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Porter JJ, Jang HS, Van Fossen EM, Nguyen DP, Willi TS, Cooley RB, Mehl RA. Genetically Encoded Protein Tyrosine Nitration in Mammalian Cells. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:1328-1336. [PMID: 31117397 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Tyrosine nitration has served as a major biomarker for oxidative stress and is present in high abundance in over 50 disease pathologies in humans. While data mounts on specific disease pathways from specific sites of tyrosine nitration, the role of these modifications is still largely unclear. Strategies for installing site-specific tyrosine nitration in target proteins in eukaryotic cells, through routes not dependent on oxidative stress, would provide a powerful method to address the consequences of tyrosine nitration. Developed here is a Methanosarcina barkeri aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNA pair that efficiently incorporates nitrotyrosine site-specifically into proteins in mammalian cells. We demonstrate the utility of this approach to produce nitrated proteins identified in disease conditions by producing site-specific nitroTyr-containing manganese superoxide dismutase and 14-3-3 proteins in eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J. Porter
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-7305, United States
| | - Hyo Sang Jang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-7305, United States
| | - Elise M. Van Fossen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-7305, United States
| | - Duy P. Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-7305, United States
| | - Taylor S. Willi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-7305, United States
| | - Richard B. Cooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-7305, United States
| | - Ryan A. Mehl
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-7305, United States
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Gicas KM, Cheng A, Rawtaer I, Willi TS, Panenka WJ, Lang DJ, Smith GN, Vila-Rodriguez F, Leonova O, Giesbrecht CJ, Jones AA, Barr AM, Procyshyn RM, Buchanan T, MacEwan GW, Su W, Vertinsky AT, Rauscher A, O'Rourke N, Loken Thornton W, Thornton AE, Honer WG. Diffusion tensor imaging of neurocognitive profiles in a community cohort living in marginal housing. Brain Behav 2019; 9:e01233. [PMID: 30724486 PMCID: PMC6422717 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated white matter differences associated with distinct neurocognitive profiles derived from a large cohort of marginally housed persons with comorbid physical and mental illnesses. Our prior work identified three profile cluster groups: a high functioning group (Cluster 1), a low functioning group with relative strength in decision-making (Cluster 3), and an intermediary group with a relative decision-making weakness (Cluster 2). This study extends previous findings of cortical gray matter differences between these groups with evidence for putative neurodevelopmental abnormalities in the low cognitive functioning group (i.e., Cluster 3). We hypothesized that altered white matter diffusion would be associated with the lowest functioning neurocognitive profile and would be associated with previously observed gray matter differences. METHOD Participants from a socially impoverished neighborhood in Vancouver, Canada underwent neurocognitive evaluation and neuroimaging. We performed Tract-Based Spatial Statistics using diffusion tensor imaging data from 184 participants to examine whole-brain differences in white matter microstructure between cluster analytically derived neurocognitive profiles, as well as unitary neurocognitive measures. Correlations between frontal gray and white matter were also examined. RESULTS Cluster 3 showed increased diffusion in predominately bilateral frontal and interhemisphere tracts (vs. Clusters 1 and 2), with relatively greater diffusion in the left hemisphere (vs. Cluster 1). Differences in radial diffusivity were more prominent compared with axial diffusivity. A weak association between regional frontal fractional anisotropy and previously defined abnormalities in gyrification was observed. CONCLUSIONS In a socially marginalized sample, we established several patterns in the covariation of white matter diffusion and neurocognitive functioning. These patterns elucidate the neurobiological substrates and vulnerabilities that are apt to underlie functional impairments inherent to this complex and heterogeneous population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina M Gicas
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancover, Canada
| | - Alex Cheng
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancover, Canada
| | - Iris Rawtaer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancover, Canada
| | - Taylor S Willi
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - William J Panenka
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancover, Canada
| | - Donna J Lang
- Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancover, Canada
| | - Geoff N Smith
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancover, Canada
| | | | - Olga Leonova
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancover, Canada
| | | | - Andrea A Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancover, Canada
| | - Alasdair M Barr
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancover, Canada
| | - Ric M Procyshyn
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancover, Canada
| | - Tari Buchanan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancover, Canada
| | - G William MacEwan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancover, Canada
| | - Wayne Su
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancover, Canada
| | | | - Alexander Rauscher
- Department of Paediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancover, Canada
| | - Norm O'Rourke
- Department of Public Health and Centre for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging, University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | | | - Allen E Thornton
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - William G Honer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancover, Canada
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Willi TS, Barr AM, Gicas K, Lang DJ, Vila-Rodriguez F, Su W, Thornton AE, Leonova O, Giesbrecht CJ, Procyshyn RM, Rauscher A, MacEwan WG, Honer WG, Panenka WJ. Characterization of white matter integrity deficits in cocaine-dependent individuals with substance-induced psychosis compared with non-psychotic cocaine users. Addict Biol 2017; 22:873-881. [PMID: 26833821 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Revised: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
With sufficient drug exposure, some individuals develop transient psychotic symptoms referred to as 'substance-induced psychosis' (SIP), which closely resemble the symptoms observed in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The comparability in psychotic presentation between SIP and the schizophrenias suggests that similar underlying neural deficits may contribute to the emergence of psychosis across these disorders. Only a small number of studies have investigated structural alterations in SIP, and all have been limited to volumetric imaging methods, with none controlling for the effects of chronic drug exposure. To investigate white matter abnormalities associated with SIP, diffusion tensor imaging was employed in a group of individuals with cocaine-associated psychosis (CAP; n = 24) and a cocaine-dependent non-psychotic (CDN) group (n = 43). Tract-based spatial statistics was used to investigate group differences in white matter diffusion parameters. The CAP group showed significantly lower fractional anisotropy values than the CDN group (p < 0.05) in voxels within white matter tracts of fronto-temporal, fronto-thalamic and interhemispheric pathways. The greatest differences in white matter integrity were present in the corpus callosum, corona radiata, bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculi and bilateral inferior longitudinal fasciculi. Additionally, the CAP group had voxels of significantly higher radial diffusivity in a subset of the previously mentioned pathways. These results are the first description of white matter integrity abnormalities in a SIP sample and indicate that differences in these pathways may be a shared factor in the expression of different forms of psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor S. Willi
- Department of Psychiatry; University of British Columbia; Vancouver Canada
| | - Alasdair M. Barr
- Department of Pharmacology; University of British Columbia; Vancouver Canada
| | - Kristina Gicas
- Department of Psychology; Simon Fraser University; Burnaby Canada
| | - Donna J. Lang
- Department of Radiology; University of British Columbia; Vancouver Canada
| | | | - Wayne Su
- Department of Psychiatry; University of British Columbia; Vancouver Canada
| | | | - Olga Leonova
- Department of Psychiatry; University of British Columbia; Vancouver Canada
| | | | - Ric M. Procyshyn
- Department of Psychiatry; University of British Columbia; Vancouver Canada
| | - Alexander Rauscher
- Department of Radiology; University of British Columbia; Vancouver Canada
| | - William G. MacEwan
- Department of Psychiatry; University of British Columbia; Vancouver Canada
| | - William G. Honer
- Department of Psychiatry; University of British Columbia; Vancouver Canada
| | - William J. Panenka
- Department of Psychiatry; University of British Columbia; Vancouver Canada
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Willi TS, Lang DJ, Honer WG, Smith GN, Thornton AE, Panenka WJ, Procyshyn RM, Vila-Rodriguez F, Su W, Vertinsky AT, Leonova O, Rauscher A, MacEwan GW, Barr AM. Subcortical grey matter alterations in cocaine dependent individuals with substance-induced psychosis compared to non-psychotic cocaine users. Schizophr Res 2016; 176:158-163. [PMID: 27499362 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
After prolonged psychostimulant abuse, transient psychotic symptoms referred to as "substance-induced psychosis" (SIP) can develop - closely resembling symptoms observed in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The comparability in psychotic presentation between SIP and schizophrenias suggests that similar underlying neural deficits may contribute to the expression of psychosis across these disorders. To date, neuroanatomical characterization of grey matter structural alterations in SIP has been limited to methamphetamine associated psychosis, with no studies controlling for potential neurotoxic effects of the psychostimulant that precipitates psychosis. To investigate grey matter subcortical alterations in SIP, a voxel-based analysis of magnetic resonance images (MRI) was performed between a group of 74 cocaine dependent nonpsychotic individuals and a group of 29 individuals with cocaine-associated psychosis. The cocaine-associated psychosis group had significantly smaller volumes of the thalamus and left hippocampus, controlling for age, total brain volume, current methamphetamine dependence, and current marijuana dependence. No differences were present in bilateral caudate structures. The findings of reduced thalamic and hippocampal volumes agree with previous reports in the schizophrenia literature, suggesting alterations of these structures are not specific to schizophrenia, but may be common to multiple forms of psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor S Willi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver B.C. V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Donna J Lang
- Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - William G Honer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver B.C. V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Geoff N Smith
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver B.C. V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Allen E Thornton
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby B.C. V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - William J Panenka
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver B.C. V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Ric M Procyshyn
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver B.C. V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Fidel Vila-Rodriguez
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver B.C. V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Wayne Su
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver B.C. V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - A Talia Vertinsky
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver B.C. V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Olga Leonova
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver B.C. V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Alexander Rauscher
- Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - G William MacEwan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver B.C. V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Alasdair M Barr
- Department of Pharmacology, 2176 Health Sciences Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver B.C. V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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Willi TS, Honer WG, Thornton AE, Gicas K, Procyshyn RM, Vila-Rodriguez F, Panenka WJ, Aleksic A, Leonova O, Jones AA, MacEwan GW, Barr AM. Factors affecting severity of positive and negative symptoms of psychosis in a polysubstance using population with psychostimulant dependence. Psychiatry Res 2016; 240:336-342. [PMID: 27138828 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.04.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Approximately half of psychostimulant users experience psychotic symptoms, which include both positive and negative symptoms. Prior reports have exclusively used positive symptoms to characterize psychostimulant associated psychosis. Symptoms vary dramatically in severity, though most investigations categorize psychosis as a dichotomous occurrence. To explore the association between different substances of abuse and the severity of psychotic symptoms, we investigated 171 individuals meeting DSM-IV-TR criteria for psychostimulant (cocaine or methamphetamine) dependence in an observational cross-sectional study. Participants were predominantly male (72.5%), recruited from a socially disadvantaged neighborhood in Vancouver, Canada, with a mean age of 45.5(±8.8) years. Of the total sample, 85% were dependent on cocaine, and 28.1% were dependent on methamphetamine. Participants had a median total PANSS score of 63, ranging from 37 to 111. Demographic information, current substance use and early substance exposure were used to predict positive and negative psychotic symptom severity in linear regression models. Increased severity of positive psychotic symptoms was significantly related to greater methamphetamine and marijuana use in the past 28 days, and methadone-abstinence. Negative symptom severity was related to increased opioid use in the past 28 days. There was no overlap between predictors of positive and negative symptom severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor S Willi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z3
| | - William G Honer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z3
| | - Allen E Thornton
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Kristina Gicas
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Ric M Procyshyn
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z3
| | - Fidel Vila-Rodriguez
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z3
| | - William J Panenka
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z3
| | - Ana Aleksic
- Department of Pharmacology, 2176 Health Sciences Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z3
| | - Olga Leonova
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z3
| | - Andrea A Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z3
| | - G William MacEwan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z3
| | - Alasdair M Barr
- Department of Pharmacology, 2176 Health Sciences Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z3.
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Speight LC, Muthusamy AK, Goldberg JM, Warner JB, Wissner RF, Willi TS, Woodman BF, Mehl RA, Petersson EJ. Efficient synthesis and in vivo incorporation of acridon-2-ylalanine, a fluorescent amino acid for lifetime and Förster resonance energy transfer/luminescence resonance energy transfer studies. J Am Chem Soc 2013; 135:18806-14. [PMID: 24303933 DOI: 10.1021/ja403247j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The amino acid acridon-2-ylalanine (Acd) can be a valuable probe of protein conformational change because it is a long lifetime, visible wavelength fluorophore that is small enough to be incorporated during ribosomal biosynthesis. Incorporation of Acd into proteins expressed in Escherichia coli requires efficient chemical synthesis to produce large quantities of the amino acid and the generation of a mutant aminoacyl tRNA synthetase that can selectively charge the amino acid onto a tRNA. Here, we report the synthesis of Acd in 87% yield over five steps from Tyr and the identification of an Acd synthetase by screening candidate enzymes previously evolved from Methanococcus janaschii Tyr synthetase for unnatural amino acid incorporation. Furthermore, we characterize the photophysical properties of Acd, including quenching interactions with select natural amino acids and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) interactions with common fluorophores such as methoxycoumarin (Mcm). Finally, we demonstrate the value of incorporation of Acd into proteins, using changes in Acd fluorescence lifetimes, Mcm/Acd FRET, or energy transfer to Eu(3+) to monitor protein folding and binding interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee C Speight
- University of Pennsylvania , Department of Chemistry, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104-6323, United States
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