Biology subjects

Paton, A. W.

Publications and source records attributed to Paton, A. W..

16 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Induction of the ISR by AB5 subtilase cytotoxin drives IFN-I expression in pDCs via STING activation

We demonstrate that exposure to the AB5 subtilase cytotoxin (SubAB) induces the unfolded protein response (UPR) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, concomitant with a pro-inflammatory response across distinct cell subsets. Notably, SubAB selectively induces type-I interferon (IFN) expression in plasmacytoid dendritic cells, acting synergistically with Toll-like receptor 7 stimulation. The induction of type-I IFN in response to SubAB relies on stimulator of interferon genes (STING) activation, coupled with protein synthesis inhibition mediated by protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase and phosphorylation of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit-alpha. By impeding mRNA translation through the integrated stress response, SubAB precipitates the downregulation of the negative innate signaling feedback regulator Tax1-binding protein 1. This downregulation is necessary to unleash TANK-binding kinase 1 signaling associated with STING activation. These findings shed new light on how UPR-inducing conditions may regulate the immune system during infection or pathogenesis.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2023

Adapting the endoplasmic reticulum proteostasis rescues epilepsy-associated NMDA receptor variants

The GRIN genes encoding N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunits are remarkably intolerant to variation. Many pathogenic NMDAR variants result in their protein misfolding, inefficient assembly, reduced surface expression, and impaired functionality at the plasma membrane, causing neurological disorders including epilepsy and intellectual disability. Here, we concentrate on the proteostasis maintenance of NMDARs containing epilepsy-associated variations in the GluN2A (or NR2A) subunit, including M705V and A727T. We showed that these two variants are targeted to the proteasome for degradation and have reduced functional surface expression. We demonstrated that the application of BIX, a known small molecule activator of an HSP70 family chaperone BiP (Binding immunoglobulin Protein) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), significantly increases total and surface protein levels, and thus the function of the M705V and A727T variants in HEK293T cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that BIX promotes folding, inhibits degradation, and enhances anterograde trafficking of the M705V variant by modest activation of the IRE1 pathway of the unfolded protein response. Our results showed that adapting the ER proteostasis network restores the folding, trafficking, and function of pathogenic NMDAR variants, representing a potential treatment for neurological disorders resulting from NMDAR dysfunction.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Inflammatory cytokines rewire the proinsulin interaction network in human islets

Aberrant biosynthesis and secretion of the insulin precursor proinsulin occurs in both Type I and Type II diabetes (T1D, T2D). Inflammatory cytokines are implicated in pancreatic islet stress in both forms of diabetes but the mechanisms remain unclear. Here we examined how the diabetes associated cytokines interleukin-1{beta} and interferon-{gamma} alter proinsulin interactions with proteins that regulate its folding, trafficking, and secretion. Human islets treated with cytokines exhibited secretion of proinsulin, IL6 and nitrite, as well as evidence of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Unbiased proinsulin Affinity Purification-Mass Spectrometry revealed a proinsulin interactome reshaped by cytokines relative to controls. Cytokine treatment increased proinsulin binding to multiple ER chaperones and oxidoreductases, including the major ER chaperone BiP. Moreover, increased BiP binding was an adaptive response required to maintain proinsulin folding in the inflammatory environment. Cytokines also regulated novel interactions between proinsulin and T1D and T2D GWAS candidate proteins not previously known to interact with proinsulin (e.g., Ataxin-2) and these GWAS proteins formed a tight network with each other. Finally, cytokines induced proinsulin interactions with a cluster of microtubule motor proteins. Consistent with a role for these proteins in proinsulin trafficking and release, chemical destabilization of microtubules with Nocodazole exacerbated cytokine induced proinsulin secretion. Together, the data quantitatively map the proinsulin interactome rewired by cytokines, shedding new light on how human proinsulin biosynthesis is dysregulated by an inflammatory environment.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2021

N-glycolylneuraminic acid serum biomarker levels are elevated in breast cancer patients at all stages of disease.

BackgroundNormal human tissues do not express glycans terminating with the sialic acid N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), yet Neu5Gc-containing glycans have been consistently found in human tumor tissues, cells and secretions and have been proposed as a cancer biomarker. We engineered a Neu5Gc-specific lectin called SubB2M, and previously reported elevated Neu5Gc biomarkers in serum from ovarian cancer patients using a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)-based assay. Here we report an optimized SubB2M SPR-based assay and use this new assay to analyse sera from breast cancer patients for Neu5Gc levels. MethodsTo enhance specificity of our SPR-based assay, we included a non-sialic acid binding version of SubB, SubBA12, to control for any non-specific binding to SubB2M, which improved discrimination of cancer-free controls from early-stage ovarian cancer. We analysed 96 serum samples from breast cancer patients at all stages of disease compared to 22 cancer-free controls using our optimized SubB2M-A12-SPR assay. We also analysed a collection of serum samples collected at 6 monthly intervals from breast cancer patients at high risk for disease recurrence or spread. ResultsAnalysis of sera from breast cancer cases revealed significantly elevated levels of Neu5Gc biomarkers at all stages of breast cancer. We show that Neu5Gc serum biomarker levels can discriminate breast cancer patients from cancer-free individuals with 98.96% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Analysis of serum collected prospectively, post-diagnosis, from breast cancer patients at high risk for disease recurrence showed a trend for a decrease in Neu5Gc levels immediately following treatment for those in remission. ConclusionsNeu5Gc serum biomarkers are a promising new tool for early detection and disease monitoring for breast cancer that may complement current imaging- and biopsy-based approaches.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Sialoglycan microarray encoding reveals differential sialoglycan binding of phylogenetically-related bacterial AB5 toxin B subunits

Vertebrate sialic acids (Sias) display much diversity in modifications, linkages and underlying glycans. Slide microarrays allow high-throughput explorations of sialoglycan-protein interactions. A microarray presenting [~]150 structurally-defined sialyltrisaccharides with various Sias linkages and modifications still poses challenges in planning, data sorting, visualization and analysis. To address these issues, we devised a simple 9-digit code for sialyltrisaccharides with terminal Sias and underlying two monosaccharides assigned from the non-reducing end, with three digits assigning a monosaccharide, its modifications, and linkage. Calculations based on the encoding system reveals >113,000 likely linear sialyltrisaccharides in nature. Notably a biantennary N-glycan with two terminal sialyltrisaccharides could thus have >1010 potential combinations and a triantennary N-glycan with three terminal sequences, >1015 potential combinations. While all possibilities likely do not exist in nature, sialoglycans encode enormous diversity. While glycomic approaches are used to probe such diverse sialomes, naturally-occurring bacterial AB5 toxin B subunits are simpler tools to track the dynamic sialome in biological systems. Sialoglycan microarray was utilized to compare sialoglycan-recognizing bacterial toxin B subunits. Unlike the poor correlation between B subunits and species phylogeny, there is stronger correlation with Sia-epitope preferences. Further supporting this pattern, we report a B subunit (YenB) from Yersinia enterocolitica (broad host range) recognizing almost all sialoglycans in the microarray, including 4-O-acetylated-Sias not recognized by a Y. pestis orthologue (YpeB). Differential Sia-binding patterns were also observed with phylogenetically-related B subunits from Escherichia coli (SubB), Salmonella Typhi (PltB), S. Typhimurium (ArtB), extra-intestinal E.coli (EcPltB), Vibrio cholera (CtxB), and cholera family homologue of E. coli (EcxB).

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Rapid evolution of bacterial AB5 toxin B subunits independent of A subunits: sialic acid binding preferences correlate with host range and toxicity

Cytotoxic A subunits of bacterial AB5 toxins enter the cytosol following B subunit binding to host cell glycans. We report that A subunit phylogeny evolves independently of B subunits and suggest a future B subunit nomenclature based on species name. Phylogenetic analysis of B subunits that bind sialic acids (Sias) with homologous molecules in databases also show poor correlation with phylogeny. These data indicate ongoing lateral gene transfers between species, with mixing of A and B subunits. Some B subunits are not even associated with A subunits e.g., YpeB of Yersinia pestis, the etiologic agent of plague epidemics. Plague cannot be eradicated because of Y. pestis adaptability to numerous hosts. YpeB shares 58% identity/79% similarity with the homo-pentameric B subunit of E. coli Subtilase cytotoxin, and 48% identity/68% similarity with the B subunit of S. Typhi typhoid toxin. We previously showed selective binding of B5 pentamers to a sialoglycan microarray, with Sia preferences corresponding to hosts e.g., N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac; prominent in humans) or N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc; prominent in ruminant mammals and rodents). Consistent with much broader host range of Y. pestis, YpeB binds all mammalian sialic acid types, except for 4-O-acetylated ones. Notably, YpeB alone causes dose-dependent cytotoxicity, abolished by a mutation (Y77F) eliminating Sia recognition, suggesting cell proliferation and death via lectin-like cross-linking of cell surface sialoglycoconjugates. These findings help explain the host range of Y. pestis and could be important for pathogenesis. Overall, our data indicate ongoing rapid evolution of both host Sias and pathogen toxin-binding properties.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Stress-induced protein disaggregation in the Endoplasmic Reticulum catalysed by BiP

Protein synthesis is supported by cellular machineries that ensure polypeptides fold to their native three-dimensional conformation with high fidelity whilst eliminating misfolded, aggregation-prone species. While protein aggregates can contribute to pathologies exemplified by Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases, their abundance is normally minimised by molecular chaperones such as HSP70/90, which promote native folding and drive the recycling of aberrantly folded species. Cytoplasmic chaperones (e.g. HSP70/40) can resolve insoluble protein aggregates should the preventive mechanisms falter. However, it is unknown whether an analogous disaggregation system is needed and exists in the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER), where [~]30% of the proteome is synthesised. Here we show that the ER of a variety of mammalian cell types, including neurons, is endowed with the capability to resolve protein aggregates that accumulate upon expression of metastable proteins. Utilising a purpose-developed protein aggregation probing system with a sub-organellar resolution, we observed steady-state aggregate accumulation in the ER. Strikingly, pharmacological induction of ER stress did not augment aggregates but rather stimulated their clearance within hours. We found that this disaggregation activity was catalysed by the stress-responsive ER molecular chaperone - BiP. Its elimination abolished the disaggregation activity in cells. Further, we reconstructed the disaggregation-reaction in-vitro by a minimal system of ATP-fuelled BiP and its J-protein cofactor. These data reveal a hitherto unknown, non-redundant function of the ER stress response. Thus, our findings may facilitate the identification of aggregation-antagonising strategies and rationalising the age-dependent protein misfolding pathology. SummaryER stress induction activates a protein disaggregation machinery, powered by BiP - an abundant ER chaperone, revealed by a FLIM-based protein aggregation monitoring in live cells.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Endoplasmic reticulum stress induces a novel Ca2+ signalling system initiated by Ca2+ microdomains

The accumulation of unfolded proteins within the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) activates a signal transduction pathway termed the unfolded protein response (UPR), which attempts to restore ER homeostasis. If homeostasis cannot be restored, UPR signalling ultimately induces apoptosis. Ca2+ depletion in the ER is a potent inducer of ER stress. Despite the ubiquity of Ca2+ as intracellular messenger, the precise mechanism (s) by which Ca2+ release affects the UPR remains unknown. Use of a genetically encoded Ca2+ indicator (GCamP6) that is tethered to the ER membrane, uncovered novel Ca2+ signalling events initiated by Ca2+ microdomains in human astrocytes under ER stress, as well as in a cell model deficient in all three IP3 Receptor isoforms. Pharmacological and molecular studies indicate that these local events are mediated by translocons. Together, these data reveal the existence of a previously unrecognized mechanism by which stressor-mediated Ca2+ release regulates ER stress.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Developmentally regulated PERK activity renders dendritic cells insensitive to subtilase cytotoxin-induced integrated stress response

In stressed cells, phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) controls transcriptome-wide changes in mRNA translation and gene expression known as the integrated stress response (ISR). We show here that dendritic cells (DCs) display unusually high eIF2 phosphorylation, which is mostly caused by a developmentally regulated activation of the ER kinase PERK (EIF2AK3). Despite high p-eIF2 levels, differentiated DCs display active protein synthesis and no signs of a chronic ISR. eIF2 phosphorylation does not majorly impact DC differentiation nor cytokines production. It is however important to adapt protein homeostasis to the variations imposed on DCs by the immune or physiological contexts. This biochemical specificity prevents translation arrest and expression of the transcription factor ATF4 during ER-stress induction by subtilase cytotoxin or upon DC stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharides. This is also exemplified by the influence of the actin cytoskeleton dynamics on eIF2 phosphorylation and the migratory deficit observed in PERK-deficient DCs.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2020

Interaction mapping of endoplasmic reticulum ubiquitin ligases identifies modulators of innate immune signalling

Ubiquitin ligases (E3s) embedded in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane regulate essential cellular activities including protein quality control, calcium flux, and sterol homeostasis. At least 25 different, transmembrane domain (TMD)-containing E3s are predicted to be ER-localised, but for most their organisation and cellular roles remain poorly defined. Using a comparative proteomic workflow, we mapped over 450 protein-protein interactions for 21 different stably expressed, full-length E3s. Bioinformatic analysis linked ER-E3s and their interactors to multiple homeostatic, regulatory, and metabolic pathways. Among these were four membrane-embedded interactors of RNF26, a polytopic E3 whose abundance is auto-regulated by ubiquitin-proteasome dependent degradation. RNF26 co-assembles with TMEM43, ENDOD1, TMEM33 and TMED1 to form a complex capable of modulating innate immune signalling through the cGAS-STING pathway. This RNF26 complex represents a new modulatory axis of STING and innate immune signalling at the ER membrane. Collectively, these data reveal the broad scope of regulation and differential functionalities mediated by ER-E3s for both membrane-tethered and cytoplasmic processes.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Factor VIII exhibits chaperone-dependent and glucose-regulated reversible amyloid formation in the endoplasmic reticulum

Factor VIII (FVIII) is the coagulation factor deficient in hemophilia A, which is treated by protein replacement. Unfortunately, this regimen is costly due to the expense of producing recombinant FVIII as a consequence of its low level secretion. FVIII expression activates the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, causes oxidative stress and induces apoptosis. Importantly, little is known about the factors that cause protein misfolding and aggregation in metazoans. Here we identified intrinsic and extrinsic factors that cause FVIII to form aggregates in the ER. We show that FVIII forms amyloid-like fibrils within the ER upon increased FVIII synthesis or inhibition of glucose metabolism. Significantly, FVIII amyloids can be dissolved upon restoration of glucose metabolism to produce functional secreted FVIII. Two ER chaperones and their co-chaperones, BiP and CANX/CRT, promote FVIII solubility in the ER, where the former is also required for disaggregation. A short aggregation motif in the FVIII A1 domain (termed Aggron) is necessary and sufficient to seed {beta}-sheet polymerization and BiP binding to this Aggron prevents amyloidogenesis. Our findings provide novel insight into mechanisms that limit FVIII secretion and ER protein folding in general and have implication for ongoing hemophilia A gene therapy clinical trials. Key Points- FVIII forms amyloid aggregates in the ER that are dissolved in a chaperone- and glucose-dependent manner to produce secreted active FVIII. - A short amino acid sequence in the A1 domain causes {beta} sheet polymerization and ER chaperone BiP binding to this site prevents aggregation.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2020

The connector between the kinase and RNase domains of IRE1α transmits the conformational change that underlies ER stress-induced activation.

The unfolded protein response (UPR) plays an evolutionarily conserved role in homeostasis, and its dysregulation often leads to human disease, including diabetes and cancer. IRE1 is a major transducer that conveys endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress to biochemical signals, yet major gaps persist in our understanding of how the detection of stress is converted to one of several molecular outcomes. It is known that upon sensing unfolded proteins via its ER luminal domain, IRE1 dimerizes and oligomerizes (often visualized as clustering), and then trans-autophosphorylates. The IRE1 kinase activity is required for activation of its RNase effector domain and for clustering of IRE1. It is not yet clear if IRE1 clustering is a platform for the RNase activity, or if the two represent distinct biological functions. Here, we uncover a previously unrecognized role for helix K between IRE1 kinase and RNase domains in conveying critical conformational changes. Using mutants within this inter-domain helix, we show for the first time that: 1) distinct substitutions (specifically, of Leu827) selectively affect oligomerization, RNase activity, and, unexpectedly, the kinase activity of IRE1; 2) RNase activation can be uncoupled from IRE1 oligomerization, and phosphorylation of S729 marks the former but not the latter; 3) The nature of residue 827 determines the conformation that the IRE1 protein adopts, leading to different patterns of biochemical activities. In summary, this work reveals a previously unappreciated role for the inter-domain helix as a pivotal conduit for attaining the stress-responsive conformation of IRE1.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2019

Proteomics identifies signal peptide features determining the substrate specificity in human Sec62/Sec63-dependent ER protein import

In mammalian cells one-third of all polypeptides are integrated into the membrane or translocated into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) via the Sec61-channel. While the Sec61-complex facilitates ER-import of most precursor polypeptides, the Sec61-associated Sec62/Sec63-complex supports ER-import in a substrate-specific manner. So far, mainly posttranslationally imported precursors and the two cotranslationally imported precursors of ERj3 and prion protein were found to depend on the Sec62/Sec63-complex in vitro. Therefore, we determined the rules for engagement of Sec62/Sec63 in ER-import in intact human cells using a recently established unbiased proteomics approach. In addition to confirming ERj3, we identified twenty-two novel Sec62/Sec63-substrates under these in vivo-like conditions. As a common feature, those previously unknown substrates share signal peptides with comparatively longer but less hydrophobic H-region and lower C-region polarity. Further analyses with four substrates, and ERj3 in particular, revealed the combination of a slowly-gating signal peptide and a downstream translocation-disruptive positively charged cluster of amino acid residues as decisive for the Sec62-/Sec63-requirement. In the case of ERj3, these features were found to be responsible for an additional BiP-requirement and to correlate with sensitivity towards the Sec61-channel inhibitor CAM741. Thus, the human Sec62/Sec63-complex may support Sec61-channel opening for precursor polypeptides with slowly-gating signal peptides by direct interaction with the cytosolic amino-terminal peptide of Sec61 or via recruitment of BiP and its interaction with the ER-lumenal loop 7 of Sec61. These novel insights into the mechanism of human ER protein import contribute to our understanding of the etiology of SEC63-linked Polycystic Liver Disease. DatabasesThe mass spectrometry proteomics data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium via the PRIDE partner repository (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/pride/archive/projects/Identifiers) with the dataset identifiers: PXD008178, PXD011993, and PXD012078. Supplementary information was deposited at Mendeley Data under the DOI:10.17632/6s5hn73jcv.1 (http://dx.doi.or/10.17632/6s5hn73jcv.1).

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2019

IRE1β negatively regulates IRE1α signaling in response to endoplasmic reticulum stress

IRE1{beta} is an ER stress sensor uniquely expressed in epithelial cells lining mucosal surfaces. Here, we show that intestinal epithelial cells expressing IRE1{beta} have an attenuated response to ER stress. IRE1{beta} assembles with and blocks activation of the closely related and most evolutionarily ancient stress-sensor IRE1 to suppress stress-induced xbp1 splicing, a key mediator of the unfolded protein response. In comparison, IRE1{beta} has weak xbp1 splicing activity, largely explained by a non-conserved amino acid in the kinase domain that impairs its phosphorylation and restricts oligomerization. This enables IRE1{beta} to act as a dominant negative suppressor of IRE1. The inhibitory effect is amplified in cells by disrupting an XBP1-dependent feedback loop regulating stress-induced expression of IRE1. Thus IRE1{beta} functions to negatively regulate IRE1 signaling, perhaps enabling intestinal epithelial cells to manage the response to chronic stress stimuli at the host-environment interface.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2017

SMRT sequencing reveals differential patterns of methylation in two O111:H- Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli isolates from a historic hemolytic uremic syndrome outbreak in Australia

Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) are important food-borne pathogens and a major cause of haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) worldwide. In 1995 a severe HUS outbreak in Adelaide occurred. A recent genomic analysis of STEC O111:H-strains 95JB1 and 95NR1 from this outbreak found that the more virulent isolate, 95NR1, harboured two additional copies of the Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) genes although the structure of the Stx2-converting prophages could not be fully resolved due to the fragmented assembly. In this study we have used Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) single molecule real-time (SMRT) long read sequencing to characterise the complete epigenome (genome and methylome) of 95JB1 and 95NR1. Using long reads we completely resolved the structure of two, tandemly inserted, stx2-converting phage in 95NR1. Our analysis of the methylome of 95NR1 and 95JB1 identified hemi-methylation of a novel motif (5-CTGCm6AG-3) in more than 4000 sites in the 95NR1 genome. These sites were entirely unmethalyted in the 95JB1, including at least 180 potential promoter regions that could explain regulatory differences between the strains. We identified a Type IIG methyltransferase encoded in both genomes in association with three additional genes in an operon-like arrangement. IS1203 mediated disruption of this operon in 95JB1 is the likely cause of the observed differential patterns of methylation between 95NR1 and 95JB1. This study demonstrates the enormous potential of PacBio SMRT sequencing to resolve complex prophage regions and reveal the genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity within a clonal population of bacteria.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2017

Intermolecular Disulfide-Bond Formation In Human FICD Modulates The Activity Of The Hyperactive E234G Mutant

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress that leads to the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the ER initiates the unfolded protein response (UPR). This homeostatic response activates signaling pathways that seek to reinstate a proper ER protein folding balance or induce apoptosis if ER stress persists. Recently, we and others identified human FICD (Filamentation induced by cyclic AMP domain-containing protein), an enzyme with adenylyltransferase (aka AMPylation) activity, as a new UPR target. Here, we demonstrate that FICD is functionally linked to the UPR, as evidenced by the finding that the adenylyltransferase activity of the protein induces ER stress, while FICD silencing increases sensitivity to ER stress. We identify BiP, an abundant ER chaperone and key regulator of the UPR, as the main substrate of FICD AMPylation in ER-derived microsomes, further emphasizing close functional connection of FICD to the UPR and in line with recent reports that AMPylation inactivates BiP. Notably, BiP overexpression increased the levels of BiP AMPylation as well as FICD auto-AMPylation, suggesting a homeostatic response that balances the pool of active BiP to modulate its functions in protein folding as well as UPR signaling. Finally, we show that overexpressed FICD forms a disulfide-bonded homo-dimer through Cys51 and Cys75 and demonstrate that mutation of these two cysteines in the context of a hyperactive FICD mutant leads to increased BiP AMPylation. This latter finding opens up the possibility that FICD activity is redox regulated and closely connected with ER redox homeostasis.

molecular biology↗