Browsing by Author "Glavic, Alvaro"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A role for Lin-28 in growth and metamorphosis in Drosophila melanogaster
    (2018) Gonzalez-Itier, Sergio; Contreras, Esteban G.; Larraín Correa, Juan Agustín; Glavic, Alvaro; Faunes Quinteros, Fernando Emerson
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    BAX inhibitor-1 regulates autophagy by controlling the IRE1α branch of the unfolded protein response
    (2011) Castillo, Karen; Rojas-Rivera, Diego; Lisbona, Fernanda; Caballero, Benjamin; Nassif, Melissa; Court, Felipe A.; Schuck, Sebastian; Ibar, Consuelo; Walter, Peter; Sierralta, Jimena; Glavic, Alvaro; Hetz, Claudio
    Both autophagy and apoptosis are tightly regulated processes playing a central role in tissue homeostasis. Bax inhibitor 1 (BI-1) is a highly conserved protein with a dual role in apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signalling through the regulation of the ER stress sensor inositol requiring kinase 1 alpha (IRE1 alpha). Here, we describe a novel function of BI-1 in the modulation of autophagy. BI-1-deficient cells presented a faster and stronger induction of autophagy, increasing LC3 flux and autophagosome formation. These effects were associated with enhanced cell survival under nutrient deprivation. Repression of autophagy by BI-1 was dependent on cJun-N terminal kinase (JNK) and IRE1 alpha expression, possibly due to a displacement of TNF-receptor associated factor-2 (TRAF2) from IRE1 alpha. Targeting BI-1 expression in flies altered autophagy fluxes and salivary gland degradation. BI-1 deficiency increased flies survival under fasting conditions. Increased expression of autophagy indicators was observed in the liver and kidney of bi-1-deficient mice. In summary, we identify a novel function of BI-1 in multicellular organisms, and suggest a critical role of BI-1 as a stress integrator that modulates autophagy levels and other interconnected homeostatic processes. The EMBO Journal (2011) 30, 4465-4478. doi:10.1038/emboj.2011.318; Published online 16 September 2011
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Genome sequencing and transcriptomic analysis of the Andean killifish Orestias ascotanensis reveals adaptation to high-altitude aquatic life
    (2022) Di Genova, Alex; Nardocci, Gino; Maldonado-Agurto, Rodrigo; Hodar, Christian; Valdivieso, Camilo; Morales, Pamela; Gajardo, Felipe; Marina, Raquel; Gutierrez, Rodrigo A.; Orellana, Ariel; Cambiazo, Veronica; Gonzalez, Mauricio; Glavic, Alvaro; Mendez, Marco A.; Maass, Alejandro; Allende, Miguel L.; Montecino, Martin A.
    Orestias ascotanensis (Cyprinodontidae) is a teleost pupfish endemic to springs feeding into the Ascotan saltpan in the Chilean Altiplano (3,700 m.a.s.l.) and represents an opportunity to study adaptations to high-altitude aquatic environments. We have de novo assembled the genome of O. ascotanensis at high coverage. Comparative analysis of the O. ascotanensis genome showed an overall process of contraction, including loss of genes related to Gprotein signaling, chemotaxis and signal transduction, while there was expansion of gene families associated with microtubule-based movement and protein ubiquitination. We identified 818 genes under positive selection, many of which are involved in DNA repair. Additionally, we identified novel and conserved microRNAs expressed in O. ascotanensis and its closely-related species, Orestias gloriae. Our analysis suggests that positive selection and expansion of genes that preserve genome stability are a potential adaptive mechanism to cope with the increased solar UV radiation to which high-altitude animals are exposed to.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Genotoxic stress triggers the activation of IRE1α-dependent RNA decay to modulate the DNA damage response
    (2020) Dufey, Estefanie; Bravo-San Pedro, Jose Manuel; Eggers, Cristian; Gonzalez-Quiroz, Matias; Urra, Hery; Sagredo, Alfredo, I; Sepulveda, Denisse; Pihan, Philippe; Carreras-Sureda, Amado; Hazari, Younis; Sagredo, Eduardo A.; Gutierrez, Daniela; Valls, Cristian; Papaioannou, Alexandra; Acosta-Alvear, Diego; Campos, Gisela; Domingos, Pedro M.; Pedeux, Remy; Chevet, Eric; Alvarez, Alejandra; Godoy, Patricio; Walter, Peter; Glavic, Alvaro; Kroemer, Guido; Hetz, Claudio
    The molecular connections between homeostatic systems that maintain both genome integrity and proteostasis are poorly understood. Here we identify the selective activation of the unfolded protein response transducer IRE1 alpha under genotoxic stress to modulate repair programs and sustain cell survival. DNA damage engages IRE1 alpha signaling in the absence of an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signature, leading to the exclusive activation of regulated IRE1 alpha -dependent decay (RIDD) without activating its canonical output mediated by the transcription factor XBP1. IRE1 alpha endoribonuclease activity controls the stability of mRNAs involved in the DNA damage response, impacting DNA repair, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The activation of the c-Abl kinase by DNA damage triggers the oligomerization of IRE1 alpha to catalyze RIDD. The protective role of IRE1 alpha under genotoxic stress is conserved in fly and mouse. Altogether, our results uncover an important intersection between the molecular pathways that sustain genome stability and proteostasis. IRE1 alpha plays a key role in the unfolded protein response (UPR) by promoting the unconventional splicing of the XBP1 and the selective cleavage of RNAs. Here the authors report that IRE1 alpha is activated upon the DNA damage response and selectively controls the stability of mRNAs to maintain genome integrity.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Drosophila DAxud1 Has a Repressive Transcription Activity on Hsp70 and Other Heat Shock Genes
    (2023) Zuniga-Hernandez, Jorge; Meneses, Claudio; Bastias, Macarena; Allende, Miguel L.; Glavic, Alvaro
    Drosophila melanogaster DAxud1 is a transcription factor that belongs to the Cysteine Serine Rich Nuclear Protein (CSRNP) family, conserved in metazoans, with a transcriptional transactivation activity. According to previous studies, this protein promotes apoptosis and Wnt signaling-mediated neural crest differentiation in vertebrates. However, no analysis has been conducted to determine what other genes it might control, especially in connection with cell survival and apoptosis. To partly answer this question, this work analyzes the role of Drosophila DAxud1 using Targeted-DamID-seq (TaDa-seq), which allows whole genome screening to determine in which regions it is most frequently found. This analysis confirmed the presence of DAxud1 in groups of pro-apoptotic and Wnt pathway genes, as previously described; furthermore, stress resistance genes that coding heat shock protein (HSP) family genes were found as hsp70, hsp67, and hsp26. The enrichment of DAxud1 also identified a DNA-binding motif (AYATACATAYATA) that is frequently found in the promoters of these genes. Surprisingly, the following analyses demonstrated that DAxud1 exerts a repressive role on these genes, which are necessary for cell survival. This is coupled with the pro-apoptotic and cell cycle arrest roles of DAxud1, in which repression of hsp70 complements the maintenance of tissue homeostasis through cell survival modulation.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    p53 Related Protein Kinase is Required for Arp2/3-Dependent Actin Dynamics of Hemocytes in Drosophila melanogaster
    (2022) Molina, Emiliano; Cataldo, Vicente F.; Eggers, Cristian; Munoz-Madrid, Valentina; Glavic, Alvaro
    Cells extend membrane protrusions like lamellipodia and filopodia from the leading edge to sense, to move and to form new contacts. The Arp2/3 complex sustains lamellipodia formation, and in conjunction with the actomyosin contractile system, provides mechanical strength to the cell. Drosophila p53-related protein kinase (Prpk), a Tsc5p ortholog, has been described as essential for cell growth and proliferation. In addition, Prpk interacts with proteins associated to actin filament dynamics such as alpha-spectrin and the Arp2/3 complex subunit Arpc4. Here, we investigated the role of Prpk in cell shape changes, specifically regarding actin filament dynamics and membrane protrusion formation. We found that reductions in Prpk alter cell shape and the structure of lamellipodia, mimicking the phenotypes evoked by Arp2/3 complex deficiencies. Prpk co-localize and co-immunoprecipitates with the Arp2/3 complex subunit Arpc1 and with the small GTPase Rab35. Importantly, expression of Rab35, known by its ability to recruit upstream regulators of the Arp2/3 complex, could rescue the Prpk knockdown phenotypes. Finally, we evaluated the requirement of Prpk in different developmental contexts, where it was shown to be essential for correct Arp2/3 complex distribution and actin dynamics required for hemocytes migration, recruitment, and phagocytosis during immune response.