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Septins are an evolutionarily conserved family of proteins that have been implicated in a multitude of cellular processes. Septin 5 is mainly expressed in the nervous system and it has been linked to regulated secretion through its binding to the SNARE protein syntaxin 1. However, the exact mechanism of septin 5 function in localized exocytosis remains unknown. Over-expression of septin 5 is known to lead to lower levels of secretion in HIT-T15 cells. Interestingly, in the current study, the knock-down of septin 5 also results in reduced levels of regulated secretion in PC12 cells, suggesting a more complex role of septin 5 that includes both negative and positive effects on exocytosis. Septin 5 knock-down data point to a possibility of septin 5 facilitating formation of a tether between the vesicles and their site of secretion.

Septins are an evolutionarily conserved family of proteins that have been implicated in a multitude of cellular processes. Septin 5 is mainly expressed in the nervous system and it has been linked to regulated secretion through its binding to the SNARE protein syntaxin 1. However, the exact mechanism of septin 5 function in localized exocytosis remains unknown. Over-expression of septin 5 is known to lead to lower levels of secretion in HIT-T15 cells. Interestingly, in the current study, the knock-down of septin 5 also results in reduced levels of regulated secretion in PC12 cells, suggesting a more complex role of septin 5 that includes both negative and positive effects on exocytosis. Septin 5 knock-down data point to a possibility of septin 5 facilitating formation of a tether between the vesicles and their site of secretion.

Anillin is a highly conserved multi-domain cytoskeletal protein that provides a spatial and temporal scaffold for contractile ring proteins to ensure successful cytokinesis. We have looked at the temporal order of anillin and septin recruitment to the cleavage furrow using time-lapse microscopy and found that anillin localizes to the furrow in early anaphase while septins appear there later in an anillin-dependent manner. We also characterized the effect of anillin depletion in different cell lines and observed that septins and myosin delocalize in the absence of anillin in Tet-ON HeLa, AD293 and ARPE-19 cells but not in wild type HeLa cells. Asymmetric furrow formation was also investigated using the epithelial cell model: MDCK cells. Depletion of anillin and SEPT9 in MDCK cells was achieved using lentivirus shRNA constructs and this revealed that anillin or SEPT9 depletion did not affect asymmetric cytokinesis, although localization of SEPT 9 was affected by anillin depletion.

Anillin is a highly conserved multi-domain cytoskeletal protein that provides a spatial and temporal scaffold for contractile ring proteins to ensure successful cytokinesis. We have looked at the temporal order of anillin and septin recruitment to the cleavage furrow using time-lapse microscopy and found that anillin localizes to the furrow in early anaphase while septins appear there later in an anillin-dependent manner. We also characterized the effect of anillin depletion in different cell lines and observed that septins and myosin delocalize in the absence of anillin in Tet-ON HeLa, AD293 and ARPE-19 cells but not in wild type HeLa cells. Asymmetric furrow formation was also investigated using the epithelial cell model: MDCK cells. Depletion of anillin and SEPT9 in MDCK cells was achieved using lentivirus shRNA constructs and this revealed that anillin or SEPT9 depletion did not affect asymmetric cytokinesis, although localization of SEPT 9 was affected by anillin depletion.

L’émergence de phénomènes de résistance au paclitaxel (Taxol®), un agent stabilisateur de microtubules (MTs), est un obstacle majeur au succès de cette molécule dans les chimiothérapies anticancéreuses et limite son utilisation. Au laboratoire, un nouveau mécanisme de résistance au Taxol® a été mis en évidence dans les cellules tumorales mammaires MDA-MB 231. Il est basé sur une restauration de la dynamique microtubulaire et implique i) deux modifications post-traductionnelles de la tubuline (MPTs), la détyrosination/retyrosination et la polyglutamylation et ii) la surexpression et la relocalisation du cytosquelette d’actine sur les MTs de plusieurs septines, des GTPases filamenteuses impliquées dans la cytocinèse et la compartimentation membranaire. Plus précisément, une boucle fonctionnelle entre le recrutement des septines et la polyglutamylation des MTs a été démontrée : la polyglutamylation de la tubuline stimule le recrutement des septines sur les MTs et les septines jouent un rôle de protéine d’échafaudage pour les enzymes responsables de la polyglutamylation, favorisant l’élongation des chaines latérales de glutamate. Toutes ces modifications résultent en un recrutement accru sur les MTs de deux +TIPs, la kinésine dépolymérisante MCAK et le facteur de sauvetage CLIP-170, permettant ainsi de maintenir une dynamique microtubulaire malgré la présence du paclitaxel.De plus, l’étude de la contribution relative de chacun de ces acteurs dans ce mécanisme de chimiorésistance a permis de montrer que la stimulation de la polyglutamylation associée à la surexpression d’un ensemble de septines incluant la SEPT9_i1 est indispensable et suffisante pour induire une relocalisation des septines des microfilaments d’actine vers les MTs, une augmentation de la liaison de CLIP-170 et de MCAK aux MTs et une résistance au paclitaxel, non seulement dans les MDA-MB 231 mais aussi dans un certain nombre de lignées cellulaires sensibles (RPE-1, HeLa et CHO). L’analyse de ce phénomène a par ailleurs permis de montrer qu’à l’état basal, dans des cellules chimiosensibles, les MTs jouent un rôle essentiel dans l’organisation subcellulaire des filaments de septines sur l’actine, qu’un transport dépendant de la kinésine-1 était impliqué. / Acquired resistance to the microtubule (MT)-stabilizing agent paclitaxel (Taxol®) is a major obstacle for successful chemotherapy and limits its use as an anticancer drug. We evidenced a new mechanism of Taxol® resistance acquired by MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells which is based on the restoration of MTs dynamics and involves i) two tubulin post-translational modifications (PTMs); detyrosination/retyrosination and polyglutamylation, and ii) overexpression and relocalization from the actin microfilaments to the MT network of several septins, a family of filamentous GTPases implicated in cytokinesis and membrane compartmentalization. More precisely, a functional loop between septin recruitment to MTs and tubulin polyglutamylation has been uncovered: tubulin polyglutamylation stimulates septin association with MTs, and septins act as scaffold proteins for tubulin polyglutamylation enzymes, thus promoting the elongation of lateral polyglutamate chains. Altogether, these modifications enhance the recruitment to MTs of two +TIPs, the MT-depolymerizing kinesin MCAK and the rescue factor CLIP-170, which would in turn compensate for paclitaxel-mediated inhibition of MT dynamics.Studying the relative contribution of each of these actors in this new chemoresistance mechanism further showed that stimulation of tubulin polyglutamylation together with the overexpression of a panel of septins that comprised the SEPT9_i1 isoform were necessary and sufficient to relocate septin filaments from actin microfilaments to MTs, to increase the binding of CLIP-170 and MCAK to MTs and to induce Taxol®-resistance, not only in MDA-MB 231but also in several other Taxol®-sensitive cell lines (RPE-1, HeLa and CHO). The analysis of this phenomenon also showed that, in Taxol®-sensitive cells, MTs play an essential role in the assembly and subcellular localization of septin filaments to actin microfilaments, and that a kinesin1-dependent transport is involved.

Le carcinome hépatocellulaire (CHC) et le cholangiocarcinome (CCA) sont 2 types de cancer primitif du foie. Le CHC est le plus fréquent, cependant l’incidence du CCA augmente partout dans le monde avec un diagnostic difficile, un mauvais pronostic et des thérapies très limitées. Ce travail avait pour objectif d'identifier des cibles pour le diagnostic et la thérapeutique du CCA. Il est basé sur l'étude de la septine 9 et des phosphoinositides (PIs). La septine 9 appartient à une famille de GTPases qui participent à l’organisation des microtubules et du cytosquelette d’actine. Les septines sont impliquées dans la cytokinèse, le trafic vésiculaire et la polarité cellulaire, elles sont aussi des partenaires importantes des PIs. Pour déterminer le rôle de la septine 9 dans le CCA nous nous sommes intéressés à son interaction avec les PIs et avec l’inhibiteur de l’inducteur et activateur de la transcription 1 (PIAS1) qui a été décrite comme une protéine pouvant agir comme une SUMO ligase pour les septines. Nous avons étudié l’expression de la septine 9 et de PIAS1 dans le CCA et le CHC. Nous avons mis en évidence un mécanisme original par lequel, la production du PtdIns5P (Phosphatidylinositol -5-phosphate) permet un recrutement de la septine 9, la stabilisation des microtubules et le transport de PIAS1 du cytoplasme vers le noyau. Il démontre un rôle important des septines en association avec les PIs dans le trafic. De plus, nous avons montré que la septine 9 est un régulateur de la signalisation de l’interféron γ qui agit au niveau de la phosphorylation de STAT1 et l’entrée de PIAS1 dans le noyau. Ce travail peut constituer une nouvelle piste pour la recherche des thérapies ciblées en immunothérapie dans le traitement de ce cancer. / Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are two types of primary liver cancer. HCC is the most frequent, however the incidence of CCA increases throughout the world with a difficult diagnosis, poor prognosis and very limited therapies. The objective of this work was to identify targets for the diagnosis and treatment of CCA. It is based on the study of septin 9 and phosphoinositides (PIs). Septin 9 belongs to a family of GTPases that participate in the organization of microtubules and the actin cytoskeleton. Septins are involved in cytokinesis, vesicular trafficking and cellular polarity and are also important partners of PIs. To determine the role of septin 9 in the CCA, we investigated its interaction with PIs and with Protein inhibitory of activated STAT1 (PIAS1), which has been described as a SUMO ligase for septins. We studied the expression of septin 9 and PIAS1 in CCA and CHC. We have demonstrated an original mechanism by which la production of PtdIns5P allows the recruitment of septin 9, the stabilization of microtubules and the transport of PIAS1 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. It demonstrates an important role of the septins in association with the PIs in trafficking. Besides, we have shown that septin 9 is a regulator of interferon γ signaling which acts at the level of the phosphorylation of STAT1 and the entry of PIAS1 into the nucleus. This work can constitute a new avenue for the research of targeted immunotherapy for this cancer.

As proteínas pertencentes à família das septinas foram originalmente descobertas em 1971 em decorrencia de estudos genéticos em células mutantes. Essas proteínas encontradas em fungos e animais, mas não em plantas apresentam como principais características a presença de um domínio conservado de ligação aos nucleotídeos de guanina (GTP) e a formação de filamentos homo- e hetero-oligoméricos, que são estruturas altamente organizadas. Estudos filogenéticos e moleculares em humanos identificaram 14 septinas que são divididas em 4 grupos (I, II, III e IV). Estas moléculas associam-se com membranas celulares, actina, microtúbulos do citoesqueleto e estão envolvidas em inúmeros processos que ocorrem no córtex celular e requerem organização espacial, tais como: citocinese, ciclo celular, formação de barreiras de difusão, alinhamento de fuso. Alterações na expressão das septinas estão associadas a vários tipos de tumores e a doenças de Parkinson e Alzheimer. Neste trabalho, com o objetivo de obter informações estruturais e bioquímicas das septinas 7 e 9 humanas. Este projeto é parte de um esforço conjunto coordenado pelo Prof. Dr. Richard C. Garratt e conhecido informalmente como Septimoma. As construções recombinantes SEPT 7, SEPT 7G, e SEPT 9G foram expressas em Escherichia coli e as proteínas recombinantes obtidas. As análises em eletroforese SDS-Page e em gel nativo indicam que essas proteínas foram purificadas com sucesso. A atividade GTPase e o estado oligomérico na forma dimérica foram verificados. Estudos de dicroísmo circular e fluorescência determinaram que esses recombinantes são formados por uma mistura de estruturas secundárias &alfa; e β, e também que o C e o N terminais aumentam a estabilidade das proteínas. Foram obtidos cristais da SEPT 7G e, por meio da técnica de raios-X, foi determinado um modelo tridimensional da proteína com resolução de 3,4o. / Proteins belonging to the septin family were originally discovered in 1971 through genetic studies of mutant cells. These proteins found in fungi and animals, but not in plants present, as their main characteristics, a conserved guanine nucleotide-binding domain (GTP) and they also form homo and hetero-oligomeric filaments that are highly organized structures. Phylogenetic and molecular studies in humans have identified 14 septins which are divided into 4 subfamilies (groups I, II, III and IV). These molecules associate with cell membranes, actin, cytoskeleton microtubules and they are related to a number of processes that take place in the cell cortex and that require spatial organization, such as cytokinesis, cell cycle, diffusion barrier formation and spindle alignment. Alterations in the expression of septins are associated with several types of tumors and with Parkinsons and Alzheimers diseases. In this work, with the goal of obtaining structural and biochemical information of human septins 7 and 9, the recombinants SEPT 7, SEPT 7G and SEPT 9G were expressed in E. coli. Analyses both in SDS-Page electroforesis and in native gel suggest that these proteins were purified successfully for they are soluble and homogeneous. GTpase activity has been verified in all of these recombinants, which shows that these proteins are present in native form and that additional molecules are not needed for this activity. It was possible to determine through different techniques such as molecular exclusion chromatography and SAXS that all the molecules in solution are grouped as dimeric form. Circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopic studies have determined both that such recombinants are formed by means of a mixture of &alfa; and β secondary structures and that the C and N-terminals increase the stability of proteins. Protein stability studies under different pH and temperature conditions show that the raise of the latter produces a greater molecular aggregation. Measurements of fluorescence emissions have indicated that the SEPT 7, SEPT 7G and SEPT 9G form structures of amyloid-like filaments found in many septins. Crystal structures of SEPT 7G have been obtained and, by means of the X-ray technique, a 3-D model of the protein has been determined with a resolution of 3.4o. It has been possible to predict, with molecular modeling studies, regions formed by loops that showed low electronic density in the GTPase crystallographic model. Therefore, it has been possible to add more structural information to this domain and to form the complete polypeptide without cuts.

Septinas abrangem uma família conservada de proteínas que ligam e hidrolisam GTP e formam heterofilamentos, anéis e redes para realizar as suas funções. Apresentam três domínios estruturais: o domínio N-terminal contendo uma sequência polibásica (para ligar membranas), o domínio de ligação ao nucleotídeo (G) e o domínio C-terminal que inclui uma sequência predita de formar um coiled-coil. Em humanos, as 13 septinas são classificadas em quatro grupos (I, II, III e IV) baseadas nas sequências de aminoácidos. O único filamento caracterizado estruturalmente, até hoje, é o formado por SEPT2-SEPT6-SEPT7, mostrando que as subunidades interagem através de duas interfaces (chamadas G e NC). Os determinantes estruturais da montagem correta do filamento são pouco conhecidos, sendo o estudo limitado pela complexidade em purificar e cristalizar complexos triméricos ou tetraméricos. Uma abordagem alternativa é estudar interfaces individuais de um filamento (G e/ou NC) por separado. Assim, o presente projeto objetivou estudar, utilizando uma abordagem biofísica e estrutural, a interface G formada por SEPT5 e SEPT8 para elucidar os fatores importantes em determinar a sua especificidade. Os domínios GTPase de SEPT5 e SEPT8 foram clonadas em vetor de expressão bicistrônico pET-Duet, co-expressas e co-purificadas. Estudos de análise do estado oligomérico e homogeneidade foram conduzidos utilizando cromatografia de exclusão molecular, espalhamento dinâmico de luz e ultracentrifugação analítica, revelando um complexo dimérico e monodisperso. O complexo apresenta uma mistura aproximadamente equimolar de nucleotídeos (GTP e GDP) ligados enquanto SEPT8(G) sozinha é incapaz de ligar qualquer um dos dois. Além disto o complexo apresenta uma termoestabilidade maior que SEPT8(G), verificado por um aumento em Tm de 5°C. Com o intuito de observar os determinantes estruturais da especificidade, ensaios de cristalização foram conduzidos e assim, cristais do complexo SEPT5-SEPT8(G) que difrataram apenas a muito baixa resolução foram obtidos. Na ausência de uma estrutura cristalográfica, modelagem por homologia foi realizada para analisar as interfaces G entre diferentes combinações de septinas. Identificamos uma interação entre aminoácidos característicos (aminoácidos únicos para cada grupo de septinas) para o complexo formado entre membros do grupo III, (incluindo SEPT5) e membros do grupo II, (incluindo SEPT8). Esta interação entre Phe131 (grupo III) e Thr19 (grupo II) pode explicar a especificidade na formação de uma interface G entre septinas destes grupos durante a formação do filamento e além disso, a importância da presença do GTP ligado ao septina do grupo II. Com isto, propomos pela primeira vez uma explicação plausível da relevância da perda de atividade catalítica das septinas deste grupo, um fato inexplicado até o momento. Mutação dos resíduos identificados levou a uma mudança no seu perfil de eluição do complexo durante purificação por exclusão molecular indicando alterações na formação do complexo mutante. / Septins are a conserved family of proteins that bind and hydrolyze GTP and form heterofilaments, rings and networks in order to carry out their functions. They have three structural domains: an N-terminal domain containing a polybasic sequence (for membrane binding), a nucleotide-binding (G) domain and a C-terminal domain including a sequence predicted to form a coiled-coil. In humans, 13 septins have been classified into four groups (I, II, III and IV) based on their amino acid sequences. The only structurally characterized filament described to date is formed by SEPT2-SEPT6-SEPT7, which reveals that the subunits interact through two different interfaces (G and NC). The structural determinants of correct filament assembly are poorly known, and this is limited by the complexity of purifying and crystallizing trimeric or tetrameric complexes. An alternative approach is to study a single filament interface (G or NC) on its own. Here, we aimed to study, using biophysical and structural approaches, the G interface formed between SEPT5 and SEPT8 to elucidate the factors relevant to determining its specificity. The GTPase domain of SEPT5 and SEPT8, were cloned into the bicistronic expression vector pET-Duet, co-expressed and co-purified. Studies to determine the oligomeric state and homogeneity of the complex were conducted using size exclusion chromatography, dynamic light scattering and analytical ultracentrifugation, revealing a monodisperse dimer for SEPT5-SEPT8(G). The complex elutes with an approximately equimolar mixture of bound nucleotides (GTP and GDP) whereas SEPT8(G) alone is shown to be unable to bind either. Furthermore, the complex has a greater thermostability than SEPT8(G), demonstrated by an increase of 5°C in Tm. In order to determine the structural determinants of specificity, crystallization trials were conducted and crystals of the SEPT5-SEPT8(G) complex were obtained, but these diffracted to only very low resolution. In the absence of a crystal structure, homology modeling was performed to analyze the potential G interfaces between different septin combinations. An interaction between characteristic amino acids (those which are unique to given septin group) was identified for the complex formed between group III septins (including SEPT5) and group II septins (including SEPT8). This interaction, between Phe131 (group II) and Thr19 (group III) may explain the specificity in the formation of a G interface between septins of these groups during filament formation and furthermore the importance of GTP bound to the group II septin. These observations allow us to propose for the first time a plausible explanation for relevance of the loss of catalytic activity by this septin group, an unexplained fact up until now. Mutation of the identified residues resulted in a change in the elution profile of the complex from the size exclusion column suggesting structural alterations in the mutants.

Septinas abrangem uma família conservada de proteínas que ligam e hidrolisam GTP e formam heterofilamentos, anéis e redes para realizar as suas funções. Apresentam três domínios estruturais: o domínio N-terminal contendo uma sequência polibásica (para ligar membranas), o domínio de ligação ao nucleotídeo (G) e o domínio C-terminal que inclui uma sequência predita de formar um coiled-coil. Em humanos, as 13 septinas são classificadas em quatro grupos (I, II, III e IV) baseadas nas sequências de aminoácidos. O único filamento caracterizado estruturalmente, até hoje, é o formado por SEPT2-SEPT6-SEPT7, mostrando que as subunidades interagem através de duas interfaces (chamadas G e NC). Os determinantes estruturais da montagem correta do filamento são pouco conhecidos, sendo o estudo limitado pela complexidade em purificar e cristalizar complexos triméricos ou tetraméricos. Uma abordagem alternativa é estudar interfaces individuais de um filamento (G e/ou NC) por separado. Assim, o presente projeto objetivou estudar, utilizando uma abordagem biofísica e estrutural, a interface G formada por SEPT5 e SEPT8 para elucidar os fatores importantes em determinar a sua especificidade. Os domínios GTPase de SEPT5 e SEPT8 foram clonadas em vetor de expressão bicistrônico pET-Duet, co-expressas e co-purificadas. Estudos de análise do estado oligomérico e homogeneidade foram conduzidos utilizando cromatografia de exclusão molecular, espalhamento dinâmico de luz e ultracentrifugação analítica, revelando um complexo dimérico e monodisperso. O complexo apresenta uma mistura aproximadamente equimolar de nucleotídeos (GTP e GDP) ligados enquanto SEPT8(G) sozinha é incapaz de ligar qualquer um dos dois. Além disto o complexo apresenta uma termoestabilidade maior que SEPT8(G), verificado por um aumento em Tm de 5°C. Com o intuito de observar os determinantes estruturais da especificidade, ensaios de cristalização foram conduzidos e assim, cristais do complexo SEPT5-SEPT8(G) que difrataram apenas a muito baixa resolução foram obtidos. Na ausência de uma estrutura cristalográfica, modelagem por homologia foi realizada para analisar as interfaces G entre diferentes combinações de septinas. Identificamos uma interação entre aminoácidos característicos (aminoácidos únicos para cada grupo de septinas) para o complexo formado entre membros do grupo III, (incluindo SEPT5) e membros do grupo II, (incluindo SEPT8). Esta interação entre Phe131 (grupo III) e Thr19 (grupo II) pode explicar a especificidade na formação de uma interface G entre septinas destes grupos durante a formação do filamento e além disso, a importância da presença do GTP ligado ao septina do grupo II. Com isto, propomos pela primeira vez uma explicação plausível da relevância da perda de atividade catalítica das septinas deste grupo, um fato inexplicado até o momento. Mutação dos resíduos identificados levou a uma mudança no seu perfil de eluição do complexo durante purificação por exclusão molecular indicando alterações na formação do complexo mutante. / Septins are a conserved family of proteins that bind and hydrolyze GTP and form heterofilaments, rings and networks in order to carry out their functions. They have three structural domains: an N-terminal domain containing a polybasic sequence (for membrane binding), a nucleotide-binding (G) domain and a C-terminal domain including a sequence predicted to form a coiled-coil. In humans, 13 septins have been classified into four groups (I, II, III and IV) based on their amino acid sequences. The only structurally characterized filament described to date is formed by SEPT2-SEPT6-SEPT7, which reveals that the subunits interact through two different interfaces (G and NC). The structural determinants of correct filament assembly are poorly known, and this is limited by the complexity of purifying and crystallizing trimeric or tetrameric complexes. An alternative approach is to study a single filament interface (G or NC) on its own. Here, we aimed to study, using biophysical and structural approaches, the G interface formed between SEPT5 and SEPT8 to elucidate the factors relevant to determining its specificity. The GTPase domain of SEPT5 and SEPT8, were cloned into the bicistronic expression vector pET-Duet, co-expressed and co-purified. Studies to determine the oligomeric state and homogeneity of the complex were conducted using size exclusion chromatography, dynamic light scattering and analytical ultracentrifugation, revealing a monodisperse dimer for SEPT5-SEPT8(G). The complex elutes with an approximately equimolar mixture of bound nucleotides (GTP and GDP) whereas SEPT8(G) alone is shown to be unable to bind either. Furthermore, the complex has a greater thermostability than SEPT8(G), demonstrated by an increase of 5°C in Tm. In order to determine the structural determinants of specificity, crystallization trials were conducted and crystals of the SEPT5-SEPT8(G) complex were obtained, but these diffracted to only very low resolution. In the absence of a crystal structure, homology modeling was performed to analyze the potential G interfaces between different septin combinations. An interaction between characteristic amino acids (those which are unique to given septin group) was identified for the complex formed between group III septins (including SEPT5) and group II septins (including SEPT8). This interaction, between Phe131 (group II) and Thr19 (group III) may explain the specificity in the formation of a G interface between septins of these groups during filament formation and furthermore the importance of GTP bound to the group II septin. These observations allow us to propose for the first time a plausible explanation for relevance of the loss of catalytic activity by this septin group, an unexplained fact up until now. Mutation of the identified residues resulted in a change in the elution profile of the complex from the size exclusion column suggesting structural alterations in the mutants.