Selenium and the Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase System

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution licenseSelenium is a chemical element participating in the synthesis of selenocysteine residues that play a pivotal role in the enzymatic activity efficiency of selenoproteines. The methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr) system that reduces methionine sulfoxide (MetO) to methionine comprises the selenoprotein MsrB (MsrB1) and the non-selenoprotein MsrA, which reduce the R- and the S- forms of MetO, respectively. The effects of a selenium deficient (SD) diet, which was administrated to wild type (WT) and MsrA knockout mice (MsrA-/-), on the expression and function of Msr-related proteins are examined and discussed. Additionally, new data about the levels of selenium in brain, liver, and kidneys of WT and MsrA-/- mice are presented and discussed

Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase in Neurodegenerative Disease and Locomotor-Associated Dopamine Signaling

Reactive oxygen species can cause posttranslational modifications to amino acids, including sulfur-containing methionine. Methionine sulfoxide modifications are reduced by methionine sulfoxide reductase enzymes. The redox balance between reactive oxygen species and the methionine sulfoxide reductase system is disrupted in the aging process. This loss of antioxidant homeostasis can result in disease, and neurons may be particularly susceptible to the impact of methionine sulfoxide in proteins. Here we present evidence for the disruption of cell signaling processes in neuronal protein metabolism, and neurodegeneration in organisms lacking the methionine sulfoxide reductase A gene. In addition, we present data supporting the novel concept of the compromising effect of methionine oxidation on dopaminergic receptor function that is linked to movement regulation. Consequently, it is predicted that enhancing the activity of the methionine sulfoxide reductase system may be beneficial in preventing oxidative stress-related changes in brain function and neurodegenerative diseases

Decreased Phosphorylation and Increased Methionine Oxidation of α-Synuclein in the Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase A Knockout Mouse

Previously, we have showed that overexpression of methionine-oxidized α-synuclein in methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) null mutant yeast cells inhibits α-synuclein phosphorylation and increases protein fibrillation. The current studies show that ablation of mouse MsrA gene caused enhanced methionine oxidation of α-synuclein while reducing its own phophorylation levels, especially in the hydrophobic cell-extracted fraction. These data provide supportive evidence that a compromised MsrA function in mammalian brain may cause enhanced pathologies associated with altered α-synuclein oxidation and phosphorylation levels

Quantification of Reserve Pool Dopamine in Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase A Null Mice

Methionine sulfoxide reductase A knockout (MsrA−/−) mice, which serve as a potential model for neurodegeneration, suffer from increased oxidative stress and have previously been found to have chronically elevated brain dopamine content levels relative to control mice. Additionally, these high levels parallel increased presynaptic dopamine release. In this work, fast-scan cyclic voltammetry at carbon-fiber microelectrodes was used to quantify striatal reserve pool dopamine in knockout mice and wild-type control mice. Reserve pool dopamine efflux, induced by amphetamine, was measured in brain slices from knockout and wild type mice in the presence of α-methyl-p-tyrosine, a dopamine synthesis inhibitor. Additionally, the stimulated release of reserve pool dopamine, mobilized by cocaine, was measured. Both efflux and stimulated release measurements were enhanced in slices from knockout mice, suggesting that these mice have greater reserve pool dopamine stores than wild-type and that these stores are effectively mobilized. Moreover, dopamine transporter labeling data indicate that the difference in measured dopamine efflux was likely not caused by altered dopamine transporter protein expression. Additionally, slices from MsrA−/− and wild-type mice were equally responsive to increasing extracellular calcium concentrations, suggesting that potential differences in either calcium entry or intracellular calcium handling are not responsible for increased reserve pool dopamine release. Collectively, these results demonstrate that MsrA−/− knockout mice maintain a larger dopamine reserve pool than wild-type control mice, and that this pool is readily mobilized

Clearance and Phosphorylation of Alpha-Synuclein Are Inhibited in Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase A Null Yeast Cells

Aggregated α-synuclein and the point mutations Ala30Pro and Ala53Thr of α-synuclein are associated with Parkinson’s disease. The physiological roles of α-synuclein and methionine oxidation of the α-synuclein protein structure and function are not fully understood. Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) reduces methionine sulfoxide residues and functions as an antioxidant. To monitor the effect of methionine oxidation to α-synuclein on basic cellular processes, α-synucleins were expressed in msrA null mutant and wild-type yeast cells. Protein degradation was inhibited in the α-synuclein-expressing msrA null mutant cells compared to α-synuclein-expressing wild-type cells. Increased inhibition of degradation and elevated accumulations of fibrillated proteins were observed in SynA30P-expressing msrA null mutant cells. Additionally, methionine oxidation inhibited α-synuclein phosphorylation in yeast cells and in vitro by casein kinase 2. Thus, a compromised MsrA function combined with α-synuclein overexpression may promote processes leading to synucleinopathies

Emerging Drug Therapies for Mesothelioma

The systemic chemotherapy combination of cisplatin and pemetrexed has been the mesothelioma standard of care for well over a decade. This regimen has only achieved a disappointing overall median survival of about 1 year. Improved survival has been reported when systemic chemotherapy is combined with surgery and radiotherapy, and for using localized chemotherapy in some cases. The choice of mesothelioma treatment often depends on the anatomical location, histologic subtype, and disease progression. Several experimental drugs have also been investigated in mesothelioma, often with limited positive results that maintain the reputation of mesothelioma as a graveyard for drug development. This chapter will review the use of drug treatment in mesothelioma and highlight emerging experimental drug therapies in clinical trials. Experimental drugs for mesothelioma include inhibitors for checkpoints, epidermal growth factor, AXL, focal adhesion kinase, vascular endothelial growth factor, poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase, and hippo signaling

Caloric restriction alleviates abnormal locomotor activity and dopamine levels in the brain of the methionine sulfoxide reductase A knockout mouse

Oxidative stress is associated with the aging process, a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, and decreased by reduced energy intake. Oxidative modifications can affect protein function; the sulfur-containing amino acids, including methionine, are particularly susceptible to oxidation. A methionine sulfoxide can be enzymatically reduced by the methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr) system. Previously, we have shown that MsrA−/− mice exhibit altered locomotor activity and brain dopamine levels as function of age. Previous studies have demonstrated that a caloric restriction enhances antioxidant defense and reduces the action of reactive oxygen species. Here we examine locomotor behavior and dopamine levels of MsrA−/− mice after caloric restriction starting at 8 months of age and ending at 17 months. The MsrA−/− mice did not have any significant difference in spontaneous distance traveled when compared to controls at 17 months of age. In contrast, our previous report showed decreased locomotor activity in the MsrA−/− mice at 12 months of age and older when fed ad-libitum. After completion of the caloric restriction diet, dopamine levels were comparable to control mice. This differs from the abnormal dopamine levels previously observed in MsrA−/− mice fed ad-libitum. Thus, caloric restriction had a neutralization effect on MsrA ablation. In summary, it is suggested that caloric restriction alleviates abnormal locomotor activity and dopamine levels in the brain of the methionine sulfoxide reductase A knockout mouse

Induction of methionine-sulfoxide reductases protects neurons from amyloid β-protein insults in vitro and in vivo

Amyloid β-protein (Aβ) self-assembly into toxic oligomers and fibrillar polymers is believed to cause Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the AD brain, a high percentage of Aβ contains Met-sulfoxide at position 35, though the role this modification plays in AD is not clear. Oxidation of Met35 to sulfoxide has been reported to decrease Aβ assembly and neurotoxicity, whereas surprisingly, Met35 oxidation to sulfone yields similar toxicity to unoxidized Aβ. We hypothesized that the lower toxicity of Aβ-sulfoxide might result not only from structural alteration of the C-terminal region, but also from activation of methionine-sulfoxide reductase (Msr), an important component of the cellular antioxidant system. Supporting this hypothesis, we found that the low toxicity of Aβ-sulfoxide correlated with induction of Msr activity. In agreement with these observations, in MsrA−/− mice the difference in toxicity between native Aβ and Aβ-sulfoxide was essentially eliminated. Subsequently, we found that treatment with N-acetyl-Met-sulfoxide could induce Msr activity and protect neuronal cells from Aβ toxicity. In addition, we measured Msr activity in a double-transgenic mouse model of AD and found that it was increased significantly relative to non-transgenic mice. Immunization with a novel methionine sulfoxide-rich antigen for six months led to antibody production, decreased Msr activity, and lowered hippocampal plaque burden. The data suggest an important neuroprotective role for the Msr system in the AD brain, which may lead to development of new therapeutic approaches for AD

Dopamine D2 receptor function is compromised in the brain of the methionine sulfoxide reductase A knockout mouse

Previous research suggests that brain oxidative stress and altered rodent locomotor behavior are linked. We observed bio-behavioral changes in methionine sulfoxide reductase A knockout mice associated with abnormal dopamine signaling. Compromised ability of these knockout mice to reduce methionine sulfoxide enhances accumulation of sulfoxides in proteins. We examined the dopamine D2-receptor function and expression, which has an atypical arrangement and quantity of methionine residues. Indeed, protein expression levels of dopamine D2-receptor were higher in knockout mice compared with wild-type. However, the binding of dopamine D2-receptor agonist was compromised in the same fractions of knockout mice. Coupling efficiency of dopamine D2-receptors to G-proteins was also significantly reduced in knockout mice, supporting the compromised agonist binding. Furthermore, pre-synaptic dopamine release in knockout striatal sections was less responsive than control sections to dopamine D2-receptor ligands. Behaviorally, the locomotor activity of knockout mice was less responsive to the inhibitory effect of quinpirole than wild-type mice. Involvement of specific methionine residue oxidation in the dopamine D2-receptor third intracellular loop is suggested by in vitro studies. We conclude that ablation of methionine sulfoxide reductase can affect dopamine signaling through altering dopamine D2-receptor physiology and may be related to symptoms associated with neurological disorders and diseases

Targeting DNA Damage Response and Replication Stress in Pancreatic Cancer

Background and aims: Continuing recalcitrance to therapy cements pancreatic cancer (PC) as the most lethal malignancy, which is set to become the second leading cause of cancer death in our society. The study aim was to investigate the association between DNA damage response (DDR), replication stress and novel therapeutic response in PC to develop a biomarker driven therapeutic strategy targeting DDR and replication stress in PC. Methods: We interrogated the transcriptome, genome, proteome and functional characteristics of 61 novel PC patient-derived cell lines to define novel therapeutic strategies targeting DDR and replication stress. Validation was done in patient derived xenografts and human PC organoids. Results: Patient-derived cell lines faithfully recapitulate the epithelial component of pancreatic tumors including previously described molecular subtypes. Biomarkers of DDR deficiency, including a novel signature of homologous recombination deficiency, co-segregates with response to platinum (P < 0.001) and PARP inhibitor therapy (P < 0.001) in vitro and in vivo. We generated a novel signature of replication stress with which predicts response to ATR (P < 0.018) and WEE1 inhibitor (P < 0.029) treatment in both cell lines and human PC organoids. Replication stress was enriched in the squamous subtype of PC (P < 0.001) but not associated with DDR deficiency. Conclusions: Replication stress and DDR deficiency are independent of each other, creating opportunities for therapy in DDR proficient PC, and post-platinum therapy