The Role of Prostate Apoptosis Response-4 (Par-4) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infected Macrophages

Sci Rep. 2016 Aug 24:6:32079. doi: 10.1038/srep32079.

Abstract

Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) is a tumor suppressor protein that forms a complex with glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) to induce apoptosis. Previously, we reported that ER stress-induced apoptosis is a critical host defense mechanism against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). We sought to understand the role of Par-4 during ER stress-induced apoptosis in response to mycobacterial infection. Par-4 and GRP78 protein levels increased in response Mtb (strain: H37Ra) infection. Furthermore, Par-4 and GRP78 translocate to the surface of Mtb H37Ra-infected macrophages and induce apoptosis via caspase activation. NF-κB activation, Mtb-mediated ER stress, and Par-4 production were significantly diminished in macrophages with inhibited ROS production. To test Par-4 function during mycobacterial infection, we analyzed intracellular survival of Mtb H37Ra in macrophages with Par-4 overexpression or knockdown. Mtb H37Ra growth was significantly reduced in Par-4 overexpressing macrophages and increased in knockdown macrophages. We also observed increased Par-4, GRP78, and caspases activation in Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-infected prostate cancer cells. Our data demonstrate that Par-4 is associated with ER stress-induced apoptosis resulting in reduced intracellular survival of mycobacteria. BCG treatment increases Par-4-dependent caspase activation in prostate cancer cells. These results suggest ER stress-induced Par-4 acts as an important defense mechanism against mycobacterial infection and regulates cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / genetics
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Macrophages / microbiology*
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mycobacterium Infections / metabolism*
  • Mycobacterium Infections / pathology
  • Mycobacterium bovis
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / pathogenicity
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / microbiology
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP
  • HSPA5 protein, human
  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Hspa5 protein, mouse
  • NF-kappa B
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • prostate apoptosis response-4 protein