The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Chromatin Remodeler Fun30 Regulates DNA End Resection and Checkpoint Deactivation

Fun30 is a Swi2/Snf2 homolog in budding yeast that has been shown to remodel chromatin both in vitro and in vivo. We report that Fun30 plays a key role in homologous recombination, by facilitating 5′-to-3′ resection of double-strand break (DSB) ends, apparently by facilitating exonuclease digestion of nucleosome-bound DNA adjacent to the DSB. Fun30 is recruited to an HO endonuclease-induced DSB and acts in both the Exo1-dependent and Sgs1-dependent resection pathways. Deletion of FUN30 slows the rate of 5′-to-3′ resection from 4 kb/h to about 1.2 kb/h. We also found that the resection rate is reduced by DNA damage-induced phosphorylation of histone H2A-S129 (γ-H2AX) and that Fun30 interacts preferentially with nucleosomes in which H2A-S129 is not phosphorylated. Fun30 is not required for later steps in homologous recombination. Like its homolog Rdh54/Tid1, Fun30 is required to allow the adaptation of DNA damage checkpoint-arrested cells with an unrepaired DSB to resume cell cycle progression.     

Caveolae Internalization Regulates Integrin-Dependent Signaling Pathways

Integrin-mediated adhesion regulates trafficking of cholesterol-enriched membrane microdomains (CEMM). Upon cell detachment from the extracellular matrix (ECM), CEMMs undergo rapid internalization and are cleared from the plasma membrane. This pathway regulates integrin-mediated Rac membrane targeting, allowing coupling of Rac to downstream effectors. Internalization of CEMMs is mediated by Dynamin-2, a regulator of caveolae dynamics, and caveolin-1, an essential caveolae coat protein. Translocation of tyrosine phosphorylated caveolin-1 from focal adhesions to caveolae upon cell detachment induces CEMM internalization. Notably, integrin-mediated regulation of Erk, phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI3K) and Rac pathways is dependent on caveolin-1. These results describe a novel pathway in which integrins prevent downregulation of Erk, PI3K and Rac-dependent pathways by inhibiting caveolin-1-dependent endocytosis. This pathway define a novel molecular mechanism for regulated cell growth and tumor suppression by caveolin-1.     

Functions of Fun30 Chromatin Remodeler in Regulating Cellular Resistance to Genotoxic Stress

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fun30 chromatin remodeler has recently been shown to facilitate long-range resection of DNA double strand break (DSB) ends, which proceeds homologous recombination (HR). This is believed to underlie the role of Fun30 in promoting cellular resistance to DSB inducing agent camptothecin. We show here that Fun30 also contributes to cellular resistance to genotoxins methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and hydroxyurea (HU) that can stall the progression of DNA replication. We present evidence implicating DNA end resection in Fun30-dependent MMS-resistance. On the other hand, we show that Fun30 deletion suppresses the MMS- and HU-sensitivity of cells lacking the Rad5/Mms2/Ubc13-dependent error-free DNA damage tolerance mechanism. This suppression is not the result of a reduction in DNA end resection, and is dependent on the key HR component Rad51. We further show that Fun30 negatively regulates the recovery of rad5Δ mutant from MMS induced G2/M arrest. Therefore, Fun30 has two functions in DNA damage repair: one is the promotion of cellular resistance to genotoxic stress by aiding in DNA end resection, and the other is the negative regulation of a Rad51-dependent, DNA end resection-independent mechanism for countering replicative stress. The latter becomes manifest when Rad5 dependent DNA damage tolerance is impaired. In addition, we find that the putative ubiquitin-binding CUE domain of Fun30 serves to restrict the ability of Fun30 to hinder MMS- and HU-tolerance in the absence of Rad5.     

Specialized RSC: Substrate Specificities for a Conserved Chromatin Remodeler

The remodel the structure of chromatin (RSC) nucleosome remodeling complex is a conserved chromatin regulator with roles in chromatin organization, especially over nucleosome depleted regions therefore functioning in gene expression. Recent reports in Saccharomyces cerevisiae have identified specificities in RSC activity toward certain types of nucleosomes. RSC has now been shown to preferentially evict nucleosomes containing the histone variant H2A.Z in vitro. Furthermore, biochemical activities of distinct RSC complexes has been found to differ when their nucleosome substrate is partially unraveled. Mammalian BAF complexes, the homologs of yeast RSC and SWI/SNF complexes, are also linked to nucleosomes with H2A.Z, but this relationship may be complex and extent of conservation remains to be determined. The interplay of remodelers with specific nucleosome substrates and regulation of remodeler outcomes by nucleosome composition are tantalizing questions given the wave of structural data emerging for RSC and other SWI/SNF family remodelers.     

NLRC5蛋白可负调控NF-kB和Ⅰ型IFN信号传导途径

<正>2010年4月30日,美国休斯敦贝勒医学院病理学与免疫学系细胞和基因治疗中心、南京大学生命科学院及浙江大学医学院等处的研究人员发现了一个能有效抑制机体的天然免疫系统的蛋白分子:NLRC5蛋白。NLRC5可能为未来提高微生物感染和免疫炎症相关的疾病的免疫力提供了一个有效的治疗靶标,这一研究成果公布在最新一期的《Cell》杂志上。     

血清通过调节mGluR1介导的信号通路调控细胞的生长与凋亡

血清因子能调节细胞的生长与凋亡,但是其分子机制尚不清楚.通过细胞培养基中血清存在与否,研究了代谢型谷氨酸受体1(mGluR1)介导的胞外信号调节激酶(ERK),蛋白激酶B(PKB/AKT)通路的活化及其对细胞生长与凋亡的影响.在过量表达mGluR1的HEK293细胞中,血清饥饿促进了mGluR1对ERK,AKT信号通路的活化;细胞凋亡剂STS应激损伤时,受体激动剂DHPG可降低细胞活性,促进细胞凋亡.在大鼠胶质瘤细胞中,与过表达mGluR1的HEK293细胞的结果相反,血清有助于mGluR1对ERK,AKT通路的活化作用;STS应激损伤时,内源性mGluR1的活化抑制了细胞凋亡.结果表明:血清中存在的细胞因子,通过细胞中表达水平不同的mGluR1受体,调节受体介导的信号通路,从而调控细胞生长与凋亡.本文可能揭示了一种血清调节细胞生长与凋亡的新机制.     

微RNAs与内质网应激信号通路的相互调控作用

内质网应激(endoplasmic reticulum stress,ERS)是为恢复稳态和减轻蛋白质负荷的一种细胞防御性反应.过度激活的ERS可诱导细胞分化、增殖、凋亡和自噬等.微RNAs(microRNAs,miRNAs)作为一种内源性的非编码RNA(non-coding RNA,ncRNA),可通过转录后作用调控...     

Cyclic Compressive Stress Regulates Apoptosis in Rat Osteoblasts: Involvement of PI3K/Akt and JNK MAPK Signaling Pathways

It is widely accepted that physiological mechanical stimulation suppresses apoptosis and induces synthesis of extracellular matrix by osteoblasts; however, the effect of stress overloading on osteoblasts has not been fully illustrated. In the present study, we investigated the effect of cyclic compressive stress on rat osteoblasts apoptosis, using a novel liquid drop method to generate mechanical stress on osteoblast monolayers. After treatment with different levels of mechanical stress, apoptosis of osteoblasts and activations of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and PI3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathways were investigated. Osteoblasts apoptosis was observed after treated with specific inhibitors prior to mechanical stimulation. Protein levels of Bax/Bcl-2/caspase-3 signaling were determined using western blot with or without inhibitors of PI3K/Akt and phosphorylation of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPK. Results showed that mechanical stimulation led to osteoblasts apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner and a remarkable activation of MAPKs and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Activation of PI3K/Akt protected against apoptosis, whereas JNK MAPK increased apoptosis via regulation of Bax/Bcl-2/caspase-3 activation. In summary, the PI3K/Akt and JNK MAPK signaling pathways played opposing roles in osteoblasts apoptosis, resulting in inhibition of apoptosis upon small-magnitude stress and increased apoptosis upon large-magnitude stress.