Exploring the soluble proteome of Tobacco Bright Yellow‐2 cells at the switch towards different cell fates in response to heat shocks

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) Bright Yellow‐2 (TBY‐2) cells undergo different fates when exposed for 10 minutes to heat stresses of different severity. A 35 °C treatment causes a homeostatic response (HRE) allowing cells to cope with the stress; 55 °C triggers processes leading to programmed cell death (PCD), which is complete after 72 h. We have used a proteomic approach to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms defining the fate of TBY‐2 cells induced by these two heat stresses. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and two‐dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE) analysis revealed little overlap of differentially‐accumulated proteins: the different severities of heat treatment induced the modulation of specific proteins, some of which are responsible for different cell fates. When the imposed heat shock is beyond a certain threshold, the overall reduced metabolism may be the result of a series of events involving gene expression and oxidative damage that would lead to PCD. Our data suggest that the down‐accumulation of several proteins involved in cellular redox homeostasis could provide, until now, an unappreciated contribution to understanding how many partners are involved in promoting the redox impairment leading to PCD. Moreover post‐translational modifications seem to play important regulatory roles in the adaptation of TBY‐2 cells to different intensities of heat stress.     

Survival of glioblastoma cells in response to endogenous and exogenous oxidative challenges: possible implication of NMDA receptor‐mediated regulation of redox homeostasis

Cancer cells are highly metabolically active and produce high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Drug resistance in cancer cells is closely related to their redox status. The role of ROS and its impact on cancer cell survival seems far from elucidation. The mechanisms through which glioblastoma cells overcome aberrant ROS and oxidative stress in a milieu of hypermetabolic state is still elusive. We hypothesize that the formidable growth potential of glioma cells is through manipulation of tumor microenvironment for its survival and growth, which can be attributed to an astute redox regulation through a nexus between activation of N‐methyl‐d ‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and glutathione (GSH)‐based antioxidant prowess. Hence, we examined the NMDAR activation on intracellular ROS level, and cell viability on exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and antioxidants in glutamate‐rich microenvironment of glioblastoma. The activation of NMDAR attenuated the intracellular ROS production in LN18 and U251MG glioma cells. MK‐801 significantly reversed this effect. On evaluation of GSH redox cycle in these cells, the level of reduced GSH and glutathione reductase (GR) activity were significantly increased. NMDAR significantly enhanced the cell viability in LN18 and U251MG glioblastoma cells, by attenuating exogenous H₂O₂‐induced oxidative stress, and significantly increased catalase activity, the key antioxidant that detoxifies H₂O₂. We hereby report an unexplored role of NMDAR activation induced protection of the rapidly multiplying glioblastoma cells against both endogenous ROS as well as exogenous oxidative challenges. We propose potentiation of reduced GSH, GR, and catalase in glioblastoma cells through NMDAR as a novel rationale of chemoresistance in glioblastoma.     

Diurnal fluctuations in chloroplast GSH redox state regulate susceptibility to oxidative stress and cell fate in a bloom‐forming diatom

Diatoms are one of the key phytoplankton groups in the ocean, forming vast oceanic blooms and playing a significant part in global primary production. To shed light on the role of redox metabolism in diatom's acclimation to light–dark transition and its interplay with cell fate regulation, we generated transgenic lines of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana that express the redox‐sensitive green fluorescent protein targeted to various subcellular organelles. We detected organelle‐specific redox patterns in response to oxidative stress, indicating compartmentalized antioxidant capacities. Monitoring the GSH redox potential (E_GSH) in the chloroplast over diurnal cycles revealed distinct rhythmic patterns. Intriguingly, in the dark, cells exhibited reduced basal chloroplast E_GSH but higher sensitivity to oxidative stress than cells in the light. This dark‐dependent sensitivity to oxidative stress was a result of a depleted pool of reduced glutathione which accumulated during the light period. Interestingly, reduction in the chloroplast E_GSH was observed in the light phase prior to the transition to darkness, suggesting an anticipatory phase. Rapid chloroplast E_GSH re‐oxidation was observed upon re‐illumination, signifying an induction of an oxidative signaling during transition to light that may regulate downstream metabolic processes. Since light–dark transitions can dictate metabolic capabilities and susceptibility to a range of environmental stress conditions, deepening our understanding of the molecular components mediating the light‐dependent redox signals may provide novel insights into cell fate regulation and its impact on oceanic bloom successions.     

PfeIK1, a eukaryotic initiation factor 2α kinase of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, regulates stress-response to amino-acid starvation

Background

Plasmodium falciparum -parasitized red blood cells (RBCs) are equipped with protective antioxidant enzymes and heat shock proteins (HSPs). The latter are only considered to protect against thermal stress. Important issues are poorly explored: first, it is insufficiently known how both systems are expressed in relation to the parasite developmental stage; secondly, it is unknown whether P. falciparum HSPs are redox-responsive, in view of redox sensitivity of HSP in eukaryotic cells; thirdly, it is poorly known how the antioxidant defense machinery would respond to increased oxidative stress or inhibited antioxidant defense. Those issues are interesting as several antimalarials increase the oxidative stress or block antioxidant defense in the parasitized RBC. In addition, numerous inhibitors of HSPs are currently developed for cancer therapy and might be tested as anti-malarials. Thus, the joint disruption of the parasite antioxidant enzymes/HSP system would interfere with parasite growth and open new perspectives for anti-malaria therapy.

Methods

Stage-dependent mRNA expression of ten representative P. falciparum antioxidant enzymes and hsp 60/70–2/70–3/75/90 was studied by quantitative real-time RT-PCR in parasites growing in normal RBCs, in RBCs oxidatively-stressed by moderate H2O2 generation and in G6PD-deficient RBCs. Protein expression of antioxidant enzymes was assayed by Western blotting. The pentosephosphate-pathway flux was measured in isolated parasites after Sendai-virus lysis of RBC membrane.

Results

In parasites growing in normal RBCs, mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes and HSPs displayed co-ordinated stage-dependent modulation, being low at ring, highest at early trophozoite and again very low at schizont stage. Additional exogenous oxidative stress or growth in antioxidant blunted G6PD-deficient RBCs indicated remarkable flexibility of both systems, manifested by enhanced, co-ordinated mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes and HSPs. Protein expression of antioxidant enzymes was also increased in oxidatively-stressed trophozoites.

Conclusion

Results indicated that mRNA expression of parasite antioxidant enzymes and HSPs was co-ordinated and stage-dependent. Secondly, both systems were redox-responsive and showed remarkably increased and co-ordinated expression in oxidatively-stressed parasites and in parasites growing in antioxidant blunted G6PD-deficient RBCs. Lastly, as important anti-malarials either increase oxidant stress or impair antioxidant defense, results may encourage the inclusion of anti-HSP molecules in anti-malarial combined drugs.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor‐D modulates oxidant–antioxidant balance of human vascular endothelial cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor‐D (VEGF‐D) is an angiogenic and lymphangiogenic glycoprotein that facilitates tumour growth and distant organ metastasis. Our previous studies showed that VEGF‐D stimulates the expression of proteins involved in cell–matrix interactions and promoting the migration of endothelial cells. In this study, we focused on the redox homoeostasis of endothelial cells, which is significantly altered in the process of tumour angiogenesis. Our analysis revealed up‐regulated expression of proteins that form the antioxidant barrier of the cell in VEGF‐D‐treated human umbilical endothelial cells and increased production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in addition to a transient elevation in the total thiol group content. Despite a lack of changes in the total antioxidant capacity, modification of the antioxidant barrier induced by VEGF‐D was sufficient to protect cells against the oxidative stress caused by hypochlorite and paraquat. These results suggest that exogenous stimulation of endothelial cells with VEGF‐D induces an antioxidant response of cells that maintains the redox balance. Additionally, VEGF‐D‐induced changes in serine/threonine kinase mTOR shuttling between the cytosol and nucleus and its increased phosphorylation at Ser‐2448, lead us to the conclusion that the observed shift in redox balance is regulated via mTOR kinase signalling.     

Carbon dioxide enrichment alleviates heat stress by improving cellular redox homeostasis through an ABA‐independent process in tomato plants

Plant responses to elevated CO₂ and high temperature are critically regulated through a complex network of phytohormones and redox homeostasis. However, the involvement of abscisic acid (ABA) in plant adaptation to heat stress under elevated CO₂ conditions has not been thoroughly studied. This study investigated the interactive effects of elevated CO₂ (800 μmol·mol^?1) and heat stress (42 °C for 24 h) on the endogenous level of ABA and the cellular redox state of two genotypes of tomato with different ABA biosynthesis capacities. Heat stress significantly decreased maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and leaf water potential, but also increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage (EL) in both genotypes. Heat‐induced damage was more severe in the ABA‐deficient mutant notabilis (not) than in its parental cultivar Ailsa Craig (Ailsa), suggesting that a certain level of endogenous ABA is required to minimise the heat‐induced oxidative damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. Irrespective of genotype, the enrichment of CO₂ remarkably stimulated Fv/Fm, MDA and EL in heat‐stressed plants towards enhanced tolerance. In addition, elevated CO₂ significantly strengthened the antioxidant capacity of heat‐stressed tomato seedlings towards a reduced cellular redox state for a prolonged period, thereby mitigating oxidative stress. However, elevated CO₂ and heat stress did not alter the endogenous level of ABA or the expression of its biosynthetic gene NCED2 in either genotype, indicating that ABA is not involved in elevated CO₂‐induced heat stress alleviation. The results of this study suggest that elevated CO₂ alleviated heat stress through efficient regulation of the cellular redox poise in an ABA‐independent manner in tomato plants.     

Role of exercise-induced reactive oxygen species in the modulation of heat shock protein response

Abstract

The multiple roles that have been associated with heat shock proteins (HSPs), inside and outside cells are remarkable. HSPs have been found to play a fundamental role in multiple stress conditions and to offer protection from subsequent insults. Exercise, because of the physiological stresses associated with it, is one of the main stimuli associated with a robust increase of different HSPs in several tissues. Given the combination of physiological stresses induced by exercise, and the ‘cross-talk’ that occurs between signaling pathways in different tissues, it is likely that exercise induces the HSP expression through a combination of ‘stressors’, among which reactive oxygen species (ROS) could play a major role. Indeed, although an imbalance between ROS production and antioxidant levels results in oxidative stress, causing damage to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids with a possible activation of the programed cell death pathway, at moderate concentrations ROS play an important role as regulatory mediators in signaling processes. Many of the ROS-mediated responses actually protect the cells against oxidative stress and re-establish redox homeostasis. The aim of this review is to provide a critical update on the role of exercise-induced ROS in the modulation of the HSP's response, focusing on experimental results from animal and human studies where the link between redox homeostasis and HSPs’ expression in different tissues has been addressed.     

Adaptation of the yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Yarrowia lipolytica</Emphasis> to heat shock

The adaptive response of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica to heat shock has been studied. Experiments showed that, after 10 min of incubation at 45°C, the survival rate of Yarrowia lipolytica cells was less than 0.1%. Stationary-phase yeast cells were found to be more thermotolerant than exponential-phase cells. A 60-min preincubation of cells at 37°C or pretreatment with low concentrations of H₂O₂ (0.5 mM) or menadione (0.05 mM) made them more tolerant to heat and to oxidative stress (120 mM hydrogen peroxide). The pH dependence of yeast thermotolerance has also been studied. The adaptation of yeast cells to heat shock and oxidative stress was found to be associated with a decrease in the intracellular level of cAMP and an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glutathione reductase).     

Stress response and tolerance of the submerged macrophyte Elodea nuttallii (Planch) St. John to heat stress: a comparative study of shock heat stress and gradual heat stress

Sudden and gradual increases of temperature in aquatic environments play important roles in determining growth and physiological dynamics of aquatic macrophytes. However, a lesser attention has been paid to identify the effects of different temperature regimes on aquatic macrophytes. Therefore, the present study is focused on comparing the effects of shock and gradual heat stresses (SHS and GHS) on growth, photosynthetic attributes, and oxidative damage on Elodea nuttallii as a model plant. Laboratory-oriented two experimental setups were maintained to induce the SHS and GHS. A significant decline in shoot elongation coupled with a decline in endogenous indoleacetic acid (IAA) and an increase in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was observed in both temperature treatments. These effects were further accompanied by oxidative damage to photosynthetic pigments and cell membrane structures in E. nuttallii. Temperature-mediated oxidative stress was significantly pronounced under SHS, which induced the activation of different defensive mechanisms against reactive oxygen species, including antioxidant enzymes, secondary metabolites, and osmoprotectants. The present study revealed that temperature-induced oxidative damage was more severe when the temperature increased suddenly. Further, heat acclimation was observed when the plant was exposed to 30 °C under GHS, although this treatment induces significant oxidative stress under 35 °C.     

Reactive oxygen species control senescence‐associated matrix metalloproteinase‐1 through c‐Jun‐N‐terminal kinase

The lifetime exposure of organisms to oxidative stress influences many aging processes which involve the turnover of the extracellular matrix. In this study, we identify the redox‐responsive molecular signals that drive senescence‐associated (SA) matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1) expression. Precise biochemical monitoring revealed that senescent fibroblasts increase steady‐state (H₂O₂) 3.5‐fold (13.7–48.6 pM) relative to young cells. Restricting H₂O₂ production through low O₂ exposure or by antioxidant treatments prevented SA increases in MMP‐1 expression. The H₂O₂‐dependent control of SA MMP‐1 is attributed to sustained JNK activation and c‐jun recruitment to the MMP‐1 promoter. SA JNK activation corresponds to increases and decreases in the levels of its activating kinase (MKK‐4) and inhibitory phosphatase (MKP‐1), respectively. Enforced MKP‐1 expression negates SA increases in JNK phosphorylation and MMP‐1 production. Overall, these studies define redox‐sensitive signaling networks regulating SA MMP‐1 expression and link the free radical theory of aging to initiation of aberrant matrix turnover. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 52–62, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Tat‐antioxidant 1 protects against stress‐induced hippocampal HT‐22 cells death and attenuate ischaemic insult in animal model

Oxidative stress‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) are responsible for various neuronal diseases. Antioxidant 1 (Atox1) regulates copper homoeostasis and promotes cellular antioxidant defence against toxins generated by ROS. The roles of Atox1 protein in ischaemia, however, remain unclear. In this study, we generated a protein transduction domain fused Tat‐Atox1 and examined the roles of Tat‐Atox1 in oxidative stress‐induced hippocampal HT‐22 cell death and an ischaemic injury animal model. Tat‐Atox1 effectively transduced into HT‐22 cells and it protected cells against the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)‐induced toxicity including increasing of ROS levels and DNA fragmentation. At the same time, Tat‐Atox1 regulated cellular survival signalling such as p53, Bad/Bcl‐2, Akt and mitogen‐activate protein kinases (MAPKs). In the animal ischaemia model, transduced Tat‐Atox1 protected against neuronal cell death in the hippocampal CA1 region. In addition, Tat‐Atox1 significantly decreased the activation of astrocytes and microglia as well as lipid peroxidation in the CA1 region after ischaemic insult. Taken together, these results indicate that transduced Tat‐Atox1 protects against oxidative stress‐induced HT‐22 cell death and against neuronal damage in animal ischaemia model. Therefore, we suggest that Tat‐Atox1 has potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of oxidative stress‐induced ischaemic damage.     

Short‐term ammonium supply induces cellular defence to prevent oxidative stress in Arabidopsis leaves

Plants can assimilate nitrogen from soil pools of both ammonium and nitrate, and the relative levels of these two nitrogen sources are highly variable in soil. Long‐term ammonium nutrition is known to cause damage to Arabidopsis that has been linked to mitochondrial oxidative stress. Using hydroponic cultures, we analysed the consequences of rapid shifts between nitrate and ammonium nutrition. This did not induce growth retardation, showing that Arabidopsis can compensate for the changes in redox metabolism associated with the variations in nitrogen redox status. During the first 3 h of ammonium treatment, we observed distinct transient shifts in reactive oxygen species (ROS), low‐mass antioxidants, ROS‐scavenging enzymes, and mitochondrial alternative electron transport pathways, indicating rapid but temporally separated changes in chloroplastic, mitochondrial and cytosolic ROS metabolism. The fast induction of antioxidant defences significantly lowered intracellular H₂O₂ levels, and thus protected Arabidopsis leaves from oxidative stress. On the other hand elevated extracellular ROS production in response to ammonium supply may be involved in signalling. The response pattern displays an intricate plasticity of Arabidopsis redox metabolism to minimise stress in responses to nutrient changes.     

Impact of mild heat treatments on induction of thermotolerance in the biocontrol yeast Candida sake CPA-1 and viability after spray-drying

Aims: The objective of this study was to examine the induction of thermotolerance in the biocontrol agent Candida sake CPA‐1 cells by mild heat treatments to enhanced survival of formulations using spray‐drying. The possible role of heat‐shock proteins (HSPs) biosynthesis in induced thermotolerance and the role of sugars and sugar alcohols were also determined. Methods and Results: Studies were conducted on C. sake cells grown in molasses medium and exposed to mild temperatures of 30 and 33°C during mid‐ (16 h), late‐exponential (24 h), early‐ (30 h) and mid‐stationary (36 h) growth phases. The effect on viability was determined both before and after spray‐drying. Cycloheximide and chloramphenicol were used to examine the role of HSPs and HPLC was used to analyse the accumulation of sugar and sugar alcohols. The results indicate that both temperatures induced thermotolerance in cells of C. sake. Mild heat‐adapted cells at 33°C in the early‐ or mid‐stationary phases had survival values after spray‐drying significantly higher (P ≤ 0·05) than nonadapted cells. However, viabilities were not high enough to be considered for commercial use with values up to 17%. HSPs were not implicated in thermotolerance acquired by mild heat‐adapted cells as similar viabilities were obtained in the presence of protein inhibitors. Little change was observed in sugar and sugar alcohols with an increase in glucose and arabitol in some treatments. Conclusions: This study suggests that it is possible to induce thermotolerance in biocontrol yeasts such as C. sake. However, this does not improve survival of cells exposed to spray‐drying sufficiently to consider this a suitable formulation method for this biocontrol agent. HSPs, sugars and sugar polyols were not directly responsible for induced thermotolerance in yeast cells. Significance and Impact of the Study: This type of information can be effectively applied to improve the viability of cells in the process of formulation.     

Ethanol treatment triggers a heat shock-like response but no thermotolerance in soybean (Glycine max cv. Kaohsiung No.8) seedlings

Non‐lethal heat‐shock (HS) treatment has previously been shown to induce thermotolerance in soybean (Glycine max cv. Kaohsiung No.8) seedlings. This acquired thermotolerance correlates with the de novo synthesis of heat‐shock proteins (HSPs). Interestingly, we found that ethanol treatments also elicited HS‐like responses in aetiolated soybean seedlings at their normal growth temperature of 28 °C. Northern blot analyses revealed that the expression of HS genes hsp17.5, hsp70 and hsc 70 was induced by ethanol. Radioactive amino acids were preferentially incorporated into high molecular weight (HMW) HSPs rather than class I low molecular weight (LMW) HSPs during non‐lethal ethanol treatments. Immunoblot analysis confirmed that no accumulation of class I LMW HSPs occurred after non‐lethal ethanol treatment. Pre‐treatment with a non‐lethal dose of ethanol did not provide thermotolerance, as the aetiolated soybean seedlings could not survive a subsequent heat shock of 45 °C for 2 h. In contrast, non‐lethal HS pre‐treatment, 40 °C for 2 h, conferred tolerance on aetiolated soybean seedlings to otherwise lethal treatments of 7·5% ethanol for 8 h or 10% ethanol for 4 h. These results suggest that plant class I LMW HSPs may play important roles in providing both thermotolerance and ethanol tolerance.     

Involvement of G6PDH in heat stress tolerance in the calli from Przewalskia tangutica and Nicotiana tabacum

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) has been implicated in supplying reduced nicotine amide cofactors for biochemical reactions and in modulating the redox state of cells. In this study, the role of G6PDH in thermotolerance of the calli from Przewalskia tangutica and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) was investigated. Results showed that Przewalskia tangutica callus was more sensitive to heat stress than tobacco callus. The activity of G6PDH and antioxidant enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) in calli from Przewalskia tangutica and tobacco increased after 40 °C treatment, although two calli exhibited a difference in the degree and timing of response to heat stress. When G6PDH was partially inhibited by glucosamine pretreatment, the antioxidant enzyme activities and thermotolerance in both calli significantly decreased. Simultaneously, the heat-induced H₂O₂ content and the plasma membrane NADPH oxidase activity were also reduced. Application of H₂O₂ increased the activity of G6PDH and antioxidant enzymes in both calli. Diphenylene iodonium, a NADPH oxidase inhibitor, counteracted heatinduced H₂O₂ accumulation and reduced the heat-induced activity of G6PDH and antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, exogenous H₂O₂ was effective in restoring the activity of G6PDH and antioxidant enzymes after glucosamine pretreatment. Western blot analysis showed that G6PDH gene expression in both calli was also stimulated by heat and H₂O₂, and blocked by DPI and glucosamine under heat stress. Taken together, under heat stress G6PDH promoted H₂O₂ accumulation via NADPH oxidase and the elevated H₂O₂ was involved in regulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes, which in turn facilitate to maintain the steady-state H₂O₂ level and protect plants from the oxidative damage.     

Melanosome–iron interactions within retinal pigment epithelium‐derived cells

Melanosomes were recently shown to protect ARPE‐19 cells, a human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell line, against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. One postulated mechanism of antioxidant action of melanin is its ability to bind metal ions. The aim here was to determine whether melanosomes are competent to bind iron within living cells, exhibiting a property previously shown only in model systems. The outcomes indicate retention of prebound iron and accumulation of iron by granules after iron delivery to cells via the culture medium, as determined by both colorimetric and electron spin resonance analyses for bound‐to‐melanosome iron. Manipulation of iron content did not affect the pigment's ability to protect cells against H₂O₂, but the function of pigment granules within RPE cells should be extended beyond a role in light irradiation to include participation in iron homeostasis.     

Heat‐stress Memory is Responsible for Acquired Thermotolerance in Bangia fuscopurpurea

The environmental stresses that sessile organisms experience usually fluctuate dramatically and are often recurrent. Terrestrial plants can acquire memory of exposure to sublethal heat stress to acquire thermotolerance and survive subsequent lethal high‐temperature stress; however, little is known concerning whether seaweeds acquire thermotolerance via heat‐stress memory. We have demonstrated that the red seaweed Bangia fuscopurpurea can indeed acquire memory of sublethal high‐temperature stress, resulting in the acquisition of thermotolerance that protects against subsequent lethal high‐temperature stress. Moreover, the maintenance of heat‐stress memory was associated with a slight increase in the saturation level of membrane fatty acids. This suggests that the modification of membrane fluidity via changes in membrane fatty acid composition is involved in the establishment and maintenance of heat‐stress memory in B. fuscopurpurea. These findings provide insights into the physiological survival and growth strategies of sessile red seaweeds to cope with recurrent changes in environmental conditions.