Young-Hwa Goo

Activating Signal Cointegrator 2 Belongs to a Novel Steady-State Complex That Contains a Subset of Trithorax Group Proteins

ABSTRACT Many transcription coactivators interact with nuclear receptors in a ligand- and C-terminal transactivation function (AF2)-dependent manner. These include activating signal cointegrator 2 (ASC-2), a recently isolated transcriptional coactivator molecule, which is amplified in human cancers and stimulates transactivation by nuclear receptors and numerous other transcription factors. In this report, we show that ASC-2 belongs to a steady-state complex of approximately 2 MDa (ASC-2 complex [ASCOM]) in HeLa nuclei. ASCOM contains retinoblastoma-binding protein RBQ-3, α/β-tubulins, and trithorax group proteins ALR-1, ALR-2, HALR, and ASH2. In particular, ALR-1/2 and HALR contain a highly conserved 130- to 140-amino-acid motif termed the SET domain, which was recently implicated in histone H3 lysine-specific methylation activities. Indeed, recombinant ALR-1, HALR, and immunopurified ASCOM exhibit very weak but specific H3-lysine 4 methylation activities in vitro, and transactivation by retinoic acid receptor appears to involve ligand-dependent recruitment of ASCOM and subsequent transient H3-lysine 4 methylation of the promoter region in vivo. Thus, ASCOM may represent a distinct coactivator complex of nuclear receptors. Further characterization of ASCOM will lead to a better understanding of how nuclear receptors and other transcription factors mediate transcriptional activation.

Identification of MBNL1 and MBNL3 domains required for splicing activation and repression

Muscleblind-like 1 (MBNL1) is a splicing regulator that controls developmentally regulated alternative splicing of a large number of exons including exon 11 of the Insulin Receptor (IR) gene and exon 5 of the cardiac Troponin T (cTNT) gene. There are three paralogs of MBNL in humans, all of which promote IR exon 11 inclusion and cTNT exon 5 skipping. Here, we identify a cluster of three binding sequences located downstream of IR exon 11 that constitute the MBNL1 response element and a weaker response element in the upstream intron. In addition, we used sequential deletions to define the functional domains of MBNL1 and MBNL3. We demonstrate that the regions required for splicing regulation are separate from the two pairs of zinc-finger RNA-binding domains. MBNL1 and MBNL3 contain core regulatory regions for both activation and repression located within an 80-amino-acid segment located downstream of the N-terminal zinc-finger pair. Deletions of these regions abolished regulation without preventing RNA binding. These domains have common features with the CUG-BP and ETR3-like Factor (CELF) family of splicing regulators. These results have identified protein domains required for splicing repression and activation and provide insight into the mechanism of splicing regulation by MBNL proteins.

Crucial roles for interactions between MLL3/4 and INI1 in nuclear receptor transactivation.

Nuclear receptor (NR) transactivation involves multiple coactivators, and the molecular basis for how these are functionally integrated needs to be determined to fully understand the NR action. Activating signal cointegrator-2 (ASC-2), a transcriptional coactivator of many NRs and transcription factors, forms a steady-state complex, ASCOM (for ASC-2 complex), which contains histone H3-lysine-4 (H3K4) methyltransferase MLL3 or its paralog MLL4. Here, we show that ASCOM requires a functional cross talk with the ATPase-dependent chromatin remodeling complex Swi/Snf for efficient NR transactivation. Our results reveal that ASCOM and Swi/Snf are tightly colocalized in the nucleus and that ASCOM and Swi/Snf promote each others binding to NR target genes. We further show that the C-terminal SET domain of MLL3 and MLL4 directly interacts with INI1, an integral subunit of Swi/Snf. Our mutational analysis demonstrates that this interaction underlies the mutual facilitation of ASCOM and Swi/Snf recruitment to NR target genes. Importantly, this study uncovers a specific protein-protein interaction as a novel venue to couple two distinct enzymatic coactivator complexes during NR transactivation.

Multiple developmental defects derived from impaired recruitment of ASC-2 to nuclear receptors in mice: implication for posterior lenticonus with cataract.

ABSTRACT ASC-2, a recently isolated transcriptional coactivator molecule, stimulates transactivation by multiple transcription factors, including nuclear receptors. We generated a potent dominant negative fragment of ASC-2, encompassing the N-terminal LXXLL motif that binds a broad range of nuclear receptors. This fragment, termed DN1, specifically inhibited endogenous ASC-2 from binding these receptors in vivo, whereas DN1/m, in which the LXXLL motif was mutated to LXXAA to abolish the receptor interactions, was inert. Interestingly, DN1 transgenic mice but not DN1/m transgenic mice exhibited severe microphthalmia and posterior lenticonus with cataract as well as a variety of pathophysiological phenotypes in many other organs. Our results provide a novel insight into the molecular and histopathological mechanism of posterior lenticonus with cataract and attest to the importance of ASC-2 as a pivotal transcriptional coactivator of nuclear receptors in vivo.

Novel Lipid Droplet–Associated Serine Hydrolase Regulates Macrophage Cholesterol Mobilization

Objective—Lipid-laden macrophages or foam cells are characterized by massive cytosolic lipid droplet (LD) deposition containing mostly cholesterol ester (CE) derived from the lipoproteins cleared from the arterial wall. Cholesterol efflux from foam cells is considered to be atheroprotective. Because cholesterol is effluxed as free cholesterol, CE accumulation in LDs may limit free cholesterol efflux. Our objective was to identify proteins that regulate cholesterol trafficking through LDs. Approach and Results—In a proteomic analysis of the LD fraction of RAW 264.7 macrophages, we identified an evolutionarily conserved protein with a canonical GXSXG lipase catalytic motif and a predicted &agr;/&bgr;-hydrolase fold, the RIKEN cDNA 1110057K04 gene, which we named LD-associated hydrolase (LDAH). LDAH association with LDs was confirmed by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry. LDAH was labeled with a probe specific for active serine hydrolases. LDAH showed relatively weak in vitro CE hydrolase activity. However, cholesterol measurements in intact cells supported a significant role of LDAH in CE homeostasis because LDAH upregulation and downregulation decreased and increased, respectively, intracellular cholesterol and CE in human embryonic kidney-293 cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages. Mutation of the putative nucleophilic serine impaired active hydrolase probe binding, in vitro CE hydrolase activity, and cholesterol-lowering effect in cells, whereas this mutant still localized to the LD. LDAH upregulation increased CE hydrolysis and cholesterol efflux from macrophages, and, interestingly, LDAH is highly expressed in macrophage-rich areas within mouse and human atherosclerotic lesions. Conclusions—The data identify a candidate target to promote reverse cholesterol transport from atherosclerotic lesions.

CUGBP2 directly interacts with U2 17S snRNP components and promotes U2 snRNA binding to cardiac troponin T pre-mRNA

CUGBP2 (ETR-3/NAPOR/BRUNOL3) promotes inclusion of cardiac troponin T (cTNT) exon 5 via binding between positions 21 and 74 of the downstream intron. The molecular mechanism by which CUGBP2 activates cTNT exon 5 inclusion is unknown. Our results suggest that CUGBP2 promotes exon inclusion by a novel mechanism in which CUGBP2 directly interacts with components of the activated U2 snRNP and enhances binding of U2 snRNP to the branch site located upstream of the exon. Using an in vitro splicing assay, we show that recombinant CUGBP2 enhances complex A formation of a cTNT pre-mRNA. Enhanced complex A assembly requires both the upstream and downstream introns consistent with dual requirements for the downstream CUGBP2-binding site and an upstream branch site for U2 snRNP binding. We also show that CUGBP2 enhances binding of U2 snRNA to the cTNT pre-mRNA consistent with enhanced complex A assembly. Purification of CUGBP2-interacting proteins using tandem affinity purification leads to the demonstration that the core 17S U2 snRNP components, SF3b145 and SF3b49 bind directly to CUGBP2. We conclude that CUGBP2 activates exon inclusion by forming direct interactions with components of the 17S snRNP complex and recruits and/or stabilizes binding of U2 snRNP.

Perilipin 2 (PLIN2)-deficiency does not increase cholesterol-induced toxicity in macrophages.

Interventions on macrophages/foam cells to redirect intracellular cholesterol towards efflux pathways could become a very valuable addition to our therapeutic arsenal against atherosclerosis. However, certain manipulations of the cholesteryl ester cycle, such as the inhibition of ACAT1, an ER-resident enzyme that re-esterifies cholesterol, are not well tolerated. Previously we showed that targeting perilipin-2 (PLIN2), a major lipid droplet (LD)-associated protein in macrophages, prevents foam cell formation and protects against atherosclerosis. Here we have assessed the tolerance of PLIN2-deficient bone marrow derived macrophages (BMM) to several lipid loading conditions similar to the found during atherosclerosis development, including exposure to modified low-density lipoprotein (mLDL) and 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC), a free cholesterol (FC) metabolite, in media with or without cholesterol acceptors. BMM isolated from mice that do or do not express PLIN2 were tested for apoptosis (TUNEL and cleaved caspase-3), ER stress (CHOP induction and XBP-1 splicing), and inflammation (TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA levels). Like in other cell types, PLIN2 deficiency impairs LD buildup in BMM. However, while most stress parameters were elevated in macrophages under ACAT inhibition and 7-KC loading, PLIN2 inactivation was well tolerated. The data support the safety of targeting PLIN2 to prevent foam cell formation and atherosclerosis.

Lipid droplet-associated proteins in atherosclerosis (Review)

Accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques in arterial walls leads to major cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Macrophages/foam cells are central components of atherosclerotic plaques, which populate the arterial wall in order to remove harmful modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, resulting in the accumulation of lipids, mostly LDL-derived cholesterol ester, in cytosolic lipid droplets (LDs). At present, LDs are recognized as dynamic organelles that govern cellular metabolic processes. LDs consist of an inner core of neutral lipids surrounded by a monolayer of phospholipids and free cholesterol, and contain LD-associated proteins (LDAPs) that regulate LD functions. Foam cells are characterized by an aberrant accumulation of cytosolic LDs, and are considered a hallmark of atherosclerotic lesions through all stages of development. Previous studies have investigated the mechanisms underlying foam cell formation, aiming to discover therapeutic strategies that target foam cells and intervene against atherosclerosis. It is well established that LDAPs have a major role in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases caused by dysfunction of lipid metabolism, and several studies have linked LDAPs to the development of atherosclerosis. In this review, several foam cell-targeting pathways have been described, with an emphasis on the role of LDAPs in cholesterol mobilization from macrophages. In addition, the potential of LDAPs as therapeutic targets to prevent the progression and/or facilitate the regression of the disease has been discussed.

Lipidomics unveils the complexity of the lipidome in metabolic diseases

Dysregulation of lipid metabolism is responsible for pathologies of human diseases including metabolic diseases. Recent advances in lipidomics analysis allow for the targeted and untargeted identification of lipid species and for their quantification in normal and diseased conditions. Herein, this review provides a brief introduction to lipidomics, highlights its application to characterize the lipidome at the cellular and physiological levels under different biological conditions, and discusses the potential for the use of lipidomics in the discovery of biomarkers.

Enhanced atheroprotection and lesion remodelling by targeting the foam cell and increasing plasma cholesterol acceptors.

AIMS Atherosclerosis development can be ameliorated by promoting reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) from arteries. The process involves cholesterol efflux from foam cells to extracellular acceptors such as apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) that mediate transport to the liver. Perilipin-2 (PLIN2) is a lipid droplet (LD)-associated protein that in macrophages facilitates cholesterol storage and prevents efflux. We hypothesized that atheroprotection would be enhanced by concurrently targeting PLIN2 to increase the efflux capacity of foam cells and increasing plasma apoA-I and HDL. METHODS AND RESULTS PLIN2-knockout and wild-type mice lacking apolipoprotein E (PLIN2(-/-)/apoE(-/-) and PLIN2(+/+)/apoE(-/-)) were treated with a helper-dependent adenoviral vector encoding human apoA-I (HDAd-AI) or with control empty vector. Treatment with HDAd-AI increased hepatic apoA-I production, plasma apoA-I and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), and apoA-I deposition in lesions to a similar extent in PLIN2(-/-)/apoE(-/-) and PLIN2(+/+)/apoE(-/-) mice. However, atherosclerosis development at the aortic sinus was considerably lower in HDAd-AI-treated PLIN2(-/-)/apoE(-/-) mice. A more stable lesion phenotype, with increased collagen content, was primarily associated to treatment with HDAd-AI, but was enhanced under PLIN2 deficiency. PLIN2 deficiency and apoA-I cumulatively reduced LDs and cholesterol ester content in cultured macrophages. Neutral lipid in atheroma was significantly reduced in HDAd-AI-treated PLIN2(-/-)/apoE(-/-) mice, and RCT from macrophages to feces was enhanced in PLIN2(-/-) macrophages. CONCLUSION These studies demonstrate a mutually beneficial relationship between PLIN2 deficiency and elevated apoA-I/HDL-C in preventing atherosclerosis development. The data support that targeting foam cell components to mobilize cholesterol may be a promising strategy to enhance the atheroprotection of plasma cholesterol acceptors.