Autoregulation of tubulin expression is achieved through specific degradation of polysomal tubulin mRNAs

We have utilized protein synthesis inhibitors to investigate the autoregulatory mechanism that uses the concentration of unpolymerized tubulin subunits to specify tubulin mRNA content in animal cells. Puromycin and pactamycin, both of which remove RNAs from polysomes, completely unlink tubulin RNA content from the level of free subunits, whereas pretreatment of cells with cycloheximide, which traps mRNAs onto stalled polyribosomes, enhances the specific degradation of tubulin RNAs in response to increases in the subunit content. Moreover, in the absence of protein synthesis inhibitors, the tubulin RNAs that are lost from cells with elevated free tubulin subunit levels are those that are associated with polyribosomes. Further, beta-tubulin mRNAs encoding a truncated translation product of only 26 amino acids (and that cannot be polyribosomal) are not substrates for autoregulation. We conclude that autoregulation of tubulin synthesis is achieved by specifically altering the stability of tubulin RNAs that are bound to polyribosomes.     

Mechanistic control of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule-1 (CEACAM1) splice isoforms by the heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear proteins hnRNP L, hnRNP A1, and hnRNP M

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule-1 (CEACAM1) is expressed in a variety of cell types and is implicated in carcinogenesis. Alternative splicing of CEACAM1 pre-mRNA generates two cytoplasmic domain splice variants characterized by the inclusion (L-isoform) or exclusion (S-isoform) of exon 7. Here we show that the alternative splicing of CEACAM1 pre-mRNA is regulated by novel cis elements residing in exon 7. We report the presence of three exon regulatory elements that lead to the inclusion or exclusion of exon 7 CEACAM1 mRNA in ZR75 breast cancer cells. Heterologous splicing reporter assays demonstrated that the maintenance of authentic alternative splicing mechanisms were independent of the CEACAM1 intron sequence context. We show that forced expression of these exon regulatory elements could alter CEACAM1 splicing in HEK-293 cells. Using RNA affinity chromatography, three members of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein family (hnRNP L, hnRNP A1, and hnRNP M) were identified. RNA immunoprecipitation of hnRNP L and hnRNP A1 revealed a binding motif located central and 3' to exon 7, respectively. Depletion of hnRNP A1 or L by RNAi in HEK-293 cells promoted exon 7 inclusion, whereas overexpression led to exclusion of the variable exon. By contrast, overexpression of hnRNP M showed exon 7 inclusion and production of CEACAM1-L mRNA. Finally, stress-induced cytoplasmic accumulation of hnRNP A1 in MDA-MB-468 cells dynamically alters the CEACAM1-S:CEACAM1:L ratio in favor of the l-isoform. Thus, we have elucidated the molecular factors that control the mechanism of splice-site recognition in the alternative splicing regulation of CEACAM1.     

Mechanism of Two Novel Human GJC3 Missense Mutations in Causing Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss

Connexins (CXs), as a component of gap junction channel, are homologous four transmembrane-domain proteins, with numerous studies confirming their auditory functions. Among a cohort of patients having incurred non-syndromic hearing loss, we identified two novel missense mutations, p.R15G and p.L23H, in the GJC3 gene encoding CX30.2/CX31.3, as causally related to hearing loss in previous study. However, the functional alteration of CX30.2/CX31.3 caused by the mutant GJC3 gene remains unknown. In this study, we compared the intracellular distribution of mutant CX30.2/CX31.3 (p.R15G and p.L23H) with the wild-type (WT) protein in HeLa cells and the effect of the mutant protein had on those cells. Analytical results indicated that p.R15G and p.L23H mutant exhibited continuous staining along apposed cell membranes in the fluorescent localization assay, which is the same with the WT. Moreover, ATP release (hemichannel function) is less in HeLa cells carrying mutant GJC3 genes than those of WT expressing cells. We believe that although p.R15G and p.L23H mutants do not decrease the trafficking of CX proteins, mutations in GJC3 genes result in a loss of hemichannel function of CX30.2/CX31.3 protein, possibly causing hearing loss. Results of this study provide a novel molecular explanation for the role of GJC3 in hearing loss.     

双重荧光染色监测听毛细胞游离钙

豚鼠耳蜗分离外毛细胞经fluo-3和fura-red染色后,用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜监测其胞内游离钙的空间分布和动态变化,以fluo-3/fura-red荧光比值大小指示游离钙浓度的高低。外毛细胞胞内游离钙呈不均匀分布,荧光比值分别为细胞质1.71±0.85,质膜1.61±0.75,表皮板1.47±0.65及胞核1.39±0.66,显示细胞质游离钙浓度最高而胞核游离钙浓度最低。静息状态下连续扫描时荧光比值变化小于0.1,而在受到机械刺激后荧光比值增加幅度达0.3—1.2。实验结果表明,fluo-3和fura-red双发射比例法能更准确反映听毛细胞胞内钙的空间分布和动态变化,第二信使钙可能参与了听毛细胞的机械-电换能过程,研究了换能过程中听毛细胞钙信号的时空模式。     

The C‐degron pathway eliminates mislocalized proteins and products of deubiquitinating enzymes

Protein termini are determinants of protein stability. Proteins bearing degradation signals, or degrons, at their amino‐ or carboxyl‐termini are eliminated by the N‐ or C‐degron pathways, respectively. We aimed to elucidate the function of C‐degron pathways and to unveil how normal proteomes are exempt from C‐degron pathway‐mediated destruction. Our data reveal that C‐degron pathways remove mislocalized cellular proteins and cleavage products of deubiquitinating enzymes. Furthermore, the C‐degron and N‐degron pathways cooperate in protein removal. Proteome analysis revealed a shortfall in normal proteins targeted by C‐degron pathways, but not of defective proteins, suggesting proteolysis‐based immunity as a constraint for protein evolution/selection. Our work highlights the importance of protein termini for protein quality surveillance, and the relationship between the functional proteome and protein degradation pathways.     

Free fatty acids activate a high-affinity saturable pathway for degradation of low-density lipoproteins in fibroblasts from a subject homozygous for familial hypercholesterolemia.

This paper describes a mechanism for degradation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in fibroblasts unable to synthesize the LDL receptor. In this cell line, long-chain free fatty acids (FFA) activated 125I-LDL uptake; unsaturated FFA were the most efficient. The first step of this pathway was the binding of LDL apoB to a single class of sites on the plasma membrane and was reversible in the presence of greater than or equal to 10 mM suramin. Binding equilibrium was achieved after a 60-90-min incubation at 37 degrees C with 1 mM oleate; under these conditions, the apparent Kd for 125I-LDL binding was 12.3 micrograms/mL. Both cholesterol-rich (LDL and beta-VLDL) and triglyceride-rich (VLDL) lipoproteins, but not apoE-free HDL, efficiently competed with 125I-LDL for this FFA-induced binding site. After LDL bound to the cell surface, they were internalized and delivered to lysosomes; chloroquine inhibited subsequent proteolysis of LDL and thereby increased the cellular content of the particles. A physiological oleate to albumin molar ratio, i.e., 1:1 (25 microM oleate and 2 mg/mL albumin), was sufficient to significantly (p less than 0.01) activate all three steps of this alternate pathway: for example, 644 +/- 217 (25 microM oleate) versus 33 +/- 57 (no oleate) ng of LDL/mg of cell protein was degraded after incubation (2 h, 37 degrees C) with 50 micrograms/mL 125I-LDL. We speculate that this pathway could contribute to the clearance of both chylomicron remnants and LDL.     

Highly Efficient Polymer Tandem Cells and Semitransparent Cells for Solar Energy

Highly efficient tandem and semitransparent (ST) polymer solar cells utilizing the same donor polymer blended with [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₆₁BM) and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₇₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM) as active layers are demonstrated. A high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.5% and a record high open‐circuit voltage of 1.71 V are achieved for a tandem cell based on a medium bandgap polymer poly(indacenodithiophene‐co‐phananthrene‐quinoxaline) (PIDT‐phanQ). In addition, this approach can also be applied to a low bandgap polymer poly[2,6‐(4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b;3,4‐b′]dithiophene)‐alt‐4,7‐(5‐fluoro‐2,1,3‐benzothia‐diazole)] (PCPDTFBT), and PCEs up to 7.9% are achieved. Due to the very thin total active layer thickness, a highly efficient ST tandem cell based on PIDT‐phanQ exhibits a high PCE of 7.4%, which is the highest value reported to date for a ST solar cell. The ST device also possesses a desirable average visible transmittance (≈40%) and an excellent color rendering index (≈100), permitting its use in power‐generating window applications.     

Antifungal properties of ethanolic extract and its active compounds from Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana (Florin) heartwood

The ethanolic extract of Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana heartwood was screened for antifungal compounds by agar dilution assay and liquid chromatography. Two compounds, beta-thujaplicin and gamma-thujaplicin, responsible for the antifungal property of C. macrolepis var. formosana heartwood were isolated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and identified by 1H NMR and 13C NMR. The antifungal activities of these two compounds were further evaluated against total 15 fungi, including wood decay fungi, tree pathogenic fungi and molds. The hexane soluble fraction showed the strongest antifungal activities among all fractions. beta-Thujaplicin and gamma-thujaplicin exhibited not only very strong antifungal activity, but also broad antifungal spectrum. The MIC values of beta-thujaplicin and gamma-thujaplicin were in the range of 5.0-50.0 microg/ml. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out to study the structural change of fungal hyphae induced by beta-thujaplicin. Strong cell wall shrinkage indicated the fungicidal effect could be attributed to the combined actions of metal chelating and cytoplasm leakage. It also suggests that the role of metal chelating is indispensable in the design of environmental-friendly fungicides.     

Integrins regulate centrosome integrity and astrocyte polarization following a wound

In response to a wound, astrocytes in culture extend microtubule‐rich processes and polarize, orienting their centrosomes and Golgi apparatus woundside. β1 Integrin null astrocytes fail to extend processes toward the wound, and are disoriented, and often migrate away orthogonal, to the wound. The centrosome is unusually fragmented in β1 integrin null astrocytes. Expression of a β1 integrin cDNA in the null background yields cells with intact centrosomes that polarize and extend processes normally. Fragmented centrosomes rapidly assemble following integrin ligation and cell attachment. However, several experiments indicated that cell adhesion is not necessary. For example, astrocytes in suspension expressing a chimeric β1 subunit that can be activated by an antibody assemble centrosomes suggesting that β1 activation is sufficient to cause centrosome assembly in the absence of cell adhesion. siRNA knockdown of PCM1, a major centrosomal protein, inhibits cell polarization, consistent with the notion that centrosomes are necessary for polarity and that integrins regulate polarity via centrosome integrity. Screening inhibitors of molecules downstream of integrins indicate that neither FAK nor ILK is involved in regulation of centrosome integrity. In contrast, blebbistatin, a specific inhibitor of non‐muscle myosin II (NMII), mimics the response of β1 integrin null astrocytes by disrupting centrosome integrity and cell polarization. Blebbistatin also inhibits integrin‐mediated centrosome assembly in astrocytes attaching to fibronectin, consistent with the hypothesis that NMII functions downstream of integrins in regulating centrosome integrity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 73: 333–353, 2013.