Modulation of calcium-induced cell death in human neural stem cells by the novel peptidylarginine deiminase-AIF pathway

Kin Pong U, Venkataraman Subramanian, Antony P. Nicholas, Paul R. Thompson, Patrizia Ferretti

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

PADs (peptidylarginine deiminases) are calcium-dependent enzymes that change protein-bound arginine to citrulline (citrullination/deimination) affecting protein conformation and function. PAD up-regulation following chick spinal cord injury has been linked to extensive tissue damage and loss of regenerative capability. Having found that human neural stem cells (hNSCs) expressed PAD2 and PAD3, we studied PAD function in these cells and investigated PAD3 as a potential target for neuroprotection by mimicking calcium-induced secondary injury responses. We show that PAD3, rather than PAD2 is a modulator of cell growth/death and that PAD activity is not associated with caspase-3-dependent cell death, but is required for AIF (apoptosis inducing factor)-mediated apoptosis. PAD inhibition prevents association of PAD3 with AIF and AIF cleavage required for its translocation to the nucleus. Finally, PAD inhibition also hinders calcium-induced cytoskeleton disassembly and association of PAD3 with vimentin, that we show to be associated also with AIF; together this suggests that PAD-dependent cytoskeleton disassembly may play a role in AIF translocation to the nucleus. This is the first study highlighting a role of PAD activity in balancing hNSC survival/death, identifying PAD3 as an important upstream regulator of calcium-induced apoptosis, which could be targeted to reduce neural loss, and shedding light on the mechanisms involved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1162-1171
Number of pages10
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Cell Research
Volume1843
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Apoptosis inducing factor (AIF)
  • Cell death
  • Citrullination-deimination
  • Human neural stem cell
  • Peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD, PADI)
  • Vimentin

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