Targeted migration of pherophorin-S indicates extensive extracellular matrix dynamics inVolvox carteri
PLANT JOURNAL
Authors: von der Heyde, Benjamin; Hallmann, Armin
Abstract
Hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs) constitute a major group of proteins of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The multicellular green algaVolvox carteriis a suitable model organism in which to study the evolutionary transition to multicellularity, including the basic principles and characteristics of an ECM. InVolvox, the ECM is dominated by a single HRGP family: the pherophorins. Our inventory amounts to 117 pherophorin-related genes inV. carteri. We focused on a pherophorin with an unexpected characteristic: pherophorin-S is a soluble, non-cross-linked ECM protein. Using transformants expressing a YFP-tagged pherophorin-S we observed the synthesis and secretion of pherophorin-S by somatic cellsin vivo, and we then traced the protein during its conspicuous migration to the ECM around prehatching juveniles and its localized concentration there. Our results provide insights into how an ECM zone surrounding the progeny is remotely affected by distantly located parental somatic cells. In view of the properties and migration of pherophorin-S, we conclude that pherophorin-S is likely to act as an ECM plasticizer to allow for dynamic ECM remodeling.
Anti-fibrotic effect of melittin on TRIM47 expression in human embryonic lung fibroblast through regulating TRIM47 pathway
LIFE SCIENCES
Authors: Li, Li; Zhang, Sufang; Wei, Lei; Wang, Zhongfu; Ma, Wei; Liu, Fangying; Shen, Yanhua; Zhang, Shanfang; Zhang, Xiulian; Hang, Yu; Qian, Yechang
Abstract
Aims: To investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of melittin and tripartite motif (TRIM) family in human embryonic lung fibroblast (HELF). Materials and methods: Lentiviral RNA interference vector and lentiviral overexpression vector were constructed and packaged by transfecting 293T cells; the proliferation of HELF was examined using Cell Counting Kit 8; Western blot and qRT-PCR were performed to examine protein and mRNA expression; the interaction with protein phosphatase magnesium-dependent 1A (PPM1A) was examined by Co-immunoprecipitation. Key findings: Compared with the control group, the mRNA expression of the TRIM6, TRIM8 and TRIM47 in the IPF group significantly increased. Melittin inhibited the mRNA expression and protein expression levels of TRIM47, the HELF proliferation, the hydroxyproline levels, and the phosphorylation of Smad2/3; the interference of TRIM47 inhibited the protein expression of Vimentin, alpha-SMA, CTGF, the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and the synthesis of hydroxyproline; TRIM47 overexpression elevated the phosphorylation of Smad2/3, induced ubiquitination of PPM1A and decreased the expression level of PPM1A, while TRIM47 RNA interference reversed this result. Significance: Melittin has anti-fibrotic effect in HELF by directly reducing the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 or indirectly reducing the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 by decreasing the expression levels of TRIM47 whose overexpression induces ubiquitination of PPM1A.