八肋游仆虫核糖体蛋白L11的基因克隆与序列分析

以单细胞真核生物八肋游仆虫Euplotes octocarinatus为实验材料,采用PCR、RT-PCR方法克隆了核糖体蛋白L11基因(EoRPL11).将该序列与GenBank中其他物种的RPL11基因序列进行同源性比对,采用DNAStar软件进行聚类分析.结果显示,成功克隆到游仆虫RPL11基因,大核中该基因全长709 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)为531 bp,编码176个氨基酸;cDNA序列与大核中ORF序列一致,表明该基因具有转录活性;所推导的氨基酸序列与嗜热四膜虫Tetrahymena thermophila的RPL11同源性最高,为66%.     

游仆虫重组核糖体蛋白L11与肽链释放因子的体外相互作用分析

核糖体蛋白L11(ribosome protein L11)是一种高度保守的蛋白质．为研究真核生物的核糖体蛋白L11的功能,从八肋游仆虫（Euplotes octocarinatus）大核基因组中克隆到核糖体蛋白L11基因,构建了重组表达质粒pGEX-6p1-L11,通过谷胱甘肽-Sepharose 4B亲和层析,纯化了重组融合蛋白GST-L11．Pull down 分析显示,八肋游仆虫的核糖体蛋白L11与第一类肽链释放因子eRF1a可以在体外相互作用．这一结果提示,与原核生物一样,低等真核生物的核糖体蛋白L11在肽链终止过程中可能起一定的作用．     

EoRab11a在游仆虫及HEK293T细胞中的定位

Rab11是一种在真核生物细胞生命活动过程中发挥多种调控作用的小分子GTP酶.EoRab11a是八肋游仆虫中的Rab11蛋白同源物,为了解EoRab11a蛋白在细胞中的功能,本研究将EoRab11a基因克隆到哺乳动物表达载体pEGFP-C2中,构建重组表达质粒pEGFP-C2-EoRab11a,转染HEK293T细胞并观察其细胞定位.在间期HEK293T细胞中,EoRab11a定位于细胞核附近;在游仆虫细胞中,EoRab11a具有相似的分布模式.在HEK293T细胞的胞质分裂过程中,EoRab11a在分裂沟附近、分裂沟收缩区、以及最后形成的中间体处分布,提示EoRab11a可能参与了胞质分离过程中分裂沟及中间体处的膜泡运输事件.     

八肋游仆虫酸性核糖体蛋白基因克隆与特征分析

原核和真核生物的核糖体大亚基上都存在着一类酸性核糖体蛋白,在大肠杆菌中,分别为L10和L7/L12蛋白,而在真核生物中是P0、P1和P2(简称P蛋白)。这些酸性核糖体蛋白共同组成五聚体复合物P0-(P1/P2)2,在大亚基上形成一个向外侧凸出的柄状结构(Ribosomalstalk)。酸性核糖体蛋白位于核糖体的活性部位,一方面     

八肋游仆虫酸性核糖体磷酸化蛋白P1有2个亚型

真核生物酸性核糖体磷酸化蛋白(P0、P1、P2)位于核糖体60S大亚基上,它们在核糖体上共同组成一个向外侧凸出的五聚体的柄状复合物［P0·(P1·P2)2］,该复合物在蛋白质合成延伸过程中起着重要作用．为了探讨单细胞真核生物核糖体柄状复合物的组成形式及在蛋白质合成中的作用,对八肋游仆虫（Euplotes octocarinatus）的P1进行了研究．通过生物信息学方法,分析八肋游仆虫基因组及转录组数据,找到2个酸性核糖体蛋白P1基因,从DNA 和cDNA中都扩增到这2个P1基因,表明八肋游仆虫酸性核糖体磷酸化蛋白P1确实存在2个亚型. 将2个基因克隆后分别构建重组表达质粒pET28a-P1A和pGEX-6P-1-P1B,在大肠杆菌BL21中获得高效表达.经镍柱和GST柱亲和层析后,获得较高纯度的八肋游仆虫酸性核糖体蛋白EoP1A和EoP1B,表达产物经Western印迹检测为阳性．Pull-down分析了EoP1A和EoP1B之间的相互作用．结果表明,游仆虫酸性核糖体磷酸化蛋白P1的2个亚型EoP1A和EoP1B之间存在相互作用.     

粟酒裂殖酵母核糖体蛋白RPL21表达不足引发细胞粘附

【目的】随机选择裂殖酵母核糖体蛋白RPL21作为研究对象,分析其表达不足对细胞的影响。【方法】通过同源臂交换的方法,敲除裂殖酵母基因组中RPL21蛋白的编码基因rpl21-1和rpl21-2,观察突变菌株rpl21-1Δ和rpl21-2Δ细胞内的核糖体合成情况以及细胞表型变化。【结果】突变菌株rpl21-1Δ和rpl21-2Δ细胞内总的rpl21(rpl21-1+rpl21-2)表达水平与野生型菌株相比分别减少了66.5%和58.7%,合成的核糖体总量较野生型菌株分别下降了62.8%和50.4%。突变菌株在YEPD液体培养基中培养时发生细胞粘附现象,而基因回补的重组菌株rpl21-1Δ/RPL21-1和rpl21-2Δ/RPL21-2突变株细胞中粘附现象消失。【结论】核糖体蛋白损伤造成核糖体合成受阻,进而引发细胞生长过程中的粘附在粟酒裂殖酵母中是普遍存在的现象。     

前列腺癌细胞中雄激素调控核糖体蛋白和氨酰-tRNA合成酶蛋白棕榈酰化修饰

作者对雄激素R1881或DMSO处理的LNCaP细胞进行炔基棕榈酸代谢标记,之后利用点击化学反应形成的共价键富集棕榈酰化修饰蛋白,并对富集蛋白进行质谱定量分析,从而筛选、鉴定棕榈酰化修饰水平受雄激素诱导的蛋白。结果发现,雄激素在LNCaP细胞内促进核糖体蛋白RPL12、RPS4X和谷氨酰脯氨酰-tRNA合成酶(EPRS)棕榈酰化修饰,在细胞上清中促进甘氨酰-tRNA合成酶(GARS)棕榈酰化修饰。对RPL12、RPS4X和EPRS棕榈酰化调控机制的研究将为前列腺癌的治疗提供新的指导思路;雄激素诱导下细胞内RPL12、RPS4X和EPRS棕榈酰化修饰水平的升高可以作为相关的肿瘤标志物,细胞上清中GARS棕榈酰化修饰水平的升高对于前列腺癌的早期筛查具有重要的参考价值。     

滑动序列对游仆虫中识别+1位和+2位编程性核糖体移码具有关键作用

编程性核糖体移码(programmed ribosomal frameshifting,PRF)广泛存在于生命进化谱系的各个分支,是一种翻译水平上的基因表达调控方式。单细胞真核生物游仆虫(Euplotes)中不仅PRF基因比例高,而且移码类型有+1和+2位两种。本研究从基因组水平对八肋游仆虫(E.octocarinatus)中的+2 PRF基因进行了鉴定,比较分析+1及+2 PRF基因中可能的调控元件。为了探讨游仆虫中滑动序列对移码类型的影响,克隆了八肋游仆虫的+1 PRF基因——η微管蛋白基因,将其构建到含绿色荧光蛋白报告基因的游仆虫大核人工染色体中,转染游仆虫细胞,通过检测GFP的表达来确定不同滑动序列突变体对应的移码类型。结果表明,滑动序列的改变能使游仆虫+1 PRF转变为+2 PRF,且这种移码类型的改变与滑动序列第1个密码子编码何种氨基酸无关。本研究揭示了滑动序列对游仆虫中识别+1和+2位的编程性核糖体移码具有关键作用。     

八肋游仆虫胞质核糖体蛋白基因序列特征分析

为了探讨八肋游仆虫(Euplotes octocarinatus)核糖体蛋白基因的数目及其结构的特殊性, 研究通过生物信息学方法, 对八肋游仆虫胞质核糖体蛋白进行了系统的分析。共鉴定得到98个基因编码78种不同的胞质核糖体蛋白。其中19种胞质核糖体蛋白基因发生了复制, 尽管都是有功能的, 但其中一个基因的表达受到限制。通过与高等真核生物比较, 我们发现: 八肋游仆虫核糖体蛋白eS30缺失了N端的类泛素结构域, eL6缺失了N端的Ribosomal_L6e_N结构域。另外, 不同于其他高等真核生物, 八肋游仆虫酸性核糖体磷酸化蛋白uL10为碱性蛋白。研究为进一步探讨低等真核生物核糖体的组装及功能奠定了基础。     

SUMO化修饰的Apak对核糖体RNA合成的调控作用

核糖体是由核糖体RNA和核糖体蛋白组成的复合体,其功能是参与蛋白质合成.SUMO化修饰的底物蛋白对核糖体的形成有重要调控作用.前期研究发现,KRAB型锌指蛋白Apak能特异地抑制p53所介导的凋亡通路.进一步研究发现,在核仁应激及癌基因激活条件下,抑癌蛋白ARF促进Apak发生SUMO化修饰并促使其移位于核仁.为了进一步探讨SUMO化修饰的Apak对核糖体RNA合成的调控功能,本研究通过Northern blot检测SUMO化修饰的Apak对核糖体RNA合成的影响,实时定量PCR检测核糖体RNA转录水平,RNA-Ch IP方法检测核糖体RNA与Apak蛋白的相互作用,结果表明,SUMO化修饰的Apak抑制47S核糖体RNA前体的合成且抑制RNA聚合酶Ⅰ介导转录的18S和5.8S r RNA的合成;在放线菌素D以及癌基因诱导下,促进Apak与18S,5.8S r RNA相互作用.本研究对理解Apak的功能和作用机制提供了新的依据,为深入研究KRAB型锌指蛋白家族分子对核糖体RNA的调控奠定了基础.     

Ribosomal protein RPL22/eL22 regulates the cell cycle by acting as an inhibitor of the CDK4-cyclin D complex

Senescence is a tumor suppressor program characterized by a stable growth arrest while maintaining cell viability. Senescence-associated ribogenesis defects (SARD) have been shown to regulate senescence through the ability of the ribosomal protein S14 (RPS14 or uS11) to bind and inhibit the cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4). Here we report another ribosomal protein that binds and inhibits CDK4 in senescent cells: L22 (RPL22 or eL22). Enforcing the expression of RPL22/eL22 is sufficient to induce an RB and p53-dependent cellular senescent phenotype in human fibroblasts. Mechanistically, RPL22/eL22 can interact with and inhibit CDK4-Cyclin D1 to decrease RB phosphorylation both in vitro and in cells. Briefly, we show that ribosome-free RPL22/eL22 causes a cell cycle arrest which could be relevant during situations of nucleolar stress such as cellular senescence or the response to cancer chemotherapy.     

Silencing of Ribosomal Protein S9 Elicits a Multitude of Cellular Responses Inhibiting the Growth of Cancer Cells Subsequent to p53 Activation

Background

Disruption of the nucleolus often leads to activation of the p53 tumor suppressor pathway through inhibition of MDM2 that is mediated by a limited set of ribosomal proteins including RPL11 and RPL5. The effects of ribosomal protein loss in cultured mammalian cells have not been thoroughly investigated. Here we characterize the cellular stress response caused by depletion of ribosomal protein S9 (RPS9).

Methodology/Principal Findings

Depletion of RPS9 impaired production of 18S ribosomal RNA and induced p53 activity. It promoted p53-dependent morphological differentiation of U343MGa Cl2:6 glioma cells as evidenced by intensified expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and profound changes in cell shape. U2OS osteosarcoma cells displayed a limited senescence response with increased expression of DNA damage response markers, whereas HeLa cervical carcinoma cells underwent cell death by apoptosis. Knockdown of RPL11 impaired p53-dependent phenotypes in the different RPS9 depleted cell cultures. Importantly, knockdown of RPS9 or RPL11 also markedly inhibited cell proliferation through p53-independent mechanisms. RPL11 binding to MDM2 was retained despite decreased levels of RPL11 protein following nucleolar stress. In these settings, RPL11 was critical for maintaining p53 protein stability but was not strictly required for p53 protein synthesis.

Conclusions

p53 plays an important role in the initial restriction of cell proliferation that occurs in response to decreased level of RPS9. Our results do not exclude the possibility that other nucleolar stress sensing molecules act upstream or in parallel to RPL11 to activate p53. Inhibiting the expression of certain ribosomal proteins, such as RPS9, could be one efficient way to reinitiate differentiation processes or to induce senescence or apoptosis in rapidly proliferating tumor cells.     

Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein L11 Gene of Dictyostelium discoideum Resides not in the Nuclear Genome but in the Mitochondrial Genome

During the course of analysis of the mitochondrial genome ofthe cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum, we founda gene (rpl11) for mitochondrial ribosomal protein L11 (RPL11),having 172 amino acid residues. Southern blot analysis revealedthat the gene resided in the mitochondrial DNA as a singlecopybut not in the nuclear DNA. From Northern blot experiments,one major mRNA (about 27 kb) and two minor mRNAs (about 4 and5 kb) for the gene were detected in the mitochondria. This isthe first report showing that the active gene for RPL11 stillresides in the mitochondrial genome and has not been transferredto the nuclear genome in D. discoideum.     

Repression of HIP/RPL29 expression induces differentiation in colon cancer cells

We had previously shown that the expression of heparin/heparan sulfate interacting protein/ribosomal protein L29 (HIP/RPL29) was upregulated in colon cancer tissues. The present study investigated the role of HIP/RPL29 in differentiation in colon cancer cells. Inducing cellular differentiation in HT-29 cells by both sodium butyrate and glucose deprivation resulted in a significant downregulation of HIP/RPL29 expression. The beta-catenin/Tcf-4 pathway is the most important pathway controlling the switch between cellular differentiation and proliferation in intestinal epithelial cells. Inducing differentiation by dominant-negative inhibition of the beta-catenin/Tcf-4 complexes in LS174T cells also resulted in downregulation of HIP/RPL29. To determine whether a lower expression of HIP/RPL29 could induce differentiation in cancer cells, small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting HIP/RPL29 was transfected into LS174T cells. The resultant knockdown of HIP/RPL29 expression induced cellular differentiation, as shown by the increased expression of two known markers of differentiation in LS174T cells, galectin-4 and mucin-2. In addition, the differentiation process induced by repression of HIP/RPL29 expression was accompanied by the upregulation of p21 and p53. In conclusion, HIP/RPL29 plays a role in the cellular differentiation process in colon cancer cells. The differentiation process is at least partially mediated by the upregulation of p21 and p53 pathways.     

MicroRNA-222 alleviates radiation-induced apoptosis by targeting BCL2L11 in cochlea hair cells

Radiation-induced hair cell injury is detrimental for human health but the underlying mechanism is not clear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have critical roles in various types of cellular biological processes. The present study investigated the role of miR-222 in the regulation of ionizing radiation (IR)-induced cell injury in auditory cells and its underlying mechanism. Real-time PCR was performed to identify the expression profile of miR-222 in the cochlea hair cell line HEI-OC1 after IR exposure. miRNA mimics or inhibitor-mediated up- or down-regulation of indicated miRNA was applied to characterize the biological effects of miR-222 using MTT, apoptosis and DNA damage assay. Bioinformatics analyses and luciferase reporter assays were applied to identify an miRNA target gene. Our study confirmed that IR treatment significantly suppressed miR-222 levels in a dose-dependent manner. Up-regulation of miR-222 enhances cell viability and alleviated IR-induced apoptosis and DNA damage in HEI-OC1 cells. In addition, BCL-2-like protein 11 (BCL2L11) was validated as a direct target of miR-222. Overexpression of BCL2L11 abolished the protective effects of miR-222 in IR-treated HEI-OC1 cells. Moreover, miR-222 alleviated IR-induced apoptosis and DNA damage by directly targeting BCL2L11. The present study demonstrates that miR-222 exhibits protective effects against irradiation-induced cell injury by directly targeting BCL2L11 in cochlear cells.