Activator of G protein signaling 3 is a guanine dissociation inhibitor for Galpha i subunits

Activator of G protein signaling 3 (AGS3) is a newly identified protein shown to act at the level of the G protein itself. AGS3 belongs to the GoLoco family of proteins, sharing the 19-aa GoLoco motif that is a Gαi/o binding motif. AGS3 interacts only with members of the Gαi/o subfamily. By surface plasmon resonance, we found that AGS3 binds exclusively to the GDP-bound form of Gαi3. In GTPγS binding assays, AGS3 behaves as a guanine dissociation inhibitor (GDI), inhibiting the rate of exchange of GDP for GTP by Gαi3. AGS3 interacts with both Gαi3 and Gαo subunits, but has GDI activity only on Gαi3, not on Gαo. The fourth GoLoco motif of AGS3 is a major contributor to this activity. AGS3 stabilizes Gαi3 in its GDP-bound form, as it inhibits the increase in tryptophan fluorescence of the Gαi3-GDP subunit stimulated by AlF4−. AGS3 is widely expressed as it is detected by immunoblotting in brain, testis, liver, kidney, heart, pancreas, and in PC-12 cells. Several different sizes of the protein are detected. By Northern blotting, AGS3 shows 2.3-kb and 3.5-kb mRNAs in heart and brain, respectively, suggesting tissue-specific alternative splicing. Taken together, our results demonstrate that AGS3 is a GDI. To the best of our knowledge, no other GDI has been described for heterotrimeric G proteins. Inhibition of the Gα subunit and stimulation of heterotrimeric G protein signaling, presumably by stimulating Gβγ, extend the possibilities for modulating signal transduction through heterotrimeric G proteins

Phosphatase-dead myotubularin ameliorates X-linked centronuclear myopathy phenotypes in mice

Myotubularin MTM1 is a phosphoinositide (PPIn) 3-phosphatase mutated in X-linked centronuclear myopathy (XLCNM; myotubular myopathy). We investigated the involvement of MTM1 enzymatic activity on XLCNM phenotypes. Exogenous expression of human MTM1 in yeast resulted in vacuolar enlargement, as a consequence of its phosphatase activity. Expression of mutants from patients with different clinical progression and determination of PtdIns3P and PtdIns5P cellular levels confirmed the link between vacuolar morphology and MTM1 phosphatase activity, and showed that some disease mutants retain phosphatase activity. Viral gene transfer of phosphatase-dead myotubularin mutants (MTM1(C375S) and MTM1(S376N)) significantly improved most histological signs of XLCNM displayed by a Mtm1-null mouse, at similar levels as wild-type MTM1. Moreover, the MTM1(C375S) mutant improved muscle performance and restored the localization of nuclei, triad alignment, and the desmin intermediate filament network, while it did not normalize PtdIns3P levels, supporting phosphatase-independent roles of MTM1 in maintaining normal muscle performance and organelle positioning in skeletal muscle. Among the different XLCNM signs investigated, we identified only triad shape and fiber size distribution as being partially dependent on MTM1 phosphatase activity. In conclusion, this work uncovers MTM1 roles in the structural organization of muscle fibers that are independent of its enzymatic activity. This underlines that removal of enzymes should be used with care to conclude on the physiological importance of their activity

Genetic Interaction between MTMR2 and FIG4 Phospholipid Phosphatases Involved in Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathies

We previously reported that autosomal recessive demyelinating Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) type 4B1 neuropathy with myelin outfoldings is caused by loss of MTMR2 (Myotubularin-related 2) in humans, and we created a faithful mouse model of the disease. MTMR2 dephosphorylates both PtdIns3P and PtdIns(3,5)P2, thereby regulating membrane trafficking. However, the function of MTMR2 and the role of the MTMR2 phospholipid phosphatase activity in vivo in the nerve still remain to be assessed. Mutations in FIG4 are associated with CMT4J neuropathy characterized by both axonal and myelin damage in peripheral nerve. Loss of Fig4 function in the plt (pale tremor) mouse produces spongiform degeneration of the brain and peripheral neuropathy. Since FIG4 has a role in generation of PtdIns(3,5)P2 and MTMR2 catalyzes its dephosphorylation, these two phosphatases might be expected to have opposite effects in the control of PtdIns(3,5)P2 homeostasis and their mutations might have compensatory effects in vivo. To explore the role of the MTMR2 phospholipid phosphatase activity in vivo, we generated and characterized the Mtmr2/Fig4 double null mutant mice. Here we provide strong evidence that Mtmr2 and Fig4 functionally interact in both Schwann cells and neurons, and we reveal for the first time a role of Mtmr2 in neurons in vivo. Our results also suggest that imbalance of PtdIns(3,5)P2 is at the basis of altered longitudinal myelin growth and of myelin outfolding formation. Reduction of Fig4 by null heterozygosity and downregulation of PIKfyve both rescue Mtmr2-null myelin outfoldings in vivo and in vitro

Structure and Novel Functional Mechanism of Drosophila SNF in Sex-Lethal Splicing

Sans-fille (SNF) is the Drosophila homologue of mammalian general splicing factors U1A and U2B″, and it is essential in Drosophila sex determination. We found that, besides its ability to bind U1 snRNA, SNF can also bind polyuridine RNA tracts flanking the male-specific exon of the master switch gene Sex-lethal (Sxl) pre-mRNA specifically, similar to Sex-lethal protein (SXL). The polyuridine RNA binding enables SNF directly inhibit Sxl exon 3 splicing, as the dominant negative mutant SNF1621 binds U1 snRNA but not polyuridine RNA. Unlike U1A, both RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) of SNF can recognize polyuridine RNA tracts independently, even though SNF and U1A share very high sequence identity and overall structure similarity. As SNF RRM1 tends to self-associate on the opposite side of the RNA binding surface, it is possible for SNF to bridge the formation of super-complexes between two introns flanking Sxl exon 3 or between a intron and U1 snRNP, which serves the molecular basis for SNF to directly regulate Sxl splicing. Taken together, a new functional model for SNF in Drosophila sex determination is proposed. The key of the new model is that SXL and SNF function similarly in promoting Sxl male-specific exon skipping with SNF being an auxiliary or backup to SXL, and it is the combined dose of SXL and SNF governs Drosophila sex determination

An assessment of sediment-transport processes in the Lower Mekong River based on deposit grain sizes, the CM technique and flow-energy data

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PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A KINASE SPECIFIC FOR THE SERINE-RICH AND ARGININE-RICH PRE-MESSENGER-RNA SPLICING FACTORS

Members of the SR family of pre-mRNA splicing factors are phosphoproteins that share a phosphoepitope specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody (mAb) 104. Recent studies have indicated that phosphorylation may regulate the activity and the intracellular localization of these splicing factors. Here, we report the purification and kinetic properties of SR protein kinase 1 (SRPK1), a kinase specific for SR family members. We demonstrate that the kinase specifically recognizes the SR domain, which contains serine/arginine repeats. Previous studies have shown that dephosphorylated SR proteins did not react with mAb 104 and migrated faster in SDS gels than SR proteins from mammalian cells. We show that SRPK1 restores both mobility and mAB 104 reactivity to a SR protein SF2/ASF (splicing factor 2/alternative splicing factor) produced in bacteria, suggesting that SRPK1 is responsible for the generation of the mAb 104-specific phosphoepitope in vivo. Finally, we have correlated the effects of mutagenesis in the SR domain of SF2/ASF on splicing with those on phosphorylation of the protein by SRPK1, suggesting that phosphorylation of SR proteins is required for splicing

IL-26 in the induced sputum is associated with the level of systemic inflammation, lung functions and body weight in COPD patients

Lesia Savchenko,1 Marina Mykytiuk,1 Mathieu Cinato,2,3 Helene Tronchere,2,3 Oxana Kunduzova,2,3 Igor Kaidashev1 1Ukrainian Medical Stomatological Academy, Poltava, Ukraine; 2National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) U1048, Toulouse, France; 3Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toulouse, UPS, Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases, Toulouse, France Background: Chronic inflammatory process is the main link in COPD pathogenesis, which causes structural changes in the respiratory tract and lungs. In overweight patients, an adipose tissue could contribute to activation of the inflammatory process. Therefore, it is highly important to identify potential biomarkers of inflammation for patients with COPD and obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of interleukin-26 (IL-26) and evaluate the relationship between the level of systemic inflammation, lung function, and body mass index (BMI) in patients with COPD.Patients and methods: Eighty-three patients with COPD in the stable condition (stage 2 according to the 2016 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease recommendations), aged 40–70 years, were included in the study. All patients were divided into 2 groups: obese (n=53) (BMI – 30.0–39.9 kg/m2) and non-obese (n=30) (BMI – 18.5–24.9 kg/m2). We conducted patients’ examination, spirometry, induced the sputum, determined the level of C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin in serum and IL-26 in sputum.Results: Obese and non-obese COPD patients had a significant increase in IL-26 compared with healthy subjects by 2.3 and 2.6 (P=0.0003). We also observed a higher level of CRP by 1.38 times (P=0.0008), compared with the rate in non-obese COPD patients, and by 1.8 times (P=0.015) higher concentration level of leptin compared with healthy subjects. The sputum IL-26 level had positive correlation with BMI, CRP, and leptin, and a negative – with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital capacity. Leptin level had positive correlation with BMI and CRP, and negative with FEV1, FEV1/forced vital capacity.Conclusion: Obese COPD patients had a higher level of persistent systemic inflammation than non-obese ones, which is confirmed by a significant increase of CRP and leptin in serum. The data confirm that IL-26 can be considered as a perspective marker to detect the inflammation level in lung tissue of COPD patients. Keywords: COPD, obesity, interleukin-26, induced sputu