Potential role of ATP‐binding cassette transporters against acaricides in the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato

ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters have been shown to be involved in pesticide detoxification in arthropod vectors and are thought to contribute to the development of drug resistance. Little is currently known about the role they play in ticks, which are among the more important vectors of human and animal pathogens. Here, the role of ABC transporters in the transport of fipronil and ivermectin acaricides in the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) was investigated. Larvae were treated with acaricide alone and acaricide in combination with a sub‐lethal dose of the ABC transporter inhibitor cyclosporine A. The LC₅₀ doses and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimated by mortality data using probit analysis were 67.930 p.p.m. (95% CI 53.780–90.861) for fipronil and 3741 p.p.m. (95% CI 2857–4647) for ivermectin. The pre‐exposure of larvae to a sub‐lethal dose of cyclosporine A reduced the LC₅₀ dose of fipronil to 4.808 p.p.m. (95% CI 0.715–9.527) and that of ivermectin to 167 p.p.m. (95% CI 15–449), which increased toxicity by about 14‐ and 22‐fold, respectively. The comparison of mortality data for each separate acaricide concentration showed the synergic effect of cyclosporine A to be reduced at higher concentrations of acaricide. These results show for the first time a strong association between ABC transporters and acaricide detoxification in R.sanguineus s.l.     

Allosteric transitions of ATP‐binding cassette transporter MsbA studied by the adaptive anisotropic network model

The transporter MsbA is a kind of multidrug resistance ATP‐binding cassette transporter that can transport lipid A, lipopolysaccharides, and some amphipathic drugs from the cytoplasmic to the periplasmic side of the inner membrane. In this work, we explored the allosteric pathway of MsbA from the inward‐ to outward‐facing states during the substrate transport process with the adaptive anisotropic network model. The results suggest that the allosteric transitions proceed in a coupled way. The large‐scale closing motions of the nucleotide‐binding domains occur first, accompanied with a twisting motion at the same time, which becomes more obvious in middle and later stages, especially for the later. This twisting motion plays an important role for the rearrangement of transmembrane helices and the opening of transmembrane domains on the periplasmic side that mainly take place in middle and later stages respectively. The topological structure plays an important role in the motion correlations above. The conformational changes of nucleotide‐binding domains are propagated to the transmembrane domains via the intracellular helices IH1 and IH2. Additionally, the movement of the transmembrane domains proceeds in a nonrigid body, and the two monomers move in a symmetrical way, which is consistent with the symmetrical structure of MsbA. These results are helpful for understanding the transport mechanism of the ATP‐binding cassette exporters. Proteins 2015; 83:1643–1653. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Hyperglycemia accelerates ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 degradation via an ERK‐dependent pathway in macrophages

An elevation in blood glucose concentration leads to increased risk of developing diabetes‐associated atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease due to an excessive accumulation of cholesterol in arterial macrophages. ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is an atheroprotective protein that mediates the export of cholesterol from macrophages. The present study aims to investigate the effect of hyperglycemia on the regulation of ABCA1 expression and to explore its underlying mechanisms of regulation in macrophages. Our results show that high glucose activates the extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK) signaling pathway via reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which in turn down‐regulates ABCA1 mRNA and protein expression. This down‐regulation is mediated by accelerating ABCA1 mRNA and protein degradation in macrophages exposed to high concentrations of glucose. Our results provide evidence for the first time that hyperglycemia inhibits ABCA1 expression by ERK‐modulated ABCA1 mRNA and protein stability. Overall, these results provide a mechanism for hyperglycemia‐induced reduction in ABCA1 expression, which suggests a promising strategy for the treatment of diabetes‐associated atherosclerosis. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 1364–1373, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

多烯类抗生素合成基因簇中ABC转运蛋白研究进展

ABC转运蛋白家族是一个广泛存在于不同生物细胞中且功能保守的膜蛋白亚家族;它们是一类单向底物转运泵,通常以主动转运方式完成多种分子的跨膜转运。随着抗生素合成基因簇相关研究的开展,越来越多的簇内ABC转运蛋白被鉴定出来,对其生物学功能的研究正逐渐成为热点。多烯类抗生素作为一类重要的抗真菌药物,能够有效避免真菌产生耐药性,具有非常重要的临床价值。本文以多烯类抗生素合成基因簇为对象,综述了在其中所发现的ABC转运蛋白的研究进展,综合分析了其结构特性与功能间的关系,并对研究应用进行了展望。     

Small GTP‐binding proteins in the nuclei of human placenta

Mitochondria and crude nuclei containing fractions from human placenta have been shown to contain proteins which bind [α³²P]‐GTP. Prior to this study the number of GTP‐binding proteins in placental nuclei and their nucleotide specificity was not known. Also unknown was the identity of any of the GTP‐binding proteins in mitochondria of human placenta. Nuclei and mitochondria were purified from human placental extracts by sedimentation. Proteins were separated by electrophoresis and transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. Overlay blot with [α³²P]‐GTP identified two nuclei proteins with approximate molecular weights of 24 and 27 kDa. Binding of [α³²P]‐GTP to the 27 and 24 kDa proteins was significantly displaced by guanine nucleotides but not by adenine, thymine or cytosine nucleotides or deoxy (d) GTP. Western blot with a specific antibody to Ran identified a band at 27 kDa in nuclei and in mitochondrial fractions. These data indicate that both nuclei and mitochondria contain 24 and 27 kDa GTP‐binding proteins. The GTP‐binding proteins in nuclei display binding specificity for guanine nucleotides and the hydroxylated carbon 2 on the ribose ring of GTP appears essential for binding. It will be important in future studies to determine the functions of these small GTP‐binding proteins in the development and physiology of the placenta. J. Cell. Biochem. 84: 100–107, 2002. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Evaluation of the role of ATP-binding cassette transporters as a defence mechanism against temephos in populations of Aedes aegypti

The role of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in the efflux of the insecticide, temephos, was assessed in the larvae of Aedes aegypti. Bioassays were conducted using mosquito populations that were either susceptible or resistant to temephos by exposure to insecticide alone or in combination with sublethal doses of the ABC transporter inhibitor, verapamil (30, 35 and 40 μM). The best result in the series was obtained with the addition of verapamil (40 μM), which led to a 2x increase in the toxicity of temephos, suggesting that ABC transporters may be partially involved in conferring resistance to the populations evaluated.     

Predominant role of plasma membrane monoamine transporters in monoamine transport in 1321N1, a human astrocytoma‐derived cell line

Monoamine neurotransmitters should be immediately removed from the synaptic cleft to avoid excessive neuronal activity. Recent studies have shown that astrocytes and neurons are involved in monoamine removal. However, the mechanism of monoamine transport by astrocytes is not entirely clear. We aimed to elucidate the transporters responsible for monoamine transport in 1321N1, a human astrocytoma‐derived cell line. First, we confirmed that 1321N1 cells transported dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and histamine in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Kinetics analysis suggested the involvement of low‐affinity monoamine transporters, such as organic cation transporter (OCT) 2 and 3 and plasma membrane monoamine transporter (PMAT). Monoamine transport in 1321N1 cells was not Na⁺/Cl^? dependent but was inhibited by decynium‐22, an inhibitor of low‐affinity monoamine transporters, which supported the importance of low‐affinity transporters. RT‐PCR assays revealed that 1321N1 cells expressed OCT3 and PMAT but no other neurotransmitter transporters. Another human astrocytoma‐derived cell line, U251MG, and primary human astrocytes also exhibited the same gene expression pattern. Gene‐knockdown assays revealed that 1321N1 and primary human astrocytes could transport monoamines predominantly through PMAT and partly through OCT3. These results might indicate that PMAT and OCT3 in human astrocytes are involved in monoamine clearance.

     

Structural insights into substrate recognition in proton‐dependent oligopeptide transporters

Short‐chain peptides are transported across membranes through promiscuous proton‐dependent oligopeptide transporters (POTs)—a subfamily of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS). The human POTs, PEPT1 and PEPT2, are also involved in the absorption of various drugs in the gut as well as transport to target cells. Here, we present a structure of an oligomeric POT transporter from Shewanella oneidensis (PepT_So2), which was crystallized in the inward open conformation in complex with the peptidomimetic alafosfalin. All ligand‐binding residues are highly conserved and the structural insights presented here are therefore likely to also apply to human POTs.     

Principal expression of two mRNA isoforms (ABCB 5α and ABCB 5β ) of the ATP‐binding cassette transporter gene ABCB 5 in melanoma cells and melanocytes

ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters play a pivotal role in physiology and pathology. We identified and cloned two novel mRNA isoforms (ABCB 5α and ABCB 5β) of the ABC transporter ABCB 5 in human melanoma cells. The deduced ABCB 5α protein appears to be an altered splice variant containing only a putative ABC, whereas the ABCB 5β isoform shares approximately 70% similarity with ABCB1 (MDR1) and has a deduced topological arrangement similar to that of the whole carboxyl terminal half of the ABCB1 gene product, P‐glycoprotein, including an intact ABC. Northern blot, real‐time PCR, and conventional RT‐PCR were used to verify the expression profiles of ABCB 5α/β. We found that the melanomas included among the NCI‐60 panel of cell lines preferentially expressed both ABCB 5α and ABCB 5β. However, ABCB 5α/β expression was undetectable in two amelanotic melanomas (M14 and LOX‐IMVI). The expression profile of ABCB 5α/β in all of the other melanomas of the panel was confirmed both by RT‐PCR and by sequencing. Neither ABCB 5α nor ABCB 5β expression was found in normal tissues such as liver, spleen, thymus, kidney, lung, colon, small intestines or placenta. ABCB 5α/β mRNAs were also expressed in normal melanocytes and in retinal pigment epithelial cells, suggesting that ABCB 5α/β expression is pigment cell‐specific and might be involved in melanogenesis. Our findings indicate that expression of ABCB 5α/β might possibly provide two novel molecular markers for differential diagnosis of melanomas and constitute potential molecular targets for therapy of melanomas.     

Glucocorticoids modulate multidrug resistance transporters in the first trimester human placenta

The placental multidrug transporters, P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp, encoded by ABCB1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP, ABCG2) protect the foetus from exposure to maternally derived glucocorticoids, toxins and xenobiotics. During pregnancy, maternal glucocorticoid levels can be elevated by stress or exogenous administration. We hypothesized that glucocorticoids modulate the expression of ABCB1/P‐gp and ABCG2/BCRP in the first trimester human placenta. Our objective was to examine whether dexamethasone (DEX) or cortisol modulate first trimester placental expression of multidrug transporters and determine whether cytotrophoblasts or the syncytiotrophoblast are/is responsible for mediating these effects. Three models were examined: (i) an ex‐vivo model of placental villous explants (7‐10 weeks), (ii) a model of isolated first trimester syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast cells and (iii) the BeWo immortalized trophoblast cell line model. These cells/tissues were treated with DEX or cortisol for 24 hour to 72 hour. In first trimester placental explants, DEX (48 hour) increased ABCB1 (P < .001) and ABCG2 (P < .05) mRNA levels, whereas cortisol (48 hour) only increased ABCB1 mRNA levels (P < .01). Dexamethasone (P < .05) and cortisol (P < .01) increased BCRP but did not affect P‐gp protein levels. Breast cancer resistance protein expression was primarily confined to syncytiotrophoblasts. BeWo cells, when syncytialized with forskolin, increased expression of BCRP protein, and this was further augmented by DEX (P < .05). Our data suggest that the protective barrier provided by BCRP increases as cytotrophoblasts fuse to form the syncytiotrophoblast. Increase in glucocorticoid levels during the first trimester may reduce embryo/foetal exposure to clinically relevant BCRP substrates, because of an increase in placental BCRP.     

Research on the roles of genes coding ATP-binding cassette transporters in Porphyromonas gingivalis pathogenicity

Porphyromonas gingivalis, as a major pathogen of periodontitis, could rapidly adhere to and invade host gingival epithelial cells (GECs) for the induction of infection. One ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter gene was found to be upregulated during this infection process, however, the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we systemically investigated the messenger RNA level changes of all ABC transporter family genes in P. gingivalis while being internalized within GECs by real-time polymerase chain reaction. We identified that two ABC transporter genes, PG_RS04465 (PG1010) and PG_RS07320 (PG1665), were significantly increased in P. gingivalis after coculturing with GECs. Mutant strains with knockout (KO) of these two genes were generated by homogenous recombination. PG_RS04465 and PG_RS07320 KO mutants showed no change in the growth of bacteria per se. Knockdown of PG_RS07320, but not PG_RS04465, caused decreased endotoxin level in the bacteria. In contrast, both mutant strains showed decreased Arg- and Lys-gingipains activities, with significantly reduced adhesion and invasion capabilities. Secreted interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 levels in GECs cocultured with PG_RS04465 or PG_RS07320 KO mutants were also decreased, whereas, only the cells cocultured with PG_RS07320 KO mutants showed significant decrease. In addition, virulence study using mouse revealed that both KO mutant strains infection caused less mouse death than wild-type strains, showing reduced virulence of two KO strains. These results indicated that ABC transporter genes PG_RS04465 and PG_RS07320 are positive regulators of the virulence of P. gingivalis.     

Full engagement of liganded maltose‐binding protein stabilizes a semi‐open ATP‐binding cassette dimer in the maltose transporter

MalFGK₂ is an ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter that mediates the uptake of maltose/maltodextrins into Escherichia coli. A periplasmic maltose‐binding protein (MBP) delivers maltose to the transmembrane subunits (MalFG) and stimulates the ATPase activity of the cytoplasmic nucleotide‐binding subunits (MalK dimer). This MBP‐stimulated ATPase activity is independent of maltose for purified transporter in detergent micelles. However, when the transporter is reconstituted in membrane bilayers, only the liganded form of MBP efficiently stimulates its activity. To investigate the mechanism of maltose stimulation, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to study the interactions between the transporter and MBP in nanodiscs and in detergent. We found that full engagement of both lobes of maltose‐bound MBP unto MalFGK₂ is facilitated by nucleotides and stabilizes a semi‐open MalK dimer. Maltose‐bound MBP promotes the transition to the semi‐open state of MalK when the transporter is in the membrane, whereas such regulation does not require maltose in detergent. We suggest that stabilization of the semi‐open MalK₂ conformation by maltose‐bound MBP is key to the coupling of maltose transport to ATP hydrolysis in vivo, because it facilitates the progression of the MalK dimer from the open to the semi‐open conformation, from which it can proceed to hydrolyze ATP.     

Structural mechanism of ATP‐dependent DNA binding and DNA end bridging by eukaryotic Rad50

The Mre11–Rad50–Nbs1 (MRN) complex is a central factor in the repair of DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs). The ATP‐dependent mechanisms of how MRN detects and endonucleolytically processes DNA ends for the repair by microhomology‐mediated end‐joining or further resection in homologous recombination are still unclear. Here, we report the crystal structures of the ATPγS‐bound dimer of the Rad50^NBD (nucleotide‐binding domain) from the thermophilic eukaryote Chaetomium thermophilum (Ct) in complex with either DNA or CtMre11^RBD (Rad50‐binding domain) along with small‐angle X‐ray scattering and cross‐linking studies. The structure and DNA binding motifs were validated by DNA binding experiments in vitro and mutational analyses in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in vivo. Our analyses provide a structural framework for the architecture of the eukaryotic Mre11–Rad50 complex. They show that a Rad50 dimer binds approximately 18 base pairs of DNA along the dimer interface in an ATP‐dependent fashion or bridges two DNA ends with a preference for 3′ overhangs. Finally, our results may provide a general framework for the interaction of ABC ATPase domains of the Rad50/SMC/RecN protein family with DNA.     

Crystal stuctures of MglB‐2 (TP0684), a topologically variant d‐glucose‐binding protein from Treponema pallidum,reveal a ligand‐induced conformational change

Previously, we determined the crystal structure of apo‐TpMglB‐2, a d ‐glucose‐binding component of a putative ABC transporter from the syphilis spirochete Treponema pallidum. The protein had an unusual topology for this class of proteins, raising the question of whether the d ‐glucose‐binding mode would be different in TpMglB‐2. Here, we present the crystal structures of a variant of TpMglB‐2 with and without d ‐glucose bound. The structures demonstrate that, despite its aberrant topology, the protein undergoes conformational changes and binds d ‐glucose similarly to other Mgl‐type proteins, likely facilitating d ‐glucose uptake in T. pallidum.     

Combining capture–recapture data and known ages allows estimation of age‐dependent survival rates

In many animal populations, demographic parameters such as survival and recruitment vary markedly with age, as do parameters related to sampling, such as capture probability. Failing to account for such variation can result in biased estimates of population‐level rates. However, estimating age‐dependent survival rates can be challenging because ages of individuals are rarely known unless tagging is done at birth. For many species, it is possible to infer age based on size. In capture–recapture studies of such species, it is possible to use a growth model to infer the age at first capture of individuals. We show how to build estimates of age‐dependent survival into a capture–mark–recapture model based on data obtained in a capture–recapture study. We first show how estimates of age based on length increments closely match those based on definitive aging methods. In simulated analyses, we show that both individual ages and age‐dependent survival rates estimated from simulated data closely match true values. With our approach, we are able to estimate the age‐specific apparent survival rates of Murray and trout cod in the Murray River, Australia. Our model structure provides a flexible framework within which to investigate various aspects of how survival varies with age and will have extensions within a wide range of ecological studies of animals where age can be estimated based on size.     

In vitro screening system for hepatotoxicity: Comparison of bone‐marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells and Placenta‐derived stem cells

Stem cells have unique properties such as self‐renewal, plasticity to generate various cell types, and availability of cells of human origin. The characteristics are attentive in the toxicity screening against chemical toxicants. Placenta‐derived stem cells (PDSCs) have been spotlighted as a new cell source in stem cell research recently because they are characterized by their capacity to differentiate into multilineages. However, the use of PDSCs as an in vitro screening model for potential drug candidates has not yet been studied. Here, we analyzed the potentials for bone‐marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem (BM‐MSCs), which is a representative adult stem cells and PDSCs as an in vitro hepatotoxicity screening system, using well‐known hepatotoxicants. BM‐MSCs and PDSCs were analyzed to the potential for hepatogenic differentiation and were cultured with different concentrations of hepatotoxicants for time courses. The viability and ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters were measured by the MTT assay and RT‐PCR, respectively. The sensitivities of PDSCs to hepatotoxicants are more sensitive than those of BM‐MSCs. The viability (IC₅₀) to in PDSCs was less than that of BM‐MSCs after 48 and 72 h (P < 0.05) of CCl₄ exposure. The toxicities of CCl₄ were decreased by fourfold in hepatogenic differentiation inducing PDSCs compared to the undifferentiated cells. The alteration of ABCGs was observed in PDSCs during differentiation. These findings suggest that the naïve PDSCs expressing ABCGs can be used as a source for in vitro screening system as well as the expression patterns of ABCG1 and ABCG2 might be involved in the sensitivity of PDSCs to hepatotoxicants. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 49–58, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.