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KRIT1 (CCM1) is a disease gene responsible for Cerebral Cavernous Malformations (CCM), a major cerebrovascular disease of proven genetic origin affecting 0.3–0.5% of the population. Previously, we demonstrated that KRIT1 loss-of-function is associated with altered redox homeostasis and abnormal activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor c-Jun, which collectively result in pro-oxidative, pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effects, suggesting a novel pathogenic mechanism for CCM disease and raising the possibility that KRIT1 loss-of-function exerts pleiotropic effects on multiple redox-sensitive mechanisms. To address this possibility, we investigated major redox-sensitive pathways and enzymatic systems that play critical roles in fundamental cytoprotective mechanisms of adaptive responses to oxidative stress, including the master Nrf2 antioxidant defense pathway and its downstream target Glyoxalase 1 (Glo1), a pivotal stress-responsive defense enzyme involved in cellular protection against glycative and oxidative stress through the metabolism of methylglyoxal (MG). This is a potent post-translational protein modifier that may either contribute to increased oxidative molecular damage and cellular susceptibility to apoptosis, or enhance the activity of major apoptosis-protective proteins, including heat shock proteins (Hsps), promoting cell survival. Experimental outcomes showed that KRIT1 loss-of-function induces a redox-sensitive sustained upregulation of Nrf2 and Glo1, and a drop in intracellular levels of MG-modified Hsp70 and Hsp27 proteins, leading to a chronic adaptive redox homeostasis that counteracts intrinsic oxidative stress but increases susceptibility to oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis, sensitizing cells to further oxidative challenges. While supporting and extending the pleiotropic functions of KRIT1, these findings shed new light on the mechanistic relationship between KRIT1 loss-of-function and enhanced cell predisposition to oxidative damage, thus providing valuable new insights into CCM pathogenesis and novel options for the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies., Graphical abstract Schematic models representing adaptive redox responses associated with KRIT1 loss-of-function. KRIT1 loss-of-function causes a persistent activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factors c-Jun and Nrf2 and consequent upregulation of downstream targets, including cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and glyoxalase 1 (GLO1). While the c-Jun/COX-2 axis promotes pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory effects, the Nrf2/HO-1 and Nrf2/GLO1 pathways mediate adaptive antioxidant responses that counteract these effects by limiting ROS* and MG intracellular accumulation, thus contributing to reduce a vicious cycle of oxidative stress and providing an adaptive defense for long term cell survival. However, this sustained adaptive redox homeostasis occurs at the expense of other cytoprotective mechanisms, including the MG-dependent formation of cytoprotective AP-Hsp70 and AP-Hsp27 protein adducts, leading to enhanced cell susceptibility to oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis, and sensitizing cells to additional stressful insults. Inter-individual differences in Nrf2-mediated adaptive defense mechanisms might influence susceptibility to CCM disease onset and progression. *The generic ROS term refers to O2•−and H2O2as well as to putative secondary oxidative products that might be implicated without certainty.fx1, Highlights • KRIT1 loss causes a chronic adaptive redox response based on the JNK-Nrf2-Glo1 axis. • Phospho-JNK, Nrf2 and Glo1 are upregulated in endothelial cells lining human CCMs. • Defective autophagy contributes to the sustained upregulation of the Nrf2-Glo1 axis. • Nrf2-Glo1 upregulation causes a drop of AP-modified Hsp70 and Hsp27 proteins. • Sustained Nrf2-Glo1 activation sensitizes cells to oxidative stress and apoptosis.

p27Kip1 is a potent inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases that drive G1-to-S cell-cycle transition. Reduced p27Kip1 expression is prevalent in a wide range of human tumours; however, the exact mechanism(s) of p27Kip1-mediated tumour suppression remains obscure. In the present study, we identified a close inverse relationship between p27Kip1 and EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) expression: the parental T24 human bladder cancer cells had high p27Kip1 expression but low EGFR expression and, in striking contrast, the metastatic derivative of T24 (T24T) had low p27Kip1 expression but high EGFR expression. This relationship was also found in various human cancer tissues, and was not only just correlative but also causal; depletion of p27Kip1 in MEF (mouse embryonic fibroblast) cells resulted in markedly elevated EGFR expression, a result reproducible with an Egfr promoter-luciferase reporter in both T24 and MEF cells, suggesting transcriptional repression of EGFR by p27Kip1. Indeed, p27Kip1 was found to regulate EGFR expression via the JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase)/c-Jun transcription factor: p27Kip1 deficiency activated JNK/c-Jun, whereas inhibition of JNK/c-Jun by dominant-negative mutants dramatically repressed Egfr transcription. Furthermore, the proximal promoter of the Egfr gene was crucial for its transcription, where the recruiting activity of c-Jun was much greater in p27Kip1−/− cells than in p27Kip1+/+ cells. Introduction of GFP–p27Kip1 into T24T cells suppressed JNK/c-Jun activation, EGFR expression and anchorage-independent growth. The results of the present study demonstrate that p27Kip1 suppresses JNK/c-Jun activation and EGFR expression in MEFs and human bladder cancer cells, and the results obtained are consistent with those from human cancer specimens. The present study provides new insights into p27Kip1 suppression of cancer cell growth, migration and metastasis., An inverse relationship between p27Kip1 and EGFR expression in parental T24 human bladder cancer cells and various human cancer tissues was found. Depletion of p27Kip1 in cells markedly elevated EGFR expression through transcriptional repression of Egfr by p27Kip1 via the JNK/c-Jun cascade.

As co-chaperones of Hsp90 (heat-shock protein 90), FKBP51 (FK506-binding protein of 51 kDa) and FKBP52 (FK506-binding protein of 52 kDa) act as antagonists in regulating the hormone affinity and nuclear transport of steroid receptor complexes. Exchange of Leu119 in FKBP51 for Pro119 in FKBP52 has been shown to largely reverse the steroid receptor activities of FKBP51 and FKBP52. To examine whether differences in conformational dynamics/plasticity might correlate with changes in the reported receptor activities, 15N-NMR relaxation measurements were carried out on the N-terminal FKBP domains of FKBP51 and FKBP52 as well as their residue-swapped variants. Both proteins exhibit a similar pattern of motion in the picosecond–nanosecond timeframe as well as a small degree of 15N line-broadening, indicative of motion in the microsecond–millisecond timeframe, in the β3a strand of the central sheet. Only the FKBP51 domain exhibits much larger line-broadening in the adjacent β3 bulge (40′s loop of FKBP12) and throughout the long β4–β5 loop (80′s loop of FKBP12). The L119P mutation at the tip of the β4–β5 loop completely suppressed the line-broadening in this loop while partially suppressing the line-broadening in the neighbouring β2 and β3a strands. The complementary P119L and P119L/P124S variants of FKBP52 yielded similar patterns of line-broadening for the β4–β5 loop as that for FKBP51, although only 20% and 60% as intense respectively. However, despite the close structural similarity in the packing interactions between the β4–β5 loop and the β3a strand for FKBP51 and FKBP52, the line-broadening in the β3a strand is unaffected by the P119L or P119L/P124S mutations in FKBP52., Unlike FKBP52, the FK1 domain of FKBP51 exhibits microsecond–millisecond conformational dynamics in the β3 bulge and the β4–β5 loop, known sites of protein signalling interactions. Swapping residue 119 yields altered conformational dynamics in a pattern reminiscent of reported modulations in steroid receptor activity.

It is believed that the stability and activity of client proteins are passively regulated by the Hsp90 (heat-shock protein 90) chaperone machinery, which is known to be modulated by its intrinsic ATPase activity, co-chaperones and post-translational modifications. However, it is unclear whether client proteins themselves participate in regulation of the chaperoning process. The present study is the first example to show that a client kinase directly regulates Hsp90 activity, which is a novel level of regulation for the Hsp90 chaperone machinery. First, we prove that PKCγ (protein kinase Cγ) is a client protein of Hsp90α, and, that by interacting with PKCγ, Hsp90α prevents PKCγ degradation and facilitates its cytosol-to-membrane translocation and activation. A threonine residue set, Thr115/Thr425/Thr603, of Hsp90α is specifically phosphorylated by PKCγ, and, more interestingly, this threonine residue set serves as a ‘phosphorylation switch’ for Hsp90α binding or release of PKCγ. Moreover, phosphorylation of Hsp90α by PKCγ decreases the binding affinity of Hsp90α towards ATP and co-chaperones such as Cdc37 (cell-division cycle 37), thereby decreasing its chaperone activity. Further investigation demonstrated that the reciprocal regulation of Hsp90α and PKCγ plays a critical role in cancer cells, and that simultaneous inhibition of PKCγ and Hsp90α synergistically prevents cell migration and promotes apoptosis in cancer cells., The present study is the first example to show that a client directly regulates Hsp90 activity, which is a novel level of regulation for the Hsp90 chaperone machinery.

Nogo-A is the largest isoform of the Nogo/RTN4 (reticulon 4) proteins and has been characterized as a major myelin-associated inhibitor of regenerative nerve growth in the adult CNS (central nervous system). Apart from the myelin sheath, Nogo-A is expressed at high levels in principal neurons of the CNS. The specificity of Nogo-A resides in its central domain, NiG. We identified Apg-1, a member of the stress-induced Hsp110 (heat-shock protein of 110 kDa) family, as a novel interactor of NiG/Nogo-A. The interaction is selective because Apg-1 interacts with Nogo-A/RTN4-A, but not with RTN1-A, the closest paralogue of Nogo-A. Conversely, Nogo-A binds to Apg-1, but not to Apg-2 or Hsp105, two other members of the Hsp110 family. We characterized the Nogo-A–Apg-1 interaction by affinity precipitation, co-immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assay, using primary hippocampal neurons derived from Nogo-deficient mice. Under conditions of hypoxic and oxidative stress we found that Nogo-A and Apg-1 were tightly co-regulated in hippocampal neurons. Although both proteins were up-regulated under hypoxic conditions, their expression levels were reduced upon the addition of hydrogen peroxide. Taken together, we suggest that Nogo-A is closely involved in the neuronal response to hypoxic and oxidative stress, an observation that may be of relevance not only in stroke-induced ischaemia, but also in neuroblastoma formation., The nerve growth inhibitor Nogo-A selectively binds to the heat-shock protein Apg-1 and the expression levels of these two interactors are co-regulated under different forms of stress in neurons.

Activation of PKR (double-stranded-RNA-dependent protein kinase) by DNA plasmids decreases translation, and limits the amount of recombinant protein produced by transiently transfected HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cells. Co-expression with Ebola virus VP35 (virus protein 35), which blocked plasmid activation of PKR, substantially increased production of recombinant TPL-2 (tumour progression locus 2)–ABIN-2 [A20-binding inhibitor of NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) 2]–NF-κB1 p105 complex. VP35 also increased expression of other co-transfected proteins, suggesting that VP35 could be employed generally to boost recombinant protein production by HEK-293 cells.

The process of lipid peroxidation is widespread in biology and is mediated through both enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways. A significant proportion of the oxidized lipid products are electrophilic in nature, the RLS (reactive lipid species), and react with cellular nucleophiles such as the amino acids cysteine, lysine and histidine. Cell signalling by electrophiles appears to be limited to the modification of cysteine residues in proteins, whereas non-specific toxic effects involve modification of other nucleophiles. RLS have been found to participate in several physiological pathways including resolution of inflammation, cell death and induction of cellular antioxidants through the modification of specific signalling proteins. The covalent modification of proteins endows some unique features to this signalling mechanism which we have termed the ‘covalent advantage’. For example, covalent modification of signalling proteins allows for the accumulation of a signal over time. The activation of cell signalling pathways by electrophiles is hierarchical and depends on a complex interaction of factors such as the intrinsic chemical reactivity of the electrophile, the intracellular domain to which it is exposed and steric factors. This introduces the concept of electrophilic signalling domains in which the production of the lipid electrophile is in close proximity to the thiol-containing signalling protein. In addition, we propose that the role of glutathione and associated enzymes is to insulate the signalling domain from uncontrolled electrophilic stress. The persistence of the signal is in turn regulated by the proteasomal pathway which may itself be subject to redox regulation by RLS. Cell death mediated by RLS is associated with bioenergetic dysfunction, and the damaged proteins are probably removed by the lysosome-autophagy pathway.

TA (tail-anchored) proteins utilize distinct biosynthetic pathways, including TRC40 (transmembrane domain recognition complex of 40 kDa)-mediated, chaperone-dependent and/or unassisted routes to the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) membrane. We have addressed the flexibility of cytosolic components participating in these pathways, and explored the thermodynamic constraints of their membrane insertion, by exploiting recombinant forms of Sec61β and Cytb5 (cytochrome b5) bearing covalent modifications within their TA region. In both cases, efficient membrane insertion relied on cytosolic factors capable of accommodating a surprising range of covalent modifications to the TA region. For Sec61β, we found that both SGTA (small glutamine-rich tetratricopeptide repeat-containing protein α) and TRC40 can bind this substrate with a singly PEGylated TA region. However, by introducing two PEG [poly(ethylene glycol)] moieties, TRC40 binding can be prevented, resulting in a block of subsequent membrane integration. Although TRC40 can bind Sec61β polypeptides singly PEGylated at different locations, membrane insertion is more sensitive to the precise location of PEG attachment. Modelling and experimentation indicate that this post-TRC40 effect results from an increased energetic cost of inserting different PEGylated TA regions into the lipid bilayer. We therefore propose that the membrane integration of TA proteins delivered via TRC40 is strongly dependent upon underlying thermodynamics, and speculate that their insertion is via a phospholipid-mediated process.

Tah1 [TPR (tetratricopeptide repeat)-containing protein associated with Hsp (heat-shock protein) 90] has been identified as a TPR-domain protein. TPR-domain proteins are involved in protein–protein interactions and a number have been characterized that interact either with Hsp70 or Hsp90, but a few can bind both chaperones. Independent studies suggest that Tah1 interacts with Hsp90, but whether it can also interact with Hsp70/Ssa1 has not been investigated. Amino-acid-sequence alignments suggest that Tah1 is most similar to the TPR2b domain of Hop (Hsp-organizing protein) which when mutated reduces binding to both Hsp90 and Hsp70. Our alignments suggest that there are three TPR-domain motifs in Tah1, which is consistent with the architecture of the TPR2b domain. In the present study we find that Tah1 is specific for Hsp90, and is able to bind tightly the yeast Hsp90, and the human Hsp90α and Hsp90β proteins, but not the yeast Hsp70 Ssa1 isoform. Tah1 acheives ligand discrimination by favourably binding the methionine residue in the conserved MEEVD motif (Hsp90) and positively discriminating against the first valine residue in the VEEVD motif (Ssa1). In the present study we also show that Tah1 can affect the ATPase activity of Hsp90, in common with some other TPR-domain proteins.

STBD1 (starch-binding domain-containing protein 1) belongs to the CBM20 (family 20 carbohydrate binding module) group of proteins, and is implicated in glycogen metabolism and autophagy. However, very little is known about its regulation or interacting partners. Here, we show that the CBM20 of STBD1 is crucial for its stability and ability to interact with glycogen-associated proteins. Mutation of a conserved tryptophan residue (W293) in this domain abolished the ability of STBD1 to bind to the carbohydrate amylose. Compared with the WT (wild-type) protein, this mutant exhibited rapid degradation that was rescued upon inhibition of the proteasome. Furthermore, STBD1 undergoes ubiquitination when expressed in COS cells, and requires the N-terminus for this process. In contrast, inhibition of autophagy did not significantly affect protein stability. In overexpression experiments, we discovered that STBD1 interacts with several glycogen-associated proteins, such as GS (glycogen synthase), GDE (glycogen debranching enzyme) and Laforin. Importantly, the W293 mutant of STBD1 was unable to do so, suggesting an additional role for the CBM20 domain in protein–protein interactions. In HepG2 hepatoma cells, overexpressed STBD1 could associate with endogenous GS. This binding increased during glycogenolysis, suggesting that glycogen is not required to bridge this interaction. Taken together, our results have uncovered new insights into the regulation and binding partners of STBD1., STBD1 is a protein with a carbohydrate-binding domain that is implicated in autophagy and glycogen metabolism. Here we show the carbohydrate-binding domain is crucial for its stability and ability to bind to several glycogen-associated proteins.

Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) is a hereditary demyelinating neuropathy linked with duplication of the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene. Transgenic C22 mice, a model of CMT1A, display many features of the human disease, including slowed nerve conduction velocity and demyelination of peripheral nerves. How overproduction of PMP22 leads to compromised myelin and axonal pathology is not fully understood, but likely involves subcellular alterations in protein homoeostatic mechanisms within affected Schwann cells. The subcellular response to abnormally localized PMP22 includes the recruitment of the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS), autophagosomes and heat-shock proteins (HSPs). Here we assessed biochemical markers of these protein homoeostatic pathways in nerves from PMP22-overexpressing neuropathic mice between the ages of 2 and 12 months to ascertain their potential contribution to disease progression. In nerves of 3-week-old mice, using endoglycosidases and Western blotting, we found altered processing of the exogenous human PMP22, an abnormality that becomes more prevalent with age. Along with the ongoing accrual of misfolded PMP22, the activity of the proteasome becomes compromised and proteins required for autophagy induction and lysosome biogenesis are up-regulated. Moreover, cytosolic chaperones are consistently elevated in nerves from neuropathic mice, with the most prominent change in HSP70. The gradual alterations in protein homoeostatic response are accompanied by Schwann cell de-differentiation and macrophage infiltration. Together, these results show that while subcellular protein quality control mechanisms respond appropriately to the presence of the overproduced PMP22, with aging they are unable to prevent the accrual of misfolded proteins., In peripheral nerves of neuropathic C22 mice the frequency of cytosolic PMP22 aggregates increases with age, which elicits a response from protein quality control mechanisms. The combined effects of aging and neuropathic genotype exacerbate disease progression leading to nerve defects.

p53 is a key protein that participates in cell-cycle control, and its malfunction can lead to cancer. This tumour suppressor protein has three main domains; the N-terminal transactivation domain, the CTD (C-terminal domain) and the core domain (p53C) that constitutes the sequence-specific DBD (DNA-binding region). Most p53 mutations related to cancer development are found in the DBD. Aggregation of p53 into amyloid oligomers and fibrils has been shown. Moreover, amyloid aggregates of both the mutant and WT (wild-type) forms of p53 were detected in tumour tissues. We propose that if p53 aggregation occurred, it would be a crucial aspect of cancer development, as p53 would lose its WT functions in an aggregated state. Mutant p53 can also exert a dominant-negative regulatory effect on WT p53. Herein, we discuss the dominant-negative effect in light of p53 aggregation and the fact that amyloid-like mutant p53 can convert WT p53 into more aggregated species, leading into gain of function in addition to the loss of tumour suppressor function. In summary, the results obtained in the last decade indicate that cancer may have characteristics in common with amyloidogenic and prion diseases.

NCLs (neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses) form a group of eight inherited autosomal recessive diseases characterized by the intralysosomal accumulation of autofluorescent pigments, called ceroids. Recent data suggest that the pathogenesis of NCL is associated with the appearance of fragmented mitochondria with altered functions. However, even if an impairement in the autophagic pathway has often been evoked, the molecular mechanisms leading to mitochondrial fragmentation in response to a lysosomal dysfunction are still poorly understood. In this study, we show that fibroblasts that are deficient for the TPP-1 (tripeptidyl peptidase-1), a lysosomal hydrolase encoded by the gene mutated in the LINCL (late infantile NCL, CLN2 form) also exhibit a fragmented mitochondrial network. This morphological alteration is accompanied by an increase in the expression of the protein BNIP3 (Bcl2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa interacting protein 3) as well as a decrease in the abundance of mitofusins 1 and 2, two proteins involved in mitochondrial fusion. Using RNAi (RNA interference) and quantitative analysis of the mitochondrial morphology, we show that the inhibition of BNIP3 expression does not result in an increase in the reticulation of the mitochondrial population in LINCL cells. However, this protein seems to play a key role in cell response to mitochondrial oxidative stress as it sensitizes mitochondria to antimycin A-induced fragmentation. To our knowledge, our results bring the first evidence of a mechanism that links TPP-1 deficiency and oxidative stress-induced changes in mitochondrial morphology.

Stroke is a major neurological disorder characterized by an increase in the Glu (glutamate) concentration resulting in excitotoxicity and eventually cellular damage and death in the brain. HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1), a transcription factor, plays an important protective role in promoting cellular adaptation to hypoxic conditions. It is known that HIF-1α, the regulatable subunit of HIF-1, is expressed by astrocytes under severe ischaemia. However, the effect of HIF-1 on astrocytes following Glu toxicity during ischaemia has not been well studied. We investigated the role of HIF-1 in protecting ischaemic astrocytes against Glu toxicity. Immunostaining with GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) confirmed the morphological modification of astrocytes in the presence of 1 mM Glu under normoxia. Interestingly, when the astrocytes were exposed to severe hypoxia (0.1% O2), the altered cell morphology was ameliorated with up-regulation of HIF-1α. To ascertain HIF-1's protective role, effects of two HIF-1α inhibitors, YC-1 [3-(50-hydroxymethyl-20-furyl)-1-benzylindazole] and 2Me2 (2-methoxyoestradiol), were tested. Both the inhibitors decreased the recovery in astrocyte morphology and increased cell death. Given that ischaemia increases ROS (reactive oxygen species), we examined the role of GSH (reduced glutathione) in the mechanism for this protection. GSH was increased under hypoxia, and this correlated with an increase in HIF-1α stabilization in the astrocytes. Furthermore, inhibition of GSH with BSO (L-butathione sulfoximine) decreased HIF-1α expression, suggesting its role in the stabilization of HIF-1α. Overall, our results indicate that the expression of HIF-1α under hypoxia has a protective effect on astrocytes in maintaining cell morphology and viability in response to Glu toxicity.

Increasing the expression of Hsp70 (heat-shock protein 70) can inhibit sensory neuron degeneration after axotomy. Since the onset of DPN (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) is associated with the gradual decline of sensory neuron function, we evaluated whether increasing Hsp70 was sufficient to improve several indices of neuronal function. Hsp90 is the master regulator of the heat-shock response and its inhibition can up-regulate Hsp70. KU-32 (N-{7-[(2 R, 3 R, 4S, 5 R)-3, 4-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-6, 6-dimethyl-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yloxy]-8-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl}acetamide) was developed as a novel, novobiocin-based, C-terminal inhibitor of Hsp90 whose ability to increase Hsp70 expression is linked to the presence of an acetamide substitution of the prenylated benzamide moiety of novobiocin. KU-32 protected against glucose-induced death of embryonic DRG (dorsal root ganglia) neurons cultured for 3 days in vitro. Similarly, KU-32 significantly decreased neuregulin 1-induced degeneration of myelinated Schwann cell DRG neuron co-cultures prepared from WT (wild-type) mice. This protection was lost if the co-cultures were prepared from Hsp70.1 and Hsp70.3 KO (knockout) mice. KU-32 is readily bioavailable and was administered once a week for 6 weeks at a dose of 20 mg/kg to WT and Hsp70 KO mice that had been rendered diabetic with streptozotocin for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks of diabetes, both WT and Hsp70 KO mice developed deficits in NCV (nerve conduction velocity) and a sensory hypoalgesia. Although KU-32 did not improve glucose levels, HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) or insulin levels, it reversed the NCV and sensory deficits in WT but not Hsp70 KO mice. These studies provide the first evidence that targeting molecular chaperones reverses the sensory hypoalgesia associated with DPN.

Preserving mitochondrial mass, bioenergetic functions and ROS (reactive oxygen species) homoeostasis is key to neuronal differentiation and survival, as mitochondria produce most of the energy in the form of ATP to execute and maintain these cellular processes. In view of our previous studies showing that NeuroD6 promotes neuronal differentiation and survival on trophic factor withdrawal, combined with its ability to stimulate the mitochondrial biomass and to trigger comprehensive antiapoptotic and molecular chaperone responses, we investigated whether NeuroD6 could concomitantly modulate the mitochondrial biomass and ROS homoeostasis on oxidative stress mediated by serum deprivation. In the present study, we report a novel role of NeuroD6 as a regulator of ROS homoeostasis, resulting in enhanced tolerance to oxidative stress. Using a combination of flow cytometry, confocal fluorescence microscopy and mitochondrial fractionation, we found that NeuroD6 sustains mitochondrial mass, intracellular ATP levels and expression of specific subunits of respiratory complexes upon oxidative stress triggered by withdrawal of trophic factors. NeuroD6 also maintains the expression of ***nuclear-encoded transcription factors, known to regulate mitochondrial biogenesis, such as PGC-1α (peroxisome-proliferator-activated*** receptor γ co-activator-1α), Tfam (transcription factor A, mitochondrial) and NRF-1 (nuclear respiratory factor-1). Finally, NeuroD6 triggers a comprehensive antioxidant response to endow PC12-ND6 cells with intracellular ROS scavenging capacity. The NeuroD6 effect is not limited to the classic induction of the ROS-scavenging enzymes, such as SOD2 (superoxide dismutase 2), GPx1 (glutathione peroxidase 1) and PRDX5 (peroxiredoxin 5), but also to the recently identified powerful ROS suppressors PGC-1α, PINK1 (phosphatase and tensin homologue-induced kinase 1) and SIRT1. Thus our collective results support the concept that the NeuroD6-PGC-1α-SIRT1 neuroprotective axis may be critical in co-ordinating the mitochondrial biomass with the antioxidant reserve to confer tolerance to oxidative stress.

Several reports suggest that a chronic inflammatory process plays a key role in coronary artery plaque instability and subsequent occlusive thrombosis. In a previous study, we found that TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4) mediates the synthesis of cytokines in circulating monocytes of patients with AMI (acute myocardial infarction); however, it remains unclear whether TLRs are expressed at the site of the ruptured plaque in these patients. The aim of the present study was to determine whether TLR2 and TLR4 are expressed at the site of ruptured plaques in patients with AMI and to compare this with systemic levels. The study included 62 patients with AMI, 20 patients with SA (stable angina) and 32 subjects with a normal coronary angiogram (control). Local samples from the site of the ruptured plaque were taken from patients with AMI using aspiration catheterization. Systemic blood samples from the aorta were taken from patients with AMI and SA and controls. Systemic levels of TLR2 and TLR4 were higher in patients with AMI than in patients with SA and controls. In patients with AMI, local TLR4 levels were higher than systemic levels. There was no significant difference in TLR2 levels between local and systemic samples. TLR4 immunostaining was positive in infiltrating macrophages in ruptured plaque material. Cardiac events were observed in 16 patients with AMI at the time of the 6-month follow-up study. Local and systemic levels of TLR4 were higher in patients with AMI with cardiac events than in those without. These results indicate an increase in monocytic TLR4 expression not only in the systemic circulation, but also at the site of plaque rupture. In conclusion, expression of both systemic and local plaque TLR4 may be one of the mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis of AMI.