Jun-Dal Kim

Protein arginine methyltransferase 7 has a novel homodimer-like structure formed by tandem repeats

Protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7) is a member of a family of enzymes that catalyze the transfer of methyl groups from S‐adenosyl‐l‐methionine to nitrogen atoms on arginine residues. Here, we describe the crystal structure of Caenorhabditis elegans PRMT7 in complex with its reaction product S‐adenosyl‐l‐homocysteine. The structural data indicated that PRMT7 harbors two tandem repeated PRMT core domains that form a novel homodimer‐like structure. S‐adenosyl‐l‐homocysteine bound to the N‐terminal catalytic site only; the C‐terminal catalytic site is occupied by a loop that inhibits cofactor binding. Mutagenesis demonstrated that only the N‐terminal catalytic site of PRMT7 is responsible for cofactor binding.

Mechanism for p38α-mediated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Background: p38 signaling pathway plays a key role in inflammatory diseases. Results: A single copy disruption of the p38α gene or a p38α inhibitor markedly reduced the pathogenesis of EAE by decreasing IL-17 production. Conclusion: p38α regulates the pathogenesis of EAE through transcriptional regulation of IL-17 production. Significance: Anti-p38α strategy achieves therapeutic benefit for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. One of the mitogen-activated protein kinases, p38, has been found to play a crucial role in various inflammatory responses. In this study, we analyzed the roles of p38α in multiple sclerosis, using an animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). p38α+/− mice (p38α−/− showed embryonic lethality) showed less severe neurological signs than WT mice. Adoptive transfer of lymph node cells (LNC) from sensitized WT mice with MOG(35–55) to naive WT-induced EAE was much more severe compared with the case using LNC from sensitized p38α+/− mice. Comprehensive analysis of cytokines from MOG(35–55)-challenged LNC by Western blot array revealed that production of IL-17 was significantly reduced by a single copy disruption of the p38α gene or a p38 inhibitor. Likewise, by a luciferase reporter assay, an electrophoresis mobility shift assay, and characterization of the relationship between p38 activity and IL-17 mRNA expression, we confirmed that p38 positively regulates transcription of the Il17 gene. Furthermore, oral administration of a highly specific p38α inhibitor (UR-5269) to WT mice at the onset of EAE markedly suppressed the progression of EAE compared with a vehicle group. These results suggest that p38α participates in the pathogenesis of EAE through IL-17 induction.

The C. elegans PRMT-3 possesses a type III protein arginine methyltransferase activity

Protein arginine methylation is a common post-translational modification in eukaryotes that is catalyzed by a family of the protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). PRMTs are classified into three types: type I and type II add asymmetrically and symmetrically dimethyl groups to arginine, respectively, while type III adds solely monomethyl group to arginine. However, although the enzymatic activity of type I and type II PRMTs have been reported, the substrate specificity and the methylation activity of type III PRMTs still remains unknown. Here, we report the characterization of Caenorhabditis elegans PRMT-2 and PRMT-3, both of which are highly homologous to human PRMT7. We find that these two PRMTs can bind to S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), but only PRMT-3 has methyltransferase activity for histone H2A depending on its SAM-binding domain. Importantly, thin-layer chromatographic analysis demonstrates that PRMT-3 catalyzes the formation of monomethylated, but not dimethylated arginine. Our study thus identifies the first type III PRMT in C. elegans and provides a means to elucidate the physiological significance of arginine monomethylation in multicellular organisms.

PRMT8 as a phospholipase regulates Purkinje cell dendritic arborization and motor coordination

PRMT8 directly hydrolyzes phosphatidylcholine, which is important for brain functions. The development of vertebrate neurons requires a change in membrane phosphatidylcholine (PC) metabolism. Although PC hydrolysis is essential for enhanced axonal outgrowth mediated by phospholipase D (PLD), less is known about the determinants of PC metabolism on dendritic arborization. We show that protein arginine methyltransferase 8 (PRMT8) acts as a phospholipase that directly hydrolyzes PC, generating choline and phosphatidic acid. We found that PRMT8 knockout mice (prmt8−/−) displayed abnormal motor behaviors, including hindlimb clasping and hyperactivity. Moreover, prmt8−/− mice and TALEN-induced zebrafish prmt8 mutants and morphants showed abnormal phenotypes, including the development of dendritic trees in Purkinje cells and altered cerebellar structure. Choline and acetylcholine levels were significantly decreased, whereas PC levels were increased, in the cerebellum of prmt8−/− mice. Our findings suggest that PRMT8 acts both as an arginine methyltransferase and as a PC-hydrolyzing PLD that is essential for proper neurological functions.

Novel helical assembly in arginine methyltransferase 8

Protein arginine methyltransferase 8 (PRMT8) is unique among PRMTs, as it is specifically expressed in brain and localized to the plasma membrane via N-terminal myristoylation. Here, we describe the crystal structure of human PRMT8 (hPRMT8) at 3.0-Å resolution. The crystal structure of hPRMT8 exhibited a novel helical assembly. Biochemical, biophysical and mutagenesis experiments demonstrated that hPRMT8 forms an octamer in solution. This octameric structure is necessary for proper localization to the plasma membrane and efficient methyltransferase activity. The helical assembly might be a relevant quaternary form for hPRMT1, which is the predominant PRMT in mammalian cells and most closely related to hPRMT8.

Enhanced histamine production through the induction of histidine decarboxylase expression by phorbol ester in Jurkat cells

Histamine (HA), a mediator of inflammation, type I allergic responses and neurotransmission, is synthesized from L-histidine, the reaction of which is catalyzed by histidine decarboxylase (HDC). HDC has been reported to be induced by various stimuli, not only in mast cells and basophils, but also in T lymphocytes and macrophages. Although its mRNA has been shown to be increased in Jurkat cells when treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA), little is known concerning the induced production of HA by HDC. The present study quantified the trace amounts of intracellular HA using ultra-high liquid chromatography in combination with the 6-aminoquinoline carbamate-derivatization technique. To test whether the cellular level of HA is elevated by the induction of HDC in Jurkat cells treated with TPA, the peak corresponding to authentic HA in the cell lysate was fractioned and its molecular weight determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization quadrupole ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The results of this study show that the HA level is increased by the induction of HDC expression by TPA in Jurkat cells. Therefore, this method is useful in elucidating the physiological significance of HA production.

Truncated Cables1 causes agenesis of the corpus callosum in mice

Agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) is a congenital abnormality of the brain structure. More than 60 genes are known to be involved in corpus callosum development. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying ACC are not fully understood. Previously, we produced a novel transgenic mouse strain, TAS, carrying genes of the tetracycline-inducible expression system that are not involved in brain development, and inherited ACC was observed in the brains of all homozygous TAS mice. Although ACC was probably induced by transgene insertion mutation, the causative gene and the molecular mechanism of its pathogenesis remain unclear. Here, we first performed interphase three-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis to determine the genomic insertion site. Transgenes were inserted into chromosome 18 ∼12.0 Mb from the centromere. Gene expression analysis and genomic PCR walking showed that the genomic region containing exon 4 of Cables1 was deleted by transgene insertion and the other exons of Cables1 were intact. The mutant allele was designated as Cables1TAS. Interestingly, Cables1TAS mRNA consisted of exons 1–3 of Cables1 and part of the transgene that encoded a novel truncated Cables1 protein. Homozygous TAS mice exhibited mRNA expression of Cables1TAS in the fetal cerebrum, but not that of wild-type Cables1. To investigate whether a dominant negative effect of Cables1TAS or complete loss of function of Cables1 gives rise to ACC, we produced Cables1-null mutant mice. ACC was not observed in Cables1-null mutant mice, suggesting that a dominant negative effect of Cables1TAS impairs callosal formation. Moreover, ACC frequency in Cables1+/TAS mice was significantly lower than that in Cables1−/TAS mice, indicating that wild-type Cables1 interfered with the dominant negative effect of Cables1TAS. This study indicated that truncated Cables1 causes ACC and wild-type Cables1 contributes to callosal formation.

Detection of choline and phosphatidic acid (PA) catalyzed by phospholipase D (PLD) using MALDI-QIT-TOF/MS with 9-aminoacridine matrix.

Phospholipase D (PLD) catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC), the most abundant phospholipids of plasma membrane, resulting in the production of choline and phosphatidic acid (PA). Choline is a precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, whereas PA functions as an intracellular lipid mediator of diverse biological functions. For assessing PLD activity in vitro, PLD-derived choline has been often analyzed with radioactive or non-radioactive methods. In this study, we have developed a new method for detecting choline and PA with MALDI-QIT-TOF/MS by using 9-aminoacridine as a matrix. The standard calibration curves showed that choline and PA could be detected with linearity over the range from 0.05 and 1 pmol, respectively. Importantly, this method enables the concomitant detection of choline and PA as a reaction product of PC hydrolysis by PLD2 proteins. Thus, our simple and direct method would be useful to characterize the enzymatic properties of PLD, thereby providing insight into mechanisms of PLD activation. Graphical Abstract 9-aminoacridine is a matrix with low background and high sensitivity to analyze PA and choline by MALDI-QIT-TOF/MS.

Angiodysplasia in embryo lacking protein arginine methyltransferase 1 in vascular endothelial cells

Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) is involved in multiple cellular functions including proliferation and differentiation. Although PRMT1 is expressed in vascular endothelial cells (ECs), which are responsible for angiogenesis during embryonic development, its role has remained elusive. In this study, we generated endothelial-specific prmt1-knockout (Prmt1-ECKO) mice, and found that they died before embryonic day 15. The superficial temporal arteries in these embryos were poorly perfused with blood, and whole-mount 3D imaging revealed dilated and segmentalized luminal structures in Prmt1-ECKO fetuses in comparison with those of controls. Our findings provide evidence that PRMT1 is important for embryonic vascular formation.

PRMT1 Deficiency in Mouse Juvenile Heart Induces Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Reveals Cryptic Alternative Splicing Products

Summary Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) catalyzes the asymmetric dimethylation of arginine residues in proteins and methylation of various RNA-binding proteins and is associated with alternative splicing in vitro. Although PRMT1 has essential in vivo roles in embryonic development, CNS development, and skeletal muscle regeneration, the functional importance of PRMT1 in the heart remains to be elucidated. Here, we report that juvenile cardiomyocyte-specific PRMT1-deficient mice develop severe dilated cardiomyopathy and exhibit aberrant cardiac alternative splicing. Furthermore, we identified previously undefined cardiac alternative splicing isoforms of four genes (Asb2, Fbxo40, Nrap, and Eif4a2) in PRMT1-cKO mice and revealed that eIF4A2 protein isoforms translated from alternatively spliced mRNA were differentially ubiquitinated and degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. These findings highlight the essential roles of PRMT1 in cardiac homeostasis and alternative splicing regulation.