Phosphoproteomic screening identifies Rab GTPases as novel downstream targets of PINK1

Mutations in the PTEN‐induced kinase 1 (PINK1) are causative of autosomal recessive Parkinson''s disease (PD). We have previously reported that PINK1 is activated by mitochondrial depolarisation and phosphorylates serine 65 (Ser⁶⁵) of the ubiquitin ligase Parkin and ubiquitin to stimulate Parkin E3 ligase activity. Here, we have employed quantitative phosphoproteomics to search for novel PINK1‐dependent phosphorylation targets in HEK (human embryonic kidney) 293 cells stimulated by mitochondrial depolarisation. This led to the identification of 14,213 phosphosites from 4,499 gene products. Whilst most phosphosites were unaffected, we strikingly observed three members of a sub‐family of Rab GTPases namely Rab8A, 8B and 13 that are all phosphorylated at the highly conserved residue of serine 111 (Ser¹¹¹) in response to PINK1 activation. Using phospho‐specific antibodies raised against Ser¹¹¹ of each of the Rabs, we demonstrate that Rab Ser¹¹¹ phosphorylation occurs specifically in response to PINK1 activation and is abolished in HeLa PINK1 knockout cells and mutant PINK1 PD patient‐derived fibroblasts stimulated by mitochondrial depolarisation. We provide evidence that Rab8A GTPase Ser¹¹¹ phosphorylation is not directly regulated by PINK1 in vitro and demonstrate in cells the time course of Ser¹¹¹ phosphorylation of Rab8A, 8B and 13 is markedly delayed compared to phosphorylation of Parkin at Ser⁶⁵. We further show mechanistically that phosphorylation at Ser¹¹¹ significantly impairs Rab8A activation by its cognate guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), Rabin8 (by using the Ser111Glu phosphorylation mimic). These findings provide the first evidence that PINK1 is able to regulate the phosphorylation of Rab GTPases and indicate that monitoring phosphorylation of Rab8A/8B/13 at Ser¹¹¹ may represent novel biomarkers of PINK1 activity in vivo. Our findings also suggest that disruption of Rab GTPase‐mediated signalling may represent a major mechanism in the neurodegenerative cascade of Parkinson''s disease.     

Biomarkers: in combination they may do better

The field of biomarkers is a growing one, particularly in osteoarthritis (OA). OA is the most common disabling condition in older persons and a major cause of morbidity. While the debate continues about which of the involved tissues - cartilage, bone or synovium - is the most important in OA aetiology, there is no doubt that the three develop abnormalities in concert; perhaps a truly useful biomarker will reflect just that. While efforts continue to identify reliable biomarkers useful for characterising the status, prognosis and measurement of treatment response in OA, combining existing biomarkers to improve their accuracy looks promising.     

Determination of acid α-naphthyl acetate esterase enzyme activity in peripheral blood leukocytes of gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa)

We examined gazelle peripheral blood leucocytes using the α-Naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) staining technique (pH 5.8). Our purpose was to determine the percentage of ANAE positive lymphocytes. The proportion of ANAE positive T-lymphocytes was 72%. T-lymphocytes showed an ANAE positive reaction, but eosinophilic granulocytes and monocytes also showed a positive reaction. By contrast, no reaction was detected in B-lymphocytes, neutrophil granulocytes or platelets. The reaction observed in T-lymphocytes was a red-brown coloration, usually 1–2 granules, but enough granules to fill the cytoplasm were detected rarely. As a result of ANAE enzyme staining, we concluded that the staining technique can be used as a cytochemical marker for gazelle T-lymphocytes.     

Purification and properties of the phosphorylated form of guanylate cyclase

Guanylate cyclase is dephosphorylated in response to the interaction of egg peptides with a spermatozoan surface receptor (Suzuki, N., Shimomura, H., Radany, E. W., Ramarao, C. S., Ward, G. E., Bentley, J. K., and Garbers, D. L. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 14874-14879). Here, the phosphorylated form of guanylate cyclase was purified to apparent homogeneity from detergent-solubilized spermatozoan membranes by the use of GTP-agarose, DEAE-Sephacel, and concanavalin A-Sepharose chromatography. To prevent dephosphorylation of the enzyme during purification, glycerol (35%) was required in all buffers. Following purification, a single protein-staining band of Mr 160,000 was obtained on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. The final specific activity of the purified enzyme was 83 mumol of cyclic GMP formed/min/mg of protein at 30 degrees C, an activity 5-fold higher than that observed with the purified, dephosphorylated form of guanylate cyclase. A preparation containing protein phosphatase from spermatozoa, or highly purified alkaline phosphatase (from Escherichia coli), catalyzed the dephosphorylation of the enzyme; this resulted in a subsequent decrease in guanylate cyclase activity and a shift in the Mr from 160,000 to 150,000. The phosphate content of the high Mr form of the enzyme was 14.6 mol/mol protein whereas the phosphate content of the low Mr form was 1.6 mol/mol protein. All phosphate was localized on serine residues. The Mr 160,000 form of guanylate cyclase demonstrated positive cooperative kinetics with respect to MnGTP while the Mr 150,000 form displayed linear, Michaelis-Menten type kinetics. The phosphorylation state of the membrane form of guanylate cyclase, therefore, appears to dictate not only the absolute activity of the enzyme but also the degree of cooperative interaction between catalytic or GTP-binding sites.     

Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of methotrexate in germ cells of male Swiss mice

Methotrexate (MTX) is an anti-metabolite drug widely used in the treatment of neoplastic disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Developed as an analogue of folic acid, it inhibits purine and pyrimidine synthesis that accounts for its therapeutic efficacy as well as for its toxicities. MTX has narrow therapeutic index and its toxicity has been reported in various organ systems including gastrointestinal, haematologic and central nervous system. The objective of the present study is to investigate the germ cell toxicity induced by MTX in male Swiss mice. MTX was administered intraperitoneally (ip) at the doses of 5, 10, 20 and 40mg/kg to mice (20-25g) weekly once (wk) for 5 and 10 weeks. The animals were sacrificed 1 week after receiving the last treatment of MTX. The germ cell toxicity was evaluated using testes weight (wt), sperm count, sperm head morphology, sperm comet assay, histology, TUNEL and halo assay in testis. MTX treatment significantly reduced the sperm count and increased the occurrence of sperm head abnormalities in a dose dependent manner. It induced the testicular toxicity as evident from the histology of testis. Sperm comet, TUNEL and halo assay in testis also revealed significant DNA damage after MTX treatment. On the basis of the present study, it can be concluded that MTX induced germ cell toxicity in mice.