Nuclear translocation of caspase-3 is dependent on its proteolytic activation and recognition of a substrate-like protein(s)

Caspase-3 is thought to play an important role(s) in the nuclear morphological changes that occur in apoptotic cells and many nuclear substrates for caspase-3 have been identified despite the cytoplasmic localization of procaspase-3. Therefore, whether activated caspase-3 is localized in the nuclei and how active caspase-3 has access to its nuclear targets are important and unresolved questions. Here we confirmed nuclear localizations for both caspase-3-p17 and caspase-3-p12 subunits of active caspase in apoptotic cells using subcellular fractionation analysis. We also prepared polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies specific for active caspase-3 to define the subcellular localization of active caspase-3. Immunocytochemical observations using anti-active caspase-3 antibodies showed nuclear accumulation of active caspase-3 during apoptosis. In addition, caspase-3, but not caspase-7, translocated from the cytoplasm into the nucleus after induction of apoptosis. Mutations at the cleavage site between the p17 and p12 subunits and the substrate recognition site for the P3 amino acid of the DXXD substrate cleavage motif inhibited nuclear translocation of caspase-3, indicating that nuclear transport of active caspase-3 required proteolytic activation and substrate recognition. These results suggest that active caspase-3 is translocated in association with a substrate-like protein(s) from the cytoplasm into the nucleus during progression through apoptosis.     

Localization and retention of p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 1 in the nucleus: implications for its function

Ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (RSK1) belongs to a family of proteins with two kinase domains. Following activation in the cytoplasm by extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2), it mediates the cell-proliferative, cell-growth, and survival-promoting actions of a number of growth factors and other agonists. These diverse biological actions of RSK1 involve regulation of both cytoplasmic and nuclear events. However, the mechanisms that permit nuclear accumulation of RSK1 remain unknown. Here, we show that phosphorylation of RSK1 on S221 is important for its dissociation from the type Iα regulatory subunit of protein kinase A (PKA) in the cytoplasm and that RSK1 contains a bipartite nuclear localization sequence that is necessary for its nuclear entry. Once inside, the active RSK1 is retained in the nucleus via its interactions with PKA catalytic subunit and AKAP95. Mutations of RSK1 that do not affect its activity but disrupt its entry into the nucleus or expression of AKAP95 forms that do not enter the nucleus inhibit the ability of active RSK1 to stimulate DNA synthesis. Our findings identify novel mechanisms by which active RSK1 accumulates in the nucleus and also provide new insights into how AKAP95 orchestrates cell cycle progression.     

Protein kinase A-anchoring protein AKAP95 interacts with MCM2, a regulator of DNA replication

Protein kinase A (PKA)-anchoring protein AKAP95 is localized to the nucleus in interphase, where it primarily associates with the nuclear matrix. A yeast two-hybrid screen for AKAP95 interaction partners identified the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) 2 protein, a component of the pre-replication complex. AKAP95-MCM2 interaction was mapped to residues 1-195 of AKAP95 and corroborated by glutathione S-transferase precipitation and immunoprecipitation from chromatin. Disruption of AKAP95-MCM2 interaction with an AKAP95-(1-195) peptide within HeLa cell nuclei abolishes initiation of DNA replication in G1 phase and the elongation phase of replication in vitro without affecting global nuclear organization or import. Disruption of the C-terminal zinc finger of AKAP95 reduces efficiency of replication initiation. Disruption of the PKA-binding domain does not impair replication in G1- or S-phase nuclei, whereas a PKA inhibitor affects the initiation but not the elongation phase of replication. Depleting AKAP95 from nuclei partially depletes MCM2 and abolishes replication. Recombinant AKAP95 restores intranuclear MCM2 and replication in a dose-dependent manner. Our results suggest a role of AKAP95 in DNA replication by providing a scaffold for MCM2.     

Oligonucleosome DNA fragmentation of caspase 3 deficient MCF-7 cells in palmitate-induced apoptosis

Oligonucleosomal fragmentation of nuclear DNA is the late stage hallmark of the apoptotic process. In mammalian apoptotic cells fragmentation is catalyzed by DFF40/ CAD DNase. DFF40/CAD primary activated through site-specific proteolytic cleavage by caspase 3. The absence of caspase 3 in MCF-7 leads to lack of oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation under numerous apoptotic stimuli. In this study it was shown that palmitate induces apoptotic changes of nuclei and oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation in casp3 deficient MCF-7. Activation and accumulation of 40-50 kDa DFF40 like DNases in nuclei and cytoplasm of palmitate-treated MCF-7 were detected by SDS-DNA-PAGE assay. Microsomes of apoptotic MCF-7 activate 40-50 kDa nucleases when incubated with human placental chromatin and induce oligonucleosomal fragmentation of chromatin in cell free system. Both DNases activation and chromatin fragmentation are suppressed in presence of caspase 3/7 inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO. Microsome associated caspase 7 is suggested to play the principal role in induction of oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation of casp3 defitient MCF-7.     

Hypophosphorylation of the architectural chromatin protein DEK in death-receptor-induced apoptosis revealed by the isotope coded protein label proteomic platform

During apoptosis nuclear morphology changes dramatically due to alterations of chromatin architecture and cleavage of structural nuclear proteins. To characterize early events in apoptotic nuclear dismantling we have performed a proteomic study of apoptotic nuclei. To this end we have combined a cell-free apoptosis system with a proteomic platform based on the differential isotopic labeling of primary amines with N-nicotinoyloxy-succinimide. We exploited the ability of this system to produce nuclei arrested at different stages of apoptosis to analyze proteome alterations which occur prior to or at a low level of caspase activation. We show that the majority of proteins affected at the onset of apoptosis are involved in chromatin architecture and RNA metabolism. Among them is DEK, an architectural chromatin protein which is linked to autoimmune disorders. The proteomic analysis points to the occurrence of multiple PTMs in early apoptotic nuclei. This is confirmed by showing that the level of phosphorylation of DEK is decreased following apoptosis induction. These results suggest the unexpected existence of an early crosstalk between cytoplasm and nucleus during apoptosis. They further establish a previously unrecognized link between DEK and cell death, which will prove useful in the elucidation of the physiological function of this protein.     

Proteins in nucleocytoplasmic interactions. 3. Redistributions of nuclear proteins during and following mitosis in Amoeba proteus

The behavior of nuclear proteins in Amoeba proteus was studied by tritiated amino acid labeling, nuclear transplantation, and cytoplasmic amputation. During prophase at least 77% (but probably over 95%) of the nuclear proteins is released to the cytoplasm. These same proteins return to the nucleus within the first 3 hr of interphase. When cytoplasm is amputated from an ameba in mitosis (shen the nuclear proteins are in the cytoplasm), the resultant daughter nuclei are depleted in the labeled nuclear proteins. The degree of depletion is less than proportional to the amount of cytoplasm removed because a portion of rapidly migrating protein (a nuclear protein that is normally shuttling between nucleus and cytoplasm and is thus also present in the cytoplasm) which would normally remain in the cytoplasm is taken up by the reconstituting daughter nuclei. Cytoplasmic fragments cut from mitotic cells are enriched in both major classes of nuclear proteins, i.e. rapidly migrating protein and slow turn-over protein. An interphase nucleus implanted into such an enucleated cell acquires from the cytoplasm essentially all of the excess nuclear proteins of both classes. The data indicate that there is a lack of binding sites in the cytoplasm for the rapidly migrating nuclear protein. The quantitative aspects of the distribution of rapidly migrating protein between the nucleus and the cytoplasm indicate that the distribution is governed primarily by factors within the nucleus.     

Identification, cloning and characterization of a novel nuclear protein, HA95, homologous to A-kinase anchoring protein 95

Previously, we have identified and characterized nuclear AKAP95 from man which targets cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA)-type II to the condensed chromatin/spindle region at mitosis. Here we report the cloning of a novel nuclear protein with an apparent molecular mass of 95 kDa that is similar to AKAP95 and is designated HA95 (homologous to AKAP95). HA95 cDNA sequence encodes a protein of 646 amino acids that shows 61% homology to the deduced amino acid sequence of AKAP95. The HA95 gene is located on chromosome 19p13.1 immediately upstream of the AKAP95 gene. Both HA95 and AKAP95 genes contain 14 exons encoding similar regions of the respective proteins, indicating a previous gene duplication event as the origin of the two tandem genes. Despite their apparent similarity, HA95 does not bind RII in vitro. HA95 contains a putative nuclear localization signal in its N-terminal domain. It is localized exclusively into the nucleus as demonstrated in cells transfected with HA95 fused to either green fluorescence protein or the c-myc epitope. In the nucleus, the HA95 protein is found as complexes directly associated with each other or indirectly associated via other nuclear proteins. In interphase, HA95 is co-localized with AKAP95, but the two proteins are not biochemically associated. At metaphase, both proteins co-localize with condensed chromosomes. The similarity in sequence and localization of HA95 and AKAP95 suggests that the two molecules constitute a novel family of nuclear proteins that may exhibit related functions.     

Novel antibody to human BASP1 labels apoptotic cells post-caspase activation

Apoptosis is associated with morphological changes, including membrane blebbing, cell shrinkage, and chromatin condensation. However, the molecular mechanisms of the dynamic changes in cellular components during apoptosis are largely unknown. Here we developed a new rat monoclonal antibody, 9B1, that specifically immunolabeled dying cells in tissues and in cell cultures. The 9B1 antibody labeled the cytoplasm of apoptotic cells in a caspase-dependent manner. We identified human brain abundant membrane attached signal protein 1 (hBASP1) as the 9B1 antigen using the liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method. hBASP1 was present in the nucleus of HeLa cells, but relocated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm after the caspase activation step of apoptosis. Immunostaining analysis revealed that 9B1 preferentially labeled this cytoplasmic form of hBASP1. Labeling by 9B1 to distinguish apoptotic changes could be a novel criterion for determining whether cells with activated caspases are fated for survival or death.     

ABCA1-dependent but apoA-I-independent cholesterol efflux mediated by fatty acid-bile acid conjugates (FABACs)

PCD (programmed cell death) in plants presents important morphological and biochemical differences compared with apoptosis in animal cells. This raises the question of whether PCD arose independently or from a common ancestor in plants and animals. In the present study we describe a cell-free system, using wheat grain nucellar cells undergoing PCD, to analyse nucleus dismantling, the final stage of PCD. We have identified a Ca2+/Mg2+ nuclease and a serine protease localized to the nucleus of dying nucellar cells. Nuclear extracts from nucellar cells undergoing PCD triggered DNA fragmentation and other apoptotic morphology in nuclei from different plant tissues. Inhibition of the serine protease did not affect DNA laddering. Furthermore, we show that the nuclear extracts from plant cells triggered DNA fragmentation and apoptotic morphology in nuclei from human cells. The inhibition of the nucleolytic activity with Zn2+ or EDTA blocked the morphological changes of the nucleus. Moreover, nuclear extracts from apoptotic human cells triggered DNA fragmentation and apoptotic morphology in nuclei from plant cells. These results show that degradation of the nucleus is morphologically and biochemically similar in plant and animal cells. The implication of this finding on the origin of PCD in plants and animals is discussed.     

Caspases function in autophagic programmed cell death in Drosophila

Self-digestion of cytoplasmic components is the hallmark of autophagic programmed cell death. This auto-degradation appears to be distinct from what occurs in apoptotic cells that are engulfed and digested by phagocytes. Although much is known about apoptosis, far less is known about the mechanisms that regulate autophagic cell death. Here we show that autophagic cell death is regulated by steroid activation of caspases in Drosophila salivary glands. Salivary glands exhibit some morphological changes that are similar to apoptotic cells, including fragmentation of the cytoplasm, but do not appear to use phagocytes in their degradation. Changes in the levels and localization of filamentous Actin, alpha-Tubulin, alpha-Spectrin and nuclear Lamins precede salivary gland destruction, and coincide with increased levels of active Caspase 3 and a cleaved form of nuclear Lamin. Mutations in the steroid-regulated genes beta FTZ-F1, E93, BR-C and E74A that prevent salivary gland cell death possess altered levels and localization of filamentous Actin, alpha-Tubulin, alpha-Spectrin, nuclear Lamins and active Caspase 3. Inhibition of caspases, by expression of either the caspase inhibitor p35 or a dominant-negative form of the initiator caspase Dronc, is sufficient to inhibit salivary gland cell death, and prevent changes in nuclear Lamins and alpha-Tubulin, but not to prevent the reorganization of filamentous Actin. These studies suggest that aspects of the cytoskeleton may be required for changes in dying salivary glands. Furthermore, caspases are not only used during apoptosis, but also function in the regulation of autophagic cell death.     

水稻淀粉胚乳细胞编程性死亡中细胞核变化特征

应用透射电子显微镜技术 ,观察了水稻 (OryzasativaL .)淀粉胚乳细胞编程性死亡过程中核的变化特征。伴随胚乳的发育进程 ,淀粉胚乳细胞核表现出衰退特征 :核变形、染色质凝缩、核膜多处被降解破坏、核基质外泄等。DNALadder显示核内大片段DNA呈严重的弥散状拖尾现象 ,而核内和胞质中在 14 0～ 180bp处有明显的条带。在核衰退的同时 ,其胞质中的粗面内质网、淀粉质体和线粒体等细胞器具有正常的代谢功能 ,细胞仍在合成并积累营养物质 ,淀粉胚乳细胞一边衰退一边行使其功能 ,直至死亡。这些结果表明 ,水稻淀粉胚乳在核衰退的同时 ,细胞仍在积极合成与积累贮藏产物 ,表现为一种特殊形式的植物细胞编程性死亡现象。此外 ,对淀粉胚乳细胞特有的核质关系、植物细胞编程性死亡过程中细胞核的变化等问题进行了讨论。     

Programmed cell death in Bradysia hygida (Diptera, Sciaridae) salivary glands presents apoptotic features

In this work, we present biochemical and morphological evidence that the final steps of programmed cell death (PCD) in the salivary glands of the inferior Diptera, Bradysia hygida, present apoptotic characteristics. In B. hygida, elimination of salivary glands is preceded by the establishment of a typical pattern of protein synthesis; increase in caspase activity; decrease in cell volume; nuclear pyknosis; nuclear DNA breakage; changes in the actin cytoskeleton; and most importantly, destruction of giant cells via formation of apoptotic bodies containing broken DNA or cytoplasm remains. Thus, elimination of B. hygida salivary glands by this process suggests that such mode of PCD is also involved in the destruction of entire organs in insects and, therefore, adds more complexity to the regulation of tissue elimination during development.     

Nuclear translocation of granzyme B in target cell apoptosis

Granzyme B is the prototypic member of a family of serine proteases localized to the cytolytic granules of cytotoxic lymphocytes. Together with another granule protein, perforin, granzyme B is capable of inducing all aspects of apoptotic death in target cells. A number of granzyme B substrates have been identified and it has been demonstrated that granzyme B is responsible, directly or indirectly, for the morphological nuclear changes observed in target cell apoptosis, including DNA fragmentation. In an earlier study, we showed that granzyme B binds to a nuclear protein in a manner dependent on its enzymatic activity. Here, we demonstrate that granzyme B is translocated rapidly to the nucleus in cells that have been induced to undergo apoptosis by a granzyme-dependent process, and that translocation is dependent on caspase activity. Appearance of granzyme B in the nucleus of target cells precedes the detection of DNA fragmentation. Although not directly responsible for DNA fragmentation, these data suggest a nuclear role for granzyme B in target cell apoptosis. c-Abl nuclear functions.     

Molecular Cloning, Chromosomal Localization, and Cell Cycle-Dependent Subcellular Distribution of the A-Kinase Anchoring Protein, AKAP95

The cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) type II is directed to different subcellular loci through interaction of the RII subunits with A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs). A full-length human clone encoding AKAP95 was identified and sequenced, and revealed a 692-amino acid open reading frame that was 89% homologous to the rat AKAP95 (V. M. Coghlan, L. K. Langeberg, A. Fernandez, N. J. Lamb, and J. D. Scott (1994)J. Biol. Chem.269, 7658–7665). The gene encoding AKAP95 was mapped to human chromosome 19p13.1-q12 using somatic cell hybrids and PCR. A fragment covering amino acids 414–692 of human AKAP95 was expressed inEscherichia coliand shown to bind RIIα. Competition with a peptide covering the RII-binding domain of AKAP Ht31 abolished RIIα binding to AKAP95. Immunofluorescence studies in quiescent human Hs-68 fibroblasts showed a nuclear localization of AKAP95, whereas RIIα was excluded from the nucleus. In contrast, during mitosis AKAP95 staining was markedly changed and appeared to be excluded from the condensed chromatin and localized outside the metaphase plate. Furthermore, the subcellular localizations of AKAP95 and RIIα overlapped in metaphase but started to segregate in anaphase and were again separated as AKAP95 reentered the nucleus in telophase. Finally, RIIα was coimmunoprecipitated with AKAP95 from HeLa cells arrested in mitosis, but not from interphase HeLa cells, demonstrating a physical association between these two molecules during mitosis. The results show a distinct redistribution of AKAP95 during mitosis, suggesting that the interaction between AKAP95 and RIIα may be cell cycle-dependent.     

p35 interacts with α‐tubulin and organelle proteins: Nuclear translocation of p35 in dying cells

We identified heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) C1/C2, hnRNP A1, the translocase of the transporter outer membrane 40 (TOM40), and α‐tubulin as new interaction partners of anti‐apoptotic protein p35 using MS‐based functional proteomics with GST‐p35 fusion protein as a bait, and using a pull‐down assay with p35‐6His followed by Western blot analysis. p35 was localized in the cytoplasm and in distinct organelles such as the nucleus and mitochondria. p35 was more abundant in the cytoplasm than it was in the nucleus. It co‐localized with α‐tubulin in the cytoplasm in the absence of a death stimulus. However, while cells were undergoing death induced by actinomycin D, cytoplasmic p35 was translocated into the nucleus; this process was inhibited by deletions of the N‐ and C‐terminal domains containing leucine‐rich motifs. Gene delivery of p35 using recombinant adenoviruses inhibited cytoplasmic compartmentalization of hnRNP C1/C2 and hnRNP A1 in dying cells. This study demonstrated translocation of p35 into the nuclei, as well as protection of the hnRNPs from redistribution in cells undergoing death. We propose an active role for p35 in maintaining the integrity of nuclear proteins during cell death.     

Nuclear translocation of PDCD5 (TFAR19): an early signal for apoptosis?

The programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) protein is a novel protein related to regulation of cell apoptosis. In this report, we demonstrate that the level of PDCD5 protein expressed in cells undergoing apoptosis is significantly increased compared with normal cells, then the protein translocates rapidly from the cytoplasm to the nucleus of cells. The appearance of PDCD5 in the nuclei of apoptotic cells precedes the externalization of phosphatidylserine and fragmentation of chromosome DNA. This phenomenon is parallel to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, independent of the feature of apoptosis-inducing stimuli and also independent of the cell types and the apoptosis modality. In conclusion, the nuclear translocation of PDCD5 is a universal earlier event of the apoptotic process, and may be a novel early marker for apoptosis.     

Biochemical and morphological changes in the nuclear matrix prepared from apoptotic HL‐60 cells: Effect of different stabilizing procedures

Apoptotic cell death is characterized by deep morphological changes that take place in the nucleus. It is unclear whether modifications also occur in the nuclear matrix, a mainly proteinaceous structure that conceivably acts as a nuclear framework. We have investigated whether biochemical and morphological alterations of the nuclear matrix prepared from apoptotic HL‐60 cells were dependent on the manipulations to which isolated nuclei were subjected before DNase I digestion and 2 M NaCl extraction. Our results showed that the stabilizing procedures employed to preserve the inner fibrogranular network and nucleolar remnants of the matrix (i.e., a 37°C incubation; exposure to sodium tetrathionate at 4°C; exposure to sodium tetrathionate at 37°C) had no effect on the protein recovery of apoptotic nuclear matrices, which was always approximately two‐ to fivefold less than in control matrices. Moreover, one‐ and two‐dimensional gel analysis of nuclear matrix proteins showed that, in apoptotic samples, striking quantitative changes were present, as compared with controls. Once again, these changes were seen irrespective of the stabilizing procedures employed. Also, transmission electron microscope analysis showed similar morphological alterations in all types of apoptotic nuclear matrices. By contrast, the immunofluorescent distribution of the 240‐kDa NuMA protein seen in apoptotic samples was more sensitive to the stabilizing treatments. Our results indicate that the biochemical and morphological changes of the apoptotic nuclear matrix are largely independent of the isolation protocols and strengthen the contention that destruction of the nuclear matrix network is one of the key events leading to apoptotic nuclear destruction. J. Cell. Biochem. 74:99–110, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.