SAMM50 acts with p62 in piecemeal basal- and OXPHOS-induced mitophagy of SAM and MICOS components

Mitophagy is the degradation of surplus or damaged mitochondria by autophagy. In addition to programmed and stress-induced mitophagy, basal mitophagy processes exert organelle quality control. Here, we show that the sorting and assembly machinery (SAM) complex protein SAMM50 interacts directly with ATG8 family proteins and p62/SQSTM1 to act as a receptor for a basal mitophagy of components of the SAM and mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (MICOS) complexes. SAMM50 regulates mitochondrial architecture by controlling formation and assembly of the MICOS complex decisive for normal cristae morphology and exerts quality control of MICOS components. To this end, SAMM50 recruits ATG8 family proteins through a canonical LIR motif and interacts with p62/SQSTM1 to mediate basal mitophagy of SAM and MICOS components. Upon metabolic switch to oxidative phosphorylation, SAMM50 and p62 cooperate to mediate efficient mitophagy.     

Cigarette smoke extract suppresses the RIG-I-initiated innate immune response to influenza virus in the human lung

Cigarette smoking is the major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and predisposes subjects to severe respiratory tract infections. Epidemiological studies have shown that cigarette smokers are seven times more likely to contract influenza infection than nonsmokers. The mechanisms underlying this increased susceptibility are poorly characterized. Retinoic acid-inducible gene (RIG)-I is believed to play an important role in the recognition of, and response to, influenza virus and other RNA viruses. Our study focused on how cigarette smoke extract (CSE) alters the influenza-induced proinflammatory response and suppresses host antiviral activity in the human lung using a unique lung organ culture model. We first determined that treatment with 2-20% CSE did not induce cytotoxicity as assessed by LDH release. However, CSE treatment inhibited influenza-induced IFN-inducible protein 10 protein and mRNA expression. Induction of the major antiviral cytokine IFN-β mRNA was also decreased by CSE. CSE also blunted viral-mediated RIG-I mRNA and protein expression. Inhibition of viral-mediated RIG-I induction by CSE was prevented by the antioxidants N-acetyl-cysteine and glutathione. These findings show that CSE suppresses antiviral and innate immune responses in influenza virus-infected human lungs through oxidative inhibition of viral-mediated induction of the pattern recognition receptor RIG-I. This immunosuppressive effect of CSE may play a role in the enhanced susceptibility of smokers to serious influenza infection in the lung.     

ImKTx1, a new Kv1.3 channel blocker with a unique primary structure

Toxins from the venoms of scorpion, snake, and spider are valuable tools to probe the structure-function relationship of ion channels. In this investigation, a new toxin gene encoding the peptide ImKTx1 was isolated from the venom gland of the scorpion Isometrus maculates by constructing cDNA library method, and the recombinant ImKTx1 peptide was characterized physiologically. The mature peptide of ImKTx1 has 39 amino acid residues including six cross-linked cysteines. The electrophysiological experiments showed that the recombinant ImKTx1 peptide had a pharmacological profile where it inhibited Kv1.3 channel currents with IC(50) of 1.70 n± 1.35 μM, whereas 10 μM rImKTx1 peptide inhibited about 40% Kv1.1 and 42% Kv1.2 channel currents, respectively. In addition, 10 μM rImKTx1 had no effect on the Nav1.2 and Nav1.4 channel currents. Multiple sequence alignments showed that ImKTx1 had no homologous toxin peptide, but it was similar with Ca(2+) channel toxins from scorpion and spider in the arrangement of cysteine residues. These results indicate that ImKTx1 is a new Kv1.3 channel blocker with a unique primary structure. Our results indicate the diversity of K(+) channel toxins from scorpion venoms and also provide a new molecular template targeting Kv1.3 channel.     

Lactacystin诱导帕金森病大鼠黑质胶质细胞的变化

目的观察蛋白酶体抑制剂Lactacystin诱导大鼠黑质胶质细胞的变化、炎性介质NF-κB的表达。方法采用立体定向术将蛋白酶体抑制剂Lactacystin 10μg注射至大鼠黑质部位,免疫组织化学法观察黑质区多巴胺(DA)能神经元、小胶质细胞、星形胶质细胞的变化,炎性介质核转录因子κB(NF-κB)的表达。结果注射Lactacystin 3周,阿朴吗啡腹腔注射后出现典型旋转行为;8周后实验组大鼠损毁侧黑质酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)阳性细胞数明显减少,黑质小胶质细胞及星形胶质细胞的数量均增加,NF-κB表达增强。结论蛋白酶体抑制剂Lactacystin能激活大鼠黑质小胶质细胞及星形胶质细胞,诱导炎性介质表达。     

SdPI, the first functionally characterized Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor from scorpion venom

Background

Kunitz-type venom peptides have been isolated from a wide variety of venomous animals. They usually have protease inhibitory activity or potassium channel blocking activity, which by virtue of the effects on predator animals are essential for the survival of venomous animals. However, no Kunitz-type peptides from scorpion venom have been functionally characterized.

Principal Findings

A new Kunitz-type venom peptide gene precursor, SdPI, was cloned and characterized from a venom gland cDNA library of the scorpion Lychas mucronatus. It codes for a signal peptide of 21 residues and a mature peptide of 59 residues. The mature SdPI peptide possesses a unique cysteine framework reticulated by three disulfide bridges, different from all reported Kunitz-type proteins. The recombinant SdPI peptide was functionally expressed. It showed trypsin inhibitory activity with high potency (K_i = 1.6×10⁻⁷ M) and thermostability.

Conclusions

The results illustrated that SdPI is a potent and stable serine protease inhibitor. Further mutagenesis and molecular dynamics simulation revealed that SdPI possesses a serine protease inhibitory active site similar to other Kunitz-type venom peptides. To our knowledge, SdPI is the first functionally characterized Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor derived from scorpion venom, and it represents a new class of Kunitz-type venom peptides.     

Effectiveness of Egg Yolk Antibody Against Shiga Toxin II Variant Toxicity In Vitro and In Vivo

We prepared anti-Shiga toxin II variant (Stx2e) and anti-Stx2e B antibodies in chicken egg yolk and investigated their effectiveness in vitro and in vivo. Both Egg yolk antibodies (IgY) reduced the cytotoxic effects of Stx2e to Vero cells. The protective efficacy of anti-Stx2e IgY and anti-Stx2e B IgY was investigated in clean Kunming mice, which were experimentally induced with Stx2e. Peritoneal injection of anti-Stx2e IgY and anti-Stx2e B IgY apparently reduced the lethal effect of Stx2e to mice. These results indicate that both anti-Stx2e IgY and anti-Stx2e B IgY could protect mice from Stx2e challenge. Therefore, anti-Stx2e IgY or anti-Stx2e B IgY might be considered as potential candidate for therapeutics for porcine edema disease.     

Genomic and Structural Characterization of Kunitz-Type Peptide LmKTT-1a Highlights Diversity and Evolution of Scorpion Potassium Channel Toxins

Background

Recently, a new subfamily of long-chain toxins with a Kunitz-type fold was found in scorpion venom glands. Functionally, these toxins inhibit protease activity and block potassium channels. However, the genomic organization and three-dimensional (3-D) structure of this kind of scorpion toxin has not been reported.

Principal Findings

Here, we characterized the genomic organization and 3-D nuclear magnetic resonance structure of the scorpion Kunitz-type toxin, LmKTT-1a, which has a unique cysteine pattern. The LmKTT-1a gene contained three exons, which were interrupted by two introns located in the mature peptide region. Despite little similarity to other Kunitz-type toxins and a unique pattern of disulfide bridges, LmKTT-1a possessed a conserved Kunitz-type structural fold with one α-helix and two β-sheets. Comparison of the genomic organization, 3-D structure, and functional data of known toxins from the α-KTx, β-KTx, γ-KTx, and κ-KTx subfamily suggested that scorpion Kunitz-type potassium channel toxins might have evolved from a new ancestor that is completely different from the common ancestor of scorpion toxins with a CSα/β fold. Thus, these analyses provide evidence of a new scorpion potassium channel toxin subfamily, which we have named δ-KTx.

Conclusions/Significance

Our results highlight the genomic, structural, and evolutionary diversity of scorpion potassium channel toxins. These findings may accelerate the design and development of diagnostic and therapeutic peptide agents for human potassium channelopathies.