PSMA2 knockdown impacts expression of proteins involved in immune and cellular stress responses in human lung cells

Mahamud-Ur Rashid1, Shahrokh Lorzadeh2, Ang Gao3

  • 1University of Manitoba, Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Room 543 Basic Medical Sciences Building, 745 Bannatyne Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada; Manitoba Centre for Proteomics & Systems Biology, Room 799, 715 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada.

Insights

Knocking down proteasome subunit alpha type-2 (PSMA2) significantly altered 52 cellular proteins, impacting immune response, cell signaling, and cancer pathways in lung epithelial cells.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Proteomics

Background:

  • Proteasome subunit alpha type-2 (PSMA2) is crucial for the 20S proteasome, essential for cellular protein quality control.
  • Dysregulated PSMA2 expression is linked to human diseases and viral infections.
  • The impact of PSMA2 knockdown on the cellular proteome remains unstudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the global proteomic changes following PSMA2 knockdown in human lung epithelial cells.
  • To identify cellular functions and signaling pathways affected by PSMA2 dysregulation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized SOMAScan, an aptamer-based multiplexed assay, to quantify over 1300 human proteins.
  • Performed PSMA2 knockdown in A549 human lung epithelial cells.

Main Results:

  • PSMA2 knockdown led to significant dysregulation of 52 cellular proteins.
  • Affected biological functions included cellular movement, development, cell death, survival, and cancer.
  • Immune system and signal transduction pathways were notably impacted, including cytokine signaling, autophagy, and unfolded protein response.

Conclusions:

  • This study elucidates the critical role of PSMA2 in diverse cellular functions and signaling pathways.
  • Findings provide insights into the involvement of PSMA2 in human diseases.