scholarly journals Kindlin-2 Mediates Mechanical Activation of Cardiac Myofibroblasts

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 2702
Author(s):  
Elena Godbout ◽  
Dong Ok Son ◽  
Stephanie Hume ◽  
Stellar Boo ◽  
Vincent Sarrazy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Nuclear Localization Sequence ◽  
Adhesion Protein ◽  
Rat Hearts ◽  
Carg Box ◽  
Localization Sequence ◽  
Human Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Focal Adhesion Protein

We identify the focal adhesion protein kindlin-2 as player in a novel mechanotransduction pathway that controls profibrotic cardiac fibroblast to myofibroblast activation. Kindlin-2 is co-upregulated with the myofibroblast marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in fibrotic rat hearts and in human cardiac fibroblasts exposed to fibrosis-stiff culture substrates and pro-fibrotic TGF-β1. Stressing fibroblasts using ferromagnetic microbeads, stretchable silicone membranes, and cell contraction agonists all result in kindlin-2 translocation to the nucleus. Overexpression of full-length kindlin-2 but not of kindlin-2 missing a putative nuclear localization sequence (∆NLS kindlin-2) results in increased α-SMA promoter activity. Downregulating kindlin-2 with siRNA leads to decreased myofibroblast contraction and reduced α-SMA expression, which is dependent on CC(A/T)-rich GG(CArG) box elements in the α-SMA promoter. Lost myofibroblast features under kindlin-2 knockdown are rescued with wild-type but not ∆NLS kindlin-2, indicating that myofibroblast control by kindlin-2 requires its nuclear translocation. Because kindlin-2 can act as a mechanotransducer regulating the transcription of α-SMA, it is a potential target to interfere with myofibroblast activation in tissue fibrosis.

The COOH-terminal nuclear localization sequence of interferon gamma regulates STAT1 alpha nuclear translocation at an intracellular site

2000 ◽  
Vol 113 (15) ◽  
pp. 2771-2781
Author(s):  
P.S. Subramaniam ◽  
J. Larkin ◽  
M.G. Mujtaba ◽  
M.R. Walter ◽  
H.M. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Nuclear Localization Sequence ◽  
Receptor Complex ◽  
Ifn Gamma ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Gamma Receptor ◽  
Localization Sequence

We have recently shown that the nuclear localization of IFN gamma is mediated by a polybasic nuclear localization sequence (NLS) in its C terminus. This NLS is required for the full expression of biological activity of IFN gamma, both extracellularly and intracellularly. We now show that this NLS plays an integral intracellular role in the nuclear translocation of the transcription factor STAT1 alpha activated by IFN gamma. Treatment of IFN gamma with antibodies to the C-terminal region (95–133) containing the NLS blocked the induction of STAT1 alpha nuclear translocation. The antibodies had no effect on nuclear translocation of STAT1 alpha in IFN gamma treated cells. A deletion mutant of human IFN gamma, IFN gamma (1–123), which is devoid of the C-terminal NLS region was found to be biologically inactive, but was still able to bind to the IFN gamma receptor complex on cells with a K(d) similar to that of the wild-type protein. Deletion of the NLS specifically abolished the ability of IFN gamma(1–123) to initiate the nuclear translocation of STAT1 alpha, which is required for the biological activities of IFN gamma following binding to the IFN gamma receptor complex. Thus, the NLS region appears to contribute minimally to extracellular high-affinity receptor-ligand binding, yet exerts a strong functional role in STAT1 alpha nuclear localization. A high-affinity site for the interaction of the C-terminal NLS domain of IFN gamma with a K(d) approx. 3 × 10(−8) M(−1) has been described by previous studies on the intracellular cytoplasmic domain of the IFN gamma receptor alpha-chain. To examine the role of the NLS at the intracellular level, we microinjected neutralizing antibodies raised against the C-terminal NLS domain of IFN gamma into the cytoplasm of cells before treatment of cells with IFN gamma. These intracellular antibodies specifically blocked the nuclear translocation of STAT1 alpha following the subsequent treatment of these cells extracellularly with IFN gamma. These data show that the NLS domain of IFN gamma interacts at an intracellular site to regulate STAT1 alpha nuclear import. A C-terminal peptide of murine IFN gamma, IFN gamma(95–133), that contains the NLS motif, induced nuclear translocation of STAT1 alpha when taken up intracellularly by a murine macrophage cell line. Deletion of the NLS motif specifically abrogated the ability of this intracellular peptide to cause STAT1 alpha nuclear translocation. In cells activated with IFN gamma, IFN gamma was found to as part of a complex that contained STAT1 alpha and the importin-alpha analog Npi-1, which mediates STAT1 alpha nuclear import. The tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1 alpha, the formation of the complex IFN gamma/Npi-1/STAT1 alpha complex and the subsequent nuclear translocation of STAT1 alpha were all found to be dependent on the presence of the IFN gamma NLS. Thus, the NLS of IFN gamma functions intracellularly to directly regulate the activation and ultimate nuclear translocation STAT1 alpha.

scholarly journals Complex Formation with Monomeric α-Tubulin and Importin 13 Fosters c-Jun Protein Stability and Is Required for c-Jun’s Nuclear Translocation and Activity

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1806
Author(s):  
Melanie Kappelmann-Fenzl ◽  
Silke Kuphal ◽  
Rosemarie Krupar ◽  
Dirk Schadendorf ◽  
Viktor Umansky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complex Formation ◽  
Protein Stability ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Nuclear Accumulation ◽  
Nuclear Localization Sequence ◽  
Microtubule Network ◽  
Localization Sequence ◽  
Dynamic Structures ◽  
Main Regulator ◽  
Factor C

Microtubules are highly dynamic structures, which consist of α- and β-tubulin heterodimers. They are essential for a number of cellular processes, including intracellular trafficking and mitosis. Tubulin-binding chemotherapeutics are used to treat different types of tumors, including malignant melanoma. The transcription factor c-Jun is a central driver of melanoma development and progression. Here, we identify the microtubule network as a main regulator of c-Jun activity. Monomeric α-tubulin fosters c-Jun protein stability by protein–protein interaction. In addition, this complex formation is necessary for c-Jun’s nuclear localization sequence binding to importin 13, and consequent nuclear import and activity of c-Jun. A reduction in monomeric α-tubulin levels by treatment with the chemotherapeutic paclitaxel resulted in a decline in the nuclear accumulation of c-Jun in melanoma cells in an experimental murine model and in patients’ tissues. These findings add important knowledge to the mechanism of the action of microtubule-targeting drugs and indicate the newly discovered regulation of c-Jun by the microtubule cytoskeleton as a novel therapeutic target for melanoma and potentially also other types of cancer.

scholarly journals PlexinB1 Promotes Nuclear Translocation of the Glucocorticoid Receptor

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Magali Williamson ◽  
Ritu Garg ◽  
Claire M. Wells
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Glucocorticoid Receptor ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Androgen Deprivation Therapy ◽  
Late Stage ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Androgen Deprivation ◽  
Nuclear Localization Sequence ◽  
Prostate Cancer Cells ◽  
Localization Sequence

Androgen receptor (AR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) are nuclear receptors whose function depends on their entry into the nucleus where they activate transcription of an overlapping set of genes. Both AR and GR have a role in resistance to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), the mainstay of treatment for late stage prostate cancer. PlexinB1, a receptor for semaphorins, has been implicated in various cancers including prostate cancer and has a role in resistance to ADT. We show here that activation of PlexinB1 by Sema4D and Sema3C results in translocation of endogenous GR to the nucleus in prostate cancer cells, and that this effect is dependent on PlexinB1 expression. Sema4D/Sema3C promotes the translocation of GR-GFP to the nucleus and mutation of the nuclear localization sequence (NLS1) of GR abrogates this response. These findings implicate the importin α/β system in the Sema4D/Sema3C-mediated nuclear import of GR. Knockdown of PlexinB1 in prostate cancer cells decreases the levels of glucocorticoid-responsive gene products and antagonizes the decrease in cell motility and cell area of prostate cancer cells upon dexamethasone treatment, demonstrating the functional significance of these findings. These results show that PlexinB1 activation has a role in the trafficking and activation of the nuclear receptor GR and thus may have a role in resistance to androgen deprivation therapy in late stage prostate cancer.

scholarly journals SCCRO (DCUN1D1) Promotes Nuclear Translocation and Assembly of the Neddylation E3 Complex

2011 ◽  
Vol 286 (12) ◽  
pp. 10297-10304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guochang Huang ◽  
Andrew J. Kaufman ◽  
Y. Ramanathan ◽  
Bhuvanesh Singh
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Nuclear Localization Sequence ◽  
Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts ◽  
Embryonic Fibroblasts ◽  
Transgenic Expression ◽  
Localization Sequence ◽  
Efficient Transfer

SCCRO/DCUN1D1/DCN1 (squamous cell carcinoma-related oncogene/defective in cullin neddylation 1 domain containing 1/defective in cullin neddylation) serves as an accessory E3 in neddylation by binding to cullin and Ubc12 to allow efficient transfer of Nedd8. In this work we show that SCCRO has broader, pleiotropic effects that are essential for cullin neddylation in vivo. Reduced primary nuclear localization of Cul1 accompanying decreased neddylation and proliferation in SCCRO−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts led us to investigate whether compartmentalization plays a regulatory role. Decreased nuclear localization, neddylation, and defective proliferation in SCCRO−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts were rescued by transgenic expression of SCCRO. Expression of reciprocal SCCRO and Cul1-binding mutants confirmed the requirement for SCCRO in nuclear translocation and neddylation of cullins in vivo. Nuclear translocation of Cul1 by tagging with a nuclear localization sequence allowed neddylation independent of SCCRO, but at a lower level. We found that in the nucleus, SCCRO enhances recruitment of Ubc12 to Cul1 to promote neddylation. These findings suggest that SCCRO has an essential role in neddylation in vivo involving nuclear localization of neddylation components and recruitment and proper positioning of Ubc12.

scholarly journals Design of Conditionally Active STATs: Insights into STAT Activation and Gene Regulatory Function

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 2913-2920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence H. Milocco ◽  
Jennifer A. Haslam ◽  
Jonathan Rosen ◽  
H. Martin Seidel
Keyword(s):  
Tyrosine Phosphorylation ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Regulatory Function ◽  
Nuclear Localization Sequence ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Localization Sequence ◽  
Gene Regulatory ◽  
First Time ◽  
Insight Into

ABSTRACT The STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) signaling pathway is activated by a large number of cytokines and growth factors. We sought to design a conditionally active STAT that could not only provide insight into basic questions about STAT function but also serve as a powerful tool to determine the precise biological role of STATs. To this end, we have developed a conditionally active STAT by fusing STATs with the ligand-binding domain of the estrogen receptor (ER). We have demonstrated that the resulting STAT-ER chimeras are estrogen-inducible transcription factors that retain the functional and biochemical characteristics of the cognate wild-type STATs. In addition, these tools have allowed us to evaluate separately the contribution of tyrosine phosphorylation and dimerization to STAT function. We have for the first time provided experimental data supporting the model that the only apparent role of STAT tyrosine phosphorylation is to drive dimerization, as dimerization alone is sufficient to unmask a latent STAT nuclear localization sequence and induce nuclear translocation, sequence-specific DNA binding, and transcriptional activity.

scholarly journals Preassembled GPCR signaling complexes mediate distinct cellular responses to ultralow ligand concentrations

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (551) ◽  
pp. eaan1188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srgjan Civciristov ◽  
Andrew M. Ellisdon ◽  
Ryan Suderman ◽  
Cindy K. Pon ◽  
Bronwyn A. Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate ◽  
Adenosine Monophosphate ◽  
Experimental Systems ◽  
Gpcr Activation ◽  
Ultralow Concentrations ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Human Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Cell Surface Signaling

G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of cell surface signaling proteins, participate in nearly all physiological processes, and are the targets of 30% of marketed drugs. Typically, nanomolar to micromolar concentrations of ligand are used to activate GPCRs in experimental systems. We detected GPCR responses to a wide range of ligand concentrations, from attomolar to millimolar, by measuring GPCR-stimulated production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) with high spatial and temporal resolution. Mathematical modeling showed that femtomolar concentrations of ligand activated, on average, 40% of the cells in a population provided that a cell was activated by one to two binding events. Furthermore, activation of the endogenous β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) and muscarinic acetylcholine M3 receptor (M3R) by femtomolar concentrations of ligand in cell lines and human cardiac fibroblasts caused sustained increases in nuclear translocation of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) and cytosolic protein kinase C (PKC) activity, respectively. These responses were spatially and temporally distinct from those that occurred in response to higher concentrations of ligand and resulted in a distinct cellular proteomic profile. This highly sensitive signaling depended on the GPCRs forming preassembled, higher-order signaling complexes at the plasma membrane. Recognizing that GPCRs respond to ultralow concentrations of neurotransmitters and hormones challenges established paradigms of drug action and provides a previously unappreciated aspect of GPCR activation that is quite distinct from that typically observed with higher ligand concentrations.

scholarly journals Ivabradine Reduces α-Smooth Muscle Actin Expression, Proliferation and Collagen Production in Human Cardiac Fibroblasts

2014 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 759a
Author(s):  
Priyanthi Dias ◽  
Manoraj Navaratnarajah ◽  
Samha Alayoubi ◽  
Christopher Kane ◽  
Leanne E. Felkin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Muscle Actin ◽  
Collagen Production ◽  
Human Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Actin Expression
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