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Title: The Autolytic Regulation of Human Kallikrein-Related Peptidase 6.
Creator: Blaber, Sachiko, Yoon, Hyesook, Scarisbrick, Isobel, Juliano, Maria, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: Human kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (KLK6) is a member of the kallikrein family of serine-type proteases, characterized as an arginine-specific digestive-type protease capable of degrading a wide-variety of extracellular matrix proteins. KLK6 has been proposed to be a useful biomarker for breast and ovarian cancer prognosis, is abundantly expressed in the CNS and cerebrospinal fluid, and is intimately associated with regions of active inflammatory demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS)...
Show moreHuman kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (KLK6) is a member of the kallikrein family of serine-type proteases, characterized as an arginine-specific digestive-type protease capable of degrading a wide-variety of extracellular matrix proteins. KLK6 has been proposed to be a useful biomarker for breast and ovarian cancer prognosis, is abundantly expressed in the CNS and cerebrospinal fluid, and is intimately associated with regions of active inflammatory demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. Inhibition of KLK6 results in delayed onset and reduced severity of symptoms associated with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, suggesting a key effector role for this protease in CNS inflammatory disease. KLK6 has been shown to autolytically cleave internally, leading to inactivation and suggesting a negative feedback inhibition control mechanism. Alternatively, the ability of KLK6 to self-activate has also been reported, suggesting a positive feedback activation loop control mechanism. Activation of pro-KLK6 requires hydrolysis after a Lys residue; however, KLK6 exhibits 2 order of magnitude reduced affinity for hydrolysis after Lys versus Arg residues; therefore, the ability to autolytically activate has been called into question. In the present study the catalytic activity of KLK6 toward its pro-sequence and internal autolytic sequence is characterized. The results show that the ability of KLK6 to activate pro-KLK6 is essentially negligible when compared to the rate of the internal autolytic inactivation or to the ability of other proteases to activate pro-KLK6. The results thus show that the primary autolytic regulatory mechanism of KLK6 is negative feedback inhibition, and activation is likely achieved through the action of a separate protease.
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Date Issued: 2007
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0002, 10.1021/bi6025006, PMC2517904
Format: Citation

Title: Substrate Specificity of Human Kallikreins 1 and 6 Determined by Phage Display.
Creator: Li, Hai-Xin, Hwang, Bum-Yeol, Laxmikanthan, Gurunathan, Blaber, Sachiko, Blaber, Michael, Golubkov, Pavel, Ren, Pengyu, Iverson, Brent, Georgiou, George
Abstract/Description: The human tissue kallikrein (KLK) family contains 15 secreted serine proteases that are expressed in a wide range of tissues and have been implicated in different physiological functions and disease states. Of these, KLK1 has been shown to be involved in the regulation of multiple physiological processes such as blood pressure, smooth muscle contraction, and vascular cell growth. KLK6 is overexpressed in breast and ovarian cancer tissues and has been shown to cleave peptide derived from human...
Show moreThe human tissue kallikrein (KLK) family contains 15 secreted serine proteases that are expressed in a wide range of tissues and have been implicated in different physiological functions and disease states. Of these, KLK1 has been shown to be involved in the regulation of multiple physiological processes such as blood pressure, smooth muscle contraction, and vascular cell growth. KLK6 is overexpressed in breast and ovarian cancer tissues and has been shown to cleave peptide derived from human myelin protein and Abeta amyloid peptide in vitro. Here we analyzed the substrate specificity of KLK1 and KLK6, by substrate phage display using a random octapeptide library. Consistent with earlier biochemical data, KLK1 was shown to exhibit both trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like selectivities with Tyr/Arg preferred at site P1, Ser/Arg strongly preferred at P1', and Phe/Leu at P2. KLK6 displayed trypsin-like activity, with the P1 position occupied only by Arg and a strong preference for Ser in P1'. Docking simulations of consensus peptide provide information on the identity of the enzyme residues that are responsible for substrate binding. Bioinformatic analysis suggested several putative KLK6 protein substrates, such as ionotropic glutamate receptor (GluR) and synphilin.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0006
Format: Citation

Title: Mutagenesis of the Crystal Contact of Acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor.
Creator: Honjo, Eijiro, Tamada, Taro, Adachi, Motoyasu, Kuroki, Ryota, Meher, Akshaya, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: An attempt has been made to improve a crystal contact of human acidic fibroblast growth factor (haFGF; 140 amino acids) to control the crystal growth, because haFGF crystallizes only as a thin-plate form, yielding crystals suitable for X-ray but not neutron diffraction. X-ray crystal analysis of haFGF showed that the Glu81 side chain, located at a crystal contact between haFGF molecules, is in close proximity with an identical residue related by crystallographic symmetry, suggesting that...
Show moreAn attempt has been made to improve a crystal contact of human acidic fibroblast growth factor (haFGF; 140 amino acids) to control the crystal growth, because haFGF crystallizes only as a thin-plate form, yielding crystals suitable for X-ray but not neutron diffraction. X-ray crystal analysis of haFGF showed that the Glu81 side chain, located at a crystal contact between haFGF molecules, is in close proximity with an identical residue related by crystallographic symmetry, suggesting that charge repulsion may disrupt suitable crystal-packing interactions. To investigate whether the Glu residue affects the crystal-packing interactions, haFGF mutants in which Glu81 was replaced by Ala, Val, Leu, Ser and Thr were constructed. Although crystals of the Ala and Leu mutants were grown as a thin-plate form by the same precipitant (formate) as the wild type, crystals of the Ser and Thr mutants were grown with increased thickness, yielding a larger overall crystal volume. X-ray structural analysis of the Ser mutant determined at 1.35 A resolution revealed that the hydroxy groups of Ser are linked by hydrogen bonds mediated by the formate used as a precipitant. This approach to engineering crystal contacts may contribute to the development of large protein crystals for neutron crystallography.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0007
Format: Citation

Title: Kallikreins are Associated with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and Promote Neurodegeneration.
Creator: Scarisbrick, Isobel, Linbo, Rachel, Vandell, Alexander, Keegan, Mark, Blaber, Sachiko, Blaber, Michael, Sneve, Diane, Lucchinetti, Claudia F., Rodriguez, Moses, Diamandis,...
Show moreScarisbrick, Isobel, Linbo, Rachel, Vandell, Alexander, Keegan, Mark, Blaber, Sachiko, Blaber, Michael, Sneve, Diane, Lucchinetti, Claudia F., Rodriguez, Moses, Diamandis, Eleftherios P.
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Abstract/Description: Tissue kallikrein KLK1 and the kallikrein-related peptidases KLK2-15 are a subfamily of serine proteases that have defined or proposed roles in a range of central nervous system (CNS) and non-CNS pathologies. To further understand their potential activity in multiple sclerosis (MS), serum levels of KLK1, 6, 7, 8 and 10 were determined in 35 MS patients and 62 controls by quantitative fluorometric ELISA. Serum levels were then correlated with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores...
Show moreTissue kallikrein KLK1 and the kallikrein-related peptidases KLK2-15 are a subfamily of serine proteases that have defined or proposed roles in a range of central nervous system (CNS) and non-CNS pathologies. To further understand their potential activity in multiple sclerosis (MS), serum levels of KLK1, 6, 7, 8 and 10 were determined in 35 MS patients and 62 controls by quantitative fluorometric ELISA. Serum levels were then correlated with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores determined at the time of serological sampling or at last clinical follow-up. Serum levels of KLK1 and KLK6 were elevated in MS patients (p
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0008
Format: Citation

Title: Activation Profiles of Human Kallikrein-Related Peptidases by Proteases of the Thrombostasis Axis.
Creator: Yoon, Hyesook, Blaber, Sachiko, Evans, D., Trim, Julie, Juliano, Maria, Scarisbrick, Isobel, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: The human kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) comprise 15 members (KLK1-15) and are the single largest family of serine proteases. The KLKs are utilized, or proposed, as clinically important biomarkers and therapeutic targets of interest in cancer and neurodegenerative disease. All KLKs appear to be secreted as inactive pro-forms (pro-KLKs) that are activated extracellularly by specific proteolytic release of their N-terminal pro-peptide. This processing is a key step in the regulation of...
Show moreThe human kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) comprise 15 members (KLK1-15) and are the single largest family of serine proteases. The KLKs are utilized, or proposed, as clinically important biomarkers and therapeutic targets of interest in cancer and neurodegenerative disease. All KLKs appear to be secreted as inactive pro-forms (pro-KLKs) that are activated extracellularly by specific proteolytic release of their N-terminal pro-peptide. This processing is a key step in the regulation of KLK function. Much recent work has been devoted to elucidating the potential for activation cascades between members of the KLK family, with physiologically relevant KLK regulatory cascades now described in skin desquamation and semen liquefaction. Despite this expanding knowledge of KLK regulation, details regarding the potential for functional intersection of KLKs with other regulatory proteases are essentially unknown. To elucidate such interaction potential, we have characterized the ability of proteases associated with thrombostasis to hydrolyze the pro-peptide sequences of the KLK family using a previously described pro-KLK fusion protein system. A subset of positive hydrolysis results were subsequently quantified with proteolytic assays using intact recombinant pro-KLK proteins. Pro-KLK6 and 14 can be activated by both plasmin and uPA, with plasmin being the best activator of pro-KLK6 identified to date. Pro-KLK11 and 12 can be activated by a broad-spectrum of thrombostasis proteases, with thrombin exhibiting a high degree of selectivity for pro-KLK12. The results show that proteases of the thrombostasis family can efficiently activate specific pro-KLKs, demonstrating the potential for important regulatory interactions between these two major protease families.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0009
Format: Citation

Title: Protease-Activated Receptor Dependent and Independent Signaling by Kallikreins 1 and 6 in CNS Neuron and Astroglial Cell Lines.
Creator: Vandell, Alexander, Larson, Nadya, Laxmikanthan, Gurunathan, Panos, Michael, Blaber, Sachiko, Blaber, Michael, Scarisbrick, Isobel
Abstract/Description: While protease-activated receptors (PARs) are known to mediate signaling events in CNS, contributing both to normal function and pathogenesis, the endogenous activators of CNS PARs are poorly characterized. In this study, we test the hypothesis that kallikreins (KLKs) represent an important pool of endogenous activators of CNS PARs. Specifically, KLK1 and KLK6 were examined for their ability to evoke intracellular Ca(2+) flux in a PAR-dependent fashion in NSC34 neurons and Neu7 astrocytes....
Show moreWhile protease-activated receptors (PARs) are known to mediate signaling events in CNS, contributing both to normal function and pathogenesis, the endogenous activators of CNS PARs are poorly characterized. In this study, we test the hypothesis that kallikreins (KLKs) represent an important pool of endogenous activators of CNS PARs. Specifically, KLK1 and KLK6 were examined for their ability to evoke intracellular Ca(2+) flux in a PAR-dependent fashion in NSC34 neurons and Neu7 astrocytes. Both KLKs were also examined for their ability to activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (extracellular signal-regulated kinases, C-Jun N-terminal kinases, and p38) and protein kinase B (AKT) intracellular signaling cascades. Cumulatively, these studies show that KLK6, but not KLK1, signals through PARs. KLK6 evoked intracellular Ca(2+) flux was mediated by PAR1 in neurons and both PAR1 and PAR2 in astrocytes. Importantly, both KLK1 and KLK6 altered the activation state of mitogen-activated protein kinases and AKT, suggestive of important roles for each in CNS neuron and glial differentiation, and survival. The cellular specificity of CNS-KLK activity was underscored by observations that both proteases promoted AKT activation in astrocytes, but inhibited such signaling in neurons. PAR1 and bradykinin receptor inhibitors were used to demonstrate that KLK1-mediated activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases in neurons occurred in a non-PAR, bradykinin 2 (B2) receptor-dependent fashion, while similar signaling by KLK6 was mediated by the combined activation of PAR1 and B2. Cumulatively results indicate KLK6, but not KLK1 is an activator of CNS PARs, and that both KLKs are poised to signal in a B2 receptor-dependent fashion to regulate multiple signal transduction pathways relevant to CNS physiologic function and dysfunction.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0010
Format: Citation

Title: S(1)' and S(2)' Subsite Specificities of Human Plasma Kallikrein and Tissue Kallikrein 1 for the Hydrolysis of Peptides Derived from the Bradykinin Domain of Human Kininogen.
Creator: Lima, Aurelio, Alves, Fabiana, Angelo, Pedro, Andrade, Douglas, Blaber, Sachiko, Blaber, Michael, Juliano, Luiz, Juliano, Maria
Abstract/Description: The S(1)' and S(2)' subsite specificities of human tissue kallikrein 1 (KLK1) and human plasma kallikrein (HPK) were examined with the peptide series Abz-GFSPFRXSRIQ-EDDnp and Abz-GFSPFRSXRIQ-EDDnp [X=natural amino acids or S(PO(3)H(2))]. KLK1 efficiently hydrolyzed most of the peptides except those containing negatively charged amino acids at P(1)' and P(2)' positions. Abz-GFSPFRSSRIQ-EDDnp, as in human kininogen, is the best substrate for KLK1 and exclusively cleaved the R-S bond. All other...
Show moreThe S(1)' and S(2)' subsite specificities of human tissue kallikrein 1 (KLK1) and human plasma kallikrein (HPK) were examined with the peptide series Abz-GFSPFRXSRIQ-EDDnp and Abz-GFSPFRSXRIQ-EDDnp [X=natural amino acids or S(PO(3)H(2))]. KLK1 efficiently hydrolyzed most of the peptides except those containing negatively charged amino acids at P(1)' and P(2)' positions. Abz-GFSPFRSSRIQ-EDDnp, as in human kininogen, is the best substrate for KLK1 and exclusively cleaved the R-S bond. All other peptides were cleaved also at the F-R bond. The synthetic human kininogen segment Abz-MISLMKRPPGFSPFRS(390)S(391)RI-NH(2) was hydrolyzed by KLK1 first at R-S and then at M-K bonds, releasing Lys-bradykinin. In the S(390) and S(391) phosphorylated analogs, this order of hydrolysis was inverted due to the higher resistance of the R-S bond. Abz-MISLMKRPPG-FSPFRSS(PO(3)H(2))(391)RI-NH(2) was hydrolyzed by KLK1 at M-K and mainly at the F-R bond, releasing des-(Arg(9))-Lys-Bk which is a B1 receptor agonist. HPK cleaved all the peptides at R and showed restricted specificity for S in the S(1)' subsite, with lower specificity for the S(2)' subsite. Abz-MISLMKRPPGFSPFRSSRI-NH(2) was efficiently hydrolyzed by HPK under bradykinin release, while the analogs containing S(PO(3)H(2)) were poorly hydrolyzed. In conclusion, S(1)' and S(2)' subsite specificities of KLK1 and HPK showed peculiarities that were observed with substrates containing the amino acid sequence of human kininogen.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0011
Format: Citation

Title: A Completed KLK Activome Profile: Investigation of Activation Profiles of KLK9, 10, and 15..
Creator: Yoon, Hyesook, Blaber, Sachiko, Debela, Mekdes, Goettig, Peter, Scarisbrick, Isobel, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: We previously reported the activation profiles of the human kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) as determined from a KLK pro-peptide fusion-protein system. That report described the activity profiles of 12 of the 15 mature KLKs versus the 15 different pro-KLK sequences. The missing profiles in the prior report, involving KLK9, 10, and 15, are now described. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and N-terminal sequence analyses show that KLK9 and 10...
Show moreWe previously reported the activation profiles of the human kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) as determined from a KLK pro-peptide fusion-protein system. That report described the activity profiles of 12 of the 15 mature KLKs versus the 15 different pro-KLK sequences. The missing profiles in the prior report, involving KLK9, 10, and 15, are now described. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and N-terminal sequence analyses show that KLK9 and 10 exhibit low hydrolytic activities towards all of the 15 pro-KLK sequences, while KLK15 exhibits significant activity towards both Arg- and Lys-containing KLK pro-sequences. The ability of KLK15 to activate pro-KLK8, 12, and 14 is confirmed using recombinant pro-KLK proteins, and shown to be significant for activation of pro-KLK8 and 14, but not 12. These additional data for KLK9, 10, and 15 now permit a completed KLK activome profile, using a KLK pro-peptide fusion-protein system, to be described. The results suggest that KLK15, once activated, can potentially feed back into additional pro-KLK activation pathways. Conversely, KLK9 and 10, once activated, are unlikely to participate in further pro-KLK activation pathways, although similar to KLK1 they may activate other bioactive peptides.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0012
Format: Citation

Title: X-ray Structure and Biophysical Properties of Rabbit Fibroblast Growth Factor 1.
Creator: Lee, Jihun, Blaber, Sachiko, Irsigler, Andre, Aspinwall, Eric, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: The rabbit is an important and de facto animal model in the study of ischemic disease and angiogenic therapy. Additionally, fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) is emerging as one of the most important growth factors for novel proangiogenic and pro-arteriogenic therapy. However, despite its significance, the fundamental biophysical properties of rabbit FGF-1, including its X-ray structure, have never been reported. Here, the cloning, crystallization, X-ray structure and determination of the...
Show moreThe rabbit is an important and de facto animal model in the study of ischemic disease and angiogenic therapy. Additionally, fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) is emerging as one of the most important growth factors for novel proangiogenic and pro-arteriogenic therapy. However, despite its significance, the fundamental biophysical properties of rabbit FGF-1, including its X-ray structure, have never been reported. Here, the cloning, crystallization, X-ray structure and determination of the biophysical properties of rabbit FGF-1 are described. The X-ray structure shows that the amino-acid differences between human and rabbit FGF-1 are solvent-exposed and therefore potentially immunogenic, while the biophysical studies identify differences in thermostability and receptor-binding affinity that distinguish rabbit FGF-1 from human FGF-1.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0016, 10.1107/S1744309109040287, PMC2777034
Format: Citation

Title: Engineering an Improved Crystal Contact Across a Solvent-Mediated Interface of Human Fibroblast Growth Factor 1.
Creator: Meher, Akshaya, Blaber, Sachiko, Lee, Jihun, Honjo, Ejiro, Kuroki, Ryota, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: Large-volume protein crystals are a prerequisite for neutron diffraction studies and their production represents a bottleneck in obtaining neutron structures. Many protein crystals that permit the collection of high-resolution X-ray diffraction data are inappropriate for neutron diffraction owing to a plate-type morphology that limits the crystal volume. Human fibroblast growth factor 1 crystallizes in a plate morphology that yields atomic resolution X-ray diffraction data but has...
Show moreLarge-volume protein crystals are a prerequisite for neutron diffraction studies and their production represents a bottleneck in obtaining neutron structures. Many protein crystals that permit the collection of high-resolution X-ray diffraction data are inappropriate for neutron diffraction owing to a plate-type morphology that limits the crystal volume. Human fibroblast growth factor 1 crystallizes in a plate morphology that yields atomic resolution X-ray diffraction data but has insufficient volume for neutron diffraction. The thin physical dimension has been identified as corresponding to the b cell edge and the X-ray structure identified a solvent-mediated crystal contact adjacent to position Glu81 that was hypothesized to limit efficient crystal growth in this dimension. In this report, a series of mutations at this crystal contact designed to both reduce side-chain entropy and replace the solvent-mediated interface with direct side-chain contacts are reported. The results suggest that improved crystal growth is achieved upon the introduction of direct crystal contacts, while little improvement is observed with side-chain entropy-reducing mutations alone.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0017, 10.1107/S1744309109036987, PMC2777043
Format: Citation

Title: Functional Intersection of the Kallikrein-Related Peptidases (KLKs) and Thrombostasis Axis.
Creator: Blaber, Michael, Yoon, Hyesook, Juliano, Maria, Scarisbrick, Isobel, Blaber, Sachiko
Abstract/Description: A large body of emerging evidence indicates a functional interaction between the kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) and proteases of the thrombostasis axis. These interactions appear relevant for both normal health as well as pathologies associated with inflammation, tissue injury, and remodeling. Regulatory interactions between the KLKs and thrombostasis proteases could impact several serious human diseases, including neurodegeneration and cancer. The emerging network of specific...
Show moreA large body of emerging evidence indicates a functional interaction between the kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) and proteases of the thrombostasis axis. These interactions appear relevant for both normal health as well as pathologies associated with inflammation, tissue injury, and remodeling. Regulatory interactions between the KLKs and thrombostasis proteases could impact several serious human diseases, including neurodegeneration and cancer. The emerging network of specific interactions between these two protease families appears to be complex, and much work remains to elucidate it. Complete understanding how this functional network resolves over time, given specific initial conditions, and how it might be controllably manipulated, will probably contribute to the emergence of novel diagnostics and therapeutic agents for major diseases.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0018, 10.1515/BC.2010.024, PMC3047482
Format: Citation

Title: Experimental Support for the Evolution of Symmetric Protein Architecture from a Simple Peptide Motif.
Creator: Lee, Jihun, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: The majority of protein architectures exhibit elements of structural symmetry, and "gene duplication and fusion" is the evolutionary mechanism generally hypothesized to be responsible for their emergence from simple peptide motifs. Despite the central importance of the gene duplication and fusion hypothesis, experimental support for a plausible evolutionary pathway for a specific protein architecture has yet to be effectively demonstrated. To address this question, a unique "top-down...
Show moreThe majority of protein architectures exhibit elements of structural symmetry, and "gene duplication and fusion" is the evolutionary mechanism generally hypothesized to be responsible for their emergence from simple peptide motifs. Despite the central importance of the gene duplication and fusion hypothesis, experimental support for a plausible evolutionary pathway for a specific protein architecture has yet to be effectively demonstrated. To address this question, a unique "top-down symmetric deconstruction" strategy was utilized to successfully identify a simple peptide motif capable of recapitulating, via gene duplication and fusion processes, a symmetric protein architecture (the threefold symmetric β-trefoil fold). The folding properties of intermediary forms in this deconstruction agree precisely with a previously proposed "conserved architecture" model for symmetric protein evolution. Furthermore, a route through foldable sequence-space between the simple peptide motif and extant protein fold is demonstrated. These results provide compelling experimental support for a plausible evolutionary pathway of symmetric protein architecture via gene duplication and fusion processes.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0020, 10.1073/pnas.1015032108, PMC3017207
Format: Citation

Title: Expression and Function of the Kallikrein-Related Peptidase 6 in the Human Melanoma Microenvironment.
Creator: Krenzer, Stefanie, Peterziel, Heike, Mauch, Cornelia, Blaber, Sachiko, Blaber, Michael, Angel, Peter, Hess, Jochen
Abstract/Description: Cutaneous malignant melanoma is an aggressive disease of poor prognosis. Clinical and experimental studies have provided major insight into the pathogenesis of the disease, including the functional interaction between melanoma cells and surrounding keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and immune cells. Nevertheless, patients with metastasized melanoma have a very poor prognosis and are largely refractory to clinical therapies. Hence, diagnostic tools to monitor melanoma development, as well as...
Show moreCutaneous malignant melanoma is an aggressive disease of poor prognosis. Clinical and experimental studies have provided major insight into the pathogenesis of the disease, including the functional interaction between melanoma cells and surrounding keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and immune cells. Nevertheless, patients with metastasized melanoma have a very poor prognosis and are largely refractory to clinical therapies. Hence, diagnostic tools to monitor melanoma development, as well as therapeutic targets, are urgently needed. We investigated the expression pattern of the kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (KLK6) in human melanoma tissue sections throughout tumor development. Although KLK6 was not detectable in tumor cells, we found strong KLK6 protein expression in keratinocytes and stromal cells located adjacent to benign nevi, primary melanomas, and cutaneous metastatic lesions, suggesting a paracrine function of extracellular KLK6 during neoplastic transformation and malignant progression. Accordingly, recombinant Klk6 protein significantly induced melanoma cell migration and invasion accompanied by an accelerated intracellular Ca(2+) flux. We could further demonstrate that KLK6-induced intracellular Ca(2+) flux and tumor cell invasion critically depends on the protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1). Our data provide experimental evidence that specific inhibition of the KLK6-PAR1 axis may interfere with the deleterious effect of tumor-microenvironment interaction and represent a potential option for translational melanoma research.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0024, 10.1038/jid.2011.190
Format: Citation

Title: Kallikrein 6 is a Novel Molecular Trigger of Reactive Astrogliosis.
Creator: Scarisbrick, Isobel, Radulovic, Maja, Burda, Joshua, Larson, Nadya, Blaber, Sachiko, Giannini, Caterina, Blaber, Michael, Vandell, Alexander
Abstract/Description: Kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (KLK6) is a trypsin-like serine protease upregulated at sites of central nervous system (CNS) injury, including de novo expression by reactive astrocytes, yet its physiological actions are largely undefined. Taken with recent evidence that KLK6 activates G-protein-coupled protease-activated receptors (PARs), we hypothesized that injury-induced elevations in KLK6 contribute to the development of astrogliosis and that this occurs in a PAR-dependent fashion. Using...
Show moreKallikrein-related peptidase 6 (KLK6) is a trypsin-like serine protease upregulated at sites of central nervous system (CNS) injury, including de novo expression by reactive astrocytes, yet its physiological actions are largely undefined. Taken with recent evidence that KLK6 activates G-protein-coupled protease-activated receptors (PARs), we hypothesized that injury-induced elevations in KLK6 contribute to the development of astrogliosis and that this occurs in a PAR-dependent fashion. Using primary murine astrocytes and the Neu7 astrocyte cell line, we show that KLK6 causes astrocytes to transform from an epitheliod to a stellate morphology and to secrete interleukin 6 (IL-6). By contrast, KLK6 reduced expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The stellation-promoting activities of KLK6 were shown to be dependent on activation of the thrombin receptor, PAR1, as a PAR1-specific inhibitor, SCH79797, blocked KLK6-induced morphological changes. The ability of KLK6 to promote astrocyte stellation was also shown to be linked to activation of protein kinase C (PKC). These studies indicate that KLK6 is positioned to serve as a molecular trigger of select physiological processes involved in the development of astrogliosis and that this is likely to occur at least in part by activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor, PAR1.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0030, 10.1515/hsz-2011-0241
Format: Citation

Title: Pharmacokinetic Properties of 2(nd)-Generation Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 Mutants for Therapeutic Application.
Creator: Xia, Xue, Babcock, Joseph, Blaber, Sachiko, Harper, Kathleen, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: Fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) is an angiogenic factor with therapeutic potential for the treatment of ischemic disease. FGF-1 has low intrinsic thermostability and is characteristically formulated with heparin as a stabilizing agent. Heparin, however, adds a number of undesirable properties that negatively impact safety and cost. Mutations that increase the thermostability of FGF-1 may obviate the need for heparin in formulation and may prove to be useful "2nd-generation" forms for...
Show moreFibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) is an angiogenic factor with therapeutic potential for the treatment of ischemic disease. FGF-1 has low intrinsic thermostability and is characteristically formulated with heparin as a stabilizing agent. Heparin, however, adds a number of undesirable properties that negatively impact safety and cost. Mutations that increase the thermostability of FGF-1 may obviate the need for heparin in formulation and may prove to be useful "2nd-generation" forms for therapeutic use. We report a pharmacokinetic (PK) study in rabbits of human FGF-1 in the presence and absence of heparin, as well as three mutant forms having differential effects upon thermostability, buried reactive thiols, and heparin affinity. The results support the hypothesis that heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) in the vasculature of liver, kidney and spleen serves as the principle peripheral compartment in the distribution kinetics. The addition of heparin to FGF-1 is shown to increase endocrine-like properties of distribution. Mutant forms of FGF-1 that enhance thermostability or eliminate buried reactive thiols demonstrate a shorter distribution half-life, a longer elimination half-life, and a longer mean residence time (MRT) in comparison to wild-type FGF-1. The results show how such mutations can produce useful 2nd-generation forms with tailored PK profiles for specific therapeutic application.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0041, 10.1371/journal.pone.0048210
Format: Citation

Title: Activation Profiles of Human Kallikrein-Related Peptidases by Matrix Metalloproteinases.
Creator: Yoon, Hyesook, Blaber, Sachiko, Li, Wu, Scarisbrick, Isobel, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: Abstract The 15 human kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) are clinically important biomarkers and therapeutic targets of interest in inflammation, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease. KLKs are secreted as inactive pro-forms (pro-KLKs) that are activated extracellularly by specific proteolytic release of their amino-terminal pro-peptide, and this is a key step in their functional regulation. Physiologically relevant KLK regulatory cascades of activation have been described in skin...
Show moreAbstract The 15 human kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) are clinically important biomarkers and therapeutic targets of interest in inflammation, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease. KLKs are secreted as inactive pro-forms (pro-KLKs) that are activated extracellularly by specific proteolytic release of their amino-terminal pro-peptide, and this is a key step in their functional regulation. Physiologically relevant KLK regulatory cascades of activation have been described in skin desquamation and semen liquefaction, and work by a large number of investigators has elucidated pairwise and autolytic activation relationships among the KLKs with the potential for more extensive activation cascades. More recent work has asked whether functional intersection of KLKs with other types of regulatory proteases exists. Such studies show a capacity for members of the thrombostasis axis to act as broad activators of pro-KLKs. In the present report, we ask whether such functional intersection is possible between the KLKs and the members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family by evaluating the ability of the MMPs to activate pro-KLKs. The results identify MMP-20 as a broad activator of pro-KLKs, suggesting the potential for intersection of the KLK and MMP axes under pathological dysregulation of MMP-20 expression.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0042, 10.1515/hsz-2012-0249, PMC3709557
Format: Citation

Title: Spermitin: A Novel Mitochondrial Protein in Drosophila Spermatids.
Creator: Chen, Jieyan, Megraw, Timothy
Abstract/Description: Mitochondria, important energy centers in the cell, also control sperm cell morphogenesis.Drosophila spermatids have a remarkably large mitochondrial formation called the nebenkern. Immediately following meiosis during sperm development, the mitochondria in the spermatid fuse together into two large aggregates which then wrap around one another to produce the spherical nebenkern: a giant mitochondrion about 6 micrometers in diameter. The fused mitochondria play an important role in sperm tail...
Show moreMitochondria, important energy centers in the cell, also control sperm cell morphogenesis.Drosophila spermatids have a remarkably large mitochondrial formation called the nebenkern. Immediately following meiosis during sperm development, the mitochondria in the spermatid fuse together into two large aggregates which then wrap around one another to produce the spherical nebenkern: a giant mitochondrion about 6 micrometers in diameter. The fused mitochondria play an important role in sperm tail elongation by providing a structural platform to support the elongation of sperm cells. We have identified a novel testis-specific protein, Spermitin (Sprn), a protein with a Pleckstrin homology-like (PH) domain related to Ran-binding protein 1 at its C-terminus. Fluorescence microscopy showed that Sprn localizes at mitochondria in transfected Kc167 cells, and in the nebenkern throughout spermatid morphogenesis. The role of Sprn is unclear, as sprn mutant males are fertile, and have sperm tail length comparable to the wild-type.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0049, 10.1371/journal.pone.0108802
Format: Citation

Title: Myofilament Ca2+ Sensitization Causes Susceptibility to Cardiac Arrhythmia in Mice.
Creator: Baudenbacher, Franz, Schober, Tilmann, Pinto, Jose, Sidorov, Veniamin, Hilliard, Fredrick, Solaro, R. John, Potter, James, Knollmann, Björn C.
Abstract/Description: In human cardiomyopathy, anatomical abnormalities such as hypertrophy and fibrosis contribute to the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Here we have shown that increased myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, also a common feature in both inherited and acquired human cardiomyopathies, created arrhythmia susceptibility in mice, even in the absence of anatomical abnormalities. In mice expressing troponin T mutants that cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in humans, the risk of developing...
Show moreIn human cardiomyopathy, anatomical abnormalities such as hypertrophy and fibrosis contribute to the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Here we have shown that increased myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, also a common feature in both inherited and acquired human cardiomyopathies, created arrhythmia susceptibility in mice, even in the absence of anatomical abnormalities. In mice expressing troponin T mutants that cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in humans, the risk of developing ventricular tachycardia was directly proportional to the degree of Ca2+ sensitization caused by the troponin T mutation. Arrhythmia susceptibility was reproduced with the Ca2+-sensitizing agent EMD 57033 and prevented by myofilament Ca2+ desensitization with blebbistatin. Ca2+ sensitization markedly changed the shape of ventricular action potentials, resulting in shorter effective refractory periods, greater beat-to-beat variability of action potential durations, and increased dispersion of ventricular conduction velocities at fast heart rates. Together these effects created an arrhythmogenic substrate. Thus, myofilament Ca2+ sensitization represents a heretofore unrecognized arrhythmia mechanism. The protective effect of blebbistatin provides what we believe to be the first direct evidence that reduction of Ca2+ sensitivity in myofilaments is antiarrhythmic and might be beneficial to individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0050, 10.1172/JCI36642
Format: Citation

Title: Cardiac Troponin Mutations and Restrictive Cardiomyopathy.
Creator: Parvatiyar, Michelle, Pinto, Jose, Dweck, David, Potter, James
Abstract/Description: Mutations in sarcomeric proteins have recently been established as heritable causes of Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM). RCM is clinically characterized as a defect in cardiac diastolic function, such as, impaired ventricular relaxation, reduced diastolic volume and increased end-diastolic pressure. To date, mutations have been identified in the cardiac genes for desmin, alpha-actin, troponin I and troponin T. Functional studies in skinned muscle fibers reconstituted with troponin mutants...
Show moreMutations in sarcomeric proteins have recently been established as heritable causes of Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM). RCM is clinically characterized as a defect in cardiac diastolic function, such as, impaired ventricular relaxation, reduced diastolic volume and increased end-diastolic pressure. To date, mutations have been identified in the cardiac genes for desmin, alpha-actin, troponin I and troponin T. Functional studies in skinned muscle fibers reconstituted with troponin mutants have established phenotypes consistent with the clinical findings which include an increase in myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity and basal force. Moreover, when RCM mutants are incorporated into reconstituted myofilaments, the ability to inhibit the ATPase activity is reduced. A majority of the mutations cluster in specific regions of cardiac troponin and appear to be mutational "hot spots". This paper highlights the functional and clinical characteristics of RCM linked mutations within the troponin complex.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0053, 10.1155/2010/350706
Format: Citation

Title: Late Onset Sporadic Dilated Cardiomyopathy Caused by a Cardiac Troponin T Mutation.
Creator: Morales, Ana, Pinto, Jose, Siegfried, Jill, Li, Duanxiang, Norton, Nadine, Hofmeyer, Mark, Vallin, Marta, Morales, Azorides R., Potter, James, Hershberger, Ray
Abstract/Description: Mutations in TNNT2, encoding cardiac troponin T, commonly shows early onset, aggressive dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This observation may influence the decision of whether to undertake clinical genetic testing for TNNT2 in later onset DCM. Further, the trigger for late onset DCM remains enigmatic. A 70-year-old woman, previously healthy with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 50%-55% at age 69, presented with DCM of unknown cause and a 4-month history progressive heart failure requiring...
Show moreMutations in TNNT2, encoding cardiac troponin T, commonly shows early onset, aggressive dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This observation may influence the decision of whether to undertake clinical genetic testing for TNNT2 in later onset DCM. Further, the trigger for late onset DCM remains enigmatic. A 70-year-old woman, previously healthy with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 50%-55% at age 69, presented with DCM of unknown cause and a 4-month history progressive heart failure requiring cardiac transplantation. Clinical genetic testing revealed a novel TNNT2 R139H mutation but no relevant variants in 18 other DCM genes. Her explanted heart showed partial fatty replacement in the right ventricle. Sequencing for five arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia genes was negative. Functional studies in porcine cardiac skinned fibers reconstituted with the mutant R139H troponin T protein showed decreased Ca(2+) sensitivity at pH 7, characteristic of DCM. Because fatty infiltration may acidify the myocellular environment, maximal force development examined at pH 6.5 was diminished, suggesting a possible environmental trigger. We conclude that the TNNT2 R139H mutation was likely to be disease causing. Further, later age of onset may not be relevant to exclude genetic testing for TNNT2 mutations.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0054, 10.1111/j.1752-8062.2010.00228.x
Format: Citation

Title: Myosin Cross-Bridges Do Not Form Precise Rigor Bonds in Hypertrophic Heart Muscle Carrying Troponin T Mutations.
Creator: Midde, K., Dumka, V., Pinto, Jose, Muthu, P., Marandos, P., Gryczynski, I., Gryczynski, Z., Potter, James, Borejdo, J.
Abstract/Description: Distribution of orientations of myosin was examined in ex-vivo myofibrils from hearts of transgenic (Tg) mice expressing Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (FHC) troponin T (TnT) mutations I79N, F110I and R278C. Humans are heterozygous for sarcomeric FHC mutations and so hypertrophic myocardium contains a mixture of the wild-type (WT) and mutated (MUT) TnT. If mutations are expressed at a low level there may not be a significant change in the global properties of heart muscle. In contrast,...
Show moreDistribution of orientations of myosin was examined in ex-vivo myofibrils from hearts of transgenic (Tg) mice expressing Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (FHC) troponin T (TnT) mutations I79N, F110I and R278C. Humans are heterozygous for sarcomeric FHC mutations and so hypertrophic myocardium contains a mixture of the wild-type (WT) and mutated (MUT) TnT. If mutations are expressed at a low level there may not be a significant change in the global properties of heart muscle. In contrast, measurements from a few molecules avoid averaging inherent in the global measurements. It is thus important to examine the properties of only a few molecules of muscle. To this end, the lever arm of one out of every 60,000 myosin molecules was labeled with a fluorescent dye and a small volume within the A-band (~1 fL) was observed by confocal microscopy. This volume contained on average 5 fluorescent myosin molecules. The lever arm assumes different orientations reflecting different stages of acto-myosin enzymatic cycle. We measured the distribution of these orientations by recording polarization of fluorescent light emitted by myosin-bound fluorophore during rigor and contraction. The distribution of orientations of rigor WT and MUT myofibrils was significantly different. There was a large difference in the width and of skewness and kurtosis of rigor distributions. These findings suggest that the hypertrophic phenotype associated with the TnT mutations can be characterized by a significant increase in disorder of rigor cross-bridges.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0055, 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2011.06.001
Format: Citation

Title: Collagen XIV Is Important for Growth and Structural Integrity of the Myocardium.
Creator: Tao, Ge, Levay, Agata, Peacock, Jacqueline, Huk, Danielle, Both, Sarah, Purcell, Nicole, Pinto, Jose, Galantowicz, Maarten, Koch, Manuel, Lucchesi, Pamela, Birk, David E.,...
Show moreTao, Ge, Levay, Agata, Peacock, Jacqueline, Huk, Danielle, Both, Sarah, Purcell, Nicole, Pinto, Jose, Galantowicz, Maarten, Koch, Manuel, Lucchesi, Pamela, Birk, David E., Lincoln, Joy
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Abstract/Description: Collagen XIV is a fibril-associated collagen with an interrupted triple helix (FACIT). Previous studies have shown that this collagen type regulates early stages of fibrillogenesis in connective tissues of high mechanical demand. Mice null for Collagen XIV are viable, however formation of the interstitial collagen network is defective in tendons and skin leading to reduced biomechanical function. The assembly of a tightly regulated collagen network is also required in the heart, not only for...
Show moreCollagen XIV is a fibril-associated collagen with an interrupted triple helix (FACIT). Previous studies have shown that this collagen type regulates early stages of fibrillogenesis in connective tissues of high mechanical demand. Mice null for Collagen XIV are viable, however formation of the interstitial collagen network is defective in tendons and skin leading to reduced biomechanical function. The assembly of a tightly regulated collagen network is also required in the heart, not only for structural support but also for controlling cellular processes. Collagen XIV is highly expressed in the embryonic heart, notably within the cardiac interstitium of the developing myocardium, however its role has not been elucidated. To test this, we examined cardiac phenotypes in embryonic and adult mice devoid of Collagen XIV. From as early as E11.5, Col14a1(-/-) mice exhibit significant perturbations in mRNA levels of many other collagen types and remodeling enzymes (MMPs, TIMPs) within the ventricular myocardium. By post natal stages, collagen fibril organization is in disarray and the adult heart displays defects in ventricular morphogenesis. In addition to the extracellular matrix, Col14a1(-/-) mice exhibit increased cardiomyocyte proliferation at post natal, but not E11.5 stages, leading to increased cell number, yet cell size is decreased by 3 months of age. In contrast to myocytes, the number of cardiac fibroblasts is reduced after birth associated with increased apoptosis. As a result of these molecular and cellular changes during embryonic development and post natal maturation, cardiac function is diminished in Col14a1(-/-) mice from 3 months of age; associated with dilation in the absence of hypertrophy, and reduced ejection fraction. Further, Col14a1 deficiency leads to a greater increase in left ventricular wall thickening in response to pathological pressure overload compared to wild type animals. Collectively, these studies identify a new role for type XIV collagen in the formation of the cardiac interstitium during embryonic development, and highlight the importance of the collagen network for myocardial cell survival, and function of the working myocardium after birth.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0056, 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2012.08.002
Format: Citation

Title: Molecular and Functional Characterization of Novel Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Susceptibility Mutations in TNNC1-encoded Troponin C.
Creator: Landstrom, Andrew, Parvatiyar, Michelle, Pinto, Jose, Marquardt, Michelle, Bos, J., Tester, David, Ommen, Steve, Potter, James, Ackerman, Michael
Abstract/Description: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common primary cardiac disorder defined by a hypertrophied left ventricle, is one of the main causes of sudden death in young athletes, and has been associated with mutations in most sarcomeric proteins (tropomyosin, troponin T and I, and actin, etc.). Many of these mutations appear to affect the functional properties of cardiac troponin C (cTnC), i.e., by increasing the Ca(2+)-sensitivity of contraction, a hallmark of HCM, yet surprisingly, prior to...
Show moreHypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common primary cardiac disorder defined by a hypertrophied left ventricle, is one of the main causes of sudden death in young athletes, and has been associated with mutations in most sarcomeric proteins (tropomyosin, troponin T and I, and actin, etc.). Many of these mutations appear to affect the functional properties of cardiac troponin C (cTnC), i.e., by increasing the Ca(2+)-sensitivity of contraction, a hallmark of HCM, yet surprisingly, prior to this report, cTnC had not been classified as a HCM-susceptibility gene. In this study, we show that mutations occurring in the human cTnC (HcTnC) gene (TNNC1) have the same prevalence (~0.4%) as well established HCM-susceptibility genes that encode other sarcomeric proteins. Comprehensive open reading frame/splice site mutation analysis of TNNC1 performed on 1025 unrelated HCM patients enrolled over the last 10 years revealed novel missense mutations in TNNC1: A8V, C84Y, E134D, and D145E. Functional studies with these recombinant HcTnC HCM mutations showed increased Ca(2+) sensitivity of force development (A8V, C84Y and D145E) and force recovery (A8V and D145E). These results are consistent with the HCM functional phenotypes seen with other sarcomeric-HCM mutations (E134D showed no changes in these parameters). This is the largest cohort analysis of TNNC1 in HCM that details the discovery of at least three novel HCM-associated mutations and more strongly links TNNC1 to HCM along with functional evidence that supports a central role for its involvement in the disease. This study may help to further define TNNC1 as an HCM-susceptibility gene, a classification that has already been established for the other members of the troponin complex.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0058, 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2008.05.003
Format: Citation

Title: Clinical and Functional Characterization of TNNT2 Mutations Identified in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
Creator: Hershberger, Ray, Pinto, Jose, Parks, Sharie, Kushner, Jessica, Li, Duanxiang, Ludwigsen, Susan, Cowan, Jason, Morales, Ana, Parvatiyar, Michelle, Potter, James
Abstract/Description: BACKGROUND: A key issue for cardiovascular genetic medicine is ascertaining if a putative mutation indeed causes dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This is critically important as genetic DCM, usually presenting with advanced, life-threatening disease, may be preventable with early intervention in relatives known to carry the mutation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We recently undertook bidirectional resequencing of TNNT2, the cardiac troponin T gene, in 313 probands with DCM. We identified 6 TNNT2 protein...
Show moreBACKGROUND: A key issue for cardiovascular genetic medicine is ascertaining if a putative mutation indeed causes dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This is critically important as genetic DCM, usually presenting with advanced, life-threatening disease, may be preventable with early intervention in relatives known to carry the mutation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We recently undertook bidirectional resequencing of TNNT2, the cardiac troponin T gene, in 313 probands with DCM. We identified 6 TNNT2 protein-altering variants in 9 probands, all who had early onset, aggressive disease. Additional family members of mutation carriers were then studied when available. Four of the 9 probands had DCM without a family history, and 5 probands had familial DCM. Only 1 mutation (Lys210del) could be attributed as definitively causative from previous reports. Four of the 5 missense mutations were novel (Arg134Gly, Arg151Cys, Arg159Gln, and Arg205Trp), and one was previously reported with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (Glu244Asp). Based on the clinical, pedigree, and molecular genetic data, these 5 mutations were considered possibly or likely disease causing. To further clarify their potential pathophysiologic impact, we undertook functional studies of these mutations in cardiac myocytes reconstituted with mutant troponin T proteins. We observed decreased Ca(2+) sensitivity of force development, a hallmark of DCM, in support of the conclusion that these mutations are disease causing. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the combination of clinical, pedigree, molecular genetic, and functional data strengthen the interpretation of TNNT2 mutations in DCM.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0059, 10.1161/CIRCGENETICS.108.846733
Format: Citation

Title: Functional Effects of a Restrictive-Cardiomyopathy-Linked Cardiac Troponin I Mutation (R145W) in Transgenic Mice.
Creator: Wen, Yuhui, Xu, Yuanyuan, Wang, Yingcai, Pinto, Jose, Potter, James, Kerrick, W.
Abstract/Description: The human cardiac troponin I (hcTnI) mutation R145W has been associated with restrictive cardiomyopathy. In this study, simultaneous measurements of ATPase activity and force in skinned papillary fibers from hcTnI R145W transgenic mice (Tg-R145W) were explored. Tg-R145W fibers showed an approximately 13-16% increase in maximal Ca(2+)-activated force and ATPase activity compared to hcTnI wild-type transgenic mice. The force-generating cross-bridge turnover rate (g) and the energy cost (ATPase...
Show moreThe human cardiac troponin I (hcTnI) mutation R145W has been associated with restrictive cardiomyopathy. In this study, simultaneous measurements of ATPase activity and force in skinned papillary fibers from hcTnI R145W transgenic mice (Tg-R145W) were explored. Tg-R145W fibers showed an approximately 13-16% increase in maximal Ca(2+)-activated force and ATPase activity compared to hcTnI wild-type transgenic mice. The force-generating cross-bridge turnover rate (g) and the energy cost (ATPase/force) were the same in all groups of fibers. Also, the Tg-R145W fibers showed a large increase in the Ca(2+) sensitivity of both force development and ATPase. In intact fibers, the mutation caused prolonged force and intracellular [Ca(2+)] transients and increased time to peak force. Analysis of force and Ca(2+) transients showed that there was a 40% increase in peak force in Tg-R145W muscles, which was likely due to the increased Ca(2+) transient duration. The above cited results suggest that: (1) there would be an increase in resistance to ventricular filling during diastole resulting from the prolonged force and Ca(2+) transients that would result in a decrease in ventricular filling (diastolic dysfunction); and (2) there would be a large (approximately 53%) increase in force during systole, which may help to partly compensate for diastolic dysfunction. These functional results help to explain the mechanisms by which these mutations give rise to a restrictive phenotype.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0060, 10.1016/j.jmb.2009.07.080
Format: Citation

Title: Functional Role of Kallikrein 6 in Regulating Immune Cell Survival.
Creator: Scarisbrick, Isobel, Epstein, Benjamin, Cloud, Beth, Yoon, Hyesook, Wu, Jianmin, Renner, Danielle, Blaber, Sachiko, Blaber, Michael, Vandell, Alexander, Bryson, Alexandra
Abstract/Description: BACKGROUND: Kallikrein 6 (KLK6) is a newly identified member of the kallikrein family of secreted serine proteases that prior studies indicate is elevated at sites of central nervous system (CNS) inflammation and which shows regulated expression with T cell activation. Notably, KLK6 is also elevated in the serum of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients however its potential roles in immune function are unknown. Herein we specifically examine whether KLK6 alters immune cell survival and the...
Show moreBACKGROUND: Kallikrein 6 (KLK6) is a newly identified member of the kallikrein family of secreted serine proteases that prior studies indicate is elevated at sites of central nervous system (CNS) inflammation and which shows regulated expression with T cell activation. Notably, KLK6 is also elevated in the serum of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients however its potential roles in immune function are unknown. Herein we specifically examine whether KLK6 alters immune cell survival and the possible mechanism by which this may occur. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using murine whole splenocyte preparations and the human Jurkat T cell line we demonstrate that KLK6 robustly supports cell survival across a range of cell death paradigms. Recombinant KLK6 was shown to significantly reduce cell death under resting conditions and in response to camptothecin, dexamethasone, staurosporine and Fas-ligand. Moreover, KLK6-over expression in Jurkat T cells was shown to generate parallel pro-survival effects. In mixed splenocyte populations the vigorous immune cell survival promoting effects of KLK6 were shown to include both T and B lymphocytes, to occur with as little as 5 minutes of treatment, and to involve up regulation of the pro-survival protein B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-XL), and inhibition of the pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2-interacting mediator of cell death (Bim). The ability of KLK6 to promote survival of splenic T cells was also shown to be absent in cell preparations derived from PAR1 deficient mice. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: KLK6 promotes lymphocyte survival by a mechanism that depends in part on activation of PAR1. These findings point to a novel molecular mechanism regulating lymphocyte survival that is likely to have relevance to a range of immunological responses that depend on apoptosis for immune clearance and maintenance of homeostasis.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0022, 10.1371/journal.pone.0018376
Format: Citation

Title: δ/ω-Plectoxin-Pt1a: An Excitatory Spider Toxin with Actions on both Ca(2+) and Na(+) Channels.
Creator: Zhou, Yi, Zhao, Mingli, Fields, Gregg B., Wu, Chun-Fang, Branton, W.
Abstract/Description: The venom of spider Plectreurys tristis contains a variety of peptide toxins that selectively target neuronal ion channels. O-palmitoylation of a threonine or serine residue, along with a characteristic and highly constrained disulfide bond structure, are hallmarks of a family of toxins found in this venom. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a new toxin, δ/ω-plectoxin-Pt1a, from this spider venom. It is a 40 amino acid peptide containing an O-palmitoylated Ser-39. Analysis...
Show moreThe venom of spider Plectreurys tristis contains a variety of peptide toxins that selectively target neuronal ion channels. O-palmitoylation of a threonine or serine residue, along with a characteristic and highly constrained disulfide bond structure, are hallmarks of a family of toxins found in this venom. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a new toxin, δ/ω-plectoxin-Pt1a, from this spider venom. It is a 40 amino acid peptide containing an O-palmitoylated Ser-39. Analysis of δ/ω-plectoxin-Pt1a cDNA reveals a small precursor containing a secretion signal sequence, a 14 amino acid N-terminal propeptide, and a C-terminal amidation signal. The biological activity of δ/ω-plectoxin-Pt1a is also unique. It preferentially blocks a subset of Ca(2+) channels that is apparently not required for neurotransmitter release; decreases threshold for Na(+) channel activation; and slows Na(+) channel inactivation. As δ/ω-plectoxin-Pt1a enhances synaptic transmission by prolonging presynaptic release of neurotransmitter, its effects on Na(+) and Ca(2+) channels may act synergistically to sustain the terminal excitability.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0044
Format: Citation

Title: Analysis of the Molecular Pathogenesis of Cardiomyopathy-Causing cTnT Mutants I79N, ΔE96, and ΔK210.
Creator: Bai, Fan, Caster, Hannah, Pinto, Jose, Kawai, Masataka
Abstract/Description: Three troponin T (TnT) mutants that cause hypertrophic, restrictive, and dilated cardiomyopathy (I79N, ΔE96, and ΔK210, respectively), were examined using the thin-filament extraction/reconstitution technique. Effects of Ca(2+), ATP, phosphate, and ADP concentrations on force and its transients were studied at 25°C. Maximal Ca(2+) tension (THC) and Ca(2+)-activatable tension (Tact), respectively, were similar among I79N, ΔE96, and WT, whereas ΔK210 led to a significantly lower THC (∼20% less)...
Show moreThree troponin T (TnT) mutants that cause hypertrophic, restrictive, and dilated cardiomyopathy (I79N, ΔE96, and ΔK210, respectively), were examined using the thin-filament extraction/reconstitution technique. Effects of Ca(2+), ATP, phosphate, and ADP concentrations on force and its transients were studied at 25°C. Maximal Ca(2+) tension (THC) and Ca(2+)-activatable tension (Tact), respectively, were similar among I79N, ΔE96, and WT, whereas ΔK210 led to a significantly lower THC (∼20% less) and Tact (∼25% less) than did WT. In pCa solution containing 8 mM Pi and ionic strength adjusted to 200 mM, the Ca(2+) sensitivity (pCa50) of I79N (5.63 ± 0.02) and ΔE96 (5.60 ± 0.03) was significantly greater than that of WT (5.45 ± 0.04), but the pCa50 of ΔK210 (5.54 ± 0.04) remained similar to that of WT. Five equilibrium constants were deduced using sinusoidal analysis. All three mutants showed significantly lower K0 (ADP association constant) and larger K4 (equilibrium constant of force generation step) relative to the corresponding values for WT. I79N and ΔK210 were associated with a K2 (equilibrium constant of cross-bridge detachment step) significantly lower than that of ΔE96 and WT. These results demonstrated that at pCa 4.66, the force/cross-bridge is ∼18% less in I79N and ∼41% less in ΔK210 than that in WT. These results indicate that the molecular pathogenesis of the cardiac TnT mutation-related cardiomyopathies is different for each mutation.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0051, 10.1016/j.bpj.2013.04.001
Format: Citation

Title: Absence of Myocardial Thyroid Hormone Inactivating Deiodinase Results in Restrictive Cardiomyopathy in Mice.
Creator: Ueta, Cintia, Oskouei, Behzad, Olivares, Emerson, Pinto, Jose, Correa, Mayrin, Simovic, Gordana, Simonides, Warner, Hare, Joshua, Bianco, Antônio Carlos
Abstract/Description: Cardiac injury induces myocardial expression of the thyroid hormone inactivating type 3 deiodinase (D3), which in turn dampens local thyroid hormone signaling. Here, we show that the D3 gene (Dio3) is a tissue-specific imprinted gene in the heart, and thus, heterozygous D3 knockout (HtzD3KO) mice constitute a model of cardiac D3 inactivation in an otherwise systemically euthyroid animal. HtzD3KO newborns have normal hearts but later develop restrictive cardiomyopathy due to cardiac-specific...
Show moreCardiac injury induces myocardial expression of the thyroid hormone inactivating type 3 deiodinase (D3), which in turn dampens local thyroid hormone signaling. Here, we show that the D3 gene (Dio3) is a tissue-specific imprinted gene in the heart, and thus, heterozygous D3 knockout (HtzD3KO) mice constitute a model of cardiac D3 inactivation in an otherwise systemically euthyroid animal. HtzD3KO newborns have normal hearts but later develop restrictive cardiomyopathy due to cardiac-specific increase in thyroid hormone signaling, including myocardial fibrosis, impaired myocardial contractility, and diastolic dysfunction. In wild-type littermates, treatment with isoproterenol-induced myocardial D3 activity and an increase in the left ventricular volumes, typical of cardiac remodeling and dilatation. Remarkably, isoproterenol-treated HtzD3KO mice experienced a further decrease in left ventricular volumes with worsening of the diastolic dysfunction and the restrictive cardiomyopathy, resulting in congestive heart failure and increased mortality. These findings reveal crucial roles for Dio3 in heart function and remodeling, which may have pathophysiologic implications for human restrictive cardiomyopathy.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0052, 10.1210/me.2011-1325
Format: Citation

Title: Myofilament Calcium De-Sensitization and Contractile Uncoupling Prevent Pause-Triggered Ventricular Tachycardia in Mouse Hearts with Chronic Myocardial Infarction.
Creator: Venkataraman, Raghav, Baldo, Marcelo, Hwang, Hyun, Veltri, Tiago, Pinto, Jose, Baudenbacher, Franz, Knollmann, Björn C.
Abstract/Description: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a major risk for ventricular arrhythmia. Pause-triggered ventricular arrhythmia can be caused by increased myofilament Ca binding due to sarcomeric mutations or Ca-sensitizing compounds. Myofilament Ca sensitivity is also increased after MI. Here we hypothesize that MI increases risk for pause-triggered ventricular arrhythmias, which can be prevented by myofilament Ca-desensitization and contractile uncoupling. To test this hypothesis, we generated a murine...
Show moreMyocardial infarction (MI) is a major risk for ventricular arrhythmia. Pause-triggered ventricular arrhythmia can be caused by increased myofilament Ca binding due to sarcomeric mutations or Ca-sensitizing compounds. Myofilament Ca sensitivity is also increased after MI. Here we hypothesize that MI increases risk for pause-triggered ventricular arrhythmias, which can be prevented by myofilament Ca-desensitization and contractile uncoupling. To test this hypothesis, we generated a murine chronic MI model using male B6SJLF1/J mice (n=40) that underwent permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. 4 weeks post MI, cardiac structure, function and myofilament Ca sensitivity were evaluated. Pause-dependent arrhythmia susceptibility was quantified in isolated hearts with pacing trains of increasing frequency, followed by a pause and an extra stimulus. Coronary ligation resulted in a mean infarct size of 39.6±5.7% LV and fractional shortening on echocardiography was reduced by 40% compared to non-infarcted controls. Myofilament Ca sensitivity was significantly increased in post MI hearts (pCa50: Control=5.66±0.03; MI=5.84±0.05; P
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: FSU_migr_biomed_faculty_publications-0057, 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2013.03.022
Format: Citation

Title: Accelerated healing in NONcNZO10/LtJ type 2 diabetic mice by FGF 1.
Creator: Blaber, Sachiko, Diaz, Jose, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: The development of novel therapies to treat chronic diabetic ulcers depends upon appropriate animal models for early stage investigation. The NONcNZO10/LtJ mouse is a new polygenic strain developed to more realistically model human metabolic syndrome and obesity-induced Type 2 diabetes; however, detailed wound healing properties have not been reported. In this report we describe a quantitative wound healing study in the NONcNZO10/LtJ mouse using a splinted excisional wound. The rate of wound...
Show moreThe development of novel therapies to treat chronic diabetic ulcers depends upon appropriate animal models for early stage investigation. The NONcNZO10/LtJ mouse is a new polygenic strain developed to more realistically model human metabolic syndrome and obesity-induced Type 2 diabetes; however, detailed wound healing properties have not been reported. In this report we describe a quantitative wound healing study in the NONcNZO10/LtJ mouse using a splinted excisional wound. The rate of wound healing is compared to various controls, and is also quantified in response to topical administration of normal and mutant fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1). Quantitation of re-epithelialization shows that the diabetic condition in the NONcNZO10/LtJ mouse is concomitant with a decreased rate of dermal healing. Furthermore, topical administration of a FGF-1/heparin formulation effectively accelerates re-epithelialization. A similar acceleration can also be achieved by a stabilized mutant form of FGF-1 formulated in the absence of heparin. Such accelerated rates of healing are not associated with any abnormal histology in the healed wounds. The results identify the NONcNZO10/LtJ mouse as a useful model of impaired wound healing in type II diabetes, and further, identify engineered forms of FGF-1 as a potential “second-generation” therapeutic to promote diabetic dermal wound healing.
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Date Issued: 2015-06-19
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1456505007, 10.1111/wrr.12305
Format: Citation

Title: Mutation Choice to Eliminate Buried Free Cysteines in Protein Therapeutics.
Creator: Xia, Xue, Longo, Liam, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: Buried free Cys residues can contribute to an irreversible unfolding pathway that promotes protein aggregation, increases immunogenic potential, and significantly reduces protein functional half-life. Consequently, mutation of buried free Cys residues can result in significant improvement in the storage, reconstitution, and pharmacokinetic properties of protein-based therapeutics. Mutational design to eliminate buried free Cys residues typically follows one of two common heuristics: either...
Show moreBuried free Cys residues can contribute to an irreversible unfolding pathway that promotes protein aggregation, increases immunogenic potential, and significantly reduces protein functional half-life. Consequently, mutation of buried free Cys residues can result in significant improvement in the storage, reconstitution, and pharmacokinetic properties of protein-based therapeutics. Mutational design to eliminate buried free Cys residues typically follows one of two common heuristics: either substitution by Ser (polar and isosteric), or substitution by Ala or Val (hydrophobic); however, a detailed structural and thermodynamic understanding of Cys mutations is lacking. We report a comprehensive structure and stability study of Ala, Ser, Thr and Val mutations at each of the three buried free Cys positions (Cys16, Cys83, and Cys117) in fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1). Mutation was almost universally destabilizing, indicating a general optimization for the wild-type Cys, including van der Waals and H-bond interactions. Structural response to Cys mutation characteristically involved changes to maintain, or effectively substitute, local H-bond interactions -- by either structural collapse to accommodate the smaller oxygen radius of Ser/Thr, or conversely, expansion to enable inclusion of novel H-bonding solvent. Despite the diverse structural effects, the least destabilizing average substitution at each position was Ala, and not isosteric Ser.
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Date Issued: 2014-10-13
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1456504649, 10.1002/jps.24188
Format: Citation

Title: A Single Aromatic Core Mutation Converts a Designed "Primitive" Protein from Halophile to Mesophile Folding.
Creator: Longo, Liam, Tenorio, Conniee, Kumru, Ozan, Middaugh, Russell, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: The halophile environment has a number of compelling aspects with regard to the origin of structured polypeptides (i.e., proteogenesis) and, instead of a curious niche that living systems adapted into, the halophile environment is emerging as a candidate “cradle” for proteogenesis. In this viewpoint, a subsequent halophile-to-mesophile transition was a key step in early evolution. Several lines of evidence indicate that aromatic amino acids were a late addition to the codon table and not part...
Show moreThe halophile environment has a number of compelling aspects with regard to the origin of structured polypeptides (i.e., proteogenesis) and, instead of a curious niche that living systems adapted into, the halophile environment is emerging as a candidate “cradle” for proteogenesis. In this viewpoint, a subsequent halophile-to-mesophile transition was a key step in early evolution. Several lines of evidence indicate that aromatic amino acids were a late addition to the codon table and not part of the original “prebiotic” set comprising the earliest polypeptides. We test the hypothesis that the availability of aromatic amino acids could facilitate a halophile-to-mesophile transition by hydrophobic core-packing enhancement. The effects of aromatic amino acid substitutions were evaluated in the core of a “primitive” designed protein enriched for the 10 prebiotic amino acids (A,D,E,G,I,L,P,S,T,V)--having an exclusively prebiotic core and requiring halophilic conditions for folding. The results indicate that a single aromatic amino acid substitution is capable of eliminating the requirement of halophile conditions for folding of a “primitive” polypeptide. Thus, the availability of aromatic amino acids could have facilitated a critical halophile-to-mesophile protein folding adaptation--identifying a selective advantage for the incorporation of aromatic amino acids into the codon table.
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Date Issued: 2014-10-25
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1456504194, 10.1002/pro.2580, PMC4282409
Format: Citation

Title: Evolution and design of protein structure by folding nucleus symmetric expansion.
Creator: Longo, Liam, Kumru, Ozan, Middaugh, Russell, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: Models of symmetric protein evolution typically invoke gene duplication and fusion events, in which repetition of a structural motif generates foldable, stable symmetric protein architecture. Success of such evolutionary processes suggests that the duplicated structural motif must be capable of nucleating protein folding. If correct, symmetric expansion of a folding nucleus sequence derived from an extant symmetric fold may be an elegant and computationally tractable solution to de novo...
Show moreModels of symmetric protein evolution typically invoke gene duplication and fusion events, in which repetition of a structural motif generates foldable, stable symmetric protein architecture. Success of such evolutionary processes suggests that the duplicated structural motif must be capable of nucleating protein folding. If correct, symmetric expansion of a folding nucleus sequence derived from an extant symmetric fold may be an elegant and computationally tractable solution to de novo protein design. We report the efficient de novo design of a β-trefoil protein by symmetric expansion of a β-trefoil folding nucleus, previously identified by ɸ-value analysis. The resulting protein, having exact sequence symmetry, exhibits superior folding properties compared to its naturally evolved progenitor--with the potential for redundant folding nuclei. In principle, folding nucleus symmetric expansion can be applied to any given symmetric protein fold (that is, nearly 1/3 of the known proteome) provided information of the folding nucleus is available.
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Date Issued: 2014-10-07
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1456503265, 10.1016/j.str.2014.08.008
Format: Citation

Title: Symmetric Protein Architecture in Protein Design.
Creator: Longo, Liam, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: Top-down symmetric deconstruction (TDSD) is a joint experimental and computational approach to generate a highly stable, functionally benign protein scaffold for intended application in subsequent functional design studies. By focusing on symmetric protein folds, TDSD can leverage the dramatic reduction in sequence space achieved by applying a primary structure symmetric constraint to the design process. Fundamentally, TDSD is an iterative symmetrization process, in which the goal is to...
Show moreTop-down symmetric deconstruction (TDSD) is a joint experimental and computational approach to generate a highly stable, functionally benign protein scaffold for intended application in subsequent functional design studies. By focusing on symmetric protein folds, TDSD can leverage the dramatic reduction in sequence space achieved by applying a primary structure symmetric constraint to the design process. Fundamentally, TDSD is an iterative symmetrization process, in which the goal is to maintain or improve properties of thermodynamic stability and folding cooperativity inherent to a starting sequence (the “proxy”). As such, TDSD does not attempt to solve the inverse protein folding problem directly, which is computationally intractable. The present chapter will take the reader through all of the primary steps of TDSD--selecting a proxy, identifying potential mutations, establishing a stability/folding cooperativity screen--relying heavily on a successful TDSD solution for the common β-trefoil fold.
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Date Issued: 2014-08-20
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1456502653, 10.1007/978-1-4939-1486-9_8
Format: Citation

Title: Prebiotic Protein Design supports a Halophile Origin of Foldable Proteins.
Creator: Longo, Liam, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: In this opinion article we argue for the following: 1) 10 of the common α-amino acids were likely available in the prebiotic world, produced by a variety of abiotic chemical syntheses; 2) although a highly-restricted set, experimental and theoretical considerations indicates this prebiotic alphabet of α-amino acids contains the requisite chemical information to comprise a foldable set (i.e., foldable polypeptides are possible having a composition only of the prebiotic alphabet); 3) a...
Show moreIn this opinion article we argue for the following: 1) 10 of the common α-amino acids were likely available in the prebiotic world, produced by a variety of abiotic chemical syntheses; 2) although a highly-restricted set, experimental and theoretical considerations indicates this prebiotic alphabet of α-amino acids contains the requisite chemical information to comprise a foldable set (i.e., foldable polypeptides are possible having a composition only of the prebiotic alphabet); 3) a comparison of the prebiotic alphabet with known proteomes predicts that polypeptides comprised of the prebiotic alphabet would have halophile properties – i.e., folding and solubility would be compatible with high salt. Recent experimental studies support this hypothesis; 4) proteogenesis (the emergence of polypeptides) – a key aspect of abiogenesis (the emergence of life from non-living molecules) – is likely to have occurred within the halophile environment.
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Date Issued: 2014-01-06
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1456502085, 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00418, PMC3880840
Format: Citation

Title: Alternative Folding Nuclei Definitions Facilitate the Evolution of a Symmetric Protein Fold from a Smaller Peptide Motif.
Creator: Longo, Liam, Lee, Jihun, Tenorio, Connie, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: Protein 3° structure symmetry is a defining feature of nearly a third of protein folds and is generally thought to result from a combination of gene duplication, fusion, and truncation events. Such events represent major replication errors, involving substantial alteration of protein 3° structure as well as causing regions of exact repeating 1° structure, both of which are generally considered deleterious to protein folding. Thus, the prevalence of symmetric protein folds is counterintuitive...
Show moreProtein 3° structure symmetry is a defining feature of nearly a third of protein folds and is generally thought to result from a combination of gene duplication, fusion, and truncation events. Such events represent major replication errors, involving substantial alteration of protein 3° structure as well as causing regions of exact repeating 1° structure, both of which are generally considered deleterious to protein folding. Thus, the prevalence of symmetric protein folds is counterintuitive and suggests a specific, yet unexplained, robustness. Using a designed β-trefoil protein, we show that purely symmetric 1° structure enables utilization of alternative definitions of the critical folding nucleus in response to gross structural rearrangement. Thus, major replication errors producing 1° structure symmetry can conserve foldability. The results provide an explanation for the prevalence of symmetric protein folds, and highlight a critical role for 1° structure symmetry in protein evolution.
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Date Issued: 2013-10-17
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1456501539, 10.1016/j.str.2013.09.003
Format: Citation

Title: Simplified Protein Design Biased for Pre-Biotic Amino Acids Yields a Foldable, Halophilic Protein.
Creator: Longo, Liam, Lee, Jihun, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: A compendium of different types of abiotic chemical syntheses identifies a consensus set of 10 “pre-biotic” -amino acids. Prior to the emergence of biosynthetic pathways this set is the most plausible resource for protein formation (i.e., proteogenesis) within the overall process of abiogenesis. An essential unsolved question regarding this pre-biotic set is whether it defines a “foldable set”? - that is, does it contain sufficient chemical information to permit cooperatively-folding...
Show moreA compendium of different types of abiotic chemical syntheses identifies a consensus set of 10 “pre-biotic” -amino acids. Prior to the emergence of biosynthetic pathways this set is the most plausible resource for protein formation (i.e., proteogenesis) within the overall process of abiogenesis. An essential unsolved question regarding this pre-biotic set is whether it defines a “foldable set”? - that is, does it contain sufficient chemical information to permit cooperatively-folding polypeptides? If so, what (if any) characteristic properties might such polypeptides exhibit? To investigate these questions two “primitive” versions of an extant protein fold (the β-trefoil) were produced by top-down symmetric deconstruction, resulting in a reduced alphabet size of 12 or 13 amino acids and a percentage of pre-biotic amino acids approaching 80%. These proteins show a substantial acidification of pI and require high salt concentrations for cooperative folding. The results suggest that the pre-biotic amino acids do comprise a foldable set within the halophile environment.
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Date Issued: 2012-12-19
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1456500856, 10.1073/pnas.1219530110
Format: Citation

Title: Kallikrein 6 Signals through PAR1 and PAR2 to Promote Neuron Injury and Exacerbate Glutamate Neurotoxicity.
Creator: Yoon, Hyesook, Radulovic, Maja, Wu, Jianmin, Blaber, Sachiko, Blaber, Michael, Fehlings, Michael, Scarisbrick, Isobel
Abstract/Description: CNS trauma generates a proteolytic imbalance contributing to secondary injury, including axonopathy and neuron degeneration. Kallikrein 6 (Klk6) is a serine protease implicated in neurodegeneration and here we investigate the role of protease activated receptors 1 (PAR1) and PAR2 in mediating these effects. First we demonstrate Klk6 and the prototypical activator of PAR1, thrombin, as well as PAR1 and PAR2, are each elevated in murine experimental traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) at acute...
Show moreCNS trauma generates a proteolytic imbalance contributing to secondary injury, including axonopathy and neuron degeneration. Kallikrein 6 (Klk6) is a serine protease implicated in neurodegeneration and here we investigate the role of protease activated receptors 1 (PAR1) and PAR2 in mediating these effects. First we demonstrate Klk6 and the prototypical activator of PAR1, thrombin, as well as PAR1 and PAR2, are each elevated in murine experimental traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) at acute or subacute time points. Recombinant Klk6 triggered ERK1/2 signaling in cerebellar granule neurons and in the NSC34 spinal cord motoneuron cell line, in a PI3K and MEK-dependent fashion. Importantly, lipopeptide inhibitors of PAR1 or PAR2, and PAR1 genetic deletion, each reduced Klk6-ERK1/2 activation. In addition, Klk6 and thrombin promoted degeneration of cerebellar neurons and exacerbated glutamate neurotoxicity. Moreover, genetic deletion of PAR1 blocked thrombin-mediated cerebellar neurotoxicity and reduced the neurotoxic effects of Klk6. Klk6 also increased glutamate-mediated Bim signaling, PARP cleavage and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in NSC34 motoneurons and these effects were blocked by PAR1 and PAR2 lipopeptide inhibitors. Taken together these data point to a novel Klk6-signaling axis in CNS neurons that is mediated by PAR1 and PAR2 and is positioned to contribute to neurodegeneration.
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Date Issued: 2013-11-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1464450461, 10.1111/jnc.12293
Format: Citation

Title: Kallikrein-related Peptidase 6: A Biomarker for Traumatic Brain Injury.
Creator: Phipps, Helen, Longo, Liam, Blaber, Sachiko, Blaber, Michael, VanLandingham, Jacob
Abstract/Description: Establishment of a traumatic brain injury (TBI)-sensitive biomarker or identification of a key therapeutic agent would significantly improve clinicians’ efforts to diagnose and treat TBI, thereby promoting improved outcomes for patients. Numerous studies support the role of kallikrein-6 (Klk6) as a critical component of neuroinflammation and demyelination. This study assesses whether Klk6 is implicated in the secondary mechanisms of TBI and subsequently if serum levels of Klk6 are useable as...
Show moreEstablishment of a traumatic brain injury (TBI)-sensitive biomarker or identification of a key therapeutic agent would significantly improve clinicians’ efforts to diagnose and treat TBI, thereby promoting improved outcomes for patients. Numerous studies support the role of kallikrein-6 (Klk6) as a critical component of neuroinflammation and demyelination. This study assesses whether Klk6 is implicated in the secondary mechanisms of TBI and subsequently if serum levels of Klk6 are useable as a biomarker. Methods: The abundance of Klk6 following controlled cortical impact (CCI) of the medial prefrontal cortex to a depth of either 3.0 mm (severe) or 1.5 mm (moderate) was quantified. Uninjured and rats subjected to craniotomy-only were used as controls. Protein levels were quantified with Western-blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry. Results: Severe and moderate CCI resulted in significant elevation of Klk6 in the contusion-core (12-fold-increase, p 5 0.0001) and serum (5-fold-increase, p 5 0.01) compared to controls. In all cases, Klk6 elevation was resolved within 72 hours. Conclusion: Serum levels of Klk6 are a statistically significant indicator of TBI 24 hours after CCI and thus may be of great utility to clinicians as a biomarker. These data strongly implicate Klk6 as a player in the neuroinflammation processes following CCI, although the specific mechanisms remain to be characterized.
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Date Issued: 2013-07-06
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1464402742, 10.3109/02699052.2013.823563
Format: Citation

Title: Molecular Modeling of Substrate Binding in Wild-type and Mutant Corynebacteria 2,5-diketo-D-gluconate Reductases.
Creator: Khurana, Sumit, Sanli, Gulsah, Powers, David, Anderson, Stephen, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid reductase (2,5-DKGR; E.C. 1.1.1.-) catalyzes the Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent stereo-specific reduction of 2, 5-diketo-D-gluconate (2,5-DKG) to 2-keto-L-gulonate (2-KLG), a precursor in the industrial production of vitamin C (L-ascorbate). Microorganisms that naturally ferment D-glucose to 2,5-DKG can be genetically modified to express the gene for 2,5-DKGR, and thus directly produce vitamin C from D-glucose. Two naturally occurring...
Show more2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid reductase (2,5-DKGR; E.C. 1.1.1.-) catalyzes the Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent stereo-specific reduction of 2, 5-diketo-D-gluconate (2,5-DKG) to 2-keto-L-gulonate (2-KLG), a precursor in the industrial production of vitamin C (L-ascorbate). Microorganisms that naturally ferment D-glucose to 2,5-DKG can be genetically modified to express the gene for 2,5-DKGR, and thus directly produce vitamin C from D-glucose. Two naturally occurring variants of DKGR (DKGR A and DKGR B) have been reported. DKGR B exhibits higher specific activity toward 2,5-DKG than DKGR A; however, DKGR A exhibits a greater selectivity for this substrate and significantly higher thermal stability. Thus, a modified form of DKGR, combining desirable properties from both enzymes, would be of substantial commercial interest. In the present study we use a molecular dynamics-based approach to understand the conformational changes in DKGR A as the active site is mutated to include two active site residue changes that occur in the B form. The results indicate that the enhanced kinetic properties of the B form are due, in part, to residue substitutions in the binding pocket. These substitutions augment interactions with the substrate or alter the alignment with respect to the putative proton donor group.
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Date Issued: 1999-11-02
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1464374853, 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0134(20000401)39:1<68::AID-PROT7>3.0.CO;2-Y
Format: Citation

Title: Crystal Structure and Biochemical Characterization of Human Kallikrein 6 Reveals a Trypsin-like Kallikrein is Expressed in the Central Nervous System.
Creator: Bernett, Matthew, Blaber, Sachiko, Scarisbrick, Isobel, Dhanarajan, Pushparani, Thompson, Steven, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: The human kallikreins are a large multigene family of closely related serine-type proteases. In this regard, they are similar to the multigene kallikrein families characterized in mice and rats. There is a much more extensive body of knowledge regarding the function of mouse and rat kallikreins in comparison with the human kallikreins. Human kallikrein 6 has been proposed as the homologue to rat myelencephalon-specific protease, an arginine-specific degradative-type protease abundantly...
Show moreThe human kallikreins are a large multigene family of closely related serine-type proteases. In this regard, they are similar to the multigene kallikrein families characterized in mice and rats. There is a much more extensive body of knowledge regarding the function of mouse and rat kallikreins in comparison with the human kallikreins. Human kallikrein 6 has been proposed as the homologue to rat myelencephalon-specific protease, an arginine-specific degradative-type protease abundantly expressed in the central nervous system and implicated in demyelinating disease. We present the x-ray crystal structure of mature, active recombinant human kallikrein 6 at 1.75-Å resolution. This high resolution model provides the first three-dimensional view of one of the human kallikreins and one of only a few structures of serine proteases predominantly expressed in the central nervous system. Enzymatic data are presented that support the identification of human kallikrein 6 as the functional homologue of rat myelencephalon-specific protease and are corroborated by a molecular phylogenetic analysis. Furthermore, the x-ray data provide support for the characterization of human kallikrein 6 as a degradative protease with structural features more similar to trypsin than the regulatory kallikreins.
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Date Issued: 2002-04-30
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1464374012, 10.1074/jbc.M202392200
Format: Citation

Title: Emergence of Symmetric Protein Architecture from a Simple Peptide Motif: Evolutionary Models.
Creator: Blaber, Michael, Lee, Jihun, Longo, Liam
Abstract/Description: Structural symmetry is observed in the majority of fundamental protein folds and gene duplication and fusion evolutionary processes are postulated to be responsible. However, convergent evolution leading to structural symmetry has also been proposed; additionally, there is debate regarding the extent to which exact primary structure symmetry is compatible with efficient protein folding. Issues of symmetry in protein evolution directly impact strategies for de novo protein design as symmetry...
Show moreStructural symmetry is observed in the majority of fundamental protein folds and gene duplication and fusion evolutionary processes are postulated to be responsible. However, convergent evolution leading to structural symmetry has also been proposed; additionally, there is debate regarding the extent to which exact primary structure symmetry is compatible with efficient protein folding. Issues of symmetry in protein evolution directly impact strategies for de novo protein design as symmetry can substantially simplify the design process. Additionally, when considering gene duplication and fusion in protein evolution, there are two competing models: ‘‘emergent architecture’’ and ‘‘conserved architecture’’. Recent experimental work has shed light on both the evolutionary process leading to symmetric protein folds as well as the ability of symmetric primary structure to efficiently fold. Such studies largely support a ‘‘conserved architecture’’ evolutionary model, suggesting that complex protein architecture was an early evolutionary achievement involving oligomerization of smaller polypeptides.
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Date Issued: 2012-06-26
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1464369511, 10.1007/s00018-012-1077-3
Format: Citation

Title: Engineering a Cysteine-Free Form of Human Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 for "2nd Generation" Therapeutic Application.
Creator: Xue, Xia, Kumru, Ozan, Blaber, Sachiko, Middaugh, Russell, Li, Ling, Ornitz, David, Sutherland, Mason, Tenorio, Connie, Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: Human fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) has broad therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine but has undesirable biophysical properties of low thermostability and three buried Cys residues (at positions 16, 83 and117) that interact to promote irreversible protein unfolding under oxidizing conditions. Mutational substitution of such Cys residues eliminates reactive buried thiols but cannot be accomplished simultaneously at all three positions without also introducing further substantial...
Show moreHuman fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) has broad therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine but has undesirable biophysical properties of low thermostability and three buried Cys residues (at positions 16, 83 and117) that interact to promote irreversible protein unfolding under oxidizing conditions. Mutational substitution of such Cys residues eliminates reactive buried thiols but cannot be accomplished simultaneously at all three positions without also introducing further substantial instability. The mutational introduction of a novel Cys residue (Ala66Cys) that forms a stabilizing disulfide bond (i.e., cystine) with one of the extant Cys residues (Cys83) effectively eliminates one Cys while increasing overall stability. This increase in stability offsets the associated instability of remaining Cys substitution mutations and permits production of a Cys-free form of FGF-1 (Cys16Ser/Ala66Cys/Cys117Ala) with only minor overall instability. The addition of a further stabilizing mutation (Pro134Ala) creates a Cys free FGF-1 mutant with essentially wild-type biophysical properties. The elimination of buried free thiols in FGF-1 can substantially increase the protein half-life in cell culture. Here we show that the effective cell survival/mitogenic functional activity of a fully Cys-free form is also substantially increased; and is equivalent to WT FGF-1 formulated in the presence of heparin sulfate as a stabilizing agent. The results identify this Cys free FGF-1 mutant as an advantageous "2nd generation" form of FGF-1 for therapeutic application.
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Date Issued: 2016-02-11
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1464366396, 10.1016/j.xphs.2016.02.010
Format: Citation

Title: Evolution of a Protein Folding Nucleus.
Creator: Xia, Xue, Longo, Liam M., Sutherland, Mason A., Blaber, Michael
Abstract/Description: The folding nucleus (FN) is a cryptic element within protein primary structure that enables an efficient folding pathway and is the postulated heritable element in the evolution of protein architecture; however, almost nothing is known regarding how the FN structurally changes as complex protein architecture evolves from simpler peptide motifs. We report characterization of the FN of a designed purely symmetric β-trefoil protein by ϕ-value analysis. We compare the structure and folding...
Show moreThe folding nucleus (FN) is a cryptic element within protein primary structure that enables an efficient folding pathway and is the postulated heritable element in the evolution of protein architecture; however, almost nothing is known regarding how the FN structurally changes as complex protein architecture evolves from simpler peptide motifs. We report characterization of the FN of a designed purely symmetric β-trefoil protein by ϕ-value analysis. We compare the structure and folding properties of key foldable intermediates along the evolutionary trajectory of the β-trefoil. The results show structural acquisition of the FN during gene fusion events, incorporating novel turn structure created by gene fusion. Furthermore, the FN is adjusted by circular permutation in response to destabilizing functional mutation. FN plasticity by way of circular permutation is made possible by the intrinsic C3 cyclic symmetry of the β-trefoil architecture, identifying a possible selective advantage that helps explain the prevalence of cyclic structural symmetry in the proteome.
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Date Issued: 2015-12-10
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1464367133, 10.1002/pro.2848, PMC4918426
Format: Citation

Title: An S116R Phosphorylation Site Mutation in Human FGF-1 Differentially Affects Mitogenic and Glucose Lowering Activities.
Creator: Xia, Xue, Kumru, Ozan, Blaber, Sachiko, Middaugh, Russell, Li, Ling, Ornitz, David, Suh, Jae Myoung, Atkins, Annette, Downes, Michael, Evans, Ronald, Tenorio, Connie,...
Show moreXia, Xue, Kumru, Ozan, Blaber, Sachiko, Middaugh, Russell, Li, Ling, Ornitz, David, Suh, Jae Myoung, Atkins, Annette, Downes, Michael, Evans, Ronald, Tenorio, Connie, Bienkiewicz, Ewa, Blaber, Michael
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Abstract/Description: Fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1), a potent human mitogen and insulin sensitizer, signals through both tyrosine kinase receptor mediated autocrine/paracrine pathways as well as a nuclear intracrine pathway. Phosphorylation of FGF-1 at serine 116 (S116) has been proposed to regulate intracrine signalling. Position S116 is located within a ~17 amino acid C-terminal loop that contains a rich set of functional determinants including heparin\heparan sulfate (HS) affinity, thiol reactivity,...
Show moreFibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1), a potent human mitogen and insulin sensitizer, signals through both tyrosine kinase receptor mediated autocrine/paracrine pathways as well as a nuclear intracrine pathway. Phosphorylation of FGF-1 at serine 116 (S116) has been proposed to regulate intracrine signalling. Position S116 is located within a ~17 amino acid C-terminal loop that contains a rich set of functional determinants including heparin\heparan sulfate (HS) affinity, thiol reactivity, nuclear localization, pharmacokinetics, functional half-life, nuclear ligand affinity, stability, and structural dynamics. Mutational targeting of specific functionality in this region without perturbing other functional determinants is a design challenge. S116R is a non-phosphorylatable variant present in bovine FGF-1 and other members of the human FGF family. We show that the S116R mutation in human FGF-1 is accommodated with no perturbation of biophysical or structural properties, and is therefore an attractive mutation with which to elucidate the functional role of phosphorylation. Characterization of S116R shows reduction of NIH 3T3 fibroblast mitogenic stimulation, increase in FGFR-1c activation, and prolonged duration of glucose lowering in ob/ob hyperglycemic mice. A novel FGF-1/FGFR-1c dimerization interaction combined with non-phosphorylatable intracrine signaling is hypothesized to be responsible for these observed functional effects.
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Date Issued: 2016-09-07
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1473276315
Format: Citation

Title: Dopamine Receptor and Gα(olf) Expression in DYT1 Dystonia Mouse Models during Postnatal Development.
Creator: Zhang, Lin, McCarthy, Deirde M., Sharma, Nutan, Bhide, Pradeep G.
Abstract/Description: Background DYT1 dystonia is a heritable, early-onset generalized movement disorder caused by a GAG deletion (ΔGAG) in the DYT1 gene. Neuroimaging studies and studies using mouse models suggest that DYT1 dystonia is associated with dopamine imbalance. However, whether dopamine imbalance is key to DYT1 or other forms of dystonia continues to be debated. Methodology/Principal Findings We used Dyt1 knock out (Dyt1 KO), Dyt1 ΔGAG knock-in (Dyt1 KI), and transgenic mice carrying one copy of the...
Show moreBackground DYT1 dystonia is a heritable, early-onset generalized movement disorder caused by a GAG deletion (ΔGAG) in the DYT1 gene. Neuroimaging studies and studies using mouse models suggest that DYT1 dystonia is associated with dopamine imbalance. However, whether dopamine imbalance is key to DYT1 or other forms of dystonia continues to be debated. Methodology/Principal Findings We used Dyt1 knock out (Dyt1 KO), Dyt1 ΔGAG knock-in (Dyt1 KI), and transgenic mice carrying one copy of the human DYT1 wild type allele (DYT1 hWT) or human ΔGAG mutant allele (DYT1 hMT). D1R, D2R, and Gα(olf) protein expression was analyzed by western blot in the frontal cortex, caudate-putamen and ventral midbrain in young adult (postnatal day 60; P60) male mice from all four lines; and in the frontal cortex and caudate putamen in juvenile (postnatal day 14; P14) male mice from the Dyt1 KI and KO lines. Dopamine receptor and Gα(olf) protein expression were significantly decreased in multiple brain regions of Dyt1 KI and Dyt1 KO mice and not significantly altered in the DYT1 hMT or DYT1 hWT mice at P60. The only significant change at P14 was a decrease in D1R expression in the caudate-putamen of the Dyt1 KO mice. Conclusion/Significance We found significant decreases in key proteins in the dopaminergic system in multiple brain regions of Dyt1 KO and Dyt1 KI mouse lines at P60. Deletion of one copy of the Dyt1 gene (KO mice) produced the most pronounced effects. These data offer evidence that impaired dopamine receptor signaling may be an early and significant contributor to DYT1 dystonia pathophysiology.
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Date Issued: 2015-04-15
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1475181771, 10.1371/journal.pone.0123104
Format: Citation

Title: Structural and Protein Interaction Effects of Hypertrophic and Dilated Cardiomyopathic Mutations in Alpha-Tropomyosin.
Creator: Pinto, Jose Renato, Chang, Audrey N., Greenfield, Norma J., Singh, Abhishek, Potter, James D.
Abstract/Description: The potential alterations to structure and associations with thin filament proteins caused by the dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) associated tropomyosin (Tm) mutants E40K and E54K, and the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) associated Tm mutants E62Q and L185R, were investigated. In order to ascertain what the cause of the known functional effects may be, structural and protein-protein interaction studies were conducted utilizing actomyosin ATPase activity measurements and spectroscopy. In...
Show moreThe potential alterations to structure and associations with thin filament proteins caused by the dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) associated tropomyosin (Tm) mutants E40K and E54K, and the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) associated Tm mutants E62Q and L185R, were investigated. In order to ascertain what the cause of the known functional effects may be, structural and protein-protein interaction studies were conducted utilizing actomyosin ATPase activity measurements and spectroscopy. In actomyosin ATPase measurements, both HCM mutants and the DCM mutant E54K caused increases in Ca2+-induced maximal ATPase activities, while E40K caused a decrease. Investigation of Tm's ability to inhibit actomyosin ATPase in the absence of troponin showed that HCM-associated mutant Tms did not inhibit as well as wildtype, whereas the DCM associated mutant E40K inhibited better. E54K did not inhibit the actomyosin ATPase activity at any concentration of Tm tested. Thermal denaturation studies by circular dichroism and molecular modeling of the mutations in Tm showed that in general, the DCM mutants caused localized destabilization of the Tm dimers, while the HCM mutants resulted in increased stability. These findings demonstrate that the structural alterations in Tm observed here may affect the regulatory function of Tm on actin, thereby directly altering the ATPase rates of myosin.
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Date Issued: 2014-12-02
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1475067030, 10.3389/fphys.2014.00460, PMC4251307
Format: Citation

Title: Myths and Verities in Protein Folding Theories.
Creator: Blaber, Michael
Date Issued: 2016-09-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1473178927, 10.1107/S2059798316013140
Format: Citation

Title: Prophylactic melatonin significantly reduces Alzheimer's neuropathology and associated cognitive deficits independent of antioxidant pathways in AβPPswe/PS1 mice.
Creator: O'Neal-Moffitt, Gina, Olcese, James, Delic, Vedad, Bradshaw, Patrick C.
Abstract/Description: Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) underlies dementia for millions of people worldwide, and its occurrence is set to double in the next 20 years. Currently, approved drugs for treating AD only marginally ameliorate cognitive deficits, and provide limited symptomatic relief, while newer substances under therapeutic development are potentially years away from benefiting patients. Melatonin (MEL) for insomnia has been proven safe with >15 years of over-the-counter access in the US. MEL exerts...
Show moreBackground: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) underlies dementia for millions of people worldwide, and its occurrence is set to double in the next 20 years. Currently, approved drugs for treating AD only marginally ameliorate cognitive deficits, and provide limited symptomatic relief, while newer substances under therapeutic development are potentially years away from benefiting patients. Melatonin (MEL) for insomnia has been proven safe with >15 years of over-the-counter access in the US. MEL exerts multiple complementary mechanisms of action against AD in animal models; thus it may be an excellent disease-modifying therapeutic. While presumed to provide neuroprotection via activation of known G-protein-coupled melatonin receptors (MTNRs), some data indicate MEL acts intracellularly to protect mitochondria and neurons by scavenging reactive oxygen species and reducing free radical formation. We examined whether genetic deletion of MTNRs abolishes MEL’s neuroprotective actions in the AβPPswe/PSEN1dE9 mouse model of AD (2xAD). Beginning at 4 months of age, both AD and control mice either with or without both MTNRs were administered either MEL or vehicle in drinking water for 12 months. Results: Behavioral and cognitive assessments of 15-month-old AD mice revealed receptor-dependent effects of MEL on spatial learning and memory (Barnes maze, Morris Water Maze), but receptor-independent neuroprotective actions of MEL on non-spatial cognitive performance (Novel Object Recognition Test). Similarly, amyloid plaque loads in hippocampus and frontal cortex, as well as plasma Aβ1–42 levels, were significantly reduced by MEL in a receptorindependent manner, in contrast to MEL’s efficacy in reducing cortical antioxidant gene expression (Catalase, SOD1, Glutathione Peroxidase-1, Nrf2) only when receptors were present. Increased cytochrome c oxidase activity was seen in 16mo AD mice as compared to non-AD control mice. This increase was completely prevented by MEL treatment of 2xAD/MTNR+ mice, but only partially prevented in 2xAD/MTNR- mice, consistent with mixed receptor-dependent and independent effects of MEL on this measure of mitochondrial function. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that prophylactic MEL significantly reduces AD neuropathology and associated cognitive deficits in a manner that is independent of antioxidant pathways. Future identification of direct molecular targets for MEL action in the brain should open new vistas for development of better AD therapeutics.
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Date Issued: 2015-07-11
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1478014382, 10.1186/s13024-015-0027-6
Format: Citation

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