Marc Niere

Pathways and Subcellular Compartmentation of NAD Biosynthesis in Human Cells FROM ENTRY OF EXTRACELLULAR PRECURSORS TO MITOCHONDRIAL NAD GENERATION

NAD is a vital redox carrier, and its degradation is a key element of important regulatory pathways. NAD-mediated functions are compartmentalized and have to be fueled by specific biosynthetic routes. However, little is known about the different pathways, their subcellular distribution, and regulation in human cells. In particular, the route(s) to generate mitochondrial NAD, the largest subcellular pool, is still unknown. To visualize organellar NAD changes in cells, we targeted poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity into the mitochondrial matrix. This activity synthesized immunodetectable poly(ADP-ribose) depending on mitochondrial NAD availability. Based on this novel detector system, detailed subcellular enzyme localizations, and pharmacological inhibitors, we identified extracellular NAD precursors, their cytosolic conversions, and the pathway of mitochondrial NAD generation. Our results demonstrate that, besides nicotinamide and nicotinic acid, only the corresponding nucleosides readily enter the cells. Nucleotides (e.g. NAD and NMN) undergo extracellular degradation resulting in the formation of permeable precursors. These precursors can all be converted to cytosolic and mitochondrial NAD. For mitochondrial NAD synthesis, precursors are converted to NMN in the cytosol. When taken up into the organelles, NMN (together with ATP) serves as substrate of NMNAT3 to form NAD. NMNAT3 was conclusively localized to the mitochondrial matrix and is the only known enzyme of NAD synthesis residing within these organelles. We thus present a comprehensive dissection of mammalian NAD biosynthesis, the groundwork to understand regulation of NAD-mediated processes, and the organismal homeostasis of this fundamental molecule.

NAD Kinase Levels Control the NADPH Concentration in Human Cells

NAD kinases (NADKs) are vital, as they generate the cellular NADP pool. As opposed to three compartment-specific isoforms in plants and yeast, only a single NADK has been identified in mammals whose cytoplasmic localization we established by immunocytochemistry. To understand the physiological roles of the human enzyme, we generated and analyzed cell lines stably deficient in or overexpressing NADK. Short hairpin RNA-mediated down-regulation led to similar (about 70%) decrease of both NADK expression, activity, and the NADPH concentration and was accompanied by increased sensitivity toward H2O2. Overexpression of NADK resulted in a 4–5-fold increase in the NADPH, but not NADP+, concentration, although the recombinant enzyme phosphorylated preferentially NAD+. Surprisingly, NADK overexpression and the ensuing increase of the NADPH level only moderately enhanced protection against oxidant treatment. Apparently, to maintain the NADPH level for the regeneration of oxidative defense systems human cells depend primarily on NADP-dependent dehydrogenases (which re-reduce NADP+), rather than on a net increase of NADP. The stable shifts of the NADPH level in the generated cell lines were also accompanied by alterations in the expression of peroxiredoxin 5 and Nrf2. Because the basal oxygen radical level in the cell lines was only slightly changed, the redox state of NADP may be a major transmitter of oxidative stress.

The NMN/NaMN adenylyltransferase (NMNAT) protein family.

NAD biosynthesis has become of considerable interest owing to the important signaling functions of the pyridine nucleotides which have been recognized over the past years. The formation of the dinucleotides from ATP and the mononucleotide of niacin (either nicotinamide or nicotinic acid) constitute the critical step in NAD generation which is catalyzed by NMN/NaMN adenylyltransferases, NMNATs. Recent research has established the molecular, catalytic and structural properties of NMNATs from many organisms. Detailed studies, particularly of the human NMNATs, have revealed distinct isoform-specific characteristics relating to enzyme kinetics and substrate specificity, oligomeric assembly as well as subcellular and tissue distribution. Moreover, direct functional relationships between NMNATs and major NAD-mediated signaling processes have been discovered suggesting that at least some of these proteins might play more than just an enzymatic role. Several investigations have also pointed to a critical role of NMNATs in pathological states such as cancer and neurodegeneration. This article intends to provide a comprehensive overview of the family of NMNATs and highlights some of the recently identified functional roles of these enzymes.

ADP-ribosylhydrolase 3 (ARH3), Not Poly(ADP-ribose) Glycohydrolase (PARG) Isoforms, Is Responsible for Degradation of Mitochondrial Matrix-associated Poly(ADP-ribose)

Background: Nuclear and cytosolic poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism is established but debated in mitochondria. Results: Novel mitochondrial and cytosolic poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase splice variants are inactive for poly(ADP-ribose) degradation. Conclusion: Degradation of mitochondrial matrix-accumulated poly(ADP-ribose) can be catalyzed only by ADP-ribosylhydrolase 3, whereas small poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase isoforms may have functions different from poly(ADP-ribose) degradation. Significance: Important insights into the regulation of subcellular poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism are provided. Important cellular processes are regulated by poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation. This protein modification is catalyzed mainly by nuclear poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) 1 in response to DNA damage. Cytosolic PARP isoforms have been described, whereas the presence of poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) metabolism in mitochondria is controversial. PAR is degraded by poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG). Recently, ADP-ribosylhydrolase 3 (ARH3) was also shown to catalyze PAR-degradation in vitro. PARG is encoded by a single, essential gene. One nuclear and three cytosolic isoforms result from alternative splicing. The presence and origin of a mitochondrial PARG is still unresolved. We establish here the genetic background of a human mitochondrial PARG isoform and investigate the molecular basis for mitochondrial poly(ADP-ribose) degradation. In common with a cytosolic 60-kDa human PARG isoform, the mitochondrial protein did not catalyze PAR degradation because of the absence of exon 5-encoded residues. In mice, we identified a transcript encoding an inactive cytosolic 52-kDa PARG lacking the mitochondrial targeting sequence and a substantial portion of exon 5. Thus, mammalian PARG genes encode isoforms that do not catalyze PAR degradation. On the other hand, embryonic fibroblasts from ARH3−/− mice lack most of the mitochondrial PAR degrading activity detected in wild-type cells, demonstrating a potential involvement of ARH3 in PAR metabolism.

Functional Localization of Two Poly(ADP-Ribose)-Degrading Enzymes to the Mitochondrial Matrix

ABSTRACT Recent discoveries of NAD-mediated regulatory processes in mitochondria have documented important roles of this compartmentalized nucleotide pool in addition to energy transduction. Moreover, mitochondria respond to excessive nuclear NAD consumption arising from DNA damage-induced poly-ADP-ribosylation because poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) can trigger the release of apoptosis-inducing factor from the organelles. To functionally assess mitochondrial NAD metabolism, we overexpressed the catalytic domain of nuclear PAR polymerase 1 (PARP1) and targeted it to the matrix, which resulted in the constitutive presence of PAR within the organelles. As a result, stably transfected HEK293 cells exhibited a decrease in NAD content and typical features of respiratory deficiency. Remarkably, inhibiting PARP activity revealed PAR degradation within mitochondria. Two enzymes, PAR glycohydrolase (PARG) and ADP-ribosylhydrolase 3 (ARH3), are known to cleave PAR. Both full-length ARH3 and a PARG isoform, which arises from alternative splicing, localized to the mitochondrial matrix. This conclusion was based on the direct demonstration of their PAR-degrading activity within mitochondria of living cells. The visualization of catalytic activity establishes a new approach to identify submitochondrial localization of proteins involved in the metabolism of NAD derivatives. In addition, targeted PARP expression may serve as a compartment-specific “knock-down” of the NAD content which is readily detectable by PAR formation.

The phosphate makes a difference: cellular functions of NADP

Abstract Recent research has unraveled a number of unexpected functions of the pyridine nucleotides. In this review, we will highlight the variety of known physiological roles of NADP. In its reduced form (NADPH), this molecule represents a universal electron donor, not only to drive biosynthetic pathways. Perhaps even more importantly, NADPH is the unique provider of reducing equivalents to maintain or regenerate the cellular detoxifying and antioxidative defense systems. The roles of NADPH in redox sensing and as substrate for NADPH oxidases to generate reactive oxygen species further extend its scope of functions. NADP+, on the other hand, has acquired signaling functions. Its conversion to second messengers in calcium signaling may have critical impact on important cellular processes. The generation of NADP by NAD kinases is a key determinant of the cellular NADP concentration. The regulation of these enzymes may, therefore, be critical to feed the diversity of NADP-dependent processes adequately. The increasing recognition of the multiple roles of NADP has thus led to exciting new insights in this expanding field.

An organellar Nα-acetyltransferase, Naa60, acetylates cytosolic N termini of transmembrane proteins and maintains Golgi integrity

N-terminal acetylation is a major and vital protein modification catalyzed by N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs). NatF, or Nα-acetyltransferase 60 (Naa60), was recently identified as a NAT in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we find that Naa60 differs from all other known NATs by its Golgi localization. A new membrane topology assay named PROMPT and a selective membrane permeabilization assay established that Naa60 faces the cytosolic side of intracellular membranes. An Nt-acetylome analysis of NAA60-knockdown cells revealed that Naa60, as opposed to other NATs, specifically acetylates transmembrane proteins and has a preference for N termini facing the cytosol. Moreover, NAA60 knockdown causes Golgi fragmentation, indicating an important role in the maintenance of the Golgis structural integrity. This work identifies a NAT associated with membranous compartments and establishes N-terminal acetylation as a common modification among transmembrane proteins, a thus-far poorly characterized part of the N-terminal acetylome.

Isoform-specific targeting and interaction domains in human nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferases.

Several important signaling pathways require NAD as substrate, thereby leading to significant consumption of the molecule. Because NAD is also an essential redox carrier, its continuous resynthesis is vital. In higher eukaryotes, maintenance of compartmentalized NAD pools is critical, but so far rather little is known about the regulation and subcellular distribution of NAD biosynthetic enzymes. The key step in NAD biosynthesis is the formation of the dinucleotide by nicotinamide/nicotinic acid mononucleotide adenylyltransferases (NMNATs). The three human isoforms were localized to the nucleus, the Golgi complex, and mitochondria. Here, we show that their genes contain unique exons that encode isoform-specific domains to mediate subcellular targeting and post-translational modifications. These domains are dispensable for catalytic activity, consistent with their absence from NMNATs of lower organisms. We further demonstrate that the Golgi-associated NMNAT is palmitoylated at two adjacent cysteine residues of its isoform-specific domain and thereby anchored at the cytoplasmic surface, a potential mechanism to regulate the cytosolic NAD pool. Insertion of unique domains thus provides a yet unrecognized enzyme targeting mode, which has also been adapted to modulate subcellular NAD supply.

Visualization of subcellular NAD pools and intra-organellar protein localization by poly-ADP-ribose formation

Poly-ADP-ribose polymerases (PARPs) use NAD+ as substrate to generate polymers of ADP-ribose. We targeted the catalytic domain of human PARP1 as molecular NAD+ detector into cellular organelles. Immunochemical detection of polymers demonstrated distinct subcellular NAD+ pools in mitochondria, peroxisomes and, surprisingly, in the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex. Polymers did not accumulate within the mitochondrial intermembrane space or the cytosol. We demonstrate the suitability of this compartment-specific NAD+ and poly-ADP-ribose turnover to establish intra-organellar protein localization. For overexpressed proteins, genetically endowed with PARP activity, detection of polymers indicates segregation from the cytosol and consequently intra-organellar residence. In mitochondria, polymer build-up reveals matrix localization of the PARP fusion protein. Compared to presently used fusion tags for subcellular protein localization, these are substantial improvements in resolution. We thus established a novel molecular tool applicable for studies of subcellular NAD metabolism and protein localization.

Generation, Release, and Uptake of the NAD Precursor Nicotinic Acid Riboside by Human Cells.

Background: Nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinic acid riboside (NAR) can serve as precursors of NAD in human cells. Results: Human cells generate and release NR and NAR. Conclusion: NR and NAR are authentic intermediates of human NAD metabolism. Significance: Different cell populations might support each others NAD pools by providing ribosides as NAD precursors. NAD is essential for cellular metabolism and has a key role in various signaling pathways in human cells. To ensure proper control of vital reactions, NAD must be permanently resynthesized. Nicotinamide and nicotinic acid as well as nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinic acid riboside (NAR) are the major precursors for NAD biosynthesis in humans. In this study, we explored whether the ribosides NR and NAR can be generated in human cells. We demonstrate that purified, recombinant human cytosolic 5′-nucleotidases (5′-NTs) CN-II and CN-III, but not CN-IA, can dephosphorylate the mononucleotides nicotinamide mononucleotide and nicotinic acid mononucleotide (NAMN) and thus catalyze NR and NAR formation in vitro. Similar to their counterpart from yeast, Sdt1, the human 5′-NTs require high (millimolar) concentrations of nicotinamide mononucleotide or NAMN for efficient catalysis. Overexpression of FLAG-tagged CN-II and CN-III in HEK293 and HepG2 cells resulted in the formation and release of NAR. However, NAR accumulation in the culture medium of these cells was only detectable under conditions that led to increased NAMN production from nicotinic acid. The amount of NAR released from cells engineered for increased NAMN production was sufficient to maintain viability of surrounding cells unable to use any other NAD precursor. Moreover, we found that untransfected HeLa cells produce and release sufficient amounts of NAR and NR under normal culture conditions. Collectively, our results indicate that cytosolic 5′-NTs participate in the conversion of NAD precursors and establish NR and NAR as integral constituents of human NAD metabolism. In addition, they point to the possibility that different cell types might facilitate each others NAD supply by providing alternative precursors.