Jinhong Wie

Epigenetic regulation of cholinergic receptor M1 (CHRM1) by histone H3K9me3 impairs Ca2+ signaling in Huntington’s disease

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by an expanded trinucleotide CAG repeat in the gene coding for huntingtin. Deregulation of chromatin remodeling is linked to the pathogenesis of HD but the mechanism remains elusive. To identify what genes are deregulated by trimethylated histone H3K9 (H3K9me3)-dependent heterochromatin, we performed H3K9me3-ChIP genome-wide sequencing combined with RNA sequencing followed by platform integration analysis in stable striatal HD cell lines (STHdhQ7/7 and STHdhQ111/111) cells. We found that genes involving neuronal synaptic transmission including cholinergic receptor M1 (CHRM1), cell motility, and neuronal differentiation pathways are downregulated while their promoter regions are highly occupied with H3K9me3 in HD. Moreover, we found that repression of CHRM1 gene expression by H3K9me3 impairs Ca2+-dependent neuronal signal transduction in stable cell lines expressing mutant HD protein. Thus, our data indicate that the epigenetic modifications, such as aberrant H3K9me3-dependent heterochromatin plasticity, directly contribute to the pathogenesis of HD.

The roles of G proteins in the activation of TRPC4 and TRPC5 transient receptor potential channels

TRPC4 and TRPC5 channels are important regulators of electrical excitability in both gastrointestinal myocytes and neurons. Much is known regarding the assembly and function of these channels including TRPC1 as a homotetramer or a heteromultimer and the roles that their interacting proteins play in controlling these events. Further, they are one of the best-studied targets of G protein-coupled receptors and growth factors in general and Gαq protein coupled receptor or epidermal growth factor in particular. However, our understanding of the roles of Gαi/o proteins on TRPC4/5 channels is still rudimentary. We discuss potential roles for Gαi/o proteins in channel activation in addition to their known role in cellular signaling.

Activation of TRPC4β by Gαi subunit increases Ca2+ selectivity and controls neurite morphogenesis in cultured hippocampal neuron.

The ubiquitous transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels function as non-selective, Ca(2+)-permeable channels. TRPC channels are activated by stimulation of Gαq-PLC-coupled receptors. Here, we report that TRPC4/TRPC5 can be activated by Gαi. We studied the essential role of Gαi subunits in TRPC4 activation and investigated changes in ion selectivity and pore dilation of the TRPC4 channel elicited by the Gαi2 subunit. Activation of TRPC4 by Gαi2 increased Ca2+ permeability and Ca2+ influx through TRPC4 channels. Co-expression of the muscarinic receptor (M2) and TRPC4 in HEK293 cells induced TRPC4-mediated Ca2+ influx. Moreover, both TRPC4β and the TRPC4β-Gαi2 signaling complex induced inhibition of neurite growth and arborization in cultured hippocampal neurons. Cells treated with KN-93, a CaMKII inhibitor, prevented TRPC4- and TRPC4-Gαi2(Q205L)-mediated inhibition of neurite branching and growth. These findings indicate an essential role of Gαi proteins in TRPC4 activation and extend our knowledge of the functional role of TRPC4 in hippocampal neurons.

Isoform- and receptor-specific channel property of canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC)1/4 channels.

Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) 1, the first mammalian homologue of Drosophila trp gene, is distributed widely in mammalian cells and is involved in many physiological functions. TRPC1 is reported to be functional following heteromeric formation with other TRPC channels such as TRPC4 or TRPC5. It is known that the composition of this widely distributed TRPC1 is far from simple; functionality of such channels has been highly controversial. Furthermore, TRPC1 gene is known to have two splicing variants; one encodes long (TRPC1α) and the other encodes short (TRPC1β) TRPC1 isoforms, respectively. In this study, we examined the functionality of TRPC1/4 channels using various activation systems. Gq/11-coupled receptor (e.g., M1 or M3 receptors) stimulation significantly increased TRPC1α/4 currents but induced mild activation of TRPC1β/4. In addition, when expressed with TRPC4, TRPC1α acted as a pore-constituting subunit and not a β ancillary subunit. Multimerized with TRPC4, TRPC1α also generated strong pore field strength. We also found that Gi/o-coupled receptor (e.g., M2 receptor) stimulation was insufficient to activate TRPC1α/4 and TRPC1β/4 channels but selectively activated TRPC4 homomeric channels. These findings demonstrate that TRPC1/4 channel shows dynamic gating property depending on TRPC1 isoform subtypes and receptor stimulation system. Therefore, careful discrimination of the specificity of TRPC1 isoforms and upstream activation system is important in thorough understanding of TRPC1 and TRPC1/4 channels.Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) 1, the first mammalian homologue of Drosophila trp gene, is distributed widely in mammalian cells and is involved in many physiological functions. TRPC1 is reported to be functional following heteromeric formation with other TRPC channels such as TRPC4 or TRPC5. It is known that the composition of this widely distributed TRPC1 is far from simple; functionality of such channels has been highly controversial. Furthermore, TRPC1 gene is known to have two splicing variants; one encodes long (TRPC1α) and the other encodes short (TRPC1β) TRPC1 isoforms, respectively. In this study, we examined the functionality of TRPC1/4 channels using various activation systems. Gq/11-coupled receptor (e.g., M1 or M3 receptors) stimulation significantly increased TRPC1α/4 currents but induced mild activation of TRPC1β/4. In addition, when expressed with TRPC4, TRPC1α acted as a pore-constituting subunit and not a β ancillary subunit. Multimerized with TRPC4, TRPC1α also generated strong pore field strength. We also found that Gi/o-coupled receptor (e.g., M2 receptor) stimulation was insufficient to activate TRPC1α/4 and TRPC1β/4 channels but selectively activated TRPC4 homomeric channels. These findings demonstrate that TRPC1/4 channel shows dynamic gating property depending on TRPC1 isoform subtypes and receptor stimulation system. Therefore, careful discrimination of the specificity of TRPC1 isoforms and upstream activation system is important in thorough understanding of TRPC1 and TRPC1/4 channels.

Characteristics of Gintonin-Mediated Membrane Depolarization of Pacemaker Activity in Cultured Interstitial Cells of Cajal

Background/Aims: Ginseng regulates gastrointestinal (GI) motor activity but the underlying components and molecular mechanisms are unknown. We investigated the effect of gintonin, a novel ginseng-derived G protein-coupled lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand, on the pacemaker activity of the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in murine small intestine and GI motility. Materials and Methods: Enzymatic digestion was used to dissociate ICC from mouse small intestines. The whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potentials and currents from cultured ICC in the absence or presence of gintonin. In vivo effects of gintonin on gastrointestinal (GI) motility were investigated by measuring the intestinal transit rate (ITR) of Evans blue in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Results: We investigated the effects of gintonin on pacemaker potentials and currents in cultured ICC from mouse small intestine. Gintonin caused membrane depolarization in current clamp mode but this action was blocked by Ki16425, an LPA1/3 receptor antagonist, and by the addition of GDPβS, a GTP-binding protein inhibitor, into the ICC. To study the gintonin signaling pathway, we examined the effects of U-73122, an active PLC inhibitor, and chelerythrine and calphostin, which inhibit PKC. All inhibitors blocked gintonin actions on pacemaker potentials, but not completely. Gintonin-mediated depolarization was lower in Ca2+-free than in Ca2+-containing external solutions and was blocked by thapsigargin. We found that, in ICC, gintonin also activated Ca2+-activated Cl- channels (TMEM16A, ANO1), but not TRPM7 channels. In vivo, gintonin (10-100 mg/kg, p.o.) not only significantly increased the ITR in normal mice but also ameliorated STZ-induced diabetic GI motility retardation in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: Gintonin-mediated membrane depolarization of pacemaker activity and ANO1 activation are coupled to the stimulation of GI contractility through LPA1/3 receptor signaling pathways in cultured murine ICC. Gintonin might be a ingredient responsible for ginseng-mediated GI tract modulations, and could be a novel candidate for development as a prokinetic agent that may prevent or alleviate GI motility dysfunctions in human patients.

Gs cascade regulates canonical transient receptor potential 5 (TRPC5) through cAMP mediated intracellular Ca2+ release and ion channel trafficking.

Canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels are Ca(2+)-permeable, non-selective cation channels those are widely expressed in mammalian cells. Various molecules have been found to regulate TRPC both in vivo and in vitro, but it is unclear how heterotrimeric G proteins transmit external stimuli to regulate the activity of TRPC5. Here, we demonstrated that TRPC5 was potentiated by the Gα(s) regulatory pathway. Whole-cell TRPC5 current was significantly increased by β-adrenergic receptor agonist, isoproterenol (ISO, 246±36%, n=6), an activator of the adenylate cyclase, forskolin (FSK, 273±6%, n=5), or a membrane permeable cAMP analogue, 8-Br-cAMP (251±63%, n=7). In addition, robust Ca(2+) transient induced by isoproterenol was observed utilizing a Ca(2+) imaging technique. When intracellular [Ca(2+)](i) was buffered to 50nM, cAMP-induced potentiation was attenuated. We also found that the Ca(2+) release is mediated by IP(3) since intracellular IP(3) infusion attenuated the potentiation of TRPC5 by Gα(s) cascade. Finally, we identified that the membrane localization of TRPC5 was significantly increased by ISO (155±17%, n=3), FSK (172±39%, n=3) or 8-Br-cAMP (216±59%, n=3). In conclusion, these results suggest that the Gα(s)-cAMP pathway potentiates the activity of TRPC5 via facilitating intracellular Ca(2+) dynamics and increasing channel trafficking to the plasma membrane.

Menthol Modulates Pacemaker Potentials through TRPA1 Channels in Cultured Interstitial Cells of Cajal from Murine Small Intestine.

Background/Aims: ICCs are the pacemaker cells responsible for slow waves in gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscle, and generate periodic pacemaker potentials in current-clamp mode. Methods: The effects of menthol on the pacemaker potentials of cultured interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) from mouse small intestine were studied using the whole cell patch clamp technique. Results: Menthol (1 - 10 μM) was found to induce membrane potential depolarization in a concentration-dependent manner. The effects of various TRP channel antagonists were examined to investigate the receptors involved. The addition of the TRPM8 antagonist, AMTB, did not block menthol-induced membrane potential depolarizations, but TRPA1 antagonists (A967079 or HC-030031) blocked the effects of menthol, as did intracellular GDPβS. Furthermore, external and internal Ca2+ levels were found to depolarize menthol-induced membrane potentials, whereas external Na+ was not. Y-27632 (a Rho kinase inhibitor), SC-560 (a selective COX 1 inhibitor), NS-398 (a selective COX 2 inhibitor), ozagrel (a thromboxane A2 synthase inhibitor) and SQ-29548 (highly selective thromboxane receptor antagonist) were used to investigate the involvements of Rho-kinase, cyclooxygenase (COX), and the thromboxane pathway in menthol-induced membrane potential depolarizations, and all inhibitors were found to block the effect of menthol. Conclusions: These results suggest that menthol-induced membrane potential depolarizations occur in a G-protein-, Ca2+-, Rho-kinase-, COX-, and thromboxane A2-dependent manner via TRPA1 receptor in cultured ICCs in murine small intestine. The study shows ICCs are targeted by menthol and that this interaction can affect intestinal motility.

GABBR2 mutations determine phenotype in rett syndrome and epileptic encephalopathy

Rett syndrome (RTT) and epileptic encephalopathy (EE) are devastating neurodevelopmental disorders with distinct diagnostic criteria. However, highly heterogeneous and overlapping clinical features often allocate patients into the boundary of the two conditions, complicating accurate diagnosis and appropriate medical interventions. Therefore, we investigated the specific molecular mechanism that allows an understanding of the pathogenesis and relationship of these two conditions.

Dexamethasone activates transient receptor potential canonical 4 (TRPC4) channels via Rasd1 small GTPase pathway

Canonical transient receptor potential 4 (TRPC4) channels are calcium-permeable, nonselective cation channels that are widely distributed in mammalian cells. It is generally speculated that TRPC4 channels are activated by Gq/11-PLC pathway or directly activated by Gi/o proteins. Although many mechanistic studies regarding TRPC4 have dealt with heterotrimeric G proteins, here, we first report the functional relationship between TRPC4 and small GTPase, Rasd1. Rasd1 selectively activated TRPC4 channels, and it was the only Ras protein among Ras protein family that can activate TRPC4 channels. For this to occur, it was found that certain population of functional Gαi1 and Gαi3 proteins are essential. Meanwhile, dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid and anti-inflammatory drug was known to increase messenger RNA (mRNA) level of Rasd1 in pancreatic β-cells. We have found that dexamethasone triggers TRPC4-like cationic current in INS-1 cells via increasing protein expression level of Rasd1. This relationship among dexamethasone, Rasd1, and TRPC4 could suggest a new therapeutic agent for hospitalized diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with prolonged dexamethasone prescription.

Reciprocal positive regulation between TRPV6 and NUMB in PTEN-deficient prostate cancer cells

Calcium acts as a second messenger and plays a crucial role in signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation. Recently, calcium channels related to calcium influx into the cytosol of epithelial cells have attracted attention as a cancer therapy target. Of these calcium channels, TRPV6 is overexpressed in prostate cancer and is considered an important molecule in the process of metastasis. However, its exact role and mechanism is unclear. NUMB, well-known tumor suppressor gene, is a novel interacting partner of TRPV6. We show that NUMB and TRPV6 have a reciprocal positive regulatory relationship in PC-3 cells. We repeated this experiment in two other prostate cancer cell lines, DU145 and LNCaP. Interestingly, there were no significant changes in TRPV6 expression following NUMB knockdown in DU145. We revealed that the presence or absence of PTEN was the cause of NUMB-TRPV6 function. Loss of PTEN caused a positive correlation of TRPV6-NUMB expression. Collectively, we determined that PTEN is a novel interacting partner of TRPV6 and NUMB. These results demonstrated a novel relationship of NUMB-TRPV6 in prostate cancer cells, and show that PTEN is a novel regulator of this complex.