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Cryo-EM structures of PP2A:B55–FAM122A and PP2A:B55–ARPP19

Progression through the cell cycle is controlled by regulated and abrupt changes in phosphorylation. Mitotic entry is initiated by increased phosphorylation of mitotic proteins, a process driven by kinases, whereas mitotic exit is achieved by counteracting dephosphorylation, a process driven by phosphatases, especially PP2A:B55. Although the role of kinases in mitotic entry is well established, recent data have shown that mitosis is only successfully initiated when the counterbalancing phosphatases are also inhibited. Inhibition of PP2A:B55 is achieved by the intrinsically disordered proteins ARPP19 and FAM122A. Despite their critical roles in mitosis, the mechanisms by which they achieve PP2A:B55 inhibition is unknown. Here, we report the single-particle cryo-electron microscopy structures of PP2A:B55 bound to phosphorylated ARPP19 and FAM122A. Consistent with our complementary NMR spectroscopy studies, both intrinsically disordered proteins bind PP2A:B55, but do so in highly distinct manners, leveraging multiple distinct binding sites on B55. Our extensive structural, biophysical and biochemical data explain how substrates and inhibitors are recruited to PP2A:B55 and provide a molecular roadmap for the development of therapeutic interventions for PP2A:B55-related diseases.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

The first DEP domain of the RhoGEF P-Rex1 autoinhibits activity and contributes to membrane binding

Phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP 3 )-dependent Rac exchanger 1 (P-Rex1) catalyzes the exchange of GDP for GTP on Rac GTPases, thereby triggering changes in the actin cytoskeleton and in transcription. Its overexpression is highly correlated with the metastasis of certain cancers. P-Rex1 recruitment to the plasma membrane and its activity are regulated via interactions with heterotrimeric Gβγ subunits, PIP 3 , and protein kinase A (PKA). Deletion analysis has further shown that domains C-terminal to its catalytic Dbl homology (DH) domain confer autoinhibition. Among these, the first dishevelled, Egl-10, and pleckstrin domain (DEP1) remains to be structurally characterized. DEP1 also harbors the primary PKA phosphorylation site, suggesting that an improved understanding of this region could substantially increase our knowledge of P-Rex1 signaling and open the door to new selective chemotherapeutics. Here we show that the DEP1 domain alone can autoinhibit activity in context of the DH/PH-DEP1 fragment of P-Rex1 and interacts with the DH/PH domains in solution. The 3.1 Å crystal structure of DEP1 features a domain swap, similar to that observed previously in the Dvl2 DEP domain, involving an exposed basic loop that contains the PKA site. Using purified proteins, we show that although DEP1 phosphorylation has no effect on the activity or solution conformation of the DH/PH-DEP1 fragment, it inhibits binding of the DEP1 domain to liposomes containing phosphatidic acid. Thus, we propose that PKA phosphorylation of the DEP1 domain hampers P-Rex1 binding to negatively charged membranes in cells, freeing the DEP1 domain to associate with and inhibit the DH/PH module.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Dynamic Transcriptomic and Phosphoproteomic Analysis During Cell Wall Stress in Aspergillus nidulans

The fungal cell-wall integrity signaling (CWIS) pathway regulates cellular response to environmental stress to enable wall repair and resumption of normal growth. This complex, interconnected, pathway has been only partially characterized in filamentous fungi. To better understand the dynamic cellular response to wall perturbation, a β-glucan synthase inhibitor (micafungin) was added to a growing A. nidulans shake-flask culture. From this flask, transcriptomic and phosphoproteomic data were acquired over 10 and 120 min, respectively. To differentiate statistically-significant dynamic behavior from noise, a multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) model was applied to both data sets. Over 1800 genes were dynamically expressed and over 700 phosphorylation sites had changing phosphorylation levels upon micafungin exposure. Twelve kinases had altered phosphorylation and phenotypic profiling of all non-essential kinase deletion mutants revealed putative connections between PrkA, Hk-8–4, and Stk19 and the CWIS pathway. Our collective data implicate actin regulation, endocytosis, and septum formation as critical cellular processes responding to activation of the CWIS pathway, and connections between CWIS and calcium, HOG, and SIN signaling pathways.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

The DYRKP1 kinase regulates cell wall degradation in Chlamydomonas by inducing matrix metalloproteinase expression

Abstract The cell wall of plants and algae is an important cell structure that protects cells from changes in the external physical and chemical environment. This extracellular matrix, composed of polysaccharides and glycoproteins, must be constantly remodeled throughout the life cycle. However, compared to matrix polysaccharides, little is known about the mechanisms regulating the formation and degradation of matrix glycoproteins. We report here that a plant kinase belonging to the dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase (DYRKP1) family present in all eukaryotes regulates cell wall degradation after mitosis of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by inducing the expression of matrix metalloproteinases. Without DYRKP1, daughter cells cannot disassemble parental cell walls and remain trapped inside for more than 10 days. On the other hand, the dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase complementation lines show normal degradation of the parental cell wall. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses indicate a marked downregulation of MMP gene expression and accumulation, respectively, in the dyrkp1 mutants. The mutants deficient in matrix metalloproteinases retain palmelloid structures for a longer time than the background strain, like dyrkp1 mutants. Our findings show that dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase, by ensuring timely MMP expression, enables the successful execution of the cell cycle. Altogether, this study provides insight into the life cycle regulation in plants and algae.

Kim, Minjae (ORCID:0000000223561295)↗

Analysis of a macrophage carbamylated proteome reveals a function in post-translational modification crosstalk

Background. Lysine carbamylation is a biomarker of rheumatoid arthritis and kidney diseases. However, its cellular function is understudied due to the lack of tools for systematic analysis of this post-translational modification (PTM). Methods. We adapted a method to analyze carbamylated peptides by co-affinity purification with acetylated peptides based on the cross-reactivity of anti-acetyllysine antibodies. We also performed immobilized-metal affinity chromatography to enrich for phosphopeptides, which allowed us to obtain multi-PTM information from the same samples. Results. By testing the pipeline with RAW 264.7 macrophages treated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide, 7,299, 8,923 and 47,637 acetylated, carbamylated, and phosphorylated peptides were identified, respectively. Our analysis showed that carbamylation occurs on proteins from a variety of functions on sites with similar as well as distinct motifs compared to acetylation. To investigate possible PTM crosstalk, we integrated the carbamylation data with acetylation and phosphorylation data, leading to the identification 1,183 proteins that were modified by all 3 PTMs. Among these proteins, 54 had all 3 PTMs regulated by lipopolysaccharide and were enriched in immune signaling pathways, and in particular, the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. We found that carbamylation of linear diubiquitin blocks the activity of the anti-inflammatory deubiquitinase OTULIN. Conclusions. Overall, our data show that anti-acetyllysine antibodies can be used for effective enrichment of carbamylated peptides. Moreover, carbamylation may play a role in PTM crosstalk with acetylation and phosphorylation, and that it is involved in regulating ubiquitination in vitro.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Mitogen-activated protein kinase 6 negatively regulates secondary wall biosynthesis by modulating MYB46 protein stability in Arabidopsis thaliana

The R2R3-MYB transcription factor MYB46 functions as a master switch for secondary cell wall biosynthesis, ensuring the exquisite expression of the secondary wall biosynthetic genes in the tissues where secondary walls are critical for growth and development. At the same time, suppression of its function is needed when/where formation of secondary walls is not desirable. Little is known about how this opposing control of secondary cell wall formation is achieved. We used both transient and transgenic expression of MYB46 and mitogen-activated protein kinase 6 (MPK6) to investigate the molecular mechanism of the post-translational regulation of MYB46. We show that MYB46 is phosphorylated by MPK6, leading to site specific phosphorylation-dependent degradation of MYB46 by the ubiquitin-mediated proteasome pathway. In addition, the MPK6-mediated MYB46 phosphorylation was found to regulate in planta secondary wall forming function of MYB46. Furthermore, we provide experimental evidences that MYB83, a paralog of MYB46, is not regulated by MPK6. The coupling of MPK signaling to MYB46 function provides insights into the tissue- and/or condition-specific activity of MYB46 for secondary wall biosynthesis.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Long-Range Allosteric Communication Modulated by Active Site Mn(II) Coordination Drives Catalysis in Xanthobacter autotrophicus Acetone Carboxylase

Acetone carboxylase (AC) from Xanthobacter autotrophicus is a 360 KDa α2β2γ2 heterohexamer that catalyzes the ATP-dependent formation of phosphorylated acetone and bicarbonate intermediates that react at Mn(II) metal active sites to form acetoacetate. Structural models of X. autotrophicus AC (XaAC) with and without nucleotides reveal that the binding and phosphorylation of the two substrates occurs ~40 Å from the Mn(II) active sites where acetoacetate is formed. Based on the crystal structures, a significant conformational change was proposed to open and close a tunnel that facilitates the passage of reaction intermediates between the sites for nucleotide binding and phosphorylation of substrates and Mn(II) sites of acetoacetate formation. We have employed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), kinetic assays, and hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) of poised ligand-bound states and site-specific amino acid variants to complete an in-depth analysis of Mn(II) coordination and allosteric communication throughout the catalytic cycle. In contrast with the established paradigms for carboxylation, our analyses of XaAC suggested a carboxylate shift that couples both local and long-range structural transitions. Shifts in the coordination mode of a single carboxylic acid residue (αE89) mediate both catalysis proximal to a Mn(II) center and communication with an ATP active site in a separate subunit of a 180 kDa α2β2γ2 complex at a distance of 40 Å. This work demonstrates the power of combining structural models from X-ray crystallography with solution-phase spectroscopy and biophysical techniques to elucidate functional aspects of a multi-subunit enzyme.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology↗

Temporal gradients in shear stimulate osteoblastic proliferation via ERK1/2 and retinoblastoma protein

Bone cells are subject to interstitial fluid flow (IFF) driven by venous pressure and mechanical loading. Rapid dynamic changes in mechanical loading cause transient gradients in IFF. The effects of pulsatile flow (temporal gradients in fluid shear) on rat UMR106 cells and rat primary osteoblastic cells were studied. Pulsatile flow induced a 95% increase in S-phase UMR106 cells compared with static controls. In contrast, ramped steady flow stimulated only a 3% increase. Similar patterns of S-phase induction were also observed in rat primary osteoblastic cells. Pulsatile flow significantly increased relative UMR106 cell number by 37 and 62% at 1.5 and 24 h, respectively. Pulsatile flow also significantly increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) phosphorylation by 418%, whereas ramped steady flow reduced ERK1/2 activation to 17% of control. Correspondingly, retinoblastoma protein was significantly phosphorylated by pulsatile fluid flow. Inhibition of mitogen-activated protein (MAP)/ERK kinase (MEK)1/2 by U0126 (a specific MEK1/2 inhibitor) reduced shear-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and cell proliferation. These findings suggest that temporal gradients in fluid shear stress are potent stimuli of bone cell proliferation.

NASA Discipline Cell Biology↗

The radioresistance to killing of A1-5 cells derives from activation of the Chk1 pathway

Checkpoints respond to DNA damage by arresting the cell cycle to provide time for facilitating repair. In mammalian cells, the G(2) checkpoint prevents the Cdc25C phosphatase from removing inhibitory phosphate groups from the mitosis-promoting kinase Cdc2. Both Chk1 and Chk2, the checkpoint kinases, can phosphorylate Cdc25C and inactivate its in vitro phosphatase activity. Therefore, both Chk1 and Chk2 are thought to regulate the activation of the G(2) checkpoint. Here we report that A1-5, a transformed rat embryo fibroblast cell line, shows much more radioresistance associated with a much stronger G(2) arrest response when compared with its counterpart, B4, although A1-5 and B4 cells have a similar capacity for nonhomologous end-joining DNA repair. These phenotypes of A1-5 cells are accompanied by a higher Chk1 expression and a higher phosphorylation of Cdc2. On the other hand, Chk2 expression increases slightly following radiation; however, it has no difference between A1-5 and B4 cells. Caffeine or UCN-01 abolishes the extreme radioresistance with the strong G(2) arrest and at the same time reduces the phosphorylation of Cdc2 in A1-5 cells. In addition, Chk1 but not Chk2 antisense oligonucleotide sensitizes A1-5 cells to radiation-induced killing and reduces the G(2) arrest of the cells. Taken together these results suggest that the Chk1/Cdc25C/Cdc2 pathway is the major player for the radioresistance with G(2) arrest in A1-5 cells.

NASA Discipline Radiation Health↗

Selected Contribution: Skeletal muscle focal adhesion kinase, paxillin, and serum response factor are loading dependent

This investigation examined the effect of mechanical loading state on focal adhesion kinase (FAK), paxillin, and serum response factor (SRF) in rat skeletal muscle. We found that FAK concentration and tyrosine phosphorylation, paxillin concentration, and SRF concentration are all lower in the lesser load-bearing fast-twitch plantaris and gastrocnemius muscles compared with the greater load-bearing slow-twitch soleus muscle. Of these three muscles, 7 days of mechanical unloading via tail suspension elicited a decrease in FAK tyrosine phosphorylation only in the soleus muscle and decreases in FAK and paxillin concentrations only in the plantaris and gastrocnemius muscles. Unloading decreased SRF concentration in all three muscles. Mechanical overloading (via bilateral gastrocnemius ablation) for 1 or 8 days increased FAK and paxillin concentrations in the soleus and plantaris muscles. Additionally, whereas FAK tyrosine phosphorylation and SRF concentration were increased by < or =1 day of overloading in the soleus muscle, these increases did not occur until somewhere between 1 and 8 days of overloading in the plantaris muscle. These data indicate that, in the skeletal muscles of rats, the focal adhesion complex proteins FAK and paxillin and the transcription factor SRF are generally modulated in association with the mechanical loading state of the muscle. However, the somewhat different patterns of adaptation of these proteins to altered loading in slow- vs. fast-twitch skeletal muscles indicate that the mechanisms and time course of adaptation may partly depend on the prior loading state of the muscle.

NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal↗

Extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 activation in endothelial cells exposed to cyclic strain

The aim of this study was to determine whether extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/ERK2) are activated and might play a role in enhanced proliferation and morphological change induced by strain. Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) were subjected to an average of 6 or 10% strain at a rate of 60 cycles/min for up to 4 h. Cyclic strain caused strain- and time-dependent phosphorylation and activation of ERK1/ERK2. Peak phosphorylation and activation of ERK1/ERK2 induced by 10% strain were at 10 min. A specific ERK1/ERK2 kinase inhibitor, PD-98059, inhibited phosphorylation and activation of ERK1/ERK2 but did not inhibit the increased cell proliferation and cell alignment induced by strain. Treatment of BAEC with 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1, 4-benzohydroquinone, to deplete inositol trisphosphate-sensitive calcium storage, and gadolinium chloride, a Ca2+ channel blocker, did not inhibit the activation of ERK1/ERK2. Strain-induced ERK1/ERK2 activation was partly inhibited by the protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C and completely inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. These data suggest that 1) ERK1/ERK2 are not critically involved in the strain-induced cell proliferation and orientation, 2) strain-dependent activation of ERK1/ERK2 is independent of intracellular and extracellular calcium mobilization, and 3) protein kinase C activation and tyrosine kinase regulate strain-induced activation of ERK1/ERK2.

NASA Discipline Cell Biology↗

Identification of phosphoproteins coupled to initiation of motility in live epididymal mouse sperm

A method for collecting live immotile cauda epididymal mouse sperm that initiate motility by dilution into an activation buffer is described. Sperm in collection buffer showed low percent motility (MOT) and population progression (PRG) that increased 10-fold and 9-fold, respectively, during the first 2 min after dilution into activation buffer. Western phosphoserine (pS), phosphothreonine (pT), and phosphotyrosine (pY) analysis revealed a 120 kDa protein that markedly increased in pT content during initiation of motility and may be related to FP130, the motility-coupled axonemal protein of sea urchin sperm. A prominent 82 kDa protein that was pS and pT-phosphorylated in immotile and motile sperm is likely the fibrous sheath component AKAP82 that is phosphorylated during spermatogenesis. Analysis of live human sperm also identified a prominent 120 kDa pT protein. Thus it appears that phosphorylation of FP130 and related 120 kDa proteins in mouse, and perhaps human sperm, represent common targets during motility initiation in sperm. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Non-NASA Center↗

Differential Processing of Low and High LET Radiation Induced DNA Damage: Investigation of Switch from ATM to ATR Signaling

The members of the phosphatidylinositol kinase-like kinase family of proteins namely ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and ATM- and Rad3-related (ATR) are directly responsible for the maintenance of genomic integrity by mounting DDR through signaling and facilitating the recruitment of repair factors at the sites of DNA damage along with coordinating the deployment of cell cycle checkpoints to permit repair by phosphorylating Checkpoint kinase Chk1, Chk2 and p53. High LET radiation from GCR (Galactic Cosmic Rays) consisting mainly of protons and high energy and charged (HZE) particles from SPE (Solar Particle Event) pose a major health risk for astronauts on their space flight missions. The determination of these risks and the design of potential safeguards require sound knowledge of the biological consequences of lesion induction and the capability of the cells to counter them. We here strive to determine the coordination of ATM and ATR kinases at the break sites directly affecting checkpoint signaling and DNA repair and whether differential processing of breaks induced by low and high LET radiation leads to possible augmentation of swap of these damage sensors at the sites of DNA damage. Exposure of cells to IR triggers rapid autophosphorylation of serine-1981 that causes dimer dissociation and initiates monomer formation of ATM. ATM kinase activity depends on the disruption of the dimer, which allows access and phosphorylation of downstream ATM substrates like Chk2. Evidence suggests that ATM is activated by the alterations in higher-order chromatin structure although direct binding of ATM to DSB ends may be a crucial step in its activation. On the other hand, in case of ATR, RPA (replication protein A)-coated ssDNA (single-stranded DNA) generated as a result of stalled DNA replication or during processing of chromosomal lesions is crucial for the localization of ATR to sites of DNA damage in association with ATR-interacting protein (ATRIP). Although the majority of RPA-coated ssDNA is generally present only during DNA replication, ATR activation in G1 and G2-phase might still require formation of RPA-coated ssDNA, probably initiated by the MRN-CtIP complex and then extended by the Exo1- or BLM-dependent mechanisms at the sites of DSBs. Evidence accumulates that activation of ATM and ATR are oppositely regulated by the length of single stranded overhangs generated at the break sites by processes mentioned above and these stretches of single stranded overhangs hold the clue for ATM to ATR switch at broken DNA ends. We irradiated 82-6hTERT human fibroblast cells with low LET gamma-rays and high LET Fe and Si particles. Preliminary results with cells exposed to 1Gy gamma-rays show that the kinetics of pChk2-pT68 foci formation is comparable to that of gamma-H2AX although they appear to recede quicker. The number and intensity of observed foci reaches a maximum at 30 min and 60 min post IR for Chk2-pT68 and gamma-H2AX foci respectively and all Chk2-pT68 foci colocalize with gamma-H2AX foci. The kinetics of Chk1-pS345 and ATRIP are being determined. Results of Chk2-pT68 foci kinetics was also corroborated by western blot experiments, although phosphorylation was detected as early as 10 min and started receding 30 min post IR with 2Gy of gamma-rays. On the other hand, level of ATR-pS428 reached its maximum between 60 and 120 min and was maintained until the last measured time point of 4 hours post IR as determined by western blotting. Experiments performed with high LET Fe and Si particles will be reported.

Saha, Janapriya↗

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics for analysis of hydrophilic phosphopeptides

Protein phosphorylation is a critical post-translational modification (PTM), with cell signaling networks being tightly regulated by protein phosphorylation. Despite recent technological advances in reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC)-mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics, comprehensive phosphoproteomic coverage in complex biological systems remains challenging, especially for hydrophilic phosphopeptides that often have multiple phosphorylation sites. Herein we describe an MS-based phosphoproteomics protocol for effective quantitative analysis of hydrophilic phosphopeptides. This protocol was built upon a simple tandem mass tag (TMT)-labeling method for significantly increasing peptide hydrophobicity, thus effectively enhancing RPLC-MS analysis of hydrophilic peptides. Through phosphoproteomic analyses of MCF7 cells, this method was demonstrated to greatly increase the number of identified hydrophilic phosphopeptides and improve MS signal detection. With the TMT labeling method, we were able to identify a previously unreported phosphopeptide from the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) CXCR3, QPpSSSR, which is thought to be important in regulating receptor signaling. This protocol is easy to adopt and implement, and thus should have broad utility for effective RPLC-MS analysis of the hydrophilic phosphoproteome as well as other highly hydrophilic analytes.

Hydrophilic phosphopeptide, Phosphoproteomics, TMT↗

MarK, a Novosphingobium aromaticivorans kinase required for catabolism of multiple aromatic monomers

The aromatic compounds used in a variety of industrial products are currently obtained from nonrenewable petroleum sources. Alternatively, the plant polymer lignin is an abundant renewable source of aromatics, and its depolymerization generates a variety of products that can include acetovanillone, a vanillin derivative containing an acetyl side chain. The Alphaproteobacterium Novosphingobium aromaticivorans DSM12444 can metabolize several chemically modified aromatics in deconstructed lignin, but not acetovanillone. In this work, adaptive laboratory evolution identified a single amino acid change in the previously uncharacterized gene product Saro_1862 that is necessary and sufficient for N. aromaticivorans growth with acetovanillone as a sole growth substrate, as well as other aromatic monomers not metabolized by wild-type cells. We show that a glutamate (E) to lysine (K) substitution at amino acid residue 16 of Saro_1862 results in a ~1600-fold increase in the rate of ATP-dependent acetovanillone phosphorylation. We also find that recombinant Saro_1862 E16K phosphorylates several other aromatic compounds in vitro , defining the first reported catalytic activity for the widespread UPF0261 protein domain contained in Saro_1862. Thus, we propose naming Saro_1862 MarK, for multiple aromatic kinase. A 1.57 Å crystal structure of MarK E16K predicts that the E16K substitution lies in a potential ATP binding site, suggesting how this amino acid change increased catalytic activity. A search for homologs of MarK and other proteins required for acetovanillone degradation predicts that this pathway for aromatic metabolism exists throughout the bacterial phylogeny.

Novosphingobium↗

Inactivated STAT5 pathway underlies a novel inhibitory role of EBF1 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease caused by gradual accumulation of functionally incompetent lymphocytes. The majority of CLL cases are accompanied by chemoresistance. Early B cell factor 1 (EBF1) is a crucial contributor to B-cell lymphopoiesis. This study is to explore the effect of EBF1 on CLL cell progression and its involvement in regulating the signal transducers and activators of transcription 5 (STAT5) pathway. We conducted a correlation analysis between EBF1 and the clinical characteristics of CLL patients. Subsequently, EBF1 was overexpressed by transfection with EBF1 overexpression plasmid and the STAT5 pathway was also blocked by treatment with SH-4-54 in isolated CD20{sup +} B lymphocytes to investigate their roles in the regulation of cellular functions. STAT5, Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) expression and their phosphorylation levels were determined by quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses. The in vivo effects of EBF1 on tumor growth were evaluated using a xenotransplant model. Downregulation of EBF1 was observed in CD20{sup +} B lymphocytes of CLL patients. EBF1 overexpression disrupted the activation of STAT5 pathway, as evidenced by decreased expression and phosphorylation levels of STAT5 and JAK2. Furthermore, overexpression of EBF1 repressed viability and cell cycle entry, and increased apoptosis of CD20{sup +} B lymphocytes by inhibiting the STAT5 pathway. Finally, EBF1 exerted antitumor effects in nude mice. Overall, our study elucidates the inhibitory role of EBF1 in CLL through inactivation of the STAT5 pathway, which may provide new targets for CLL treatment.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Heat shock induces the nuclear accumulation of YAP1 via SRC

Highlights: • YAP1 enters the nucleus in response to heat shock. • YAP1 spontaneously returns to the cytoplasm after heat shock. • SRC is involved in the nuclear accumulation of YAP1. • HSP90 is involved in the return to the cytoplasm of YAP1. • YAP1 cross-talks with NF-κB signaling in response to heat shock. Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), a co-transcription activator, shuttles between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Phosphorylation by large tumor suppressor kinases (LATS1/2) is the major determinant of YAP1 subcellular localization. Unphosphorylated YAP1 interacts with transcription factors in the nucleus and regulates gene transcription, while phosphorylated YAP1 is trapped in the cytoplasm and is degraded. We found that when U2OS and HeLa cells are exposed to 42 °C, YAP1 enters the nucleus within 30 min and returns to the cytoplasm at 4 h. SRC and HSP90 are involved in nuclear accumulation and return to the cytoplasm, respectively. Upon heat shock, LATS2 forms aggregates including protein phosphatase 1 and is dephosphorylated and inactivated. SRC activation is necessary for the formation of aggregates, while HSP90 is required for their dissociation. YAP1 is involved in heat shock-induced NF-κB signaling. Mechanistically, YAP1 is implicated in strengthening the interaction between RELA and DPF3, a component of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, in response to heat shock. Thus, YAP1 plays a role as a thermosensor.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

EGLP-1 lowers body weight better than exendin-4 by reducing food intake and increasing basal energy expenditure in diet-induced obese mice

It is well known that GLP-1 activates GLP-1R to reduce body weight by inhibiting eating. GLP-1 is cleaved by the neutral endopeptidase (NEP) 24.11 into a pentapeptide GLP-1 (32–36) amide, which increases basal energy expenditure and inhibits weight gain in obese mice. It is well known that GLP-1 analogs can reduce weight by suppressing eating. However, there are few reports of reducing weight through the dual effects of inhibiting eating and increasing basic energy. Here, we report the peptide EGLP-1, a GLP-1 analogue, which can reduce food intake and increase basal energy expenditure. In C2C12 myotubes, EGLP-1 can increase both phosphorylation of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) and the ratio between phosphorylation of ACC and the total expression of ACC (pACC/ACC). In diet-induced obese mice, EGLP-1 is more effective than exendin-4 in reducing body weight, reducing fat mass and improving hepatic steatosis. At the same time, EGLP-1 can improve hyperglycemia, reduce food intake, and improve insulin resistance, just like exendin-4. In addition, EGLP-1, not exendin-4, can improve physiological parameters associated with lipid metabolism and increase oxygen consumption by increasing uncoupling proteins 3 (UCP3) expression and pACC/ACC ratio in skeletal muscle. Taken together, this data showed that EGLP-1 is able to reduce body weight by reducing food intake and increasing basal energy expenditure, suggesting it may be more effective in treating diabetic and non-diabetic overweight or obese people than pure GLP-1R agonist exendin-4.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗