize agrin and the other proteins under analysis in RV tissue, confirmed their presence in patients of all ages. Conclusions We show that agrin is progressively downregulated with age in human RV tissue but not as dramatically as has been demonstrated in mice; highlighting both similarities and differences to findings in rodents. Our results lay the groundwork for future studies exploring the potential of agrin-based therapies in the repair of damaged human hearts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie L Skeffington
- Bristol Heart Institute, Research Floor Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Ffion P Jones
- Bristol Heart Institute, Research Floor Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - M Saadeh Suleiman
- Bristol Heart Institute, Research Floor Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Massimo Caputo
- Bristol Heart Institute, Research Floor Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC)-CNR, Rome, Italy.,School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Giulia Bigotti
- Bristol Heart Institute, Research Floor Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom.,School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Abstract
The dystroglycan (DG) complex plays a pivotal role for the stabilization of muscles in Metazoa. It is formed by two subunits, extracellular α-DG and transmembrane β-DG, originating from a unique precursor via a complex post-translational maturation process. The α-DG subunit is extensively glycosylated in sequential steps by several specific enzymes and employs such glycan scaffold to tightly bind basement membrane molecules. Mutations of several of these enzymes cause an alteration of the carbohydrate structure of α-DG, resulting in severe neuromuscular disorders collectively named dystroglycanopathies. Given the fundamental role played by DG in muscle stability, it is biochemically and clinically relevant to investigate these post-translational modifying enzymes from an evolutionary perspective. A first phylogenetic history of the thirteen enzymes involved in the fabrication of the so-called 'M3 core' laminin-binding epitope has been traced by an overall sequence comparison approach, and interesting details on the primordial enzyme set have emerged, as well as substantial conservation in Metazoa. The optimization along with the evolution of a well-conserved enzymatic set responsible for the glycosylation of α-DG indicate the importance of the glycosylation shell in modulating the connection between sarcolemma and surrounding basement membranes to increase skeletal muscle stability, and eventually support movement and locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giulia Bigotti
- School of Translational Health Sciences, Research Floor Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol BS2 8HW, UK,School of Biochemistry, University Walk, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- School of Biochemistry, University Walk, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK,Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies ‘Giulio Natta’ (SCITEC) - CNR, Largo F.Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
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10
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Granziol U, Brancaccio A, Pizziconi G, Spangaro M, Gentili F, Bosia M, Gregori E, Luperini C, Pavan C, Santarelli V, Cavallaro R, Cremonese C, Favaro A, Rossi A, Vidotto G, Spoto A. On the Implementation of Computerized Adaptive Observations for Psychological Assessment. Assessment 2020; 29:225-241. [PMID: 33016093 DOI: 10.1177/1073191120960215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The use of observational tools in psychological assessment has decreased in recent years, mainly due to its personnel and time costs, and researchers have not explored methodological innovations like adaptive algorithms in observational assessment. In the present study, we introduce the behavior-driven observation procedure to develop, test, and implement observational adaptive instruments. In Study 1, we use a preexisting observational checklist to evaluate nonverbal behaviors related to psychotic symptoms and to specify the adaptive algorithm's model. We fit the model to observational data collected from 114 participants. The results support the model's goodness of fit. In Study 2, we use the estimated model parameters to calibrate the adaptive procedure and test the algorithm for accuracy and efficiency in adaptively reconstructing 58 nonadaptively collected response patterns. The results show the algorithm's good accuracy and efficiency, with a 40% average reduction in the number of administered items. In Study 3, we used real raters to test the adaptive checklist built with behavior-driven observation. The results indicate adequate intrarater agreement and good consistency of the observed response patterns. In conclusion, the results support the possibility of using behavior-driven observation to create accurate and affordable (in terms of resources) observational assessment tools.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marco Spangaro
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
| | | | - Marta Bosia
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
| | | | | | - Chiara Pavan
- Padova University Hospital, University of Padova, Italy.,Neuroscience Department, University of Padova, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Cavallaro
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
| | | | - Angela Favaro
- Padova University Hospital, University of Padova, Italy.,Neuroscience Department, University of Padova, Italy
| | | | - Giulio Vidotto
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Spoto
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Italy
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11
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Bigotti MG, Skeffington KL, Jones FP, Caputo M, Brancaccio A. Corrigendum: Agrin-Mediated Cardiac Regeneration: Some Open Questions. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:935. [PMID: 32974301 PMCID: PMC7472794 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giulia Bigotti
- Bristol Heart Institute, Research Floor Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom.,School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Katie L Skeffington
- Bristol Heart Institute, Research Floor Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Ffion P Jones
- Bristol Heart Institute, Research Floor Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Massimo Caputo
- Bristol Heart Institute, Research Floor Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.,Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC)-CNR, Rome, Italy
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12
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Jimenez-Gutierrez GE, Mondragon-Gonzalez R, Soto-Ponce LA, Gómez-Monsiváis WL, García-Aguirre I, Pacheco-Rivera RA, Suárez-Sánchez R, Brancaccio A, Magaña JJ, C.R. Perlingeiro R, Cisneros B. Loss of Dystroglycan Drives Cellular Senescence via Defective Mitosis-Mediated Genomic Instability. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4961. [PMID: 32674290 PMCID: PMC7404207 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear β-dystroglycan (β-DG) is involved in the maintenance of nuclear architecture and function. Nonetheless, its relevance in defined nuclear processes remains to be determined. In this study we generated a C2C12 cell-based DG-null model using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to provide insights into the role of β-DG on nuclear processes. Since DG-null cells exhibited decreased levels of lamin B1, we aimed to elucidate the contribution of DG to senescence, owing to the central role of lamin B1 in this pathway. Remarkably, the lack of DG enables C2C12 cells to acquire senescent features, including cell-cycle arrest, increased senescence-associated-β-galactosidase activity, heterochromatin loss, aberrant nuclear morphology and nucleolar disruption. We demonstrated that genomic instability is one driving cause of the senescent phenotype in DG-null cells via the activation of a DNA-damage response associated with mitotic failure, as shown by the presence of multipolar mitotic spindles, which in turn induced the formation of micronuclei and γH2AX foci (DNA-damage marker), telomere shortening and p53/p21 upregulation. Altogether, these events might ultimately lead to premature senescence, impeding the replication of the damaged genome. In summary, we present evidence supporting a role for DG in protecting against senescence, through the maintenance of proper lamin B1 expression/localization and proper mitotic spindle organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Elizabeth Jimenez-Gutierrez
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico; (G.E.J.-G.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.S.-P.); (W.L.G.-M.); (I.G.-A.)
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico;
| | - Ricardo Mondragon-Gonzalez
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico; (G.E.J.-G.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.S.-P.); (W.L.G.-M.); (I.G.-A.)
| | - Luz Adriana Soto-Ponce
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico; (G.E.J.-G.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.S.-P.); (W.L.G.-M.); (I.G.-A.)
| | - Wendy Lilián Gómez-Monsiváis
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico; (G.E.J.-G.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.S.-P.); (W.L.G.-M.); (I.G.-A.)
| | - Ian García-Aguirre
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico; (G.E.J.-G.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.S.-P.); (W.L.G.-M.); (I.G.-A.)
| | - Ruth Abigail Pacheco-Rivera
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico;
| | - Rocío Suárez-Sánchez
- Departamento de Genética, Laboratorio de Medicina Genómica, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación “Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra”, Ciudad de México 14389, Mexico;
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK;
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies “Giulio Natta” (SCITEC), 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Jonathan Javier Magaña
- Departamento de Genética, Laboratorio de Medicina Genómica, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación “Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra”, Ciudad de México 14389, Mexico;
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey-Campus Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México 14380, Mexico
| | - Rita C.R. Perlingeiro
- Department of Medicine, Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
| | - Bulmaro Cisneros
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico; (G.E.J.-G.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.S.-P.); (W.L.G.-M.); (I.G.-A.)
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13
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Bigotti MG, Skeffington KL, Jones FP, Caputo M, Brancaccio A. Agrin-Mediated Cardiac Regeneration: Some Open Questions. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:594. [PMID: 32612983 PMCID: PMC7308530 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
After cardiac injury, the mammalian adult heart has a very limited capacity to regenerate, due to the inability of fully differentiated cardiomyocytes (CMs) to efficiently proliferate. This has been directly linked to the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding and connecting cardiomyocytes, as its increasing rigidity during heart maturation has a crucial impact over the proliferative capacity of CMs. Very recent studies using mouse models have demonstrated how the ECM protein agrin might promote heart regeneration through CMs de-differentiation and proliferation. In maturing CMs, this proteoglycan would act as an inducer of a specific molecular pathway involving ECM receptor(s) within the transmembrane dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) as well as intracellular Yap, an effector of the Hippo pathway involved in the replication/regeneration program of CMs. According to the mechanism proposed, during mice heart development agrin gets progressively downregulated and ultimately replaced by other ECM proteins eventually leading to loss of proliferation/ regenerative capacity in mature CMs. Although the role played by the agrin-DGC-YAP axis during human heart development remains still largely to be defined, this scenario opens up fascinating and promising therapeutic avenues. Herein, we discuss the currently available relevant information on this system, with a view to explore how the fundamental understanding of the regenerative potential of this cellular program can be translated into therapeutic treatment of injured human hearts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giulia Bigotti
- Bristol Heart Institute, Research Floor Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom.,School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Katie L Skeffington
- Bristol Heart Institute, Research Floor Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Ffion P Jones
- Bristol Heart Institute, Research Floor Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Massimo Caputo
- Bristol Heart Institute, Research Floor Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.,Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC)-CNR, Rome, Italy
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14
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Righino B, Bozzi M, Pirolli D, Sciandra F, Bigotti MG, Brancaccio A, De Rosa MC. Identification and Modeling of a GT-A Fold in the α-Dystroglycan Glycosylating Enzyme LARGE1. J Chem Inf Model 2020; 60:3145-3156. [PMID: 32356985 PMCID: PMC7340341 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c00281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
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The
acetylglucosaminyltransferase-like protein LARGE1 is an enzyme
that is responsible for the final steps of the post-translational
modifications of dystroglycan (DG), a membrane receptor that links
the cytoskeleton with the extracellular matrix in the skeletal muscle
and in a variety of other tissues. LARGE1 acts by adding the repeating
disaccharide unit [-3Xyl-α1,3GlcAβ1-] to the extracellular
portion of the DG complex (α-DG); defects in the LARGE1 gene result in an aberrant glycosylation of α-DG and consequent
impairment of its binding to laminin, eventually affecting the connection
between the cell and the extracellular environment. In the skeletal
muscle, this leads to degeneration of the muscular tissue and muscular
dystrophy. So far, a few missense mutations have been identified within
the LARGE1 protein and linked to congenital muscular dystrophy, and
because no structural information is available on this enzyme, our
understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying these pathologies
is still very limited. Here, we generated a 3D model structure of
the two catalytic domains of LARGE1, combining different molecular
modeling approaches. Furthermore, by using molecular dynamics simulations,
we analyzed the effect on the structure and stability of the first
catalytic domain of the pathological missense mutation S331F that
gives rise to a severe form of muscle–eye–brain disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Righino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Bozzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy.,Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC)-CNR, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Pirolli
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC)-CNR, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Sciandra
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC)-CNR, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Giulia Bigotti
- School of Translational Health Sciences, Research Floor Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Upper Maudlin Street, BS2 8HW Bristol, U.K.,School of Biochemistry, University Walk, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD Bristol, U.K
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC)-CNR, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy.,School of Biochemistry, University Walk, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD Bristol, U.K
| | - Maria Cristina De Rosa
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC)-CNR, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
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15
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Dempsey CE, Bigotti MG, Adams JC, Brancaccio A. Analysis of α-Dystroglycan/LG Domain Binding Modes: Investigating Protein Motifs That Regulate the Affinity of Isolated LG Domains. Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:18. [PMID: 30984766 PMCID: PMC6450144 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystroglycan (DG) is an adhesion complex that links the cytoskeleton to the surrounding extracellular matrix in skeletal muscle and a wide variety of other tissues. It is composed of a highly glycosylated extracellular α-DG associated noncovalently with a transmembrane β-DG whose cytodomain interacts with dystrophin and its isoforms. Alpha-dystroglycan (α-DG) binds tightly and in a calcium-dependent fashion to multiple extracellular proteins and proteoglycans, each of which harbors at least one, or, more frequently, tandem arrays of laminin-globular (LG) domains. Considerable biochemical and structural work has accumulated on the α-DG-binding LG domains, highlighting a significant heterogeneity in ligand-binding properties of domains from different proteins as well as between single and multiple LG domains within the same protein. Here we review biochemical, structural, and functional information on the LG domains reported to bind α-dystroglycan. In addition, we have incorporated bioinformatics and modeling to explore whether specific motifs responsible for α-dystroglycan recognition can be identified within isolated LG domains. In particular, we analyzed the LG domains of slits and agrin as well as those of paradigmatic α-DG non-binders such as laminin-α3. While some stretches of basic residues may be important, no universally conserved motifs could be identified. However, the data confirm that the coordinated calcium atom within the LG domain is needed to establish an interaction with the sugars of α-DG, although it appears that this alone is insufficient to mediate significant α-DG binding. We develop a scenario involving different binding modes of a single LG domain unit, or tandemly repeated units, with α-DG. A variability of binding modes might be important to generate a range of affinities to allow physiological regulation of this interaction, reflecting its crucial biological importance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Josephine C Adams
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.,Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare - CNR, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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16
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Abstract
Dystroglycan is a major non-integrin adhesion complex that connects the cytoskeleton to the surrounding basement membranes, thus providing stability to skeletal muscle. In Vertebrates, hypoglycosylation of α-dystroglycan has been strongly linked to muscular dystrophy phenotypes, some of which also show variable degrees of cognitive impairments, collectively termed dystroglycanopathies. Only a small number of mutations in the dystroglycan gene, leading to the so called primary dystroglycanopathies, has been described so far, as opposed to the ever-growing number of identified secondary or tertiary dystroglycanopathies (caused by genetic abnormalities in glycosyltransferases or in enzymes involved in the synthesis of the carbohydrate building blocks). The few mutations found within the autonomous N-terminal domain of α-dystroglycan seem to destabilise it to different degrees, without influencing the overall folding and targeting of the dystroglycan complex. On the contrary other mutations, some located at the α/β interface of the dystroglycan complex, seem to be able to interfere with its maturation, thus compromising its stability and eventually leading to the intracellular engulfment and/or partial or even total degradation of the dystroglycan uncleaved precursor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Brancaccio
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare - CNR c/o Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
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17
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Gioia M, Fasciglione GF, Sbardella D, Sciandra F, Casella M, Camerini S, Crescenzi M, Gori A, Tarantino U, Cozza P, Brancaccio A, Coletta M, Bozzi M. The enzymatic processing of α-dystroglycan by MMP-2 is controlled by two anchoring sites distinct from the active site. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192651. [PMID: 29447293 PMCID: PMC5813964 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystroglycan (DG) is a membrane receptor, belonging to the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) and formed by two subunits, α-dystroglycan (α-DG) and β-dystroglycan (β -DG). The C-terminal domain of α-DG and the N-terminal extracellular domain of β -DG are connected, providing a link between the extracellular matrix and the cytosol. Under pathological conditions, such as cancer and muscular dystrophies, DG may be the target of metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9, contributing to disease progression. Previously, we reported that the C-terminal domain α-DG (483–628) domain is particularly susceptible to the catalytic activity of MMP-2; here we show that the α-DG 621–628 region is required to carry out its complete digestion, suggesting that this portion may represent a MMP-2 anchoring site. Following this observation, we synthesized an α-DG based-peptide, spanning the (613–651) C-terminal region. The analysis of the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the whole and the isolated catalytic domain of MMP-2 (cdMMP-2) has shown its inhibitory properties, indicating the presence of (at least) two binding sites for the peptide, both located within the catalytic domain, only one of the two being topologically distinct from the catalytic active groove. However, the different behavior between whole MMP-2 and cdMMP-2 envisages the occurrence of an additional binding site for the peptide on the hemopexin-like domain of MMP-2. Interestingly, mass spectrometry analysis has shown that α-DG (613–651) peptide is cleavable even though it is a very poor substrate of MMP-2, a feature that renders this molecule a promising template for developing a selective MMP-2 inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda Gioia
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
- CIRCMSB, Bari, Italy
- * E-mail: (MG); (MB)
| | - Giovanni Francesco Fasciglione
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
- CIRCMSB, Bari, Italy
| | - Diego Sbardella
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
- CIRCMSB, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Umberto Tarantino
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
| | - Paola Cozza
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- CNR Institute for Molecular Recognition, Roma Italy
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Massimo Coletta
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
- CIRCMSB, Bari, Italy
| | - Manuela Bozzi
- CNR Institute for Molecular Recognition, Roma Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University, Roma Italy
- * E-mail: (MG); (MB)
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18
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Signorino G, Covaceuszach S, Bozzi M, Hübner W, Mönkemöller V, Konarev PV, Cassetta A, Brancaccio A, Sciandra F. Cover Image, Volume 39, Issue 2. Hum Mutat 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/humu.23391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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19
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Shoemark DK, Sessions RB, Brancaccio A, Bigotti MG. Intraring allostery controls the function and assembly of a hetero-oligomeric class II chaperonin. FASEB J 2018; 32:2223-2234. [PMID: 29233859 PMCID: PMC5983026 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201701061r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Class II chaperonins are essential multisubunit complexes that aid the folding of nonnative proteins in the cytosol of archaea and eukarya. They use energy derived from ATP to drive a series of structural rearrangements that enable polypeptides to fold within their central cavity. These events are regulated by an elaborate allosteric mechanism in need of elucidation. We employed mutagenesis and experimental analysis in concert with in silico molecular dynamics simulations and interface-binding energy calculations to investigate the class II chaperonin from Thermoplasma acidophilum. Here we describe the effects on the asymmetric allosteric mechanism and on hetero-oligomeric complex formation in a panel of mutants in the ATP-binding pocket of the α and β subunits. Our observations reveal a potential model for a nonconcerted folding mechanism optimized for protecting and refolding a range of nonnative substrates under different environmental conditions, starting to unravel the role of subunit heterogeneity in this folding machine and establishing important links with the behavior of the most complex eukaryotic chaperonins.—Shoemark, D. K., Sessions, R. B., Brancaccio, A., Bigotti, M. G. Intraring allostery controls the function and assembly of a hetero-oligomeric class II chaperonin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrea Brancaccio
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.,Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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20
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Signorino G, Covaceuszach S, Bozzi M, Hübner W, Mönkemöller V, Konarev PV, Cassetta A, Brancaccio A, Sciandra F. A dystroglycan mutation (p.Cys667Phe) associated to muscle-eye-brain disease with multicystic leucodystrophy results in ER-retention of the mutant protein. Hum Mutat 2017; 39:266-280. [PMID: 29134705 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Dystroglycan (DG) is a cell adhesion complex composed by two subunits, the highly glycosylated α-DG and the transmembrane β-DG. In skeletal muscle, DG is involved in dystroglycanopathies, a group of heterogeneous muscular dystrophies characterized by a reduced glycosylation of α-DG. The genes mutated in secondary dystroglycanopathies are involved in the synthesis of O-mannosyl glycans and in the O-mannosylation pathway of α-DG. Mutations in the DG gene (DAG1), causing primary dystroglycanopathies, destabilize the α-DG core protein influencing its binding to modifying enzymes. Recently, a homozygous mutation (p.Cys699Phe) hitting the β-DG ectodomain has been identified in a patient affected by muscle-eye-brain disease with multicystic leucodystrophy, suggesting that other mechanisms than hypoglycosylation of α-DG could be implicated in dystroglycanopathies. Herein, we have characterized the DG murine mutant counterpart by transfection in cellular systems and high-resolution microscopy. We observed that the mutation alters the DG processing leading to retention of its uncleaved precursor in the endoplasmic reticulum. Accordingly, small-angle X-ray scattering data, corroborated by biochemical and biophysical experiments, revealed that the mutation provokes an alteration in the β-DG ectodomain overall folding, resulting in disulfide-associated oligomerization. Our data provide the first evidence of a novel intracellular mechanism, featuring an anomalous endoplasmic reticulum-retention, underlying dystroglycanopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Signorino
- Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Manuela Bozzi
- Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy.,Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare - CNR c/o Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Wolfgang Hübner
- Biomolecular Photonics, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Petr V Konarev
- A.V. Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography of Federal Scientific Research Centre "Crystallography and Photonics" of Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky prospect 59, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alberto Cassetta
- Istituto di Cristallografia - CNR, Trieste Outstation, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare - CNR c/o Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy.,School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Sciandra
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare - CNR c/o Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
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Sciandra F, Scicchitano BM, Signorino G, Bigotti MG, Tavazzi B, Lombardi F, Bozzi M, Sica G, Giardina B, Blaess S, Brancaccio A. Evaluation of the effect of a floxed Neo cassette within the dystroglycan (Dag1) gene. BMC Res Notes 2017; 10:601. [PMID: 29157305 PMCID: PMC5696793 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2926-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Dystroglycan (DG) is an adhesion complex formed by two subunits, α-DG and β-DG. In skeletal muscle, DG is part of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex that is crucial for sarcolemma stability and it is involved in a plethora of muscular dystrophy phenotypes. Due to the important role played by DG in skeletal muscle stability as well as in a wide variety of other tissues including brain and the peripheral nervous system, it is essential to investigate its genetic assembly and transcriptional regulation. Results Herein, we analyze the effect of the insertion of a floxed neomycin (Neo) cassette within the 3′ portion of the universally conserved IG1-intron of the DG gene (Dag1). We analyzed the transcription level of Dag1 and the expression of the DG protein in skeletal muscle of targeted mice compared to wild-type and we did not find any alterations that might be attributed to the gene targeting. However, we found an increase of the cross-sectional areas of tibialis anterior that might have some physiological significance that needs to be assessed in the future. Moreover, in targeted mice the skeletal muscle morphology and its regeneration capacity after injury did not show any evident alterations. We confirmed that the targeting of Dag1 with a floxed Neo-cassette did not produce any gross undesired effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Sciandra
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare (CNR), c/o Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Giulia Signorino
- Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Barbara Tavazzi
- Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Lombardi
- Istituto di Clinica delle Malattie Infettive, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Bozzi
- Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Gigliola Sica
- Istituto di Istologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Giardina
- Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Sandra Blaess
- Neurodevelopmental Genetics, Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life and Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare (CNR), c/o Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. .,School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
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Covaceuszach S, Bozzi M, Bigotti MG, Sciandra F, Konarev PV, Brancaccio A, Cassetta A. The effect of the pathological V72I, D109N and T190M missense mutations on the molecular structure of α-dystroglycan. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186110. [PMID: 29036200 PMCID: PMC5643065 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystroglycan (DG) is a highly glycosylated protein complex that links the cytoskeleton with the extracellular matrix, mediating fundamental physiological functions such as mechanical stability of tissues, matrix organization and cell polarity. A crucial role in the glycosylation of the DG α subunit is played by its own N-terminal region that is required by the glycosyltransferase LARGE. Alteration in this O-glycosylation deeply impairs the high affinity binding to other extracellular matrix proteins such as laminins. Recently, three missense mutations in the gene encoding DG, mapped in the α-DG N-terminal region, were found to be responsible for hypoglycosylated states, causing congenital diseases of different severity referred as primary dystroglycanopaties.To gain insight on the molecular basis of these disorders, we investigated the crystallographic and solution structures of these pathological point mutants, namely V72I, D109N and T190M. Small Angle X-ray Scattering analysis reveals that these mutations affect the structures in solution, altering the distribution between compact and more elongated conformations. These results, supported by biochemical and biophysical assays, point to an altered structural flexibility of the mutant α-DG N-terminal region that may have repercussions on its interaction with LARGE and/or other DG-modifying enzymes, eventually reducing their catalytic efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manuela Bozzi
- Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare—CNR c/o Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Sciandra
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare—CNR c/o Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Petr V. Konarev
- A.V. Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography of Federal Scientific Research Centre “Crystallography and Photonics” of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare—CNR c/o Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Alberto Cassetta
- Istituto di Cristallografia–CNR, Trieste Outstation, Trieste, Italy
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Palmieri V, Bozzi M, Signorino G, Papi M, De Spirito M, Brancaccio A, Maulucci G, Sciandra F. α-Dystroglycan hypoglycosylation affects cell migration by influencing β-dystroglycan membrane clustering and filopodia length: A multiscale confocal microscopy analysis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1863:2182-2191. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Covaceuszach S, Bozzi M, Bigotti MG, Sciandra F, Konarev PV, Brancaccio A, Cassetta A. Structural flexibility of human α-dystroglycan. FEBS Open Bio 2017; 7:1064-1077. [PMID: 28781947 PMCID: PMC5537065 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Dystroglycan (DG), composed of α and β subunits, belongs to the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex. α-DG is an extracellular matrix protein that undergoes a complex post-translational glycosylation process. The bifunctional glycosyltransferase like-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (LARGE) plays a crucial role in the maturation of α-DG, enabling its binding to laminin. We have already structurally analyzed the N-terminal region of murine α-DG (α-DG-Nt) and of a pathological single point mutant that may affect recognition of LARGE, although the structural features of the potential interaction between LARGE and DG remain elusive. We now report on the crystal structure of the wild-type human α-DG-Nt that has allowed us to assess the reliability of our murine crystallographic structure as a α-DG-Nt general model. Moreover, we address for the first time both structures in solution. Interestingly, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) reveals the existence of two main protein conformations ensembles. The predominant species is reminiscent of the crystal structure, while the less populated one assumes a more extended fold. A comparative analysis of the human and murine α-DG-Nt solution structures reveals that the two proteins share a common interdomain flexibility and population distribution of the two conformers. This is confirmed by the very similar stability displayed by the two orthologs as assessed by biochemical and biophysical experiments. These results highlight the need to take into account the molecular plasticity of α-DG-Nt in solution, as it can play an important role in the functional interactions with other binding partners.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manuela Bozzi
- Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica ClinicaUniversità Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRomaItaly
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento MolecolareCNR c/o Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRomaItaly
| | | | - Francesca Sciandra
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento MolecolareCNR c/o Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRomaItaly
| | - Petr Valeryevich Konarev
- Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography of Federal Scientific Research Centre“Crystallography and Photonics” of Russian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
- National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”MoscowRussia
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento MolecolareCNR c/o Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRomaItaly
- School of BiochemistryUniversity of BristolUK
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25
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Abstract
Background Dystroglycan (DG) is an adhesion receptor complex composed of two non-covalently associated subunits, transcribed from a single gene. The extracellular α-DG is highly and heterogeneously glycosylated and binds with high affinity to laminins, and the transmembrane β-DG binds intracellular dystrophin. Multiple cellular functions have been proposed for DG, notwithstanding that its role in skeletal muscle appears central as demonstrated by both primary and secondary severe muscular dystrophic phenotypes collectively known as dystroglycanopathies. We recently analysed the molecular phylogeny of the DG core protein and identified the α/β interface, transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of β-DG as the most conserved region. It was also identified that the IG2_MAT_NU region has been independently duplicated in multiple lineages. Results To understand the evolution of dystroglycan in more depth, we investigated dystroglycan gene structure in 35 species representative of the phyla in which dystroglycan has been identified (i.e., all metazoan phyla except Ctenophora). The gene structure of three exons and two introns is remarkably conserved. However, additional lineage-specific introns were identified, which interrupt the coding sequence at distinct points, were identified in multiple metazoan groups, most prominently in ecdysozoans. Conclusions A coding DNA sequence (CDS) intron that interrupts the encoding of the IG1 domain is universally conserved and this intron is longer in gnathostomes (jawed vertebrates) than in other metazoans. Lineage-specific gain of additional introns has occurred notably in ecdysozoans, where multiple introns interrupt the large 3′ exon. More limited intron gain has also occurred in placozoa, cnidarians, urochordates and the DG paralogues of lamprey and teleost fish. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-016-2322-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Brancaccio
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR, Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy. .,School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
| | - Josephine C Adams
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
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Paul DM, Beuron F, Sessions RB, Brancaccio A, Bigotti MG. Internal (His)₆-tagging delivers a fully functional hetero-oligomeric class II chaperonin in high yield. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20696. [PMID: 26856373 PMCID: PMC4746591 DOI: 10.1038/srep20696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Group II chaperonins are ATP-ases indispensable for the folding of many proteins that play a crucial role in Archaea and Eukarya. They display a conserved two-ringed assembly enclosing an internal chamber where newly translated or misfolded polypeptides can fold to their native structure. They are mainly hexadecamers, with each eight-membered ring composed of one or two (in Archaea) or eight (in Eukarya) different subunits. A major recurring problem within group II chaperonin research, especially with the hetero-oligomeric forms, is to establish an efficient recombinant system for the expression of large amounts of wild-type as well as mutated variants. Herein we show how we can produce, in E. coli cells, unprecedented amounts of correctly assembled and active αβ-thermosome, the class II chaperonin from Thermoplasma acidophilum, by introducing a (His)6-tag within a loop in the α subunit of the complex. The specific location was identified via a rational approach and proved not to disturb the structure of the chaperonin, as demonstrated by size-exclusion chromatography, native gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy. Likewise, the tagged protein showed an ATP-ase activity and an ability to refold substrates identical to the wild type. This tagging strategy might be employed for the overexpression of other recombinant chaperonins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Paul
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Fabienne Beuron
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK
| | | | - Andrea Brancaccio
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.,Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR c/o Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
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27
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de Fátima MenegociEugênio P, Assunção NA, Sciandra F, Aquino A, Brancaccio A, Carrilho E. Quantification, 2DE analysis and identification of enriched glycosylated proteins from mouse muscles: Difficulties and alternatives. Electrophoresis 2015; 37:321-34. [PMID: 26542084 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201500362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 08/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
One of the problems with 2DE is that proteins present in low amounts in a sample are usually not detected, since their signals are masked by the predominant proteins. The elimination of these abundant proteins is not a guaranteed solution to achieve the desired results. The main objective of this study was the comparison of common and simple methodologies employed for 2DE analysis followed by MS identification, focusing on a pre-purified sample using a wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) column. Adult male C57Black/Crj6 (C57BL/6) mice were chosen as the model animal in this study; the gastrocnemius muscles were collected and processed for the experiments. The initial fractionation with succinylated WGA was successful for the elimination of the most abundant proteins. Two quantification methods were employed for the purified samples, and bicinchoninic acid (BCA) was proven to be most reliable for the quantification of glycoproteins. The gel staining method, however, was found to be decisive for the detection of specific proteins, since their structures affect the interaction of the dye with the peptide backbone. The Coomassie Blue R-250 dye very weakly stained the gel with the WGA purified sample. When the same gel was stained with silver nitrate, however, MS could positively assign 12 new spots. The structure of the referred proteins was not found to be prone to interaction with Coomassie blue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia de Fátima MenegociEugênio
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Bioanalítica, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Nilson Antonio Assunção
- Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Francesca Sciandra
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare (CNR), c/o Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Adriano Aquino
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Bioanalítica, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare (CNR), c/o Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Emanuel Carrilho
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Bioanalítica, Campinas, SP, Brazil
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Abstract
Basement membrane (BM) extracellular matrices are crucial for the coordination of different tissue layers. A matrix adhesion receptor that is important for BM function and stability in many mammalian tissues is the dystroglycan (DG) complex. This comprises the non-covalently-associated extracellular α-DG, that interacts with laminin in the BM, and the transmembrane β-DG, that interacts principally with dystrophin to connect to the actin cytoskeleton. Mutations in dystrophin, DG, or several enzymes that glycosylate α-DG underlie severe forms of human muscular dystrophy. Nonwithstanding the pathophysiological importance of the DG complex and its fundamental interest as a non-integrin system of cell-ECM adhesion, the evolution of DG and its interacting proteins is not understood. We analysed the phylogenetic distribution of DG, its proximal binding partners and key processing enzymes in extant metazoan and relevant outgroups. We identify that DG originated after the divergence of ctenophores from porifera and eumetazoa. The C-terminal half of the DG core protein is highly-conserved, yet the N-terminal region, that includes the laminin-binding region, has undergone major lineage-specific divergences. Phylogenetic analysis based on the C-terminal IG2_MAT_NU region identified three distinct clades corresponding to deuterostomes, arthropods, and mollusks/early-diverging metazoans. Whereas the glycosyltransferases that modify α-DG are also present in choanoflagellates, the DG-binding proteins dystrophin and laminin originated at the base of the metazoa, and DG-associated sarcoglycan is restricted to cnidarians and bilaterians. These findings implicate extensive functional diversification of DG within invertebrate lineages and identify the laminin-DG-dystrophin axis as a conserved adhesion system that evolved subsequent to integrin-ECM adhesion, likely to enhance the functional complexity of cell-BM interactions in early metazoans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine C Adams
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR, Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, Roma 00168, Italy
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Bozzi M, Sciandra F, Brancaccio A. Role of gelatinases in pathological and physiological processes involving the dystrophin–glycoprotein complex. Matrix Biol 2015; 44-46:130-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2015.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Humphrey EL, Lacey E, Le LT, Feng L, Sciandra F, Morris CR, Hewitt JE, Holt I, Brancaccio A, Barresi R, Sewry CA, Brown SC, Morris GE. A new monoclonal antibody DAG-6F4 against human alpha-dystroglycan reveals reduced core protein in some, but not all, dystroglycanopathy patients. Neuromuscul Disord 2015; 25:32-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2014.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Revised: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Sbardella D, Sciandra F, Gioia M, Marini S, Gori A, Giardina B, Tarantino U, Coletta M, Brancaccio A, Bozzi M. α-dystroglycan is a potential target of matrix metalloproteinase MMP-2. Matrix Biol 2014; 41:2-7. [PMID: 25483986 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2014.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Revised: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Dystroglycan (DG) is a member of the glycoprotein complex associated to dystrophin and composed by two subunits, the β-DG, a transmembrane protein, and the α-DG, an extensively glycosylated extracellular protein. The β-DG ectodomain degradation by the matrix metallo-proteinases (i.e., MMP-2 and MMP-9) in both, pathological and physiological conditions, has been characterized in detail in previous publications. Since the amounts of α-DG and β-DG at the cell surface decrease when gelatinases are up-regulated, we investigated the degradation of α-DG subunit by MMP-2. Present data show, for the first time, that the proteolysis of α-DG indeed occurs on a native glycosylated molecule enriched from rabbit skeletal muscle. In order to characterize the α-DG portion, which is more prone to cleavage by MMP-2, we performed different degradations on tailored recombinant domains of α-DG spanning the whole subunit. The overall bulk of results casts light on a relevant susceptibility of the α-DG to MMP-2 degradation with particular reference to its C-terminal domain, thus opening a new scenario on the role of gelatinases (in particular of MMP-2) in the degradation of this glycoprotein complex, taking place in the course of pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Sbardella
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Medicina Traslazionale, Universita` di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Centro di Biomedicina Spaziale, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Sciandra
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare (CNR) c/c Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Magda Gioia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Medicina Traslazionale, Universita` di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Centro di Biomedicina Spaziale, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Marini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Medicina Traslazionale, Universita` di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Centro di Biomedicina Spaziale, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gori
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare (CNR), Milan, Italy
| | - Bruno Giardina
- Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Umberto Tarantino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Medicina Traslazionale, Universita` di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Centro di Biomedicina Spaziale, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Coletta
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Medicina Traslazionale, Universita` di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Centro di Biomedicina Spaziale, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare (CNR) c/c Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Bozzi
- Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
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Calogero A, Pavoni E, Gramaglia T, D'Amati G, Ragona G, Brancaccio A, Petrucci TC. Altered expression of alpha-dystroglycan subunit in human gliomas. Cancer Biol Ther 2014; 5:441-8. [PMID: 16575202 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.5.4.2546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystroglycan (DG) is an integral membrane receptor of extracellular matrix proteins, composed of two subunits alpha and beta derived from a common precursor. In brain DG is expressed in neurons, glia limitans, astrocytic endfeet around vessels and endothelial cells. We investigate whether DG may play a role in brain tumors. Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis showed that, while beta-DG subunit was present, the highly glycosylated alpha-DG subunit was strongly reduced in surgically derived human glioblastoma biopsies, in low passage patient-derived cultures and in glioma cell lines, U87MG and A172MG, but not in all glioma cell lines tested. Immunohistochemistry of tumor frozen sections revealed that the loss of alpha-DG was confined in the tumor area but not around blood vessels. Overexpression of DG decreased the growth rate of the glioma cell lines lacking the highly glycosylated alpha-DG subunit and the colony-forming efficiency. Clonogenic assay in presence of temozolomide showed an additive effect between DG overexpression and drug treatment. Our data suggest that DG may be involved in the progression of primary brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Calogero
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e di Patologia, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
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Sciandra F, Bozzi M, Bigotti MG, Brancaccio A. The multiple affinities of α-dystroglycan. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2014; 14:626-34. [PMID: 24206164 DOI: 10.2174/1389203711209070644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2012] [Revised: 04/04/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The dystroglycan (DG) adhesion complex is formed by the peripheral α-DG and the transmembrane β-DG, both originating from the same precursor. α-DG plays a crucial role for tissue stability since it binds with high affinity a variety of proteins and proteoglycans in many different cell types. One common molecular feature of most of the α-DG ligands is the presence of laminin globular (LG) domains that are likely to interact with some of the carbohydrates protruding from the mucin-like region of α-DG. Every tissue is supposed to produce a specific α-DG harboring a particular sugar moiety that will enable it to bind a specific ligand, but often several α-DG ligands are co-expressed within the same tissue. It is therefore very important to assess all these different interactions, ultimately measuring the affinity constants (KDs) underlying them. Herein, we present an updated list of α-DG interactors, including non LG-domains containing ligands, offering both a historic perspective on the original contributions made by several laboratories and an update on the different techniques used and the KD values obtained so far. For the cure of some muscular dystrophies, the reinstatement of a prominent affinity between α-DG and one of its vicarious ligands is becoming an increasingly popular choice for strengthening the basement membrane-tissue connection. An update on the current available information about α- DG's multiple, and often "concomitant" affinities, may be of interest for those wishing to better direct their molecular therapy approaches. A final paragraph is dedicated to comment on the evidence that an increase in affinity is not always advantageous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Sciandra
- CNR-Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare c/o Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, I-00168 Rome, Italy.
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Wilson E, Lacey E, Holt I, Sciandra F, Brancaccio A, Hewitt J, Kobayashi K, Toda T, Sewry C, Brown S, Morris G. P.1.17 Immunostaining of the sarcolemma with a new monoclonal antibody against alpha-dystroglycan core and its relevance to diagnosis. Neuromuscul Disord 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2013.06.401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Abstract
Dystroglycan is a major adhesion complex composed of two subunits, α and β, that undergoes extensive post-translational modifications. In particular, its α subunit is heavily decorated with sugars, influencing its basement membrane binding properties. An altered glycosylation of α-dystroglycan is at the molecular basis of muscular dystrophies defined as secondary dystroglycanopathies, that depend on malfunctioning of the enzymes in the glycosylation pathway. An increased level of transcription of the dystroglycan gene may be crucial for obtaining sufficient amounts of dystroglycan precursor substrate required for the production of the heavily glycosylated and fully functional α-dystroglycan molecule. Even slight differences in these transcriptional levels may exert a protective or pathogenetic effect, as discussed for the unique case of primary dystroglycanopathy so far identified (T192M), where the heart tissues are not affected by the pathology. Moreover, the N-terminal fragment of α-dystroglycan is also proposed to have a regulatory role in the glycosylation/maturation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Brancaccio
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare (CNR), c/o Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Roma, Italy.
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Bozzi M, Di Stasio E, Scaglione GL, Desiderio C, Martelli C, Giardina B, Sciandra F, Brancaccio A. Probing the stability of the "naked" mucin-like domain of human α-dystroglycan. BMC Biochem 2013; 14:15. [PMID: 23815856 PMCID: PMC3704865 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2091-14-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2013] [Accepted: 06/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background α-Dystroglycan (α-DG) is heavily glycosylated within its central mucin-like domain. The glycosylation shell of α-dystroglycan is known to largely influence its functional properties toward extracellular ligands. The structural features of this α-dystroglycan domain have been poorly studied so far. For the first time, we have attempted a recombinant expression approach in E. coli cells, in order to analyze by biochemical and biophysical techniques this important domain of the α-dystroglycan core protein. Results We expressed the recombinant mucin-like domain of human α-dystroglycan in E. coli cells, and purified it as a soluble peptide of 174 aa. A cleavage event, that progressively emerges under repeated cycles of freeze/thaw, occurs at the carboxy side of Arg461, liberating a 151 aa fragment as revealed by mass spectrometry analysis. The mucin-like peptide lacks any particular fold, as confirmed by its hydrodynamic properties and its fluorescence behavior under guanidine hydrochloride denaturation. Dynamic light scattering has been used to demonstrate that this mucin-like peptide is arranged in a conformation that is prone to aggregation at room temperature, with a melting temperature of ~40°C, which indicates a pronounced instability. Such a conclusion has been corroborated by trypsin limited proteolysis, upon which the protein has been fully degraded in less than 60 min. Conclusions Our analysis indirectly confirms the idea that the mucin-like domain of α-dystroglycan needs to be extensively glycosylated in order to reach a stable conformation. The absence/reduction of glycosylation by itself may greatly reduce the stability of the dystroglycan complex. Although an altered pattern of α-dystroglycan O-mannosylation, that is not significantly changing its overall glycosylation fraction, represents the primary molecular clue behind currently known dystroglycanopathies, it cannot be ruled out that still unidentified forms of αDG-related dystrophy might originate by a more substantial reduction of α-dystroglycan glycosylation and by its consequent destabilization.
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Sbardella D, Inzitari R, Iavarone F, Gioia M, Marini S, Sciandra F, Castagnola M, Van den Steen PE, Opdenakker G, Giardina B, Brancaccio A, Coletta M, Bozzi M. Enzymatic processing by MMP-2 and MMP-9 of wild-type and mutated mouse β-dystroglycan. IUBMB Life 2012; 64:988-94. [DOI: 10.1002/iub.1095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 09/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Morlacchi S, Sciandra F, Bigotti MG, Bozzi M, Hübner W, Galtieri A, Giardina B, Brancaccio A. Insertion of a myc-tag within α-dystroglycan domains improves its biochemical and microscopic detection. BMC Biochem 2012; 13:14. [PMID: 22835149 PMCID: PMC3432625 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2091-13-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2012] [Accepted: 07/26/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epitope tags and fluorescent fusion proteins have become indispensable molecular tools for studies in the fields of biochemistry and cell biology. The knowledge collected on the subdomain organization of the two subunits of the adhesion complex dystroglycan (DG) enabled us to insert the 10 amino acids myc-tag at different locations along the α-subunit, in order to better visualize and investigate the DG complex in eukaryotic cells. RESULTS We have generated two forms of DG polypeptides via the insertion of the myc-tag 1) within a flexible loop (between a.a. 170 and 171) that separates two autonomous subdomains, and 2) within the C-terminal domain in position 500. Their analysis showed that double-tagging (the β-subunit is linked to GFP) does not significantly interfere with the correct processing of the DG precursor (pre-DG) and confirmed that the α-DG N-terminal domain is processed in the cell before α-DG reaches its plasma membrane localization. In addition, myc insertion in position 500, right before the second Ig-like domain of α-DG, proved to be an efficient tool for the detection and pulling-down of glycosylated α-DG molecules targeted at the membrane. CONCLUSIONS Further characterization of these and other myc-permissive site(s) will represent a valid support for the study of the maturation process of pre-DG and could result in the creation of a new class of intrinsic doubly-fluorescent DG molecules that would allow the monitoring of the two DG subunits, or of pre-DG, in cells without the need of antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Morlacchi
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare (CNR) c/o Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F, Vito 1, Rome, Italy.
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Sciandra F, Angelucci E, Altieri F, Ricci D, Hübner W, Petrucci TC, Giardina B, Brancaccio A, Bozzi M. Dystroglycan is associated to the disulfide isomerase ERp57. Exp Cell Res 2012; 318:2460-9. [PMID: 22814252 PMCID: PMC3459099 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2012.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2012] [Revised: 06/27/2012] [Accepted: 07/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Dystroglycan (DG) is an extracellular receptor composed of two subunits, α-DG and β-DG, connected through the α-DG C-terminal domain and the β-DG N-terminal domain. We report an alanine scanning of all DG cysteine residues performed on DG-GFP constructs overexpressed in 293-Ebna cells, demonstrating that Cys-669 and Cys-713, both located within the β-DG N-terminal domain, are key residues for the DG precursor cleavage and trafficking, but not for the interaction between the two DG subunits. In addition, we have used immunprecipitation and confocal microscopy showing that ERp57, a member of the disulfide isomerase family involved in glycoprotein folding, is associated and colocalizes immunohistochemically with β-DG in the ER and at the plasma membrane of 293-Ebna cells. The β-DG–ERp57 complex also included α-DG. DG mutants, unable to undergo the precursor cleavage, were still associated to ERp57. β-DG and ERp57 were also co-immunoprecipitated in rat heart and kidney tissues. In vitro, a mutant ERp57, mimicking the reduced form of the wild-type protein, interacts directly with the recombinant N-terminal domain of both α-DG and β-DG with apparent dissociation constant values in the micromolar range. ERp57 is likely to be involved in the DG processing/maturation pathway, but its association to the mature DG complex might also suggest some further functional role that needs to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Sciandra
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare (CNR), c/o Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Roma, Italy
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Abstract
DAG1 encodes for a precursor protein that liberates the two subunits featured by the dystroglycan (DG) adhesion complex that are involved in an increasing number of cellular functions in a wide variety of cells and tissues. Aside from the proteolytic events producing the α and β subunits, especially the former undergoes extensive "post-production" modifications taking place within the ER/Golgi where its core protein is both N- and O-decorated with sugars. These post-translational events, that are mainly orchestrated by a plethora of certified, or putative, glycosyltransferases, prelude to the excocytosis-mediated trafficking and targeting of the DG complex to the plasma membrane. Extensive genetic and biochemical evidences have been accumulated so far on α-DG glycosylation, while little is know on possible regulatory events underlying the chromatine activation, transcription or post-transcription (splicing and escape from the nucleus) of DAG1 or of its mRNA. A scenario is envisaged in which cells would use a sort of preferential, and scarcely regulated, route for DAG1 activation, that would imply fast mRNA transcription, maturation and export to the cytosol, and would prelude to the multiple time-consuming enzymatic post-translational activities needed for its glycosylation. Such a provocative view might be helpful to trigger future work aiming at disclosing the complete molecular mechanisms underlying DAG1 activation and at improving our knowledge of any pre-translational step that is involved in dystroglycan regulation.
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Waite A, De Rosa MC, Brancaccio A, Blake DJ. A gain-of-glycosylation mutation associated with myoclonus-dystonia syndrome affects trafficking and processing of mouse ε-sarcoglycan in the late secretory pathway. Hum Mutat 2011; 32:1246-58. [PMID: 21796726 DOI: 10.1002/humu.21561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2011] [Accepted: 06/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Missense mutations in the SGCE gene encoding ε-sarcoglycan account for approximately 15% of SGCE-positive cases of myoclonus-dystonia syndrome (MDS) in humans. In this study, we show that while the majority of MDS-associated missense mutants modeled with a murine ε-sarcoglycan cDNA are substrates for endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation, one mutant, M68T (analogous to human c.275T>C, p.M92T), located in the Ig-like domain of ε-sarcoglycan, results in a gain-of-glycosylation mutation producing a protein that is targeted to the plasma membrane, albeit at reduced levels compared to wild-type ε-sarcoglycan. Removal of the ectopic N-linked glycan failed to restore efficient plasma membrane targeting of M68T demonstrating that the substitution rather than the glycan was responsible for the trafficking defect of this mutant. M68T also colocalized with CD63-positive vesicles in the endosomal-lysosomal system and was found to be more susceptible to lysosomal proteolysis than wild-type ε-sarcoglycan. Finally, we demonstrate impaired ectodomain shedding of M68T, a process that occurs physiologically for ε-sarcoglycan resulting in the lysosomal trafficking of the intracellular C-terminal domain of the protein. Our findings show that functional analysis of rare missense mutations can provide a mechanistic insight into the pathogenesis of MDS and the physiological role of ε-sarcoglycan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Waite
- Department of Psychological Medicine and Neurology, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
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Pirozzi F, Di Raimo FR, Zanni G, Bertini E, Billuart P, Tartaglione T, Tabolacci E, Brancaccio A, Neri G, Chiurazzi P. Insertion of 16 amino acids in the BAR domain of the oligophrenin 1 protein causes mental retardation and cerebellar hypoplasia in an Italian family. Hum Mutat 2011; 32:E2294-307. [PMID: 21796728 DOI: 10.1002/humu.21567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2010] [Accepted: 07/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
We observed a three-generation family with two maternal cousins and an uncle affected by mental retardation (MR) with cerebellar hypoplasia. X-linked inheritance and the presence of cerebellar malformation suggested a mutation in the OPHN1 gene. In fact, mutational screening revealed a 2-bp deletion that abolishes a donor splicing site, resulting in the inclusion of the initial 48 nucleotides of intron 7 in the mRNA. This mutation determines the production of a mutant oligophrenin 1 protein with 16 extra amino acids inserted in-frame in the N-terminal BAR (Bin1/amphiphysin/Rvs167) domain. This is the first case of a mutation in OPHN1 that does not result in the production of a truncated protein or in its complete loss. OPHN1 (ARHGAP41) encodes a GTPase-activating (GAP) protein belonging to the GRAF subfamily characterized by an N-terminal BAR domain, followed by a pleckstrin-homology (PH) domain and the GAP domain. GRAF proteins play a role in endocytosis and are supposed to dimerize via their BAR domain, that induces membrane curvature. The extra 16 amino acids cause the insertion of 4.4 turns in the third alpha-helix of the BAR domain and apparently impair the protein function. In fact, the clinical phenotype of these patients is identical to that of patients with loss-of-function mutations.
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Bozzi M, Inzitari R, Sbardell D, Monaco S, Pavoni E, Gioia M, Marini S, Morlacchi S, Sciandra F, Castagnola M, Giardina B, Brancaccio A, Coletta M. Enzymatic processing of beta-dystroglycan recombinant ectodomain by MMP-9: identification of the main cleavage site. IUBMB Life 2010; 61:1143-52. [PMID: 19946898 DOI: 10.1002/iub.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Dystroglycan (DG) is a membrane receptor belonging to the complex of glycoproteins associated to dystrophin. DG is formed by two subunits, alpha-DG, a highly glycosylated extracellular matrix protein, and beta-DG, a transmembrane protein. The two DG subunits interact through the C-terminal domain of alpha-DG and the N-terminal extracellular domain of beta-DG in a noncovalent way. Such interaction is crucial to maintain the integrity of the plasma membrane. In some pathological conditions, the interaction between the two DG subunits may be disrupted by the proteolytic activity of gelatinases (i.e. MMP-9 and/or MMP-2) that removes a portion or the whole beta-DG ectodomain producing a 30 kDa truncated form of beta-DG. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this event is still unknown. In this study, we carried out proteolysis of the recombinant extracellular domain of beta-DG, beta-DG(654-750) with human MMP-9, characterizing the catalytic parameters of its cleavage. Furthermore, using a combined approach based on SDS-PAGE, MALDI-TOF and HPLC-ESI-IT mass spectrometry, we were able to identify one main MMP-9 cleavage site that is localized between the amino acids His-715 and Leu-716 of beta-DG, and we analysed the proteolytic fragments of beta-DG(654-750) produced by MMP-9 enzymatic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Bozzi
- Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, Rome, Italy
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Sciandra F, Bozzi M, Morlacchi S, Galtieri A, Giardina B, Brancaccio A. Mutagenesis at the alpha-beta interface impairs the cleavage of the dystroglycan precursor. FEBS J 2009; 276:4933-45. [PMID: 19694806 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.07196.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The interaction between a-dystroglycan (alpha-DG) and beta-dystroglycan (beta-DG), the two constituent subunits of the adhesion complex dystroglycan, is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. The importance of the alpha-beta interface can be seen in the skeletal muscle of humans affected by severe conditions, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, where the alpha-beta interaction can be secondarily weakened or completely lost, causing sarcolemmal instability and muscular necrosis. The reciprocal binding epitopes of the two subunits reside within the C-terminus of alpha-DG and the ectodomain of beta-DG. As no ultimate structural data are yet available on the alpha-beta interface, site-directed mutagenesis was used to identify which specific amino acids are involved in the interaction. A previous alanine-scanning analysis of the recombinant beta-DG ectodomain allowed the identification of two phenylalanines important for alpha-DG binding, namely F692 and F718. In this article, similar experiments performed on the alpha-DG C-terminal domain pinpointed two residues, G563 and P565, as possible binding counterparts of the two beta-DG phenylalanines. In 293-Ebna cells, the introduction of alanine residues instead of F692, F718, G563 and P565 prevented the cleavage of the DG precursor that liberates alpha- and beta-DG, generating a pre-DG of about 160 kDa. This uncleaved pre-DG tetramutant is properly targeted at the cell membrane, is partially glycosylated and still binds laminin in pull-down assays. These data reinforce the notion that DG processing and its membrane targeting are two independent processes, and shed new light on the molecular mechanism that drives the maturation of the DG precursor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Sciandra
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare (CNR), c/o Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Huzé C, Bauché S, Richard P, Chevessier F, Goillot E, Gaudon K, Ben Ammar A, Chaboud A, Grosjean I, Lecuyer HA, Bernard V, Rouche A, Alexandri N, Kuntzer T, Fardeau M, Fournier E, Brancaccio A, Rüegg MA, Koenig J, Eymard B, Schaeffer L, Hantaï D. Identification of an agrin mutation that causes congenital myasthenia and affects synapse function. Am J Hum Genet 2009; 85:155-67. [PMID: 19631309 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2009.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2009] [Revised: 06/16/2009] [Accepted: 06/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the case of a congenital myasthenic syndrome due to a mutation in AGRN, the gene encoding agrin, an extracellular matrix molecule released by the nerve and critical for formation of the neuromuscular junction. Gene analysis identified a homozygous missense mutation, c.5125G>C, leading to the p.Gly1709Arg variant. The muscle-biopsy specimen showed a major disorganization of the neuromuscular junction, including changes in the nerve-terminal cytoskeleton and fragmentation of the synaptic gutters. Experiments performed in nonmuscle cells or in cultured C2C12 myotubes and using recombinant mini-agrin for the mutated and the wild-type forms showed that the mutated form did not impair the activation of MuSK or change the total number of induced acetylcholine receptor aggregates. A solid-phase assay using the dystrophin glycoprotein complex showed that the mutation did not affect the binding of agrin to alpha-dystroglycan. Injection of wild-type or mutated agrin into rat soleus muscle induced the formation of nonsynaptic acetylcholine receptor clusters, but the mutant protein specifically destabilized the endogenous neuromuscular junctions. Importantly, the changes observed in rat muscle injected with mutant agrin recapitulated the pre- and post-synaptic modifications observed in the patient. These results indicate that the mutation does not interfere with the ability of agrin to induce postsynaptic structures but that it dramatically perturbs the maintenance of the neuromuscular junction.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Agrin/chemistry
- Agrin/genetics
- Agrin/metabolism
- Animals
- Biopsy
- Cell Line
- DNA Mutational Analysis
- Dystroglycans/metabolism
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Models, Chemical
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/cytology
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Muscle, Skeletal/surgery
- Muscle, Skeletal/ultrastructure
- Mutation, Missense
- Myasthenic Syndromes, Congenital/genetics
- Neuromuscular Junction/genetics
- Neuromuscular Junction/metabolism
- Neuromuscular Junction/physiology
- Neuromuscular Junction/ultrastructure
- Pedigree
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Rats
- Receptors, Cholinergic/genetics
- Receptors, Cholinergic/metabolism
- Receptors, Cholinergic/physiology
- Recombinant Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Proteins/metabolism
- Synapses/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Huzé
- Equipe Différenciation Neuromusculaire, UMR 5239, Ecole Normale Supérieure Lyon, CNRS, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France
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Bozzi M, Morlacchi S, Bigotti MG, Sciandra F, Brancaccio A. Functional diversity of dystroglycan. Matrix Biol 2009; 28:179-87. [PMID: 19303439 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2009.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2009] [Revised: 03/02/2009] [Accepted: 03/03/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
During the last 15 years, following its identification and first detailed molecular characterization, the dystroglycan (DG) complex has taken centre stage in biology and biomedicine. Functions in different cells and tissues have been identified for this complex, ranging from its typical role in skeletal muscle as a sarcolemmal stabilizer, highlighted by the recently identified "secondary dystroglycanopathies", to a variety of very diverse functions including embryogenesis, cancer progression, virus particle entry and cell signalling. Such functional promiscuity can be in part explained when considering the multiple domain organization of the two DG subunits, the extracellular alpha-DG and the transmembrane beta-DG, that has been largely scrutinized, but only in part unraveled, exploiting a variety of recombinant and transgenic approaches. Herein, while rapidly recapitulating some of the functions that nowadays can be assigned safely to each DG domain, we also try to envisage a sort of worry list featuring and dwelling on some of the most compelling "mysteries" that should be solved to finally understand DG's functional diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Bozzi
- Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, Rome, Italy
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Häger M, Bigotti MG, Meszaros R, Carmignac V, Holmberg J, Allamand V, Akerlund M, Kalamajski S, Brancaccio A, Mayer U, Durbeej M. Cib2 binds integrin alpha7Bbeta1D and is reduced in laminin alpha2 chain-deficient muscular dystrophy. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:24760-9. [PMID: 18611855 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m801166200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the gene encoding laminin alpha2 chain cause congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A. In skeletal muscle, laminin alpha2 chain binds at least two receptor complexes: the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex and integrin alpha7beta1. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying this disorder, we performed gene expression profiling of laminin alpha2 chain-deficient mouse limb muscle. One of the down-regulated genes encodes a protein called Cib2 (calcium- and integrin-binding protein 2) whose expression and function is unknown. However, the closely related Cib1 has been reported to bind integrin alphaIIb and may be involved in outside-in-signaling in platelets. Since Cib2 might be a novel integrin alpha7beta1-binding protein in muscle, we have studied Cib2 expression in the developing and adult mouse. Cib2 mRNA is mainly expressed in the developing central nervous system and in developing and adult skeletal muscle. In skeletal muscle, Cib2 colocalizes with the integrin alpha7B subunit at the sarcolemma and at the neuromuscular and myotendinous junctions. Finally, we demonstrate that Cib2 is a calcium-binding protein that interacts with integrin alpha7Bbeta1D. Thus, our data suggest a role for Cib2 as a cytoplasmic effector of integrin alpha7Bbeta1D signaling in skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Häger
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Division for Cell and Matrix Biology, University of Lund, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
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Nicchia GP, Cogotzi L, Rossi A, Basco D, Brancaccio A, Svelto M, Frigeri A. Expression of multiple AQP4 pools in the plasma membrane and their association with the dystrophin complex. J Neurochem 2008; 105:2156-65. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05302.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Sciandra F, Morlacchi S, Allamand V, De Benedetti G, Macchia G, Petrucci TC, Bozzi M, Brancaccio A. First molecular characterization and immunolocalization of keratoepithelin in adult human skeletal muscle. Matrix Biol 2007; 27:360-70. [PMID: 18249103 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2007.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2007] [Revised: 12/04/2007] [Accepted: 12/07/2007] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Keratoepithelin (KE) is an extracellular matrix protein that binds collagens, fibronectin, decorin, biglycan and integrins, interconnecting extracellular matrix components with resident cells in several tissues. KE has a molecular mass of 68 kDa and harbours four FAS1 domains named after those identified in the insect cell adhesion molecule fasciclin I. In humans, KE is preferentially expressed by the corneal epithelial layer and liberated towards the corneal stroma but it was also detected in the lung and in the bladder smooth muscle. No detailed information is available on the distribution of this protein in other human tissues. In this work, we have raised a polyclonal antibody against the recombinantly expressed human fourth FAS1 domain which is able to specifically detect KE in human skeletal muscle tissue extracts. Immunofluorescence experiments indicate that KE is localized around the perimysium and endomysium of each skeletal muscle fiber. The same kind of analysis shows that in muscle sections from patients affected by different forms of muscular dystrophy KE is upregulated and widely distributed in fibrotic tissues. The muscle specific expression of KE was also demonstrated by RT-PCR. In human skeletal muscle, KE may help to build up a bridge between collagen VI and yet unidentified muscle receptor(s), adding to the complexity of the adhesive molecular network established between muscle fibers and the surrounding basement membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Sciandra
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare (CNR) c/o Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Sciandra F, Bozzi M, Morlacchi S, Desimio M, Gawlik K, Durbeej M, Brancaccio A. C.P.3.10 Analysing the role of the α/β-dystroglycan interface for skeletal muscle stability. Neuromuscul Disord 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2007.06.370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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