TGF‐β induces SOX2 expression in a time‐dependent manner in human melanoma cells

The sry‐related high‐mobility box (SOX)‐2 protein has recently been proven to play a significant role in progression, metastasis, and clinical prognosis spanning several cancer types. Research on the role of SOX2 in melanoma is limited and currently little is known about the mechanistic function of this gene in this context. Here, we observed high expression of SOX2 in both human melanoma cell lines and primary melanomas in contrast to melanocytic nevi. This overexpression in melanoma can, in part, be explained by extra gene copy numbers of SOX2 in primary samples. Interestingly, we were able to induce SOX2 expression, mediated by SOX4, via TGF‐β1 stimulation in a time‐dependent manner. Moreover, the knockdown of SOX2 impaired TGF‐β‐induced invasiveness. This phenotype switch can be explained by SOX2‐mediated cross talk between TGF‐β and non‐canonical Wnt signaling. Thus, we propose that SOX2 is involved in the critical TGF‐β signaling pathway, which has been shown to correlate with melanoma aggressiveness and metastasis. In conclusion, we have identified a novel downstream factor of TGF‐β signaling in melanoma, which may have further implications in the clinic.     

2'Halo-ATP and -GTP analogues: rational phasing tools for protein crystallography

The solution of the crystallographic macromolecular phase problem requires incorporation of heavy atoms into protein crystals. Several 2'-halogenated nucleotides have been reported as potential universal phasing tools for nucleotide binding proteins. However, only limited data are available dealing with the effect of 2'-substitution on recognition by the protein. We have determined equilibrium dissociation constants of 2'-halogenated ATP analogues for the ATP binding proteins UMP/CMP kinase and the molecular chaperone DnaK. Whereas the affinities to UMP/CMP kinase are of the same order of magnitude as for unsubstituted ATP, the affinities to DnaK are drastically decreased to undetectable levels. For 2'-halogenated GTP analogues, the kinetics of interaction were determined for the small GTPases p21ras(Y32W) (fluorescent mutant) and RabS. The rates of association were found to be within about one order of magnitude of those for the nonsubstituted nucleotides, whereas the rates of dissociation were accelerated by factors of approximately 100 (p21ras) or approximately 10(5) (Rab5), and the resulting equilibrium dissociation constants are in the nm or microM range, respectively. The data demonstrate that 2'halo-ATP and -GTP are substrates or ligands for all proteins tested except the chaperone DnaK. Due to the very high affinities of a large number of GTP binding proteins to guanine nucleotides, even a 10(5)-fold decrease in affinity as observed for Rab5 places the equilibrium dissociation constant in the microM range, so that they are still well suited for crystallization of the G-protein:nucleotide complex.     

Genomewide patterns of variation in genetic diversity are shared among populations,species and higher‐order taxa

Genomewide screens of genetic variation within and between populations can reveal signatures of selection implicated in adaptation and speciation. Genomic regions with low genetic diversity and elevated differentiation reflective of locally reduced effective population sizes (N_e) are candidates for barrier loci contributing to population divergence. Yet, such candidate genomic regions need not arise as a result of selection promoting adaptation or advancing reproductive isolation. Linked selection unrelated to lineage‐specific adaptation or population divergence can generate comparable signatures. It is challenging to distinguish between these processes, particularly when diverging populations share ancestral genetic variation. In this study, we took a comparative approach using population assemblages from distant clades assessing genomic parallelism of variation in N_e. Utilizing population‐level polymorphism data from 444 resequenced genomes of three avian clades spanning 50 million years of evolution, we tested whether population genetic summary statistics reflecting genomewide variation in N_e would covary among populations within clades, and importantly, also among clades where lineage sorting has been completed. All statistics including population‐scaled recombination rate (ρ), nucleotide diversity (π) and measures of genetic differentiation between populations (F_ST, PBS, d_xy) were significantly correlated across all phylogenetic distances. Moreover, genomic regions with elevated levels of genetic differentiation were associated with inferred pericentromeric and subtelomeric regions. The phylogenetic stability of diversity landscapes and stable association with genomic features support a role of linked selection not necessarily associated with adaptation and speciation in shaping patterns of genomewide heterogeneity in genetic diversity.     

De novo lipogenesis maintains vascular homeostasis through endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) palmitoylation

Endothelial dysfunction leads to lethal vascular complications in diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Here, we demonstrate that de novo lipogenesis, an insulin-dependent process driven by the multifunctional enzyme fatty-acid synthase (FAS), maintains endothelial function by targeting endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) to the plasma membrane. In mice with endothelial inactivation of FAS (FASTie mice), eNOS membrane content and activity were decreased. eNOS and FAS were physically associated; eNOS palmitoylation was decreased in FAS-deficient cells, and incorporation of labeled carbon into eNOS-associated palmitate was FAS-dependent. FASTie mice manifested a proinflammatory state reflected as increases in vascular permeability, endothelial inflammatory markers, leukocyte migration, and susceptibility to LPS-induced death that was reversed with an NO donor. FAS-deficient endothelial cells showed deficient migratory capacity, and angiogenesis was decreased in FASTie mice subjected to hindlimb ischemia. Insulin induced FAS in endothelial cells freshly isolated from humans, and eNOS palmitoylation was decreased in mice with insulin-deficient or insulin-resistant diabetes. Thus, disrupting eNOS bioavailability through impaired lipogenesis identifies a novel mechanism coordinating nutritional status and tissue repair that may contribute to diabetic vascular disease.     

The N terminus of ClpB from Thermus thermophilus is not essential for the chaperone activity

ClpB from Thermus thermophilus belongs to the Clp/Hsp100 protein family and reactivates protein aggregates in cooperation with the DnaK chaperone system. The mechanism of protein reactivation and interaction with the DnaK system remains unclear. ClpB possesses two nucleotide binding domains, which are essential for function and show a complex allosteric behavior. The role of the N-terminal domain that precedes the first nucleotide binding domain is largely unknown. We purified and characterized an N-terminal shortened ClpB variant (ClpBDeltaN; amino acids 140-854), which remained active in refolding assays with three different substrate proteins. In addition the N-terminal truncation did not significantly change the nucleotide binding affinities, the nucleotide-dependent oligomerization, and the allosteric behavior of the protein. In contrast casein binding and stimulation of the ATPase activity by kappa-casein were affected. These results suggest that the N-terminal domain is not essential for the chaperone function, does not influence the binding of nucleotides, and is not involved in the formation of intermolecular contacts. It contributes to the casein binding site of ClpB, but other substrate proteins do not necessarily interact with the N terminus. This indicates a substantial difference in the binding mode of kappa-casein that is often used as model substrate for ClpB and other possibly more suitable substrate proteins.     

BMP2 initiates chondrogenic lineage development of adult human mesenchymal stem cells in high-density culture

Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to differentiate into distinct mesenchymal tissues including bone and cartilage. The capacity of MSCs to replicate undifferentiated and to mature into cartilaginous tissues suggests these cells as an attractive cell source for cartilage tissue engineering. Here we show that the stimulation of human bone marrow-derived MSCs with recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) results in chondrogenic lineage development under serum-free conditions. Histological staining of proteoglycan with Alcian blue and immunohistochemical staining of cartilage-specific type II collagen revealed the deposition of typical cartilage extracellular matrix components. Semi-quantitative real-time gene expression analysis of characteristic chondrocytic matrix genes, such as cartilage link protein, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, aggrecan, and types I, II, and IX collagen, confirmed the induction of the chondrocytic phenotype in high-density culture upon stimulation with BMP2 and transforming growth factor-beta3 (TGFbeta3). Histologic staining of mineralized extracellular matrix with von Kossa, immunostaining of type X collagen (typical for hypertrophic chondrocytes), and gene expression analysis of osteocalcin and adipocyte-specific fatty acid binding protein (aP2) further documented that BMP2 induced chondrogenic lineage development and not osteogenesis and/or adipogenesis in human MSCs. These results suggest BMP2 as a promising candidate for tissue engineering approaches regenerating articular cartilage on the basis of mesenchymal progenitors from bone marrow.