Comprehensive trapping of polyubiquitinated proteins using the UIM peptide of ASB2a

An alternative splicing variant of E3 ubiquitin ligase ASB2, termed ASB2a, has a distinct N-terminal sequence containing a ubiquitin-interacting motif (UIM) consensus sequence. Examination of the minimal essential region for binding to polyubiquitinated proteins indicated that the UIM consensus sequence (residues 26–41) alone is not enough, and that amino acids 12–41 from the N-terminus of ASB2a is essential for binding. ASB2a(12–41) peptide was chemically synthesized and coupled to Sepharose 4B via disulfide bonds. This ASB2a(12–41) peptide-coupled affinity resin bound both K48- and K63-linked polyubiquitinated proteins in cell lysates and comprehensively captured polyubiquitinated proteins, including polyubiquitinated β-catenin, I-κB, and EGF receptor, which were eluted with 2-mercaptoethanol under non-denaturing conditions. These results indicate that this UIM affinity purification (designated as ubiquitin-trapping) is a useful method to discover polyubiquitinated proteins and their associated proteins.     

Maternal heme oxygenase 1 regulates placental vasculature development via angiogenic factors in mice

The placental vasculature is critical for nutrient, gas, and waste exchange between the maternal and fetal systems. Its development depends on the proper expression and interaction of angiogenesis and associated growth factors. Heme oxygenase (HMOX), the enzyme for heme degradation, plays a role in angiogenesis and is highly expressed in the placenta. To evaluate the role of maternal HMOX1, the inducible HMOX isozyme, on placental vasculature formation, mice with a partial deficiency in Hmox1 (Hmox1(+/-)) were used. Three-dimensional images of placental vasculatures as well as spiral arteries from Hmox1(+/+) or Hmox1(+/-) placentas were created by vascular corrosion casting technique and imaged by micro-computerized tomography (microCT). The structures and morphologies of fetomaternal interfaces were observed by histological staining and the ultrastructure of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells, a major regulator in spiral artery remodeling, was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. A group of growth factors and angiogenic factors from the decidua/mesometrial lymphoid aggregate of pregnancy (MLAp) as well as labyrinth regions were quantified using an angiogenesis PCR array kit and compared between Hmox1(+/+) or Hmox1(+/-) placentas. In conclusion, a partial deficiency of maternal Hmox1 resulted in the malformation of fetomaternal interface, insufficiency of spiral artery remodeling, and alteration of uNK cell differentiation and maturation. These changes were independent of the fetal genotype, but relied on the maternal HMOX1 level, which determined the balance of expression levels of pro- and antiangiogenic factors in the decidua/MLAp region. These results implied that Hmox1 polymorphisms among the human population might contribute to some unexplained cases of pregnancy disorders, such as fetal growth retardation and preeclampsia.     

Orientation of paramecium swimming in a static magnetic field: Dependence on membrane lipid fluidity

We studied the swimming orientation of the ciliated protozoan Paramecium aurelia in a static magnetic field (0.78 T). P. aurelia is a complex of species termed syngens, whose cell morphology appears similar on microscopic examination. In the magnetic field, the cells of some syngens gradually changed their swimming orientation so that they were swimming perpendicular or parallel to the magnetic field, although such sensitivity to magnetic fields differs between syngens. When the temperature of the cell suspension was raised, the magnetic sensitivity of the cells was decreased. On the other hand, when the cells were cultured beforehand at a high temperature, their magnetic sensitivity was increased. These results raise the possibility that membrane lipid fluidity, which is inversely proportional to the membrane lipid order, contributes to the magnetic orientation of syngens. In this study, measurements of membrane lipid fluidity obtained using fluorescence image analysis with the lipophilic dye, laurdan (6-lauroyl-2-dimethylaminonaphtalene), showed that the degree of membrane lipid fluidity was correlated with the differences in magnetic orientation between syngens. That is, the syngens with decreased membrane fluidity showed an increased degree of magnetic orientation. Therefore, the membrane lipid order is a key factor in the magnetic orientation of Paramecium swimming.     

Highly efficient cryopreservation of human induced pluripotent stem cells using a dimethyl sulfoxide-free solution

Human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells have great potential for regenerative medicine and drug discovery. It is essential to establish highly efficient and reliable methods for hiPS cell cryopreservation. We examined cryopreservation of hiPS cells by the vitrification method using a dimethyl sulfoxide Me2SO-free and serum-free medium, VS2E, that uses Euro-Collins solution as a base with 40% (v/v) ethylene glycol and 10% (w/v) polyethylene glycol as cryoprotectants. This combination of vitrification and cryoprotectants resulted in a higher recovery rate of hiPS cells than with a commercially-available vitrification solution, DAP213, which contained Me2SO and serum components. After vitrification and warming, hiPS cells were cultured easily. Even after several subculturing steps, cells expressed undifferentiated cell markers, such as Oct-3/4 and SSEA-4, and also exhibited alkaline phosphatase activity. The pluripotency of hiPS cells was maintained, as demonstrated by teratoma formation upon hiPS cell transplantation into severe combined immunodeficient mice. Thus, we successfully preserved hiPS cells under liquid nitrogen with high efficiency using Me2SO-free vitrification solution and rapid cooling.     

An Integrin α4β7?IgG Heterodimeric Chimera Binds to MAdCAM-1 on High Endothelial Venules in Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue

Lymphocyte homing is regulated by a multistep process mediated by sequential adhesive interactions between circulating lymphocytes and high endothelial venules (HEVs). In gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), the initial interactive step, “tethering and rolling,” is partly mediated by integrin α4β7 expressed on GALT-homing lymphocytes and its ligand MAdCAM-1, which is exclusively expressed on HEVs in GALT. To probe functional MAdCAM-1 in tissue sections, we developed a soluble integrin α4β7 heterodimeric IgG chimera by joining the extracellular region of mouse integrin α4 and β7 subunits to a human IgG Fc domain. Western blot analysis revealed that co-transfection of HEK 293T cells with expression vectors encoding integrin α4•IgG and β7•IgG results in the formation of α4β7•IgG heterodimeric chimeras. This complex preferentially binds to CHO cells expressing MAdCAM-1 and, to a lesser extent, to cells expressing VCAM-1, but not to cells expressing ICAM-1. Moreover, α4β7•IgG specifically binds to HEVs in GALT in situ in a divalent cation–dependent fashion and inhibits lymphocyte binding to HEVs in GALT. These findings indicate that α4β7•IgG can be used as a probe for functional MAdCAM-1 expressed on HEVs in GALT and could potentially serve as an anti-inflammatory drug inhibiting GALT-specific lymphocyte migration.     

Extracellular-superoxide dismutase expression during monocytic differentiation of U937 cells

Leukemic cell lines, such as U937, THP-1, and HL60 cells, can differentiate into macrophages following exposure to various agents including 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in vitro. It is well known that TPA enhances reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation through the activation of NADPH oxidase (NOX), and ROS act as mediators in TPA signaling. Extracellular-superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is a major anti-oxidative enzyme that protects the cells from damaging effects of superoxide. Recently, the reduction of Cu/Zn-SOD and the induction of Mn-SOD by TPA in leukemic cells have been reported; however, the regulation of EC-SOD by TPA remains poorly understood. Here, we explored the regulation of EC-SOD during the monocytic differentiation of U937 cells by TPA. We observed the reduction of EC-SOD and Cu/Zn-SOD, whereas the induction of Mn-SOD during the differentiation of U937 cells. The reduction of EC-SOD and Cu/Zn-SOD was attenuated by pretreatments with GF109203X (an inhibitor of protein kinase C, PKC), diphenyleneiodonium (an inhibitor of NOX), and U0126 (an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, MEK/extracellular-signal regulated kinase, ERK). Interestingly, pretreatment with BAY11-7082 (an inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB, NF-κB) suppressed the reduction of Cu/Zn-SOD, but not of EC-SOD. Furthermore, we also determined the involvement of newly synthesized protein and the instability of mRNA in the reduction of EC-SOD. Overall, our results suggest that the expression of EC-SOD is decreased by TPA through intracellular signaling consisting of PKC, NOX-derived ROS and MEK/ERK, but not of NF-κB signaling.     

Quantitative Phenotyping-Based In Vivo Chemical Screening in a Zebrafish Model of Leukemia Stem Cell Xenotransplantation

Zebrafish-based chemical screening has recently emerged as a rapid and efficient method to identify important compounds that modulate specific biological processes and to test the therapeutic efficacy in disease models, including cancer. In leukemia, the ablation of leukemia stem cells (LSCs) is necessary to permanently eradicate the leukemia cell population. However, because of the very small number of LSCs in leukemia cell populations, their use in xenotransplantation studies (in vivo) and the difficulties in functionally and pathophysiologically replicating clinical conditions in cell culture experiments (in vitro), the progress of drug discovery for LSC inhibitors has been painfully slow. In this study, we developed a novel phenotype-based in vivo screening method using LSCs xenotransplanted into zebrafish. Aldehyde dehydrogenase-positive (ALDH+) cells were purified from chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 cells tagged with a fluorescent protein (Kusabira-orange) and then implanted in young zebrafish at 48 hours post-fertilization. Twenty-four hours after transplantation, the animals were treated with one of eight different therapeutic agents (imatinib, dasatinib, parthenolide, TDZD-8, arsenic trioxide, niclosamide, salinomycin, and thioridazine). Cancer cell proliferation, and cell migration were determined by high-content imaging. Of the eight compounds that were tested, all except imatinib and dasatinib selectively inhibited ALDH+ cell proliferation in zebrafish. In addition, these anti-LSC agents suppressed tumor cell migration in LSC-xenotransplants. Our approach offers a simple, rapid, and reliable in vivo screening system that facilitates the phenotype-driven discovery of drugs effective in suppressing LSCs.     

Enhanced Anti-Tumor Effect of Zoledronic Acid Combined with Temozolomide against Human Malignant Glioma Cell Expressing O6-Methylguanine DNA Methyltransferase

Temozolomide (TMZ), a DNA methylating agent, is widely used in the adjuvant treatment of malignant gliomas. O⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyltranferase (MGMT), a DNA repair enzyme, is frequently discussed as the main factor that limits the efficacy of TMZ. Zoledronic acid (ZOL), which is clinically applied to treat cancer-induced bone diseases, appears to possess direct anti-tumor activity through apoptosis induction by inhibiting mevalonate pathway and prenylation of intracellular small G proteins. In this study, we evaluated whether ZOL can be effectively used as an adjuvant to TMZ in human malignant glioma cells that express MGMT. Malignant glioma cell lines, in which the expression of MGMT was detected, did not exhibit growth inhibition by TMZ even at a longer exposure. However, combination experiment of TMZ plus ZOL revealed that a supra-additive effect resulted in a significant decrease in cell growth. In combined TMZ/ZOL treatment, an increased apoptotic rate was apparent and significant activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase were observed compared with each single drug exposure. There were decreased amounts of Ras-GTP, MAPK and Akt phosphorylation and MGMT expression in the ZOL-treated cells. Subcutanous xenograft models showed significant decrease of tumor growth with combined TMZ/ZOL treatment. These results suggest that ZOL efficaciously inhibits activity of Ras in malignant glioma cells and potentiates TMZ-mediated cytotoxicity, inducing growth inhibition and apoptosis of malignant glioma cells that express MGMT and resistant to TMZ. Based on this work, combination of TMZ with ZOL might be a potential therapy in malignant gliomas that receive less therapeutic effects of TMZ due to cell resistance.