Regulation of cellular polyamine levels and cellular proliferation by antizyme and antizyme inhibitor

2009 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 47-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaim Kahana

Polyamines are small aliphatic polycations present in all living cells. Polyamines are essential for cellular viability and are involved in regulating fundamental cellular processes, most notably cellular growth and proliferation. Being such central regulators of fundamental cellular functions, the intracellular polyamine concentration is tightly regulated at the levels of synthesis, uptake, excretion and catabolism. ODC (ornithine decarboxylase) is the first key enzyme in the polyamine biosynthesis pathway. ODC is characterized by an extremely rapid intracellular turnover rate, a trait that is central to the regulation of cellular polyamine homoeostasis. The degradation rate of ODC is regulated by its end-products, the polyamines, via a unique autoregulatory circuit. At the centre of this circuit is a small protein called Az (antizyme), whose synthesis is stimulated by polyamines. Az inactivates ODC and targets it to ubiquitin-independent degradation by the 26S proteasome. In addition, Az inhibits uptake of polyamines. Az itself is regulated by another ODC-related protein termed AzI (antizyme inhibitor). AzI is highly homologous with ODC, but it lacks ornithine-decarboxylating activity. Its ability to serve as a regulator is based on its high affinity to Az, which is greater than the affinity Az has to ODC. As a result, it interferes with the binding of Az to ODC, thus rescuing ODC from degradation and permitting uptake of polyamines.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Lambertos ◽  
Rafael Peñafiel

AbstractOrnithine decarboxylase (ODC) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of polyamines, organic cations that are implicated in many cellular processes. The enzyme is regulated at the post-translational level by an unusual system that includes antizymes (AZs) and antizyme inhibitors (AZINs). Most studies on this complex regulatory mechanism have been focused on human and rodent cells, showing that AZINs (AZIN1 and AZIN2) are homologues of ODC but devoid of enzymatic activity. Little is known about Xenopus ODC and its paralogues, in spite of the relevance of Xenopus as a model organism for biomedical research. We have used the information existing in different genomic databases to compare the functional properties of the amphibian ODC1, AZIN1 and AZIN2/ODC2, by means of transient transfection experiments of HEK293T cells. Whereas the properties of xlODC1 and xlAZIN1 were similar to those reported for their mammalian orthologues, xlAZIN2/xlODC2 showed important differences with respect to human and mouse AZIN2. xlAZIN2 did not behave as an antizyme inhibitor, but it rather acts as an authentic decarboxylase forming cadaverine, due to its affinity for L-lysine as substrate; so, in accordance with this, it should be named as lysine decarboxylase (LDC). In addition, AZ1 stimulated the degradation of xlAZIN2 by the proteasome, but the removal of the 21 amino acid C-terminal tail, with a sequence quite different to that of mouse or human ODC, made the protein resistant to degradation. Collectively, our results indicate that in Xenopus there is only one antizyme inhibitor (xlAZIN1) and two decarboxylases, xlODC1 and xlLDC, with clear preferences for L-ornithine and L-lysine, respectively.


2016 ◽  
Vol 473 (24) ◽  
pp. 4551-4558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaim Kahana

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is the first and rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of polyamines, low-molecular-mass aliphatic polycations that are ubiquitously present in all living cells and are essential for fundamental cellular processes. Most cellular polyamines are bound, whereas the free pools, which regulate cellular functions, are subjected to tight regulation. The regulation of the free polyamine pools is manifested by modulation of their synthesis, catabolism, uptake and excretion. A central element that enables this regulation is the rapid degradation of key enzymes and regulators of these processes, particularly that of ODC. ODC degradation is part of an autoregulatory circuit that responds to the intracellular level of the free polyamines. The driving force of this regulatory circuit is a protein termed antizyme (Az). Az stimulates the degradation of ODC and inhibits polyamine uptake. Az acts as a sensor of the free intracellular polyamine pools as it is expressed via a polyamine-stimulated ribosomal frameshifting. Az binds to monomeric ODC subunits to prevent their reassociation into active homodimers and facilitates their ubiquitin-independent degradation by the 26S proteasome. In addition, through a yet unidentified mechanism, Az inhibits polyamine uptake. Interestingly, a protein, termed antizyme inhibitor (AzI) that is highly homologous with ODC, but retains no ornithine decarboxylating activity, seems to regulate cellular polyamines through its ability to negate Az. Overall, the degradation of ODC is a net result of interactions with regulatory proteins and possession of signals that mediate its ubiquitin-independent recognition by the proteasome.


2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Keren-Paz ◽  
Z. Bercovich ◽  
C. Kahana

ODC (ornithine decarboxylase) is a central regulator of cellular polyamine synthesis. ODC is a highly regulated enzyme stimulated by a variety of growth-promoting stimuli. ODC overexpression leads to cellular transformation. Cellular ODC levels are determined at transcriptional and translational levels and by regulation of its degradation. Here we review the mechanism of ODC degradation with particular emphasis on AzI (antizyme inhibitor), an ODC homologous protein that appears as a central regulator of ODC stability, cellular polyamine homoeostasis and cellular proliferation.


2004 ◽  
Vol 385 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ursula MANGOLD ◽  
Ekkehard LEBERER

ODC (ornithine decarboxylase) is the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis. Polyamines are essential for cellular growth and differentiation but enhanced ODC activity is associated with cell transformation. Post-translationally, ODC is negatively regulated through members of the antizyme family. Antizymes inhibit ODC activity, promote ODC degradation through the 26 S proteasome and regulate polyamine transport. Besides the ubiquitously expressed antizymes 1 and 2, there is the tissue-specific antizyme 3 and an yet uncharacterized antizyme 4. Antizyme 1 has been shown to be negatively regulated through the AZI (antizyme inhibitor) that binds antizyme 1 with higher affinity compared with ODC. In the present study, we show by yeast two- and three-hybrid protein–protein interaction studies that AZI interacts with all members of the antizyme family and is capable of disrupting the interaction between each antizyme and ODC. In a yeast-based ODC complementation assay, we show that human ODC is able to complement fully the function of the yeast homologue of ODC. Co-expression of antizymes resulted in ODC inhibition and cessation of yeast growth. The antizyme-induced growth inhibition could be reversed by addition of putrescine or by the co-expression of AZI. The protein interactions could be confirmed by immunoprecipitation of the human ODC–antizyme 2–AZI complexes. In summary, we conclude that human AZI is capable of acting as a general inhibitor for all members of the antizyme family and that the previously not yet characterized antizyme 4 is capable of binding ODC and inhibiting its enzymic activity similar to the other members of the antizyme family.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Ramos-Molina ◽  
Ana Lambertos ◽  
Rafael Peñafiel

The intracellular levels of polyamines, cationic molecules involved in a myriad of cellular functions ranging from cellular growth, differentiation and apoptosis, is precisely regulated by antizymes and antizyme inhibitors via the modulation of the polyamine biosynthetic and transport systems. Antizymes, which are mainly activated upon high polyamine levels, inhibit ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the key enzyme of the polyamine biosynthetic route, and exert a negative control of polyamine intake. Antizyme inhibitors (AZINs), which are proteins highly homologous to ODC, selectively interact with antizymes, preventing their action on ODC and the polyamine transport system. In this review, we will update the recent advances on the structural, cellular and physiological functions of AZINs, with particular emphasis on the action of these proteins in the regulation of polyamine metabolism. In addition, we will describe emerging evidence that suggests that AZINs may also have polyamine-independent effects on cells. Finally, we will discuss how the dysregulation of AZIN activity has been implicated in certain human pathologies such as cancer, fibrosis or neurodegenerative diseases.


Author(s):  
John C. Garancis ◽  
Robert O. Hussa ◽  
Michael T. Story ◽  
Donald Yorde ◽  
Roland A. Pattillo

Human malignant trophoblast cells in continuous culture were incubated for 3 days in medium containing 1 mM N6-O2'-dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (dibutyryl cyclic AMP) and 1 mM theophylline. The culture fluid was replenished daily. Stimulated cultures secreted many times more chorionic gonadotropin and estrogens than did control cultures in the absence of increased cellular proliferation. Scanning electron microscopy revealed remarkable surface changes of stimulated cells. Control cells (not stimulated) were smooth or provided with varying numbers of microvilli (Fig. 1). The latter, usually, were short and thin. The surface features of stimulated cells were considerably different. There was marked increase of microvilli which appeared elongated and thick. Many cells were covered with confluent polypoid projections (Fig. 2). Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated marked activity of cytoplasmic organelles. Mitochondria were increased in number and size; some giant forms with numerous cristae were observed.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1960
Author(s):  
K. Tanuj Sapra ◽  
Ohad Medalia

The cytoskeleton of the eukaryotic cell provides a structural and functional scaffold enabling biochemical and cellular functions. While actin and microtubules form the main framework of the cell, intermediate filament networks provide unique mechanical properties that increase the resilience of both the cytoplasm and the nucleus, thereby maintaining cellular function while under mechanical pressure. Intermediate filaments (IFs) are imperative to a plethora of regulatory and signaling functions in mechanotransduction. Mutations in all types of IF proteins are known to affect the architectural integrity and function of cellular processes, leading to debilitating diseases. The basic building block of all IFs are elongated α-helical coiled-coils that assemble hierarchically into complex meshworks. A remarkable mechanical feature of IFs is the capability of coiled-coils to metamorphize into β-sheets under stress, making them one of the strongest and most resilient mechanical entities in nature. Here, we discuss structural and mechanical aspects of IFs with a focus on nuclear lamins and vimentin.


1997 ◽  
Vol 325 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel BURTIN ◽  
Anthony J. MICHAEL

The activity of arginine decarboxylase (ADC), a key enzyme in plant polyamine biosynthesis, was manipulated in two generations of transgenic tobacco plants. Second-generation transgenic plants overexpressing an oat ADC cDNA contained high levels of oat ADC transcript relative to tobacco ADC, possessed elevated ADC enzyme activity and accumulated 10–20-fold more agmatine, the direct product of ADC. In the presence of high levels of the precursor agmatine, no increase in the levels of the polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine was detected in the transgenic plants. Similarly, the activities of ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase were unchanged. No diversion of polyamine metabolism into the hydroxycinnamic acid–polyamine conjugate pool or into the tobacco alkaloid nicotine was detected. Activity of the catabolic enzyme diamine oxidase was the same in transgenic and control plants. The elevated ADC activity and agmatine production were subjected to a metabolic/physical block preventing increased, i.e. deregulated, polyamine accumulation. Overaccumulation of agmatine in the transgenic plants did not affect morphological development.


Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 985
Author(s):  
Davide Corà ◽  
Federico Bussolino ◽  
Gabriella Doronzo

The oncogenic Transcription Factor EB (TFEB), a member of MITF-TFE family, is known to be the most important regulator of the transcription of genes responsible for the control of lysosomal biogenesis and functions, autophagy, and vesicles flux. TFEB activation occurs in response to stress factors such as nutrient and growth factor deficiency, hypoxia, lysosomal stress, and mitochondrial damage. To reach the final functional status, TFEB is regulated in multimodal ways, including transcriptional rate, post-transcriptional regulation, and post-translational modifications. Post-transcriptional regulation is in part mediated by miRNAs. miRNAs have been linked to many cellular processes involved both in physiology and pathology, such as cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. miRNAs also play a significant role in autophagy, which exerts a crucial role in cell behaviour during stress or survival responses. In particular, several miRNAs directly recognise TFEB transcript or indirectly regulate its function by targeting accessory molecules or enzymes involved in its post-translational modifications. Moreover, the transcriptional programs triggered by TFEB may be influenced by the miRNA-mediated regulation of TFEB targets. Finally, recent important studies indicate that the transcription of many miRNAs is regulated by TFEB itself. In this review, we describe the interplay between miRNAs with TFEB and focus on how these types of crosstalk affect TFEB activation and cellular functions.


2008 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 2009-2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. Kedar ◽  
Vickie Brown-Driver ◽  
Daniel R. Reyes ◽  
Mark T. Hilgers ◽  
Mark A. Stidham ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Targeted antisense and gene replacement mutagenesis experiments demonstrate that only the murA1 gene and not the murA2 gene is required for the normal cellular growth of Bacillus anthracis. Antisense-based modulation of murA1 gene expression hypersensitizes cells to the MurA-specific antibiotic fosfomycin despite the normally high resistance of B. anthracis to this drug.


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