Carbon monoxide induces the assembly of stress granule through the integrated stress response

Stress granules (SGs) are membraneless and phase-dense organelles that form transiently in response to a variety of harmful stimuli, including oxidative, heat, osmotic, ultraviolet light and chemotoxic stresses, and thus providing protective effects, allowing survivals. Carbon monoxide (CO), a gaseous second messenger, is synthesized by heme-oxygenases, and exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects in a variety of cellular- and tissue-injury models. Several reports indicate that low levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) generated by CO can selectively activate PERK-eIF2α integrated stress response (ISR) to preserve the cellular homeostasis. Hence, CO can confer protection against cellular stresses. However, the mechanisms underlying the cyto-protective effects of CO against various harmful stimuli remain to be elucidated. Here, we sought to examine whether CO induces the SG assembly, and uncover its molecular mechanisms. We treated WI-38 cells and primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with CO-releasing molecule 2 (CORM2) or CO gas, and found the SG assemblies were gradually increased in time and dose dependent manners. Next, we used Mito-TEMPO, an mtROS scavenger, to explore if mtROS might be involved in the CO-induced SG assembly. Furthermore, we confirmed the involvement of ISR consisted of PERK-eIF2α signaling pathway induced by CO for the SGs assembly. Finally, the inhibition of SG assembly by ISR inhibitor further verified CO-induced ISR might be responsible for SG. Taken together, in this study, we first demonstrated that CO is a novel SG inducer by activating ISR. Moreover, mtROS might be an initiator for the CO-induced ISR responsible for SG assembly.