Yasuhara, S. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2025

Cellular fitness is determined by ribosomal protein S12-mediated release of a truncated Xrp1

Multicellular tissues require continuous optimization to maintain their structure and function by actively eliminating viable, yet unfit cells via a mechanism known as cell competition. During this process, unfit loser cells commonly upregulate the C/EBP family transcription factor Xrp1, which causes their elimination, indicating that intracellular Xrp1 levels determine cellular fitness. However, despite its central role, the mechanism by which Xrp1 is upregulated in unfit cells remains unknown. Here, we show that Xrp1 is upregulated through a previously unrecognized post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism mediated by the ribosomal protein S12 (RpS12). Surprisingly, Xrp1 mRNA is abundantly expressed even in wild-type cells, yet it is not translated. This is due to an upstream open reading frame (uORF) located in the 5UTR of the initial coding exon of Xrp1 mRNA, which inhibits the translation of the main Xrp1 ORF. Intriguingly, in unfit cells, RpS12 causes splicing-mediated skipping of this initial exon, leading to the use of an alternate start codon that generates a short isoform of Xrp1 protein, causing cell death. Notably, protein structural analysis reveals that RpS12 is highly homologous to that of a spliceosomal component SNU13, suggesting the role of RpS12 in directly regulating alternative splicing of Xrp1 mRNA. Our findings thus provide not only a mechanistic insights into how cellular fitness is determined but also how tissue optimization is achieved.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Microtubule Defect Involved in 'Mitophagy Resistance' Under Subacute Oxidative Stress - Potential Mechanism for Cellular Inflammation

IntroductionOxidative stress is considered an essential mechanism in ICU-acquired weakness. The roles of oxidative stress in autophagy/mitophagy dysfunction remains elusive. Microtubule serves as an essential guide rail for auto/mitophagosome trafficking required for proper maturation of auto/mitophagosomes in normal circumstances, and microtubules network formation is regulated by signal transduction mechanisms involving Akt, GSK3{beta}, and the microtubule plus-end tracking molecule, EB1. We have investigated (1) whether oxidative stress affects this pathway, leading to the defective mitophagy response, and (2) whether trehalose, an auto/mitophagy modulator, can ameliorate these pathological conditions. MethodsBy stably transfecting markers for auto/mitophagy or MT synthesis, we have established a few new C2C12 myocyte cell lines, expressing, GFP-LC3, EB1-GFP, and/or tandem-fluorescence LC3 (tfLC3). To monitor microtubule network, the cells were stained by SiR-tubulin. The cells were cultured in the presence or absence of oxidative stress by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and treated with or without trehalose. The response of mitophagy parameters including vesicle motion and the maturation status was monitored by stimulating the cells with carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP), an established mitophagy inducer, under a time-lapse confocal microscopy. Signal transduction mechanisms linking mitophagy to microtubule formation was analyzed by Western Blotting against Akt and GSK3{beta}. ResultsCells under the oxidative stress, showed abolished MT network formation, decreased microtubule synthesis by EB1, and a decrease in CCCP-invoked response of mitophagosome motion, perturbed mitophagosome maturation, and increased superoxide production. Signal resistance of Akt/GSK3{beta} pathway to mitophagic stimulation, was documented. Trehalose treatment reversed signal resistance, diminished MT synthesis, ameliorated the disturbed MT network, and improved maturation defects, suppressing the production of superoxide. ConclusionsOxidative stress decreases the response of mitophagy and abolishes microtubule network. Trehalose improves the synthetic ability of microtubule and normalized the disturbed microtubule network, resulting in the improvement of the perturbed mitophagosomes maturation under the oxidative stress.

cell biology↗