The role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in the response of the ligninolytic fungus Trametes versicolor to nitrogen deprivation

The white rot fungus Trametes versicolor is an efficient lignin degrader with ecological significance and industrial applications. Lignin-modifying enzymes of white rot fungi are mainly produced during secondary metabolism triggered in these microorganisms by nutrient deprivation. Selective ubiquitin/proteasome-mediated proteolysis is known to play a crucial role in the response of cells to various stresses such as nutrient limitation, heat shock, and heavy metal exposure. Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated that proteasomal degradation of intracellular proteins is involved in the regulation of laccase, a major ligninolytic enzyme of T. versicolor, in response to cadmium. In the present study, it was found that the 6-h nitrogen starvation leads to depletion of intracellular free ubiquitin pool in T. versicolor. The difference in the intracellular level of free monomeric ubiquitin observed between the mycelium extract from the nitrogen-deprived and that from the nitrogen-sufficient culture was accompanied by the different pattern of ubiquitin-dependent degradation. Furthermore, it was found that nitrogen deprivation affected 26S proteasome activities of T. versicolor. Proteasome inhibition by lactacystin beta-lactone, a highly specific agent, increased laccase activity in nitrogen-deprived cultures, but not in nitrogen-sufficient cultures. The present study implicates the ubiquitin/proteasome-mediated proteolytic pathway in the response of T. versicolor to nitrogen deprivation.     

Uptake of cadmium ions in white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor: effect of cd (II) ions on the activity of laccase

The effects of cadmium Cd (II) ions on the physiology and biological activity of Trametes versicolor, a strain belonging to white-rotting Basidiomycetes, were examined. Cd (II) ions were added to 10-day-old cultures grown on a liquid medium, or at the time of inoculation. Our experiments showed that T. versicolor is a good cadmium biosorbent from aqueous solution, this strain removing almost all the Cd (ll) ions over the first 2h of incubation by what appears to be a rapid, energy-independent surface binding phenomenon, at the rate of approximately 2mg Cd per g mycelial dry weight. An additional slower and energy-dependent transport mechanism was also present, taking in approximately 0.3mg Cd (II) perg dry weight. It is also shown that these Cd (II) ions significantly stimulate the activity of extracellular laccase when added to 10-day-old cultures.     

Glutathiolation of the proteasome is enhanced by proteolytic inhibitors

The proteasome inhibitors lactacystin, clastro lactacystin beta-lactone, or tri-leucine vinyl sulfone (NLVS), in the presence of [(35)S]cysteine/methionine, caused increased incorporation of (35)S into cellular proteins, even when protein synthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide. This effect was blocked by incubation with the glutathione synthesis inhibitor buthionine sulfoximine. Proteasome inhibitors also enhanced total glutathione levels, increased reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG) and upregulated gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (rate-limiting in glutathione synthesis). Micromolar concentrations of GSH, GSSG, or cysteine stimulated the chymotrypsin-like activity of purified 20S proteasome, but millimolar GSH or GSSG was inhibitory. Interestingly, GSH did not affect 20S proteasome's trypsin-like activity. Enhanced proteasome glutathiolation was verified when purified preparations of the 20S core enzyme complex were incubated with [(35)S]GSH after pre-incubation with any of the inhibitors. NLVS, lactacystin or clastro lactacystin beta-lactone may promote structural modification of the 20S core proteasome, with increased exposure of cysteine residues, which are prone to S-thiolation. Three main conclusions can be drawn from the present work. First, proteasome inhibitors alter cellular glutathione metabolism. Second, proteasome glutathiolation is enhanced by inhibitors but still occurs in their absence, at physiological GSH and GSSG levels. Third, proteasome glutathiolation seems to be a previously unknown mechanism of proteasome regulation in vivo.     

Separation of cathepsin A-like enzyme and the proteasome: evidence that lactacystin/beta-lactone is not a specific inhibitor of the proteasome

Previous studies have described a human platelet cathepsin A-like enzyme with a number of similarities to the "acidic" and "neutral" chymotrypsin-like activities of the proteasome. This includes its strong inhibition by the highly specific proteasome inhibitor Lactacystin/beta-lactone, suggesting that either the Cbz-Phe-Ala-hydrolyzing activity attributed to cathepsin A was due to the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome or that lactacystin was not a specific inhibitor of the proteasome. In the present study we discard the first possibility on the basis of the following findings: (a) human platelet cathepsin A, unlike proteasome, binds to concanavalin A, and does not bind to Heparin-Sepharose at pH 7.4; (b) neither the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome, nor proteasome antigens are detected in the cathepsin A preparation; (c) purified proteasome does not exhibit Cbz-Phe-Ala-hydrolyzing activity; (d) Z-lle-Glu-(Ot-Bu)Ala-leucinal (PSI), a compound that selectively inhibits the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome at a concentration of 10 microM has no inhibitory effect on the carboxypeptidase activity of cathepsin A; (e) cathepsin A, free of the proteasome, is completely inhibited by micromolar concentrations of lactacystin/beta-lactone. It is therefore concluded that lactacystin/beta-lactone is not a specific inhibitor of the proteasome.     

Studies on degradative mechanisms mediating post-translational fragmentation of apolipoprotein B and the generation of the 70-kDa fragment.

It has been well established that the biogenesis of apoB is mediated co-translationally by the cytosolic proteasome. Here, however, we investigated the role of both the cytosolic proteasome as well as non-proteasome-mediated degradation systems in the post-translational degradation of apoB. In pulse-chase labeling experiments, co-translational (0-h chase) apoB degradation in both intact and permeabilized cells was sensitive to proteasome inhibitors. Interestingly, turnover of apoB in intact cells over a 2-h chase was partially inhibitable by lactacystin, thus suggesting a role for the cytosolic proteasome in the post-translational degradation of apoB. In permeabilized cells, however, there was no post-translational protection of apoB by lactacystin. Further investigations of proteasomal activity in HepG2 cells revealed that, following permeabilization, there was a dramatic loss of the 20 S proteasomal subunits, and consequently the cells exhibited no detectable lactacystin-inhibitable activity. Thus, apoB fragmentation and the generation of the 70-kDa apoB degradation fragment, characteristic of permeabilized cells, continued to occur in these cells despite the absence of functional cytosolic proteasome. Similar results were observed when we used a derivative of lactacystin, clastolactacystin beta-lactone, which represents the active species of the inhibitor. Interestingly, however, the abundance of the 70-kDa fragment could be modulated by the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor, BMS-197636, as well as by pretreatment of the permeabilized cells with dithiothreitol. These data thus suggest that although the cytosolic proteasome appears to be involved in the post-translational turnover of apoB in intact cells, the specific post-translational fragmentation of apoB generating the 70-kDa fragment observed in permeabilized cells occurs independent of the cytosolic proteasome.     

Parkin protects against the toxicity associated with mutant alpha-synuclein: proteasome dysfunction selectively affects catecholaminergic neurons

One hypothesis for the etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) is that subsets of neurons are vulnerable to a failure in proteasome-mediated protein turnover. Here we show that overexpression of mutant alpha-synuclein increases sensitivity to proteasome inhibitors by decreasing proteasome function. Overexpression of parkin decreases sensitivity to proteasome inhibitors in a manner dependent on parkin's ubiquitin-protein E3 ligase activity, and antisense knockdown of parkin increases sensitivity to proteasome inhibitors. Mutant alpha-synuclein also causes selective toxicity to catecholaminergic neurons in primary midbrain cultures, an effect that can be mimicked by the application of proteasome inhibitors. Parkin is capable of rescuing the toxic effects of mutant alpha-synuclein or proteasome inhibition in these cells. Therefore, parkin and alpha-synuclein are linked by common effects on a pathway associated with selective cell death in catecholaminergic neurons.     

Role of calcium channels in cadmium-induced disruption of cortisol synthesis in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The mechanisms of toxicity of cadmium (Cd(2+)) in adrenal steroidogenesis were investigated in vitro in adrenocortical cells of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Toxicity of Cd(2+) was increased in absence of extracellular Ca(2+), but was prevented in Ca(2+)-supplemented medium. Pretreatment of cells with BAY K8644 (BAY), an agonist of voltage-dependent calcium channels, increased the Cd(2+)-mediated inhibition of ACTH-stimulated secretion but not pregnenolone (PREG)-stimulated secretion. Nicardipine, an antagonist of voltage-dependent calcium channels, also increased the inhibition of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-stimulated secretion by Cd(2+). These results suggest that opening of voltage-dependent calcium channels with BAY may allow Cd(2+) entry at the same time as calcium, thus increasing toxicity of Cd(2+), however voltage-dependent calcium channels may not be the only way of entry into adrenocortical cells. The influx of Cd(2+), measured as intracellular Cd(2+) using Fluo-3 in PREG-stimulated adrenocortical cells, was significantly enhanced by the stimulation. These results suggest that the deleterious effect of Cd(2+) on cortisol steroidogenesis may be enhanced when the endocrine stress response is triggered.     

Regulation of insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling by proteasome-mediated degradation of insulin receptor substrate-2

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) regulate metabolism and body growth through homologous receptor tyrosine kinases that phosphorylate the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins. IRS-2 is an important IRS protein, as it mediates peripheral insulin action and beta-cell survival. In this study, we show that insulin, IGF-1, or osmotic stress promoted ubiquitin/proteasome-mediated degradation of IRS-2 in 3T3-L1 cells, Fao hepatoma, cells and mouse embryo fibroblasts; however, insulin/IGF-1 did not promote degradation of IRS-1 in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes or mouse embryo fibroblasts. MG132 or lactacystin, specific inhibitors of 26S proteasome, blocked insulin/IGF-1-induced degradation of IRS-2 and enhanced the detection of ubiquitinated IRS-2. Insulin/IGF1-induced ubiquitination and degradation of IRS-2 was blocked by inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (wortmannin or LY294002) or mTOR (rapamycin). Chronic insulin or IGF-1 treatment of IRS-1-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts inhibited IRS-2-mediated activation of Akt and ERK1/2, which was reversed by lactacystin pretreatment. By contrast, IRS-1 activation of Akt and ERK1/2 was not inhibited by chronic insulin/IGF-1 stimulation in IRS-2-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts. Thus, we identified a novel negative feedback mechanism by which the ubiquitin/proteasome-mediated degradation of IRS-2 limits the magnitude and duration of the response to insulin or IGF-1.     

Enhanced Cd<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-selective root-tonoplast-transport in tobaccos expressing Arabidopsis cation exchangers

Several Arabidopsis CAtion eXchangers (CAXs) encode tonoplast-localized transporters that appear to be major contributors to vacuolar accumulation/sequestration of cadmium (Cd(2+)), an undesirable pollutant ion that occurs in man largely as a result of dietary consumption of aerial tissues of food plants. But, ion-selectivity of individual CAX transporter types remains largely unknown. Here, we transformed Nicotiana tabacum with several CAX genes driven by the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV) 35S promoter and monitored divalent cation transport in root-tonoplast vesicles from these plants in order to select particular CAX genes directing high Cd(2+) antiporter activity in root tonoplast. Comparison of seven different CAX genes indicated that all transported Cd(2+), Ca(2+), Zn(2+), and Mn(2+) to varying degrees, but that CAX4 and CAX2 had high Cd(2+) transport and selectivity in tonoplast vesicles. CAX4 driven by the CaMV 35S and FS3 [figwort mosaic virus (FMV)] promoters increased the magnitude and initial rate of Cd(2+)/H(+) exchange in root-tonoplast vesicles. Ion selectivity of transport in root-tonoplast vesicles isolated from FS3::CAX4-expressing plant lines having a range of gene expression was Cd(2+)>Zn(2+)>Ca(2+)>Mn(2+) and the ratios of maximal Cd(2+) (and Zn(2+)) versus maximal Ca(2+) and Mn(2+) transport were correlated with the levels of CAX4 expression. Root Cd accumulation in high CAX4 and CAX2 expressing lines was increased in seedlings grown with 0.02 muM Cd. These observations are consistent with a model in which expression of an Arabidopsis-gene-encoded, Cd(2+)-efficient antiporter in host plant roots results in greater root vacuole Cd(2+) transport activity, increased root Cd accumulation, and a shift in overall root tonoplast ion transport selectivity towards higher Cd(2+) selectivity. Results support a model in which certain CAX antiporters are somewhat more selective for particular divalent cations.     

Implication of proteasome in estrogen receptor degradation

In MCF-7 breast cancer cells, estradiol (E2) and pure antiestrogen RU 58668 down-regulate the estrogen receptor (ER). Interestingly, the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) abrogated solely the effect of E2 suggesting a selective difference in the degradation of the receptor induced by estrogenic and antiestrogenic stimulations. A panel of lysosome inhibitors (i.e. bafilomycin, chloroquine, NH4Cl, and monensin), calpain inhibitors (calpastatin and PD 150606) and proteasome inhibitors (lactacystin and proteasome inhibitor I) were tested to assess this hypothesis. Among all inhibitors tested, lactacystin and proteasome inhibitor I were the sole inhibitors to abrogate the elimination of the receptor induced by both E2 and RU 58668; this selective effect was also recorded in cells prelabeled with [3H]tamoxifen aziridine before exposure to these ligands. Hence, differential sensitivity to CHX seems to be linked to the different mechanisms which target proteins for proteasome-mediated destruction. Moreover, the two tested proteasome inhibitors produced a slight increase of ER concentration in cells not exposed to any ligand, suggesting also the involvement of proteasome in receptor turnover.     

Mobilizing store Ca(2+) in the presence of La(3+) evokes exocytosis in bovine chromaffin cells

The effect on exocytosis of La(3+), a known inhibitor of plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPases and Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchangers, was studied using cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. At high concentrations (0.3-3 mM), La(3+) substantially increased histamine-induced catecholamine secretion. This action was mimicked by other lanthanide ions (Nd(3+), Eu(3+), Gd(3+), and Tb(3+)), but not several divalent cations. In the presence of La(3+), the secretory response to histamine became independent of extracellular Ca(2+). La(3+) enhanced secretion evoked by other agents that mobilize intracellular Ca(2+) stores (angiotensin II, bradykinin, caffeine, and thapsigargin), but not that due to passive depolarization with 20 mM K(+). La(3+) still enhanced histamine-induced secretion in the presence of the nonselective inhibitors of Ca(2+)-permeant channels SKF96365 and Cd(2+), but the enhancement was abolished by prior depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores with thapsigargin. La(3+) inhibited (45)Ca(2+) efflux from preloaded chromaffin cells in the presence or absence of Na(+). It also enhanced and prolonged the rise in cytosolic [Ca(2+)] measured with fura-2 during mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+) stores with histamine in Ca(2+)-free buffer. The results suggest that the efficacy of intracellular Ca(2+) stores in evoking exocytosis is enhanced dramatically by inhibiting Ca(2+) efflux from the cell.     

Hydroxyl radical generation by an extracellular low-molecular-weight substance and phenol oxidase activity during wood degradation by the white-rot basidiomycete Trametes versicolor

One-electron oxidation activity, as measured by ethylene generation from 2-keto-4-thiomethylbutyric acid, phenol oxidase activity, and the generation of hydroxyl radical were examined in cultures of the lignin-degrading white-rot basidiomycete fungus, Trametes (Coriolus) versicolor. The activity levels of specific lignin-degrading enzymes and cellulases, as well as the rate of wood degradation, also were examined. The fungus secreted a low-molecular-weight substance (M(r) 1000-5000) that catalyzed a redox reaction between molecular oxygen and an electron donor, to produce the hydroxyl radical via hydrogen peroxide. During wood decay, T. versicolor also produced significant amounts of laccase and lignin peroxidase, carboxymethyl cellulase, and Avicelase. The roles of the hydroxyl radical, phenol oxidases, and cellulases in wood degradation by white-rot fungi are discussed. That the hydroxyl radical produced by the low-molecular-weight substance secreted by T. versicolor results in new phenolic substructures on the lignin polymer, making it susceptible to attack by laccase or manganese peroxidase is suggested.     

Proteasome inhibitors regulate tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and insulin signaling in adipocytes

Insulin rapidly stimulates the tyrosine kinase activity of its receptor, resulting in the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrates (IRS), which in turn associates and activates PI 3-kinase, leading to an increase in glucose uptake. Phosphorylation of IRS proteins and activation of downstream kinases by insulin are transient and the mechanisms for the subsequent downregulation of their activity are largely unknown. We report here that the insulin-induced IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and PI 3-kinase association to IRS-1 were strongly sustained by the proteasome inhibitors, MG132 and lactacystin. In contrast, no effect was detected on the insulin receptor and IRS-2 tyrosine phosphorylation. Interestingly, lactacystin also preserved PKB activation and insulin-induced glucose uptake. In contrast, calpeptin, a calpain inhibitor, was ineffective. Tyrosine phosphatase assays were also performed, showing that lactacystin was not functioning directly as a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor "in vitro." In conclusion, proteasome inhibitors can regulate the tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and the downstream insulin signaling pathway, leading to glucose transport.     

Lysosomal involvement in hepatocyte cytotoxicity induced by Cu(2+) but not Cd(2+)

Previously we showed that the redox active Cu(2+) was much more effective than Cd(2+) at inducing reactive oxygen species ("ROS") formation in hepatocytes and furthermore "ROS" scavengers prevented Cu(2+)-induced hepatocyte cytotoxicity (Pourahmad and O'Brien, 2000). In the following it is shown that hepatocyte cytotoxicity induced by Cu(2+), but not Cd(2+), was preceded by lysosomal membrane damage as demonstrated by acridine orange release. Cytotoxicity, "ROS" formation, and lipid peroxidation were also readily prevented by methylamine or chloroquine (lysosomotropic agents) or 3-methyladenine (an inhibitor of autophagy). Hepatocyte lysosomal proteolysis was also activated by Cu(2+), but not Cd(2+), as tyrosine was released from the hepatocytes and was prevented by leupeptin and pepstatin (lysosomal protease inhibitors). Cu(2+)-induced cytotoxicity was also prevented by leupeptin and pepstatin. A marked increase in Cu(2+)-induced hepatocyte toxicity also occurred if the lysosomal toxins gentamicin or aurothioglucose were added at the same time as the Cu(2+). Furthermore, destabilizing lysosomal membranes beforehand by preincubating the hepatocytes with gentamicin or aurothioglucose prevented Cu(2+)-induced hepatocyte cytotoxicity. It is proposed that Cu(2+)-induced cytotoxicity involves lysosomal damage that causes the release of cytotoxic digestive enzymes as a result of lysosomal membrane damage by "ROS" generated by lysosomal Cu(2+) redox cycling.     

Characterization of cadmium uptake in Lactobacillus plantarum and isolation of cadmium and manganese uptake mutants.

Two different Cd(2+) uptake systems were identified in Lactobacillus plantarum. One is a high-affinity, high-velocity Mn(2+) uptake system which also takes up Cd(2+) and is induced by Mn(2+) starvation. The calculated K(m) and V(max) are 0.26 microM and 3.6 micromol g of dry cell(-1) min(-1), respectively. Unlike Mn(2+) uptake, which is facilitated by citrate and related tricarboxylic acids, Cd(2+) uptake is weakly inhibited by citrate. Cd(2+) and Mn(2+) are competitive inhibitors of each other, and the affinity of the system for Cd(2+) is higher than that for Mn(2+). The other Cd(2+) uptake system is expressed in Mn(2+)-sufficient cells, and no K(m) can be calculated for it because uptake is nonsaturable. Mn(2+) does not compete for transport through this system, nor does any other tested cation, i.e., Zn(2+), Cu(2+), Co(2+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Fe(2+), or Ni(2+). Both systems require energy, since uncouplers completely inhibit their activities. Two Mn(2+)-dependent L. plantarum mutants were isolated by chemical mutagenesis and ampicillin enrichment. They required more than 5,000 times as much Mn(2+) for growth as the parental strain. Mn(2+) starvation-induced Cd(2+) uptake in both mutants was less than 5% the wild-type rate. The low level of long-term Mn(2+) or Cd(2+) accumulation by the mutant strains also shows that the mutations eliminate the high-affinity Mn(2+) and Cd(2+) uptake system.     

Regulation of ornithine decarboxylase and polyamine import by hypoxia in pulmonary artery endothelial cells

In rat lung and cultured lung vascular cells, hypoxia decreases ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and increases polyamine import. In this study, we used rat cultured pulmonary artery endothelial cells to explore the mechanism of hypoxia-induced reduction in ODC activity and determined whether this event was functionally related to the increase in polyamine import. Two strategies known to suppress proteasome-mediated ODC degradation, lactacystin treatment and use of cells expressing a truncated ODC incapable of interacting with the proteasome, prevented the hypoxia-induced decrease in ODC activity. Interestingly, though, cellular abundance of the 24-kDa antizyme, a known physiological accelerator of ODC degradation, was not increased by hypoxia. These observations suggest that an antizyme-independent ODC degradation pathway contributes to hypoxia-induced reductions of ODC activity. When reductions in ODC activity in hypoxia were prevented by the proteasome inhibitor strategies, hypoxia failed to increase polyamine transport. The induction of polyamine transport in hypoxic pulmonary artery endothelial cells thus seems to require decreased ODC activity as an initiating event.