title: Protein nitration as footprint of oxidative stress-related nitric oxide signaling pathways in developing Ciona intestinalis.
abstract: Developmental processes in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis depend on a complex interplay of events including, during metamorphosis, a caspase-dependent apoptosis which is regulated by the nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP signaling pathway. Herein we disclose an alternate NO-mediated signaling pathway during Ciona development which appears to be critically dependent on local redox control. Evidence in support of this conclusion includes: (a) inhibitors of NO synthase (NOS) and scavengers of NO-derived nitrating agents markedly decrease the rate of Ciona metamorphosis; (b) an NO donor or peroxynitrite caused an opposite effect; (c) increased protein nitration is observed at larva stage. Integrated proteomic and immunochemical methodologies identified nitrated tyrosine residues in ERK and snail. Overall, these results point to protein nitration as a hitherto overlooked NO-dependent regulatory mechanism in Ciona which is specifically triggered by elevated ROS production during developmental processes.
authors.affiliation: Cellular and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ercolesi
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tedeschi
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Negri
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maffioli
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: d'Ischia
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palumbo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001669:Biochemical Phenomena; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002938:Ciona intestinalis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D040901:Proteomics; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011506:Proteins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases