Multiplex SILAC analysis of a cellular TDP-43 proteinopathy model reveals protein inclusions associated with SUMOylation and diverse polyubiquitin chains

Mol Cell Proteomics. 2010 Apr;9(4):705-18. doi: 10.1074/mcp.M800390-MCP200. Epub 2010 Jan 4.

Abstract

Transactive response (TAR) DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a major protein component within ubiquitin-positive inclusions of frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Although TDP-43 is a nuclear DNA/RNA-binding protein, in pathological conditions, TDP-43 has been reported to redistribute to the cytoplasm where it is cleaved and forms insoluble, ubiquitinated, and phosphorylated inclusions. Here we present a cellular model in which full-length human TDP-43 or a splicing isoform (TDP-S6) that lacks the C terminus is overexpressed in a human cell line and mouse primary neurons. Whereas recombinant and endogenous TDP-43 was primarily localized in the nucleus, the shorter TDP-S6 formed highly insoluble cytoplasmic and nuclear inclusions reminiscent of disease-specific pathology. Western blot analysis of detergent-insoluble extracts showed an increase in high molecular weight immunoreactive species for TDP-S6 compared with TDP-43, consistent with ubiquitination or ubiquitin-like modifications. We used a multiplex stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture approach to compare the detergent-insoluble proteome from mock-, TDP-43-, and TDP-S6-transfected cells. TDP-S6 overexpression caused a concomitant increase in both ubiquitin (Ub) and the small Ub-like modifier-2/3 (SUMO-2/3) within the insoluble proteome. Similarly, full-length TDP-43 overexpression also resulted in the elevation of SUMO-2/3. Immunofluorescence showed strong co-localization of endogenous Ub with both cytoplasmic and nuclear TDP-S6 inclusions, whereas SUMO-2/3 was co-localized mainly with the nuclear inclusions. Quantitative mass spectrometry further revealed that mixed Lys-48 and Lys-63 polyUb linkages were associated with the TDP insoluble fractions. Together our data indicate that expression of a TDP-43 splice variant lacking a C terminus recapitulates many of the cellular and biochemical features associated with disease pathology and that the interplay of ubiquitination and SUMOylation may have an important role in TDP-43 regulation.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Humans
  • Inclusion Bodies / chemistry*
  • Inclusion Bodies / metabolism
  • Isotope Labeling / methods*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Polyubiquitin / metabolism*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / physiology
  • Proteomics / methods*
  • SUMO-1 Protein / metabolism*
  • TDP-43 Proteinopathies / metabolism*
  • TDP-43 Proteinopathies / pathology
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • SUMO-1 Protein
  • Polyubiquitin