Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Natural Product Discovery with LC-MS/MS Diagnostic Fragmentation Filtering: Application for Microcystin Analysis
07:18

Natural Product Discovery with LC-MS/MS Diagnostic Fragmentation Filtering: Application for Microcystin Analysis

Published on: May 31, 2019

9.4K

Alpha4-overexpressing HL7702 cells can counteract microcystin-LR effects on cytoskeletal structure

Pu Huang1, Sha Wang1, Dengpo Weng1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

Environmental Toxicology
|July 10, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Elevated alpha4 protein expression partially protected against microcystin-LR (MC-LR) toxicity by altering protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity and MAPK pathway signaling, though cell-specific responses varied.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Toxicology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Previous studies implicated alpha4 in microcystin-LR (MC-LR) toxicity through Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity modulation in HEK 293 cells.
  • Understanding the role of alpha4 in MC-LR toxicity across different cell types requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of alpha4 in MC-LR toxicity in HL7702 cells, focusing on PP2A regulation.
  • To examine the effects of MC-LR exposure on PP2A, cytoskeletal structure, and related proteins in alpha4-overexpressing HL7702 cells.

Main Methods:

  • Overexpression of alpha4 protein in HL7702 cells.
  • Exposure of cells to MC-LR.
  • Analysis of PP2A activity, subunit expression, and post-translational modifications (phosphorylation, methylation).
  • Assessment of cytoskeletal structure (actin filaments, microtubules) and related protein expression/phosphorylation.
  • Investigation of MAPK pathway activation (JNK, P38, ERK1/2).

Main Results:

  • MC-LR exposure decreased PP2A activity and increased PP2A/C subunit expression and Tyr307 phosphorylation, while decreasing Leu309 methylation.
  • Cytoskeletal structure (actin filaments, microtubules) remained unchanged, but cytoskeleton-related protein expression and phosphorylation showed varied changes.
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathway components (JNK, P38, ERK1/2) were co-activated.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated alpha4 expression provides partial resistance to MC-LR-induced cytoskeletal alterations.
  • Cellular responses to MC-LR under alpha4 overexpression conditions differ between cell lines.
Keywords:
cytoskeletonmicrocystin-LRprotein phosphatase 2Aα4 proteinα4-overexpressing HL7702 cells

More Related Videos

Establishing Cell Lines Overexpressing DR3 to Assess the Apoptotic Response to Anti-mitotic Therapeutics12:28

Establishing Cell Lines Overexpressing DR3 to Assess the Apoptotic Response to Anti-mitotic Therapeutics

Published on: January 11, 2019

7.8K
Assessing Somatic Hypermutation in Ramos B Cells after Overexpression or Knockdown of Specific Genes08:12

Assessing Somatic Hypermutation in Ramos B Cells after Overexpression or Knockdown of Specific Genes

Published on: November 1, 2011

20.4K

Related Concept Videos

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration01:32

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration

A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker...
5.6K
Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:12

Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments

The cytoskeleton is a complex dynamic structure performing varied functions based on cellular requirements. The adaptability of the individual filaments in the cytoskeleton determines their ability to perform various functions within the cell. It can undergo rapid reorganization during processes like cell division or remain stable for several hours as in the interphase. The adaptability of these filaments depends on stringent regulatory mechanisms. The microfilament and microtubules of the...
6.0K
Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...
27.9K
Cytoskeletal Accessory Proteins01:13

Cytoskeletal Accessory Proteins

The cytoskeleton is an essential cell component that plays several structural and functional roles. However, the filaments that make up the cytoskeleton cannot function independently and depend on the accessory or ancillary proteins to effectively carry out their function. Accessory proteins associate with cytoskeletal filaments and their monomers, aiding filament formation and function. They also help in the cross-communication among cytoskeletal filaments. Cytoskeletal accessory proteins are...
4.1K
Cytoskeletal Proteins in Bacteria01:29

Cytoskeletal Proteins in Bacteria

Bacterial cells were initially considered simple, randomly organized structures lacking a cytoskeleton. However, the discovery of cytoskeleton homologs in bacteria led to the change of this opinion. Bacterial cytoskeletal filaments regulate the cell shape, cell polarity, cell division, and partitioning of plasmids during cell division. It was later discovered that bacterial cytoskeletal proteins, mainly actin and tubulin homologs, are diverse compared to their eukaryotic counterparts. On the...
4.3K
Cytoskeletal Linker Proteins - Plakins01:09

Cytoskeletal Linker Proteins - Plakins

Plakins are large proteins with binding domains for microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and membrane-associated protein complexes at cell junctions. Plakin functions are evolutionarily conserved and are primarily involved in organizing the different components of the cytoskeleton by crosslinking them to each other and connecting them to the cell-matrix and cell adhesion complexes. They are also known to interact with signal transducers, serve as scaffolds for signaling...
2.9K