scholarly journals Osmolyte Signatures for the Protection of Aspergillus sydowii Cells under Halophilic Conditions and Osmotic Shock

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 414
Author(s):  
Eya Caridad Rodríguez-Pupo ◽  
Yordanis Pérez-Llano ◽  
José Raunel Tinoco-Valencia ◽  
Norma Silvia Sánchez ◽  
Francisco Padilla-Garfias ◽  
...  

Aspergillus sydowii is a moderate halophile fungus extensively studied for its biotechnological potential and halophile responses, which has also been reported as a coral reef pathogen. In a recent publication, the transcriptomic analysis of this fungus, when growing on wheat straw, showed that genes related to cell wall modification and cation transporters were upregulated under hypersaline conditions but not under 0.5 M NaCl, the optimal salinity for growth in this strain. This led us to study osmolyte accumulation as a mechanism to withstand moderate salinity. In this work, we show that A. sydowii accumulates trehalose, arabitol, mannitol, and glycerol with different temporal dynamics, which depend on whether the fungus is exposed to hypo- or hyperosmotic stress. The transcripts coding for enzymes responsible for polyalcohol synthesis were regulated in a stress-dependent manner. Interestingly, A. sydowii contains three homologs (Hog1, Hog2 and MpkC) of the Hog1 MAPK, the master regulator of hyperosmotic stress response in S. cerevisiae and other fungi. We show a differential regulation of these MAPKs under different salinity conditions, including sustained basal Hog1/Hog2 phosphorylation levels in the absence of NaCl or in the presence of 2.0 M NaCl, in contrast to what is observed in S. cerevisiae. These findings indicate that halophilic fungi such as A. sydowii utilize different osmoadaptation mechanisms to hypersaline conditions.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyssa E. Johnson ◽  
Brian O. Orr ◽  
Richard D. Fetter ◽  
Armen J. Moughamian ◽  
Logan A. Primeaux ◽  
...  

AbstractMissense mutations in Valosin-Containing Protein (VCP) are linked to diverse degenerative diseases including IBMPFD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease. Here, we characterize a VCP-binding co-factor (SVIP) that specifically recruits VCP to lysosomes. SVIP is essential for lysosomal dynamic stability and autophagosomal–lysosomal fusion. SVIP mutations cause muscle wasting and neuromuscular degeneration while muscle-specific SVIP over-expression increases lysosomal abundance and is sufficient to extend lifespan in a context, stress-dependent manner. We also establish multiple links between SVIP and VCP-dependent disease in our Drosophila model system. A biochemical screen identifies a disease-causing VCP mutation that prevents SVIP binding. Conversely, over-expression of an SVIP mutation that prevents VCP binding is deleterious. Finally, we identify a human SVIP mutation and confirm the pathogenicity of this mutation in our Drosophila model. We propose a model for VCP disease based on the differential, co-factor-dependent recruitment of VCP to intracellular organelles.


2013 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 247-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janja Zajc ◽  
Tina Kogej ◽  
Erwin A. Galinski ◽  
José Ramos ◽  
Nina Gunde-Cimerman

ABSTRACTWallemia ichthyophagais a fungus from the ancient basidiomycetous genusWallemia(Wallemiales, Wallemiomycetes) that grows only at salinities between 10% (wt/vol) NaCl and saturated NaCl solution. This obligate halophily is unique among fungi. The main goal of this study was to determine the optimal salinity range for growth of the halophilicW. ichthyophagaand to unravel its osmoadaptation strategy. Our results showed that growth on solid growth media was extremely slow and resulted in small colonies. On the other hand, in the liquid batch cultures, the specific growth rates ofW. ichthyophagawere higher, and the biomass production increased with increasing salinities. The optimum salinity range for growth ofW. ichthyophagawas between 15 and 20% (wt/vol) NaCl. At 10% NaCl, the biomass production and the growth rate were by far the lowest among all tested salinities. Furthermore, the cell wall content in the dry biomass was extremely high at salinities above 10%. Our results also showed that glycerol was the major osmotically regulated solute, since its accumulation increased with salinity and was diminished by hypo-osmotic shock. Besides glycerol, smaller amounts of arabitol and trace amounts of mannitol were also detected. In addition,W. ichthyophagamaintained relatively small intracellular amounts of potassium and sodium at constant salinities, but during hyperosmotic shock, the amounts of both cations increased significantly. Given our results and the recent availability of the genome sequence,W. ichthyophagashould become well established as a novel model organism for studies of halophily in eukaryotes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 314 (3) ◽  
pp. F462-F470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshifumi Kurosaki ◽  
Akemi Imoto ◽  
Fumitaka Kawakami ◽  
Masanori Yokoba ◽  
Tsuneo Takenaka ◽  
...  

Megalin, an endocytic receptor expressed in proximal tubule cells, plays a critical role in renal tubular protein reabsorption and is associated with the albuminuria observed in diabetic nephropathy. We have previously reported increased oxidant production in the renal cortex during the normoalbuminuric stage of diabetes mellitus (DM); however, the relationship between oxidative stress and renal megalin expression during the normoalbuminuric stage of DM remains unclear. In the present study, we evaluated whether oxidative stress affects megalin expression in the normoalbuminuric stage of DM in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model and in immortalized human proximal tubular cells (HK-2). We demonstrated that increased expression of renal megalin accompanies oxidative stress during the early stage of DM, before albuminuria development. Telmisartan treatment prevented the diabetes-induced elevation in megalin level, possibly through an oxidative stress-dependent mechanism. In HK-2 cells, hydrogen peroxide significantly increased megalin levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner; however, the elevation in megalin expression was decreased following prolonged exposure to severe oxidative stress induced by 0.4 mmol/l hydrogen peroxide. High-glucose treatment also significantly increased megalin expression in HK-2 cells. Concurrent administration of the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine blocked the effects of high glucose on megalin expression. Furthermore, the hydrogen peroxide-induced increase in megalin expression was blocked by treatment with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt inhibitors. Increase of phosphorylated Akt expression was also seen in the renal cortex of diabetic rats. Taken together, our results indicate that mild oxidative stress increases renal megalin expression through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt pathway in the normoalbuminuric stage of DM.


FEBS Letters ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 580 (18) ◽  
pp. 4495-4500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verónica Eisner ◽  
Alfredo Criollo ◽  
Clara Quiroga ◽  
Claudio Olea-Azar ◽  
Juan Francisco Santibañez ◽  
...  

2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 205873920601900 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bongrazio ◽  
L. DA Silva-Azevedo ◽  
E.C. Bergmann ◽  
O. Baum ◽  
B. Hinz ◽  
...  

Binding of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) to the CD36 receptor inhibits angiogenesis and induces apoptosis in endothelial cells (EC). Conversely, matrix-bound TSP-1 supports vessel formation. In this study we analyzed the shear stress-dependent expression of TSP-1 and CD36 in endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo to reveal its putative role in the blood flow-induced remodelling of vascular networks. Shear stress was applied to EC using a cone-and-plate apparatus and gene expression was analyzed by RT-PCR, Northern and Western blot. Angiogenesis in skeletal muscles of prazosin-fed (50 mg/1 drinking water; 4 d) mice was assessed by measuring capillary-to-fiber (C/F) ratios. Protein expression in whole muscle homogenates (WMH) or BS-1 lectin-enriched EC fractions (ECF) was analyzed by Western blot. Shear stress down-regulated TSP-1 and CD36 expression in vitro in a force- and time-dependent manner sustained for at least 72 h and reversible by restoration of no-flow conditions. In vivo, shear stress-driven increase of C/F in prazosin-fed mice was associated with reduced expression of TSP-1 and CD36 in ECF, while TSP-1 expression in WMH was increased. Down-regulation of endothelial TSP-1/CD36 by shear stress suggests a mechanism for inhibition of apoptosis in perfused vessels and pruning in the absence of flow. The increase of extra-endothelial (e.g. matrix-bound) TSP-1 could support a splitting type of vessel growth.


Author(s):  
Detmar Kolijn ◽  
Steffen Pabel ◽  
Yanna Tian ◽  
Mária Lódi ◽  
Melissa Herwig ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors showed favourable cardiovascular outcomes, but the underlying mechanisms are still elusive. This study investigated the mechanisms of empagliflozin in human and murine heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods and results The acute mechanisms of empagliflozin were investigated in human myocardium from patients with HFpEF and murine ZDF obese rats, which were treated in vivo. As shown with immunoblots and ELISA, empagliflozin significantly suppressed increased levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 in human and murine HFpEF myocardium and attenuated pathological oxidative parameters (H2O2, 3-nitrotyrosine, GSH, lipid peroxide) in both cardiomyocyte cytosol and mitochondria in addition to improved endothelial vasorelaxation. In HFpEF, we found higher oxidative stress-dependent activation of eNOS leading to PKGIα oxidation. Interestingly, immunofluorescence imaging and electron microscopy revealed that oxidized PKG1α in HFpEF appeared as dimers/polymers localized to the outer-membrane of the cardiomyocyte. Empagliflozin reduced oxidative stress/eNOS-dependent PKGIα oxidation and polymerization resulting in a higher fraction of PKGIα monomers, which translocated back to the cytosol. Consequently, diminished NO levels, sGC activity, cGMP concentration, and PKGIα activity in HFpEF increased upon empagliflozin leading to improved phosphorylation of myofilament proteins. In skinned HFpEF cardiomyocytes, empagliflozin improved cardiomyocyte stiffness in an anti-oxidative/PKGIα-dependent manner. Monovariate linear regression analysis confirmed the correlation of oxidative stress and PKGIα polymerization with increased cardiomyocyte stiffness and diastolic dysfunction of the HFpEF patients. Conclusion Empagliflozin reduces inflammatory and oxidative stress in HFpEF and thereby improves the NO–sGC–cGMP–cascade and PKGIα activity via reduced PKGIα oxidation and polymerization leading to less pathological cardiomyocyte stiffness.


Author(s):  
Malgorzata Furmanik ◽  
Rick van Gorp ◽  
Meredith Whitehead ◽  
Sadia Ahmad ◽  
Jayanta Bordoloi ◽  
...  

Objective: Vascular calcification is common among aging populations and mediated by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is involved in protein folding and ER stress has been implicated in bone mineralization. The role of ER stress in VSMC-mediated calcification is less clear. Approach and Results: mRNA expression of the ER stress markers PERK (PKR (protein kinase RNA)-like ER kinase), ATF (activating transcription factor) 4, ATF6, and Grp78 was detectable in human vessels with levels of PERK decreased in calcified plaques compared to healthy vessels. Protein deposition of Grp78/Grp94 was increased in the matrix of calcified arteries. Induction of ER stress accelerated human primary VSMC-mediated calcification, elevated expression of some osteogenic markers (Runx2, Osterix, ALP, BSP, and OPG), and decreased expression of SMC markers. ER stress potentiated extracellular vesicle (EV) release via SMPD3. EVs from ER stress-treated VSMCs showed increased Grp78 levels and calcification. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of Grp78/Grp94 in EVs. siRNA knock-down of Grp78 decreased calcification. Warfarin-induced Grp78 and ATF4 expression in rat aortas and VSMCs and increased calcification in an ER stress-dependent manner via increased EV release. Conclusions: ER stress induces vascular calcification by increasing release of Grp78-loaded EVs. Our results reveal a novel mechanism of action of warfarin, involving increased EV release via the PERK-ATF4 pathway, contributing to calcification. This study is the first to show that warfarin induces ER stress and to link ER stress to cargo loading of EVs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 5537
Author(s):  
Johannes Kornhuber ◽  
Iulia Zoicas

It is well known that long-term consolidation of newly acquired information, including information related to social fear, require de novo protein synthesis. However, the temporal dynamics of protein synthesis during the consolidation of social fear memories is unclear. To address this question, mice received a single systemic injection with the protein synthesis inhibitor, anisomycin, at different time-points before or after social fear conditioning (SFC), and memory was assessed 24 h later. We showed that anisomycin impaired the consolidation of social fear memories in a time-point-dependent manner. Mice that received anisomycin 20 min before, immediately after, 6 h, or 8 h after SFC showed reduced expression of social fear, indicating impaired social fear memory, whereas anisomycin caused no effects when administered 4 h after SFC. These results suggest that consolidation of social fear memories requires two stages of protein synthesis: (1) an initial stage starting during or immediately after SFC, and (2) a second stage starting around 6 h after SFC and lasting for at least 5 h.


Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sutton Mooney ◽  
Raed Al-Saharin ◽  
Christina M. Choi ◽  
Kyle Tucker ◽  
Chase Beathard ◽  
...  

The turnip Brassica rapa has important economic value and represents a good model system to study gene function in crop plants. ERF/AP2 transcription factors are a major group of proteins that are often involved in regulating stress-responses and developmental programs. Some ERF/AP2 proteins are targets of CULLIN3-based E3 ligases that use BTB/POZ-MATH proteins as substrate receptors. These receptors bind the transcription factor and facilitate their ubiquitylation and subsequent degradation via the 26S proteasome. Here, we show tissue and stress-dependent expression patterns for three Brassica rapa ERF/AP2 proteins that are closely related to Arabidopsis thaliana AtRAP2.4. Cloning of the Brassica genes showed that the corresponding proteins can assemble with a BPM protein and CULLIN3, and that they are instable in a 26S proteasome dependent manner. This work demonstrates the conserved nature of the ERF/AP2-CULLIN3-based E3 ligase interplay, and represents a first step to analyze their function in a commercially relevant crop plant.


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