Carla Marques

Autophagy modulates dynamics of connexins at the plasma membrane in a ubiquitin-dependent manner

Connexins modulate intercellular communication when assembled in gap junctions. Compromised macroautophagy increases cellular communication due to failure to degrade connexins at gap junctions. Nedd4-mediated ubiquitinylation of the connexin molecule is required to trigger its autophagy-dependent internalization and degradation.

The chaperone-dependent ubiquitin ligase CHIP targets HIF-1α for degradation in the presence of methylglyoxal.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) plays a key role in cell adaptation to low oxygen and stabilization of HIF-1 is vital to ensure cell survival under hypoxia. Diabetes has been associated with impairment of the cell response to hypoxia and downregulation of HIF-1 is most likely the event that transduces hyperglycemia into increased cell death in diabetes-associated hypoxia. In this study, we aimed at identifying the molecular mechanism implicated in destabilization of HIF-1 by high glucose. In this work, we identified a new molecular mechanism whereby methylglyoxal (MGO), which accumulates in high-glucose conditions, led to a rapid proteasome-dependent degradation of HIF-1α under hypoxia. Significantly, MGO-induced degradation of HIF-1α did not require the recruitment of the ubiquitin ligase pVHL nor did it require hydroxylation of the proline residues P402/P564 of HIF-1α. Moreover, we identified CHIP (Carboxy terminus of Hsp70-Interacting Protein) as the E3 ligase that ubiquitinated HIF-1α in the presence of MGO. Consistently, silencing of endogenous CHIP and overexpression of glyoxalase I both stabilized HIF-1α under hypoxia in the presence of MGO. Data shows that increased association of Hsp40/70 with HIF-1α led to recruitment of CHIP, which promoted polyubiquitination and degradation of HIF-1α. Moreover, MGO-induced destabilization of HIF-1α led to a dramatic decrease in HIF-1 transcriptional activity. Altogether, data is consistent with a new pathway for degradation of HIF-1α in response to intracellular accumulation of MGO. Moreover, we suggest that accumulation of MGO is likely to be the link between high glucose and the loss of cell response to hypoxia in diabetes.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Cymbopogon citratus leaves infusion via proteasome and nuclear factor-κB pathway inhibition: contribution of chlorogenic acid

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf leaves infusion is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, however little is known about their bioactive compounds. AIM OF THE STUDY Investigate the compounds responsible for anti-inflammatory potential of Cymbopogon citratus (Cy) on cytokines production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human and mouse macrophages, and the action mechanisms involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS An essential oil-free infusion of Cy was prepared and polyphenol-rich fractions (PFs) were obtained from it by column chromatography. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) was identified, by HPLC/PDA/ESI-MS(n). The expression of cytokines, namely TNF-α and CCL5, was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR, on LPS-stimulated human macrophages. Activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, a master regulator of inflammation, was investigated by western blot and gene reporter assay. Proteasome activity was assessed using a fluorogenic peptide. RESULTS Cymbopogon citratus extract and its polyphenols inhibited the cytokine production on human macrophages. This supports the anti-inflammatory activity of Cy polyphenols in physiologically relevant cells. Concerning the effect on the activation of NF-κB pathway, the results pointed to an inhibition of LPS-induced NF-κB activation by Cy and PFs. CGA was identified, by HPLC/PDA/ESI-MS(n), as the main phenolic acid of the Cy infusion, and it demonstrated to be, at least in part, responsible by that effect. Additionally, it was verified for the first time that Cy and PFs inhibited the proteasome activity, a complex that controls NF-κB activation, having CGA a strong contribution. CONCLUSIONS The results evidenced, for the first time, the anti-inflammatory properties of Cymbopogon citratus through proteasome inhibition and, consequently NF-κB pathway and cytokine expression. Additionally, Cy polyphenols, in particular chlorogenic acid, were highlighted as bioactive compounds.

Ubiquitin-mediated internalization of connexin43 is independent of the canonical endocytic tyrosine-sorting signal

Gap junctions are specialized cell-cell contacts that provide direct intercellular communication between eukaryotic cells. The tyrosine-sorting signal (YXXØ), present at amino acids 286-289 of Cx43 (connexin43), has been implicated in the internalization of the protein. In recent years, ubiquitination of Cx43 has also been proposed to regulate gap junction intercellular communication; however, the underlying mechanism and molecular players involved remain elusive. In the present study, we demonstrate that ubiquitinated Cx43 is internalized through a mechanism that is independent of the YXXØ signal. Indeed, expression of a Cx43-Ub (ubiquitin) chimaera was shown to drive the internalization of a mutant Cx43 in which the YXXØ motif was eliminated. Immunofluorescence, cycloheximide-chase and cell-surface-protein biotinylation experiments demonstrate that oligomerization of Cx43-Ub into hemichannels containing wild-type Cx43 or mutant Cx43Y286A is sufficient to drive the internalization of the protein. Furthermore, the internalization of Cx43 induced by Cx43-Ub was shown to depend on its interaction with epidermal growth factor receptor substrate 15.

AMSH-mediated deubiquitination of Cx43 regulates internalization and degradation of gap junctions

Gap junctions (GJs) are specialized cell‐cell contacts formed by connexins (Cxs), which provide direct intercellular communication between eukaryotic cells. Although Cx43 has long been known to be a substrate for ubiquitination, the reversal of this modification by deubiquitylases (DUBs) has never been described. Here we report that the DUB‐associated molecule with the SH3 domain of STAM (AMSH) interacts with Cx43 and mediates its deubiquitination. In this study, we demonstrate that Cx43 is modified with lysine 63‐linked polyubiquitin chains and that these increase the interaction between Cx43 and AMSH. We also show that AMSH is recruited to GJ plaque sites at the plasma membrane, where it mediates the deubiquitination of Cx43. Using siRNA depletion or overexpression of a catalytically inactive mutant of AMSH, we show that by decreasing Cx43 deubiquitination, both the internalization and degradation rate of Cx43 are increased. Overall, these data strongly suggest that AMSH‐mediated deubiquitination of Cx43 protects GJs from degradation.—Ribeiro‐Rodrigues, T. M., Catarino, S., Marques, C., Ferreira, J. V., Martins‐Marques, T., Pereira, P., Girão, H., AMSH‐mediated deubiquitination of Cx43 regulates internalization and degradation of gap junctions. FASEB J. 28, 4629–4641 (2014). www.fasebj.org

S‐Glutathionylation of Keap1: a new role for glutathione S‐transferase pi in neuronal protection

Oxidative stress is a key pathological feature of Parkinsons disease (PD). Glutathione S‐transferase pi (GSTP) is a neuroprotective antioxidant enzyme regulated at the transcriptional level by the antioxidant master regulator nuclear factor‐erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2). Here, we show for the first time that upon MPTP‐induced oxidative stress, GSTP potentiates S‐glutathionylation of Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (Keap1), an endogenous repressor of Nrf2, in vivo. S‐glutathionylation of Keap1 leads to Nrf2 activation and subsequently increases expression of GSTP. This positive feedback regulatory loop represents a novel mechanism by which GSTP elicits antioxidant protection in the brain.

Ubiquitin–Proteasome System Impairment and MPTP-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Brain of C57BL/6 Wild-type and GSTP Knockout Mice

The ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) is the primary proteolytic complex responsible for the elimination of damaged and misfolded intracellular proteins, often formed upon oxidative stress. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is neuropathologically characterized by selective death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and accumulation of intracytoplasmic inclusions of aggregated proteins. Along with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, defects in the UPS have been implicated in PD. Glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTP) is a phase II detoxifying enzyme displaying important defensive roles against the accumulation of reactive metabolites that potentiate the aggression of SN neuronal cells, by regulating several processes including S-glutathionylation, modulation of glutathione levels and control of kinase-catalytic activities. In this work we used C57BL/6 wild-type and GSTP knockout mice to elucidate the effect of both MPTP and MG132 in the UPS function and to clarify if the absence of GSTP alters the response of this pathway to the neurotoxin and proteasome inhibitor insults. Our results demonstrate that different components of the UPS have different susceptibilities to oxidative stress. Importantly, when compared to the wild-type, GSTP knockout mice display decreased ubiquitination capacity and overall increased susceptibility to UPS damage and inactivation upon MPTP-induced oxidative stress.

Role of glycation in human lens protein structure change

Purpose Protein glycation may be involved in cataract development, by altering protein structure, particularly amino acid composition, and formation of fluorophores through a Maillard reaction. This study was designed to evaluate major changes in early and advanced (fluorescent) glycation products, with special emphasis on glycation-induced changes in amino acid composition of lens proteins. Methods We analyzed 50 human cataractous lenses (25 diabetic and 25 non-diabetic). Glycated proteins were isolated by affinity chromatography. Glycated and non-glycated proteins were separated by molecular sieve chromatography and further analyzed by RP-HPLC to establish the amino acid content. Early glycation levels were determined as furosine content and advanced glycation products were quantified by the characteristic fluorescence. Results Specific lens fractions (HMW and LMW) present significant differences in fluorescence levels between glycated and non-glycated proteins, specially in cataractous lenses from diabetic patients in which all proteins analyzed presented higher glycation levels than in non-diabetic patients. The amino and analysis of glycated proteins also revealed some important differences in specific basic residues (namely Lys, Arg and His) compared to the non-glycated fraction. Conclusions The results suggest that protein glycation may be involved in changes in amino acid composition and fluorophore formation. This process may well account for the increased risk factor that diabetes represents for cataract development.

Bioactivity of Fragaria vesca leaves through inflammation, proteasome and autophagy modulation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Fragaria vesca leaves have been used in folk medicine for the treatment of several diseases, namely gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and urinary disorders, which could be related with the potential anti-inflammatory properties of the extract. This work aims to disclose the bioactivity and the underlying action mechanism of an extract from Fragaria vesca leaves in order to support its traditional uses. MATERIALS AND METHODS A hydroalcoholic extract was prepared from Fragaria vesca leaves and its anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated through inhibition of nitric oxide production and expression of several pro-inflammatory proteins in lipopolysaccharide-triggered macrophages. Nitric oxide scavenger activity was also assessed using a standard nitric oxide donor. Since numerous inflammatory proteins are tightly regulated by ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, the putative effect of the extract on these cellular proteolytic pathways was also disclosed. The phytochemical characterization was performed by HPLC-PDA-ESI/MSn and compared with an infusion prepared according to the traditional method. RESULTS For non-cytotoxic concentrations (80 and 160µg/mL) the extract inhibited nitrite production, probably due to a direct nitric oxide scavenging. Furthermore, inhibition of proteasome activity was verified, leading to accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins. The extract also increased the conversion of the microtubule-associated protein light chain LC3-I to LC3-II, a marker of autophagy. Polyphenols, namely ellagitannins, proanthocyanidins, and quercetin and kaempferol glucuronide derivatives were identified in Fragaria vesca leaves extract. Most of the identified phenolic compounds matched with those found in traditional preparation, the infusion. CONCLUSIONS The extract has a direct nitric oxide scavenging activity giving support to the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Furthermore, the extract affects the proteolytic systems but its role in cancer treatment requires further studies.

To beat or not to beat: degradation of Cx43 imposes the heart rhythm

The main function of the heart is to pump blood to the different parts of the organism, a task that is efficiently accomplished through proper electric and metabolic coupling between cardiac cells, ensured by gap junctions (GJ). Cardiomyocytes are the major cell population in the heart, and as cells with low mitotic activity, are highly dependent upon mechanisms of protein degradation. In the heart, both the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy participate in the fine-tune regulation of cardiac remodelling and function, either in physiological or pathological conditions. Indeed, besides controlling cardiac signalling pathways, UPS and autophagy have been implicated in the turnover of several myocardial proteins. Degradation of Cx43, the major ventricular GJ protein, has been associated to up-regulation of autophagy at the onset of heart ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), which can have profound implications upon cardiac function. In this review, we present recent studies devoted to the involvement of autophagy and UPS in heart homoeostasis, with a particular focus on GJ.