HEIX1 Mutation Effects on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Caspase Activation, and JNK2 Pathways

Background and Objective: Schneider 2 (S2) cells, derived from Drosophila melanogaster, are extensively utilized in developmental biology and genetics engineering research. Proper tissue formation depends on the regulation of developmental signalling, with the unfolded protein response (UPR) and aut...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: MA Dragh, ZS Al-Allak, ZZG Allami
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Babol University of Medical Sciences 2025-03-01
Series:Majallah-i Dānishgāh-i ̒Ulūm-i Pizishkī-i Bābul
Subjects:
Online Access:http://jbums.org/article-1-12329-en.pdf
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850064079980331008
author MA Dragh
ZS Al-Allak
ZZG Allami
author_facet MA Dragh
ZS Al-Allak
ZZG Allami
author_sort MA Dragh
collection DOAJ
description Background and Objective: Schneider 2 (S2) cells, derived from Drosophila melanogaster, are extensively utilized in developmental biology and genetics engineering research. Proper tissue formation depends on the regulation of developmental signalling, with the unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy playing critical roles in maintaining endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial homeostasis. Mutations in the HEIX1 gene disrupt these processes, triggering activation of the P-ERK and JNK signalling pathways, which lead to ER stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. This study examines the molecular mechanisms underlying HEIX1 loss-of-function mutations in S2 cells, focusing on P-ERK and JNK pathway activation and their effects on cellular stress responses. Methods: This experimental study includes four groups of S2 cells, with 10 samples per group: (1) wild-type (WT) control, (2) HEIX1 homozygous mutant (HEIX1−/−), (3) HEIX1 heterozygous rescue group (*heix1/Df; UAS, Gal4, tubp>HEIX1), and (4) a group treated with the P-ERK inhibitor GSK. Protein extraction and analysis were performed across all groups. Variables such as P-ERK and JNK activation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, apoptosis markers (caspase 9 activation), and UPR-related gene expression (GRP78 and CHOP) were measured using western blotting, immunofluorescence, and ROS assays. Findings: Loss of HEIX1 function significantly activated the P-ERK pathway, as evidenced by increased P-ERK phosphorylation, caspase 9 activation, and apoptosis. Mutants showed disrupted ER and mitochondrial homeostasis, including swelling and oxidative stress. Rescuing HEIX1 restored normal signalling and reduced apoptosis. P-ERK inhibition accelerated apoptosis and suppressed UPR-related gene expression, underscoring HEIX1's role in proteostasis. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the HEIX1 gene is essential for maintaining ER and mitochondrial homeostasis, regulating stress responses, and preventing apoptosis. Its loss leads to P-ERK pathway activation, ER stress, and cell death. These findings provide insights into Drosophila development and the broader implications of HEIX1 in understanding human diseases linked to ER stress and apoptosis.
format Article
id doaj-art-c7a807a3ee574f328d2a9db76b2d5e2a
institution DOAJ
issn 1561-4107
2251-7170
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Babol University of Medical Sciences
record_format Article
series Majallah-i Dānishgāh-i ̒Ulūm-i Pizishkī-i Bābul
spelling doaj-art-c7a807a3ee574f328d2a9db76b2d5e2a2025-08-20T02:49:25ZengBabol University of Medical SciencesMajallah-i Dānishgāh-i ̒Ulūm-i Pizishkī-i Bābul1561-41072251-71702025-03-012700HEIX1 Mutation Effects on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Caspase Activation, and JNK2 PathwaysMA Dragh0ZS Al-Allak1ZZG Allami2 1.Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Misan, Misan, Iraq. 2.College of Dentistry, University of Misan, Misan, Iraq. 1.Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Misan, Misan, Iraq. Background and Objective: Schneider 2 (S2) cells, derived from Drosophila melanogaster, are extensively utilized in developmental biology and genetics engineering research. Proper tissue formation depends on the regulation of developmental signalling, with the unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy playing critical roles in maintaining endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial homeostasis. Mutations in the HEIX1 gene disrupt these processes, triggering activation of the P-ERK and JNK signalling pathways, which lead to ER stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. This study examines the molecular mechanisms underlying HEIX1 loss-of-function mutations in S2 cells, focusing on P-ERK and JNK pathway activation and their effects on cellular stress responses. Methods: This experimental study includes four groups of S2 cells, with 10 samples per group: (1) wild-type (WT) control, (2) HEIX1 homozygous mutant (HEIX1−/−), (3) HEIX1 heterozygous rescue group (*heix1/Df; UAS, Gal4, tubp>HEIX1), and (4) a group treated with the P-ERK inhibitor GSK. Protein extraction and analysis were performed across all groups. Variables such as P-ERK and JNK activation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, apoptosis markers (caspase 9 activation), and UPR-related gene expression (GRP78 and CHOP) were measured using western blotting, immunofluorescence, and ROS assays. Findings: Loss of HEIX1 function significantly activated the P-ERK pathway, as evidenced by increased P-ERK phosphorylation, caspase 9 activation, and apoptosis. Mutants showed disrupted ER and mitochondrial homeostasis, including swelling and oxidative stress. Rescuing HEIX1 restored normal signalling and reduced apoptosis. P-ERK inhibition accelerated apoptosis and suppressed UPR-related gene expression, underscoring HEIX1's role in proteostasis. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the HEIX1 gene is essential for maintaining ER and mitochondrial homeostasis, regulating stress responses, and preventing apoptosis. Its loss leads to P-ERK pathway activation, ER stress, and cell death. These findings provide insights into Drosophila development and the broader implications of HEIX1 in understanding human diseases linked to ER stress and apoptosis.http://jbums.org/article-1-12329-en.pdfmitochondriaheix1 mutationserk signalling pathwayapoptosis-induced deathwritten by jnk.
spellingShingle MA Dragh
ZS Al-Allak
ZZG Allami
HEIX1 Mutation Effects on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Caspase Activation, and JNK2 Pathways
Majallah-i Dānishgāh-i ̒Ulūm-i Pizishkī-i Bābul
mitochondria
heix1 mutations
erk signalling pathway
apoptosis-induced death
written by jnk.
title HEIX1 Mutation Effects on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Caspase Activation, and JNK2 Pathways
title_full HEIX1 Mutation Effects on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Caspase Activation, and JNK2 Pathways
title_fullStr HEIX1 Mutation Effects on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Caspase Activation, and JNK2 Pathways
title_full_unstemmed HEIX1 Mutation Effects on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Caspase Activation, and JNK2 Pathways
title_short HEIX1 Mutation Effects on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Caspase Activation, and JNK2 Pathways
title_sort heix1 mutation effects on endoplasmic reticulum stress caspase activation and jnk2 pathways
topic mitochondria
heix1 mutations
erk signalling pathway
apoptosis-induced death
written by jnk.
url http://jbums.org/article-1-12329-en.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT madragh heix1mutationeffectsonendoplasmicreticulumstresscaspaseactivationandjnk2pathways
AT zsalallak heix1mutationeffectsonendoplasmicreticulumstresscaspaseactivationandjnk2pathways
AT zzgallami heix1mutationeffectsonendoplasmicreticulumstresscaspaseactivationandjnk2pathways