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Updated: May 19, 2026
Cell-Type Specific Protein Purification and Identification from Complex Tissues Using a Mutant Methionine tRNA Synthetase Mouse Line
Published on: April 13, 2022
The subcellular distribution of methionine sulfoxide reductase A in mouse and human tissues
Hans Agricola1, Thomas Lesser2, Reinhard Wetzker3
1Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany.
Abstract:
Among all known repair enzymes, methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) plays a key role in protecting against oxidative stress and its damaging effects. The enzyme is ubiquitously expressed in eukaryotic cells and different splice variants of the MsrA gene have been shown to permit the specific prevalence of the protein in different cell organelles. Here, we present novel insights in the intracellular localization of MsrA in selected samples from mouse and human tissue. Using immunocytochemical techniques at both the light and electron microscopic levels, we show incidence of MsrA in human oral mucosa cells, predominantly in the cell nucleus. In addition, the enzyme has been localized in mitochondria of mouse liver and kidney cells, in the cytoplasm of retina cells, and in the endoplasmic reticulum of glandular cells. Overall, the results indicate a correlation between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression level of MsrA in subcellular compartments of the tissues examined.
Insights
Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) protects cells from oxidative stress. This study reveals MsrA
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Oxidative Stress Research
Background:
- Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) is a crucial enzyme for cellular protection against oxidative stress.
- MsrA is ubiquitously expressed in eukaryotic cells, with splice variants influencing its subcellular localization.
- Understanding MsrA's precise location is key to comprehending its role in various cellular compartments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the intracellular localization of MsrA in human and mouse tissues.
- To correlate MsrA expression levels with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in specific subcellular compartments.
Main Methods:
- Immunocytochemical techniques were employed at both light and electron microscopic levels.
- Analysis was performed on selected human oral mucosa, mouse liver, kidney, retina, and glandular tissues.
Main Results:
- MsrA was predominantly found in the nucleus of human oral mucosa cells.
- In mouse tissues, MsrA was localized to mitochondria (liver, kidney), cytoplasm (retina), and endoplasmic reticulum (glandular cells).
- A correlation was observed between ROS generation and MsrA expression in examined subcellular compartments.
Conclusions:
- MsrA exhibits diverse intracellular localization patterns across different human and mouse cell types.
- The findings suggest a dynamic role for MsrA in cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress in various organelles.
- Further research into MsrA's compartmentalized functions could reveal new therapeutic targets for oxidative stress-related diseases.
