The protective role of curcumin in myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a well-known pathological condition that is characterized by high morbidity and mortality. The main pathological manifestation of CAD is myocardial injury due to ischemia–reperfusion (I–R). Currently, no efficacious treatment of protecting the heart against myocardial I–R exists. Hence, it is necessary to discover or develop novel strategies to prevent myocardial-reperfusion injury to improve clinical outcomes in patients with CAD. A large body of experimental evidence supports cardioprotective properties of curcumin and the ability of this phytochemical to modify some cardiovascular risk factors. However, the detailed effects of curcumin in myocardial I–R injury are still unclear and there is a lack of evidence concerning which curcumin regimen may be ideal for myocardial I–R injury. This paper presents a brief review of the pathophysiology of myocardial I–R injury and the mechanisms of action of curcumin in reducing myocardial I–R injury.     

The role of membrane thickness in charged protein–lipid interactions

Charged amino acids are known to be important in controlling the actions of integral and peripheral membrane proteins and cell disrupting peptides. Atomistic molecular dynamics studies have shed much light on the mechanisms of membrane binding and translocation of charged protein groups, yet the impact of the full diversity of membrane physico-chemical properties and topologies has yet to be explored. Here we have performed a systematic study of an arginine (Arg) side chain analog moving across saturated phosphatidylcholine (PC) bilayers of variable hydrocarbon tail length from 10 to 18 carbons. For all bilayers we observe similar ion-induced defects, where Arg draws water molecules and lipid head groups into the bilayers to avoid large dehydration energy costs. The free energy profiles all exhibit sharp climbs with increasing penetration into the hydrocarbon core, with predictable shifts between bilayers of different thickness, leading to barrier reduction from 26 kcal/mol for 18 carbons to 6 kcal/mol for 10 carbons. For lipids of 10 and 12 carbons we observe narrow transmembrane pores and corresponding plateaus in the free energy profiles. Allowing for movements of the protein and side chain snorkeling, we argue that the energetic cost for burying Arg inside a thin bilayer will be small, consistent with recent experiments, also leading to a dramatic reduction in pK_a shifts for Arg. We provide evidence that Arg translocation occurs via an ion-induced defect mechanism, except in thick bilayers (of at least 18 carbons) where solubility-diffusion becomes energetically favored. Our findings shed light on the mechanisms of ion movement through membranes of varying composition, with implications for a range of charged protein–lipid interactions and the actions of cell-perturbing peptides. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane protein structure and function.     

The role of bone sialoprotein in the tendon–bone insertion

Tendons/ligaments insert into bone via a transitional structure, the enthesis, which is susceptible to injury and difficult to repair. Fibrocartilaginous entheses contain fibrocartilage in their transitional zone, part of which is mineralized. Mineral-associated proteins within this zone have not been adequately characterized. Members of the Small Integrin Binding Ligand N-linked Glycoprotein (SIBLING) family are acidic phosphoproteins expressed in mineralized tissues. Here we show that two SIBLING proteins, bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteopontin (OPN), are present in the mouse enthesis. Histological analyses indicate that the calcified zone of the quadriceps tendon enthesis is longer in Bsp^−/− mice, however no difference is apparent in the supraspinatus tendon enthesis. In an analysis of mineral content within the calcified zone, micro-CT and Raman spectroscopy reveal that the mineral content in the calcified fibrocartilage of the quadriceps tendon enthesis are similar between wild type and Bsp^−/− mice. Mechanical testing of the patellar tendon shows that while the tendons fail under similar loads, the Bsp^−/− patellar tendon is 7.5% larger in cross sectional area than wild type tendons, resulting in a 16.5% reduction in failure stress. However, Picrosirius Red staining shows no difference in collagen organization. Data collected here indicate that BSP is present in the calcified fibrocartilage of murine entheses and suggest that BSP plays a regulatory role in this structure, influencing the growth of the calcified fibrocartilage in addition to the weakening of the tendon mechanical properties. Based on the phenotype of the Bsp^−/− mouse enthesis, and the known in vitro functional properties of the protein, BSP may be a useful therapeutic molecule in the reattachment of tendons and ligaments to bone.     

The interrelationship between ligand binding and self-association of the folate binding protein. The role of detergent–tryptophan interaction

Background

The folate binding protein (FBP) regulates homeostasis and intracellular trafficking of folic acid, a vitamin of decisive importance in cell division and growth. We analyzed whether interrelationship between ligand binding and self-association of FBP plays a significant role in the physiology of folate binding.

Methods

Self-association behavior of apo- and holo-FBP was addressed through size exclusion chromatography, SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry, surface plasmon resonance and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Results

Especially holo-FBP exhibits concentration-dependent self-association at pH 7.4 (pI), and is more prone to associate into stable complexes than apo-FBP. Even more pronounced was the tendency to complexation between apo-FBP and holo-FBP in accord with a model predicting association between apo and holo monomers [19]. This will lead to removal of apo monomers from the reaction scheme resulting in a weak incomplete ligand binding similar to that observed at FBP concentrations < 10 nM. The presence of synthetic and natural detergents normalized folate binding kinetics and resulted in appearance of monomeric holo-FBP. Fluorescence spectroscopy indicated molecular interactions between detergent and tryptophan residues located in hydrophobic structures of apo-FBP which may participate in protein associations.

General significance

Self-association into multimers may protect binding sites, and in case of holo-FBP even folate from biological degradation. High-affinity folate binding in body secretions, typically containing 1–10 nM FBP, requires the presence of natural detergents, i.e. cholesterol and phospholipids, to avoid complexation between apo- and holo-FBP.     

EMILIN1-α4/α9 integrin interaction inhibits dermal fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation

EMILIN1 promotes α4β1 integrin-dependent cell adhesion and migration and reduces pro-transforming growth factor-β processing. A knockout mouse model was used to unravel EMILIN1 functions in skin where the protein was abundantly expressed in the dermal stroma and where EMILIN1-positive fibrils reached the basal keratinocyte layer. Loss of EMILIN1 caused dermal and epidermal hyperproliferation and accelerated wound closure. We identified the direct engagement of EMILIN1 to α4β1 and α9β1 integrins as the mechanism underlying the homeostatic role exerted by EMILIN1. The lack of EMILIN1-α4/α9 integrin interaction was accompanied by activation of PI3K/Akt and Erk1/2 pathways as a result of the reduction of PTEN. The down-regulation of PTEN empowered Erk1/2 phosphorylation that in turn inhibited Smad2 signaling by phosphorylation of residues Ser245/250/255. These results highlight the important regulatory role of an extracellular matrix component in skin proliferation. In addition, EMILIN1 is identified as a novel ligand for keratinocyte α9β1 integrin, suggesting prospective roles for this receptor-ligand pair in skin homeostasis.     

The expanding role of miR-302–367 in pluripotency and reprogramming

MicroRNA (miRNA) has been shown to be essential for regulating cell fate and pluripotency; however, our knowledge of miRNA function in stem cells is incomplete due to experimental limitations and difficulties in identifying their physiological targets. Recent studies implicated hESC-expressed miRNAs (miR?302–367 and miR?371–373 clusters) in regulating BMP signaling and promoting pluripotency, suggesting that low levels of BMP signaling may promote pluripotency by preventing neural induction. A comprehensive list of miR?302–367 targets recently identified by genome-wide approaches suggests a number of additional cellular processes and signaling pathways whose regulation by miR?302–367 may promote pluripotency and reprogramming, such as cell cycle, epigenetic changes, metabolism and vesicular transfer.     

The epidermal lipid barrier in microbiome–skin interaction

The corneocyte layers forming the upper surface of mammalian skin are embedded in a lamellar-membrane matrix which repels harmful molecules while retaining solutes from subcutaneous tissues. Only certain bacterial and fungal taxa colonize skin surfaces. They have ways to use epidermal lipids as nutrients while resisting antimicrobial fatty acids. Skin microorganisms release lipophilic microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) molecules which are largely retained by the epidermal lipid barrier. Skin barrier defects, as in atopic dermatitis, impair lamellar-membrane integrity, resulting in altered skin microbiomes, which then include the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. The resulting increased penetration of MAMPs and toxins promotes skin inflammation. Elucidating how microorganisms manipulate the epidermal lipid barrier will be key for better ways of preventing inflammatory skin disorders.     

Proteomic profiling identifies markers for inflammation-related tumor–fibroblast interaction

Background

Cancer associated fibroblasts are activated in the tumor microenvironment and contribute to tumor progression, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and inflammation.

Methods

To identify proteins characteristic for fibroblasts in colorectal cancer we used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to derive protein abundance from whole-tissue homogenates of human colorectal cancer/normal mucosa pairs. Alterations of protein levels were determined by two-sided t test with greater than threefold difference and an FDR of < 0.05. Public available datasets were used to predict proteins of stromal origin and link protein with mRNA regulation. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the localization of selected proteins.

Results

We identified a set of 24 proteins associated with inflammation, matrix organization, TGFβ receptor signaling and angiogenesis mainly originating from the stroma. Most prominent were increased abundance of SerpinB5 in the parenchyme and latent transforming growth factor β-binding protein, thrombospondin-B2, and secreted protein acidic-and-cysteine-rich in the stroma. Extracellular matrix remodeling involved collagens type VIII, XII, XIV, and VI as well as lysyl-oxidase-2. In silico analysis of mRNA levels demonstrated altered expression in the tumor and the adjacent normal tissue as compared to mucosa of healthy individuals indicating that inflammatory activation affected the surrounding tissue. Immunohistochemistry of 26 tumor specimen confirmed upregulation of SerpinB5, thrombospondin B2 and secreted protein acidic-and-cysteine-rich.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the feasibility of detecting tumor- and compartment-specific protein-signatures that are functionally meaningful by proteomic profiling of whole-tissue extracts together with mining of RNA expression datasets. The results provide the basis for further exploration of inflammation-related stromal markers in larger patient cohorts and experimental models.

     

The role of liquid–liquid phase separation in regulating enzyme activity

Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) is now recognized as a common mechanism underlying regulation of enzyme activity in cells. Insights from studies in cells are complemented by in vitro studies aimed at developing a better understanding of mechanisms underlying such control. These mechanisms are often based on the influence of LLPS on the physicochemical properties of the enzyme's environment. Biochemical mechanisms underlying such regulation include the potential for concentrating reactants together, tuning reaction rates, and controlling competing metabolic pathways. LLPS is thus a powerful tool with extensive utilities at the cell's disposal, e.g. for consolidating cell survival under stress or rerouting metabolic pathways in response to the energy state of the cell. Here, we examin the evidence for how LLPS affects enzyme catalysis and begin to understand emerging concepts and expand our understanding of enzyme catalysis in living cells.     

The crucial role of elasticity in regulating liquid–liquid phase separation in cells

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology - Liquid–liquid phase separation has emerged as a fundamental mechanism underlying intracellular organization, with evidence for it being reported...     

The functional role of Cys3–Cys4 loop in hydrophobin HGFI

Hydrophobins are a large group of low-molecular weight proteins. These proteins are highly surface-active and can form amphipathic membranes by self-assembling at hydrophobic–hydrophilic interfaces. Based on physical properties and hydropathy profiles, hydrophobins are divided into two classes. Upon the analysis of amino acid sequences and higher structures, some models suggest that the Cys3–Cys4 loop regions in class I and II hydrophobins can exhibit remarkable difference in their alignment and conformation, and have a critical role in the rodlets structure formation. To examine the requirement for the Cys3–Cys4 loop in class I hydrophobins, we used protein fusion technology to obtain a mutant protein HGFI-AR by replacing the amino acids between Cys3 and Cys4 of the class I hydrophobin HGFI from Grifola frondosa with those ones between Cys3 and Cys4 of the class II hydrophobin HFBI from Trichoderma reesei. The gene of the mutant protein HGFI-AR was successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris. Water contact angle (WCA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements demonstrated that the purified HGFI-AR could form amphipathic membranes by self-assembling at mica and hydrophobic polystyrene surfaces. This property enabled them to alter the surface wettabilities of polystyrene and mica and change the elemental composition of siliconized glass. In comparison to recombinant class I hydrophobin HGFI (rHGFI), the membranes formed on hydrophobic surfaces by HGFI-AR were not robust enough to resist 1 % hot SDS washing. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements indicated that unlike rHGFI, no rodlet structure was observed on the mutant protein HGFI-AR coated mica surface. In addition, when compared to rHGFI, no secondary structural change was detected by Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy after HGFI-AR self-assembled at the water–air interface. HGFI-AR could not either be deemed responsible for the fluorescence intensity increase of Thioflavin T (THT) and the Congo Red (CR) absorption spectra shift (after the THT(CR)/HGFI-AR mixed aqueous solution was drastically vortexed). Remarkably, replacement of the Cys3–Cys4 loop could impair the rodlet formation of the class I hydrophobin HGFI. So, it could be speculated that the Cys3–Cys4 loop plays an important role in conformation and functionality, when the class I hydrophobin HGFI self-assembles at hydrophobic–hydrophilic interfaces.