Project description:To understand the transcriptional response of mammalian cells to plasma membrane stress we induced partial loss of plasmid membrane integrity by chemogenetic induction of pore forming proteins (Gasderimin and MLKL) or treatment with the detergent digitonin. We monitored transcription with mRNAseq in the immediate hours after plasma membrane damage and identified conserved transcriptional programs.
Project description:Although the role of the Wnt pathway in colon carcinogenesis has been described previously, it has been recently demonstrated that Wnt signaling originates from highly dynamic nano-assemblies at the plasma membrane. However, little is known regarding the role of oncogenic APC in reshaping Wnt nanodomains. This is noteworthy, because oncogenic APC does not act autonomously and requires activation of Wnt effectors upstream of APC to drive aberrant Wnt signaling. Here, we demonstrate the role of oncogenic APC in increasing plasma membrane free cholesterol and rigidity, thereby modulating Wnt signaling hubs. This results in an overactivation of Wnt signaling in the colon. Finally, using the Drosophila sterol auxotroph model, we demonstrate the unique ability of exogenous free cholesterol to disrupt plasma membrane homeostasis and drive Wnt signaling in a wildtype APC background. Collectively, these findings provide a mechanistic link between oncogenic APC, loss of plasma membrane homeostasis and CRC development.
Project description:Necroptosis is a form of programmed cell death that is defined by activation of the kinase RIPK3, and subsequent cell membrane permeabilization by the effector MLKL. In addition to triggering cell death, RIPK3 activation can promote immune responses through the production of cytokines and chemokines. How active cytokine production is coordinated with the terminal process of necroptosis is unclear. Here, we report that cytokine production continues within necroptotic cells after cells have lost plasma membrane integrity and irreversibly commited to death. The continued production of inflammatory mediators was dependent on mRNA translation, and required maintanence of endoplasmic reticulum integrity, which remained in tact after plasma membrane integrity was lost. The continued translation of cytokines by cellular corpses contributed to necroptotic cell uptake by innate immune cells, as well as priming of adaptive immune responses to antigens associated with necroptotic corpses. These findings imply that necroptosis may represent a program in which cell death and production of inflammatory mediators are coordinated to optimize the immunogenicity of necroptotic cells.
Project description:In addition to nucleic acids, a variety of biomolecules have been found on the plasma membrane. Whereas, researchers have realized that RNA has the ability to bind to membrane vesicles in vitro and connect to the plasma membrane of the cell. Hence, the combination of high-throughput sequencing and in suit labelling methods provides approaches for large-scale identification of subcellular RNAs. Here, we applied the recently published method APEX-seq, and identified 75 plasma membrane-associated RNAs, of which lncRNA PMAR72 is located around the membrane. In addition, we observed that PMAR72 was concentrated into foci in specific membrane areas. Our findings will provide some new evidence to elaborate the relationship between RNA and the plasma membrane of mammalian cells.
Project description:The lipid raft resident protein, MAL2, has been implicated as contributing to the pathogenesis of several malignancies, including breast cancer, but the underlying mechanism for its effects on tumorigenesis is unknown. Here, we show that MAL2-mediated lipid raft formation leads to HER2 plasma membrane retention and enhanced HER2 signaling in breast cancer cells. We employed proximity ligation assays (PLA) to define physical interactions between HER2 and MAL2 in lipid rafts and super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SR-SIM imaging) to determine the structural organization of the HER2/Ezrin/NHERF1/PMCA2 protein complex. Formation of this protein complex maintains low intracellular calcium concentrations in the vicinity of the plasma membrane. Importantly, we also observed enhanced HER2-MAL2 protein interactions in lipid rafts in trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer cells. Our findings suggest that MAL2 is crucial for lipid raft formation, HER2 signaling and HER2 membrane stability in breast cancer cells, suggesting MAL2 as a potential therapeutic target.
Project description:Regulation of endothelial nutrient transport is poorly understood. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-B signaling in endothelial cells promotes uptake and transcytosis of fatty acids (FA) from the bloodstream to the underlying tissue, advancing pathological lipid accumulation and lipotoxicity in diabetic complications. Here we demonstrate a VEGF-B dependent obstruction of endothelial glucose transport attributed to plasma membrane lipid alterations affecting glucose transporter 1 function, which was independent of FA uptake. Specifically, VEGF-B signaling impaired recycling of low-density lipoprotein receptor to the plasma membrane, leading to reduced cholesterol uptake and membrane cholesterol loading, decreasing endothelial glucose uptake capacity. Inhibiting VEGF-B in vivo was accordingly linked to reconstitution of membrane cholesterol and induction of glucose uptake, of particular relevance for conditions inferring insulin resistance and diabetic complications. In summary, our study reveals a novel mechanism of action for VEGF-B in endothelial nutrient uptake and highlights the impact of membrane cholesterol for the regulation of endothelial glucose transport.
Project description:Plasma membrane proton pump maintains proton electrochemical gradient and provides energy to secondary transporters. Arabidopsis mutant plants with reduced proton pump activity grow normal under ideal growth conditions; however their growth are reduced compared with wildtype plants when placed under the conditions that stress on protonmotive force (high external pH or high external potassium).
Project description:Plasma membrane proton pump maintains proton electrochemical gradient and provides energy to secondary transporters. Arabidopsis mutant plants with reduced proton pump activity grow normal under ideal growth conditions; however their growth are reduced compared with wildtype plants when placed under the conditions that stress on protonmotive force (high external pH or high external potassium). Seedlings of wildtype, aha1, and aha2 mutant plants were grown under ideal growth condition. Total RNA from those seedlings were subjected to transcriptome analyses using Affymetrix Gene Chip.
Project description:Regulation of endothelial nutrient transport is poorly understood. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-B signaling in endothelial cells promotes uptake and transcytosis of fatty acids (FA) from the bloodstream to the underlying tissue, advancing pathological lipid accumulation and lipotoxicity in diabetic complications. Here we demonstrate a VEGF-B dependent obstruction of endothelial glucose transport attributed to plasma membrane lipid alterations affecting glucose transporter 1 function, which was independent of FA uptake. Specifically, VEGF-B signaling impaired recycling of low-density lipoprotein receptor to the plasma membrane, leading to reduced cholesterol uptake and membrane cholesterol loading, decreasing endothelial glucose uptake capacity. Inhibiting VEGF-B in vivo was accordingly linked to reconstitution of membrane cholesterol and induction of glucose uptake, of particular relevance for conditions inferring insulin resistance and diabetic complications. In summary, our study reveals a novel mechanism of action for VEGF-B in endothelial nutrient uptake and highlights the impact of membrane cholesterol for the regulation of endothelial glucose transport.