Keratin

Summary

Keratin (ˈkɛrətɪn) is one of a family of structural fibrous proteins also known as scleroproteins. Alpha-keratin (α-keratin) is a type of keratin found in vertebrates. It is the key structural material making up scales, hair, nails, feathers, horns, claws, hooves, and the outer layer of skin among vertebrates. Keratin also protects epithelial cells from damage or stress. Keratin is extremely insoluble in water and organic solvents. Keratin monomers assemble into bundles to form intermediate filaments, which are tough and form strong unmineralized epidermal appendages found in reptiles, birds, amphibians, and mammals. Excessive keratinization participate in fortification of certain tissues such as in horns of cattle and rhinos, and armadillos' osteoderm. The only other biological matter known to approximate the toughness of keratinized tissue is chitin. Keratin comes in two types, the primitive, softer forms found in all vertebrates and harder, derived forms found only among sauropsi

Official source

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratin

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Structural basis for regulation of human acetyl-CoA carboxylase

Yakir Guri, Henning Paul-Julius Stahlberg

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase catalyses the ATP-dependent carboxylation of acetyl-CoA, a rate-limiting step in fatty acid biosynthesis(1,2). Eukaryotic acetyl-CoA carboxylases are large, homodimeric multienzymes. Human acetyl-CoA carboxylase occurs in two isoforms: the metabolic, cytosolic ACC1, and ACC2, which is anchored to the outer mitochondrial membrane and controls fatty acid beta-oxidatio(1,3). ACC1 is regulated by a complex interplay of phosphorylation, binding of allosteric regulators and protein-protein interactions, which is further linked to filament formation(1,4-8). These filaments were discovered in vitro and in vivo 50 years ago(7,9,10), but the structural basis of ACC1 polymerization and regulation remains unknown. Here, we identify distinct activated and inhibited ACC1 filament forms. We obtained cryo-electron microscopy structures of an activated filament that is allosterically induced by citrate (ACC-citrate), and an inactivated filament form that results from binding of the BRCT domains of the breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (BRCA1). While non polymeric ACC1 is highly dynamic, filament formation locks ACC1 into different catalytically competent or incompetent conformational states. This unique mechanism of enzyme regulation via large-scale conformational changes observed in ACC1 has potential uses in engineering of switchable biosynthetic systems. Dissecting the regulation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase opens new paths towards counteracting upregulation of fatty acid biosynthesis in disease.

Springer Nature2018

Structure and assembly of the mouse ASC inflammasome by combined NMR spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy

Matthias Huber, Sina Maren Reckel, Henning Paul-Julius Stahlberg

Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes that control the innate immune response by activating caspase-1, thus promoting the secretion of cytokines in response to invading pathogens and endogenous triggers. Assembly of inflammasomes is induced by activation of a receptor protein. Many inflammasome receptors require the adapter protein ASC [apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (CARD)], which consists of two domains, the N-terminal pyrin domain (PYD) and the C-terminal CARD. Upon activation, ASC forms large oligomeric filaments, which facilitate procaspase-1 recruitment. Here, we characterize the structure and filament formation of mouse ASC in vitro at atomic resolution. Information from cryo-electron microscopy and solid-state NMR spectroscopy is combined in a single structure calculation to obtain the atomic-resolution structure of the ASC filament. Perturbations of NMR resonances upon filament formation monitor the specific binding interfaces of ASC-PYD association. Importantly, NMR experiments show the rigidity of the PYD forming the core of the filament as well as the high mobility of the CARD relative to this core. The findings are validated by structure-based mutagenesis experiments in cultured macrophages. The 3D structure of the mouse ASC-PYD filament is highly similar to the recently determined human ASC-PYD filament, suggesting evolutionary conservation of ASC-dependent inflammasome mechanisms.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences2015

Androgen-deprivation therapy is the standard treatment for prostate cancer. Despite the initial response, a fraction of cases manifest progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer. PCa recurrence is possibly due to androgen-independent cancer stem cells that reinitiate tumor growth. The properties of cancer stem cells versus highly proliferative progenitor cells remain to be further characterized at the cellular and gene expression level. To address the molecular basis of CSC switch from androgen dependency to independence, we have employed patient-derived xenograft models (LAPC-9 and BM-18) that have different androgen sensitivity properties. We have performed microarray and proteomic analysis of BM-18 tumor tissues prior to and following castration as well as androgen replacement. To characterize the cancer stem cells in these models we have isolated different subpopulations by FACS cytometry, based on combination of selected markers (CD44 and ALDH activity measured by ALDELFUOR assay) aiming to assess the transcriptomic profile of these different populations. To assess response of these CD44+/-/ALDH+/- cells to androgen targeting compounds we have established an androgen-sensitive xenograft model (PNPCa) and tested it by ex vivo tissue culture and organoid viability assays. Proteomic and microarray analysis of bulk BM-18 tumors indicates enrichment of stem cell markers upon castration: CD44, NKX3.1 and ALDH1 isoforms. Readministration of testosterone induces decrease of these markers. Castration induces a rapid tumor volume decrease in the BM-18 as opposed to LAPC-9, reflecting different androgen-dependent cell states. CD44+/-/ALDHhigh/low subpopulations were isolated by flow cytometry and for transcriptomic analysis. Castration in the BM18 model induces an increase in the subpopulations of CD44+/ALDHlow and CD44+/ALDHhigh, while ALDHsingle and ALDHhigh total populations are decreased. Both CD44 expression and ALDH activity is increased in the LAPC-9 model upon castration. Treatment of PNPCa tumor parts ex vivo with enzalutamide inhibited expression of androgen receptor and keratin 8 expression. CD44+ organoids derived from the same tissue did not show altered viability after enzalutamide treatment. Different androgen-independent cancer stem cell populations may be distinguished by ALDH activity status and CD44. Androgen-independent cells in the BM-18 androgen-dependent model are reflected by enrichment of CD44 expression. The least abundant subpopulation CD44+/ALDHhigh is present in the LAPC-9 and expanded upon castration, while in the BM-18 model it is exclusively present after castration, reflecting different androgen sensitivity. Ongoing analysis may elucidate the molecular mechanisms controlling cancer stem cell fates, androgen sensitivity and drug resistance.

AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH2018