f Clearance of intracellular tau protein from neuronal cells via VAMP8-induced secretion [Cell Biology] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-18T00:06:18-08:00 In Alzheimer's disease (AD), tau, a microtubule-associated protein (MAP), becomes hyperphosphorylated, aggregates, and accumulates in the somato-dendritic compartment of neurons. In parallel to its intracellular accumulation in AD, tau is also released in the extracellular space, as revealed by its increased presence in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Consistent with this, recent studies, including ours, have reported that neurons secrete tau, and several therapeutic strategies aim to prevent the intracellular tau accumulation. Previously, we reported that late endosomes were implicated in tau secretion. Here, we explore the possibility of preventing intracellular tau accumulation by increasing tau secretion. Using neuronal models, we investigated whether overexpression of the vesicle-associated membrane protein 8 (VAMP8), an R-SNARE found on late endosomes, could increase tau secretion. The overexpression of VAMP8 significantly increased tau secretion, decreasing its intracellular levels in the neuroblastoma (N2a) cell line. Increased tau secretion by VAMP8 was also observed in murine hippocampal slices. The intracellular reduction of tau by VAMP8 overexpression correlated to a decrease of acetylated tubulin induced by tau overexpression in N2a cells. VAMP8 staining was preferentially found on late endosomes in N2a cells. Using total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy, the fusion of VAMP8-positive vesicles with the plasma membrane was correlated to the depletion of tau in the cytoplasm. Finally, overexpression of VAMP8 reduced the intracellular accumulation of tau mutants linked to frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism and α-synuclein by increasing their secretion. Collectively, the present data indicate that VAMP8 could be used to increase tau and α-synuclein clearance to prevent their intracellular accumulation. Full Article
f Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection up-regulates MFN2 expression to promote NLRP3 inflammasome formation [Cell Biology] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-18T00:06:18-08:00 Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, especially in children. However, the mechanisms by which MTB infects its cellular host, activates an immune response, and triggers inflammation remain unknown. Mitochondria play important roles in the initiation and activation of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor with a pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, where mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) may serve as the platform for inflammasome assembly and activation. Additionally, mitofusin 2 (MFN2) is implicated in the formation of MAMs, but, the roles of mitochondria and MFN2 in MTB infection have not been elucidated. Using mircroarry profiling of TB patients and in vitro MTB stimulation of macrophages, we observed an up-regulation of MFN2 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of active TB patients. Furthermore, we found that MTB stimulation by MTB-specific antigen ESAT-6 or lysate of MTB promoted MFN2 interaction with NLRP3 inflammasomes, resulting in the assembly and activation of the inflammasome and, subsequently, IL-1β secretion. These findings suggest that MFN2 and mitochondria play important role in the pathogen-host interaction during MTB infection. Full Article
f AggreCount: an unbiased image analysis tool for identifying and quantifying cellular aggregates in a spatially defined manner [Methods and Resources] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-18T00:06:18-08:00 Protein quality control is maintained by a number of integrated cellular pathways that monitor the folding and functionality of the cellular proteome. Defects in these pathways lead to the accumulation of misfolded or faulty proteins that may become insoluble and aggregate over time. Protein aggregates significantly contribute to the development of a number of human diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. In vitro, imaging-based, cellular studies have defined key biomolecular components that recognize and clear aggregates; however, no unifying method is available to quantify cellular aggregates, limiting our ability to reproducibly and accurately quantify these structures. Here we describe an ImageJ macro called AggreCount to identify and measure protein aggregates in cells. AggreCount is designed to be intuitive, easy to use, and customizable for different types of aggregates observed in cells. Minimal experience in coding is required to utilize the script. Based on a user-defined image, AggreCount will report a number of metrics: (i) total number of cellular aggregates, (ii) percentage of cells with aggregates, (iii) aggregates per cell, (iv) area of aggregates, and (v) localization of aggregates (cytosol, perinuclear, or nuclear). A data table of aggregate information on a per cell basis, as well as a summary table, is provided for further data analysis. We demonstrate the versatility of AggreCount by analyzing a number of different cellular aggregates including aggresomes, stress granules, and inclusion bodies caused by huntingtin polyglutamine expansion. Full Article
f AMPK{beta}1 and AMPK{beta}2 define an isoform-specific gene signature in human pluripotent stem cells, differentially mediating cardiac lineage specification [Cell Biology] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-18T00:06:18-08:00 AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator of energy metabolism that phosphorylates a wide range of proteins to maintain cellular homeostasis. AMPK consists of three subunits: α, β, and γ. AMPKα and β are encoded by two genes, the γ subunit by three genes, all of which are expressed in a tissue-specific manner. It is not fully understood, whether individual isoforms have different functions. Using RNA-Seq technology, we provide evidence that the loss of AMPKβ1 and AMPKβ2 lead to different gene expression profiles in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), indicating isoform-specific function. The knockout of AMPKβ2 was associated with a higher number of differentially regulated genes than the deletion of AMPKβ1, suggesting that AMPKβ2 has a more comprehensive impact on the transcriptome. Bioinformatics analysis identified cell differentiation as one biological function being specifically associated with AMPKβ2. Correspondingly, the two isoforms differentially affected lineage decision toward a cardiac cell fate. Although the lack of PRKAB1 impacted differentiation into cardiomyocytes only at late stages of cardiac maturation, the availability of PRKAB2 was indispensable for mesoderm specification as shown by gene expression analysis and histochemical staining for cardiac lineage markers such as cTnT, GATA4, and NKX2.5. Ultimately, the lack of AMPKβ1 impairs, whereas deficiency of AMPKβ2 abrogates differentiation into cardiomyocytes. Finally, we demonstrate that AMPK affects cellular physiology by engaging in the regulation of hiPSC transcription in an isoform-specific manner, providing the basis for further investigations elucidating the role of dedicated AMPK subunits in the modulation of gene expression. Full Article
f NETosis occurs independently of neutrophil serine proteases [Enzymology] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-18T00:06:18-08:00 Neutrophils are primary host innate immune cells defending against pathogens. One proposed mechanism by which neutrophils prevent the spread of pathogens is NETosis, the extrusion of cellular DNA resulting in neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The protease neutrophil elastase (NE) has been implicated in the formation of NETs through proteolysis of nuclear proteins leading to chromatin decondensation. In addition to NE, neutrophils contain three other serine proteases that could compensate if the activity of NE was neutralized. However, whether they do play such a role is unknown. Thus, we deployed recently described specific inhibitors against all four of the neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs). Using specific antibodies to the NSPs along with our labeled inhibitors, we show that catalytic activity of these enzymes is not required for the formation of NETs. Moreover, the NSPs that decorate NETs are in an inactive conformation and thus cannot participate in further catalytic events. These results indicate that NSPs play no role in either NETosis or arming NETs with proteolytic activity. Full Article
f Visualizing, quantifying, and manipulating mitochondrial DNA in vivo [Methods and Resources] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-18T00:06:18-08:00 Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes proteins and RNAs that support the functions of mitochondria and thereby numerous physiological processes. Mutations of mtDNA can cause mitochondrial diseases and are implicated in aging. The mtDNA within cells is organized into nucleoids within the mitochondrial matrix, but how mtDNA nucleoids are formed and regulated within cells remains incompletely resolved. Visualization of mtDNA within cells is a powerful means by which mechanistic insight can be gained. Manipulation of the amount and sequence of mtDNA within cells is important experimentally and for developing therapeutic interventions to treat mitochondrial disease. This review details recent developments and opportunities for improvements in the experimental tools and techniques that can be used to visualize, quantify, and manipulate the properties of mtDNA within cells. Full Article
f Fibrillar {alpha}-synuclein toxicity depends on functional lysosomes [Cell Biology] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-18T00:06:18-08:00 Neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) can be recapitulated in animals by administration of α-synuclein preformed fibrils (PFFs) into the brain. However, the mechanism by which these PFFs induce toxicity is unknown. Iron is implicated in PD pathophysiology, so we investigated whether α-synuclein PFFs induce ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death pathway. A range of ferroptosis inhibitors were added to a striatal neuron-derived cell line (STHdhQ7/7 cells), a dopaminergic neuron–derived cell line (SN4741 cells), and WT primary cortical neurons, all of which had been intoxicated with α-synuclein PFFs. Viability was not recovered by these inhibitors except for liproxstatin-1, a best-in-class ferroptosis inhibitor, when used at high doses. High-dose liproxstatin-1 visibly enlarged the area of a cell that contained acidic vesicles and elevated the expression of several proteins associated with the autophagy-lysosomal pathway similarly to the known lysosomal inhibitors, chloroquine and bafilomycin A1. Consistent with high-dose liproxstatin-1 protecting via a lysosomal mechanism, we further de-monstrated that loss of viability induced by α-synuclein PFFs was attenuated by chloroquine and bafilomycin A1 as well as the lysosomal cysteine protease inhibitors, leupeptin, E-64D, and Ca-074-Me, but not other autophagy or lysosomal enzyme inhibitors. We confirmed using immunofluorescence microscopy that heparin prevented uptake of α-synuclein PFFs into cells but that chloroquine did not stop α-synuclein uptake into lysosomes despite impairing lysosomal function and inhibiting α-synuclein toxicity. Together, these data suggested that α-synuclein PFFs are toxic in functional lysosomes in vitro. Therapeutic strategies that prevent α-synuclein fibril uptake into lysosomes may be of benefit in PD. Full Article
f Transcription factor NF-{kappa}B promotes acute lung inȷury via microRNA-99b-mediated PRDM1 down-regulation [Developmental Biology] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-25T00:06:31-08:00 Acute lung injury (ALI), is a rapidly progressing heterogenous pulmonary disorder that possesses a high risk of mortality. Accumulating evidence has implicated the activation of the p65 subunit of NF-κB [NF-κB(p65)] activation in the pathological process of ALI. microRNAs (miRNAs), a group of small RNA molecules, have emerged as major governors due to their post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in a wide array of pathological processes, including ALI. The dysregulation of miRNAs and NF-κB activation has been implicated in human diseases. In the current study, we set out to decipher the convergence of miR-99b and p65 NF-κB activation in ALI pathology. We measured the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid using ELISA. MH-S cells were cultured and their viability were detected with cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) assays. The results showed that miR-99b was up-regulated, while PRDM1 was down-regulated in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine model of ALI. Mechanistic investigations showed that NF-κB(p65) was enriched at the miR-99b promoter region, and further promoted its transcriptional activity. Furthermore, miR-99b targeted PRDM1 by binding to its 3'UTR, causing its down-regulation. This in-creased lung injury, as evidenced by increased wet/dry ratio of mouse lung, myeloperoxidase activity and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, and enhanced infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissues. Together, our findings indicate that NF-κB(p65) promotion of miR-99b can aggravate ALI in mice by down-regulating the expression of PRDM1. Full Article
f PTPN2 regulates the activation of KRAS and plays a critical role in proliferation and survival of KRAS-driven cancer cells [Signal Transduction] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-25T00:06:31-08:00 RAS genes are the most commonly mutated in human cancers and play critical roles in tumor initiation, progression, and drug resistance. Identification of targets that block RAS signaling is pivotal to develop therapies for RAS-related cancer. As RAS translocation to the plasma membrane (PM) is essential for its effective signal transduction, we devised a high-content screening assay to search for genes regulating KRAS membrane association. We found that the tyrosine phosphatase PTPN2 regulates the plasma membrane localization of KRAS. Knockdown of PTPN2 reduced the proliferation and promoted apoptosis in KRAS-dependent cancer cells, but not in KRAS-independent cells. Mechanistically, PTPN2 negatively regulates tyrosine phosphorylation of KRAS, which, in turn, affects the activation KRAS and its downstream signaling. Consistently, analysis of the TCGA database demonstrates that high expression of PTPN2 is significantly associated with poor prognosis of patients with KRAS-mutant pancreatic adenocarcinoma. These results indicate that PTPN2 is a key regulator of KRAS and may serve as a new target for therapy of KRAS-driven cancer. Full Article
f Therapeutic targeting of pancreatic cancer stem cells by dexamethasone modulation of the MKP-1-JNK axis [Cell Biology] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-25T00:06:31-08:00 Postoperative recurrence from microscopic residual disease must be prevented to cure intractable cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Key to this goal is the elimination of cancer stem cells (CSCs) endowed with tumor-initiating capacity and drug resistance. However, current therapeutic strategies capable of accomplishing this are insufficient. Using in vitro models of CSCs and in vivo models of tumor initiation in which CSCs give rise to xenograft tumors, we show that dexamethasone induces expression of MKP-1, a MAPK phosphatase, via glucocorticoid receptor activation, thereby inactivating JNK, which is required for self-renewal and tumor initiation by pancreatic CSCs as well as for their expression of survivin, an anti-apoptotic protein implicated in multidrug resistance. We also demonstrate that systemic administration of clinically relevant doses of dexamethasone together with gemcitabine prevents tumor formation by CSCs in a pancreatic cancer xenograft model. Our study thus provides preclinical evidence for the efficacy of dexamethasone as an adjuvant therapy to prevent postoperative recurrence in patients with pancreatic cancer. Full Article
f GUCY2D mutations in retinal guanylyl cyclase 1 provide biochemical reasons for dominant cone-rod dystrophy but not for stationary night blindness [Cell Biology] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-25T00:06:31-08:00 Mutations in the GUCY2D gene coding for the dimeric human retinal membrane guanylyl cyclase (RetGC) isozyme RetGC1 cause various forms of blindness, ranging from rod dysfunction to rod and cone degeneration. We tested how the mutations causing recessive congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB), recessive Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA1), and dominant cone–rod dystrophy-6 (CORD6) affected RetGC1 activity and regulation by RetGC-activating proteins (GCAPs) and retinal degeneration-3 protein (RD3). CSNB mutations R666W, R761W, and L911F, as well as LCA1 mutations R768W and G982VfsX39, disabled RetGC1 activation by human GCAP1, -2, and -3. The R666W and R761W substitutions compromised binding of GCAP1 with RetGC1 in HEK293 cells. In contrast, G982VfsX39 and L911F RetGC1 retained the ability to bind GCAP1 in cyto but failed to effectively bind RD3. R768W RetGC1 did not bind either GCAP1 or RD3. The co-expression of GUCY2D allelic combinations linked to CSNB did not restore RetGC1 activity in vitro. The CORD6 mutation R838S in the RetGC1 dimerization domain strongly dominated the Ca2+ sensitivity of cyclase regulation by GCAP1 in RetGC1 heterodimer produced by co-expression of WT and the R838S subunits. It required higher Ca2+ concentrations to decelerate GCAP-activated RetGC1 heterodimer—6-fold higher than WT and 2-fold higher than the Ser838-harboring homodimer. The heterodimer was also more resistant than homodimers to inhibition by RD3. The observed biochemical changes can explain the dominant CORD6 blindness and recessive LCA1 blindness, both of which affect rods and cones, but they cannot explain the selective loss of rod function in recessive CSNB. Full Article
f Distant coupling between RNA editing and alternative splicing of the osmosensitive cation channel Tmem63b [Cell Biology] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-25T00:06:30-08:00 Post-transcriptional modifications of pre-mRNAs expand the diversity of proteomes in higher eukaryotes. In the brain, these modifications diversify the functional output of many critical neuronal signal molecules. In this study, we identified a brain-specific A-to-I RNA editing that changed glutamine to arginine (Q/R) at exon 20 and an alternative splicing of exon 4 in Tmem63b, which encodes a ubiquitously expressed osmosensitive cation channel. The channel isoforms lacking exon 4 occurred in ∼80% of Tmem63b mRNAs in the brain but were not detected in other tissues, suggesting a brain-specific splicing. We found that the Q/R editing was catalyzed by Adar2 (Adarb1) and required an editing site complementary sequence located in the proximal 5' end of intron 20. Moreover, the Q/R editing was almost exclusively identified in the splicing isoform lacking exon 4, indicating a coupling between the editing and the splicing. Elimination of the Q/R editing in brain-specific Adar2 knockout mice did not affect the splicing efficiency of exon 4. Furthermore, transfection with the splicing isoform containing exon 4 suppressed the Q/R editing in primary cultured cerebellar granule neurons. Thus, our study revealed a coupling between an RNA editing and a distant alternative splicing in the Tmem63b pre-mRNA, in which the splicing plays a dominant role. Finally, physiological analysis showed that the splicing and the editing coordinately regulate Ca2+ permeability and osmosensitivity of channel proteins, which may contribute to their functions in the brain. Full Article
f PDE5 inhibition rescues mitochondrial dysfunction and angiogenic responses induced by Akt3 inhibition by promotion of PRC expression [Bioenergetics] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-25T00:06:30-08:00 Akt3 regulates mitochondrial content in endothelial cells through the inhibition of PGC-1α nuclear localization and is also required for angiogenesis. However, whether there is a direct link between mitochondrial function and angiogenesis is unknown. Here we show that Akt3 depletion in primary endothelial cells results in decreased uncoupled oxygen consumption, increased fission, decreased membrane potential, and increased expression of the mitochondria-specific protein chaperones, HSP60 and HSP10, suggesting that Akt3 is required for mitochondrial homeostasis. Direct inhibition of mitochondrial homeostasis by the model oxidant paraquat results in decreased angiogenesis, showing a direct link between angiogenesis and mitochondrial function. Next, in exploring functional links to PGC-1α, the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, we searched for compounds that induce this process. We found that, sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, induced mitochondrial biogenesis as measured by increased uncoupled oxygen consumption, mitochondrial DNA content, and voltage-dependent anion channel protein expression. Sildenafil rescued the effects on mitochondria by Akt3 depletion or pharmacological inhibition and promoted angiogenesis, further supporting that mitochondrial homeostasis is required for angiogenesis. Sildenafil also induces the expression of PGC-1 family member PRC and can compensate for PGC-1α activity during mitochondrial stress by an Akt3-independent mechanism. The induction of PRC by sildenafil depends upon cAMP and the transcription factor CREB. Thus, PRC can functionally substitute during Akt3 depletion for absent PGC-1α activity to restore mitochondrial homeostasis and promote angiogenesis. These findings show that mitochondrial homeostasis as controlled by the PGC family of transcriptional activators is required for angiogenic responses. Full Article
f Murine GFP-Mx1 forms nuclear condensates and associates with cytoplasmic intermediate filaments: Novel antiviral activity against VSV [Immunology] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-25T00:06:30-08:00 Type I and III interferons induce expression of the “myxovirus resistance proteins” MxA in human cells and its ortholog Mx1 in murine cells. Human MxA forms cytoplasmic structures, whereas murine Mx1 forms nuclear bodies. Whereas both HuMxA and MuMx1 are antiviral toward influenza A virus (FLUAV) (an orthomyxovirus), only HuMxA is considered antiviral toward vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) (a rhabdovirus). We previously reported that the cytoplasmic human GFP-MxA structures were phase-separated membraneless organelles (“biomolecular condensates”). In the present study, we investigated whether nuclear murine Mx1 structures might also represent phase-separated biomolecular condensates. The transient expression of murine GFP-Mx1 in human Huh7 hepatoma, human Mich-2H6 melanoma, and murine NIH 3T3 cells led to the appearance of Mx1 nuclear bodies. These GFP-MuMx1 nuclear bodies were rapidly disassembled by exposing cells to 1,6-hexanediol (5%, w/v), or to hypotonic buffer (40–50 mosm), consistent with properties of membraneless phase-separated condensates. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) assays revealed that the GFP-MuMx1 nuclear bodies upon photobleaching showed a slow partial recovery (mobile fraction: ∼18%) suggestive of a gel-like consistency. Surprisingly, expression of GFP-MuMx1 in Huh7 cells also led to the appearance of GFP-MuMx1 in 20–30% of transfected cells in a novel cytoplasmic giantin-based intermediate filament meshwork and in cytoplasmic bodies. Remarkably, Huh7 cells with cytoplasmic murine GFP-MuMx1 filaments, but not those with only nuclear bodies, showed antiviral activity toward VSV. Thus, GFP-MuMx1 nuclear bodies comprised phase-separated condensates. Unexpectedly, GFP-MuMx1 in Huh7 cells also associated with cytoplasmic giantin-based intermediate filaments, and such cells showed antiviral activity toward VSV. Full Article
f HIV-1 Gag release from yeast reveals ESCRT interaction with the Gag N-terminal protein region [Molecular Bases of Disease] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-25T00:06:30-08:00 The HIV-1 protein Gag assembles at the plasma membrane and drives virion budding, assisted by the cellular endosomal complex required for transport (ESCRT) proteins. Two ESCRT proteins, TSG101 and ALIX, bind to the Gag C-terminal p6 peptide. TSG101 binding is important for efficient HIV-1 release, but how ESCRTs contribute to the budding process and how their activity is coordinated with Gag assembly is poorly understood. Yeast, allowing genetic manipulation that is not easily available in human cells, has been used to characterize the cellular ESCRT function. Previous work reported Gag budding from yeast spheroplasts, but Gag release was ESCRT-independent. We developed a yeast model for ESCRT-dependent Gag release. We combined yeast genetics and Gag mutational analysis with Gag-ESCRT binding studies and the characterization of Gag-plasma membrane binding and Gag release. With our system, we identified a previously unknown interaction between ESCRT proteins and the Gag N-terminal protein region. Mutations in the Gag-plasma membrane–binding matrix domain that reduced Gag-ESCRT binding increased Gag-plasma membrane binding and Gag release. ESCRT knockout mutants showed that the release enhancement was an ESCRT-dependent effect. Similarly, matrix mutation enhanced Gag release from human HEK293 cells. Release enhancement partly depended on ALIX binding to p6, although binding site mutation did not impair WT Gag release. Accordingly, the relative affinity for matrix compared with p6 in GST-pulldown experiments was higher for ALIX than for TSG101. We suggest that a transient matrix-ESCRT interaction is replaced when Gag binds to the plasma membrane. This step may activate ESCRT proteins and thereby coordinate ESCRT function with virion assembly. Full Article
f Exploitation of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) and p53 activation as therapeutic targets: A case study in polypharmacology [Computational Biology] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-25T00:06:30-08:00 The tenovins are a frequently studied class of compounds capable of inhibiting sirtuin activity, which is thought to result in increased acetylation and protection of the tumor suppressor p53 from degradation. However, as we and other laboratories have shown previously, certain tenovins are also capable of inhibiting autophagic flux, demonstrating the ability of these compounds to engage with more than one target. In this study, we present two additional mechanisms by which tenovins are able to activate p53 and kill tumor cells in culture. These mechanisms are the inhibition of a key enzyme of the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), and the blockage of uridine transport into cells. These findings hold a 3-fold significance: first, we demonstrate that tenovins, and perhaps other compounds that activate p53, may activate p53 by more than one mechanism; second, that work previously conducted with certain tenovins as SirT1 inhibitors should additionally be viewed through the lens of DHODH inhibition as this is a major contributor to the mechanism of action of the most widely used tenovins; and finally, that small changes in the structure of a small molecule can lead to a dramatic change in the target profile of the molecule even when the phenotypic readout remains static. Full Article
f A kinetic dissection of the fast and superprocessive kinesin-3 KIF1A reveals a predominant one-head-bound state during its chemomechanical cycle [Molecular Biophysics] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-12-25T00:06:30-08:00 The kinesin-3 family contains the fastest and most processive motors of the three neuronal transport kinesin families, yet the sequence of states and rates of kinetic transitions that comprise the chemomechanical cycle and give rise to their unique properties are poorly understood. We used stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy and single-molecule motility assays to delineate the chemomechanical cycle of the kinesin-3, KIF1A. Our bacterially expressed KIF1A construct, dimerized via a kinesin-1 coiled-coil, exhibits fast velocity and superprocessivity behavior similar to WT KIF1A. We established that the KIF1A forward step is triggered by hydrolysis of ATP and not by ATP binding, meaning that KIF1A follows the same chemomechanical cycle as established for kinesin-1 and -2. The ATP-triggered half-site release rate of KIF1A was similar to the stepping rate, indicating that during stepping, rear-head detachment is an order of magnitude faster than in kinesin-1 and kinesin-2. Thus, KIF1A spends the majority of its hydrolysis cycle in a one-head-bound state. Both the ADP off-rate and the ATP on-rate at physiological ATP concentration were fast, eliminating these steps as possible rate-limiting transitions. Based on the measured run length and the relatively slow off-rate in ADP, we conclude that attachment of the tethered head is the rate-limiting transition in the KIF1A stepping cycle. Thus, KIF1A's activity can be explained by a fast rear-head detachment rate, a rate-limiting step of tethered-head attachment that follows ATP hydrolysis, and a relatively strong electrostatic interaction with the microtubule in the weakly bound post-hydrolysis state. Full Article
f Palmitoylation of acetylated tubulin and association with ceramide-rich platforms is critical for ciliogenesis By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-30 Priyanka TripathiDec 30, 2020; 0:jlr.RA120001190v1-jlr.RA120001190Research Articles Full Article
f High resolution structure of human apolipoprotein (a) kringle IV type 2: beyond the lysine binding site By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Alice SantonastasoDec 1, 2020; 61:1687-1696Research Articles Full Article
f Nuclear translocation ability of Lipin differentially affects gene expression and survival in fed and fasting Drosophila By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Stephanie E. HoodDec 1, 2020; 61:1720-1732Research Articles Full Article
f Hsa-miRNA-23a-3p promotes atherogenesis in a novel mouse model of atherosclerosis By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Jiayan GuoDec 1, 2020; 61:1764-1775Research Articles Full Article
f Stimulation of ABCB4/MDR3 ATPase activity requires an intact phosphatidylcholine lipid By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Martin PrescherDec 1, 2020; 61:1605-1616Research Articles Full Article
f A novel phosphoglycerol serine-glycine lipodipeptide of Porphyromonas gingivalis is a TLR2 ligand By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Frank C. NicholsDec 1, 2020; 61:1645-1657Research Articles Full Article
f PLRP2 selectively localizes synaptic membrane proteins via acyl-chain remodeling of phospholipids By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Hideaki KugeDec 1, 2020; 61:1747-1763Research Articles Full Article
f Progression of chronic kidney disease in familial LCAT deficiency: a follow-up of the Italian cohort By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Chiara PavanelloDec 1, 2020; 61:1784-1788Patient-Oriented and Epidemiological Research Full Article
f Bioavailability and spatial distribution of fatty acids in the rat retina after dietary omega-3 supplementation By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Elisa VidalDec 1, 2020; 61:1733-1746Research Articles Full Article
f Depletion of essential isoprenoids and ER stress induction following acute liver-specific deletion of HMG-CoA reductase By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Marco De GiorgiDec 1, 2020; 61:1675-1686Research Articles Full Article
f Gene Networks and Pathways for Plasma Lipid Traits via Multi-tissue Multi-omics Systems Analysis By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-23 Montgomery BlencoweDec 23, 2020; 0:jlr.RA120000713v1-jlr.RA120000713Research Articles Full Article
f A review of phosphatidate phosphatase assays By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Prabuddha DeyDec 1, 2020; 61:1556-1564Reviews Full Article
f Human glucocerebrosidase mediates formation of xylosyl-cholesterol by {beta}-xylosidase and transxylosidase reactions. By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-23 Daphne E.C. BoerDec 23, 2020; 0:jlr.RA120001043v1-jlr.RA120001043Research Articles Full Article
f Spatial profiling of gangliosides in mouse brain by mass spectrometry imaging By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Douglas A. AndresDec 1, 2020; 61:1537-1537Images in Lipid Research Full Article
f Myeloid deletion and therapeutic activation of AMPK do not alter atherosclerosis in male or female mice By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Nicholas D. LeBlondDec 1, 2020; 61:1697-1706Research Articles Full Article
f LDL apheresis as an alternate method for plasma LPS purification in healthy volunteers and dyslipidemic and septic patients By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Auguste DargentDec 1, 2020; 61:1776-1783Research Articles Full Article
f Lipid signature of advanced human carotid atherosclerosis assessed by mass spectrometry imaging By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-23 Astrid M. MoermanDec 23, 2020; 0:jlr.RA120000974v1-jlr.RA120000974Research Articles Full Article
f Insulin resistance dysregulates CYP7B1 leading to oxysterol accumulation: a pathway for NAFL to NASH transition By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Genta KakiyamaDec 1, 2020; 61:1629-1644Research Articles Full Article
f The anti-tubercular activity of simvastatin is mediated by cholesterol-driven autophagy via the AMPK-mTORC1-TFEB axis By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Natalie BruinersDec 1, 2020; 61:1617-1628Research Articles Full Article
f Identification of unusual phospholipids from bovine heart mitochondria by HPLC-MS/MS By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Junhwan KimDec 1, 2020; 61:1707-1719Research Articles Full Article
f Deletion of lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase3 in myeloid cells worsens hepatic steatosis after a high fat diet By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-11 Thibaut BourgeoisDec 11, 2020; 0:jlr.RA120000737v1-jlr.RA120000737Research Articles Full Article
f Human CETP lacks lipopolysaccharide transfer activity, but worsens inflammation and sepsis outcomes in mice By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-09 Aloïs DusuelDec 9, 2020; 0:jlr.RA120000704v1-jlr.RA120000704Research Articles Full Article
f Mutation in the distal NPxY motif of LRP1 alleviates dietary cholesterol-induced dyslipidemia and tissue inflammation By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-09 Anja JaeschkeDec 9, 2020; 0:jlr.RA120001141v1-jlr.RA120001141Research Articles Full Article
f Membrane-bound sn-1,2-diacylglycerols explain the dissociation of hepatic insulin resistance from hepatic steatosis in MTTP knockout mice By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Abudukadier AbuliziDec 1, 2020; 61:1565-1576Research Articles Full Article
f Structure dynamics of ApoA-I amyloidogenic variants in small HDL increase their ability to mediate cholesterol efflux By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-11-17 Oktawia NilssonNov 17, 2020; 0:jlr.RA120000920v1-jlr.RA120000920Research Articles Full Article
f rHDL modelling and the anchoring mechanism of LCAT activation By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-02 Tommaso LaurenziDec 2, 2020; 0:jlr.RA120000843v1-jlr.RA120000843Research Articles Full Article
f Insights on the kinetics and dynamics of the furin-cleaved form of PCSK9 By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-11-17 Carlota OleagaNov 17, 2020; 0:jlr.RA120000964v1-jlr.RA120000964Research Articles Full Article
f Distinct patterns of apolipoprotein C-I, C-II and C-III isoforms are associated with markers of Alzheimers disease By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-11 Yueming HuDec 11, 2020; 0:jlr.RA120000919v1-jlr.RA120000919Research Articles Full Article
f Generation and validation of a conditional knockout mouse model for the study of the Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-11-17 Babunageswararao KanuriNov 17, 2020; 0:jlr.RA120001101v1-jlr.RA120001101Research Articles Full Article
f Perilipin 5 S155 phosphorylation by PKA is required for the control of hepatic lipid metabolism and glycemic control By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-17 Stacey N KeenanDec 17, 2020; 0:jlr.RA120001126v1-jlr.RA120001126Research Articles Full Article
f Adiponectin forms a complex with atherogenic LDL and inhibits its downstream effects By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-11-03 Akemi KakinoNov 3, 2020; 0:jlr.RA120000767v1-jlr.RA120000767Research Articles Full Article
f Update on LIPID MAPS classification, nomenclature, and shorthand notation for MS-derived lipid structures By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-12-01 Gerhard LiebischDec 1, 2020; 61:1539-1555Special Report Full Article
f Multi-modal Functional Imaging of Brown Adipose Tissue By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-11-18 Amanda D.V. MacCannellNov 18, 2020; 0:jlr.ILR120001204v1-jlr.ILR120001204Images in Lipid Research Full Article