Ubiquitin, proteasomes and proteolytic mechanisms activated by kidney disease

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) includes 3 enzymes that conjugate ubiquitin to intracellular proteins that are then recognized and degraded in the proteasome. The process participates in the regulation of cell metabolism. In the kidney, the UPS regulates the turnover of transporters and signaling proteins and its activity is down regulated in acidosis-induced proximal tubular cell hypertrophy. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), muscle wasting occurs because complications of CKD including acidosis, insulin resistance, inflammation, and increased angiotensin II levels stimulate the UPS to degrade muscle proteins. This response also includes caspase-3 and calpains which act to cleave muscle proteins to provide substrates for the UPS. For example, caspase-3 degrades actomyosin, leaving a 14 kDa fragment of actin in muscle. The 14 kDa actin fragment is increased in muscle of patient with kidney disease, burn injury and surgery. In addition, acidosis, insulin resistance, inflammation and angiotensin II stimulate glucocorticoid production. Glucocorticoids are also required for the muscle wasting that occurs in CKD. Thus, the UPS is involved in regulating kidney function and participates in highly organized responses that degrade muscle protein in response to loss of kidney function.     

Clenbuterol induces muscle-specific attenuation of atrophy through effects on the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is primarily responsible for myofibrillar protein degradation during hindlimb unweighting (HU). Beta-adrenergic agonists such as clenbuterol (CB) induce muscle hypertrophy and attenuate muscle atrophy due to disuse or inactivity. However, the molecular mechanism by which CB exerts these effects remains poorly understood. The aims of this study were to investigate whether CB attenuates HU-induced muscle atrophy through an inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and whether insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) mediates this inhibition. Rats were randomized to the following groups: weight-bearing control, 14-day CB-treated, 14-day HU, and CB + HU. HU-induced atrophy was associated with increased proteolysis and upregulation of components of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (ubiquitin conjugates, ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2-14 kDa, and 20S proteasome activity). Upregulation of the ubiquitin proteasome occurred in all muscles tested but was more pronounced in muscles composed primarily of slow-twitch fibers (soleus) than in fast-twitch muscles (plantaris and tibialis anterior). Although CB induced hypertrophy in all muscles, CB attenuated the HU-induced atrophy and reduced ubiquitin conjugates only in the fast plantaris and tibialis anterior and not in the slow soleus muscle. CB did not elevate IGF-I protein content in either of the muscles examined. These results suggest that CB induces hypertrophy and alleviates HU-induced atrophy, particularly in the fast muscles, at least in part through a muscle-specific inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and that these effects are not mediated by the local production of IGF-I in skeletal muscle.     

Muscle wasting in aged, sarcopenic rats is associated with enhanced activity of the ubiquitin proteasome pathway

Among the hallmarks of aged organisms are an accumulation of misfolded proteins and a reduction in skeletal muscle mass ("sarcopenia"). We have examined the effects of aging and dietary restriction (which retards many age-related changes) on components of the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) in muscle. The hindlimb muscles of aged (30 months old) rats showed a marked loss of muscle mass and contained 2-3-fold higher levels of 26S proteasomes than those of adult (4 months old) controls. 26S proteasomes purified from muscles of aged and adult rats showed a similar capacity to degrade peptides, proteins, and an ubiquitylated substrate, but differed in levels of proteasome-associated proteins (e.g. the ubiquitin ligase E6AP and deubiquitylating enzyme USP14). Also, the activities of many other deubiquitylating enzymes were greatly enhanced in the aged muscles. Nevertheless, their content of polyubiquitylated proteins was higher than in adult animals. The aged muscles contained higher levels of the ubiquitin ligase CHIP, involved in eliminating misfolded proteins, and MuRF1, which ubiquitylates myofibrillar proteins. These muscles differed from ones rapidly atrophying due to disease, fasting, or disuse in that Atrogin-1/MAFbx expression was low and not inducible by glucocorticoids. Thus, the muscles of aged rats showed many adaptations indicating enhanced proteolysis by the UPS, which may enhance their capacity to eliminate misfolded proteins and seems to contribute to the sarcopenia. Accordingly, dietary restriction decreased or prevented the aging-associated increases in proteasomes and other UPS components and reduced muscle wasting.     

The E3 ubiquitin ligase mind bomb 1 ubiquitinates and promotes the degradation of survival of motor neuron protein

Spinal muscular atrophy is an inherited motor neuron disease that results from a deficiency of the survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein. SMN is ubiquitinated and degraded through the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). We have previously shown that proteasome inhibition increases SMN protein levels, improves motor function, and reduces spinal cord, muscle, and neuromuscular junction pathology of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) mice. Specific targets in the UPS may be more efficacious and less toxic. In this study, we show that the E3 ubiquitin ligase, mind bomb 1 (Mib1), interacts with and ubiquitinates SMN and facilitates its degradation. Knocking down Mib1 levels increases SMN protein levels in cultured cells. Also, knocking down the Mib1 orthologue improves neuromuscular function in Caenorhabditis elegans deficient in SMN. These findings demonstrate that Mib1 ubiquitinates and catalyzes the degradation of SMN, and thus represents a novel therapeutic target for SMA.     

Reverse remodeling and recovery from cachexia in rats with aldosteronism

The congestive heart failure (CHF) syndrome with soft tissue wasting, or cachexia, has its pathophysiologic origins rooted in neurohormonal activation. Mechanical cardiocirculatory assistance reveals the potential for reverse remodeling and recovery from CHF, which has been attributed to device-based hemodynamic unloading whereas the influence of hormonal withdrawal remains uncertain. This study addresses the signaling pathways induced by chronic aldosteronism in normal heart and skeletal muscle at organ, cellular/subcellular, and molecular levels, together with their potential for recovery (Recov) after its withdrawal. Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were examined at 4 wk of aldosterone/salt treatment (ALDOST) and following 4-wk Recov. Compared with untreated, age-/sex-/strain-matched controls, ALDOST was accompanied by 1) a failure to gain weight, reduced muscle mass with atrophy, and a heterogeneity in cardiomyocyte size across the ventricles, including hypertrophy and atrophy at sites of microscopic scarring; 2) increased cardiomyocyte and mitochondrial free Ca(2+), coupled to oxidative stress with increased H(2)O(2) production and 8-isoprostane content, and increased opening potential of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore; 3) differentially expressed genes reflecting proinflammatory myocardial and catabolic muscle phenotypes; and 4) reversal to or toward recovery of these responses with 4-wk Recov. Aldosteronism in rats is accompanied by cachexia and leads to an adverse remodeling of the heart and skeletal muscle at organ, cellular/subcellular, and molecular levels. However, evidence presented herein implicates that these tissues retain their inherent potential for recovery after complete hormone withdrawal.     

Ubiquitin Signaling Regulates RNA Biogenesis,Processing, and Metabolism

The fate of eukaryotic proteins, from their synthesis to destruction, is supervised by the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS). The UPS is the primary pathway responsible for selective proteolysis of intracellular proteins, which is guided by covalent attachment of ubiquitin to target proteins by E1 (activating), E2 (conjugating), and E3 (ligating) enzymes in a process known as ubiquitylation. The UPS can also regulate protein synthesis by influencing multiple steps of RNA (ribonucleic acid) metabolism. Here, recent publications concerning the interplay between the UPS and different types of RNA are reviewed. This interplay mainly involves specific RNA-binding E3 ligases that link RNA-dependent processes with protein ubiquitylation. The emerging understanding of their modes of RNA binding, their RNA targets, and their molecular and cellular functions are primarily focused on. It is discussed how the UPS adapted to interact with different types of RNA and how RNA molecules influence the ubiquitin signaling components.     

大鼠心肌重塑过程中Axin蛋白质的表达变化

为观察大鼠心肌重塑过程中Axin蛋白质表达水平的变化,实验用颈静脉输注去甲肾上腺素(NE)和动静脉造瘘(AVF)方法复制大鼠心肌重塑病理模型,采用超声心动术检测心脏结构和收缩功能。取病理模型大鼠左心室以及分离培养的成年大鼠心肌成纤维细胞,采用Wester blot技术检测Axin蛋白质的表达水平。结果观察到,在颈静脉输注NE 3d后,大鼠心脏发生向心性心肌肥厚和心肌纤维化,其左心室的Axin蛋白表达水平较对照组显著升高。A-V造瘘术一周后引起大鼠离心性心肌肥厚,心肌无明显纤维化,心肌Axin表达量与对照相比无显著变化。在分离培养的成年大鼠心肌成纤维细胞,NE处理24h能明显升高Axin蛋白的表达水平。上述结果表明,大鼠心脏有Axin蛋白质表达,NE致大鼠心肌重塑过程中Axin蛋白表达显著增加,可能与该过程的心肌纤维化有关。     

The gene expression of ubiquitin ligase E3alpha is upregulated in skeletal muscle during sepsis in rats-potential role of glucocorticoids

Muscle protein breakdown during sepsis is associated with upregulated expression and activity of the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway. Previous studies suggest that ubiquitination of proteins in skeletal muscle is regulated by the ubiquitin ligase E3alpha together with the 14 kDa ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2(14k). The E3alpha gene was cloned only recently. The influence of sepsis on the gene expression of E3alpha in skeletal muscle has not been reported. In the present study, induction of sepsis in rats by cecal ligation and puncture resulted in increased mRNA levels for E3alpha in white, fast-twitch but not in red slow-twitch muscle. Treatment with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU38486 (10 mg/kg) prevented the sepsis-induced increase in E3alpha and E2(14k) mRNA levels. The present study is the first report of increased E3alpha expression in skeletal muscle during sepsis. The results lend further support to the concept that glucocorticoid-mediated upregulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway is involved in sepsis-induced muscle cachexia. Increased expression of both E3alpha and E2(14k) suggests that muscle proteins are degraded in the N-end rule pathway during sepsis.     

Targeting the Ubiquitin E3 Ligase MuRF1 to Inhibit Muscle Atrophy

Progressive muscle wasting, also known as myopathy or muscle atrophy is a debilitating and life-threatening disorder. Myopathy is a pathological condition of many diseases including cancer, diabetes, COPD, and AIDS and is a natural consequence of inactivity and aging (sarcopenia). Muscle atrophy occurs when there is a net loss of muscle mass resulting in a change in the balance between protein synthesis and protein degradation. The ubiquitin pathway and specific ubiquitin pathway enzymes have been directly implicated in the progression of atrophy. The ubiquitin E3 ligase Muscle-specific RING Finger E3 ligase (MuRF1) is upregulated and increases protein degradation and muscle wasting in numerous muscle atrophy models. The inhibition of MuRF1 could be a novel mechanism to prevent or reverse muscle wasting associated with various pathologies. We screened a small molecule library for inhibitors to MuRF1 activity and identified P013222, an inhibitor of MuRF1 autoubiquitylation. Further, P013222 was shown to inhibit MuRF1-dependent substrate ubiquitylation, and was active in inhibiting MuRF1 in a cellular atrophy model. Thus MuRF1 can be targeted in a specific manner and produce positive results in cellular atrophy models.     

The initiation factor eIF3-f is a major target for atrogin1/MAFbx function in skeletal muscle atrophy

In response to cancer, AIDS, sepsis and other systemic diseases inducing muscle atrophy, the E3 ubiquitin ligase Atrogin1/MAFbx (MAFbx) is dramatically upregulated and this response is necessary for rapid atrophy. However, the precise function of MAFbx in muscle wasting has been questioned. Here, we present evidence that during muscle atrophy MAFbx targets the eukaryotic initiation factor 3 subunit 5 (eIF3-f) for ubiquitination and degradation by the proteasome. Ectopic expression of MAFbx in myotubes induces atrophy and degradation of eIF3-f. Conversely, blockade of MAFbx expression by small hairpin RNA interference prevents eIF3-f degradation in myotubes undergoing atrophy. Furthermore, genetic activation of eIF3-f is sufficient to cause hypertrophy and to block atrophy in myotubes, whereas genetic blockade of eIF3-f expression induces atrophy in myotubes. Finally, eIF3-f induces increasing expression of muscle structural proteins and hypertrophy in both myotubes and mouse skeletal muscle. We conclude that eIF3-f is a key target that accounts for MAFbx function during muscle atrophy and has a major role in skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Thus, eIF3-f seems to be an attractive therapeutic target.     

Post-infarct sleep disruption and its relation to cardiac remodeling in a rat model of myocardial infarction

Sleep disruption after myocardial infarction (MI) by affecting ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) is thought to contribute to myocardial remodeling and progressive worsening of cardiac function. The aim of current study was to test the hypothesis about the increased risk of developing heart failure due to experience of sleep restriction (SR) after MI. Male Wistar rats (n = 40) were randomly assigned to four experimental groups: (1) Sham, (2) MI, (3) MI and SR (MI + SR) (4) Sham and SR (Sham + SR). MI was induced by permanent ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery. Twenty-four hours after surgery, animals were subjected to chronic SR paradigm. Blood sampling was performed at days 1, 8 and 21 after MI for determination of serum levels of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), corticosterone, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO). Finally, at 21?days after MI, echocardiographic parameters and expression of MuRF1, MaFBx, A20, eNOS, iNOS and NF-kB in the heart were evaluated. We used H&;E staining to detect myocardial hypertrophy. We found out that post infarct SR increased corticosterone levels. Our results highlighted deteriorating effects of post-MI SR on NO production, oxidative stress, and echocardiographic indexes (p < 0.05). Moreover, its detrimental effects on myocardial damage were confirmed by overexpression of MuRF1, MaFBx, iNOS and NF-kB (p < 0.001) in left ventricle and downregulation of A20 and eNOS (p < 0.05). Furthermore, histological examination revealed that experience of SR after MI increased myocardial diameter as compared to Sham subjects (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that SR after MI leads to an enlargement of the heart within 21?days, marked by an increase in oxidative stress and NO production as well as an imbalance in UPS that ultimately results in cardiac dysfunction and heart failure.