ARE-binding protein ZFP36L1 interacts with CNOT1 to directly repress translation via a deadenylation-independent mechanism

Eukaryotic gene expression can be spatiotemporally tuned at the post-transcriptional level by cis-regulatory elements in mRNA sequences. An important example is the AU-rich element (ARE), which induces mRNA destabilization in a variety of biological contexts in mammals and can also mediate translational control. Regulation is mediated by trans-acting factors that recognize the ARE, such as Tristetraprolin (TTP) and BRF1/ZFP36L1. Although both proteins can destabilize their target mRNAs through the recruitment of the CCR4-NOT deadenylation complex, TTP also directly regulates translation. Whether ZFP36L1 can directly repress translation remains unknown. Here, we used an in vitro translation system derived from mammalian cell lines to address this key mechanistic issue in ARE regulation by ZFP36L1. Functional assays with mutant proteins reveal that ZFP36L1 can repress translation via AU-Rich elements independent of deadenylation. ZFP36L1-mediated translation repression requires interaction between ZFP36L1 and CNOT1, suggesting that it might use a repression mechanism similar to either TPP or miRISC. However, several lines of evidence suggest that the similarity ends there. Unlike, TTP, it does not efficiently interact with either 4E-HP or GIGYF2, suggesting it does not repress translation by recruiting these proteins to the mRNA cap. Moreover, ZFP36L1 could not repress ECMV-IRES driven translation and was resistant to pharmacological eIF4A inhibitor silvestrol, suggesting fundamental differences with miRISC repression via eIF4A. Collectively, our results reveal that ZFP36L1 represses translation directly and suggest that it does so via a novel mechanism distinct from other translational regulators that interact with the CCR4-NOT deadenylase complex

Post-transcriptional Stabilization of Ucp1 mRNA Protects Mice from Diet-Induced Obesity

Uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) contributes to thermogenesis, and its expression is regulated at the transcriptional level. Here, we show that Ucp1 expression is also regulated post-transcriptionally. In inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) of mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), Ucp1 level decreases concomitantly with increases in Cnot7 and its interacting partner Tob. HFD-fed mice lacking Cnot7 and Tob express elevated levels of Ucp1 mRNA in iWAT and are resistant to diet-induced obesity. Ucp1 mRNA has an elongated poly(A) tail and persists in iWAT of Cnot7−/− and/or Tob−/− mice on a HFD. Ucp1 3′-UTR-containing mRNA is more stable in cells expressing mutant Tob that is unable to bind Cnot7 than in WT Tob-expressing cells. Tob interacts with BRF1, which binds to an AU-rich element in the Ucp1 3′-UTR. BRF1 knockdown partially restores the stability of Ucp1 3′-UTR-containing mRNA. Thus, the Cnot7-Tob-BRF1 axis inhibits Ucp1 expression and contributes to obesity

Galectin-2 Has Bactericidal Effects against Helicobacter pylori in a β-galactoside-Dependent Manner

Helicobacter pylori is associated with the onset of gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. Galectins are a family of β-galactoside-binding proteins involved in diverse biological phenomena. Galectin-2 (Gal-2), a member of the galectin family, is predominantly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract. Although some galectin family proteins are involved in immunoreaction, the role of Gal-2 against H. pylori infection remains unclear. In this study, the effects of Gal-2 on H. pylori morphology and survival were examined. Gal-2 induced H. pylori aggregation depending on β-galactoside and demonstrated a bactericidal effect. Immunohistochemical staining of the gastric tissue indicated that Gal-2 existed in the gastric mucus, as well as mucosa. These results suggested that Gal-2 plays a role in innate immunity against H. pylori infection in gastric mucus

Discovery of a new pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor eradicating glioblastoma-initiating cells

Background. Glioblastoma-initiating cells (GICs) comprise a tumorigenic subpopulation of cells that are resistant to radio- and chemotherapies and are responsible for cancer recurrence. The aim of this study was to identify novel compounds that specifically eradicate GICs using a high throughput drug screening approach. Methods. We performed a cell proliferation/death-based drug screening using 10560 independent compounds. We identified dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) as a target protein of hit compound 10580 using ligand-fishing and mass spectrometry analysis. The medical efficacy of 10580 was investigated by in vitro cell proliferation/death and differentiation and in vivo tumorigenic assays. Results. Among the effective compounds, we identified 10580, which induced cell cycle arrest, decreased the expression of stem cell factors in GICs, and prevented tumorigenesis upon oral administration without any visible side effects. Mechanistic studies revealed that 10580 decreased pyrimidine nucleotide levels and enhanced sex determining region Y-box 2 nuclear export by antagonizing the enzyme activity of DHODH, an essential enzyme for the de novo pyrimidine synthesis. Conclusion. In this study, we identified 10580 as a promising new drug against GICs. Given that normal tissue cells, in particular brain cells, tend to use the alternative salvage pathway for pyrimidine synthesis, our findings suggest that 10580 can be used for glioblastoma therapy without side effects

TBL2 Is a Novel PERK-Binding Protein that Modulates Stress-Signaling and Cell Survival during Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

<div><p>Under ER stress, PKR-like ER-resident kinase (PERK) phosphorylates translation initiation factor eIF2α, resulting in repression of global protein synthesis and concomitant upregulation of the translation of specific mRNAs such as activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). This PERK function is important for cell survival under ER stress and poor nutrient conditions. However, mechanisms of the PERK signaling pathway are not thoroughly understood. Here we identify transducin (beta)-like 2 (TBL2) as a novel PERK-binding protein. We found that TBL2 is an ER-localized type-I transmembrane protein and preferentially binds to the phosphorylated form of PERK, but not another eIF2α kinase GCN2 or ER-resident kinase IRE1, under ER stress. Immunoprecipitation analysis using various deletion mutants revealed that TBL2 interacts with PERK via the N-terminus proximal region and also associates with eIF2α via the WD40 domain. In addition, TBL2 knockdown can lead to impaired ATF4 induction under ER stress or poor nutrient conditions such as glucose and oxygen deprivation. Consistently, TBL2 knockdown rendered cells vulnerable to stresses similarly to PERK knockdown. Thus, TBL2 serves as a potential regulator of the PERK pathway.</p></div

TBL2 interacts with PERK in response to ER stress.

<p>(A) 293T cells were transiently co-transfected with pTBL2 (V5-tag) and pFLAG-PERK, and then were treated with 300 nM thapsigargin for 1, or 3 h. The cell lysates were immunoprecipitated with anti-V5 antibody and immunoblotted with anti-FLAG or anti-V5 antibody. (B) 293T cells were transiently transfected with pFLAG-PERK or together with pTBL2 (non-tag). After immunoprecipitation with anti-FLAG conjugated beads, PERK-bound TBL2 protein was detected with anti-TBL2 antibody. (C) 293T cells were transiently transfected with pFLAG-TBL2 and then were treated with 300 nM thapsigargin for 1 hour, 1 mM DTT for 30 min or with 5 mM histidinol (HisOH) for 4 hour. After immunoprecipitation with anti-FLAG antibody-conjugated beads, each protein was immunoblotted with the indicated antibody.</p

Preferential binding of TBL2 to phospho-PERK.

<p>(A) 293T cells were transiently co-transfected with pTBL2 (V5-tag) and either pFLAG-PERK, pFLAG-PERK(K621A) or pFLAG-IRE1 and then were treated with 300 nM thapsigargin (Tg) for 2 h. The cell lysates were immunoprecipitated with anti-V5 antibody and immunoblotted with anti-FLAG or anti-V5 antibody. (B) 293T cells were transiently transfected with pFLAG-TBL2 and then were treated with 300 nM thapsigargin (Tg), 4 µg/ml tunicamycin (Tu) or 10 mM 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) for 2 h. Endogenous PERK protein was detected with anti-PERK or anti–phospho-PERK antibody. (C) 293T cells were transiently transfected with pFLAG-TBL2 and then were treated with the indicated doses of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) for 4 hour. After immunoprecipitation with anti-FLAG antibody-conjugated beads, each protein was immunoblotted with the indicated antibody. (D) 786-O, 293 and 293T cells were transiently transfected with pFLAG-TBL2 and then were treated with 300 nM thapsigargin (Tg) for 1 hour. After immunoprecipitation with anti-FLAG antibody-conjugated beads, each protein was immunoblotted with the indicated antibody.</p