The stability and oncogenic function of LIN28A are regulated by USP28

RNA-binding protein LIN28A is often highly expressed in human malignant tumors and is involved in tumor metastasis and poor prognosis. Knowledge about post-translational regulatory mechanisms governing LIN28A protein stability and function is scarce. Here, we investigated the role of ubiquitination and deubiquitination on LIN28A protein stability and report that LIN28A protein undergoes ubiquitination. Ubiquitin-specific protease 28 (USP28), a deubiquitinating enzyme, interacts with and stabilizes LIN28A protein to extend its half-life. USP28, through its deubiquitinating activity, antagonizes LIN28A protein turnover by reversing its proteasomal degradation. Our study describes the consequential impacts of USP28-mediated stabilization of LIN28A protein on enhancing cancer cell viability, migration and ultimately augmenting LIN28A-mediated tumor progression. Overall, our data suggest that a synergistic, combinatorial approach of targeting LIN28A with USP28 would contribute to effective cancer therapeutics.     

Middle East and North Africa consensus on osteoporosis

With the increasing life expectancy, osteoporosis is becoming a major worldwide health problem. The magnitude of the disease may become larger in developing countries, more particularly in the Middle East region where the prevalence of low bone mass is higher than in western countries. Although several local organizations and countries have developed guidelines for osteoporosis, no previous regional guidelines have been developed encompassing all Middle-Eastern and North African countries. The present document reviews all the regional published data on bone mineral density, risk factors, fracture prevalence and vitamin D status. It also gives simple recommendations applicable to all these countries. This document was endorsed by leading members of all the different regional countries including, Iran, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.     

The toxin/immunity network of Burkholderia pseudomallei contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) systems

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a category B pathogen and the causative agent of melioidosis – a serious infectious disease that is typically acquired directly from environmental reservoirs. Nearly all B. pseudomallei strains sequenced to date (> 85 isolates) contain gene clusters that are related to the contact‐dependent growth inhibition (CDI) systems of γ‐proteobacteria. CDI systems from Escherichia coli and Dickeya dadantii play significant roles in bacterial competition, suggesting these systems may also contribute to the competitive fitness of B. pseudomallei. Here, we identify 10 distinct CDI systems in B. pseudomallei based on polymorphisms within the cdiA‐CT/cdiI coding regions, which are predicted to encode CdiA‐CT/CdiI toxin/immunity protein pairs. Biochemical analysis of three B. pseudomallei CdiA‐CTs revealed that each protein possesses a distinct tRNase activity capable of inhibiting cell growth. These toxin activities are blocked by cognate CdiI immunity proteins, which specifically bind the CdiA‐CT and protect cells from growth inhibition. Using Burkholderia thailandensis E264 as a model, we show that a CDI system from B. pseudomallei 1026b mediates CDI and is capable of delivering CdiA‐CT toxins derived from other B. pseudomallei strains. These results demonstrate that Burkholderia species contain functional CDI systems, which may confer a competitive advantage to these bacteria.     

Purification and characterization of a cold active alkaline protease from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stenotrophomonas</Emphasis> sp., isolated from Kashmir,India

A Psychrotolerant alkaline protease producing bacterium IIIM-ST045 was isolated from a soil sample collected from the Thajiwas glacier of Kashmir, India and identified as Stenotrophomonas sp. on the basis of its biochemical properties and 16S ribosomal gene sequencing. The strain could grow well within a temperature range of 4–37°C however, showed optimum growth at 15°C. The strain was found to over-produce proteases when it was grown in media containing lactose as carbon source (157.50 U mg⁻¹). The maximum specific enzyme activity (398 U mg⁻¹) was obtained using soya oil as nitrogen source, however, the inorganic nitrogen sources urea, ammonium chloride and ammonium sulphate showed the lowest production of 38.9, 62.2 and 57.9 U mg⁻¹. The enzyme was purified to 18.45 folds and the molecular weight of the partially purified protease was estimated to be ~55 kDa by SDS-PAGE analysis. The protease activity increased as the increase in enzyme concentration while as the optimum enzyme activity was found when casein (1% w/v) was used as substrate. The enzyme was highly active over a wide range of pH from 6.5 to 12.0 showing optimum activity at pH 10.0. The optimum temperature for the enzyme was 15°C. Proteolytic activity reduced gradually with higher temperatures with a decrease of 56% at 40°C. The purified enzyme was checked for the removal of protein containing tea stains using a silk cloth within a temperature range of 10–60°C. The best washing efficiency results obtained at low temperatures indicate that the enzyme may be used for cold washing purposes of delicate fabrics that otherwise are vulnerable to high temperatures.     

Inhibition of Werner syndrome helicase activity by benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide adducts can be overcome by replication protein A

RecQ helicases are believed to function in repairing replication forks stalled by DNA damage and may also play a role in the intra-S-phase checkpoint, which delays the replication of damaged DNA, thus permitting repair to occur. Since little is known regarding the effects of DNA damage on RecQ helicases, and because the replication and recombination defects in Werner syndrome cells may reflect abnormal processing of damaged DNA associated with the replication fork, we examined the effects of specific bulky, covalent adducts at N(6) of deoxyadenosine (dA) or N(2) of deoxyguanosine (dG) on Werner (WRN) syndrome helicase activity. The adducts are derived from the optically active 7,8-diol 9,10-epoxide (DE) metabolites of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). The results demonstrate that WRN helicase activity is inhibited in a strand-specific manner by BaP DE-dG adducts only when on the translocating strand. These adducts either occupy the minor groove without significant perturbation of DNA structure (trans adducts) or cause base displacement at the adduct site (cis adducts). In contrast, helicase activity is only mildly affected by intercalating BaP DE-dA adducts that locally perturb DNA double helical structure. This differs from our previous observation that intercalating dA adducts derived from benzo[c]phenanthrene (BcPh) DEs inhibit WRN activity in a strand- and stereospecific manner. Partial unwinding of the DNA helix at BaP DE-dA adduct sites may make such adducted DNAs more susceptible to the action of helicase than DNA containing the corresponding BcPh DE-dA adducts, which cause little or no destabilization of duplex DNA. The single-stranded DNA binding protein RPA, an auxiliary factor for WRN helicase, enabled the DNA unwinding enzyme to overcome inhibition by either the trans-R or cis-R BaP DE-dG adduct, suggesting that WRN and RPA may function together to unwind duplex DNA harboring specific covalent adducts that otherwise block WRN helicase acting alone.     

The mycobacterial thioredoxin peroxidase can act as a one-cysteine peroxiredoxin

Thioredoxin peroxidase (TPx) has been reported to dominate the defense against H(2)O(2), other hydroperoxides, and peroxynitrite at the expense of thioredoxin (Trx) B and C in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mt). By homology, the enzyme has been classified as an atypical 2-C-peroxiredoxin (Prx), with Cys(60) as the "peroxidatic" cysteine (C(P)) forming a complex catalytic center with Cys(93) as the "resolving" cysteine (C(R)). Site-directed mutagenesis confirms Cys(60) to be C(P) and Cys(80) to be catalytically irrelevant. Replacing Cys(93) with serine leads to fast inactivation as seen by conventional activity determination, which is associated with oxidation of Cys(60) to a sulfinic acid derivative. However, in comparative stopped-flow analysis, WT-MtTPx and MtTPx C93S reduce peroxynitrite and react with TrxB and -C similarly fast. Reduction of pre-oxidized WT-MtTPx and MtTPx C93S by MtTrxB is demonstrated by monitoring the redox-dependent tryptophan fluorescence of MtTrxB. Furthermore, MtTPx C93S remains stable for 10 min at a morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride-generated low flux of peroxynitrite and excess MtTrxB in a dihydrorhodamine oxidation model. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed disulfide bridges between Cys(60) and Cys(93) and between Cys(60) and Cys(80) in oxidized WT-MtTPx. Reaction of pre-oxidized WT-MtTPx and MtTPx C93S with MtTrxB C34S or MtTrxC C40S yielded dead-end intermediates in which the Trx mutants are preferentially linked via disulfide bonds to Cys(60) and never to Cys(93) of the TPx. It is concluded that neither Cys(80) nor Cys(93) is required for the catalytic cycle of the peroxidase. Instead, MtTPx can react as a 1-C-Prx with Cys(60) being the site of attack for both the oxidizing and the reducing substrate. The role of Cys(93) is likely to conserve the oxidation equivalents of the sulfenic acid state of C(P) as a disulfide bond to prevent overoxidation of Cys(60) under a restricted supply of reducing substrate.     

Effects of the antimicrobial peptide BMAP-27 in a mouse model of obstructive jaundice stimulated by lipopolysaccharide

An experimental study was designed to investigate the efficacy of BMAP-27, a compound of the cathelicidin family, in neutralizing Escherichia coli 0111:B4 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in bile duct-ligated mice. Main outcome measures were: endotoxin and TNF-alpha concentrations in plasma, evidence of bacterial translocation in blood and peritoneum, and lethality. Adult male BALB/c mice were injected intraperitoneally with 2 mg/kg E. coli 0111:B4 LPS 1 week after sham operation or bile duct ligation (BDL). Six groups were studied: sham with placebo, sham with 120 mg/kg tazobactam-piperacillin (TZP), sham with 1 mg/kg BMAP-27, BDL with placebo, BDL with 120 mg/kg TZP, and BDL with 1mg/kg BMAP-27. After LPS, TNF-alpha plasma levels were significantly higher in BDL mice compared to sham-operated animals. BMAP-27 achieved a significant reduction of plasma endotoxin and TNF-alpha concentration when compared with placebo- and TZP-treated groups. On the other hand, both TZP and BMAP-27 significantly reduced the bacterial growth compared with saline treatment. Finally, LPS induced 60% and 55% lethality in BDL placebo- and TZP-treated treated mice and no lethality in sham-operated mice, while only BMAP-27 significantly reduced the lethality to 10%. In light of its dual antimicrobial and anti-endotoxin properties, BMAP-27 could be an interesting compound to inhibit bacterial translocation and endotoxin release in obstructive jaundice.     

Genetical genomic determinants of alcohol consumption in rats and humans

Background

We have used a genetical genomic approach, in conjunction with phenotypic analysis of alcohol consumption, to identify candidate genes that predispose to varying levels of alcohol intake by HXB/BXH recombinant inbred rat strains. In addition, in two populations of humans, we assessed genetic polymorphisms associated with alcohol consumption using a custom genotyping array for 1,350 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Our goal was to ascertain whether our approach, which relies on statistical and informatics techniques, and non-human animal models of alcohol drinking behavior, could inform interpretation of genetic association studies with human populations.

Results

In the HXB/BXH recombinant inbred (RI) rats, correlation analysis of brain gene expression levels with alcohol consumption in a two-bottle choice paradigm, and filtering based on behavioral and gene expression quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses, generated a list of candidate genes. A literature-based, functional analysis of the interactions of the products of these candidate genes defined pathways linked to presynaptic GABA release, activation of dopamine neurons, and postsynaptic GABA receptor trafficking, in brain regions including the hypothalamus, ventral tegmentum and amygdala. The analysis also implicated energy metabolism and caloric intake control as potential influences on alcohol consumption by the recombinant inbred rats. In the human populations, polymorphisms in genes associated with GABA synthesis and GABA receptors, as well as genes related to dopaminergic transmission, were associated with alcohol consumption.

Conclusion

Our results emphasize the importance of the signaling pathways identified using the non-human animal models, rather than single gene products, in identifying factors responsible for complex traits such as alcohol consumption. The results suggest cross-species similarities in pathways that influence predisposition to consume alcohol by rats and humans. The importance of a well-defined phenotype is also illustrated. Our results also suggest that different genetic factors predispose alcohol dependence versus the phenotype of alcohol consumption.     

Induction of genomic instability in cultured human colon epithelial cells following exposure to isocyanates

The toxic response of cultured human colon epithelial-FHC cells to methyl isocyanate was investigated with regard to genomic instability. Qualitative and quantitative assessments of the extent of phosphorylation of DNA damage signaling factors such as ATM, γH2AX and p53, was increased in treated cells compared to controls. At the same time, many treated cells were arrested at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, and had an elevated apoptotic index and increased inflammatory cytokine levels. Cytogenetic analyses revealed varied chromosomal anomalies, with abnormal expression of pericentrin protein. Analysis through ISSR PCR demonstrated increased microsatellite instability. The results imply that isocyanates can cause genomic instability in colonocytes.     

S1P metabolism in cancer and other pathological conditions

Nearly two decades ago, the sphingolipid metabolite sphingosine 1-phosphate was discovered to function as a lipid mediator and regulator of cell proliferation. Since that time, sphingosine 1-phosphate has been shown to mediate a diverse array of fundamental biological processes including cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, vascular maturation and lymphocyte trafficking. Sphingosine 1-phosphate acts primarily via signaling through five ubiquitously expressed G protein-coupled receptors. Intracellular sphingosine 1-phosphate molecules are transported extracellularly and gain access to cognate receptors for autocrine and paracrine signaling and for signaling at distant sites reached through blood and lymphatic circulation systems. Intracellular pools of sphingosine 1-phosphate available for signaling are tightly regulated primarily by three enzymes: sphinosine kinase, S1P lyase and S1P phosphatase. Alterations in sphingosine 1-phosphate as well as the enzymes involved in its synthesis and catabolism have been observed in many types of malignancy. These enzymes are being evaluated for their role in mediating cancer formation and progression, as well as their potential to serve as targets of anti-cancer therapeutics. In this review, the impact of sphingosine 1-phosphate, its cognate receptors, and the enzymes of sphingosine 1-phosphate metabolism on cell survival, apoptosis, autophagy, cellular transformation, invasion, angiogenesis and hypoxia in relation to cancer biology and treatment are discussed.