Signaling Steps Research Articles

315P - Inhibition of JAK1 sensitizes human head and neck cancer cells to cetuximab

BackgroundCetuximab (an inhibitor of EGFR) is commonly utilized for the treatment of head and neck cancers. It has been employed in combination with radiation or multi-agent chemotherapy for locoregionally advanced and metastatic head and neck cancer respectively. This study explored the use of cetuximab plus an JAK1 inhibitor (JAK1i), which is a protein that is downstream in EGFR signaling, in order to test whether this dual inhibition could accentuate the effects of cetuximab. MethodsHuman head and neck squamous cell cancer cells (UM-SCC-6 cells) were cultured as previously described (Bonner JA et al., BMC Cancer 15:673). The JAK1 inhibitor (JAK1i) was obtained from Calbiochem, LaJolla, CA. Standard assays of immunoblots, proliferation, apoptosis and comet assays were utilized (Bonner JA et al., BMC Cancer 15:673). ResultsThe combination of cetuximab (0.5 μg/ml) and JAK1i (1µM) resulted in greater inhibition of STAT-3 than either agent alone on immunoblot analysis. Likewise, the combination treatment resulted in greater inhibition of cell proliferation (at 72 hours), greater apoptosis and enhanced DNA double strand breaks (comet) compared to either agent given alone. ConclusionsCetuximab initially showed activity in head and neck cancer over 20 years ago. It is currently used in combination with radiation or chemotherapy for these patients. The results reported herein suggest that the anti-proliferative effects of cetuximab can be enhanced with the addition of JAK1 inhibition. Further work exploring the targeting of various steps in EGFR signaling is warranted in head and neck cancer. Legal entity responsible for the studyJames A. Bonner. FundingHas not received any funding. DisclosureJ.A. Bonner: Honoraria (institution), Advisory / Consultancy: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Honoraria (institution), Advisory / Consultancy: Eli Lily and Company; Honoraria (institution), Advisory / Consultancy: Merck Serono; Honoraria (institution), Advisory / Consultancy: Cel-Sci. E. Yang: Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): AstraZeneca; Research grant / Funding (institution): Eli Lilly. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Inhibition of human microsomal PGE2 synthase-1 reduces seizure-induced increases of P-glycoprotein expression and activity at the blood-brain barrier.

The cause of antiseizure drug (ASD) resistance in epilepsy is poorly understood. Here, we focus on the transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) that is partly responsible for limited ASD brain uptake, which is thought to contribute to ASD resistance. We previously demonstrated that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the prostaglandin E receptor, prostanoid E receptor subtype 1, are involved in seizure-mediated P-gp up-regulation. Thus, we hypothesized that inhibiting microsomal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthase-1 (mPGES-1), the enzyme generating PGE2, prevents blood-brain barrier P-gp up-regulation after status epilepticus (SE). To test our hypothesis, we exposed isolated brain capillaries to glutamate ex vivo and used a combined in vivo-ex vivo approach by isolating brain capillaries from humanized mPGES-1 mice to study P-gp levels. We demonstrate that glutamate signaling through the NMDA receptor, cytosolic phospholipase A2, COX-2, and mPGES-1 increases P-gp protein expression and transport activity levels. We show that mPGES-1 is expressed in human, rat, and mouse brain capillaries. We show that BI1029539, an mPGES-1 inhibitor, prevented up-regulation of P-gp expression and transport activity in capillaries exposed to glutamate and in capillaries from humanized mPGES-1 mice after SE. Our data provide key signaling steps underlying seizure-induced P-gp up-regulation and suggest that mPGES-1 inhibitors could potentially prevent P-gp up-regulation in epilepsy.-Soldner, E. L. B., Hartz, A. M. S., Akanuma, S.-I., Pekcec, A., Doods, H., Kryscio, R. J., Hosoya, K.-I., Bauer, B. Inhibition of human microsomal PGE2 synthase-1 reduces seizure-induced increases of P-glycoprotein expression and activity at the blood-brain barrier.

Structural biology of the TGFβ family.

The transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling pathway orchestrates a wide breadth of biological processes, ranging from bone development to reproduction. Given this, there has been a surge of interest from the drug development industry to modulate the pathway – at several points. This review discusses and provides additional context for several layers of the TGFβ signaling pathway from a structural biology viewpoint. The combination of structural techniques coupled with biophysical studies has provided a foundational knowledge of the molecular mechanisms governing this high impact, ubiquitous pathway, underlying many of the current therapeutic pursuits. This work seeks to consolidate TGFβ-related structural knowledge and educate other researchers of the apparent gaps that still prove elusive. We aim to highlight the importance of these structures and provide the contextual information to understand the contribution to the field, with the hope of advancing the discussion and exploration of the TGFβ signaling pathway. Impact statement The transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling pathway is a multifacetted and highly regulated pathway, forming the underpinnings of a large range of biological processes. Here, we review and consolidate the key steps in TGFβ signaling using literature rooted in structural and biophysical techniques, with a focus on molecular mechanisms and gaps in knowledge. From extracellular regulation to ligand–receptor interactions and intracellular activation cascades, we hope to provide an introductory base for understanding the TGFβ pathway as a whole.

GR Dimerization and the Impact of GR Dimerization on GR Protein Stability and Half-Life.

Pharmacologically, glucocorticoids, which mediate their effects via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), are a most effective therapy for inflammatory diseases despite the fact that chronic use causes side-effects and acquired GC resistance. The design of drugs with fewer side-effects and less potential for the development of resistance is therefore considered crucial for improved therapy. Dimerization of the GR is an integral step in glucocorticoid signaling and has been identified as a possible molecular site to target for drug development of anti-inflammatory drugs with an improved therapeutic index. Most of the current understanding regarding the role of GR dimerization in GC signaling derives for dimerization deficient mutants, although the role of ligands biased toward monomerization has also been described. Even though designing for loss of dimerization has mostly been applied for reduction of side-effect profile, designing for loss of dimerization may also be a fruitful strategy for the development of GC drugs with less potential to develop GC resistance. GC-induced resistance affects up to 30% of users and is due to a reduction in the GR functional pool. Several molecular mechanisms of GC-mediated reductions in GR pool have been described, one of which is the autologous down-regulation of GR density by the ubiquitin-proteasome-system (UPS). Loss of GR dimerization prevents autologous down-regulation of the receptor through modulation of interactions with components of the UPS and post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as phosphorylation, which prime the GR for degradation. Rational design of conformationally biased ligands that select for a monomeric GR conformation, which increases GC sensitivity through improving GR protein stability and increasing half-life, may be a productive avenue to explore. However, potential drawbacks to this approach should be considered as well as the advantages and disadvantages in chronic vs. acute treatment regimes.

Mechanistic Insights into Specific G Protein Interactions with Adenosine Receptors.

Coupling between G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and the G proteins is a key step in cellular signaling. Despite extensive experimental and computational studies, the mechanism of specific GPCR-G protein coupling remains poorly understood. This has greatly hindered effective drug design of GPCRs that are primary targets of ∼1/3 of currently marketed drugs. Here, we have employed all-atom simulations using a robust Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics (GaMD) method to decipher the mechanism of the GPCR-G protein interactions. Adenosine receptors (ARs) were used as model systems based on very recently determined cryo-EM structures of the A1AR and A2AAR coupled with the Gi and Gs proteins, respectively. Changing the Gi protein to the Gs led to increased fluctuations in the A1AR and agonist adenosine (ADO), while agonist 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) binding in the A2AAR could be still stabilized upon changing the Gs protein to the Gi. Free energy calculations identified one stable low-energy conformation for each of the A1AR-Gi and A2AAR-Gs complexes as in the cryo-EM structures, similarly for the A2AAR-Gi complex. In contrast, the ADO agonist and Gs protein sampled multiple conformations in the A1AR-Gs system. GaMD simulations thus indicated that the A1AR preferred to couple with the Gi protein to the Gs, while the A2AAR could couple with both the Gs and Gi proteins, being highly consistent with experimental findings of the ARs. More importantly, detailed analysis of the atomic simulations showed that the specific AR-G protein coupling resulted from remarkably complementary residue interactions at the protein interface, involving mainly the receptor transmembrane 6 helix and the Gα α5 helix and α4-β6 loop. In summary, the GaMD simulations have provided unprecedented insights into the dynamic mechanism of specific GPCR-G protein interactions at an atomistic level.

Dampening of mast cell secondary responses to allergen involves specific signalling and epigenetic changes

Allergic diseases are increasing worldwide. Allergen and IgE dependent mast cell (MC) activation is the major initiator of these clinical symptoms. During this study, the effect of multiple exposures to the same allergen, on MC degranulation was studied. First, MC recovery in terms of surface expression of high affinity receptor FcεRI, and granule content after a primary allergen challenge was confirmed. Overall, previous exposure of MCs to allergen challenge led to a significant reduction in pre-stored mediator release during the secondary challenge at various time points and with various doses of allergen in vitro. The dampened response was not due to any defects in very early steps in signalling involving FcεRI activation. Inhibition of dampening response during secondary challenge by various inhibitors like wortmannin, tranylcypromine and pargyline, indicated the involvement of PI3K signalling and chromatin modifications. Our study provides insight into new therapeutic avenues for treating allergic disorders targeting MCs.

Myristoylation-Dependent Palmitoylation of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Adaptor FRS2α.

An early step in signaling from activated receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) is the recruitment of cytosolic adaptor proteins to autophosphorylated tyrosines in the receptor cytoplasmic domains. Fibroblast growth factor receptor substrate 2α (FRS2α) associates via its phosphotyrosine-binding domain (PTB) to FGF receptors (FGFRs). Upon FGFR activation, FRS2α undergoes phosphorylation on multiple tyrosines, triggering recruitment of the adaptor Grb2 and the tyrosine phosphatase Shp2, resulting in stimulation of PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways. FRS2α also undergoes N-myristoylation, which was shown to be important for its localization to membranes and its ability to stimulate downstream signaling events (Kouhara et al., 1997). Here we show that FRS2α is also palmitoylated in cells and that cysteines 4 and 5 account for the entire modification. We further show that mutation of those two cysteines interferes with FRS2α localization to the plasma membrane (PM), and we quantify this observation using fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy approaches. Importantly, prevention of myristoylation by introduction of a G2A mutation also abrogates palmitoylation, raising the possibility that signaling defects previously ascribed to the G2A mutant may actually be due to a failure of that mutant to undergo palmitoylation. Our results demonstrate that FRS2α undergoes coupled myristoylation and palmitoylation. Unlike stable cotranslational modifications, such as myristoylation and prenylation, palmitoylation is reversible due to the relative lability of the thioester linkage. Therefore, palmitoylation may provide a mechanism, in addition to phosphorylation, for dynamic regulation of FRS2 and its downstream signaling pathways.

1774-P: Maternal Apical Periodontitis Promotes Insulin Resistance in Adult Offspring

Background: Adverse stimuli applied during early fetal development can increase the risk of diseases in adulthood. Aim: This study investigated the plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) of rats with maternal apical periodontitis (AP). We also explored the effect of maternal inflammation on the initial steps of insulin signaling and the inflammatory pathway in the gastrocnemius muscle (GM) of adult offspring. Methodology: Fifteen female Wistar rats were distributed into control group (CN), group with 1 AP (1AP) and group with 4 AP (4AP). Thirty days following induction of AP, female rats from all groups were mated with healthy male rats. When male offspring reached 75 days of age, plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and TNF-α were quantified. Insulin resistance was evaluated by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. Phosphorylation status of pp185 tyrosine, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) serine, IκB kinase α/β (IKKα/β), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the GM were measured by western blot. Results: Maternal AP promotes insulin resistance, impairs the initial steps of insulin signaling, increases plasma concentrations of insulin and TNF-α, and enhances IKKα/β phosphorylation in the GM of adult offspring. However, maternal AP does not seem to affect fasting glycemia and JNK phosphorylation in the GM of adult offspring. Conclusions: Maternal AP promotes important alterations in insulin signaling and inflammation pathways, and leads to insulin resistance in adult offspring. Disclosure T.V. Tsosura: None. F.Y. Chiba: None. M.S. Mattera: None. R.F. Pereira: None. C.A. Garbin: None. L.T. Cintra: None. D.H. Sumida: None. Funding São Paulo Research Foundation (2017-01128-1)

147-LB: PATAS, an Adipocyte-Targeted Peptide Approach to Treat Type 2 Diabetes and Associated Comorbidities

Studying rare genetic disorders, associating type 2 diabetes, is a valuable approach to decipher disease origins as a specific causal gene can be linked to the diabetic phenotype. Understanding the related protein functions favors the discovery of new pathways, hence the design of new therapies. We focused on an ultra-rare genetic disorder, the Alström syndrome, associated with severe early-onset type 2 diabetes, obesity, steatosis and generalized fibrosis and for which a unique gene is consistently found mutated in ALMS patients, ALMS1 gene. Combining clinical, multiomics and in vivo mouse data, we discovered that ALMS1 regulates the ultimate steps of insulin signaling in the adipocyte, controlling fusion of GLUT4 sorting vesicles with the plasma membrane. ALMS1 binds to αPKC in the GLUT4 sorting vesicles vicinity and, under insulin stimulus, releases αPKC to trigger GLUT4 plasma membrane entry and glucose absorption. ALMS1 inactivation specifically inhibits adipocyte’s glucose absorption. In mice, the diabetic, steatotic and fibrotic phenotypes were linked to switching adipocyte energy tropism from glucose to lipids corelated with fatty acid transporters’ upregulation like FATP2 in the adipocyte; also observed in ALMS patients’ adipocytes. This change in fuel source in the adipocyte is the underlying cause for the observed metabolic disorders in vivo; primarily mediated through lipid signaling. Insulin-independent glucose absorption was achieved in normal adipocytes using a cell-penetrant, stapled peptide termed PATAS that targets ALMS1/αPKC protein interaction and in vivo can restore physiological adipocyte’s glucose energy tropism. Several in-house and outsourced experiments have demonstrated that PATAS administration significantly improves glucose intolerance, fasting blood glucose levels, liver steatosis and fibrosis in different mouse and rat models thereby making PATAS a potential novel drug to treat type 2 diabetes and its associated complications. Disclosure V. Marion: Research Support; Self; Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Stock/Shareholder; Self; ALMS THERAPEUTICS.

Local pharmacological induction of angiogenesis: Drugs for cells and cells as drugs

The past decades have seen significant advances in pro-angiogenic strategies based on delivery of molecules and cells for conditions such as coronary artery disease, critical limb ischemia and stroke. Currently, three major strategies are evolving. Firstly, various pharmacological agents (growth factors, interleukins, small molecules, DNA/RNA) are locally applied at the ischemic region. Secondly, preparations of living cells with considerable bandwidth of tissue origin, differentiation state and preconditioning are delivered locally, rarely systemically. Thirdly, based on the notion, that cellular effects can be attributed mostly to factors secreted in situ, the cellular secretome (conditioned media, exosomes) has come into the spotlight. We review these three strategies to achieve (neo)angiogenesis in ischemic tissue with focus on the angiogenic mechanisms they tackle, such as transcription cascades, specific signalling steps and cellular gases. We also include cancer-therapy relevant lymphangiogenesis, and shall seek to explain why there are often conflicting data between in vitro and in vivo. The lion's share of data encompassing all three approaches comes from experimental animal work and we shall highlight common technical obstacles in the delivery of therapeutic molecules, cells, and secretome. This plethora of preclinical data contrasts with a dearth of clinical studies. A lack of adequate delivery vehicles and standardised assessment of clinical outcomes might play a role here, as well as regulatory, IP, and manufacturing constraints of candidate compounds; in addition, completed clinical trials have yet to reveal a successful and efficacious strategy. As the biology of angiogenesis is understood well enough for clinical purposes, it will be a matter of time to achieve success for well-stratified patients, and most probably with a combination of compounds.

A Symphytum officinale Root Extract Exerts Anti-inflammatory Properties by Affecting Two Distinct Steps of NF-κB Signaling.

Symphytum officinale, commonly known as comfrey, constitutes a traditional medicinal plant with a long-standing therapeutic history, and preparations thereof have been widely used for the treatment of painful muscle and joint complaints, wound and bone healing, and inflammation. Today, its topical use is based on its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, which have been substantiated by modern clinical trials. However, the molecular basis of its action remained elusive. Here, we show that a hydroalcoholic extract of comfrey root impairs the development of a pro-inflammatory scenario in primary human endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. The extract, and especially its mucilage-depleted fraction, impair the interleukin-1 (IL-1) induced expression of pro-inflammatory markers including E-selectin, VCAM1, ICAM1, and COX-2. Both preparations inhibit the activation of NF-κB, a transcription factor of central importance for the expression of these and other pro-inflammatory genes. Furthermore, our biochemical studies provide evidence that comfrey inhibits NF-κB signaling at two stages: it dampens not only the activation of IKK1/2 and the subsequent IκBα degradation, but also interferes with NF-κB p65 nucleo-cytoplasmatic shuttling and transactivation. These results provide a first mechanistic insight into the mode of action of a century-old popular herbal medicine.

PCH1 regulates light, temperature, and circadian signaling as a structural component of phytochrome B-photobodies in Arabidopsis

The members of the phytochrome (phy) family of bilin-containing photoreceptors are major regulators of plant photomorphogenesis through their unique ability to photointerconvert between a biologically inactive red light-absorbing Pr state and an active far-red light-absorbing Pfr state. While the initial steps in Pfr signaling are unclear, an early event for the phyB isoform after photoconversion is its redistribution from the cytoplasm into subnuclear foci known as photobodies (PBs), which dissipate after Pfr reverts back to Pr by far-red irradiation or by temperature-dependent nonphotochemical reversion. Here we present evidence that PHOTOPERIODIC CONTROL OF HYPOCOTYL 1 (PCH1) functions both as an essential structural component of phyB-containing PBs and as a direct regulator of thermal reversion that is sufficient to stabilize phyB as Pfr in vitro. By examining the genetic interaction between a constitutively active phyBY276H-YFP allele (YHB-YFP) and PCH1, we show that the loss of PCH1 prevents YHB from coalescing into PBs without affecting its nuclear localization, whereas overexpression of PCH1 dramatically increases PB levels. Loss of PCH1, presumably by impacting phyB-PB assembly, compromises a number of events elicited in YHB-YFP plants, including their constitutive photomorphogenic phenotype, red light-regulated thermomorphogenesis, and input of phyB into the circadian clock. Conversely, elevated levels of both phyB and PCH1 generate stable, yet far-red light-reversible PBs that persisted for days. Collectively, our data demonstrate that the assembly of PCH1-containing PBs is critical for phyB signaling to multiple outputs and suggest that altering PB dynamics could be exploited to modulate plant responses to light and temperature.

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 activation by Nox1-derived oxidants is required for TNFα receptor endocytosis.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) is a proinflammatory cytokine that is closely linked to the development of cardiovascular disease. TNFα activates NADPH oxidase 1 (Nox1) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), including superoxide (O2·-), production extracellularly is required for subsequent signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase that is activated by oxidation of associated thioredoxin. The role of ASK1 in Nox1-mediated signaling by TNFα is poorly defined. We hypothesized that ASK1 is required for TNFα receptor endocytosis and subsequent inflammatory TNFα signaling. We employed a knockdown strategy to explore the role of ASK1 in TNFα signaling in VSMCs. siRNA targeting ASK1 had no effect on TNFα-induced extracellular O2·- production. However, siASK1 inhibited receptor endocytosis as well as phosphorylation of two endocytosis-related proteins, dynamin1 and caveolin1. Intracellular O2·- production was subsequently reduced, as were other inflammatory signaling steps including NF-κB activation, IL-6 production, inducible nitric oxide synthase and VCAM expression, and VSMC proliferation. Prolonged exposure to TNFα (24 h) increased tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) subtype 1 and 2 expression, and these effects were also attenuated by siASK1. ASK1 coimmunoprecipitated with both Nox1 and the leucine rich repeat containing 8A anion channel, two essential components of the TNFR1 signaling complex. Activation of ASK1 by autophosphorylation at Thr845 occurs following thioredoxin dissociation, and this requires the presence of Nox1. Thus, Nox1 is part of the multiprotein ASK1 signaling complex. In response to TNFα, ASK1 is activated by Nox1-derived oxidants, and this plays a critical role in translating these ROS into a physiologic response in VSMCs. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) drives dynamin1 and caveolin1 phosphorylation and TNFα receptor endocytosis. ASK1 modulates TNFα-induced NF-κB activation, survival, and proliferation. ASK1 and NADPH oxidase 1 (Nox1) physically associate in a multiprotein signaling complex. Nox1 is required for TNFα-induced ASK1 activation.

Maternal apical periodontitis is associated with insulin resistance in adult offspring.

To investigate the plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) of rats with maternal apical periodontitis (AP) and to explore the effect of maternal inflammation on the initial steps of insulin signalling and the inflammatory pathway in the gastrocnemius muscle (GM) and periepididymal white adipose tissue (pWAT) of adult offspring. Fifteen female Wistar rats were distributed into a control group (CN), a group with 1 tooth with AP (1AP) and a group with 4 teeth with AP (4AP). Thirty days following induction of AP, female rats from all groups were mated with healthy male rats. When male offspring reached 75days of age, plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin and TNF-α were quantified. Insulin resistance was evaluated by the homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. Phosphorylation status of pp185 tyrosine, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) serine, IκB kinase α/β (IKKα/β) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the GM and pWAT were measured by Western blot. Analysis of variance was performed, followed by the Tukey's post hoc test. P values <0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Maternal AP promoted insulin resistance, impaired the initial steps of insulin signalling, significantly increased plasma concentrations of insulin (P<0.001) and TNF-α (P<0.05), and enhanced IKKα/β phosphorylation in the GM and pWAT (P<0.05) of adult offspring. However, maternal AP did not affect fasting glycaemia and JNK phosphorylation in the GM and pWAT of adult offspring. Maternal AP was associated with insulin resistance in adult offspring through alterations in insulin signalling and inflammation pathways. The study provides information on the impact of maternal AP on the development of metabolic alterations such as insulin resistance in adult offspring and reinforces the importance of preventing maternal AP in order to maintain the general health of offspring.

Measurements of Lipid Vesicle Charge in Solutions of Zwitterions

Binding of water soluble molecules to biological membranes is an important step in cellular signaling. We investigate the physical nature of such interactions using model lipid membranes. In particular, neutral lipid vesicles can acquire electrostatic charge by binding free ions from solution. Interestingly, they can also acquire charge from zwitterionic molecules that have dipole character. Examples are amino acids, pH buffers such as MOPS and HEPES, as well as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and its hydrolysis products. By using x-ray scattering we have determined that the presence of zwitterions affects the lattice spacing of multilamellar phosphatidylcholine vesicles in a manner that is consistent with the presence of electrostatic repulsion between neighboring membranes. The remaining question is how to quantify the surface electric charge and, equally interesting, how to determine the sign of the charge conferred by zwitterions on membranes. Here we report measurements by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and by diffusion of phosphatidylcholine lipid vesicles in constant electric fields for a class of zwitterionic solutes. We find that the measured electrostatic charging can qualitatively account for the swelling of multilamellar structures and is consistent with NMR measurements of molecular binding. However, the results also show that more theoretical work is needed for quantitative analysis of electrostatic and van der Waals forces in these systems and for explanation of zwitterion affinities to biological membranes.

Beyond the TCR, Antigen Discrimination in T Cells Continues in the LAT:GRB2:SOS Protein Condensate

T cells activate in response to a stochastic series of single molecule binding events between T cell receptors (TCRs) and peptide ligands presented on major histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs) accumulated at a cell-cell interface. Discrimination between ligands with subtly different affinities ensures selective and robust immunological responses upon TCR triggering. Formation of protein condensates based on the scaffolding protein Linker for Activation of T cells (LAT) is a key intermediate step in TCR signaling. LAT is multi-phosphorylated on tyrosine residues by the kinase, ZAP70, which is activated by triggered TCRs. The phosphotyrosines recruit Grb2, which, via interactions with the multivalent GEF, SOS, forms an extended LAT:Grb2:SOS assembly that resembles a phase transition. We mapped single pMHC:TCR binding events in T cells expressing fluorescent protein-tagged LAT and show that LAT assemblies are discrete and have characteristic features that are independent of the originating binding event. Furthermore, LAT assemblies can become spatially uncoupled from the pMHC:TCR complex. These individual assemblies are capable of deforming the plasma membrane and creating local domains that may participate in protein segregation or control reaction kinetics. The probability of LAT assembly is a function of the pMHC affinity, suggesting a second layer of kinetic proofreading that exists beyond the triggered TCR. We recently introduced a molecular impulse-response assay which maps pMHC:TCR binding events to early T cell activation. Results here argue that LAT assemblies may confer a molecular memory that connects a series of spatiotemporally correlated binding events to cellular decision-making. By extending the impulse-response assay, we show that activating cells experience a characteristic, fast rate of LAT assembly. Taken together, we present new molecular dimensions to T cell activation that could provide actionable therapeutic insights.

Imperatorin Suppresses Anaphylactic Reaction and IgE-Mediated Allergic Responses by Inhibiting Multiple Steps of FceRI Signaling in Mast Cells: IMP Alleviates Allergic Responses in PCA.

This study is to investigate the effects of imperatorin (IMP) on allergic responses mediated by mast cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) model was established. Histological detection was performed to assess the ear histology. ELISA and Western blot analysis were used to detect the levels of corresponding cytokines and signalling pathway proteins. IMP decreased the leakage of Evans blue and the ear thickness in the PCA models, in a dose-dependent manner, and alleviated the degranulation of mast cells. Moreover, IMP reduced the expression of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-1β, IL-8, and IL-13. Furthermore, IMP inhibited the phosphorylation levels of Syk, Lyn, PLC-γ1, and Gab2, as well as the downstream MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB signaling pathways. In addition, IMP inhibited the mast cell-mediated allergic responses through the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. IMP attenuates the allergic responses through inhibiting the degranulation and decreasing the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the mast cells, involving the PI3K/Akt, MAPK, NF-κB, and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways.

Single-molecule force spectroscopy to decipher the early signalling step in membrane-bound penicillin receptors embedded into a lipid bilayer.

Understanding the molecular mechanism by which the signal of the presence of an antibiotic is transduced from outside to inside the bacterial cell is of fundamental interest for the β-lactam antibiotic resistance problem, but remains difficult to accomplish. No approach has ever addressed entire penicillin receptors in a membrane environment. Here we describe a method to investigate the purified Bacillus licheniformis BlaR1 receptor -a membrane-bound penicillin receptor involved in β-lactam resistance- embedded into a lipid bilayer in absence or presence of penicillin. By selecting a mutated receptor blocked in its signal transduction pathway just after its activation by penicillin, we revealed the very first step of receptor signalling by unfolding the receptor from its C-terminal end by AFM-based single-molecule force spectroscopy. We showed that the presence of the antibiotic entails significant conformational changes within the receptor. Our approach opens an avenue to study signal-transduction pathways mediated by membrane-bound proteins in a membrane environment.

Lipid-mediated regulation of pro-inflammatory responses induced by lipopolysaccharide.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) is the component of the outer membrane of Gramnegative bacteria which upon infection induces the body's inflammatory reaction facilitating eradication of pathogens. However, exaggerated reactions to LPS can lead to potentially deadly sepsis while chronic, low-grade inflammation is linked with the development of several metabolic diseases, like type 2 diabetes. These processes are initiated by the binding of LPS to CD14 protein and the TLR4/MD2 receptor complex located in the plasma membrane of immune cells and also by the activation of a cytoplasmic multi-protein complex called the inflammasome. Recent studies have shown that lipids of the plasma membrane and endomembranes are important regulators of LPS-triggered signaling pathways. In this review we summarize those data emphasizing the role of phosphatidylinositols and modification of proteins by palmitoylation. Dysregulation of the lipid-dependent steps of the LPS-induced signaling can lead to excessive production of cytokines during sepsis and metabolic diseases linked with endotoxemia.

Properties of cell signaling pathways and gene expression systems operating far from steady-state

Ligand-receptor systems, covalent modification cycles, and transcriptional networks are basic units of signaling systems and their steady-state properties are well understood. However, the behavior of such systems before steady-state is poorly characterized. Here, we analyzed the properties of input-output curves for each of these systems as they approach steady-state. In ligand-receptor systems, the EC50 (concentration of the ligand that occupies 50% of the receptors) is higher before the system reaches steady-state. Based on this behavior, we have previously defined PRESS (for pre-equilibrium sensing and signaling), a general “systems level” mechanism cells may use to overcome input saturation. Originally, we showed that, given a step stimulation, PRESS operates when the kinetics of ligand-receptor binding are slower than the downstream signaling steps. Now, we show that, provided the input increases slowly, it is not essential for the ligand binding reaction itself to be slow. In addition, we demonstrate that covalent modification cycles and gene expression systems may also operate in PRESS mode. Thus, nearly all biochemical processes may operate in PRESS mode, suggesting that this mechanism may be ubiquitous in cell signaling systems.