The C-terminal domain of yeast Ero1p mediates membrane localization and is essential for function.

In eukaryotes, members of the Ero1 family control oxidative protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Yeast Ero1p is tightly associated with the ER membrane, despite cleavage of the leader peptide, the only hydrophobic sequence that could mediate lipid insertion. In contrast, human Ero1-Lalpha and a yeast mutant (Ero1pDeltaC) lacking the 127 C-terminal amino acids are soluble when expressed in yeast. Neither Ero1-Lalpha nor Ero1pDeltaC complements an ERO1 disrupted strain. Appending the yeast C-terminal tail to human Ero1-Lalpha restores membrane association and allows growth of ERO1 disrupted cells. Therefore, the tail of Ero1p mediates membrane association and is crucial for function.     

Mutations in the FAD binding domain cause stress-induced misoxidation of the endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductase Ero1beta

Disulfide bond catalysis is an essential component of protein biogenesis in the secretory pathway, from yeast through to man. In the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), protein-disulfide isomerase (PDI) catalyzes the oxidation and isomerization of disulfide bonds and is re-oxidized by an endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductase (ERO). The elucidation of ERO function was greatly aided by the genetic analysis of two ero mutants, whose impairment results from point mutations in the FAD binding domain of the Ero protein. The ero1-1 and ero1-2 yeast strains have conditional and dithiothreitol-sensitive phenotypes, but the effects of the mutations on the behavior of Ero proteins has not been reported. Here, we show that these Gly to Ser and His to Tyr mutations do not prevent the dimerization of Ero1beta or the non-covalent interaction of Ero1beta with PDI. However, the Gly to Ser mutation abolishes disulfide-dependent PDI-Ero1beta heterodimers. Both the Gly to Ser and His to Tyr mutations make Ero1beta susceptible to misoxidation and aggregation, particularly during a temperature or redox stress. We conclude that the Ero FAD binding domain is critical for conformational stability, allowing Ero proteins to withstand stress conditions that cause client proteins to misfold.     

ERO1-β, a pancreas-specific disulfide oxidase,promotes insulin biogenesis and glucose homeostasis

Mammals have two genes encoding homologues of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) disulfide oxidase ERO1 (ER oxidoreductin 1). ERO1-β is greatly enriched in the endocrine pancreas. We report in this study that homozygosity for a disrupting allele of Ero1lb selectively compromises oxidative folding of proinsulin and promotes glucose intolerance in mutant mice. Surprisingly, concomitant disruption of Ero1l, encoding the other ERO1 isoform, ERO1-α, does not exacerbate the ERO1-β deficiency phenotype. Although immunoglobulin-producing cells normally express both isoforms of ERO1, disulfide bond formation and immunoglobulin secretion proceed at nearly normal pace in the double mutant. Moreover, although the more reducing environment of their ER protects cultured ERO1-β knockdown Min6 cells from the toxicity of a misfolding-prone mutant Ins2^Akita, the diabetic phenotype and islet destruction promoted by Ins2^Akita are enhanced in ERO1-β compound mutant mice. These findings point to an unexpectedly selective function for ERO1-β in oxidative protein folding in insulin-producing cells that is required for glucose homeostasis in vivo.     

Discovery of novel 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-amine derivatives as selective monoamine oxidase B inhibitors

Inhibition of MAO-B has been an effective strategy for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. To find more potent and selective MAO-B inhibitors with novel chemical scaffold, we designed and synthesized a series of new 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-amine derivatives on basis of our previous study. Furthermore, the corresponding structure-activity relationship (SAR) of these compounds is detailedly discussed. Compounds L4 (IC₅₀?=?0.11?μM), L8 (IC₅₀?=?0.18?μM), L16 (IC₅₀?=?0.27?μM) and L17 (IC₅₀?=?0.48?μM) showed similar MAO-B inhibitory activity as Selegiline. Moreover, L4, L16 and L17 also exhibited comparable selectivity with Selegiline, indicating that L4, L16 and L17 could be promising selective MAO-B inhibitors for further study.     

Analysis of myotilin turnover provides mechanistic insight into the role of myotilinopathy-causing mutations

In eukaryotes, disulfide bonds are formed in the endoplasmic reticulum, facilitated by the Ero1 (endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductin 1) oxidase/PDI (protein disulfide-isomerase) system. Mammals have two ERO1 genes, encoding Ero1α and Ero1β proteins. Ero1β is constitutively expressed in professional secretory tissues and induced during the unfolded protein response. In the present work, we show that recombinant human Ero1β is twice as active as Ero1α in enzymatic assays. Ero1β oxidizes PDI more efficiently than other PDI family members and drives oxidative protein folding preferentially via the active site in the á domain of PDI. Our results reveal that Ero1β oxidase activity is regulated by long-range disulfide bonds and that Cys130 plays a critical role in feedback regulation. Compared with Ero1α, however, Ero1β is loosely regulated, consistent with its role as a more active oxidase when massive oxidative power is required.     

A Small Molecule Inhibitor of Endoplasmic Reticulum Oxidation 1 (ERO1) with Selectively Reversible Thiol Reactivity

Endoplasmic reticulum oxidation 1 (ERO1) is a conserved eukaryotic flavin adenine nucleotide-containing enzyme that promotes disulfide bond formation by accepting electrons from reduced protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and passing them on to molecular oxygen. Although disulfide bond formation is an essential process, recent experiments suggest a surprisingly broad tolerance to genetic manipulations that attenuate the rate of disulfide bond formation and that a hyperoxidizing ER may place stressed cells at a disadvantage. In this study, we report on the development of a high throughput in vitro assay for mammalian ERO1α activity and its application to identify small molecule inhibitors. The inhibitor EN460 (IC₅₀, 1.9 μm) interacts selectively with the reduced, active form of ERO1α and prevents its reoxidation. Despite rapid and promiscuous reactivity with thiolates, EN460 exhibits selectivity for ERO1. This selectivity is explained by the rapid reversibility of the reaction of EN460 with unstructured thiols, in contrast to the formation of a stable bond with ERO1α followed by displacement of bound flavin adenine dinucleotide from the active site of the enzyme. Modest concentrations of EN460 and a functionally related inhibitor, QM295, promote signaling in the unfolded protein response and precondition cells against severe ER stress. Together, these observations point to the feasibility of targeting the enzymatic activity of ERO1α with small molecule inhibitors.     

Identification of small molecular inhibitors for Ero1p by structure-based virtual screening

Ero1p, using molecular oxygen as its preferred terminal electron acceptor, promotes disulfide bond formation by interaction with protein disulfide isomerase. Dysfunction of Ero1p leads to strong activation of the unfolded protein response and marked loss of cell viability. However, modest attenuation of Ero1p improves the fitness of yeast challenged with high levels of protein misfolding in their endoplasmic reticulum stress. Partial inhibition of Ero1p is hence of great significance. In the present paper, a docking-based virtual screening method was performed to identify inhibitors of Ero1p and 12 hits were successfully obtained from 81 purchased compounds with micromolar inhibition against Ero1p. Particularly, six of the hits demonstrated remarkable potency with IC₅₀ <30 μM and held the prospect of becoming lead compounds. Then the interaction modes were analyzed for further lead optimization.     

Ero1L, a thiol oxidase, is required for Notch signaling through cysteine bridge formation of the Lin12-Notch repeats in Drosophila melanogaster

Notch-mediated cell–cell communication regulates numerous developmental processes and cell fate decisions. Through a mosaic genetic screen in Drosophila melanogaster, we identified a role in Notch signaling for a conserved thiol oxidase, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) oxidoreductin 1–like (Ero1L). Although Ero1L is reported to play a widespread role in protein folding in yeast, in flies Ero1L mutant clones show specific defects in lateral inhibition and inductive signaling, two characteristic processes regulated by Notch signaling. Ero1L mutant cells accumulate high levels of Notch protein in the ER and induce the unfolded protein response, suggesting that Notch is misfolded and fails to be exported from the ER. Biochemical assays demonstrate that Ero1L is required for formation of disulfide bonds of three Lin12-Notch repeats (LNRs) present in the extracellular domain of Notch. These LNRs are unique to the Notch family of proteins. Therefore, we have uncovered an unexpected requirement for Ero1L in the maturation of the Notch receptor.     

The CXXCXXC motif determines the folding, structure and stability of human Ero1-Lalpha

The presence of correctly formed disulfide bonds is crucial to the structure and function of proteins that are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Disulfide bond formation occurs in the ER owing to the presence of several specialized catalysts and a suitable redox potential. Work in yeast has indicated that the ER resident glycoprotein Ero1p provides oxidizing equivalents to newly synthesized proteins via protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). Here we show that Ero1-Lalpha, the human homolog of Ero1p, exists as a collection of oxidized and reduced forms and covalently binds PDI. We analyzed Ero1-Lalpha cysteine mutants in the presumed active site C(391)VGCFKC(397). Our results demonstrate that this motif is important for protein folding, structural integrity, protein half-life and the stability of the Ero1-Lalpha-PDI complex.     

Balanced Ero1 activation and inactivation establishes ER redox homeostasis

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) provides an environment optimized for oxidative protein folding through the action of Ero1p, which generates disulfide bonds, and Pdi1p, which receives disulfide bonds from Ero1p and transfers them to substrate proteins. Feedback regulation of Ero1p through reduction and oxidation of regulatory bonds within Ero1p is essential for maintaining the proper redox balance in the ER. In this paper, we show that Pdi1p is the key regulator of Ero1p activity. Reduced Pdi1p resulted in the activation of Ero1p by direct reduction of Ero1p regulatory bonds. Conversely, upon depletion of thiol substrates and accumulation of oxidized Pdi1p, Ero1p was inactivated by both autonomous oxidation and Pdi1p-mediated oxidation of Ero1p regulatory bonds. Pdi1p responded to the availability of free thiols and the relative levels of reduced and oxidized glutathione in the ER to control Ero1p activity and ensure that cells generate the minimum number of disulfide bonds needed for efficient oxidative protein folding.     

Two pairs of conserved cysteines are required for the oxidative activity of Ero1p in protein disulfide bond formation in the endoplasmic reticulum

In the major pathway for protein disulfide-bond formation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), oxidizing equivalents flow from the conserved ER-membrane protein Ero1p to secretory proteins via protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). Herein, a mutational analysis of the yeast ERO1 gene identifies two pairs of conserved cysteines likely to form redox-active disulfide bonds in Ero1p. Cys100, Cys105, Cys352, and Cys355 of Ero1p are important for oxidative protein folding and for cell viability, whereas Cys90, Cys208, and Cys349 are dispensable for these functions. Substitution of Cys100 with alanine impedes the capture of Ero1p-Pdi1p mixed-disulfide complexes from yeast, and also blocks oxidation of Pdi1p in vivo. Cys352 and Cys355 are required to maintain the fully oxidized redox state of Ero1p, and also play an auxiliary role in thiol-disulfide exchange with Pdi1p. These results suggest a model for the function of Ero1p wherein Cys100 and Cys105 form a redox-active disulfide bond that engages directly in thiol-disulfide exchange with ER oxidoreductases. The Cys352-Cys355 disulfide could then serve to reoxidize the Cys100-Cys105 cysteine pair, possibly through an intramolecular thiol-disulfide exchange reaction.     

ERO1-L, a human protein that favors disulfide bond formation in the endoplasmic reticulum

Oxidizing conditions must be maintained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to allow the formation of disulfide bonds in secretory proteins. Here we report the cloning and characterization of a mammalian gene (ERO1-L) that shares extensive homology with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ERO1 gene, required in yeast for oxidative protein folding. When expressed in mammalian cells, the product of the human ERO1-L gene co-localizes with ER markers and displays Endo-H-sensitive glycans. In isolated microsomes, ERO1-L behaves as a type II integral membrane protein. ERO1-L is able to complement several phenotypic traits of the yeast thermosensitive mutant ero1-1, including temperature and dithiothreitol sensitivity, and intrachain disulfide bond formation in carboxypeptidase Y. ERO1-L is no longer functional when either one of the highly conserved Cys-394 or Cys-397 is mutated. These results strongly suggest that ERO1-L is involved in oxidative ER protein folding in mammalian cells.     

Secretory kinase Fam20C tunes endoplasmic reticulum redox state via phosphorylation of Ero1α

Family with sequence similarity 20C (Fam20C), the physiological Golgi casein kinase, phosphorylates numerous secreted proteins that are involved in a wide variety of biological processes. However, the role of Fam20C in regulating proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen is largely unknown. Here, we report that Fam20C interacts with various luminal proteins and that its depletion results in a more reduced ER lumen. We further show that ER oxidoreductin 1α (Ero1α), the pivotal sulfhydryl oxidase that catalyzes disulfide formation in the ER, is phosphorylated by Fam20C in the Golgi apparatus and retrograde‐transported to the ER mediated by ERp44. The phosphorylation of Ser145 greatly enhances Ero1α oxidase activity and is critical for maintaining ER redox homeostasis and promoting oxidative protein folding. Notably, phosphorylation of Ero1α is induced under hypoxia, reductive stress, and secretion‐demanding conditions such as mammalian lactation. Collectively, our findings open a door to uncover how oxidative protein folding is regulated by phosphorylation in the secretory pathway.     

Different Interaction Modes for Protein-disulfide Isomerase (PDI) as an Efficient Regulator and a Specific Substrate of Endoplasmic Reticulum Oxidoreductin-1α (Ero1α)

Protein-disulfide isomerase (PDI) and sulfhydryl oxidase endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductin-1α (Ero1α) constitute the pivotal pathway for oxidative protein folding in the mammalian endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Ero1α oxidizes PDI to introduce disulfides into substrates, and PDI can feedback-regulate Ero1α activity. Here, we show the regulatory disulfide of Ero1α responds to the redox fluctuation in ER very sensitively, relying on the availability of redox active PDI. The regulation of Ero1α is rapidly facilitated by either a or a′ catalytic domain of PDI, independent of the substrate binding domain. On the other hand, activated Ero1α specifically binds to PDI via hydrophobic interactions and preferentially catalyzes the oxidation of domain a′. This asymmetry ensures PDI to function simultaneously as an oxidoreductase and an isomerase. In addition, several PDI family members are also characterized to be potent regulators of Ero1α. The novel modes for PDI as a competent regulator and a specific substrate of Ero1α govern efficient and faithful oxidative protein folding and maintain the ER redox homeostasis.     

Disulphide production by Ero1���CPDI relay is rapid and effectively regulated

The molecular networks that control endoplasmic reticulum (ER) redox conditions in mammalian cells are incompletely understood. Here, we show that after reductive challenge the ER steady‐state disulphide content is restored on a time scale of seconds. Both the oxidase Ero1α and the oxidoreductase protein disulphide isomerase (PDI) strongly contribute to the rapid recovery kinetics, but experiments in ERO1‐deficient cells indicate the existence of parallel pathways for disulphide generation. We find PDI to be the main substrate of Ero1α, and mixed‐disulphide complexes of Ero1 primarily form with PDI, to a lesser extent with the PDI‐family members ERp57 and ERp72, but are not detectable with another homologue TMX3. We also show for the first time that the oxidation level of PDIs and glutathione is precisely regulated. Apparently, this is achieved neither through ER import of thiols nor by transport of disulphides to the Golgi apparatus. Instead, our data suggest that a dynamic equilibrium between Ero1‐ and glutathione disulphide‐mediated oxidation of PDIs constitutes an important element of ER redox homeostasis.     

Manipulation of oxidative protein folding and PDI redox state in mammalian cells.

In the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), disulfide bonds are simultaneously formed in nascent proteins and removed from incorrectly folded or assembled molecules. In this compartment, the redox state must be, therefore, precisely regulated. Here we show that both human Ero1-Lalpha and Ero1-Lbeta (hEROs) facilitate disulfide bond formation in immunoglobulin subunits by selectively oxidizing PDI. Disulfide bond formation is controlled by hEROs, which stand at a crucial point of an electron-flow starting from nascent secretory proteins and passing through PDI. The redox state of ERp57, another ER-resident oxidoreductase, is not affected by over-expression of Ero1-Lalpha, suggesting that parallel and specific pathways control oxidative protein folding in the ER. Mutants in the Ero1-Lalpha CXXCXXC motif act as dominant negatives by limiting immunoglobulin oxidation. PDI-dependent oxidative folding in living cells can thus be manipulated by using hERO variants.     

Design,synthesis and evaluation of vilazodone-tacrine hybrids as multitarget-directed ligands against depression with cognitive impairment

Depression, a severe mental disease, is greatly difficult to treat and easy to induce other neuropsychiatric symptoms, the most frequent one is cognitive impairment. In this study, a series of novel vilazodone-tacrine hybrids were designed, synthesized and evaluated as multitarget agents against depression with cognitive impairment. Most compounds exhibited good multitarget activities and appropriate blood-brain barrier permeability. Specifically, compounds 1d and 2a exhibited excellent 5-HT_1A agonist activities (1d, EC₅₀?=?0.36?±?0.08?nM; 2a, EC₅₀?=?0.58?±?0.14?nM) and 5-HT reuptake inhibitory activities (1d, IC₅₀?=?20.42?±?6.60?nM; 2a, IC₅₀?=?22.10?±?5.80?nM). In addition, they showed moderate ChE inhibitory activities (1d, AChE IC₅₀?=?1.72?±?0.217?μM, BuChE IC₅₀?=?0.34?±?0.03?μM; 2a, AChE IC₅₀?=?2.36?±?0.34?μM, BuChE IC₅₀?=?0.10?±?0.01?μM). Good multitarget activities with goodt blood-brain barrier permeability of 1d and 2a make them good lead compounds for the further study of depression with cognitive impairment.     

A PDI-catalyzed thiol–disulfide switch regulates the production of hydrogen peroxide by human Ero1

Oxidative folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) involves ER oxidoreductin 1 (Ero1)-mediated disulfide formation in protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). In this process, Ero1 consumes oxygen (O₂) and releases hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), but none of the published Ero1 crystal structures reveal any potential pathway for entry and exit of these reactants. We report that additional mutation of the Cys²⁰⁸–Cys²⁴¹ disulfide in hyperactive Ero1α (Ero1α-C104A/C131A) potentiates H₂O₂ production, ER oxidation, and cell toxicity. This disulfide clamps two helices that seal the flavin cofactor where O₂ is reduced to H₂O₂. Through its carboxyterminal active site, PDI unlocks this seal by forming a Cys²⁰⁸/Cys²⁴¹-dependent mixed-disulfide complex with Ero1α. The H₂O₂-detoxifying glutathione peroxidase 8 also binds to the Cys²⁰⁸/Cys²⁴¹ loop region. Supported by O₂ diffusion simulations, these data describe the first enzymatically controlled O₂ access into a flavoprotein active site, provide molecular-level understanding of Ero1α regulation and H₂O₂ production/detoxification, and establish the deleterious consequences of constitutive Ero1 activity.     

Vitamin K epoxide reductase contributes to protein disulfide formation and redox homeostasis within the endoplasmic reticulum

The transfer of oxidizing equivalents from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) oxidoreductin (Ero1) oxidase to protein disulfide isomerase is an important pathway leading to disulfide formation in nascent proteins within the ER. However, Ero1-deficient mouse cells still support oxidative protein folding, which led to the discovery that peroxiredoxin IV (PRDX4) catalyzes a parallel oxidation pathway. To identify additional pathways, we used RNA interference in human hepatoma cells and evaluated the relative contributions to oxidative protein folding and ER redox homeostasis of Ero1, PRDX4, and the candidate oxidants quiescin-sulfhydryl oxidase 1 (QSOX1) and vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKOR). We show that Ero1 is primarily responsible for maintaining cell growth, protein secretion, and recovery from a reductive challenge. We further show by combined depletion with Ero1 that PRDX4 and, for the first time, VKOR contribute to ER oxidation and that depletion of all three activities results in cell death. Of importance, Ero1, PRDX4, or VKOR was individually capable of supporting cell viability, secretion, and recovery after reductive challenge in the near absence of the other two activities. In contrast, no involvement of QSOX1 in ER oxidative processes could be detected. These findings establish VKOR as a significant contributor to disulfide bond formation within the ER.