B Ghosh

Computational classification of mitochondrial shapes reflects stress and redox state

Dynamic variations in mitochondrial shape have been related to function. However, tools to automatically classify and enumerate mitochondrial shapes are lacking, as are systematic studies exploring the relationship of such shapes to mitochondrial stress. Here we show that during increased generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), mitochondria change their shape from tubular to donut or blob forms, which can be computationally quantified. Imaging of cells treated with rotenone or antimycin, showed time and dose-dependent conversion of tubular forms to donut-shaped mitochondria followed by appearance of blob forms. Time-lapse images showed reversible transitions from tubular to donut shapes and unidirectional transitions between donut and blob shapes. Blobs were the predominant sources of mtROS and appeared to be related to mitochondrial-calcium influx. Mitochondrial shape change could be prevented by either pretreatment with antioxidants like N-acetyl cysteine or inhibition of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter. This work represents a novel approach towards relating mitochondrial shape to function, through integration of cellular markers and a novel shape classification algorithm.

Inhibition of the Plasma Membrane Ca2+ Pump by CD44 Receptor Activation of Tyrosine Kinases Increases the Action Potential Afterhyperpolarization in Sensory Neurons

The cytoplasmic Ca2+ clearance rate affects neuronal excitability, plasticity, and synaptic transmission. Here, we examined the modulation of the plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase (PMCA) by tyrosine kinases. In rat sensory neurons grown in culture, the PMCA was under tonic inhibition by a member of the Src family of tyrosine kinases (SFKs). Ca2+ clearance accelerated in the presence of selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Tonic inhibition of the PMCA was attenuated in cells expressing a dominant-negative construct or shRNA directed to message for the SFKs Lck or Fyn, but not Src. SFKs did not appear to phosphorylate the PMCA directly but instead activated focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Expression of constitutively active FAK enhanced and dominant-negative or shRNA knockdown of FAK attenuated tonic inhibition. Antisense knockdown of PMCA isoform 4 removed tonic inhibition of Ca2+ clearance, indicating that FAK acts on PMCA4. The hyaluronan receptor CD44 activates SFK-FAK signaling cascades and is expressed in sensory neurons. Treating neurons with a CD44-blocking antibody or short hyaluronan oligosaccharides, which are produced during injury and displace macromolecular hyaluronan from CD44, attenuated tonic PMCA inhibition. Ca2+-activated K+ channels mediate a slow afterhyperpolarization in sensory neurons that was inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitors and enhanced by knockdown of PMCA4. Thus, we describe a novel kinase cascade in sensory neurons that enables the extracellular matrix to alter Ca2+ signals by modulating PMCA-mediated Ca2+ clearance. This signaling pathway may influence the excitability of sensory neurons following injury.

Role of protein kinase C in phospholemman mediated regulation of α2β1 isozyme of Na+/K+-ATPase in caveolae of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

We have recently reported that α(2)β(1) and α(1)β(1) isozymes of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase (NKA) are localized in the caveolae whereas only the α(1)β(1) isozyme of NKA is localized in the non-caveolae fraction of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell membrane. It is well known that different isoforms of NKA are regulated differentially by PKA and PKC, but the mechanism is not known in the caveolae of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Herein, we examined whether this regulation occurs through phospholemman (PLM) in the caveolae. Our results suggest that PKC mediated phosphorylation of PLM occurs only when it is associated with the α(2) isoform of NKA, whereas phosphorylation of PLM by PKA occurs when it is associated with the α(1) isoform of NKA. To investigate the mechanism of regulation of α(2) isoform of NKA by PKC-mediated phosphorylation of PLM, we have purified PLM from the caveolae and reconstituted into the liposomes. Our result revealed that (i) in the reconstituted liposomes phosphorylated PLM (PKC mediated) stimulate NKA activity, which appears to be due to an increase in the turnover number of the enzyme; (ii) phosphorylated PLM did not change the affinity of the pump for Na(+); and (iii) even after phosphorylation by PKC, PLM still remains associated with the α(2) isoform of NKA.

Nuclear matrix binding protein SMAR1 regulates T-cell differentiation and allergic airway disease.

Asthma is a complex airway allergic disease involving the interplay of various cell types, cytokines, and transcriptional factors. Though many factors contribute to disease etiology, the molecular control of disease phenotype and responsiveness is not well understood. Here we report an essential role of the matrix attachment region (MAR)-binding protein SMAR1 in regulating immune response during allergic airway disease. Conditional knockout of SMAR1 in T cells rendered the mice resistant to eosinophilic airway inflammation against ovalbumin (OVA) allergen with low immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin-5 (IL-5) levels. Moreover, a lower IgE/IgG2a ratio and higher interferon-γ (IFN-γ) response suggested aberrant skewing of T-cell differentiation toward type 1 helper T cell (Th1) response. We show that SMAR1 functions as a negative regulator of Th1 and Th17 differentiation by interacting with two potential and similar MAR regions present on the promoters of T-bet and IL-17. Thus, we present SMAR1 as a regulator of T-cell differentiation that favors the establishment of Th2 cells by modulating Th1 and Th17 responses.

Identification, purification and partial characterization of a 70 kDa inhibitor protein of Na+/K+-ATPase from cytosol of pulmonary artery smooth muscle

AIMS We sought to identify, purify and partially characterize a protein inhibitor of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in cytosol of pulmonary artery smooth muscle. MAIN METHODS (i) By spectrophotometric assay, we identified an inhibitor of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in cytosolic fraction of pulmonary artery smooth muscle; (ii) the inhibitor was purified by a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation, diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose chromatography, hydroxyapatite chromatography and gel filtration chromatography; (iii) additionally, we have also purified Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha(2)beta(1) and alpha(1)beta(1) isozymes for determining some characteristics of the inhibitor. KEY FINDINGS We identified a novel endogenous protein inhibitor of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase having an apparent mol mass of approximately 70kDa in the cytosolic fraction of the smooth muscle. The IC(50) value of the inhibitor towards the enzyme was determined to be in the nanomolar range. Important characteristics of the inhibitor are as follows: (i) it showed different affinities toward the alpha(2)beta(1) and alpha(1)beta(1) isozymes of the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase; (ii) it interacted reversibly to the E(1) site of the enzyme; (iii) the inhibitor blocked the phosphorylated intermediate formation; and (iv) it competitively inhibited the enzyme with respect to ATP. CD studies indicated that the inhibitor causes an alteration of the conformation of the enzyme. The inhibition study also suggested that the DHPC solubilized Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase exists as (alphabeta)(2) diprotomer. SIGNIFICANCE The inhibitor binds to the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase at a site different from the ouabain binding site. The novelty of the inhibitor is that it acts in an isoform specific manner on the enzyme, where alpha(2) is more sensitive than alpha(1).

Interleukin-1β activates an Src family kinase to stimulate the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump in hippocampal neurons

The plasma membrane Ca(2+) ATPase (PMCA) plays a major role in clearing Ca(2+) from the neuronal cytoplasm. The cytoplasmic Ca(2+) clearance rate affects neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity, and neurotransmission. Here, we examined the modulation of PMCA activity by PTKs in hippocampal neurons. PMCA-mediated Ca(2+) clearance slowed in the presence of pyrazolopyrimidine 2, an inhibitor of Src family kinases (SFKs), and accelerated in the presence of C2-ceramide, an activator of PTKs. Ca(2+) clearance kinetics were attenuated in cells expressing a dominant-negative Src mutant, suggesting that the pump is tonically stimulated by a PTK. Tonic stimulation was reduced in hippocampal neurons expressing short hairpin (sh)RNA directed to mRNA for Yes. shRNA-mediated knockdown of PMCA isoform 1 (PMCA1) removed tonic stimulation of Ca(2+) clearance, indicating that the kinase stimulates PMCA1. IL-1β accelerated Ca(2+) clearance in a manner blocked by an IL-1β receptor antagonist or by an inhibitor of neutral sphingomyelinase, the enzyme that produces ceramide. Thus IL-1β activates an SFK to stimulate the plasma membrane Ca(2+) pump, decreasing the duration of Ca(2+) transients in hippocampal neurons.

Phase transition studies in CoSiF6.6D2O

Magnetic anisotropy and the optical property have been examined in the temperature interval 77-300K in CoSiF6.6D2O. Results show a rise of 17K in the transition temperature in CoSiF6.6D2O with respect to CoSiF6.6H2O crystal.

An anomalous electrical property of CoSiF6.6H2O near its transition temperature

The electrical resistance of the CoSiF6.6H2O crystal along its three axes and of the powdered material has been measured in the vicinity of the transition temperature. The resistance of the crystal passes through a peak at 246K, the transition temperature in the cooling cycle, during heating the resistance jumps to a much lower value at about 265K. At and above 265K in the heating cycle the DC (i- nu ) characteristics show non-linear variation. A spontaneous voltage of approximately 0.6 V, of opposite polarity to the applied voltage, is developed across the crystal after a current of a few milliamperes is passed through the crystal via Aquadag electrodes and the applied voltage withdrawn. The value of the spontaneous voltage depends on the electrode material and the temperature. The non-linearity in the (i- nu ) characteristics is absent when AC measurements are made. The powdered sample does not show any anomaly in its resistance.

Anomalous thermal expansion of CoSiF6.6H2O (CFSH) near its transition temperature

By measuring the changes in frequency of an oscillator loaded with a capacitor cell containing a crystal of CoSiF6 6H2O, the thermal expansions of the crystal have been measured near its transition temperature. The value for the rate of change of transition temperature with pressure has been calculated.