François Guillonneau

Proteomic analysis of β-catenin activation in mouse liver by DIGE analysis identifies glucose metabolism as a new target of the Wnt pathway

The Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway has been increasingly implicated in liver development and physiology. Aberrant activation of this pathway is one of the major genetic events observed during the process of human HCC development. To gain insight into the mechanism underlying β‐catenin action in the liver, we conducted a quantitative differential proteomic analysis using 2‐D DIGE combined with MS, in mice with liver‐specific deletion of Apc resulting in acute activation of β‐catenin signaling (ApcKOliv mice). We identified 94 protein spots showing differential expression between mutant ApcKOliv and control mice, corresponding to 56 individual proteins. Most of the proteins identified were associated with metabolic pathways, such as ammonia and glucose metabolism. Our analysis showed an increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity together with a downregulation of two mitochondrial ATPase subunits (ATP5a1 and ATP5b). These observations indicate that β‐catenin signaling may induce a shift in the glucose metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis, known as the “Warburg effect”. Imaging with 18F‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose‐positron emission tomography suggests that the specific metabolic reprogramming induced by β‐catenin in the liver does not imply the first step of glycolysis. This observation may explain why some HCCs are difficult to assess by fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose‐positron emission tomography imaging.

Guanine nucleotide-binding protein Gαi2: a new partner of claudin-5 that regulates tight junction integrity in human brain endothelial cells

The blood—brain barrier (BBB) selectively controls the exchanges between the blood and the brain: it is formed by tight junctions (TJs) between adjacent microvascular endothelial cells. The transmembrane protein claudin-5 is known as a key TJ protein at the BBB, although, the molecular mechanisms by which it regulates TJ tightness are poorly understood. To identify putative claudin-5 partners that contribute to TJ integrity, claudin-5-enriched membrane microdomains were prepared by cell fractionation, using the human brain endothelial cell line hCMEC/D3 and claudin-5 immunoprecipitates were submitted to tandem mass spectrometry. Because a high concentration of mannitol is known to transiently destabilize TJs, this analysis was performed in basal conditions, after mannitol treatment, and after recovery of TJ integrity. We here demonstrate that the G-protein subunit αi2 (Gαi2) interacts with claudin-5 and that association is correlated with TJ integrity in hCMEC/D3 cells; also, a selective expression of Gαi2 is observed in human brain vasculature in situ. Moreover, small interfering RNA-mediated depletion of Gαi2 or claudin-5 in hCMEC/D3 cells similarly increases their paracellular permeability and delays TJ recovery after mannitol treatment. Altogether, our results identify Gαi2 as a novel claudin-5 partner required for TJ integrity in brain endothelial cells.

Comprehensive Proteomic Analysis of Human Erythropoiesis

SUMMARY Mass spectrometry-based proteomics now enables the absolute quantification of thousands of proteins in individual cell types. We used this technology to analyze the dynamic proteome changes occurring during human erythropoiesis. We quantified the absolute expression of 6,130 proteins during erythroid differentiation from late burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-Es) to orthochromatic erythroblasts. A modest correlation between mRNA and protein expression was observed. We identified several proteins with unexpected expression patterns in erythroid cells, highlighting a breakpoint in the erythroid differentiation process at the basophilic stage. We also quantified the distribution of proteins between reticulocytes and pyrenocytes after enucleation. These analyses identified proteins that are actively sorted either with the reticulocyte or the pyrenocyte. Our study provides the absolute quantification of protein expression during a complex cellular differentiation process in humans, and it establishes a framework for future studies of disordered erythropoiesis.

HIV-1 Vpr degrades the HLTF DNA translocase in T cells and macrophages.

Significance Human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) have developed strategies to interfere with DNA repair in host cells. Some DNA repair pathways represent restriction mechanisms that counteract the virus as soon as it penetrates into the host cell, before the establishment of an interferon response. Here we identify helicase-like transcription factor (HLTF) as a new protein degraded by the viral protein R (Vpr) from HIV-1. HLTF mediates the repair of stalled replication forks to bypass DNA lesions and ensure genome integrity. HLTF is degraded early after Vpr delivery to T lymphocytes or macrophages that represent relevant target cells for HIV. The discovery of HLTF as a DNA repair protein degraded by Vpr in infected cells paves the way for novel unexpected restriction mechanisms. Viruses often interfere with the DNA damage response to better replicate in their hosts. The human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) viral protein R (Vpr) protein has been reported to modulate the activity of the DNA repair structure-specific endonuclease subunit (SLX4) complex and to promote cell cycle arrest. Vpr also interferes with the base-excision repair pathway by antagonizing the uracil DNA glycosylase (Ung2) enzyme. Using an unbiased quantitative proteomic screen, we report that Vpr down-regulates helicase-like transcription factor (HLTF), a DNA translocase involved in the repair of damaged replication forks. Vpr subverts the DDB1–cullin4-associated-factor 1 (DCAF1) adaptor of the Cul4A ubiquitin ligase to trigger proteasomal degradation of HLTF. This event takes place rapidly after Vpr delivery to cells, before and independently of Vpr-mediated G2 arrest. HLTF is degraded in lymphocytic cells and macrophages infected with Vpr-expressing HIV-1. Our results reveal a previously unidentified strategy for HIV-1 to antagonize DNA repair in host cells.

Cotargeting signaling pathways driving survival and cell cycle circumvents resistance to Kit inhibitors in leukemia

Oncogenic mutations leading to persistent kinase activities are associated with malignancies. Therefore, deciphering the signaling networks downstream of these oncogenic stimuli remains a challenge to gather insights into targeted therapy. To elucidate the biochemical networks connecting the Kit mutant to leukemogenesis, in the present study, we performed a global profiling of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins from mutant Kit-driven murine leukemia proerythroblasts and identified Shp2 and Stat5 as proximal effectors of Kit. Shp2 or Stat5 gene depletion by sh-RNA, combined with pharmacologic inhibition of PI3kinase or Mek/Erk activities, revealed 2 distinct and independent signaling pathways contributing to malignancy. We demonstrate that cell survival is driven by the Kit/Shp2/Ras/Mek/Erk1/2 pathway, whereas the G(1)/S transition during the cell cycle is accelerated by both the Kit/Stat5 and Kit/PI3K/Akt pathways. The combined use of the clinically relevant drugs NVP-BEZ235, which targets the cell cycle, and Obatoclax, which targets survival, demonstrated synergistic effects to inhibit leukemia cell growth. This synergy was confirmed with a human mast leukemia cell line (HMC-1.2) that expresses mutant Kit. The results of the present study using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry analysis have elucidated signaling networks downstream of an oncogenic kinase, providing a molecular rationale for pathway-targeted therapy to treat cancer cells refractory to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Mass spectrometry detection of G3m and IGHG3 alleles and follow-up of differential mother and neonate IgG3

Mass spectrometry (MS) analysis for detection of immunoglobulins (IG) of the human IgG3 subclass is described that relies on polymorphic amino acids of the heavy gamma3 chains. IgG3 is the most polymorphic human IgG subclass with thirteen G3m allotypes located on the constant CH2 and CH3 domains of the gamma3 chain, the combination of which leads to six major G3m alleles. Amino acid changes resulting of extensive sequencing previously led to the definition of 19 IGHG3 alleles that have been correlated to the G3m alleles. As a proof of concept, MS proteotypic peptides were defined which encompass discriminatory amino acids for the identification of the G3m and IGHG3 alleles. Plasma samples originating from ten individuals either homozygous or heterozygous for different G3m alleles, and including one mother and her baby (drawn sequentially from birth to 9 months of age), were analyzed. Total IgG3 were purified using affinity chromatography and then digested by a combination of AspN and trypsin proteases, and peptides of interest were detected by mass spectrometry. The sensitivity of the method was assessed by mixing variable amounts of two plasma samples bearing distinct G3m allotypes. A label-free approach using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) retention time of peptides and their MS mass analyzer peak intensity gave semi-quantitative information. Quantification was realized by selected reaction monitoring (SRM) using synthetic peptides as internal standards. The possibility offered by this new methodology to detect and quantify neo-synthesized IgG in newborns will improve knowledge on the first acquisition of antibodies in infants and constitutes a promising diagnostic tool for vertically-transmitted diseases.

Moonlighting protein in Starkeyomyces koorchalomoides: characterization of dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase as a protein acetyltransferase utilizing acetoxycoumarin as the acetyl group donor.

In this report we have identified for the first time a transacetylase (TAase) in a mesophilic fungi Starkeyomyces koorchalomoides catalyzing the transfer of acetyl group from polyphenolic acetate (PA) to a receptor protein glutathione S-transferase (GST). An elegant assay procedure was established for TAase based on its ability to mediate inhibition of GST by 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin (DAMC), a model PA. Utilizing this assay procedure, S. koorchalomoides TAase was purified to homogeneity. TAase was found to have MW of 50 kDa. The purified enzyme exhibited maximum activity at 45 degrees C at pH 6.8. The N-terminal sequence of purified fungal TAase (ANDASTVED) showed identity with corresponding N-terminal sequence of dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH), a mitochondrial matrix enzyme and an E3 component of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC). TAase was found to have all the properties of LADH and avidly interacted with the anti-LADH antibody. TAase catalyzed acetylation of GST by DAMC was identified by LC-MS/MS and a single lysine residue (Lys-113) was found to be acetylated. Further, recombinant LADH from Streptococcus pneumoniae lacking lipoyl domain was found to exhibit little TAase activity, suggesting the role of lipoyl domain in the TAase activity of LADH. These observations bear evidence for the protein acetyltransferase activity of LADH. Such an activity of LADH can be attributed as a moonlighting function of the enzyme.

Differential Protein Expression Profiles Between Plasmodium falciparum Parasites Isolated From Subjects Presenting With Pregnancy-Associated Malaria and Uncomplicated Malaria in Benin

BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for severe malaria, including pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM). During intra-erythrocytic maturation, the infected erythrocyte (iE) membrane is modified by insertion of parasite-derived proteins, primarily consisting of variant surface antigens such as P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein-1. METHODS To identify new PAM-specific parasite membrane proteins, we conducted a mass spectrometry-based proteomic study and compared the protein expression profiles of 10 PAM and 10 uncomplicated malaria (UM) samples. RESULTS We focused on the 454/1139 membrane-associated and hypothetical proteins for comparative analysis. Using filter-based feature-selection methods combined with supervised data analysis, we identified a subset of 53 proteins that distinguished PAM and UM samples. Up to 19/20 samples were correctly assigned to their respective clinical group. A hierarchical clustering analysis of these 53 proteins based on the similarity of their expression profiles revealed 2 main clusters of 40 and 13 proteins that were under- or over-expressed, respectively, in PAM. CONCLUSIONS VAR2CSA is identified and associated with PAM, validating our experimental approach. Other PAM-predictive proteins included PFI1785w, PF14_0018, PFB0115w, PFF0325c, and PFA_0410w. These proteomics data demonstrate the involvement of selected proteins in the pathophysiology of PAM, providing new insights for the definition of potential new targets for a vaccine against PAM.

Farnesyltransferase inhibitor R115777 protects against vascular disease in uremic mice.

BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis and vascular calcification are major contributors to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among chronic kidney disease patients. The mevalonate pathway may play a role in this vascular pathology. Farnesyltransferase inhibitors such as R115777 block one branch of mevalonate pathway. We studied the effects of farnesyltransferase inhibitor R115777 on vascular disease in apolipoprotein E deficient mice with chronic renal failure and on mineral deposition in vitro. METHODS AND RESULTS Female uremic and non-uremic apolipoprotein E deficient mice were randomly assigned to four groups and treated with either farnesyltransferase inhibitor R115777 or vehicle. Farnesyltransferase inhibitor R115777 inhibited protein prenylation in mice with chronic renal failure. It decreased aortic atheromatous lesion area and calcification in these animals, and reduced vascular nitrotyrosine expression and total collagen as well as collagen type I content. Proteomic analysis revealed that farnesyltransferase inhibitor corrected the chronic renal failure-associated increase in serum apolipoprotein IV and α globin, and the chronic renal failure-associated decrease in serum fetuin A. Farnesyltransferase inhibitor further inhibited type I collagen synthesis and reduced mineral deposition in vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro, probably involving Ras-Raf pathway. CONCLUSIONS We show for the first time that farnesyltransferase inhibition slows vascular disease progression in chronic renal failure by both indirect systemic and direct local actions. This beneficial effect was mediated via a reduction in oxidative stress and favorable changes in vasoprotective peptides.

Pharmacological targeting of apelin impairs glioblastoma growth

Glioblastomas are aggressive brain tumours that contain a subpopulation of highly plastic self-renewing cancer cells. Harford-Wright et al. show that the vasoactive peptide apelin, secreted by brain endothelial cells, regulates glioblastoma patient-derived cells with stem-like properties. Pharmacological blockade of apelin hampers glioblastoma cell expansion and improves survival in xenografted mice.