Asymmetric Neuroblast Divisions Producing Apoptotic Cells Require the Cytohesin GRP-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans

Cytohesins are Arf guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) that regulate membrane trafficking and actin cytoskeletal dynamics. We report here that GRP-1, the sole Caenorhabditis elegans cytohesin, controls the asymmetric divisions of certain neuroblasts that divide to produce a larger neuronal precursor or neuron and a smaller cell fated to die. In the Q neuroblast lineage, loss of GRP-1 led to the production of daughter cells that are more similar in size and to the transformation of the normally apoptotic daughter into its sister, resulting in the production of extra neurons. Genetic interactions suggest that GRP-1 functions with the previously described Arf GAP CNT-2 and two other Arf GEFs, EFA-6 and BRIS-1, to regulate the activity of Arf GTPases. In agreement with this model, we show that GRP-1’s GEF activity, mediated by its SEC7 domain, is necessary for the posterior Q cell (Q.p) neuroblast division and that both GRP-1 and CNT-2 function in the Q.posterior Q daughter cell (Q.p) to promote its asymmetry. Although functional GFP-tagged GRP-1 proteins localized to the nucleus, the extra cell defects were rescued by targeting the Arf GEF activity of GRP-1 to the plasma membrane, suggesting that GRP-1 acts at the plasma membrane. The detection of endogenous GRP-1 protein at cytokinesis remnants, or midbodies, is consistent with GRP-1 functioning at the plasma membrane and perhaps at the cytokinetic furrow to promote the asymmetry of the divisions that require its function.     

Features critical for membrane binding revealed by DivIVA crystal structure

DivIVA is a conserved protein in Gram‐positive bacteria that localizes at the poles and division sites, presumably through direct sensing of membrane curvature. DivIVA functions as a scaffold and is vital for septum site selection during vegetative growth and chromosome anchoring during sporulation. DivIVA deletion causes filamentous growth in Bacillus subtilis, whereas overexpression causes hyphal branching in Streptomyces coelicolor. We have determined the crystal structure of the N‐terminal (Nt) domain of DivIVA, and show that it forms a parallel coiled‐coil. It is capped with two unique crossed and intertwined loops, exposing hydrophobic and positively charged residues that we show here are essential for membrane binding. An intragenic suppressor introducing a positive charge restores membrane binding after mutating the hydrophobic residues. We propose that the hydrophobic residues insert into the membrane and that the positively charged residues bind to the membrane surface. A low‐resolution crystal structure of the C‐terminal (Ct) domain displays a curved tetramer made from two parallel coiled‐coils. The Nt and Ct parts were then merged into a model of the full length, 30 nm long DivIVA protein.     

Localisation of DivIVA by targeting to negatively curved membranes

DivIVA is a conserved protein in Gram-positive bacteria and involved in various processes related to cell growth, cell division and spore formation. DivIVA is specifically targeted to cell division sites and cell poles. In Bacillus subtilis, DivIVA helps to localise other proteins, such as the conserved cell division inhibitor proteins, MinC/MinD, and the chromosome segregation protein, RacA. Little is known about the mechanism that localises DivIVA. Here we show that DivIVA binds to liposomes, and that the N terminus harbours the membrane targeting sequence. The purified protein can stimulate binding of RacA to membranes. In mutants with aberrant cell shapes, DivIVA accumulates where the cell membrane is most strongly curved. On the basis of electron microscopic studies and other data, we propose that this is due to molecular bridging of the curvature by DivIVA multimers. This model may explain why DivIVA localises at cell division sites. A Monte-Carlo simulation study showed that molecular bridging can be a general mechanism for binding of proteins to negatively curved membranes.     

牵张作用对成骨样细胞MG63的线粒体跨膜电位的影响

目的:探讨在低渗透压形成的静牵张应力环境下线粒体跨膜电位与细胞增殖分化及凋亡的关系。方法:用成骨样细胞MG63细胞株进行体外培养、扩增,在对数生长期采用不同的低渗透压对细胞进行刺激,检测不同作用务件下线粒体跨膜电位(ΔΨm)、细胞增殖比例(S期百分比)以及凋亡指数。结果:240mOsm组ΔΨm呈上升趋势,4h达到峰值,6h逐渐下降,但仍高于对照组;163 mOsm组ΔΨm在6 h时明显降低。277和240 mOsm组S期百分比在6 h和8 h达到峰值(26.54±0.71,28.10±0.39:26.96±0.33,28.55±0.26)。三个实验组的凋亡峰均提前,且大于对照组,尤以163 mOsm组为最(54.87±0.78)。结论:成骨样细胞MG63ΔΨm的变化与时间和力学刺激强度有一定的依赖性,预示线粒体跨膜电位的变化与细胞增殖活性之间存在一定的关系。     

植物细胞程序性死亡的分类和膜通透性调控蛋白研究进展

程序性细胞死亡是由基因调控的贯穿于真核细胞生理和发育过程的细胞自杀行为。动物细胞的程序性死亡分成3类凋亡、自噬和坏死;线粒体和溶酶体分别在前两个过程中起关键作用。关于植物细胞程序性死亡的分类还存在很多争议,焦点是植物是否有细胞凋亡这种形式,核心问题是植物细胞的线粒体外膜上没有Bcl-2家族的膜通透性调控蛋白。近年,程序性细胞死亡也在细菌中发现,LrgAB家族的膜通透性调控蛋白起着重要作用。最近的研究表明,植物叶绿体外被膜上也有LrgAB家族的同源蛋白,它们在控制叶绿体发育和程序性细胞死亡方面起重要作用。因此,叶绿体在植物细胞死亡调控中的作用应该更加受到关注。     

Mechanisms of B cell receptor induced apoptosis

B cell receptor (BCR)-mediated apoptosis plays a key role in the negative selection (deletion) of autoreactive B cells. Mechanisms of BCR-mediated apoptosis have been widely studied in cell lines representing both immature (bone marrow) and mature (germinal center) B cells. However, there is much inconsistency and controversy concerning the possible mechanisms of BCR-mediated apoptosis, which may reflect differences in the origin or the maturational stage of the cell line used. Based on recent studies, collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi m) seems to be an essential event for BCR-mediated apoptosis in both mature and immature cells. The collapse of Delta Psi m is dependent on the synthesis of new proteins, which are involved in the permeability change of mitochondrial membranes. Mitochondrial dysfunction induces activation of caspases, cysteine proteases, which play a central role in apoptosis. However, instead of caspases, other effector proteases, such as cathepsins or calpains, may also be responsible for the organized destruction of cell components seen during BCR-mediated apoptosis.     

CDK inhibitors R-roscovitine and S-CR8 effectively block renal and hepatic cystogenesis in an orthologous model of ADPKD

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and other forms of PKD are associated with dysregulated cell cycle and proliferation. Although no effective therapy for the treatment of PKD is currently available, possible mechanism-based approaches are beginning to emerge. A therapeutic intervention targeting aberrant cilia-cell cycle connection using CDK-inhibitor R-roscovitine showed effective arrest of PKD in jck and cpk models that are not orthologous to human ADPKD. To evaluate whether CDK inhibition approach will translate into efficacy in an orthologous model of ADPKD, we tested R-roscovitine and its derivative S-CR8 in a model with a conditionally inactivated Pkd1 gene (Pkd1 cKO). Similar to ADPKD, Pkd1 cKO mice developed renal and hepatic cysts. Treatment of Pkd1 cKO mice with R-roscovitine and its more potent and selective analog S-CR8 significantly reduced renal and hepatic cystogenesis and attenuated kidney function decline. Mechanism of action studies demonstrated effective blockade of cell cycle and proliferation and reduction of apoptosis. Together, these data validate CDK inhibition as a novel and effective approach for the treatment of ADPKD.