DNA replication stress: Causes,resolution and disease

DNA replication is a fundamental process of the cell that ensures accurate duplication of the genetic information and subsequent transfer to daughter cells. Various pertubations, originating from endogenous or exogenous sources, can interfere with proper progression and completion of the replication process, thus threatening genome integrity. Coordinated regulation of replication and the DNA damage response is therefore fundamental to counteract these challenges and ensure accurate synthesis of the genetic material under conditions of replication stress. In this review, we summarize the main sources of replication stress and the DNA damage signaling pathways that are activated in order to preserve genome integrity during DNA replication. We also discuss the association of replication stress and DNA damage in human disease and future perspectives in the field.     

ROCKing cytokine secretion balance in human T cells

Balanced regulation of cytokine secretion in T cells is critical for maintenance of immune homeostasis and prevention of autoimmunity. The Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) 2 signaling pathway was previously shown to be involved in controlling of cellular movement and shape. However, recent work from our group and others has demonstrated a new and important role of ROCK2 in regulating cytokine secretion in T cells. We found that ROCK2 promotes pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-17 and IL-21, whereas IL-2 and IL-10 secretion are negatively regulated by ROCK2 under Th17-skewing activation. Also, in disease, but not in steady state conditions, ROCK2 contributes to regulation of IFN-γ secretion in T cells from rheumatoid arthritis patients. Thus, ROCK2 signaling is a key pathway in modulation of T-cell mediated immune responses underscoring the therapeutic potential of targeted inhibition of ROCK2 in autoimmunity.     

Biochemical Activities of the Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Homology Region 2 Domains of Sarcomere Length Short (SALS) Protein

Drosophila melanogaster sarcomere length short (SALS) is a recently identified Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein homology 2 (WH2) domain protein involved in skeletal muscle thin filament regulation. SALS was shown to be important for the establishment of the proper length and organization of sarcomeric actin filaments. Here, we present the first detailed characterization of the biochemical activities of the tandem WH2 domains of SALS (SALS-WH2). Our results revealed that SALS-WH2 binds both monomeric and filamentous actin and shifts the monomer-filament equilibrium toward the monomeric actin. In addition, SALS-WH2 can bind to but fails to depolymerize phalloidin- or jasplakinolide-bound actin filaments. These interactions endow SALS-WH2 with the following two major activities in the regulation of actin dynamics: SALS-WH2 sequesters actin monomers into non-polymerizable complexes and enhances actin filament disassembly by severing, which is modulated by tropomyosin. We also show that profilin does not influence the activities of the WH2 domains of SALS in actin dynamics. In conclusion, the tandem WH2 domains of SALS are multifunctional regulators of actin dynamics. Our findings suggest that the activities of the WH2 domains do not reconstitute the presumed biological function of the full-length protein. Consequently, the interactions of the WH2 domains of SALS with actin must be tuned in the cellular context by other modules of the protein and/or sarcomeric components for its proper functioning.     

How to deal with oxygen radicals stemming from mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation

Oxygen radical formation in mitochondria is an incompletely understood attribute of eukaryotic cells. Recently, a kinetic model was proposed, in which the ratio between electrons entering the respiratory chain via FADH₂ or NADH determines radical formation. During glucose breakdown, the ratio is low; during fatty acid breakdown, the ratio is high (the ratio increasing—asymptotically—with fatty acid length to 0.5, when compared with 0.2 for glucose). Thus, fatty acid oxidation would generate higher levels of radical formation. As a result, breakdown of fatty acids, performed without generation of extra FADH₂ in mitochondria, could be beneficial for the cell, especially in the case of long and very long chained ones. This possibly has been a major factor in the evolution of peroxisomes. Increased radical formation, as proposed by the model, can also shed light on the lack of neuronal fatty acid oxidation and tells us about hurdles during early eukaryotic evolution. We specifically focus on extending and discussing the model in light of recent publications and findings.     

An in situ study of beta-glucosidase activity in normal and gaucher fibroblasts with fluorogenic probes

Beta-glucosidase activity was evaluated in situ by means of fluorogenic probes in normal human fibroblasts and fibroblasts from homozygous carriers of the Gaucher trait. Probe internalization, targeting to lysosomes and post-cleavage probe retention were the primary concerns. Internalization and targeting were attempted by in situ photosensitized labilization of lysosomal membranes, lysosomotropic detergents and the use of low density lipid (LDL) or the receptor ligand apolipoprotein E (ApoE). Post-cleavage increase of fluorescence with fluoresceinyl (bis) betaglucopyranoside was appreciably above the rather large pre-cleavage emission. In cells incubated overnight with nonylumbelliferylbetaglucoside (UG9) in the presence of bovine serum albumin and in the absence of ApoE, the probe was dealt with as a cytotoxic agent, accumulating in a paranuclear cap, most likely comprising elements of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus. Targeting of UG9 to lysosomes occurred within 1 to 3 h of preincubation in the presence of ApoE. There was some evidence of specificity, as Gaucher fibroblasts exhibited weaker cleavage of UG9 (by 50 per cent or more) compared to normal fibroblasts, but in the Gaucher cells there was some residual beta-glucosidase activity. Cleavage of UG9 was nearly totally suppressed in Gaucher cells treated with the beta-glucosidase inhibitor, conduritol B epoxide, for 24 h to 7 days. Suppression in the control fibroblasts was evident but to a lesser degree. The in situ method of fluorogenic assay established for beta-glucosidase deficiency, is in principle applicable to enzyme deficiencies in other lysosomal storage diseases, or to evaluate enhanced enzyme activity following gene therapy.     

Generation of inositol phosphates, cytosolic Ca and secretion of noradrenaline in PC12 cells treated with glutamate

Glutamate transiently stimulated rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and caused an inositol trisphosphate formation and an increase in levels of Ca⁺ in the cytosol. The rank order of potency of glutamate> N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) > KAINATE = quisqualate is characteristic of an interaction with NMDA receptors. The effect of glutamate on inositol trisphosphate formation disappeared in a low Mg²⁺ buffer and was not blocked by DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate, an antagonist for NMDA receptors coupled to ion channels. Although glutamate failed to stimulate noradrenaline secretion, glutamate enhanced the effect of bradykinin, but not of Ca ionophore A23187, or KC1. These results suggest the existence of metabotropic glutamate receptors, different from previously reported receptors, in PC12 cells.