The stress-inducible protein DRR1 exerts distinct effects on actin dynamics

Cytoskeletal dynamics are pivotal to memory, learning, and stress physiology, and thus psychiatric diseases. Downregulated in renal cell carcinoma 1 (DRR1) protein was characterized as the link between stress, actin dynamics, neuronal function, and cognition. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, we undertook a domain analysis of DRR1 and probed the effects on actin binding, polymerization, and bundling, as well as on actin-dependent cellular processes. METHODS: DRR1 domains were cloned and expressed as recombinant proteins to perform in vitro analysis of actin dynamics (binding, bundling, polymerization, and nucleation). Cellular actin-dependent processes were analyzed in transfected HeLa cells with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and confocal microscopy. RESULTS: DRR1 features an actin binding site at each terminus, separated by a coiled coil domain. DRR1 enhances actin bundling, the cellular F-actin content, and serum response factor (SRF)-dependent transcription, while it diminishes actin filament elongation, cell spreading, and actin treadmilling. We also provide evidence for a nucleation effect of DRR1. Blocking of pointed end elongation by addition of profilin indicates DRR1 as a novel barbed end capping factor. CONCLUSIONS: DRR1 impacts actin dynamics in several ways with implications for cytoskeletal dynamics in stress physiology and pathophysiology

Differential Impact of Tetratricopeptide Repeat Proteins on the Steroid Hormone Receptors

Tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motif containing co-chaperones of the chaperone Hsp90 are considered control modules that govern activity and specificity of this central folding platform. Steroid receptors are paradigm clients of Hsp90. The influence of some TPR proteins on selected receptors has been described, but a comprehensive analysis of the effects of TPR proteins on all steroid receptors has not been accomplished yet.We compared the influence of the TPR proteins FK506 binding proteins 51 and 52, protein phosphatase-5, C-terminus of Hsp70 interacting protein, cyclophillin 40, hepatitis-virus-B X-associated protein-2, and tetratricopeptide repeat protein-2 on all six steroid hormone receptors in a homogeneous mammalian cell system. To be able to assess each cofactor's effect on the transcriptional activity of on each steroid receptor we employed transient transfection in a reporter gene assay. In addition, we evaluated the interactions of the TPR proteins with the receptors and components of the Hsp90 chaperone heterocomplex by coimmunoprecipitation. In the functional assays, corticosteroid and progesterone receptors displayed the most sensitive and distinct reaction to the TPR proteins. Androgen receptor's activity was moderately impaired by most cofactors, whereas the Estrogen receptors' activity was impaired by most cofactors only to a minor degree. Second, interaction studies revealed that the strongly receptor-interacting co-chaperones were all among the inhibitory proteins. Intriguingly, the TPR-proteins also differentially co-precipitated the heterochaperone complex components Hsp90, Hsp70, and p23, pointing to differences in their modes of action.The results of this comprehensive study provide important insight into chaperoning of diverse client proteins via the combinatorial action of (co)-chaperones. The differential effects of the TPR proteins on steroid receptors bear on all physiological processes related to steroid hormone activity

The Stress-Inducible Protein DRR1 Exerts Distinct Effects on Actin Dynamics

Cytoskeletal dynamics are pivotal to memory, learning, and stress physiology, and thus psychiatric diseases. Downregulated in renal cell carcinoma 1 (DRR1) protein was characterized as the link between stress, actin dynamics, neuronal function, and cognition. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, we undertook a domain analysis of DRR1 and probed the effects on actin binding, polymerization, and bundling, as well as on actin-dependent cellular processes. Methods: DRR1 domains were cloned and expressed as recombinant proteins to perform in vitro analysis of actin dynamics (binding, bundling, polymerization, and nucleation). Cellular actin-dependent processes were analyzed in transfected HeLa cells with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and confocal microscopy. Results: DRR1 features an actin binding site at each terminus, separated by a coiled coil domain. DRR1 enhances actin bundling, the cellular F-actin content, and serum response factor (SRF)-dependent transcription, while it diminishes actin filament elongation, cell spreading, and actin treadmilling. We also provide evidence for a nucleation effect of DRR1. Blocking of pointed end elongation by addition of profilin indicates DRR1 as a novel barbed end capping factor. Conclusions: DRR1 impacts actin dynamics in several ways with implications for cytoskeletal dynamics in stress physiology and pathophysiology

Tumor suppressor down-regulated in renal cell carcinoma 1 (DRR1) is a stress-induced actin bundling factor that modulates synaptic efficacy and cognition

Stress has been identified as a major causal factor for many mental disorders. However, our knowledge about the chain of molecular and cellular events translating stress experience into altered behavior is still rather scant. Here, we have characterized a murine ortholog of the putative tumor suppressor gene DRR1 as a unique stress-induced protein in brain. It binds to actin, promotes bundling and stabilization of actin filaments, and impacts on actin-dependent neurite outgrowth. Endogenous DRR1 localizes to some, but not all, synapses, with preference for the presynaptic region. Hippocampal virus-mediated enhancement of DRR1 expression reduced spine density, diminished the probability of synaptic glutamate release, and altered cognitive performance. DRR1 emerges as a protein to link stress with actin dynamics, which in addition is able to act on synaptic function and cognition

Differential interaction of TPR-proteins with AR heterocomplexes.

<p>HEK-293 cells were transfected as described for <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0011717#pone-0011717-g007" target="_blank">figure 7</a>, except that HA-MR was expressed instead of HA-GR. Cells were processed and protein interactions were analyzed also as described for <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0011717#pone-0011717-g007" target="_blank">figure 7</a>. In A, binding of TPR-proteins is presented relative to the mean of the normalized FLAG-eluate signals of CHIP, FKBP51, and TPR2. Quantification represents means of three independent experiments (two for XAP2) +S.E.M. In B, binding is normalized as in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0011717#pone-0011717-g007" target="_blank">figure 7</a>. C, FLAG- and HA-immunoblot signals of the cell extracts, demonstrating expression of TPR proteins and AR. Quantifications represent means of three independent experiments +S.E.M.</p

Response of steroid hormone receptors in MMTV-reporter gene assays.

<p>Neuronal SK-N-MC cells were transfected with a plasmid expressing one of the HA-tagged SRs, the MMTV firefly-luciferase reporter plasmid when transfecting GR, MR, PR, or AR, an ERE firefly-luciferase reporter plasmid for ERα and ERβ, and the Gaussia-KDEL control plasmid. After transfection, the cells were cultivated for 24 h in the presence of the indicated concentrations of hormone (DHT: Dihydrotestosterone) or EtOH as solvent control. Receptor activity represents firefly data normalized to Gaussia activities + S.E.M. of at least four independent experiments, each performed in duplicate.</p

Cyp 40 is unable to compete the inhibitory effect of FKBP51.

<p>SK-N-MC cells were transfected with the MMTV-Luc reporter plasmid, the Gaussia-KDEL control plasmid, one of the plasmids expressing the HA-tagged GR or MR as indicated, and plasmids expressing FKBP51 and Cyp40 at the indicated amounts. After transfection, the cells were cultivated for 24 h in the presence of 10 nM cortisol (A) or 0.03 nM Fludrocortisol (B). Bar graphs indicate the relative reporter activity representing Firefly measurements normalized to Gaussia activities and presented as relative stimulation + S.E.M. of three independent experiments performed in triplicate. Lower panel of A displays immunoblots of cell extracts, probed with HA antibody demonstrating GR expression and the same membrane probed with FLAG antibody to detect overexpressed FKBP51 and Cyp40, and actin as control. In addition, antibodies directed against FKBP51 or Cyp40 were used to visualize the combined levels of endogenous and ectopic TPR protein.</p

Loss of FKBP52 affects GR responsiveness to cortisol.

<p>FKBP52-KO MEF cells (open symbols) or WT MEF cells (closed circles) were transfected with the MMTV-Luc reporter plasmid, the Gaussia-KDEL control plasmid, a plasmid expressing the HA-tagged mGR and either a plasmid expressing FLAG-tagged FKBP52 (+ect.52) or empty vector. After transfection, cells were cultivated for 24 h in the presence of hormone. Relative receptor activity represents firefly data normalized to Gaussia activities and is presented relative to the activity at saturating 300 nM corticosterone +S.E.M. of three independent experiments, each performed in triplicates. Significance of different receptor activation between FKBP52 KO cells and FKBP52 KO cells ectopically expressing FLAG-tagged FKBP52 was evaluated by one sampled T-test (* denotes <i>p</i>-values ≤0.001).</p