Dbf4 and Cdc7 Proteins Promote DNA Replication through Interactions with Distinct Mcm2–7 Protein Subunits

The essential cell cycle target of the Dbf4/Cdc7 kinase (DDK) is the Mcm2–7 helicase complex. Although Mcm4 has been identified as the critical DDK phosphorylation target for DNA replication, it is not well understood which of the six Mcm2–7 subunits actually mediate(s) docking of this kinase complex. We systematically examined the interaction between each Mcm2–7 subunit with Dbf4 and Cdc7 through two-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation analyses. Strikingly different binding patterns were observed, as Dbf4 interacted most strongly with Mcm2, whereas Cdc7 displayed association with both Mcm4 and Mcm5. We identified an N-terminal Mcm2 region required for interaction with Dbf4. Cells expressing either an Mcm2 mutant lacking this docking domain (Mcm2ΔDDD) or an Mcm4 mutant lacking a previously identified DDK docking domain (Mcm4ΔDDD) displayed modest DNA replication and growth defects. In contrast, combining these two mutations resulted in synthetic lethality, suggesting that Mcm2 and Mcm4 play overlapping roles in the association of DDK with MCM rings at replication origins. Consistent with this model, growth inhibition could be induced in Mcm4ΔDDD cells through Mcm2 overexpression as a means of titrating the Dbf4-MCM ring interaction. This growth inhibition was exacerbated by exposing the cells to either hydroxyurea or methyl methanesulfonate, lending support for a DDK role in stabilizing or restarting replication forks under S phase checkpoint conditions. Finally, constitutive overexpression of each individual MCM subunit was examined, and genotoxic sensitivity was found to be specific to Mcm2 or Mcm4 overexpression, further pointing to the importance of the DDK-MCM ring interaction.     

Cdc42在乳腺癌中的作用

乳腺癌是女性最好发的恶性肿瘤之一,常规治疗方法虽取得了一定的疗效,但仍存在局限性。细胞分裂周期蛋白42(cell division cycle 42,Cdc42)是一种Rho家族蛋白的小GTP酶,可与GTP结合而被激活,进一步调控细胞骨架变化、极性建立、运动和迁移等各种生理进程。越来越多的研究表明,Cdc42在乳腺癌发生、发展过程中具有重要的调控作用,提示Cdc42有望作为一个新的治疗靶点应用到乳腺癌临床治疗中。该文总结最新的研究成果,探讨Cdc42在乳腺癌细胞极性建立、伪足形成中的作用,同时阐述Cdc42调控乳腺癌细胞侵袭、迁移和远处转移的具体分子机制以及相关的信号通路与乳腺癌演进的密切联系,并提出针对Cdc42的靶向治疗方法,为乳腺癌的治疗提供了新思路。     

Nudel在细胞迁移中通过Cdc42GAP参与调节Cdc42的活性

2008年3月11日出版的《发育细胞》（Developmental Cell）杂志报道了中国科学院上海生命科学研究院生物化学与细胞生物学研究所朱学良研究组的最新研究发现：Nudd蛋白在细胞迁移过程中通过Cdc42GAP调节Cdc42的活性,从而揭示了一条新的调节Cdc42的信号通路,对于深入了解细胞迁移的调节机制有重要意义。     

The Cdc7/Dbf4 protein kinase: target of the S phase checkpoint?

Cdc7/Dbf4 is a protein kinase that is required for the initiation of DNA replication in eukaryotes. Recent work has provided new clues to the role that Cdc7/Dbf4 plays in this process. A range of other observations suggest that Cdc7/Dbf4 also plays another, less well characterized, role in checkpoint function and in the maintenance of genomic integrity. In this review we attempt to bring together new information to explain how Cdc7/Dbf4 may perform these two distinct functions.     

细胞周期蛋白Cdc25C的研究

细胞分裂周期蛋白25同源蛋白C(cell division cyclin 25 homolog C,Cdc25C)是一种细胞分裂周期蛋白质,在真核生物的细胞有丝分裂中起重要调节作用,是控制细胞周期进入M期的关键因子之一。在对Cdc25C的研究过程中,人们逐渐认识到细胞周期调节物可能对于癌症治疗是一个潜在的靶物质。Cdc25CC表达量的变化与肿瘤的发生机制有关。更重要的是,Cdc25C被发现是一种新的肿瘤相关抗原。     

小鼠Cdc25B核输出序列

为探讨小鼠卵母细胞中Cdc25B(cell division cycle 25 homolog B)核输出序列在卵母细胞G2/M转换过程中的调控机制,应用显微注射方法将Cdc25B的野生型、N末端缺失1～51位氨基酸片段(Cdc25B-Δ51)、1～65位氨基酸片段(Cdc25B-Δ65)突变体的mRNA和pEGFP-Cdc25B-WT、pEGFP-Cdc25B-Δ51、pEGFP-Cdc25B-Δ65的融合质粒显微注射到含有完整生发泡的小鼠卵母细胞中,观察不同注射组小鼠卵母细胞发生生发泡破裂的情况及蛋白质亚细胞定位。结果显示Cdc25B-Δ51及Cdc25B-Δ65都丧失了诱导小鼠卵母细胞减数分裂的能力;同时亚细胞定位研究表明在G2期野生型Cdc25B主要分布在细胞浆中,Cdc25B-Δ51在核浆均有分布,Cdc25B-Δ65则主要分布于细胞核中。研究结果表明Cdc25B在52～65位氨基酸之间存在核输出序列(nuclear export sequence,NES),NES参与的核转运机制作为一种重要的调控机制控制着细胞的生理进程;N末端的氨基酸对减数分裂的重启动起促进作用。     

Cdc42作为功能性因子调控纤维化

细胞分裂周期蛋白42(cell division control protein 42 homolog,Cdc42)是一种Rho蛋白家族的小GTPase,可与GTP或GDP结合并在其活性型或失活型之间的转换充当"分子开关",参与了细胞黏附、迁移与极化的过程。纤维化是引起器官功能丧失的重要原因之一,有许多不同的机制可以导致纤维化。以往的研究表明,Cdc42与癌症、心血管疾病、神经退行性病变等有密切的联系,却未提及Cdc42与纤维化之间存在的直接联系。该文总结最新的研究成果,讨论了Cdc42与肝、肾、肺以及心血管纤维化的关系。除此之外,该文也阐述了Cdc42通过细胞黏附迁移、上皮–间质转化等途径导致纤维化的具体机制,以及Cdc42介导的信号通路在纤维化过程中发挥的作用,同时还致力于研究各类关键因子之间的联系及与Rho蛋白质家族的"交谈(crosstalk)",更进一步完善了纤维化发生机制,并提出针对Cdc42的靶向治疗方式,以拓宽纤维化的治疗方案。     

辅助伴侣分子Cdc37蛋白的研究进展

细胞分裂周期蛋白Cdc37最初是在芽殖酵母中发现的细胞周期相关蛋白。随后的研究表明Cdc37具有伴侣分子活性,可以特异地募集一系列的蛋白激酶结合到热激蛋白90（Hsp90）上,形成特定的分子伴侣复合体,参与维持蛋白的稳定性和激酶活性。Cdc37参与了细胞内的多项生命活动,在细胞周期、信号转导和基因表达中都起着重要的作用。由于Cdc37在肿瘤组织中特异性地高表达,使其成为肿瘤治疗中一个重要的分子靶点。     

Cdc37: a protein kinase chaperone?

The activity of most protein kinases is highly regulated, typically via phosphorylation and/or subunit association. However, the folding of protein kinases into an active state or a form capable of activation is now emerging as another important step through which they can be regulated. The 50-kDa protein Cdc37 and the associated heat-shock protein Hsp90 have been found to bind to, and be required for the activity of, diverse protein kinases, including Cdk4, v-Src, Raf and SEVENLESS. Together, Cdc37 and Hsp90 may act as a general chaperone for protein kinases, in particular those involved in signal-transduction pathways and cell-cycle control.     

黄牛、牦牛和犏牛睾丸组织中Cdc2、Cdc25A基因mRNA表达水平

黄牛和牦牛远缘杂交后代犏牛雄性不育是牦牛杂交改良中的一大难题。Cdc2和Cdc25A是减数分裂的两个关键基因, 其表达水平的下降将使精子发生不能正常进行, 导致雄性不育。为了探讨Cdc2、Cdc25A基因mRNA表达水平与犏牛雄性不育的关系, 文章采用荧光定量PCR技术对Cdc2和Cdc25A基因的组织表达特征以及在黄牛、牦牛和犏牛睾丸组织中的表达水平进行了分析。结果表明: Cdc2和Cdc25A基因在牦牛各种组织中广泛表达, 说明Cdc2和Cdc25A基因在各种组织细胞分裂和细胞周期运行中均发挥作用; 黄牛和牦牛睾丸组织中Cdc2、Cdc25A基因表达水平均显著高于犏牛(P<0.05), 说明睾丸组织中Cdc2和Cdc25A基因的低表达可能与犏牛雄性不育相关。     

Dpb11 Protein Helps Control Assembly of the Cdc45·Mcm2-7·GINS Replication Fork Helicase

Dpb11 is required for the initiation of DNA replication in budding yeast. Dpb11 binds to S-phase cyclin-dependent kinase-phosphorylated Sld2 and Sld3 to form a ternary complex during S phase. The replication fork helicase in eukaryotes is composed of Cdc45, Mcm2-7, and GINS. We show here, using purified proteins from budding yeast, that Dpb11 alone binds to Mcm2-7 and that Dpb11 also competes with GINS for binding to Mcm2-7. Furthermore, Dpb11 binds directly to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), and ssDNA inhibits the Dpb11 interaction with Mcm2-7. We also found that Dpb11 can recruit Cdc45 to Mcm2-7. We identified a mutant of the BRCT4 motif of Dpb11 that remains bound to Mcm2-7 in the presence of ssDNA (dpb11-m1,m2,m3,m5), and this mutant exhibits a DNA replication defect when expressed in budding yeast cells. Expression of this mutant results in increased interaction between Dpb11 and Mcm2-7 during S phase, impaired GINS interaction with Mcm2-7 during S phase, and decreased replication protein A (RPA) interaction with origin DNA during S phase. We propose a model in which Dpb11 first recruits Cdc45 to Mcm2-7. Dpb11, although bound to Cdc45·Mcm2-7, can block the interaction between GINS and Mcm2-7. Upon extrusion of ssDNA from the central channel of Mcm2-7, Dpb11 dissociates from Mcm2-7, and Dpb11 binds to ssDNA, thereby allowing GINS to bind to Cdc45·Mcm2-7. Finally, we propose that Dpb11 functions with Sld2 and Sld3 to help control the assembly of the replication fork helicase.     

Cdc13在端粒保护和细胞周期中的功能

在酿酒酵母中Cdc13是端粒复制调控机制中的重要分子,其主要作用是募集端粒酶复合体形成端粒末端保护,为细胞周期顺利进行做准备;此过程是Cdc13与正、负调控因子相互作用协调完成的。Cdc13突变会引起端粒不稳定、细胞凋亡及衰老,对Cdc13及在人类中存在的同源蛋白质的基础研究,为肿瘤治疗开辟了新的途径。     

Cdc25B在小鼠受精卵的表达和定位

为阐明细胞分裂周期(Cdc)25B调控小鼠受精卵发育的机制,利用Western印迹检测小鼠受精卵各时期Cdc25B的表达及Cdc2-Tyr15的磷酸化状态。利用间接免疫荧光技术观察Cdc25B在小鼠受精卵的定位。构建pEGFP-Cdc25B融合表达载体并显微注射到受精卵中,观察Cdc25B在受精卵M期的定位变化。结果表明Cdc25B在G1和S期被磷酸化,在G2和M期去磷酸化。Cdc2-Tyr15在G1和S期处于磷酸化状态,G2期只检测到Cdc2-Tyr15轻微的磷酸化信号,M期未检测到任何Cdc2-Tyr15的磷酸化信号。Cdc25B在G1期定位于细胞质和细胞核中,S和G2期定位于细胞质的皮质部分,M期由细胞质转向核区。证明Cdc25B核输出后激活有丝分裂促进因子,从而启动小鼠受精卵的有丝分裂。     

Cdc45: the missing RecJ ortholog in eukaryotes?

DNA replication is one of the most ancient of cellular processes and functional similarities among its molecular machinery are apparent across all cellular life. Cdc45 is one of the essential components of the eukaryotic replication fork and is required for the initiation and elongation of DNA replication, but its molecular function is currently unknown. In order to trace its evolutionary history and to identify functional domains, we embarked on a computational sequence analysis of the Cdc45 protein family. Our findings reveal eukaryotic Cdc45 and prokaryotic RecJ to possess a common ancestry and Cdc45 to contain a catalytic site within a predicted exonuclease domain. The likely orthology between Cdc45 and RecJ reveals new lines of enquiry into DNA replication mechanisms in eukaryotes.     

Rac1和Cdc42在乳腺癌中的表达和临床意义

目的:研究Rac1和Cdc42在人乳腺癌中的表达及临床意义。方法:收集339例人乳腺癌组织样本,通过免疫组化的方法检测Rac1和Cdc42的表达情况,并分析其与乳腺癌临床病理学特征间的相关性。结果:Rac1和Cdc42在正常乳腺组织中几乎不表达,而在肿瘤组织的阳性表达率分别为35.9%和38.5%,均较正常乳腺组织显著升高,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.001和P0.05)。卡方检验分析表明,二者的表达与患者的年龄、肿瘤大小、组织分化程度、HER2状态无关(P0.05),而与TNM分期、淋巴结转移、肿瘤侵袭、ER状态和Ki-67表达有相(P0.05)。相关性分析表明,Rac1和Cdc42的表达与高TNM分期(r分别为0.443和0.295;P均0.001)、淋巴结转移阳性(r均为0.480和0.562;P均0.001)、肿瘤侵袭(r分别为0.412和0.440;P均0.001)、ER阴性表达(r分别为-0.517和-0.342;P均0.001)以及Ki-67高表达(r分别为0.338和0.454;P均0.001)呈正相关。结论:在乳腺癌组织中,Rac1和Cdc42作为癌基因表达增加,可能在乳腺癌恶性进程中发挥重要作用。     

植物来源的蛋白磷酸酶Cdc25C的新抑制剂

蛋白磷酸酶Cdc25C能够使有丝分裂激酶CDK1/cyclin B去磷酸化,从而促进细胞周期的进程.已经在一些肿瘤细胞中检测到Cdc25C的过量表达,这使得Cde25C成为肿瘤治疗中的潜在靶标.通过随机筛选,发现了八个CAe25C的天然新抑制剂(1-8),其IC50值在1.66～75.07umol/L之间.肿瘤细胞毒试验结果表明,其中四个化合物(化合物3,4,5,7)对十种肿瘤细胞株显示一定的细胞毒活性,其IC50值皆小于10ug/ml.     

人源Cdc25C蛋白的融合表达及纯化

目的:表达并纯化有活性的GST-Cdc25C融合蛋白,以用于Cdc25C功能研究。方法:利用RT-PCR克隆MCF-7细胞的cdc25c全长基因;在大肠杆菌中表达GST-Cdc25C融合蛋白;利用GSH交联的琼脂糖珠纯化GST-Cdc25C融合蛋白;通过体外磷酸酶活性分析检测GST-Cdc25C融合蛋白的磷酸酶活性。结果:克隆获得1465 bp的人源cdc25c全长基因,并克隆至pGEX-4T-1原核表达载体;在原核系统中可溶性表达了相对分子质量约87×103的GST-Cdc25C融合蛋白;通过亲和纯化获得的GST-Cdc25C融合蛋白具有较好的磷酸酶活性。结论:得到了有磷酸酶活性的GST-Cdc25C融合蛋白,可用于后续的Cdc25C功能研究。