Biology subjects

Kreft, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Kreft, M..

9 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

β-Adrenergic inhibition of exocytotic surface deposition of MHCII molecules in reactive astrocytes is mediated by amisyn

Degeneration of the locus coeruleus, a noradrenergic nucleus, reduces noradrenaline bioavailability in the central nervous system and promotes neuroinflammation via reactive astrocytes, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated whether interferon-{gamma}-induced expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII), a marker of pro-inflammatory reactive astrocytes, is regulated by adrenergic receptors and amisyn. {beta}-Adrenergic, but not -adrenergic, stimulation increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and reduced MHCII expression, as detected immunocytochemically, in human and rat astrocytes. {beta}-Adrenergic treatment altered transient exocytosis of lysosome-like vesicles, increasing event frequency and reducing fusion-pore conductance and dwell time, thereby limiting MHCII surface expression. Overexpression of wild-type amisyn inhibited surface expression of MHCII and the lysosomal marker CD63 and reduced fusion-pore conductance and dwell time. Conversely, amisyn knockdown enhanced full fusion exocytosis of larger vesicles and abolished {beta}-adrenergic effects, indicating that amisyn mediates {beta}-adrenergic inhibition of exocytosis and MHCII surface deposition.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

GPR27 mediates L-lactate-induced Calcium and cAMP signalling in 3T3 cells

GPR27/SREB1 is a highly conserved orphan class A G-protein coupled receptor implicated in insulin production, metabolic regulation, tumour biology, neurodegeneration and L-lactate homeostasis, but its immediate second-messenger signalling remains poorly defined. We used single-cell Forster resonance energy transfer nanosensors to monitor cytosolic Ca2+ and cAMP in wild-type 3T3 MEF cells, CRISPR-Cas9 GPR27-knockout cells (GPR27KO) and GPR27-knockout cells transiently re-expressing FLAG-tagged GPR27 (GPR27-rescued). The GPR27 surrogate agonist 8535n (1 {micro}M) increased intracellular Ca2+ in wild-type and rescued cells but not in GPR27-knockout cells and produced no significant cAMP response in wild-type cells. Basal Ca2+ and cAMP levels were unaffected by GPR27 deletion. Extracellular L-lactate (2 mM) induced a GPR27-dependent increase in Ca2+ and cAMP in wild-type and rescued cells, but not in knockout cells, raising the possibility that L-lactate acts as an endogenous ligand or modulator of GPR27. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=111 SRC="FIGDIR/small/743761v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (10K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@15f6724org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@6ca9b6org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1f9f841org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@197677_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsO_LIGPR27 surrogate agonist 8535n increases intracellular Ca2+ but not cAMP in 3T3 cells. C_LIO_LIExtracellular L-lactate induces GPR27-dependent intracellular Ca2+ and cAMP increases in 3T3 cells. C_LIO_LIThese findings identify GPR27 as a putative candidate lactate sensor. C_LI

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Targeting DOT1L and EZH2 synergizes in breaking the germinal center identity of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

Differentiation of antigen-activated B cells into pro-proliferative germinal center (GC) B cells depends on the activity of the transcription factor MYC and the epigenetic writers DOT1L and EZH2. GCB-like Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphomas (GCB-DLBCLs) arise from GC B cells and closely resemble their cell of origin. Given the dependency of GC B cells on DOT1L and EZH2, we investigated the role of these epigenetic regulators in GCB-DLBCL cell lines and observed that GCB-DLBCLs synergistically depend on the combined activity of DOT1L and EZH2. Mechanistically, inhibiting both enzymes led to enhanced derepression of PRC2 target genes compared to EZH2 single treatment, along with the suppression of MYC target genes. The sum of all these alterations results in a cell-identity crisis, wherein GCB-DLBCLs lose their pro-proliferative GC identity and partially undergo plasma cell differentiation, a state associated with poor survival. In support of this model, combined epi-drugging of DOT1L and EZH2 prohibited the outgrowth of human GCB-DLBCL xenografts in vivo. We conclude that the malignant behavior of GCB-DLBCLs strictly depends on DOT1L and EZH2 and that combined targeting of both epigenetic writers may provide an alternative differentiation-based treatment modality for GCB-DLBCL. Key pointsO_LIMYC-driven GCB-DLBCL depends on DOT1L and EZH2 and combined targeting provides an alternative differentiation-based therapy. C_LIO_LIDOT1L and EZH2 cooperatively repress PRC2 target genes which is essential for acquiring a plasma cell-like state in GC B cell-like DLBCL. C_LI

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Caskin2 is a novel talin and Abi1-binding protein that promotes cell motility

Talin couples the actomyosin cytoskeleton to integrins and transmits tension to the extracellular matrix. Talin also interacts with numerous additional proteins capable of modulating the actin-integrin linkage and thus downstream mechanosignaling cascades. Here, we demonstrate that the scaffold protein Caskin2 interacts directly with the R8 domain of talin through its C-terminal LD motif. Caskin2 also associates with the WAVE Regulatory Complex to promote cell migration in an Abi1-dependent manner. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the Caskin2-Abi1 interaction is regulated by growth factor-induced phosphorylation of Caskin2 on serine 878. In MCF7 and UACC893 cells, which contain an amplification of CASKIN2, Caskin2 localizes in plasma membrane-associated plaques and around focal adhesions in CMSCs. Taken together, our results identify Caskin2 as a novel talin-binding protein that may not only connect integrin-mediated adhesion to actin polymerization, but could also play a role in crosstalk between integrins and microtubules.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Nuclear deformation and dynamics of migrating cells in 3D confinement reveal adaptation of pulling and pushing forces

Eukaryotic cells show an astounding ability to migrate through pores and constrictions smaller than their nuclear diameter. However, the forces engaged in nuclear deformation and their effect on confined cell dynamics remain unclear. Here, we study the mechanics and dynamics of nuclei of mesenchymal cancer cells as they spontaneously and repeatedly transition through 3D compliant hydrogel channels. We find a biphasic dependence of migration speed and transition frequency on channel width, revealing maximal transition rates at widths comparable to the nuclear diameter. Using confocal imaging and hydrogel bead displacement, we determine the nuclear deformation and corresponding forces during spontaneous confined migration. We find the nucleus to reversibly deform with an elastic modulus not adapting to the confinement. Instead, with decreasing channel width, the nuclear shape during transmigration changes biphasically concomitant with the transitioning dynamics. The nucleus exhibits a prolate form along the migration direction in wide channels and a more compressed oblate shape in narrow channels. We propose a physical model for confined cell migration that explains the observed nuclear shapes and slowing down in terms of the cytoskeletal force-generation adapting from a pulling-to a pushing-dominated mechanism with increasing nuclear confinement.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2023

Molecular dependencies and genomic consequences of a global DNA damage tolerance defect

DNA damage tolerance (DDT) enables replication to continue in the presence of fork stalling lesions. To determine the molecular and genomic impact of a global DDT defect, we studied PcnaK164R/-;Rev1-/- compound mutants. Double mutant (DM) cells displayed increased replication stress, hypersensitivity to genotoxic agents, replication speed, and repriming. A whole genome CRISPR-Cas9 screen revealed a strict reliance of DM cells on the CST complex, where CST promotes fork stability. Whole genome sequencing indicated that this DM DDT defect favors the generation of large, replication-stress inducible deletions of 0.4-4.0kbp, defined as type 3 deletions. Junction break sites of these deletions revealed preferential microhomology preferences of 1-2 base pairs, differing from the smaller type 1 and type 2 deletions. These differential characteristics suggest the existence of molecularly distinct deletion pathways. Type 3 deletions are abundant in human tumors, can dominate the deletion landscape and are associated with DNA damage response status and treatment modality. Our data highlight the essential contribution of the DDT system to genome maintenance and type 3 deletions as mutational signature of replication stress. The unique characteristics of type 3 deletions implicate the existence of a novel deletion pathway in mice and humans that is counteracted by DDT.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Redistribution of cholesterol from vesicle to plasmalemma controls fusion pore geometry

Eukaryotic vesicles fuse with the plasmalemma to form the fusion pore, previously considered to be unstable with widening of the pore diameter. Recent studies established that the pore diameter is stable, reflecting balanced forces of widening and closure. Proteins are considered key regulators of the fusion pore, whereas the role of membrane lipids remains unclear. Super-resolution microscopy revealed that lactotroph secretory vesicles discharge cholesterol after stimulation of exocytosis; subsequently, vesicle cholesterol redistributes to the outer leaflet of the plasmalemma. Cholesterol depletion in lactotrophs and astrocytes evokes release of vesicle hormone, indicating that cholesterol constricts the fusion pore. A new model of cholesterol-dependent fusion pore diameter regulation is proposed. High-resolution measurements of fusion pore conductance confirmed that the fusion pore widens with cholesterol depletion and constricts with cholesterol enrichment. In fibroblasts lacking the Npc1 protein, in which cholesterol accumulates in vesicles, the fusion pore is narrower than in controls, showing that cholesterol regulates fusion pore geometry. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=150 SRC="FIGDIR/small/027169v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (35K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@73168borg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1cd2afdorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@c170f9org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1dfff4f_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG Top: stages through which a vesicle interacts with the plasmalemma. Stage A denotes hemifusion, which proceeds to stage B, with a narrow fusion pore, which can then reversibly open (stage C), before widening fully (stage D). Bottom: redistribution of cholesterol from the vesicle to the outer leaflet of the plasmalemma controls fusion pore constriction. In BriefA membrane pore is formed when the vesicle membrane fuses with the plasmalemma. Proteins were considered key regulators of the opening and closing of this fusion pore. Here, evidence is provided to show that cholesterol, a membrane constituent, determines a radial force constricting the fusion pore, revealing that the fusion pore functions as a proteolipidic structure. HighlightsO_LIIntravesicular cholesterol redistributes to the outer leaflet of the plasmalemma. C_LIO_LICholesterol depletion widens the fusion pore, whereas cholesterol enrichment constricts the fusion pore. C_LIO_LIA model of cholesterol-dependent force preventing fusion pore widening is developed. C_LIO_LIDisease-related increase in vesicle cholesterol constricts the fusion pore. C_LI

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Mechanisms of integrin αVβ5 clustering in flat clathrin lattices

Summary statementThis article highlights several molecular mechanisms that result in the assembly of integrin V{beta}5-containing flat clathrin lattices in human keratinocytes.\n\nAbstractThe family of integrin transmembrane receptors is essential for the normal function of multicellular organisms by facilitating cell-extracellular matrix adhesion. The vitronectin-binding integrin V{beta}5 localizes to focal adhesions (FAs) as well as poorly characterized flat clathrin lattices (FCLs). Here we show that in human keratinocytes V{beta}5 is predominant found in FCLs and that formation of the V{beta}5-containing FCLs requires the presence of vitronectin as ligand, calcium, and the clathrin adaptor proteins ARH, Numb, and EPS15/EPS15L1. Integrin chimeras, containing the extracellular and transmembrane domains of {beta}5 and the cytoplasmic domains of {beta}1 or {beta}3, almost exclusively localize in FAs. Interestingly, lowering actomyosin-mediated contractility promotes integrin redistribution to FLCs in an integrin tail-dependent manner, while increasing cellular tension favors V{beta}5 clustering in FAs. Our findings strongly indicate that clustering of integrin V{beta}5 in FCLs is dictated by the {beta}5 subunit cytoplasmic domain, cellular tension, and recruitment of specific adaptor proteins to the {beta}5 subunit cytoplasmic domains.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Structural basis of integrin α6β4 interaction with the bullous pemphigoid antigen BP230 in hemidesmosomes

Mechanical stability of epithelia requires firm attachment to the basement membrane via hemidesmosomes. Dysfunction of hemidesmosomal proteins causes severe skin blistering diseases. Two plakins, plectin and BP230 (BPAG1e), link the integrin 6{beta}4 to intermediate filaments in epidermal hemidesmosomes. Here, we show that a linear sequence within the isoform-specific N-terminal region of BP230 binds to the third and fourth FnIII domains of {beta}4. The crystal structure of the complex and mutagenesis analysis revealed that BP230 binds between the two domains of {beta}4. BP230 induces closing of the two FnIII domains that are looked in place by an inter-domain ionic clasp required for binding. Disruption of the BP230-{beta}4 interface prevents the recruitment of BP230 to hemidesmosomes in human keratinocytes, revealing a key role of the BP230-{beta}4 interaction for hemidesmosome assembly. Phosphomimetic substitutions in {beta}4 and BP230 disrupt binding. Our study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of hemidesmosome architecture and regulation.

biophysics↗